The second day Zhan Yu went to work, he was lacking in energy. After lunch, he was clearly on the verge of falling asleep. He went to the bathroom to rinse his face and to refresha bit. When he returned to his office, the beautiful Miss Lu gracefully walked over with her ten centimeters high high heels. She said to Zhan Yu, "The Chief Editor wants you to go over."
"What?" Zhan Yu was confused why the Chief Editor would ask for the beautiful Miss Lu to come call him.
People should know that the beautiful Miss Lu was the famous golden host in interview programs. All the celebrities and famous people's interviews in the TV station were done by her.
When Zhan Yu hadn't moved, the beautiful Miss Lu urged him, "Hurry up. I don't have time to waste on something like this!"
Although Zhan Yu rarely talked to her (Miss Lu), he had heard about her (Miss Lu) from his other colleagues. He knew that she (Miss Lu) was a rude and unreasonable person so he didn't bother to argue with her.
On the way to the Chief Editor's office, Zhan Yu saw the beautiful Miss Lu heading for the same place. Zhan Yu became more and more curious. What was the matter? When Zhan Yu received the project plan for this week's interview episode, Zhan Yu looked shockingly at the Chief Editor. "Chief Editor, what is this?"
"Time-wise, we might be hurrying it but I believe in your ability, Zhan Yu."
"Chief Editor, what are you trying to say?" Zhan Yu was faintly worried.
"It's what you think. Chu Hua is a famous designer from the jewelry industry. From what I know, she returned two days ago. It was very surprising that we were able to set an appointment for the interview easily. However, Designer Sheng said that she agreed to the interview but wanted someone familiar as her partner. She even mentioned your name, hoping you can host this episode. We already proofread the initial draft for the questions to be asked during the interview. When you record this tonight, you just need to talk according to the script."
Zhan Yu hesitated, "No, Chief Editor, I'm not really familiar with Chu Hua." Plus, don't mention that they weren't familiar. They hadn't spoken a sentence with one another in private before. At most, she introduced her appearance on stage during the anniversary of the college. In addition, it's not that Zhan Yu was unfamiliar with her. In the original book, even before the female lead returned, Zhan Yu hadn't seen her.
Where did Chu Hua get the illusion that they were familiar with each other?
Zhan Yu's intuition told him it was the main culprit, Lu Bai. Chu Hua must've detected something! That is definitely what happened!
Zhan Yu concentrated on analyzing this when he heard Miss Lu say, "Host Zhan, are you trying to make excuses? Ever since I entered the TV Station and took over this program, I had no intentions of letting other hosts host this. If it wasn't for your friend who wanted you to host this episode, you think that I would look upon you based on your qualifications, and feel comfortable in giving you control over the program?"
Ever since Zhan Yu debuted and entered the hosting career, he never hosted interviewing programs. But just because he never tried it before doesn't mean he was willing to be looked down upon by other people!
"Host Lu, why must you speak like this?" When Zhan Yu finished, he turned his head around to reply to the Chief Editor without looking at her (Miss Lu) expression. "I will do my best on this episode's program!"
The Chief Editor smiled and nodded his head. "Ok, I believe in your abilities. Quickly prepare for this. Remember to change your clothes and dress yourself up after dinner, which is around six pm."
"Ok, thank you Chief Editor."
When Zhan Yu was about to turn and leave, He heard Miss Lu humph.
Miss Lu was infuriated and wanted to walk around Zhan Yu. When Zhan Yu detected Miss Lu's high heels kicking forward, wanting to trip him, Zhan Yu agily dodged this. He turned around and glared coldly at her. Then, Zhan Yu left without looking back. When he returned to his office, he felt his scalp going numb from looking at the rough draft.
The request that Chu Hua mentioned?
Zhan Yu clearly remembered that person was indeed famous and well-known ever since she (Chu Hua) returned and she did attend numerous programs. However, that was all in Sheng Jin City. Why did she suddenly move to A City? What was her motive behind this? Zhan Yu was unable to guess her (Chu Hua's) motive so he could only prepare himself mentally to the best of his ability. When the time comes, different situations call for different actions.
Quickly, it was night time.
