Xiao Youran's eyes were swollen from crying.
Song Siyu, feeling particularly distressed, couldn't help but ask, "Xu Xiuwen, because of your selfishness, you've hurt two girls. What do you plan to do now?"
This was also the question Xu Xiuwen was pondering.
Having his infidelity discovered, Xu Xiuwen couldn't possibly say he wanted both girls.
He'd probably get slapped a few times for that.
Xiao Youran and Cheng Lu.
One was his childhood sweetheart who had been with him for eighteen years.
The other was his first love from a past life.
He couldn't bear to let go of either, but he had to make a choice.
After a moment of silence, Xu Xiuwen said, "Youran, you can hit me, blame me, curse me—it's my fault. But I can't give up on Cheng Lu."
Xu Xiuwen made his choice.
Upon hearing his words, Xiao Youran suddenly smiled.
Her smile was particularly unpleasant.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, extremely bitter.
She wiped away her tears and stood up from the sofa.
"I understand."
With that, she turned and walked towards the door.
Song Siyu glared fiercely at Xu Xiuwen, then immediately followed Xiao Youran.
She remembered that An Shishi was still there and called out, "Shishi, if you're not leaving, are you planning to stay here and sleep with Xu Xiuwen?"
An Shishi thought to herself, I'd love to, but not with Cheng Lu around.
She stood up and followed the two girls out.
Watching Xiao Youran's figure gradually disappear from sight, Xu Xiuwen suddenly felt a heavy weight on his heart.
He knew he had hurt Xiao Youran again.
And this time, it was even worse than the last.
Xiao Youran put on her shoes and stormed out, rushing to the elevator.
The elevator slowly came up. When the doors opened, the three girls entered.
As the elevator doors slowly closed, Xiao Youran's pretense of strength vanished, and she crouched down, crying her heart out.
Her sobs were heartbreaking.
Song Siyu consoled, "Youran, don't cry. Xu Xiuwen isn't worth your tears."
Xiao Youran looked up at Song Siyu, deeply saddened. "Xiao Xu really doesn't want me anymore this time, but I really like him."
Song Siyu sighed.
An Shishi, watching the scene, felt a bit down herself.
She could understand Xiao Youran.
If Xu Xiuwen didn't want her, she would be just as heartbroken.
At that moment, she felt relieved that she was just the mistress.
As long as the mistress didn't fight for anything, her position would remain secure.
...
After the three girls left room 301.
Only Xu Xiuwen and Cheng Lu remained in the living room.
Both were silent.
Xu Xiuwen turned to Cheng Lu and said earnestly, "I have no excuses. I was wrong. You can hit me, curse me, whatever you want—I'll accept it."
Cheng Lu looked at Xu Xiuwen.
The handsome boy in front of her was both familiar and unfamiliar.
Just this morning, she had felt so happy, believing she had chosen the right person.
But in less than a day, Xu Xiuwen had cruelly shown her she might have been wrong.
Cheng Lu's feelings were complicated.
Between her and Xiao Youran, Xu Xiuwen had ultimately chosen her.
But she couldn't feel happy.
Unknowingly, she had intruded on someone else's relationship, becoming the person she once despised.
She didn't know how to face Xu Xiuwen or herself.
After a few minutes of silence, Cheng Lu said, "I need to go back and think about our relationship."
With that, she stood up and walked towards the door.
Xu Xiuwen quickly said, "I'll drive you."
He reached out to grab Cheng Lu's hand.
Cheng Lu shook him off and left without looking back.
Her attitude made Xu Xiuwen give up the idea of following her.
Hearing the door close, he collapsed weakly on the sofa.
Though filled with guilt towards Xiao Youran and Cheng Lu, with both girls now aware of each other's relationship with him, Xu Xiuwen also felt a sense of relief.
He no longer had to be so cautious, constantly worrying that Cheng Lu and Xiao Youran would discover each other.
He lay on the sofa for a long time.
Then he heard footsteps approaching.
He opened his eyes to see four girls—Xu Qian, Zhao Yatong and the others—standing beside the sofa.
Xu Xiuwen chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I'm a scumbag. I must have disappointed you, right?"
The four women exchanged glances.
