Chapter 21
He glanced around Zhuohua's equally small room, its furnishings so simple they were almost empty, much like his own, the only difference being that it was cleaner, and there seemed to be a lingering, crisp scent of grass and trees in the air, belonging to Zhuohua.
"Where...where am I supposed to sleep?"
Lu Xiao put down his travel bag, his voice still tense, his eyes darting around, avoiding direct eye contact with Zhuo Hua. His mind was already automatically playing a barrage of "roommate relationship rules" and "how to keep your distance without being annoying."
Zhuohua pointed to the only single bed in the room that looked fairly sturdy...
Lu Xiao: "!!!"
He felt like he was about to explode! Sleep...sleep in the same bed?! This...isn't this moving too fast?! Although...although he really wanted to...but...this is just too...
Overwhelmed by immense shame and a sense of "I cannot desecrate the goddess," Lu Xiao blurted out almost reflexively and decisively, "No...no! I...I'll sleep on the floor! I'll sleep on a makeshift bed on the floor!"
As he spoke, he immediately bent down to rummage through his travel bag, trying to find something to lay on the ground, his movements as flustered as a startled rabbit.
Zhuohua frowned almost imperceptibly at his tense demeanor, as if he wanted to sever all ties immediately. Trouble. Really troublesome. She disliked idle chatter, and even more so, meaningless concessions.
She didn't speak, but simply stepped forward and, just as Lu Xiao pulled out a thick coat to lay it on the ground, reached out her hand—
Instead of pulling him, they grabbed him by the back of his collar!
The movements were swift, precise, and steady! They carried an irresistible force!
"Huh?!" Lu Xiao felt a strong force coming from him, and he was dragged to the bedside by Zhuo Hua, who grabbed him by the collar without any resistance, just like a little chick being picked up!
"Sleep in the bed." Zhuohua's words were concise and to the point, carrying an unquestionable air of command, and she released her grip.
Lu Xiao staggered, almost falling onto the bed. He steadied himself, still shaken, and looked at Zhuo Hua's calm, unwavering gaze, as if she had only dealt with a trivial matter. Then he looked at the single bed so close to him, and his cheeks burned hot!
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something like "This is not good" or "It's too crowded," but under Zhuohua's calm gaze, all the words stuck in his throat.
"Oh...oh." In the end, he could only respond softly like a tamed little animal, his head hanging down, the tips of his ears red as if dripping blood.
Zhuohua withdrew her gaze with satisfaction and turned to examine her new phone.
Lu Xiao stood there, watching Zhuo Hua's slender back, his heart surging with emotion. They were living together! They were really living together! Even though he had been "dragged" into bed... the immense happiness still made him dizzy.
He clenched his fists tightly, looking at the simple room, and an unwavering thought took root in his heart: He wanted to act! He wanted to act with all his might! He wanted to earn lots and lots of money!
He wanted to buy Zhuohua a bigger house! The best kind! With bright floor-to-ceiling windows, soft sofas, a spacious kitchen… She deserved the best! He couldn't let her live in a place like this anymore!
This opportunity will come soon.
Just as Lu Xiao, blushing, carefully began moving his few pieces of clothing into Zhuo Hua's small wardrobe, his old phone rang. It was Director Zhang calling.
"Hello? Director Zhang?" Lu Xiao answered the phone.
"Little Lu! Great news! Fantastic news!"
Director Zhang's voice was so loud it almost pierced the receiver, filled with barely suppressed excitement, "Remember Xingyao Media I told you about? The top one in the country! They saw your clips in 'The Long Song,' especially the last few scenes! They're extremely interested in you! And Master Zhuohua... uh, Miss Zhuohua's action scenes were absolutely breathtaking! They want to sign you both! A package deal! The terms are fantastic! I've already sent you the contact information for the person in charge on WeChat! Contact them right away! Don't miss this opportunity! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"
Star Media?!
A top-tier talent agency in China?!
Sign him and Zhuohua as a package deal?!
Holding his phone, Lu Xiao listened to Director Zhang's excited words and felt a surge of heat rush to his head! He suddenly turned his head to look at Zhuo Hua, who was fiddling with his new phone by the window.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm golden glow on her. She seemed to sense his gaze, slightly raising her head, her cool eyes calmly landing on his face, which trembled slightly with immense surprise.
At this moment, Lu Xiao's heartbeat seemed to boil along with the sunlight dancing on the branches outside the window.
The huge shockwave from Director Zhang's phone call reverberated in Lu Xiao's small rented room for quite some time before subsiding.
Starry Media! One of the giants at the very top of the domestic entertainment industry! A place where countless newcomers would kill for a foothold, yet they've proactively extended an olive branch to them! And they're even signing him and Zhuohua as a package deal?!
Lu Xiao gripped his phone, his palms sweating, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest. He repeatedly checked the contact information and name of the assistant director of Xingyao Artists sent by Director Zhang—Lin Wei. This name represented absolute weight and resources within the industry.
