Chapter 58
Zhuohua acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world, completely ignoring Liang Hui's shock and Lu Xiao's embarrassment. She naturally took Lu Xiao's arm, her voice returning to its soft, sweet tone: "Let's go, I'm hungry." It was as if the person who had just been so domineering and assertive wasn't her at all.
"Ah? Oh! Okay! Okay!"
Liang Hui suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly stepped aside to make way for Zhuo Hua, who, like a lazy yet possessive cat, affectionately followed Lu Xiao away, leaving him alone to process the enormous amount of information and the shock.
The lead actor… this pay is truly… simple, brutal, and outrageously expensive! He slapped his forehead, quickly pulled out his phone, and his fingers trembled as he began contacting the station's higher-ups. This is a huge deal!
The deafening roar of the plane's engines was isolated from the comfortable seats in business class, leaving only a low, white noise. The cabin was dimly lit, and most passengers were either wearing eye masks or resting with their eyes closed against the seatbacks.
Lu Xiao, however, was not sleepy. He turned his head and looked at Zhuo Hua beside him. She seemed truly tired, having shed all her aloof facade in public, her head tilted slightly, resting on his shoulder.
Her breathing was shallow and even, and her long eyelashes cast two small fan-shaped shadows under her eyelids. Her sleeping face was as quiet as an innocent child, making it impossible to associate her with the domineering image of someone who casually "bought" the male lead role for him backstage in the studio.
His heart was filled with an indescribable, overflowing emotion, both warm and bittersweet. He carefully adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable. His fingertips brushed against a few soft strands of hair that had fallen across his neck and shoulders, his movements as gentle as if handling fragile glass.
"Hua Hua..." he murmured silently in his heart, his gaze tracing her sleeping silhouette. She had sheltered him, a dazzling, starry sky that everyone could look up to. He longed to stand beneath that starry sky, but even more, he longed to be the one who could truly stand shoulder to shoulder with her, instead of being forever sheltered under her wings.
This heavy, possessive affection filled him with both sweetness and trepidation. He had to become stronger faster. This thought had never been so clear and firm as it was now.
As if sensing the fluctuations in his emotions, Zhuohua unconsciously nuzzled against his shoulder in her sleep, uttering a muffled murmur filled with complete dependence.
Lu Xiao's heart melted instantly. He gently wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to his side, his chin resting on the top of her head, making a silent promise. Outside the window, the sea of clouds shimmered with silver edges under the moonlight, flowing serenely.
The plane landed smoothly in the familiar city late at night. Back in her suite on the top floor of the hotel, Zhuohua had just swiped her card to open the door when a snow-white figure, accompanied by urgent chirping, rushed out from behind the sofa in the living room like a cannonball and crashed precisely into her arms.
It was the spirit beast Frostfeather that had been "stored" in its personal space for most of the day. The little guy was only the size of a palm, its entire body covered with fine, frost-like downy fur. A small tuft of ice-blue feathers on its head had now burst open, like an angry little snowball, and its round, emerald eyes were filled with accusation and grievance.
It nudged Zhuohua's chin with its little head, its tiny paws clinging tightly to her clothes, its chirping both urgent and soft, making it look exactly like a pitiful cub abandoned by heartless parents.
"Alright, alright, you know you've wronged Shuangling."
A genuine smile bloomed in Zhuohua's eyes, all traces of the coldness and aloofness she had shown towards Liang Hui just moments before. She gently stroked the little guy's fluffy fur with her fingers, her voice so tender it could melt water, "There were too many people on the plane, it wasn't convenient. Look, we're back now, aren't we?"
Frostfeather persisted, chirping and flapping its little wings to show its displeasure.
Lu Xiao couldn't help but smile as he watched the interaction between the man and his pet. He closed the door, walked over, and reached out to pat Shuangling's little head: "The little guy has quite a temper."
Shuangling turned her head away haughtily, dodging Lu Xiao's fingers, and turned her fluffy little bottom towards him. She continued to look at Zhuohua with her wet eyes, looking pitiful, as if she could only be coaxed by her master.
Zhuohua was amused by it, picked it up and sat on the sofa. A trace of extremely subtle, faint golden divine power, imperceptible to mortals, condensed at her fingertips and gently touched Shuangling's forehead.
The pure and warm energy was like a sweet spring, instantly soothing all the spirit beast's discontent and restlessness. Shuangling comfortably squinted its eyes, making a satisfied gurgling sound in its throat. Its whole body went limp, like a handful of melting snow, nestled obediently in Zhuohua's palm, its green eyes half-closed, extremely content.
"It's because they're used to it."
Lu Xiao smiled and shook his head, then sat down next to Zhuo Hua. He naturally put his arm around her waist and watched her focus on and gently "feed" Shuang Ling. His heart softened.
Only in such an absolutely private space could he see her, stripped of all divinity and aloofness, as if holding a beloved object, her eyes and brows radiating warmth.
After enjoying its master's divine "soothing" power, Shuangling contentedly rubbed its little head against Zhuohua's fingers, finally taking pity on Lu Xiao and giving a lazy "chirp," barely acknowledging the existence of this "male master."
