Chapter 11: Waiting for the Bus

Chapter 11: Waiting for a Ride

Fan Mengxue had just stepped out of the studio and into her car when her manager, Han Yao, called her. Fan picked up, only to be met with a furious outburst from one of the entertainment industry’s top-tier agents.

"Fan Mengxue, do you have any idea what you've just done?"

"I do," Fan replied calmly.

"You do? I think you have no clue! Do you realize the kind of impact your remarks have had on the company?"

Fan remained silent.

"Let me tell you, my phone has been blowing up! If I hadn't managed to suppress the backlash, do you know what kind of position you’d be in right now? The boss and the board of directors would have your head!"

After venting, Han Yao’s tone softened. "Mengxue, you are at the peak of your career right now. So much capital is being thrown your way solely because of your fame and popularity! But then you go and make a public confession on television? Do you have any idea how many fans you're going to lose?"

Fan replied coldly, "Han-jie, I understand all of that, but he has returned."

Han Yao was struck speechless. After a long pause, she asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"

"I’m heading to Beijiang to see him."

"Absolutely not!" Han Yao refused flatly. "You have a flight to Europe tomorrow to meet a world-renowned director who wants you for the lead in his next film!"

"I'm sorry, but I’m already on my way to Beijiang," Fan said, hanging up the phone and powering it off.

"Miss Xue, where are we heading?" the driver asked cautiously.

"To Beijiang."

Fan stared at the scenery blurring past the window, her hands gripping her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

***

The next day, Tang Xuan’er arrived early.

As soon as she walked through the door, she saw Xue An clumsily trying to braid the hair of Xue Xiang and Xue Nian. It had to be said that men were simply not gifted in this area—it didn't matter if one was an Immortal Venerable or an ordinary person; the result was the same. Either the braids were crooked, or the hair was left in a tangled mess.

However, the two little girls seemed to enjoy it immensely, giggling the entire time. Seeing this, Tang Xuan’er couldn't help but shake her head helplessly; she stepped in, took over from Xue An, and fixed their hair in a few deft movements.

"Are you really going out dressed like that?" Tang Xuan’er asked.

"Yes? Is there a problem?" Xue An replied.

He was wearing clothes from four years ago. While they weren't exactly ragged, the style was long outdated. Tang Xuan’er wanted to say something but held back.

Once they were ready, the two of them led Xiangxiang and Ninian out of the residential complex. As they waited for a car, a brand-new BMW 530 pulled up to the curb. The window rolled down to reveal a man with a greasy, overly made-up face, grinning at Tang Xuan’er.

"Xuan’er, I was just about to come pick you up! Come on, get in! Brother Ming has already made arrangements for a gathering at the Dragon Emperor Hotel!"

Tang Xuan’er frowned.

The woman in the passenger seat poked her head out as well. "Tang Xuan’er, why are you still waiting for a car in this cold? Come on, let my husband give you a ride! See that? It’s our new car! Cost over four hundred thousand!" The woman had triangular eyes and spoke with a smug, triumphant air.

Tang Xuan’er hesitated for a moment. Just then, the woman noticed Xue An. "Oh, isn't that Xue An?"

The man looked at Xue An as well, and after a careful scan, a look of disdain and arrogance appeared on his face. "I didn't expect our ‘talented scholar’ Xue to be attending the gathering too!"

Tang Xuan’er whispered, "Those are Meng Wei and Zhang Yan from our class."

Xue An searched his memory for a long time before he finally recalled them. Back in school, Meng Wei was a sycophant who only hung around whoever had money, and as for Zhang Yan, she was notoriously snobbish. The two of them were a match made in heaven.

A faint, enigmatic smile touched the corner of Xue An's mouth.

Just then, Xue Xiang noticed a street vendor selling small trinkets. "Daddy, those little accessories are so pretty!" Her eyes sparkled. Even at a young age, a girl’s natural resistance to shiny things was nonexistent.

Xue An smiled. "Do you like them?"

"Yes, we do!" Xiang and Nian replied in unison.

"Then go pick some out; I’ll buy them for you!"

The two little girls cheered and ran over to the stall to start picking out trinkets. Throughout the process, Xue An didn't even spare Meng Wei and Zhang Yan a glance.

Zhang Yan curled her lip, sneering, "Look at him putting on airs. He’s already hit rock bottom, yet he’s still so arrogant!"

"Don't say that. At least he can still afford a few dollars' worth of cheap trinkets," Meng Wei mocked.

By then, the girls had picked out several items. As Xue An paid and took them, he felt a flicker of intent and channeled a bit of spiritual energy into them. The worthless trinkets immediately underwent a subtle transformation.

"I picked one out for you, too," Xue An said calmly, handing a pair of earrings to Tang Xuan’er. She took them, looking delighted.

"Oh, those must be worth at least five dollars! So shiny—they aren't plastic, are they? You’d better not wear them, Xuan’er; you might get a skin infection!" Zhang Yan jeered.

Tang Xuan’er looked embarrassed. Xue An frowned; this woman was truly insufferable.

"Sorry, Xue An, but our car only holds four people. If Xuan’er rides with us, you’ll have to sit in the trunk. Maybe you should just take the bus!" Meng Wei laughed.

Tang Xuan’er frowned. "You guys go ahead; we’ll take a taxi in a bit."

Just as Meng Wei was about to say something else, Xue Xiang suddenly spoke up. "Daddy, this car isn't as big as the one we rode in yesterday!"

"That’s right, Daddy! When Auntie Yu brought us home yesterday, she drove a really, really big car!" Nian added.

"A really, really big car? Heh, a van?" Meng Wei sneered.

Zhang Yan boasted proudly, "See? My husband just bought this new BMW 5 Series yesterday. Ever ridden in one?"

Xue An watched them like he was observing two clowns, his expression remaining indifferent. At that moment, a stretched Maybach pulled up slowly. The driver stepped out only after reaching Xue An, walking over to him with deep respect.

"Mr. Xue, our young mistress has given instructions: wherever you need to go, we are to drive you. If you need anything at all, please let me know."

The scene left Meng Wei and Zhang Yan completely stunned, their mouths hanging open wide enough to fit an egg. The arrival of the Maybach was like a resounding slap to the face, leaving Zhang Yan—who had been boasting about her new car—dazed and seeing stars. Compared to such a vehicle, the BMW she had been bragging about wasn't even worth one of the Maybach's tires.

Xue An was slightly surprised; Qin Yu was quite thoughtful. He nodded. "Alright. To the Dragon Emperor Hotel."

"Yes, sir!"

Xue Xiang then looked at the dazed Meng Wei and said, "Uncle, Auntie Yu drove a car just like this when she brought us home yesterday!"

Xue An couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed his four-year-old daughters were a bit... cunning.