Yan Yan - Chapter 21

Chapter 21 : Good Night

Su Yan was so ashamed that she just wanted to dig a hole in the ground and bury herself there. If somebody was badmouthing the owner of the house while living there and it was heard by the owner, what would that situation be?

Su Yan started brainstorming in an instant, and after three seconds, she made a decision. ‘Repudiation! I can’t admit it even if I die!’

While Su Yan was thinking, Su Zhan’s  voice kept coming out of the phone, but Su Yan didn’t listen to a single word, took a deep breath, and said without changing her face, “I have something to do; hang up first.” After hanging up the phone, she smiled calmly at Bai Xingfan. “No, how could you say it was you? You misunderstood.” Then she preemptively asked, “When did you come out?”

The implication: Overhearing was not a big deal, OK?

Bai Xingfan didn’t say much; he just replied, “The tea is already cold.”

Su Yan hurriedly glanced at the cup of tea in front of Bai Xingfan. The tea was no longer smoking, indicating that it had been there for a long time. Bai Xingfan might have been sitting there before she came.

Su Yan was very annoyed. ‘Why did I forget that Bai Xingfan’s bedroom is next door? At least take a look back before entering the balcony!’

She had been somewhat fooled by herself, and the more she thought about it, the more ashamed and angry she felt towards herself. And she wasn’t sure whether the golden crimson afterglow of the setting sun or her own humiliation was turning her fair cheeks redder.

From Bai Xingfan’s point of view, Su Yan’s whole body was shrouded in a layer of hazy light and shadow, which looked bright and moving, like a girl jumping out of a classical oil painting.

“How’s work going?” Seeing that her cheeks were about to bleed from embarrassment, he stopped teasing her and changed the subject on his own initiative.

“It’s alright.” Su Yan also wanted to change the conversion. “The manuscript has been sent. The company will decide whether it is okay or not.”

Xingfan Bai: “Which company are you cooperating with?”

Su Yan: “Hongying Media.”

Bai Xingfan: “Not bad.”

After hearing Bai Xingfan’s reply, Su Yan sat on a chair, leaned back, and sighed. “There is competition among companies, and they always try to grasp the big picture. Besides, the investors want to make money. So the scripts written by small screenwriters like us rarely have the chance to be made into high-cost star dramas. Screenwriters with their own capital are eligible for big production opportunities.”

Bai Xingfan asked with great interest, “What is Miss Su’s goal?”

Su Yan thought for a while and said, “The short-term goal is a star-studded drama.”

Bai Xingfan: “What about the long-term goal?”

Su Yan: “Only star-studded dramas are eligible to be shortlisted for the three awards. Screenwriters don’t have the right to speak, and the status of the screenwriter in the crew is very low. The leading actors, directors, and producers have the right to ask you to modify the completed script; even the supporting actors who brought capital into the crew can change the script without authorization. The more domineering actors even bring their own screenwriters into the group; isn’t this equivalent to slapping the chief screenwriter in the face?”

Bai Xingfan frowned slightly. “Have you encountered such a situation?”

Su Yan shook her head. “I’m lucky; I haven’t met that kind of overbearing director, but I have met a director who has a lot of ideas, one idea per day, and sometimes I can’t wait to throw the notebook in his face and let him write it himself.”

Bai Xingfan couldn’t help laughing and said with a leisurely tone, “A director who can push a gentle little rabbit like Miss Su into a furry is really stupid.”

Su Yan: “…” ‘A gentle little rabbit? Why do I feel you are teasing me?’

Bai Xingfan asked again, “When will Miss Su join the group next time?”

Su Yan picked up the phone and looked at the date. “About three weeks later.”

Bai Xingfan: “Where is it?”

Su Yan: “The film and television city in the original Tang City, but I am not the chief screenwriter. I am only responsible for writing a few episodes, but the chief screenwriter entrusted me with the task of following the team.” She explained in detail, “Various emergencies always occur during the filming of TV dramas, and the script needs to be changed randomly.”

Bai Xingfan listened carefully. “So that’s the case.”

Su Yan said again, “Don’t worry, I will definitely take care of my mother’s matter.”

As soon as the May Day tourist peak was over, the problem of accommodation would be resolved.

But Bai Xingfan said, “It’s good to live with peace of mind. I’m going on a business trip tomorrow, and I won’t be back until a month later.”

Su Yan was stunned. “Why is it so long? Where are you going?”

“America.”  Bai Xingfan said, “Go to the branch for a month’s inspection.”

‘It turned out to be like this.’ Su Yan was still a little embarrassed, thought for a while, and said, “How about this, I will treat you to dinner when you come back.”

Bai Xingfan pulled his lips together and smiled; his expression was as soft as water. “Okay, I will definitely go to the appointment on time.”

