Chapter 44

After the end of the show, the guests also had to leave.

Song Anan and Song Linchuan were going back to S City.

She hadn't started school yet, and Song Linchuan was just recuperating from his injury and had no schedules, so the two of them wanted to go back home and stay with their family for a while.

Their flight was earlier than the others, so as soon as filming wrapped up here, they had to leave.

Qi MuShi held onto Song Anan's hand, reluctant to part, and said, "Auntie Song, when you go back to B City for school, can I come visit you?"

Song Anan patted him on the shoulder and replied, "Of course you can. I'll get in touch then and see if I can take you to tour our university's Artificial Intelligence Department."

Ever since the two of them had discussed artificial intelligence stuff that time, Qi MuShi seemed to be quite interested in it.

As it happened, Song Anan knew an upperclassman majoring in AI before, so she would ask her later and it probably wouldn't be a problem.

Hearing this, Qi MuShi was overjoyed and started bouncing up and down on the spot.

He was genuinely very interested in this field. Before, he had been too shy to bother Song Anan about it, so he hadn't brought it up much. He didn't expect that she had kept it in mind.

In his joy, Qi MuShi also felt a little moved in his heart.

"Auntie Song, you'll be my real auntie from now on!"

Song Linchuan immediately objected, "No way, you can only have one nephew - me!"

Although Song Linchuan said this, he was very happy to see so many people like his auntie.

He even felt a little proud.

Just look at his auntie - so well-liked wherever she went!

Qi MuShi scratched his head and said, "Okay then, you're the real nephew, I can just be an honorary one."

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter at his train of thought.

What was an "honorary nephew"?

This kid's brain circuits were just too much.

Shi Qing looked at her silly son, and really couldn't help but shake her head.

Seeing Qi MuShi's dumbfounded expression, Qi Hui was also exasperated.

He knew very well what his son was like.

Although the boy acted carefree all day, he was actually quite prideful at heart, and there weren't many people he would genuinely like.

After the last recording, when Qi MuShi got home, all he talked about was "Auntie Song".

At the time, Qi Hui thought the brat had his first crush. He never imagined Qi MuShi would be so eager to become her nephew.

It was really kind of...indescribable.

Qi Hui subconsciously glanced at Song Anan. Actually, before coming, he had been quite curious about this little auntie.

After all, it wasn't often that both his wife and son would sing someone's praises without end.

After so many years in the industry, Qi Hui was confident in his ability to read people. After interacting with her these past few days, he finally understood why.

Although the little auntie was young, she wasn't arrogant or willful, and interacted with others very properly. Most importantly, she had a rare purity about her.

Because of this purity, she treated others with true sincerity.

Just take Qi MuShi for example - he was an undisciplined brat, but when he suddenly took an interest in artificial intelligence, Song Anan took it seriously instead of dismissing it as him just fooling around because he was young or a bad student.

She gave him unconditional trust and respect instead.

It was because of this that he and Shi Qing had privately chatted about learning from Song Anan in this area.

Thinking of this, Qi Hui looked towards Song Linchuan with a smile and asked, "Your injury will take some time to heal still, right?"

Song Linchuan was caught off guard by Qi Hui suddenly addressing him, and couldn't help but pause for a moment.

"Yes, the doctor said it will take about two to three months to recover."

Qi Hui lightly nodded. "My next film will start shooting in about three months. There's a role that I think would suit you very well - would you be interested in auditioning for it?"

Everyone was stunned by these words.

Their gazes looking at Song Linchuan immediately took on a hint of envy.

After all, countless people in the industry desperately wanted a role in a Qi Hui film.

Especially for someone like Song Linchuan who urgently wanted to transition from an idol actor, even playing a relatively unimportant supporting role in one of Qi Hui's films would be like gaining a foothold in mainstream cinema.

Song Linchuan's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but sound excited as he said, "It would be my honor to work with Director Qi."

Qi Hui smiled. "Although it's not the main character, the role has quite a lot of scenes. I'll have the script sent to your agent later, you guys can take a look first."

Song Linchuan quickly agreed and thanked him gratefully, "Thank you Director Qi for giving me this opportunity."

It was no exaggeration to call this an 'opportunity'. For a famous director like Qi Hui to take the initiative to extend an olive branch to a junior like him was a huge boost.

Song Linchuan understood this logic, as did everyone else present.

Qi Hui waved his hand. "No need to be so polite. My son already wants to be your auntie's honorary nephew, so I guess we can be considered related now," he joked.

Everyone else laughed along with him.

But they were also very clear that although Qi Hui said it jokingly, it wasn't entirely untrue. Everyone knew that Song Linchuan catching Qi Hui's eye also had something to do with Song Anan.

