Shen Huai looked somewhat surprised, but quickly answered the phone, his voice tinged with a smile: "Uncle, when did you return to China?"
Their tone was familiar and intimate, indicating a very good relationship.
Mingwei was a little curious. After all, Shen Huai had been with the company for several years, but she had never met his relatives or friends. Later, after learning about Shen Huai's true identity, she also followed the gossip-loving netizens through the history of Shen's rise to power and exclaimed a few times how amazing it was.
However, this powerful family keeps a very low profile, and very little information about them comes out. If Shen Huai hadn't gone viral, many people probably wouldn't have even heard of this family.
Although Mingwei was curious, she obediently left and closed the door behind her.
However, Mingwei didn't go back. Instead, she waited in the secretary's office outside until Shen Huai finished his call before continuing the conversation.
A short while later, Shen Huai's office door opened, and he strode out, casually instructing his secretary, "Make a reservation for dinner..."
After he finished giving his instructions, he saw Mingwei, but he didn't stop walking: "Let's talk about anything else as we walk."
Mingwei quickly followed, and they didn't finish talking about work until they reached the underground parking lot.
Seeing Shen Huai getting ready to drive, Mingwei couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Shen, where are you going?"
Shen Huai didn't hide anything from her: "I'm going to Hongzhen. I probably won't be back at the company until tomorrow. Contact me if you need anything."
Hongzhen is the filming location for "Idol Producer". Now the competition for "Idol Producer" has entered a fierce stage. Unlike before, when all the mentors only needed to arrive on the day of the recording, they now stay there directly.
Shen Huai's sudden trip to Hongzhen was obviously for Ye Cang's sake. Thinking back to that phone call earlier, Mingwei suddenly covered her mouth.
This is definitely the start of meeting the parents!!
-
Hongzhen is located near Zhongjing City. Shen Huai drove there and arrived at his destination two hours later.
There are several large photography studios in Hongzhen, and first-time visitors would probably have no idea where to find them. But Shen Huai was quite familiar with them. He drove straight to a shop in an alley, ordered a plate of braised pork intestines, and then headed towards the photography studio for "National Idol".
Shen Huai had already contacted the production team of "Everybody's Idol" and they were worried that he wouldn't be able to find the place, so they specially sent an intern to pick him up.
The intern was quite lively. Upon seeing Shen Huai, he warmly greeted him and exchanged a few pleasantries before saying, "Mr. Shen, Ms. Ye lives in the building behind. Let me take you there directly..."
Shen Huai shook his head: "Take me to the contestants' side."
The intern was taken aback, but then realized that Xia Shiyu, who is currently the most popular idol on "National Idol," is also Shen Huai's artist.
He stuck out his tongue, quickly led Shen Huai to the meeting room, and then called the director.
Although "Everybody's Idol" is supposed to be a completely closed program, it's not that rigid. Meeting your own manager is not a problem. The production team even set up a special meeting room for this purpose.
Xia Shiyu's place is a bit far; she was just in the recording studio, so it will take her a while to get there.
The interns, worried about awkward silences, went to great lengths to find topics to talk about.
Seeing Shen Huai carrying a bag, he couldn't help but ask, "Is this a gift for Xia Xia, Mr. Shen?"
Shen Huai nodded hesitantly.
The intern stared at the bag. It was just a simple supermarket plastic bag, tightly tied, and you couldn't tell what was inside. You could only vaguely make out that it looked like a box, but the more you looked at it, the more it resembled a takeout order.
The intern immediately banished the absurd idea from his head.
This is President Shen, a legendary figure in the investment world and one of the heirs of the Shen family. When he gives gifts to his own artists, they should at least be designer jewelry, handbags, or other high-end items!
That bag is definitely not just a simple supermarket plastic bag. The way it's wrapped is just because the big shot is too low-key. That must be it!
The intern silently gave himself a thumbs up for his guess.
The door was pushed open, and Xia Shiyu strode in. When she saw Shen Huai, she was pleasantly surprised: "Why are you here?"
Shen Huai smiled and said, "I came here on business and just happened to drop by to see you."
If it were any other agent, they would probably want to live here and keep an eye on their artist to make sure they look good in front of the camera. But Shen Huai knew very well that Xia Shiyu didn't need him to keep an eye on her at all; she was the best artist on stage by herself.
He said he was just taking a look, and he really was just taking a look.
Xia Shiyu didn't mind, but then she twitched her nose: "What's that smell?"
Shen Huai smiled and shook his head, marveling at Xia Shiyu's keen sense of smell. He pointed to the bag on the table: "A gift I brought for you."
Xia Shiyu muttered, "What is it?" as she opened the plastic bag.
The intern standing nearby was watching her hand movements intently, even more nervous than she was, the person in question.
but……
"Uh-huh?!!"
The intern was so surprised that he didn't control his voice properly, and Shen Huai and Xia Shiyu turned their heads at the same time.
He hurriedly waved his hand, "No...it's nothing."
He never imagined it was just a supermarket plastic bag! And inside was indeed a takeout order! A spicy pork intestine dish!!
The intern, having received the answer, left the meeting room dejectedly.
Xia Shiyu was pleasantly surprised. After all, she needed to control her figure, and she hadn't even seen pork lately, let alone intestines. She was eating nutritional meals every day, and her mouth was almost bland.
