Chapter 174 (Combined with Chapter 1742)
174:
"Okay." Mu Shaoyan didn't dwell on these things.
He likes the name Chenxi (Dawn).
He liked the name "Friendship".
He likes both of them, so he can call them either one.
“Then it’s settled,” Mu Shaoyan said. “Next, we need to quickly select a store location, then renovate it, and prepare for a trial opening.”
Duan Yi nodded.
Duan's mother was somewhat surprised, "So fast?"
She looked at her son, then at Mu Shaoyan, who was clearly still a teenager, and felt that this whole thing was a bit far-fetched.
Mu Shaoyan came to talk to Duan Yi about opening a shop, so after finishing his business, he prepared to leave with Ye Qingxi.
Duan Yi saw him out the door.
This time, however, he didn't take him to his doorstep. Instead, he put on his coat and escorted Mu Shaoyan and Ye Qingxi downstairs and out of the residential area.
Mu Shaoyan was surprised. "That's rare. This time you didn't even see me off downstairs?"
Duan Yi chuckled, "From then on, I would always drop you off at the entrance of your residential area and watch you get into your car."
“No need for that,” Mu Shaoyan refused. “I’m not a girl, I don’t need anyone to watch me get in the car.”
He held Ye Qingxi's hand and walked briskly.
As they were about to leave the residential area, Ye Qingxi heard Duan Yi say softly, "Thank you."
He turned his head and looked at Duan Yi.
Mu Shaoyan was with him.
"What are you thanking me for?" Mu Shaoyan asked him.
"What do you think?" Duan Yi looked at him.
Mu Shaoyan smiled and said, "I said, thank you for letting me get seventh place in the city."
Duan Yi: ...
Duan Yi said somewhat helplessly, "I'm thanking you, not the other way around."
"Does it matter?" Mu Shaoyan looked at him. "To be honest, I should thank you more. Without you, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."
"Your current achievements are the result of your own hard work. Although I played a part in it, your efforts were also very important."
“Then you are the same,” Mu Shaoyan said. “You are where you are today because of your own hard work. If you hadn’t helped me first, I wouldn’t have been able to get close to you even if I wanted to help you. So your efforts are also very important.”
Duan Yi was stunned; he hadn't expected him to say that.
Ye Qingxi was also a little surprised; her uncle was quite eloquent.
"Let's go," Mu Shaoyan said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingxi also raised her hand, "Goodbye, Brother Duan Yi~"
"Goodbye," Duan Yi said.
He watched as Mu Shaoyan pulled Ye Qingxi into the car, and only after the car drove out of his sight did he turn around and walk back.
When Duan's mother saw him return, she quickly went up to him and asked, "Xiao Yi, do you really want to open this shop?"
Duan Yi nodded, then looked at his mother, "Don't you want to?"
"It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I feel this is a bit risky," Duan's mother said worriedly. "Opening a shop isn't that easy."
Duan Yi smiled and sat back down on the sofa with her. "It's not easy, which is why I agreed to open this shop with Mu Shaoyan."
He said, “Mom, our family’s savings are limited. I need them for school, daily living expenses, and we also need to keep some in case I get sick or something. Therefore, we can’t afford to lose money. In this situation, the best option is to find someone to share the risk, and the best option is to avoid the risk altogether. We can’t do that, but Mu Shaoyan can do almost that. So, opening a store this time is a rare and unique opportunity for us.”
"But Xiao Mu is only eighteen years old, he's still a child."
“I’m only eighteen too,” Duan Yi said.
Duan's mother thought to herself that of course she knew, which was why she was equally worried about her son.
She agreed only because she saw that her son was willing to do so; she didn't want to reject him in front of his classmates and embarrass him.
But in essence, Duan's mother was still somewhat hesitant about this matter.
"If we really lose money, can we really make Xiao Mu bear all the losses? What will you do when you go to college?"
