Chapter 36: Internet Celebrity

In Shen Siyuan's memory, Zhang Haibo's home was a red-brick tile house—not dilapidated, but certainly old.

Probably built in the 70s or 80s, many bricks and tiles had cracked, and shady spots were covered in moss.

The brick walls, worn by wind and sun, were pitted with tiny holes, and in spring, many bees liked to crawl into them.

So Shen Siyuan and his friends would cover the holes with IV bottles, poke a straw inside, and when the bees flew out, they'd land in the bottles—they could catch many in a single day.

They used IV bottles because their bellies were wide and mouths narrow, so once bees flew in, they couldn't easily fly out.

But all that was childhood nostalgia; now before Shen Siyuan stood a Western-style villa.

A true European-style villa, newly built, looking as if it hadn't been completed long ago.

"Looks like Zhang Haibo really made it big," Shen Siyuan remarked.

"Your family isn't poor either—perfectly matched."

Aunt Qi grabbed his arm and pulled him inside, as if she knew the place well.

"Auntie, are you home?" Aunt Qi called out loudly.

Then a short, dark-skinned middle-aged woman stepped out, followed by a girl, also short, no taller than one meter sixty.

But her figure was full—curves where they should be, hips rounded, her face small and delicate, flawless, seemingly without a single flaw—but upon closer look, her face was caked in thick foundation, hiding every imperfection.

She was pretty, but the heavy makeup made it impossible to see her real appearance.

"Cui Xiang, you're here!" the middle-aged woman greeted warmly.

"Auntie, hello," Shen Siyuan said quickly.

This woman was Zhang Haibo's mother—Shen Siyuan knew her well.

"This is Siyuan? You've grown so big! Let Auntie take a good look."

Zhang Haibo's mother ignored Aunt Qi, took Shen Siyuan's hand, and studied him closely.

"Auntie, we haven't seen each other in years—you haven't changed a bit."

"Nonsense, Auntie's gotten much older," she said, though her face beamed with smiles.

The more she looked at Shen Siyuan, the more satisfied she became—tall, sturdy, clean-cut, with bright, sharp eyes; and since she knew his background well, she was very pleased.

But her approval wasn't enough—her daughter had to approve too.

She turned to her daughter standing behind her and waved her over. "What are you standing there for? Come here—let Aunt Qi introduce you two."

"No need for me to introduce—you two already know each other, judging by how your mom's acting," Aunt Qi chuckled.

Zhang Haibo's mother nodded. "This boy was classmates with our Haibo—he used to come over and play all the time when he was little, always causing trouble. When you mentioned him, I remembered right away…"

She was about to introduce the girl approaching them.

"Mom, no need—you know I know Shen Datou." She covered her mouth and laughed.

When Shen Siyuan was a child, his head was noticeably larger than others', hence the nickname.

But no one had called him that in many years.

Yet now, back home, first his uncle's father, and now this Zhang Shengnan.

Yes—Zhang Shengnan was the girl's name.

"You two know each other? That's wonderful!" Zhang Shengnan's mother beamed.

"Auntie, we're way too familiar—I remember her chasing me two miles with a stick covered in shit. I still remember it vividly, haha…" Shen Siyuan burst out laughing.

Zhang Shengnan glared fiercely at Shen Siyuan—he was ruining her reputation.

"You little girl…"

Zhang Shengnan's mother shot her a disgruntled look.

Her daughter's name was perfectly fitting—she'd been a tomboy since childhood, so she didn't doubt Shen Siyuan's story for a second.

"Mom, that's not true—don't listen to him."

Zhang Shengnan instinctively wrinkled her nose.

Zhang Shengnan's mother instantly knew Shen Siyuan hadn't lied—when Zhang Shengnan lied, she always wrinkled her nose.

"Aunt Qi, let the kids talk by themselves—we adults shouldn't interfere."

Aunt Qi pulled her aside—today was for matchmaking, not for disciplining her daughter.

"Stay for lunch?" Zhang Shengnan's mother added casually.

