Chapter 86: CH 83

Chapter 83: Are you sure they are not dating?

Putting back the phone, Yu Nian turned to Xiao Ting and asked, “How about finding another place to talk?”

Xiao Ting smiled, “I also have the same intention.”

The nanny car drove and merge into the traffic. Glancing at the black Range Rover behind them through the rearview mirror, Meng Yuan finally spoke, “Nian Nian, who is this Xiao Ting guy? He seems… not very kind?”

Shi Rou chimed in, “I noticed the limited edition Vacheron Constantin watch on his wrist. Besides, although he was smiling while talking, I couldn’t shake the feeling of something eerie about him. He doesn’t look like someone who came to buy a painting.”

Yu Nian held his phone, lost in thought. Upon their inquiry, he briefly explained the situation, “Well, he is one of the heirs of a prominent Chinese family in Canada. He’s here to bid on the painting. I have a painting called ‘Drunken Horse Roaming in Spring,’ and he wants to buy it forcefully.”

Meng Yuan opened his mouth, unsure of whether to be surprised by the man’s identity and purpose or by the fact that Yu Nian actually had the painting “Drunken Horse Roaming in Spring.”

But then he remembered that Yu Nian had bought “Continuous Rain on Jiangshan” for 90 million and spent 200 million on the “Insomniac Scroll.” So, having “Drunken Horse Roaming in Spring” wasn’t that shocking after all.

He thought to himself that he should get used to such things.

After hesitating for two seconds, Meng Yuan decided not to dwell on the matter and changed the topic.

“When you denied having any connection with Wang Ningxue, public opinion took a noticeable turn. Perhaps your fans and other people were harshly criticizing her, and Wang Ningxue’s team decided to step back a bit.” Meng Yuan sighed, “Speaking of Wang Ningxue, the only notable work she has is the unreleased film ‘Ancient Road.’ Instead of focusing on improving her acting skills and professionalism, she chooses to resort to these underhanded tactics!”

But he also knew, “In this industry, most people are just average and not that ambitious. However, there are plenty of others who would do anything to achieve fame and fortune.” Meng Yuan rubbed his chin, “This time, we need to take a firm stance, or else if Wang Ningxue tastes success, who knows how many opportunists will come after you.”

Yu Nian agreed, “I think the same way. Besides, relationships can’t withstand constant erosion. I don’t want to burden Xie You with countless baseless rumors while he’s busy with work.”

Shi Rou couldn’t help but speak up, “But you’re an artist, and rumors are not something you can actively control.”

Yu Nian shook his head, “It’s not about that. By that logic, Xie You’s profession, family background, and wealth should attract even more people, right? Marrying into a wealthy family is the goal of many.”

“It seems so, and Xie You is not just attractive but exceptionally handsome,” Shi Rou recalled, “But still, Xie You… seems to have no rumors at all!”

Meng Yuan added, “Xie You exude a cold aura that freezes everything around him. When he came to Xingyao to meet Qu Xian, even the front desk staff turned pale.”

“He’s not like that in private.”

Seeing Meng Yuan and Shi Rou’s expressions of “Don’t try to lie to us”, Yu Nian didn’t say much, borrowing Yu Qing’s words, “Anyway, that’s my attitude. I must protect my reputation.”

Meng Yuan chuckled, “Alright, nobody can tarnish your reputation.”

The nanny’s car stopped in front of the Ninghe Building. Meng Yuan asked with concern, “Are you sure you’re going alone?”

“Yes, Xie You will arrive soon. Brother Meng, Sister Rou Rou, you should both rest. You’ve been tired these past few days.”

Meng Yuan wasn’t one to dawdle, “Alright then, we’ll head back, take care of yourself.”

The place where Xiao Ting arranged the meeting was Ning City’s top private club, called Yulan, located on the fiftieth floor of the Ninghe Building. It offered a 360-degree panoramic view of the core area of Ning City.

Entering the elevator, the walls were adorned with exquisite wood carvings and mirrors, creating an elegant yet not overly ornate atmosphere. Xiao Ting glanced at Yu Nian and asked with a polite smile, “Your friend who’s coming, does he really like braised crucian carp?”

