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The next day at noon, Kang Bo completed the tasks Yan Heyu had assigned, and the money was deposited into the card.
Kang Bo’s phone chimed with an email notification. Qi Mingche’s studio replied to him, saying that Qi Mingche was not in Beijing currently and would contact him upon his return.
Qi Mingche had recently not only been successful in love but also thriving in his career.
Capitalizing on the buzz, his studio was set up with dedicated staff.
“Mr. Yan, Qi Mingche is not in Beijing.”
“Then where is he?”
Asking his studio about Qi Mingche’s whereabouts certainly wouldn’t yield any answers.
Kang Bo said, “I’ll have someone check immediately.”
Before he could give the order, the all-powerful netizens came to the rescue.
Wen Di and Qi Mingche were trending again, having been spotted by fans at the airport.
The fan who asked for an autograph replied to netizens in the comments, saying: Qi Mingche is truly so gentle, not at all like a distant high-flyer. He took my goddess to Haitang Village, where they fell in love. It turns out they already had that intention during the second season of filming.
Kang Bo didn’t dare to mention any “love-nesting” place to Yan Heyu, only saying, “Miss Wen went to visit Shen Tang on set.”
Shen Tang was currently filming, with the crew shooting on location in Haitang Village.
Yan Heyu, seeing Kang Bo so quickly ascertain Qi Mingche’s whereabouts, asked, “On the hot search again?”
“Mhm.”
“What’s the keyword?”
“It’s related to fans asking for autographs.”
Yan Heyu’s expression subtly changed. “Asking for autographs is common, how can that be on the hot search?”
Seeing that he couldn’t hide it any longer, Kang Bo had no choice but to tell the truth: “The fan managed to get both their autographs. Qi Mingche signed his name right next to Wen Di’s, and also signed the date, down to the exact hour and minute, and wrote the location. The CP fans are gushing over it.”
Yan Heyu was flipping through a notebook, his hand pausing. He was looking at Wen Di’s signature practice in his notebook, on every page. Some were in normal handwriting, while others were written like tiny grains of rice, barely discernible as “Wen Di,” the strokes a jumble.
The current page he had flipped to also had the words “Mrs. Yan.”
She had written that too.
At that time, she wished she could write her name everywhere in the house, and she had even written it on the back of his hand.
After the ink dried, she used an eraser to rub it off.
There was nothing she wouldn’t do.
“Mr. Yan?”
Kang Bo was waiting for his boss to speak. If his boss wanted to go to Haitang Village to find Qi Mingche, he needed to book plane tickets now.
Yan Heyu said, “Forget Haitang Village.”
It was probably because Wen Di went to Haitang Village with Qi Mingche, making it inconvenient to confront Qi Mingche there.
That’s what Kang Bo thought.
His boss’s water glass was empty, so he helped to pour water.
Even during social events, his boss only drank hot water these days, as his stomach had been uncomfortable.
________________________________________
Wen Di and Qi Mingche arrived in Haitang Village just before dusk. Shen Tang had no scenes today and was at home with her grandfather.
Grandpa Shen knew Qi Mingche; his granddaughter had shown him the photo of Wen Di giving Qi Mingche a ride on an electric scooter, saying the person who took the photo was Qi Mingche.
Grandpa Shen praised Qi Mingche effusively when he met him.
In the courtyard, an old-fashioned “Er-Ba” bicycle leaned against the wall.
“Oh?” Wen Di asked Shen Tang, “Where did you get this antique?”
Shen Tang said, “It’s a prop from the crew. I pushed it back to practice. We’re filming this scene the day after tomorrow.”
“You still can’t ride a bicycle?”
“I can. It’s just that with this particular bike, the way you get on isn’t very graceful.”
Wen Di laughed, finding it hard to imagine Shen Tang riding the bike.
“When you change into period clothing, the bike will instantly look fashionable. Nobody will care if you get on and off gracefully.”
Shen Tang used a towel to dust off the bicycle.