Shen Huai's gift was so thoughtful and touching.
Although Xia Shiyu's eyes were practically glowing with envy, he still restrained himself and only ate a small piece of fatty intestine before quickly closing the box.
Her face showed an exaggerated expression of happiness as she slowly chewed the rare delicacy in her mouth.
Shen Huai waited for her to finish eating before saying, "I called Elder Qi to check on the progress of the case. They are still collecting evidence, which will take a long time. The trial will definitely be next year."
Shen Huai knew that for these resurrected people, because they empathized with the original owner's experience and carried the original owner's resentment before death, their obsession with clearing their name was particularly strong.
Xia Shiyu hadn't expected it to take so long, but then she let out a long sigh: "It's okay, we've already waited three years, a few more months won't matter."
This was, after all, someone else's territory, so both of them were careful not to reveal that Xia Shiyu had been resurrected. They chatted casually for a few minutes.
Before Shen Huai left, Xia Shiyu hesitated and asked, "How is Pei Ran?"
Xia Shiyu already knew about Pei Ran's resurrection, but she was at the recording site and couldn't go back, so she could only ask Shen Huai for information.
Shen Huai said, "He is currently in the crew of 'Red Actress' and learning from Director Xie. He plans to make a movie, and it is already in preparation."
Xia Shiyu also said with emotion: "He once said that his biggest regret was not being able to personally direct a movie, and now he has finally fulfilled his wish."
Xia Shiyu stroked her chin: "I should support my good friend's movie. What do you think about me playing a cameo role?"
Shen Huai: "..."
He felt that Pei Ran probably didn't want this kind of support.
-
Shen Huai chatted with Xia Shiyu for a while before leaving. He originally planned to go directly to his mentor's residence, but as soon as he opened the door to the reception room, he saw Ye Cang waiting outside.
Ye Cang had also heard that Shen Huai had come. At first, he thought that Qiu Jie and the others were just joking with him. However, he still took the thought of erring on the side of caution and went to get his hair done.
He waited and waited, but Shen Huai never showed up. He was about to rush over and challenge Qiu Jie to a real-life duel when he heard from some staff members that Shen Huai had gone to the meeting room.
He couldn't wait, so he ran over by himself.
Since they went public with their relationship, they only had a sweet afternoon together. After that, they were both busy and didn't even have a chance to meet, even though they were both in Zhongjing. This made Ye Cang very depressed. He just didn't expect Shen Huai to come looking for him.
Ye Cang felt a surge of romantic excitement, but then he saw Shen Huai glance at his watch and say, "I've told the production team that we need to borrow you for the afternoon and evening. You have one hour to change."
Ye Cang was a little puzzled: "Why do we need to change clothes if we're both together?"
Shen Huai looked at him helplessly: "It's not just the two of us."
Ye Cang was immediately annoyed: "We rarely have time to spend together, why should we spend it with others..."
Shen Huai casually interrupted him: "That other person is my uncle."
Ye Cang: "?!?!"
Chapter 162
Ye Cang was extremely nervous. Although he had prepared to meet Shen Huai's parents after they got together, he realized that no matter how long he prepared, it was useless when the time came.
The two drove directly to a high-end club in the suburbs of Zhongjing City. According to Shen Huai, this club was one of his uncle's businesses.
After the two got out of the car, someone came to help them park.
Ye Cang loosened his collar, took a deep breath, and subconsciously straightened his clothes.
Shen Huai looked at him in his suit and tie and said helplessly, "Although I asked you to change your clothes, there was really no need to dress so formally."
Ye Cang: "If it's not formal, what if your uncle thinks I don't value it?"
Shen Huai: "He..."
Shen Huai was interrupted before he could finish speaking.
"Hello, are you Mr. Shen and Mr. Ye?"
A greeter came over and led the two to a small sightseeing vehicle, then drove the vehicle inside.
The club was huge, and it even had a horse farm. The scenery along the road was specially designed, but Ye Cang had no interest in looking at it.
He held the red wine in his hand, a gift prepared by Shen Huai. Ye Cang originally wanted to buy something else to show his sincerity, but Shen Huai stopped him. In the end, there was simply not enough time, so he gave up.
But now, standing at the restaurant entrance, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy: "Will your uncle approve of us being together?"
Shen Huai said helplessly, "Our family never interferes in the private affairs of other family members."
Ye Cang frowned slightly: "But, after all, I am a man. Aren't the elders very concerned about this kind of thing?"
Shen Huai: "He won't. He'll only wish us well. Besides, he..."
Shen Huai was only halfway through his sentence when they arrived at their destination. Shen Heng's personal assistant stood by the roadside, smiling and waiting for them.
Shen Huai couldn't continue the conversation and got out of the car with Ye Cang.
Ye Cang nearly stumbled, feeling more nervous than he had ever been in his two lives.
Seeing this, Shen Huai gently patted his arm: "Don't worry, he's a very nice person."
Ye Cang forced a stiff smile.
Helpless, Shen Huai could only remain silent.
The assistant was very perceptive; he simply led them to the front of a small building, opened the door for them, and then stopped to invite them inside.
Ye Cang stared at the opened door, his heart pounding even harder. Just then, a hand reached out from the side and grasped his.