“Yes,” Yu Nian didn’t mention the second part — he should enjoy all the dishes I make.

In the time it took for a few sentences, the elevator doors opened, and as they entered the club area, the setting sun’s afterglow bathed the surface of the handmade carpet in a faint golden hue, and the bronze face lamps on the walls started to shine.

Xiao Ting adjusted the unwrinkled cuffs of his shirt and politely reminded Yu Nian, “How long until your guest arrives? Do you need me to greet them first? This place is for members only, and non-members cannot enter without showing their membership card.”

Yu Nian’s smile hadn’t reached his eyes yet, “Thank you for your offer, but it’s not necessary.”

Xiao Ting smiled and shrugged, “Alright, as you wish.”

As the three of them walked a few steps inside, four young managers in suits and ties hurriedly passed by, standing respectfully on both sides of the entrance.

Xiao Ting shifted his gaze from the painting hanging on the wall and put his hands in his pockets. He asked the guiding waiter, “Who’s coming?”

The waiter replied with a moderate tone, “The boss has come.”

Xiao Ting seemed intrigued, “And who might your boss be?”

The waiter smiled and didn’t answer.

Seeing the attitude, Xiao Ting didn’t push further and turned to Yu Nian, “Shall we go in?”

Yu Nian nodded, “Sure.”

Just then, a low greeting came from the entrance, “Good afternoon.”

Xiao Ting guessed that it must be the boss of Yulan who had arrived. He turned and saw a young man wearing a meticulously tailored black suit walking in not far away. The man had a cold expression, deep-set eyes, and a handsome face that caught people’s attention, but even the evening sun couldn’t add a hint of warmth to him.

Seeing the four young managers showing such respectful attitudes, Xiao Ting was certain that this was the mysterious owner behind Yulan, but he didn’t expect him to be so young.

While he was pondering, the man had already looked in their direction. Finally, he walked directly toward them.

Xiao Ting put on a smile, ready to shake hands with the man. Unexpectedly, the man stopped in front of him, raised his hand, and gently adjusted the necklace hanging around Yu Nian’s neck. He spoke with a very gentle tone, “Are you tired today?”

Yu Nian curved his lips, “I went for a makeup trial at Hersey this afternoon, quite relaxed and not tired. How about you?”

Xie You shook his head, “I just finished a meeting when you called. Sorry for being a bit late.”

After saying that, Xie You finally shifted his gaze to Xiao Ting, and his tone turned cold, “You must be Xiao Ting?”

Xiao Ting looked at how the two interacted and met Xie You’s eyes and cautiously replied, “Yes, I am Xiao Ting.” With that, he extended his right hand, “Nice to meet you.”

Xie You glanced at Xiao Ting’s right hand briefly before looking away, and then turned to the manager behind him, “Bring a plate of silk vine with cloud cake. Nian Nian likes it.”

After giving the order, he shook hands with Yu Nian and walked ahead. As he walked, he complained in a low voice to Yu Nian, “Is the braised crucian carp really gone?”

Yu Nian chuckled, “If I go back earlier, I’ll make it for you. How about that?”

Xie You’s eyes brightened, “Sounds good!”

Seeing this exchange from a couple of steps behind, Xiao Ting and William Wu looked at each other and couldn’t help but weigh their thoughts.

The four of them settled down in a private room called “Yu Zhang.” Xie You took the porcelain teapot from the waiter and poured a cup of tea for Yu Nian himself. He tested the temperature with the back of his hand before placing it in front of Yu Nian.

Yu Nian sipped the tea and then put down the cup.

Xie You asked, “Nian Nian, Is it too hot?”

Yu Nian shook his head, “No, it’s just right.”

Only then did Xie You relax.

His gaze turned to William Wu, and Xie You spoke directly without being polite, “You were the one who blocked Nian Nian’s path at the Yuan Jian Auction, right?”

Xiao Ting intervened, “It was me; I was eager for the painting and acted recklessly.”

Xie You’s expression didn’t change much, and his tone became even colder, “I met your father last time at the EGA Economic Forum.”

Xiao Ting smiled, “Father also mentioned you in front of our brothers when he came back, and praised you greatly.”

