Chapter 26: Real-Life Mary Sue

In the morning, Chen Ci tidied up the study again, turning it into a workshop.

At this moment Chen Ci crossed hands behind their head, lying on the chair resting.

The gate stood open, and Pang Zi walked straight in: 'Master Ci, everyone's here.'

Hearing the voice, Chen Ci turned the chair: 'Then come in.'

Pang Zi hesitated a second, nodded, and called someone over.

Soon after, three more people came in at the gate.

Chen Ci glanced and, besides Pang Zi's girlfriend Xiao Dan, the other two also looked somewhat familiar.

They seemed to be Pang Zi's partners in the Love-Laugh Meeting Room later on, but Chen Ci couldn't recall their names.

It didn't matter; Pang Zi took the initiative to introduce, first the young woman nearest to him: 'Master Ci, Xiao Dan, you've met before.'

'Sister-in-law, hello.'

Chen Ci greeted proactively, but Xiao Dan's reaction was somewhat unnatural.

'Ahem~'

Pang Zi gave a light cough, and only then did Xiao Dan look at Chen Ci and say, 'Long time no see.'

This girl's round, fleshy face really bore some resemblance to Pang Zi, like a couple.

Although Chen Ci felt a bit odd, Chen Ci didn't mind.

Pang Zi continued without delay: 'Master Ci, these are the two classmates I mentioned. The plump one is Yi Ming, the slimmer one is Zi Dong; both surnamed Zhang.'

After saying that, Pang Zi turned to call: 'Hey, greet Master Ci.'

'Master Ci.'

'Master Ci, hello.'

Chen Ci chuckled: 'Don't listen to Pang Zi; where does a "master" come from these days?'

'That's not what we meant; we all heard from Dashan that Master Ci is truly young, talented, and outstanding, so calling Master Ci is a respectful title expressing admiration.'

'Exactly, exactly.'

The two echoed each other, and Chen Ci also recalled a bit: they later acted in many comedy films, after all the entertainment industry isn't that big, and the comedy circle is even smaller.

The one called Zi Dong could also be considered a well-known comedian.

As for Yi Ming, needless to say, the classic line 'What's wrong with being a dog?!' comes from Zhuang Qiang in *The Richest Man in Xihong City*.

Chen Ci couldn't help but wonder what the point was of bringing these people before Chen Ci—was fate making Chen Ci shoot a comedy?

Time is precious; Chen Ci didn't want to waste it on pleasantries, so Chen Ci said directly: 'Alright, then I'll get straight to the point...'

'Wait.'

Chen Ci was unexpectedly interrupted—by Pang Zi's girlfriend Xiao Dan.

Chen Ci asked: 'What's wrong?'

'There's still one person.'

'Huh?'

Chen Ci confirmed that the three people Pang Zi mentioned had all arrived.

'Um...'

Pang Zi's gaze shifted back and forth between Chen Ci and Xiao Dan, then unconsciously flicked toward the gate.

Chen Ci grew more puzzled, but before Chen Ci could speak, Xiao Dan had already acted, walking toward the gate.

'Master Ci, wait a moment.'

Leaving that sentence, Pang Zi also followed her out.

Helpless, Chen Ci could only turn gaze to the two newcomers, who were equally bewildered, staring at each other.

While Chen Ci was puzzled, there finally came some movement outside the gate.

The first to come in was Pang Zi, who with some solemnity said to Chen Ci: 'Don't be afraid, get ready mentally.'

'Afraid?'

Chen Ci felt utterly bewildered; joking, who had Chen Ci ever feared, standing tall as Chen Ci did?

Soon after, someone else came in—this time Xiao Dan, but Xiao Dan was leading a slender young girl by the hand.

Walking a step behind Xiao Dan, the girl lowered her head slightly, appearing somewhat embarrassed.

Xiao Dan, while bringing the girl in, whispered: 'Wasn't it you who wanted to see Chen Ci? What's there to fear now that Chen Ci is here?'

'I never said that; I only said it's been a long time since we met, I don't know how Chen Ci is—it was you who insisted on bringing me.'

'Sure, sure; if you really didn't want to come, could I even drag you here?'

As they spoke, they arrived before Chen Ci; the girl still hesitated, and Xiao Dan beside her suddenly gripped her fair, tender little hand tightly.

'Um? Chen, Chen Ci, long time no see...'

'You...'

Chen Ci's brain raced; those big eyes and small face were familiar, yet every girlfriend Chen Ci had seemed to share these traits.

But this girl was a bit special: the girl's face especially small, eyes especially large; the girl's skin was white and tender, exuding a baby-like cute sweetness.

Among Chen Ci's past girlfriends, the girl was also the most outstanding; Chen Ci's impression should be deep.

Sure enough, Chen Ci's calm voice soon sounded: 'Mao Mao, how did you come here?'

'I...'

Stay calm; even if Chen Ci's inner turmoil had begun to surge, Chen Ci's outward demeanor must remain sufficiently calm.

The dead memory hammered into Chen Ci's heart countless times; originally Chen Ci thought Chen Ci had grown accustomed, but now Chen Ci realized Chen Ci still felt young.

Turns out this was also Chen Ci's former 'masterpiece'; although it couldn't compare to Yang Lao Ban, it was still a genuine promising prospect.

However, in Chen Ci's memory, Mao Mao's image was mostly sweet short hair, which differed greatly from Mao Mao's current shoulder-length hair, so at first glance Chen Ci actually didn't recognize Mao Mao.

In just a few breaths, Chen Ci had already adjusted his state.

Recalling all the times we were together, back then I seemed like the persona of a gentle talented scholar, right?

Chen Ci smiled and said, "Mao Mao, I thought you would never see me again."

Huh?

Xiao Tong blinked at the words, her oversized eyes flashing a hint of bewilderment.

Recalling the past, it was she who had initiated the breakup.

Because she had heard that Chen Ci's parents were going to introduce him to a young lady from a family of equal standing.

Later she learned that Chen Ci vehemently disagreed, leading to a huge argument with his family. His mother, already in poor health, was so angered she suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.

And then…

In short, after experiencing an almost melodramatic, rich‑family Mary Sue–level scene, she went through countless sleepless, tear‑dry nights and finally chose to leave Chen Ci of her own accord.

Doesn't it feel too far‑fetched?

But Chen Ci back then was like that—he enjoyed flirting with girls, yet having too many girlfriends could also become boring.

In other words, ordinary flirting could no longer stir his nerves, failing to reach the dopamine threshold, so he needed something more stimulating.

But his upbringing was good; he wouldn't do anything illegal, so he could only seek stimulation within the limits of the law.

Thanks to his parents' strict upbringing; otherwise he might have followed in the footsteps of those seniors like Qian and Feng… wait, that should be "junior".

The key wasn't how he sought stimulation; the crucial point was that Xiao Tong believed it!

Now thinking back, using those flashy tricks to deceive an inexperienced, pure young lady, Chen Ci still feels somewhat ashamed.

With such thoughts and methods, if turned into a film or TV drama, he might have already become famous.

As the saying goes, art comes from life, but it doesn't necessarily surpass life by much!

Just like Xiao Tong at this moment, her thoughts upon seeing Chen Ci again are immensely complex.

Back then, it was because of her family that she chose to break up.

Now, things have changed, people are gone—Chen Ci's parents are no longer here, yet he remains just as gentle…