Chapter 57 Future Wife
Yu Jianshan has an unwavering rule: film until you're dead, film until you're dead. Especially as the year draws to a close, the entire crew is like a taut string. Most filmmakers are dedicated to their work, but a few have taken leave, causing a lot of restlessness.
Dozens, even hundreds, of staff members worked day and night for a whole week at the film studio, and finally, the New Year was approaching.
Yu Jianshan was originally reluctant to even grant a half-day holiday, but in the end, Lin Zhongyuan had to plead until he was hoarse before he was able to get a three-day holiday.
The staff didn't seem happy when they heard this, because they knew that his three-day holiday just meant he could finish work early for three consecutive days.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, at 2 p.m., Xu Shaoting's car was parked at the entrance of the film studio.
Wen Jia initially planned to fly back to Linzhou by herself, but someone wanted to see her so badly that he couldn't bear to let her squeeze onto a plane by herself, so he made a special trip to pick her up in person.
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Yu Jianshan gave a "cut," and Wen Jia changed out of her costume, not even having time to remove her makeup, and hurriedly ran towards the entrance of the film and television city.
She deliberately walked around to Xu Shaoting's side, opened the car door and sat directly in his lap. Before she could even steady herself, her arms were already around his neck, searching for his lips, asking for a kiss.
He seized the opportunity to hold her tightly, responding even more eagerly than she did. A soft, lingering sound of water filled the enclosed car.
After sucking his fill of her moist lips, he went deep inside and began to play with her lips and tongue. Wen Jia did not resist at all and was forced to tilt her head back to endure this intimate encounter that had a hint of plunder.
A feeling of being needed and fulfilled grew wildly between the two, causing them to almost lose their minds on the spot.
This is so abnormal. They haven't seen each other for only a week, and they're both missing each other terribly. While waiting for her in the car, he was even distracted when talking on the phone. If she doesn't come soon, he might really go to the film set to wait for her.
With the barrier raised, the driver in front kept his eyes down and waited quietly for several minutes without receiving the order to start the car. He wisely got out of the car and left for a moment before being told to head to the airport.
She was so breathless and dizzy from the kisses that she didn't realize something was wrong until the car was already moving. "Should I go buy them some gifts? I forgot."
"Don't worry," he calmly reassured her, "I've already delivered the gift for you. They'll be very happy if you go there in person."
The two-hour flight was neither long nor short, and we arrived at the manor at exactly 7 p.m.
Before the maid had even prepared dinner, Xu Shaoting simply picked her up and carried her up the spiral staircase.
But instead of going to the bedroom, he went to the study.
He carried her to the large desk, their bodies pressed very close together. The position was too intimate.
"In the study...?" She pressed her palm against his chest, her tone hesitant.
"..."
"What are you thinking?" Xu Shaoting laughed. "I'm not the kind of man who has nothing to do all day and whose mind is filled with that kind of thing."
Wen Jia muttered defiantly, "You'd better be..."
He let go of her. "I still have things to take care of. Why don't you play by yourself for a while?"
The tone was as if coaxing a child.
There were things to deal with during the New Year, so she wisely refrained from asking further questions and slid off his arms.
This was her second time visiting his study.
The first time she came, the two of them were just there to sign a cold, impersonal contract, so quickly that she didn't have a chance to properly tour the place.
There was really nothing interesting in the study, and she couldn't bear to leave him, so she could only admire the famous paintings and calligraphy on his walls. The atmosphere was quiet and elegant, but also boring.
Finally, I picked up a ceramic ornament from the table and examined it closely.
Her fingertip slipped and she almost dropped it, but luckily she reacted quickly and steadied herself.
"If this breaks, can I afford to pay for it?"
Xu Shaoting glanced up and said, "One and a half hundred million."
Wen Jia's fingers tightened instantly around the ornament. "How much?"
"...150,000."
"You put 150 million on the table...?"
"It looks nice and has a good meaning, so I'll put it here."
Seeing her cautious reaction, Xu Shaoting found it amusing. "Why are you panicking? If you really fall, I'll tear up the contract. You can afford to pay for it."
The moment he uttered the sum of 150 million, Wen Jia put this hot potato back on the table exactly as it was. Suddenly, everything in the room seemed to have sprung thorns, making her afraid to touch anything.
