The weather in Yancheng has been unpredictable lately.

For several days, the city had been wrapped in heavy, humid air, as though a storm had been waiting patiently overhead. Late into the night, the rain finally came crashing down in torrents.

Outside the window, mist and condensation blurred the scenery into a hazy dream, soft and romantic in a way that made everything feel strangely distant.

Just then, Gu Nansheng’s phone buzzed.

It was a message from Xuanxuan.

“Sister Nansheng, we have an 8:00 AM flight to Nancheng tomorrow morning. Sister Hong wants us back at the company. I’ll wait downstairs for you at 6:00 AM.”

Gu Nansheng stared at the screen quietly.

She had expected this.

Sooner or later, she would have to return to the company.

Still…

She had not expected it to happen this quickly.

Sister Hong was her manager.

Ever since filming her debut movie, Gu Nansheng had signed with Sister Hong’s agency, Interstellar Entertainment.

Over the years, Sister Hong had handled all of her business deals, endorsements, and public appearances.

Recently, her contract had been nearing its expiration date.

This trip back was mainly to discuss renewal terms.

Knowing how exhausting the previous production crew had been, Sister Hong had deliberately avoided disturbing her, hoping she could rest properly for a few days first.

At that moment, Lu Shijing stepped out of the bathroom and immediately noticed her sitting motionlessly on the sofa.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Why haven’t you dried your hair?”

Gu Nansheng gently shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

Every time she had to leave him…

She never knew how to say it.

“Hurry up and dry Sister’s hair.”

She lazily collapsed against the sofa, refusing to move.

Lu Shijing sighed softly before grabbing the hairdryer and pulling her upright.

The warm hum of the machine filled the room.

His fingers slipped through her long hair as he carefully dried it strand by strand.

Each gentle touch felt like it brushed directly against her heart.

If she had not entered the entertainment industry back then…

Would things be different?

Maybe she could have stayed in the same city as him.

Maybe she could have found an ordinary, stable job nearby.

At the very least, they would not have to separate so often.

She had not even left yet, and already, she missed him.

Suddenly, Gu Nansheng turned around and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Lu Shijing paused and switched off the hairdryer.

Without a word, he lifted her onto his lap.

“You’re leaving?” he asked quietly.

“Mhm…”

Her voice sounded muffled and heavy.

One look at her expression was enough.

He already knew.

“For how long?”

“I don’t know.”

If there were no additional brand events, she would probably return as soon as the contract renewal was done.

Lu Shijing fell silent.

This had been happening for years.

Meeting.

Separating.

Waiting.

Repeating the same cycle again and again.

“If your girlfriend weren’t me, then maybe… ah!”

Before she could finish, Lu Shijing bit lightly against her lip.

“Ow! That hurts!”

“Don’t say things like that again.”

His eyes darkened immediately.

He did not allow her to continue.

“I’ll wait for you to come back.”

The next morning, Gu Nansheng woke to the sound of her alarm.

Lu Shijing had already prepared breakfast.

But she barely touched any of it.

Her entire mood felt drained.

He walked her downstairs to the lobby, where Xuanxuan had already arrived.

“Sister Nansheng, over here!”

Xuanxuan waved excitedly before greeting him enthusiastically.

“Hello, Brother-in-law!”

Lu Shijing gave a polite nod.

As always, he looked cold and distant.

Every time Xuanxuan saw him, she could not help marveling inwardly.

How could someone possibly be this handsome?

If he entered the entertainment industry, he would crush an entire generation of idols overnight.

He clearly had the face of a superstar, yet stubbornly chose to stay a university professor.

Even standing silently, he carried an untouchable, disciplined aura.

“Stay safe,” Lu Shijing said softly to Gu Nansheng. “Message me when you land.”

“Okay.”

Xuanxuan stared straight ahead with extreme professionalism.

No looking.

No glancing.

Absolutely no witnessing couple behavior inappropriate for innocent bystanders.

Only after Gu Nansheng quietly said, “Let’s go,” did she immediately signal the driver.

At noon, Gu Nansheng arrived at the headquarters of Interstellar Entertainment in Nancheng.

On the third floor, Sister Hong was already waiting in the conference room.

The moment Gu Nansheng entered, Sister Hong looked up.

She wore her signature short hair, sharp makeup, and perfectly polished appearance.

Even now, she looked impeccably put together.

“Nansheng, how’s your break been?”

“Pretty good.”

Sister Hong got straight to the point.

“Your contract’s almost up. If everything looks fine on your end, let’s discuss the renewal.”

“Okay.”

Since her debut, Gu Nansheng had always stayed with Sister Hong.

Though strict, Sister Hong genuinely prioritized her artists.

Whenever problems arose, she always considered things from their perspective first.

She respected their wishes, listened carefully to their career goals, and tailored opportunities accordingly.

Most importantly…

She never exploited her artists for profit.

That was why Gu Nansheng trusted her.

The two spent some time discussing her plans for the coming year.

Eventually, Sister Hong brought up another topic.

“Nansheng, the agency recently signed a new artist. I’d like you to guide him a little.”

