Chapter 517 - 516: What-If Line: Did the Big Shots Vie for Favor Today? 85

Chapter 517: Chapter 516: What-If Line: Did the Big Shots Vie for Favor Today? 85

After a few quiet days, just when Shi Lan thought the scammer had given up, the familiar number called again that morning, not long after she finished breakfast.

’So persistent.’

She hadn’t had a chance to block the number yet. She was about to tell him off for harassing her again when a magnetic and flirtatious chuckle came from the other end. "Sigh, how heartbreaking. A fan who just came to my live concert, changing her mind so soon..."

Having recently turned down a lot of work, Yan Huoshui had plenty of time to rest. He exercised early every morning in the presidential suite’s fitness area. Even if he were to quit being a star, he would maintain his disciplined fitness habits.

He still hadn’t won over his little trickster, and with so many others watching her like hawks, he naturally had to step up his game.

However, he had always thought pursuing Shi Lan would be a piece of cake, since she was his fan. But as it turned out, she completely dismissed Zhang Chen’s story about her being a lucky fan, repeatedly calling him a scammer and even claiming she’d found a new idol.

He had originally planned to keep her in suspense a little longer, but after hearing that, Yan Huoshui’s patience ran out.

It was one thing for the little trickster to casually switch meal tickets back then, but now she wanted to jump ship while being his fan?

’She’s really something else.’

So, he decided to use Zhang Chen’s phone to contact Shi Lan directly and prove it wasn’t a scam.

Normally, Shi Lan wouldn’t have been able to recognize Yan Huoshui’s voice. After all, they weren’t that familiar with each other in real life. But she had been his cat, and sometimes he would even hold her while he slept.

So when the call connected, she was momentarily stunned and couldn’t help but stammer, "Yan... Yan Huoshui, is that really you?"

A low, pleasant laugh came through the phone, and Yan Huoshui’s mood instantly improved. "Not bad. You recognized my voice right away. Looks like you’re a true fan."

Shi Lan’s nervousness faded, replaced by a sense of speechlessness.

’So narcissistic.’

She hadn’t expected it. The so-called scammer had been telling the truth—Yan Huoshui was actually calling her himself.

She was silent for a moment before saying, "I’m sorry, Teacher Yan, but I’m very busy right now. It’s not a good time to talk."

"Busy?"

Yan Huoshui repeated the word softly, his tone laced with disbelief.

’The little trickster is making excuses again. It’s just after nine in the morning; her shop isn’t even open yet.’

Although that’s what he thought, he still feigned understanding. "Alright, sorry to bother you. We’ll connect some other time when you’re free. After all, you’re the lucky fan from our concert, and I have to fulfill my promise."

Shi Lan hadn’t heard anything about a lucky draw like this before she attended the concert. She was skeptical, but she also didn’t dare get too involved with Yan Huoshui. In the end, she said tactfully, "Thank you, Teacher Yan. Honestly, just getting this call from you is more than enough to make me feel overwhelmed. You don’t need to trouble yourself any further."

"We’ve connected now, so you can consider your promise fulfilled."

"Alright. Let me ask you one last question. Between Li Wenyi and me, who would you rather be a fan of?"

’That Li Wenyi seems to be a rookie who just debuted from a talent show six months ago. Has the little trickster really found someone new to like so quickly?’ Yan Huoshui’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

Fortunately, Shi Lan wasn’t that foolish. Speaking to him directly, she said firmly, "Of course it’s you, Teacher Yan."

"Heh. Good. You can go back to being busy, then."

Hearing this, Yan Huoshui finally let out a pleased laugh. His elegant, deep, and magnetic voice traveled through the phone, and Shi Lan felt the ear pressed against her phone begin to tingle.

’To be fair, that guy Yan Huoshui really has a knack for charming people. Even his laugh is siren-like, sounding so mischievous.’

Shi Lan’s cheeks grew slightly warm. She hastily hung up, then glanced down at the number and blocked it without a second thought.

"Ping’an, tell me, isn’t he the worst? How could he ask a fan an either-or question like that to her face?"

Shi Lan spotted the black cat curled by her feet, grooming itself. She scooped it up into her arms, then settled comfortably on the sofa, turned on the TV, and started watching the hit drama starring Li Wenyi.

’It’s just that *God* updates too slowly. How am I supposed to get by without watching other shows?’

Lately, He Hanshi and Jiang Xia hadn’t been contacting her much, aside from the occasional chat on WeChat. Shi Lan was happy for the peace and quiet, but He Hanshi still had a bouquet of flowers sent to her every day.

Just as she was thinking that, there was a knock on the door.

Shi Lan paused the TV and looked through the peephole. It was the flower delivery person again.

She accepted the flowers and placed them on the balcony. There were already seven bouquets piled up there. Some looked a bit sparse because she had taken a few stems to put in a vase for decoration. The older ones had wilted too much and had already been thrown away.

Shi Lan took a photo of her balcony and sent it to He Hanshi. [Thanks, but you don’t have to send any more. My balcony is almost full.]

He Hanshi was quite busy, but he replied to her message in just two or three minutes. [Sorry. Next time you want to throw flowers away, you can ask me. I’ll throw them out for you, so it won’t be a bother.]

[I just thought these flowers were beautiful and that they’d suit you. And since your shop has so many flowers, I figured you must like them, so I couldn’t help but send them to you.]

It was similar to what he’d said about the gift last time: he bought it because he thought she would like it, with no other motive.

His words were so sincere. Even though they weren’t exactly words of love, Shi Lan found herself blushing for some reason.

She was silent for a moment, then took a close-up photo of the bouquet that had just arrived. [They’re beautiful. Thank you.]

Today’s delivery was a bouquet of vibrant, orange-yellow roses. They seemed perfect for summer—unrestrained and passionate, as if representing He Hanshi’s increasingly unconcealed affection.

The colors had transitioned from initially subtle and gentle shades to progressively more vivid ones.

He gazed gently at his phone, an enchanting image unconsciously forming in his mind: she, holding the flowers, was even more radiant and captivating than they were.

Even as the affection in his heart spread uncontrollably, he typed with restraint: [As long as you like them. I hope you’ll like tomorrow’s flowers, too.]

Looking at the message on her phone, Shi Lan couldn’t resist gently pinching a soft rose petal. It was still dotted with tiny water droplets. She leaned in to smell it, and the rich fragrance rushed into her lungs. It was as if her heart had been infected too, and she could feel it thumping joyfully in her chest.

’Liking someone is a strange thing. Even though I keep forcing myself to stay level-headed, I’m still slowly falling for him.’

However, her thoughts returned to the failed business of this body’s original family, and she sobered up considerably.

The balcony was overflowing with flowers, and their fragrance was thick in the air. As soon as Ping’an came near, he let out a huge sneeze.

He rarely sneezed. This one sent him tumbling to the floor in a daze, where he sat looking up at his owner with wide, innocent, and bewildered eyes.

Shi Lan turned to look, and her cluttered thoughts instantly vanished. She couldn’t help but clutch her stomach and burst out laughing.

"Ping’an, you’re truly mama’s little joy~"