Chapter 59

For a moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Xiao Ziyu.

Another investor also echoed: "Yes, I heard that there are many talented guests among your guests this time. Can't we meet them?"

Across the crowd, Xiao Ziyu looked at Wu Xianyong without dodging. Last time in the sanatorium, his closeness with Yuan Heng was obvious to all. It was impossible for Wu Xianyong not to guess their relationship. Letting him go on stage in this way at this moment was not only a hint at him, but also a slap in the face of Yuan Heng from a distance.

Xiao Ziyu wondered secretly, what happened recently that made this old guy unable to sit still?

Before he could figure out a conclusion, Eric beside him said with a smile: "Mr. Wu, we have four actors who can play and sing. Which one are you referring to?"

Wu Xianyong didn't expect that Xiao Ziyu could remain standing in such a situation. His gloomy eyes swept over him, and Wen Ci couldn't help but look away.

He stopped playing dumb and said directly, "I heard that Xiao Ziyu plays the guqin very well. All the investors have come all the way here, so why don't you let us see it?"

The radiation range expanded instantly, and now even the director of the business department turned around and winked at him. A program built from scratch needs to be supported by capital, not to mention something as trivial as showing off one's talent. The staff behind the scenes are already jogging to arrange the guqin.

Xiao Ziyu sat still, his posture straight and calm: "The four of us each have our own strengths, and Boss Wu wants to listen to the guqin. I guess he has some research on the guqin. I wonder what kind of music Boss Wu wants to listen to?"

Wu Xianyong paused holding the microphone. He knew that Yuan Heng was investigating Long Yue recently, so he wanted to hit his little thing. However, Xiao Ziyu was not only difficult to hit, but also turned around and bit people. How could he know any guqin music?

The director came to the rescue in time: "Zi Yu, why don't you just play the one you are best at."

"My contract only includes daily recording work, not temporary art performances." Xiao Ziyu said politely, "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to find someone else."

The chief planner was also a little embarrassed. Other small stars tried every means to show up in front of the boss and make themselves familiar to facilitate business cooperation, but Xiao Ziyu not only did not give them face, but also started to care about the contract.

"Oh, I'm good at performing arts shows," Eric stood up in a high-profile manner, breaking the brief deadlock, "but I don't know how to play Chinese classical instruments. I can only play the saxophone. I hope you don't mind."

The chief planner was eager for someone to come out to save the situation: "Then Eric will play an opening song for everyone."

Eric stood up and ruffled his short brown hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt and overalls today. It was obviously a cool look, but he had a handmade flower bought in the ancient town stuck on his chest, which made him look alternative and handsome.

He didn't take the stairs, but directly climbed onto the stage with one hand. His gray-blue eyes narrowed with a smile, and he looked at Wu Xianyong, who had a gloomy face: "But I need someone to help me beat the rhythm, so why not let Boss Wu do it for me."

"I think it's okay! Boss Wu looks very impressive. Come and show us something!" Lu Yan cheered, successfully raising the atmosphere of the entire venue.

As soon as the first person spoke up, everyone started to applaud and cheer like they were booing the boss at the annual meeting. They were actually just feeling exploited for too long and wanted to see the boss make a fool of himself.

The staff brought up the saxophone and the hand drums for playing the beat. Eric demonstrated it first: "Just follow my rhythm, like this, it's very simple."

His expression was exaggerated and his movements were flamboyant, which made everyone laugh. The atmosphere was joyous, and Wu Xianyong could only frown and take over the tambourine.

"Then I'll start playing, Boss Wu?" He put his fingers together and pointed at Wu Xianyong's chest from a distance. The accompaniment started. Wu Xianyong had no reason to leave the stage, but it was too embarrassing to stand stiffly, so he could only clap his hand drum.

Eric lowered his eyes, and his expression became a little serious when he picked up the saxophone. As the prelude played, everyone fell silent, and someone recognized the song: "Night in Ulaanbaatar".

The saxophone sounds distant and mournful, like the north wind coming from the north. The transitions are smooth and natural, and the ups and downs of the tone seem to have traveled through thousands of mountains and rivers. People with high noses and deep eyes tend to appear affectionate. When Eric took a breath, he looked down at the stage and smiled at Xiao Ziyu with curved eyes.

Wu Xianyong could no longer keep up with the rhythm, and looked out of place holding the hand drum. The employees and investors in the first row tried hard to hold back their laughter and did not dare to look up at the stage.

After the first part was over and the chorus began, Wu Xianyong strode off the stage without even taking his handbag. The secretary and the business director hurried out, and Eric shouted while waiting for the melody: "Boss Wu, your tambourine hasn't been returned yet!"

The opening ceremony ended in a farce. When the professional team came on stage, everyone was still thinking about the blunder. Eric jumped off the stage, returned to his original position with his saxophone, and first asked Xiao Ziyu for his evaluation: "Baby, what do you think of my performance just now?"

"Very good," Xiao Ziyu nodded in approval, "Thank you very much."

Eric raised his eyebrows smugly, still looking confused. Xiao Ziyu said, "Wu Xianyong is targeting me. You might make him hate you."

"It is a knight's duty to go through fire and water for the princess." Eric blinked and performed a simple knight's salute. "You looked cute when you were angry just now."

Xiao Ziyu was somewhat helpless: "Stop making trouble."

Eric finally said seriously: "As a friend, I will always stand by your side."

The opening ceremony ended before dark, and everyone returned together in a business car. Xiao Ziyu noticed that Wen Ci did not return to the village with them.

Luo Li heard some rumors from the outside and was afraid that Xiao Ziyu would be bullied: "Did Wu Xianyong ask you to appear on the show?"

