Chapter 43: Sequel

The conversation between Su Shiyi and Luo Yunqian didn’t last too long, as the waiter urged them to place their orders. This was a self-service restaurant, and except for the braised pork bones, all the cold and cooked dishes had to be picked up by customers themselves. However, Su Shiyi didn’t take anything except for the fruit.

The braised bones were fine, but this was her first time at a self-service restaurant… Anyway, since neither she nor Luo Yunqian had any intentions toward each other, there was no need for formalities. She put on gloves and was ready to dig in.

Wow, she didn’t know it, but the bones were really delicious. Even through the gloves, they felt hot. As soon as she bit down, the rich meat flavor filled her mouth. Although she was a wealthy woman who could afford to eat Kobe beef to her heart’s content, the joy of eating meat this way, in large bites, was still different from eating thin slices of beef.

Su Shiyi focused on eating, and although Luo Yunqian was also eating the bones, he couldn’t help but glance at her from time to time. Before his mother had insisted he come for the blind date, he had done a little research on this wealthy young lady’s online presence. He had originally planned to meet her here, thinking that if she refused to come, he wouldn’t have to make this trip, and he could explain to his mother.

Unexpectedly, she not only came but was… enjoying herself so much. Luo Yunqian didn’t doubt that she was trying to show off in front of him. Given Su Shiyi’s status, she certainly didn’t need to flatter him.

She was really quite different, Luo Yunqian thought. The unexpected contrast made him develop a strong interest in Su Shiyi.

Coming from a military family, Luo Yunqian ate fast, but Su Shiyi didn’t have as big an appetite. Plus, the braised pork bones could get overwhelming, so she stopped after three. They both finished eating around the same time, then took toothpicks to pick at the fruit on the table, sitting across from each other without saying anything.

“If you don’t have anything else to do…” Was she going to leave now?

Su Shiyi had a flight at 9 a.m. the next morning, and Lucy had arranged for her to meet Yu Zhaozhao at 12 p.m. Although she didn’t mind being a little late, Su Shiyi wouldn’t become impolite just because she was wealthy.

Luo Yunqian froze for a moment. Did this mean she was leaving? But they had only been chatting and eating bones for half an hour!

Although this was his first blind date, he had heard that such meetings usually involved discussions about poetry, life goals, and ideals. They hadn’t even looked at the stars or the moon yet.

But if the girl wanted to leave, it would be unreasonable to stop her, and it might come across as rude, like a thug. After a few seconds of hesitation, Luo Yunqian came up with a new idea:

“How about we go watch a movie?”

Su Shiyi was honest: “Sorry, I’m flying back to the capital tomorrow morning. I need to wake up early.”

In other words, no late-night activities—she wanted to return to the Sinan Residence and sleep.

Alright, Luo Yunqian could only settle for a second option: “Then, should I give you a ride home?”

“Thank you, but it’s fine.” Su Shiyi adjusted her little handbag. “My driver is waiting outside. Your car should be a standard four-seater, right? It won’t fit my four bodyguards.”

“When I go out, I usually take a six-seater business car.”

Luo Yunqian: …

He actually wanted to say that when it came to protecting someone, he could handle four by himself. But this wasn’t just any young lady—she was the precious daughter of a top billionaire, so the quality of her bodyguards was anyone’s guess. From what he’d heard, several retired soldier kings had failed to get hired.

He walked Su Shiyi to the door, but didn’t notice where her bodyguards were. It wasn’t until he saw her get into the car that two men and two women suddenly emerged from nowhere and got into the vehicle as well.

Luo Yunqian was really impressed. Even with such a disguised presence, he hadn’t noticed them. To protect his precious daughter, Gu Lang had really invested heavily in hiring talent.

With his hands in his pockets, Luo Yunqian watched the car drive away with a bit of disappointment. It wasn’t until he took out his phone that he suddenly realized he hadn’t exchanged contact details with Su Shiyi yet!

