Little Sweetheart

“What are you guys chatting about? It's so late, why aren't you going to bed?” Su Han gracefully approached and sat down on the other side of Zheng Peipei.

Zheng Peipei withdrew her gaze and smiled faintly. “Couldn’t sleep…”

When they broke up, they agreed to remain friends, and for the past three years, they had indeed acted as such—rarely interacting unless necessary.

Going from lovers to friends is easier said than done.

Fortunately for Zheng Peipei, after three years, she could finally face Su Han with equanimity.

Lu Jiaye swirled his wine glass, his voice laced with feigned disinterest. “Talking about life, ideals, the future.”

Su Han picked up a glass, poured himself some wine, and chuckled. “I can’t sleep either. Requesting to join the discussion group.”

He raised his glass, and Zheng Peipei and Lu Jiaye obligingly clinked their glasses against his.

The three of them tipped their heads back and drank. Zheng Peipei said, “We should call Xiang Li over too. Of the original group of eight, now there are two couples, and four singles left. We should all sing a song about being single together. Sounds good.”

Lu Jiaye laughed. “Sure, to set the mood.” He reached for his phone, seemingly about to call Xiang Li.

Zheng Peipei hurriedly stopped him. “Are you really going to call her? Don’t disturb Xiang Li’s beauty sleep so late at night. She has good sleep habits, not like us, turning day and night upside down, wasting our lives.”

Lu Jiaye corrected her, “Retract the last four words. Turning day and night upside down, experiencing life to the fullest.”

Su Han sat to the side, watching their banter without interrupting. Of course, he wasn’t as glib as Lu Jiaye and wasn’t skilled in verbal sparring.

Zheng Peipei finished her drink, set down her glass, and said, “I'm feeling dizzy. I'll go back to my room to rest. You guys enjoy yourselves.”

After Zheng Peipei left, Lu Jiaye and Su Han faced each other, suddenly exchanging a knowing smile.

They raised their glasses and took a sip.

Su Han asked, “Do you want to pursue Peipei?”

Lu Jiaye didn't answer, narrowing his eyes at him. “Why don't you tell me if you want to get back together with her?”

Su Han paused for a few seconds, then nodded. “Yes.”

“Confident, are we?” Lu Jiaye smiled.

“The reason we broke up was my work. These past few years, I've been transitioning to behind-the-scenes work. Soon, I'll be able to retire completely.” Su Han took a deep breath. “At that time, there will be no obstacles between Peipei and me.”

Lu Jiaye laughed. “Confidence is a good thing. However, I still don't agree.”

“You don't agree?” Su Han seemed amused by this absurdity. “Why don't you agree?” He could have added, rather pointedly, “What right do you have to disagree?”

“You’ve already hurt her once. Do you want to do it again?” Lu Jiaye's smile faded, his gaze fixed intently on Su Han. His face, when serious, carried a heavy aura of authority.

The usually carefree and jovial Lu Jiaye, when serious, was imposing and sharp.

Su Han wasn't surprised by his change in demeanor.

Because back then, right after he broke up with Zheng Peipei, Lu Jiaye had come to find him…

Time flashed back to three years ago…

The day after a gathering of their friend group, Su Han left in a hurry.

After a day of fun, everyone started heading home. Lu Jiaye asked Zheng Peipei if she wanted to go back to City C with him, but she said she wanted to stay and play for a few more days.

Lu Jiaye drove off alone. A short while later, he realized Zheng Peipei had left something in his car…

He turned the car around and went back.

When he returned to the hotel, he saw Zheng Peipei sitting alone by the fountain, shoulders shaking, crying uncontrollably.

He didn't dare approach, choosing to watch from afar…

Because he knew Zheng Peipei was a proud and strong person who wouldn’t want him to see her in such a vulnerable state.

Lu Jiaye stood there watching Zheng Peipei until, several hours later, she got up to leave and entered the hotel lobby.

She had cried for three hours, her eyes swollen like walnuts…

And he could do nothing but silently watch over her.

Filled with anger, Lu Jiaye found Su Han and, ignoring the presence of others in his studio, punched him.

Su Han froze for a few seconds, then seemed to understand. “Can we talk somewhere else?”

They entered a spacious conference room.

Su Han said coldly, “You don’t need to interfere in matters between Peipei and me.”

Lu Jiaye grabbed his collar, furious. “I’ll interfere however I damn well please! I stayed abroad for four years, didn't even call her once! I left you two in the country to be lovey-dovey! And the result? Ah Jun married Xiao Jiuwo, and what are you doing? You chased her, got her, and then treated her like this?”

Su Han retorted, “You don't understand, and I don't blame you! Don't point fingers here. My patience is limited!”

Lu Jiaye scoffed. “Excuse me, but my patience is also limited! I like her, so I respect her choices! If she was happy, I would have accepted it! But what the hell did you give her? Can you be like Ah Jun to Xiao Jiuwo? If you could, I wouldn’t say a damn word!”

“Do you think I don't want to? Everyone's situation is different! I have my own difficulties!” Su Han snapped. “She’s the one who wants to break up, not me! I don't want to break up either!”

“You don’t want to break up? Fine, then go public with your relationship. Tell everyone Peipei is your girlfriend.” Lu Jiaye stared at him. “If you go public, I’ll apologize immediately and never say another word! Any conflicts between you two will be your own business!”

Su Han took a deep breath, turned around, and pressed his hand to his forehead. After a long moment, he said in a low voice, “Don’t push me. I still have several contracts. I can’t go public, otherwise, it would be a breach of contract.”

“Son of a bitch! Career comes first, she comes second! You've calculated everything so clearly, and you still have the nerve to say that!”

