Xiang Wan went to pick up her daughter, but Lu Mingzhe still wouldn't let her.
"I don't have any ill intentions, really. Don't be so cold to me."
"Even if we can't be husband and wife, can't we be friends because of the child?"
"Even if not for yourself, for Grandma and Nian Nian, keeping me around is beneficial and harmless to you."
"As long as you promise not to block me, I guarantee I won't harass you, nor will I harass Tang Haichao again."
Seeing that he spoke sincerely and considering all that had happened today, Xiang Wan was too tired to argue further.
"Okay, I promise you, I won't leave Hangcheng again. I hope you keep your word."
Lu Mingzhe lowered his head and looked at his adorable daughter again. He reluctantly lifted her small hand and kissed it.
Then, he gently returned her to Xiang Wan.
"I'll be going then. If the child feels unwell again, or needs me for anything, call me."
Although he knew Xiang Wan wouldn't call him, he couldn't help but want to remind her.
Xiang Wan agreed perfunctorily, "Got it."
Nian Nian seemed to know her daddy was leaving. She returned to Xiang Wan's arms, poked her head out, and looked back intently.
As soon as Lu Mingzhe took a step out, she pouted and started crying.
Lu Mingzhe quickly turned back to look at her. Seeing her reluctant gaze fixed on him, his heart ached as if it would break.
"Hurry inside. The hallway is cold. Don't let the child catch a chill."
Xiang Wan looked at his profile. A sentence rolled around in her throat, and finally, she couldn't help but say it.
"Have you seen Xiang Yang recently?"
After returning to Nancheng from Hangcheng and having diverted a sum of money the company had prepared for merging with other studios, Lu Mingzhe planned to buy a house for Xiang Wan in Hangcheng.
Before leaving, he remembered that Xiang Yang still thought of his sister every day and decided to say hello to Xiang Yang.
He had impulsively smashed his phone on New Year's Eve, losing Xiang Yang's number. He had no choice but to go to the school to find him.
He waited downstairs at the dormitory building for a long time but couldn't find him.
Anxious, Lu Mingzhe stopped a classmate to inquire. After a long search, he finally got the information of someone in Xiang Yang's dorm.
The classmate was very surprised, "Who are you to Xiang Yang?"
"Cousin. What's wrong?"
"Didn't Xiang Wan tell you? Last year, during the New Year, he got into a fight with classmates and was expelled. He hasn't been at our school for a long time."
A cold glint flashed in Lu Mingzhe's eyes. He incredulously asked the classmate again, "What did you say?"
Xiang Yang was quite stubborn. Even if he left school, he blocked all his former classmates.
Now, no one had his contact information, and he had no idea what he was doing. Lu Mingzhe was furious.
After finally finding Xiang Wan and stabilizing her emotions, their relationship had somewhat recovered.
Now, it was even worse, her brother had gotten into trouble again.
He was her only brother. He had worked tirelessly to support him through university, only for him to drop out midway!
What would Xiang Wan do if she found out?
Lu Mingzhe quickly asked a friend to help him find someone.
At three in the afternoon, his friend sent him a message.
"He's fine, not in trouble. He's currently filming at a film studio. The last consumption record was at a Starbucks near the film studio."
Why did he go to the film studio to act?
He wasn't a film major, so was he working as an extra to survive?
Lu Mingzhe drove to the film studio.
He showed Xiang Yang's photo and asked the Starbucks employees, and indeed, there was such a person.
"Isn't he the male lead in that historical idol drama? The day before yesterday, he ordered dozens of coffees here and treated the entire crew."
The store clerk spoke about him as if he were a big star, with a look of infatuation.
"He's said to be a newcomer, directly arranged into the cast by a big boss. His backing must be very strong!"
Lu Mingzhe was astonished.
Xiang Yang usually seemed listless and honest, but he was quite resourceful when he left his sister's protection.
In the blink of an eye, he had become the third male lead in a historical idol drama, and was even chosen by the boss?
It was hard to imagine what he had gone through in the past six months since leaving school.
There were guards outside the film crew to prevent the public from approaching and disturbing their filming.
It was still working hours, so Lu Mingzhe couldn't force his way in and ruin Xiang Yang's good impression. He could only wait until the scene was finished before looking for him.
While waiting idly in the parking lot, a white RV drove over.
The car stopped in the parking space next to Lu Mingzhe, and a young girl jumped out.
She was clearly an assistant, holding an umbrella and looking towards the entrance.
Immediately after, two tall, imposing young men wearing sunglasses jumped out of the car.
They stood on either side of the entrance, extending their hands towards the door.
The important person inside gracefully handed over her hand, as if a queen alighting from her carriage, and stood under the umbrella.
Lu Mingzhe had always looked down on people in the entertainment industry.
Just actors, yet they thought of themselves as important figures?
Making such a grand entrance every time they went out, just to attract attention.
Looking at those hands, he wondered which big star he was fortunate enough to encounter today?
Until he saw her face clearly.
Although he wasn't involved in the entertainment industry and didn't follow celebrities, he had heard of this woman.
The woman was nearly 50 this year. In her youth, she married a rich man who owned several investment companies, accumulating some capital. Later, she became passionate about producing talent shows and promoting young idols.
Talent shows were particularly popular a few years ago, launching several top stars in the industry, thus establishing her position in the investment and entertainment circles.
Young idols all called her Sister Hua.
Sister Hua was successful in her career. She was widowed young and had no children, living a free and easy life.
Even outsiders like Lu Mingzhe had heard a saying.
"If you can get into Sister Hua's bed, you can become the king of the entertainment industry."
He wondered which of her boyfriends she was here to see.
Lu Mingzhe didn't want to eavesdrop, but the gossip was delivered right to his mouth.
Since he was bored, he decided to continue watching.
As soon as Sister Hua appeared, someone from the film crew rushed over.
It was another middle-aged woman.
Her temperament, aura, and clothing style were much inferior. She looked submissive upon seeing Sister Hua.
"Why didn't Sister Hua inform us in advance? I could have asked him to clear his schedule."
"Xiang Yang still has a major scene left to film. He might have to wait. You must be tired."
Lu Mingzhe didn't hear clearly. Who was the woman he just mentioned? Xiang Yang?
Could it be such a coincidence?
Sister Hua wore a new Chanel summer white shirt and black suit pants, with sunglasses. She looked as imposing as a man.
She looked in the direction of the filming.
"It's fine, I just came to watch him film. How's his performance?"
The woman quickly replied, "He's doing well. The kid is hardworking and receptive to criticism. He was scolded quite a bit in the first two days, but as he was scolded, he started to understand. He's been much better these past two days."
"The director even praised him this morning, saying he has some talent for this profession."
"That's good. After all, he's someone I recommended. He can't embarrass me. Let's go take a look."
They were going over there?
It was a good opportunity to blend in. Lu Mingzhe quickly got out of his car and mingled with the crowd to get in.