—

By the time Su Shiyi returned to Sinan Residence, it was already 7 p.m. It wasn’t too late, and she could still go watch a movie.

But after thinking it over, Su Shiyi decided against it. She didn’t want to be seen with Luo Yunqian, who was wearing a leopard print shirt and tight pants… She still cared about her image.

Ah, maybe she should let Xiao Yu wash his eyes. Su Shiyi felt like she had some strange buff on her, as she always ended up seeing Qi Yude wet… no, this time it was Xiao Yu just after a shower.

He was wearing a shirt-style pajama with the top two buttons undone, the collar loosely hanging, and water droplets still clinging to his hair. Su Shiyi only took a glance, and immediately understood why he hadn’t buttoned up.

Xiao Yu really wasn’t doing it on purpose, it was just a size mismatch. Lucy, who was in charge of the shopping, was also innocent. She had picked out the largest size, but didn’t she see how loose it was around his waist?

Qi Yude was sitting on the living room couch watching TV, but he was actually waiting anxiously for Su Shiyi to return. When she finally pushed the door open, he didn’t even realize how quickly he jumped up and ran toward her, his movements looking just like the sugar-coated dogs in her home.

Honestly, if the height difference wasn’t so large, Su Shiyi almost felt like reaching out to pat his head.

“You’re back,” Qi Yude said naturally, taking her little handbag, which made Lucy freeze in surprise.

Wait, she was Su Shiyi’s assistant—why was Qi Yude taking over her job, and doing it so smoothly, as though he was the househusband waiting for his partner to return home?

Su Shiyi didn’t quite understand either, but once Qi Yude took the bag, he handed it over to Lucy, probably because he was closest and it was the most convenient.

“Have you eaten?” Su Shiyi casually asked.

“I have,” he replied. And he’d even eaten two portions by himself, while Lucy and the others had work meals. “You’re back a bit early. Was the food not good?”

Su Shiyi: Speaking of which, you probably wouldn’t believe it, but she was stuffed. Those three braised pork bones really filled her up.

“I’m too full, I can’t even eat a single grain of rice.”

Qi Yude, who actually wanted to make dessert: …

Damn it, he had prepared the ingredients carefully and tried the double-skin milk twice, but now it was completely useless!

The screen in the living room was showing a show that Su Shiyi liked, so she decided to stay and watch it with Qi Yude.

Well, she was rewatching a classic, and had nothing to do with the handsome guy in a post-shower scene beside her.

Coincidentally, the episode Qi Yude picked was the final one, and the show’s ending was a dramatic everyone’s bad ending.

Su Shiyi: …

Another heart-wrenching scene appeared, and the emotional ending song began to play. She sniffed, thinking that Qi Yude would probably be just as sad as she was. But when she turned around and saw Xiao Yu scooping watermelon with a spoon, she felt a deep sense of betrayal.

Damn, she thought they were both victims, but it turned out he wasn’t affected at all—fake fan!

However, seeing him hand her a cup of incredibly delicious fresh watermelon juice, Su Shiyi reluctantly forgave him, though she still pointed at him while venting her extreme dissatisfaction with the show’s ending.

Poor Qi Yude tried to make up for it: “Actually, you can ask them to film a sequel. You can be the screenwriter and have them write the script you’re happiest with. Just bring the same actors back. Isn’t that easy?”

Su Shiyi: !

Oh, what a brilliant new idea! According to Qi Yude’s method, this seemed simple… no, wait, just hiring the screenwriters and actors is difficult enough!

“It’s easier said than done. It’s not just about money,” she sighed, propping her chin up. “Do you know why fans always petition, but so many TV shows don’t make a sequel? It’s because they’re scared. The actors are afraid of messing up, the screenwriters are afraid of getting it wrong, and the directors bear the biggest risk.”

“Even if they’re all confident, the audience has different expectations for the second season. It’s hard to please everyone, and even a small misstep could ruin the reputation of the first season. So the more successful a show is, the less likely they are to make a sequel—unless they just want to cash in quickly.”