Poor thing, she had nowhere to stay, so she could only obediently sit back on his lap.
Xu Shaoting ignored her, letting her sit there, calmly gazing at the documents.
Seeing that he was completely unaffected, Wen Jia narrowed her eyes, feeling somewhat frustrated, yet a strange competitive spirit welled up within her. Her slender fingers slowly moved upwards, beginning to touch his chin.
The man remained unmoved.
She chuckled inwardly, unwilling to admit defeat, and then went to tug at his tie, tearing the neat and full Windsor knot into a loose mess.
He also indulged her.
One last time, she began to unbutton his shirt, but before she could fully undone it...
The next second,
With a crisp 'snap', Xu Shaoting closed the folder and tossed it onto the table.
He deftly pulled off the tie hanging around his neck and placed it on her hand. His movements were slow and deliberate, yet carried an irresistible force. He held the two ends of the tie with his fingertips and wrapped it around her slender wrist with extreme elegance.
A perfect and beautiful binding knot was tied.
Wen Jia's hands were clasped together and braced against his chest, unable to move. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears, but a smile played on her lips.
It was her usual bright smile, but at this moment, it seemed very provocative... yet also somewhat conciliatory.
He was genuinely curious how she could display both pleading and smug expressions on her face at the same time, and countless beastly thoughts raced through his mind.
He wrapped one arm around her bound wrists, forcing her closer to him, and with the other hand, he gripped her chin and kissed her fiercely.
It has a punitive nature.
"If you want to use the study, that's fine with me."
She actually thought about it carefully for a moment, then smiled charmingly, "What if my younger siblings see me? They probably can't imagine that their older brother would do something like that, right?"
His forehead pressed against hers, and the study was instantly heated by hormones.
"What is it?"
Seeing that she didn't answer, he pressed her again, "Hmm? Explain yourself, what is it?"
Wen Jia's smile deepened, but she bit her lip and said, "Love."
Xu Shaoting took a deep breath, put his face between her collarbones, as if he was suppressing some desire, paused for a moment, and then turned his head to kiss her neck.
It was an unusual force, a force that would definitely leave a mark.
She was terrified and began to resist, shouting, "No!! Xu Shaoting! I still have to film!!"
Xu Shaoting slowly uttered an "Oh," and nodded, as if suddenly realizing something. "Why are you in a hurry now? Where did your courage go?"
A kiss is a debt repaid with a kiss; she kisses him, taking the initiative to show weakness, "I was wrong, I was wrong."
He gazed at the person in his arms, a rare sense of bewilderment washing over him. Facing her, he always felt he had seen too little of the world. He wondered if all other women were like her? Capable yet irresponsible, passionate and bold when flirting, but decisive and clean when leaving, simply patting their behind and walking away.
He chuckled softly, and ultimately mercifully spared her neck, leaving no mark.
"How much longer until they arrive?" Wen Jia's voice tightened. The thought of being seen bound like this made her struggle even more.
"What's the rush?" Xu Shaoting not only didn't help her loosen her tie, but instead pulled her even tighter into his arms. "Not so fast, let's kiss a little longer."
Neither of the two people in the study could have guessed that at the same time as their intimate whispers, two sports cars with their headlights blaring were driving past the guard post, illuminating the main gate of the manor.
A man and a woman got out of the car in front. Xu Yitang playfully made a 'shh' gesture to the butler and lowered her voice, "Where's my brother?"
"In the study, Miss."
She took Xu Yancheng's arm and sneaked up to the second floor like a thief.
Xu Yishu followed them a beat behind, leisurely watching their backs as they walked away. She tossed the car keys to the housekeeper and caught up with them.
It wasn't until she reached the second floor that she understood why they were acting so suspiciously—
The two ancestors were pressed against the study door, one on each side, communicating only with hand gestures, because their ears were used to listen to the sounds coming from inside the study.
Xu Yishu approached quietly, pretending to join the spying, but a sinister hand reached out from the shadows and suddenly pressed down on the doorknob:
"Go on."
After saying that, he quickly wrapped his arms around his younger sister's waist and pulled her back.
The door wasn't locked, and Xu Yancheng, caught off guard, rushed inside.