Wen Di pressed the bicycle’s bell, which jingled, its sound exceptionally clear.
She kept pressing the bell, playing, “This bike wasn’t something every family could afford back then. My grandpa said that at the time, you even needed tickets to buy a bicycle, and a city would only get a few at a time. You also had to have connections to buy one.”
Shen Tang lifted her chin slightly, “Let’s go, ride it and feel superior.”
Qi Mingche stayed home to play chess with Grandpa Shen, while the two girls put on sunglasses and pushed the vintage bicycle out.
On the coastal road, tourists were streaming by.
Shen Tang didn’t ride, pushing the bike and chatting with Wen Di as they walked.
“I feel like Grandpa Shen is in good spirits, much better than when I last visited.”
“He’s happy when I’m home.”
Shen Tang patted the bicycle’s back seat. “You get on and sit. I’ll push you, and when I get tired, you can push me.” Otherwise, if both walked, it wasn’t worth it.
Wen Di didn’t dare to sit, teasing her, “With you, I’m afraid you’ll push the car into the sea.”
“If it falls into the sea, I’ll fish you out.” Shen Tang got back to the point. “Don’t worry, my cycling skills are good. I used to ride a lot when I was in London.”
“With your first love?”
Shen Tang chuckled, “You’re a bit gossipy now.”
She patted the back seat again, “Are you sitting or not?”
Wen Di: “I’m not stupid.” Of course, she’d sit.
Shen Tang stood firm, gripping the handlebars tightly with both hands. “Alright, get on.”
With the advantage of long legs, Wen Di easily sat down.
At first, it was a bit wobbly, the bicycle swaying back and forth, appearing unsteady to passersby. Wen Di was so scared she put her toes on the ground, afraid the bike would fall.
After pushing for over ten meters, Shen Tang got her balance, and the two continued to chat.
Wen Di said, “It feels like something’s missing.” She rested one hand on the seat, her other hand idle, seemingly with nowhere to put it.
“Missing what?” Shen Tang asked.
“Missing a bag of melon seeds.” Sitting on the back of a bicycle without cracking melon seeds, what a waste.
“Wen Di, have some conscience. I’m pushing you, and you’re eating melon seeds?”
“Haha.”
Passing a small convenience store on the street, Shen Tang stopped and called out to the owner, “Uncle Shen, get me a bag of melon seeds, and a plastic bag for the shells, please.”
Most people in Haitang Village were surnamed Shen. The village wasn’t big, so almost everyone was related.
Uncle Shen came out with a bag of caramel melon seeds and a plastic bag. Shen Tang and Wen Di hadn’t brought their phones or any cash when they left.
“Uncle Shen, I didn’t bring my phone. I’ll pay you when I get back.”
Uncle Shen waved his hand. “No need, no need. A bag of melon seeds isn’t much money.”
“No, that won’t do.”
The bicycle was pushed quite a distance. Shen Tang turned her face slightly, seeing only Wen Di’s shoulder, and said, “This is my first time getting credit, all for a foodie.”
“Crunch,” Wen Di cracked open a plump melon seed. Hearing Shen Tang say that, she laughed even harder.
“You and Jiang Chengyu?”
“Not bad. I’m serious, and he’s serious too.”
Shen Tang found that Qi Mingche indulged Wen Di in everything, excessively so. Wen Di had become his entire life. And Wen Di herself had become as flat and calm as her relationship, with no ripples of emotion.
The vibrant, interesting, and unreasonable Wen Di was gone.
She always felt that if this continued, it wouldn’t last long.
She hoped she was overthinking.
The bicycle had no rearview mirror, and Wen Di was sitting sideways, so Shen Tang couldn’t see her expression.
After walking a bit further, Shen Tang reminded a certain person, “Aren’t you going to ask me if I’m tired after pushing for so long, or if you want to switch and push me?”
Wen Di snapped back to attention and said, “I don’t want to ask. I don’t think you’re tired.”
Both burst out laughing.