"No, it won't happen," Duan Yi said. "Mom, your skills are fine. As long as we choose a good location and do a good job of advertising, we definitely won't lose money. Even if business is really bad, we can just do what Mu Shaoyan said and supply the buns to the Mu family. Anyway, their employees also need to eat breakfast."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Xiao Mu?" Duan's mother said somewhat embarrassedly. "Xiao Mu is paying for it and also has to accept the steamed buns from the shop. Won't his family have any objections?"
"Maybe we should just forget about it," Duan's mother advised him.
Duan Yi, however, did not want to let it go so easily.
He said, "Mom, do you want to keep getting up at four or five in the morning to sell steamed buns? Even if you wanted to, I wouldn't want you to do that. We didn't have the opportunity before, but now the opportunity is right in front of us. If you don't seize it, how will you know you won't succeed?"
"Mu Shaoyan has done everything he can to reduce the chances of us losing money. Even if we do lose money, it won't be much. If we don't dare to do this now, we'll only be more hesitant in the future."
"The road is made by walking. Nothing is without risk. I have the courage and determination to take risks, so I am not afraid of the risks I expect. Even if I lose money, I can always work hard to earn more. I am still young and can afford to lose."
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Duan's mother didn't try to persuade him any further.
She always respected Duan Yi in many things. She knew that her son was thoughtful, capable, and had his own opinions, so she only wanted to provide him with fertile ground to grow, rather than suppress his growth.
"Okay," Duan's mother agreed. "If you've made up your mind, then I'll support you."
"Anyway, all the money we've saved up is for you. At worst, as you said, if it's all gone, Mom will save it up for you again."
"It won't be gone," Duan Yi laughed. "Mom, you just don't have confidence in us, and you don't even have confidence in your own cooking skills?"
Duan's mother looked at her own hands. Compared to her own hands, she still had more confidence in her son. After all, her son had been smart since he was a child, much smarter than her.
Duan Yi acted immediately, and the very next day he began searching for a suitable storefront.
With nothing else to do, Mu Shaoyan decided to search with him.
They quickly found a storefront that was 100 meters south of the corner of the intersection. Nearby were two primary schools, a large shopping mall, and an office building.
The location is excellent.
Duan's mother was very satisfied.
Ye Qingxi was also very satisfied.
Upon seeing this, Mu Shaoyan immediately pulled Duan Yi to negotiate a price with the boss, signed a contract, rented the store, and prepared to renovate it.
However, the renovation plan hasn't been finalized yet, but the class reunion date has been set first.
After the college entrance exam, classmates who have been together for two years are about to part ways, and everyone always wants to have one last get-together.
Therefore, the class monitor hopes that everyone who has time can attend.
"We don't know when we'll get together again," the class monitor said.
Mu Shaoyan felt that what he said made some sense. In addition, he got along well with everyone in the last year. Before the final of "The Voice of Heaven", everyone even voted for Ye Qingxi for him.
So he agreed almost without hesitation.
Although Duan Yi didn't have much of a relationship with his classmates, he also didn't have any conflicts with them. Since it was the last gathering and their teacher was also there, he didn't refuse and joined Mu Shaoyan.
They were already prominent figures on campus, and Duan Yi was the top scorer in this year's college entrance examination, so they became the focus of attention as soon as they appeared.
"Duan Yi, you've been very busy lately, haven't you?" someone boldly teased him. "You must have a lot of reporters wanting to interview you lately, right?"
Duan Yi glanced at him but didn't say anything.
That's true, but he refused most of them.
Instead, Mu Shaoyan looked at Duan Yi in surprise, "Really? How come I didn't know?"
Immediately, classmates around him started teasing, "Who are you to him? Why do you need to know?"
"Exactly, what does Duan Yi's business have to do with you?"
"Or do you have some kind of relationship with Duan Yi?"
Mu Shaoyan smiled, coughed, and looked at his classmate in front of him. "Let me introduce myself. I am Duan Yi's partner. Our steamed bun shop is currently under renovation. Once it's finished, everyone is welcome to come and eat steamed buns at our shop."
Everyone: ? ? ?
Everyone: ...
No, what's going on?
