Because he became a celebrity support guest, he gained exposure in a small circle.
After seeing this, Shi Lan said to Tang Ze, "First, pull out that woman who snatched our people and give her a thrashing."
"Understood," Tang Ze nodded.
The two were now in the corridor outside the dance studio, with Shi Lan holding hot milk and speaking in a hushed voice.
Tang Ze glanced at her and asked, "Are you feeling cold? According to An Lan, when she was little, she fell into icy water during the cold winter, so since then, she’s been especially sensitive to the cold."
"I’m freezing to death!" complained the big boss Shi, "It wasn’t noticeable before winter even started, but now I absolutely don’t want to leave the house."
Only wanting to be Yan Uncle’s pampered little wife at home.
"Isn’t it your birthday tomorrow?"
Tang Ze seemed to remember something and asked Shi Lan.
"I don’t want anything, and don’t remind anyone else either. Give me some peace," Shi Lan answered quickly, "The ’Superstar’ show will begin recording in a few days. We can find a time to go public with that matter. It’ll be like a morale booster, especially for that traitor who’s become famous now; they need the competitive spirit and confidence even more."
"It’s already being arranged. A non-disclosure agreement is essential."
"You and Xiao Yue can handle this. I’m going home to lie down," she said.
Because of her fear of the cold, she couldn’t even bother to supervise the renovation at the superstar’s side, leaving everything to Han Hao to check the progress. As for Grandmother Chen’s studio, it was now flourishing. An international luxury brand appreciated the grandmother’s craftsmanship and proposed strategic cooperation, wanting to launch a collaborative brand with her.
The old lady hadn’t even had time to react when all kinds of good fortune began to rain down on her.
She felt anxious about how easily things were coming her way, so she only took a twenty percent share of the royalties from the foreign offer. She d all the other income to charity through the art gallery staff. And for her work at the art gallery, she only took the most basic salary because that made her feel at ease.
As for Shi Lan, the master put her in full charge of the Yunlian studio.
But Shi Lan knew that the craftsmanship belonged to Granny Chen, and the contacts belonged to the master, so she was just a figurehead. She didn’t rest on her laurels, instead, she took the opportunity to promote the Yunlian embroidery brand. The high-end collaboration had been done, which laid a foundation and cornerstone for the old lady’s cooperation. Shi Lan didn’t need the old lady to produce many works, she just needed her to maintain her exquisite standard.
All was developing in a good direction.
In late December, the temperature in Yancheng began to rapidly drop.
When Shi Lan left Peak’s dance studio, the sky outside was a gloomy yellow. Halfway on her way back, it began to snow.
She had heard that the year she was born, Yancheng also experienced heavy snowfall.
In the past, she didn’t feel the cold, perhaps fearless of life and death. Now, she felt the cold, perhaps because there was someone waiting at home, having tasted the flavor of warmth.
After learning she was afraid of the cold, Yan Shixiu basically came home early every day and waited for her in the living room.
Shi Lan would be wrapped in a blanket as soon as she opened the door, then slip into fluffy slippers and sip a bowl of rich chicken soup.
Tonight, the slippers were already at the doorway when she got home, and to her surprise, Shi Xiu was busy in the kitchen.
He was wearing a black turtleneck sweater, standing in the middle of the spacious open kitchen washing vegetables, looking relaxed and comfortable.
"Honey, it’s snowing," she said.
Yan Shixiu looked up at her and said, "Go change your clothes, then come down for dinner."
Shi Lan nodded and was about to turn away when Yan Shixiu’s phone rang.
"Help me answer the phone."
Shi Lan moved closer, took the phone out of his pocket, and then saw that the caller ID displayed ’Mom’.
If it’s not Yan’s mother, then it must be...
Yan Shixiu gave Shi Lan a look and said, "Answer it, and put it on speaker."
Shi Lan did as instructed, and then heard a familiar yet unfamiliar voice on the phone, "Tomorrow is Shi Lan’s birthday, won’t you go pay your respects?"
Why pay respects when the person is right in front of you?
"I won’t," Yan Shixiu answered succinctly.
"Just as I thought, a heartless beast, without Shi Lan, where would you be today?" Shi Lan’s mother scoffed on the phone, "You really are ruthless."
Shi Lan couldn’t be bothered to listen to her nonsense any longer and hung up the phone for Yan Shixiu before deleting Shi Mother’s number from the contact list.
"I’m going upstairs to change."
Originally, Yan Shixiu had been prepared to help Shi Lan move on, but a phone call from Shi Mother instantly brought back all the distress Shi Lan had faced since her birth.
Seeing Shi Lan turn around, Yan Shixiu pulled her into his embrace and said above her head, "You don’t know how grateful I am for your existence."
"Sometimes, I really wish I were nine years older than you. I’ve fantasized about being by your side the moment you were born, and I would have shown you how eagerly I awaited your arrival."
"Even though you’ve suffered a lot and been through so much, I’m still thankful you were born."
After listening to Yan Shixiu’s words, Shi Lan felt the irritation in her heart smoothed away considerably.
It seemed that the things of the past could now be forgiven.
"We are each other’s salvation, so, Shi Lan, let’s create new memories and forget the past, shall we?"
That night, the two of them were intensely entwined on the hammock in the study.
Outside the window, heavy snow fluttered down, while the room was blazing hot.
At midnight, brilliant fireworks rose into the night sky, adding a touch of dreaminess to the quiet night.
When they paused, Yan Shixiu looked at the person beneath him and tenderly said, "Happy Birthday."
"Mr. Yan, is this how you celebrate my birthday?"
Yan Shixiu held the person in his arms tighter, as if he had obtained some rare treasure, "Of course not, it’s just that, I’m not enough."
With that remark, Mr. Yan successfully ignited the battlefield for the rest of the night.
When Shi Lan woke up on her bed the next morning, she discovered not only had she been moved back to her bedroom, but there was also a wall hanging in the corner facing the large bed.
More specifically, it was an embroidery, clearly the work of Aunt Chen.
In the picture frame were two people, herself and Yan Shixiu, both dressed in a wedding gown and a tuxedo.
Shi Lan got out of bed after lifting the covers and saw a note on the bedside table.
"Little Anlan, this is Aunt Chen. Hearing from Shi Xiu that today is your real birthday, the two of us prepared this gift for you. Wishing you safety, happiness, and a smooth life."
Shi Lan scoffed after reading it.
The embroidery was all Aunt Chen’s work, what did Uncle Yan contribute?
When Yan Shixiu came upstairs, he heard Shi Lan’s light snort and wrapped his arms around her, asking, "Don’t you like it?"
"This is a gift embroidered by Aunt Chen, where is yours?"
Yan Shixiu looked at Shi Lan, his eyes gentle, "I can turn this picture into reality."
Shi Lan was stunned—turning it into reality meant... a wedding, right?
"I’m preparing for the wedding, waiting for you."