June 13th.
Xu Xiuwen needed to go to Fei City. He was going to et so people, discuss various matters, and would certainly need to host als, including drinks. Clearly, he couldn’t handle it alone.
So, just two days later, Lu Xinyao, the new secretary who had recently transitioned from the front desk, went on the business trip with Xu Xiuwen.
At noon on June 13th, Xu Xiuwen drove with Lu Xinyao to Fei City. Since they planned to return the sa night, neither of them had brought a change of clothes.
Throughout the drive, Xu Xiuwen didn’t talk much to Lu Xinyao. Most of the ti, he was focused on driving. During a brief stop at a service area, he casually ntioned, “Lu Xinyao, you should get a driver’s license.”
Lu Xinyao nodded repeatedly.
…
Xu Xiuwen’s main reason for coming to Fei City was to et with the head of the Huizhou Province TV station, deliver the final version of a TV drama, and discuss collaboration matters.
This wasn’t the first ti Xu Xiuwen had worked with the Huizhou TV station. He had sold the second-round broadcast rights of his first drama to three local stations, including Huizhou TV.
The drama had a great response and impressive ratings when aired on Huizhou TV’s entertainnt channel. With this prior cooperation, the TV station’s head was quick to agree to a eting.
Upon arriving in Fei City, Xu Xiuwen headed straight to the Huizhou TV station building.
When he reached the building’s entrance, the security guard wouldn’t let him in without a pass. Xu Xiuwen called the head of the TV drama review departnt. After the call, the contact person ca down to greet him.
The person in charge of dramas at Huizhou TV is a man in his late thirties nad ng Dong.
ng Dong, around 1.75 ters tall, wore glasses and had a refined deanor. He was also very approachable and friendly.
They spent quite so ti discussing in the TV station’s conference room, reaching a preliminary agreent on collaboration.
However, this was contingent on the drama’s quality, which would need to be reviewed by the departnt, requiring so ti.
The price for the drama was the sa as offered by Su Province, 350,000 per episode.
The previous life’s version of “He Yi Sheng Xiao” had 32 episodes, but Hang Fei’s version was more detailed, ending up with 36 episodes. The total ca to 12.6 million. The cost for the second drama was higher, but 12.6 million was still a good price.
Xu Xiuwen didn’t negotiate further.
They agreed verbally that as long as the drama passed the review, they would sign the contract once the distribution rights were obtained.
After discussing the drama, it was already 5 PM. Xu Xiuwen proposed treating ng Dong to dinner. ng Dong agreed but insisted on Xu Xiuwen hosting the al to show hospitality.
Xu Xiuwen had already researched restaurants in Fei City and reserved a private room in advance. He inford ng Dong that he had already paid the deposit.
ng Dong, hearing this, had no choice but to agree to Xu Xiuwen hosting the al but insisted on covering other expenses for the evening activities.
Before heading to the restaurant, ng Dong invited a few other people from the TV station, including so review staff and a male host from the station, whose na is omitted.
Seeing the male host, Xu Xiuwen was quite excited. Not only did he know the host, but he had grown up watching his programs. He was very familiar with him.
However, Xu Xiuwen was surprised to find that the male host was actually quite the lsp (lecherous, suggestive person) in private. At the dinner table, he frequently cracked dirty jokes.
Although his jokes were vulgar, they were undeniably funny. Coupled with his professional delivery, they made everyone burst into laughter, though Lu Xinyao remained red-faced throughout.
The dinner lasted for two hours. As people from the TV station, they could all hold their liquor well. Xu Xiuwen, as a guest from afar, was frequently urged to drink. He was toasted multiple tis—seven or eight rounds in total.
Despite Xu Xiuwen’s enhanced constitution, he couldn’t handle so much alcohol.
Fortunately, Lu Xinyao was there to help him, shielding him from much of the drinking.
Nevertheless, Xu Xiuwen still drank quite a bit and felt a bit tipsy.
As the evening wound down, the male host suggested heading to a bar to pick up so girls. Seeing the usually dignified and serious host now casually talking about picking up girls shattered Xu Xiuwen’s image of him.
Xu Xiuwen rembered that his mother, Ning Wanqiu, had always admired this host. If she saw him like this, she surely wouldn’t admire him anymore.
