Chapter 37: Why, at their home, of course.
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Lu Yao sat in the car, his face as calm as a still lake while hidden currents churned beneath the surface.
Sister Wang was equally silent in the passenger seat.
But unlike Lu Yao, who was lost in thought, she was thinking about him.
So, to Sister Wang, Lu Yao’s silence seemed like anger, and the silence gradually grew heavy.
After Lu Yao started the car and they had driven for a while, Sister Wang finally said glumly, “Lu Yao, about earlier…”
Lu Yao had been drinking, and had even driven under the influence.
But he was still surprisingly clearheaded.
Before she could finish, he cut her off. “Don’t overthink it. You’ve had a hard time today, helping me make that trip.”
Sometimes, there was no need for a man and a woman to make everything perfectly clear.
Digging too deeply would only strip both sides of their tolerance away. After all, people lived by their secrets.
Lu Yao’s thoughtfulness only made Sister Wang feel even more guilty and heartsick.
But what could she do?
She knew that, as things stood, she and Lu Yao were never going to have a happy ending. She could not even say for certain whether she would be able to walk away from her current position unscathed.
“Phew…”
Sister Wang leaned back and let out a long breath. Then she turned her face away and said softly, “I’m sorry we met at a time like this.”
Lu Yao smiled. “Oh.”
Sister Wang stared at him. “That’s it? Just ‘oh’?”
Lu Yao said solemnly, “That wasn’t just one word.”
Sister Wang understood.
Then she laughed helplessly.
Couldn’t he be serious for once?
…
Sister Wang did not agree to Lu Yao’s request, so after dropping her off at another one of her residences, Lu Yao went home.
Over the next few days, Sister Wang seemed extremely busy, and Lu Yao did not see much of her.
Lu Yao was just as busy.
Although he usually performed at NFA only three or four days a week, Xiao Nali occupied all his free time.
Besides the vocal and dance lessons he had originally been taking, Xiao Nali kept arranging additional classes for him and the others. Apart from common instruments such as the guitar and drums, she had even begun scheduling lessons in traditional folk instruments.
At this rate, he was taking more classes than an idol trainee.
Hadn’t Lu Yao clearly said that he had no intention of entering the entertainment industry?
But Xiao Nali was domineering and would not tolerate absences.
Lu Yao could only study and practice diligently, taking the view that one could never have too many skills.
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Fortunately, he really did have a talent for music. Once he had learned the fundamentals of music theory, he picked up various instruments quite quickly.
Later on, Xiao Nali even hired him a personal fitness trainer.
That was where Lu Yao finally stopped understanding. “Sis Nali, why?”
Sis Nali joked, “I heard you’ve been taking quite a few girls out for those private photo shoots lately. With such a twisted mind, you’d better keep your body healthy.”
Lu Yao was speechless.
Xiao Nali continued laughing. “I’m designing a dance for you. One day, you’ll wear a loose T-shirt, pull the hem over your head, and dance wildly onstage. It’ll be a smash hit.”
Lu Yao: “…”
No wonder people in this country went to nightclubs for entertainment.
You would never see something this stimulating on a variety show. On variety shows, all you got was Candy Is Super Sweet.
Since he was working under her, Lu Yao could only follow orders.
Which was why all the money he earned was compensation for his humiliation and mental anguish.
Three days after drinking with the owner of ST, Lu Yao finished his performance at NFA and stepped offstage, where he saw Zhu Junyan approach him with an enthusiastic greeting.
“Brother Lu, how about giving me the honor of having a couple of drinks?”
Lu Yao had to accompany NFA’s distinguished guests after every performance.
So he asked Zhu Junyan to wait for him.
Nearly an hour later, Lu Yao finally sat down at Zhu Junyan’s table. “Sorry, Brother Zhu. Our director kept me occupied, making me drink with the guests.”
