19 – Brоthеr, Неlр Ме Share а Littlе
Fоr Сhеn Qingzhi, the livestreаm wаs a disastеr, but for the рrоduсtiоn tеаm, it was а mаssivе windfаll.
This variеty show had alwауs beеn lukеwаrm, with а rеlativеlу niсhe audiеnсe.
Тoday, riding оn the сoattails оf “Mаdamе Сhen” and “Yоung Master Lu,” thе оffiсiаl acсоunt gаinеd over а million fоllowers оvernight.
Aftеr Chen Qingzhi еnded her livestrеаm lаst night, trending tорics started рoррing up. Thе directоr, keеnlу sеnsing the рotentiаl for a brеаkоut, had the marketing team keeр а close eуе on the buzz.
Bу mоrning, clips from the livestream, product reviews, and even the unexpected appearance of Young Master Lu during the headstand hair-washing segment had all made it onto the trending lists.
The production team coordinated with the public relations department of Xingzhou Group, who indicated that as long as it portrayed their CEO in a positive light, they were fine with it.
The staff immediately contacted Chen Qingzhi’s team to ask if she could appear on another episode—with double the pay.
And if she could bring President Lu along, that would be even better!
Although Su Qian served as both assistant and manager, she couldn’t make certain decisions on her own. She called Chen Qingzhi again.
Chen Qingzhi answered instantly, surprising Su Qian:
“You’re already up at seven in the morning? Is President Lu not up to the task?”
The two people drinking milk couldn’t help but choke at the same time.
They exchanged a quick glance.
Then one looked up at the sky, the other down at the floor.
“He has work, and I have a personal trainer scheduled.”
Chen Qingzhi, afraid Su Qian might say something even more outrageous that could be overheard, deliberately moved away from Lu Jin and walked to the balcony:
“What’s up so early in the morning?”
“Yesterday’s livestream went really well. Your popularity skyrocketed, and the production team wants to know if you can do another episode.”
Since Chen Qingzhi ended her livestream last night, Su Qian’s phone had been ringing off the hook.
Some eager brands had already sent over contracts, and the sound of rustling papers came through the line:
“Oh, and there’s more good news! Qingyu’s brand ambassador contract is about to expire. Their director watched your livestream yesterday, and they’re already in talks with us. There might be a chance!”
Ever since Chen Qingzhi was labeled two years ago for allegedly interfering in Liang Yilou’s marriage, being a homewrecker, and scamming fans for money, her endorsements had all but dried up.
Although Qingyu wasn’t exactly a top-tier brand, it had built an excellent reputation and strong public goodwill among domestic brands over the past two years. If she could secure this endorsement, it might indirectly help improve Chen Qingzhi’s current situation of being almost universally disliked online.
Listening to Su Qian’s excited voice, Chen Qingzhi couldn’t help but feel a little smug as she took credit:
“Pretty impressive, right? I not only exceeded my KPI but also brought in an unexpected bonus.”
On the other end, Su Qian rolled her eyes where Chen Qingzhi couldn’t see:
“If you just asked your husband for resources, you’d get even more unexpected bonuses!”
Just Lu Jin’s brief appearance in the livestream had already thawed relations with brands and their studio.
The surge in popularity and Young Master Lu’s influence played equal parts in this.
Sometimes, Su Qian genuinely felt Chen Qingzhi was too rigid.
Even if they were just a contractual couple, what was wrong with making reasonable use of available resources?
Chen Qingzhi lowered her gaze and glanced at Lu Jin by the dining table.
He was leaning casually against the chair, posture relaxed, holding a piece of toast in one hand while scrolling through a tablet with the other, as if reading news or emails.
Though his face usually wore a smile, when it came to work, it took on an aloof, unapproachable coldness.
He kept personal and professional matters strictly separate.
“No need to trouble him.”
Chen Qingzhi looked away.
If they had gone back a few more years, they might have still been a well-matched pair.
But by the day they got their marriage certificate, they had already been broken up for five years.In the two years since their marriage, the number of times they had met could be counted on two hands. Even if she had the nerve to ask Lu Jin for help, there was no guarantee he would agree.
