Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 55 Yes, I am very sad.

Her fingertips trembled as she opened the ticketing app. The next flight to Beijing would close for check-in in an hour.

"Driver, to Lukou Airport, please hurry." She got into the taxi, her voice carrying a barely perceptible urgency as she gave the address.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror: "Young lady, are you rushing to meet someone for the holiday?"

Chen Duling gazed out the window at the receding street scene, where the Christmas tree's lights cast long trails of light in the night.

She pursed her lips and said softly, "Yes, I have a mentally challenged younger brother at home, and it's impossible to leave him unattended."

She took a deep breath when the notification that her flight ticket payment had been successful popped up on her phone screen.

Go to Yanjing.

It wasn't for any other reason than that the older sister had to go and support her stubborn younger brother.

That's it.

She told herself this in her heart, but she didn't realize that the corners of her mouth had already quietly turned up.

……

Time has returned to normal.

As the live stream ended and celebratory ribbons were being scattered backstage, Ou Hao grabbed Jiang Ye by the neck and dragged him outside: "Let's go, let's go! Same old hot pot place, I've booked a private room. It's Christmas Eve, let's drink until we drop!"

Bai Lu hopped over and patted Meng Ziyi's arm: "Sister Meng, you have to be on my side when we're drinking later!"

Now that she's gotten to know people better, her cheerful side is starting to show.

She's very happy to be spending Christmas Eve with so many people her own age!
The private room was very warm, and the copper pot was bubbling with red oil. The tripe and duck intestines were quickly snatched up after spinning around on the turntable.

Ou Hao stood up, raising his glass: "A toast to Director Jiang! And congratulations to our drama for topping the trending searches!"

"That's right!" the egret chimed in. "Our leader is the best!"

Meng Ziyi sat next to Jiang Ye and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, quietly took out a delicate little box from her bag and pushed it in front of him: "Merry Christmas, A-Ye!"

Ou Hao, with his sharp eyes, immediately whistled: "Wow, Sister Meng put a lot of thought into this gift. Could it be custom-made?"

Meng Ziyi blushed, but did not deny it, only looking at Jiang Ye expectantly.

She's waiting for a return gift...

Jiang Ye's heart tightened!
Fortunately, he had prepared in advance. As a... how could he forget a holiday like Christmas Eve?
He reached into his inside pocket, just as he was about to take out the gift...

Just then, my phone vibrated.

Chen Duling: Where are you?
Chen Duling: I've arrived in Yanjing.

Jiang Ye's pupils contracted slightly. How could Dudu be in Yanjing?!
He calmly pulled his hand out of his pocket and put the gift box he was about to give away back in.

The situation has changed...

"Ahem, I need to take this call." He stood up, pretending to glance at the caller ID, "Mr. Zhang from Tencent Video."

Jiang Ye quickly left the private room after receiving the call and headed straight for the restaurant entrance.

Thankfully, there were many little girls selling apples on Christmas Eve!

He casually picked out a packaged apple, then thought for a moment and took another one.

Back in the private room, Jiang Ye said apologetically, "Everyone, Mr. Zhang wants to discuss adjustments to the finale, so I have to leave now."

Meng Ziyi was clearly disappointed, but still nodded: "Work is the priority."

Jiang Ye handed her the apple: "Merry Christmas."

Meng Ziyi's eyes lit up, and she smiled sweetly as she held the apple: "Thank you!"

Ou Hao winked at him from the side: "That's it? Director Jiang, your gift is way too perfunctory."

Jiang Ye ignored him and turned to Bai Lu: "Xiao Bai, let's go."

The two walked out of the restaurant, Bai Lu full of fighting spirit: "Boss, do you need me to prepare any materials?"

Jiang Ye: "...No need."

Egret: "So, am I supposed to take notes on the key points of the meeting?"

Jiang Ye: "...Not really."

Egret: "What is that?"

Jiang Ye took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "Don't ask too many questions about the boss's private matters." Bai Lu: "???"

Jiang Ye thoughtfully handed her another apple: "Go back to your dorm early, Merry Christmas Eve."

Egret: "..."

She looked down at the apple, then looked up at Jiang Ye, and finally realized: "So... you weren't going to a meeting at all?"

Jiang Ye: "Mm."

Egret: "Boss, you have other plans and it's inconvenient for you to take me with you?"

Jiang Ye: "Mm."

Egret: "Boss, do you think we'll be exposed if you don't bring me along?"

Jiang Ye gave her an approving look: "Smart!"

Bailu: "...And me, a single dog, I could have gone to karaoke with Sister Meng and the others for Christmas Eve, but now you've dragged me out here, and I'm going back to the dorm alone with just an apple?"

Jiang Ye: "...Don't blame the boss for not thinking of you. Look, this apple was carefully prepared by me in advance..."

Just then, a little girl selling apples nearby came over: "Miss, would you like to buy some apples? 5 yuan each... Oh, you've already bought some? They're from my family, hehe, Merry Christmas Eve!"

Egret: "..."

Jiang Ye: "..."

……

The crowds at Terminal 3 of Yanjing Airport are gradually thinning out.

When Jiang Ye arrived, it was already 10 p.m.

He could see Chen Duling sitting on the agreed-upon bench from afar. Her red down jacket stood out under the cold white airport lights, and her beige scarf was loosely wrapped around her neck, making her skin look as white as snow.

She kept her head down, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with her phone, her eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, and she was as quiet as a painting.

Jiang Ye slowed his pace, but his heart was beating faster than usual.

She really came. Was it for him?
"Beep beep." He walked up to her, his voice slightly hoarse.

Chen Duling suddenly looked up, her eyes brightening for a moment, then quickly pursed her lips and put on a stern face: "Why are you only arriving now?"

Jiang Ye didn't explain, but just looked down at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Why did you come to Yanjing?"

Chen Duling stood up, stared at him for two seconds, and suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve: "Are you feeling very uncomfortable?"

Jiang Ye was taken aback: "...What?"

“Those insults online.” She frowned slightly and softened her voice. “It’s okay. If you’re upset… talk to your sister.”

Jiang Ye's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly understood her misunderstanding.

She thought he was so badly scolded that he broke down, so she traveled a long way to comfort him.

This……

He lowered his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbed, and when he looked up again, a perfectly measured vulnerability had surfaced in his eyes: "...Yes, it's a little uncomfortable."

Chen Duling's expression softened instantly, and her fingers tightened unconsciously: "I knew it..."

Jiang Ye took the opportunity to step forward, his voice low and slightly aggrieved: "Dudu, can I hug you?"

Chen Duling froze, her ear tips turning red at a visible speed.

"You, you..." she stammered, her eyes darting around, "You're such a grown-up, and you still..."

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Ye reached out and pulled her into his arms.

The fluffy feel of the down jacket separated the two of them, and Chen Duling stiffened, her hand hanging in mid-air, unsure whether she should hug back.

Jiang Ye gently rested his chin on the top of her head and said in a low voice, "...Thank you for coming."

Chen Duling's heart melted instantly.

He was indeed very sad.

She hesitated for a moment, then carefully raised her hand and patted his back: "...It's okay, it will be alright."

(End of this chapter)