Chapter 155: Young Master’s Pursuit
Tang Yulong, Tang Yumeng’s twin brother, was a university student. He also held another title: son of Tang He, the chief editor of Wenqing. He was the “Young Master” of the editorial department, rumored to be a potential successor to his father, though it was just speculation.
Tang Yulong, in the prime of his youth, had recently gained another title: Silver Award winner of the Wenqing New Talent Awards, writing under the pen name Bai Chen. He had used other pen names before, but his works had never gained much traction. This time, using a new pen name, disguised as a newcomer, he had finally won an award, though he was still frustrated, having aimed for the Gold Award.
That Shion had snatched his victory, but he wasn’t discouraged, determined to surpass them in sales.
“Sis, you look tired. Want a massage?”
“Oh, what do you want? You’re never this nice without a reason.”
“Nothing, nothing. Just being a good brother.”
Compared to his sister, Tang Yulong was rather effeminate. Though handsome, he lacked a masculine aura, his features soft, his figure slender, his demeanor delicate, his long hair adding to his feminine appearance. He was also shorter than his sister.
He could easily be mistaken for Tang Yumeng’s younger sister.
But he was indeed male.
Tang Yumeng popped a few throat lozenges into her mouth, a substitute for her usual cigarettes. Her family constantly urged her to quit, but she hadn’t succeeded yet.
“Sis.”
“What?”
“What kind of gifts do girls like?”
“Oh, really?”
She knew her brother had ulterior motives. His sudden display of affection meant he wanted something.
Looking for advice on courting a girl? He had come to the right person.
“Sure, come to my room later, and I’ll tell you.”
“Okay!”
“But first, tell me, who’s the lucky girl?”
“…”
“You won’t tell me? Am I not your sister?”
“Yes, yes, you are! But… it’s not official yet…”
“Alright, I won’t tease you. Come later.”
The siblings had a close bond, having grown up together, fighting over snacks and toys. She was happy for him, eager to help him win the girl’s heart.
“Ahem.”
Tang He, having been ignored, cleared his throat, interrupting their conversation.
“Yulong, go to your room. I need to talk to your sister.”
“Okay, Dad. Take it easy on her… She rarely comes home…”
“Go to bed, you rascal.”
“Okay, okay…”
Tang Yulong retreated to his room, knowing he couldn’t interrupt their conversation. Better to leave the battlefield.
Tang Yumeng knew what her father wanted to discuss. She sat on the sofa, throat lozenge in her mouth, waiting for his lecture.
“I heard you rejected Chenghe’s offer. What happened? Weren’t you eager to climb the ladder?”
Tang He glared at her, his face dark, his anger barely contained.
“I refused because I don’t want to do anything… unethical. I might be naive, but I’m not stupid. Everyone warned me against signing with them. I know what kind of place that is.”
“Hmph, you’d better. If you had signed with them, I would have disowned you.”
Tang He’s expression softened slightly, though he still looked displeased.
Everyone in the industry knew what Chenghe was about, its reputation for exploiting young actresses well-known. Many actresses refused to work with them after a couple of films, rarely signing long-term contracts. But some, desperate for fame, endured the humiliation and stayed.
“Dad, do you know something?”
“Hmph, I know more than you do. That place… it’s not suitable for actresses. Though there are opportunities, it’s too chaotic. Recently, a girl was tricked into signing with them and almost… well, let’s just say someone had to pay millions to get her out.”
“That serious?”
“You think I’m lying? That place… it’s not for naive young girls like you. Established actresses with some influence might be able to navigate it, but you… you’re just a newbie. It would be suicide.”
Tang Yumeng popped another throat lozenge into her mouth.
She hadn’t expected her father, who disapproved of her career choice, to be so well-informed. He might not have supported her dream, but he still cared. He was her father, after all.
“Yes, I understand. I’ll listen to you, Dad.”
“You’ve always been such an obedient child. Why did you have to choose this path? Are you that desperate for fame?”
“It’s not about fame, Dad. It’s about my dream.”
“Alright, whatever. Why can’t you be like your brother, a respectable novelist? He’s already debuted, even won the Silver Award.”
“He didn’t win the Gold Award.”