Then Song Xiaomi spoke first, "Mr. Xu, I don't think this is entirely your fault. You have your reasons."
Lu Xinyao nodded, "Yes, Mr. Xu, it's those people scheming behind your back who are to blame."
Zhao Yatong remained silent, her face not looking too good.
Xu Qian looked at Xu Xiuwen's dejected appearance and felt a bit worried.
Xu Xiuwen heard them and softly said, "Thank you for your comfort. Although I know they're kind lies, I still appreciate it."
After speaking, he stood up from the sofa, "Alright, let me take you back to the dorm."
Xu Qian said, "Mr. Xu, you should rest. We can go back ourselves."
Lu Xinyao added, "Yes, Mr. Xu, you rest. We can go back on our own."
"It's not safe for you to go back so late."
"It's okay, Mr. Xu. There are so many of us, it won't be dangerous."
Xu Xiuwen looked at the expressions of the four women.
After a few seconds, he nodded, "Alright then, you all go back and be safe."
Xu Xiuwen sat back on the sofa.
He lay back.
His whole body slumped on the sofa like a puddle of mud.
He stared at the ceiling, his eyes vacant.
The four women turned and walked towards the door.
During this time, Xu Qian glanced back at Xu Xiuwen several times, a trace of worry in her heart.
After sitting on the sofa for a long time.
Xu Xiuwen suddenly opened his eyes.
He took out his phone and sent a message to An Shishi.
"Did Cheng Lu go back?"
An Shishi: She went back. Why didn't you keep Cheng Lu?
Xu Xiuwen: I tried to, but she said she needs to think about our relationship.
An Shishi: Oh.
Xu Xiuwen: Keep an eye on Cheng Lu and Xiao Youran for me, don't let them do anything foolish.
An Shishi: Don't worry, I will keep an eye on them.
Xu Xiuwen: Okay!
An Shishi: Don't worry, I won't fight with them. As long as you have me in your heart, I'm satisfied.
Even though he knew An Shishi was trying to comfort him, Xu Xiuwen still felt touched seeing her message.
Xu Xiuwen: Yes, Shishi, you're the best. I wish everyone were as undemanding as you.
An Shishi: Even if they all leave you, I will always love you and be your little wife forever.
After finishing the text conversation with An Shishi, Xu Xiuwen sent a message to Cheng Lu.
"Lulu, things have come to this. I know it's too late to say anything, but I hope you take care of yourself. Otherwise, I will worry."
Cheng Lu didn't reply immediately. He didn't know if she didn't want to reply or if she hadn't seen the message.
But Xu Xiuwen felt it was probably the former.
After half an hour.
Cheng Lu replied with a single word.
"Okay."
Xu Xiuwen immediately replied, "Lulu, let's have breakfast together tomorrow. I know a great breakfast place on North Street."
Cheng Lu coldly replied, "I'm going to sleep."
Putting down his phone, Xu Xiuwen went to his bedroom, turned off the lights, and lay down.
But he wasn't sleepy; in fact, he had a bit of insomnia.
The next day, March 13th.
The official start of classes for both Jiaotong University and Jiangling College.
The timetable had already been distributed.
There were many classes in the second semester of freshman year, and Monday was fully packed.
However, Xu Xiuwen planned to skip class on this first day of the semester.
He didn't get up late; in fact, he was up quite early.
He had slept very little the previous night, so he felt a bit tired after waking up.
After washing his face with cold water, Xu Xiuwen felt more awake.
He went into the kitchen, made a bowl of lean meat and mung bean porridge, and cooked a few egg pancakes, then packed everything into a lunchbox.
After finishing all this, Xu Xiuwen went to the girls' dormitory at Jiaotong University and handed the lunchbox to the dorm supervisor.
Standing outside the girls' dormitory, Xu Xiuwen sent a message to Cheng Lu.
"I made you breakfast and left it with the dorm supervisor. Remember to go down and get it."
Then, Xu Xiuwen drove to the company.
Around 8:30 AM.
Xu Qian and Zhao Yatong arrived at the company first.
Song Xiaomi and Lu Xinyao were a few minutes late.
Qian Long and Wu Yong arrived even later, but all managed to get to the company before 9 AM.