Qi Yude blinked: “What if it’s not released publicly? It could just be a way to fulfill your dream, and if the sequel doesn’t turn out well, just don’t send it to the broadcast platforms. If you’re the only investor, you get to call the shots. The only problem is the pay—since they’re just investing their time and won’t get future fame as a return, you’d have to pay them more.”

Hmm? Only filming, no broadcasting? The final product might be shown exclusively to her?

Isn’t this exactly the kind of thing Su Shiyi loves doing? Throwing millions or even hundreds of millions into something that could end up being a complete waste of money? (x)

She happily called Kevin to tell him that she wanted to make a sequel to this classic TV series. Kevin, her good assistant, didn’t question the potential zero return on investment and agreed to it as usual.

“Alright, Miss Yi, I’ll take care of it within seven days.”

Su Shiyi often had the illusion that, as long as she gave Kevin seven days, the magical Kevin could move the entire world.

Maybe, she should change the word “illusion” to “feeling,” though.

Whether you release one sheep or two sheep, the principle is the same, and it applies to the investment (fun) field as well. In addition to this TV series, which just brutally stabbed her in the heart, Su Shiyi gritted her teeth and nominated other films, expanding her imagination to include several anime as well.

Hmph, as long as she throws enough money at it, all those annoying people who keep stabbing her in the heart will have to rewrite everything and give her the sweetest candy!

Disney, are you seeing this? This is your future!

—

Luo Yunqian didn’t live at home, he rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Shanghai on his own. Because of that, he was able to dress like that to meet Su Shiyi—if his mom saw him dressed like this to go on a blind date, she’d probably break his legs.

Sigh, if he had known, he wouldn’t have done this. Actually, he didn’t have any problems with Su Shiyi herself, it was just that he didn’t like how his mom arranged the whole thing without asking for his opinion. Now that he thought about it, Su Shiyi probably cared a lot about his appearance.

He lay on the bed, tossing and turning, feeling uncomfortable. The girl seemed really nice—she didn’t lose to the thugs when it came to attitude, and she didn’t act pretentious at the braised pork shop either. She was eloquent and clear-headed in her speech… Luo Yunqian couldn’t find any flaws in her, and the more he thought about it, the better she seemed. He even thought her way of eating bones was super cute.

But he didn’t even have her green card! Ahhh! If only he had personally arranged the time and place with Su Shiyi instead of just adding her assistant and sending that message with no follow-up!

Now, if he wanted to ask Lucy for Su Shiyi’s green card, she probably wouldn’t give it to him. After all, they had only met once, and asking her assistant for a green card would clearly show they didn’t hit it off.

Asking his mom for it probably wouldn’t work either. She only gave him Lucy’s contact info, which meant she didn’t have Su Shiyi’s direct contact.

No, he must have another chance! He wasn’t the type to give up after one setback. Even if the first impression wasn’t great, he could still make up for it in other ways.

But first, he needed to see her—

After thinking it over, Luo Yunqian finally mustered up the courage to call Gu Chen. He and Gu Chen had met a few years ago, but they weren’t really close—just a few encounters at major events where they’d exchanged a few words.

When the call connected, they were both silent for a moment after Luo Yunqian introduced himself.

Gu Chen: Why is he calling me?

Luo Yunqian: Should I say something first?

After some aimless small talk about the weather, stocks, ocean currents, and wine estates, Luo Yunqian finally asked, seemingly casually, “Is your sister in the Shanghai? Where does she live?”

Since Gu Chen and Gu Pan’s relationship wasn’t a secret anymore, it had become rare for anyone to mention his sister in front of him. Gu Chen paused for a few seconds, then realized that Luo Yunqian was talking about Su Shiyi.

The miraculous adopted daughter Su Shiyi, whom his father, Gu Lang, adored so much. Gu Chen couldn’t understand—if his father liked his daughter so much, what was it about Su Shiyi that made her better than Gu Pan? After all, he had watched her grow up (in person, seeing her once or twice a year on average).

