Chapter 57: Out of Place

At this moment, Song Waning had just gathered with the other guests. Li Weiwei hadn’t informed any of them in advance and only announced the news upon their arrival.

Song Waning: …

She needed to hide the bottle of wine quickly.

Once she slipped it into the large storage box ahead, Song Waning finally relaxed.

Wen Jingxing couldn’t help but curve his lips at her protective manner. Leaning over to unfasten her seatbelt, he whispered softly, “If you like it, I’ll have a few bottles sent to you later.”

Song Waning’s face lit up with delight—what a wonderful offer!

Good wine was delicious, but it was expensive; she couldn’t afford it.

Meanwhile, in the live broadcast room:

[Oh my god! This is just too sweet! Whispering to each other and making one another laugh—I’m dying to know what gossip they’re sharing.]

[Why do I feel like Young Master Wen’s gaze is full of affection?]

[He’s way too considerate—last time he opened the car door, this time he’s undoing her seatbelt. I wonder what sweet moment will come next?]

…

As soon as Song Waning got out of the car, Nan Yan hurried over and asked, “Waning, are you adapting well to today’s work?”

“Of course! I’m doing great!”

Mentioning this instantly energized Song Waning.

She tugged her crossbody bag open just enough for Nan Yan to peek inside and see the colorful wad of cash.

“Wow! Did you earn all this today? That’s amazing!” Nan Yan praised her sincerely, brimming with envy.

Yun Ze, seeing Nan Yan run over, reluctantly followed to join them.

“Tch.”

Yun Ze snorted. Ever since Nan Yan started hanging out with Song Waning, she’d grown so much more lively. He could never control her when Song Waning was around.

Because Yun Ze was standing close to Nan Yan, only she heard his mutter. Reaching out, she pinched the soft flesh at Yun Ze’s waist. “Don’t be like that.”

She had always known Yun Ze was dismissive of most things, but he couldn’t be that way toward her friend Song Waning.

“Hiss… got it,” Yun Ze replied, suppressing the sting and turning his face away, expressionless.

Although he couldn’t control Nan Yan when Song Waning was present, he realized that ever since their last interaction, Nan Yan seemed less resistant to his presence—sometimes even responding to him.

This change, though subtle, filled Yun Ze with happiness, though he showed none of it. He was the very definition of stubborn pride.

Jiang Mingzhao, seeing everyone crowding around to look at Song Waning’s bag, grew curious himself. He abandoned Shen Yue and dashed over.

Shen Yue called out after him, but Jiang Mingzhao’s pace only quickened, as though he hadn’t heard a word.

Left awkwardly behind, Shen Yue could only quietly drift toward Jian An’an.

Jian An’an and Jin Jianyi also wanted to join the group up ahead, but after being subtly slighted by Young Master Wen last time—and with the live broadcast still running—they dared not. Even without checking the chat, they could imagine the netizens mocking them for shamelessly inserting themselves.

While Song Waning’s side buzzed with lively conversation, Jian An’an’s group was left in cold silence, each harboring their own private thoughts.

Jian An’an felt indignant; when she first arrived, she was the center of attention. How, in just a week, had everything changed so completely? Now everyone revolved around Song Waning.

She considered urging Shen Yue to approach Song Waning, so she could watch from the sidelines, but with everyone present, she held her tongue.

Jin Jianyi, ever the cheerful, open-hearted type, believed that to love someone was to support them unconditionally—a kind of noble foolishness. Such a fine person, yet simply because he loved the wrong woman, his life was being held back.

Despite his deep feelings for Jian An’an, the days spent together had revealed occasional glimpses of darkness in her that made others cast wary glances his way for standing by her side.

All of this left Jin Jianyi feeling deeply uncomfortable.

He sometimes doubted whether his unwavering loyalty was really the right choice.

Still, unless things reached a final conclusion, Jin Jianyi was the kind who never gave up.

This, of course, made him the perfect target for Jian An’an—so easy to read, his feelings written all over his actions.

In the live broadcast room, viewers noticed the three of them standing apart and began to speculate:

[Why do these three seem a bit out of place?]

[Especially Shen Yue—Jiang Mingzhao is avoiding her like the plague. She’s such a sweet girl; does he really need to treat her that way?]

[Did you skip episodes? If you watched all the main footage and live streams, you wouldn’t say that.]

[I agree—even if Jiang Mingzhao doesn’t like her and avoids her, so what? It’s not like he’s done anything to her. This show isn’t about forcing anyone into romance—the outcome depends on the guests.]

[Shen Yue being left out is one thing, but why are Jian An’an and Jin Jianyi also being excluded?]

[I think Jian An’an brought this on herself—she was the one who started talking about Song Waning, and Young Master Wen only spoke up because he couldn’t stand it.]

[Exactly, even a rabbit will bite if pushed into a corner.]

…

After much debate, viewers were remarkably united in blaming Jian An’an.

As for Jin Jianyi, he was seen as collateral damage. He hadn’t done anything wrong and had been nothing but supportive—viewers thought he was quite loyal, maybe even a bit too much so.

Song Waning also noticed the three who were being ostracized.

She thought to herself that it was no wonder Jin Jianyi’s devotion never paid off. He was so infatuated, while Jian An’an was ruthlessly pragmatic—once she’d squeezed all value from someone who’d liked her for years, she’d toss them aside without a second thought.

Soon Song Waning rejoined the group.

Nan Yan suggested, “Since it’s still early, why don’t we go enjoy the lake scenery? I’ve passed by it several times on my way back, and it’s so beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go, but never had the chance…”

Hearing this, Yun Ze immediately responded, “Let’s go then!”

They often took the long way around on walks, but despite passing the lake so many times, Nan Yan had never said she wanted to visit.

How could he have missed that? Every time they went for a walk, Nan Yan drifted that direction—he should have noticed sooner!

With that thought, he grabbed Nan Yan’s hand, ready to leave.

Nan Yan was startled. “Don’t rush! Let’s ask everyone else first.”

She’d only made a suggestion—how was Yun Ze more eager than she was?

Song Waning’s eyes lit up. “Great idea! Good scenery deserves good wine—I’m in!”

Jiang Mingzhao looked at her. “You have wine?!”

Song Waning quickly put a finger to her lips, signaling him to keep quiet. “Shh!”

But Li Weiwei had already overheard. “What are you talking about? Wine? Hand it over.”