Nan Chen asked the driver to bring them to a Hermes franchise store even though they were supposed to be heading towards the party.
“You need to change your bag. Go pick one out,” Nan Chen said.
“My bag’s fine, right? I got it at a fifty percent discount from…”
“Shut up and go pick one!” Nan Chen got angry.
“It’s really not necessary. No matter how luxurious it is, it’ll just be a waste. I keep a lot of snacks in there. So no matter how good it is, once I shove two meat buns in there, it’s…
“Can you just shut up already!”
Nan Chen was really annoyed as he actually pictured a meat bun in a Hermes’ bag.
After that, Ning Ran did not dare say another word as she got off the car and entered the store.
Ning Ran had no idea what to pick. After going through everything, she still could not make up her mind.
The main issue was that they were all really pricey and way over her budget.
The cheaper ones did not look good, and the nicer ones were just too expensive.
In the end, she asked Nan Chen to help her choose one. At the cashier, the staff actually recognized Ning Ran. “It’s an honor to see you in our store. Will it be OK for me to get a signature from you?”
Naturally, Ning Ran did not believe that she would have fans. Thus, she turned around and looked at Nan Chen. “You’re talking about him right?”
“I meant you, Ms. Ding. I hope the series with You and Lunlun continue to get good ratings and that you two are happy together.” The staff replied.
Nan Chen expression was turning cold.
“Oh. You got it all wrong. Lunlun and I are just co-workers. Really.” Ning Ran explained immediately as she stepped aside and signaled for Nan Chen to approach.
The bag was way over her pay grade. Hence, only Nan Chen could settle that bill.
With that, Nan Chen huffed and handed over his black card.
Before leaving, Ning Ran also fulfilled the staff’s request for her signature.
Then, they got on the car.
Ning Ran was in a good mood until the staff’s remark spoiled it for her.
“Fans are like this. They form imaginary pairs in their minds. It happens all the time. Please don’t mind them.” Ning Ran tried to comfort Nan Chen.
“Why would I?” Nan Chen asked.
“True.” Ning Ran answered. “You don’t have to pay heed to that.”
“Why don’t I?” Nan Chen asked again coldly.
That got Ning Ran confused. Do you mind, or don’t you mind? Do I want you to mind, or do I not want you to mind? Alright! Since I’m going to be wrong either way, I’ll just shut up. I can’t be wrong if I don’t say anything.
Nan Chen, on the other hand, knew there was nothing to blame her for. Those kinds of misunderstandings were very common in this industry.
After all, the two of them were always seen together. Be it on-screen or at charity events. Therefore, it was easy for the fans to relate them together.
In fact, stars like them need these types of rumors to keep people talking. If a celebrity has nothing for people to talk about, is he still one?
“Mr. Chen, thank you for the bag. I promise you that I will not use it to pack meat buns!” Ning Ran exclaimed.
Hearing that, Nan Chen almost passed out from rage. So that’s how you respect me? By not putting buns in?
“Do whatever you wish.” Nan Chen replied.
Ning Ran rolled her eyes at Nan Chen and let out a huff as well.
For some reason, her actions and expressions looked adorable. Glancing at Ning Ran, Nan Chen’s face suddenly blushed as he felt captivated by her charm.
With that, his rage instantly subsided.
“You owe me money for the bag.” Nan Chen remarked.
“Huh? What are you? You’re the one that forced me to get one, so of course, you’re paying for it. Why do I have to pay you back?”
Nan Chen was chuckling in his head while he remained expressionless on the outside.
“I’m not paying. In that case, we can just go back there to return this right now. The old one was good enough.” Ning Ran said as she shoved the bag into Nan Chen’s arms.
Right then, Nan Chen gave her an icy stare, and Ning Ran immediately took the bag back. “Alright! But I’m not paying no matter what. I have no money. All I have is my life!”
“I’ll take your life then.” Nan Chen replied.
“What? You’re really going to take my life? For a measly ten thousand?”
Ning Ran knew Nan Chen was fooling around, so she joined in on it.
It’s rare for Poker Face to be talking so much.
However, Nan Chen, without saying a word, just kept his eyes on Ning Ran.
His stare was so intense that Ning Ran was starting to feel shy, so she turned her head.
Soon after that, she noticed her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. What the heck?
At the same time, they arrived at the hotel where the cocktail party was held. Nan Chen got down first and chivalrously raised his hand so that Ning Ran did not bump her head.
His gesture had Ning Ran pleasantly surprised. Thus, she hurried out of the car a little too haphazardly and almost fell.
“Come on.” Nan Chen instructed.
“Huh?”
Without saying another word, Nan Chen wiggled his arm, and Ning Ran caught on. He wanted her to hold on to him as they entered.
Isn’t this too much?
But Ning Ran went along under the immense pressure of Nan Chen’s gaze.
She actually did not know that Nan Chen was looking out for her.
Even though she was the female lead of the series, the people there were far more prominent. Hence, a newbie like Ning Ran would be nothing in comparison.
However, with Nan Chen in her arms, the narrative would change entirely.
It was plainly because Nan Chen’s status in Flower City was well known by all.
A woman that came in holding his arm would mean that Nan Chen had acknowledged her – as if saying, She is with me, so disrespecting her is the same as disrespecting me.
But that night, the two of them had too many similarities in terms of outfit styles. Thus, it felt like there was a significant drop in the temperature as they entered the room.
Everyone started crowding over, fighting to greet Nan Chen.
Nan Chen recognized some of them, but the majority were strangers to him.
Star Entertainment was just a company under the Nanshi Corporation, and the new series was just one of the many that Star Entertainment had invested in. That was why Nan Chen seldom attended parties like these.
These types of parties were no different than a meager supper at a roadside stall in his eyes.
Therefore, Nan Chen’s arrival came as a surprise to a lot of the big shots there since he was not someone that anyone could just meet.
Hence, they knew that one would be honored if they got to meet him and speak with him.
Normally, the women would be eyeing the men, and the men eyeing the women. But on that day, no matter who they were, Nan Chen was the center of their attention.
Ning Ran was a beauty – attractive and enticing. But Nan Chen signified absolute power and benefits.
Anyone in the business world would know how to weigh this difference.
Thus, among the two, Nan Chen was definitely the one to woo.
On the other hand, Ning Ran did not feel unhappy because she was being left out. She knew full well the difference in status between them.
Suddenly, a hand reached out and pulled Ning Ran to the side.
Ning Ran turned around and saw that it was Zheng Lunlun.
“Let’s go. Those people are just sycophants. They’ll be busy wooing uncle for a while. Why are you still standing there? Let’s go get some drinks!” Zheng Lunlun said.
“You shouldn’t be so intimate with me. It’s not good. I’m your aunt…”
“Cut that crap. Don’t act like you’re so much older than me. The word ‘aunt’ is so lame.” Zheng Lunlun interrupted. “Besides, are you guys even married?”
“No.”
“Then? You’re not my aunt yet. Or are you addicted to being one or something?” Zheng Lunlun smirked.
“Hey, where are all the women that are supposed to surround you? That’s odd. Aren’t you the pretty boy that everyone falls in love with at first sight?” Ning Ran asked.
“That’s what Erbao calls herself,” Zheng Lunlun replied. “I’m not that childish.”
“True. You’re surely more mature than my daughter.”
“How is that even a comparison?” Zheng Lunlun got annoyed.
