MTL - 25

If someone asks me, was it lonely and bitter to have a four-year unrequited love? I carefully reflected on it—occasionally it was sad, but most of the time, it was happy.

Because many people haven’t experienced what it feels like to like someone, but at least I have tasted it.

— The Diary of a Little Rich Girl

In Tang Xin’s eyes, Tang Yu was a calm and restrained person. In the company, his shirt was always buttoned up to the top, and he disliked using internet slang. She once called him “Tang Dad,” which earned her a stern lecture from him forbidding her to call him that.

Of course, she didn’t listen and occasionally still called him that.

Now, suddenly hearing him say this, Tang Xin was stunned, blinking incredulously: “Ah?”

Tang Yu silently looked at her, slightly frowning, turning his face away as if regretting his slip of the tongue. He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and turned around, showing his tall and upright back to Tang Xin.

Tang Xin: “….”

It was already 3 PM, the sun had shifted westward, and the blinds were drawn. Facing the vast floor-to-ceiling window, he gazed down at the bustling traffic below, suddenly feeling stifled. The hand in his pocket clenched slightly.

Tang Xin thought he was embarrassed or pondering her decision to leave the project team.

In fact, during her last discussion with Lu Zhixing, they only talked about copyright cooperation, not joining the project team. The reason was that Lu Zhixing usually worked with his own screenwriters and could handle scripts himself. As an unknown small-time writer, Tang Xin felt awkward bringing it up since Lu Zhixing hadn’t mentioned letting her join the team.

She planned to negotiate better terms once the contract was ready. Even if she wasn’t the chief screenwriter, she wanted to be part of the team because it was her work.

If later on, Making a Dream for You started script adaptation, she would likely quit the current project team without hesitation. It was best to leave now while the project had just begun.

What Tang Yu said made sense.

Tang Xin had never considered leaving Shiguang before, but now she was wavering. Looking at Tang Yu’s back, she found even his nape attractive, and a strong sense of reluctance welled up inside her—

The more reluctant she felt, the more she wanted to rebel and escape. She suddenly didn’t want to be confined here anymore.

Previously, she was willing to stay because Tang Yu was here. She enjoyed tagging along every day, sometimes feeling sad, but mostly happy.

Now, wanting to leave was because Tang Yu said they weren’t compatible.

How could they become compatible?

No, rather, how could he come to like her?

Was it possible he couldn’t see her because she had always been by his side?

Or perhaps, he truly didn’t like her.

Since childhood, Tang Wei and Zhong Lijun had instilled in Tang Xin the idea of self-love. She could endure a four-year unrequited love for Tang Yu, finding joy even without reciprocation.

But after being explicitly rejected, both her pride and upbringing wouldn’t allow her to cling on desperately.

Even though she still loved him madly.

They remained silent for a long time.

Tang Yu slowly took out his hand, turned around, and had regained his composure. Without much emotion, he said: “If you want to leave, then leave. When there’s a suitable project…”

He paused, wanting to say something more.

Tang Xin, as if snapping out of her thoughts, looked directly at him and smiled faintly: “Alright, thank you, Mr. Tang. You’re right. I’ve thought about it; I might indeed need to leave Shiguang. After signing with Director Lu, I’ll apply to join the project team. Since I’m the original author, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Tang Yu’s heart jolted, stunned: “What did you say?”

He had heard her clearly.

She said she wanted to leave.

Tang Xin pursed her lips and softly said: “I said I want to resign.”

If not for her confession being rejected, she never imagined one day she’d reach this point with Tang Yu.

As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Yu’s brow furrowed tightly, staring intently at her bright black eyes. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang abruptly. He didn’t even glance at it.

Tang Xin glanced at the desk, curving her lips: “You should answer the call. The resignation isn’t urgent. I’ll head downstairs first.” She turned and walked towards the door, truly turning her back to him.

Something seemed to choke Tang Yu’s throat, neither rising nor falling. He tightened his lips, lowering his eyes.

Suddenly, he raised his head and called out: “Wait.”

Tang Xin held the doorknob, turning her head sideways, puzzled: “Mr. Tang, is there anything else?”

The phone suddenly stopped ringing.

The next second, it rang again.

Annoyed, Tang Yu hung up directly, placing the phone face down on the table under his palm. He looked at her, his voice low and heavy: “Are you really resigning?”

Tang Xin lightly nodded, smiling, the shallow dimple on her cheek facing him, saying cheerfully: “I’m going to make a movie! Isn’t it better than tagging along with projects here?”

As she spoke, she pressed the doorknob firmly.

