Shen Minyao and the other three girls were stunned for a good ten seconds, unable to recover their senses.
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "Haven't seen each other for a winter break and you can't recognize me?"
Shen Minyao looked at Tang Weiwei and couldn't help but ask, "Are you Weiwei?"
Su Yanyan also instinctively asked, "Are you Sister Weiwei?"
Tang Weiwei's face turned slightly red, and she nodded.
Seeing her nod, the three girls exclaimed in unison.
Su Yanyan circled around Tang Weiwei, praising, "Sister Weiwei, you are so beautiful, I didn't even recognize you."
Shen Minyao said, "Weiwei, you've changed so much, it's like you're a different person."
Bai Yue'er looked at Tang Weiwei, noticing the novel style of the clothes she was wearing, clearly new.
But that wasn't what surprised her the most.
Tang Weiwei had permed her hair?
She was no longer hiding herself as she used to but was confidently showcasing her beauty.
Bai Yue'er always knew Tang Weiwei was good-looking.
Having seen her face during baths or other times in the dorm, she knew.
But she never imagined she could look this stunning.
Bai Yue'er always thought she was pretty, but in front of the current Tang Weiwei, she had to admit the other was more beautiful.
With her delicate features, outfit, and hairstyle, she was undeniably a pure and beautiful girl.
Xu Xiuwen interrupted the girls' amazement.
He walked to the trunk, opened it, and turned to the girls, saying, "Stop being surprised, come and help with the stuff."
The girls finally stopped being amazed and walked over.
Then they saw Xu Xiuwen taking out various shopping bags from the trunk, making them even more surprised.
The girls carried the shopping bags and started walking towards the dormitory building.
The surrounding female students, seeing them with so many shopping bags, were both surprised and envious.
Surprised that they bought so many things, envious that they had so much money.
However, the surrounding girls didn't know that all these things belonged to Tang Weiwei.
Xu Xiuwen had bought a lot for Tang Weiwei; even with four girls helping, they couldn't carry it all in one trip.
It took two trips to get everything.
The second time, Tang Weiwei carried more, leaving the rest to Su Yanyan.
The two girls carried the shopping bags upstairs to the dormitory.
Bai Yue'er and Shen Minyao stayed at the dorm entrance since they didn't need to help.
Shen Minyao looked at Xu Xiuwen and asked, "Is this car yours?"
Xu Xiuwen nodded, "Bought it during the winter break."
Shen Minyao and Bai Yue'er were once again surprised.
They lost count of how many times they'd been surprised since meeting Xu Xiuwen.
Ever since they saw Xu Xiuwen, they'd been constantly amazed.
Xu Xiuwen looked at the well-wrapped Bai Yue'er and jokingly asked, "May I interview Miss Bai Yue'er on what it's like to be a popular actress?"
Bai Yue'er pouted, "At first, I was very happy, but now it's a bit annoying. I went to the cafeteria today and was recognized. They kept asking for my autograph and wouldn't let me leave. I'm scared."
Xu Xiuwen nodded, "You should be scared. Your handwriting is really bad."
Bai Yue'er got angry, retorting, "Your handwriting is the ugly one. Mine isn't bad at all!"
Xu Xiuwen chuckled without responding, clearly teasing her.
Bai Yue'er saw through it and snorted coldly at him.
Then she fell silent.
After hesitating for a moment, Bai Yue'er said, "Xu Xiuwen, there's something I don't know if I should tell you."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Bai Yue'er looked at his expression and said, "Several media outlets contacted me, inviting me for interviews. Some talent agencies also reached out, wanting to sign me."
Xu Xiuwen smiled slightly.
Since the TV series became popular, Xu Xiuwen had anticipated this would happen.
Not only Bai Yue'er, but he had also received many calls from media and talent agencies.
Xu Xiuwen looked at Bai Yue'er and asked, "What do you think? Did you agree?"
Bai Yue'er immediately shook her head, "Of course I didn't agree. Without your approval, how could I agree?"
Xu Xiuwen laughed, "What's it got to do with me?"
Bai Yue'er gave him a sideways glance, "I'm not ungrateful. I got the chance to act because of you. Without your approval, I definitely won't agree to anyone else."
Her words made Xu Xiuwen nod in approval.
In fact, he had already planned how to arrange things for Bai Yue'er.
What he said earlier was intentional, to find out Bai Yue'er's true thoughts.
Bai Yue'er pouted, feeling a bit regretful, and said, "Oh, a company contacted me and promised to arrange two lead roles for me within three years if I signed with them, but I didn't agree."
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "I've got some news for you. Hang Fei is preparing to shoot his second drama, and the lead role hasn't been decided yet."