While the makeup artist was applying makeup for Zhan Yu, he closed his eyes and tried to recall the questions he had to ask. When everything was ready, he arrived at the recording site. Once all the staff members were in position, he tried the headphone's sound quality and didn't notice any problems. Everything was in place and they were just missing Chu Hua. Zhan Yu and the others waited a solid 20 or so minutes for Chu Hua. Chu Hua came in late, wearing a white layered shirt and a black knee skirt that just covered her butt.
Zhan Yu looked at her exquisite face and was slightly lost in his mind: Chu Hua was indeed a rare beautiful woman. While she was intellectual, she wasn't lacking in sexiness either.
His gaze landed on Chu Hua's exposed skin. Right, she had milky skin.
Chu Hua first greeted the leaders of high positions before she peered at Zhan Yu. She asked, "Can we begin?"
"Yes, all the departments, please get ready. Host and the guest, please get ready too."
Zhan Yu slightly smiled. After all, he needed to act well on the surface. He raised his hand at Chu Hua, "Designer Chu, I have heard of your name for a very long time."
Chu Hua smiled charmingly and looked at Zhan Yu. She tilted the corner of her lips up and shook her hand. She said, "Zhan Yu, likewise, I had heard about you too."
"What?" Zhan Yu was shocked.
What did Chu Hua mean by this?
Zhan Yu didn't think his reputation had spread abroad! Then, there is only one possibility left. When Chu Hua returned, she had people investigate Lu Bai and him as well. Zhan Yu was shocked. Did Chu Hua take him to be her love rival? So this episode of the program was actually a pit? Zhan Yu was scared that Chu Hua might hinder him in some ways so he was extremely careful during the first half of the program.
When there was a break for fifteen minutes in between, Zhan Yu violently gulped down half a bottle of water, yet his heart was still thumping frenetically. The second half of the interview started and the topic was mostly on Chu Hua's personal life.
Chu Hua said, "I was born in an ordinary family. Although I wasn't rich or anything and my parents were just normal labor workers, to me, I was very lucky that my parents had a great relationship. They adored me dearly and my family was peaceful and blessed."
Zhan Yu naturally knew about Chu Hua's family situation. He smiled and added, "Indeed, the family environment is essential to the growth of the kids."
"It's ok, because to me, it was someone else who influenced me the most."
"Who?" Zhan Yu tried his best to avoid topics relating to Lu Bai. Who knew that Chu Hua was still able to seamlessly bring this topic in.
"Besides liking the jewelry career, I also entered because of that person. He told me that everyone was worthy of the best things. As long as you try your best to strive for it. He was someone who was good at everything."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes, to me, he is the light I am constantly pursuing after in my life." Chu Hua finished and smiled at Zhan Yu. "Host Zhan, maybe you're not unfamiliar with this person either."
"Is that so? Then, I am quite lucky too. But, I don't think so. It is overly too narrow and close-minded to use 'most advanced' to determine if something was the best. This is nothing in the world that is 'the best'. The best is just what people want the most but aren't able to obtain. It's just the most suitable to them. So, I believe that what you believe to be the best might not be the same for someone else. After all, 'a thousand readers still have a thousand Hamlets'. Right? Miss Chu, the audience is very curious as to how you had spent your time these past few years. Is there anything you can share with us during that time?" Zhan Yu cleverly changed the topic.
Chu Hua looked meaningfully at Zhan Yu and calmly ended the sensitive topic too.
They approached the end of the program without mishaps. After Zhan Yu complimented the beautiful and clever Chu Hua who had made many extraordinary accomplishments in front of the officials.
Zhan Yu maintained a smile and asked, "Miss Chu, the interview is about to end. Do you have anything you want to say to the audience and the friends in front of the television?"
Chu Hua slightly nodded her hand and thanked, "Thank you guys for liking me and my designs. Also, thank you for the people who hadn't forgotten about me. I, Chu Hua, am back."
The audience all started to applaud. Zhan Yu slightly smiled and wanted to end this episode when Chu Hua softly and gently continued to say, "A-Bai, it's been three years. I'm finally back!"
The camera successfully captured her deep and immersed look while saying this.