Zhuohua placed the now-quiet Shuangling on her crossed legs. The little one found a comfortable position and curled up like a round snowball.
She finally relaxed completely, leaning back lazily into Lu Xiao's warm embrace, her cheek pressed against the skin of his neck, feeling the steady pulse there. She let out a satisfied sigh, like a cat that had finally found its most comfortable nest.
"It's still so comfortable like this..." she muttered softly, her fingers unconsciously playing with the drawstring of Lu Xiao's hoodie.
Lu Xiao chuckled softly, a slight vibration emanating from his chest. He tightened his arms around her, his chin brushing against the top of her soft hair, inhaling the clean yet familiar fragrance emanating from it, and the fatigue of the day seemed to vanish. "During the recording, Liang Hui said he had something 'special' to discuss with you. Is it about that warehouse?" he asked softly.
"Hmm." Zhuohua responded lazily, her tone completely unconcerned. "A lingering obsession, coupled with the special location and chaotic magnetic field, caused it to manifest itself and frighten people. Just a minor problem."
In her long life, she had witnessed mountains of corpses and seas of blood on the battlefield between gods and demons, and the collapse of laws. These urban legend-level supernatural events were not even appetizers.
"You agreed so readily." Lu Xiao's ears burned again as he recalled her domineering request. "And... and she even made those kinds of conditions."
Zhuohua raised her head in his arms, resting her chin on his chest, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him with a sly, self-righteous air: "What else? You deserve the best."
Her fingertip playfully poked his Adam's apple. "I glanced at that script. The character is good, and the production team is reliable. It's perfect for your career transition. If you act in it, you'll definitely be a hit." Her tone was so confident, as if she had already foreseen the future.
Lu Xiao was both touched and helpless by her straightforward declaration of "spending resources". He held her mischievous hand and intertwined their fingers.
“I know you mean well,” he said in a low, earnest voice, “but Hua Hua, I want to climb the ladder step by step through my own abilities. You’ve given me enough ‘confidence.’” He didn’t want to simply be “Zhuo Hua’s man.”
Zhuohua stared intently at him, gazing into his clear and resolute eyes. There was no inferiority complex, no cowardice, only a frank and burning desire to catch up.
She suddenly laughed and leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips. "Okay, Mr. Lu, the great actor."
Her voice held a sweet, indulgent tone, "Then consider it an 'investment' in a promising stock I've identified, okay? I have a very good eye for talent." She paused, her fingertips tracing his handsome features, a hint of possessiveness in her eyes, "Besides... wouldn't it be better to let everyone see how good you are?"
Her sweet words were always like this, carrying both divine dominance and earthly sweetness, so straightforward that Lu Xiao was completely defenseless. His Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes darkened, and he was about to lower his head to deepen the kiss.
The frost-feathered creature, which had been quietly nestled on Zhuohua's lap like a snowball, suddenly let out a sharp "Chirp!" and its downy fur bristled, making it look like a startled little spiky ball. Its emerald eyes widened as it warily looked toward the closed door, its small body tense, conveying a strong sense of unease.
Zhuo Hua and Lu Xiao were both taken aback.
Just then, Lu Xiao's phone screen, which was on the coffee table, lit up, accompanied by a buzzing vibration. The name that appeared on the screen was "Liang Hui".
Zhuohua's languid, sweet smile vanished instantly, receding like the tide, replaced by an almost icy calm. She soothingly tapped the frost feathers that had burst open with her finger; a faint golden light flashed, and the little creature's tense body relaxed slightly, but it still stared warily in the direction of the door, making low purring sounds in its throat, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Lu Xiao picked up his phone and glanced at Zhuo Hua. The latter nodded slightly. He pressed the answer button and simultaneously turned on speakerphone.
"Professor Lu Xiao! I'm sorry to bother you and Professor Zhuo Hua so late!" Liang Hui's voice immediately burst from the receiver, devoid of the smoothness he displayed during the day, replaced only by undisguised panic and trembling. In the background, there seemed to be a faint, suppressed commotion, "Something's happened! Something terrible has happened!"
Lu Xiao's heart sank: "Teacher Liang, don't rush, tell me slowly. What's wrong?"
"It's...it's that warehouse!" Liang Hui's voice was choked with sobs, his words incoherent. "Just now...just now the security team left on duty at the station called and said...that the lights in the warehouse building...the whole building is flashing wildly! Inside...there are so many people crying and screaming! Like...like hundreds of people being tortured inside! The sound...the sound even reached the main building next door! The security captain and a few men bravely approached...but...but the two who got close to the warehouse door, just as they reached the door, they...they just collapsed straight down! No matter how much we call them, we can't wake them up! Just like the prop master who fainted yesterday! Now there are so many terrified employees gathered outside the building, no one dares to go any closer! The station director has been alerted and is on his way! Even if the police come, it's no use! Teacher Zhuohua...Teacher Zhuohua, help me!"
His last cry for help was incredibly shrill and filled with despair.
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