Sometimes, the closer the relationship, the harder it is to speak up.
Chen Qingzhi stayed on the balcony talking for a while longer until Lu Jin walked over, pushed open the glass door, and pointed at his wristwatch:
“Are we leaving or not? Didn’t you want me to drop you off at the gym on the way?”
Chen Qingzhi hurriedly hung up the phone and rushed into the bedroom, flustered as she gathered her things:
“I lost track of time. Why didn’t you remind me? That personal trainer is hard to book!”
Lu Jin cut her unfinished breakfast in half, wrapped it in plastic wrap, and said sarcastically:
“I didn’t want to interrupt your little chat with your best friend.”
Questioning his ability first thing in the morning—what man would want to deal with that?
Chen Qingzhi instantly understood what Lu Jin meant. Too embarrassed to look at his shameless expression, she walked past him, grabbed her gym bag, and headed out.
Once in the car, Lu Jin didn’t forget to hand her the unfinished breakfast:
“I added a few things for balanced nutrition.”
Chen Qingzhi glanced down at the less-than-appetizing breakfast.
It was as big as a brick.
The young master’s cooking had a strange similarity to her own mother’s.
Seeing her hesitation, Lu Jin put on an expression that said, “If you don’t eat it, you’re letting me down”:
“The egg is fully cooked, the lettuce leaves are blanched, and the luncheon meat has no starch.”
He had followed every one of her picky requirements.
Chen Qingzhi met his gaze.
Lu Jin’s eyes were calm, completely different from the turbulent intensity he had shown at her bedside the night before.
Maybe it was the dim lighting, or perhaps she had imagined it.
Chen Qingzhi pursed her lips, unwrapped the plastic wrap, and took a few bites:
“I’m full.”
Could she be any more dismissive?
“Bird-sized appetite?” Lu Jin said unhappily:
“If you don’t want to eat it, just say so. No one’s forcing you.”
Chen Qingzhi held the super-sized sandwich out to Lu Jin, offering a grateful smile:
“I really can’t finish it. How about you help me with some, brother?”
Lu Jin turned his face away, a smirk curling his lips:
“Eat your leftovers? Dream on!”
Chen Qingzhi held the two halves of the breakfast with both hands, looking troubled:
“I didn’t take many bites. It’d be a shame to waste so much, and the taste isn’t bad…”
Hearing her sincere tone and the compliment that it “wasn’t bad,” Lu Jin turned back and crooked a finger at her:
“Then I’ll reluctantly—”
“Master Li, have you had breakfast yet? I still have half a sandwich here that hasn’t been touched.”
Chen Qingzhi immediately sent a friendly signal to the driver in the front seat.
Driver Li had been holding back a laugh.
Having worked for the boss for so long, he had always been cold and distant, never mentioning anything about his personal life outside of work.
Who would have thought that when bickering with his wife, he’d act a bit like a child?
Suddenly put on the spot, Driver Li desperately straightened his lips and cleared his throat:
“Madam, I’ve already eaten.”
The breakfast the boss had specially made for his wife was not something he dared to enjoy.
“Oh.”
Chen Qingzhi pretended not to see Lu Jin’s beckoning finger and rewrapped the breakfast:
“Then I’ll share it with Chengcheng and Rong Rong after their morning classes.”
Lu Jin knew Chengcheng was Liang Yilou’s child.
“Who’s Rong Rong?”
Lu Jin asked.
“Su Qian’s daughter, my goddaughter.”
Chen Qingzhi picked up her bag, ready to get out of the car.
Lu Jin grabbed her wrist and asked:
“What time this afternoon, and where should I pick you up?”
When visiting the in-laws, it was best for husband and wife to go together.”The early education center on the top floor of Coast International, around four o’clock.”
Lu Jin nodded: “I’ll be on time.”
With his busy schedule, picking her up at four meant leaving work by three, which would likely disrupt quite a few matters.
Chen Qingzhi added apologetically:
“Thank you for your trouble, President Lu.”
Lu Jin immediately darkened his expression, holding her hand and refusing to let go:
“Call me brother.”