When Zhan Yu glanced at Chu Hua's teary eyes, he almost forgot to say his lines! Oh my god! Chu Hua had entered this state of mind so rapidly! She finally ended this interview and Zhan Yu got off work and just reached the bottom of the stairs when someone stopped him.
"Our Boss is inviting Host Zhan over."
Zhan Yu had seen this young man at the recording site. He was Chu Hua's secretary.
"Please tell your Boss that I have some matters to attend to." Zhan Yu just started to walk when that person stubbornly stopped him again.
"Host Zhan, please don't make this difficult for us."
"Heh." Zhan Yu laughed. "Then did you ever consider that you guys are making this difficult for me? I don't want to see your Boss. You can just tell her the exact message."
"Host Zhan won't give me face?"
Zhan Yu followed the clear voice and glanced over. Chu Hua just got off the white Benz and she was walking closer and closer. She smiled and asked, "I originally planned to invite Host Zhan out for food after the program was over, and to thank you for taking care of me. Who knew that Host Zhan would reject me."
Zhan Yu looked at Chu Hua slightly raised eyebrows and he couldn't see any sincerity or kindness in her eyes at all.
He sighed and said, "Miss Chu, thanks for your offer. I have something going on later so you won't need to spend money on the meal. When I have time, I will invite Miss Chu out."
"When you have time, I won't have time. Host Zhan, you should know that my company just got established and there are a lot of things I need to do."
"Heh." Zhan Yu's IQ wasn't high normally but at the same time, he hated talking to people with high IQs. Why must they go around in circles? Aren't they tired from talking like that?
Zhan Yu looked at Chu Hua and suddenly laughed. "If Miss Chu has something to say, why not say it now."
Chu Hua still had a slight smile. She crossed her arms over her chest and slightly raised her chin to look at Zhan Yu. "I don't really have matters with you. I just want to see who the man that Lu Bai chased after to A City looks like."
"So? Did Miss Chu see? Are you satisfied?"
"Humph, I'm quite disappointed." Chu Hua lazily rolled her eyes and said arrogantly, "I didn't think it would be someone like you. I am disappointed."
Zhan Yu laughed. "Right, I am very surprised too. How come Lu Bai would like someone like me? Miss Chu, isn't this quite mocking?"
"You!"
"Since Miss Chu doesn't have that much time, I don't dare to delay you. You are pleased to do what you want to." When Zhan Yu finished, Zhan Yu walked around the two of them and towards his own car.
Humph. So what if your surname is Chu? You think you're amazing? Zhan Yu grinded his teeth at Chu Hua's overbearing look. The secretary just closed the car door and sat down when Chu Hua said strictly from behind the seat, "This information is inaccurate."
Chu Hua glanced at her secretary who just gave her the information regarding Zhan Yu. It said that he was clearly a man with big breasts and no brain. Plus, he was irritable and can't endure provocation. But she just tested Zhan Yu and he wasn't like what the rumors described him to be. Plus, he had a sharp tongue and knew how to attack her with what she minded the most. At this time, Chu Hua felt like this man would be problematic. The major point was that she wasn't sure of Lu Bai's attitude towards Zhan Yu. After Chu Hua's deep pondering, she continued to order, "Go investigate Shi Shi."
"Shi Shi?" The secretary didn't understand why his job had changed ever since they returned to the country. A few days ago, he just finished investigating Lu Bai and Zhan Yu. He had spent a lot of effort in between to reluctantly find out some information. Now, how was he supposed to investigate other people? Being a secretary, he really couldn't understand.
Seeing his stunned look, Chu Hua added, "Sheng Jin City's Shi Family's young miss. Be careful when you're investigating Shi Shi. I want the most accurate information on her."
The secretary felt a headache rising but he respectfully answered, "Yes, Boss."
Chu Hua closed the document and recalled how she was able to find Lu Bai after the school's anniversary celebration was over, when a woman wearing a black dress stopped her.
"Welcome back, Chu Hua, my hostess!"
Chu Hua couldn't help but be alarmed when that person covered half of their face with the brim of her hat. She could only see the sharp chin exposed outside. "Do you know me? Who are you?"