As he said that, Xiao Ting felt bitter in his heart. He didn’t expect that the person Yu Nian called over would be Xie You!

His father did indeed praise Xie You highly, but there were a few more lines afterward: “This Xie You, if any one of you accidentally crosses paths with him, you better stay far away! This man’s cunning and scheming are unparalleled, not just now but even in the next ten years. You won’t be able to catch up to him even if you ride a horse! It’s better to stay far away from the beginning than to go to him and get your tendons pulled out and bones plucked while feeling grateful in the end!”

He never thought about crossing paths with him, but he didn’t expect that this matter of a single painting would involve Xie You as well.

He had just figured out the relationship between Xie You and Yu Nian, and it was definitely not simple. Based on the careful attitude Xie You showed when serving tea and pouring water, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Xie You’s face showed no signs of pleasure. He simply responded, “En.”

The waiter brought in some desserts, and Xie You picked one of them, carefully cutting it into small pieces that could be easily eaten with an auxiliary tool before placing it next to Yu Nian’s tea cup.

Xiao Ting considered it for a while and decided to put his purpose on the table directly.

“Mr. Xie, I suppose you have heard of it. My grandmother loves collecting, especially ancient paintings. She is particularly fond of Lin Qianzhi’s calligraphy, especially the painting ‘Drunken Horse Roaming in Spring.’ I wonder if you can part with it?”

Xie You responded, “The painting belongs to Nian Nian, you should ask him.”

The previous dismissive attitude was gone from Xiao Ting’s face. He looked at Yu Nian and politely asked, “Mr. Yu, can you part with it to fulfill my grandmother’s wish?”

Yu Nian’s smile was faint, and his reply was decisive, “I can’t.”

Being straightforwardly rejected, Xiao Ting felt annoyed, but he maintained a smile on his face, “The price is negotiable. I can accept a nine-figure offer. Buying these things is not just for collection but also for investment. Besides, I know that you bid 200 million at the Yuan Jia auction to buy ‘Insomniac Scroll,’ which is not a low price. You might want to recover some funds and replenish your energy, right?”

“If you know that I bid 200 million for ‘Insomniac Scroll,’ then you should also know that I am not short of money,” Yu Nian remained unmoved. “I’m sorry, my answer won’t change.”

If it weren’t for Xie You standing there, Xiao Ting would have already wanted to scold Yu Nian for not knowing what was good for him. If someone is willing to pay, it means they value you. Who are you to hesitate?

But he knew that he couldn’t afford to offend Xie You, so he had to endure and say with patience, “Mr. Yu, whatever conditions you have, just let me know. I can fulfill any of them.”

Yu Nian finished the dessert that Xie You had prepared for him and shook his head, “There are no conditions because I won’t sell the painting.”

Xiao Ting looked at Xie You, who was leisurely sipping tea and remaining silent. Finally, Xiao Ting said, “Alright, I apologize for bothering you hastily.”

Once the door to the private room was closed, Xie You put down his teacup, “Nian Nian, for the next month, bring bodyguards with you wherever you go, okay?”

“Are you worried that he might do something?”

“Yes,” Xie You reached out and gently touched the mole under Yu Nian’s eye, “When it comes to the chips for the inheritance competition, I’m worried that he won’t give up and might come looking for trouble. I can’t protect you all the time, but with bodyguards, I can feel a bit more at ease.”

Yu Nian didn’t refuse, “Okay, then arrange the person for me.” He glanced at the time, “It’s not even 7 p.m. yet.”

Xie You quickly responded, “Shall we leave now?”

“Sure, I’ve already asked Sister Rou Rou to buy fresh fish, so dinner shouldn’t be too late…”

There’s no such thing as a completely airtight room. First, the director of the Ningcheng Museum, Gan Zhou, called and asked tactfully if the painting had been sold. Soon after, Rong Yue also called and asked if Yu Nian had met with Xiao Ting at the Yulan Private Club to discuss “Drunken Horse Roaming in Spring,” and how the matter had turned out.

Yu Nian gave an honest answer, saying that the painting had not been sold.

