Yan Muyu had heard Qiu Chao mention her first love more than once.
A first love was the inescapable thrill of youth for most people, and even Qiu Chao couldn’t escape it. In a rare interview where she brought it up, her expression was one of true affection that even fans recognized.
But the agreement for her contract relationship with Yan Kai stipulated that her past shouldn’t be flaunted.
In the post-print media era, rumors about Qiu Chao’s history floated around the internet like shadows, but no reliable information had ever surfaced.
All anyone knew was that Qiu Chao’s parents had both passed away, she’d dropped out of school midway, and she was a genuine airheaded beauty.
Even airheaded beauties had first loves.
It was easy to imagine a story of a handsome boy and a young girl in the bloom of youth, sending fans into a frenzy of digging. They’d even found photos from Qiu Chao’s middle school days, but still couldn’t pinpoint the type that matched her tastes.
Someone very reassuring, with a smile more radiant than anyone’s.
What kind of nonsense was that?
Yan Muyu had seen Qiu Chao’s class photo herself.
Shen Tianqing was a total gossip hound. Even when Yan Muyu said she didn’t want to look, Shen Tianqing shoved it in her face anyway. “Come on, check out your sister-in-law when she was young. She’s really gorgeous, huh?”
Shen Tianqing was just stirring the pot, as usual—what did “when she was young” even mean?
Yan Muyu and Qiu Chao were the same age.
Yan Muyu was so annoyed by her that she shot back, “Was Qiu Chao prettier back then, or was your Shi Xu prettier?”
Shen Tianqing, who was still young and vibrant yet dressed herself like a grieving widow, had an oddly eerie vibe. She looked like some porcelain doll locked away in a cabinet.
Shen Tianqing huffed and pushed the laptop right in front of Yan Muyu. “Take it or leave it. No one could shake Shi Xu’s place in my heart.”
But Yan Muyu barely heard her. She couldn’t help sneaking a peek at the photo.
The middle school class was evenly split between boys and girls, and Qiu Chao’s face stood out so strikingly that it caught the eye immediately.
Yan Muyu scanned back and forth over all the boys in the class several times, but they were all awkward and unimpressive—none of them could be called handsome.
And “reassuring”? With those scrawny frames and awkward adolescent pudge?
What kind of taste did Qiu Chao have?
Shen Tianqing caught Yan Muyu’s sneaky glance, and the little widow let out a mocking snort. “Acting all high and mighty? I can tell you’re swayed by a pretty face too.”
Yan Muyu stubbornly denied it at the time, huffing right back. “Of course I admit she’s attractive.”
Shen Tianqing rolled her eyes and dropped the subject.
That interview was well-written, though—at least it improved public perception of Qiu Chao, who was usually bogged down by scandals.
The words “first love” inevitably evoked images of fizzy sodas on a summer day, crowds running laps on the track field, and leaning on the school building railing to gaze into the distance.
For a top-tier celebrity with such a tarnished reputation to talk about her first love brought out an unexpected innocence that contrasted her usual icy allure. The photos showed her lively and joyful, washing away the melancholy of her photoshoots.
It only left people wondering what kind of man could draw such an expression from Qiu Chao.
The magazine sold like hotcakes. Even if Yan Muyu didn’t want to read it, she overheard discussions about it at work.
Shen Tianqing had always thought Yan Muyu’s attitude toward Qiu Chao was strangely tense.
It stood out because Yan Muyu was usually so relaxed around other women.
This tension was an emotion, not just awkwardness in person.
Shen Tianqing had seen Yan Muyu and Qiu Chao out together plenty of times.
If anything, Yan Muyu treated her even better than a girlfriend—which made sense, given it was Yan Muyu. She was eternally grateful to her big brother and felt obligated to look after his lonely wife.
As soon as Shen Tianqing said that, Lin Chi rapped her on the head.
The older sister then ruffled Shen Tianqing’s hair. “No need to make it sound so suggestive.”
