Chapter 31: Pleasant Cooperation, A Small Request

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After Shi Qiu greeted Rong Le’an, he noticed the flashy young master of Qingxiang staring at him with interest.

“What’s your relationship with Zhong Xiyuan?” Rong Le’an asked directly.

He had already realized there was something between Shi Qiu and Zhong Xiyuan. Jiang Fengmian was just Shi Qiu’s brother, so it seemed obvious that Shi Qiu and Zhong Xiyuan might be lovers, or even more, on the path to becoming future in-laws.

The moment he asked, Shi Qiu and Jiang Fengmian’s expressions immediately turned awkward.

“Just… just friends who know each other,” Shi Qiu replied, head lowered, voice quiet and pale.

What was Rong Le’an thinking?

Shi Qiu felt panic rising. Rong Le’an had first caught Zhong Xiyuan leaving his room with Jiang Fengmian present, and now he was asking about their relationship. The carefully constructed image of a devoted lover of Jiang Fengmian was about to crumble.

Hearing this answer, Rong Le’an frowned.

“Just friends?”

Looking at him, Shi Qiu’s gaze was complex and embarrassed in a way Rong Le’an couldn’t understand. The once obedient and gentle person now appeared pitiful, lips slightly swollen and pressed together, face gradually paling, and eyes reddening.

Rong Le’an almost felt he had done something terribly wrong to provoke such a reaction. He had only casually asked about Shi Qiu and Zhong Xiyuan’s relationship. And what kind of “friends” would share a hotel room meal and kiss until their lips were swollen?

He clearly sensed something suspicious, but Shi Qiu looked so pitiful that he silently closed his mouth.

He had never considered the possibility that Shi Qiu was being threatened by Zhong Xiyuan. Jiang Fengmian was so important to Lu Chengyan, and he valued Shi Qiu so much that no one could threaten him.

It was Jiang Fengmian who broke the awkward atmosphere. He reached out to touch Shi Qiu’s hair and asked softly, “Why do you look so pale? Are you still feeling unwell?”

Shi Qiu lowered his head, rubbed his eyes, and whispered, “No, brother, I’m fine. It’s just that I may still look a little pale.”

“That’s good,” Jiang Fengmian said, then turned to Rong Le’an, signaling that it was time to leave.

Since the young Rong had kept his eyes on Jiang Fengmian from the moment he entered, Jiang Fengmian wasn’t blind. Rong Le’an’s gaze at Shi Qiu was curious, and given Shi Qiu’s soft and vulnerable nature, if he got involved, it would certainly give Jiang Fengmian trouble.

Rong Le’an glanced at Shi Qiu, then Jiang Fengmian. He hadn’t expected to come in with good intentions and be shown the door. The atmosphere was too strange, so he simply said goodbye and left.

After Rong Le’an left, Shi Qiu watched his back, silently thinking about how to clear up the young master’s misunderstanding. He had to maintain the image of a devoted lover of Jiang Fengmian.

Once it was just Jiang Fengmian and Shi Qiu in the room, Jiang Fengmian recounted his afternoon experiences to Shi Qiu. He also mentioned Rong Le’an telling him about Lu Chengyan investing fifteen million in the Long Winter crew. Although Rong Le’an credited Jiang Fengmian, he didn’t feel it was entirely true.

Listening, Shi Qiu remembered being taken advantage of by Lu Chengyan yesterday, and couldn’t help feeling slightly guilty. After all, Lu Chengyan was a very meticulous and refined person.

“As for the investment from Lu Group, I can call Chengyan later. But Rong Le’an also mentioned raising my pay… I don’t know whether to agree,” Jiang Fengmian said. “It feels strange, and I don’t even know how much my pay would be increased.”

“Brother, wait until you speak with Mr. Lu before deciding,” Shi Qiu advised softly. “About the pay, if you’re unsure of how much to ask for, I suggest converting the increase into a share of the project’s investment. It could be about one percent or half a percent. What do you think?”

Jiang Fengmian’s eyes lit up.

If he converted his pay into one percent of the investment, the final project results would directly affect his share. If it lost money, his take would be smaller; if it profited, he would feel justified.