"Mu Shaoyan, you want our top scorer in the college entrance exam to sell steamed buns with you?!" the classmate exclaimed in shock. "You're seriously underutilizing his talent!"
Mu Shaoyan: ? ? ?
"I'm the young master of the prestigious Mu Group, and I'm selling steamed buns too, aren't I?"
Everyone: ...That's true.
but……
Why are you suddenly selling steamed buns?
Not wanting others to know about Duan Yi's mother, Mu Shaoyan said, "Starting a business!"
He said smugly, "Now that I've graduated from high school, shouldn't I be thinking about what I'll do in the future?"
Everyone: !!!
"Aaaaaah, I'm going to fight you capitalists! This is just too much!"
"Exactly! Who starts a business right after graduating from high school!"
"Does your steamed bun shop need anyone? Hire me!"
"I'll sign up too."
Mu Shaoyan refused, "Duan Yi and I are enough; we don't need anyone else for now!"
So you two run a husband-and-wife business?
"Hahahaha, they should be called a 'husband and wife shop'," someone corrected.
For a moment, the private room was filled with cheerful laughter.
As they were laughing, someone suddenly asked, "Hey, do you guys still remember He Guang?"
—In the second semester of senior year, He Guang was demoted to Class 4 due to his grades and was no longer in their class.
Mu Shaoyan nodded.
I overheard the classmate who had just spoken say, "I heard he didn't even make it past the first-tier university cutoff score."
"No way?" one student exclaimed in surprise.
"It seems I'm five or a few points short. Anyway, I probably can't get into a top-tier university, but I can get into a good second-tier university."
"That's a real shame."
"It's alright, after all, He Guang isn't a good person either."
"Exactly, he even accused Mu Shaoyan of plagiarism back then, and look what happened! What score does Mu Shaoyan get now, and what score does he get? I wonder if he regrets it?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Shaoyan was taken aback.
He had long forgotten about it, but now that someone brought it up, the events of that year resurfaced in his mind.
Mu Shaoyan thought that He Guang probably didn't regret it. After all, he hadn't apologized to him once since that incident. But it didn't matter. He never needed He Guang's apologies.
It's good as it is now. He walks his broad road, and He Guang walks his narrow bridge. They don't disturb each other or intersect, as if this person had never existed in their lives.
Thinking of this, Mu Shaoyan picked up his cup, walked up to his homeroom teacher, and toasted her.
She always stood by him, believed in him, encouraged him, and guided him. Mu Shaoyan was always grateful to her.
The homeroom teacher picked up his cup, took a sip of his drink, and said, "You just graduated, and you're already starting a business?"
"I'm just killing time anyway," Mu Shaoyan said. "Thank you for your help during my three years of high school, from freshman to senior year."
"You're welcome." The homeroom teacher looked at him. "Your college entrance exam results this year are already the best reward for me."
"Mu Shaoyan, I wish you success in your business venture. And when you go to university, keep up the good work!" said the homeroom teacher.
Mu Shaoyan nodded and smiled slowly.
Everything at Chenxi Steamed Bun Shop was proceeding smoothly, so Ye Qingxi stopped focusing on it. He was more concerned about something else: summer vacation was approaching.
This was his first summer vacation after transmigrating. Ye Qingxi clearly remembered that a big event would happen during this summer vacation: the protagonist, He Yao, was finally going to become famous!
Unlike most actors who become famous through acting, he...
He Yao's rise to fame this time was not due to a television or movie role, but rather to a parent-child variety show.
Originally, He Yao was invited to this parent-child variety show simply because he was cheap. However, after the show aired, He Yao gained countless fans with his gentle personality, patience with children, and occasional adorable moments, becoming the most popular person on the show.
Even after the variety show ended, He Yao still managed to land a major film role based on his image from the show.
No, Ye Qingxi thought to himself, he definitely couldn't let He Yao become famous.
He Yao's rise to fame corresponds to Mu Shaowu's downfall.
Although the entertainment industry is so big, he doesn't think that one person has to go down for another to go up, but He Yao clearly thinks so, and the original author also clearly thinks so.