Wen Di cracked a few more melon seeds, jumped off the back seat, and handed the melon seeds and plastic bag to Shen Tang, taking over pushing the bike. She didn’t know where her thoughts had drifted earlier, forgetting that Shen Tang had been pushing her the whole time.
“How are things with you and Jiang Chengyu?” This time, Wen Di asked.
“We’ve already broken up.”
“Didn’t he want to get back together?”
“I don’t want to.”
Wen Di also couldn’t see Shen Tang’s expression, only the sound of Shen Tang cracking melon seeds.
Shen Tang changed the topic, saying, “Last month, I ran into Xiao Donghan at the airport.”
Wen Di knew that name; she’d heard Shen Tang mention it many times. Xiao Donghan was Shen Tang’s maternal cousin, and also the CEO of Xiaoning Group.
Xiaoning Group’s headquarters were in London.
Xiao Donghan was ruthless and ambitious in business, wanting to gain control of Xiaoning Group. Old Mr. Xiao, Shen Tang’s maternal grandfather, had been working with major shareholders to suppress him.
But in recent years, Old Mr. Xiao was clearly feeling the strain.
Old Mr. Xiao was also a tough person in his youth, but even such a formidable person couldn’t completely control Xiao Donghan. Despite various attempts to restrain Xiao Donghan, it didn’t affect him and didn’t hinder him from building his own strength.
If Xiaoning Group fell into Xiao Donghan’s hands, there would be nothing left for the rest of the Xiao family. Old Mr. Xiao was now having headaches and no longer hoped to control him, only to find a way to counterbalance him.
Wen Di asked one more question: “What was he doing in Beijing?”
Shen Tang shook her head, “Who knows. He wouldn’t tell me either.”
Speaking of Xiao Donghan, Wen Di remembered the luxury car she had rear-ended earlier. “I hit a car, and the owner’s last name is Xiao. Isn’t that a coincidence?” But unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to meet the owner himself either time.
When she rear-ended it, she saw the driver. The second time, downstairs at her apartment building, the capable man around forty years old she saw was probably the owner’s secretary or assistant.
She asked Shen Tang, “Do you know Xiao Donghan’s Beijing license plate number?”
“I don’t know. He probably doesn’t have a Beijing plate. His business empire is in Europe and America; he rarely comes to China.”
So it seemed the car owner wasn’t Xiao Donghan.
The two enjoyed the sea breeze, sat on the bicycle cracking melon seeds, and chatted until dark before heading back.
A folding table was set up in the courtyard, and Qi Mingche sat at the table working.
Stars filled the sky, and the sea breeze rustled through the begonia leaves.
“Do you still want dinner?” he asked.
“No, I’m pretty full from eating melon seeds.”
Qi Mingche had a light dinner with his grandfather at home. Grandpa Shen, feeling unwell, was already asleep.
Wen Di leaned against Qi Mingche’s back, her arm draped over his shoulder, resting her chin as she watched him process images.
Qi Mingche caught a sweet scent, turned his head, and looked at her. “Are you eating candy?”
Wen Di nodded. “It’s an orange-flavored hard candy. The guesthouse owner’s youngest son gave it to me. He gave Shen Tang one too.”
“Even at such a young age, he knows how to curry favor.”
“I think you were probably like him when you were little.”
Qi Mingche reached back and ruffled her hair a few times.
Wen Di smiled, got up from his back, and sat down beside him.
He held the back of her head, leaned down to kiss her, and tasted a hint of the fruit candy’s sweetness, very similar to the orange candies he ate as a child.
“If you like them, I’ll buy you a box.”
Wen Di shook her head and started chewing the candy, which made a crisp crunching sound.
She continued from where she left off: “I rarely eat candy. Such a small child, two or three years old, giving me candy, I found it interesting so I accepted it.”
She suddenly stood up.
Qi Mingche looked up. “Where are you going?”
“Thirsty. I ate half a bag of melon seeds.”
“You ate melon seeds without buying water?”
