Chapter 403: Xiao Yanran’s Nervousness!

Director Zhou never expected Wang Yun to agree so easily.

After hanging up the phone, he sat frozen in his car for a full two minutes. Only then did he come back to his senses and scramble to call his wife.

The moment she found out Wang Yun was coming over for dinner—Good heavens, the entire household turned into a war zone.

First, the housekeeper rushed off to the nearest supermarket for an all-out grocery run.

Then, Director Zhou’s wife started putting on makeup while calling the driver to pick their boy up early from school.

She even found time to post on her WeChat Moments: “Meeting a mysterious VIP guest later tonight~”

That one post? Instantly blew up her feed.

***

Meanwhile, over on Wang Yun’s side, he didn’t head out right away either.

It was evening rush hour. Traffic was at its peak.

Fortunately, he had time. He took a shower, changed into a fresh outfit, and headed to the underground garage.

All the car keys were neatly arranged in the shoe cabinet by the entrance.

He made his way down, pressed a button on the fob, and a sleek black car lit up in the distance.

“A Benz? Not bad.”

Wang Yun glanced at the GLE in front of him. Sure, he had enough money now to afford something even more extravagant.

But this car? It was classy, understated, and refined.

Most importantly, it came with local plates. And anyone familiar with the area knew that buying a car was easy. But getting a license plate? That was the real challenge.

If luck was on your side, you might land one in a few months.

If not, you’d be waiting two to three years, maybe longer.

The engine roared to life, echoing through the garage.

Wang Yun followed the GPS toward the biggest mall nearby.

He couldn’t show up empty-handed. He needed to bring a gift, at least. But Director Zhou was no ordinary guy—well-known, well-off. Something too ordinary might not even register.

The more he thought about it, the more unsure he became.

After some hesitation, he made a phone call.

“Big Brother Wang!”

The call connected almost instantly, and a sweet, bubbly voice came through the line, as if the phone had been dipped in honey.

“Yanran, are you busy?” Wang Yun said gently.

That’s right—after leaving the show, the only number he asked Director Zhou for was Xiao Yanran’s.

After exiting the program, she returned to her usual life.

She was still a university student. She had taken a break from school previously due to illness, but now that her health had recovered, she had resumed her studies.

Currently, she was a senior and interning at a foreign-owned company.

“Not busy, not busy! Weren’t we supposed to meet tomorrow? Did I get the day wrong?”

Xiao Yanran was out shopping with her best friend when she suddenly got Wang Yun’s call. Her face flushed with excitement.

Her friend looked on, puzzled. The usually cool and composed Xiao Yanran was actually flustered over a phone call?

“It is tomorrow,” Wang Yun replied with a laugh. “But I need a bit of help right now.”

He explained the situation about going to Director Zhou’s house and asked her what kind of gift would be appropriate for a first-time visit.

“Ah… I’m not really sure. If it’s a close friend, maybe bring something to eat? But if it’s a boss, then, um… then…”

“Then buy wine! Jewelry! Luxury goods! Women love that stuff!”

Before she could finish, her friend blurted it out from the side. She was a regular netizen and assumed Wang Yun was calling about how to impress a girl.

“Xiaoxiao! Don’t talk nonsense—he’s my big brother! He’s just visiting a friend’s house!”

Xiao Yanran quickly cupped the phone, panicked.

Zhu Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow at her. “Am I wrong, though? That’s what everyone online says. Wine, bird’s nest, jewelry, luxury gifts, you can’t go wrong. Depends on whether your ‘big brother’ is willing to spend the money.”

Zhu Xiaoxiao looked quite pleased with herself after that remark.

She and Xiao Yanran were in the same class and had a great relationship.

They now worked at the same company too—though Xiaoxiao was already a full-time employee, having graduated a year earlier.

In fact, Xiao Yanran had only gotten her internship there thanks to Xiaoxiao’s help.

Wang Yun could hear everything clearly over the phone.

Jewelry?

That actually wasn’t a bad idea.

He remembered giving jewelry to Yanran on the show before, causing quite the headache for Director Zhou at the time. Might as well gift a piece to his wife this time—consider it an apology.

As for Director Zhou himself? A fine bottle of wine would do.

And for his child? A nice, premium stationery set.

Thinking it over, Wang Yun felt satisfied with the plan.

“Yanran, your friend’s suggestions are solid. Thanks to both of you. I’m driving now. Let’s talk more when we meet tomorrow.”

With that, he hung up.

Xiao Yanran stared at her phone, reluctant to put it down.

Zhu Xiaoxiao crossed her arms, staring at her friend.

“Xiao Yanran, something’s going on with you. Spill it, he’s your ‘brother’? Since when? How come I’ve never heard of this big brother of yours?”

She hooked her arm around Yanran’s, determined to get to the bottom of it.

“He is my brother! Come on, let’s go eat!”

“Don’t try to change the subject. I’m not letting you leave till you spill the truth!”

“Aiya, seriously! He’s just my big brother~”

And just like that, the two graceful figures disappeared into the bustling crowd.