Click—

The door opened.

Gao Heng stood at the door, looking somewhat anxious, startled by the opening door.

Seeing him, Tang Xin smiled sweetly: “Assistant Gao, you don’t wear contact lenses anymore? That’s good.”

Gao Heng didn’t understand why she always brought up his glasses, but he still smiled: “Thank you.” He glanced inside, seeing Mr. Tang’s gloomy expression directed this way, complex and extremely bad-tempered.

Feeling tense, he lowered his head to look at Tang Xin, who appeared nonchalant.

Tang Xin didn’t turn back, pulling the door open and smiling at Gao Heng: “I’m heading downstairs.”

Hesitating to look at Mr. Tang, Tang Xin had already sidestepped and walked past him. Entering, he saw Mr. Tang’s unpleasant face, forcing himself to say: “Mr. Tang, it’s time to go.”

The film festival’s award ceremony began at 8 PM. Two films from Shiguang Pictures were nominated, and as CEO and producer, Tang Yu had to attend.

The phone under Tang Yu’s palm rang again.

Frowning, Tang Yu withdrew his gaze, picked up the half-cup of cold water on the table, and drank it all.

The cold water slid down his throat into his stomach, finally restoring his calm.

He glanced at Gao Heng and walked into the rest room.

Inside the rest room was a wardrobe and a spare suitcase for business trips. He opened the wardrobe, took out a suit delivered earlier that morning, and emotionlessly unbuttoned his shirt, his mind flashing back to the girl’s smiling resignation.

She said no renewal, no joining the project group, and even brought up resignation.

Truly heartless.

After changing into a pure black handmade suit, his figure became even taller and slimmer. Opening the door, he walked out. Huo Chendong had arrived sometime, also dressed in a black suit, leaning against the desk playing with a lighter.

Tang Yu ignored him, walking straight towards the door.

A step behind, Huo Chendong strolled leisurely, suddenly chuckling: “I heard little Sugarheart came upstairs just now?”

Tang Yu paused, glancing askance at him, frowning: “Sugarheart?”

“That’s Tang Xin.” Huo Chendong smirked lazily. “I noticed some fans call her that—it suits her well.”

“Fans are fans.” Tang Yu sneered, turning to leave a sentence behind, “Not you. Don’t flirt everywhere.”

“….”

Huo Chendong stood there, watching Tang Yu’s back, then turned to look at the earnest Gao Heng, pointing at himself: “How am I flirting?”

Gao Heng thought for a moment, earnestly replying: “It seems after Huo returned from abroad, he’s been on entertainment news five or six times. Mr. Tang might mean your recent romantic scandals are too much and advises you to restrain yourself.” He paused, continuing, “Also… Mr. Tang probably doesn’t like you calling Miss Tang ‘little Sugarheart.’ It sounds like those wild cats outside.”

Huo Chendong: “….”

Damn, this boss-assistant pair.

If he could, he’d fire Gao Heng immediately!

Unfortunately, Gao Heng was Tang Yu’s capable assistant, able to interpret Tang Yu’s veiled words clearly. Unless Gao Heng became disabled, betrayed the company, or something similar, he wouldn’t be replaced. He had no authority over that.

Shit!

…

After entering the elevator, Tang Xin leaned weakly against the wall, belatedly realizing she had just told Tang Yu she wanted to resign.

Ding—

The elevator doors opened.

Tang Xin took a deep breath and straightened up to walk out.

Han Xiaoxiao was holding a cup to get water when she saw Tang Xin and hurried over, grabbing her and asking: “I just heard you’re leaving the project team—is it true?”

Tang Xin nodded: “Yes.”

Han Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened: “Why?”

“Not suitable. You know what type of script I like.” Tang Xin patted her hand, smiling: “I recommended you to join the project team. I don’t know if there’s any issue, but I remember you liked Republican-era dramas.”

Han Xiaoxiao was excited: “Really?”

After a few seconds, she wilted, looking pitifully at her: “Didn’t you promise to take me flying with Lu Dad? You’re leaving me here!”

Tang Xin sighed: “I’m not settled yet. Wait a bit.”

Han Xiaoxiao asked concernedly: “Contract not finalized?”

“Almost.”

Tang Xin didn’t elaborate, and Han Xiaoxiao didn’t ask further.

Huang Siyi also came out to get water, seeing her and raising an eyebrow: “You really told Mr. Tang?”

Tang Xin nodded generously: “Yes, he agreed. From now on, it’s up to you all.”

After finishing, she went into the office, handed over previous tasks to Zhou Dan briefly, packed her things, and went home.