“Shen Tang didn’t bring money, and the melon seeds were on credit. I was too embarrassed to ask for water on credit too.”
Qi Mingche: “...”
He got up, placed his hands on her shoulders, and gently pushed her back down. “I’ll pour it for you.”
Qi Mingche poured her a large glass of flower tea, which was cool and refreshing to drink.
Wen Di quietly drank her tea, no longer disturbing his work.
Haitang Village in the evening was cool and tranquil, allowing one to forget many unpleasant things.
________________________________________
Wen Di and Qi Mingche only stayed in Haitang Village for two days. Qu Pei called her, saying that a script she had previously sold was already in the preparatory phase, and a dinner party with the investors was being arranged for her.
She couldn’t turn down such a social engagement, so she booked a flight back for that evening.
The day after she returned, Kang Bo contacted Qi Mingche.
He directly messaged Qi Mingche, introducing himself: [Mr. Qi, hello, I am Yan Heyu’s assistant. My humble surname is Kang. May I ask when you are free? Mr. Yan would like to meet you. It’s related to Wen Di.]
Qi Mingche replied: [Where should we meet? I’m free anytime.]
After reading, Kang Bo looked up at Yan Heyu.
Yan Heyu asked, “What did he say?”
Kang Bo replied, “He asked where to meet, and that he’s available now.”
The meeting location was chosen to be downstairs from Qi Mingche’s studio. Yan Heyu’s car drove nearby and found a parking spot.
Today’s meeting was only to discuss terms and wouldn’t take too long, so there was no need to find a specific place to sit down and chat.
Qi Mingche arrived late.
Assistant Kang got out of the car, opened the back passenger door, and invited Qi Mingche to get in.
“No need to bother.” Qi Mingche looked at his watch. “I only have ten minutes.”
Assistant Kang: “...”
Such words were usually spoken by the boss to others. This was the first time someone had given the boss a time limit.
Kang Bo closed the car door and returned to the car behind, giving space for his boss to negotiate.
The car window slid down. Yan Heyu looked at Qi Mingche indifferently, “Your family company’s capital chain has issues, you should know that, right?”
Qi Mingche answered evasively, “I know about you and Wen Di. Are you unwilling to give up?”
“Since you know, then it’s easy to talk.” Yan Heyu handed over the card. “It’s when your family company is short on money. Find a suitable time to break up with her.”
Qi Mingche chuckled, taking the card. “How much is in it?”
Yan Heyu said, “More than you think.”
Qi Mingche looked left and right. There was an ATM not far away.
He pointed over there. “I’ll go over there. You can have someone follow me.”
“No need.” Yan Heyu told him the password. He thought Qi Mingche was going to check the balance.
Qi Mingche walked to the ATM. He had brought his wallet downstairs, but there was no cash in it. He pulled out one of his own cards from the cardholder.
Kang Bo watched the receding figure in disbelief. So smoothly? He also felt that Wen Di wasn’t worth it.
Since the boss wanted to snatch Wen Di, he was almost split. One moment he sympathized with the boss, the next he felt that Wen Di had it tough and deserved to have her own proper relationship.
Soon, Qi Mingche returned, holding a few banknotes.
He stood in front of the car, looking at Yan Heyu.
It had to be said, this scion of the Yan family, even while sitting, had an aura that overpowered someone standing.
“Mr. Yan is very generous. The money he gave is indeed more than I expected.”
After a pause, Qi Mingche said, “Photography is just my hobby; I don’t earn a living from it. Of course, my assets are incomparable to your wealth, but I’m truly not at a point where I lack money. I don’t even remember how much money I’ve spent playing with sports cars and yachts over the years. As for whether my family’s company’s capital chain is broken, that’s Ming Jianjun’s concern, not mine. If he’s really short on money, I can consider lending him some, interest-free.”
Yan Heyu’s gaze deepened slightly, and he said nothing.
