Chapter 226: The World Is Small

The casual visit and chat on his own project gave Chu Ge a somewhat peculiar sense of satisfaction. It was akin to the long-anticipated “annual meeting,” where one could feel themselves among the forefront of the project, engaging in lively conversations and camaraderie with editors and other accomplished writers.

Although it might not have significant practical value, when you’re part of an industry, there’s always an expectation from the “upper echelons.” It’s not just about sitting alone in a dark room, cranking out words to make some money…

Joining various online writing associations not only provides a formal introduction when networking – “I’m a member of the XX Writers Association” – but also offers a sense of belonging to a “collective,” making you feel like you’re not just a ghost floating in the online world, but that there’s a collective and a “base” to it.

Feeling alive, knowing that societal expectations still exist for you.

Unfortunately, in reality, these writing associations usually hold pointless meetings, and online associations are even less useful, often devolving into mere excuses for gatherings. Chu Ge hadn’t participated in either for a year or two.

The visit to the office had finally given Chu Ge a taste of that fleeting satisfaction. Editors and chief editors had acknowledged him, and that was enough.

As for the big boss… he might see him at dinner later, but that was another world entirely. Chu Ge felt that it had nothing to do with writing. He didn’t even plan to hitch a ride in the boss’s car. After leaving, he took a taxi to the banquet hall where he had agreed to meet Xie Wenyuan. His gaze wandered around the room, and it seemed to land on Qiu Wuji as if it had been precisely guided.

This was a self-serve banquet hall, with men and women holding glasses of wine or fruit juice, mingling in groups of two or three, engaged in conversations and chit-chat. The atmosphere was elegant, even if not as formal as a gala event. Most people were dressed in formal attire, with suits and dresses dominating the scene.

Qiu Wuji stood out in her casual white shirt and blue jeans, exuding a distinct aura.

Chu Ge, in his T-shirt and jeans, was equally out of place… not only in terms of style, but the noticeable quality of his clothes also stood out, almost like two individuals who didn’t belong here at all.

Even so, Qiu Wuji remained the most striking figure in the room. Almost everyone’s eyes were on her, irrespective of gender – a natural allure of beauty that captivates humanity.

Qiu Wuji was strolling among the self-serve stations, curiously watching others pick up items. She then picked up a glass of orange juice herself, sipping it while observing.

The combination of her curious innocence and graceful laziness formed a unique charm. You couldn’t tell whether she was a country bumpkin or a woman who had seen the world and had stories to tell.

The banquet hall was spacious, and before Chu Ge even reached Qiu Wuji, someone else had approached her.

“This young lady looks familiar. I think she came with Mr. Zhu?” A young man dressed in a stylish suit stood elegantly beside Qiu Wuji, smiling as he asked, “May I know how to address you in relation to Mr. Zhu?”

Qiu Wuji blinked her eyes, surprised!

As the standard treatment for the female protagonist in novels who gets approached when she goes out, it had been nearly half a year since she started dressing like this. She had never encountered it before! She thought she had lost her charm, but it turns out she still had it! Oh, is Chu Ge here? I sense a hint of jealousy in the air, hehe.

Chu Ge halted in his steps, and looked at her with crossed arms.

“Uh, this young lady…”

In the eyes of others, Qiu Wuji was holding her orange juice, looking at the young man with a half-smile that was hard to interpret – whether it was mockery or something else – it was quite unsettling.

Qiu Wuji smiled faintly, “Yes, I came with my grandpa.”

Old Zhu: “?”

“Is Mr. Zhu your grandfather?” the young man seemed quite pleased. “So, is Miss Zhu currently managing the family business under Mr. Zhu’s guidance?”

“Yes, my grandpa and I grow tea in the countryside…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the young man’s expression drastically changed, and he hurriedly fled.

Old Zhu: “…”

Following that script, the next line would be “My grandpa passed away,” oh my gosh!

Qiu Wuji pursed her lips, as if addressing the air, “Other people can carry on with this conversation for several more lines. How come when I say it, they just run away?”

Chu Ge appeared by her side, “You’ve read those lines before, and others have too. Do you think they don’t use the internet?”

