Zhuang Qingyuan walked into a private room. Besides Qu Man, there was also her manager. When the two saw Zhuang Qingyuan enter, they stood up with smiles.
Qu Man was full of expectations; Zhuang Qingyuan had proactively asked for a meeting, and if there could be a collaboration with Qingyi, that would definitely be good.
“President Zhuang, hello, very happy to see you, I am Qu Man.” Qu Man extended her hand with a graceful and poised demeanor.
Compared to the charming and seductive Qu Man in the live broadcast just now, whose eyes were glued to Qian Xu, it was as if they were not the same person.
Zhuang Qingyuan’s eyelashes lowered slightly. Carrying the aloofness and oppression of a person in a superior position, his eyes looked at Qu Man like ice blades, as if wanting to pierce Qu Man through.
Swept by Zhuang Qingyuan’s gaze, a chill ran down Qu Man’s spine; when did she provoke this god-like figure!
The manager beside her also saw that the situation was not right and quickly came out to smooth things over: “President Zhuang, why not sit and chat? Is it possible there is some misunderstanding about our Qu Man?”
Huo Yang looked at the silent Zhuang Qingyuan—this person ran over here just to stare people to death with those big eyes!
Just as he was about to ease the atmosphere, Zhuang Qingyuan said in a cold voice: “Some people are not someone you can touch!”
Qu Man immediately thought of Qian Xu, who had been rumored to have a relationship with Zhuang Qingyuan. But Qian Xu was only a “transparent” (unknown), how could he possibly be worth Zhuang Qingyuan…
Qu Man’s manager also thought of Qian Xu, who was on the show together today, and immediately explained: “President Zhuang, this is a misunderstanding. Qu Man and Su Yi are friends; paying attention to Qian Xu was just to help a friend’s little friend get a few more camera shots.”
But how would Zhuang Qingyuan believe such an excuse? An eye-knife was sent over, making the manager shut his mouth.
“I don’t know what kind of relationship President Zhuang has with Qian Xu?” Qu Man had seen everything in the entertainment industry and asked straight out. “In President Zhuang’s eyes, is Qian Xu really Su Yi’s stand-in?”
Zhuang Qingyuan raised his eyes coldly, his look condescending: “Qu Man, if it weren’t for the fact that you and Su Yi have collaborated many times…”
He paused for a few seconds; the room was quiet enough to make one panic.
Zhuang Qingyuan’s gaze swept over Qu Man.
As if realizing the danger, Qu Man subconsciously took a step back, holding her breath, as if waiting for the final judgment.
She heard Zhuang Qingyuan slowly say, “If there is a next time, you will leave this circle completely.”
After throwing out these ruthless words, Zhuang Qingyuan turned and left, with Huo Yang following behind like a little attendant.
Qu Man backed up and slumped into a chair. Zhuang Qingyuan’s meaning was that if it weren’t for Su Yi, she would already be banned by now.
She had worked for many years to get to where she was today, yet this person erased it all with one light sentence, as if she was nothing at all.
“If you showed this kind of aura in front of Su Yi, he would already be in your bed.” Huo Yang tsk-tsked twice.
Zhuang Qingyuan: “Is your brother lacking in aura?”
“…… Uh!” Huo Yang was blocked by the comeback and instantly didn’t know how to reply.
You are so capable!
Why don’t you have a wife yet!
“Hmph, Grandfather’s birthday banquet is the day after tomorrow. I am heading back tonight. What about you? Going together, or continuing back to Qing Manor to play the ‘lick dog’ (obsessive suitor)?”
Zhuang Qingyuan: “……” Was the fact that he was acting like a “lick dog” that obvious?
“Returning with you. Big brother and little sister are also going tonight.”
“Can you stand it?” Huo Yang was surprised. “You have to go two days without seeing the person.”
Huo Yang had thought Zhuang Qingyuan would say he would head over there right at the last minute the day after tomorrow.
“Send an invitation card to Wang Xia; we can see him the day after tomorrow.” Zhuang Qingyuan said.
“Fine.”
It’s just a matter of sending a card. If Su Yi were still here, his brother would definitely send one too.
Su Yi lay on the bed; yesterday he not only fell asleep, he slept until the next day.
“Good morning, Uncle.” Xiao Le had just finished breakfast, wearing a handsome new school uniform, and was about to get his schoolbag. “Uncle, my new uniform, I got it yesterday.”