Inside the study, Wen Jia was sitting on Xu Shaoting's lap, kissing him passionately. Both of their collars were open and disheveled, and his hand was still groping her in a certain place.
Fortunately, she had her back to the door, so the intruder only caught a glimpse of her blurry back.
Two distinct gasps were heard at the doorway.
This is a lifesaver! Xu Yishu's scalp tingled. She never imagined that her usually composed brother would be having such a wild time with his girlfriend in the forbidden study!
She made a quick decision, gritted her teeth, grabbed Xu Yitang, and fled the scene, extricating herself from the situation.
Wen Jia was so startled that she trembled and turned around to look.
Then a young man wearing a Ralph Lauren jacket stood in the doorway.
She looked closely.
He has a striking and outstanding appearance. His figure, eyebrows, and features are somewhat similar to Xu Shaoting's, but the two have very different temperaments.
Compared to him, his older brother was clearly more profound and composed.
Xu Shaoting was annoyed that his good time had been interrupted, and he frowned as he looked at him.
Xu Yancheng quickly regained his composure. Far from being embarrassed, he grinned at Wen Jia and said, "Hello, sister-in-law!"
Just as dinner was being prepared, a maid ran to the study to inform him. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xu Yancheng turned around and slipped away faster than the wind.
Wen Jia chuckled twice, turned to look at Xu Shaoting, and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Is the way the Xu family makes their entrances... always so... special?"
Xu Shaoting shook his head and smiled, then took off his tie. After the marks on her wrists disappeared, he led her downstairs.
The three of them sat at the dining table for nearly ten minutes before the eldest brother and sister-in-law finally arrived. Although they had all greeted Wen Jia in all sorts of strange ways, this was the first time they could be considered to have met in person.
Three pairs of eyes turned to her.
Xu Yitang's voice was sweet and her enthusiasm was high: "Hello, sister-in-law."
Xu Yishu's voice was steady and generous: "Hello, sister-in-law."
Xu Yancheng coughed lightly, his fist clenched, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, sister-in-law, I was abrupt just now."
This was the first time in Wen Jia's life that she had been addressed as "sister-in-law" so formally, and she was quite unaccustomed to it. "You can just call me by my name, it's more intimate."
"Okay, sister-in-law," the three of them said in unison.
"..."
Xu Shaoting whispered in her ear, "The three of them rarely have the chance to call you 'sister-in-law,' so they find it novel. Why don't you try it and get used to it?"
She accepted this reason quickly, and smiled, "I'll call you sister-in-law."
After taking her seat, Xu Yishu beckoned the housekeeper to her side and whispered a few instructions. The housekeeper went out and returned with three exquisite luxury bags in her hands.
She took it and handed it to Wen Jia, saying, "This is just a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it, sister-in-law. We'll open it later."
Wen Jia thanked her and accepted the gift gracefully without any hesitation.
The servants brought out all the dishes, and the group ate and chatted for a while, the atmosphere gradually warming up. Xu Yishu filled five wine glasses with red wine, raised them, and said, "Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and it's also the first time I've officially met my sister-in-law. Our family is usually busy with our own things, so it's rare for us to get together today. I'd like to toast my elder brother and sister-in-law first, wishing you a long and happy marriage!"
After speaking, he solemnly clinked glasses with the two people opposite him.
She drank it all with great sincerity, and after the other two had finished their toasts, she couldn't wait any longer and asked, "How are you two doing with your preparations?"
"What should we prepare?"
"Marriage?" Xu Yishu looked at Xu Shaoting, puzzled. "Your older brother said he proposed to you?"
The restaurant fell silent instantly.
Xu Yitang and her second brother exchanged bewildered glances, then burst into two exclamations: "Really?!?!"
Xu Shaoting stood with his hands clasped together, remaining silent for a moment. He had never imagined that those words would be remembered by Xu Yishu to this day.
"If you two are going to get married, will you choose to keep it a secret?" Xu Yancheng asked calmly, even more concerned than the two people involved. After speaking, he seemed to remember something, "No, that doesn't seem feasible."
Xu Shaoting replied meaningfully, "It can't be hidden; the marital status of shareholders must be made public."
"Are you really getting married?! Things are progressing so fast?" Xu Yitang clicked her tongue, nudging her older sister beside her. "Can my little sister be a bridesmaid?"
