In the darkness, Xiao Shulang wondered if one day he would turn around without hesitation, leaving only his back view.
Xiao Shulang was helped by the staff to take a few steps in the darkness. In a daze, he had the illusion that he was standing at the gate of the orphanage again, waiting to be abandoned. Xiao Shulang's fingers tightened, and then he felt his arm being released. He subconsciously wanted to raise his hand, but found that his fingertips touched something, and then... someone took his hand.
A very gentlemanly hand-holding gesture, very elegant, steadily and firmly lifting his hand, the warmth of his palm not to be underestimated.
Fingers brushed past his ear as someone removed his blindfold.
Xiao Shulang closed his eyes to adjust to the light before slowly opening them.
Qin Shuang gently held his hand and stood in front of Xiao Shulang: "I'm here."
Xiao Shulang's fingertips curled slightly. Although it was an expected outcome, after the production team's manipulation, seeing him actually standing in front of him now, Xiao Shulang felt a lump in his throat and was unable to speak.
At this moment, the crew members next to them applauded: "Congratulations on your successful mutual selection! Enjoy your romantic dinner together!"
The audience was thoroughly satisfied.
[They held hands! They really held hands! Well done, production team!!]
[Politeness, respect, care—I saw so much in just one hand holding hands. Don't stop me, I'm not over-interpreting; they must be genuine!!]
[Together! Together!]
Only after they sat down did the two separate their hands. Xiao Shulang's earlobes were thoroughly exposed. After sitting down opposite Qin Shuang, his gaze was somewhat evasive, but... on the way here, Xiao Shulang did not rush to withdraw his hand.
"That's a good thing," Qin Shuang thought.
The dinner was champagne. The two clinked glasses, the camera slowly blurred and moved away, ending the live broadcast.
As heartfelt wishes were added later, viewers cried out their reluctance to part ways and flooded the screen with blessings.
Xu Baichang and You Ziang were in the same restaurant, but their booths were a bit far away. The restaurant had been booked by the production team tonight. After the live broadcast ended, the guests stood up from their seats and applauded with the staff and the director.
"Filming has come to a successful close! Everyone has worked hard!" the director said. "Don't hesitate to eat anything you'd like tonight!"
Zhuo Cheng, who abstained, and Yin Xingzhi, who was not selected, were also picked up from the villa and appeared with the staff. Since it was a celebration for the entire production team, it was impossible to leave them out.
However, since the live stream was over, Zhuo Cheng didn't need to have dinner with Yin Xingzhi anymore. He sat in a booth with three staff members, happily waiting for the meal to start.
Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang sat down again. The reality show was over, and there were no more cameras rolling. It wasn't their work time, but they were still sitting together.
The previous toast was for the photoshoot; now Qin Shuang raises her champagne glass again and leans forward slightly.
Xiao Shulang looked at him.
"Does our trip to the beach and to the orphanage to visit the children still count?" Qin Shuang asked.
Xiao Shulang smiled.
“It counts,” he said.
Even outside of dating reality shows, they will still be Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang, and that won't change.
Xiao Shulang and Qin Shuang's wine glasses clinked lightly under the light, producing a pleasant, crisp sound.
"cheers."
Chapter 44 I've missed you so much after just a few days.
Although filming had already finished, the director of the mountain villa stayed an extra night because everyone's luggage was there. He couldn't just rush everyone to leave as soon as filming was over; that would be too inconsiderate.
The accompanying driver is a teetotaler, so there's no need to worry about him driving.
Qin Shuang and Xiao Shulang only had a few drinks, and the director didn't urge them to drink. Everyone enjoyed the meal.
After finishing our meal, we returned to the villa. Everyone started contacting each other about their schedules and packed some things so we could leave the next morning after a quick packing.
Xiao Shulang's suitcase had plenty of space to hold seashell products, all sealed in bags. There were enough to go even to the welfare home.
He messaged Xiao Jiang, asking him to pick him up the next morning.
When I go back, I will formally discuss cost-saving measures with the company, as well as the establishment of my own company. Although I have already gone through most of the process by asking others for help, I will undoubtedly start to get busy.
Xiao Shulang saw the letter in the mesh compartment of the suitcase. Qin Shuang's strong and beautiful handwriting outlined her name on the cover. He couldn't help but reach out and touch it, thinking that they probably wouldn't be able to see each other for a long time.
"Knock knock".
There was a knock at the door. Xiao Shulang opened the door and saw Qin Shuang standing outside, carrying a suitcase.
Xiao Shulang was taken aback: "You left overnight?"
"Um."
Qin Shuang said, "The flight is at two in the morning, and I need to rush to release a press release."
When it comes to being busy, it's not just Xiao Shulang; Qin Shuang is also very busy.
I thought we could still have breakfast tomorrow morning, but the parting came so quickly.
Xiao Shulang twitched his fingers, suppressing his excess emotions: "Have a safe journey, and take good care of yourself."
Qin Shuang nodded. He picked up his suitcase but didn't leave immediately. Xiao Shulang didn't urge him either, until Qin Shuang's phone vibrated and the car to pick him up arrived.
Qin Shuang tightened her grip on her suitcase, then turned her toes to look outside: "See you later."
Xiao Shulang raised his hand and waved: "Okay, see you later."
He watched Qin Shuang's retreating figure as she went downstairs, and suddenly felt the touch of Qin Shuang holding his hand when all was dark earlier that day.
At that moment, Qin Shuang not only held his hand firmly, but also her heart, which was hanging in suspense.
Those who abandoned him back then will not say "see you later," nor will they... nor will they turn back to look at him one last time when they reach the door.
Xiao Shulang looked at Qin Shuang, who had turned her head away, and couldn't help but smile.
