Chapter 35 Don't be so possessive
While everyone was cheering and joking around for the singer, they also chatted about their recent troubles and funny moments. Some of their worries might be resolved with a single sentence from someone in the audience, or at the very least, they could offer some advice or multiple ideas.
As they chatted, the conversation drifted to the unexpected announcement of the competition that had just been released that morning.
Many of the families present will be attending.
The bespectacled man said, "I've been having a headache lately. This competition is about both software and hardware, and the people in my company seem like a makeshift team. I don't trust anyone to participate. Is there some real trick to this?" He looked at everyone present.
Zhou Jiayang put his hand on the sofa and sighed, "This time the main focus is on openness, fairness, transparency, and truthfulness. I've already tried it. There's no need for us to put in any more effort. They're keeping their mouths shut tighter than ever before. I don't know what they're after. Maybe it's just another new official trying to make a splash."
Chen Shih-hao, a spoiled rich kid, wasn't very interested in the intricacies of the matter and said indifferently, "Anyway, my dad said as long as I get into the top 20 or 30 and don't embarrass myself too much, it'll be fine. It'll just be a competition between Brother Qi and Brother Lu, but friendship comes first and competition second. In the end, it's just adding another line to the company profile, it's not that useful."
The bespectacled man chuckled, shook his head, and said nothing, only secretly observing the reactions of the two masters.
Lu Ming seemed to be thinking about something and didn't speak immediately. Qi Siyan spoke first: "Xie Rui and Bai Yue have always competed fairly. I believe that no matter what the outcome is, it won't affect the personal relationship between our two families, right, Mr. Lu?" This was the first time Qi Siyan had mentioned Lu Ming.
The two exchanged a brief glance at the dinner party, but never spoke another word to each other.
Lu Ming gave a lukewarm "hmm".
Chen Shih-hao chuckled. He didn't care about or know anything about the two of them's business dealings in private: "Let's make it clear first, no matter who comes in first, we still have to hang out together next time. Let's not ruin our friendship!"
The bespectacled man couldn't help but laugh at Chen Shihao's naivety: "First place? We're all on the same side, so let's not talk too much. Have you forgotten about Ke Ming?" As he spoke, his eyes seemed to casually glance at Wen Chu's location.
Wen Chu was sitting there quietly listening to music and eating snacks when she suddenly heard her family being mentioned, and her ears immediately perked up.
A man sitting in the middle interjected, "Kemin hasn't said anything about participating in the bidding for Mingjin, so the possibility of them competing is even slimmer. In recent years, Kemin's business focus has clearly shifted."
Chen Shih-hao also exclaimed, "You guys are analyzing this so logically, have you forgotten who else is here today?"
These words "awakened" everyone from their reverie, and all eyes turned to Wen Chu.
“That’s right, I almost forgot about your sister-in-law. We’ve got connections with Ke Ming now.” The man in the middle chimed in, playing the straight man.
Wen Chu smiled at everyone and dodged the question, saying, "I'm sorry, I don't know much about my family's company. My older brother usually manages it, and I don't get involved much." She didn't want to be used as a pawn, and she only wanted to tell Lu Ming the information she received. In fact, her information might not be accurate, so she didn't really want to get involved in this topic.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's already a big favor that your sister-in-law is willing to come out with us." Having not gotten any hints, the expressions on everyone's faces didn't change much, as if they weren't surprised at all.
Wen Chucai realized that her reputation outside was that of a rich young lady who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, and who had everything done for her. Currently, only Qi Siyan and Lu Ming knew that she had some skills.
If that's the case, then in their eyes, Lu Ming and she must be quite mismatched. No wonder they were so surprised and couldn't wait to have Lu Ming call her out to see what was going on.
Chen Shih-hao winked at her and Lu Ming: "But Brother Lu is already with his wife, so they might all be family in the future. Why bother making such a distinction? In that case, the one who needs the most pressure is Brother Qi."
Qi Siyan took a leisurely sip of wine and joked casually, "Yeah, it seems I have to try harder too, otherwise it'll be too miserable for me to fight two against one."
Wen Chu tucked her hair behind her ear, feeling a little awkward being sandwiched between the two, especially since she had to help Lu Ming deal with Xie Rui. But Qi Siyan was also innocent, and she felt helpless. There was nothing she could do; after all, Lu Ming was the male lead.
Even the most handsome NPC is still an NPC.
Business matters are boring, so Wen Chu got up and excused herself to go to the restroom, leaving the private room. This also gave the others who were hesitant to speak because of her presence a space to chat and discuss serious matters.
She went to the restroom to wash her hands, and then asked a waiter who happened to be passing by. He told her that the rooftop was a good place to get some fresh air and sober up, so she went up to the rooftop with the waiter's help, found a quiet little round wooden table next to the railing, and sat down, resting her head on her hand to enjoy the night view.
The evening breeze stirred her skirt and hair. She gazed down at the bustling city for a long time, thinking how similar it was to the real world. If she stayed longer, she wondered if she would be able to distinguish between reality and illusion.
After a while, footsteps suddenly came from behind. Wen Chu felt someone approaching, so she turned around.
"Why did Sweet Lady come here alone?" Qi Si asked in a light, cheerful tone, a smile still playing on her lips. She walked towards her, stood beside her, casually rested her hand on the railing, and looked down at her. "Was it their words that made you uncomfortable?"
Wen Chu was somewhat surprised: "How did you know I was here?"
