GRMFBS CH225

Hmph! Of course my social circle is bizarre! Isn’t the most bizarre part of my social circle all of you? A whole bunch of secret identity freaks!

After returning home, Zhan Yunkai brought out the prepared milk curds from the refrigerator. He handed the first bowl to Zhan Jinli.

Zhan Jinli turned around and passed the iced milk curd straight to Zhan Suiru.

Zhan Yunkai: “Hold on! That one is yours; it has sugar added.”

Zhan Jinli took his bowl of iced milk curd back. Zhan Yunkai handed the second bowl to Zhan Suiru, looking at her with a gentle, loving gaze.

Zhan Suiru: … Why does everyone feel a bit strange?

Zhan Jinli decided he would never argue with his sister again. His sister needed tender loving care. He was a reincarnated Ghost King; his mental age was already so grand, whereas his sister’s age compared to his made her practically a child—how could he take things so seriously with her?

Both Zhan Yunkai and Ji Yueming were conducting serious self-reflections. They felt that Zhan Suiru’s emotional trauma likely stemmed from before she was adopted. Who knew what she had endured as a child? Even after adopting her, the attention they provided hadn’t been sufficient. Back then, there were far more anomalies than now, requiring endless matters to handle, leaving them utterly overwhelmed.

Zhan Yunkai felt he bore a massive responsibility. Back then, Yueming’s company was in its developmental phase, keeping her endlessly busy with barely any free time. But he wasn’t an ordinary human; even with tasks from the Wan Yao Alliance, he should have figured out ways to carve out more time to keep the child company.

Ji Yueming believed it was all her fault. Back then, Old Zhan frequently had filming gigs; working in the entertainment industry was exhausting, constantly flipping day and night. Old Zhan filmed mostly martial arts action scenes too—draining and prone to injuries—making it difficult to spare much energy for the kids. But she was a supernatural being; even with missions from the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau, she shouldn’t have overlooked the child’s psychological well-being.

Zhan Yan scooped a spoonful of iced milk curd. Freshly retrieved from the refrigerator, the chilled curd was cool and refreshing, its rich milky aroma melding seamlessly with the clean fragrance of fermented rice wine, melting instantly on the tongue. Taking a mouthful like this right after returning from the sweltering heat outside was sheer, bubbling bliss!

So delicious!

Only after downing three bites did he realize everyone else was holding their bowls without moving an inch.

“Why aren’t you guys eating? This is super delicious!” Zhan Yan wondered.

“Eating, eating.” Zhan Yunkai scooped a spoonful of iced milk curd, his demeanor toward Zhan Suiru warm and gentle. “Suiru, taste it and see how it is? Do you like it? If you like it, Dad will make it for you again.”

Ji Yueming spoke with tender benevolence: “Mom is heading out tomorrow. Is there anything you’d like? Mom will bring it back for you.”

Zhan Jinli added a layer of honey to his bowl of iced milk curd, pondered for a moment, retrieved his phone, and typed out an exceptionally earnest paragraph:

Zhan Jinli: [I really like the fishing rod you gave me. It's very easy to use. Thank you.]

Zhan Yan: ???

Why does it feel like you all reached some tacit understanding without including me!

Just as Zhan Yan was about to check the gossip strips, his phone chimed with a new notification. It was from Teng Jian, whom he had just added.

Teng Jian: [Ji Lele forwarded your video.]

Teng Jian: [[Link]]

What video? Zhan Yan was perplexed. He had never posted any videos… It couldn’t be the video of him selling grapes, right? But what did him selling grapes have to do with Ji Lele? Shouldn’t he be promoting his movie right now?

Opening the link revealed a video forwarded by Ji Lele, accompanied by caption text: “Why did the handsome classmate hesitate to speak? Why did the midnight phantom pursue relentlessly? Where did the anomalous sounds in the classroom originate? Stay tuned for Haunted Campus!”

Before he could even click play, Zhan Suiru leaned right over: “What video? Let me see, let’s watch together!”

She truly couldn’t handle her family’s sudden doting; it gave her goosebumps. Having deflected one wave, she had to seize any chance to occupy her attention so she wouldn’t have to keep enduring excessive maternal and paternal warmth.

The rest of the family chimed in, saying everyone should share and watch together. Zhan Yan had no choice but to forward the link to the group chat. Claiming she was too lazy to hold her phone, his sister leaned her head close to watch alongside him.

Zhan Yan pressed play.

His eerie, chilling expression inside the haunted school abruptly appeared, chasing after the protagonist. Upon catching up, it transitioned into a radiant, sunny smile: “Would you like a grape peeled personally by this young master?”

