Those who had cursed Qiao Ci were filled with shame and issued apologies to Qiao Ci through various channels.
Qiao Ci's fame soared, and her popularity was unmatched.
Bai Family Old House,
"After this, I hope you will keep your promise and properly take over the company," Old Master Bai said, tapping his cane rhythmically, admonishing the delicate young man beside him.
"I know, Grandpa," Bai Xingyan replied listlessly.
It was over. His freedom was gone.
"And that Qiao Ci from the entertainment industry, it's fine to just play around, but our Bai family will never accept an actor," Old Master Bai actually appreciated Qiao Ci's consistent charitable work, but an actor was still just an actor, someone from the lower rungs of society, completely unqualified to be the mistress of the Bai family.
"Grandpa, I don't want you to talk about her like that. She's wonderful. Besides, she wouldn't come even if you begged her to. She rejected your grandson a few days ago," Bai Xingyan frowned and retorted, disliking his grandfather's words about the girl he liked.
"What? She actually dared to refuse you! How dare she look down on my excellent grandson." Upon hearing that Qiao Ci had rejected Bai Xingyan, the old man started to champion his grandson again.
"In any case, I'm willing to take over the company. Don't even think about arranged marriages. If I can't marry her in this life, I won't get married," Bai Xingyan pouted, thinking, believe it or not, she doesn't even fancy your grandson.
"Are you trying to anger me to death?" Old Master Bai pointed at Bai Xingyan, his mustache bristling with anger.
"You're in good health," Bai Xingyan had heard this line for over twenty years.
"You little brat!"
"This little brat is sleepy. Goodnight, Grandpa."
"Wait, Xiao Yan, tell Grandpa how that young lady rejected you. Grandpa just doesn't believe it. Grandpa has been watching the variety show you're on, and her eyes light up whenever she sees you. She's not after our money, is she?"
Bai Xingyan's eyes flickered…
…
Seeing the host expertly operate various hacking techniques again, Xiao Shaozi asked in surprise, "Host, where did you learn those skills?"
Qiao Ci asked confusedly, "Isn't this standard for CEO protagonists?"
Xiao Shaozi: Fine, you're the CEO protagonist, you're amazing!
CEO protagonist: I'm not taking the blame for this!
Having spent over a hundred million of the original host's money, Qiao Ci felt she should give something back, so she threw herself into her work, and her studio flourished.
The renowned director Li Jing invited Qiao Ci to be the lead actress in his movie "The Empress's Biography." It was heard that Lin Yinyin would play the third female lead. Sister Li thought Qiao Ci wouldn't accept, but to her surprise, she agreed and would join the cast in a month.
Finishing up her work for the day, Qiao Ci was nearing home when she spotted a familiar figure by the roadside. After a moment of silence, she stopped her car.
A young man was crouching near the residential area, looking dejected and pitiful like a stray puppy abandoned by its owner.
She walked up to the young man and asked, "Why are you here?"
"I was kicked out," Bai Xingyan looked up, his expression as if seeking a pat and comfort, "Um, can you take me in for a few days?"
"Are you kidding me?"
The Bai Corporation's crown prince, their sole heir, would be kicked out?
"I've been upsetting Grandpa a lot lately, and he told me to get lost. In a fit of anger, I ran out without bringing anything." He touched his stomach, "Um... I haven't eaten all day."
Seeing his dispirited state, Qiao Ci fell silent and took him back to her place.
Bai Xingyan used Qiao Ci's phone to order fresh ingredients and daily necessities from a delivery app. While waiting, he perceptively tidied up the living room, assuring her, "Don't worry, I won't eat for free. I'll take care of your daily life during this time. I may not be good at much else, but I'll handle all three meals!"
Watching the tall, strong young man busily working in the living room, Qiao Ci felt a sense of unreality.
Perhaps he was truly hungry, as Bai Xingyan simply cooked a bowl of tomato and egg noodles. The moment it was served, he eagerly began to eat.
"Be careful, it's hot," Qiao Ci warned, fearing he might scald himself.
While slurping the noodles, Bai Xingyan grinned foolishly at Qiao Ci, "It's fine, I'll just blow on it. Sorry, I was just so hungry."
Qiao Ci maintained a poker face. He was handsome, and even his ravenous eating was so cute. She wanted to pet him.
After finishing his meal and cleaning the kitchen, Qiao Ci had already retired to the master bedroom. Bai Xingyan tiptoed to the adjacent room, closed the door, and flopped onto the soft bed, rolling around with excitement.
She was willing to take him in!
She was even worried he might burn himself eating noodles!
Grandpa was right. She wasn't entirely indifferent to him.
Bai Xingyan, keep going, you can do it!
Thinking that the woman he liked was just next door, Bai Xingyan's mind wandered, and he finally fell asleep in the middle of the night.
When he woke up, it was already 11 AM. There was a bathroom in the room. After washing up, he walked out of the room and found he was alone in the house.
On the living room table, Qiao Ci had left him a note: I've gone to work. There's cash on the table.
Looking at the wad of cash on the table, Bai Xingyan chuckled foolishly.
Was this what it felt like to be a kept man?
"Sister Qiao, a handsome guy is here to deliver your love lunch. Do you want to let him in?" Qiao Ci was discussing the future development of her studio with Li Meng when the receptionist knocked on the office door, asking gossipyly.
Qiao Ci rubbed her temples and instructed, "Let him in."
"Handsome guy? Which handsome guy?" Li Meng's eyes lit up instantly, and she looked Qiao Ci up and down, "Are you dating someone behind my back?"
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and a tall, refined man with exquisite features entered.
Upon seeing who it was, Li Meng immediately lost her composure, "Bai, Bai Xingyan?"
"A'Ci, I've come to bring you lunch." The moment Bai Xingyan entered, his gaze locked onto Qiao Ci, a bright smile on his face. Then, he greeted Li Meng, "Sister Li? Hello."
The Bai Corporation's crown prince called her Sister Li? Li Meng's maternal instincts immediately softened, and she didn't bother them further, leaving the office, "You two talk. Call me if you need anything."
She had originally intended to tell him he didn't need to come, but upon seeing the sweet and sour pork ribs, braised crucian carp, garlic cucumber, and seaweed egg soup neatly arranged on the table, her appetite was whetted.
Casually picking up her chopsticks, she began to eat silently.
Watching the woman he loved enjoy the food he had cooked, Bai Xingyan felt extremely satisfied.
"You don't have to bring me food specially next time. You can go and tend to your own affairs," Qiao Ci said after finishing her meal, wiping her hands with a wet wipe.
Bai Xingyan smiled cheerfully, "I don't have much to do. I also enjoy practicing my cooking. Seeing others eat my food gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I don't know when Grandpa will stop being angry, so I might have to trouble you for a while longer. I don't know how to do much else, cooking is my only strong point."
"You, you won't dislike me, will you..." As he spoke, Bai Xingyan's mood began to droop.
Qiao Ci: …
"No."
"A'Ci, you're so kind," Bai Xingyan's eyes sparkled instantly, and his smile was brilliant.