This wasn't the first time Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong had heard about the topic of Lin Shengyan's goddess.
The girl was named Cheng Jinshuang. She was gorgeous, both in looks and bearing, and excelled academically. If Lin Shengyan and Cheng Jinshuang had been in love with each other, Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong wouldn't have said anything.
But Lin Shengyan was the one-sidedly in love one, and he had even broken his promises multiple times for Cheng Jinshuang. If this kept up, Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong worried it would affect Lin Shengyan's career.
After all, Lin Shengyan had just won the Best Actor award, and his career was flourishing. So this time, at his big brother's behest, his agent had lined him up with a new project. It was a great script, but filming was in City C.
Who would've thought that even this couldn't stop Lin Shengyan from coming back?
Lin Shengyan hadn't expected Bai Yaxin to tell him to bring Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue along. He confessed, "Mom, Dad, actually, I came back to see Jinshuang."
Before Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong could say anything, Lin Shengyan continued, "Mom, Dad, this really is the last time. This competition is very important to Jinshuang. She can't do without my support. After this, we'll part ways and each find our own happiness."
[Bro, my bro, you should cut down on the motivational quotes. She can't do without your support... She's got plenty of support from other people.]
Lin Shengyan: "..."
What was he supposed to do? He wanted to spit blood.
Lin Rusong made the final call. "Since it's so important, all the more reason to bring your two younger sisters. It'll show how much our family cares, too."
[Dad's so good at this now? Straight to the point!]
[Don't worry, Mom and Dad. With me around, Second Brother will mess things up this time.]
Lin Shengyan gave Lin Tingyue a look.
[Or, should I only mess it up halfway?]
Cheng Jinshuang attended the best university in City A. Lin Tingyue, Lin Xiawan, Lin Shengyan, and even the Lin family's eldest brother, who had yet to make an appearance, were all students there.
Lin Shengyan in particular was a famous alumnus of A University. After all, he'd burst onto the scene as a dark horse and won the Best Newcomer award, then earned a Best Actor nomination after his second acting role. On his third, he'd swept every award, becoming the youngest Best Actor with both talent and good looks.
Lin Tingyue read the introduction to her second brother on the famous alumni board.
[Actually, Second Brother's pretty talented.]
Lin Shengyan, busy signing autographs for fans, curled his lips. Of course he was.
[It's just that his brain doesn't work too well.]
Lin Shengyan: "..."
Lin Tingyue, could you please stop making me think you're going to say something nice, only to turn around and stab me in the back?
Oh, those were Lin Tingyue's inner thoughts.
When Bai Yaxin had first brought this up in the family group chat without Lin Tingyue, he and his big brother hadn't believed it. Now... he was a believer.
After finally getting through wave after wave of fans, Lin Shengyan headed inside with Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue.
Cheng Jinshuang was now a senior, in the same year as Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue, though the three of them were in different majors.
They'd entered through the new campus, and the competition was being held on the east campus. The three of them boarded the campus shuttle bus. There were also fans of Lin Shengyan on board, and they kept asking him to take pictures with them.
[Hey, could I sell Lin Shengyan's signed photos?]
[Even though I achieved financial freedom at a young age, who's ever going to complain about having too much money?]
Along the way, Lin Tingyue came up with at least a dozen new money-making ideas inspired by Lin Shengyan. By the time Lin Shengyan saw Cheng Jinshuang inside the venue, his mind was still full of money.
Cheng Jinshuang majored in interpreting. This was an exhibition competition, and she wore formal attire and glasses. She looked capable and professional. When she saw Lin Shengyan, she reached out to greet him.
Lin Shengyan started toward her, but he was a step too late. People surrounded Cheng Jinshuang, while a crowd swarmed around him, too.
Lin Shengyan wanted to hurry over to Cheng Jinshuang, but there were just too many people. Helpless and forlorn, he called Cheng Jinshuang's name.
[Tsk, tsk, tsk. The last time I saw a scene like this, I think it was in The Legend of White Snake.]
Lin Tingyue led Lin Xiawan to find seats. Then she took a pair of binoculars out of her bag.
Lin Xiawan froze. "Why did you bring those?"
Lin Tingyue answered as if it were obvious. "To back up Second Brother."
[Hehehe, of course it's to get a close-up view of the drama. How could I miss a scene like this, with all these men competing for one woman?]
She handed Lin Xiawan another pair.
Lin Xiawan looked at the binoculars in her hand... Fine.
Everyone froze for a moment when they heard that voice, but what could be more important than watching the drama unfold?
[First, let's welcome contestant number one. He's Cheng Jinshuang's senior. Even though his wife and children are waiting at home for him to return, he still came to watch Cheng Jinshuang compete without hesitation. Senior, oh, senior, have you spared a thought for your wife and children at home?]
Everyone: Whoa.
They all looked at the so-called senior with disdain.
The senior felt as though needles were pricking his back. Cheng Jinshuang, who'd been smiling amiably, stiffened and discreetly moved a little farther away from him.
[Contestant number two has appeared!]