After the initial euphoria came a tidal wave of anxiety. Him and Zhuohua? A package deal? Would Zhuohua agree? She hated trouble so much, she couldn't even be bothered with WeChat…
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and walked to the window. Zhuohua was still sitting there, her new phone spinning nimbly between her slender, fair fingers, the screen reflecting the bright sunlight streaming in from outside.
She lowered her eyelashes slightly, her long, thick lashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, her expression focused with a hint of... curiosity about the new toy? In this look, she shed the cold and imposing aura she exuded on set, appearing exceptionally lively.
“Zhuohua,” Lu Xiao’s voice carried a tension and anticipation he himself was unaware of, “Xingyao Media… is one of the best talent agencies in the country. They… they watched the show we made and want to sign us.”
Zhuohua raised her head, her gaze calmly falling on his face, without any ripples, as if she were listening to a trivial matter that had nothing to do with her.
“It’s…it’s a package deal,” Lu Xiao quickly added, his heart racing even faster. “It’s…it’s for both of us. Director Zhang said the terms are very good and he wants us to come and talk to them.”
Zhuohua didn't answer immediately. Her fingertip tapped the smooth screen of her phone twice, as if she were thinking. Lu Xiao held his breath, waiting nervously.
He was afraid Zhuohua would find it too troublesome and refuse outright, yet he also secretly hoped she would agree. He knew that signing with a large company meant a broader platform, better resources, more opportunities... and it also meant he could achieve his goal of buying Zhuohua a bigger house much faster.
The few seconds of silence felt like centuries to Lu Xiao.
"Mmm." Zhuohua finally uttered a single syllable. She put down her phone, stood up, her movements still languid, "Let's go take a look."
I agreed! Although my tone was as casual as if I'd just agreed to go downstairs to the supermarket to buy some soy sauce!
Lu Xiao was instantly overwhelmed with joy! "Great! Great! I'll contact them right away!"
He immediately pulled out his old phone, whose screen was also cracked, and his fingers trembled slightly with excitement as he dialed the number sent by Director Zhang.
The call was quickly answered, and a capable yet gentle female voice came through: "Hello, this is Lin Wei, assistant from the Artists Department of Xingyao Media."
"Hello...Hello! Assistant Lin! I'm Lu Xiao! Director Zhang introduced me!" Lu Xiao nervously introduced himself.
"Hello, Mr. Lu Xiao!" Lin Wei's voice was filled with professional enthusiasm. "It's an honor to meet you both! Director Zhang has already spoken with us in detail. Your and Ms. Zhuo Hua's performances in 'The Long Song' were outstanding! The company's senior management values you both highly and hopes to arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Would this afternoon be convenient for you two?"
"Convenient! Convenient!" Lu Xiao readily agreed.
“Great! Then at 3 PM this afternoon, in the Artist Director’s office on the 18th floor of Building A, Xingyao Building, I’ll be waiting for you both.” Lin Wei set the time decisively.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Xiao felt as if he were walking on clouds, light and airy. He looked at Zhuo Hua, who was slowly putting her new phone into her pocket, her face still expressionless, as if she was just going to deal with a trivial matter.
3 PM, Xingyao Media Headquarters Building.
The towering glass curtain wall reflected a cold, hard light under the sun. In the spacious and bright hall, well-dressed men and women hurried by, and the air was filled with an invisible tension and efficiency that belonged to the elite world of fame and fortune.
Lu Xiao wore his best white shirt and tried his best to straighten his back, but when he stepped into this building that symbolized the pinnacle of the industry, he still felt an invisible sense of oppression and... a deep sense of inferiority.
Zhuohua, standing beside him, was still dressed in simple sportswear, her long hair tied up, her expression indifferent. She strolled leisurely through the magnificent space, as if the surrounding luxury and bustle were irrelevant to her. Her inner calm and aloofness made her stand out conspicuously.
The receptionist had clearly been informed in advance; upon seeing them, she immediately flashed her standard smile and personally led them to the private elevator that went directly to the upper-level office area.
The elevator ascended smoothly. Lu Xiao watched the numbers flash, his palms sweating again. He took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and turned to Zhuohua: "Zhuohua… um… when we discuss the contract later… I… I want to clarify our relationship with them." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a resolute determination.
Zhuohua glanced sideways, her glassy eyes calmly looking at him, as if waiting for him to continue.
"Just say... just say we're a couple!"
Lu Xiao's cheeks flushed slightly, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. "I don't want to hide it, and I don't want to cause any trouble because of this in the future. Although... although I'm not good enough for you..." His voice trailed off at the end, tinged with humility.
Zhuohua looked at the almost stubborn honesty and determination in his eyes and remained silent for a few seconds. The elevator dinged, arriving at the 18th floor.
"Whatever you want," she said calmly, stepping out of the elevator first.
"Whatever you want..." means... she agreed?! Lu Xiao's heart warmed, and he quickly followed.
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