Shen Tianqing propped her head up on her hand. “Anyway, Shi Xu never took care of me like that back in the day.”
She was still searching the world for someone just like that dead woman.
But a stand-in was always just a stand-in; it was hard to find someone with Shi Xu’s same backbone.
Yan Muyu didn’t think she’d ever love anyone that deeply—wanting the other person to leave something behind, even if her body was cremated, so the ashes could serve as a reminder.
Wasn’t that a bit twisted?
And yet, the little deviant Shen Tianqing had the exact same look on her face when talking about her first love as Qiu Chao did.
It was that shimmering gaze, full of endless longing and youthful innocence, enough to transport someone in their thirties back to their teens.
Just like this misty rain in the mountain village right now, with raindrops pattering on the lake surface, sending up ripples soft beyond measure.
【Why is Yan Muyu looking at Qiu Chao like that?】
【First love… I’m so curious too. Qiu Chao really seems to love hers. She doesn’t do many interviews, but they always ask about this.】
【I have all her interview magazines. The “Puzzle” series that Yan Muyu shot only mentioned it briefly; she answered more in a later overseas interview.】
【What kind of guy is he anyway?! Why can’t the internet dig him up?!】
【Qiu Chao’s male classmates from school all look pretty average (maybe because she looks so stunning it’s hard to notice anyone else!!)】
Qiu Chao smiled as she gazed into the distance, while Yan Muyu watched Qiu Chao, confusion in her eyes.
It was like a slow-motion shot. The audience could hear the steady patter of rain, the flutter of birds’ wings, the drip of water falling from the cowshed roof to the ground.
And the BGM added in post-production was so poignantly emotional that Yan Muyu’s single glance seemed laden with complex feelings, hard to read.
In contrast, Qiu Chao’s eyes and the upward curve of her lips made her delight unmistakable to anyone watching.
【The scenery is gorgeous. Now I want to go on vacation too.】
【This rain looks better than in movies!】
【Suddenly realize Young Boss Yan photographs pretty well.】
【I’m dying here!! Tell me who the first love is! She’s probably married by now at that age!】
【Qiu Chao, in this silent 30 seconds, are you thinking of your first love, Yan Kai with your four years of entanglements, or the first boyfriend you shared a podium with at awards?】
【The Yan Family really has good looks. Yan Kai’s one of the handsome rich guys, right? Qiu Chao split amicably without a backward glance… So who was the true love?!】
Yan Muyu didn’t dare ask, looking utterly awkward.
Dozens of seconds later, she realized how out of sorts she’d been and felt a twinge of self-disgust at that sudden wave of gloom.
It was utterly baseless. In the past, Yan Muyu could chat all night with an ex about old times and even dissect why their relationship had fizzled out.
But right now, she had no idea how to broach it.
Qiu Chao wasn’t her ex-girlfriend, after all.
Their current relationship was still vague—calling her a girlfriend felt a bit off.
It was more like functional parts in use, needing time to mesh and calibrate, especially hard to discuss on camera.
Yan Muyu cleared her throat. “Have you herded the ducks back yet? Shouldn’t we get going?”
【Talk about killing the vibe, you sly one!】
【Wahhh, that moment could be a live wallpaper.】
【Qiu Chao’s look doesn’t seem acted.】
Qiu Chao replied, “I’ve herded them back. I’ll head out with you.”
She glanced down and noticed the hem of Yan Muyu’s pants, soaked by the rain. “Change into some dry pants when we get back.”
Yan Muyu looked too. “Got it.”
Qiu Chao wasn’t much better off. This sudden downpour overwhelmed even the cowshed—rain outside, leaking inside.
Yan Muyu’s pants were long, while Qiu Chao’s skirt hit mid-calf, making the mud stains on her skin stand out glaringly.
Yan Muyu had a bit of an undisclosed OCD streak, so she forced herself not to stare.