Qin Shuang's gaze softened, she nodded to him, and finally went out.
Oh dear... Xiao Shulang leaned against the door frame and thought, "Looking at someone's back can be so reassuring. It's a completely new experience."
Even if we're separated, it seems I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight.
He did sleep well and had a nice dream. In the dream, someone was holding his hand. He couldn't see the person's face, but he felt that he could walk with them forever.
The next morning, Xiao Shulang got up on time, said goodbye to those who were already up, and got into the car that Xiao Jiang had driven.
During the drive, Xiao Shulang chatted with Xiao Jiang about the new company. He had asked Wang Hao to give Xiao Jiang a heads-up beforehand, and Xiao Jiang said he was willing to work for him.
“If you work with me, your salary will definitely increase, but the work will be very hard for a while. I heard from Wang Hao that you have studied how to work as an agent. If you are determined to stay, you will be the company’s first agent.”
Xiao Jiang swallowed nervously, but spoke without hesitation: "I've thought it through, Brother Xiao. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Although I've never worked as a manager on my own before, I'm familiar with the procedures. I'll definitely do my best. If I make any mistakes, just scold me. I'll never let you down on important matters!"
Xiao Shulang laughed and said, "It's alright, let's take it one step at a time. This is my first time being an artist too, let's encourage each other."
Although the original owner debuted early, he had basically never appeared in public, so Xiao Shulang's statement would not arouse suspicion.
After returning, Xiao Shulang barely had any rest time. He went straight to the company to discuss terminating his contract.
He had just become famous, and to be honest, the company was very reluctant to let him go. However, the boss had a good relationship with him and Wang Hao, and since the contract was about to expire, everyone agreed to let him go.
As for the establishment of the company, Xiao Shulang had already entrusted someone else to handle the preliminary procedures beforehand. After the contract with the current company is completely terminated, he can also personally handle the process.
After Xiao Mingfeng, the eldest brother of the Xiao family, learned that he was going to set up a company, he even borrowed a lawyer from the group's legal department to serve as an advisor. After all, when a newly established company is about to move forward, there are many things that will inevitably require the help of a lawyer to review.
With everything piling up at once, Xiao Shulang was so busy he didn't have time to cook and ended up eating takeout with Xiao Jiang.
The new company rented a cheap office as a temporary registration address. Fortunately, there were office supplies left by the previous owner. Xiao Shulang, Xiao Jiang, and the lawyer all worked in the small office. When they got tired at lunchtime, they would rest on the table for a while and continue working after ten minutes or so.
To attract investment for the company, one naturally needs connections. There aren't many people who are willing to associate with the original owner and have the ability to invest, but Xiao Shulang still tried them one by one. Some people from Wang Hao's side were also interested in Xiao Shulang's company, but none of them satisfied Xiao Shulang.
Most people are willing to talk to him because they see his popularity rising online and they think he can make some money. The traps in his conditions are not hidden; they are all out in the open. He makes his intentions crystal clear.
"Mr. Xiao, have you thought this through? Our terms are fair. To be honest, your company now relies on you alone. Those who are willing to pay for a one-person company are basically going through our process."
Another negotiation fell apart tonight, and it happened over drinks.
Xiao Jiang stayed by his side, listening with trepidation to the group's smiling conversation, which was full of hidden meaning. Even so, they managed to finish their sentences, managing to ruin their business but not their reputation. That was quite impressive.
He had never had the chance to talk to these bosses directly before, and now just listening to them made his scalp tingle.
Among the capable people is Xiao Shulang.
Xiao Jiang wanted to lose his temper over many of Xiao Shulang's words, but Xiao Shulang still smiled, even though his smile was completely meant to annoy him.
"I am flattered and overwhelmed by your high regard for me. These conditions are practically asking me to risk my life. I am too flattered and overwhelmed. I should go back and calm down."
The smile on the other person's face was almost painted on, a forced smile: "Then you should go back and take your time, and think it over carefully."
When the drinking party ended, Xiao Jiang breathed a long sigh of relief.
Xiao Shulang pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "Let's go."
Before he could recruit a new assistant, Xiao Jiang had to drive. Although he was accompanying Xiao Shulang tonight, he didn't drink. After getting into the car, he handed the thermos to Xiao Shulang.
"Brother Xiao, have some to warm your stomach."
He didn't drink much tonight, but similar drinking parties have been happening frequently in the past few days. The cumulative effect is bound to be bad for his health.
Xiao Shulang sipped his hot milk, his mind wandering to the people he had met in the past few days. If he had to pick the tallest among the short ones... there were some.
However, we cannot discuss investment; we can only discuss point-to-point cooperation, which will greatly reduce the scale.
He was thinking of various solutions when his phone rang. He answered mechanically and greeted it with a polite "Hello."
The main reason is that he's received a lot of phone calls lately, and it's undeniable that it's become muscle memory.
After a brief silence on the other end of the phone, a voice came through: "It's me."
Qin Shuang.
They hadn't been in contact for almost a week. When he heard his voice again, Xiao Shulang was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses: "Ah, sorry, I didn't check the caller ID just now. What's wrong?"
Xiao Shulang put aside his fatigue from the past few days and chatted with him in the most normal tone.
"I heard you're looking for investors for your new company."
Xiao Shulang: "Hmm, even you've heard about it. News really travels fast in the industry."
Qin Shuang: "Has an agreement been reached?"
"No, everyone's shrewd enough," Xiao Shulang said casually. "We'll figure something out."
“Are you free tomorrow? Let’s meet,” Qin Shuang said. “You can bring a lawyer who specializes in commercial law.”
Xiao Shulang raised an eyebrow slightly: "You want to talk to me about cooperation?"