Suddenly, a row of swans flew up, bathing in the rays of the setting sun. Seeing that Su Yan suddenly remembered something and said to Bai Xingfan, “Mr. Bai, just wait for me.” After she finished speaking, she stood up from the chair, hurriedly ran back to the bedroom, and returned to the balcony holding a wooden box.

“Mmm…you sent me a wedding gift. It’s better to return it because the marriage didn’t happen.” Su Yan said this while giving Bai Xingfan the box.

She had already returned the gifts and money her friends and relatives gave her, and only Bai Xingfan was left.

Bai Xingfan sat without moving. “Are my wishes worthless, Miss Su?” Bai Xingfan’s face became darker as he asked.

[TL Notes: Bai Xingfan gave Su Yan some gifts and said he would fulfil three of her wishes as her wedding gift before Su Yan was abandoned by Xie Yu.]

Su Yan was taken aback by Bai Xingfan’s question. “I didn’t mean that, I…” she tried to explain.

“Then keep it with you.” Bai Xingfan interrupted her.

Su Yan was helpless, lowered her head, and muttered in a low voice. “I don’t have any wishes now.”

Bai Xingfan: “Then wait until you have.”

“Really, any wish is okay?” Su Yan glanced at Bai Xingfan from the corner of her eyes and asked curiously.

“Of course,” he said. ‘Even if you want the stars or the moon, I am willing to pick them for you.’

Su Yan didn’t believe Bai Xingfan would be that generous. “If I want Xie Yu to reconcile with me, you can do it too.”

Bai Xingfan’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. He stood up from the chair, walked into the bedroom without looking back, and slammed the balcony door with a bang.

Su Yan: “…”

Actually, Su Yan didn’t have a single thought of reconciling with Xie Yu again. Even if he begged on his knees, she would never look at him. She just said to check Bai Xingfan’s thoughts. Sighing, she looked down at the box in her hand again—since Bai Xingfan didn’t want it, then keep it for now.

Bai Xingfan went to the airport early the next morning to take the flight to New York.

When Su Yan woke up, Bai Xingfan was no longer at home. She didn’t know whether it was because of yesterday night’s incident or that he had to catch the flight early in the morning.

Since Bai Xingfan left, the permanent residents of this manor had become Su Yan and her mother, which made Su Yan very embarrassed and once again felt like a dove occupying a magpie’s nest.

She searched for suitable hotels and even houses to rent short-term in order to move as soon as possible. However, she was very unlucky and couldn’t find a suitable one to her satisfaction.

Fortunately, her father did not disappoint her. A week after his wife, daughter, and son ran away from home, Comrade Su Jianan finally resolved the problems.

One afternoon a week later, Su Yan was sitting cross-legged on the carpet next to the tea table, writing a script, while her mother, Liu Xiang, was sitting on the sofa, holding a tablet, watching a drama. Suddenly, Su Yan’s mobile phone vibrated, disturbing both mother and daughter. Su Yan picked it up and saw that it was her father who was calling.

“Mom, Dad is calling,” she panickedly said to her mother.

Liu Xiang quickly took off the headset and said  “Quickly answer, turn on the speakerphone!”

“Yeah!” Su Yan also put down her Mac notebook, pressed the answer button, and turned on the speakerphone.

“Yanyan, where is your mother?” Su Jianan asked anxiously.

“Didn’t I tell you that day? If you can’t solve the problem, don’t search for our mother,” Su Yan said while looking at her mother.

Su Jianan hurriedly said, “I have solved it! Really solved it!”

Su Yan was overjoyed but suppressed her excitement and asked calmly, “How did you solve it?”

Su Jianan sighed. “Your grandma won’t be staying with us anymore, she’s going to your uncle’s house.”

Su Yan couldn’t hide her emotions, and she cheered happily, asking, “Really?”

Su Jianan was helpless. “Why do I want to lie to you? Hey, your grandmother looked after you for so many years. Aren’t you sad?”

“Why should I be sad? I was beaten and scolded by her a lot when I was a child!” Su Yan scolded her father angrily.

Su Jianan: “She is also your grandma! Look at what you said that day, is it appropriate? Grandma almost fainted from anger. ”

Su Yan: “My mother almost fainted from grandma’s words!”

Su Jianan sighed again. “Alright, alright, let’s stop talking about past things. How is your mother?”

Su Yan didn’t reply and gave the phone to her mother after her father’s question.

Liu Xiang didn’t have a smile on her face like Su Yan’s. “Did you send your mother there on your own initiative, or did she want to go by herself?” she asked indifferently.

‘Oh… I didn’t think about that. Anyway, since grandmother is going from their house, it doesn’t matter,’ Su Yan thought happily.

Su Jianan didn’t give a straight answer but played a sloppy eye: “Oh, my mother has already left, so don’t worry about it.”

Liu Xiang: “You don’t want to care about it! Tell me, how much did you promise to give them?”

Su Yan was taken aback again because she didn’t think about that point.