But then Qiu Chao leaned in close. “You won’t leave me behind, right?”
The question was pointless—even the audience knew Yan Muyu might be a slacker, but she had nothing but good things to say about Qiu Chao.
Xi Xi had complained about it before, like how Yan Muyu always bought groceries to her tastes.
Yan Muyu was straightforward too. “How long have you known Liu Song?”
The question hit a nerve for both of them. Liu Song was the youngest and sensitive about the age gap.
Xi Xi had wasted her youth and, though carefree now, still harbored regrets.
In the end, as Liu Song was about to confess again, Xi Xi hurriedly changed the subject, only for Yan Muyu to tease her mercilessly.
That half-smile of Yan Muyu’s carried a natural air of superiority, like a born troublemaker who could never learn compassion.
But in Qiu Chao’s eyes, Yan Muyu was the truly compassionate one—her mischief just a rare, special edition.
【Sister Qiu, you’re doing it again.】
【You know the answer and still ask!!!】
【Suddenly think Yan Muyu’s pretty tolerant lololol.】
【Of course beauties can!!】
【After this variety show, I’m seriously doubting the ‘playboy’ label on Young Boss Yan. Seems overhyped.】
【Who even said she’s sexually frigid? That top role sounds terrifying!】
【Pairing her with a flirty beauty like Sister Qiu would be perfect!!】
【Yeah, they complement each other (how’d I get convinced?)!】
Yan Muyu shot back, “Cut the act. I’m going to bring the cow back.”
Maybe it was because Xi Xi had shoveled so much cow dung the day before, but it wasn’t as grueling for Yan Muyu.
Some viewers chalked it up to physical strength—Y Yan Muyu looked slim and lanky, but turned out to be a powerhouse.
The rain grew heavier. Qiu Chao stood under the shelter, watching Yan Muyu in the distance don an old raincoat. With her slim waist and long legs, she looked striking even in the worn gear.
The close-up shot let the audience see Qiu Chao’s expression clearly, and the longer it lingered, the more familiar that gaze felt.
【??? Fam!!】
【I’m digging for that magazine now…】
【Anyone got a digital copy to share?】
【No way! Sis, why does your look at Yan Muyu wrestling the cow feel so tender?!】
【That in love, huh?】
【Feels similar to her first love gaze. Dreaming big here, but it doesn’t quite match!!】
But Qiu Chao didn’t have time to watch for long. She still had ducks to herd, and a few stragglers were only now paddling leisurely back toward the group.
The romantic atmosphere instantly dissolved into chaos. Yan Muyu had finally managed to lead the cow back into the shed and tie it up, but she was covered in cow manure stench.
In the distance, Qiu Chao was still struggling to blow the duck whistle.
Liu Song was definitely the best suited for this job. At least her voice could project without issue, unlike Qiu Chao’s naturally soft and delicate throat—she never really raised her voice, even when speaking.
Not even when playing a powerful, commanding woman; she didn’t rely on volume to sell the role.
Qiu Chao’s final step landed her squarely in a mud pit softened by the drizzle. She let out a yelp.
[Always shifting from pure romance to total comedy gold…]
[Your late tips are way too savage. What do you mean “don’t wear a skirt”?!]
[Thank goodness this village doesn’t have a lotus root harvesting segment. I still remember that guest on Qiu Siyuan’s previous variety show—she looked half-dead after a single day.]
[Qiu Chao looks cute even when she’s filthy.]
Qiu Chao’s leg sank into the mud. The slimy sensation was revolting. For all her skill at controlling her expressions, even she couldn’t help but grimace.
Yan Muyu hurried over right away.
“Aren’t you stuck?” she asked.
Qiu Chao replied, “Wait for you to pull me out. I didn’t realize I’d stepped in so deep.”
The few pitch-black ducks were still paddling around carefree, not straying too far even in the light rain. They seemed downright curious about why the humans were flailing about like this.