Maybe people just have those mysterious magnetic fields. He thought Gu Pan was the best, but his father was biased toward Su Shiyi. It could only be said that Li Shuman, Auntie, was amazing—one was raised by her, and one was born by her.

In front of others, of course, Gu Chen was a good older brother to Su Shiyi. He didn’t respond to Luo Yunqian immediately but instead asked, “Did you meet her today?”

What he meant was: So, you’re also one of the 101 male guests?

Luo Yunqian still felt a bit embarrassed: “Hmm, it was arranged by my family. I think she’s… very special.”

Gu Chen automatically translated it as: 【That’s right, I also participated in this selection, and I fell in love with her at first sight. Now, I just want to meet her, and I don’t even have the decency to go through you, someone I’m not familiar with.】

Gu Chen let out a long “oh” and, of course, rejected him: “You know, our family has a lot of properties in the Shanghai. I don’t know where she lives.”

Luo Yunqian: …

You big capitalists really live in luxury!

But Gu Chen still gave him a way out: “But whenever we go back to the imperial capital, we usually stay at Taihe.”

If he really meant it, he could fly to the imperial capital. With his connections, it wouldn’t be a secret which building the Gu family stays in at Taihe. Many people in the Beijing circle knew. As for whether he could meet Su Shiyi, that would depend on whether she was willing to give him face.

As a mere acquaintance, Gu Chen could only help so much, and he considered himself generous enough. After all, he hadn’t even recommended his carefully selected good friend to Su Shiyi yet.

He didn’t originally have an interest in playing matchmaker, but since the whole family was involved, he had no reason to back out.

—

Su Shiyi had no idea about the charm she was unintentionally exuding, she was still digesting the three big bones.

The bones were good, but you can’t eat too much of them…

Xiao Yu was really great, he had so many hidden skills. Besides the dinner she couldn’t try, he was also great at making desserts. Even though she was already full, Su Shiyi still ate a piece of handmade cookies.

Help, this is too delicious!

Su Shiyi had tasted many world-class desserts from renowned chefs, but she was still amazed by Xiao Yu’s skills. With the same pair of hands, some people could hold a paintbrush, wield a kitchen knife, and bake, while all her hands could do was spend money.

“I really want to hire you as a pastry chef,” Su Shiyi joked with him, “I think you definitely don’t just make cookies, you must be amazing at other things too. You’re not secretly a Michelin-level Cantonese chef, are you?”

Qi Yude shyly smiled: “I’m better at desserts. Cantonese food is just at an ordinary level, definitely not comparable to a chef. Well, actually, I could…”

Su Shiyi didn’t hear clearly: “Hmm? What can you do?”

“I can be your pastry chef,” Qi Yude repeated her earlier words, “I don’t just make cookies, I can also make milk tea, char siu rice rolls, double-skin milk, egg tarts, red bean paste, shrimp dumplings, chicken feet in black bean sauce, black pepper beef ribs, steamed shrimp, taro steamed pork ribs, custard buns, boat congee…”

Every dish he named made Su Shiyi swallow once. Help, why are all these things her favorites!

“Okay, okay,” she quickly interrupted him, “I was just joking with you. You should continue being an artist. I don’t need a chef or a pastry chef.”

Qi Yude’s father also had a certain status in Xiangjiang, so it felt a bit inappropriate to have his son come over to work for her.

But Qi Yude didn’t think it was inappropriate at all. In fact, he was eager for it.

“I want to,” he looked sincerely into Su Shiyi’s eyes, “Freelancing is still too unstable. I want to find a job in the imperial capital with food and accommodation, five social insurances and one housing fund, and a high contribution rate.”

Su Shiyi: …

With your lifetime savings that you could never spend and the stable annual earnings from your investment fund, you still need to find a job? Who are you trying to fool?

Oh, right, you’re trying to fool her.

At this point, even Su Shiyi, if she were an idiot, should have realized that Qi Yude liked her.

