Chapter 37: Another Year Passed

And so, it seemed as if as quickly as Su Ning had celebrated her 15th birthday, time had passed and it was time for Gu YuChen to leave C Country.

Su Ning's first year at M Academy was surprisingly uneventful. She focused on her studies and didn't join any clubs or singing competitions. Her aim was to be placed into the special class in her sophomore year so she has to be consistently within top 5 of the class and top 50 of her whole grade in the monthly examinations. Private schooling was completely different from the public school system so classes were much harder. Even Qin Rong who was always the top student at Chang Yue had a difficult time placing first in M Academy. Surprisingly, Su Ning also didn't run into Qing Mei much during her freshman year as she heard the latter has been focusing more on honing her singing skills in an effort to be scouted by XIIN Entertainment. Qing Mei was barely passing her classes and was taking supplementary tutoring lessons as well.

Unfortunately, Su Ning's busy study life and her tutoring job leaves her with little time to play with her old friends Lin Youqing and Lin Miao. They managed to meet up during holidays or long weekends but mostly keep in touch via Veibo. Lin Miao has begun publishing her manhua online and is working to get contracted so she can get paid for her work. On the other hand, Lin Youqing is focusing on her studies as well so she can get into a medical program in G or H Uni.

As expected, the second game launch of Gu YuChen's company, Sun Fox, was successful. Rose Wars received rave reviews from Asia and Europe. Recently Gu YuChen's colleague has been focused on expanding the e-streaming segment of their business. It is anticipated the company will go public this coming year.

Song Rui has successfully given birth to a healthy baby boy. The new addition to the Gu Family is named Gu Yan. Grandma Gu and Gu YuChen had gone back to the Gu manor to visit the newborn baby. However, Grandma Gu could only hope in her heart that little Gu Yan would not grow up wicked under the evil influence of Song Rui and Gu Han. In fact, as a mother she knew Gu Han was not born bad, but his character was rash, ambitious and highly susceptible to temptation. And for Gu Han that temptation is women; in his youth he had slept with many women: both single and married.

However, Gu Han always had a sense of measure and knew his eventual marriage will be arranged for the benefit of Gu Corp Ltd. Up to this day, Grandma Gu did not think Gu Han would be entangled and completely bewitched by a vile, greedy, and manipulative woman such as Song Rui. On the outside Song Rui was definitely gorgeous; it was almost inconceivable that such beauty was born out of squalor. But someone who dares lay a hand on a child to lay claim on something that doesn't belong to you...Grandma Gu might be old but she is still powerful enough to protect her grandson Xiao Chen until he is ready to stand on his own two feet. She knows Gu YuChen is capable of reclaiming Gu Corp Ltd and bringing it to greater heights.

On the other hand, Lin JinYan whom the Lin Family had expected to pursue a career in opera and musical theatre had announced that upon his graduation from university he will be joining the entertainment industry as a soloist to his family's dismay. It was big news that quickly spread in the noble families' grapevine: Lin JinYan did not intend to succeed as Lin Family's heir and take over XIIN Entertainment. Overnight, Lin JinYan's brother Lin Feng became one of the most sought after bachelors in A City. Previously, there were uncertainties whether he could succeed the company since there was his younger brother Lin JinYan who many regarded with awe and fear. In fact, this action is basically handing XIIN Entertainment to him but Lin Feng somehow felt unhappy with the turn of events.

Author's note: XIIN Entertainment's focus is on classical musicians, opera and musical theatre.

"Will you be alright Lin JinYan?" Su Ning had asked while they were hanging out at Gu YuChen's apartment.

"Are you worried about me?" Lin JinYan amusedly questioned the pretty 16 year old girl reading manhua beside him..

"Of course, is your family okay with this choice?" Su Ning spoke with concern. Lin JinYan who is now 17 is in his final year of senior high. Everyone had expected him to join XIIN Entertainment after college but he suddenly released this bombshell.

"Well, my brother would be quite relieved. I presume," Lin JinYan just answered nonchalantly as he began to braid the girl's hair beside him. Su Ning had grown even prettier now and no traces of baby fat can be seen on her face. She was slim with fair jade skin and long straight legs.

Currently, Su Ning was garbed in an oversized pale pink sweater and grey leggings. Lin JinYan who sat beside her wore a white cashmere sweater and grey slacks.

"But there is the rest of the Lin Family…they won't retaliate later on bah? What if they think you are being unfilial." Su Ning further spoke of her worries.

"Ah ah. I'm very happy right now." Lin JinYan said with a soft chuckle.

"...." (Su Ning)

"My NingNing is worried so much about me." Lin JinYan smiled and hugged the girl beside him.

"... Lin JinYan, be serious." Su Ning said but didn't remove Lin JinYan's arms around her, not noticing the possessive look that flashed in his eyes.

"I am serious. Don't worry, NingNing. Nothing bad will happen to me," he said as he basked in her familiar floral scent. In fact, his grandparents had been against Lin JinYan's decision; however, he remained adamant in entering show business. Lin JinYan knew that his family would not dare disown him as they were too concerned with maintaining appearances.

Su Ning just nodded but remained unconvinced. However, she didn't prod Lin JinYan further and decided to talk about something more lighthearted. Su Ning finally gently pushed Lin JinYan's body away so she could show him what she had been reading on her phone. For a split second, a look of disappointment flitted on Lin JinYan's face; it was gone by the time Su Ning's eyes met his, "Look! MiaoMiao's manhua is already available online."

Lin JinYan took a look and gave a soft humm in response. Truthfully he had no interest in reading comics but seeing Su Ning so excited he couldn't help but listen to her talk about the story. "It's called 2Love, MiaoMiao mentioned she used us and her school life in Chang Yue as reference…Oh, this character kind of looks like you. Ah! This one looks like Gu YuChen. Oh oh there's one that looks like me too. Hahhaha. Look look JinYan-ge there's a poll on who the readers think the main girl should end up with." said Su Ning laughingly.

Unbeknownst to Su Ning, Lin JinYan had silently proceeded to download the manhua reader app and purchased 1000 coins to vote for the gentle school prince character. Lin JinYan looked at the chibi version of him ahead of the polls and he smiled.