Chapter 41.041. Now that we've met, how much would it cost if you sang a song for me...?
The troublemaking fans were immediately taken to the police station.
After the situation finally calmed down, the hotel staff dispersed the media and fans one by one, and then sent the director, actors and other staff to their respective rooms for guidance and inspection.
Xia Chan was currently standing in Sang Ning's suite, apologizing.
"That's outrageous!"
"How can you manage the security at such a large hotel? How could you let someone like that in!"
"And back then, when he rushed up there, there wasn't even a security guard to stop him. That's a dereliction of duty on your part! Luckily, nothing serious happened. If something had happened to the artist, who would be responsible!"
"Anyway, your hotel has to give an explanation and take action on this matter! Otherwise..."
Sang Ning's manager, Sister Lan, was furious. Before she could even see Sang Ning after Xia Chan intervened, she launched into a tirade of abuse.
"Sister Lan." Sang Ning was being examined by the doctor inside the house, and after confirming that there was nothing seriously wrong, she came out and called out softly.
Lan stopped her tirade. Although she was still somewhat indignant, she glared at Xia Chan and went to inquire about Sang Ning's condition.
Sang Ning shook her head and walked up to Xia Chan, who immediately apologized.
"Ms. Sang, I'm sorry to have startled you this time. It was indeed an oversight on our part."
"Our hotel will take full responsibility for all your examinations and follow-up needs today. We are truly sorry."
Sang Ning is a star who started from the bottom and is known for her kind and gentle personality. Instead of blaming her, she comforted her and let her go back.
Just as I stepped outside, the manager of Tianze Store rushed over, asking, "What exactly happened?"
The store manager of Tianze Store is a man in his forties, who is considered a mid-level manager in the Yahai Group.
He is not only the store manager in Yuhui District, but also the general manager of Tianze stores in Jing'an and Changning Districts. He usually takes turns to supervise the stores from time to time.
He wasn't at the Tianze store in Yuhui District today, but he rushed over after hearing the news. The man's face was solemn and he looked rather stern.
Xia Chan sighed, "That fan who rushed onto the stage, I don't know where he got his press pass from, and he blended into the press area."
At the time, the reporters' area was at the very front, two meters away from the stage and separated by a railing. The fans were behind them, separated by security guards.
The fan had been mingling in the press area until the very last moment when they suddenly rushed onto the stage. Security personnel were actually stationed on both sides of the press area, but no one expected this to happen, and in the heat of the moment, they couldn't react in time.
Regardless of the circumstances, this was indeed an oversight in their staffing arrangements. The store manager pondered for a moment and told Xia Chan to first reassure the guests, and to deal with other accountability issues later.
Xia Chan then offered her condolences to Lu Sheng, who was easy to talk to and, since he wasn't injured, didn't intend to hold the hotel accountable.
When Xia Chan stood in front of Shen Zhoudu's suite, she hesitated. Her fingertips stiffly rose as if to knock, but she couldn't bring herself to do so.
After hesitating for a long time, I finally put it down and decided to let a colleague come up instead.
She turned around, but the door in front of her clicked at that moment.
Then the door was opened from the inside;
Xia Chan's heart skipped a beat, and she turned around.
A person appeared in front of her.
He stood tall and straight, with a pale face and a calm, handsome expression. His dark eyelashes hung down like raven feathers, and the warm yellow light from behind him seemed to envelop him like a layer of warm gauze.
She met those light brown eyes, deep and unyielding, like amber stubbornly trying to seal something away.
Xia Chan was stunned for a moment before silently meeting those eyes.
After a moment, Chen Zhoudu stared intently at her, a slight curve to his lips, and smiled gently.
Xia Chan smiled too.
-
Inside the suite, Xia Chan entered behind Shen Zhoudu and gently closed the door, but her hand remained on the doorknob for a long time. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Having mentally prepared herself, she turned around. Chen Zhoudu had already poured two glasses of water beside the coffee table. He paused for a moment when they met eyes, smiled, and said softly, "Sit down."
Xia Chan stared at the glass of water but didn't move. After a couple of seconds, she gave Shen Zhoudu a formal smile and said, "Mr. Shen, I'm here on behalf of our hotel to apologize. Today's incident was indeed due to our negligence. We hope it hasn't caused you any disturbance. If you need anything, please feel free to contact us..."
The smile on Shen Zhoudu's lips faded, his emotions unreadable. He looked at her without speaking.
Not receiving a response from him, Xia Chan politely smiled and said, "Then, I won't disturb your rest any longer, I'll go first..."
“I am Chenzhoudu,” Chenzhoudu suddenly spoke.
Xia Chan paused for a moment.
