The doorbell rang, saving him the trouble of explaining.
Qi Xuan opened the door to find Ye Zhi standing outside.
"Miss Ye, you're here?" the butler said with a wide smile.
"Yes, Butler Uncle," Ye Zhi smiled faintly. "I'm here to ask Qi Xuan to go to the movies with me."
"Alright, alright," the butler asked with some anticipation, "Miss Ye, take a good look at our young master. Is there anything different about him today?"
"Huh?" Ye Zhi looked Qi Xuan up and down, then muttered confusedly, "Is there anything different..."
The butler grew anxious. "Don't you think our young master is particularly handsome today?"
"But he's handsome every day!" Ye Zhi said blankly.
In Qi Xuan's heart, it was as if countless fireworks were blooming simultaneously.
The butler paused for a moment, then also beamed with joy. Ye Zhi's words were so natural, clearly indicating she was very satisfied with Qi Xuan's appearance. He didn't say anything further and urged the two to leave.
They arrived at the cinema together, and Qi Xuan, acting like a gentleman, asked, "What would you like to drink? I'll get it."
Ye Zhi said cheerfully, "No need to buy. I've already booked the entire snack area here! Everyone coming to this premiere can get popcorn and drinks with their movie ticket. Take as much as you want, choose any kind you like!"
Qi Xuan: ...
Why hadn't he thought of that?
Was Ye Zhi giving him no chance to show off at all? Who was the CEO between them?
Fine, Ye Zhi was too.
"Ye Zhi!"
A familiar voice called out. Zhan Ruoqing waved at them. Beside her stood Zhan Ruofeng, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"This is from my sister and me for you, wishing Taoxun's movie great success." Zhan Ruofeng handed over the flowers, casting a subtle glance at Qi Xuan.
He wasn't sending flowers for any other reason than to see Qi Xuan flustered.
"Thank you~" Ye Zhi happily accepted them.
Qi Xuan: ... Miscalculated!
He should have prepared flowers too; it was the perfect gesture for such an occasion.
Seeing Qi Xuan's slight annoyance, Zhan Ruofeng smiled faintly. "Qi Xuan, didn't you prepare flowers?"
Zhan Ruoqing's eyes lit up. Oh dear, were they about to fight?
"Between Ye Zhi and me, there's no need to be so formal," Qi Xuan said, turning to Ye Zhi. "Let me hold that for you. Could you get me some popcorn?"
"Sure," Ye Zhi handed him the flowers. "What kind of drink would you like?"
"Whatever you're having is fine," Qi Xuan smiled faintly.
The Zhan siblings: ... Impressed!
Qi Xuan, that cunning man, holding the flowers like this made their flowers seem as if they were meant for him! And he immediately asked Ye Zhi for help, making his action seem perfectly reasonable.
Ye Zhi called Zhan Ruoqing, and the two went to get snacks.
Now, the two men were left staring at each other. Qi Xuan spoke calmly, "The flowers are very nice. Thank you."
"Thank me on behalf of CEO Ye after you get officially hired," Zhan Ruofeng said gleefully.
Qi Xuan: ...
When did Zhan Ruofeng become so good at hitting below the belt?
Seeing Qi Xuan flustered, Zhan Ruofeng immediately pressed his advantage. "I say, Qi Xuan, chasing CEO Ye requires launching satellites. Have you launched yours yet?"
"Soon," Qi Xuan's lips curved slightly.
Zhan Ruofeng was stunned. If anyone else had said that, he would have scoffed. It would sound like boasting before the achievement was even realized.
But coming from Qi Xuan, if he said "soon," it meant it was genuinely happening soon.
He truly hadn't expected Qi Xuan to pull off such a significant move so quietly.
"I'm impressed... I'm impressed..." Zhan Ruofeng said sincerely.
Soon, Ye Zhi and Zhan Ruoqing returned with popcorn and cola.
The invited directors from the industry also arrived, and they all came to greet the group.
Qi Xuan was usually very low-key, and not many people knew him. However, his distinguished demeanor and his close interaction with Ye Zhi and the Zhan siblings meant that everyone treated him with courtesy.
After greeting Ye Zhi, one director said with anticipation, "CEO Ye, about the script I mentioned before, 'The Empress and Her Twelve Male Companions,' will you really not reconsider it?"
Qi Xuan: !!!
'The Empress and Her Twelve Male Companions'?
Twelve male companions? Was she going to switch one every month?!
Could it be that Ye Zhi liked that kind of thing? No, he had to figure something out.
Qi Xuan's gaze sharpened as he looked at the director. He vaguely recalled that the director's surname was Tian.
He said calmly, "A script title full of buzzwords like that immediately screams 'trash drama.' Besides becoming material for video creators, it might not be widely popular in the market."
Director Tian looked at Qi Xuan with some displeasure. Didn't he know that?
Whether it was popular or not was actually secondary; he just wanted to use this script to please Ye Zhi, his major benefactor! If Ye Zhi was happy, wouldn't she invest in his movie?
"May I ask who you are?" Director Tian sized Qi Xuan up and down.
"I'm just a friend of CEO Ye's," Qi Xuan replied.
Just as Director Tian was about to say something, another director from the industry came over to greet them, also bringing a bouquet of flowers.
Ye Zhi accepted them with a smile and handed them to Qi Xuan beside her.
Director Tian suddenly understood. Handsome, close to Ye Zhi, concerned about the Empress script, and carrying things for Ye Zhi... He got it!
After the other director left, Director Tian said with a face full of smiles, "CEO Ye, your friend is right. The Empress script has buzz, but it's easy to turn into a bad drama. I have other scripts here, with protagonists who are exceptionally good characters, perfect for promoting new faces in the entertainment industry. Even someone with only looks and no acting skills can become popular..."
Qi Xuan: ???
Wait, did Director Tian mistake him for Ye Zhi's 'male companion'? This feeling...
It was quite novel, actually?
The Zhan siblings on the side turned into avid onlookers. Director Tian, you're really bold!
"Director Tian," Ye Zhi reminded them, both amused and helpless, "This is Qi Xuan from Qi Corporation, President Qi."
Director Tian's eyes widened in shock. He stammered, "P-President Qi, I-I apologize. I didn't mean anything by it... truly..."
"It's alright," Qi Xuan said calmly. "Director Tian, you have a good eye. I'm sure you can pick out good scripts."
The Zhan siblings who were spectating: ...
A good eye? Just because Director Tian saw that his relationship with Ye Zhi was not simple? He actually felt good about it...
"Director Tian, I've seen some of your works," Ye Zhi smiled faintly. "You have good skills, you just haven't encountered the right opportunity. You don't need to resort to such crooked ways. If you have good scripts, you can contact Taoxun Film and Television directly. I'll put in a word for you, and they'll review them seriously."
"Thank you, CEO Ye!" Director Tian said gratefully.
The movie was about to start. The group walked into the screening hall to watch the film.
Initially, the directors from the industry had only come to build rapport with Ye Zhi. However, after watching the movie, they were all somewhat surprised.