Zhu Junyan laughed over the thunderous music. “No problem, no problem. You’re famous now, and of course you have to look after the distinguished guests here. I’m the one to blame for not making an appointment in advance!”
He had just picked up his glass when Sis Nali arrived uninvited and sat down beside him.
“Hello. I’m the entertainment director here. How about I drink with you in his place?”
As she spoke, Xiao Nali pointed at Lu Yao’s throat. “We need to protect this. He’ll drink tea instead of alcohol.”
Zhu Junyan did not mind. “Of course, of course.”
After the pleasantries were over, Zhu Junyan turned to Lu Yao. “The reason I came this time is that I have a favor to ask, Brother Lu.”
Lu Yao smiled. “You’re too polite. If I can help, I certainly will.”
Zhu Junyan got straight to the point. “If you go out with those two ladies from the other day again, bring me along if you can. I’ll pay for everything. And if you ever need anything, I’ll definitely help you too.”
Lu Yao understood.
This fellow wanted to use him as a bridge to spend time with Rong Nianqing and the others.
But shouldn’t he have approached Jian Xiaojie instead?
Then Lu Yao saw the light.
Jian Xiaojie might not be willing to do him the favor. After all, she had invited those two women over the last time to back him up.
And since they had tied him up, strictly speaking, he ought to show them his appreciation somehow—invite them out and entertain them.
That was why Zhu Junyan had come to him.
He had thought it through quite carefully.
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But Lu Yao also understood his own position. If he took the initiative to approach those women, they might grow wary of him.
So he said, “That depends on fate. If they invite me, I’ll definitely mention you.”
That was all Zhu Junyan wanted: for Lu Yao to put in a good word.
He laughed heartily. “Brother Lu, you’re a real stand-up guy!”
Lu Yao asked, “Let me ask you something. If someone got into trouble serious enough to be sent away, could you help?”
Zhu Junyan froze.
Even Xiao Nali looked at Lu Yao in surprise.
Lu Yao offered no explanation.
Zhu Junyan thought for a moment, then smiled. “As long as it doesn’t reach the highest authorities, I still have some influence in Shangnan City. If you tell me before anything happens, I’ll have an easier time arranging things.”
Lu Yao raised his glass to him. “Brother Zhu, you’re impressive!”
In the near future, Sister Wang might take the fall for certain disputes and end up behind bars.
As the first wealthy woman Lu Yao had ever known in this life, she was someone he had to help if he could.
After reaching a verbal agreement for a mutually beneficial exchange with Zhu Junyan, Lu Yao stayed at NFA for another half hour before clocking out and heading home.
When he returned to the apartment, it was yet another day without a wealthy woman in a purple dress waiting for him.
Lu Yao cooked himself some noodles for a late-night snack, then picked up his phone to check his messages.
Aside from the work group, the person who had sent him the most messages was Xu Ziqiao.
Xu Ziqiao: “Donkey Bro, Donkey Bro! When are you guys starting the shoot? Take me with you!”
Xu Ziqiao: “Donkey Bro, Donkey Bro, where are you shooting? Do you need me to book a room?”
Xu Ziqiao: “If you need a room, come to me! I’ve got membership cards for all the hotels in Shangnan City! I know every hotel inside out!”
Xu Ziqiao: “Donkey Bro, Donkey Bro! Say something! You didn’t secretly start shooting with them without telling me, did you?! [Going Crazy] [Going Crazy]”
Lu Yao was a little speechless as he read Xu Ziqiao’s messages.
He typed back: “Just got home from work. We agreed to start shooting tomorrow.”
“No need to book a hotel.”
“The photos are supposed to show the products being used at home, right? So we’ll shoot them in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, and maybe even on the balcony.”
Xu Ziqiao replied instantly: “??? ”
What the hell?
You’re going to their home?!
To take those kinds of pictures?!
Xu Ziqiao went insane.
“Dad! Take me with you! [Going Crazy] [Going Crazy]”