Su Yi picked up the small schoolbag, helped Xiao Le put it on, straightened his clothes, and praised: “Xiao Le is really handsome today!”
Qian Qian saw Qian Xu waking up and brought out the breakfast she had made: “Steamed buns. Xiao Le said yesterday he wanted to eat carrot and pork buns.”
Qian Qian turned back to the kitchen to scoop porridge for Qian Xu.
“Sister, I’ll do it myself.” Su Yi looked at Qian Qian’s busy figure and walked over.
“Mom, can you help me pack a few small buns? I want to take them for Ji Heng; he also likes carrot buns.” Xiao Le followed into the kitchen and asked with his little head tilted up.
“Okay, I’ll help you pack them.” Qian Qian went to get the thermal box. “Invite Ji Heng to the house on Sunday, and Mom will make you guys something delicious.”
“Okay, I’ll tell him in a little while.” Xiao Le nodded.
“Beep beep beep…”
A horn sounded outside the door. Xiao Le peeked out; it was the car from Ji Heng’s family. Qian Qian grabbed the thermal box and sent Xiao Le off.
“Goodbye, Uncle.” Xiao Le waved while walking.
Su Yi stood at the doorway watching Xiao Le and Qian Qian get into the car together, and waved back.
After breakfast, Su Yi put on a mask and hat and went straight to the subway station. He was going to the South District Cemetery today to visit his mother.
Previously, Wang Xia always accompanied him. This was his first time taking the subway alone. Fortunately, following the map, he found the place smoothly.
Today’s weather was a bit gloomy, and the deserted cemetery appeared even more desolate and lonely.
Su Yi took a bouquet of white roses and found his mother, only to see there was already a fresh bouquet of white chrysanthemums there.
There were still water droplets on it; who had been here just a moment ago?
“Su… Su Yi, is that you?”
Lu Li was just about to leave when he caught a glimpse of a figure very much like Su Yi. Without even thinking, he followed him the whole way.
What he didn’t expect was that the person really reached Su Yi’s mother’s grave.
Just by hearing the voice, Su Yi knew it was Lu Li.
If he hadn’t had his accident that day, this person would have been his fiancé.
Su Yi took off his mask, turned to look at Lu Li, his voice calm: “You have the wrong person; I am Qian Xu.”
“Qian Xu?” Lu Li looked at the strange face of the person in front of him. The excitement in his eyes disappeared, leaving only obvious disappointment. “You are Qian Xu. Sorry, I thought… he was him; the background was a bit similar.”
“How did you know this place?” Lu Li asked.
“Brother Su Yi told me.” Su Yi looked at Lu Li. “And you, you are?”
“I am Lu Li.” Lu Li said with a wry smile. “Su Yi’s fiancé. Almost, almost… was.”
Su Yi looked at Lu Li. This second young master of the Lu family was a playmate he grew up with.
They were supposed to be friends, but although Lu Li didn’t have bad intentions, he especially loved to act as justice to protect the weak.
So after Su Yu’an appeared, Su Yu’an, who had a petite appearance and knew how to feign innocence, fooled Lu Li completely, so he naturally became the object of Lu Li’s protection. No matter what Su Yu’an cried about, he believed it.
Su Yi looked up at the sky. Later, Su Yu’an told Su Yi that it was all on purpose—that he wanted Su Yi to have no friends around him, that he wanted to take away everything belonging to Su Yi.
Su Yi couldn’t understand why Su Yu’an hated him so much.
As for why he agreed to the engagement with Lu Li:
Because Su Yi knew that this fool Lu Li didn’t have any heart to harm him; he was just too stupid. If he had to find someone to marry, the two of them just making do and staying together wasn’t impossible!
Su Yi didn’t pay attention to Lu Li anymore, crouched beside his mother, put down the white roses, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the dust off the tombstone.
Lu Li just stood there, staring blankly. He always felt he could see Su Yi’s shadow in this Qian Xu.
Lu Li stayed the whole time. Su Yi silently accompanied his mother for a while before standing up.
Lu Li followed him silently behind. The parking lot only had his car parked there now; this Qian Xu most likely came by subway.
But the subway to the city center required transferring through several lines. Since they ran into each other, he could give him a ride.
“Take my car; it’s on the way.” Lu Li said.