Bai Yue'er was very surprised to hear this.
She looked at Xu Xiuwen with wide eyes, "Really?"
"Believe it or not."
Bai Yue'er grinned, "I believe, I believe."
She paused and then added, "This time I won't work for free. I want to be paid."
Xu Xiuwen rolled his eyes at her, "You haven't even been chosen for the role, and you're already talking about payment?"
Bai Yue'er immediately felt a bit anxious.
Just then, Tang Weiwei and Su Yanyan returned downstairs.
Xu Xiuwen didn't give Bai Yue'er a chance to speak again. He turned to Tang Weiwei and said, "I have a dinner appointment tonight, so I'll leave now. You guys go have dinner too."
After saying that, Xu Xiuwen turned and walked toward his car.
Bai Yue'er, seeing this, became even more anxious and couldn't help but shout, "Xu Xiuwen, what about me?"
Xu Xiuwen opened the car door, about to get in, then suddenly stopped, looked at her, and smiled, "Depends on your performance. We'll talk about it later."
After saying that, Xu Xiuwen got into the car.
He lowered the passenger-side window, waved at Tang Weiwei and the other girls, deliberately avoiding Bai Yue'er's gaze, and then drove away.
Watching the car drive off, Bai Yue'er couldn't help but kick the air in frustration.
Her actions made Su Yanyan laugh.
Su Yanyan said directly, "Sister Yue'er, doing that won't make him see you."
Bai Yue'er rolled her eyes at her, ignoring her.
She looked at Tang Weiwei, pouting, "Weiwei, look, Xu Xiuwen made me mad again. He didn't even tell me he was shooting a new drama."
Shen Minyao immediately exposed her, "Didn't Xu Xiuwen just tell you?"
Bai Yue'er was momentarily speechless and argued, "I mean he didn't tell me earlier. Now he's telling me, but what if the director has already found a lead actress?"
From their conversation, Tang Weiwei understood what was going on.
She hesitated for a moment and said, "Sister Yue'er, I just found out today too. It seems like they're just starting to prepare and haven't started casting yet."
Bai Yue'er was delighted to hear this and immediately hugged Tang Weiwei's arm, "Weiwei, is that true?"
Tang Weiwei nodded.
Seeing this, Bai Yue'er complained, "Xu Xiuwen is such a bad guy. He clearly hasn't started casting yet, but he scared me on purpose."
Although she was complaining about Xu Xiuwen, she had a smile on her face.
Xu Xiuwen drove away from Jiangling College, heading straight to the restaurant mentioned in Xu Qian's message.
The restaurant wasn't far from Jiaotong University.
It took Xu Xiuwen less than ten minutes to get there.
After parking the car by the roadside, Xu Xiuwen got out. Entering the restaurant, he told the waiter the private room number, and the waiter led him to the reserved room.
The waiter opened the door, and Xu Xiuwen walked in.
Inside, there was a large round table that could accommodate more than ten people. Currently, seven people were sitting at the table.
Song Xiaomi, Xu Qian, Lu Xinyao, Zhao Yatong, Wu Yong, Qian Long, and Wang Hong.
All seven new employees of the company were present.
When they saw Xu Xiuwen enter, they immediately stood up.
Everyone respectfully greeted, "Good evening, President Xu."
Xu Xiuwen chuckled and gestured for them to sit, "No need to stand up to welcome me. Sit down."
Of course, none of the seven dared to sit.
Xu Xiuwen walked over and asked, "Where do I sit?"
Xu Qian quickly said, "President Xu, please sit here."
She pointed to the seat beside her.
This spot was directly facing the door, traditionally considered the main seat.
The seven were seated around this main seat.
Xu Xiuwen went over and sat down.
To his left were Xu Qian, Zhao Yatong, Lu Xinyao, and Song Xiaomi.
To his right were Wu Yong, Qian Long and Wang Hong.
After sitting down, Xu Xiuwen asked, "Have you ordered yet?"
Qian Long immediately replied, "President Xu, how could we order before you arrived?"
Wang Hong quickly added, "Yes, President Xu, we're fine with anything. The important thing is that you're happy with the meal."
Xu Xiuwen, having been a worker himself, understood their thoughts and feelings well.
Qian Long and Wang Hong might not have been trying to flatter him.
Sometimes, in the workplace, one just has to say a few polite words.
He smiled and said, "We are a new company, and we don't do all those workplace tricks. Besides, I'm younger than you guys. Privately, I can call you brothers and sisters, so feel free to speak your mind at work. Oh, and you can just call me by my name, no need for formal titles, it sounds strange."
