“Can you even understand what we’re talking about?” Chu Yan had been chatting animatedly with Ye Ming when Ye Shaohua’s interruption annoyed him, causing him to snap impatiently.
Wild Willow was the only top-tier author he genuinely admired online.
Moreover, Chu Yan had just taken over Emperor Entertainment.
Naturally, he wanted to make a mark.
Not only was Wild Willow an author he loved, but their popularity online was immense.
If he could secure all the adaptation rights for this novel, the TV series, movies, animations, and other projects based on it would generate massive traffic.
“Boundless Divine Skies” wasn’t like other web novels.
It had already been translated into multiple languages and sold well even overseas.
Chu Yan was ambitious. Once he had the rights in hand, he was confident he could achieve something great.
Ye Shaohua had already lost a noticeable amount of weight. She wore a baseball cap pulled low, its brim casting a shadow over most of her face. Only her fair chin was visible, though it still carried some softness.
Chu Yan hadn’t recognized Ye Shaohua at first, but after Ye Ruxue’s reminder, it all came back to him, which inevitably colored his tone with personal resentment.
Just remembering the greasy look she used to give him made him feel queasy.
Because of Ye Shaohua, he had become the butt of many jokes at school.
No one liked constantly hearing, “Hey, that greasy, ugly fat girl has a crush on you.”
Ye Shaohhua had originally intended to say something, but hearing Chu Yan’s words, she shoved her right hand into her pocket. “Fine.”
You guys are amazing.
More amazing than me.
This time, she didn’t argue. She simply headed upstairs to find her grandfather.
Ye Ruxue watched her carrying yet another worn-out teapot and shook her head. “Big sister went digging through the trash again to find something for Grandpa, and for some reason, Grandpa treats it like a treasure.”
Chu Yan glanced briefly at the teapot without examining it closely. “For Old Master Ye?”
Before coming, his father had mentioned that the most important figure in the Ye family wasn’t Ye Ming, but the largely retired Old Master Ye.
In the entertainment industry, they often faced difficulties with authorities.
Old Master Ye’s extensive connections were a valuable starting point.
So, hearing Ye Ruxue mention Grandpa Ye, he paid attention.
“Exactly,” Xu Peipei said with a cheerful smile, bringing out a bowl of fruit. “She’s so clueless. On Grandpa’s birthday, she gave him a broken teacup right in front of all the guests. It was utterly embarrassing.”
Hearing Xu Peipei’s words, Chu Yan frowned again.
However, since no one present seemed fond of Ye Shaohua, the topic quickly passed.
At noon, Chu Yan stayed for lunch at the Ye household. Xu Peipei had the servants prepare a lavish spread.
Ye Shaohua came down to eat with Grandpa Ye.
During the meal, Chu Yan finally got a look at Ye Shaohua without her cap pulled down.
She had indeed lost a lot of weight.
Although still plump, her facial contours were now visible.
She was less offensive to look at, and her eyes… actually seemed somewhat pretty.
Chu Yan frowned, glanced at her once, then averted his gaze.
“Here, Chu Yan, have some more. This steamed pork with preserved vegetables is delicious.” At the table, Xu Peipei was exceedingly enthusiastic towards Chu Yan.
She was extremely satisfied with her daughter’s friend.
Emperor Entertainment was one of the top entertainment companies in China.
Its total assets exceeded tens of billions.
Ye Ming had even said that if they could secure the adaptation rights for “Wild Willow’s” work, Emperor Entertainment could overtake Tiancheng Entertainment to become the number one entertainment company in the country.
The more she thought about it, the broader Xu Peipei’s smile became.
So much so that even her glances at Ye Shaohua weren’t as disdainful.
It couldn’t be helped. Her daughter was marrying well. What use was Grandpa’s doting on Ye Shaohua?
Could Ye Shaohua possibly end up marrying better than her daughter?
Now, Xu Peipei carried herself with much more confidence within the Ye family.
Besides, she refused to believe any wealthy, influential family would take a liking to a fat girl.
“Get ready tonight. You two are coming with me to visit an old friend,” Grandpa Ye instructed casually after the meal. “And Shaohua, you’re coming too.”
His tone was noticeably warmer when speaking to Ye Shaohua.
Ye Shaohua gave an “Mhm” in response.
Xu Peipei and Ye Ming were both pleasantly surprised and flattered.
Grandpa Ye usually never took them to meet his old friends. They hadn’t expected him to include them this time.
Grandpa Ye shooed Ye Shaohua upstairs to change.
Before heading up, her phone rang.
She glanced down. It was an unknown number.
She declined the call immediately.
“To think someone actually calls her?” Xu Peipei, not in a hurry to change herself, was sitting with Ye Ruxue and keeping Chu Yan company. Seeing Ye Shaohua’s action, she couldn’t help but mock, “It’s strange that someone like her even has friends.”
“Probably a telemarketer. Didn’t you see she hung up?” Thinking it odd that Ye Shaohua would receive a call, Ye Ruxue also looked over.
Xu Peipei nodded.
She had never seen Ye Shaohua have any friends.
Chu Yan didn’t pay Ye Shaohua any attention at all.
As soon as Ye Shaohua hung up, the caller persisted, dialing again with relentless determination.
Ye Shaohua raised an eyebrow and finally answered. Before she could speak, an anxious middle-aged male voice came through.
“Mr. Wild Willow, this is Wu Kai, the one who leaves comments on your Weibo page every day. Long story short, I adore ‘Boundless Divine Skies’ and am desperate to bring my vision of it to the screen! Please believe in my passion for this novel. The series I create will not disappoint you. Please give me this chance.”
