Chapter 22 – Let’s Go on Vacation Together

If the entertainment industry is a battlefield where one general’s success is built on the bones of thousands, then Zhuang Lin has officially become one of those thousands—he’s made it big.

Zhuang Lin arrived with a thermos of matsutake bamboo fungus chicken soup to visit Guan Lan. Guan Lan, noticing the makeup still on his face, was startled: “Where are you coming from?”

Zhuang Lin: “Shooting a commercial. I thought it was pretty close by, so I brought this over first.”

Guan Lan looked at the thermos in Zhuang Lin’s hand, his expression a mix of emotions.

Bringing a thermos to a commercial shoot—you might be the first in the entertainment industry to do that.

Guan Lan: “Your mom… is really too kind. If she keeps this up, I’ll have to return the favor.”

Zhuang Lin: “Sure, what do you want to give? I can deliver it for you.”

Following Guan Lan’s usual approach, he’d gift a high-end skincare set paired with an outrageously expensive perfume. But he figured a mother who makes soup as a gift might not appreciate that kind of present.

Guan Lan thought for a moment: “Does your mom drink tea?”

Zhuang Lin laughed: “Just kidding, no need to return the favor. See you, I’m heading back—the shoot isn’t finished yet.”

Guan Lan: “…”

This man, like the wind, waved his sleeves and left, leaving Guan Lan alone with the thermos, staring at each other.

While Zhuang Lin was busy to the point of exhaustion, Guan Lan found himself with rare free time. He checked his schedule and realized that apart from recording the show once a week, he had nothing else on his plate. And since the next episode of ‘Next Stop: King of Songs’ was set to air a recap episode, he wasn’t needed, which meant he had nearly two weeks of free time.

Guan Lan felt it was time for a proper vacation.

Ever since Chen Jin had tricked him last time, he’d been itching to go to Hainan.

But when he went to ask Yang Peining for time off, he happened to catch his boss in a good mood. Yang Peining thought about it and decided that since the company had performed well this year, it was time to give the employees a treat—

Thus, Guan Lan’s vacation plan turned into a grand company team-building trip, and Hainan was swapped for Saipan.

When Zhuang Lin heard about it, he wanted to join too.

His manager, of course, objected.

Qi Fei: “Are you out of your mind? Why would you go on vacation at a time like this? There’s a limit to being reckless!”

Zhuang Lin argued confidently: “Didn’t you say that the most important thing in this industry is connections? This is a great opportunity to network!”

Qi Fei: “Zhuang Lin, do you think I’m stupid?”

Zhuang Lin thought, How could I possibly think you’re stupid? If you’re stupid, then I must be an idiot.

Qi Fei: “This is a critical moment for you. In the age of the internet, popularity is measured by the hour, you know? Everyone else is desperate to be in front of the camera every second. How can you seize every chance to run away?”

Zhuang Lin: “Sister, I’m supposed to be this musical genius, but so far I’ve only released a few songs, none of which I wrote myself. If I overexpose myself in public, won’t that just make people resent me? We need to take it slow, overexposure will only deplete my popularity. We have to think long-term.”

Qi Fei was surprised—his argument actually made sense.

Zhuang Lin, under pressure, was performing at his best. He was determined to go on this trip, even if it meant using every ounce of his wit: “And, Saipan, sister, you haven’t had a vacation in years, right? Don’t you want to go? You can bring family—Lulu’s on summer break, isn’t she?”

Qi Fei was slightly swayed.

In the end, she reluctantly agreed.

Zhuang Lin was overjoyed at the thought of traveling with Guan Lan, completely unaware of what Qi Fei was thinking.

She was thinking, Great, the person Zhuang Lin likes is definitely among the people on this trip. I’ll figure out who this cabbage is within half a day.

Outsmarting someone is a lifelong skill.

—

Guan Lan was a social person, so he wasn’t upset about his private vacation turning into a company trip. In fact, he thought it would be more fun with more people.

What he didn’t know was that lurking in the travel group were people secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of his thighs.

On the plane, Guan Lan was seated next to Zhou Junzhuo.

Everyone in the company knew they were old friends with a good relationship, so it was natural to seat them together. Guan Lan was avoiding Zhou Junzhuo, but it wasn’t to the point where he had to deliberately avoid sitting next to him on a plane or couldn’t speak a word to him.

Zhou Junzhuo: “I heard this trip was your suggestion to Old Yang?”

Guan Lan: “I can’t take credit for that. It was all the boss’s idea. I just wanted to take some time off and go to Hainan myself.”

Zhou Junzhuo smiled: “Well, you’ve worked so hard for Old Yang all these years, it’s only fair he foots the bill for this trip. We’re all just benefiting from your efforts.”

Guan Lan: “Oh my, don’t flatter me. Your Majesty, the King of Songs, surely doesn’t need to rely on my little contributions. How much did you make from your national tour?”

Zhou Junzhuo: “No matter how much I made, at least half of it is thanks to you.”