Of course, Xu Xiuwen kept these thoughts to himself—saying them at the dinner table would be offensive.
That said, despite his lecherous nature and penchant for crude jokes, the host was actually quite a decent person.
Xu Xiuwen could tell he wasn’t a scheming type.
Setting aside his lsp traits, Xu Xiuwen felt a genuine connection with him. They had a lot in common and hit it off well on many topics.
Before the dinner concluded, Xu Xiuwen took a mont to go to the restroom and settled the bill.
Upon returning to the private room, the male host suggested going to a bar. His colleagues from the TV station were all eager and excited about the idea.
Xu Xiuwen could tell that these people shared similar lsp tendencies. Not wanting to dampen their spirits, he agreed to go along.
The drinking had already brought Xu Xiuwen closer to these people, at least on the surface.
Suddenly, ng Dong pulled Xu Xiuwen aside and asked with a smile, “What about her?” He gestured towards Lu Xinyao with his eyes.
Xu Xiuwen glanced over at Lu Xinyao, who was still smiling, her face flushed from the alcohol.
ng Dong said, “I’ll take you to have so fun. It’s not appropriate with a woman around. Maybe you should let her go back to rest.”
Xu Xiuwen replied, “Brother Dong, she ca with . Her ho isn’t here; she doesn’t have a place to go back to.”
“Are you silly? Just book a room for her to sleep. You don’t need to go back tonight; co back tomorrow.”
“I’ll ask her.” Xu Xiuwen wasn’t one to act unilaterally; he respected people’s wishes.
When Lu Xinyao heard Xu Xiuwen’s words, she imdiately said, “Mr. Xu, I’ll go with you.”
“We’re going to a bar.”
“I know, but I’m your secretary. It’s my responsibility to accompany you and ensure your safety.”
Xu Xiuwen smiled, “You’re just a secretary, not a bodyguard.”
In truth, Xu Xiuwen would have preferred if Lu Xinyao went to the hotel to rest. After all, ng Dong had ntioned earlier that he would take Xu Xiuwen to experience sothing new.
Although Xu Xiuwen wasn’t sure what kind of experience ng Dong had in mind, it was indeed inconvenient with Lu Xinyao around.
However, seeing the determined look in Lu Xinyao’s eyes, Xu Xiuwen knew he couldn’t change her mind. He gave up on trying to persuade her, saying, “Then you should co with us.”
“Alright, Mr. Xu,” Lu Xinyao replied.
Xu Xiuwen couldn’t persuade Lu Xinyao otherwise. He looked up at ng Dong and shook his head.
ng Dong imdiately shot him a questioning look, as if to say, “You can’t even manage your secretary? How are you supposed to be a boss?”
Xu Xiuwen could only smile wryly.
As they prepared to leave, ng Dong insisted on covering the upcoming expenses, declaring loudly that he would take care of it. The group then headed to the bar.
They arrived at a well-known local bar in Fei City, called “Colorful Sunshine.” By the ti they arrived, the bar was already packed.
Xu Xiuwen rarely went to bars in either his past or present life. He disliked the dim atmosphere and couldn’t afford to spend money on such places back then. Even now, though he could afford it, he still retained his dislike for bars.
Tonight, he was accompanying ng Dong and his group. If it were up to him alone, he wouldn’t have chosen to visit a bar.
“Colorful Sunshine” was a fitting na, but the bar’s environnt had nothing to do with sunshine.
The colorful lights on the ceiling were so blinding that they almost made one’s eyes hurt.
The place was filled with people from all walks of life.
On the dance floor, a large group of young n and won were dancing energetically.
Among them were so girls dressed quite provocatively.
So were attractive, especially under the bar’s psychedelic lights, exuding a captivating charm.
Yet, none of them caught Xu Xiuwen’s eye. Among the won he knew, there were far too many beautiful ones. For example, Lu Xinyao, who was right beside him, was definitely as attractive as any woman here.
However, for ng Dong and his friends, the goal was to find excitent, not to evaluate appearances. After all, they saw plenty of beautiful won at the TV station.
ng Dong and the male host seed to be regulars at this bar. Following them, Xu Xiuwen was led to a large VIP booth, where ng Dong called a male waiter and ordered a stack of drinks.
After placing the order, ng Dong leaned in and whispered to Xu Xiuwen, “Brother Xu, you hang out here for a while. I’ll co find you later.”
