Chapter Seventeen: The Show Is All Fake, Just Playing a Part

“What?” Jiang Chiyu looked at Fang Yingying in confusion.

Fang Yingying, her face bright with delight, opened the bag and shared with her, “I just got home yesterday. This is some snacks my mom made. I think they’re pretty good, so I brought some for you to try. I’ve been eating the meals you cooked all this time and I feel a bit embarrassed about it.”

Hearing it was food, Jiang Chiyu immediately relaxed and her eyes sparkled with excitement. She leaned in to peek into the bag and said without hesitation, “Come on in. I just packed some food myself. Let’s eat together.”

The two food lovers quickly entered.

Around the corner in the hallway, a pair of eyes were fixed intently on everything, jealousy burning fiercely within.

Fang Yingying casually closed the door and hurried to sit on the sofa. They spread the food out on the table, and the aroma wafted out from the containers.

The dishes, rich in color, fragrance, and flavor, lay before Fang Yingying, making her swallow hard. “Sister Chiyu, this looks delicious. Which restaurant is this from? I’ll go next time.”

“Golden Taste,” Jiang Chiyu said plainly, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the food.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yingying suddenly jumped up with a gasp. “Golden Taste?! The one that just opened downtown recently?”

Jiang Chiyu nodded calmly without expression. “Yes.”

Fang Yingying sat down immediately, tugging at Jiang Chiyu’s sleeve. Seeing Jiang Chiyu about to dig into the snacks she brought, she quickly covered them with her hand.

!!!

Before taking a first bite, Jiang Chiyu looked up at her, shocked, her chopsticks frozen mid-air, looking unusually dejected.

“I... I heard Golden Taste is quite expensive. What I brought is just something my mom made at home. It’s not really comparable to your food, Sister Chiyu,” Fang Yingying stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Understanding her meaning at once, Jiang Chiyu chuckled softly, took the food container from her hand, and said leisurely, “As long as it tastes good, that’s what matters. Quality isn’t measured by money.”

When Jiang Chiyu took the first bite and showed a satisfied expression, Fang Yingying finally relaxed and sat back down.

Since Jiang Chiyu had just eaten, she couldn’t eat too much at once. They tried a little, then closed the containers, put the leftovers away in the fridge.

The two sat in the living room, chatting happily.

Just then, a loud “thud” suddenly came from the living room’s floor-to-ceiling window.

Everyone’s attention was drawn immediately. A clear bloodstain appeared on the glass.

Fang Yingying screamed in terror and hurriedly hid in Jiang Chiyu’s arms.

Someone went to take a look and saw that a white dove had somehow flown into the window and died on impact.

The filming location was in a resort area with no nearby houses; only tourists and resort staff passed by.

Jiang Chiyu stood by the window, her sharp eyes scanning outside but finding nothing unusual.

The production team quickly buried the dove and cleaned the window. Fortunately, the glass was intact and no one was injured.

Yet, this sudden incident unsettled everyone. Fang Yingying was too frightened to calm down, so Jiang Chiyu stayed with her in the room.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingyue sat calmly nearby, a sly glint in her eyes.

Wei Feng and Xu Chushi occasionally checked on Fang Yingying with worried expressions.

Yan Chuanzhou had received a call earlier and discovered who was behind the online attacks against Lin Qingyue. He was preparing to confront the “prime culprit.”

When his car arrived at the Yan family’s old mansion, Yan Chuanzhou looked toward the house and sighed heavily, steeling himself before going inside.

As soon as he entered, Grandmother Yan was already seated in the living room, seemingly expecting him. Upon seeing him, she began to scold, “Look who’s here. No one visits without a reason. What urgent business does the great actor Yan Daying have today?”

Yan Chuanzhou lost his temper instantly and replied helplessly, “Grandma, you always say this. You know I’m busy most of the time. I just happened to take some time off to come see you.”

But Grandmother Yan was unmoved and snorted coldly, “Are you here to see me? Or did you come to question me on behalf of that woman outside?”

Her words hit the mark. Yan Chuanzhou stopped hiding and said directly, “So you already know. You’re waiting for me here today on purpose?”

“I don’t have that kind of time,” Grandmother Yan replied nonchalantly.

Yan Chuanzhou didn’t press further. Standing at the entrance, he hesitated, unable to find the right words.

Seeing through his thoughts, Grandmother Yan said bluntly, “If you have something to ask, just say it. Don’t waste time beating around the bush.”

Yan Chuanzhou understood and asked, “Is it true that you sent someone to deal with Lin Qingyue?”

“Just based on that woman’s one-sided story, you come here to accuse me?” Grandmother Yan was furious, almost exasperated.

“I’ve investigated, and you’re still denying it?” Yan Chuanzhou said firmly.

Grandmother Yan’s proud expression gradually turned guilty. She stammered as she tried to excuse herself, “I was just helping Chiyu get some justice. Her little tricks might fool you, but not an old lady like me.”

“Lin Qingyue isn’t that kind of person. You’re always biased against her.”

“Even if I’m biased, it’s for a reason. There’s no smoke without fire. You should understand that,” Grandmother Yan retorted irritably.

Yan Chuanzhou knew he couldn’t change her prejudice, so he asked, “You’ve pushed her to this point. Isn’t it time to stop?”

“When Chiyu was in trouble, I never saw you care so much. Don’t forget who you should really be concerned about!” Grandmother Yan warned him relentlessly.

Seeing Yan Chuanzhou silent, she fanned the flames further, smiling with satisfaction.

“You’re not as considerate as Wei Feng. He’s wholehearted in the show, devoted to Chiyu. If she divorces you and ends up with Wei Feng, it would be only natural.”

After saying this, Grandmother Yan wore a knowing auntie’s smile, muttering, “That Wei Feng kid is truly good. Chiyu really found the right one. Much better than the gloomy face in our family.”

Yan Chuanzhou never expected to witness his grandmother shipping a couple. Thinking she was joking, he teased, “Didn’t you say you wanted Jiang Chiyu to be your granddaughter-in-law? Now you’re picking her husband for her?”

“Who told you you’re so clueless? That daughter-in-law won’t be ours forever. If she finds a husband, I’ll be happy for her,” she replied.

Hearing this, Yan Chuanzhou realized she was serious.

His mind involuntarily recalled their close interactions on the show, and a surge of rivalry welled up. He said sharply, “The show is all fake, just acting. I can’t believe you actually buy into it.”