"It's not important to know who I am." That person raised their head and smiled at her. She carefully observed her for a while before they said, "You are a worthy creation. You have nice skin."
"What are you saying?" Chu Hua stared at her in alarm. She couldn't help but ask, "What exactly do you want to say?" after seeing the cold smile on her face.
"I'm just reminding you out of kindness that everything won't develop in the way you want to anymore. Lu Bai clearly doesn't love you and with the appearance of Zhan Yu who is unpredictable, you won't get the ending you desire if you don't get rid of Zhan Yu."
"What are you trying to say? Xin Zhan Yu? What's his relationship with Lu Bai?"
"If you want to know, investigate this yourself. I'm done speaking."
"Why are you telling me this? Who are you? Why should I believe a stranger's words?"
"You can choose whether or not to believe me. But I am sure that you will believe me in the end." That person revealed a sure smile.
Chu Hua frequently smiled like this but she disliked seeing this smile coming from a woman who emitted a dark aura around her.
Upon making a decision to engrave that person's appearance in her mind, Chu Hua replied, "You said that you are reminding me this out of kindness but you won't even tell me your name. You think that I would dare to believe you like this?"
"Haha, as expected, you are quite defensive." That person smiled proudly and said two words, "Shi Shi."
Chu Hua was certain that she didn't know this person, but she was clearly familiar with her. There was a lot of matters she had to deal with now that she was back in the country, so she was unable to attend to this mysterious person. After seeing Zhan Yu, she suddenly remembered the person now.
This Shi Shi definitely wasn't as simple as she looks to be.
The interview episode with Chu Hua was broadcasted the second night around eight pm. Because this program has been continuously supported by the fans, the ratings were pretty normal that night. However, the comments on the internet were half good and half bad.
After Zhan Yu appeared, there were some internet users who harshly scolded, "Why did they change the host for this episode?! Where's our beautiful Miss Lu?"
"What is the TV Station trying to do, letting a newbie who only had two years of experience take over our beautiful Miss Lu's program? They think that Miss Lu is easily bullied?!"
"Could this Zhan person be given a chance because of some unwritten rules?"
Even strangers couldn't bear to see the comments. "Why must you guys speak so offensively? I think the host is pretty good and it's nice to change people up sometimes. There is a feeling of freshness now."
"I agree with the person above. His Mandarin is pretty good and his voice sounds quite pleasant. The process of interviewing is natural as well, like friends chatting with each other. I like this amiable host's style."
Zhan Yu's fans obviously wouldn't sit there and do nothing. They all started to reply to comments to defend their idol. As the program continued to broadcast, the debate on the Weibo over Zhan Yu being the host actually surpassed the topic of the jewelry designer, Chu Hua. After Gu Tong saw the change in the comments, she smiled and sent Zhan Yu a voice message on WeChat. "You're good, Xiao Yu. You're actually able to take over the popularity of that woman!"
Zhan Yu was about to get off work when he heard the message. He responded, "Talk normally."
"Heh." Gu Tong responded with a word before going back to work.
Once the program was done broadcasting, the comments gradually supported one side more than the other.
"I like this host. He's very amiable."
"Right, I didn't think I could see a unique episode."
"I think what the host had said is very motivational! If everyone went to pursue the best, won't they be living tiring lives?"
"I want to give you this message — This is nothing in the world that is 'the best'. The best is just what people want the most but aren't able to obtain. So, I believe that what you believe to be the best might not be the same for someone else." (This is the host's original word. I copied it word for word.)
"Person above, you're really magical. It seems like you are great at copying and pasting."
"I agree."
"1"
…
Zhan Yu scrolled through Weibo comments and didn't think that the audience would have the same feelings as him. He felt that it was very heartwarming. After he forwarded the Weibo comment, he added: thank you. That night, the number of his Weibo fans rapidly grew.
Who knew that he just fell asleep when he received Xia Qiao's call, "Did you sleep?"
"What?" Zhan Yu opened his drowsy eyes. It seemed to be pitch-black outside the window still. He looked at his watch to see it was one in the morning.
"Remember not to head out in the morning. Be careful of the reporters downstairs. I'll come and find you later on."