With that, ng Dong disappeared into the crowd. Xu Xiuwen looked around and noticed that the male host was also nowhere to be seen.
In the booth, only Xu Xiuwen, Lu Xinyao, and a few remaining TV station staff were left. Soone initiated a toast, and everyone started drinking.
Half an hour passed quickly. Neither ng Dong nor the male host had returned. By this ti, everyone in the booth, including Xu Xiuwen, was feeling a bit drunk.
Xu Xiuwen, who had already drunk a lot, felt increasingly dizzy. Lu Xinyao promptly stepped in to help him with the drinks.
Just then, ng Dong reappeared out of nowhere. He sat down next to Xu Xiuwen, poured himself a large glass of alcohol, and downed it in one gulp.
Putting the glass down, ng Dong asked with a smile, “Brother Xu, why aren’t you going up to have so fun?”
“I’m not really interested in dancing,” Xu Xiuwen said.
“Oh, I see,” ng Dong replied.
“Brother Dong, where did you go just now?” Xu Xiuwen asked.
“I went over there to et a friend,” ng Dong answered.
“Male friend or a female friend?” Xu Xiuwen inquired.
ng Dong gave a mysterious smile. “Of course, a female friend.”
“Do the people here know your female friend?” Xu Xiuwen asked curiously.
ng Dong made a face of disdain. “How could they possibly know Green?”
“Why didn’t you bring her over to introduce us?” Xu Xiuwen asked.
ng Dong was montarily speechless. After a few seconds, he said, “Green doesn’t like crowded places.”
“Are you sure she’s a female friend? Her na is Green?” Xu Xiuwen asked.
“Of course, I’m sure,” ng Dong confird.
“Your female friend sounds quite interesting.”
“How so?”
“She doesn’t like crowded places but cos to a bar?”
ng Dong was imdiately at a loss for words.
“What does your friend look like?” Xu Xiuwen asked.
At this question, ng Dong suddenly gained confidence. “I’m not bragging, but there are few won in the world more beautiful than her. She’s so stunning that words can’t do her justice.”
Xu Xiuwen laughed. “Really? Can there be such a beautiful woman in this bar? Are you not exaggerating?”
ng Dong was anxious. “How could I be exaggerating? It’s not just —many people think so.”
The world might lack many things, but beautiful won were not one of them.
Seeing that ng Dong was so adamant, Xu Xiuwen decided to believe him and nodded without further comnt.
However, seeing that Xu Xiuwen didn’t say anything, ng Dong thought he still didn’t believe him and couldn’t help himself. “No, you must go take a look. Just one look and you’ll know I’m not exaggerating.”
Xu Xiuwen chuckled awkwardly. “Brother Dong, there’s no need for that. I believe you.”
“No, you must co with to see her,” ng Dong insisted.
It seed ng Dong was adamant about it.
“Fine, then. Let’s go take a look,” Xu Xiuwen said, his curiosity piqued.
So Xu Xiuwen stood up and followed ng Dong toward the bar.
The bar at “Colorful Sunshine” was a straight bar, about eleven or twelve ters long. The shelves behind the bar were filled with a variety of drinks, both dostic and international, in a dazzling array of colors.
In the middle of the bar, a woman was sitting alone. A bottle of alcohol was in front of her, and her right hand held the rim of her glass. The glass swayed gently with her wrist.
From her back, the woman did indeed seem quite elegant. But as for whether she was attractive, Xu Xiuwen couldn’t tell, since ng Dong only brought him to the far right end of the bar, about six or seven ters away from her. From this distance, Xu Xiuwen could only see her profile and back, not her face.
Xu Xiuwen was puzzled. “Brother Dong, why don’t we go over there?”
ng Dong awkwardly smiled and explained, “Green doesn’t like being disturbed. Let’s just look from here.”
Xu Xiuwen couldn’t help but laugh. He asked, “Brother Dong, even if she doesn’t like being disturbed, it should be fine to say a few words to her, right?”
“Well, I think it’s better not to approach,” ng Dong replied.
Xu Xiuwen looked at him for a few seconds and suddenly asked, “Brother Dong, could it be that she doesn’t know you at all?”
ng Dong, being honest, nodded. “You guessed it right. She indeed doesn’t know .”
Reviews
All reviews (0)