Chapter 103: Tool Person - You Nianwei

Wang Situ rarely drank, but tonight she had indulged heavily.

Chen Fang hadn’t touched a drop; he simply sat quietly, watching Wang Situ and listening to her ramble.

When someone’s spirits are low, they don’t need to be told to drink less or to take care of themselves; after all, they know full well that alcohol is harmful. What they need is someone willing to listen to their endless complaints.

Chen Fang couldn’t drink. He needed to stay clear-headed. Otherwise, if both of them were drunk, they wouldn’t even make it home.

“Chen Fang, my father used to be a famous singer!”

“Wang Jiawei.”

“He used to be a young superstar!”

Wang Jiawei? The name sounded familiar. Did your father choose the wrong profession? If he’d become a director instead of a singer, perhaps he would have done even better.

Chen Fang searched his memory for that name and realized there were indeed some vague recollections of Wang Jiawei in the memories of the original Chen Fang of this world. The memories were blurry, but the impression was there—enough to suggest that Wang Situ was telling the truth. After all, Chen Fang couldn’t even recall someone as renowned as Modi, yet Wang Jiawei’s name had stuck.

Wang Situ’s words were scattered and disjointed, but after a while, Chen Fang managed to piece together the general picture.

He couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the woman before him.

Wang Situ’s father, Wang Jiawei, had been an artist with an entertainment company. At the height of his fame, when he’d reached the status of a young pop idol, he publicly announced his relationship and quickly married Wang Situ’s mother.

Romantic entanglements are taboo for celebrities.

Because of this, Wang Jiawei’s career began its decline at the peak of his success. Fans are a peculiar group; they know there’s no chance to actually be with their idol, but as long as he remains single, they can still cling to their hopes and dreams.

So, announcing a relationship is often considered a graver offense than a moral failing.

Wang Jiawei understood this well, but he went ahead anyway—partly because of true love for Wang Situ’s mother, partly because he felt he’d reached his limits and couldn’t climb any higher.

Originally, the Wang family enjoyed a prosperous and happy life. As a pop star, Wang Jiawei earned far more than the average household.

But disaster struck and broke the family.

Wang Situ’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. To make matters worse, she was pregnant with Wang Situ when she received the news.

After giving birth, her health deteriorated rapidly. In a desperate attempt to save her, Wang Jiawei drained the family’s finances, but in the end, Wang Situ’s mother still passed away.

His wife was gone.

But there was still a child at home.

Wang Jiawei had to keep working to support Wang Situ. Yet his old entertainment company no longer wanted him.

The entertainment industry moves swiftly. New faces and trainees appear constantly, and when Wang Jiawei tried to make a comeback, he found there was no longer a place for him.

To make ends meet, he took to performing at outdoor events. Although each performance paid little, he worked tirelessly, sometimes taking on several shows a day. Eventually, overworked and exhausted, he fell from a stage. He survived, but the accident severely damaged his nervous system, leaving him paralyzed and immobile.

Chen Fang was stunned. What a tumultuous family history! It could be the plot of a novel.

In that instant, Chen Fang understood why Wang Situ had said she lived in the hospital.

With Wang Jiawei now completely paralyzed and no one at home to care for him, he had to be admitted to a hospital where nurses could tend to him. Wang Situ went out to earn a living.

Afterward, Wang Situ entered the auditions for “Starlight Road” and met Chen Fang.

Looking at Wang Situ, Chen Fang sighed. Life’s hardships hadn’t crushed this woman; instead, she had shouldered the burden of her family. Though her life was far from easy, she had at least managed to hold things together.

Wang Situ was drunk, still muttering to herself. She lay slumped over the table, mumbling incoherently.

Chen Fang gently patted her head and whispered, “Sleep, I’ll take you home.”

The words seemed to work like a spell. Wang Situ, who had been babbling moments before, fell silent, her breathing steadying as she slipped into sleep.

Chen Fang could only smile helplessly. This silly girl. He had told her before that if she ever needed money, she could ask him. But Wang Situ had never once mentioned being in need.

After paying the bill, Chen Fang carried Wang Situ on his back. For someone over six feet tall, she felt light as a feather.

Stepping out of the restaurant, Chen Fang hesitated. He didn’t know where Wang Situ was staying now, and he had no idea which hospital Wang Jiawei was in.

After some thought, he decided to bring her back to his own place for now.

An hour later, Chen Fang carried the deeply sleeping Wang Situ back to his duplex apartment. At this late hour, Pang Tong was probably still awake.

Chen Fang struggled to punch in the door code and pushed open the door. The living room lights were on.

He paused in surprise upon entering the living room.

Pang Tong was sitting on the sofa, chatting with a middle-aged man.

There was a guest at home—but Chen Fang didn’t recognize the man.

Pang Tong looked up and was momentarily taken aback, then grinned broadly. “You finally decided to come home.”

He glanced at Wang Situ, who was slumped drunkenly on Chen Fang’s back and fast asleep. She had visited once before, so Pang Tong remembered her.

“You two go on,” said Pang Tong, waving them off. “I’ll stay here.”

Chen Fang carried Wang Situ into his room. He gently placed her on the bed, took off her shoes and socks, and covered her with the blanket.

Once everything was settled, Chen Fang stepped out. The living room was now empty except for Pang Tong; the middle-aged man had left.

“You lucky dog!” Pang Tong teased, waggling his eyebrows. “Not bad at all!”

Chen Fang flipped him the finger, collapsed onto the sofa, and finally relaxed. “Who was that guy just now?”

“Real estate agent,” Pang Tong replied energetically, his eyes full of ambition and hope. “I’m planning to rent a place and open a restaurant.”

Chen Fang was surprised. He grinned and joked, “Giving up on singing?”

Pang Tong scratched his head, a little reluctant but smiling honestly. “I’m just not cut out for singing. People have to make a living somehow. Now that you’ve become an artist, a celebrity, I have to work harder too.”

Chen Fang was making progress. As his friend, Pang Tong couldn’t just waste every day away.

At those words, Chen Fang smiled helplessly. Still, it was a good thing Pang Tong had this idea. Whether or not the restaurant would make money, at least he wouldn’t be idle—a person with nothing to do for too long easily ends up lost. Chen Fang propped his legs on the coffee table and asked, “Have you found a place yet? If you’re opening a restaurant, the location is important. If you need money, I’ve got some.”

In truth, Chen Fang didn’t have much money at the moment. But making more wouldn’t be difficult for him now.

Pang Tong shook his phone. “I post your short videos every day, and I’ve picked up some ads and product promotions. I don’t make as much as you, but it’s enough for rent.”

That was good. As long as money wasn’t an issue.

Chen Fang wasn’t very familiar with the restaurant business and worried Pang Tong might suffer losses or take unnecessary detours. It would be best to find someone experienced in the industry to offer some guidance.

But who?

Suddenly, someone came to mind.

You Nianwei.

Her family was one of the biggest names in the restaurant business in the capital. She must know a lot about the industry, and now that Pang Tong had slimmed down quite a bit, he was a decently attractive guy. It might be a good idea to introduce Pang Tong to You Nianwei.