Qi Siyan raised an eyebrow: "I asked the waiter if he had seen a particularly beautiful lady go somewhere, and he told me. When I came up here, I saw that she was right."
Wen Chu smiled and said, "You're really good at winning girls' hearts."
"I'm just telling the truth." Qi Siyan paused, then said, "You don't need to care about what they say. No matter which side you're on, it won't affect our relationship. Don't feel embarrassed."
Wen Chuxin said, "If you say that, I feel even more guilty."
She stood up, walked to the railing, and placed her hand on it: "Have you found suitable candidates to participate in this competition?"
The two chatted across a small round table. The evening breeze billowed the man's shirt, making his figure appear even more robust. Strands of slightly curled hair partially obscured his blue eyes. He turned to look at her: "Although it's not important, I still want to ask, is your question out of concern for me, or to help Lu Ming?"
"Uh," Wen Chu hesitated for a moment, then smiled guiltily, "Perhaps, both?"
Qi Siyan grinned and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your honesty." He continued smiling as he answered her question, "Of course I found it. I told you earlier, my teacher is amazing."
"That's good."
"More important than that is how long you and he are going to keep up this act."
Wen Chu drew out an "Mmm" for a few seconds, "About a month? I don't know, we'll see."
"I don't quite understand. Why do you put up with him?" Qi Siyan tilted her head and asked in a low voice, "Do you like him?"
Wen Chu didn't hide anything: "Isn't this common knowledge? Oh, you just returned to the country, so you might not know."
Having his doubts confirmed, Qi Siyan's heart sank slightly. He shifted his gaze to the endless darkness in the distance and asked softly, "What do you like about him? Forgive my bluntness, but that guy always has a deadpan expression, which makes you feel bad just looking at him. He's also very sparing with his words, and he's cunning from head to toe. As for you..."
He paused, seemingly hesitating whether to speak, but finally said directly, "It doesn't seem like a good thing. You clearly deserve better, why should you wrong yourself for him?"
Wen Chu thought, you're right, but he's the male lead of this world! He's her only way home.
Besides... it's not actually that bad. Lu Ming just grew up in a very poor environment, had too many responsibilities, and had no father or mother to love him, which gradually made him develop this withdrawn personality.
When he's drunk... he's actually quite cute and well-behaved, which is closer to his true self, Wen Chu thought in her opinion.
She sighed helplessly, gazing at the distant skyscrapers with a melancholy expression: "I can't really explain why. There's no real reason why you like someone. Often, you meet them once, and if you have a feeling, you just have a feeling. Every time you meet them after that, it only deepens that feeling."
Qi Siyan opened his mouth, but suddenly found himself unable to refute. He lowered his eyes, pulled down the corners of his mouth, nodded and smiled in agreement, "You're right. But as a friend, I hope that your beautiful smile can always be on your face, at least, don't disappear because of him."
Wen Chu's heart was gently touched by the words. She thought to herself, "Where did this sweet little puppy come from? He's so kind!" Her heart melted.
She returned his smile with a bright smile: "Don't worry, I'm in a good mood."
The girl's eyes seemed to sparkle with countless stars, bright and captivating. Qi Siyan was unconsciously infected by her innate vitality, and the smile at the corners of her eyes and lips deepened. But then she said seriously, "Although you don't want to talk about what happened that morning, I still want to say that things may not be so simple. If you need, I can help you investigate. You are so innocent, don't let yourself be taken advantage of by people with ulterior motives."
Wen Chu shook her head, seemingly very magnanimous, and said, "Forget it, it didn't cause any real impact. The only impact might disappear in a month anyway, so don't waste resources and energy investigating." She didn't want to refuse the other party's kindness, so she said, "I'd like to save the opportunity for when I really need it, and then I'll trouble you again."
Qi Siyan had no choice but to give up, and then said, "Okay, don't be so polite with me. It's my honor to serve such a beautiful lady."
Wen Chu smiled, leaning on the railing and tilting her head to look at him. "How can you be so sweet? If I send Lu Ming abroad, will I end up with a kinder version of him?"
Qi Siyan said bluntly, "I'm afraid that won't work. Having expectations of him will be the first mistake you're about to make."
Wen Chu casually stretched her hand out over the railing, feeling the shape of the wind while looking up at the sky: "Whatever, at least there are lots of stars tonight, the night is beautiful, let's live in the moment."
As they chatted, Wen Chu was wondering if it was time to head back. She didn't want to keep the people in the private room waiting too long, lest they overthink things. Just then, she heard an extremely cold voice behind her: "Mr. Qi, is there something you can't say inside, that you have to go to the rooftop to say to my girlfriend alone?"
For a moment, Wen Chu felt her heart freeze. She silently pulled her outstretched hand back, gripped the railing, and stiffly turned her head away, thinking, "Oh no."
Qi Siyan, on the other hand, turned around calmly and met Lu Ming's gaze without any fear: "I just wanted to come to the rooftop for some fresh air, and I happened to run into Wen Chu. We chatted for a bit, so there shouldn't be any problem, right?"
He removed his hand from the railing, straightened his body, and walked back.
As Qi Siyan passed by Lu Ming, she asked in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "But even if there's a problem, it seems like I don't need to report it to you? After all, is Wen Chu really your girlfriend?"
"It's okay to fool others, but don't fool yourself. Since you won't give her a clear answer, don't be so possessive." After saying that, Qi Siyan turned back to Wen Chu and smiled, "See you later."
-----------------------
Author's Note: If you've read this far, please add this to your favorites! [pleading emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