He stared intently at her lips as they curved slightly upwards again. Perhaps it was the crystal lamp in the room that made his amber eyes appear slightly watery, and he whispered to her again, "I am Chenzhoudu."
"I know." Xia Chan quietly took a breath and smiled at him, saying.
His laughter intensified, his clear, watery eyes reflecting only her image as he said, "I thought you didn't recognize me."
"How could that be?" Xia Chan tried her best to smile easily, as if she were seeing an old friend, and teased him as she looked him up and down. "A big star, after all!"
His eyes flickered slightly as he pursed his lips.
But after a moment, he still tried his best to keep a smile on his face and asked softly, like an old friend exchanging pleasantries, "How have you been these years?"
“It’s quite good.” She pointed to her business suit and smiled frankly. “As you can see, I’m the manager of this store now. Speaking of which… I’m basically working for your family, right? Young Master Ya Hai.”
Chen Zhoudu paused, then suddenly lowered his head and burst into tears, a smile spreading across his face. His eyes welled with even more tears, and he almost murmured to himself, "Yes..."
"I never expected you to be here..."
His fingertips slowly clenched at his sides, as if something was about to burst forth. Suddenly, a crystal-clear tear fell from his eye, disappearing silently in an instant.
Xia Chan silently watched him like this, and also silently turned her eyes away, blinking to hide a trace of moisture.
After a long while, Chen Zhoudu, his eyes red, looked at her again and smiled, "Xia Chan, it's been a long time."
"Long time no see," Xia Chan said to him. "Sinking Boat Crossing."
Shen Zhoudu had long thought that he would find her sooner or later, and even if he didn't, he would keep waiting.
His determination and attitude never wavered; he believed she would see it.
Then, when he stands in front of her again, he will definitely ask her, "Xia Chan, what was the reason back then?"
No matter what she says, as long as she's willing to give him a reason, he'll believe her.
This time, he would stay by her side, hold her hand tightly, and never let go. He had missed her once, but he would never miss her again.
But when she actually stood before him at that moment, she was only a step away from him.
He suddenly lost all courage to ask questions.
He feared it was all fake, a dream; he feared his rashness would scare her away, that she would suddenly disappear from his life again.
He suddenly realized that all those answers and reasons were completely unimportant.
What matters is her real presence at this moment; she is truly and vividly standing here.
He should have known long ago that she was Xia Chan, and how proud Xia Chan was. From beginning to end, it wasn't that she needed him, but that he needed her.
He thought that he should be the cicada that bloomed for a summer and then slumbered underground, and after a long wait, finally the next summer that belonged to him would arrive, and his heart, which had been dormant for a long time, would awaken and beat again.
"Xia Chan." Chen Zhoudu gazed at her intently and called out her name again, as if he had traversed layers of time and waiting, crossed the fields and hills of seventeen years old, and finally arrived at this moment.
"Are they... all alright? Siyi, Huangmao, and the others..."
"It's all good." Xia Chan smiled gently and even made a sly joke at him. "Everyone is still alive and well."
Chen Zhoudu remained silent, his gaze deep. Xia Chan then said, "They are all in Shanghai... You can meet them when you have time."
This question brought a slight brightening to Chen Zhoudu's eyes. Xia Chan then asked, "And you? How have you been these past few years?"
"I……"
He spoke slowly, but hesitated, as if he had countless emotions he wanted to express but couldn't.
Xia Chan, however, smiled brightly before he could.
"It should be pretty good, right? You did what you love... and became a big star, so you've fulfilled your dream, haven't you? You're radiant, the center of attention, with so many people liking you and so many people having heard your songs, you must feel great, right?"
"And you?" Chen Zhoudu's gaze was now fixed solely on her, and he asked, "Have you heard my songs too? You've heard them..."
Is it that song, "Crossing the Summer"?
The unspoken subtext was hidden in her silent gaze. Xia Chan paused for a moment, then smiled at him again and said, "Hey, big star, how much would it cost to sing a song now?"
When Shen Zhoudu met her gaze, he pursed his lips for a moment.
Her eyes, like ink concealing stars, pierced straight into his pupils as if she were earnestly seeking advice. Yet, Chen Zhoudu clearly understood that her words were subtly reminding him of the distance he should maintain.
It wasn't until she pressed on, saying, "Tell me about it! I'm just a little curious. But you celebrities all like to sign confidentiality agreements and stuff... I understand if you don't want to talk about it, so please forgive my intrusion."
With his lips pressed together until they turned white, Chen Zhoudu could only slowly utter a single number.
She paused for a moment, then sighed and laughed with a hint of relief, saying, "So expensive..."