“Alright, then if Rong Le’an brings up pay again, I’ll negotiate it that way,” Jiang Fengmian said.

“Good,” Shi Qiu replied, curling in the chair, his fluffy rabbit pajamas all bunched up.

Converting pay into shares was common for top actors. Although Jiang Fengmian was a newcomer, he now had Lu Chengyan’s support, so Rong Le’an should agree.

Jiang Fengmian asked, “Rong Le’an also asked if I wanted to sign with Qingxiang. What do you think?”

Shi Qiu blinked and whispered, “For that, I’d suggest waiting a bit longer.”

Unless Lu Chengyan personally wanted to support Jiang Fengmian, Qingxiang’s offer wouldn’t be exceptional. Moreover, Jiang Fengmian had guaranteed resources beyond Long Winter. After winning a school-level award, he could also get another foundation project. With two works, even without a huge hit, he would already have a fanbase, making further negotiations easier.

“Alright, I’ll follow your advice,” Jiang Fengmian nodded.

After leaving Rong Le’an didn’t return directly to the company but went to see Zhong Xiyuan.

“What are you doing here again?” Zhong Xiyuan looked up from his documents with cold indifference.

“The Qingxiang project crew is here, so I came. Do I need a reason?” Rong Le’an touched his short hair and smiled. “But what’s your relationship with Jiang Fengmian’s little assistant?”

“None of your business,” Zhong Xiyuan sneered. “Mind your own affairs.”

“What do you mean none of my business? Zhong Xiyuan, you’re not the type to do something and not admit it, are you?” Rong Le’an teased.

Zhong Xiyuan’s gaze was complicated, making it hard for Rong Le’an to read his meaning.

Zhong Xiyuan wanted to admit it, even announce it to the world, and take responsibility to Shi Qiu, but Shi Qiu wouldn’t give him the chance. He didn’t even have the position to be jealous.

He remembered opening Shi Qiu’s room and seeing Lu Chengyan’s coat on the bed. His emotions had been intense, yet he knew that to Shi Qiu, everyone else combined couldn’t compare to Jiang Fengmian. For Shi Qiu, he and Lu Chengyan were just tools useful to Jiang Fengmian, not rivals.

Zhong Xiyuan had learned about Lu Group planning to invest fifteen million more in Long Winter. Rong Le’an thought it was because of Jiang Fengmian, but Zhong Xiyuan knew from seeing Lu Chengyan’s coat on Shi Qiu’s bed who it was truly for.

“Exactly what do you mean by this, you and that boy…” Rong Le’an pressed.

Zhong Xiyuan frowned, growing impatient. “You weren’t this annoying before. Why do you meddle so much?”

Rong Le’an was curious. He hadn’t cared about others’ personal affairs before, but now he needed an answer. Zhong Xiyuan’s reaction and Shi Qiu’s reply only deepened the mystery, fueling his curiosity.

Seeing Zhong Xiyuan unwilling to talk, Rong Le’an had no choice but to leave.

“Xiao Zhang, check with the crew about the assistant Shi Qiu. Find out his relationship with Jiang Fengmian and Zhong Xiyuan. Gossip is fine,” Rong Le’an told his secretary as he got into the car.

“Yes, Young Master Rong,” the secretary replied.

Negotiations with Lu Group were ongoing but progressing quickly. Xu Zishan, an efficient and assertive woman, finalized the cooperation terms with Rong Le’an over two days.

“Then it’s settled, Young Master Rong,” Xu Zishan said, hand on the documents, smiling politely. “But Lu Group has a small request. We hope you can accommodate it.”

“What small request?” Rong Le’an asked warily. The contract was done, surely she wasn’t trying to cheat?

“When the crew has sufficient funds, some people will need to film scenes elsewhere. There’s an assistant producer, Zhong Xiyuan, who is very capable. We hope he can serve as executive producer for the other filming location,” Xu Zishan said calmly.

Rong Le’an didn’t understand why Lu Group cared about Zhong Xiyuan, but it was a minor matter. He nodded and readily agreed.

Xu Zishan’s smile became genuine. She stood and extended her hand. “Then, Young Master Rong, pleasant cooperation.”

“Pleasant cooperation,” Rong Le’an replied.

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