Including Song Linchuan himself, who was very aware of this.

But for Song Linchuan, he wouldn't actively use Song Anan to achieve his own ends. However, if others liked his auntie and he happened to benefit from it, he didn't mind.

After all, Song Anan was his dear auntie.

Pei Kuang was also truly happy for Song Linchuan.

It was about time for Song Anan and her nephew to leave ahead of the others.

Pei Kuang was heading directly back to B City on a later flight, so he went to the airport with them.

To him, it didn't make a difference if he waited in the lounge instead.

At the airport lounge...

Song Anan had also brought the cat Qiuqiu back to B City with her, and was now hugging it tightly, cherishing their time together before they had to part.

Meanwhile, Pei Kuang and Song Linchuan sat across from each other chatting.

Song Linchuan asked, "What are your plans when you get back?"

Pei Kuang replied, "I have some schedules, then will probably start shooting a drama."

Song Linchuan's brows perked up. "Confirmed with Director Li's side?"

Pei Kuang nodded slightly. "Almost, I'm going back to sign the contract this time."

Hearing this, Song Linchuan was also genuinely happy for Pei Kuang.

Director Li's influence in the industry was on par with Qi Hui's, so Pei Kuang working with him was great news.

Song Linchuan thought of something and suddenly said dejectedly, "Ugh, you're still more capable than me. You were able to get Director Li's attention with your own charm, while I have to rely on my auntie's popularity just to get noticed by Director Qi."

Pei Kuang glanced at him and let out a cold laugh. "Don't think I can't tell you're just showing off."

Caught red-handed, Song Linchuan dropped the act with a sneaky chuckle. "How about it, jealous?"

With such a great auntie like mine.

Pei Kuang was too lazy to respond.

This guy really wouldn't stop bragging until he died.

Soon it was time to board.

Song Anan hugged Qiuqiu, reluctant to part. "Qiuqiu, don't forget me when you get to your new home. I'll come see you when I'm back!"

Since it was only halfway through summer vacation, the thought that she wouldn't see Qiuqiu for so long made her even more reluctant to leave it behind.

Seeing the little auntie looking like she was being separated by death, Pei Kuang couldn't help but find it a bit funny.

"If you miss it, you can video chat with it."

Song Anan's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Pei Kuang smiled with a nod. "Really."

Song Anan was immediately comforted and finally handed Qiuqiu over to Li Dong beside her.

They had booked pet cargo tickets for Qiuqiu beforehand. Cats needed to be checked in for a flight, which was another reason Pei Kuang had come to the airport so early.

Song Anan looked at Qiuqiu, then back at Pei Kuang. "I'll leave Qiuqiu to you then."

Pei Kuang smiled. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of it."

Song Anan nodded lightly. She looked at Pei Kuang, seeming like she wanted to say something but held back.

Pei Kuang raised a brow. "Anything else you want me to do?"

"Take care of yourself," Song Anan pressed her lips together, then added, "And focus on your work."

No more pining after romance all the time.

Stop being the forever male lead. Find a new role.

Pei Kuang was surprised for a moment, then burst out laughing.

That nagging parental feeling came over him again.

Song Anan felt a little awkward being laughed at like this.

Song Linchuan glared at Pei Kuang, dissatisfied. "What are you laughing at? Don't be ungrateful. My auntie is showing concern for you."

Pei Kuang toned down his laughter a bit. "I'm not ungrateful, it just felt a little..."

"A little what?" Song Linchuan quirked a brow.

Pei Kuang shook his head. "Nothing."

Song Linchuan scoffed. "Leaving sentences half-finished, what's with you?"

Pei Kuang just smiled without answering.

Really nothing. He just wasn't used to it.

Wasn't used to someone caring for him like this.

It had been a long time since they had all sat together as a family like this. After dinner, instead of hurrying back to their rooms, they chatted for a while in the living room, and before they knew it, it was very late.

By the time Song Anan got back to her room, took a shower, and came out, it was already eleven o'clock.

She picked up her phone and saw a message from Pei Kuang.

It was a short video he had recorded of Qiushi.

After the video, there was another message:

Pei Kuang: "Don't worry, Qiushi is doing great. We just got home. It's too late tonight, but if you're free tomorrow morning, you can video chat with her."

Song Anan replied: "Okay, I'm free tomorrow morning." After replying to the message, she opened the video to watch it.

The video wasn't long, probably just half a minute.

The location looked like it was in the living room. Qiushi had arrived in a new place and was tentatively exploring her new territory.

"Qiushi, look here," Pei Kuang's voice could be heard saying.

