Cen Ya's face was ashen. Had Ou Minghan lied to her again?
Seeing her lost and bewildered look, Cen Xiucheng let out a helpless sigh. "Xiao Ya, I still need to be in Country K. With you like this, how can I rest assured returning?"
Cen Ya's tears began to fall. "Brother, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
Seeing her crying so heartbrokenly, he found it difficult to say anything harsher.
"Xiao Ya, we'll let this matter slide this time," Cen Xiucheng said in a deep voice. "If you don't like the blind dates arranged by the family, I'll help you decline them. However, from now on, absolutely no more contact with Ou Minghan!
I'll find the best lawyer for you to handle this divorce. Also, Gu Sheng's injuries have healed, and he'll be back in a couple of days. He's treated you very well and was willing to risk his life to save you; he's worth entrusting your future to. Don't let him down again."
Cen Ya's expression was somewhat dejected. Finally, she said with some pain, "It's what I owe him. I'll treat him well..."
Cen Xiucheng wanted to say more but stopped himself. Her words made him want to scold someone. Gu Sheng was truly devoted to Cen Ya, yet Cen Ya acted as if Gu Sheng owed her something, even feeling wronged herself.
However, he ultimately said nothing more. The more he said, the less likely Cen Ya would open up and accept Gu Sheng. He could only hope that Gu Sheng would be more persistent and soon divert Cen Ya's attention from Ou Minghan.
"Oh, right. I sent someone to inquire about that villa on the hillside you mentioned. The houses there have already been sold," Cen Xiucheng continued, a hint of confusion in his voice. "I heard that starting this year, houses there suddenly became the most popular properties among the wealthy in Kyoto, and their prices have skyrocketed. Currently, no one is selling their properties second-hand. I think you should choose a house elsewhere."
"Okay..." Cen Ya replied listlessly. What she really wanted to buy was Ou Mansion. She wanted Ou Minghan to be homeless. If she couldn't buy Ou Mansion, she didn't have much interest in the hillside villa.
"Also," Cen Xiucheng frowned, "your friend... Lin Shuangshuang, you should keep your distance from her. She's not a good person."
Cen Ya bit her lip. She hated this arranged life, not even being able to choose her friends.
Seeing Cen Ya lower her head in silence, Cen Xiucheng thought she had taken his words to heart. He quietly advised, "Don't blame yourself too much for everything. I'll help you establish a new company as soon as possible and find a capable professional manager. With me and the professional manager helping you, your career might not be inferior to Ye Zhi's."
"Thank you, brother..." Although Cen Ya wasn't particularly interested, she still forced a smile.
*
In the evening, Ye Zhi left the Ye family residence and returned to the hillside villa.
As her car passed her neighbor's house, she saw the door to Qi Xuan's house was open. He was waiting at the entrance, holding Zhao Cai.
Ye Zhi told the driver to stop the car, and she got out, approaching them.
"Meow—" Zhao Cai let out a displeased meow, as if scolding her for returning so late.
"You seem very busy lately?" Qi Xuan's voice held a hint of melancholy.
"Yes," Ye Zhi smiled faintly. "The company has been quite busy lately... Oh, right, I have something to give you."
Upon hearing her words, Qi Xuan's heart, which had been like a calm well, stirred. Then...
He saw Ye Zhi take out two movie tickets.
"Let's go watch a movie together tomorrow night!"
Ye Zhi's eyes curved. Even though it was nighttime, her smile made him feel a little dazzled.
Ye Zhi was actually inviting him to a movie...
Qi Xuan's heart was suddenly filled with a sense of bewilderment and helplessness.
If he wasn't holding Zhao Cai, he might have pinched himself to see if he was dreaming.
Ye Zhi's face was full of excitement and anticipation. "This is the first movie filmed by Taoxun Film and Television. Tomorrow night is a premiere. Let's see if it's good!"
Qi Xuan: ...
Heh, women.
"Okay..." Qi Xuan freed a hand to take the movie tickets. He suddenly thought of something. "The movie tickets you're giving away, are they only for me, or for everyone?"
"Of course, everyone gets them!" Ye Zhi placed the tickets in his hand and skillfully picked up Zhao Cai. "This is Taoxun's first movie, after all. I've also given them to Ruo Qing and her brother, many directors in the industry, and our company employees... Oh, right, help me ask the butler and the others if they want to go. When it's officially released, I'll give them movie tickets!"
Qi Xuan: ...
Heh, she truly gives equal treatment to everyone, leaving no one out.
"Okay, I'll ask them later," Qi Xuan agreed.
Ye Zhi went back with Zhao Cai. Qi Xuan looked at the movie tickets in his hand, a slight smile curving his lips.
Even though everyone got them, his and Ye Zhi's seats seemed to be together. That was pretty good too.
As soon as he walked into the living room, the butler saw the movie tickets in his hand and was immediately stunned.
"Young Master, did Miss Ye just give these to you?" the butler asked incredulously.
"Mm..." Qi Xuan replied with a hint of helplessness. Just as he was about to explain, he was directly pulled upstairs by the butler.
"Quick, quick, quick!" the butler urged.
Arriving in his room, the butler opened his wardrobe and kept taking out clothes, holding them up against him.
"This one... no, too ordinary. How about this one... no, the color is too bright, frivolous... This one is a bit old-fashioned..."
"Butler, what are you doing?" Qi Xuan was slightly taken aback.
"Of course, I'm picking out your outfit for your date with Miss Ye tomorrow night!" the butler said with concern.
"It's not a date," Qi Xuan sighed. "She's invited many people."
The butler: ...
Were his clothes picked in vain?
"Taoxun funded this movie, and she's preparing to invite all of you to watch it as well," Qi Xuan continued.
"Miss Ye really knows how to dote on people," the butler said with a wry smile. He turned back to pick out clothes. "However, since there are many people, Young Master, you should dress even more handsomely. By the way, Young Master, do you think I should bake some popcorn in advance and bring it for you all?"
"They sell it at the cinema," Qi Xuan replied helplessly.
"What they sell at the cinema isn't as delicious as what I make, and the portions are smaller," the butler said unhappily. "Miss Ye will definitely prefer what I make."
Qi Xuan found it somewhat amusing, but he eventually persuaded the butler against making popcorn.
The day passed quickly. Qi Xuan was preparing to find Ye Zhi to go to the movie with her, but he was stopped by the butler.
The butler, like an anxious old father, kept giving instructions. "Young Master, be sure to buy a large bucket of popcorn. You can't fight over food with Miss Ye. Also, after the movie, you should go out for dinner together before returning. Oh, and don't let Miss Ye pay..."
Qi Xuan was extremely helpless. "Butler, I'm not an idiot."
"I know," the butler said unhappily. "But this is your first time going out on a date with a girl, and it's Miss Ye..."
Qi Xuan rubbed his forehead. He had already said it wasn't a date.