I took on a job for you.

A dozen minutes later, under the watchful eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Xu, the two finished lunch, explaining the situation at the table as well. Mrs. Li and Mr. Xu slowly realized what had happened, but the atmosphere in the living room grew even quieter.

"I'm sorry, Uncle and Aunt, for my first visit to your home to have been as such an unwelcome guest," Chu Qingchan said, embarrassed by the couple's demeanor. She stood up and took a seat beside Mrs. Li, her delicate face showing a hint of apology.

Xu Lin took a sip from his unfinished soda, thinking to himself, Isn’t she good at making faces? Ah—never believe everything a woman says.

"It's nothing, you're certainly not an unwelcome guest. We're just not used to this, having a celebrity suddenly visit our home—we simply don't know what to say," Mrs. Li said, smiling as she noticed how this beautiful woman, who had been so imposing moments ago, was now gentle and respectful toward them.

"If only my old friend had raised such a pair of children—I'd hardly bother with hospitality! But since it's for his sake, I can't just send you away, alas," Mr. Xu sighed, reaching for his cup only to find it empty. He waved a hand toward Xu Lin, "Bring some tea, and Miss Chu... what would you like to drink?"

"Plain water is fine, Uncle. No need to be so formal; just call me Qingchan," she replied.

"Right, you celebrities need to keep your figure," Xu Feng agreed with a nod.

Xu Lin headed to the kitchen, picking up the tea tin, then remembered that Chu Qingchan had bought some quality tea. He grabbed two packages and returned.

"What’s this?" Mr. Xu asked.

"Chu Qingchan bought you tea; you should try it," Xu Lin replied, opening the gift box and taking out a small canister. Xu Feng’s eyes immediately brightened as he leaned in.

"This tea must be expensive, huh?"

"Not too much, just over two thousand. Oh, and I also bought Aunt a ring," Chu Qingchan stood and brought over another small bag, its familiar jewelry store logo catching Mrs. Li’s eye. Only then did Mrs. Li realize the value of the gift; had she known earlier, she wouldn’t have accepted it.

"Aunt, try it on."

Chu Qingchan had already taken out the ring—a plain, silvery band that shimmered subtly as the window light struck it.

Up close, Mrs. Li saw it was a platinum ring, set with a dozen tiny diamonds that sparkled like stars.

"I thought a pure diamond ring would be too ordinary, and this one caught my eye at once. There’s also a larger diamond beneath," Chu Qingchan explained, turning it so the one-carat stone, half-set into the band, gleamed in her palm—luxurious yet understated.

Which woman doesn’t love diamonds? For the sake of family and practical life, one might do without such shimmer, but the fondness remains. Mrs. Li’s smile brightened at once, though as Chu Qingchan slipped the ring onto her finger, she realized the ring must cost at least ten thousand.

"Qingchan, even for a star like you, this gift is too precious."

"As long as Aunt likes it, that's all that matters. Money isn't important. There was only this one at the shop—I had wanted to buy Uncle a matching one, to make a pair."

"Don’t go to such trouble. I just love tea and a little wine; I’m already quite happy," Mr. Xu replied.

"Actually, it was Mr. Xu who helped me choose. As long as you like it," Chu Qingchan glanced at Xu Lin, whose expression had become as inscrutable as hers.

Mrs. Li and Mr. Xu were both puzzled—did she mean their son? Their minds filled with questions, though Xu Lin had already explained how they met. Still, they couldn't quite grasp how their ordinary high school son had become friends with a celebrity.

But he had changed recently—less prone to irritation, more sociable, even helping with chores, a shift they were still getting used to.

Thinking this way, they felt their son could do stranger things, but bringing a star home was beyond expectation.

"Oh, Aunt, don’t think of returning the favor—Grandma already did," Chu Qingchan said, rolling up her sleeve. Mr. Xu and Mrs. Li’s expressions changed immediately; they recognized the bracelet.

"Xu Lin, what did your grandmother say?" Mrs. Li called out, knowing this was no trivial matter—surely she couldn’t have gained a daughter-in-law in a single day.

Chu Qingchan looked at him, a little uncertain, while Xu Lin sat beside her.

"Grandma didn’t say anything—just gave it as a gift to Chu Qingchan."

"But your grandmother told me it was from her own mother, meant for me, but I never accepted it. She said it was for her future daughter-in-law," Mrs. Li explained.

Hearing this, Chu Qingchan glanced at Xu Lin. So, you’re not just after me—you want to bring the whole pot home.

"Let me explain. This isn’t the original jade bracelet; Grandma put that away. She made these herself later," Xu Lin clarified.

"Huh?"

"Yes, she gives one to whomever she likes, but there are only thirteen. Grandma really likes you," Xu Lin said.

"Is that so?" Mrs. Li and Mr. Xu breathed a sigh of relief—not because they thought Chu Qingchan was too old for their son, but simply because she was so outstanding, with such fine prospects. Their son was just an average student; even with a good university and job, he’d remain an ordinary person, and hardly a match for a celebrity.

Of course, if the two really liked each other, there was no hurry—after all, they'd only met a day ago; it was far too soon.

Chu Qingchan, meanwhile, felt a slight dissatisfaction. For over twenty years, she’d been criticized and denied, but never in terms of her beauty and charm. Yet, in front of this boy, her beauty was acknowledged, but he didn’t seem more drawn to her because of it. For the first time, she felt denied in this aspect.

Yet, he often praised her looks. She wondered if she truly understood this young man’s thoughts.

"Speaking of which, Miss Chu, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you," Xu Lin said, finishing his soda and growing serious as he headed toward the bedroom. Chu Qingchan stood up, looking like a student summoned by a teacher.

"If he bullies you, let us know—we’ll put him in his place," Mrs. Li called, making Xu Lin sigh. His mother, like his grandmother, always sided with pretty girls, never mind the son.

Inside the room, Xu Lin asked seriously, "Did you recognize Qin Tian from the start?"

"Yes. I wasn’t certain at first, but once I heard them speak, I knew," she replied.

"To be honest, everyone in the crew knows how she got in. Only she thinks it was through hard work. It’s rather pitiable, really," Chu Qingchan said.

"Well, but they won’t spread rumors, right? I don’t want them affected. I don’t mind—let them live healthy, happy lives," Xu Lin said.

Hearing this, Chu Qingchan relaxed, realizing he was only worried about his parents—she had indeed acted impulsively just now.

"I did get a bit carried away, but it’s nothing. She’s just a minor character," Chu Qingchan replied.

"Are you sure they won’t leak our address or your information here in Linshui?" Xu Lin asked.

"Don’t worry. Not only do they lack influence in the entertainment industry, but I have plenty of dirt on them—videos and recordings of Qin Lang and Qin Tian, for instance," she said. "And if they try to leak my information online, I have a special PR team—not the company's, but my own—to handle it. If necessary, my father can help too, through legal channels."

"Alright," Xu Lin nodded, not pressing further, knowing she didn’t wish to talk about her parents.

Suddenly, Chu Qingchan’s phone rang. She answered it, as Xu Lin stepped aside, but from her words he could tell it was about work.

A few minutes later, she hung up and looked at him. Xu Lin put down his phone, sensing trouble.

"What’s wrong?"

"Mr. Xu, I think you have talent and you’re handsome, so I just agreed to a job for you. You won’t be angry, will you?"

"A job? What job?"

"Acting, of course. Didn’t you say you could act better than me? Well, here’s an opportunity—I took it for you," she said.

"What?!" Xu Lin’s mind went blank.