He paused and continued, "Is there spicy chicken here? It's been a long time since I had chicken. Let's get one spicy chicken. The rest, you can order whatever you like."
When they heard Xu Xiuwen say this, everyone, whether they believed him or not, felt relieved.
Xu Qian said to Xu Xiuwen, "Mr. Xu, this place does have spicy chicken, so let's order one. We'll handle the rest."
"Alright, you guys go ahead and decide."
They discussed and ordered about ten signature dishes and two bottles of white liquor.
After ordering the liquor, Xu Qian muttered, "It's a pity there's no Lao Guangming, that's the best liquor we have."
Xu Xiuwen, sitting right next to her, heard this.
He turned his head curiously and asked Xu Qian, "Xu Qian, I remember your resume said you're from Guangming, right?"
Xu Qian nodded, "Yes, Mr. Xu, I'm from Guangming."
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "I never told you, but I'm also from Langya."
Guangming is a county-level city under Langya.
Xu Qian was very surprised and asked with wide eyes, "Mr. Xu is also from Langya?"
Xu Xiuwen nodded.
Xu Qian laughed, "Then I must give you a proper toast later, Mr. Xu."
Xu Xiuwen smiled, "I'll definitely drink your toast, but don't get drunk."
Xu Qian waved her hand, "No worries, Mr. Xu. Although I'm young, I can hold my liquor. I've been practicing with my dad since I was little."
After chatting for a while, the restaurant began serving the dishes.
But no one touched their chopsticks, waiting for Xu Xiuwen to start.
Before starting, Xu Xiuwen poured himself a glass of white liquor.
He suddenly stood up and said to everyone, "The company hasn't been open for long, but I have great confidence in its future. Follow me, and I won't let you down. Work hard, and when the company grows strong, you'll be the founding members. I toast to everyone with this glass."
The seven of them felt flattered.
Since Xu Xiuwen stood up, they didn't feel right sitting down.
Everyone immediately stood up and raised their glasses.
After Xu Xiuwen finished speaking, they all expressed their loyalty and drank it down in one go.
The restaurant provided very small glasses for white liquor, so it wasn't difficult to drink it in one go.
Qian Long and Wang Hong drank their glasses without changing their expressions.
After drinking, Song Xiaomi's face turned bright red immediately.
Xu Qian, Zhao Yatong, and Lu Xinyao also drank without any change in their expressions.
Then everyone sat down to eat and drink.
Xu Xiuwen was the superior of the seven, so they took turns toasting him.
The atmosphere at the table was relaxed and lively.
After two glasses, Song Xiaomi's face was as red as a monkey's butt, and she started feeling dizzy.
Lu Xinyao reminded her to eat more food, and this young girl who had just entered society started eating voraciously.
Soon, the meal ended.
Two bottles of white liquor were not enough, so they added two more.
In total, they drank four bottles of white liquor, leaving nothing behind.
Xu Xiuwen drank quite a bit but remained very clear-headed.
Song Xiaomi couldn't handle the two small glasses of white liquor and got drunk before the meal ended.
Lu Xinyao was also slightly drunk but still clear-headed.
Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong showed no signs of being drunk, their eyes bright and clear.
Qian Long and Wang Hong also drank a lot, feeling a bit dizzy.
Before the meal ended, Xu Qian proactively paid the bill.
Xu Xiuwen said to her, "Tonight's meal goes on the company's account. When you get back to work, get Zhao Yatong to reimburse it."
Unexpectedly, Xu Qian shook her head immediately, "No way. We agreed that we're treating you tonight, Mr. Xu. We'll cover the cost. It's not much, just 800 yuan, about a little over 100 yuan each."
Seeing Xu Qian insist, Xu Xiuwen didn't push it.
After paying the bill, Xu Xiuwen suggested ending the dinner.
No one objected.
Objectors would be fired as soon as they stepped into the company the next workday.
Xu Xiuwen asked Qian Long, "How are you getting home later?"
Qian Long replied, "Mr. Xu, I'll take a taxi home."
"Can you manage on your own?"
"Thanks for your concern, Mr. Xu. I can manage."
"Okay, be careful on the road and stay safe."
Xu Xiuwen turned to Wang Hong, "Wang Hong, I drove today. I'll take the girls back to the dormitory. How about you wait here for me? I'll come back to pick you up after I drop them off."
Wang Hong immediately waved his hand, "No need, Mr. Xu. It's not far. I'll just walk back. It'll help me sober up."
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and agreed.
The group walked outside the restaurant.
Qian Long and Wang Hong left after saying goodbye.
Xu Xiuwen turned to the four women and said, "Let's go. You all drank, so take my car tonight. I'll drive you back."
"Thank you, Mr. Xu." x3.