Chapter – 53
Filming the Promotional Video
Fu Dong gave a faint smile. Looking closer, there was a trace of detachment in his eyes. “Not at all. I was just thinking about a guys’ gathering. I didn’t want it to be awkward for you as a girl.”
“Cousin, you came back and didn’t even greet me. My mom always talks about you at home. You should come by for a meal soon, or my ears will get calloused from hearing her nag!” Lu Ziqing complained to Fu Dong.
Fu Dong raised an eyebrow. “Maybe another time.”
His mother had passed away early, and his aunt had always treated him like her own son. He was grateful, but every meeting inevitably turned to the topic of blind dates, which made him groan inwardly.
An Yao watched the man across from her, who kept his head down on his phone. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Lu Li, the opening ceremony of the VA Resort needs a promotional video. Could you help us out?”
After she spoke, all that greeted her was an awkward silence.
Huo Zheng and the others turned their gazes to Lu Li. He seemed not to notice them, his long fingers tapping the phone relentlessly.
Why isn’t he replying? Did he fall asleep?
After a long pause with no response, An Yao’s smile started to falter. Lu Ziqing quickly came to the rescue. “Brother, An Yao is asking you something.”
Lu Li lifted his eyelids. “What is it?”
“Brother, An Yao wants to know if you can help film the resort’s promotional video,” Lu Ziqing added.
Lu Li put away his phone and declined flatly, “No.”
Huo Zheng straightened up and whispered a few words into his ear. Fu Dong’s expression grew increasingly complex.
“Wanwan, don’t panic. Calm down and think—where did you put it when you went out today?” Qiao Le came to her, holding her hand and soothing her gently.
After tidying up the mess on the table and washing her hands, Mu Wanwan let out a helpless smile at her words. “You just ate and fell asleep. Your stomach will probably be uncomfortable later.”
An Yao looked at Lu Li with hopeful eyes, nervously twisting her skirt in her hands.
“I don’t have any photos. But… the person you’re curious about will also be at the resort this time. You’ll see them tomorrow.”
Fu Dong: “Got it, I’m not a big mouth.”
“Let’s go.” Fu Dong nodded knowingly.
“But after four years, that girl came back, and cousin didn’t even ask why she left back then?” Fu Dong frowned and voiced his inner confusion.
“Who cares? Don’t leave food uneaten.” Qiao Le replied plainly, sitting cross-legged on the carpet and picking up her chopsticks.
She walked forward slowly and patted her shoulder. “Wanwan, are you okay?”
Huo Zheng nodded, bending over and placing his hands on the railing. “You know your cousin’s temper.”
She chased after her. Mu Wanwan, rummaging through her room, had turned the originally tidy space into chaos.
Qiao Le was surprised. “Did a big pie fall from the sky?”
Mu Wanwan scratched her head. “I’m not sure either.”
He stopped halfway through his sentence. Fu Dong prompted, “And what else?”
“Wait a second.” Mu Wanwan touched her pocket, only to find it empty. Her face changed, and she hurriedly ran back inside.
The last bit of sunset disappeared, and a cool breeze blew.
The atmosphere in the private room instantly dropped to freezing.
Even breathing carried a hint of awkwardness.
Whether Mu Wanwan was present or not, An Yao simply wasn’t Lu Li’s type.
“Wanwan, don’t just stand there, the food will get cold.”
“No way, that girl came back again. So now, Lu Li is chasing her?” Fu Dong nearly choked on his beer.
Repeated rejections left An Yao pale. She forced a smile and said, understandingly, “It’s fine. I was just asking. Since Lu Li’s busy, never mind. Let’s pretend I never said anything.”
Her cousin really is that stubborn?
Fu Dong was about to call someone when Huo Zheng stopped him.
…
Fortunately, it was found.
Huo Zheng chuckled lightly. “She never had a chance anyway.”
“Then, how about a walk?” Qiao Le sat up, eyes shining as she looked at her.
Glancing at the time, it was still early. Mu Wanwan responded, “Let’s go.”
After finishing their meal, Qiao Le collapsed on the sofa, rubbing her stuffed stomach. “The food at this resort is really good. Looks like we can come here often in the future.”
“Wanwan, did you order all this?” Qiao Le pushed the door open, seeing the table full of food. Her stomach growled loudly.
Huo Zheng glanced at An Yao’s seat and shifted topics. “Fu Dong, show me around your resort.”
Lu Li stood. “I still have things to do. I’ll leave first.”
Mu Wanwan shook her head, eyes filled with slight confusion. “No, the food just came from the server. No one said it was sent by anyone.”
“Could this have something to do with my aunt?”
Fu Dong clinked glasses with him. “Then An Yao doesn’t stand a chance either?”
Huo Zheng smiled mysteriously. “Keep it secret. You’ll know tomorrow.”
“What’s going on?” Qiao Le asked.
Huo Zheng said, “I have no idea. But for Lu Li, as long as she’s back, nothing else matters, and…”
Fu Dong and Huo Zheng exchanged a glance, already expecting the outcome.
“Who on earth is she that made my cousin wait for four years willingly? Do you have a photo? I want to see.” Fu Dong asked curiously.
Lu Li’s expression remained indifferent. “No time.”
Seeing her anxious state, Qiao Le suddenly remembered something. “Oh no.”
“Brother.” Lu Ziqing glanced at An Yao, then turned to Lu Li with a touch of grievance. “Brother, you’re here. Helping with the promotional video isn’t hard and won’t take much time. Just help An Yao out.”
Huo Zheng nodded, tilting his head and finishing half a can of beer in one gulp. “Alright, don’t spread this around. Lu Li will handle it himself.”
Mu Wanwan calmed slightly, then hurriedly ran to the bathroom. Qiao Le followed.
At the bathroom door, she saw Mu Wanwan crouched on the floor, holding a small dark green pouch. She let out a sigh of relief.
Huo Zheng smirked internally. Ziqing really had no sense—asking this question was pointless. If Lu Li agreed, it would be like it rained red from the sky.
“Eh, Lu Li…”
Mu Wanwan smiled. “You look like a starving ghost.”
“Please, I barely ate all day. Of course I’m hungry.” Qiao Le ignored her image completely, eating furiously. Elegance be damned in front of a stuffed stomach.
“Why are you stopping me?” Fu Dong asked.
At the door, Mu Wanwan suddenly paused.
She lowered her head and muttered, “Nothing.”
She opened her hand. Under the soft light, the dark green little pouch was about the size of an adult thumb, embroidered with bellflowers—elegant and fresh.
Qiao Le looked down. Seeing the pouch, a faint twinge of pity appeared in her eyes. She reached out and ruffled Mu Wanwan’s hair.
“Mu Wanwan, you’re such a big fool.”
