Xiao Youran isn't the type who knows how to take care of others very well.
Xu Xiuwen remembers that when they used to go out to eat together, he was the one busy doing things, while Xiao Youran only focused on eating.
It's the same now.
In this regard, she's very different from Tang Weiwei and Cheng Lu.
Tang Weiwei is good at taking care of people, likes to be proactive in helping others, and does so without any complaints—she's the obedient, wifely type.
Cheng Lu is quite independent, preferring to rely on herself for everything.
Xiao Youran, on the other hand, is used to having everything done for her.
Every girl has her own characteristics.
Xu Xiuwen doesn't think it's a bad thing. If Xiao Youran were exactly like Tang Weiwei in every way, she wouldn't be Xiao Youran!
Eating hot, steaming potstickers, each bite bursting with flavorful juices, the aroma filling the air.
Taking a sip of red bean porridge.
The food is so delicious that it's impossible to stop eating.
Xiao Youran is in a good mood and has a good appetite, eating seven potstickers in a row and finishing a bowl of red bean porridge.
Putting down her chopsticks, she feels completely full.
Xu Xiuwen immediately hands her a napkin and asks, "Are you full?"
Xiao Youran nods and hums in agreement.
Xu Xiuwen then finishes off the remaining potstickers.
When they went to pay, the lady boss suddenly asked, "It's the holidays, and you're up so early for breakfast. Are you two dating now?"
Xiao Youran didn't answer. Her first reaction was to look at Xu Xiuwen, wanting to know how he would respond.
Xu Xiuwen hummed an affirmation, "Yes, Youran and I are dating. Auntie, you have to keep this a secret for us. We don't want our parents to find out too soon."
The lady boss laughed heartily, "Don't worry, I won't say anything."
"Thank you, Auntie."
After paying, Xu Xiuwen put his arm around Xiao Youran and walked out of the shop.
Outside, Xiao Youran finally felt relieved.
She had been worried for a long time after returning home yesterday.
What if Xiao Xu really meant she was just a good sister to him?
She didn't want to be his good sister!
Hearing what he said now, she let out a sigh of relief.
They were indeed dating.
As long as she didn't misunderstand his meaning, as long as they were dating, everything was fine.
Whether called a good sister or a girlfriend, it all meant they were dating.
With nothing to worry about, Xiao Youran smiled even more happily.
She asked proactively, "Xiao Xu, where are we going now?"
Xu Xiuwen turned to look at her, his expression doting, "I'll go wherever you want to go."
Xiao Youran loved the current Xu Xiuwen so much, so gentle that it melted her heart.
"I want to go to school."
"High school?"
Xiao Youran gently shook her head, "Middle school."
"Alright, we'll do as you say."
Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran climbed over a tree and scaled the wall to enter their middle school campus.
Since it was the holidays and still early, there wasn't a single person in sight on campus.
Xiao Youran pulled Xu Xiuwen to the small grove they had visited before and found the same tree as last time.
It was in front of this tree that Xu Xiuwen had rejected her, leaving her heartbroken for a long time.
Xu Xiuwen didn't know why she wanted to come here again.
Until he saw Xiao Youran pull out a small folding knife from her pocket.
Xu Xiuwen laughed helplessly and squatted down.
Xiao Youran giggled, immediately climbing onto him and sitting on his shoulders.
Once she was stable, Xu Xiuwen held onto the tree trunk and slowly stood up.
Xiao Youran wasn't heavy. Though she was 168 cm tall, she had a slim figure.
Her long legs clamped around Xu Xiuwen's head.
It was a pity it wasn't summer, or being clamped by those long, fair legs would probably feel quite nice.
Xiao Youran laughed excitedly as she took the folding knife and started carving into the tree trunk.
"Done."
Hearing Xiao Youran's words, Xu Xiuwen slowly squatted down and let her off.
As he stood up and was about to see what she had carved.
Xiao Youran pounced on him with a mischievous smile, covering his eyes, laughing, "No peeking, no peeking..."
Xu Xiuwen, his eyes covered, instinctively held onto Xiao Youran, puzzled, "What did you carve? Why can't I see it?"
Xiao Youran giggled, "You just can't look. You promised to do whatever I say."
"Alright, alright, I won't look. Just let go."
Xiao Youran finally let go of her delicate jade-like hand that was covering his eyes.
Xu Xiuwen, true to his word, didn't try to sneak a peek.