“You little…”
“Okay, okay, my brother is amazing! As expected of my brother! He has the Tang family genes!”
“That’s more like it.”
Tang Yumeng knew better than to argue. She didn’t want to be kicked out; she rarely came home.
But she was proud of her brother, who had bravely pursued his dream. She, however, still had a long way to go.
Tang Yulong, though her brother, was rather feminine in appearance, his long hair, grown for his writing persona, adding to his androgynous look. If he weren’t dressed in men’s clothing, he could be mistaken for a girl.
The next morning, Tang Yulong dressed impeccably, his clothes stylish and expensive, his hair neatly tied back. Following his sister’s advice, he bought a large bag of snacks and left the house.
Tang He, seeing his son finally taking initiative, though his expression remained neutral, his eyes softened. Tang Yumeng, watching her brother leave, popped a throat lozenge into her mouth, thinking, I’ve done all I can, little brother.
“Which girl has caught Yulong’s eye? Is she older or younger than him?”
“Older professionally, but younger in age.”
“Oh? Someone from the industry? Not bad, my boy.”
“Yes.”
If you knew the girl he’s pursuing is one of your authors, you’d be even more surprised, Tang Yumeng thought, keeping it to herself.
Tang Yulong, fully prepared, took his chauffeur-driven car, heading away from the city center to the quiet, peaceful suburbs, ringing the doorbell of a particular apartment.
“Coming~ Oh, it’s Bai Chen-sensei! What brings you here? Come in!”
Zhao Yuyan, wearing a fluffy brown bear onesie and headphones around her neck, her dark circles evident from another all-nighter, greeted him at the door. To Tang Yulong, she looked adorable.
“Air-sensei, it’s been a while. I have some questions about my novel.”
“What can I possibly teach you? And you even brought gifts! My favorite snacks! Haha, how thoughtful! Come in, come in!”
Zhao Yuyan, completely unsuspecting, invited him in, gesturing for him to sit while she went to change. A few minutes later, she returned, transformed, her hair neatly styled, her dark circles concealed with makeup, a stark contrast to her earlier disheveled appearance.
“Air-sensei, since I’m asking for your advice, should I call you ‘senior’ now?” Tang Yulong asked, fidgeting nervously, his face flushing as he struggled to maintain eye contact.
“We’re the same age, and you debuted before me, even if it’s just a new pen name. Calling me ‘senior’ feels weird. Let’s just stick to what we’re used to. Bai Chen-sensei, your new novel is quite good! Why did you choose the cross-dressing harem theme? You used to write isekai power fantasies.”
In front of her guest, Zhao Yuyan was more reserved, more ladylike. She offered him some high-quality tea; he had brought her snacks, after all.
A handsome young man and a beautiful young woman, sitting together, chatting and laughing, sipping tea, the time flying by.
If Luo Nan saw this, she would explode.
Definitely.
Tang Yulong’s interest in Zhao Yuyan was baffling. He claimed it was love at first sight.
“By the way, Air-sensei, I heard you have a new neighbor, also a Wenqing author?”
He casually steered the conversation towards Zhao Yuyan’s new neighbor.
“Her? You know her. She’s a newcomer this year, younger than both of us.”
“Hmm?”
Tang Yulong was puzzled.
A Wenqing newcomer, younger than them? Was there anyone younger than twenty who had already published?
“She’s the Gold Award winner, but she didn’t attend the ceremony. Otherwise, you would have met her.”
“…Shion-sensei?”
“Yes.”
Oh dear. His biggest rival, the one who had stolen his victory, lived next door to Air. Another competitor.
“Air-sensei, you have to be careful. Though Shion-sensei hasn’t shown their face, they’re still a man. A girl living alone… you have to be careful.”
Coming from you? Aren’t you the one with ulterior motives?
“Bai Chen-sensei, what are you so worried about? Shion-sensei is a girl. You’re both girls; what’s there to be afraid of?”
“A girl? …Then there’s nothing to worry about.”
Tang Yulong’s relief was quickly replaced by a renewed sense of frustration. He had been defeated by a girl.
“Since she lives next door, why don’t we pay her a visit?”