It was indeed on the way. Su Yi didn’t refuse and followed Lu Li into the passenger seat.
Su Yi gazed out the window. His own grave wasn’t on this side of his mother’s; he could guess that. Even after death, Su Xinghan and Su Yu’an wouldn’t let him have his way.
Lu Li’s peripheral vision scanned the Qian Xu next to him from time to time. He thought the internet comments were just random hype, but seeing the real person, he discovered this person was truly like Su Yi.
Except for the looks, he was like him in every way!
“Drop me off at the intersection ahead.” Su Yi said.
Lu Li: “Where do you live? I’ll send you back directly.”
“No need, just stop ahead.” Su Yi put on his mask and hat. There was a shopping mall ahead, and Su Yi planned to go buy some things for his sister and Xiao Le.
Rejected, Lu Li could only stop in front. Su Yi said thanks and got out of the car.
Looking at Qian Xu’s back, Lu Li inexplicably followed him out of the car.
Although not famous, he was in the entertainment industry after all; how could he go to the mall alone without even bringing an assistant?
When Lu Li caught up, Su Yi had already discovered him. Having been followed too much, he was very sensitive to this kind of accompanying gaze.
What did this person want by following Qian Xu?
Su Yi stopped at a corner against the wall. When Lu Li walked over, looking around for someone, Su Yi raised his hand and patted Lu Li on the shoulder.
“Looking for me?”
Lu Li was startled. Discovered, he confessed: “You are a public figure; it’s not safe to come to the mall all by yourself.”
Su Yi couldn’t help but smile. As an 18th-tier actor, who would recognize him?!
This person was still as fond of meddling in other people’s business and worrying unnecessarily as ever.
Su Yi turned and walked away. Lu Li still followed. If he wanted to follow, he could follow; Su Yi didn’t care anymore.
Su Yi first chose a set of skincare products. He had done endorsements before and knew a thing or two about skincare. He chose according to Qian Qian’s skin type, intending to let her try it when he got back.
He then bought a set of toy guns in the children’s section. Afterward, he prepared to look for clothes and shoes. As for the sizes of Xiao Le’s clothes and shoes, he had been paying attention to them over the past two days and had recorded them all on his phone.
Lu Li looked at the items in Su Yi’s hands and walked over to take them: “I’ll help carry them; don’t you still need to buy other things?”
With someone to help, Su Yi let go; it was indeed inconvenient to carry them while shopping for clothes later.
Entering a brand store, Su Yi chose six sets of small clothes in different styles, and then two pairs of shoes. Lu Li skillfully took them all, carrying them in his hands while following behind.
Next was his sister’s clothes; he needed to go to the women’s brand store area.
“Wait a moment, can we eat together later?” Lu Li asked.
Su Yi looked at the big and small bags in Lu Li’s hands; it was indeed time to treat him to a meal.
“Okay.” Su Yi nodded.
Looking up, he saw a piece of clothing in the display window that should suit his sister, so Su Yi walked in.
“Is it for your sister?” Lu Li had specifically checked earlier. Qian Xu had a sister and a little nephew; these things should be for them.
“Mm.” Su Yi really had no experience in choosing women’s clothing and asked Lu Li, “Which one do you think is suitable?”
Lu Li selected two elegant styles to show Su Yi. Su Yi nodded; they were simple and generous, indeed very suitable.
Just as Su Yi continued to choose, a group of people walked down from upstairs, each with an imposing aura. A bright and beautiful girl walked at the very front, so beautiful that people dared not approach or look directly at her.
“Qian Xu, this one is also okay.” Lu Li held up a half-length skirt. “The length and fit are both suitable; it’s perfect to wear now and also suitable for your sister.”
Su Yi nodded, looking at it—it was not bad. Lu Li was quite good at choosing clothes.
Hearing someone call Qian Xu, Zhuang Qingyuan raised his head, and his gaze followed.
Huo Yang also stretched his head to look: “It couldn’t be such a coincidence, right?”
Zhuang Qingyuan saw Lu Li next to Su Yi, and his eyes instantly turned cold. He walked straight toward Su Yi and pulled Su Yi into his arms, away from Lu Li.
Su Yi suddenly fell into an embrace. Looking up, he saw Zhuang Qingyuan’s cold face, which was staring coldly and icy-eyed at Lu Li.