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FKDMLR – Chapter 99

Extra 3: Business Trip

Mid-September. Chi Shuo was assigned a business trip. This time, Wang Rui was going with her again.

Wang Rui chatted with Chi Shuo the whole way, mostly initiating the conversation.

“Shuo Shuo, you’re going on a three-day business trip. What will Teacher He do?”

“Are you still in touch with Xiang Qingya? Can I get an autograph?”

Their company wanted an exclusive interview with Xiang Qingya because her new movie was premiering during the National Day holiday. Xinyue Company had already booked the interview slot for later publication.

Currently, the pre-sale box office numbers for Xiang Qingya’s movie were good, and the reviews were decent. It was possible it might break through the fierce competition of the National Day slot.

Tired from the car and plane rides, Chi Shuo wasn’t very enthusiastic about answering Wang Rui’s questions. “She’ll do whatever she does. I haven’t been in touch with Qingya much.”

Wang Rui noticed her fatigue. “You should sleep first. I’ll wake you when we get to the hotel.”

“Okay.”

Xiao Cheng was also on this trip. Chi Shuo didn’t feel awkward, because Xiao Cheng had previously brought his girlfriend out to treat everyone to dinner. The girl looked gentle and seemed like a good match for the gentlemanly Xiao Cheng.

As usual, there wasn’t much to do on the first day after arriving. The work started gradually the next morning.

Chi Shuo’s main task this time was photography. Under He Lindi’s personal guidance, her photography skills were now considered quite good at Xinyue Company. Lin Xinyue hadn’t asked He Lindi along this time, directly appointing Chi Shuo as the photographer.

Chi Shuo had no objections. She was using the company’s DSLR. Before the trip, He Lindi had given her some pointers, which eased her worries.

These photos were for the official website and would also be used as Xinyue Company’s app opening screen later. Chi Shuo felt waves of pressure holding the camera.

They had already communicated with Xiang Qingya’s manager in advance, so the interview went smoothly, at least not feeling like they were dealing with someone difficult.

Chi Shuo took many photos but hadn’t selected the final ones yet. There was still time; she wasn’t in a rush.

After the photoshoot, Xiang Qingya sent Chi Shuo a WeChat message: 【Come have some coffee?】

Chi Shuo glanced around but didn’t see where Xiang Qingya had gone. She had been messaging He Lindi just now and hadn’t noticed.

Xiang Qingya: 【…】

Xiang Qingya: 【Turn right, there’s a lounge.】

Chi Shuo looked right. There was a partially open door, with people coming and going.

Chi Shuo told Wang Rui beside her, “I’m going to ask Qingya if she’s signing autographs now.”

“Okay! Thanks, Shuo Shuo!” Wang Rui nodded vigorously.

Chi Shuo informed Xiao Cheng and entered the lounge. As soon as she stepped inside, she smelled coffee.

Very fragrant.

Xiang Qingya waved at Chi Shuo. During the interview, both had been professional and hadn’t chatted much. Now, with some free time, they could naturally talk.

Xiang Qingya smiled. “Your drawing is getting better and better.” She sighed with emotion. “You’ve improved quickly.”

Chi Shuo replied modestly, “It’s alright.”

Xiang Qingya had already poured her a cup of coffee. They sat facing each other on high stools, the coffee aroma wafting between them. Chi Shuo stirred her coffee and took a sip.

“I called you in because there’s something I wanted to say,” Xiang Qingya began, her makeup still flawless, looking radiant.

“Go ahead.”

“It’s just…”

“I want to start a manga company.”

“And I want to sign you.”

Chi Shuo thought she misheard. “Sorry, could you say that again?”

Xiang Qingya smiled. “Don’t be scared. I just wanted to ask your opinion, if you’d be willing to collaborate with the manga company I plan to create, signing your works, not you as a person.”

This wasn’t a small matter. Chi Shuo frowned slightly and asked, “Have you asked Didi too?”

“Not yet.” Xiang Qingya answered honestly. “I planned to ask you first, then her. If you’re willing, she’ll definitely sign too.”

Chi Shuo pressed her lips together, appearing deep in thought. “Can you tell me first what kind of company you want to build? Publishing books? Or an app?”

“An app,” Xiang Qingya replied. “The print media market is declining somewhat now; it’s easy to lose money.”

At this point, Xiang Qingya smiled. “Don’t laugh, but actually, I haven’t done anything yet, it’s just an idea. So you don’t have to answer me right now. Once I’ve found a team, you can think about it.”

“Okay.”

