"Call me Mobius."
Xia Qingtian took about five seconds to react before blinking and replying, "Huh?"
"When we're not at work, I'd prefer you still call me Mobius," Mr. Gu said, his gaze shifting uncomfortably and a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. "Mobius sounds more pleasing to the ear."
"Are you still not done playing that game?" Xia Qingtian, unable to understand Mr. Gu's intentions, took a deep breath and asked, "Mr. Gu, are you serious?"
"I am serious, and I've never felt like I was playing any game," Mr. Gu finally shifted his gaze back to Xia Qingtian's face. "Mobius is also my name, just not many people know it."
"Madame Camille also called me that when we were at Camille Manor, didn't she?"
Hearing Mr. Gu say this, Xia Qingtian recalled the events at Camille Manor. Her eyes flickered, and she pursed her lips, appearing deep in thought.
"Is it difficult?" Seeing Xia Qingtian's continued silence, Mr. Gu tentatively asked.
"It's just a name, it's not difficult, it's just..." Xia Qingtian took a deep breath, her eyes filled with inquiry, "Who exactly are you?"
"Me?" Mr. Gu looked at Xia Qingtian, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly, then he offered a faint smile. "Why don't you define me?"
"Me?" Xia Qingtian felt it wouldn't be easy to define him, and besides, she didn't have the right to do so.
"There's plenty of time. You can take your time to understand who I am," Mr. Gu's gaze was gentle. "The third matter, do you agree?"
"Alright, I agree." Xia Qingtian extended her hand to Mr. Gu. "Pleasure working with you."
"Pleasure working with you." Mr. Gu also extended his hand and shook Xia Qingtian's.
The soft touch, it felt as if it could last forever.
Though he wished to continue holding her hand, Mr. Gu still adhered to basic etiquette, releasing it after just a moment.
There would be plenty of time in the future; no need to rush now.
Xia Qingtian didn't feel anything from that brief handshake.
The contract was printed on-site, and the signing took place immediately.
With the contract signed by Mr. Gu, the boss, its credibility was naturally much greater.
After carefully reviewing the contract details, finding no issues, Xia Qingtian readily signed her name.
"For the next ten years, I look forward to your guidance," Mr. Gu said with a faint smile.
"I look forward to your guidance." Xia Qingtian felt something was a bit strange, but she couldn't quite place it. In the end, she could only let out a couple of dry chuckles.
After finishing this matter, Xia Qingtian was sent back to the Xia residence by Mr. Gu's driver.
Wen Ning was also handled by Mr. Gu.
Upon hearing about the private contract between Mr. Gu and Xia Qingtian, Wen Ning was somewhat surprised.
Entertainment companies were essentially buying into the potential of their artists.
Currently, Gu's Entertainment's investment in Xia Qingtian, even including the endorsement deal with K&S, could only barely break even.
For the next ten years, if her work was arranged purely according to Xia Qingtian's whims, it would be a gamble, and a very unfavorable one for them.
It was equivalent to placing a single gold ball among one hundred white balls.
And they would have to draw that single gold ball on their only attempt.
The chance of recouping their investment was extremely slim.
However, since it was Mr. Gu's decision, Wen Ning still respected it. "Okay, I understand. I will re-deploy the follow-up work here."
"Thank you for your hard work." Mr. Gu paused and then asked, "By the way, how has Wen Jiu been recently?"
"Wen Jiu hasn't been in contact with the Wen family recently. She's only called once since going to Kyoto." Wen Ning knew Wen Jiu's work was quite unusual, so not being able to contact her for half a year or so wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Please contact Wen Jiu and tell her to be careful of the people around her." Mr. Gu tapped his fingertips on the table. "If nothing unexpected happens, I will also be going to Kyoto next month. I will contact her then and tell her not to rush things, to avoid causing major trouble."
"Alright, Mr. Gu." Although Wen Ning wasn't familiar with Wen Jiu's work, hearing Mr. Gu say this, she understood the importance of the matter and immediately wanted to contact Wen Jiu.
"Call her after ten o'clock tonight, but no later than ten-fifteen," Mr. Gu instructed.
"Alright, Mr. Gu." Wen Ning nodded immediately.
Following Mr. Gu's advice was always the right choice.
Meanwhile, after returning home and changing into comfortable loungewear, Xia Qingtian heard a knock on her bedroom door. It was Xia Honglang. "Qingtian, you're back."
"Dad." Xia Qingtian responded and asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing much, just wanted to ask how your chat with Mr. Gu went." Xia Honglang cleared his throat and said, "Although Dad still feels the entertainment industry isn't suitable for you, and being a celebrity isn't a lifelong profession, but... but if you enjoy it, it's not impossible to give it a try."
"Huh?" Xia Qingtian was utterly bewildered by Xia Honglang's words.
Didn't Xia Honglang hate her entering the entertainment industry the most? He had tried to change her college application and spoken harshly to her, even to the point where she had to run away from home, but he still hadn't relented.
How come...
"Dad, are you feeling unwell?" Xia Qingtian reached out to feel Xia Honglang's forehead. "Did you take the wrong medicine?"
"You ungrateful child!" Xia Honglang glared at Xia Qingtian, batting her hand away. "How can you speak to your father like that!"
"But you hated me singing and acting so much... why now..." Xia Qingtian narrowed her eyes slightly. "Dad, are you alright?"
"I'm fine!" Xia Honglang's tone was a bit awkward. He stammered for a long time, then finally threw caution to the wind with a bold declaration: "My daughter, Xia Honglang's daughter, can do whatever she wants! If she doesn't even have this freedom, then my half-life has been wasted!"
"In short! Don't you mind those rumors online. Xia Corporation will issue a joint statement with Gu Corporation. At that time, you can do whatever you want! Your identity as the daughter of the Xia family will be made clear, and let's see who dares to fabricate stories!"
"Really! My daughter, Xia Honglang's daughter, having to suffer such a disadvantage and anger like this?" Xia Honglang's face turned red, his eyes wide. "If that media outlet dares to write nonsense again, I'll sue them until they're bankrupt!"
After shouting all this, Xia Honglang finally looked at Xia Qingtian.
Xia Qingtian looked at Xia Honglang, and in the end, she couldn't help but let out a smile. "Pfft."
"What's so funny..." Xia Honglang looked a bit embarrassed.
"Dad..." Xia Qingtian threw herself into Xia Honglang's arms, pursed her lips, and smiled faintly. "You love me, spoil me, and support me so much... it's wonderful to be your daughter."
"Don't be silly, why say such things?" Xia Honglang felt a bit guilty hearing Xia Qingtian praise him like this.
After all, he was still the chairman of Xia Qingtian's Anti-Fan Association!
He hoped Qingtian would never find out about this...