Chapter 25 – Childhood Friend’s Love Consultation

When Guan Lan returned home, Chen Jin was still there.

Even though he had already known this since he got home yesterday, he couldn’t help but complain, “You’re really getting addicted to living at my place, huh? I should start charging you rent!”

Chen Jin, however, immediately noticed the thermal container in Guan Lan’s hand—it was so big that it was hard to miss. “Wow, another one? I bet Zhuang Lin buys a new container every time he makes soup. Do you know your kitchen is almost overflowing with these? You drink the soup but never return the containers.”

Guan Lan sighed, “You win.”

Chen Jin: “What?”

Guan Lan: “The soup—he really made it himself.”

Chen Jin smelled gossip: “How do you know?”

Guan Lan put down the thermal container and told Chen Jin about what happened in Saipan and during the day.

After listening, Chen Jin was speechless for a moment.

Chen Jin: “Sometimes I feel like we might not even be the same species. I try to understand you, but this time I really can’t—it’s rare to find someone so bold. What exactly don’t you like about him that you rejected him?”

Guan Lan: “…He’s too young.”

Chen Jin: “I give that reason a negative score. He’s been an adult for years, right? It’s not like you’d feel guilty, is it?”

Guan Lan: “I can’t mess around with the singers under me.”

Chen Jin: “Does he want to date you or just mess around?”

Guan Lan: “…It was too sudden. I wasn’t mentally prepared.”

Chen Jin: “Oh my god, how much more preparation do you need? It’s not like you have to marry him or even agree to his pursuit right away. Just let him chase you for now. Give each other a chance. What’s the harm?”

Guan Lan: “Listening to you, it makes so much sense. Seems like I was the one who acted impulsively.”

Chen Jin: “…”

Guan Lan: “When I saw the look in his eyes at that moment, I panicked. I had no idea when he started feeling this way, and he was so serious about it. I felt like I couldn’t handle it. If I can’t reciprocate his feelings and still keep him hanging, isn’t that just being a jerk?”

Chen Jin: “You. Are. So. Saintly.”

Guan Lan: “…”

Chen Jin: “Let me correct your mindset. It’s not your fault that he likes you and you don’t like him. Even if he chases you for ten or eight years and you still can’t like him, it’s still not your fault. As an adult, no one is responsible for his feelings.”

Guan Lan: “I understand the logic, and I can think it through clearly in private, but when it comes to the moment, I just freeze.”

Guan Lan covered his face in despair: “Am I destined to die alone?”

Guan Lan: “Let’s make a deal. If both of us are still single by the time we’re fifty, why don’t we—”

This was the most advanced pact between close friends: If neither of us is married in twenty years, let’s just make do and live together.

Chen Jin: “How about I find you a luxurious nursing home? Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.”

Guan Lan: “…What about you?”

Chen Jin: “Of course, I’ll be living with my twenty 18-centimeter young wolves.”

Guan Lan: What should I do? I don’t want this friend anymore.

Chen Jin: “Don’t worry, this thing with Zhuang Lin isn’t over. Just wait and see.”

The two happily shared the crucian carp and tofu soup.

Chen Jin: “Seriously, with his cooking skills, marrying him wouldn’t be a loss.”

Guan Lan: “I’m not looking for a nanny. Why would I care about cooking skills?”

Chen Jin: “True, the skills in other areas are more important.”

…Guan Lan pretended not to hear.

Chen Jin: “By the way, I won’t be here next week. Don’t miss me too much.”

Guan Lan: “Finally going back to your own place?”

Chen Jin: “Nope. I’m going to Fengchen TV to record a show.”

Guan Lan: “A new variety show?”

Chen Jin: “No, a talk show, co-hosting with He Yun.”

He Yun was one of the top female hosts in local TV stations, starting as a news anchor and recently venturing into entertainment, though she still leaned toward a serious and factual style. Guan Lan was quite surprised.

Guan Lan: “Are you pivoting?”

Chen Jin: “Taking it slow, laying the groundwork for the future. I can still get away with acting silly before thirty, but it’d be awkward to keep up that act after thirty-five.”

Guan Lan: “So no more silliness?”

Chen Jin: “Can’t change overnight. Just gradually reduce the silliness.”

Only then did Guan Lan realize that Chen Jin not only had an IQ switch but also an IQ valve, capable of controlling the flow of intelligence. Truly impressive.

Guan Lan thought for a moment: “Since you’re considering a pivot, if you’re still interested in singing, I can give you a friend’s discount—120% of the original price.”

Chen Jin: “…120%? That’s higher than the original price.”

Guan Lan: “Yeah, there’s the rent for all these days too.”

Chen Jin: What should I do? I don’t want this friend anymore either.

——————————————————————————————

Guan Lan had rich experience in avoiding people. If he decided to avoid you, it would be as subtle as the spring breeze turning into rain, and like the spring breeze, he could travel eighty thousand miles in a night, with no return date.