Qi Mingche put the card, along with the two hundred yuan he had withdrawn from his own card, onto Yan Heyu’s suit in front of him. “Keep it. These two hundred yuan are for gasoline.”
Without another word, he turned and left.
The window of the car behind was open, and Assistant Kang immediately got out.
The card and the two hundred yuan slid from Yan Heyu’s body onto the seat.
Kang Bo collected them and quickly said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Yan, it was my work mistake. I’ll have someone recheck his overseas investments immediately.”
Yan Heyu said in a deep voice, “Return to the company.”
Kang Bo could tell that his boss was trying his best to suppress his temper.
He looked at the banknotes in his hand and had no choice but to top up Qi Mingche’s phone with two hundred yuan.
The two cars drove in succession towards Jingyue Building.
________________________________________
Wen Di called Qi Mingche, but no one answered. Ten minutes later, he called back.
At that time, Qi Mingche was downstairs, handing the card back to Yan Heyu, so he didn’t see his vibrating phone.
“I was busy just now.” He asked, “Haven’t you gone to the restaurant yet?”
Wen Di: “On my way. Teacher Qu arranged a driver for me, so you don’t have to pick me up tonight.”
“Alright, then I’ll wait for you at the apartment and make you some hangover soup.”
At tonight’s dinner party, Wen Di only knew the director; she hadn’t heard of the people from the investor’s side.
Director Ni, a long-time friend of Qu Pei and Director Ruan, said it was just a dinner to get to know each other, and there would be absolutely no forced drinking, so she could go with peace of mind.
Director Ni had read her script, and without hesitation, signed a contract with Qu Pei the next day, saying he liked the theme and story, which was a script related to Shancheng, called “No One Compares to You in This World.”
Now, she couldn’t write stories that moved herself.
In “A Great Awakening,” there was only reality, no eternity.
When she arrived at the restaurant’s private room, most of the people had already arrived.
Director Ni greeted her and introduced her one by one.
Before he finished the introductions, the entrance became noisy. Wen Di and Director Ni followed the sound.
Seeing Jiang Chengyu here was unexpected, but thinking about it, she felt it was reasonable.
Like Yan Heyu, Jiang Chengyu was always the center of attention wherever he went, the object of flattery.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Chengyu sat next to Wen Di.
Those present knew that Jiang Chengyu’s beloved was Wen Di’s best friend, so they were not surprised when Jiang Chengyu sat down there.
Jiang Chengyu was not a script investor, but just came to the dinner party as a friend of an investor. With his status, who could invite him to accompany them? Since he could come, his intention was naturally not just for the wine.
Wen Di nodded slightly, “Mr. Jiang, long time no see.”
Jiang Chengyu’s tone was familiar: “When did you get back?”
It seemed he knew she went to Haitang Village.
Wen Di said, “Yesterday.”
“How’s Tangtang doing?”
Wen Di smiled, not as warm as before, and said, “If you want to know, Mr. Jiang can go see for himself.”
Jiang Chengyu had planned to go, but he had been busy lately and couldn’t spare the time; he even pushed off other engagements for this dinner.
He said, “I’ll go in a few days.”
Wen Di still hoped in her heart that Shen Tang and Jiang Chengyu could be together. She could feel Shen Tang’s psychological dependence on Jiang Chengyu, and only Jiang Chengyu could tolerate Shen Tang’s stubbornness.
She revealed a little more: “Grandpa Shen’s health isn’t too good. He looks in good spirits, but later I realized he was just putting on a brave face, not wanting Tangtang to worry.”
Jiang Chengyu nodded, understanding, “Thank you.”
They had only just started chatting when another heavyweight guest arrived at the private room. Even Guan Xiangmu, who was hosting tonight, was puzzled; he hadn’t invited this princeling, only Jiang Chengyu.
It wasn’t even Jiang Chengyu whom he invited; Jiang Chengyu had known that he was investing in Wen Di’s script and said he wanted to come.
In fact, he wasn’t familiar with these two from the Jiang and Yan families, only acquainted.
