64: Chapter 64 Dinner Party

Come to think of it, there were early signs of this award.

Lin Chuyan recalled that a long time ago, Ruan Xingyu had told him that "Similar to Love" had suddenly become popular online again, with video bloggers on several platforms using it as background music for their edits.

He had watched a few of those videos at the time, but just let it pass without paying much attention. He never expected it could actually win a Best Lyricist Award!

Lin Chuyan hadn't forgotten that there were still two long-term missions lying on his virtual panel that hadn't shown any progress; they required unlocking achievements to receive the rewards.

Surely winning an award counts as an achievement, right?

"The awards haven't even been presented yet, and it's already confirmed... So, this was all decided beforehand, huh?"

Having lived two lives, it seemed many things hadn't changed.

"Yes and no. The organizers asked if I would attend. If I didn't go, there might be some suspense, but if I go, they'll definitely give it to me."

"It works like that? Do I need to be there then? After all, it is a lyricist award."

Ruan Xingyu tilted her head to look at him: "Do you want to reveal your identity? If you don't want to, you don't have to go. It won't affect winning the award; I can accept it on your behalf."

He understood. The organizers weren't actually very interested in Lin Mo; in principle, they only needed Ruan Xingyu to attend.

Lin Chuyan really didn't want to go public for the time being. He had been holding back for so long, and he definitely intended to use Lin Mo's identity later to reap a wave of major system rewards.

The songs hadn't even been released yet, so it was still too early. No rush, no rush.

"Then you should go! I won't. Oh, right, do you have to write an acceptance speech?" Lin Chuyan suddenly remembered this. "You know, saying thanks to this person and that person, is that necessary?"

Ruan Xingyu laughed again: "It is. Go ahead, who do you want to thank?"

"Thank my girlfriend."

"It's your song, your girlfriend should be the one thanking you!"

"Can't I thank my girlfriend for singing it so beautifully?"

"Whatever you write, I'll read. At this rate, I estimate you'll be able to win at least one more award next year, and you'll have to write another one then..." Ruan Xingyu suddenly thought of something else. "Oh right, should I introduce you to my best friend?"

"Huh? Does she know about us?"

"Mm, she's always known. It's impossible for me to keep my relationship a secret from her, otherwise she'd nag me for the rest of my life... After all, she tells me whenever she starts dating someone."

"Sure, is she in the industry too?"

"Sun Yiyi, do you know her?"

Lin Chuyan recalled: "Ah, I have an impression of her..."

Sun Yiyi was indeed quite famous.

"Anyway, we'll have a meal together sometime. You two can add each other as friends or something and get to know each other properly. She's my best friend, and you're my boyfriend, so you can't get into any conflicts, okay?"

"Adding each other as friends probably isn't necessary..."

"She wants to add you, haha, says she's afraid you'll trick me. Just add her, play along a bit, will you?"

"Fine, I'll listen to you."

Seeing Ruan Xingyu starting to act spoiled again, Lin Chuyan really couldn't resist and had to agree.

Besides, a girlfriend's best friend was indeed quite important. He had thought it through; even if he didn't need to curry favor with her, he certainly couldn't offend her.

Although he was confident that his relationship with Ruan Xingyu was rock solid, he didn't want someone whispering bad things about him in her ear... After all, his reputation really wasn't great.

"So what time do you finish filming tonight?"

"I don't have much to film today, I'll be off work soon. Let's have dinner together tonight, shall we?"

Ruan Xingyu's eyes curved into crescents, and she smiled quite smugly: "I have a better idea."

There were too many people around, so they couldn't talk much more. After a few more sentences, Ruan Xingyu turned to go find Actress Xin Ya; after all, she was nominally there to visit Actress Xin Ya on set.

In the evening, at Ruan Xingyu's suggestion, Zhang Wentang, Actress Xin Ya, and the two of them went out for dinner together.

Director Liu Zhi and Zhao Jinpeng still had to continue filming, and the few young actors didn't have that opportunity—first, they didn't know Ruan Xingyu, and second, their status wasn't high enough to reach her.

Lin Chuyan was different. Who told him to be Zhang Wentang's junior brother and also a "good friend" of Ruan Xingyu?

He finally understood why Ruan Xingyu thought this was a better idea—

They had always been dating secretly, but this time they could finally appear in front of others openly and aboveboard.

A dinner for four, who could gossip about that?

Honestly, this feeling was actually quite nice.

It was already past 10 PM when they finished eating. Under the cover of night, Lin Chuyan helped Ruan Xingyu into the car and entrusted her to Wen Qi: "Thank you for your hard work, Wen Qi. Do you live far away?"

"It's okay, we're at the Westin Hotel."

Ruan Xingyu, having had some alcohol, was clearly more relaxed than him. The smile on her face couldn't be stopped, and her voice was louder than usual: "Lin Chuyan! Sister Xin Ya! Teacher Zhang! Let me take you back, okay? We came together, so we should leave together too!"

Lin Chuyan watched her for a good while, terrified that she might say something she shouldn't.

She hadn't even had that many drinks; he had been watching her the whole time she was drinking. How did she end up like this?

Next time, he definitely couldn't let her drink casually.

Hearing the noise, Actress Xin Ya poked her head into the car: "Be good, just go back to the hotel, freshen up, and get some sleep. Teacher Zhang and I have plans with Brother Zhao Jinpeng and the director for a second round... Hey Xiao Yan, are you coming?"

Lin Chuyan naturally declined. How could he leave his girlfriend behind to go to some second round?

"Alright then, why don't you take Xingxing back to the hotel? I'm not too comfortable with her like this."

"...Oh, okay."

Lin Chuyan was happy to agree. He chatted with his senior brother for a few more moments before watching the two of them leave.

"Boyfriend! Hurry, hurry and get in the car!"

Ruan Xingyu was already impatiently waving at him.

She was really drunk. Lin Chuyan had no choice but to get in the car. Without time to think, he got in and covered her mouth, closing the door behind him with his other hand: "Be good, we're going back. Let's talk when we get back. Wen Qi, sorry to trouble you."

Wen Qi nodded in response and drove off, chatting away non-stop.

[Boyfriend, girlfriend... So Sister Xingxing and Brother Chuyan call each other that in private?]

["Be good, we're going back..." Oh my, Sister really quieted down. She's actually so obedient to her boyfriend in private? Unbelievable, unbelievable.]

The car was still moving.

"Wen Qi, is Xingxing's alcohol tolerance really this low?"

"Yes, yes. But Sister rarely drinks on regular days. She's a Singer, she has to protect her voice. I didn't expect her to drink so much today... I'll definitely remember to tell you in advance next time."

"Sure. Let's add each other on WeChat in a bit; you can tell me if anything comes up. But I guess I know her alcohol tolerance now..."

"Mm-hmm, maybe Sister let loose a bit because you were there..."

Ruan Xingyu certainly wasn't drunk. She felt she was just in a tipsy state, a bit excited, and a bit buzzed.

Hearing the two of them say this, she felt very unconvinced: "Wen Qi, do you see the convenience store next to us?"

"I see it, what's wrong?"

"Get out, buy some alcohol, let's go back to the hotel and keep drinking. No one is allowed to leave tonight, we don't stop until we're drunk."

"??????"

Lin Chuyan was full of question marks.