Chapter 44 "Good evening, everyone."
For a fleeting moment, Xia Mian truly believed that she and Zhou Pingchuan were married and had a home of their own.
Then he realized that this was Qingyun Town, and Zhou Pingchuan's "going home" probably meant going back to the capital.
Of course, going back anywhere is better than being in jail. Xia Mian nodded to the two men as a greeting, then happily followed Zhou Pingchuan into the car.
As they gradually left the police station area, Xia Mian sincerely thanked them: "Third Master, thank you for coming all the way to rescue me, but I can't go back to the capital with you yet, I'm sorry."
Zhou Pingchuan did not react.
Xia Mian explained, "My profession is acting, as you should know. I was arrested this time because during the filming of a variety show, a guest accused me of stealing her things. I didn't do that, and I can't just let it go like this. I have to get justice for myself."
Cheng Qi was also in the car, presumably he had gone back from Nangang with Zhou Pingchuan and was then taken to Qingyun Town.
Cheng Qi: "Xia Xia—can I call him that?"
He looked at Zhou Pingchuan questioningly, and seeing that his friend had no objection, he continued, "Don't worry, I just asked, the case is almost finished, and all that's left is to find the stolen items. Once they are found, the police will immediately issue an official announcement proving your innocence."
“I know that as long as I didn’t do it, the law will clear my name. But… it’s too late,” Xia Mian closed her eyes. “The brooch incident was deliberately smeared against me. Under their manipulation, the rumors must have spread like wildfire. I have to find a way to stabilize public opinion first, otherwise I’ll be labeled a thief for the rest of my life.”
This girl from the Xia family looks like a pretty vase, but she has a pretty clear mind. Cheng Qi asked curiously, "What's your plan?"
“The production team is adding a bonus live stream tonight, and I’m going back to participate. And I have to go back in a very conspicuous way,” Xia Mian paused, “I want—everyone to be able to see me!”
Nowadays, netizens only want to watch the excitement and don't care about the truth at all. By the time the official announcement is made, Xia Mian's image and career will be almost ruined.
Moreover, at this point, making excuses is completely useless.
Didn't everyone know that he was detained by the police?
The best way to reverse public opinion is to appear directly in front of the public and show them through his actions that he has no problems and has been released.
"So I can't leave, I'm sorry."
Zhou Pingchuan listened with his eyes closed, without replying, but he didn't mention returning to the capital again.
Cheng Qi had grown up with Zhou Pingchuan since childhood, and immediately understood what his childhood friend meant. He asked Xia Mian where she wanted to go, and Xia Mian told him the name of a garden restaurant.
The driver adjusted the route and quickly drove to the address he had given him.
The production team booked an entire restaurant for tonight's surprise live broadcast.
The live broadcast is about to begin. The area around the restaurant has been completely cordoned off and cleared. Restaurant security guards and program crew members are stationed at the front and back entrances to prevent paparazzi, obsessive fans, and others from entering and taking photos.
Xia Mian strode to the main entrance, and the security guard immediately tried to stop her. Xia Mian didn't even look at him: "I'm a guest, I need to go in to do a live broadcast, he knows that."
Xia Mian pointed to the props staff of "Infinite Escape" wearing work badges on the other side.
Having worked together for over a week, the production team must know who he is.
"I'm asking you," Xia Mian repeated, "am I a guest?"
The boy was rather thin, and his lips were pale from spending half a day in the detention center. But for some reason, the staff member felt a chill run down their spine when he asked him a question!
"...Yes, he is a guest."
The security guard moved aside as instructed. Xia Mian stood at the door, slightly tidying her bangs.
The production team designed some games to play during the meal, but since it wasn't feasible indoors, the props team moved the dining table to the lawn area. The long table was covered with a pink tablecloth, and silver candlesticks were lit, creating a tranquil and warm atmosphere, perfect for heartfelt conversations.
The remaining five guests had finished their makeup and were seated according to their assigned positions, with Qian Qian acting as the guest MC. Qian Qian glanced at the director, and after receiving confirmation that the live broadcast had successfully started, he made a face at the camera: "Good evening, viewers of 'Infinite Escape,' welcome to the bonus program 'Infinite Tea Party.' Due to some special circumstances, Xia Mian is absent tonight, but all the other guests are present."
When asked about the "special reasons," Zhu Ziqi raised his water cup, covering the smile on his lips.
Suddenly, a male voice came from the left: "Who said I took leave?"
Zhu Ziqi stared in astonishment, instinctively glancing to his left. There, the boy who should have been in the detention center was walking unharmed towards the dining table: "Sorry I'm late. Everyone—"
He slowly looked around and said, "Good evening, everyone."
***
This restaurant is located in a bustling downtown area, with a constant stream of residents coming and going.
To ensure the safety of the live broadcast, the production team deployed more than ten professional security guards, along with bodyguards and assistants for the guests, restaurant waiters, and other cast and crew members... There were no fewer than sixty or seventy people surrounding the set.
But the boy stood alone in the crowd, chin held high, with no fear in his eyes, exuding a solitary courage.
The car was parked in the parking lot outside the crowd. Cheng Qi looked at Xia Mian with great interest, leaned over, and wanted to exchange a few words with Zhou Pingchuan.
But Zhou Pingchuan's gaze remained fixed on the boy, his eyes deep.
"This play is quite interesting," Cheng Qi said, arms crossed. "The plot is good, and the actors are even better. What do you think, Mr. Jay?"
Zhou Pingchuan's gaze remained fixed on that spot. After a moment, he suddenly chuckled softly, "Indeed interesting."
"So..." This tone suggested there was some gossip to be had, and Cheng Qi couldn't contain his excitement.
"So I decided to add a scene for this actor."
After speaking, Zhou Pingchuan leaned down and whispered something to his assistant. The assistant responded, took out his phone, and began to carry out the chairman's instructions.
"And what about you?" After giving his instructions, Zhou Pingchuan suddenly turned to ask Cheng Qi.
What does this mean?! It's fine if you want to worry about your boyfriend, but what's with turning around and asking your childhood friend for help?
The Cheng family's headquarters are in Nangang. They recently planned to invest in two projects in Beijing. They have already reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with Zhou Pingchuan, with the Zhou family providing the land and the Cheng family responsible for development.
So after the banquet, Cheng Qi went straight back to the capital with Zhou Pingchuan.
Although Zhou Pingchuan was ruthless, his abilities were top-notch in the industry. Cheng Qi wasn't worried about the project; his mind wasn't on business at all. Instead, he was particularly curious about his childhood friend's wedding and kept asking him about it the whole way.
Zhou Pingchuan didn't hide anything from him and told him the important parts.
Upon hearing that Xue Chunling had cancer and that Xia Mian had taken the initiative to propose, Cheng Qi was actually quite dissatisfied. He felt that Xia Mian was lucky to have appeared just when Zhou Pingchuan needed to settle down.
After Hao Xin'er inquired about Xia Mian's background, Cheng Qi looked down on Xia Mian even more. Apart from her face, she was no match for the third brother in any way!
As a result, after today's encounter, he discovered that Xia Mian possessed a strange charm, a rare kind of arrogance cultivated from strong self-confidence, unyielding and self-assured.
This kid... he'd be a good match for the third brother.
Cheng Qi sighed and rubbed his chin helplessly: "Fine, fine, what can I do? I'm his rumored boyfriend now, so I have to do something. I'll add a scene for him too. Xiao Zhang..."
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