[Contestant number two has quite the background. He's the Yun Family's second son, and his motto is, "Woman, it's your good fortune that I've taken a fancy to you..." Ugh.]
Facing everyone's scrutinizing gazes, Yun Mingning was at a loss, but he still maintained his elegant demeanor.
[Coming our way is contestant number three. He's also the one with the deepest bond with our female contestant. He and the female contestant grew up together, but unfortunately, he only sees her as a backup.]
Just as Lin Tingyue was getting carried away with her commentary in her heart, her second brother finally broke free and stumbled into the frame of her binoculars.
[Hooray, it's Lin Shengyan. We're saved!]
Lin Shengyan nearly fell flat on his face.
[Oh my, no wonder Second Brother's a silly sweetheart. He actually nearly tripped over himself.]
[Actually, among these male contestants, Second Brother still has plenty going for him. He's rich and handsome, and he's absolutely devoted to the female contestant. But...]
But what? Everyone perked up their ears.
[Second Brother, you're the one who shows up after the childhood sweetheart in the childhood sweetheart defeats the newcomer story. You're the second male lead, and you're destined to love without ever winning her heart. Sigh.]
All Lin Shengyan could hear was "love without ever winning her heart, love without ever winning her heart," echoing around him like a demonic chant. He felt like he was about to faint.
Chapter 5
The competition was about to begin, and the volunteers started clearing the venue.
So Lin Shengyan, who'd just escaped the fans and hadn't even had a chance to greet Cheng Jinshuang, was escorted outside.
Lin Shengyan sat down beside Lin Tingyue, looking grim.
Lin Tingyue smiled and asked with concern, "Second Brother, what's wrong? Why do you look so upset?"
[Second Brother, you have to learn to get used to it. Keep losing things, and eventually you'll lose them for good.]
Lin Shengyan: "..."
He clenched his fist. "Isn't it because of you..."
Damn it, the words he'd meant to say were cut off again by some invisible force.
Lin Shengyan said helplessly, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had a chance to see Jinshuang."
"No need to thank me." Lin Tingyue took the opportunity to stuff her binoculars into Lin Shengyan's hands. "Here, take them and have a look, Second Brother."
[Second Brother, play to your strengths as the second male lead. Gaze at your goddess with those soulful eyes of yours. The goddess may not be yours, but your eyes are!]
Lin Shengyan was speechless again. He looked at the binoculars in his hands. He really did need them. Ignoring Lin Tingyue's inner thoughts, he asked hesitantly, "Then what about you?"
"Me?" Lin Tingyue hooked her arm around Lin Xiawan's. "I'll watch with Sister Xiawan."
[Come on, Sister Xiawan is soft and lovely, and she came out victorious at the engagement banquet, freeing herself from her love-brain. Anyone with a brain would watch with her. As for Second Brother... Tsk, if I sit too close to him, who knows if I'll catch it.]
Lin Shengyan flew into a helpless rage and raised the binoculars in dejection. Lin Xiawan smiled and patted Lin Tingyue's hair, then lifted the binoculars to her eyes.
The competition began. Fluent English rang through the venue over the speakers. Cheng Jinshuang's voice was excellent, and when she spoke English, there was a strangely alluring lilt to it. Lin Tingyue was absolutely delighted listening to her.
[Damn, I really like her.]
[Pretty sister, I wouldn't mind being with you either.]
[But come to think of it, why are all the people around Cheng Jinshuang rotten peach blossoms?]
Lin Tingyue glanced at those seniors, the childhood friend, and the Yun Family's second son. Her gaze finally stopped on Lin Shengyan. Maybe it was just her imagination, but she felt that her second brother was looking at her with eager anticipation.
[Sigh, there's a rotten peach blossom sitting right next to me.]
Lin Shengyan: "..."
The whole thing fell apart.
Lin Tingyue had just praised him, hadn't she?
The exhibition competition ended, and Cheng Jinshuang was undoubtedly crowned the champion. Although it was a small competition, there was an award ceremony. Cheng Jinshuang received a five-thousand-yuan prize and a bright red certificate of merit with a gold-embossed cover.
Lin Tingyue was green with envy.
[Actually, I could do that too.]
Lin Tingyue got into character.
[Ahem, ahem. Let me think... How are you...]
Everyone covered their ears. No, you can't.
Even Lin Xiawan, sitting beside Lin Tingyue, restrained herself and tugged at her.
Lin Tingyue was enjoying herself, acting up a storm in her heart. She looked at Lin Xiawan in confusion. "What's wrong?"
Lin Xiawan couldn't exactly say that everyone could hear her. She turned her attention to Lin Shengyan, who was getting to his feet, and smiled. "Second Brother looks like he's about to go down."
Lin Tingyue tilted her head. The award ceremony was almost over, and it was obvious that Lin Shengyan was going down to see Cheng Jinshuang.
Still, when had Lin Xiawan started taking an interest in this sort of thing?
Lin Shengyan finally made it to Cheng Jinshuang's side, but the others were quicker than he was. Cheng Jinshuang was surrounded by people who'd come to invite her to lunch.