"Good thing this suit is still here," Father Xia said, nodding with satisfaction as he watched Xia Shang in his suit from when he was younger. "My taste back then was pretty good; the style still looks great now."
The Xia family members all nodded in agreement. Xia Shang, standing before them, became increasingly self-conscious, his mood visibly darkening.
"Wear this suit for your interview tomorrow. When you get back, I'll have your sister-in-law take you to buy a few new outfits," Father Xia arranged.
Aunt Liu nodded and smiled lightly.
"Actually..." Xia Shang moved his lips, his voice low, "You don't need to go to so much trouble."
Seeing this, Father Xia still explained to him how important formal wear was for a professional man. Xia Shang listened to his father's words, his ears feeling a bit warm, his expression growing even more somber.
After Xia Shang returned to his room, Xia Qingyu, who remained in the living room, couldn't help but whisper, "I think this little uncle is a bit strange..."
She always felt that Xia Shang was completely dejected, as if a dark cloud hung over his head. To put it dramatically, he had an aura that would bring misfortune if you got close.
Xia Qingtian silently nodded in agreement.
"Xia Shang was originally an orphan. At ten years old, he fainted at the foot of the mountain due to hunger and was found by the cousin of your grandfather's cousin's son.
The old lady was already sixty then and had never had her own children. After being deceived by a man previously, she trusted no one. She had a strange personality and was a bit irritable and prone to outbursts. The old lady called the police, but they only found out that the child's family had all passed away.
Perhaps because she had been living alone for too long, the old lady brought the little orphan home and raised him as her adopted son.
At least he was guaranteed food and drink, but as for other things... that was about it."
Father Xia was now telling the Xia Qingyu sisters about Xia Shang's situation.
A young boy, at the prime age for liveliness, was brought to a mountain-top villa and lived with a peculiar, irritable, and easily angered old lady for twelve years. Even the most lively disposition would be worn down and changed.
Xia Shang's visit to Z City this time was because the old lady noticed Xia Shang becoming increasingly solitary and despondent. Fearing that Xia Shang might also perish after her death, she pushed him out to find work and engage with society.
After looking around, the old lady felt Father Xia was a reliable person and entrusted Xia Shang to him.
However, being so concerned indicated that the old lady, despite her poor expressiveness, did care for Xia Shang.
"Xia Shang hasn't had much contact with outsiders. He studied in the mountains, so he's not very familiar with external social rules. You two shouldn't bully him, and definitely don't look down on him," Father Xia said to the Xia Qingyu sisters with rare seriousness.
"I won't," Xia Qingyu immediately replied.
She had only just learned how pitiful this little uncle was and silently apologized in her heart for her earlier judgment.
Xia Qingtian also clearly stated that she wouldn't have such thoughts.
She had initially doubted if the system was tricking her, but after Father Xia's explanation, Xia Qingtian began to place more trust in the system's definition of Xia Shang as a "talented individual."
However, cooperation was a two-way street. It wasn't enough for her to know Xia Shang had great talent; he also needed to trust her and be willing to assist her.
With this thought, Xia Qingtian decided to get closer to Xia Shang and understand him better.
The next day, at the breakfast table, Xia Qingtian proactively offered to take Xia Shang to Gu's Entertainment.
"Aren't you going to school?" Father Xia asked. He had originally planned to give Xia Shang a ride on his way to work.
"With my face like this, I don't want to go for now," Xia Qingtian said, tilting her head up to show Father Xia the still-obvious scratch on her cheek. "Even foundation can't cover it."
Knowing that girls cared about their appearance, Father Xia simply shook his head and said, "When you fail your exams at the end of the semester, don't come crying to me!"
"I won't!" Xia Qingtian stuck out her tongue playfully.
Watching Xia Qingyu and Father Xia leave together, Xia Qingtian tidied herself up and then left the Xia residence with Xia Shang, who was dressed in a full suit.
After they arrived at Gu's Entertainment by car, Xia Qingtian said, "Go for your interview. Call me when it's over."
"You, if you have something to do, you can go ahead and be busy..." Xia Shang said uncomfortably. "I, I can take the bus back myself."
"Little uncle, why are you being so formal with your niece?" Xia Qingtian smiled and patted Xia Shang on the shoulder. "Good luck, go on."
Xia Shang's ears turned slightly red. He just nodded, then lowered his head and walked into the main entrance of Gu's Entertainment.
Watching Xia Shang provide his information to the receptionist and being led away for his interview, Xia Qingtian let out a long sigh.
Once she had her own company and it was developing steadily, she would poach Xia Shang. That's right, and also Mobius.
Poach them both!
"Boyfriend?" A male voice sounded next to Xia Qingtian's ear, startling her.
She spun around abruptly and met a handsome face.
Patting her chest, Xia Qingtian said, "Idol, scaring people to death is a serious matter!"
Ling Fenghan chuckled, offering an apology, and then asked, "Where's your little assistant? Not by your side?"
"She's waiting for me upstairs," Xia Qingtian replied.
"Let's go in together," Ling Fenghan said. "Sister Ning has already spoken to me. I'll be leading you on the next project as well."
"Then I'll thank Superstar Ling on behalf of Sui Sui for your care~" Xia Qingtian said with a smile.
"Tch." Ling Fenghan was amused by Xia Qingtian's remark. The two walked into Gu's Entertainment together.
In a coffee shop outside Gu's Entertainment, a young girl wearing a school uniform sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, her face almost pressed against the glass. Beneath her bangs, her eyes gleamed with jealous and frenzied light.
Just then, the girl's phone rang. She gritted her teeth before answering.
"Chen Qi, right? I heard you're Ling Fenghan's biggest fan. There's something about Ling Fenghan I'd like to discuss with you. Do you have time?" a female voice came from the other end of the line.
"Who are you?" The girl could no longer see Ling Fenghan's figure, so she reluctantly shifted her gaze.
"Me? I'm someone who can get you into Ling Fenghan's heart." The woman on the other end of the phone curved her lips into an attractive arc.
After agreeing on a time with Chen Qi, the woman directly hung up the phone. She lowered her head and looked at the drug analysis report on the table, a cruel smile appearing on her lips.
Ling Fenghan dared to reject her without any regard for their past relationship, so she would make Ling Fenghan disappear from this circle completely.
At this moment, someone knocked and entered. Seeing the person who came in, the woman smiled, stood up, and warmly called out, "Shengsheng, you're here! Let's chat about the next project together."
"Okay." Wen Shengsheng smiled at her agent. Her face had already completely returned to its normal state, as beautiful as ever.