I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Shu Zi let out a long sigh of relief, feeling even more tired than after filming action scenes all day, but her face still wore a bright smile:

"It's all thanks to Uncle Gu's excellent guidance! Playing a game with you is better than studying for ten years!"

"Haha, you have good taste!"

Gu Danchen, satisfied, began to pack up the chess pieces. "Uncle will teach you something even better next time!"

"Mmm-hmm!" Shu Zi nodded vigorously, silently praying that this "next time" would come later.

Xia Yun smiled and shook her head, pulling up her husband who was still engrossed in the game: "Alright, we've finished the game and had our fill of fun. Let Nuonuo rest for a while before we head out."

"Nuonuo, hurry up and change your clothes, it's almost time."

Shu Zi felt like she'd been granted a pardon and quickly stood up: "Okay! I'll come down right away!"

The Gu family has a room specially prepared for Shu Zi, with a layout similar to that of the Shu family home. The walk-in closet is full of clothes that Xia Yun bought for her.

Watching the girl's light and quick figure go upstairs, Gu Yan raised his gaze from the magazine (actually, he hadn't turned that page in a long time).

Xia Yun followed her son's gaze and whispered with a smile:

"See? The only person besides your mother like me and Nuonuo can do the chore of playing chess with your dad so willingly and flawlessly."

A moment later, Shu Zi changed into a beige knit sweater paired with a smoky pink long skirt and came downstairs, looking fresh and charming.

"Uncle Gu, Aunt Xia, I'm leaving!"

"Go on, have fun!" Xia Yun saw him to the door and then reminded him, "Don't drink too much."

"Okay, Aunt Xia!"

Gu Yan naturally picked up her small bag from the entryway and followed behind her, saying, "I'll see you to the door."

As dusk settled gently and the courtyard path became tranquil, the shadows of the two figures, side by side, stretched out.

"My dad's chess... if he doesn't want to play next time, he can just say he's sleepy," Gu Yan suddenly said.

Shu Zi turned her head to look at him, blinked, and smiled, a hint of mischief and affectionate complaint in her eyes:

"If I say I'm sleepy, Uncle Gu will definitely say, 'How come young people have less energy than me?' and then he'll start reminiscing about his past struggles and telling stories of how he didn't sleep for three days straight when he was starting his business..."

"I'd rather play chess with him! At least I can counter his moves, and it'll be a good opportunity to exercise my brain!"

Gu Yan smiled helplessly, "Which senior brother will come to pick me up later?"

"Senior Brother Zhou," Shu Zi replied.

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow, said nothing, but his smile deepened.

Shu Zi, oblivious to all this, continued speaking with anticipation, "Senior Sister is here too! It's been so long since the entire sect has gathered. I wonder if the old man misses me!"

Just then, Zhou Yan's car arrived.

The driver's side window rolled down, revealing a gentle and refined face. He wore frameless glasses and had a composed demeanor. Upon seeing the two of them, a warm smile appeared on his face.

"Senior brother!" Shu Zi quickened her pace and walked over.

Gu Yan also walked to the car, nodded to Zhou Yan, and said in a familiar tone, "Senior Brother Zhou."

Zhou Yan smiled and responded.

Gu Yan then turned to look at Shu Zi, who had already opened the car door, and instructed her, "Drink less alcohol. Let me know when you're done, and I'll come pick you up."

"Okay! Okay!"

Shu Zi wrinkled her nose at him, got into the passenger seat, and leaned out to Zhou Yan with a smile, saying, "Senior brother, do you have my favorite crab meat lion's head meatballs for dinner?"

Zhou Yan chuckled: "Your senior sister specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare it, how could you forget yours? Sit down, I'm leaving."

Gu Yan stood there, watching the car drive away smoothly until it was out of sight of the Gu family villa area, before turning back.

Inside the car, Shu Zi fastened her seatbelt and looked at Zhou Yan: "Senior brother, where's my sister-in-law? Has she arrived yet?"

Zhou Yan was married long ago and has a happy family with a daughter.

He shook his head and explained, "Your sister-in-law originally wanted to come too, but she was tied up with the kids and couldn't leave."

"Ah, okay." Shu Zi nodded, her tone regretful.

After a while, she asked again, "So who's here tonight? Just our own people?"

Zhou Yan looked straight ahead and smiled, "Yes, your senior brothers are all back, and they've been talking about you."

"That's great! I've missed them so much!"

Shu Zi's eyes lit up, then she seemed to remember something, and her tone became slightly mischievous, "So... how's the old man been lately? Has he been forcing any of you to hand in your 'homework' again?"

Zhou Yan glanced at her in the rearview mirror, his smile deepening:

"What, afraid of being randomly checked? Don't worry, Master is in a good mood today, especially after hearing that you've been very 'active' on the show lately."

His tone was clearly sarcastic as he spoke the last few words.

Shu Zi felt a little embarrassed and touched her nose. "Senior brother, even you are making fun of me..."

The car drove onto a quiet sycamore-lined path amidst the hustle and bustle, and finally stopped in front of a dark wooden door.

Shu Zi pushed open the door and got out of the car.

Before me was a typical Jiangnan courtyard style, with white walls and black tiles, upturned eaves, and only a simple paper lantern hanging above the door, emitting a dim and warm light in the night.

This is Qishan, a place that is not open to the public, only accepts reservations from regular customers, and has many rules.

Its owner was none other than Shu Zi's master, Mr. Han, Han Yixiao.

Shu Zi and Zhou Yan went inside together, chatting and laughing.

In a corner, in an inconspicuous black van, the camera is fixed on the entrance and exit of Qishan.

The paparazzi had been staking out the place for days, hoping to capture images of celebrities' private banquets, but they didn't expect to run into Shu-Chi.

The camera frantically pressed the shutter, capturing her getting out of the car and chatting and laughing with Zhou Yan, her eyes filled with excitement.

A popular young actress secretly meets a mysterious man late at night at a high-end private restaurant; this headline is sure to dominate the trending searches tomorrow.

Shu Zi was completely unaware of this. She followed Zhou Yan through a winding corridor and pushed open the door to the private room of "Tingyuxuan".

A warm aroma of food mixed with the delicate fragrance of tea wafts over.

The private room features a minimalist Chinese style with expensive rosewood tables and chairs, a serene ink painting on the wall, and simple Ru kiln porcelain on the table.

The people in the private room turned around at the sound, and several familiar figures came into view.

"Hey, our little variety show star is back?"

The first to speak was the third senior brother, Qin Mu, with a smile in his eyes and a playful tone.

Second Senior Brother Lu Jing also put down his teacup and said gently, "Junior Sister, it's been a long time."

Shu Zi replied to Qin Mu first: "Third Senior Brother, please call me a big star next time!"

Then she said to Lu Jing, "Second Senior Brother, it's been so long! I've missed you all so much!"

At the head of the table, an elderly gentleman with gray hair and beard slightly raised his eyelids, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger:

"So you finally decided to come back? I thought you were so engrossed in the show that you'd forgotten all about your sect!"

Shu Zi clicked her tongue: "Old man, don't speak so rudely."

She walked over without any hesitation, casually pulled out a chair, and sat down.

"I've been coming to pay my respects to you whenever I have a spare moment. Besides, I really made you look good on the show."