Chapter 17: I Took the Diva Home

Seeing that the two were about to start bickering again, Wen Yan hurriedly intervened to stop them.

She couldn't quite understand why, but every time these two met, they were at each other's throats.

Truly born adversaries!

“So, what’s the second thing?” Wen Yan, seeing Su Chen’s resolute expression and knowing she couldn’t persuade him otherwise, decided not to insist.

“The second thing is, I just wanted to talk to you, see how your job hunt is going. Do you need any help?”

“No worries, I’ve already found a job!” Su Chen replied with a gentle smile.

“Oh? What kind of job?”

“I’m composing for an entertainment company!”

Wen Yan’s face lit up with delight. “Really? That’s wonderful! Which company?”

“A small one,” Su Chen replied.

Jiang Yan, who had been waiting for her chance, couldn’t help but chime in with a sarcastic remark, “Look at that, he’s about to become a big-time composer—why would he need a little celebrity like me to introduce him to work?”

“If anything, it’s the big shot composer who might have to take care of us small-time stars!”

Before Su Chen arrived, Wen Yan had actually asked Jiang Yan to help find him a job. In her view, Su Chen’s prospects didn’t look too promising at the moment. Becoming a singer was out of the question, but working behind the scenes was still a decent option. Jiang Yan, being her classmate and something of a young diva herself, knew many people in the industry; a word from her could easily solve Su Chen’s employment problem.

But who would’ve thought that the two would immediately start sparring the moment they met.

Hearing Jiang Yan’s words, Su Chen deliberately glanced down at her impressive figure and said lightly, “You’re not that small yourself.”

“You—!” Jiang Yan was about to explode. Was this guy even human?

He looked decent enough, but why was his mouth so insufferable?

She’d never been on the losing end of a conversation before.

Just as she was about to retort in anger, a thought flashed through her mind: If I lose my temper, wouldn’t I just be giving this jerk what he wants?

So she flashed a sweet smile, picked up her phone, and said in a playful, mocking tone, “Looks like I’ll have to count on our maestro for a living in the future. Come on, little brother, let’s add each other on WeChat. I’ll be counting on you from now on!”

Su Chen looked at her innocently. “I’m not small either.”

Jiang Yan almost spat blood.

You bastard, have a shred of decency!

Hold it in, hold it in, hold it in! She kept reminding herself.

But in the end, she couldn’t swallow her anger, so she threw caution to the wind. “How do you prove you’re not small? Should I take a look?”

With that, she cast a deliberate glance at Su Chen, a faint blush flickering across her face.

“….”

Now it was Su Chen’s turn to be at a loss.

Are all female celebrities this fierce?

He awkwardly rubbed his nose and pretended not to hear.

Jiang Yan seemed to have discovered a new weakness, and burst out laughing.

So, you do have an Achilles’ heel after all!

“Come on, add me on WeChat!” Her coquettish tone was completely at odds with her earlier demeanor and sent a shiver down Su Chen’s spine.

Wen Yan, unable to bear it any longer, gently reminded them to mind their manners, and only then did they stop.

“But Su Chen, you two really should add each other on WeChat,” Wen Yan said earnestly once the two quieted down.

Su Chen understood immediately.

After all, they were both friends of Wen Yan, and both working in the industry. Wen Yan clearly hoped they could help each other out, especially Su Chen, who could use the support.

He couldn’t refuse such kindness.

The meal itself was absolute chaos! Wen Yan tried more than once to stop their squabbling, but before long, the two would be at it again.

Jiang Yan, in particular, seemed to be in high spirits. After winning a round, her pride was barely concealed as she fired off ever bolder remarks—so much so that even Su Chen found it hard to look her in the eye.

Woman, you’re playing with fire!

Was this the so-called goddess of homebodies the internet raved about?

Since when were things moving this fast?

-------------------------------------

An hour later, at the “KeiTi” bar, Su Chen and Jiang Yan sat together in a dimly lit corner.

Dinner had just ended when Wen Yan suddenly received a call and had to leave for an urgent matter. Before she left, she repeatedly reminded Su Chen to make sure Jiang Yan got home safely.

But Jiang Yan insisted on dragging Su Chen to a bar.

With her persistent coaxing, Su Chen found himself muddled into following her here.

“What are we even doing here?” he asked.

