Chapter 19 [19]

work

Maintaining a business for a long time is by no means easy.

Therefore, since founding Mingyue, Lu Mingxiao's thoughts have been almost entirely filled with company affairs.

Various data, plans, and decisions were constantly swirling in his mind, rarely stopping.

However, at this moment.

Because of Luo Qingyue's words, he began to think about what kind of photos he had taken.

Which ones would be more suitable as phone wallpapers or profile pictures? She even wanted to offer official opinions.

His silence during his contemplation, as interpreted by Luo Qingyue, was the result of his own offense.

But she felt she hadn't said anything wrong, and expressed utter contempt for Lu Mingxiao's sudden questioning.

Fortunately, as filming began, Lü Shuyi was ready next to the prop truck, drawing their attention at the same time.

Lu Shuyi has only been in the entertainment industry for three years, but her dedication is well-known.

Take this advertisement shoot as an example. Several times the director on set thought there was no problem, and Luo Qingyue also thought there was no problem. However, when Lü Shuyi went to the monitor to watch the playback, she would find out the details that were not performed well, and then they would start over.

Whenever this happens, Luo Qingyue feels particularly proud and can't resist going to Lu Mingxiao to make her presence known.

"Am I right? As long as you're willing to give Lü Shuyi a chance, her performance and her workaholic spirit will definitely not disappoint you."

Lu Mingxiao remained noncommittal and asked her how she and Lü Shuyi met.

Luo Qingyue frankly said: "Lu Shuyi participated in a girl group audition called Top Girls. There were more than 100 contestants, and I only took a liking to her. Then, I started my journey of voting and supporting her. At that time, I was also very rich. I helped her rise from 99th to 3rd place and successfully debut. She was bound to stick with such a beautiful and kind 'big shot' like me, and later we became good friends."

After the girl group disbanded, Lü Shuyi entered the film and television industry, starring in several modern romance dramas, and was known as the "Nation's First Love".

Luo Qingyue would often post stills from the show on her WeChat Moments to help promote it.

Popular female celebrities fly all over the world, constantly on the go like spinning tops.

The last time Luo Qingyue met her was last September at Lü Shuyi's birthday party.

The filming lasted until 6 p.m.

Colleagues flocked to take photos with Lü Shuyi, and Luo Qingyue followed suit, standing beside her as a "die-hard fan" in full view of everyone.

Lu Shuyi put his arm around her shoulder, and Luo Qingyue lowered her voice.

"You came to Dongchuan without telling me? Lü Shuyi, you've really grown some guts!"

With their cheeks pressed tightly together, Lü Shuyi explained softly, "I originally planned to surprise you by coming straight to your house after work, but I forgot that I have to go abroad to film a variety show and leave tonight. Time is too tight, so I thought I wouldn't bother you."

What time is your flight?

"9:30."

Just as Luo Qingyue was about to say something, she heard Xu Jie remind her, "Qingyue, look at the camera."

Xu Jie held her phone, waiting for Luo Qingyue to look over. She put on a smiling face, happy that Luo Qingyue's dream of meeting her idol had come true, while frantically pressing the shutter button. Which photo to keep as a memento was up to the "die-hard fan."

Luo Qingyue took her phone from Xu Jie, and Lü Shuyi said she was going to say hello to Lu Mingxiao.

The film studio is a 40-minute drive from the airport, so she couldn't stay there for long.

Luo Qingyue stood not far away, watching Lü Shuyi's back, expressing regret over the brief reunion.

Lü Shuyi left the studio accompanied by Sister Jing. Their last interaction was just Lü Shuyi giving her an apologetic smile.

Even Lu Mingxiao left without saying goodbye. Luo Qingyue sighed deeply, as if she was even more upset.

Feeling dejected, Luo Qingyue and her colleagues were doing the wrap-up work on set, looking listless.

Fortunately, the workload assigned to her was not heavy, and she completed it quickly. Immediately afterward, her phone rang; it was Lu Mingxiao calling.

