The lamps began to glow as the night wind breezed through.
Xu Qingyan lowered his head to reply to the messages from Pei Muchan and Lin Wanzhou. These recent days, he had been in almost constant contact with the two women, his first reaction upon waking each morning was to reach for his phone to return messages.
When they had free time, they would video call each other.
Fortunately, so far he had been lucky enough not to have experienced the misfortune of a video call leading to a car accident. This was mainly because Pei Muchan kept regular hours, and Lin Wanzhou was rather busy.
The timing on both ends was just right to suit Xu Qingyanâs convenience. His typing speed was fast, and it wasnât as if he couldnât keep up with the chat, so how could he feel any pressure?
Wandering for a while, he also pondered his plans for the future.
First off, the incident with âBlue and White Porcelainâ had been a wake-up call. Some songs could go unsung, kept away, but it was necessary to prepare them in advance, a few for each genre.
Next, he had thoroughly researched the registration process for a film and television production company. After some deliberation, he decided to ask Zhou Mian to help him find someone to handle it, to keep an eye on the process.
The entire process would take at least a month from start to finish.
Having a registered capital of 6 million didnât imply that he had to actually make that payment; under the current policy, it was okay to make capital contributions in proportion. He could afford it himself, so there was no need for the two women to contribute funds.
It would suffice to actually pay within five years, but he was confident that he wouldnât need five years; within less than a year, he believed he could earn all the money back.
Once the money was invested, it would become difficult to move around.
In fact, Pei Muchan and Lin Wanzhou werenât flush with cash either, unless they sold their houses and cars. Not to mention Lin Wanzhou had already sold her house earlier to pay a breach-of-contract penalty.
The landlordâs family was running out of surplus grain; Pei Muchan, like a hamster, had finished hoarding her houses.
They needed to release albums and maintain the operation of their studios. Xu Qingyan was counting on funneling some money from them next year to produce a profitable film or television project.
Perhaps in their eyes, Xu Qingyan starting a film and television company was just a small-time endeavor. But Xu Qingyanâs goal wasnât solely to make money; it was also about creating a deeper entanglement of interests.
Beyond starting a company, he couldnât think of anything else that would bring the three of them to the same table.
Lost in his thoughts, he looked up to find he had reached the other side of the park, on the main street. The start of winter was coming, and the air in the north was crisp and dry; people on the street were already wearing thick coats.
Xu Qingyan looked up at the branches sheltered beneath the street lights, their edges shimmering with faint gold. The yellow street lights cast a glowing light onto the road amidst the flowing traffic.
Beeep!
A car horn blared urgently as a red BMW braked hard, resulting in a loud bang against the curb. Xu Qingyan was startled, and his phone fell to the ground with a smack.@@novelbin@@
He was quick to react, leaping away at the sound of the horn. Fortunately, he was unharmed as the car hadnât jumped the curb, instead coming to an abrupt halt by the side of the road.
Recovering from the shock, Xu Qingyan looked towards the driverâs seat with smoldering anger.
Thinking to himself, who on earth was this blind driver, he resolved that today he would⦠He looked up to see a panicked face; Xiao Shujunâs gorgeous eyes came into view.
Xiao Shujun, a woman in her thirties, was dressed in a khaki-colored Korean-style trench coat. A low ponytail sat atop her head, her features delicate, with a somewhat artistic air about her.
She had a neither fat nor thin figure, with thick black stockings under her coat; her calves were round and elongated. She was usually gentle with people, her peach blossom eyes becoming somewhat enchanting when she smiled.
âXu Qingyan?â She was equally astonished, hurrying out of the car, âAre you okay?â
âIâm fine, Director Xiao.â Xu Qingyan hadnât expected to meet Xiao Shujun in this manner. He turned his head to glance inside the BMW, which she had been driving alone.
âAre you sure youâre okay? Iâm sorry, it was all my fault.â Xiao Shujun said earnestly, âIf youâve suffered any lossâ¦â
She looked down and noticed the black phone on the ground.
âIs your phone broken?â
Xu Qingyan picked up his phone without immediately responding. He examined it carefully; the outer screen was shattered but the inner screen seemed fine, although he deliberately didnât swipe it open.
In front of Xiao Shujun, he let her see the spiderweb-cracked condition of his phoneâs surface.
Sure enough, she saw the shattered screen and her face immediately turned to an awkward shade of embarrassment.
âIâm sorry, Iâll pay for it.â
âItâs not necessary, Director Xiao.â Xu Qingyan pocketed his phone, cementing the idea that it had been heavily damaged, and said leisurely, âIâll just go have it repaired.â
âIâm sorry, itâs my fault.â Xiao Shujunâs eyes reddened, seeming as though she had just been crying.
Xu Qingyan frowned slightly. Couldnât she find a substitute driver?
âDirector Xiao, where are you headed? You donât seem in the right state to drive; shall I find you a substitute right now, or shall I drive you myself?â
Though he was part of the core creative team, compared to Xiao Shujun, he seemed inexperienced. He could have even called her âTeacher Xiao,â a normal form of respectful address.
âIs that necessary?â Xiao Shujun hesitated.
Her gaze followed Xu Qingyanâs to where her BMW had grazed the curb, making the situation awkward as her words lost their persuasiveness.
âWould it be too much trouble for you?â
Xu Qingyan raised his eyebrows playfully.
âNo problem, I was only going to be playing games with Gan Wenchang when I got back. Trading a few losses in a game with him for Director Xiaoâs safe evening seems like a good deal when I think about it.â
Hearing this, Xiao Shujun smiled too, sincerely thanking him.
Xu Qingyan was an experienced driver, evident from the way he adjusted the seat back as soon as he entered the car. Xiao Shujun, sitting next to him, was slightly surprised and asked.
âDo you usually set the seat this far back?â
âYes, donât worry, Director Xiao.â Xu Qingyan started the car, ever so attentive, âI remember the distance you like for your seat; Iâll set it back for you when you get off.â
Upon hearing this, the passenger Xiao Shujun couldnât help but take another look at the young man.
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