Chapter Forty-Four: Who Lent a Hand?

Sang Yijia thought he would claim all those properties as his own, but it turned out they belonged to his friend. She had just been pondering whether Lu Wenchuan was some kind of hidden tycoon—what a false alarm.

"Your friend is really impressive," Sang Yijia remarked, glancing at the surrounding hills, which seemed unremarkable at first glance. "Why did your friend buy up all these mountains?"

"He wanted to live a life picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence," Lu Wenchuan replied with a straight face.

Sang Yijia let out a sound of surprise. "A hermit’s life, like at Mount Zhongnan?"

"Yes, quite unique," Lu Wenchuan replied. If Sang Yijia recalled correctly, the poet who wrote that verse died of starvation.

Lu Wenchuan, for once, allowed himself a smile. "What would you like to eat?"

Sang Yijia was puzzled. "Fruit, perhaps?"

But weren’t there only pomegranates and grapes? Was there even a choice?

"Lunch," Lu Wenchuan clarified. "He’s treating us."

"Then thank you," Sang Yijia replied, unreserved.

Upon entering the orchard, Sang Yijia discovered it wasn't just an orchard—it was an agritourism retreat, far more upscale than the little farmhouse the production team had found at the base of the mountain.

"Besides the orchard, this is a place for leisure and entertainment," Lu Wenchuan explained as they walked. "A few years ago, picking fresh fruit became popular, and Wei Heng decided to set this up. He added a manor, and other facilities have been gradually completed."

"There’ll even be a fishing pond soon," he continued. "And besides that, a barbecue area, a riding arena."

"There are horses here?" Sang Yijia raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Lu Wenchuan nodded. "Would you like to go for a ride?"

"Really?" Sang Yijia could hardly believe it, but seeing Lu Wenchuan so certain, she agreed, then asked, "Isn’t it hard to vacation here?"

"Yes, you need to be a member," Lu Wenchuan said, summoning a sightseeing vehicle. "Let’s have lunch first. After the midday break, we’ll ride. How does that sound?"

"I’ll follow your lead," Sang Yijia replied, content to be a guest.

The trailing film crew realized for the first time that such a luxury resort existed right in the ancient town—a top-tier retreat that few ever had the chance to enter. The staff couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

Lu Wenchuan didn’t stop the crew from following; the staff at the farm didn’t bar their entry either.

As they proceeded, Sang Yijia noticed flowers lining both sides of the path, big and small, pink, purple, yellow—she couldn’t name any of them, but they were beautiful.

At their destination, Lu Wenchuan alighted first and extended his hand. Sang Yijia, feeling no awkwardness, placed her hand in his palm and jumped down with his support.

"The chef here is descended from the imperial kitchen; he can cook any cuisine. What would you like?" Lu Wenchuan glanced at the film crew lagging behind. The driver quickly understood and got out to explain the situation.

Sang Yijia and Lu Wenchuan went inside.

The crew was left outside.

[What is this place?]
[So mysterious.]
[Are we not allowed in?]
[Who is Lu Wenchuan, really?]
[Didn’t they say earlier? It’s his friend’s business.]
[Honestly, being a programmer is impressive enough; I figure Lu Wenchuan must be a key member, and he knows all the big shots.]
[Wow, I’m jealous.]
[Sang Yijia really has luck on her side. She came on this dating show hoping for Shen Jin, but he ignored her, and now she’s found someone even more impressive.]
[Is this what they mean by “beautiful people do as they please”?]
The live-stream comments scrolled by, more orderly than before, with few mentioning the trending topic anymore.

Sang Qiwen finished his meeting and learned that Sang Yijia had made it onto the trending list again, though this time for something baffling. He hadn’t managed to intervene before the issue resolved itself.

"Find out who was behind this," he ordered. The Sang family owed no favors; helping Sang Yijia was as good as helping him, and Sang Qiwen intended to repay the debt.

"Understood, Mr. Sang," the secretary replied, promptly setting to work.

The live-stream had been forcibly interrupted but couldn’t be shut down altogether. The crew could only film the surroundings, then were led to a private room for lunch.

Twelve dishes, each rivaling those served in a royal banquet.

The live-stream turned into a food show.

[......]
[Wowwowwowwow]
[So, are we here to watch romance or a mukbang?]

Inside the private room.

Sang Yijia and Lu Wenchuan sat across from each other at a large round table, creating a comfortable distance—no awkwardness between them.

With no outsiders present, Lu Wenchuan grew quieter, and Sang Yijia wasn’t sure what to say, so they both waited in silence for the food to arrive.

Time ticked by; the dishes hadn’t yet been served, and the room’s silence felt oddly eerie.

Sang Yijia glanced up several times, but Lu Wenchuan was absorbed in his phone, likely dealing with business. She lowered her head again.

Just then, Mo Yani called.

Her phone vibrated, then rang with a pleasant melody.

Lu Wenchuan looked up. Sang Yijia apologized with a nod, "I’ll take this call."

"Go ahead," Lu Wenchuan replied, polite and courteous.

Sang Yijia felt a strange sensation, as if under the gaze of the camera they were both deliberately playing roles, but the thought vanished as quickly as it came.

She answered.

"Jiajia, do you know Mr. Wei?" Mo Yani asked directly.

Sang Yijia frowned. "No, I don’t."

"What’s happened?"

Mo Yani explained the situation: "At first, the production team didn’t want to share the footage with us, but now they’re suddenly cooperative. I find it odd."

"Jiajia, are you sure you don’t have any friends helping out?" Mo Yani knew Sang Yijia’s family well, but she’d never heard of anyone surnamed Wei.

Sang Yijia shook her head. "I really don’t know him."

"But I’ll ask my brother later. He might know something." Mo Yani was aware of the original owner’s background, so Sang Yijia had no need to hide.

Mo Yani paused. "Alright."

"Jiajia..." Mo Yani remembered what Lei Yang had said that morning, nervously clenching her fist. "I..."

"Mo-jie, my schedule is wide open, I don’t have much work. It’s normal for you to manage more than one team," Sang Yijia guessed what she was about to say. "I have no objection."

"As long as it doesn’t affect the work, it’s fine."

Mo Yani breathed a sigh of relief, though guilt lingered. She lowered her gaze. "Jiajia, I’m truly sorry."

"I promised you I’d only manage you, but now I’m reneging." Mo Yani felt too ashamed to stay by Sang Yijia’s side.

"I used to insist on Shen Jin, but haven’t I changed now?" Sang Yijia lifted her eyelids, her gaze falling on the window at the end of the corridor. The sunlight outside was bright, the sky blue with white clouds drifting by, and occasionally a bird would fly past.

Life was so pleasant.

Why would Sang Yijia be upset over something so trivial?

"Thank you," Mo Yani said sincerely.

The call ended, but before Sang Yijia could put down her phone, another call came in. She glanced at the screen—it was her mother. Without hesitation, she answered, "Mom."