Zhan Qingyue and Ning Qiuxiu’s exact relationship could be described as one of mutual benefit and playacting as a couple.

It was clear that Ning Qiuxiu had some fondness for him, but it hadn’t yet reached the level of romantic affection.

He also admitted that he felt something special for Ning Qiuxiu, but it hadn’t crossed that critical threshold.

The two were still in the phase of cultivating mutual goodwill, enjoying the process, and there was no need to disrupt it—everything would proceed naturally.

Of course, he wouldn’t share this with Yu Haiping.

Instead, he put on a dignified front and said, “I’m currently half-paralyzed, my speech is slurred, and I can’t manage daily life independently. It’s not suitable.”

“Not getting better, huh? You wouldn’t be… insecure, would you? Oh, how surprising, even someone like you can feel insecure,” Yu Haiping seized the opportunity to mock him without reservation.

Zhan Qingyue wasn’t annoyed; he merely smiled faintly and said, “It’s called being responsible.”

Yu Haiping: “…”

Hearing such words from someone like Zhan Qingyue didn’t seem out of place.

Yu Haiping’s perception of him had lowered even further.

Yu Haiping decided not to delve into that topic any longer and asked, “What are your plans for the future? Returning to Zhuosen? After your accident, I’ve seen your younger brother step up. I have to say, he impressed me.”

“He’s naturally talented in that area, just lazy.”

Zhan Qingyue wasn’t surprised that Zhan Qingyuan could handle the responsibility.

To outsiders, it might seem like a legend, but he knew his brother well—he was very talented but reluctant to put in the effort.

“I’ll leave Zhuosen to him. In the future, I plan to start a small company myself,” Zhan Qingyue continued answering the previous question.

Yu Haiping clearly didn’t believe it: “Don’t kid me. Can a small company satisfy someone like you, Mr. Zhan?”

Zhan Qingyue wasn’t ready to reveal that he had agreed to Ning Qiuxiu’s plan to start an entertainment company.

The reason was simple—starting a business always involves risk.

No one could guarantee success, and if things didn’t go as planned, it would be embarrassing to have bragged too much in advance.

With the burden of his idol image, Zhan Qingyue nonchalantly said, “If it can’t satisfy me, my wife will fill the gap. Star income is high.”

Yu Haiping: “???”

“Why can you say such shameless things with a straight face? Have you not washed your face in the last two years, making your skin especially thick?”

Zhan Qingyue: “……”

---

Ning Qiuxiu reviewed the program list but didn’t see any performances that involved both singing and dancing.

She could recall some of the original performer’s shows that involved both, but those were too flashy and clearly not suited for the general public.

Singing and dancing, both elegant and popular…

Got it! Ning Qiuxiu clapped her hands.

This is just performing opera!

She remembered a show she once watched where a singer named Zhang performed a version of “Beijing Night” with an opera style and wowed the audience.

She could do something similar by choosing a folk song and singing it in an opera style.

Then, she could find a dance teacher who knows about opera-style dances to teach her some simple moves.

This way, she could pull it off easily, much simpler than other singing and dancing performances.

The key is that the villagers are familiar with opera, so it won’t go against the requirement of being elegant and popular.

Ning Qiuxiu decided to go for it.

She had learned opera singing before and knew a bit herself, so it wasn’t too difficult, though it would need some practice to get the feel.

As for the dance teacher… that was easy. She could ask Qu Hua.

With a plan in mind, Ning Qiuxiu was full of energy and enthusiasm.

She sent her requirements to Qu Hua, asking her to find a dance teacher familiar with opera-style choreography to create a simple dance routine and record a video.

She also asked the production team to custom-make an opera costume for her.

By lunchtime, she had everything prepared and just needed to practice the singing and dancing in the afternoon.

“Ugh, that cow really gave me a trauma about milk. It was so difficult,” Song Chu complained with a mournful face during lunch.

Lin Jin struggled to suppress a laugh, saying, “As long as it doesn’t give you a trauma about women, that’s fine.”

“……. Go away.”

Bai Ying, biting her chopsticks, asked, “How’s Qiuxiu’s preparation going? Among the five of us, your task seems the hardest.”

At her question, everyone looked at Ning Qiuxiu.

Ning Qiuxiu replied, “It’s going well. I should… be able to complete the task.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what punishment you’ll get if you can’t complete it,” Song Chu said, reveling in the thought of someone having a worse time than himself.

Bai Ying: “Why don’t you look forward to how you’re going to move those elephant grass bales this afternoon?”

Song Chu: “……”

Lin Jin, not as mean as Song Chu, encouraged Ning Qiuxiu: “Qiuxiu has done this kind of work before. It might be tough for us, but for Qiuxiu, it’s a piece of cake. We should believe in her.”

Fang Jinran, who usually doesn’t say much, also said, “Don’t stress too much. If you can’t finish it, we’ll all take the punishment together.”

“Yes, yes, we’ll share the burden. Don’t be afraid!” Bai Ying added.