Back at the hotel that evening, Chi Shuo opened her iPad and logged into her side Weibo account, scrolling through it.

It had truly become a relationship diary. She had turned many things that happened between her and He Lindi into comics. This Weibo account held a lot of Chi Shuo’s effort, because she wanted to draw every picture well.

And ever since He Lindi declared herself Chi Shuo’s exclusive DJ, everyone tacitly understood their relationship. Every time Chi Shuo posted a picture, comments like “So sweet,” “Another day living vicariously through the divine couple’s love” would appear.

Most comments were positive. He Lindi, that lazy bum, often just interacted in the comments section and rarely posted on Weibo.

Thinking of this annoyed Chi Shuo. While Wang Rui was showering, she called He Lindi.

“When are you going to update your manga?” As soon as the words were out, Chi Shuo felt like a fan again. Rather than being bothered by He Lindi not updating about them, she was more annoyed that He Lindi simply wasn’t updating at all, having been silent for ages.

“Aren’t you updating?” He Lindi sounded puzzled. “Isn’t one of us enough?”

“I want to see your updates.”

“I’ll draw something later then.”

Chi Shuo replied happily, “Okay.” She said, “I miss you.”

“You miss me, yet you still make me draw.”

“Do they conflict?”

“No conflict.”

“Are you feeling wronged that I asked you to draw?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Chi Shuo fiddled with the curtain. “I’m coming back tomorrow. You better be ready, He Lindi.”

“So soon?”

Chi Shuo: “…”

Chi Shuo: “OK, I get it, He Lindi. You’re tired of me.”

He Lindi: …?

Friday afternoon at four, Chi Shuo arrived back at the company with her DSLR. She not only had to take photos but also edit them.

Xiang Qingya was naturally beautiful; she just needed some color correction, which was quick work.

Fang Xiuxiu watched Chi Shuo edit Xiang Qingya’s photos on the screen beside her, surprised. “Shuo Shuo, did you take all these?”

Chi Shuo nodded. “Yeah.” She lifted her chin. “Not bad, right?”

Fang Xiuxiu gave her a thumbs-up. “I think they’re awesome.”

Chi Shuo wasn’t proficient enough at editing yet. It took her about forty minutes to finish this set. Afterward, she collapsed into her chair to rest, doing so until 5:30 PM when it was time to leave.

Chi Shuo, as usual, went upstairs after work to wait for He Lindi.

Today was September 27th. Chi Shuo stared at the calendar on her phone, suddenly feeling nervous.

Because tomorrow was He Lindi’s twenty-fourth birthday. Last year, He Lindi had missed it due to family matters; they couldn’t repeat that this year.

She had already prepared the gift but could only give it tomorrow night. Because the National Day holiday was approaching, they had makeup workdays. Even though tomorrow and the day after were the weekend, they still had to work.

About twenty minutes passed, and Xiyu employees finally started leaving. Everyone saw Chi Shuo there without much surprise. Someone even told her He Lindi was in the makeup room, and she could go wait inside.

Chi Shuo stopped sitting idly and went straight to the makeup room.

Chi Shuo knew He Lindi had been pulled in as a last-minute substitute host for a male celebrity’s livestream that afternoon.

She wore a mint green long dress. Her previously cut hair had grown longer, making her look very fresh and lovely.

Chi Shuo stood behind her, looking at He Lindi in the mirror, and asked, “Why are you only removing your makeup now?”

“Am I removing makeup?” He Lindi smiled. “Isn’t this touching up?”

Chi Shuo: “…”

Chi Shuo awkwardly touched the back of her neck. “Mm, seems like it.”

Chi Shuo watched her apply lipstick, rolled her throat, and said, “Did Xiang Qingya tell you about that matter?”

“She tells me quite a lot. Which matter are you referring to?”

“Opening a manga company, focusing on an online APP.”

He Lindi shook her head. “No.” She turned to look at Chi Shuo. “She wants to sign you?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“No.”

“She wants to sign both our works.”

He Lindi suddenly laughed. “What works do we have? Besides showing off our love, it’s still showing off our love.”

“…” Chi Shuo patted the back of her hand. “Of course, it’s the unpublished ones, the stories we’ll want to draw in the future.”

He Lindi understood. “You want to go?”

“A little.”

“What if I don’t go?”

“Then I won’t go either.”

He Lindi looked at her seriously. “You can do what you want. You don’t necessarily have to be with me. You can still be excellent on your own.”

“You are the most amazing person in my heart.”

“I’ve felt that way since I first liked you.”


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