"Have you finished your work over there?" he asked bluntly.

Luo Qingyue hummed in response, and for some reason, asked a question with a hint of emotion.

"Is Mr. Lu conducting a surprise inspection of my work?"

"My car is parked near the West Pavilion."

Lu Mingxiao said, "I already told Lü Shuyi that we would take her to the airport together when you come. You should hurry, there might be traffic on the way."

The shift in emotions can happen in an instant.

A smile appeared on her face, and without hesitation, Luo Qingyue took off running.

Her colleague only noticed a gust of wind passing by, and by the time she realized what was happening, she had already disappeared.

The West Pavilion is the only way to reach the exit of the film and television base.

The familiar black SUV was parked on the side of the road. Lu Shuyi sat in the back seat, leaned out, and waved to her.

Luo Qingyue opened the door, sat down next to Lü Shuyi, and gave her a belated hug.

“I initially planned to have you come with us, but we have too many people and too much luggage in our car, so we couldn’t make room.”

"Fortunately, Mr. Lu said he had to go to the airport on business, which solved my immediate problem. I will meet up with Sister Jing and Xiao Mei when we arrive."

Hearing Lü Shuyi say this, Luo Qingyue felt extremely ashamed.

Because when Lu Mingxiao called her, her tone was particularly unfriendly.

Lu Mingxiao, sitting in the driver's seat, turned to remind them to fasten their seatbelts.

Luo Qingyue did as instructed, and said apologetically, "Thank you, President Lu." As for more details, she would tell him after Lü Shuyi left.

Lu Mingxiao entered his destination into the navigation system and turned on the car's music.

He couldn't easily hear the girls' conversation, so he turned up the music to cover it up.

He turned the steering wheel and drove the car away from the film studio and onto the city avenue.

As dusk settles, light and shadow flash past the car windows, occasionally punctuated by the sound of a car horn.

Lu Shuyi linked arms with Luo Qingyue and looked at the work badge that was still on her chest: "You're keeping a low profile, my little Yue'er. You're still blaming me for not telling you I came to Dongchuan. You and Lu Mingxiao are like that, and you didn't even tell me a word."

Luo Qingyue looked at her, puzzled: "What?"

"Your Luo family is on the verge of bankruptcy and needs to rely on a marriage alliance to reverse its decline. You and Lu Mingxiao are now husband and wife, which is why you appeared at the studio under the guise of 'undercover visits' and mingled with the employees."

Lu Shuyi adopted the air of a famous detective, as if he had uncovered a shocking secret.

Luo Qingyue exclaimed in surprise, "I don't think we're that close."

"You've been sticking things together in the studio all afternoon, so even if it's raw rice, it's already cooked rice now."

Lu Shuyi argued confidently, "Of course, there's another situation: pretending not to know each other in public, but going all out in private. I took on a script for a marriage of convenience that turns into love, that's the kind of routine you're following, don't try to hide it from me."

"..."

The sound of coughing pierced through the music and came from the back seat.

Lu Mingxiao turned right at the intersection and quietly turned up the air conditioning temperature by one degree.

For the first time, Luo Qingyue realized that someone actually had a richer imagination than she did.

She patiently explained, "Lu Mingxiao is my brother's good friend. Our relationship is like yours. My brother sent me here to be his slave, and now I'm just a lowly employee. Lu Mingxiao is my boss, understand?"

Lu Shuyi leaned her head on Luo Qingyue's shoulder and said disappointedly, "So, it's not a case of marriage before love, but rather a princess in distress."

"It's not a case of being in dire straits."

Luo Qingyue said casually, "Lu Mingxiao is very good to me, otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting in his car."

Lu Shuyi said thoughtfully, "Lu Mingxiao is really something. He has such an authoritative face, yet he has an aura that makes people feel intimidated. When I first arrived at the studio and stared at him for a few minutes, I still feel lingering fear when I think about it now. The fact that he let me continue shooting must be because of you."

