Rebirth and Conquest

The downfall of the Xi family marked the beginning of Haoran Entertainment's monopoly. Many famous stars, directors, and even agents and producers were ruined in this entertainment industry storm, never to recover. Meanwhile, Haoran Entertainment's artists seized the opportunity and soon dominated the top tier of the entertainment industry.

It wasn't until the end of the Lunar New Year that the intense festive atmosphere slightly diluted the entertainment industry turmoil that had lasted for three months.

During the Spring Festival, Chen Yan and Wen Mu went back to the Wen family mansion. Chen Lirong went back to her hometown in the countryside early. She had nothing to do and couldn't care less about Chen Yan's affairs, so she focused all her attention on her youngest son.

Tong Yu didn't return from abroad, so only Zhou Shaocheng lived in the Wen family home. As for the relationship between Chen Yan and Wen Mu, Zhou Shaocheng had already let it go and had nothing to say. In fact, even if he said something, it wouldn't make much difference.

Zhou Shaocheng is now in a similar predicament to Chen Lirong. He can't manage his eldest son's affairs, so he focuses his attention on his youngest son. Although Tong Yu is abroad, he is under Zhou Shaocheng's tight control remotely. He is not allowed to come back for the New Year. Zhou Shaocheng is probably afraid that if Tong Yu comes back and sees Chen Yan again, he might cause some trouble.

After visiting Zhou Shaocheng, Chen Yan took Wen Mu to Yan Minghui's place.

Yan Minghui used to live in hotels, but he recently bought a house and started living with Sun Xiuqi. He has successfully transformed from a homeless bachelor into a good family man.

When Chen Yan arrived, Yan Minghui and the others were already waiting at home.

Apart from Wen Mu and Sun Xiuqi, who were not familiar with each other, the others were all old acquaintances. After a brief introduction, they sat down together.

However, after sitting down in the living room, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Chen Yan and Wen Mu sat together, while Sun Xiuqi and Yan Minghui sat far apart.

Two days ago, Chen Yan heard from Yan Minghui that Sun Xiuqi was angry with him, and it turned out that the two had not made up yet.

"Well, I'll go cook then." After a moment's pause, Yan Minghui stood up and said with a chuckle, breaking the silence, "Ayan, you guys cook here for a while."

"Great, it's been years since I've had your cooking," Chen Yan replied with a smile.

"I'll go help out too," Wen Mu said, standing up from the sofa.

Yan Minghui quickly waved his hand, "No need, no need, you can just sit here."

“He can manage on his own, you don’t need to help him.” Sun Xiuqi chimed in. He probably meant to tell Wen Mu to just sit and wait, but perhaps because he was still angry with Yan Minghui, his tone was a bit harsh. After saying it, he realized it wasn’t quite right, so he added, “Anyway, he’s a cook.”

After Sun Xiuqi finished speaking, Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, while Wen Mu smiled but didn't say anything more.

Chen Yan reached out and put her arm around Wen Mu's waist. "You should go too, see if Minghui needs any help."

"Okay," Wen Mu nodded and went to the kitchen.

Sun Xiuqi didn't say anything more, just sat there with his eyes down. Chen Yan began to scrutinize Sun Xiuqi sitting opposite him. Chen Yan had to admit that Sun Xiuqi had really changed a lot. In his school days, Sun Xiuqi was an honest, model student, gentle but somewhat timid. Now, although he still appeared gentle, he had developed a more arrogant temperament when facing Yan Minghui. "Could it be that Minghui raised him like this?" Chen Yan thought to himself with a chuckle.

Chen Yan knew why Sun Xiuqi was angry with Yan Minghui. In fact, it was somewhat related to Chen Yan. When Chen Yan and Yan Minghui first started their business, in order to get help from Sun Xiuqi's father, they had someone intercept Sun Xiuqi on his way home from school and beat him up. Then Chen Yan stepped in to save Sun Xiuqi, who couldn't get home, and staged a good deed.

本来这事都过去这么多年了，陈颜早就已经忘在了脑后，孙修齐也从来都不知道，可是严明辉跟孙修齐好了后，被爱情冲昏了头脑，竟把这事给交代了出来，他倒是没把陈颜也供出来，只说是自己找人揍的孙修齐。

After learning the truth, Sun Xiuqi was naturally unhappy. This kind of thing would be disgusting to anyone. Although Yan Minghui was now very obedient to him and listened to his every word, he still ignored Yan Minghui for many days.

In the silent living room, Chen Yan and Sun Xiuqi sat there awkwardly. Neither of them knew how to cook, so naturally they didn't offer to help.

Chen Yan was fine, but Sun Xiuqi gradually became uncomfortable. Chen Yan had this ability. Even though he was in the wrong after the matter was made public, he still managed to make Sun Xiuqi sit there speechless.

Sun Xiuqi picked up a water glass from the coffee table, took a sip to ease his discomfort, and then looked up at Chen Yan to ask, "Would you like something to drink?"

"No need," Chen Yan said with a smile.

"Oh," Sun Xiuqi nodded, then fell silent again.

“Back in high school, I was the one who had you beaten up,” Chen Yan suddenly said. “Minghui always listens to me, you should know that.”

Sun Xiuqi couldn't help but raise his head. The anger that had subsided over the past few days was stirred up again by these words. In fact, Sun Xiuqi had really thought about whether this matter had anything to do with Chen Yan. Yan Minghui had always been with Chen Yan. He really didn't believe that Chen Yan hadn't intervened.