In the video, Qiushi finally looked towards the camera, and the frame froze on that moment.

Song Anan put down her phone and lay flat on her bed, staring up at the ceiling as she inevitably thought back to what had happened that day.

She subconsciously raised her hand and rubbed her fingertips, but didn't feel anything.

That tingling, electric sensation was as if it had just been her imagination at the time.

But Song Anan was very clear that it hadn't been her imagination.

Furthermore, she was certain that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her heart this entire life.

So what exactly had caused her uncontrolled heartbeat?

Suddenly, Li Yu's question flashed through her mind.

"Little Anan, is there anyone you like at school?"

"Yeah, someone who makes your heart flutter, that kind of feeling."

Song Anan gently placed her hand over her chest.

Could that have been what they call 'heart fluttering'?

The next morning.

Song Anan sat down at the breakfast table with obvious panda eyes from not having slept well.

As soon as she sat down, Zhao Ya noticed.

"Anan, your dark circles are so severe. You didn't sleep well last night?" Zhao Ya asked with concern.

Song Linchuan and Song Zhenhui also looked over upon hearing this.

Song Anan pursed her lips. "Mm, a bit of insomnia."

Song Linchuan's brows furrowed slightly. Insomnia?

Everyone in the Song family knew that Song Anan had always been a great sleeper. From when she was little to now, she could fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Insomnia was a very rare occurrence for her.

Under the puzzled gazes of those at the table, Song Anan could only stiffly explain, "Last night before bed I was reading for a bit, and I guess I passed my usual bedtime, so I had some trouble falling asleep."

Hearing this reason, they didn't seem to doubt her further, only reminding her to pay more attention to the time when reading at night.

"Then after you finish breakfast, go back and sleep for a bit," Zhao Ya said.

Song Anan waved her hand. "No need, I usually can't fall asleep during the day anyway."

Zhao Ya nodded and didn't force the issue.

After breakfast, Song Zhenhui left for work, leaving only the three without jobs - Zhao Ya, Song Linchuan, and Song Anan - at the table. They slowly ate and chatted leisurely.

Zhao Ya had plans to go shopping and get beauty treatments with some friends, and wanted to take Song Anan shopping.

Song Anan didn't really want to go out. "Sis, you go. I won't go."

Song Linchuan chimed in, "Mom, just go by yourself. My little auntie is so popular right now, it definitely won't be convenient for her to go to the mall."

Zhao Ya realized he was right. "Alright, next time I'll have people from the brand bring over this season's new arrivals for you to pick from at home."

Song Anan hesitated, then nodded in the end.

She didn't actually lack clothes and didn't need to shop, but Song Anan understood her sister-in-law too well. This was something she couldn't refuse.

From when she was little to now, Zhao Ya had taken meticulous care of her in terms of clothing, food, housing, and transportation, afraid that she would suffer even the tiniest grievance.

As if recalling something, Zhao Ya suddenly looked at Song Anan with worry. "That's right, won't it be very inconvenient for Anan from now on? What about going to school?"

As an artist, Zhao Ya understood the entertainment industry to some degree, so she knew what becoming popular meant.

Song Anan waved her hand dismissively. "Sis, don't worry. I don't go out much on campus anyway. B University students are all very busy, no one will pay attention to things like this."

Perhaps people would find it novel at first, but it would become normal after a while.

Song Linchuan also said, "Don't worry, the hype will die down after a while."

He had considered this issue previously as well, but it wasn't a big problem. The entertainment industry had always been like this - without sustained exposure, hot searches would quickly die down.

Netizens' attention would also swiftly shift to other matters.

Furthermore, he had already started having Jiang Han intentionally reduce her popularity across the web.

After Zhao Ya left, only Song Linchuan and Song Anan remained in the house.

Since one was recuperating from injury and the other was on summer break, neither had much to do. So after breakfast, they didn't hurry back to their rooms and instead lingered in the living room for a while.

Song Anan sat on one side of the sofa reading a book, while Song Linchuan sat on the other side with headphones on, playing games. The two didn't disturb each other.

After some unknown amount of time had passed, Song Anan's phone that was sitting on the coffee table suddenly vibrated.

It was a WeChat message.

She picked it up and saw it was from Pei Kuang.

Pei Kuang: "Awake yet? Do you have time now to video chat with Qiushi?"

Song Anan subconsciously glanced at Song Linchuan, and thought of the matter that had plagued her for half the night. She suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Song Linchuan noticed her gaze out of the corner of his eye and looked over. "What's up?"

Song Anan gripped her phone, eyes flickering slightly. "Um, I'm a bit sleepy, I want to go back to my room and sleep for a bit."