Chapter 471: A Night of Charm in the Grand Penthouse

So the system had a hidden function like that?

Wang Yun grinned to himself. Thanks to the system’s sudden reward, his opinion of Bingbing had risen quite a bit. Of course, it was just friendly goodwill, not the kind between a man and a woman.

“Alright, after all that crying, you must be hungry. Come on, eat a little more.”

This time, Wang Yun was the one who took the initiative to comfort her.

Earlier, when Bingbing was crying for ten minutes straight, he’d sat quietly the whole time, completely emotionless.

Even Xiao Yanran had started to feel a little uncomfortable.

Her idol was sobbing like that, and he didn’t offer a single word of comfort?

But now it seemed to be okay.

Bingbing slowly lifted her head, a little dazed. She wiped her puffy, tear-stained eyes, her hair stuck to her cheeks in disarray. She looked a bit of a mess, but her spirit was clearly better than before.

“Mhm. I’m done crying. Yanran, I’m fine now. I just needed to let it out. Too much has happened lately. And I’ve seen through too many people.”

Bingbing reached out and held Yanran’s hand, gently reassuring her in return.

Xiao Yanran nodded, a little dazed.

“Sister Bingbing, I don’t know much about the entertainment industry, but I’ll support whatever decision you make! Those who kick others when they’re down won’t get a good ending.”

She said it with righteous conviction, looking completely serious.

That earnest little expression made Bingbing laugh.

“You’re right! They won’t get a good ending. Come on, cheers! From now on, I’m living for myself.”

Live for yourself!

Cheers!

By the time they left Bingbing’s house, it was already eleven at night.

The crisp chill of autumn air brushed over them the moment they stepped outside.

Yanran had had some red wine. She wasn’t a strong drinker, and now she was swaying, half-collapsed in Wang Yun’s arms.

Wrapped in his jacket, she curled up against him like a sleepy little bird.

With her flushed cheeks, she looked just like a ripe apple. The kind that made you want to take a bite.

“Mmm… Brother Wang Yun, my head’s spinning…” she murmured softly, staggering a little as she walked.

Wang Yun supported her with helpless affection.

He’d tried to carry her earlier, but this little fool wouldn’t let him, insisting she could walk on her own. Even insisting on walking all the way home.

“Who told you to drink so much? No more of this next time,” Wang Yun scolded lightly, tapping her cute little nose.

“I was just happy! Thank you, Brother Wang Yun, for letting me meet my idol up close.”

As she spoke, she looked up at him.

At that very moment, Wang Yun happened to lower his head to steady her. And just like that, the two came face-to-face, lashes brushing, eyes wide.

Their breath caught.

Wang Yun stared at her cherry-red lips, and—almost involuntarily—his throat went dry.

His body moved on instinct.

As he leaned in, Xiao Yanran, already struggling to breathe steadily, suddenly felt as if her lungs filled with fresh air.

She drank it in greedily.

No one knew how long they stood like that.

Eventually, guided only by muscle memory, Wang Yun found their way home. He scooped her up into a princess carry and cradled her in his arms.

“Let’s go. Time to go home.”

The spacious, luxurious penthouse…

Tonight, it unveiled its full charm.

***

The next day, when Xiao Yanran opened her eyes, Wang Yun had already prepared lunch. Well, technically, he’d ordered from a private chef in the neighborhood and had it delivered.

“Ahh! I’m trending?!”

Before she could even greet Wang Yun, she bolted upright in bed.

The sudden movement was too much. Her legs ached. The memory of last night came rushing back, and her face flushed red once more. But she had no time to dwell on her sore body. All her attention was focused on her phone screen.

Hearing the commotion, Wang Yun walked into the bedroom.

“You’re just seeing it now? The internet blew up this morning.”

He chuckled and handed her a set of clothes.

His body was just too fit—poor Yanran couldn’t take it.

“Mhm! Looks like Sister Bingbing’s really stepping in personally this time. These people are awful! Two of them even work at her studio. I’ve seen them on her social media posts before. And look at this one! She was the first person Sister Bingbing ever publicly acknowledged as a close friend in the industry. How could she do something like this behind her back?! Ugh, I’m so mad! I want to go comfort her!”

Yanran’s tiny fists pounded the bed in frustration, her pouting lips looking adorably upset.

“You just focus on resting, alright? You’re too delicate. I barely even did anything last night and you were already begging for mercy,” Wang Yun said with a teasing grin.

Instantly, the flush returned to Yanran’s face.

She turned away in a hurry, leaving only her back facing him.

The sight of her shy, retreating form nearly made Wang Yun’s heart melt. Still, he decided not to tease her further. He reached over and gently tugged her arm.

“Come on, get up and eat. Your Sister Bingbing is probably swamped today. She won’t have time to be comforted. Once she’s handled everything in a few days, we’ll invite her out on a trip.”

“A trip?”

The moment she heard those words, Xiao Yanran perked right up.

But then she remembered Wang Yun was about to join the film crew soon.

Just as quickly, her energy deflated.

Wang Yun took one look at her change in expression and didn’t even need to ask to know what she was thinking.

“There’s still ten days. Plenty of time. I’ve already picked the place. We’ll go and enjoy the spring together.”