Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 79

Amusing Ourselves to Death

Manager 16

Queen

Xin Lan had been awake from the moment she was picked up, though before that she had indeed been in a hazy, unclear state.

            

Although the alcohol had dulled her reactions, she wasn’t completely unaware.

The motion of being lifted was too sudden; as she was hoisted into the air, her mind cleared considerably.

Even though her brain was still numbed by alcohol, she at least knew who she was, where she was, who was before her, and what their relationship was.

            

Xin Lan didn’t struggle, wanting to see what Qin Yuyan would do, and also to verify her own thoughts.

Qin Yuyan’s attitude toward her had been strangely good since their first meeting. She wasn’t someone who would carelessly accept happiness without questioning its cause, but she hoped things weren’t as she suspected, because when certain things became mixed with emotional investment, they seemed to lose their purity.

If just now, when Qin Yuyan had stared at her and truly drawn close, Xin Lan didn’t know what she might have done.

            

She looked at the steam-covered mirror in the bathroom, furrowing her brows in frustration.

Throughout all these years, her romantic experiences had been practically zero.

It wasn’t that she was opposed to dating, but previously in the villain’s world, she was destined to meet a bad end, so she never entertained such thoughts. After joining the face-slapping department, she was either busy face-slapping or on her way to face-slap someone, leaving no time for romance.

            

And now…

Xin Lan closed her eyes, letting the warm water wash over her face.

Most of the time, she was unwilling to think about these matters, finding them troublesome just to contemplate.

            

The cascading hot water dispersed both the alcoholic haze and her fatigue. As she dried her fingers, Xin Lan decided not to think about things she didn’t want to think about.

Ling Jiu had thought Xin Lan would say or ask something, but unexpectedly, she remained silent.

Ling Jiu: Host, in future situations like this, do you need me to forcibly wake you up?

            

When Ling Jiu asked this question, she was so nervous she forgot about eating her snacks.

This question was actually very delicate, as the answer would represent Xin Lan’s attitude toward matters of the heart.

Of course, Ling Jiu’s question didn’t include situations where the other party had malicious intent. In such cases, there would be no need to ask – with the Host’s strong vigilance, any unconsciousness would certainly be due to foul play, requiring immediate awakening.

            

Xin Lan’s hand paused while holding the towel, her instinctive response surprisingly being rejection.

Yet speaking this thought aloud would make it seem as if she were waiting for something to happen.

During Xin Lan’s hesitation, Ling Jiu had already received her answer.

            

Xin Lan: Play it by ear.

Ling Jiu: ok

“Play it by ear” – what profound implications these words carried.

            

Ling Jiu wanted to tease a bit but hadn’t become so inflated as to forget she was facing Demon King Xin Lan, so she happily drank her cola instead.

Xin Lan dried her hair and sat by the window.

She should have felt drowsy, but now she didn’t really want to sleep.

            

Regarding what had just happened, Xin Lan found it somewhat amusing, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

While she liked being in control of the bigger picture, she didn’t need every single thing to be within her plans.

What makes a person human is that it’s impossible to predict everything. Even gods couldn’t foresee all things.

            

If she forced herself to reach that level of control, she’d probably drive herself mad before her life even ended.

Imagine someone might kiss you – the mood is just right, and some things need that ambiguous atmosphere to progress, but then someone yells your name at the top of their lungs. The atmosphere breaks, and just thinking about that scene is awkward.

Qin Yuyan’s presence wasn’t unpleasant, from offering water at their first meeting to her subsequent actions.

            

The light in her eyes didn’t cause discomfort; rather, it brought about a sense of novelty.

Moreover, Qin Yuyan was attentive, wiping her face, neck, and hands while properly avoiding other areas, maintaining a degree that felt pleasant without being offensive.

Xin Lan pressed her temples, unwilling to think deeper.

            

She didn’t want to contemplate why she had thoughts about potentially doing certain things with someone. Some things lose their meaning when analyzed too thoroughly – digging to the root for reasons when she’d been clear about them from the start.

Humans are always social animals; no one can resist warmth, regardless of how much they love solitude.

As Xin Lan lay in bed preparing to rest, her phone vibrated with a message. When she checked, it was from Kailin.

            

Truthfully, Xin Lan had no need to maintain contact with this young girl, but based on her character setting, she couldn’t simply ignore her.

【Kailin】: Xin Lan-jie, are you busy?

【Xin Lan】: Just finished. What’s the matter?

            

【Kailin】: It’s nothing major actually

【Kailin】: I’m just hesitating about something, not sure if I should do it or not.

This kind of conversation frequently occurred between the original host] and Kailin, as the original host had been Kailin’s confidante and big sister figure.

            

【Xin Lan】: What are you hesitating about? Is it something important?

【Kailin】: Yes, very important.

For the next half minute, Xin Lan watched the “typing” indicator repeatedly appear in the upper left corner of the chat box.

            

【Kailin】: I like someone, but I don’t know if I should confess.

Xin Lan raised an eyebrow – she wasn’t particularly skilled at handling such emotional matters.

【Xin Lan】: If you like them and they’re single, why not give it a try?

            

【Kailin】: I don’t know if she has a partner, probably not though

【Xin Lan】: ‘She’?

【Kailin】: Yes, will Lan-jie discriminate? [forced smile.jpg]

            

【Xin Lan】: Of course not

Xin Lan definitely wouldn’t discriminate; to be direct, she wouldn’t care even if Kailin had unusual preferences.