In the evening, she ate dinner early, fed Juanhua, turned on her computer, put on a neck brace, and sat cross-legged on the sofa waiting for the live broadcast of the film festival awards. Shiguang Pictures had two films nominated; she would definitely see Tang Yu.

Lu Zhixing’s film was also nominated, but online speculation suggested it wouldn’t win any awards.

She absentmindedly stroked Juanhua, lounging on the sofa, watching the computer screen while occasionally scrolling through Weibo.

After “Rich but Not Stupid” Tang Dingding’s giveaway retweet, her book nearly sold out. The reason was that Tang Dingding followed many minor celebrities in the entertainment circle, including Shiguang Pictures’ CEO Tang Yu and Vice President Huo Chendong. This discovery shocked the fans.

—Moneybags Sister isn’t simple!

Fans kept digging and even guessed it might be a minor star’s secret account.

If not for the continuous hot searches of various celebrities in theaters these days, buying out the trending topics, it would have hit the trending list by now.

On the screen, the camera panned over the entering teams, and Tang Xin blinked, her eyes fixed. Quickly dropping Juanhua, she hastily took a screenshot—look, what did she capture? Not Waiting crew entered after Ordinary Folks , with guest seating arranged in rows.

Tang Yu and Lu Zhixing were in the same frame, positioned front and back. In the video, Tang Yu’s expression was indifferent, while Lu Zhixing’s smile was lazy.

However, today Lu Zhixing was wearing a suit, appearing much more formal and handsome than during their meal discussion. No matter how Tang Xin judged aesthetics, Tang Yu was better-looking than Lu Zhixing. Perhaps due to Tang Wei’s bandit-like charm, she naturally preferred men in white shirts, black trousers, suits, or overcoats.

Tang Yu perfectly matched her aesthetic.

That’s why she fell in love at first sight.

…

At the award ceremony, Ordinary Folks won multiple awards, including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay, among others. Tang Yu also received the Best Producer award.

This wasn’t Tang Yu’s first award; he showed no excessive joy, though many congratulated him.

From the back row, Lu Zhixing also came over to congratulate him, smiling at Tang Yu: “Congratulations, Mr. Tang. Your eye for talent remains excellent. Nearly every film from Shiguang these past two years has been a masterpiece.”

Tang Yu glanced at him, his lips curving faintly: “Thank you. Director Lu isn’t bad either.”

Lu Zhixing chuckled self-deprecatingly: “Mr. Tang, don’t tease me. Not Waiting was merely riding on past reputation. You know its core is quite poor.” Admitting to making a bad film wasn’t hard; he looked at Tang Yu, recalling something, and suddenly smiled: “But recently, I’ve gained some momentum. Shiguang’s Making a Dream for You, left untouched for four years, is quite interesting. There aren’t many domestic films of this type, and I think it’s worth trying.”

Tang Yu instantly frowned, narrowing his eyes to look at Lu Zhixing, coldly saying: “The copyright hasn’t expired yet, and Tang Xin may not sign with you.”

Lu Zhixing was taken aback, leaning back thoughtfully and smiling: “We had a good talk the other day. I believe there won’t be any issues, right?”

The copyright was expiring in a couple of days.

His contract was already drafted.

Tang Yu remembered Tang Xin’s sweet smile that day, imperceptibly wrinkling his brows. Another wave of irritation surged in his heart, compounded by her mention of resigning and working on the project with Lu Zhixing in the afternoon.

A lump formed in his throat, emotions trapped in his chest with no outlet, suffocating.

Huo Chendong casually interjected: “Lu Zhixing, why don’t you let it go?”

Lu Zhixing laughed: “That’s not possible. It’s rare to find a script I like.”

Huo Chendong snickered, glancing at Tang Yu, stirring trouble: “Mr. Tang, should we fight for it? Little Sugarheart might prefer soft persuasion. Why don’t you try…”

Tang Yu shot him a glare.

Huo Chendong raised his hands in surrender: Alright, he’d shut up.

…

The next day, Tang Xin slept in naturally since she didn’t need to go to the project team. Upon waking, she checked her phone and found a message from Lu Zhixing. Her email also prompted a new message.

Lu Zhixing: “Sugarheart, the contract has been sent to your email. Take a look first. If there’s no issue, we can discuss it further.”

Author’s Note: Little Rich Girl: I’m leaving! Waiting for big pig trotters to chase me, obedient.jpg.

Little Boss Tang: …Obedient? Bullshit.

—Both dads are facing off! Will the contract succeed? Guess! Did Little Rich Girl successfully run away!