Stepping into the inner hall, her heart full of curiosity.
The moment her toes touched the ground, a clear, bright female voice echoed from behind a screen painted with ladies.
"How about that? I told you this game was a sure loss for you! You just wouldn't believe me.
This was followed by a crisp male voice, "Old rules, the loser washes the dishes!"
Then came Wen Tingxue's very familiar voice, "See? After all these years, Senior Brother Pei still only dotes on Senior Sister. I lose one game and you're all over me, but Senior Sister has lost three."
Finally, Yan Lao's teasing, laced with a hint of amusement, "You've known their relationship for years, but Xiao Jun, your habit of taking back moves in chess hasn't changed."
"Dad!" the woman playfully chided.
Dad?
Yan Lao's daughter was here?
As Wen Tingxue stood there, momentarily stunned, the butler announced, "Old Master, Miss Wen has arrived."
"Hmm?" Yan Lao's eyes lit up as he looked towards the entrance.
The others also looked up.
Suddenly the center of attention, Wen Tingxue smiled uncomfortably, "Greetings, Master. Greetings, everyone."
Everyone in the room was older than her.
Among them were her master and teacher.
Wen Tingxue felt a bit nervous even as she sat down. Yan Lao, noticing this, smiled gently and said, "Don't be so formal. This is your eldest senior brother, Pei Zhong. He's quite famous in the poster industry."
Yan Lao gestured to the middle-aged man sipping tea beside him.
Wen Tingxue obediently greeted him, "Hello, Senior Brother Pei."
Pei Zhong had a somewhat stern appearance, but he smiled with great elegance, "Hello, Junior Sister."
Yan Lao then pointed to the noblewoman sitting opposite Sha Zhengxin, "This is my only daughter, Yan Jun. By seniority, you should call her Third Senior Sister."
"Calling me Senior Sister sounds so distant. Just call me Jun Jie," the gorgeously dressed and dignified beautiful woman said with a smile, looking at Wen Tingxue. "You're such a beautiful young lady."
As their eyes met, Wen Tingxue blinked in surprise.
For some reason, she felt that Senior Sister Yan Jun's gaze on her was very intense.
As if there was some other emotion behind it.
Blinking, she thought she might have imagined it.
"I heard you recently landed the latest packaging design for Xing'er?" Sha Zhengxin asked with a smile.
"Oh?" Pei Zhong raised an eyebrow in surprise. "The outer packaging for Xing'er was designed by you? My little niece absolutely loves the milk tea from this brand, especially the illustrations. She's been pestering me to teach her recently."
Wen Tingxue smiled shyly, "Thank you for my niece's liking. It was just luck."
The latter half was her reply to Sha Zhengxin.
"How could it be luck?" Sha Zhengxin clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "How many calls did you make to me and to Teacher for this design? Don't you remember?"
"Senior Brother Sha is right," Yan Jun chimed in. "We've all seen your design. It has a very distinct personal style."
As she spoke, she took out her phone. "It happens that I want something sweet to drink right now. Xing'er, is it? Let me try it. If it's good, I'll promote it immediately."
Pei Zhong laughed, "Order one for me too. I heard they have coffee."
"Alright, iced Americano, as always. You never change your order," Yan Jun teased.
Pei Zhong replied, "Can't be helped, I'm just naturally devoted."
Yan Jun scoffed and turned to ask, "What about you, Senior Brother Sha? Coffee too?"
Sha Zhengxin didn't even think about it. "Milk tea."
Yan Jun let out a chuckle. "You're still the same, always liking sweet things. What about Xiao Xue? What do you want to drink? Sister will treat you."
She affectionately sat next to Wen Tingxue, her soft and gentle fragrance making her approachable.
After a moment of daze, Wen Tingxue quickly introduced Xing'er's signature drinks.
Unfortunately, before she could say more than a few words, Sha Zhengxin interrupted, "Seize the opportunity! Your Senior Sister Jun is the famous film empress. Her promotion is far more effective than any spokesperson your company could hire."