Zhan Yan: … Isn’t this the video Aunt Bai forwarded to him earlier?

Zhan Suiru: “Pwahahahaha!”

Zhan Yan: …

True social death doesn’t happen in front of strangers, but in front of… Hey, stop laughing! Sis, let me tell you, acting like this makes it very easy to lose your brother’s love!

“Pfft…”

Zhan Yan looked up, meeting his mother’s face that was desperately stifling laughter. And his dad, and his brother… While his brother’s lips didn’t move, his eyes were curved into crescents.

…Go ahead, laugh all you want. A bunch of secret-identity-cloaked big shots acting so childish all day—if the outside world knew, they’d all cry out about everyone being completely OOC, hmph!

The others were already scrolling through the comment section.

Hahahaha shouldn’t you be promoting your Haunted Campus? Why are you helping people sell grapes instead?

Hey, if you hadn’t forwarded it, I wouldn’t have noticed that this minor background extra in Haunted Campus is actually the young master of the Shoude family.

I haven’t watched the movie yet. Can anyone who saw it give me a spoiler? Is this an actual scene from the film? If it’s real, I’ll buy a ticket; if it’s fake, I’m skipping [doge][doge]

Hahahahaha of course it’s real! Go watch the movie and you can even claim big grapes for free [funny][funny]

Director Ji, what’s your relationship with the young master? You actually got him to act as an extra for you.

Didn’t the young master say he wasn’t joining the entertainment industry? Lan Xiqiao mentioned that before.

Ji Lele was beaming happily as he watched the repost counts soar.

He hadn’t expected the minor background extra he picked up at random to be a rich second-generation heir, let alone someone who happened to have online buzz right now.

The video creator who edited the grape-selling video was an absolute genius! Look, didn’t traffic and exposure just come rolling in? Perhaps they really could arrange a crossover event. Make some merchandise or something. He’d have to ask his boss, Xia Yuexuan, about that. He recalled that the boss seemed to have collaborated with the Shoude company before.

Ji Lele continued replying on Weibo: “The kind of relationship where I had an eye for talent only to be ruthlessly turned down. I recruited college students as background extras during filming, and he joined for fun. Back then, I didn’t know who he was. Solely relying on my sharp eye, I singled him out at first glance, feeling this kid was diamond-in-the-rough material with the potential to explode in popularity. Then I proactively ran over to ask if he wanted more scenes, and he asked me, ‘Does it pay extra?'”

He was lying! The one he singled out at first glance back then was clearly Xiao Gu!

A sea of “hahahaha” flooded beneath this quoted reply.

You can tell the young master genuinely has zero desire to enter showbiz.

Zhan Yan curled his toes in vicarious embarrassment reading the comments. What kind of cringeworthy, wildly awkward title was “young master”?!

Had he known earlier, he would never have muttered under his breath the day they filmed that grape advertisement!

Zhan Yan felt his sister’s shoulders trembling beside him.

“No laughing!”

Holding back her laughter, Zhan Suiru opened her mouth to speak.

Zhan Yan: “And don’t you dare call me young master either.”

The corners of Zhan Suiru’s mouth twitched uncontrollably upward again.

Zhan Yan: “Unless you want to hear me call you Eldest Miss.”

Zhan Yan looked around the room. His brother: Eldest Young Master. His mother: Madam President. His father: … Madam President’s glamorous, gorgeous… Stop, stop, cut it out!

Oh no, memories of those melodramatic forum fanfictions were bubbling up again.

Teng Jian sent him another WeChat message:

Teng Jian: [Do you know Ji Lele?]

Teng Jian: [Could you help me ask where that sculpture in his movie came from?]

Teng Jian: [Does he sell it?]

[Teng Jian feels that the sculpture looks very delicious and likes it immensely.]

Zhan Yan tilted his phone screen toward his sister: “Sis, she wants to buy your sculpture.”

“Then sell it,” Zhan Suiru said.

Yang Ran would likely be thrilled. He consistently refused to admit those ugly sculptures were his own handiwork. Yet an entire shelf in the studio was lined with them. Getting rid of one or two would make him very happy.

Most importantly, she could use this chance to observe Teng Jian!

Zhan Suiru sensed that Teng Jian was a powerful great demon. Did she really add her brother’s WeChat solely because they shared the same cinematic tastes? What if this great demon harbored ulterior motives toward her brother?

“I forwarded your contact info to her,” Zhan Yan said, sending his sister’s WeChat contact card to Teng Jian.

Zhan Yan: [The one Ji Lele has isn't for sale.]

Zhan Yan: [However, that sculpture was made by my sister. I've sent you her contact info.]