Rong Yue breathed a sigh of relief, “It seems that the rumors are true. Many people who wanted to buy the painting privately have given up because they heard that you have someone protecting you and have a deep background. Even Xiao Ting didn’t gain anything from it. It’s probably for the best; otherwise, you wouldn’t even want to deal with them.”

Yu Nian took a look at Xie You, who was rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt, and said with the latter half of Rong Yue’s words in mind, “Yes, that’s how it is.”

The flesh of the crucian carp was tender, but it had many small bones. Xie You held the chopsticks and carefully picked out the fish bones one by one, then placed the cleaned fish in front of Yu Nian.

Yu Nian had been hungry since he ate only snacks at Yulan in the afternoon. He didn’t hold back in front of Xie You and quickly finished two bowls of rice. Xie You then served him a bowl of tomato and egg soup, “Be careful not to choke.”

After two gulps of the soup, Yu Nian asked, “I heard you were on the phone with Assistant Qin just now. Is it something urgent?”

Xie You nodded, “Yes, I need to go to Europe overnight. There was an accident in a mining area, and I need to deal with it on-site. There’s also a meeting afterward, so I’ll probably be away for a week.”

“A week? That long?” Yu Nian put down his chopsticks, feeling a little disheartened, but he quickly became happy again, counting on his fingers, “Let me see, we’ll be shooting the Heersey commercial and the cover for ‘V+’ magazine in Europe in the next month. Maybe we’ll meet there!”

Xie You wiped the corners of his mouth, stood up, and placed his palm under Yu Nian’s chin, giving him a gentle kiss. Yu Nian smiled and leaned back, “Please focus on eating your fish!”

Xie You teased, “Sure, I’m truly focusing on eating ‘Yu’ (fish)!”

Realizing what “Yu” Xie You was referring to, Yu Nian coughed lightly, “Come on, let’s drink some soup!”

After lunch, Yu Nian took out the blue porcelain tea set and brewed some tea to refresh themselves. Xie You finished his tea, got up, and stood by Yu Nian’s seat. He placed one hand on the back of the chair and lifted Yu Nian’s chin with the other, giving him a soft and lingering kiss. The scent of tea lingered between their lips.

In the morning of the 23rd, Yu Nian arrived at the company early and practiced dance for two hours in the dance studio.

Seeing Yu Nian come out, Shi Rou quickly handed him a water bottle, “Nian Nian, I recorded the dance you just did while standing nearby.”

Yu Nian drank the water, “Thanks, Sister Rou Rou.” He took the phone and watched the video himself before opening a chat and sending it to Xie You.

Shi Rou continued, “The chauffeur is already waiting downstairs. This time, Meng Ge (Meng Yuan) managed to arrange for us to bring our own stylists and makeup artists for the ‘Let Me Sing’ recording, so Lena and the others will also be going together.”

Yu Nian wiped the sweat off his forehead, “Great, is Meng Ge (Meng Yuan) coming with us too?”

Shi Rou nodded, “We’ll be going together. Brother Meng has already gone to the recording site. By the way, the promotional song for ‘Ancient Road’ was released on the top three music platforms yesterday, and the results are quite good. The production team generously bought promotion for it, and the results are close to the estimates.”

As they got into the car, Yu Nian opened Weibo, but the app lagged due to the overwhelming messages. After finally accessing the trending topics, he read the tags and couldn’t help but laugh.

[#YuNianCompetesWithHimself# For me, Nian Nian called me! ‘Ancient Road’ debuted at number three on the top three music charts, yes, it’s number three! Because the first two places are ‘Elegant’ and ‘Mountain Snow,’ hahaha~]

[#YuNianCompetesWithHimself# Don’t know whether to pity Nian Nian or not~ Competing with himself for first place is something he’s destined not to win! However, before this song came out, other artists could strive for third place, but now, they can only compete for fourth place…]

[#YuNianCompetesWithHimself# His voice is so beautiful! The singing style is amazing! After watching the movie trailer, I’m already prepared to watch the movie three times! Looking forward to ‘Let Me Sing’ and the new single!]

