Chapter 149: No Romantic Relationships

Ji Ya uttered a sound of surprise and gave her a speechless glance. “Don’t overthink it. It’s just that Ah Yu’s fame is growing by the day. Right now isn’t the time for romance.”

“He just broke up before signing the contract. You know, young and passionate, he takes matters of the heart very seriously.”

“I’m worried he might not be able to tell what’s important.”

Su Xiaolin nodded with an expression that said, I understand, I understand.

Claiming concern over his relationship affecting his career—who would believe that? If he were dating the female CEO of the agency, what resources wouldn’t he have? But since it was the boss’s wish, Su Xiaolin stifled a laugh, agreed, and even praised the boss for genuinely caring about the artist’s career path.

“Remember that,” Ji Ya reminded her once more before gathering her things to leave and handle some matters.

If it were just a casual remark, it wouldn’t arouse suspicion. But this repeated, weighty reminder suggested it was important—why waste time repeating yourself otherwise?

“All right, all right. I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry!” Su Xiaolin nodded earnestly.

...

Lin Yu sat in the nanny car arranged by the company, waiting for a long time before seeing Su Xiaolin emerge from the company gate. She got out, glanced left and right.

“No need to look. President Ji had other business and left through the underground parking,” Su Xiaolin said.

Lin Yu responded with a soft “Oh,” but didn’t reveal the slight disappointment he felt inside.

Unbeknownst to them, after they left, a black BMW parked not far from the company entrance had its driver’s side window rolled up.

On the way to the airport, Lin Yu said little, eyes closed, reclining in his seat as if resting. Su Xiaolin remembered the boss’s admonition and decided to ask.

“Ah Yu, have you thought about when you might start dating again?”

Huh?

Was he startled awake or still half-asleep? Why were two women so concerned about his love life this early in the morning? One asked about marriage, the other about dating. Could it be they both fancied him?

“Who can I love with a heart that’s been hurt?” Lin Yu sang softly. Su Xiaolin, unfamiliar with the line, thought it was another new song he’d written and immediately shifted her attention.

“When did you write this new song? It’s quite nice!”

Lin Yu curled his lips slightly, noticing she cared less about his love life and more about his ability to write more songs, gain more streams, and thus earn her as his manager a larger share.

Ah, a woman devoted to work.

...

After a moment’s thought, Lin Yu figured out the sudden curiosity had to be because of… that woman. She must have sent Su Xiaolin to gather information.

She could have asked him directly; after all, he wouldn’t lie to her.

Glancing at his phone, it had been ten minutes since she left. She hadn’t come to see him off or sent a message. Could she still be angry?

...

Since the topic was out in the open, Lin Yu asked the same question in return, shattering the perfect mood of Su Xiaolin, who was excitedly planning his new songs.

“Damn it! Can you not ask such boring questions while I’m working?” she exploded.

Having just endured a blow from Ji Ya, now this? She wasn’t a fool and didn’t want to be dragged into their drama! She certainly disliked a love triangle!

“Enough. From now on, when you chat with me, talk about work only. No other topics!” Lin Yu said with a dry voice.

The key point... wasn’t it you who wanted to ask me? It’s a classic case of “officials can light fires but commoners can’t light lamps!”

The evil capitalism!

...

Su Xiaolin sent the recording to Ji Ya. On the other end, Ji Ya felt a weight lift from her heart, but her brow furrowed slightly. Listening to it, Ah Yu still seemed to be mourning his ex-girlfriend.

But more than sadness, there was still resentment.

As long as that resentment remained, he probably wouldn’t like anyone else anytime soon. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t involved—that was fine—but others shouldn’t get the chance either. After all, proximity breeds affection; spending every day together, sooner or later, feelings would develop!

Ji Ya pondered whether she should arrange to meet him more often, perhaps on staggered days.

But would a woman be too forward? Would it seem undignified? After all, she was the female CEO of a company.

Forget it. No more thoughts. Focus on work and finish everything first before making other plans.

...

They arrived at Xiang River at noon. Lin Yu and Su Xiaolin found a place to eat before heading to the film crew for shooting.

While waiting in the dressing room, bored, Su Xiaolin logged into Lin Yu’s various accounts to see if anything needed her intervention.

As an artist, Lin Yu didn’t allow too much inquiry, but his public accounts were still under Su Xiaolin’s management.

Several days ago, a Weibo post had initially gone unnoticed but now boasted tens of thousands of comments, all from new fans who had discovered him through his latest song.

“Wuwuwu, so sad. Dog Yu is simply inhuman. I finally got over the breakup but after hearing his song, I’m emo again.”

“The killer of sad love songs!”

“This is so cruel. The things I’d barely forgotten replayed in my mind. I’m crying to death!”

“Am I the only one worse off? I’ve used up all the tissues at home. My mom thought I was doing handicrafts and scared I’d drop dead, dragging me to see a doctor. Wuwuwu.”

“Cut it out. You know exactly what you used the tissues for. Don’t blame others!”

“LOL, talented folks always appear in comment sections. Each one sounds like a script! I was about to cry because of a breakup, now I’m laughing my head off.”

Su Xiaolin: emmm.

This generation of netizens really seemed a little off. How could one comment section produce such extreme responses? Emmm, fascinating.

What surprised her most was that beyond these talented remarks, some topical discussions also appeared in the small comment section.

Ah?!

A discussion topic in the comments?!

[If your girlfriend cheated on you with multiple partners, got hurt, and then came back to you, would you take her back?]

“Take her back? No way! Would you buy a used car at the price of a new one?”

“What if the girlfriend’s ‘dirty’? Just clean her up. Why care so much? After all, new cars aren’t that common. Better to drive something than nothing.”

“Can someone who’s been missed still be called a girlfriend? Exes should just disappear completely, right?”

“What’s betrayal? At least she remembers. When she’s hurt, I’m there waiting behind her. Isn’t that love?”

“??? Did a bunch of Gotham clowns just show up??”

“Wuwuwu, if it’s Miss Ji Ya, it doesn’t matter how many times she’s betrayed!”

“This ‘Irretrievable Time’ gets more addictive the more I listen! Can’t sleep without it. He really… I’m crying my heart out!”

“How could Ah Yu and Miss Ji Ya break up? Older women are like gold bricks! Who’d want to let go of a money tree?”

“They’re together for love, not money! Wuwuwu, I’ve shipped them for a long time. They must be truly in love!”