#39: Heading to Haishi

Because Shi Min and Luo Mingjing had to go to Haishi, the dinner with Yang He was postponed.

Shi Chu had been eagerly waiting for a call, but no one contacted him. Now, he couldn’t tag along to meet his goddess. Disappointed, Shi Chu called Shi Min and vented his frustration by cursing Haishi Public Security from head to toe: “Why now? Why did they have to notify you at this exact moment…”

Seizing the opportunity, Shi Min assigned him a task: “Shi Chu, ask Dad to come to the studio to take care of the cats.”

“Why don’t you assign me instead?!” Shi Chu, increasingly obsessed with cats, expressed his dissatisfaction.

Shi Min showed him no mercy: “Because you’re unreliable, lazy, and I’m afraid you’ll starve the cats.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Shi Chu said with a laugh. “One’s named President, the other Jingjing. Starving either would be unacceptable—Mom and Dad would skin me alive.”

“The studio keys are in the bike basket. Remember to pick them up.”

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yes.”

“What about the recruitment?” Shi Chu asked. “Tomorrow is the promotion for the Rain Water solar term. Does anyone have time to handle the publicity? Mirror·Realm’s Weibo hasn’t been updated in ages. Give Fiona a break—she’s overwhelmed. She’s juggling three projects and nearly collapsing. She even came to me yesterday crying, asking for leave.”

“You handle the recruitment,” Shi Min said before hanging up.

With no choice, Shi Chu took on the recruitment task, gathering the resumes of applicants and calling them one by one for interviews.

The president of Yuefeng Entertainment personally acting as HR sent shivers down the spines of the candidates, who trembled nervously.

Shi Chu was an absolute eccentric. Some applicants had excellent resumes and capabilities, but after interviewing them, he always felt they lacked the spark needed to excel in the job—the same eccentric flair he possessed. As a result, he hadn’t found anyone satisfactory.

By the afternoon, an applicant named An Lili walked into the president’s office. Shi Chu glanced at her resume, lazily raised an eyebrow, and asked, “An Lili, English name Ashley, former sales consultant at Universal Fashion Studio?”

But An Lili didn’t respond. Instead, she carefully pulled out a pen and notebook from her bag, flipped it open, stood up, bowed deeply, and handed the notebook to Shi Chu. “President Shi, could you sign this for me?”

Shi Chu looked down and burst out laughing.

“Oh!” He picked up the notebook, which already bore Yang He’s signature, and asked, “So you’re a fairy crane fan? Great taste—very good at picking idols!”

Fairy crane was the collective term for Yang He’s fans.

An Lili replied, “I’m the blogger with the Weibo ID Little Crane A-Cup . I’ve been a fan since Yang He starred in her first TV drama, Qinghe Lian . I’m also a member of the Chu-He CP fanbase. I’ve consecutively checked in at the Chu-He Tieba for 1,000 days!”

Shi Chu immediately decided—she was the one!

An Lili proudly declared, “President Shi, please sign your name right next to my goddess’s!”

“Others come for job interviews,” Shi Chu said. “You came for my autograph.”

“I want the job too!” An Lili said. “My last boss was a jerk—he dared to insult my goddess! I quit immediately. I want to work for the original creator of Clear Sky Cranes … Ah, sorry, not Chinese Crane . I want to join Mirror·Realm Clothing! President Shi, please sign first so I can fulfill my CP dreams! You’re the best match for my goddess. Even though you two broke up, you haven’t resigned as the station master of the Chu-He CP fan site. When my goddess got into trouble with Boss Golden Yuanbao, you helped resolve it. Other fans might not know, but I do. You two still have feelings for each other—it must have been an amicable breakup. So, please sign! Thank you!”

An Lili’s heartfelt speech moved even Shi Chu, the eccentric. He signed his name next to Yang He’s in the notebook, handed it back, and said, “Do you know? From the moment you walked in, I thought you were perfect for this position.”

Shi Chu made the decision: “Mirror·Realm’s Weibo account is yours. Handle the promotions well!”

