The meal was very harmonious. Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao chatted enthusiastically, while Xia Qingyu and Li Xiaozhong remained much quieter.
"Do you want to go out together during winter break?" Li Xiaoxiao suddenly suggested.
"I'd like to, but I might have work," Xia Qingtian said with a wry smile.
"That's great… you've already started working." Li Xiaoxiao propped her chin with one hand. She had no idea what she wanted to do in the future. "I'm just average-looking, not very smart, my grades are mediocre, and I don't have any special talents… I always feel like I won't be of any use after entering society. Chances are I'll be a leek or a cog in the machine my whole life…"
Li Xiaozhong frowned upon hearing Li Xiaoxiao say this and was about to retort when he saw Xia Qingtian heartily pat Li Xiaoxiao on the back, "What nonsense are you talking about!"
"I won't allow you to belittle yourself like this. Living is about finding yourself. Who knows what they're meant to do from birth?"
"Take your time. You're only 18. If you define your life now, you'll be repeating the same kind of life for decades to come, how boring is that!"
"Life is interesting precisely because of its infinite possibilities and myriad opportunities, right!"
"What you said… is also true!" Li Xiaoxiao felt Xia Qingtian had a point, and she started to smile foolishly again, continuing to chat animatedly with Xia Qingtian.
Seeing that Li Xiaoxiao was no longer dwelling on unhappy thoughts, Li Xiaozhong also breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Xia Qingtian.
Xia Qingyu quietly helped Xia Qingtian by serving dishes and refilling drinks.
Li Xiaozhong would occasionally steady Li Xiaoxiao's knocked-over cup and pick out dishes Li Xiaoxiao liked, placing them on her plate.
The two sisters, completely oblivious, chatted with great delight.
Until the meal was finished and Xia Qingtian paid the bill, the four of them walked out of the restaurant.
A cold wind blew, and both Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao shivered simultaneously.
"How many times have I told you to button up your clothes when you go outside?" Li Xiaozhong said with a frown.
"I've reminded you several times, wear your scarf properly, it's not just for decoration," Xia Qingyu said with disdain. "You're so clumsy."
Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao both hunched their necks and gave a dry chuckle.
The four waved goodbye and walked off in two different directions.
Li Xiaozhong and Xia Qingyu exchanged a look before looking away.
A glance exchanged, they were likely kindred spirits.
"That's great," Li Xiaoxiao said as they walked. "Qingtian is beautiful, smart, and has a great personality."
"There's no need to envy others," Li Xiaozhong said in a low voice as he walked beside Li Xiaoxiao. "You are the best."
"Heh heh." Hearing Li Xiaozhong's words, Li Xiaoxiao giggled and reached out to ruffle Li Xiaozhong's hair.
"Don't mess up my hair, you clumsy big sister!" Li Xiaozhong mumbled, not struggling, his cheeks flushing.
On the other side, Xia Qingtian walked alongside Xia Qingyu. "Is that Li Xiaozhong in your class?"
"Yes," Xia Qingyu replied. "We're not very close."
"He's a very intelligent person. It won't hurt to build a good relationship with him." Xia Qingtian confirmed this again today.
Li Xiaoxiao's brother was the world-shaking genius, Li Xiaozhong, from her past life.
Although Xia Qingtian still didn't know why Li Xiaozhong was hiding his abilities, he was indeed worth befriending.
"Oh." Xia Qingyu responded casually.
She had no particular interest in Li Xiaozhong initially, but if Xia Qingtian said so, Xia Qingyu felt it wouldn't hurt to have another friend.
After all, that Li Xiaozhong was probably a kindred spirit to her.
Just then, Xia Qingtian's phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, Xia Qingtian smiled apologetically at Xia Qingyu before answering, "Ning Jie? What's up?"
Xia Qingyu looked at Xia Qingtian's focused and serious profile, her cheeks feeling a little hot.
"Sorry Qingyu, I wanted to go sightseeing with you longer, but I have work now." Xia Qingtian smiled apologetically at Xia Qingyu after hanging up the phone.
"It's fine, I also feel a bit cold and want to go home," Xia Qingyu turned her head and said somewhat haughtily.
"Sorry, I'll definitely accompany you next time if there's a chance," Xia Qingtian said, reaching out to gently ruffle Xia Qingyu's hair.
"Then… it's a deal." Xia Qingyu mumbled.
"Yes, it's a deal!" Xia Qingtian said with a smile.
After parting ways with Xia Qingyu, Xia Qingtian directly took a car to Gu's Entertainment.
Upon arriving at Wen Ning's office, Xia Qingtian learned that her new job was to attend an awards ceremony.
The organizer was the same live-streaming platform that Xia Qingtian and Wen Ning had participated in for "Best Partners."
As the annual grand event, Xia Qingtian was awarded the "Most Influential Outstanding Newcomer of the Year" due to her consistently high popularity.
This live-streaming platform had a high national index and a wide audience base, especially favored by young people.
Although the award itself wasn't highly prestigious, as a promotional tool, it provided significant exposure.
Moreover, it wouldn't take up much time. "Best Partners" had concluded successfully, "Hua Yue Zui Xi Chun" hadn't started filming yet, and the contract with K&K was still in process. It was the perfect time for Xia Qingtian to make an appearance to regain popularity and prepare for future endeavors.
Wen Ning felt it was necessary to participate, but the final decision rested with Xia Qingtian.
The more Wen Ning looked at Xia Qingtian, the more magical she found her.
When Mr. Gu had previously asked Xia Qingtian to try and secure the K&K endorsement, even she had considered it an impossible task and had been helping Xia Qingtian find a domestic endorsement project with a good reputation in the past couple of days.
Who would have thought that in the time it took to go and come back, Xia Qingtian had actually secured the K&K endorsement, reportedly even finalized by Madam Camille herself.
Wen Ning now couldn't help but look at Xia Qingtian with more respect. After all, from the beginning until now, Xia Qingtian had brought her one surprise after another.
After listening to Wen Ning's explanation, Xia Qingtian readily agreed.
Generally speaking, anything Wen Ning brought to her was reliable.
The awards ceremony wouldn't take much time, and as Wen Ning had mentioned, there was prize money involved. After deducting taxes according to the contract share, she would still receive 100,000.
It was worth the trip.
Speaking of which, this would be Xia Qingtian's first appearance at an awards ceremony, and Wen Ning was taking it very seriously.
A renowned team was hired to create the most suitable makeup and hairstyle for Xia Qingtian.
As a natural clothes hanger, Xia Qingtian could definitely be considered blessed by the heavens; she looked good no matter how she was styled.
She wore a retro, square-necked black fishtail dress with a thigh-high slit, and a pair of round-toed crystal high heels. The most eye-catching piece was the ruby choker around her neck.