Chapter 287

Lu Yuchu looked at Song Yan's smug little expression and shook his head helplessly.

He picked up the milk on the table, took a sip, and asked casually, "Is this project of yours related to Jiang Liangjin?"

Song Yan's smile froze on his face, as if his thoughts had been exposed, and he bolted upright.

"What does it have to do with him? This project is mine that I secured! Yeah, it's mine..."

By the end, his voice noticeably dropped.

Lu Yuchu glanced at him lightly, tone calm: "That plot in West City—the Jiang Family just bought it a few days ago and turned around and gave it to you. Do you think I wouldn't know?"

"And those resources you lack—Jiang Liangjin's people have already contacted many production teams; the teams under my company all got the info, I just didn't tell you."

Song Yan felt as if his little secret had been exposed in public, and he was both angry and annoyed.

He just knew Jiang Liangjin wasn't that kind-hearted!

He'd secretly done all this without letting him know, clearly trying to make him owe a huge favor unknowingly.

By then, even in front of Youbao he'd be a head shorter!

"He's just meddling!" Song Yan gritted his teeth and angrily punched the sofa arm.

"I don't need his help; even without him I could finish the project well!"

"Really?" a clear male voice suddenly came from the doorway, the office door having been pushed open at some point.

Mu Xin leaned against the doorframe, tall and straight, the hem of his black coat swaying slightly with his movements, a scarf casually draped over his arm.

His face showed little expression, yet he exuded a steady atmosphere.

He had clearly been standing at the doorway for a while, overhearing most of the conversation; seeing Song Yan flustered, he spoke calmly: "Brother Yan, A Jin means well by you too."

"You and he are both doing it for Youbao—why keep fighting?"

Song Yan looked at Mu Xin, who was a few years younger but always seemed mature, and his anger inexplicably faded a bit.

Hearing his words, he casually said: "Mu Xin, you little kid, why are you butting in? This has nothing to do with you."

Mu Xin gave Lu Yuchu a slight nod, then turned his gaze back to him, tone light: "Don't keep thinking of opposing him; you can't beat him, and you'll gain nothing in the end."

"A Jin handles things thoroughly; if he's willing to pave the way for you, he naturally isn't after anything from you."

"Fine, Mu Xin, you insist on joining the fun."

Song Yan pursed his lips and muttered: "You weren't like this before; why are you always speaking up for him now?"

Mu Xin sat down beside Lu Yuchu without responding.

Lu Yuchu also didn't much like Jiang Liangjin, but he didn't want to speak and upset Mu Xin, so he only asked a few casual questions and said no more.

In his heart, however, he quietly classed Mu Xin together with Song Yusui and Mu Xi as being "bought" by Jiang Liangjin's camp.

Seeing Mu Xin revert to his aloof mode, Song Yan also switched to a withdrawn mode, crouching in the corner tapping the floor with his fingertips, drawing circles.

In the blink of an eye it was Wednesday, and the annual cultural festival performance at Lan Lin Middle School arrived as scheduled.

The Lan Lin cultural festival performance began.

Senior high students couldn't participate; they could only watch.

The performances proceeded in order according to the home venues of each first- and second-year class.

The banquet hall had ample heating.

Lights on the stage were brilliant, the backdrop a snow-and-ice theme meticulously designed by the student council.

The ice-crystal patterns refracted beautiful light under the lamps, forming a stark contrast with the cold weather outside the window.

Jiang Liangjin and Yu Ci, as core members of the student council, also served as hosts for this performance.

Jiang Liangjin had gold-pink short hair, wore a dark gray suit, with a small silver lapel pin on the collar, his side profile clean and sharp.

Yu Ci wore a white suit, with a bright-colored small bow tie on the tie, adding a touch of youthful vigor.

As the two stepped onto center stage, they instantly drew a low murmur of awe from the audience below.

"Wow, so handsome, so handsome—finally the final exams are coming, then we can be split into classes!"

"I want to get into A class too—just wait for my comeback!"

"I'm looking forward to the performances of Mu goddess and Miss Bai."

"……"

Mu Youyu sat in the exact middle of the first row of the banquet hall, with Bai Yun beside her.

First-year students have many items; after the performance it will take at least an hour, and the two haven't changed into formal wear yet, just wearing everyday clothes.

Jiang Liangjin held the microphone; the silver bracelet on his wrist inadvertently swayed.

Below, Gu Xingnan looked at the matching bracelet on Mu Youyu's wrist and smiled.

His voice came through the sound system, without a hint of nervousness, speaking quickly and clearly: "Teachers and students, good afternoon; today, to celebrate..."

His gaze seemed to sweep calmly over the audience, but as it passed the first row it precisely landed on Mu Youyu.

Even though there was a distance that wasn't close, Mu Youyu clearly felt that gaze directed solely at her.

She lifted her head, curved her lips at the boy on stage, without a trace of shyness, and even gave him a cheering gesture.

As she raised her hand, the fine chain on her wrist slipped down a bit.

Bai Yun wore a "wow" expression.

Jiang Liangjin's heart twitched slightly; his fingers gripping the microphone tightened a fraction, yet his face remained expressionless as he continued hosting the program.

Only his tone unconsciously softened a bit, and his speech slowed slightly as a result.

Yu Ci noticed, and while the students were clapping, he turned his head and whispered, audible only to the two of them: "Restrain yourself, don't treat us as mere decorations."

Jiang Liangjin gave him a light glance: "Just recite your lines properly."

Yu Ci snorted, stopped teasing him, picked up the microphone, and moved on to the next segment.

The two worked in seamless tandem, smoothly guiding the first performance forward.

At the same time, the back door of the banquet hall was gently pushed open, and Lu Yuchu and Song Yan walked in.

Both wore low-key dark coats, yet they still couldn't hide their outstanding demeanor.

It's Chu Chu and Song Yan! Wow, they came to see Mu Youyu?

Definitely, the Mu and Song families all treat Mu Youyu like a precious darling.

Ah, I feel Chu Chu has become much more steady.

My husband has grown up, he knows how to support the family.

Who would've thought, I used to ship their brother CP from the movie they worked together on, and now seeing them together in real life still gets me excited!

Sniff, so does that mean their movie has no sequel?

No way, didn't Lu Yuchu just say he was taking a temporary break from the industry?

……

Song Yan looked at the stage, ignoring Gu Xingnan, and turned his gaze to another dazzling youth, letting out a sigh.

I don't know what he's thinking.

Mu Xi, who had just entered, clicked her tongue lightly, looked at Lu Yuchu, and said, "I'll go backstage to check on Star Sink; want to come together?"

Lu Yuchu naturally knew Star Sink; he too was a piano student, and immediately walked backstage together with Mu Xi.

As they passed the first row, Mu Xi ruffled Mu Youyu's head gently, saying in a tender tone, "You watch for now; I'll come over later, big brother."