Xiao Ziyu nodded: "But I didn't respond."

Luo Li breathed a sigh of relief: "Although Wu Xianyong is the vice president of Yuantai, our Yuantai Culture Division itself is a studio founded by President Yuan, and is also fully controlled by President Yuan. He is overreaching by doing this."

Xiao Ziyu's voice was a little cold: "Maybe he just doesn't like me."

"You are doing the right thing. Artists from our Yuan Zong Studio cannot be treated as grandchildren outside," Luo Li consoled him. "Leave the conflict with the production team to the company to resolve. You can continue recording your show."

After returning home, Xiao Ziyu had nothing to do in the afternoon, so he took out the indigo-dyed silk fabric and cut a piece based on his feeling. He planned to make a scarf for Yuan Heng as a reward for the necklace.

Yuan Heng was in a meeting when his cell phone screen lit up and he received a message.

Xiao Ziyu: Among peony, Pisces and dragon pattern, which one do you like?

The PPT page on the screen changed. Yuan Heng picked up his phone and replied openly: Are you preparing a gift for me?

Xiao Ziyu paused, not expecting the other party to guess it so quickly. He felt a little ashamed: just forget it.

Yuan Heng has no sense of reserve and always chooses the most domineering one: the dragon pattern.

Xiao Ziyu didn't reply, probably because he went to prepare. After the meeting, Yuan Heng came to the tea room, made himself a cup of coffee, and made a harassing phone call while enjoying the aroma. When the call was answered, he asked directly, "Did you really prepare a gift for me?"

Xiao Ziyu had learned a little embroidery, but was not proficient in it, and had no idea what it would look like, so she said tactfully, "Don't expect too much."

Yuan Heng has been running back and forth between the hospital and the company these past two days. Yuan Qi'an has been in a coma. Several directors of the company have been testing him in their words. He is exhausted physically and mentally. When he hears Xiao Ziyu's voice, he doesn't want to let go: "How was the recording today?"

"Today is the opening day of the town's cultural festival," Xiao Ziyu paused, "Wu Xianyong is here."

Yuan Heng picked up the glass and walked from the tea room into the CEO's office. Wu Xianyong hadn't come to the company in the past two days. He guessed, "Is Wu Xianyong the investor of your show?"

"Yes," Xiao Ziyu was silent for a moment, "How is Mr. Yuan doing recently?"

"My dad?" Yuan Heng responded, his voice lowered a little, "Did Wu Xianyong cause you trouble?"

"Not really," Xiao Ziyu said, "He wanted me to perform on stage."

Yuan Heng suppressed the anger in his voice: "Did you go?"

"No, I embarrassed him in public, so I'm reminding you." Xiao Ziyu stroked the soft fabric, as if he was smoothing out a tangled ball of thread: "An old fox like Wu Xianyong wouldn't suddenly start a fight. I think he might have been provoked by something. I don't understand the company's affairs, but I can probably guess that it has something to do with Mr. Yuan."

He could infer so much without knowing anything. Yuan Heng stirred the ice in the cup with a wooden spoon: "Yuan Qi'an's condition is not very good. If he dies, the company structure will have to undergo a major reorganization, and Wu Xianyong may not be able to sit still."

His eyes were a little dark, but in fact, there was more than just these things that touched Wu Xianyong. Recently, he has been asking people to investigate Longyue and found out its shell parent company established abroad, whose actual controller is Wu Xianyong's son, Wu Xiangbo.

Wu Xianyong was afraid that he would not be able to seize control of Yuantai in the end, so he began to infiltrate the project executives in the company, and gradually fed the resources to Long Yue while Yuan Qian'an was still alive. The old guy is trying to escape.

"Oh," Xiao Ziyu replied lightly, "Then you should do your best."

Yuan Heng was so angry that he almost laughed. He asked, "Don't you care about me at all?"

Xiao Ziyu boldly assumed the worst outcome: "Will you be kicked out of the house?"

"Don't use a word randomly after learning it," Yuan Heng scolded the man and then started to play the victim, "You may need Teacher Xiao's guidance when the time comes."

Xiao Ziyu was not fooled: "Your Blue Ocean apartment can be sold for a lot of money. A cunning rabbit has three burrows, so your assets must be more than this one."

Yuan Heng has his own investment properties and stocks, as well as some real estate overseas. He didn't expect the ancients to have such active minds: "Why, are you glad to marry me now?"

Xiao Ziyu used to live in the Imperial Palace and visit the Imperial Garden, which is much bigger than the Blue Ocean. He looked at it indifferently: "It's OK, not bad."

The two chatted about this and that until their phones ran out of battery. Xiao Ziyu unfolded the scarf and took a look. The dragon pattern was very lifelike, so his craftsmanship was not bad at all.

Just after charging his phone, Wen Ci came back, looking a little dazed. After returning to the room, he sat in a chair in a daze.

Xiao Ziyu got up from the bed and poured him a glass of water: "Are you feeling unwell?"

Wen Ci smiled with a pale face: "Not bad."

Xiao Ziyu pretended to be frustrated and said, "I made Mr. Wu unhappy today. I wonder if he will bear a grudge against me."

Wen Ci choked on a spit of water and said after he recovered, "What you did today was indeed a bit risky."

"This is my first time meeting a capital party, so I don't have much experience," Xiao Ziyu said, "I will pay attention next time."

"No, your approach may also be correct," Wen Ci suddenly changed his tone and said, "Stay away from these investors from the beginning."

Xiao Ziyu showed a curious expression: "Is there any explanation?"

Wen Ci shook his head, unwilling to say more: "Just follow the routine and shoot the movie. Don't pay too much attention. The work will always speak for you."