“I will!” An Lili was practically flying with joy. “I absolutely adore Clear Sky Cranes . Maybe it’s because the name includes my goddess’s name—I’m obsessed with this work. That’s why I joined Universal Fashion Studio initially. No matter how terrible my boss was, I couldn’t hate him. But when I found out he plagiarized, I was furious! Out of admiration, I now desperately want to work for the original creator of Clear Sky Cranes , Luo Mingjing. Plus, my goddess endorses his Twenty-Four Solar Terms series… Nothing excites me more than this job, and no one is more suited for it than me! President Shi, we’re both alumni—I’m also from F University, majoring in design! I’m confident in my professional skills. I’ve been editing videos promoting my goddess for ten years—I know exactly how to promote her and the Twenty-Four Solar Terms! Choosing me is the right decision!”

The two eccentrics quickly reached an agreement. Shi Chu immediately arranged for Fiona to hand over the work and offered An Lili the job. She started trembling as she noted down the contact information for Yang He’s agent.

After the handover, An Lili’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “President Shi, I’ve consecutively checked in at the Chu-He Tieba for 1,000 days. Can you give me a reward?”

“What do you want? A signed photo or hat? Anything—you’re a promising girl. You’re in my good books, and I’m in a great mood today. Any request can be fulfilled.”

“I want to know why you and my goddess broke up.”

Shi Chu fell silent.

He took a deep breath and said gravely, “Ashley, your goddess… she’s a drama addict. She loves her acting career more than me.”

Yang He was someone who postponed marriage indefinitely for her career, while Shi Chu, from the moment he met her, decided he wanted to marry her.

Thus, under Shi Chu’s relentless daily requests of “Let’s get married,” Yang He endured for three years before finally kicking him to the curb, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

An Lili’s eyes nearly popped out.

Shi Chu continued, “But it doesn’t matter. I’ve come to terms with it. I’m just being pathetic—I still love her, hopelessly.”

An Lili muttered softly, “Um… Have you seen her recent interview? She said she wants to dedicate her life to her acting career. President Shi… accept it.”

“I know,” Shi Chu said. “So my rival is her career—an immovable force…”

A person’s charm pales in comparison to the enduring art of performance.

Yang He devoted herself entirely to this art form. In her heart, acting was the only thing worth dedicating her life to. Love, marriage? Those were external matters.

“I’ll always love her,” Shi Chu said. “I’ve never hidden it, and I never will.”

“You keep it up!” An Lili said. “From now on, I’ll bathe, burn incense, and pray sincerely every day for you two. May you eventually reunite in holy matrimony!”

“Listen!” Shi Chu exclaimed excitedly, slamming the table. “You’re a promising girl! Do you know what? I’m giving you another high-paying job! Help me edit a video of my romantic memories with Yang He!”

“I won’t let you down!” An Lili slammed the table too. “Editing Chu-He CP videos? I’d do it even if you didn’t pay me!”

Before heading to Haishi, Luo Mingjing and Shi Min stopped by Xu Qianqian’s place to collect the archived photos and evidence she had gathered.

He Xi was also there and kindly reminded them that every photo could be checked for its shooting date.

He said, “Brother, you have to win this!”

This guy was brutally straightforward.

Then he added, “We bought train tickets—we’ll arrive a day after you.”

Luo Mingjing frowned. “What are you going there for?”

Xu Qianqian replied, “He finished his exams—it’s vacation time.”

“And you?” Luo Mingjing scolded. “What about your thesis? Your application? Did you take the language test? Are you prepared?”

Xu Qianqian said calmly, “Brother, I’m not applying anymore.”

Luo Mingjing froze. He apologized to Shi Min and pulled Xu Qianqian aside, whispering, “What happened? Did someone say something? You don’t need to worry about money. Even if you don’t ask for it, I’ll demand it from them. Your parents are used to being jerks—they assume you’ll ask for money anyway. If that’s the case, why not actually ask for some?”

“I’m not going abroad,” Xu Qianqian said lightly. “No more studying. I’m working.”

