Chapter 286

Grade 10 Class A.

The heating is just right.

Mu Youyu tapped her fingertip twice on the phone screen, replied to Song Yan's caring message, then placed the phone face-down on the desk.

She rested her chin on her hand, her clear eyes full of confusion as she looked at the boy beside her, "A Jin, do you feel that Song Yan has been acting strange these days?"

A week ago, after her first piano practice, Song Yan would come to the Mu Family in the evenings to keep her company, but lately he hasn't been coming much.

Jiang Liangjin was lowering his head to flip through his textbook; hearing this, he looked up and said, "It's a bit."

A few days ago, this person practically wanted to stick to Youbao all the time, constantly competing with him in secret.

These days, however, he seems to be deliberately avoiding him; when they occasionally run into each other, he merely glances away hurriedly.

Even more strangely, he had someone send over that company, yet Song Yan didn't even want it.

The initial message clearly said he wanted it; truly fickle.

He also thought, Song Yan at least took that plot of land in West City, so he didn't dwell on it further.

Mu Youyu was puzzled, "Just a few days ago everything was fine, and Song Yan said he'd accompany me in piano practice, but these days he hasn't even set foot in the music room."

Later she also played an extra rendition of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' for Song Yan, who praised her.

I really don't know why his mood is off.

Jiang Liangjin looked innocent, "I don't know what's wrong with him either."

Seeing Mu Youyu not responding, he put down his textbook, turned his body slightly toward her, closing the distance, and said, "Maybe he's busy with a project?"

I don't know.

"You should ask him?" Jiang Liangjin lowered his gaze at her, "If you speak up, he'll definitely answer."

Mu Youyu tilted her head, about to nod, when she saw Bai Yun hurry in, her face showing a hint of excitement.

"Just now, Sister Liu said the cultural festival performance has no ranking; it's just for fun!"

"Huh?" Mu Youyu blinked, somewhat surprised.

These days she's also been brainstorming with Jiang Liangjin on how to perform Lone Walk more splendidly.

Not wanting to disappoint Teacher Tan's expectations, she never imagined it would be just for fun.

The classmates fell silent for a few seconds, then began to wail.

"Really no ranking?"

"I've been practicing dance for several nights straight for this performance; what's this supposed to be?"

"Me too! I even had my mom hire a professional teacher for guidance, and yet there's no ranking?"

"Oh, damn, our class lost a chance to shine."

"Could we ask Sister Liu to give out a few rankings? Even without prizes would be fine."

"Actually, having Sister Mu Youyu say it would give more face, Brother Jiang Liangjin would also work."

Bai Yun pulled over a chair and sat down, exhaling a puff of white air, "Exactly! Sister Liu said the principal thinks everyone's exhausted from prepping for finals, so the cultural festival is just meant to let everyone relax."

"So they only set up a Best Participation Award, something everyone gets."

Jiang Liangjin saw Mu Youyu's eyes light up instantly, and the smile in his eyes grew richer.

She wasn't really the type to care about rankings; she just didn't want to let down the expectations of those around her.

"That's fine too." He said gently, "No need to feel pressured; just play as you like."

Mu Youyu looked up at Jiang Liangjin, "I'll listen to you, but even without a ranking I want to play beautifully, after all, this is my first time on stage with the Star Sink that A Jin gave me."

Jiang Liangjin blurted out, "Youbao plays anything beautifully; even if he just randomly plucks a few notes, it sounds better than anyone else's performance."

Bai Yun, sitting in front, sighed, "Oh, so I'm just a backdrop, huh? No one cares about how I feel as the lead singer."

Jiang Liangjin said nothing.

Mu Youyu quickly turned back to her, raising her little hand, "I care, I care!"

Bai Yun saw her behaving all proper and cute, and instantly stopped feeling 'wronged'; she laughed and pinched her cheeks, "What an honor, to be noticed by Miss Mu."

The two little girls huddled together.

Bai Yun's eyes sparkled, "I think we can wear matching-colored dresses; they'll definitely look great and be photo-worthy!"

"But won't it be too cold?" Xia Chaoyi came over, his tone worried.

Mu Youyu blinked and reminded, "It's fine; wear whatever you want, doesn't the banquet hall have heating?"

"Exactly! Even if we freeze to death, we'll still go on stage looking gorgeous!" Bai Yun patted her chest, full of heroic spirit, "At worst we wear a thin thermal layer inside, put on the dress outside, and take it off when we go on stage!"

Mu Youyu smiled and nodded, "Sure, let's go pick out dresses together this afternoon."

Jiang Liangjin said, "I'll keep you company," recalling what Gu Xingnan said last night: "Song Yan hasn't been going smoothly."

He took out his phone and sent a message to his subordinates: 【For Song Yan's film and television project's Art Resources, before he replies, make more contact points】.

The chairman's office on the top floor of the Song Clan conglomerate.

The utterly bewildering Song Yan suddenly slammed his hand on the desk; the desktop made a sound, shaking the coffee cups on it.

The Special Assistant stood at the side, his face showing no expression, obviously already used to this.

He merely paused for a moment, then continued to report the project's progress in an orderly manner.

Lu Yuchu sat on the opposite sofa, his hand trembling as he signed.

He raised his head, put down his fountain pen, gestured for the Special Assistant to stop, looked at Song Yan, and though not angry, asked, "What's up, Yan Yan?"

He and this cousin have always been close, growing up together, later entering the entertainment industry together and collaborating on films.

He even talks more with this cousin than he does with his own twin brother, Song Yusui; saying they're like real brothers is no exaggeration.

Song Yan leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed, brows furrowed tightly, holding back a surge of anger inside.

He wouldn't accept Jiang Liangjin's charity.

He quit the company, kept the land, thinking to rely on himself to get this project off the ground and prove he's no worse than Jiang Liangjin, but instead he hit obstacles everywhere.

Those production teams are either unresponsive or they open their mouths wide like a lion.

He was so angry his liver ached.

"Brother, I snagged the West City Film and Television Park project a few days ago……"

Although it wasn't he who secured it, now it's all his, so it amounts to the same thing.

He said this with more confidence: "The project's progress is a bit slow now; we lack high-quality audiovisual resources and partners—could you help me connect with them?"

Any notion of relying on himself to forge ahead had long been tossed to the clouds, given the project's stalled progress.

As long as he asks, nobody around him would be unwilling to help.

Lu Yuchu raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.

Song Yan has always been competitive since childhood, preferring to handle everything himself; he rarely asks others for help, let alone turning to him.

"Good." He didn't ask further, simply nodded and agreed, then looked at the Special Assistant: "Go handle it—make the connection at the highest standard, and report any issues promptly."

"Yes, Chairman." The Special Assistant bowed in acceptance, set down the documents, turned, and left the office.

Upon hearing that, Song Yan felt instantly relieved, and the gloom on his face faded considerably.

Still, the brother is reliable—unlike Jiang Liangjin, who knows what he's scheming.