Xu Yishu blushed: "...I've never been married either, so I don't know."
Wen Jia was so captivated by their comments that she went to see Xu Shaoting, completely bewildered.
He cleared his throat and whispered in her ear, "I did mention it to you."
After saying that, she turned to her younger siblings who were having a heated discussion, "Alright, stop. It's still early. Go back and don't mention it in front of Mom and Dad yet."
Seeing the three men nod knowingly, he was still not at ease and emphasized, "Especially Xu Bozheng."
As if on cue, the butler trotted into the restaurant and whispered, "Young Master, the Chairman has arrived."
As soon as he finished speaking, a clanging sound came from the restaurant—
Wen Jia's hand holding the fork froze instantly.
The two sisters quickly stood up, ready to greet the guests at the door.
Xu Yancheng was so startled that he spilled his wine glass and hurriedly steadied it.
"Where are we?" Xu Shaoting asked calmly.
"The car has just passed the guard post."
Xu Yancheng, Xu Yishu, and Xu Yitang all focused their gazes on Wen Jia.
"Should I... excuse myself for a moment?"
Her words were a solicitation of opinions, but her buttocks had already honestly left the seat.
But Xu Shaoting stopped him, saying, "Why don't we take this opportunity to meet him?"
"I dare not..."
Just thinking about Xu Bozheng's voice and face made Wen Jia almost cry. She broke free from the man's hand, ran towards the spiral staircase without saying a word, and slipped into the master bedroom.
The moment the door was locked, Xu Bozheng's car came to a smooth stop at the entrance of the manor.
This time he didn't put on airs; he got out of the car and walked straight into the door.
“Dad,” Xu Shaoting said first.
Xu Bozheng stood with his hands behind his back, squinting as he examined the four people at the table. He knew that they would come to the manor for a meal every Lunar New Year's Eve.
However, why does the atmosphere seem so unusual and tense this year? Of the four people, three of them stood very uncomfortable, as if all the beautiful peace had been shattered by his arrival.
His gaze shifted slightly, catching sight of the fifth wine glass on the table.
This action did not escape the notice of his perceptive youngest son. Xu Yancheng pulled the cup back to his seat and chuckled dryly.
"Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, I'm so happy, I'll have two drinks by myself."
Xu Shaoting: "..."
Xu Yishu: "..."
Xu Yitang: "..."
Xu Bozheng snorted softly, said nothing, and shifted his gaze again. He always had sharp eyes, so the woman's handbag on the sofa once again pitifully did not escape his sight.
Xu Yitang, being the most favored and least afraid of him, quickly went over and hugged the bag to her chest, lying without batting an eye:
"Daddy, this is my bag!"
Xu Shaoting: "..."
Xu Yishu: "..."
Xu Yancheng: "..."
She was probably the only one in the family who dared to lie to Xu Bozheng like that. He didn't pursue the matter, but glanced around again, his gaze settling on the pile of ostentatious gifts on the dining table.
It can be four or five, but it absolutely cannot be exactly three.
Xu Yishu chuckled twice, showing her keen observation:
"These are all New Year's gifts from my older brother, Dad."
Xu Shaoting: "..."
Xu Yitang: "..."
Xu Yancheng: "..."
Xu Bozheng took in their clumsy performance but did not expose them. Finally, he turned his attention to his eldest son, using his usual scrutinizing gaze.
After examining it, he nodded almost imperceptibly.
However, this nod was not an affirmation or approval, but a complete understanding.
He uttered his first words since entering the manor: "The study!"
After saying that, he walked up to the second floor without looking back.
Xu Shaoting didn't leave immediately, but deliberately waited for five minutes before heading towards the stairs.
Xu Yishu looked at his back and felt a sense of impending battle. She said worriedly, "Brother, let's not fight during the New Year."
Xu Shaoting waved his hand reassuringly.
Xu Bozheng was already sitting at his desk with a stern face. Hearing Xu Shaoting's footsteps, he said, "Don't close the door, leave it open."
Xu Shaoting chuckled, ignoring him, and left the door slightly ajar. "Is it so she can hear us on purpose?"
