26: Six Years Away from Home

Feng Jinyan looked at the lens and chuckled softly, lowering his eyelids a moment later.

"My goodness! We’ve really gathered so many topics today that everyone is interested in! Mr. Feng, would you be willing to reveal a little more? Was she the only person you’ve ever been with?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Feng Jinyan caught the fleeting expression on Lu Yuyao’s face—it looked as though she had just swallowed a fly. He spoke again: "She wasn't in the industry, and it was a very long time ago."

"Wow, I never expected that the usually taciturn Mr. Feng would be so devoted. Haha!"

Not wanting to hear any more about Feng Jinyan’s former lover, Lu Yuyao smiled and interjected, "We’ve asked so many personal questions today; it’s time we discussed the movie, don’t you think?"

She glanced at the female reporter with a smile. The reporter quickly responded, "Oh, yes, yes, of course. Moving on..."

Half an hour later, the reporter left. Feng Jinyan remained seated. As the makeup artist was touching up Lu Yuyao’s face, she assumed Feng Jinyan was staying to keep her company. Just as she was about to speak, the man’s cold voice cut through the air: "Think carefully before you speak next time. With the news that will go out today, you’ll be seen as the lead actress who got the role by pulling strings. This will bring negative publicity to the company. Don't make things difficult for the PR team; contact your agent immediately."

Lu Yuyao bit her lip and turned away. Embarrassed to cause a scene with the makeup artist present, she could only turn back with a look of suppressed fury.

Once the set was ready and Lu Yuyao’s makeup was finished, the stylist gave the director an "OK" gesture and quickly stepped out of the frame. Feng Jinyan had intended to leave, but for some inexplicable reason, he wanted to watch the upcoming scene, so he sat to the side.

"Rebirth, scene thirty-four, take one! Action!"

The male lead pushed the door open, looking exhausted. Seeing Lu Yuyao, his face immediately lit up, and he ran over, ready to embrace her.

"Cut! Lu Yuyao! What was that expression?"

Ma Hongkai stood up, furious. "The state you should be in for this scene is that of a couple at their happiest. Why is your smile so forced? Get your head in the game!"

Although Lu Yuyao had studied acting, her skills were mediocre, and being in a foul mood, she kept glancing toward Feng Jinyan.

Feng Jinyan was well aware of her lack of focus. He now slightly regretted using her to spite Ye Xiangwan, only to end up promising her resources and a role here.

Seeing that Lu Yuyao needed time to adjust, Feng Jinyan lost interest in watching and rose to leave.

"Mr. Xiao, are you heading back to the hotel?"

Ling Zhanyi looked up abruptly as Feng Jinyan pushed the door open, instinctively hiding his hands behind his back.

"What are you hiding?" Feng Jinyan frowned.

"Nothing... It’s just that a few text messages came to your phone, and I..."

Feng Jinyan felt a sudden, inexplicable chill. He stepped forward and snatched the phone away.

It was from his subordinates.

During the interview, Feng Jinyan had given his phone to Ling Zhanyi to handle company meeting arrangements for the next day. He hadn't expected that when messages arrived, Ling Zhanyi would withhold them.

"Mr. Xiao, we found Ye Xiangwan’s home, but her parents said she left six years ago and hasn't been in contact with them. Apart from a fixed monthly remittance, there has been no communication. This time is no different; they had no idea she had left."

After reading the message, Feng Jinyan’s expression darkened instantly. He gripped the phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Six years?!

"Mr. Feng? Are... are you alright?"

Seeing the gloomy look on Feng Jinyan’s face, Ling Zhanyi thought, *It’s over. I shouldn't have delayed showing him the messages.*

"Your bonus for this month is forfeited!"

Leaving those cold words behind, Feng Jinyan walked out of the set and headed back to the hotel.

Ling Zhanyi was on the verge of tears—a month’s bonus, gone.

...

Having just left the hotel, Ye Xiangwan took a car to a residential complex near the local central hospital.

While recovering from her injuries that week, she had already submitted her internship applications online. She would be starting her internship at this hospital next week, so she had found a nearby apartment online to make the commute more convenient.

She was quite lucky; by the second day, she had found an apartment. Although the building was a bit old and she would be sharing it, the location was incredibly convenient. Her roommate, though male, seemed bright and easygoing, and most importantly, sharing the place saved money.

After checking out of her hotel at noon, Ye Xiangwan moved her luggage in.

"You're here!"

Hearing the sound of the key, the person inside rushed out.

This was the second time Ye Xiangwan had met him. His name was Mu Yunshen. He stood about 178 centimeters tall, his hair cut slightly longer than a buzz cut, and his skin was a healthy, wheatish tone. He smiled constantly when he saw her. He wasn't exceptionally handsome, but he looked very rugged and sturdy.

"I finished cleaning your room this morning, so it should be ready to sleep in. Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with."

As he spoke, Mu Yunshen helped Ye Xiangwan carry her luggage into the room.

"Thank you, that’s all."

Ye Xiangwan nodded at him and wheeled her luggage into the room.

Mu Yunshen didn't take her distant tone to heart and followed her inside.

The room was indeed much cleaner than when Ye Xiangwan had visited the day before, but she intended to tidy it up again herself. She turned to Mu Yunshen and said, "I need to organize my things, and it might get a bit noisy, so I’m going to close the door."

"Sure, just call me if you need help with anything."

"Mhm, thanks."

"Don't mention it. We're roommates now; it’s only right."

Mu Yunshen didn't stand on ceremony, smiling as he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

Ye Xiangwan stood there for a moment, lost in thought as she stared at the closed door.

A long time ago, the Feng Jinyan she had met had possessed a similar cheerfulness, but that man had a wicked, enchanting edge to him—a person who made you angry yet compelled you to draw closer.

Ye Xiangwan felt she was a walking contradiction. Thinking of Feng Jinyan made her shiver involuntarily, yet the only reason she had run so far away was to protect him and the memories of that one year she cherished in her heart.

She had once thought of herself as cold-hearted, but she now realized that if she seemed cold, it was only because she had so little affection to give; once given, it was everything—draining her dry.

It took Ye Xiangwan the entire afternoon to get her things organized. She took a shower, and as she was coming out and about to head back into her room, she caught a glimpse of Mu Yunshen slumped over his desk, seemingly asleep.

Their rooms were directly across from each other. As Mu Yunshen hadn't closed his door, she could see into his room. His desk was piled high with books, likely for his postgraduate entrance exams.

Ye Xiangwan wasn't worried about being bullied. She wasn't a fragile girl; if the other party harbored any ill intentions, she would move out immediately.

She checked her watch, patted her hair with the towel around her neck, and turned into the kitchen.

"I knew I smelled something delicious!"

About half an hour later, Mu Yunshen appeared at the kitchen doorway.