She was just going through the motions.

"No need to trouble you…"

As they spoke, they walked inside, leaving only Shen Siyuan and Zhang Shengnan standing alone.

"Now you're happy?" Zhang Shengnan grumbled.

"Why'd you call me Shen Datou?"

"Isn't that your name? I didn't make it up—I'm just stating the truth."

"What I said is true too."

"Pfft~ You're a man, and you're so petty," Zhang Shengnan scoffed.

Shen Siyuan didn't want to argue further—he'd chat a bit, fulfill the obligation, and give his mother something to report.

So he changed the subject: "Didn't your brother come back?"

"No."

"I heard he got rich—what business is he running in Yei City?"

"Are you here to date me or my brother? Why keep asking about him?"

"Alright then—tell me about yourself. Did you just graduate from university this year?"

"Mm…"

Zhang Shengnan didn't hide anything—she told Shen Siyuan everything about herself, in full detail.

Of course, hiding it would be useless; this information could be found out.

Zhang Shengnan and her brother Zhang Haibo were both not cut out for studying; Zhang Haibo didn't even pass the university entrance exam and ultimately chose to venture in Ye City.

Zhang Shengnan was slightly better off, having been admitted to Qionghai Normal College, a second-tier university, where she studied primary education, a major that basically meant unemployment upon graduation.

"So what do you plan to do in the future?" Shen Siyuan asked curiously.

But since her brother was successful in his career, she presumably intended to go to Ye City to join Zhang Haibo.

"I signed with an MCN to create short-video content. Do you have Douyin? Follow me," Zhang Shengnan said.

Shen Siyuan naturally had Douyin; he scrolled through it furiously while slacking off at work.

Zhang Shengnan's Douyin name was 【Zhang Dali】, and she had eighty thousand followers.

Shen Siyuan casually clicked on a video and immediately exclaimed, "Holy cow..."

There she was, wearing a maid outfit, crushing a soda can with her bare hands...

Shen Siyuan looked at her in shock.

She immediately raised both arms, striking a strongman pose, and said in a fierce manner, "What are you looking at? Careful, or I'll punch you."

Seeing her like this, Shen Siyuan felt like laughing.

He hadn't expected that the small her was not only a violent woman but also a funny one.

"Do you think I can become popular?" Zhang Shengnan asked.

"A little popularity is possible, but becoming a huge star is probably very difficult," Shen Siyuan said after thinking for a moment.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you lack substantial content; it's hard for people to remember you."

"What do you know?"

Obviously, Shen Siyuan's words made Zhang Shengnan very annoyed.

Those on Douyin who just randomly wiggle their butts have millions of followers; what content do they have?

Well, Shen Siyuan was left speechless by her retort.

Actually, the two of them had been chatting quite well, after all, they shared a childhood bond.

But obviously, Zhang Shengnan did not want to fall in love and get married so early; what she wanted most right now was to become popular and become a major internet celebrity.

Shen Siyuan also expressed understanding, so after exchanging contact information, neither of them stayed for lunch; they went straight home. As for Seventh Aunt, she had long since vanished without a trace.

Seeing her son return, her mother Huang Huijuan immediately came forward with an excited expression.

"How was the Miss? Did she take a fancy to you?"

"No, we aren't suitable for each other," Shen Siyuan said.

Huang Huijuan, who had just been laughing and chatting, immediately changed her expression upon hearing this.

"You haven't even spent time getting to know each other; how do you know you aren't suitable?"

Shen Siyuan took out his phone, opened Zhang Shengnan's Douyin, and showed it to her.

"Isn't this good? Her strength shows she has good physical fitness; if you have children in the future, they will surely be healthy, and besides, you won't have to worry about domestic violence from her."

"Mom, what kind of talk is that? She isn't afraid, but I am," Shen Siyuan said helplessly.

"Pah, useless thing! What good are you? You've just made me happy for nothing. Get back to Binhai early; I'm sick of seeing you."

Her mother looked disgusted, turned around, and went back into the room.

Shen Siyuan:...