"Film Empress—" Wen Tingxue stared in shock at the elegant and charming beauty beside her.
"Senior Sister, you're a film empress?!" No wonder she looked so familiar.
Yan Jun chuckled, "Yes, but I haven't filmed in a while, so my influence might not be as great anymore."
"So modest," Pei Zhong teased. "Don't think we don't know, you have two highly anticipated dramas waiting to be released, and your endorsement fees start in the eight figures."
Eight figures?!!
Wen Tingxue was so shocked her mouth hung open.
Good heavens.
She couldn't afford such a big star!
Yan Jun quickly said, "Don't listen to your Senior Brother Pei talking nonsense. It's just a single Weibo post."
Meanwhile, at the hotel.
Seeing Yu Wenli step out of the car, Cheng Xi rushed to his side, his eyes red. "If you can save my sister, I promise to follow you like a loyal dog for the rest of my life."
Yu Wenli continued walking forward without a word.
Cheng Xi was already in a state of panic. Not getting a response, he immediately upped the ante.
"I'll tell you everything Mo Yichen has done, I only ask that you save Lu Lu." Yu Wenli glanced down at his watch but still didn't reply.
Cheng Xi gritted his teeth and completely betrayed his secrets, "And the evidence I have, I'll give it all to you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Wenli stopped. Cheng Xi immediately stopped too.
His eyes, filled with red veins, stared intently at him.
"Remember what you said," Yu Wenli dropped this line and stepped into the elevator.
As the elevator doors closed completely, Cheng Xi immediately slumped against the wall, his strength gone, and slid to his knees.
He hadn't expected that.
After begging everyone, the only one truly capable and daring to help him was Yu Wenli... He couldn't even blame heaven for betraying his former master.
The Yan Residence.
As dusk began to fall, the group moved to the dining room.
On the way, Wen Tingxue received a message from Ding Xi: [What's going on? Teacher Yan posted on Weibo about us, did you say something to help?] This was followed by the day's store revenue.
And previous store profits.
The stark difference in numbers made Wen Tingxue's eyes widen in surprise.
Senior Sister Yan Jun's influence was truly immense!
My goodness!!
"What are you looking at? Walk properly," Sha Zhengxin playfully tapped her head, reminding her.
Wen Tingxue quickly typed a reply, put her phone in her pocket, and whispered to him, "Teacher, I want to..."
The situation today was completely beyond her expectations, and she didn't dare mention Song You.
After listening, Sha Zhengxin directly stepped forward and said, "Teacher, Xiao Xue has a friend who happens to be nearby. Shall we invite him over for dinner?"
Wen Tingxue was taken aback. Wasn't that a bit too direct?
Yan Lao nodded, "Certainly, it's just a matter of adding a couple of extra chopsticks."
Sha Zhengxin immediately gave Wen Tingxue a knowing look. Wen Tingxue blinked gratefully.
Coincidentally, Song You was indeed handling business nearby.
Within five minutes of receiving the message, he arrived at the Yan residence.
The moment he saw him, Yan Lao understood, but he didn't say it directly, only remarking, "Let's go, we'll eat first."
Song You nodded, though he was somewhat astonished in his heart.
To pave the way for Wen Tingxue, Yan Lao had invited his two most accomplished disciples to accompany them.
He had even summoned Madam Han back.
This was perhaps too much regard?
Wen Tingxue was unaware of his thoughts. After they were seated, she whispered, "Senior Brother, don't worry, I'll definitely get Master to take you as a disciple today."
Song You was slightly taken aback, then sighed, "You..."
"What are you two chatting about?" Sha Zhengxin intentionally asked at the dinner table, "Tell us, everyone can help brainstorm."
Yan Lao looked up.
Yan Jun and Pei Zhong also paused their conversation and looked over.
Wen Tingxue's scalp tightened.