【Kailin】: But I’m afraid if I confess, we won’t even be able to remain friends.

            

Xin Lan’s fingers paused, with many thoughts coming to mind, but ultimately feeling nothing would be appropriate to say.

She wasn’t really suited to being a confidante; matters of the heart always needed to be handled case by case.

After some thought, she finally sent six characters.

            

【Xin Lan】: Act with joy, accept with grace.

Do what makes you happy with joy, then willingly accept whatever consequences follow.

Many problems could be solved with this saying – once you’ve made a decision and prepared yourself to bear the consequences, there’s no need for hesitation.

            

【Kailin】: Eh?

【Kailin】: I understand now.

Ling Jiu: Eww, sorry, my mind went to the gutter for a moment.

            

Ling Jiu’s sudden comment left Xin Lan momentarily stunned before she quickly caught on.

Xin Lan: Where did you learn all this inappropriate garbage? Are you asking to be reformatted?

Ling Jiu: Host, what are you talking about? I don’t understand at all~

            

Ling Jiu pushed up her glasses, remembering when she was just a novice system, so pure and innocent, before becoming a philosophical shut-in girl [死宅少女 | sǐ zhái shào nǚ | referring to a girl who’s heavily invested in otaku culture].

【Kailin】: This Saturday is my birthday, can you come?

【Xin Lan】: I can’t promise, but send me the time and location. I’ll check my schedule. If I can’t make it, I’ll have your brother bring your gift.

            

【Kailin】: Okay, I’ll wait for you if you can come.

The conversation ended there. Xin Lan put her phone on charge and lay down, closing her eyes.

In another room on the same floor, Qin Yuyan was pacing in her room.

            

She had been walking back and forth for several minutes, unable to completely calm her heart.

Her cheeks still burning hot, Qin Yuyan clutched her heart, barely able to contain her joy.

That feeling had actually been present since their first meeting, but she either didn’t understand it or felt it was without reason.

            

Simply seeing someone and feeling joy, just watching them without finding anything boring.

Before opening her phone to send a message, she would rack her brain thinking about the best way to start a conversation, and at times would randomly wonder what that person might be doing.

The irregular heartbeat during their close encounter earlier had already given her the answer.

            

Looking around furtively, harboring an awkward secret affection.

After pacing around the room for several more minutes, Qin Yuyan finally managed to calm down somewhat.

She fell onto her bed, covering her face while giggling secretly.

            

“I like her.”

“How wonderful.”

“I like her.”

            

As she kept thinking, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

After laughing, Qin Yuyan felt somewhat foolish.

As her brain emerged from that oxygen-deprived state, Qin Yuyan belatedly realized that Xin Lan’s waist was quite slim.

            

Though she looked tall and thin, she wasn’t heavy to carry.

Qin Yuyan furrowed her brows, thinking about how drunk Xin Lan had gotten tonight.

Who knows if she might have stomach discomfort in the middle of the night.

            

This must have been for work discussions, right?

Qin Yuyan thought about many things before her mind finally went blank.

Looking at the bedsheets, she inexplicably felt dejected.

            

Just discovering she liked someone, but not knowing how to proceed.

Xin Lan was her manager, surely hoping she would work hard and develop her career well.

With a heart full of concerns, Qin Yuyan drifted into dreamland.

            

Xin Lan returned to her busy routine, maintaining a normal demeanor with Qin Yuyan as if unaware of that night’s events. Qin Yuyan didn’t deliberately mention it either; she just gazed at Xin Lan with joy-filled eyes whenever she could see her, quickly concealing her glances when Xin Lan looked up.

Xin Lan had indirectly inquired with Xu Fang, but he didn’t seem interested.

Merchants value profit, and the industry was too volatile now. Commercial films featuring popular stars and IP adaptations were abundant, never lacking investment, but projects like Zhang Haishan’s were truly difficult.

            

If he wanted to make money, it wouldn’t be hard – with his reputation, people would line up if he lowered his standards.

But that would undoubtedly damage his cherished feathers [愛惜羽毛 | ài xī yǔ máo | meaning to protect one’s reputation]. Zhang Haishan’s name was his brand, but unfortunately, it wasn’t helping now.

Before starting to raise funds, Xin Lan gave Zhang Haishan’s script to Qin Yuyan.

            

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You must grasp it well. Time is tight – audition in thirteen days.”

Though the script wasn’t thick, Qin Yuyan received it with great solemnity.

“I’ll work hard.”

            

Qin Yuyan shut herself in at home, immersing herself in studying the script.

Xin Lan wasn’t idle either. Besides managing her artists’ affairs, she began efficient programming, working hard to produce results. She had Ling Jiu operate more than ten different accounts for buying and selling, along with other investments. For quick money, she even made a special trip to Yunnan [雲南 | yún nán | a province in southwestern China], accumulating enormous wealth within half a month.

When she placed the card in front of Zhang Haishan, he almost wanted to grab her legs and call her “

            

Daddy Gold Master” [金主爸爸 | jīn zhǔ bà ba | a humorous term for a wealthy financial backer; sugar daddy].

Meanwhile, 《Xiaoman》 was casting, and they invited Shen Yun. The script was delivered to Xin Lan’s hands.

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LP: Re-translated on February 22, 2025

            

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