North City.
In the depth of winter, gusty winds and snow enveloped the entire Wei River Street. Nan Qi Yue tightened her coat and scarf, her exposed fingers tapping away in response to her manager's agonizingly urgent message.
Frustrated with her slow replies, her manager ended up making a direct call to scold her: "Nan Qi Yue! I've never had to deal with someone as difficult as you!"
Nan Qi Yue gave an embarrassed smile, "Thank you for the compliment."
"We have a chance for you in a small web drama. I've fought for it, but you need to audition. The date is set for the fourth day of the new year. Don't let me down this time," his voice still held a hint of disappointment, even during the New Year, he's worrying for her.
Nonchalantly, Nan Qi Yue sniffed and found a bench to sit on, laughing, "Sure, as long as the director doesn't mind me lacking a financial backer."
Her manager choked on the other end of the line, taking a moment to reply: "You're really hard to handle."
Still smiling, and without anything to say, Nan Qi Yue hung up the call with her frozen fingers.
She was a breathtaking beauty, her exquisite oval face hidden under a mask, delicate features with a skin resembling creamy jade. Especially those eyes exposed to the air, like pools of autumn water, seemingly modest and flawless, yet magnetically hypnotic.
Regrettably, this face bestowed by the gods was paired with a carefree owner.
In this circle, relying merely on good looks is far from sufficient.
This year's winter seemed to be exceptionally cold. She wasn't sure how long she had been sitting there but when she looked up, the sky was still a foggy expanse with scattered snowflakes.
Across the street, a wandering musician played the violin. Its lingering melody was pleasing to Nan Qi Yue. Eventually, she got up to pay for a song request.
The man was mute. He smiled and made a hand sign to her. Nan Qi Yue didn't understand but nodded in response.
"Happy New Year's Eve," a voice sounded from behind her. Nan Qi Yue turned around to find the source of the greeting.
It was an unfamiliar face, yet at first glance, it stirred emotions.
Wrapped in a black overcoat was a strong physique, underneath was a proper suit, even the tie was meticulously knotted. Looking up, the seemingly indifferent eyebrows and eyes were casting a gaze at her. A high nose bridge, and seemingly gentle features concealed sharpness.
"The meaning in sign language is 'Happy New Year's Eve.'" The man's voice was clear, rolling over the listeners' hearts. It fit oddly well with this biting winter.
South Yue stood still, feeling a moment of awkwardness. She didn't know why this unfamiliar man would interpret the meaning of sign language for her, still, she grinned, "Thank you."
The man's gaze returned to her again, just for a fleeting three seconds, before he nodded slightly, and disappeared into the end of the street.
Around the corner, a man dressed in dark green Taoist robes blocked the man's path. Despite being winter, the Taoist was scantily clad, his hair was held up with a hairpin, his face was reddened from the cold, and he held an oddly out-of-place black folding fan in his hand. With a swish, he sent out a gust of cold wind, then looked at the man and said in a serious tone, "Young man, I can see from your face that good fortune is on its way. Perhaps, you've already encountered your destined one."
"Oh?" The man did not take him as a swindler, instead lightly asked, "Master, do you know who my fated person is?"
The man in a Taoist robe stroked his sparse beard, and burst into laughter. Folding the fan, he teased, "Far away at the edge of the sky, yet near… in front of your eyes."
The man did not get angry. He let out a scoff and ignored the Taoist's attempts to mystify.
---
Wei River Street backs onto Wei River mansion, which is one of the top-tier mansions in the north of the city, that houses people of great influence – holding vast power and dominion over the city.
Mrs. South Yue, strolled around Wei River Street for a while, dusted with snow, she felt a chill. Raising her head, she had already entered the Wei River mansion and reached her destination. Standing stiffly, her face was filled with melancholy, she let out a dejected sigh.
This day last year, old man Jiang had given her an ultimatum – either win the Best Actress Award or bring him a grandson-in-law.
If not——
Don’t bother coming back.
Nan Qi Yue was quite disheartened, as if she was being put in a difficult position.
Since starting her job, Nan Qi Yue had rarely returned to the Wei River Residence, staying away due to her stubbornness with old man Jiang, as well as her reticence to expose her connection with the Jiang family.
But today was New Year's Eve, the day for family reunions, regardless of how stubborn she was, she had to return and check on the old man who had raised her.
In fact, she was also there to assess her annual performance and receive some harsh criticism.
The absence of both professional achievements and a love life was enough to anger the octogenarian, Jiang.
“Who is this girl dressed like a thief?" A probing voice suddenly rang out from her behind, startling Nan Qi Yue into a shudder.
She stood still, disregarding the person behind her without turning around. Her gaze resolutely fixed on the front gate, her nerves on edge. As she was about to step in, that person behind her swooped in and lifted her up as if she were a chick, getting her inside.
"Jiang Bai Chuan! You big ol’——” Before Nan Qi Yue could steady herself, the towering monkey—who outgrew her by twenty-five centimeters—snatched off her sunglasses and face mask in a swift motion. This revealed a pair of doe-like eyes welled up with tears and a swearing expression.
Jiang Bai Chuan laughed, jeered at her, “Oh, turns out it’s our family’s legendary great star.”
He emphasized the last three words heavily, and Nan Qi Yue knew instantly, he was being sarcastic on purpose.
On this New Year's Eve, snow had fallen. Many children around the big house’s basketball court were sculpting snowmen. The sounds of their cheerful laughter echoed across the courtyard. Nan Qi Yue huffed in dismissal, lowering her eyes, her mind preoccupied with the thought that the scene inside must be just as jubilant.
So, if she walked in, she’d definitely disrupt their merriment.
Hence, her step forward faltered, her bold determination retreating, like a timid withdrawal.
"Alright, you're really making a fuss." Jiang Baichuan lightly slapped her hat brim and, pulling at her arm, began to walk inside. "We've returned and you want to beat a retreat? Have you not got scolded enough before?"
Caught off guard, she found herself being dragged into the house.
The lively chatter in the living room came to an abrupt halt at her entrance.
Nan Qiyue forced a smile, her gaze sweeping around awkwardly, eventually settling on old man Jiang in the main seat.
Those seated in the room were silently sipping their teas, looking straight ahead, waiting for the patriarch’s response.
"Is this what you've brought back?" Old man Jiang's sarcastic question left everyone else but the flabbergasted Nan Qiyue without a voice.
Jiang Baichuan was also startled for a moment, only realizing he was being asked after regaining his wits, only to walk over dazedly and take a seat on the couch. Pouring himself a cup of hot tea, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly: "Picked her up at the front gate."
Nan Qiyue’s lips also twitched after listening to his response.
The two of them, grandfather and grandson, were mockery personified, using her as their amusement during the New Year's festivities.