Sun Xiuqi felt very hurt. He had been genuinely grateful to Chen Yan, but he never expected that it was just a little trick by her that had completely fooled him.

"Why did you do this? I didn't even know you back then!" Sun Xiuqi couldn't help but question.

“It’s precisely because we didn’t know you that we wanted to find an opportunity to get to know you. We had just started our business and needed your father’s help, so we approached you,” Chen Yan explained calmly.

Sun Xiuqi was taken aback by the answer. Chen Yan was really blunt. After a pause, he managed to say, "I have always genuinely considered you a friend."

"Do you think I'm ridiculously stupid?" Sun Xiuqi asked again.

"No, you are my classmate and my friend."

Sun Xiuqi fell silent for a while, then suddenly said, "About that thing before I graduated from high school, I..." Sun Xiuqi hesitated for a moment, then mumbled, "Don't take it to heart."

Chen Yan asked, somewhat puzzled, "What?"

Sun Xiuqi looked somewhat embarrassed. He still couldn't let go of the fact that he had aroused under Chen Yan's body. He might have had a slight affection for Chen Yan, but that was long gone now.

Chen Yan suddenly realized something, smiled, and said, "You're with Minghui now, and I have Wen Mu. We're both doing well. The past is the past. What we need to do is look to the future. What do you think?"

Sun Xiuqi grunted in agreement, and for some reason, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had kept this matter to himself all along, and this time he finally brought it up. That's how people are; once they've talked it out, they can let it go.

Before long, the aroma of food wafted out, and Yan Minghui had already prepared the meal and was setting the table with the plates. Sun Xiuqi was right when he said that Yan Minghui was a chef; his family had run restaurants for three generations, so his cooking skills were definitely top-notch.

In the dining room, the group sat around a round table, and Yan Minghui took out some wine and filled everyone's glasses.

"Come on, we've all been working ourselves to death this year, let's treat ourselves to a drink first," Yan Minghui said, raising his glass in a gesture of appreciation. Chen Yan and the others smiled and picked up their glasses as well.

They ate and drank until very late. Chen Yan and Wen Mu didn't go back home; instead, they slept at Yan Minghui's place. They had both drunk some alcohol. Zhou Linli had already been sent back to his hometown by Chen Yan, and no one was driving him.

Two days later, the four of them returned to the countryside together.

Wen Mu and Chen Yan went back to Chen Yan's hometown together, while Yan Minghui, in addition to going back to his own home, also wanted to visit Sun Xiuqi's parents, or as he put it, to pay his respects to his future in-laws.

When Chen Yan and Wen Mu arrived home, her grandparents were naturally overjoyed. In fact, every time Chen Yan came back, it was the happiest thing for her grandparents. Her grandmother was also very happy to see Wen Mu again. She happily pulled Wen Mu into the house and said, "Little Mu is here again. Did you know that Grandma has missed you lately?"

Of course, the happiest person was Chen Haoran, who rushed over to Chen Yan as soon as he saw her.

The only unpleasant person here seems to be Chen Lirong, but she didn't show any unpleasant expression. Over this period of time, Chen Lirong's edges have been almost worn away by Chen Yan. Chen Lirong is definitely a strong woman, but Chen Yan is even stronger than her. When facing Chen Yan, she has to compromise and no longer has the domineering attitude of the master she used to have.

After so many years, Chen Yan and his family were finally able to have a meal together. Apart from Chen Lirong's resentment towards Wen Mu, the atmosphere at the dinner table was harmonious and joyful.

After dinner, Wen Mu went back to Chen Yan's bedroom with her.

Not long after the two returned to their bedroom, Chen Haoran knocked on the door and came in carrying a fruit platter. As he walked in, he said, "Brother, Grandma asked me to bring you some fruit."

Chen Yan was sitting in a chair looking at something. After hearing this, she replied, "Give it to Wen Mu."

"Brother Wen Mu, would you like some fruit?" Chen Haoran asked Wen Mu again, and walked over to him.

"Okay, give it to me." Wen Mu said with a smile, took the fruit plate, and then the two of them huddled together by the bed and ate the fruit with bamboo skewers.

At this moment, Chen Haoran suddenly asked, "Brother, I want to ask you something?"

"What is it?" Chen Yan asked without looking up.

Have you seen Brother Xi? How is he?

Chen Yan couldn't help but look up, "Brother Xi?"

"It's Brother Xi, the one who helped me last time. He hasn't contacted me since we parted ways. Have you seen him?"

Chen Yan's expression suddenly turned cold. He really didn't expect that after so long, Chen Haoran would still remember Xi Yichen. Chen Yan thought that Chen Haoran should have long forgotten Xi Yichen, whom he had only met once.

"What's wrong, bro? Have you seen him or not?"

“Your brother is very busy right now, he doesn’t have time to see anyone else,” Wen Mu interjected, forcing a smile. “It’s better not to ask your brother.”

"Oh." Chen Haoran seemed a little disappointed. After a pause, he smiled and said, "Then I'll look for him next time I go to your place. Brother Wen Mu, please go and check on him for me when you get back."

"Uh, okay, okay."

"It's getting late, you should go back to sleep," Chen Yan suddenly said, her voice a little cold and hard.

Chen Haoran didn't realize what he meant and still smiled, saying, "I know, brother. You guys go to sleep too," before getting up and leaving.

...