(Corrections)

There was no response from inside the room. He was probably still in dreamland.

Chu Yu looked up at the clock hanging in the hallway by the entryway. It was already nine.

Great. Still not up at this hour. He must have stayed up late gaming again last night.

In the past, Chu Yu would definitely have kicked the door open right then, charged inside, and started shouting for him.

But this time, she held herself back.

Without a ripple of emotion, Chu Yu turned and went straight downstairs to have breakfast.

When she finished eating, a servant specifically asked, "Should we save some breakfast for the young master? I think he's still asleep."

Chu Yu glanced at the upstairs bedroom door, where there was still no sign of movement. "No need. He doesn't like eating breakfast anyway, and it makes it seem like I'm forcing him to eat. Starting today, if he misses breakfast, don't save any for him."

The servant looked briefly taken aback but didn't dare say anything more, quickly clearing away the rest of the food as instructed.

And just like that, with Chu Yu giving him free rein, Chu Chen actually slept straight through until after eleven that morning.

He sat groggily on the edge of his bed, his brain a little sluggish.

Only after taking quite a while to gather himself did Chu Chen suddenly snap awake, feeling that something seemed off.

Why... hadn't Chu Yu kicked his door in today?

He had probably long since grown used to Chu Yu's overbearing, explosive temper. With her acting so out of character today, he actually found it a little hard to adjust.

Chu Chen rubbed his eyes and left his room in his loose pajamas.

He followed the stairs down to the first floor and saw Chu Yu leaning back on the balcony sofa, reading a book with a serious expression.

Even when she heard his footsteps coming downstairs, she merely glanced his way before lowering her head to her book again, shutting out everything beyond its pages.

An odd expression crossed Chu Chen's face.

She actually hadn't yelled at him?

Was Chu Yu planning to try a different tactic against him?

Chu Chen walked toward the dining room while analyzing all the ways Chu Yu was acting out of character.

A few seconds later, all Chu Chen saw was a dining table wiped spotless, without so much as a grain of rice or a breadcrumb.

Puzzled, Chu Chen turned and called to a servant, "Didn't anyone cook today?"

"Young master, breakfast is already over. Miss Chu said you don't like breakfast, so she didn't have us save any for you. Then she said she'd be going out for lunch later, so we aren't cooking at home."

Chu Chen: "..."

So this was where she'd been lying in wait.

Just then, Chu Yu appeared at the dining room doorway with her book in hand, seemingly by chance. She glanced at Chu Chen. "Oh, hungry? Want me to cook you something?"

His face darkened, and Chu Chen couldn't be bothered with her. "No."

Chu Yu was well prepared, putting on an expression that said she had expected exactly that. "Well, that's wonderful. I wasn't planning to cook for you anyway. I was only asking to be polite. After all, I'm a bona fide female celebrity. Having to cook for you myself would really be beneath my dignity."

Finally, Chu Yu added in conclusion, "Then stay hungry. If you really can't take it, just order some takeout and make do."

Chu Chen: "..."

Although he really wanted to know who had taught Chu Yu all this ridiculous nonsense, at that moment, she had indeed gotten a rise out of him.

His inner thoughts blurted out too. "I want food! And I'm not eating takeout!"

Chu Yu paused, then deliberately asked again, "What? What did you say? I didn't catch that."

His face tight with frustration, Chu Chen shouted at the top of his lungs, "I said I want food!!"

Chu Yu clicked her tongue.

That provocation trick from the internet really did work.

Chu Yu waved a hand and gave the servant a meaningful look. "Go cook him a bowl of noodles."

Chu Chen stared fixedly at her. "Didn't you say you'd cook for me?"

"If you're not afraid of being poisoned to death ahead of schedule, I can go cook for you now. What do you think?" Chu Yu asked with a perfectly earnest expression.

Chu Chen: "...Never mind."

Having settled the matter of her younger brother's breakfast, Chu Yu prepared to press her advantage and brought up the variety show again.

Still wearing that expression that practically begged for a beating, she said airily, "By the way, I've decided not to go on that variety show I told you about last night. Mostly because they insist on having both the older sister and younger brother participate. I figured a kid like you wouldn't be able to do anything on the show. You'd just be going on there to make a laughingstock of yourself, so we might as well forget it."

"I'll go to the company later and turn down the project," Chu Yu added with a serious expression.

Provoked again, Chu Chen bristled. "Who says I can't do anything!"

Chu Yu turned back in feigned surprise. "You mean you want to participate? But... what if..."

Completely unaware that he was already being led by the nose, Chu Chen said, "No buts. When do we sign the contract? I'm going on the variety show!"

Chu Yu put on a helpless expression that said, "I really don't know what to do with you."

"Oh, all right. I'll take you to the company to sign the contract in a bit."

Chapter 3: (Corrections)

The manager's office at Starry Sky Entertainment.

Zhang Yue sat in front of her computer screen with her chin propped on her hand, wondering whether Chu Xi could successfully persuade her rebellious younger brother.

From what she knew of the siblings, it would be a blessing if they didn't argue until they brought the roof down.

Expecting Chu Yu to persuade her younger brother in such a short time might indeed have been a little unrealistic.

No.

It had taken so much effort to secure this project for Chu Yu. If they delayed any longer, things might change again.

Maybe I should call and ask how things are going.

Just as Zhang Yue was about to pick up her phone, its screen lit up at that very moment. The caller ID read: Chu Yu.

Zhang Yue hurriedly answered, and Chu Yu's voice came through the phone.

"Sister Zhang, I'm bringing my younger brother straight to the company to sign the contract in a bit. Just letting you know first."

Zhang Yue hadn't quite expected things to go so smoothly.