This drove Zhuang Lin crazy.

He couldn’t figure out why.

Everything seemed to be going so smoothly. Back in Saipan, from Guan Lan’s reactions, it seemed like there was some interest! But then, out of nowhere, a bucket of cold water was poured over him, leaving him stunned.

Was he overthinking it, or… was Guan Lan not single?

He gloomily browsed Weibo and came across an emotional consultation blogger.

“Blogger, my partner is hot and cold with me, making me feel insecure. Is he mentally ill or seeing someone else?”

Zhuang Lin gave it a like.

“Teacher blogger, my crush is so hard to pursue. I feel like giving up. What should I do?”

Zhuang Lin gave it a like.

He scrolled through the blogger’s Weibo, liking posts and comments left and right.

By the time he was done, his manager called him: “What are you doing on Weibo?”

Zhuang Lin checked—he had been using his verified account.

Zhuang Lin: “…”

The comments under the emotional blogger’s posts were like: “Zhuang Lin fan club visiting,” “Zhuang Lin fans checking in,” “Bystanders passing by.”

Meanwhile, under his own Weibo, comments were: “Hahaha, my god, are you heartbroken? Such heartache,” “Hubby, don’t be sad over those flamboyant bitches. Come to my arms,” “OMG, judging by the posts he liked, I can already imagine a 100,000-word story. Please, someone write it,” “233333 so cute, should we remind him he forgot to switch accounts?”

Zhuang Lin: “…”

Finally, Qi Fei suggested it wasn’t a big deal and he should just post something cute to smooth it over.

So Zhuang Lin posted: “Sorry for spamming everyone earlier. Got caught up in gossip and forgot to switch accounts [awkward emoji].”

This post was instantly reposted by Li Yanyao: “Hahahaha, whose heartbreak are we talking about here?”

Only then did Zhuang Lin remember his childhood friend—he was probably the person with the most romantic experience Zhuang Lin knew.

Though Zhuang Lin didn’t quite agree with his views on relationships, he was at his wit’s end and had to humble himself to seek Li Yanyao’s advice.

Li Yanyao: “You can’t just ask me like that. You have to tell me who you like first.”

Zhuang Lin: “…Do I have to say it?”

Li Yanyao, speaking as if he wasn’t just fishing for gossip: “Of course, otherwise how can I give targeted advice?”

So Zhuang Lin told him.

Li Yanyao was silent for ten minutes.

Ten minutes later, he sent a message: “Buddy, does your face hurt?”

…I shouldn’t have asked him!

Li Yanyao: “But you came to the right person.”

Li Yanyao: “Guan Lan and I are basically the same type of person.”

Zhuang Lin: “Goodbye, I don’t want your advice anymore.”

Li Yanyao: “Hear me out first. Don’t you think he’s the type who walks through a field of flowers without a single petal sticking to him? He seems like he’s had a lot of romantic experience, but in reality, none of his relationships have been long-term or stable. Am I right?”

Zhuang Lin: “…I don’t know.”

Li Yanyao: “I’m sure of it. Have you ever heard of him being in a long-term relationship?”

Li Yanyao: “In cases like this, the real reason someone can’t settle down, no matter what excuses they give, is simple: they’re not done playing around.”

Zhuang Lin: “I don’t know about his romantic history, but he’s not the type people say he is.”

Li Yanyao: “Oh, when I say ‘playing around,’ I mean it in a broad sense, not necessarily playing with people’s feelings. It’s just that if someone is tied down in a stable relationship, they’re not as free as they would be if they were single—in every way. Over the years, he’s definitely developed a lifestyle and rhythm that suits him best. Making compromises and adjustments for someone else can be really uncomfortable.”

Li Yanyao: “So, your approach to pursuing him is wrong.”

Zhuang Lin found some truth in his words: “What’s wrong with it?”

Li Yanyao: “Too aggressive. Not only are you too aggressive, but you’re also constantly sending soup and water, acting like you’re trying to invade his life. You’re coming on way too strong, and his defenses are definitely going up.”

Zhuang Lin: “Being serious is wrong? Should I sleep with him first?”

Li Yanyao: “There are probably countless flowers, grasses, and little demons around him thinking the same thing—trial period first, then a permanent position. But there’s only one permanent position. If you put yourself on the same level as them, do you know how many people you’re competing with?”

Zhuang Lin: “…Then what should I do?”

Li Yanyao: “For you artistic types, there’s only one path.”

Li Yanyao: “Soulmates.”

These two words were like a wake-up call for Zhuang Lin. His thoughts instantly became clear.

That’s right. When he played the piano and sang, Guan Lan’s reactions were positive, with no resistance. But as soon as he started sending soup, he scared him off.

Guan Lan doesn’t lack material comforts or family warmth, and he probably has plenty of friends. So, being attentive and caring in daily life won’t hit his weak spots—it might even backfire.

So—the only way is through a high-minded, spiritual approach.

Let him fall for me the same way I fell for him.