Seeing that he couldn't even be bothered with pretense, Xu Bozheng's anger flared up, and he stared at him intently, "Bringing them home time and time again? Are you serious? Or just playing around?"
"It's for real."
"Female celebrity? Or female secretary?"
Xu Bozheng gets better at playing dumb as he gets older. However, Xu Shaoting knew perfectly well that this wasn't to ease the tension, but rather to hear him admit it himself.
"The person you met last time is named Wen Jia; she's an actress,"
"Traveling between Switzerland and China for her sake?" Xu Bozheng was furious. "Spending a week in Yungang, and the company didn't even care?"
"The company manages it every day."
Xu Bozheng's temple veins were bulging. "Do you think you're thinking clearly right now?!"
“You can’t say I’m not thinking straight just because I’ve fallen in love with someone,” Xu Shaoting met his gaze. “That doesn’t make sense.”
Xu Bozheng was amused and let out a soft snort, his gaze fixed on the table.
As if he had been expecting this, he picked up the undone tie, solemnly held it up in front of him, and waved it:
Are you awake?
"..."
He could almost picture what his rebellious son was doing with a woman in the study!
Just thinking about it would make him furious.
A deathly silence fell over the study.
After a while, he threw off his tie.
"What do you like about her? Is it her looks?" Xu Bozheng raised his voice, his words carrying a hint of sarcasm from someone in a superior position. "She is beautiful, but there are beautiful women everywhere in this world. You should broaden your horizons. Just because she can act a few roles and shed a few tears in front of the camera doesn't mean she's special. This industry is all about putting on an act. Don't be so naive!"
“Her looks are secondary. She’s smart, has a good personality, works hard, is ambitious, and loves me very much. We love each other.” Xu Shaoting paused, then asked, “Are you really that unhappy? Why?”
"Good personality? Loves you?" Xu Bozheng turned around incredulously, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. "How long have you known her? How can you be so sure she loves you?"
"Time is not a standard. You and my mother didn't know each other for very long before you got married."
To be fair, Xu Bozheng may not be able to truly empathize. In his youth, he was a spoiled brat with lofty ambitions. Before the age of twenty-five, he had no intention of taking over the family business. However, he was fortunate to be the second son of his father, Xu Songjun. The pressure of his generation was borne by his older brother, so he naturally enjoyed more freedom in matters of marriage and love.
“You’re the eldest son, I’m not! I do have more freedom in this regard, but at least our families are well-matched!” Speaking of being well-matched, Xu Bozheng had more to say: “Have you thought about whether she’s attracted to you as a person, or to the resources and prestige the Xu family can bring her?”
"She doesn't want anything from me, she just wants my love."
“She doesn’t want anything,” Xu Bozheng sneered. “Then tell me, why were there rumors about her with other men before? There’s no smoke without fire. These rumors can’t be completely baseless, right? Was it for resources? Or something else? Are you sure that her methods with you are different from those she used in the past?”
"She did have relationships before. But they ended a long time ago, it was clean."
Xu Bozheng interrupted him, "It's not a relationship!"
Xu Shaoting realized what was happening, "You investigated her?"
"Whether there's an investigation or not, it won't change the facts! I will not accept a woman with rumors about her into the Xu family."
Xu Shaoting realized that this was the real reason he came tonight.
“She had no choice. You know what this industry is like. Many times, she can’t do whatever she wants, so I wanted to protect her,” he paused, “and we started dating because I begged her.”
"You begged her?" Xu Bozheng's eyes widened. Xu Shaoting nodded frankly, "At first she was afraid of me, she treated me as..." He couldn't say the word "sugar daddy," so he changed his words, "She thought I was from a different world than her, so winning her heart was indeed not easy, and I didn't want to be from a different world than her anymore."
Xu Bozheng leaned on the corner of the table and sighed, "If you want to date, fine, but only for six months at most. After six months, break up with me immediately. You need to think about your future wife."
“I know you’re doing this for my own good, but,” Xu Shaoting said firmly, “we can’t break up.”
Xu Bozheng frowned in annoyance. "There are so many women out there, why do you have to choose someone who's fickle and might be different today and tomorrow? Their feelings are mostly like acting; you can't take them seriously."
