Chapter 132: I Have Something to Tell You

"Collecting rent?" Yan Ningsi paused. She had indeed heard rumors that the Sang family had built their fortune through property rentals.

Sang Yijia nodded in confirmation. "Yes, we aren't locals. Over a decade ago, our family home back in our hometown was reclaimed for development."

"We partnered with the government, and now we have over a dozen buildings back home that we collect rent from."

"Later, when my father wanted to expand here, he bought two more buildings and continued his old business using the rental income."

Sang Yijia spoke of it lightly, but it had been a significant challenge at the time.

"Your father is truly incredible." Yan Ningsi’s family was in business, yet she had never imagined the Sang family had started that way.

"It wasn't just him; my mother made quite a few of the key decisions as well," Sang Yijia replied.

As they spoke, the group arrived at the Lamborghini.

Yan Ningsi’s eyes lit up with envy. "Jiajia, can I borrow your car for a drive?"

"Of course you can." The original owner of the body had obtained a driver’s license, but Sang Yijia was unfamiliar with driving and didn't feel confident behind the wheel.

She was afraid of causing an accident.

"I don't know how to drive yet." When Sang Qiwu found out, he had specifically hired a driver for her, and before ever hitting the road, the driver had repeatedly insisted that there would be absolutely no accidents.

Learning of this, Sang Yijia had been torn between laughter and tears. If she wasn't a professional, shouldn't she at least trust the experts?

"Then I'll drive!" Yan Ningsi rubbed her palms together, eager to get behind the wheel.

The driver had been waiting nearby. Seeing the group approach, he was just about to take his place, but he hadn't expected someone to try to take his job. He looked at Yan Ningsi with a degree of wariness.

"Then I'm coming along too," Bian He raised his hand. "There are four of us, after all."

"I can sit in the back with Qing-shen." He naturally left the passenger seat for Sang Yijia.

Bian He said this with such confidence that if not for her sanity, Yan Ningsi would have thought the car belonged to him—to Bian He—rather than Sang Yijia.

"What are you thinking?" Yan Ningsi nudged him. "Get lost."

"The rest of this time belongs to us girls."

Duan Yuqing smiled without refuting her.

Watching them bicker, Sang Yijia found it quite amusing. "If there’s a chance next time, we can all go together."

Bian He had no choice but to return to the van with his assistant, making sure to leave the camera with a forlorn silhouette.

***

Yan Ningsi saw his expression but looked back at the Lamborghini, deciding that the car was more important.

"If you like it, I can lend it to you for a few days," Sang Yijia said, sensing her hesitation. "You can take Bian He for a joyride then."

"Forget it," Yan Ningsi said, taking the keys from the driver. "There’s nothing going on between him and me yet."

"That just means there's a possibility," Sang Yijia said with a smile.

Yan Ningsi blushed.

Duan Yuqing couldn't interject in such topics, so she sat quietly in the back seat. The Lamborghini was indeed different; once she sat down, she felt a distinct level of comfort. "I want to buy one someday, too."

"That might be a bit difficult," Yan Ningsi replied.

Sang Yijia paused. "Actually, it’s not that hard."

"I think Yuqing can do it."

Yan Ningsi didn't speak.

Sang Yijia wasn't joking; she was very serious. "Set a goal and keep moving toward it, that’s all."

"That’s still too hard," Duan Yuqing said. It was easy to talk about, but actually doing it wasn't something achieved in a few words.

Sang Yijia turned to look at the scenery outside the window. After exiting the underground parking garage, the light grew bright. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the trees lining the road seemed greener and more lush than they had when she arrived.

Sang Yijia was lost in thought until the vibration of her phone pulled her back.

"Whose message is it?" Yan Ningsi was driving, her focus still quite sharp.

Sang Yijia looked down. "It's Lu Wenchuan's."

"He's arrived."

At the same time, Lu Wenchuan had sent a menu, asking her to take a look and see what she wanted to eat.

Sang Yijia scanned it, finding nothing that particularly caught her eye. Just as she was about to reply, Lu Wenchuan sent another photo—another menu.

But this time, Sang Yijia spotted sweet and sour pork tenderloin. Her heart stirred. She tapped the screen with her slender, fair fingertips and edited a message to send back.

On the other end, Lu Wenchuan received the reply. He memorized the dish name silently, then looked up at the manager. "Is sweet and sour pork tenderloin difficult to make?"

The manager paused, confused as to why Lu Wenchuan would ask, but answered truthfully, "Mr. Lu, it can't really be called difficult. For an experienced chef, it is a very simple dish."

Lu Wenchuan understood. "Add this dish."

"What else is there that is sweet and sour?" Lu Wenchuan scanned the menu again. He didn't know Sang Yijia’s tastes well, and recalling their previous interactions, it didn't seem like she had any particular favorites.

But she didn't like onions, garlic, or ginger.

"Go easy on the onions, garlic, and ginger," Lu Wenchuan added.

The manager noted it down. "Understood."

***

Upon arriving at the restaurant, thanks to Lu Wenchuan’s arrangements, Sang Yijia’s group was quickly led to a private room.

It was VIP Room 10, which could seat twenty people. But with only five of them, the round table seemed exceptionally spacious.

Sang Yijia, Yan Ningsi, and Bian He each had their own dedicated camera crews, but there was no need for all of them to stay; only one crew was needed to finish the work.

During the drawing of lots, the director of Sang Yijia’s team was unlucky and lost, so he had to stay behind to film.

The five of them didn't order much. After Sang Yijia sat down, she saw Lu Wenchuan pass the menu over.

"Take a look and see if you need to add anything," Lu Wenchuan said.

Yan Ningsi chuckled. "Brother Lu, that’s not fair. There are so many of us, why are you only asking Jiajia?"

"There's nothing else." Sang Yijia glanced over and placed the menu on the lazy Susan, spinning it toward Yan Ningsi. "You take a look."

Yan Ningsi said "Oh" and actually picked up the menu.

Seeing that Yan Ningsi had stopped teasing, Lu Wenchuan turned his gaze to Sang Yijia’s face. Finding that she didn't seem repulsed, he felt much more at ease. "What are you all doing this afternoon?"

Lu Wenchuan asked "you all," but Sang Yijia could tell he was asking about her own schedule.

"Um, probably going back to pack my luggage." They were setting off officially tomorrow. Since Mother Sang hadn't come over to help, and Sang Yijia didn't want to let her assistant or the housekeeper handle it, she planned to do it herself.

"Shall I head out with you tomorrow?" Lu Wenchuan asked.

Some people on the show weren't arriving at the seaside for another two days, but Lu Wenchuan and Sang Yijia’s schedules aligned, so they could head out early to settle in.

"That’s fine." Sang Yijia didn't refuse. She looked at Lu Wenchuan, her brows slightly furrowed. "Actually, I have something to tell you, too."

Lu Wenchuan’s heart suddenly jumped into his throat. He couldn't help but wonder if Sang Yijia had found out something, and if she was about to reject him.