I am fond of arrogance.

“Hoo…”

“You seem nervous?”

Standing in front of the elevator, Xu Lin glanced at Chu Qingchan, who had just taken a deep breath. He hadn’t expected that a woman so comfortable in front of cameras could still feel anxious.

“Well, you said we’re meeting your family. How could I not be nervous?”

“By the way, since you mentioned family, there’s something I want to give you.”

“Hm?”

Xu Lin unzipped the side pocket of his backpack and took out a jade bracelet. Its style was simple, lacking the natural, beautiful patterns that some have.

“Don’t let its plainness fool you. My grandmother asked me to give this to you—it’s a gift from her.”

“Honestly, I haven’t helped the old lady with anything today. I even forgot to wash the dishes, just lounging on the sofa with my phone... I feel embarrassed to accept it.”

“But since she’s giving it to you, just take it. It’s not anything valuable.”

“The reason she’s giving it is simple: you’re too pretty. My grandma has been a sucker for good looks since she was young.”

“Well, if that’s the reason, I’ll accept it.”

She held out both hands, carefully taking the bracelet and slipping it onto her left wrist. “Thank her on my behalf.”

“Your suitcase is still over there. Next time, thank her yourself.”

“All right.”

Just then, the elevator doors opened. An elderly man stepped out, waving at Xu Lin. “Xu, just came from your place.”

“Uncle Zhang, why not stay a bit? My dad’s off today—didn’t you say you wanted to play chess with him?”

“You’ve got family visiting. I shouldn’t linger. Go on home.”

“Okay!”

Xu Lin responded and led Chu Qingchan into the elevator, but his mind was already churning—who was visiting? Second uncle? Third uncle? They both work out of town. Aunt? Second aunt? Neither lives locally. I just got back from my grandparents’ place myself. Strange.

“Hey, which relative is it? How should I address them?”

Outside the elevator, the superstar grabbed his sleeve. Xu Lin glanced at her; even with her mask on, her nervousness was almost palpable.

“Don’t worry. Just echo whatever I say.”

“Oh, okay.”

Chu Qingchan couldn’t quite understand why she was so nervous—like she’d reverted to her shy, socially anxious elementary school self.

Xu Lin knocked on the door. Two seconds later, Ms. Li poked her head out.

“I thought you’d be back this afternoon?”

“I heard from Uncle Li that there’s a relative visiting. Who is it?”

“Your Uncle Qin.”

“Mom, when did we ever have an Uncle Qin?”

“He’s the artist son from your god-grandfather’s family, Qin Lang.”

“Oh, right, the... very filial uncle.”

It was true that he wasn’t close with his god-grandfather, who was actually his father's godfather; Xu Lin hadn’t met him many times, though the old man had a pleasant temperament. But his children were notorious for living off their parents—the daughter played the financial markets and often lost money, the son simply sponged off his parents, occasionally writing songs or scripts, pretending to be a real artist.

“And who is this?” Ms. Li ignored his sarcastic tone and looked at Chu Qingchan, who was carrying several bags.

“My friend. I’ll be helping her with something soon. We were just passing by, and she insisted on stopping to visit you.” Xu Lin explained.

“Hello, Auntie. These are little gifts for your family.”

“You shouldn’t have brought anything.” Ms. Li wasn’t feigning modesty; she genuinely disliked accepting gifts, even from her own siblings during the holidays, let alone from outsiders.

“She’s already bought them, so please accept them.” Xu Lin patted his mother’s arm. Ms. Li shot him a glance and took the gifts. She’d ask him later where he’d met this female friend.

“Come inside and rest for a bit.”

Ms. Li welcomed Chu Qingchan into the house before heading to the kitchen. Xu Lin saw two figures seated at the dining table; after changing his shoes, he walked over.

A man and a woman. The man was around forty, sporting shoulder-length curly hair and a thick beard befitting an artist. If you didn’t look closely, you couldn’t even see his eyes.

The young woman beside him looked about twenty, dressed fashionably, her makeup beautifully done—almost as striking as Ji Yun’s natural look.

In the past, he might have snuck a few glances, but with Chu Qingchan by his side, he felt nothing.

“Hello, Uncle Qin!” Xu Lin greeted warmly—not for Qin Lang’s sake, but for his parents.

“The last time I saw you, you were in elementary school. So reserved, almost like a little girl. Didn’t expect you’d grow into such a handsome young man.”

“Is this your daughter?”

“Yes, Qin Tiantian. She’s a few years older than you, just started college.”

“Hello, Miss.”

Xu Lin greeted her, but she looked at him without responding. Xu Lin felt a bit annoyed.

The bearded man nudged his daughter with his elbow, but Xu Lin kept his smile. “She must be tired, Uncle. I’ll go put my things away—I just got back.”

“All right, we’ll have a drink together later.”

Chu Qingchan lingered in the corner, feeling a little awkward. When Xu Lin came over, she grabbed his sleeve and whispered,

“That girl seems like she could use a little attitude adjustment.”

“Don’t stir up trouble. It’s nothing for her to be proud—besides, I never show dissatisfaction.”

“First, she probably thinks she’s done nothing wrong. Second, I enjoy watching proud people fall from their pedestal.”

“Mr. Xu, I think you’d make a better actor than me.”

“Of course. I told you, I’m better than you. You’re just the lead in those cheesy movies.”

Hearing Xu Lin’s jab, Chu Qingchan lunged at him, grabbing his waist. Xu Lin quickly caught her hand.

“Enough. Let’s go to my room.”

“Oh, do we need to greet your dad?”

“Later.”

He walked past the living room toward the bedroom, but Xu Feng, who was in the dining room, saw his son lead a girl into the room.

Is that his son’s girlfriend? It couldn’t be. He knew his son well—apart from anime games, he had little interest in anything else.

He got up and went to the kitchen, where his wife was busy, and asked quietly, “Who’s that girl?”

“I don’t know. He said she’s a friend, but she’s clearly an adult.”

“Could she be his girlfriend?! If she is, do you think our son would dare bring her home?”

“True.”

“She brought us gifts, and though I didn’t look closely, they seem expensive.”

“Yes, we’ll ask him after the guests leave.”

“Right.”

Inside the room, Chu Qingchan took off her mask, sniffing the air for any odors, then began to look around.

Xu Lin had nothing to hide; the only study materials he had were transferred onto a USB drive. She searched everywhere but found nothing.

“All these books on your shelf—have you actually read them?”

“Yes. I’ve loved reading since I was a kid. Later, after I started reading online novels, I’d buy the physical copies as soon as they came out, just to collect.”

“I’m surprised. Nowadays, people mostly buy books just for display. Can I use your computer?”

Chu Qingchan glanced at the sleeping computer and immediately sat down.

“Yes.”

She watched Xu Lin’s calm demeanor, rummaged through folders, searched some keywords, but nothing came up.

“Hey, Mr. Xu, you’re too wholesome. There’s nothing here.”

“So, what are you trying to find?”

“Aren’t all guys supposed to hide some study materials?”

“Miss Superstar, think about it. With someone as beautiful as you around, I don’t even bother with those movies.”

“That’s true. But don’t compare me to those actresses.”

“They’re actors too, and better at it than you.”

“If you keep this up, I’ll go have a nice chat with your mom.”

“No, no. Tonight, I’ll download a few and we can appreciate them together.”

Just then, QQ chimed. Chu Qingchan’s eyes instantly lit up—a flashing avatar marked ‘Class President Ji.’