Chapter 16: But She’s Not Famous

"Ding!"

You have one unread message.

The floating screen displayed the sender: Wen Yan.

Homeroom teacher? What could she want with me?

He opened the message.

"Su Chen, do you have time to come to school tomorrow? There's something very important!"

Su Chen was a bit puzzled. What could be so important now? The graduation party had already happened, and many people had already left. All that was left was the ceremony, and it didn't really matter whether you attended or not.

"Is there something going on? I'm quite busy these days and might not have time," Su Chen thought for a moment before replying.

"Maybe we can talk over the phone?" came the quick reply.

"Huh? Is that so? It's a bit hard to explain over the phone," Wen Yan wrote.

Su Chen thought to himself, What could possibly be so complicated it can’t be discussed over the phone? Still, as one of his few friends at this school besides Ma Teng—and his teacher, no less—he remained patient and respectful. Even though they’d spoken little after he got into trouble, she’d shown him plenty of concern over the last two years. It was just that he’d always kept his distance.

"How about this: are you free now? I can come find you?"

There was a pause, as if she was hesitating, then a new message appeared.

"Alright... that works. I’ll send you the address!"

A location link popped up: 36 Dongfeng Road, Hongdu District, River City—Chufeng Elegant Cuisine.

A restaurant, and it was nearby!

Su Chen knew it well. Back in high school, he often passed by. What was she doing here?

Twenty minutes later, Su Chen arrived at the restaurant and immediately spotted Wen Yan sitting in the corner. She looked poised and gentle, calm as water. At a four-person table, Wen Yan sat on one side, with place settings laid out on the other.

Su Chen walked over and sat across from her.

"Why’d you pick this place?" he asked, not bothering with formalities as he picked up a glass of water and took a drink.

"Wait—"

Wen Yan tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Su Chen set down the glass, puzzled. "What’s wrong?"

"It's... nothing," Wen Yan replied, a hint of embarrassment in her smile.

Su Chen's eyes caught some celebrity photos on the table and he asked casually, "Who's this?" She looked familiar.

Wen Yan glanced at him in surprise. "You don't know her?"

"Should I?"

Wen Yan blinked, then smiled. "That's Jiang Yan."

"My niece is a fan of hers," Wen Yan explained. "She asked me to get a few autographed photos. Here they are."

Su Chen let out an "Oh," and said offhandedly, "No wonder she looked familiar. The photoshopping is so heavy!" Then he added, "She’s not very famous, is she? Why would anyone want her autograph?"

It was just an old joke from his past life, slipping out naturally without much thought.

But suddenly, a chill ran down his back—a wave of hostility swept over him.

A voice, sharp with anger, said, "What did you just say?"

He turned to see a tall woman, wearing sunglasses and a mask, looking down at him from above.

"I said she’s not very famous. What's the matter?"

He thought, What’s wrong with her?

The woman shifted closer to the wall, hiding her face from view, then took off her mask and sunglasses, staring silently at Su Chen.

He blinked, glanced at the photos, and then at the woman.

It was Jiang Yan.

"Oh, you’re not famous."

Wen Yan burst out laughing.

Jiang Yan had been waiting for Su Chen to recognize her and apologize, but that single sentence made her blood boil.

She lunged at him, not caring at all for her celebrity image.

The commotion caught the attention of a waiter, who glanced over curiously. Jiang Yan quickly turned away, covering her face, but kept shooting daggers at Su Chen.

Was this even human? Normally, if someone was overheard saying something bad, they’d be embarrassed, quick to explain or apologize. But not him—he just admitted it outright and even doubled down!

"Move!" Jiang Yan kicked Su Chen’s leg, squeezing past him to the seat beside him. A subtle fragrance drifted by, and Su Chen realized that Wen Yan must know Jiang Yan.

Once seated, Jiang Yan noticed the glass on the table, her expression growing even colder.

"You drank from my glass?"

"That was yours?"

Su Chen made an exaggerated gagging sound, grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth in mock disgust.

"You bastard!" This time Jiang Yan couldn't hold back—worried about causing a scene, she punched him hard in the side.

But to Su Chen, it felt like nothing more than a tickle.

"Alright, enough! Both of you, stop it," Wen Yan said, laughing as she tried to calm them down. "Or you'll attract the reporters!"

Jiang Yan glared at Su Chen but said nothing more.

"So what brings you two here?" Su Chen asked, as if nothing had happened.

Wen Yan was about to answer, but Jiang Yan cut in, "Don't tell him!"

That bastard—if he found out the two of them had been waiting here for hours just to listen for some rumored singing voice, he’d laugh himself silly.

Wen Yan smiled gently and explained, "We had some errands nearby, and since you were coming, we decided to meet here."

Su Chen nodded, not probing further—it would be prying into their privacy.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about today?"

Wen Yan straightened, her tone serious. "Right, business first. The school contacted me this afternoon about your graduation. They’re willing to give you another chance. But…"

She hesitated, seeing Su Chen’s indifferent expression, then continued, "But you need to write a report explaining what happened at the time. I was going to tell you tomorrow, but you said you’re busy."

Su Chen replied coolly, "Forget it."

Whether he graduated or not didn’t matter anymore. He was no longer the person he’d once been; that disciplinary record meant nothing to him. Even if he wrote the report, the truth would remain hidden.

He had no time for this.

Wen Yan grew anxious and was about to persuade him, but Su Chen asked, "This could have been handled over the phone. Was there really any need to meet in person?"

"I… I was afraid you’d hang up on me."

Given his old temperament, there was no way he’d have sat down to talk so calmly. If she’d called, he’d probably have hung up immediately. Wen Yan knew him too well. Yet ever since the graduation party, Su Chen seemed to have changed a lot—less distant, but still just as stubborn. That was what Wen Yan felt at this moment.

"I wouldn’t have hung up on you. I just really don’t have time for this lately."

"But with a disciplinary record, you won’t get your diploma. What about your future job? Have you thought this through?" Wen Yan pressed, clearly worried.

Su Chen shook his head. How could he explain?

"Oh…"

While he was thinking, Jiang Yan’s mocking voice chimed in, dragging out the word and putting extra emphasis on "high school student." "I thought you were something special, but you’re just a high schooler?"

Clearly, this was payback for Su Chen’s earlier comments.

"I’m a high school student—does that affect your lack of fame?"

"You—!"