Chapter 21: Couple Cups

Chapter 21: Couple Cups

An Wen relaxed completely as she ate.

"Auntie Liu, your sweet and sour pork ribs are getting better and better," An Wen praised between bites.

"Really? I’m glad you like them, Miss," Liu Ayi replied with a satisfied smile.

Chu Qichen, watching her eat with such blissful contentment, asked, "Is it really that good?"

An Wen nodded earnestly at him, then picked up a piece with her chopsticks and placed it in his bowl.

Liu Ayi immediately stopped smiling. The young master disliked others serving him food. The last time a young lady at the villa had done so, he had outright switched to a new bowl of rice.

Chu Qichen was also momentarily stunned. But seeing An Wen’s lips glistening with oil as she chewed happily and urged him, "Try a piece," he found himself picking up the rib from his bowl and taking a bite.

Liu Ayi, watching from the side, no longer looked tense. Her eyes crinkled with amusement as she glanced back and forth between An Wen and Chu Qichen.

Chu Qichen decided to stay overnight at the villa, much to Liu Ayi’s delight. She hummed a tune while sweeping the floor.

After her shower, An Wen lounged on her bed in a nightgown, scrolling through Weibo to research her co-stars in the drama. The male lead, Xia Jin, was currently the hottest male celebrity, topping both the Celebrity Influence Rankings and Super Topic charts. The female lead, Ye Xiaoxing, was an award-winning actress and former Feiying Goddess, beloved by the public and critics alike. However, her recent projects had underperformed, and she desperately needed a hit to revive her career.

When these two were officially announced, their fans had clashed fiercely. Ye Xiaoxing’s supporters couldn’t understand why she would take on a supporting female role in a male-dominated drama, given her achievements and status.

But after reading the script, An Wen completely understood Ye Xiaoxing’s decision. The original novel had a massive fanbase, the adaptation was well-funded, the role was compelling, and the director was none other than the renowned Ye Qiaofeng. Paired with A-list heartthrob Xia Jin, the project had everything—timing, opportunity, and synergy. It was the perfect recipe for a comeback.

The third female lead, Lu Man'er, was a second-tier star who had debuted with a "pure and innocent" image, her soft-spoken demeanor earning her the nickname "First Love Girl" among fans.

An Wen thought back to the Lu Man'er in the dressing room and couldn’t fathom how she had maintained such a persona for so long.

Another supporting actress, Zhou Jingyin, had risen to fame through online talent shows as a singer-dancer, boasting a solid fanbase and decent popularity.

Since An Wen would have many scenes with these actresses, she took extra time to learn about them.

Knock, knock!

A soft rap at the door was followed by Liu Ayi’s voice. "Miss, could you open the door?"

An Wen pushed back the covers and slipped on her slippers, her eyes still glued to her phone. She opened the door and glanced up. "Auntie Liu, what’s the matter so late at night?"

"Let’s talk inside!" Liu Ayi whispered, her eyes twinkling mischievously as if afraid of being overheard. She stepped in and closed the door behind her.

"What’s going on?" An Wen asked.

Liu Ayi handed her a bag. Puzzled, An Wen opened it—only to find a pair of couple cups inside, each bearing half a heart.

Her eyes widened. "Auntie Liu, what’s this for?"

Liu Ayi leaned in conspiratorially. "I saw you looking at these the other day. I know how you feel about the young master. I support you!"

The Original Owner had once foolishly considered confessing her feelings and giving this to Chu Qichen, but she never dared to act on it. Unexpectedly, Liu Ayi noticed and even went so far as to buy it for her.