Yuan Shu quickly forgot about the small interlude of being photographed. She had already achieved her goal for going out today, so it was time to go home.
Before Yuan Shu left, she said to Liu Lan meaningfully. "Happy cooperation."
Because Chu Mei was distracted, the production team NGed a few times. Director Chen saw that Shi Lu's expression was getting increasingly unpleasant and couldn't help but shout, "Cut." He looked at Chu Mei angrily and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with you? Do you really think that since you're pregnant, you don't have to put in the effort? You've wasted this entire afternoon. If you really don't want to act anymore, can you tell your boss, so we can change people?"
Seeing that Chu Mei had been scolded by the director, the manager hurriedly went forward and apologized. "Director Chen, I'm really sorry. Chu Mei isn't feeling well today. Can you let her film another take?"
Director Chen waved his hand impatiently and asked everyone to end work. He even muttered, "Alright, stop wasting time here. If you're not feeling well, go and rest. Don't cry to the media and say that I'm exploiting pregnant women."
The moment the director said that filming was done, Shi Lu walked out. Yuan Yuan hurriedly chased after him.
"Brother Lu, are we going back to the hotel?"
Shi Lu was about to reply when he received a call from Yuan Shu. "Are you coming back for dinner today?"
Yuan Shu waited for a long time but didn't receive a reply from Shi Lu. She said in confusion, "Hello?" Then, she heard a low voice from the receiver. "I'm coming back."
Shi Lu, who had hung up, looked at Yuan Yuan and gestured for him to drive.
"Let's go back to the Shi family's house. We won't be returning to the hotel for the time being."
When Shi Lu arrived home, dinner had just been served. Yuan Shu was discussing the security of the banquet with Zhou Yan.
Shi Lu couldn't help but say, "Are you really going to hold a banquet at the ancestral home? Do you know what everyone on the internet has been saying about you today?"
Yuan Shu didn't look at the trending topics on Weibo at all. The function she was most familiar with on her phone was electronic payment and phone calls. However, she could roughly guess what the trending topics were and what the netizens would say.
"They'll probably say that as expected of a rich family or that Shi Xiao is coming back." Yuan Shu sat down and scooped a bowl of soup for herself.
"Why do you think I'm holding a banquet and went to the mall to buy things in such a high-profile manner today?"
When Shi Lu saw Yuan Shu's confident expression, he suddenly understood.
Shi Xiao had been missing for a long time. Most people who knew about this thought that he would never return.
If the Shi family appeared too sad at this time, it would be equivalent to confirming this news. Then, the competitors might take advantage of the situation and acquire the Shi family's business completely.
However, Yuan Shu wanted to hold a banquet and even went on a shopping spree without showing any grief. Back then, her vigorous pursuit of Shi Xiao had caused an uproar, so everyone thought that she loved Shi Xiao to the core and it was impossible for her to be so happy if Shi Xiao was in danger.
Then there was only one explanation for her actions—Shi Xiao was safe and would be back soon!
It was obvious that many people had already fallen into Yuan Shu's trap. When Shi Lu checked the stock market, he realized that the Shi family's shares had been rising crazily. They had only stopped rising an hour ago.
After Shi Lu put down his phone and looked at the innocent-looking Yuan Shu, he suddenly felt that he must not offend this woman in the future. Otherwise, he would be no match against her.
"You've invited so many people. The ancestral home is indeed big, but can you control the situation? As for the attendants, drinks, and reception, have you considered all of this?" The more Shi Lu spoke, the more flustered he felt.
In the past, the Shi family had always invited friends they had deep friendships with to banquets. This was the first time they held a banquet on such a scale. If they were not careful, an accident might happen.
Yuan Shu didn't think much of it. Which of the annual banquets in the palace wasn't bigger than the current one? The singing and dancing on the terrace were of the lowest level. They were nothing to her.
"I'll leave the security services and personnel matters to Zhou Yan. As for the reception, I'll let Secretary Zhao confirm the guest list. She's more experienced." Yuan Shu stretched lazily and finished the last bit of soup in her bowl.
"Take your time eating. I'm going back to my room now."