Yu Nian, accompanied by Wei Lu, arrived at the recording site together. They had been on a talk show together before, so when they saw each other again, they greeted each other warmly. They were led by the staff to the backstage area, where Bai Yan had already arrived. When she saw Yu Nian, she said enthusiastically, “Congratulations on your new song ranking so high!”

Yu Nian smiled and thanked her.

Bai Yan was tall and had her fingertips painted with glittery nail polish. She spoke at a moderate pace with a gentle tone, “I bought the song from you, and our arranger held onto it for a whole week before daring to start working on it. The result turned out to be stunning!”

Sun Mengze, the lead singer of a rock band and a songwriter himself, admired Yu Nian’s talent. Hearing Bai Yan’s words, he joked, “After listening to ‘Mountain Snow,’ I had the urge to collaborate!”

Bai Yan highly praised Yu Nian, “You really should hurry and collaborate, don’t miss out! Buying this song from you was a bargain.”

Yu Nian quickly replied, “If I could really collaborate with Mr. Sun, it would be my honor!”

Sun Mengze, with a slightly rebellious style, said with a grin, “Sure, let’s not be hypocritical about it. When I prepare my new album, I’ll look for you to collaborate on a song!”

Not long after, the staff brought a notebook, and the camera started rolling.

The four of them sat together. Wei Lu was the oldest, and he picked up the planning card and read aloud, “Now, please show your talents, judges.” He looked up and asked with a puzzled expression, “What talents do we have?”

Bai Yan crossed her arms and twirled her finger over the ends of her hair, “My talent…is painting nail polish very evenly! I can also create beautiful patterns!”

Sun Mengze patted his crew-cut hair, “I can do haircuts. I’ve got the license!”

Yu Nian pondered, “I can…trim the plants in the courtyard and shape them, like rabbits and such. It’s not that difficult for me.”

Wei Lu laughed heartily, “I can be your assistant!”

They all laughed.

Sun Mengze said, “Since the plan says so, we can’t lose face. Come on, let’s showcase our talents. The younger one goes first!”

Yu Nian pointed at himself, widening his eyes, “Me?”

Wei Lu laughed heartily again, “Yes, you!”

Yu Nian didn’t refuse and requested a guitar from the staff. He casually sat on a high stool.

As the guitar strings were plucked, Yu Nian smiled, “I’ve improvised both the lyrics and the melody, there’s only a short section. Bear with me.”

The surroundings quieted down, and Yu Nian followed the rhythm of the guitar to hum a tune. His soft and nasal voice, like fluffy clouds, gently fell on the hearts of the audience.

His clear voice blended with the guitar accompaniment:

“Not in my youth did I know the sorrows of parting, which are many. The affairs of the world constantly urge our separation, unable to let us be clear when we’ll return. I see you off at the door, and wait for your return. Your lips are infused with the fragrance of tea, making me intoxicated as if in a dream…”…”

As the camera shifted away to film Sun Mengze’s drum performance, Shi Rou came over and whispered, “Nian Nian, you were photographed by paparazzi when you went to the Yulan Private Club.”

Yu Nian’s eyebrows twitched, “What did they capture?”

“They captured you leaving together with President Xie, but the distance was far, and you were wearing a cap.”

The pictures taken by the paparazzi showed Yu Nian and a young man leaving the Yulan Private Club together with bodyguards by their side. From appearances, the person seemed to be Xie You.

However, this news was met with ridicule.

[Can’t these paparazzi who secretly take photos be a bit more genuine with their stories? Even if the pictures are blurry, they still insist that the person walking with Nian Nian is Mr. Xie. I must be crazy to believe them (rolls eyes)]

[Is the paparazzi blind or what? Everyone knows that President Xie has criticized Yu Nian on Weibo not once, but many times. If they were to have dinner together, there would probably be poison wrapped in the dishes. If they meet for tea, there’s likely arsenic in the tea…]

[Yulan Private Club, my God, it’s the place recommended in the lobby of those magazines. Private jets and yachts, what kind of people go there! It’s not surprising that Yu Nian, who spent 200 million on a piece of paper, was seen there. President Xie wealth isn’t surprising either. But… well, they were seen together? Did they share a car together? Are you sure they didn’t bring their own bodyguards for a showdown?]