“Obviously, I’m here to go on a date with you. Don’t you like it?” she replied.

“….”

Was this woman getting addicted to flirting?

If Wen Yan hadn’t asked him to look after her, Su Chen would’ve left her behind without a second thought.

“Let’s be clear: I didn’t bring any money.”

“Tch! I’ll treat you, alright?” Jiang Yan scoffed.

Of course, she didn’t tell Su Chen her real reason for coming—she wanted to listen to some live music.

In Jiangcheng, this bar was known for hosting original singers, and the performances were said to be quite good.

She’d been back in Jiangcheng for a few days and hadn’t found what she was looking for, so she came to try her luck tonight. Whether or not she’d find something suitable was up to fate.

There was another reason, too—she’d found that bantering with Su Chen was unexpectedly enjoyable, and it helped ease her recent anxiety.

She waved at a waiter, who came over.

“What can I get for this handsome gentleman and beautiful lady?” he asked.

Jiang Yan handed the menu to Su Chen.

He didn’t even glance at it, just shrugged to show he didn’t care.

Jiang Yan leafed through for a while, then handed it back to the waiter. “Why don’t you recommend two suitable cocktails for us?”

The waiter glanced at Su Chen, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

“If it’s the two of you, I’d suggest the Long Island Iced Tea. It looks like black tea, tastes sweet and sour, and isn’t too harsh.”

He finished with a discreet wink at Su Chen.

“…”

Su Chen was at a loss for words.

What are you looking at me for?

You’re not getting a bigger tip from me!

He was about to refuse, but Jiang Yan had already agreed.

“Sure! One for each of us.”

Hmm?

Su Chen shot Jiang Yan a strange look.

What was she up to now? This was a serious drink, after all—infamously dubbed the “lose-control” cocktail. It went down like soda, but could knock you out cold.

Did she really not know?

Or was she scheming something again?

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yan asked, noticing Su Chen’s gaze.

He waved it off. “Nothing.”

Let’s just see what happens, he thought.

On stage, a boy with dreadlocks was singing. Su Chen hadn’t heard the song before, and honestly, his opinion was less than favorable. From his perspective, it was below average.

Jiang Yan was also disappointed. She’d listened to a few songs already, and only this one seemed to be original—but the quality left much to be desired.

Apparently, good songs were much harder to come by than she’d imagined.

Since that day, she realized she’d been somewhat obsessed; if she wanted good music, she’d have to commission a professional composer.

Before long, the waiter brought over their cocktails.

Jiang Yan sipped hers through a straw as she listened to the music—sour, but pleasant enough.

Within the span of a song, she’d drained her glass completely, leaving Su Chen staring at her in astonishment.

“Forget it, let’s go!” After listening to a few more mediocre performances, Jiang Yan stood up in disappointment.

She was tall and striking, and as soon as she stood, she drew attention. A young couple nearby glanced at her, thinking she looked familiar despite being well-covered. They whispered for a moment, then looked up again.

Tentatively, the girl asked, “Jiang Yan?”

Jiang Yan smiled and put a finger to her lips, signaling “shh!” She nudged Su Chen and whispered, “Let’s go, quickly!”

But before she finished, the girl shouted, “Jiang Yan! It’s Jiang Yan!”

Heads turned, and the crowd grew restless.

Su Chen reacted instantly, grabbing Jiang Yan’s hand and running for the exit.

Before anyone could snap a photo, they’d slipped out of the bar.

Fortunately, both of them were locals and knew the area well. It didn’t take much effort to lose the crowd behind them.

When they finally stopped, Su Chen looked around to make sure no one was watching, then breathed a sigh of relief.

He was about to tell Jiang Yan that it was alright, when he turned and saw her unsteady on her feet.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“My head’s spinning,” she mumbled.

Five minutes later, Su Chen was standing on the street with Jiang Yan slumped unconscious on his back.

Damn! If only he’d warned her.

He thought she was up to some trick, but she’d really gone and drunk that cocktail in one go?

To be fair, it wasn’t entirely her fault. She’d never ordered drinks herself in bars before, and no one in their circle ever touched that stuff. It was understandable that she didn’t know.

Now what?

He tried messaging Wen Yan, but got no reply. Calls went unanswered.

Was there only one option left?

A phrase suddenly popped into Su Chen’s mind: I’m taking the diva home!

A young diva was still a diva, after all!