Therefore, in order to ensure Mu Shaowu's safety, He Yao absolutely cannot become famous.
How can we stop him from becoming a sensation on this parent-child reality show?
Ye Qingxi rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
As he was thinking, he suddenly heard a knock on the door.
Ye Qingxi stood up curiously and walked to the door, where she saw Mu Shaowu's agent, whom she had met before, standing outside the courtyard gate.
"Who is it, baby?" Aunt Zhang came over and asked him.
“She’s my father’s agent,” Ye Qingxi replied.
Aunt Zhang nodded, "Then it seems you've come to see your father. I'll go open the door for him."
After saying that, Aunt Zhang went out the door, walked to the gate of the courtyard, and opened it.
Zeng Chong nodded politely to her and followed her in.
When he entered the house and saw Ye Qingxi, Zeng Chong smiled at him and handed him the toy he was holding. "Long time no see, baby. This is a toy car that Uncle bought for you. See if you like it."
Ye Qingxi accepted it and said politely, "Thank you, Uncle."
"You're welcome," Zeng Chong said with a smile.
“But my dad is talking to my grandpa, so you might have to wait,” Ye Qingxi said.
Zeng Chong nodded, "Okay."
He handed the fruit he was carrying to Aunt Zhang, and then followed Ye Qingxi to sit down on the sofa.
"Babies, you guys are almost on holiday, right?"
Ye Qingxi nodded, "Yes, we'll be free after the final exams in another week."
Zeng Chong nodded.
He then asked, "Are you still taking classes with Master Kang recently?"
"Um."
"I heard from your dad that Master Kang took you as his last disciple. You're really amazing, baby!"
Ye Qingxi smiled shyly.
Zeng Chong looked at him and wanted to pinch his little face.
But before he could even extend his hand, he heard Mu Shaowu's voice, "Why are you here?"
"I was just passing by and happened to need to talk to you," Zeng Chong said.
Mu Shaowu sat down next to his son and asked in confusion, "What is it?"
"You've had enough rest these past six months, haven't you?" Zeng Chong looked at him with a hint of flattery. "How about you participate in a variety show?"
Mu Shaowu: ...
Mu Shaowu replied without hesitation, "No."
"You didn't even hear me tell you what kind of variety show it was!"
"I don't want any variety shows."
"You're not going to show off your son?!"
Mu Shaowu: ? ? ?
Ye Qingxi: ? ? ?
At that moment, both father and son turned to look at Zeng Chong.
Zeng Chong: ...
Zeng Chong smiled and said, "The recording of 'Look the Daddy' on Lemon TV is coming up soon. You...why don't you want to consider it?"
Ye Qingxi: !!
Ye Qingxi was shocked. Wasn't this the parent-child reality show that He Yao had participated in?!
Mu Shaowu said helplessly, "No."
"Why?" Zeng Chong was puzzled. "Didn't you always love to show off your son? Now that you have the platform, why aren't you showing him off?"
Mu Shaowu: ...Of course there's no need!
Mu Shaowu just couldn't understand why he would bring his son onto a variety show!
Putting everything else aside, his father would never agree to it!
"If you have nothing else to do, you should go back," Mu Shaowu said sincerely.
Zeng Chong: ...
Having no other choice, Zeng Chong said to him, "Let's talk in private."
Mu Shaowu: ? ? ?
Zeng Chong looked very serious.
Helpless, Mu Shaowu said to Ye Qingxi, "Baby, play by yourself for a while, Daddy will be back soon."
"Mm." Ye Qingxi smiled.
Mu Shaowu stood up and led Zeng Chong to the reception room on the first floor.
“Speak,” he said, lying on the recliner and looking at his agent.
Zeng Chong sat down in the chair next to him and earnestly advised, "Next summer, Xiao Xi will be going to the opening ceremony of the World Championship. There will definitely be many media outlets interviewing him, and you, as his father, will also be interviewed by many media outlets. At that time, your relationship will be impossible to hide."
"Then let's not hide it anymore," Mu Shaowu said calmly. "Anyway, I didn't really want to hide it in the first place."