Now, the question was whether to agree to give him a stable job. No, it was whether to let him move into Taihe—this was no longer just about finding a pastry chef. If she allowed Qi Yude to move in, it would essentially be responding to his feelings.

She admitted that she enjoyed spending time with Xiao Yu, and his suggestion about filming a sequel had really struck a chord with her. He knew how to hit the right spot. Other guys weren’t bad either, but in some ways, they didn’t quite match her. But when it came to the feeling of being moved, she… wasn’t sure.

Darn, she had never been in a relationship before, so how could she know what it felt like to be moved? This was really asking too much!

Su Shiyi felt a little guilty and awkwardly moved to the other side of the sofa, distancing herself from Qi Yude. In his sad eyes, she felt like a heartless woman.

“Well… I need some time before I can tell you,” Su Shiyi thought carefully about her words, “because I’m not sure, I need to think about it. If I agree too hastily, it might not be a good thing.”

Qi Yude was sad and disappointed, like a dog abandoned by its owner, staring vacantly in the same direction.

“So, the scarf wasn’t meant for me?”

Su Shiyi felt like her conscience was being roasted on fire. Oh no, she made him misunderstand.

She awkwardly explained, “Well, it’s actually for someone else…”

“Is it for another man?”

Ah, if you put it like that, she had no other answer but to nod.

“It’s for my dad.”

Seeing that Qi Yude seemed even more despairing, Su Shiyi couldn’t bear it anymore and finally told him, “It’s for my father, Gu Lang, not what you’re thinking.”

She didn’t know why she felt the need to explain, actually letting him continue misunderstanding wouldn’t have mattered… but it was indeed for her father, and she probably didn’t want to be mistakenly thought to have some other ambiguous relationship.

When he heard it was for Gu Lang, Qi Yude’s gloomy face finally improved a bit. He felt a little ridiculous for being so sentimental but couldn’t help but say to Su Shiyi, “But I’ve already bought so many outfits that go with a red scarf, so many sets.”

Some of them were even couple styles… He placed the order sweetly, but who knew reality would deal him such a blow.

Su Shiyi reasonably suggested, “Actually, buying a red scarf isn’t that hard.”

A straight girl couldn’t understand any hints.

Qi Yude choked up. How could it be the same! He didn’t lack scarves, what he lacked was her QAQ.

In fact, Su Shiyi’s words had already saved his face. At least she hadn’t rejected him on the spot, so he still had a chance. But while he had time to think about it, would she meet someone else? What if someone beat him to it?

Like the guy she was set up with today, or like “Xiao Jiang” in her unknown contact list…

But the one who falls first in a relationship must wait in the loser’s position for judgment. No matter how frustrated Qi Yude felt, he couldn’t make Su Shiyi give him a clear answer immediately, so all he could do was endure the pain.

He actively moved back a little, increasing the distance between himself and Su Shiyi. Even though his heart was bleeding, this action obviously made her relax a lot.

Now he needed a different topic to turn things around—

“I saw it on Weibo.” This incident of Weibo programmer Xiao Wang working overtime was chosen by Qi Yude as a new topic, “The HMW Fund is really great. Shiyi, you’re amazing.”

“It’s just a small, insignificant thing.”

Mentioning this topic eased the slightly awkward atmosphere from earlier, at least Su Shiyi didn’t need to carefully think about every word she was going to say.

She scratched her head: “Actually, I’ve always wanted to do more, not just stick to this. But many of the difficulties women face are due to the larger environment, and my single act of throwing money around can only do so much. I don’t expect much, as long as money can solve it, even if it’s just a small detail, as long as it helps some people, it’s fine.”

Qi Yude thought for a moment and gave a suggestion: “Following this line of thinking, I think you could consider building gyms specifically for women.”

“Well… speaking of it, as a man, I would feel embarrassed. In gyms, because of the varying quality of customers, especially in places with lower consumer spending, there are always some unfriendly looks at the girls working out, and sometimes they even make inappropriate jokes. I think this is really bad.”