The reason today’s discussion went smoothly, owed itself to a fortuitous opportunity.
The original location for the reality show’s recording was unavailable due to an unforeseen overseas situation, which disrupted the initial planned schedule. While they were fretting over the site selection, Cheng Qiaobei proactively offered to provide the Chu’an Jade Jiali Beach Resort to the production team to complete the latest episode, not only offering the venue for free but also covering accommodation and dining. Such an opportunity was highly sought after.
This sincerity was enough to secure a reliable partnership.
The next day.
Cheng Qiaobei led his team to the provincial TV station to sign the contract. Even the staff, accustod to celebrity artists, found themselves impressed at the sight of Cheng Qiaobei, with so privately chatting and mistakenly thinking he was a newly signed artist, only to later learn he was a business partner.
A man with such high looks and intelligence not being offered to the female fan community was truly a waste of talent.
On the way back to the hotel, Cheng Qiaobei asked Wei Lai to book return flights for a few people, as he wanted to stay a few more days to inspect the Yu Hang Hotel.
The news of the reality show changing its recording venue was quickly leaked online, propelling Chu’an Jade Jiali’s topic into trending searches. Consequently, Chu’an Hotel’s room reservations quickly sold out, boosting not only lodging but also dining and entertainnt revenues. Even the small market near the hotel was packed with people, and so even captured interactions with their favorite idols on the street. Fans from all over the country once again surged to Chu’an to encounter their icons by chance.
Cheng Qiaobei looked at the trending Weibo searches, which not only included artist recordings but also many posts tagging the Chu’an Jade Jiali Hotel address. Posts about the reality show’s venue change had already exceeded billions in views.
The stock price of Jade Jiali continued to rise.
Cheng Qiaobei closed his phone, confidence hidden in his deep gaze, with everything seemingly under his control. This was the effect he desired. Since they needed to hype, they might as well speculate on the hottest program instead of wasting ti and effort eliminating negative public opinion. It was better to redefine their starting point.
His phone rang, and Cheng Qiaobei saw Cheng Xiangheng’s number on the screen. He answered and placed it by his ear, "Hello."
Cheng Xiangheng said, "The stock price is nearing the point before it dropped. I’d be content if it could break even."
Cheng Qiaobei replied, "The stock price will go even higher."
Cheng Xiangheng paused for half a second, "... Are you confident?"
Cheng Qiaobei asked back, "You don’t have confidence in ?"
"... Haha." Cheng Xiangheng laughed, "I do. You’ve worked hard lately, get so rest early."
With that, he hung up.
Cheng Qiaobei looked at the screen that slowly dimd. He didn’t know why, but his chest surged with suppressive emotions, a feeling that had accompanied him since childhood, stubbornly persistent, like a nightmare.
Sotis, he even doubted if he had truly walked away from it. In middle school, family reasons and parent-child relationships had led to his irritability and depression. He had seen a psychologist and received intervention.
Yet, Cheng Xiangheng’s occasional remark nearly snapped the tense string in his heart.
At the critical mont when Cheng Qiaobei seed headed to another extre, the appearance of Chen Ningxi pulled him back.
He opened Chen Ningxi’s WeChat.
north: "Wife?"
At this mont, Chen Ningxi was in the hospital. During the day, she had to inspect electricity theft work, so she could only change the bandage on her wrist at night after work.
Her phone was in her bag, placed on a chair, unheard.
Due to the weather, the sutured wound got infected and suppurated. The doctor, while cleaning the wound, advised, "Don’t let it touch water, and don’t remove the bandage. Infection will make the wound continue to discharge pus, which is not conducive to healing and will lead to scarring if it worsens."
Chen Ningxi felt troubled, "Work involves using my hands, the bandage hasn’t been removed or dirtied. I avoid water while bathing."
The doctor said, "With the hot weather, sweating will also cause infections."
Chen Ningxi nodded, "Understood, I’ll be more careful."
As she walked out of the treatnt room, Cheng Qiaobei’s call ca through. Chen Ningxi jogged out of the hospital and only dared answer after getting into the car.
"Hello," Chen Ningxi panted slightly.
Cheng Qiaobei heard her heavy breath and frowned, "What were you doing, running?"
"No, just went to the supermarket to pick up so things, now in the car." Chen Ningxi asked, "Did you finish work?"
Cheng Qiaobei felt at peace whenever he heard her voice, "...Finished. What did you buy?"
Chen Ningxi paused, "...Uh, food, and so stuff for myself."
Through the phone, Cheng Qiaobei didn’t notice anything unusual about Chen Ningxi, "Wife, was today’s inspection smooth? Any major electricity thieves?"
Chen Ningxi laughed, "There aren’t that many electricity thieves. Today, all’s well with the world, businesses follow the law, people live and work in peace, end of report."
"Hehe..." Cheng Qiaobei’s face carried a light smile, "How are your parents doing lately? Have you visited them?"
Chen Ningxi said, "They’re good. By the way, my dad brought sothing back from a business trip for you. He said you should pick it up when you get back."
Cheng Qiaobei asked, "What did Dad buy for ?"
Chen Ningxi: "Didn’t tell ."
The icy look in Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes lted, gradually warming up, "I also bought sothing for them, I’ll bring it when I return from my trip."
Chen Ningxi said, "Why are you buying things again? Didn’t my mom say you shouldn’t bring them gifts every ti you travel?"
Cheng Qiaobei said, "It’s nothing, just picked them up along the way."
Chen Ningxi asked, "When are you coming back?"
Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "Just say you miss ."
While changing the bandage earlier, Chen Ningxi saw the stitches on her wrist, looking like an unsightly caterpillar lying there.
She said, "I miss you."
Cheng Qiaobei’s gaze froze for a few seconds, finally sensing sothing wrong.
"Wife, have you been wronged?"
"!" Chen Ningxi quickly adjusted her mood, "No, what are you thinking?"
The inspection work at Yu Hang Hotel was nearing completion, and he just needed to check the kitchen once more in the morning before leaving.
"The earliest will be tomorrow afternoon, at the latest the morning after that, I’ll be back," Cheng Qiaobei glanced at his watch, "Did you work this late?"
At that mont, the night was deep, and the streets were dimly lit.
Chen Ningxi said, "This township was a bit far, so I returned later."
"You’ve worked all day, go ho early and rest," Cheng Qiaobei told her to go ho first, "We’ll video chat when you’re ho."
"Okay, I’ll hang up now."
After ending the call, Chen Ningxi started the car and left the hospital.
Back ho, looking at the bandage on her wrist, she knew Cheng Qiaobei would surely notice it right away. He’d probably complain about her carelessness when he asked.
Cheng Qiaobei completed the kitchen inspection early in the morning and booked a flight back to Danjiang at 2:00 PM online.
When he landed in Danjiang, Cheng Qiaobei walked out while calling Lin Hanrui, as Chen Ningxi hadn’t finished work yet. He asked Lin Hanrui to pick him up from the airport.
When they t, Cheng Qiaobei casually took a pack of cigarettes from his bag, "For you."
Lin Hanrui held it up and smiled, "Wow, this trip was worth it."
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