Li Ran heard Dai Yunxin ask on the phone, "How badly did you fall?"
Zhao Xiyin said, "He has a cast and bandages on, and he's still in a wheelchair at home."
This left no room for doubt, and after a lengthy explanation, the call finally ended.
Zhao Xiyin is not good at lying. At this moment, her face is flushed, and she is holding her phone and breathing heavily.
Li Ran pursed her lips and said honestly, "Teacher Dai is really good to you."
Zhao Xiyin didn't speak, her head lowered, her long hair covering her cheeks. Sitting in this position for so long had made her knees numb, the numbness flowing through her blood, making her feel as if she had lost all feeling. She leaned back and fell onto the bed, staring blankly at the lampshade on the ceiling.
"I know," Zhao Xiyin said in a muffled voice, "It's because I'm not good enough."
——
At 11 p.m., the headquarters of Fantian Entertainment stood tall on the East Third Ring Road, and the largest indoor studio in Asia on the top floor was still recording. The lights were as bright as day, and the process proceeded smoothly. All the company's senior executives stayed by Meng Weixi's side, sometimes explaining in hushed tones, but mostly remaining silent.
Meng Weixi wore a pure white business shirt. His skin was porcelain white, and his thin lips, when pressed tightly together, gave him a slightly serious look, yet also revealed a hint of shallow sexiness. The girls in the studio secretly sized him up, and couldn't help but admire him, whispering among themselves. They even said that Lin Qin, who was known as an ice queen, was unusually distracted while hosting on stage tonight, her eyes glancing in that direction several times.
Fifteen minutes later, Meng Weixi left the studio, accompanied by senior executives back to the office.
Meng Weixi's appointment was announced to the public only yesterday, but the company already knew about it. Although he had been abroad for the past two years, he had already begun to understand the company's affairs. Without waiting for an adaptation period, he took office with ease, and everything was in an orderly manner.
Meng Weixi, though twenty-seven, displayed a composure beyond his years, speaking with tact and displaying a natural ease, which impressed the veteran officials. He flipped through a few pages of the project proposal for the film "Nine Thoughts," Fantian Entertainment's largest investment project in recent years. It had already been reported to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and subsequently nominated for several important domestic film and television awards.
Meng Weixi first listened to the process reports from the executives of all parties without raising any objections. Only at the end did he subtly cut to the chase, pointing out that several investors needed to be evaluated, with Jingmao Group being the most prominent.
Meng Weixi said, "We have enough operating capital, and unnecessary investors can be streamlined. Jingmao's main business is still physical industry, and it has little experience in film investment, so it can be disregarded."
Unexpectedly, the four senior executives who had previously championed him all opposed him, saying, "Jingmao is indeed known for its physical businesses, but it has transformed in recent years, with investments in various industries flourishing. What's rare is that President Zhou is low-key and doesn't like to publicize things. Moreover, President Zhou is on good terms with Gu Heping, and the Gu family holds real power in the distribution of cinemas. They will inevitably do favors for each other in the future."
Meng Weixi showed no emotion whatsoever, only saying that they would discuss it further.
Afterwards, the vice president suggested, "The lead actors have been decided, but the lead dancer for one of the key scenes has not yet been selected. How about we start a selection competition? It would also be a good opportunity for publicity."
Meng Weixi maintained the same expression, offering no definitive conclusion, indicating that he understood.
——
Saturday night a week later. Li Ran's shop launched new products again. She always did a live stream with each new product launch, speaking eloquently and captivatingly. Up to her father's generation, the Li family had all pursued legitimate official careers, and Li Ran's two older brothers followed in their father's footsteps. She was a complete surprise—a mischievous, clever, and street-smart kid.
"The design is inspired by the rope, and there's also a super cool metal chain on the chest. The matching underwear is, yes, a strawberry-shaped piece of fabric with transparent dots on it. Isn't that a cute little detail?"
Li Ran was live-streaming, and during this time, Zhao Xiyin was handling all the sales and after-sales matters for the store.
"Sister Xiaoxi, can this product be worn with a D cup?"
"You're one dollar short of the free shipping fee, could you please include it for the customer?"
"Sister west, do you need to send some lubricant?"
About ten minutes later, the live stream ended, and the customer service representative ran over and whispered to Zhao Xiyin, "Someone has been waiting for you for a long time. He's right at the door, and he's a super handsome guy."
Zhao Xiyin turned her head and saw Meng Weixi standing by the door, dressed in a white, black, fitted shirt that made him look sharp and energetic. There was no air conditioning outside, and a thin layer of sweat glistened on his forehead. He must have heard every word of the live broadcast and conversation inside. At that moment, Zhao Xiyin was holding several alluring and sexy sample garments. Their eyes met, and both of them couldn't hide their slight unease.
She didn't speak, so Meng Weixi stood still.
The young women in the studio glanced at him secretly, their expressions puzzled.
It was Li Ran who came to the rescue. She grinned and said to Meng Weixi, "Aren't you hot? Why don't you come in and cool off?"
Meng Weixi smiled and said, "Xiao Li, your business is growing bigger and bigger."
Li Ran liked hearing this and invited the person into the house with a smile.
Meng Weixi entered the room, his gaze fixed on Zhao Xiyin with every step. Li Ran watched from the side, her heart pounding with fear, for the man's gaze was so open and honest; one could see the weariness within it, and also sense the deep affection it held.
Meng Weixi stopped in front of Zhao Xiyin, handed her the paper bag he had been carrying, and said, "I didn't have time to say hello to you that night. I just happened to be passing by and came up to see you. I don't need the bracelet that someone else gave me. If you like it, just wear it."
The outstretched hand was long and well-defined, with evenly proportioned knuckles. As the silence stretched on, Zhao Xiyin said, "No need, thank you."
Meng Weixi smiled and said, "Do you have time tomorrow? I'll treat you to dinner."
Zhao Xiyin said, "No, Li Ran and I are going to the factory to oversee the production line tomorrow."
With things said to this point, the outcome is already decided. To insist any further would only ruin the way she had given us, and then nothing would be worthwhile for either of us.
Meng Weixi smiled nonchalantly, "Okay, let's meet again next time."
He didn't linger and left quite gracefully.
Zhao Xiyin acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to busy herself with checking orders. She squatted on the ground, and when she looked down, the shape of her shoulder blades was faintly visible. Li Ran also squatted down to help, and after hesitating several times, she couldn't help but say, "When Meng Weixi gave you the gift earlier, his hands were trembling when you remained silent and didn't accept it."
Zhao Xiyin checked the shipping information one by one, her face as calm as a still lake.
Li Ran pursed her lips and sighed softly, "Meng Weixi has been abroad for more than two years, right? It's only been two years, but I feel like he's become a completely different person."
——
At 11 p.m., the city was ablaze with lights, illuminating East Chang'an Avenue. This main thoroughfare of the capital shone brilliantly. Meng Weixi sat in his car, instructing the driver to turn off all the interior lights. He was plunged into darkness, his eyes closed, remaining silent.
Until his phone rang; it was a call from his father.
Meng Weixi answered the phone, and his father told him in a serious tone, "I agree with your proposal to streamline investors at the meeting, but Jingmao Group is not included in this decision."
Meng Weixi frowned slightly.
"I don't care about personal grudges; you must consider the bigger picture. However, I understand that you may not be aware of the situation after spending the past two years abroad. Tomorrow, I'll have Secretary Li show you Jingmao's data from the past few years. In short, Jingmao must stay, and Zhou Qishen must be involved." Meng's father spoke solemnly and resolutely.