“Me?”

Gu Nansheng blinked in surprise.

She had never mentored anyone before.

“You’re one of the strongest performers in the agency,” Sister Hong explained. “He’ll be joining a variety show next week, and you’ll be appearing as a surprise guest. Since the two of you will be interacting a lot, I hope you can help him out.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

After all, Sister Hong had always taken good care of her.

Helping a junior artist from the same company was hardly something worth refusing.

“Perfect.”

Sister Hong picked up the phone.

“Send Siyan in.”

Siyan?

There sure were a lot of people named Siyan in this world.

A moment later, the door opened.

The moment the young man stepped inside, Gu Nansheng froze.

Wait.

Lin Siyan?!

Her expression immediately filled with shock.

“Nansheng,” Sister Hong introduced, “this is our newly signed artist, Lin Siyan.”

Lin Siyan walked over with a bright smile and extended his hand.

“Sister Nansheng,” he said warmly, “we meet again. Please take care of me.”

Sister Hong blinked.

“You two know each other?”

Know each other?

This was far beyond that.

Wasn’t Lin Siyan supposed to return home and inherit the family business?

How had he suddenly become an idol trainee?

“Yes,” Gu Nansheng replied carefully, suppressing all the questions running through her head.

“We know each other.”

Sister Hong grinned.

“Nansheng, Siyan is a huge fan of yours.”

Lin Siyan’s smile deepened.

“I’ve watched every one of Sister Nansheng’s works.”

His eyes curved slightly.

“You’re even prettier in person than on television.”

“Uh… thank you.”

Lin Siyan belonged to the popular sunshine-boy type.

Bright smile.

Youthful energy.

The kind of boy younger audiences adored lately.

Sister Hong really did have a frighteningly sharp eye for talent.

After leaving the company, Gu Nansheng planned to head home with Xuanxuan.

She owned an apartment nearby.

Originally, Sister Hong had invested in the property development and later sold her a unit at a discounted price.

Since most of her work happened in Nancheng, buying a place nearby had been convenient.

Just as she was about to leave, a car pulled up beside them.

The window rolled down.

Lin Siyan smiled.

“Sister Nansheng, where are you staying? I can give you a ride.”

“No need,” she replied politely. “I live nearby.”

“Nearby?” he asked. “Binhe Residential Complex?”

“Yes.”

His eyes brightened instantly.

“What a coincidence! I live there too!”

He sounded genuinely delighted.

“Which building?”

“Building B, apartment 1001.”

Lin Siyan paused briefly before smiling even wider.

“I’m in Building B too, apartment 901.”

He pointed upward playfully.

“I’m literally the floor below you.”

What were the odds?

“That’s way too coincidental,” Gu Nansheng muttered.

“Since it’s on the way, let me drive you.”

At that point, refusing would only feel awkward.

So they accepted.

Unable to hold back her curiosity any longer, Gu Nansheng finally asked,

“Siyan, how did you end up becoming an artist?”

“I’ve never liked business,” he admitted. “I’ve always preferred music.”

“And Uncle Lin agreed?”

“At first?” He laughed. “My dad and grandfather were furious.”

“But I kept pestering them until they finally gave in.”

“They agreed to let me try for a few years.”

The siblings really were alike.

Both stubborn.

Both determined to live life on their own terms.

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Siyan quietly asked,

“How is… my sister?”

“Manqing’s doing well,” Gu Nansheng replied. “She opened a bar in City A, and business is great.”

If Lin Manqing ever found out her younger brother had joined the exact same agency…

She would probably faint from shock.

“That’s good.”

The mood suddenly turned quiet.

Neither wanted to make the conversation heavier than it already was.

After arriving, Lin Siyan politely escorted both Gu Nansheng and Xuanxuan all the way to her door.

Before leaving, he smiled warmly.

“Sister Nansheng, if you ever need anything, just come find me anytime.”

“Thank you.”

Watching him leave, Gu Nansheng found herself quietly impressed.

Young people these days really were emotionally intelligent.

Sister Hong had absolutely nothing to worry about.

At this rate, she doubted she would be useful as a mentor at all.

Meanwhile, back in his apartment, Lin Siyan dropped onto the sofa and pressed a hand to his chest.

His heartbeat still had not calmed down.

Just then, his phone rang.

A man’s voice came through.

“Well? Satisfied with the apartment?”

“Very satisfied~”

How could he not be?

He had specifically chosen the apartment directly beneath hers.

“I seriously don’t understand you,” the man sighed. “Why insist on signing with Interstellar Entertainment? You could’ve gone to a much better agency.”

“What do you know?”

Lin Siyan cut him off immediately and ended the call.

Why had he done it?

Back when he was little, he followed her everywhere simply because she was pretty.

Later, while studying abroad, he heard from his father that she had become an actress.

Out of curiosity, he watched her films.

Then somehow…

He fell for her all over again.

At twenty years old, it was the first time he had ever understood what it meant for someone to make his heart race.

It turned out…

You really could fall for the same person twice.

That was why he came back to China.

Everything he had done only had one purpose.

To move just a little closer to her.