“You’re working?” Luo Mingjing was alarmed. “You’re in fashion design! If you don’t go abroad, how will you build your own personal brand? Do you want to end up like me?”

“I’ve always followed the same path as you,” Xu Qianqian said. “It made me feel secure, grounded… You couldn’t study abroad, so I wanted to fulfill that dream for you. But I’m not cut out for it. The other night, He Xi and I talked it all through. What he said hurt, but it was true. I don’t have the means to study abroad or the talent for fashion design. Forcing myself to walk your path and fulfill your dreams would be painful… Brother, I’m not like you. You love fashion design, but I don’t—not really. What I’ve always loved is the security you gave me. I love you and want to become you, a better version of you. But I can’t… I admit it—I’ll never be able to.”

Xu Qianqian wiped away tears, laughing and crying at the same time. “He Xi and I lay in bed and talked all night. I want to forge my own path. Brother, even though I majored in fashion design, I lack creativity and ideas, and I wouldn’t pour my heart and soul into it. But my fundamentals are solid—I’m confident about that. You taught me well, and I’m better than most people around me. So I want to become a 2D animator. Drawing still interests me.”

Luo Mingjing felt both comforted and saddened. He said, “…Qianqian, it won’t be easy.”

“What field is easy?” Xu Qianqian said. “Life itself is hard, so we should be happy. I used to seek security, but now I want to make myself happier. Walking your path, Brother… I wasn’t happy. I’m old enough now. I can’t keep following your footsteps, relying on you to carry me while I act spoiled. You must have been tired too.”

Finally, she said it.

The last sentence was almost too difficult to utter—tears and snot came first.

Luo Mingjing gently hugged her and said, “…As long as you’re happy.”

The family motto of the Shi household had subtly become Luo Mingjing’s blessing for his sister.

“This time, He Xi and I are returning to Haishi together. Lawyer Huang contacted me—I’m one of the witnesses. They need my testimony,” Xu Qianqian said. “Also… I want to bring He Xi home to meet Mom and Dad.”

Hearing that Xu Qianqian planned to introduce He Xi to her parents, Luo Mingjing grew worried. He knew what kind of people his uncle and aunt were. If Xu Qianqian brought her boyfriend home, her parents might find a new target to exploit.

“After visiting…” Xu Qianqian added, “I’m never returning to Haishi.”

Luo Mingjing’s objections died on his lips. Hearing her words, he was completely stunned.

“If you win your lawsuit and those scumbags face consequences, I’ll have no ties left in Haishi. I’ll completely forget about it, including my parents,” Xu Qianqian said bitterly. “The only daughter of the Xu family, the Xu family’s pride for getting into T University, yet I’ve never been allowed to sit at the table during New Year’s dinners or visit graves after graduating. They offer fake affection, expecting me to be grateful and repay them. What kind of family are they? Aside from you and Auntie, thinking about Haishi brings no warmth to my heart. I hope you… stop going back too. You’ve always told me you’re my only family. After this trip to Haishi, it’s the same for me.”

Xu Qianqian said, “I only have you as family now. No one else.”

Luo Mingjing turned his head, looked up at the sky, and held back the tears threatening to spill.

Shi Min and He Xi stood nearby. Shi Min said to He Xi, “I once thought about giving this girl a lesson.”

He Xi looked at Shi Min, puzzled.

Shi Min smiled. “Now, it seems she might barely graduate.”

She extended her hand and said, “Nice to meet you. I’m Shi Min, Luo Mingjing’s girlfriend—the kind that gets married.”

He Xi politely shook the tips of Shi Min’s fingers, adjusted his glasses, and shyly smiled. “Hello, Sister-in-law. I’m He Xi, Xu Qianqian’s boyfriend—the kind that gets married after graduation.”

Good—very perceptive.

Good—like family.

Shi Min checked her watch and said, “We need to get going. We’re in a hurry. See you in Haishi.”

He Xi smiled. “Wish you a smooth journey and success in seeking justice.”