On the surface, he was saying that his success was half due to Guan Lan, but there was a hint of ambiguity in his words.

Guan Lan: “I can’t take that credit. Even without me, there would have been someone else.”

Zhou Junzhuo was momentarily speechless. Looking at Guan Lan’s calm expression, he couldn’t tell if there was any hidden meaning.

He casually changed the subject: “I remember you’ve always wanted to go to the beach but never had the chance. Remember when we graduated from college? I planned a graduation trip to Qingdao, but you were too busy, so it fell through.”

Guan Lan: “Like I could’ve gone even if I wasn’t busy. You were already famous back then—weren’t you busy too?”

Zhou Junzhuo: “Back then, I never thought I’d be this busy for so many years. I’ve just finished my tour, so next year I can take a bit of a break—how about we go to Hainan together then?”

Guan Lan: “I’m just a salaried worker; I can’t afford to be that carefree. After this trip to Saipan, it’ll be years before the next one.”

Zhou Junzhuo: “No matter how many years, let me book you in advance, okay?”

Guan Lan: “Not okay. What if my next trip is my honeymoon?”

Then let it be with me!

That sentence got stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Guan Lan grabbed his eye mask and pillow: “Vacation time is precious; I need to make the most of it. I’m going to nap. Once we land, it’s time to enjoy the holiday.”

Zhou Junzhuo: “Want to borrow my shoulder?”

Guan Lan: “Too expensive, can’t afford it.”

In the back row, Zhuang Lin stretched his neck like a giraffe the entire flight, trying to catch a glimpse of Guan Lan and Zhou Junzhuo’s conversation. Unfortunately, he was too far away and could only rely on his imagination, which left him so frustrated he couldn’t sleep. By the time they landed, his neck was killing him.

But seeing Zhou Junzhuo’s equally grim expression made him feel a lot better.

At most, he’s just an ex—nothing to worry about.

What does a plane seat matter? The real test will be the hotel room assignments.

The hotel rooms weren’t pre-assigned; they’ll be handed out upon arrival. Zhuang Lin quickened his pace to walk alongside Guan Lan—if they picked up their room keys together, their rooms might be next to each other.

Only then did Guan Lan notice Zhuang Lin was there too. He was surprised: “You’re here too? Aren’t you busy?”

Zhuang Lin: “It’s a company team-building trip. As a newcomer, no matter how busy I am, I have to attend.”

Guan Lan: “…You being this considerate is really throwing me off.”

Zhuang Lin: “Get used to it. You’ll have to sooner or later.”

Guan Lan laughed: “Alright, then you can stay next to me.”

…Unexpected bonus!

Guan Lan figured Zhuang Lin was a newcomer at the company and, apart from himself, didn’t know anyone else. His manager was a woman with a child, so it was only right for him to look out for Zhuang Lin. Meanwhile, Zhuang Lin was already imagining so much he was on the verge of a nosebleed.

Lin Xuewen had also come.

She brought her son and daughter, arriving with Yang Peining on a private jet, so Guan Lan only saw her when they reached the hotel.

Lin Shize still remembered Guan Lan. The little girl called out “Senior brother! Senior brother!” from a distance.

Guan Lan was pleasantly surprised: “You’re here too, Shifu?”

Lin Xuewen: “The kids are on summer break, so I hitched a ride with Peining to bring them here for some fun.” She then turned to her son: “Shi Shi already greeted her senior brother. You come over too and say hello.”

Lin Xuewen’s eldest son was already eighteen or nineteen, a handsome young man taller than Guan Lan. He extended his hand confidently: “Hello, Senior Brother. You have no idea how much I’ve heard about you from my mom. In her heart, Shi Shi is first, my dad is second, and you’re third. I’m barely competing with our dog for fourth place.”

Guan Lan shook his hand, thinking this kid was way too smooth—everyone knew what he said wasn’t true, but it still made people feel good. It was hard to believe this was the same rebellious teenager who had caused chaos in the Yang family a few years ago by threatening to drop out of school.

Guan Lan remembered Zhuang Lin was still beside him and introduced: “This is Zhuang Lin.”

Lin Xuewen: “I know him. I was just listening to one of his songs.”

Zhuang Lin quickly said: “Hello, Shifu.”

Guan Lan: “…”

Lin Xuewen chuckled: “What’s this ‘Shifu’ business?”

Guan Lan thought he was just nervous: “You can call her Teacher Lin.”

Zhuang Lin obediently said: “Teacher Lin. I didn’t dare call you ‘Shifu’ casually; I was afraid it might make you sound old. When I heard Guan Lan call you ‘Shifu,’ I couldn’t believe it—you look about the same age as my sister.”

Guan Lan felt genuinely unbalanced. This kid was clearly good at sweet talk, so why did he have a deadpan expression and speak so rudely when we first met? Was it because he thought I was easy to bully?

What Guan Lan didn’t know was that from the moment Zhuang Lin heard him say “Shifu,” he had already started rehearsing meeting his future mother-in-law in his mind.