Their parents and brother weren’t particularly worried.

Demons like Teng Jian, who fancied feeding on the aura of ghosts, held little malice toward humans; because she could devour ill omens, she had even been revered and worshipped by humans in the past.

Her unconventional aesthetic was something ordinary people could hardly appreciate. She had likely just exchanged contacts because finding someone with the same taste was such a rarity.

Still, caution was warranted. When they returned, they’d have to chat with and look into Teng Jian!

The comments beneath Zhan Yan’s grape-selling Weibo were completely filled with teasing.

Buy grapes and get a movie ticket?

Reporting to Young Master, I have an infraction to report! Ji Lele secretly added scenes for you without paying extra!

Little Young Master, if I buy your grapes, will you chase after me?

No extra pay! I’m going to demand my wages from Ji Lele right this second!

Zhan Yan ground his toes into the floor in pure mortification.

He remembered Gu Jiancheng calling him young master and telling him to feed him grapes, even talking about eloping together.

Sigh, if classmate Xiao Gu continued acting so wildly arrogant whenever he wore his mask, they might really have to consider eloping.

He checked the gossip strips again.

Gu Jiancheng had already arrived in Nanling Township, preparing to head to the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau tomorrow. The package of pastries was also scheduled to arrive tomorrow, so classmate Xiao Gu probably wouldn’t get to eat it until after he finished treating Yang Ran.

Hopefully, it wouldn’t drag on too long… Even though he used an insulated box and ice packs, pastries couldn’t last too long in the heat of summer. Sigh, why did he forget to consider that when mailing it?

The old grape demon Puyang Xia came looking for him in high spirits. All of their Lirong grapes had completely sold out, and even the next harvest batch had already been pre-ordered. Not only were his grapes saved, but everyone was now eager to plant more grapes.

Zhan Yan checked in with the person in charge to inquire about the situation. Web traffic was just a fleeting wave of hype; if they took temporary prosperity as a forecast for every single day moving forward and plunged into blind fanaticism, things wouldn’t turn out well.

The person in charge reassured him, telling the young boss to rest easy—he knew what he was doing. The grape juice factory had just been built, so it would definitely absorb all these large grapes.

Besides, when had their company’s investments ever lost money?

Having given his reminder, Zhan Yan went back to being a hands-off boss. He had plenty on his plate over here.

Watching his sister finish the iced milk curd under the smothering care of the family, Zhan Yan noticed her arms were practically covered in a layer of goosebumps.

Pfft. Zhan Yan had realized by now why the family had suddenly started heaping excessive love onto his sister. They had mistaken Yang Ran’s sculptures as hers. His sister really was someone who evoked heartache and sympathy.

Zhan Yan decided to rescue his sister from her goosebumps.

“Sis, are you done with your stuff? If you’re done, come play video games with me!”

The others felt it was great for Yan Yan to divert her attention, so Zhan Yan smoothly fished her away.

Zhan Yan didn’t usually play games much, but Zhan Suiru had a console in her room. Zhan Yan dragged the beanbag chair from his room into his sister’s, tossing himself into it.

Zhan Suiru had already powered on the console: “What do you want to play?”

“Anything is fine.” Zhan Yan lazily tucked his legs onto the beanbag chair.

Either way, he couldn’t beat his sister no matter what they played.

The game started, and Zhan Suiru engaged in some casual noob-level sparring with him.

Zhan Yan glanced sideways at his sister, who blinked and gave him a bright smile.

Sigh, even though I know she’s just indulging me, I’m still so happy.

Zhan Suiru began dropping not-so-subtle probes: “Earlier, someone used your account to team up and play games with me. Was that your little boyfriend?”

Zhan Yan: “… I just rescued you from downstairs; don’t repay kindness with hostility!”

Zhan Suiru: “Just casual chatter, that’s all.”

Zhan Yan: “Hmph, I can also chat casually with Mom and Dad about the cookies you brought them.”

Their parents had both mentioned that the cookies were delicious, but hadn’t pried further. They were already accustomed to their daughter bringing back all sorts of peculiar things from all sorts of peculiar acquaintances.

Zhan Suiru: “How did you know…”

Seeing his sister’s expression, Zhan Yan suddenly caught himself.

Crap, Sister only said the cookies were from a friend; she never said they were from Yang Ran!

Zhan Jinli knocked on the bedroom door, cutting off their conversation.

He walked in carrying a plate of sliced fruit, a plate of snacks, and two glasses of juice for them.

Zhan Yan: “Whoa! Ge, I love you!”

Zhan Jinli smiled, waved a hand at the two of them, and left the room.

