Chapter 36: The Irritable Old Man

Because today was the grand opening ceremony, not only were all the leading actors, creative staff, and crew present, but a large number of media reporters had also arrived. The place was packed to the brim and brimming with excitement.

“Yoyo, be careful. You’re going to be a public figure now. Don’t just pick fights whenever you feel like it. If you can talk it out, don’t use your fists.” Richard leaned over to whisper this reminder in Yoyo’s ear.

He’d already caught wind, through some back channels, of Yoyo’s fight with Qu Wuyan.

Richard found it a little surprising. The mother and daughter were quite different in temperament and bearing, yet both were equally straightforward, decisive, and reckless, acting without considering the consequences. Yoyo, without a care for the risk of ruining her career if caught by paparazzi, got into a fight with Qu Wuyan. Lian Meng, on the other hand, had married Fan Chi despite her parents’ and friends’ objections and the risk of losing fans.

Both mother and daughter were stubborn, always acting on impulse without worrying about the aftermath.

As Richard was thinking about Fan Chi, a black van pulled up in front of him.

When the car stopped, Fan Chi and his daughter Fan Xiaoyun got out. Fan Xiaoyun clung affectionately to Fan Chi’s arm, the picture of closeness.

Fan Chi, a director who had just emerged from a scandal, and Fan Xiaoyun, a top-tier rising star, were both the media’s favorite subjects. They hadn’t even stepped out of the car before being immediately surrounded by reporters.

“I have something to take care of, so I’m heading back to the office. After the ceremony, the driver will pick you and Coco up,” Richard said to Yoyo, not bothering to spare Fan Chi a glance before leaving.

Meanwhile, a cheerful young man in a sporty down jacket and baseball cap, a lollipop dangling from his lips, was complaining to his companion as they walked over. “Why am I working with Fan Xiaoyun again? I’m really sick of seeing her! If you guys sign me up for any more projects with her, I’m done!”

“Brother Fu, keep your voice down! There are a lot of reporters today!”

“What’s there to be afraid of? They’re all busy chasing after Old Fan and Fan Xiaoyun anyway.”

Hearing that this hot-tempered guy disliked Fan Xiaoyun as much as she did, Yoyo’s eyes immediately lit up, as if she’d found a kindred spirit.

“So you must be the legendary Yoyo, right? Hello! I’m Fu Yuanye!” As he came up to Yoyo, the stormy expression on Fu Yuanye’s face vanished, replaced by a sunny smile as he reached out his hand in greeting.

Fu Yuanye had a bright, infectious grin—tanned skin, white teeth, positively brimming with health and energy.

“Vio—Brother Fu, hello,” Yoyo almost let slip his nickname, but caught herself just in time.

While Fan Chi was busy with reporters, Fan Xiaoyun’s assistant, Xiaoshu, quietly leaned in to whisper, “Sister Yun, I took care of what you asked. I guarantee Yoyo will embarrass herself in front of everyone.”

“Excellent.” Fan Xiaoyun’s lips curled into a seductive smile. “Anyone who bullies my mother is going to pay for it.”

Fu Yuanye looked in Fan Xiaoyun’s direction, then back at Yoyo, curiosity in his eyes. “Miss, are you really Fan Xiaoyun’s half-sister?”

“That’s your own speculation, not mine. My surname is Lian, not Fan; I have nothing to do with the Fan family.” Yoyo was thoroughly enjoying the lollipop Fu Yuanye had given her.

The Fan family—Yoyo had heard that phrase countless times.

After she married Fan Chi, his parents stayed with them for a long time. For reasons she couldn’t fathom, Fan Chi’s parents always acted as if their son was a cut above her, constantly harping on about the Fan family.

What infuriated her most was what Fan Chi’s father said every time he got drunk: “Now that you’ve married into the Fan family, you’re no longer Lian Meng. From now on, you’re Fan Lianshi.”

What kind of nonsense was that?

Was this the modern era or the stone age—getting married and having to change her surname, as if she didn’t deserve her own name?

She’d quarreled with Fan Chi’s parents over this more than once. Eventually, since they were relentless, she simply stopped responding.

When it was time to pay respects to Lord Guan, Yoyo stood near the back of the group.

“Yoyo, come here for a moment. I have something to say.” Fan Chi walked up to her and spoke in a low voice.

“You’re not even one of the creative staff—what are you doing here?” Yoyo didn’t so much as glance at him. “Do you want to join the incense offering? Don’t bother offering incense to Lord Guan. Go to my mother’s grave and do it there.”

“You little brat…” Fan Chi’s temper flared once again.

Yoyo ignored him, squeezing forward into the crowd to stand shoulder to shoulder with her new ‘teammate,’ Fu Yuanye.

“Xiaoyun, look—Yoyo just got here and is already standing with Yuanye. Doesn’t she know you’re being paired with him for media buzz lately?” a woman beside Fan Xiaoyun said, clearly trying to stir up trouble.

Fan Xiaoyun turned to look, and sure enough, Yoyo and Fu Yuanye were chatting and laughing together.

This Yoyo really had some nerve—even dared to cozy up to someone Fan Xiaoyun had her eye on!

Fan Xiaoyun gave a cold snort. “Just wait—she’ll get what’s coming to her soon enough.”

No matter who went up to offer incense, Fan Xiaoyun remained firmly fixed at the prime spot in front, making sure the media could always capture her best angle.

Yoyo was the last to offer incense.

She took three freshly lit sticks of incense from a crew member, stepped up to the altar, bowed respectfully three times, and placed the incense into the burner.

“Meow!”

Suddenly, a black cat appeared out of nowhere, its narrow green eyes glowing like ghostly flames as it let out a sharp cry and lunged straight at Yoyo.

“Oh my god!” Terrified of cats since childhood, Yoyo’s face went pale as she cried out in fear.

“Run! Get out of there!” people shouted in panic, but no one stepped forward to help.

Yoyo was so frightened her legs gave way; she couldn’t move.

“Smash the cat with the incense burner!” someone yelled.

In her panic, Yoyo snatched up the incense burner, raising it high, ready to strike, but just then a dark shadow flashed in front of her.

With someone suddenly in her way, Yoyo couldn’t bring herself to swing the incense burner at a person. Her arms were already above her head, and her reflexes couldn’t stop in time; so she simply flung it backward. Everyone was standing far away, so she figured it wouldn’t hit anyone.

It was Fu Yuanye who’d darted forward, a wooden stick in hand—who knows where he’d found it. Quick as lightning, he struck the black cat, sending it yowling to the ground.

As for the incense burner Yoyo threw, it missed everyone, but the ashes scattered through the air—landing squarely on Fan Xiaoyun’s face and clothes as she stood in the prime spot.

In an instant, Fan Xiaoyun became the center of attention for the entire crowd.