He looked down at Xiao Youran, his gaze gradually lowering until it rested on her luscious red lips.
Then he kissed her unreservedly.
Xiao Youran had quite a talent for kissing.
By the third time, she was even able to synchronize with Xu Xiuwen.
Xu Xiuwen gently sucked.
They kissed for a long time.
Xiao Youran finally pushed Xu Xiuwen away, laughing, "I can't catch my breath."
Xu Xiuwen licked his lips, savoring the taste from moments ago.
Xiao Youran's cheeks were flushed.
Without saying a word, she pulled Xu Xiuwen and they walked out of the woods.
Leaving the middle school, the two strolled down the street, hand in hand.
Both Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran enjoyed this sweet time together immensely.
They wandered aimlessly until after 10 PM, when Zhang Ruoshu called to ask where she was.
Xiao Youran glanced at Xu Xiuwen, and they exchanged a smile.
She answered, "Mom, I'm outside, I'll be back soon."
After hanging up, Xu Xiuwen walked Xiao Youran home.
Underneath the girl's apartment, Xiao Youran looked reluctant to part.
Xu Xiuwen ruffled her hair and said with a smile, "Alright, I'm not going anywhere. If you miss me, come to my house after dinner."
Xiao Youran nodded lightly and murmured, "Okay."
After parting with Xiao Youran, Xu Xiuwen turned and headed home.
As soon as he got home, he received a call from Hang Fei.
As soon as he answered, he heard Hang Fei's excited shout, "5.035%! 5.035%!"
"What do you mean?"
Hang Fei excitedly explained, "The ratings! The provincial station has informed me. The premiere's ratings are out, 5.035%! The show is a hit!"
Xu Xiuwen finally understood what he meant.
He wasn't surprised to hear that the show was a hit.
Because this show had proven successful in multiple countries in his previous life, it was always a ratings juggernaut.
Hang Fei, puzzled, asked, "Why aren't you excited?"
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "Who said I'm not excited? I am very excited."
For Hang Fei, the show's success meant he had firmly established his reputation in the industry, ensuring he wouldn't be short of work in the future.
So his excitement was understandable.
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and said, "Brother Fei, I have something I want to discuss with you. I wonder what you think about it."
Hang Fei responded quickly, "Go ahead."
"It's like this, I plan to start a film and television company, and I want us to be partners. I'll give you shares. From now on, we'll make TV shows together."
Hang Fei was stunned.
A film and television company?
Shares?
Xu Xiuwen was aiming big.
Normally, such matters would require serious consideration before making a decision.
But Hang Fei had long been captivated by Xu Xiuwen's charisma, and working with him had been a joy, so he was very tempted.
He eagerly asked, "Do you have a plan?"
"My initial idea is to start the company and then quickly move on to filming a second TV show. From the second show onwards, any actors we discover must sign a management contract with the company to avoid the hassle of them getting poached after becoming popular. Secondly, we need to hire a batch of permanent staff. I'll pay the salaries, and you build a complete production team. The salaries might be low at first, but you know me, I won't shortchange anyone. I'm very confident about the company. I know your directing skills well, and you've seen my writing. I believe that together, we can create more hit TV shows. Maybe in ten years, you'll be the most famous director in the industry, and our company will be one of the top firms."
Hang Fei was moved by Xu Xiuwen's words.
Xu Xiuwen had shown trust in him from the very first project, so he had no doubt about his sincerity.
Hang Fei had considered how to proceed after graduation.
Now, Xu Xiuwen was offering him a new path.
And this path, with his support, could lead to where he wanted to go.
Hang Fei had no doubts about Xu Xiuwen's talent.
He had read all of Xu Xiuwen's novels, and each one was excellent. Coupled with his own skills, even if the adaptations weren't hits, they wouldn't flop.
Hang Fei quickly made up his mind.
"Alright, I support your idea."
Xu Xiuwen continued, "Are you at home now? When will you be back in Jinling? Let's meet up as soon as possible to discuss this further."
"Okay, I'll head back to Jinling tomorrow."
"Won't you stay with your parents a few more days?"
"The New Year is over, I've spent enough time with them. I can make it up to them after my career takes off."
"It's up to you. Let me know when you're on your way."
Starting a company wasn't an impulsive decision for him.
He had thought about it back in the College, but the conditions weren't right at the time.
However, things are different now, and starting a company is something he must consider.