“Not everyone can live so unrestrainedly!” Provoked, Su Han yelled, “Lu Jiaye, stop jumping around! No matter how much you jump, Peipei doesn't like you! It’s none of your damn business!”

“Heh…” Lu Jiaye laughed in anger. “Then let me tell you, the girl I like being bullied is my damn business! It has nothing to do with whether she likes me or not!” Lu Jiaye grabbed Su Han and punched him again. “Whoever bullies her, I’ll fight them!”

Su Han, also burning with anger, immediately fought back.

They used the most primal method to vent their anger and frustration.

After a while, both of them were sprawled on the sofa, bruised and battered…

Lu Jiaye chuckled. “I’ve been in so many fights in my life, but this is the first time I’ve fought with one of my own…”

Su Han also laughed. “You’ve injured my face. I can’t be on camera for the next week. You’re paying for my lost wages…”

Lu Jiaye retorted, “Pay you my ass!”

Su Han found a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, offered it to Lu Jiaye, and lit one for himself.

Lu Jiaye eyed him. “An idol smoking? Aren’t you afraid of ruining your image?”

Su Han gave a wry smile. “Too much stress. I can’t drink, afraid of messing things up, so I can only smoke in private to calm my nerves.”

Su Han exhaled a smoke ring. “Peipei and I have broken up now. Everything is back to square one… Honestly, are you happy…?”

Lu Jiaye took a few drags of his cigarette, his gaze drifting to the swirling smoke. His face held an unusual melancholy and solemnity.

“To be honest, I thought I would be happy, but seeing her cry, it hurt my heart. I'd rather see her smiling happily in your arms than see her hiding and crying.”

Su Han remained silent.

Lu Jiaye continued, “If you have the guts, be with her properly, and I’ll still bless you. If not, I hope you won’t bother her again and let her move on as soon as possible.”

“What about you? Will you pursue her?” Su Han asked.

Lu Jiaye chuckled softly. “Taking advantage of someone's vulnerability isn’t my style.”

He understood Zheng Peipei too well. Pursuing her now would only add to her troubles. Letting her be free and giving her space to breathe was the best way to treat her.

About half a month later, Lu Jiaye finally contacted Zheng Peipei.

At that time, Zheng Peipei was working up a sweat at the gym. After a period of self-pity, she needed to regain her energy; that’s the standard for the new generation.

They met and had dinner together.

Lu Jiaye asked, “What are you planning to do?”

Zheng Peipei replied, “I’ve been interviewing with a few entertainment companies. I’m thinking of becoming an agent.”

“Awesome.” Lu Jiaye gave her a thumbs-up. “Are you planning to cultivate a few popular stars to rival your ex-boyfriend?”

“Haha, yeah, what’s one big star? I want to create a whole bunch of them…” Zheng Peipei was amused, but then waved her hand dismissively. “Just kidding. I've been in his fandom since his debut, and later I've been following the entertainment industry, so I think I understand it relatively well. Plus, I have an uncle who’s a senior official overseeing this area, so I have some connections. After thinking it over, nothing makes money faster than this. Negotiating a single contract is a multi-million dollar deal, and the commission is considerable.”

“Will your family agree?” Lu Jiaye asked.

“Whether they agree or not isn’t important. What’s important is what I want to do.” Zheng Peipei shrugged. “Compared to being a couch potato at home, they’d definitely prefer me to do something.”

Lu Jiaye gave her another thumbs-up. “I can already see the future big shot stirring up the entertainment industry. Don’t forget about me when you’re rich and famous.”

“Son of a landlord, if I, this future big shot, can’t make it one day, will you treat me to a meal?”

“No problem. I’ll feed you for life.” Lu Jiaye said generously. “Here, high five to seal the deal.”

Zheng Peipei reached out and high-fived him, grinning. “It’s great to be friends with rich people! Awesome!”

A week later, Lu Jiaye contacted Zheng Peipei again, checking on her job search progress.

Zheng Peipei said, “I’m in talks with one company, but their conditions are a bit harsh. We’re still negotiating.”

Lu Jiaye suggested, “Why don’t we work together? Being exploited by me is better than being exploited by other capitalists, right? At least I'm a reliable friend who’ll feed you.”

Zheng Peipei asked, “Us, work together? How?”

Lu Jiaye replied, “I’m planning to acquire New Emperor Entertainment. Come work with me.”

Zheng Peipei was stunned. “…You’re that rich?”

“My dad gave me a billion yuan and insisted I spend it. The entertainment industry burns through money the fastest, so I think it’ll work.”

“…” Alright, the landlord’s son was indeed different. He just buys, buys, buys. Buying a company is like buying a handbag.

“Let’s talk face-to-face. Are you free tomorrow? I’ll come find you.”

“…Okay, see you tomorrow.”

The next day, Zheng Peipei met with Lu Jiaye.

They met at a teahouse. Lu Jiaye looked Zheng Peipei up and down, making her want to snap at him.

“Do you not recognize me or something? Do you need to stare at me so intently?”

Lu Jiaye laughed. “You look even more stunning after a few days apart. Worth a few extra glances.”

“Come on.” Hearing this, Zheng Peipei felt a little embarrassed and turned her face away. “I didn’t even wear makeup today.”

Thanks to her recent gym workouts and good sleep, Zheng Peipei’s complexion had improved, and her overall condition was better. Although she was meeting Lu Jiaye today, she had come casually, without any makeup. But in Lu Jiaye’s eyes, she still looked beautiful, truly beautiful.

Lu Jiaye exclaimed, “My god, where did this little fairy come from? You look so good without makeup! If you wore makeup, wouldn’t you be devastatingly beautiful, causing the heavens to crumble and the earth to shatter?”

Zheng Peipei replied, “…I beg you, just be illiterate, okay?”

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