Luo Qingyue shook her head: "How could I possibly change his mind? It was your perfect answer that moved him."

Lü Shuyi didn't believe her: "I don't care, if I say it's you, then it's you."

Through the rearview mirror, Lu Mingxiao saw Lü Shuyi kiss Luo Qingyue on the cheek.

"So this is how straightforward girls' friendships are," he thought to himself. "I've learned something new."

The car drove onto the elevated road, and we were only ten minutes away from the airport.

Lu Shuyi's gossip spirit was reignited: "Although there was no arranged marriage or marriage of convenience, I don't believe you have no feelings for Lu Mingxiao at all."

Luo Qingyue was positioned diagonally behind Lu Mingxiao.

He gripped the steering wheel, and she glanced at his profile, replying casually, "Although there was no arranged marriage or love after marriage, my ultimate goal is highly aligned with both."

Lü Shuyi understood immediately and clenched her fist in a gesture of encouragement.

"Then what are you waiting for? I'm a VIP at the Caxia Hotel. Give me your phone number and you'll get a 20% discount on your room rate."

The temptation was great, but Luo Qingyue restrained herself, pressed her arm down, and spoke with righteous indignation.

"This is something I'll consider after I pass my probation period."

Night has fallen, and the city lights are dazzling.

The roar of airplanes taking off and landing soon echoed in my ears.

Wherever a female celebrity goes, she is bound to cause quite a stir.

Airports are crowded, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, Lü Shuyi chose to use the VIP channel.

The VIP passage features a dedicated underground parking lot, far from crowds and noise, offering exceptional tranquility.

Sister Jing had been waiting for a long time. Lu Mingxiao parked the car and got out first, followed closely by Luo Qingyue and Lü Shuyi.

The two escorted Lü Shuyi and Sister Jing to the elevator lobby, where Lü Shuyi and Luo Qingyue hugged goodbye.

Lü Shuyi: "Little Yue'er, I will miss you!"

Luo Qingyue: "Me too."

Lü Shuyi: "Then let's not say goodbye, it's a particularly sad word."

Luo Qingyue: "Okay, safe takeoff and landing."

Lü Shuyi: "You need to eat well and work hard."

Luo Qingyue: "Yes, definitely. I'll say the same to you."

The elevator doors opened, and Lü Shuyi stepped inside. Luo Qingyue waved goodbye to her reluctantly until the elevator doors slowly closed.

Who knows when we'll meet again? Tears welled in her eyes, and Luo Qingyue sniffled, letting out two soft sobs.

Lu Mingxiao took a tissue out of his pocket and handed it to her. He probably had a premonition; he had taken it with him when he got out of the car.

Luo Qingyue took the tissue and thanked Lu Mingxiao.

The air was dry and a bit stuffy, so she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Composing herself, Luo Qingyue suddenly remembered something and asked Lu Mingxiao.

"Mr. Lu, what brings you to the airport?" She remembered that Lü Shuyi had mentioned it, which was quite a coincidence.

Lu Mingxiao hadn't expected her to care about such details.

After a brief pause, I walked to the vending machine next to the door and used my phone to scan the code to buy two bottles of lemon-flavored electrolyte water.

He unscrewed one of the bottles and handed it to Luo Qingyue: "It's hot, so you need to replenish your fluids after sweating."

Luo Qingyue threw the tissue into the trash can and took the electrolyte water.

She looked at the label on the bottle, then at Lu Mingxiao, incredulously.

Are you trying to tell me that this brand is your favorite and can only be bought at the airport?

"Maybe."

Lu Mingxiao chuckled and handed her the car keys, drawing her attention. "Didn't you say you'd be my driver? You can drive it when we get back, consider it practice."

[Author's Note]

Xiao: All she thinks about is the probationary period, not me. [crying][crying][crying]

Moon: Lie down here obediently and move around on your own, maybe I can pamper you a little [evil grin][evil grin][evil grin]