Zhan Suiru resumed her questioning, looking at him with a beaming smile: “How did you know who sent the cookies?”

Zhan Yan blinked at his sister, teasing her with a grin: “What client would bake fresh cookies and give them to you every single day? That kind of thing has to be freshly baked and takes so much effort. The person baking cookies for you every day—who else could it be~”

Thank goodness for the interruption from his brother, which gave him time to quickly spin an excuse.

Mmm, that reason holds up. Her brother had always been sharp when it came to gossip.

Zhan Suiru dropped the question. But another thought suddenly crossed her mind…

“Do you like those cookies?”

“Oh…” Zhan Yan nudged his sister with his elbow. “Are you asking about the cookies, or the person?”

Zhan Suiru reached over to ruffle his head, effortlessly trading moves in the game against her brother even while holding the controller with one hand: “Get out of here, acting cheeky with your sister now, huh?”

Zhan Yan: “Hmph, I said long ago that I like the cookies, yet you still ask.”

He clattered away on his controller with a flurry of inputs, shaving off five points of health from his sister’s character.

“I like them, I like them! I want to keep eating them, eat them for a lifetime!”

A lifetime. Zhan Suiru’s heart stirred gently.

Tomorrow, she had to take Xiao Ran to the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau. She had made every preparation she could, yet she still felt nervous.

Today she spent time with her family—even though today’s overwhelming doting had been slightly embarrassing, she still felt warmth and peace.

She remembered the words Approaching Science had said to her.

She had gained all of this without suffering misery for it. They loved her without demanding any price in return.

A lifetime. Zhan Suiru couldn’t help but smile.

She rubbed her brother’s curly hair again, watching the little blue crystal tied to the ends of his hair sway back and forth.

“Alright, I’ll make him bake cookies for you for a lifetime.”

Zhan Yan: Why do I suddenly feel like I was just force-fed a mouthful of dog food?

After finishing a round of the game, Zhan Suiru put down the controller and stretched.

Shouts from downstairs called them down for lunch.

Zhan Suiru mentioned that she needed to host a client and would have to leave tomorrow for a while, unsure of how many days she’d be gone.

His sister was relaxed, her mindset in top form; now the one feeling slightly anxious was Zhan Yan.

Wuu… His sister only had to worry about whether Yang Ran’s treatment succeeded, but he had so much more to consider. Not only did he have to worry about Yang Ran, but he also had to worry about their secret identities!

Seeing Zhan Suiru looking so spirited, relaxed, and natural, the family couldn’t help but admit that their youngest son truly worked wonders! Yan Yan’s healing power was maxed out!

Zhan Yunkai asked with warm benevolence, “Yan Yan, is there anything you’d like to eat?“

Zhan Yan had already seen two large jars in the kitchen—one was the jar pork he requested earlier, and the other was empty, ready to pickle diced vegetables.

He thought for a moment and felt they were still missing a staple. Fermented rice cakes would be great—convenient to ship and slow to spoil, making them the perfect match for jar pork and diced pickled vegetables. But those two still needed a few days to cure, so he’d order the cakes once the jars were ready to open. Today, he just named a few random dishes he felt like eating.

Zhan Yunkai replied with gentle affection, “Alright, Dad will cook them for you. You can eat them as soon as you finish working out tonight.”

Zhan Yan: … QAQ

The privilege of ordering dishes comes with conditions, wuu.

That night, Zhan Yan lay listlessly on his bed on a phone call with Gu Jiancheng.

Gu Jiancheng was very worried: “Yan Yan, what’s wrong?“

Zhan Yan: “As soon as my dad came home, he made me do extra training. I’m so exhausted, I want a massage…”

Gu Jiancheng perked up: “A massage? I know how to do that!”

What’s the use of you knowing how? You can’t come to my house right now anyway, Zhan Yan complained internally. If you dare come to my place, my sister will definitely investigate you thoroughly! Your favorability points aren’t even high enough yet; if your identity drops, you’re done for.

“Do you know what kind of fitness standard my dad is using to train me?” Zhan Yan continued to grumble. “He’s using Wen Yinghui’s fitness course! Are Wen Yinghui’s workout results an ordinary person’s standard? Look at how buff he is! I feel like at the rate my dad is pushing me, he won’t be satisfied until I’m built like Wen Yinghui.”

Gu Jiancheng looked up who Wen Yinghui was. Upon seeing the photos of this fitness fanatic showing off his muscles on Weibo, he fell into stunned silence.

It’s over; he was reminded of the 2.3-meter-tall muscular hunk Yan Yan he saw in his dream again.