"Besides, she's marrying into the Xu family and becoming the future mistress of the Xu family. Even if I really agreed to let her marry into the family, would she be willing to devote herself wholeheartedly to the family? Have you thought about that? You're only concerned with your current love, have you considered the long term?!"
The study door wasn't closed properly, and the father and son's words traveled clearly through the stairwell to the ears of the three people on the first floor.
The tense atmosphere made them hold their breath, not daring to touch their chopsticks, all prepared to rush in and break up the fight at any moment.
But they all knew perfectly well that the older brother wasn't like this before the marriage was discussed.
In the past, Hsu Shao-ting was always humble and gentle in any situation, never putting on airs, and his manners were impeccable.
Having been on the board for only two years, he has managed the entire group with remarkable efficiency and earned the trust of all. He makes decisions decisively and skillfully, and his humanistic care is impeccable. His generous welfare and bonuses are enough to feed an ordinary person for a whole year, so much so that everyone in the company, from the decision-makers to the junior staff, admires and respects him.
At home, he is respectful and filial to his elders and never disobeys his parents. He also takes great care of the younger generation, always fulfilling their requests. His three siblings unanimously agree that there is absolutely no older brother more perfect than Xu Shaoting.
But everything changed after Xu Bozheng brought his marriage into the open.
The father and son became increasingly impatient with each other, and neither was willing to yield to the other.
From the perspective of the three bystanders, none of them were wrong.
Xu Bozheng was considering his future and the future of the Xu family, and matched him with a woman of equal social standing. Although it was autocratic and dictatorial, it was not for his own selfish reasons and was therefore understandable.
Xu Shaoting has never had freedom from childhood to adulthood, from his studies to his social interactions, from his words and actions to his aspirations. Now he just wants to hold onto the person he deeply loves, so what's wrong with that?
The problem lies in the identity.
"What would it take for you to accept her?" Xu Shaoting's voice was tinged with weariness.
Xu Bozheng stared at him, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "No matter what, it won't happen."
"What if I'm unwilling to let go? What methods are you planning to use this time? Take back the group? Or sever ties with my son?"
Xu Bozheng lowered his eyebrows and suppressed his anger, hardly believing what he had just heard. He nodded to him, "You can give it a try."
The father and son's words were also heard by Wen Jia through the master bedroom door.
If Shen Zhiyun's words were like a needle being plunged into her throat, then hearing Xu Bozheng say it himself was like the needle being pushed all the way down, the icy liquid instantly flooding her entire body and freezing her last shred of hope.
What to do? This relationship seems to be more difficult than she imagined.
The meal was truly unpleasant. The father and son were locked in a fierce argument upstairs, Wen Jia hid in her bedroom, too afraid to face Xu Bozheng, and the three siblings were trembling with fear in the dining room.
The warm atmosphere eventually dissipated in a silent tension.
"Think about it carefully yourself."
Xu Bozheng didn't say anything more and walked out of the study. Xu Shaoting, as usual, asked the butler to see him off.
I'll be staying here tonight.
"..."
The servants took care of tidying up the guest room, and Xu Shaoting carefully escorted him to his room before returning to the master bedroom.
As soon as I entered the room, I saw Wen Jia sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs bent, her chin resting on her knees, her body hunched over, still not quite recovered.
She wasn't unprepared, but hearing Xu Bozheng use words like "rumor" and "quick-witted" to describe her, and hearing his resolute "No matter what, it won't," still made her heart clench.
Xu Shaoting walked over and pulled her into his arms. "You heard everything?"
"Uncle doesn't approve of the two of us, right?"
“He just doesn’t agree yet.” Xu Shaoting smoothed her hair. “I’ll get him to agree, but it’ll take some time, so give him, and us, some time, okay?”
Wen Jia lowered her eyelashes, deeply concealing her pupils. "But I just heard him say that he would never accept me, no matter what, and what future wife..."
The words "future wife" truly ripped her heart out, leaving it bloodied and mangled. The feeling she had before—imagining him falling in love with and marrying someone else—came back, catching her completely off guard and unprepared.
Her lips were tightly pursed.
Xu Shaoting looked down, saw her disappointed expression, and lifted her chin.
"Wen Jia, if you say that, can I assume that you actually hope my future wife is you?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Mr. Xu: Wife, remind me to wear my tie next time I go out.
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