Zhan Yu's instinct was that something bad happened. "What's the matter?"
"It's not important. Just rest. When I'm here, we can continue to talk."
Zhan Yu naturally didn't believe his words of comfort. He logged onto his Weibo and noticed that he and Lu Bai and Chu Hua had gotten onto the hot search. He opened the first video to see that it was at the TV Station. Although the white car blocked half the field of vision, one could clearly see the three people in the video. It was Chu Hua, her secretary, and Zhan Yu. The three were in a tense situation and the video even captured everyone's expressions. The voices seemed to be specially handled, as it was very clear. The video was a few minutes long and Zhan Yu carefully watched it. He listened to the familiar words being repeated.
"I didn't think it would be someone like you. I am disappointed."
"Right, I am very surprised too. How come Lu Bai would like someone like me? Miss Chu, isn't this quite mocking?"
In the end, the image turned black and Zhan Yu exited the video. He looked at the title to see it saying 'one man and one woman fighting over a man'. Zhan Yu thought it was incomparably melodramatic.
Zhan Yu sighed and scrolled down the hot search rankings to see Cbu Hua's background exposed to the public.
Will Cinderella successfully become the wife of an influential family?
Exposing the person behind Designer Chu.
And A City's TV Station's unwritten rules.
Young Master Zhan is taking charge of the host career.
Zhan Yu really admired these boring people who created the titles.
Because the video implicated Lu Bai who had zero scandals, the video spread at lightning speed.
After Mo Bei heard this from his assistant, his face looked terrible. He ordered, "No matter what you do, get rid of the related information on Weibo, especially the video."
The assistant was slightly stunned before he replied, "I already had people working to handle this but…"
"But what?"
"The subordinates informed me that someone else was handling this matter too."
Mo Bei was in deep thought and he asked, "Are you referring to Lu Bai?"
"No." The assistant replied, "It's Zhan Qiancheng from the Zhan Family."
Mo Bei looked at the video which was replaying and he scrunched his eyebrows. He said, "His surname is Zhan? He's that man's brother?"
"Yes."
Mo Bei hung up and hurriedly called Chu Hua. At the same time, Zhan Qiancheng who ordered people to handle this, called Zhan Yu. The moment Zhan Yu picked up, he heard Zhan Qiancheng's angry voice interrogating him, "Zhan Yu, are you still a member of the Zhan Family? How can you endure people bullying you?"
"What? Brother, who are you talking about?"
"Obviously the woman in the video! Who is she? How dare she speak to you in that tone!"
"Brother, there's no need to be angry. Didn't I diss her back? Plus, I don't want to involve myself with her, so why argue?"
"Even if you don't want to argue with her, it doesn't mean I won't or that the Zhan Family won't." Zhan Qiancheng harshly said this and urged him, "Stop your work for a few days. I'll have someone immediately come over and pick you up."
"What? Brother? Hey?" Zhan Yu looked at the phone which was hung up. He was slightly speechless. What was this about?! Around four in the morning, Lu Bai just landed in A City, flying over from abroad when he heard about Zhan Yu's Weibo from his Assistant Wang.
"It's Chu Hua again?" Lu Bai picked up his car keys and said to Assistant Wang, "I'm giving you half an hour to clear the news."
"Ok, but President Lu, someone else seemed to be handling this matter already."
Lu Bai thought about it and asked, "Zhan Qiancheng?"
"Not only him, but Young Master Mo is also intervening in this matter."
"Mo Bei?" Lu Bai suddenly thought of something.
There was a big temperature difference in A City in September at night. Lu Bai drove the car to the neighborhood and pulled the car window down, feeling the cold wind blowing at him. He raised his head to look at a certain window in the darkness. There wasn't a glimpse of light from within at all. Lu Bai casually took out a cigarette and harshly took a drag, spitting out a cloud of smoke which dissipated in the car. His dark eyes glanced in front, not knowing where exactly he was looking at. He had a heavy look.
Zhan Yu asked him why he liked him, but he was unable to respond because he never thought of this question. Of all the men and women, why did he choose him, why couldn't he let him go?
To be continued...
...