After sending Yu Yinyin back to her room, Xia Qingtian called Gu Yaoyang. “Are you still busy, Mr. Gu?”
“Just taking a break,” Gu Yaoyang answered, holding the phone with one hand and stirring his coffee with a silver spoon. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much. Did you have people look for Yu Yinyin?” Xia Qingtian asked.
“Yes,” Gu Yaoyang replied. “How did you know?”
“It’s a secret,” Xia Qingtian said coyly. “Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to meet and discuss a few things.”
If Xia Qingtian had invited him like this in the past, Gu Yaoyang would have been overjoyed. He would have canceled everything else to meet her. However, remembering his loss of composure the last time he met Xia Qingtian, the uncontrollable impulse, and her overwhelming charm, he felt that meeting her wasn't a good decision right now. At least not until he figured out what was going on.
“Tomorrow, I’m a bit busy,” Gu Yaoyang cleared his throat. “Let’s do it another time.”
“Okay, when else?” Xia Qingtian asked.
“…” This stumped Gu Yaoyang. He didn't know when else to suggest. After a pause, he placed his coffee cup back on the table and pursed his lips. “I’ll ask Assistant Lin about my schedule tomorrow and have him contact you then.”
Hearing Gu Yaoyang’s words, Xia Qingtian felt something was off, though she couldn't quite pinpoint it.
“Alright, I’ll wait for Assistant Lin’s call then.” Xia Qingtian understood that Mr. Gu was quite busy, so she agreed.
“Is there anything else? If not…” Gu Yaoyang wasn’t good at lying to Xia Qingtian, and he felt a strange sense of guilt and an inexplicable nervousness.
“There are two more things,” Xia Qingtian continued. “Regarding Yu Yinyin, I’d like Wen Ning to mentor her. Is that convenient?” She had been mentored by Wen Ning before and knew her capabilities well. Yu Yinyin’s situation was special, and Xia Qingtian wasn’t entirely at ease with someone else mentoring her.
“I’ll contact Wen Ning later to confirm, and then I’ll…” Gu Yaoyang paused. “I’ll have Assistant Lin notify you.”
“Uh… okay.” Xia Qingtian now felt the sense of awkwardness even more strongly. Something really seemed not quite right.
“What’s the last thing?” Gu Yaoyang furrowed his brow. What was he saying? Where was his usual calm composure? What kind of answers was he giving?
“I’d like to borrow Bai Shao separately. Is that convenient?” Xia Qingtian asked.
“Separately?” Gu Yaoyang paused. “Although Bai Yuqi seems complicated, he’s actually quite straightforward. Money is all it takes. As long as the money is right, he’s always available.”
Hearing Gu Yaoyang’s description of Bai Yuqi, Xia Qingtian chuckled. “Okay, I’ll contact him directly then.” After all, Bai Yuqi was Gu Yaoyang’s friend, so it wasn’t ideal to bypass Gu Yaoyang completely when she needed to find Bai Yuqi. A polite mention was sufficient.
Gu Yaoyang opened his mouth as if to say something, then swallowed his words. “Okay, good night.”
“Alright, don’t work too late. Good night,” Xia Qingtian said before hanging up.
Listening to the call termination tone, Gu Yaoyang lowered the hand holding his phone, his brow deeply furrowed. What did Xia Qingtian want with Bai Yuqi? Why did he feel so uncomfortable hearing that Xia Qingtian wanted to see Bai Yuqi alone? He might really not be right. He picked up his coffee and took a large sip, his furrowed brows slowly relaxing.
Meanwhile, after speaking with Gu Yaoyang, Xia Qingtian contacted Bai Yuqi. “Young Master Bai, I have a small favor to ask of you tomorrow morning. Is it convenient?”
“What kind of small favor is it?” Bai Yuqi looked at his computer screen, tilting his head and holding his phone between his ear and shoulder as his fingers tapped away on the keyboard.
“A small favor that pays 50,000 for the hard work,” Xia Qingtian replied.
“That does sound pretty small…” Bai Yuqi paused before continuing, “Alright, since we’re so familiar with each other~”
“Okay, then I’ll have to trouble Young Master Bai to come to my place tomorrow morning,” Xia Qingtian said before bidding him goodnight and hanging up.
Yawning and stretching, Xia Qingtian felt the weariness wash over her, along with the muscle soreness from being overly tense in Wen Jiu’s car earlier. After taking a shower, Xia Qingtian went straight to sleep.
The next morning, Xia Qingtian woke up early and ran into Xia Qingyu, who was heading out for her morning exercise. The sisters rarely went for morning exercise together. Upon returning, Xia Qingyu saw Yu Yinyin sitting restlessly on the sofa, a look of curiosity flashing in her eyes. Who was this person?
As soon as Yu Yinyin saw Xia Qingtian, she immediately got up and greeted her. “Did you sleep well last night?” Xia Qingtian asked, wiping away sweat as she exchanged pleasantries with Yu Yinyin. “I’m going upstairs to take a shower and will be down soon. Please have a seat.”
“Okay.” Yu Yinyin then sat back down nervously in her original spot, her hands resting awkwardly on her knees, unsure where to place her gaze.
Going upstairs and turning the corner, Xia Qingyu quietly asked, “Sister, who is she?”
“She’s a fan of mine,” Xia Qingtian replied.
“A fan!” Xia Qingyu was startled. “A sasaeng fan has found our house? Then why did you let her…?”
“No, it’s not like that,” Xia Qingtian briefly explained Yu Yinyin’s predicament. Hearing Xia Qingtian’s explanation, Xia Qingyu’s expression softened considerably. She then sighed and said, “That Mo Jianing was never a good person to begin with!” It was Mo Jianing who had caused trouble back then, which led to her and Xia Qingtian’s relationship becoming so strained. Later, Mo Jianing had caused trouble for her at City High School, and Xia Qingtian had dealt with her. Somehow, she hadn’t been taken down and was even bullying others there. She wondered whose influence she was relying on; it certainly wasn’t anyone good!
“Yinyin sings quite well. Wanmeng Entertainment didn’t recognize her talent, and I just so happen to have Gu Corporation Entertainment pick up a gem,” Xia Qingtian said mysteriously. “In the future, Yu Linwan will have something to cry about.”
“Yes!” Xia Qingyu nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xia Qingtian. Her sister was so kind and gentle; how could anyone be so perfect? Her sister couldn’t be wrong. If her sister said Yu Linwan would cry in the future, then Yu Linwan would definitely cry. Whether she wanted to or not!
After a simple wash and change upstairs, the sisters came downstairs again. There was another person in the living room. Bai Yuqi, with his short blonde hair, yawned lazily. “Gold Sponsor, Sister Qingyu, good morning~” Yu Yinyin, sitting on the sofa, stared intently at Bai Yuqi, completely stunned. It was him!