"Hey, what's wrong with you? Your eyes are as dark as a panda's."
An Yi was tidying up the floor bedding, giving a strange look at Shangguan Qianqian, who had dark circles under her eyes and was radiating resentment.
"Didn't sleep well," Shangguan Qianqian replied flatly.
"Those two are so ridiculous! Just kissing, that's all! What's there to show off?"
"Go on, get out of here. Do whatever you want, go wherever you want. I don’t care who you are or what you do—just don’t drag me into it. Go ruin someone else’s life!"
An Yi shoved two meat buns into Shangguan Qianqian’s hands, then swung open the security door, pushed her out, and slammed it shut behind her.
A top-tier celebrity like her—this was the first time she’d ever been treated like this.
Shangguan Qianqian didn’t seem bothered. She took a small bite of the bun in her hand and prepared to leave.
"Huh, a bun with no filling? What a scam!"
Ding! Side quest activated: [Top-Tier Superstar]. Reward: Evil Power Value +50!
The system’s voice echoed in An Yi’s mind.
"Damn it! Are you messing with me?!"
A moment later, An Yi reopened the door, grinning at Shangguan Qianqian as she nibbled on the bun. "How’s the bun? Tasty?"
Shangguan Qianqian gave him a cool glance and held up the dough in her hand. "This is a plain steamed bun."
"That’s not important. So, where are you headed next?" An Yi asked.
Shangguan Qianqian replied indifferently, "No plans for now."
"You’re a big star—don’t you feel the urge to go act in something?"
An Yi spoke in a coaxing tone, like a seasoned con artist luring in a mark.
Shangguan Qianqian eyed him suspiciously. "Acting is just a cover for my real identity. Being a celebrity was never more than a passing interest."
"Well… do you like being a star?"
An Yi stared at her intently, his expression suddenly radiating an almost holy zeal, like a cult leader recruiting a new disciple.
Shangguan Qianqian wasn’t as easily fooled as Shen Muxuan. She narrowed her eyes. "What exactly are you trying to do?"
Ahem. "Nothing much. It’s just… I’ve been promoting some cosmetics lately, and I was thinking of expanding my sales channels. Maybe get a celebrity to endorse them or something—"
Mid-sentence, An Yi trailed off.
Wait a minute.
Why not just start a media company himself?
Brilliant!
He could be the capitalist!
The boss!
Then all those so-called stars would be working for him.
He could control the narrative, manipulate public opinion, and crush anyone who crossed him.
With the right PR moves, he could turn some poker-faced jerk into public enemy number one in a single day!
Shangguan Qianqian, still baffled by his intentions, asked, "So… you’re fine with me now?"
Ahem. "Of course I am."
An Yi cleared his throat.
Truthfully, he still had his doubts about Shangguan Qianqian.
From the start, this woman had been eyeing him like a piece of meat, clearly scheming something.
What if she turned out to be as rotten as that backstabbing Zhang Fan?
But An Yi decided to take the gamble.
Beauty was justice! A girl this stunning couldn’t possibly be evil!
"In that case… I want to join the Asura Sect!"
Shangguan Qianqian held up her filling-less bun, her expression serious.
An Yi extended a hand. "Welcome aboard!"
Shangguan Qianqian blinked in surprise.
Just like that… she was in?
The legendary Asura Sect, feared across the world?
"Very well. Greetings, Sect Leader!"
Shangguan Qianqian composed herself and bowed slightly.
"No need for formalities between us. ‘Sect Leader’ sounds so distant."
An Yi flashed a practiced, insincere smile.
Truth was, he had no choice but to accept her.
This woman already held a position in the sect—and worse, she was a Vice Leader!
No matter what he did, he couldn’t kick her out.
Once his reputation value increases, the first thing he'll do is remove Lin Chen from the position of elder and demote that woman deputy sect leader!
Chuanfang Supermarket.
Shen Muxuan hummed a tune while arranging goods on the shelves.
Aunt Zhou, chopping pork head meat, asked curiously, "Muxuan, you seem quite happy today?"
"Really? No, I'm not!" Shen Muxuan replied with a sweet smile.
Aunt Zhou teased, "Oh, come on! You haven’t stopped grinning all day! Spill it—did An Yi strike it rich again?"
Shen Muxuan shook her head. "I don’t know about that."
Aunt Zhou immediately lost interest. "Then what are you so happy about?"
Biting her lower lip, Shen Muxuan whispered, "Aunt Zhou, promise you won’t tell anyone, but… An Yi and I kissed."
"Kissed?!"
Aunt Zhou’s eyebrows shot up.
Her cleaver thunked into the cutting board.
"That rascal finally made a move on Shen Muxuan!"
Shen Muxuan waved her hands frantically. "Aunt Zhou, not so loud!"
The entire supermarket fell silent.
Dozens of eyes turned toward them, filled with disbelief.
Heartbroken to the core!
A scruffy-bearded man who had spent all morning meticulously picking cucumbers finally couldn’t take the blow. Covering his face, he let out a choked sob and bolted out of the supermarket.
The goddess had been defiled by that scoundrel!
One by one, the male customers left the supermarket, looking as if they’d just lost a loved one.
The once-crowded supermarket was now half-empty.
"Hey, why are you all leaving? You’re not even buying anything!" Aunt Zhou called after them, but no one looked back.
Sighing, she turned to Shen Muxuan. "So… did that brat do anything else inappropriate?"
Shen Muxuan shook her head. "No, it was just… just a kiss."
It had been both their first kisses.
Clearly, neither had much experience.
But An Yi, gifted by nature and armed with extensive "educational videos," quickly mastered the French technique.
Sparks flew.
Last night, An Yi had nearly lost control.
Even the usually sharp-tongued Aunt Zhou softened into a doting smile. "You two finally made some progress! This old auntie was getting impatient watching you."
"But… he hasn’t said I’m his girlfriend yet," Shen Muxuan murmured shyly.
"Pfft, who else would want that loser besides you?" Aunt Zhou rolled her eyes.
Shen Muxuan giggled. "Well… I’ll go organize the stockroom now."
"Go ahead. It’s slow today—you can leave early." Aunt Zhou chuckled.
In her eyes, An Yi might be poor, shameless, stingy, mischievous, and a bit of a troublemaker… but he was a good kid overall.
One thing she could praise him for—he wasn’t a player!
In the two years they’d known each other, she’d never seen him flirt around.
"Excuse me, ma’am, which way to An Yi’s place?"
A strikingly pretty girl with a slight punk aesthetic tapped the counter, holding a bottle of soda.
Aunt Zhou eyed her suspiciously, momentarily stunned by her striking looks. "And you are…?"
"Me?" Nie Qinglan flashed an embarrassed smile. "I’m his girlfriend!"
Aunt Zhou deadpanned, "Out the door, turn left."
"Thanks!" Nie Qinglan paid and skipped off cheerfully.
Aunt Zhou muttered under her breath, "Ma’am? What kind of eyesight is that? Do I look that old?"
Wait… that girl was looking for An Yi and called herself his girlfriend?