The idea of sharing the punishment resonated with the team and received agreement from everyone, including Song Chu, who usually didn’t get along well with Ning Qiuxiu.

Ning Qiuxiu was touched by this united atmosphere and said seriously, “Thank you. I’ll work hard to make sure no one gets punished.”

After lunch, the guests had some free time.

The cameras were turned off, and the director began directing the staff to clean up the messy area because the sponsors were coming for a visit in the afternoon.

“Why do the sponsors have to come and make a fuss? It’s such a hassle. Do they get some sort of pleasure from being the center of attention?” Song Chu, no longer in front of the cameras, complained quietly to Ning Qiuxiu.

“The sponsors are paying, so they can come if they want. Don’t worry about it. You seem a bit cynical, little one,” Ning Qiuxiu said, patting Song Chu’s head.

Song Chu replied, “Get lost. I’m not your kid.”

Ning Qiuxiu raised her tiny fist and said, “Say that again while looking at my hand.”

“……” Song Chu immediately backed down, saying, “qaq, Strong Granny, I was wrong.”

The sponsors arrived right on time, just as the guests’ break ended and before filming resumed.

Ning Qiuxiu, who hadn’t slept during lunch and had been listening to various songs sung in a dramatic style, was a bit tired.

She washed her face and touched up her makeup before heading out, a little slower than the others.

As she exited, she bumped into the sponsors who were being warmly welcomed by everyone.

“???” Ning Qiuxiu almost laughed when she saw the enthusiastic person in the wheelchair.

Zhan Qingyue, who was the sponsor, saw her too and raised an eyebrow as if to say, “Isn’t the sponsor impressive?”

“……”

This sponsor, called Shiyang Mill, was a health drink brand that mixed and ground various grains and health ingredients like red dates, goji berries, and walnuts.

The taste was quite good.

The company had always promoted a healthy, additive-free approach and had a great reputation.

When Zhang Qingyue was in a coma and just waking up, he often saw Jingjing feeding him various powdered products from this brand.

But Ning Qiuxiu had never connected the dots.

When did Zhang Qingyue start running a food business?!

Jingjing and Chen Yi had arrived too.

Jingjing, pushing Zhang Qingyue, made faces at Ning Qiuxiu.

The director sensed there was something off between them and said, “Mr. Zhang and Qiuxiu know each other?”

“Friends,” Zhang Qingyue replied.

Though he didn’t follow the entertainment industry closely, he knew that celebrity relationships were usually kept secret and not made public.

The director, understanding the situation, smiled and said, “That’s quite a coincidence. Come on in, it’s windy outside.”

Inside, the director chatted with Zhang Qingyue for a bit, complimented him, and then excused himself to prepare for the recording, giving them time to catch up.

Once the room was quiet, Jingjing snapped her fingers and said, “Oh, we brought some food for everyone. It’s in the back seat of the car. Let’s go, Chen Yi, help me get it.”

She then dragged Chen Yi out the door.

After the door was closed and it was just the two of them, Ning Qiuxiu glared at Zhang Qingyue, “You could have let me know you were coming!”

Zhang Qingyue replied, “The director invited me on a whim.”

“So, you’re the owner of Shiyang Workshop?”

“Sort of,” Zhang Qingyue explained, “My… mom left to pursue true love when I was ten, leaving everything behind.”

Ning Qiuxiu was surprised to hear about Zhang Qingyue’s mother, recalling that in the novel, it was mentioned that Zhang Qingyue’s mother had left her family to be with her so-called true love, abandoning her children and all her properties, which were then left to the kids.

“This company was originally managed by me. After my accident, Qingyuan didn’t like that woman and didn’t want to mix with her business. My grandfather managed it temporarily. Now that I’m awake, my grandfather has handed it back to me,” Zhang Qingyue continued.

“Oh…” Ning Qiuxiu felt sympathy for Zhang Qingyue having such an irresponsible mother. “Sorry for bringing up something painful.”

“Hmm, very sad,” Zhan Qingyue said, but his face showed no sign of sadness.

He added, “You need to take responsibility.”

“…… How should I be responsible?” Ning Qiuxiu sensed that Zhan Qingyue might be setting her up for something.

Zhan Qingyue said, “Just give money, be straightforward.”

“???” Ning Qiuxiu said flatly, “No money, but I’ve got a life.”

“I know you’re broke.”

Ning Qiuxiu was struck where it hurt: “Do you know how tough life is, Mr. Zhan?”

Just because you’ve been rich and powerful lying in bed for two years doesn’t mean everyone’s like that!

Zhan Qingyue smiled, and Ning Qiuxiu immediately felt alarmed, sensing that Zhan Qingyue’s next words would not be pleasant.

Thinking quickly, she decided to act before Zhan Qingyue could say anything more.

She gave him a flirtatious look and moved closer, gently sitting on his lap.

To avoid damaging his precious lap, she barely put any weight on it.

With a theatrical expression, she said, “So, Mr. Zhan, who’s rich and powerful, are you planning to get familiar with the rules of the entertainment industry and perhaps offer some special ‘guidance’ to a poor person like me?”