“It’s not much, after all, it’s for my old lady. I should support her,” Su Jianan said sadly.

However, he couldn’t convince Liu Xiang. “How much is it? Ten thousand or twenty thousand?” she asked in a firm voice.

Su Jianan had no choice but to tell the truth. “Thirty thousand.”

“Thirty thousand?” Su Yan and her mother were very surprised.

Su Jianan: “Look at you two. Why are you making such a fuss about it? Thirty thousand is for my old lady, not for them.”

“Do you believe them?” Liu Xiang asked annoyingly.

Su Yan: “That’s right, grandma was partial to them, so the money will definitely end up in the pockets of uncle and aunt.” The more she thought about how her uncle’s family was going to steal money from her father, the more aggrieved she felt.

Of course, Su Jianan was not stupid and knew who his brother was, but other than that, he had no choice. “Then what else can I do? Your grandma gave me two choices: either divorce your mother or let her go to your uncle’s house.”

Su Yan was surprised. “You actually chose our mother?”

In her impression, her father had always been a filial son, and believed “the kindness of nurturing is greater than the sky”, but she didn’t expect him to choose his wife instead of his mother this time.

Su Jianan became angry after hearing his daughter’s mocking words. “What are you saying? You and your brother are not reliable, and I can’t count on anyone in a few years. Only your mother is qualified to pull out my oxygen tube.”

Su Yan was amused, turned her head to look at her mother, and found that her mother also smiled, but her eye circles were red.

“Old Comrade Su,” Su Yan felt that her father was amazing this time. “I’m so proud of you this time!”

Su Jianan laughed angrily. “You damn girl, give your phone to your mother. ”

“Here, your husband is looking for you,” Su Yan handed over the phone to Liu Xiang with a teasing smile on her lips.

Liu Xiang blushed and glared at her daughter. “You girl!”

Su Yan stuck out her tongue mischievously and ran away with her laptop.

“Ok, let’s talk,” Liu Xiang said to her husband after she saw Su Yan had gone.

“Hey, where are you now? I’ll come and take you home,” Su Jianan said with a smile in his voice.

Liu Xiang glanced everywhere to make sure no one was listening, and muttered, “At your future son-in-law’s house.”

Su Jianan was shocked: “What did you say?”

The pair hung up the phone after 30 minutes, and another 30 minutes later, Su Jianan drove over at a fast rate of speed but was stopped by community security. So Su Jianan had to call her daughter, and Su Yan had to seek help from the housekeeper.

Su Yan didn’t know what her parents had talked about, but Su Jianan didn’t ask anything from her. Then he thanked the two aunts and left with his wife and the daughter.

But before they left, the thin aunt brought a Juliet rose plant, handed it to Liu Xiang, and said with a smile, “Sir knows you like it, so he specially asked me to remove a rose plant from the birdcage and give it to Mrs. Su as a present .”

“Oh, really?” Liu Xiang was pleasantly surprised.

Su Yan was also surprised.

The balcony at her house was covered with flowers and plants that her mother had nurtured. Her mother was initially a little intimidated by the strange surroundings when she first moved into this manor, but she quickly fell in love with it, or, to put it another way, fell in love with the back garden, particularly the Juliet rose in the birdcage, and got up on time every morning to go see Aunt Shou pruning roses. Su Yan was afraid that her mother would be frightened, so she never told her how expensive those roses were. But unexpectedly, Bai Xingfan gave her mother a plant.

Su Yan wanted her mother to reject the gift very much, but when she saw the surprise on her mother’s face, she couldn’t bear to say that again and watched helplessly as her mother happily accepted the flower.

The family of three set off to leave.

On the way home, Su Yan stared at the WeChat dialogue displayed on the phone screen for a long time, constantly typing messages in the edit box, deleting them again and again, and finally typing. [Thank you.]

After sending the message, she checked the time in America. It was five o’clock in the morning on the other side of the ocean, and she didn’t expect him to reply immediately. However, a reply came immediately.

Bai Xingfan: [Thank you again?]

Su Yan was stunned: [You didn’t sleep?]

Bai Xingfan: [I just finished a meeting with the Chinese headquarters.]

Su Yan felt a little sympathy for Bai Xinfan. She originally wanted to tell him that there was no need to treat her so well in the future, but in this case, she was too embarrassed to say such cruel words to him, so she changed the words to: [Thank you for sending flowers to my mother. She likes them very much.]

Bai Xingfan: [You’re welcome.]

Su Yan sighed lightly and replied: [You go to bed early, good night.]

Bai Xingfan replied: [Think seriously about your wishes next time.]

Su Yan: “…” ‘Why are you still thinking about this?’

Bai Xingfan: [No more about Xie Yu.]

Su Yan: “…” ‘Huh… how can you order me?’

Bai Xingfan: [The final decision rests with the organiser.]

Su Yan: “……………”

End of chapter 21