“Oh…”

“As someone who writes stories, can’t you come up with something on your own?”

“Why bother making up something when he also knows? Knowing that and refusing is enough.”

“That makes sense.” Chu Ge rubbed his chin and looked at the young man. “So, he’s actually quite well-mannered, not persistently bothering you.”

Qiu Wuji smiled faintly, “In a public place like this, it’s hard for someone to pester persistently. Besides, I’m not an easy target.”

Chu Ge teased, “Are you happy to realize that you still have charm?”

Qiu Wuji laughed, “The one who should be happy is you. No one is competing with you for a girlfriend. How do you know how precious you are?”

“No need for anyone to compete with me. I know I’ve got the most precious thing in the world, above and below.”

“Hmph, did you meet the female editor?”

“I did.” Chu Ge pointed to the entrance.

Qiu Wuji turned her head to look. A middle-aged man in a well-tailored suit had just entered the banquet hall and headed straight for where Xie Wenyuan was, appearing quite familiar with the surroundings.

“Is he the boss?”

“Yes.”

Qiu Wuji’s expression changed slightly, as if she could imagine the scene of Chu Ge’s meeting… So, what was she doing at noon?

She squeezed the cup of juice in her hand, her teeth clenched as if she wanted to crush it.

And then Chu Ge added, “Actually, how can it be squeezed dry like that? I have to do it at night…”

“Get lost!” Qiu Wuji almost spilled the juice all over Chu Ge’s face.

Just as the cup moved, Chu Ge leaned over, and it looked as if she had intentionally been feeding him juice.

Qiu Wuji was taken aback, her eyes turning into crescent moons as she laughed, “Your cultivation is clearly meant for doing things like this. Isn’t that embarrassing?”

Sipping his juice, Chu Ge grumbled, “Not only is it not embarrassing, look at how red other people’s eyes are when they’re looking at me.”

Qiu Wuji looked around and her face turned slightly red.

Many people around were discreetly observing the two of them. Some were smiling knowingly, while others seemed a bit disgruntled.

Clearly, they thought Chu Ge was approaching her, anticipating how he would be turned away. But the two of them were chatting away as if no one else was around, even feeding each other juice as if they were in their own little world of romance.

This was obviously a couple deeply in love, with eyes only for each other, an impenetrable bond that not even a meteor could break through!

A perfectly fine flower, turns out it’s already been plucked…

Some people looked at Old Zhu and Xie Wenyuan, speculating on the relationship between this young couple and them. In reality, Old Zhu’s influence here was just average. Some people might not care about his reputation, but Xie Wenyuan was a different story altogether. Not just anyone would want to offend him.

Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji’s perceptions captured the reactions around them. There was a hint of coldness in Chu Ge’s smile as he said, “Some people, huh…”

Qiu Wuji chuckled, “Are you implying I’m a femme fatale?”

“No, seriously, taking someone as stunning as you out and only today experiencing the longing looks, it really wasn’t easy hahaha. I don’t know if it’s a circle thing, but we rarely go out and we usually see ordinary people. Now, it’s like we’re surrounded by the elite.”

Hearing Chu Ge’s sarcastic “surrounded by the elite,” Qiu Wuji shook her head and sighed with a hint of regret, “It’s not that bad. If this were ancient times, they would be more direct, not as restrained—look at how they’re cautious around Old Xie. It seems they want to cause trouble, but it might not be that simple…”

“You seem quite eager for trouble to find you.” Chu Ge retorted, “It’s better if there’s none. And even if there is, it shouldn’t be some petty thing like this. There are more sophisticated matters for you to handle… Look…”

Following Chu Ge’s gaze, Qiu Wuji saw the female secretary who was with Du Lianfeng before, raising her glass to Xie Wenyuan with a smiling gesture, seemingly wanting to have a conversation.

Her eyes also seemed to casually glance over Chu Ge’s direction, revealing a hint of coquettishness.

Qiu Wuji’s gaze quickly turned cold.

Indeed, coming to Shanghai, there would be intersections.

The world is small.