Tonight, he had enough face; both the second son of the Jiang family and the crown prince of the Yan family came to support him.
Of course, Guan Xiangmu wouldn’t ask Yan Heyu, “Why are you here?”
He greeted him enthusiastically, speaking insincerely, “I thought you weren’t coming.”
The two shook hands. Yan Heyu smiled and said, “Your event, how dare I not come?”
Guan Xiangmu thought to himself, And what don’t you dare to do?
Guan Xiangmu had never experienced such a display tonight, and Director Ni even less so, but they all vaguely caught a whiff of gossip. Yan Heyu came for Wen Di; he went straight towards Wen Di.
Jiang Chengyu glanced at Yan Heyu, lowering his voice: “Why are you here?”
At this moment, he urgently wanted to distance himself from Yan Heyu, so as not to let Wen Di mistakenly think that he and Yan Heyu were cut from the same cloth, which would be detrimental to him winning back Shen Tang.
Yan Heyu deliberately said, “Didn’t you ask me to come?”
Jiang Chengyu: “...”
He was speechless.
Yan Heyu sat in the empty seat on Wen Di’s other side. Across from Wen Di, he said to Jiang Chengyu, “Qin Xing said you were here tonight.”
This was a deliberate explanation for Wen Di, that he wasn’t called by Jiang Chengyu.
With everyone present, Guan Xiangmu asked them what they wanted to drink. Tonight’s dinner was not a drinking party.
Jiang Chengyu looked at Wen Di, “What do you want to drink? Water or juice? Red wine is fine too; Mr. Guan brought a few good bottles.”
Wen Di said, “Then a little red wine, please.”
“Mr. Yan, what about you? Red or white?” Guan Xiangmu asked.
Yan Heyu pointed to the water glass in front of him. “I’ll have warm water.”
“What’s wrong? Feeling unwell?”
“My stomach is uncomfortable.”
“Then you shouldn’t drink. I had a stomach hemorrhage a while ago from drinking, and I didn’t dare touch alcohol for days.”
Wen Di picked up her wine glass and took a sip.
Yan Heyu glanced at her from the corner of his eye; she showed no reaction.
During the meal, another investor asked, “How come I heard Mr. Yan was engaged, and then broke off the engagement? Is that true?” With that, he raised his glass for a toast.
Yan Heyu, using water as a substitute for wine, drank a few sips and said, “The engagement has been called off.”
“It seems the rumors are true.”
This topic was not suitable for deep discussion, so Guan Xiangmu appropriately shifted the topic and chatted with Wen Di, “What have you been busy with recently, Scriptwriter Wen? Do you have any new scripts on hand?”
Wen Di nodded. “I have one, but it’s not finished yet.”
“Is that so?” Before investing in Wen Di’s “No One Compares to You in This World,” Guan Xiangmu had thoroughly read her other works. After reading them, his perception of Wen Di was no longer superficial, merely based on her good looks.
Her storytelling style was different from others.
“What’s the subject matter this time?”
Wen Di didn’t elaborate, saying, “If you’re interested, Mr. Guan, I’ll ask for your guidance once it’s finished.”
“Guidance? I wouldn’t dare. I’m an amateur. Have you decided on a title?”
“A Great Awakening.”
Guan Xiangmu said, “Just hearing the title, it’s already different from your previous style. If it’s convenient, leave your contact information. Call me when you’re done writing.”
“No problem.”
Guan Xiangmu unlocked his phone, opened the QR code, and asked the waiter to help send the phone to Wen Di.
Wen Di scanned the QR code and added Guan Xiangmu.
Yan Heyu held his water glass, taking sips infrequently.
Her “No One Compares to You in This World” was written when they first started dating. Now, “A Great Awakening,” just from the title, he knew what the ending would be.
He leaned back in his chair, holding the water glass in his right hand, his left palm lightly resting on the very edge of her chair back.
With her by his side, he felt his stomach didn’t hurt as much as before.
But all dinners must eventually end.
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