The young lady hired me to help her and the young master have an online romance.

Jiang Wan paused for a moment, then looked away first.

She kept smiling and placed the four bottles of brandy one by one on the island counter.

The movements were no different from usual.

Professional, composed, and devoid of unnecessary emotion.

After opening the bottles, he pushed the cart and turned to leave the private room.

The moment the door closed behind her, the silence of the corridor instantly enveloped her.

Jiang Wan let out a long breath.

The door behind me opened.

Shen Che's voice sounded from behind, tinged with urgency, "Wanwan!"

Jiang Wan turned around, revealing her usual smile, "Brother Che."

Shen Che's face wore a complex expression.

There was embarrassment, panic, the awkwardness of being caught red-handed, and an urgency to explain.

"Wanwan, let me explain. I didn't stand you up on purpose."

"The group of people in the private room are the director and the investors."

"That's how the entertainment industry is; you have to fit in, otherwise they won't include you."

Jiang Wan looked at him, her gaze still gentle.

"Brother Che, you don't need to explain."

"I've entered the workforce too, so I understand you."

Shen Che was stunned for a moment.

He hadn't expected her to be so calm, so calm that it made him uneasy.

"Do you really understand?" He stared intently, as if searching for something.

"real."

Jiang Wan nodded, her lips even curving into a slight smile.

"You're here to try and get a role, so hurry up and go in. Don't keep them waiting."

"I'm still at work, I'll talk to you later."

Shen Che opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Jiang Wan had already turned around and pushed the cart away.

Her figure receded further and further down the corridor, disappearing around the corner.

Shen Che's eyes darkened, and he turned and went back to the private room.

At the end of the corridor, at the corner.

Jiang Wan stopped in her tracks, and the image of Shen Che from when he was a child flashed through her mind.

He was wearing his school uniform and waiting for her at the alley entrance after school to help her chase away the boys who were bullying her.

She remembered his smile—clean, warm, like the rising sun at eight o'clock.

Those memories are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, piecing together a flawless, untainted boy.

But now, it's like a flawless work of art suddenly cracking open.

Jiang Wan's idealized view of Shen Che has also shattered.

It wasn't because he hired hostesses.

In those situations, in order to fit in and to secure a role, some things are indeed beyond one's control.

She is not ignorant.

But his expression of enjoyment clearly showed that he had become accustomed to this kind of socializing.

Even... they learned to enjoy it.

Jiang Wan was somewhat moved by the shift from passive to active.

However, everyone has their own attitude towards life, and she chooses to respect that.

Jiang Wan quickly focused her mind and threw herself into her new work.

I leave work promptly at 10 PM.

Jiang Wan went to the dressing room to change back into her own clothes, took out the paper bag containing the perfume box from the locker, and carried it out of the club's main entrance.

The night breeze in Haicheng was cool and refreshing, and it felt nice on my face.

She stood by the roadside, ready to hail a taxi back to school.

A black minivan slowly pulled up in front of her.

The car window rolled down, revealing Shen Che's face.

She wasn't wearing a coat, just a white crew neck T-shirt underneath.

"Get in the car, I'll give you a ride."

His warm voice was a little hoarse, I don’t know if it was because of drinking or something else.

Jiang Wan hesitated for a second, then opened the car door and got in. "Thank you, Brother Che."

The car started.

The atmosphere inside the car was completely different from last time.

The atmosphere in the car was relaxed and joyful when Shen Che celebrated his birthday last time.

This time, the air was filled with an indescribable sense of oppression.

Shen Che glanced at Jiang Wan, then turned back to look at the night view outside the window.

"Wanwan," he suddenly said.

"Um?"

"Do you think that Che-ge... isn't as good as you think?"

Jiang Wan's fingers, resting on her lap, curled slightly.

I didn't expect Shen Che to ask so directly.

She carefully chose her words, "No,"

"I understand you. The entertainment industry is tough, and sometimes you have no choice in what you do."

Shen Che remained silent for a long time.

The streetlights outside the car window flashed by one by one, casting flickering light and shadow on his face.

"Wanwan is still as understanding as she was when she was a child."

He suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an emotion that Jiang Wan couldn't quite understand.

It sounded like a sigh, yet also like self-deprecation.

He took a small box from beside his seat and handed it to Jiang Wan, saying, "Happy birthday."

"It was supposed to be given to you at the hotel."

Jiang Wan looked at the box but didn't take it. "I accept your blessings, but I really don't need the gift."

"Take it."

Shen Che shoved the box into her hand, his tone still relatively gentle, but his actions clearly demonstrated his dominance.

Jiang Wan pursed her lips and slowly opened the box.

Inside lay a women's watch with a mother-of-pearl dial that shimmered brilliantly under the car's interior lights.

The bezel is set with a circle of tiny diamonds, and the strap is rose gold, making it exquisite and eye-catching.

It looks very valuable.

"Brother Che, this is too valuable, I can't accept it."

Jiang Wan closed the lid and handed it back.

Shen Che didn't accept it. "If you still consider me a friend, then accept it."

Jiang Wan: "..."

She knew that if she refused again, the situation would become even more awkward.

"Thank you, Che-ge."

She withdrew her hand, put the watch box into the paper bag, and placed it together with the perfume box.

Shen Che's gaze followed Jiang Wan's movements and landed on the paper bag.

A white box was visible inside the paper bag.

"What's in that white box?" he asked.

"A gift from a friend."

"Let me see." Shen Che said casually, but his curiosity had been piqued.

Jiang Wan hesitated for a moment, then took it out of the paper bag and handed it to him.

Shen Che took it, opened the box, and was stunned when he saw what was inside.

He held it in his hand and examined it closely, but couldn't find the brand logo; there was only a handwritten English label pasted on it.

He has also endorsed many luxury brands, and he is familiar with most perfume brands.

But I can't tell which brand this bottle is.

Shen Che asked directly, "What brand is this?"

Jiang Wan feigned ignorance, "I don't know."

Shen Che nodded, assuming that the bottle in his hand was probably from some niche brand, an unknown and inexpensive product.

He put it back together.

Jiang Wan took the box and put it back in her bag.

The car stopped at the south gate of S University.

Jiang Wan pushed open the car door and got out.

"Wanwan."

Shen Che's voice came from inside the car, and Jiang Wan turned around.

"Don't dwell on what happened today."

Jiang Wan nodded politely, "Okay, goodnight, Che-ge."

"Good night."

Jiang Wan turned and entered the school gate.

Behind them, the van slowly drove away.

Shen Che leaned back in his seat, the English name on the perfume bottle appearing in his mind.

As if possessed, he opened his phone and typed in the search bar.

The moment the result appeared, Shen Che's eyes sharpened.