Before Chen Zhoudu could reply, he met her gaze again. It was dark yet bright, and there was no disappointment or dissatisfaction in his eyes. He smiled gently, as if he were talking to an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time. "Alright, big star! I really can't accept that, but I'm still very happy for you that your dream has come true! I really have to go to work, so I won't bother you any longer. See you later."
She turned to leave, but this time Chen Zhoudu suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Xia Chan…”
His fingertips were strong and cold, gripping her wrists tightly as if he were trying to shackle her.
Both her fingertips and voice carried a subtle tinge, "Not expensive..."
He said, "I told you long ago... I'm not expensive, and for you, it's always free... I..."
His voice was low and husky, yet it also seemed to carry a sense of earnestness. Xia Chan remained silent, her gaze falling on his hand that was stubbornly gripping hers. She sighed softly, and after a moment, gently placed her palm over his.
“Sunken Boat Crossing, you are very valuable.”
Chen Zhoudu's hand trembled slightly as he felt her palm warming like a flame, melting a block of ice. He sensed her gently and imperceptibly moving his hand away, and in an instant, he gripped her hand tighter to meet her dark, bright eyes.
"Is it the same for you?"
Xia Chan remained silent for a long while, quietly looking into those clear brown eyes that now seemed wounded, and said, "To your fans, your family, everyone... everyone who cares about you and likes you, it's the same."
-
The conversation was finally interrupted by Duna's knock on the door.
Two knocks sounded on the door, followed by Du Na's tentative voice from outside, "Excuse me, Ms. Shen, sorry to bother you. Manager Xia... are you inside?"
Upon hearing the noise, Xia Chan immediately pried his hand off her wrist without hesitation. She took two steps back to calm herself down, then smiled and resumed her most respectful and polite demeanor. "Mr. Chen, it's good that you're not injured. I'll be going now. If you need anything at the hotel, please feel free to contact our staff. I wish you a pleasant stay at Tianze."
Shen Zhoudu looked bewildered by her sudden change in demeanor.
She immediately turned around, opened the door, grabbed Duna who was still standing at the door, and walked away.
Du Na paused for a moment, then looked back as she left. She saw the sunken ferry, which had been watching them leave in a daze, and nodded politely.
After a moment's hesitation, Chen Zhou returned to his room and slowly closed the door. His hand remained on the doorknob for a long time. He closed his eyes briefly, then suddenly, as if making a decision, he calmly opened them, opened the door, and chased after Chen Zhou.
"Manager Xia, could you please leave your contact information?" He caught up with her from behind, offering a polite smile.
Du Na was stunned, and Xia Chan also stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at him in astonishment.
He calmly walked up to them, his smile polite and bright.
He stared at her so intently that her eyes lit up.
Xia Chan's eyes widened, and she glared at him with a hint of warning.
He simply smiled and pointed to her cuffs.
"Manager Xia just shielded me from the camera, and I accidentally tore one of your cufflinks. I'm very sorry. My assistant isn't here right now, so could you please leave me your contact information? I'll have my assistant contact you later to discuss specific compensation."
Xia Chan's suit was missing a button on the right cuff. She had discovered it was missing this morning, but hadn't had time to replace it because she was busy with the press conference.
She was certainly not oblivious to his intentions. Meeting his gaze, she became solemn and slightly cold, instinctively refusing, "This isn't..."
"I will compensate you for the full price." He had already taken out his phone.
"Need not……"
"We have to pay compensation," he insisted. Du Na, watching from the side, was practically pounding her heart out, and she gripped Xia Chan's hand tightly, pulling hard to signal her agreement.
Sunken Boat Crossing! This is Sunken Boat Crossing!
Shen Zhoudu wants her contact information! We absolutely must give it to her!
Xia Chan sighed helplessly and had no choice but to take out her phone.
He scanned her QR code, and with a "ding," her profile picture and nickname popped up on his phone screen: Xia Chan, Ya Hai Tian Ze Store, Yu Hui District.
He smiled almost imperceptibly, pointed to the contact number, and asked, "Is this your phone number?"
"..." Xia Chan was speechless. "Hmm."
He dialed the number immediately, and a string of numbers popped up on Xia Chan's phone screen in an instant.
Duna was nearly fainting; all she wanted to do was pinch his philtrum and call an ambulance. The phone number! This was Chenzhou Ferry's phone number!
Their manager is amazing! They got the phone number for Chenzhoudu!
Xia Chan stared at Shen Zhoudu with eyes that seemed to hold a knife, then resolutely hung up. She smiled blankly at Shen Zhoudu, her lips devoid of any real emotion, and said, "If you have nothing else, we'll be going now! Have a nice day!"
Her tone, however, didn't sound like she wanted him to be happy. Seeing her genuinely happy smile at that moment, Chen Zhoudu quietly said, "Goodbye, Manager Xia."
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