After hanging up the phone, Xu Xiuwen resumed typing diligently.
Around 11 o'clock, Ning Wanqiu called him to eat.
Only then did Xu Xiuwen stop typing.
After lunch, Xu Xiuwen went back to his room to continue typing.
This continued until one o'clock in the afternoon.
The doorbell rang.
Since Xu Xiuwen's room was close to the front door, he went to open it.
When the door opened, Xu Xiuwen saw Zhang Ruoshu and her daughter Xiao Youran.
Zhang Ruoshu had a big smile and said, "Xiao Xu, I watched the TV series you filmed. It was really good, very enjoyable."
Xu Xiuwen laughed, "As long as you liked it."
Xiao Youran, hiding behind her mother, smiled faintly at Xu Xiuwen.
After changing their shoes, they entered the house.
Ning Wanqiu had already come out of her room and said to Xu Xiuwen, "In the afternoon, your Aunt Zhang and I are going shopping. I'll take the car."
Xu Xiuwen, concerned, said, "Mom, remember to drive slowly."
Aunt Zhang laughed, "Xiao Xu, you're so concerned about your mom."
Xu Xiuwen smiled wryly, "Aunt Zhang, I'm worried about you. My mom's driving skills are... well..."
Ning Wanqiu glared at him, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Xu Xiuwen could only say, "Alright, alright, I was talking nonsense. Anyway, Aunt Zhang, please be careful."
Zhang Ruoshu didn't mind.
Ning Wanqiu explained to her friend, "This kid talks nonsense, just ignore him."
Then, Xu Xiuwen called Xiao Youran into his room.
After closing the door, Xu Xiuwen said, "Youran, this climax part will be finished soon, just wait a bit."
He then sat down at the computer and continued typing.
Xiao Youran sat on the bed, smiling at Xu Xiuwen with eyes full of love.
After a while, she started looking around the room.
She walked around the room and reached the bookshelf next to the wardrobe.
The bookshelf held all of Xu Xiuwen's books from elementary to high school.
She wasn't interested in the books.
She carefully looked through them and found two classmate memoirs.
One was written upon graduating from elementary school, the other from junior high.
Xiao Youran first opened the elementary school memoir.
Seeing the childish handwriting and the good wishes from his classmates made her smile as she recalled Xu Xiuwen's mischievous childhood.
She then set down the elementary memoir and picked up the junior high one.
She casually flipped through a few pages, initially not paying much attention, but soon her movements stopped.
The page she was looking at had delicate handwriting, clearly from a girl.
The girl had written, "Xu Xiuwen, during these three years of junior high, you have appeared in my dreams countless times. Maybe you have forgotten, but you once protected me when we started first grade. You are my prince, and I really like you. If you like me too, come to the alley behind the school on June 30th. I will be waiting for you."
Signed: Han Chuxue
"What are you looking at?"
Xu Xiuwen's voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Xiao Youran turned her head slightly, seeing that Xu Xiuwen had already walked up behind her.
Xiao Youran bit her lip, looking pitifully at Xu Xiuwen with her big, watery eyes, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
"What's wrong? Who bullied you?"
Xiao Youran pouted, "You bullied me."
Xu Xiuwen laughed, "How did I bully you? I couldn't bear to bully you."
Xiao Youran snorted.
Xu Xiuwen was already used to Xiao Youran's little tantrums.
He noticed the memoir in her hand and glanced down, quickly seeing the contents on the page.
"Haha..."
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but laugh after reading it.
Xiao Youran pouted, "You're still laughing!"
Xu Xiuwen laughed even louder.
Xiao Youran, angry, hit his chest with her little fist.
Xu Xiuwen caught her hand and pressed it to his chest.
He looked at Xiao Youran and asked, "This is all in the past, and you're still jealous?"
Xiao Youran knew it was in the past, but she was still unhappy.
She bit her lip and looked at Xu Xiuwen, as if saying, "If you don't explain, I'll cry."
Xu Xiuwen couldn't stop laughing, "Alright, alright. Many girls liked me. If you get jealous over each one, can you handle it? She liked me, but I didn't like her."
"Then who do you like?" Xiao Youran asked immediately.
Xu Xiuwen gently tapped her cute nose and said, "Of course, I like you."
Hearing this, Xiao Youran was overjoyed.
But she couldn't help but ask, "So, did you go to meet her that day?"