Besides, his son is so remarkable, why would he hide it?
Mu Shaowu had no choice but to keep it a secret!
"Then everyone will know he's your son!"
"Isn't this good?"
"This isn't a question of good or bad, it's about what your fans will think, and what your haters will say!"
Zeng Chong said anxiously, "You're a top star. If it suddenly comes out that you have a child, there will definitely be a lot of talk and speculation. So I think, instead of waiting for others to speculate, you should take your child to a parent-child variety show now and announce that you have a child yourself. That way, you can give everyone a direct explanation, tell them why you have this child, and what's going on with Xiao Xi. At the same time, it will also give your fans a chance to understand Xiao Xi. Then, they will not only not misunderstand you, but they will also like Ye Qingxi because of your love for her."
"This is better for you, for the fans, and for Xiaoxi."
Ye Qingxi stood outside the door and nodded gently. He thought Zeng Chong was right.
Compared to next summer, when he finishes his song and everyone suddenly finds out that Mu Shaowu has a child like him, it would be better for Mu Shaowu to participate in a parent-child variety show together, show their relationship, and let them know why Mu Shaowu has a child like him and how he gets along with him.
Mu Shaowu naturally thought so too.
but……
"Forget it," Mu Shaowu refused. "Sometimes I can't even stand it when netizens insult me, so I have to create an alternate account to argue with them. If they insult Xiao Xi after the variety show, I'm afraid I might really lose my temper and go find them for a real fight."
Ye Qingxi: ...No, there's no need for that.
Zeng Chong: ? ? ?
"Can't you just bear with it?"
"I was afraid that if I held back, I would get angrier and angrier, and in the end I would still think that Mortal Kombat was more convenient!"
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi almost burst out laughing.
Zeng Chong: ...
So you're sure you don't want to go?
Mu Shaowu nodded.
He said, "Xiao Xi is still young. I don't want him to be exposed to the camera too much, nor do I want him to be pointed at and judged by others. Anyway, I am an adult. I can accept whatever people think of me. Besides, I am not dead. I will explain and refute the rumors when the time comes. I will not let myself suffer unnecessary stigma. So I think it is unnecessary."
Since he's already said that, what else could Zeng Chong say?
"Alright then," Zeng Chong said. "But you're not planning on not filming anything all year, are you? Half a year has passed, and you haven't filmed a single movie yet!"
"Of course not," Mu Shaowu advised him. "Don't worry, if there's a good script, I'll still film it."
Zeng Chong finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ye Qingxi, standing outside the door, slowed her pace and gradually moved away from the wall of the small reception room.
He sat back down on the sofa in the living room, his mind still on what Zeng Chong had just said in the small meeting room.
Actually, it would be great if he appeared on a variety show with Mu Shaowu. With Mu Shaowu's current fan base, he would definitely be the focus whenever he appeared, and He Yao might not be able to stand out in the variety show like in the book.
Another point, and the most important one, is that his presence as an "external force" might influence how popular He Yao becomes on this variety show.
As long as He Yao doesn't become as popular as in the original book, that's a success for him!
The more Ye Qingxi thought about it, the more she felt it was worth a try, but...
Ye Qingxi glanced back at the small meeting room; her father didn't seem willing.
Sigh, Ye Qingxi wondered how he could convince his father to participate in a parent-child reality show with him. He had to think of a way.
As he was pondering, the door to the small reception room opened, and Zeng Chong rushed out.
"Then I'll be going now," Zeng Chong said.
Mu Shaowu nodded.
"Xiao Xi, Uncle is leaving, bye-bye~" Zeng Chong said goodbye to him.
Ye Qingxi: ...
Seriously? You're leaving already? You're really not going to try to persuade me to stay?
Ye Qingxi could only stand up, raise her small hand, and wave to him, "Goodbye~"
He watched his father rush out the door, wondering what kind of tactics his father liked. He couldn't possibly use nuclear weapons again, could he? He had already promised not to use nuclear weapons lightly!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