Besides a few who hadn't graduated yet, the newly hired seniors from Hang Fei's alma mater also arrived at the company on time.
It was the first day at work.
Zhao Yatong was very busy.
Being a small company without an HR department, she had to take on some HR responsibilities in addition to her financial duties, leaving her almost no time to rest.
The employees Hang Fei hired were responsible for photography, script supervision, editing, and dubbing, among other things.
Contracts had not yet been signed with them.
One reason Xu Xiuwen came early this morning was to sign contracts with them.
Among them, the highest salary was 3,300 yuan, the lowest was 2,900 yuan, and the average was 3,000 yuan.
In Jinling City, this wasn't considered high, but it wasn't low either.
As for those who hadn't graduated yet and had collaborated with Xu Xiuwen on the first drama from the Arts Institute, since they hadn't graduated, they couldn't sign contracts.
So, for now, they were temporary workers.
If they were willing to join the company after graduation, they could become regular employees.
Temporary workers were also paid, but only during the filming period. When there was no filming, they weren't paid. Their wages ranged from 1,500 to 2,000 yuan.
These terms had been discussed and agreed upon by Hang Fei, and no one objected.
Since it was a new company, the atmosphere was relatively relaxed and harmonious.
At last night's dinner, Xu Xiuwen and Hang Fei finalized the filming tasks.
Now, with the drama about to start filming, preparations had to begin.
Such as preparing materials, costumes, props, and personnel.
The crew didn't lack staff; they lacked actors.
Hang Fei had already decided to hold actor interviews this weekend, setting the interview location at the company.
During the first drama, Hang Fei mainly relied on his network to promote within the school. The promotion time was very short, so many art students were unaware.
This time, Hang Fei had ample promotion time.
Hang Fei was no longer the same as before.
The drama had become popular, attracting the attention of ordinary viewers towards the actors, while people in the industry were very focused on the director.
Hang Fei had already received several invitations from large film and television companies.
However, working for someone else was never as satisfying as being your own boss.
Moreover, those companies had complex relationships and a lot of behind-the-scenes dirt.
Hang Fei didn't like that environment.
And collaborating with Xu Xiuwen, who trusted him greatly and gave him significant authority, was far more preferable.
So, he didn't hesitate to decline those invitations.
Art students, especially those majoring in performance, felt regretful and remorseful upon learning that their senior's drama had become popular.
They believed that if they had gone for the audition and been selected, they would have been the ones to become famous.
So many were closely watching Hang Fei's movements.
When news spread that Hang Fei was preparing to shoot a second drama, the performance students from the Arts Institute were thrilled.
In the company, the newly hired clerks began preparing recruitment posters and flyers.
On the other hand, employees responsible for photography, editing, and dubbing were temporarily more relaxed.
...
Two days passed in a flash.
During these two days, Xu Xiuwen didn't attend classes.
But he heard from his roommates that the classrooms were very lively.
Every day, a large number of students came to the class looking for "Dao Ming Si" and "Shan Cai"!
On the first day of school, an unprepared Bai Yue'er was blocked tightly in the classroom.
It was said that even the teacher who came to class was stuck outside and couldn't get in.
After this incident, Bai Yue'er didn't dare to attend classes anymore.
The people blocking Bai Yue'er in the classroom included students from both their school, Jiangling, students from other schools, and even many members of the public.
Typically, when a drama becomes popular, you'll see interviews and reports about the actors everywhere in a short time.
These interviews and reports satisfy the curiosity of many viewers and gossip lovers.
But the "Boys Over Flowers" crew was very peculiar.
After the drama became popular, only a few minor characters gave interviews.
The leads seemed to vanish, with no news at all.
This only piqued everyone's curiosity more.
Although Xu Xiuwen did not accept media interviews, the Jinjiang website organized a series of promotional activities.
As a result, Xu Xiuwen's privacy was exposed.
In the Jiaotong University forum, videos of Xu Xiuwen's past performances were unearthed.
A genius writer, a prodigious creative talent, an excellent voice, and outstanding athletic abilities.
Xu Xiuwen began to be regarded by many fans as the perfect male idol.
So, many fervent fans sought out the school.
It so happened that Xu Xiuwen hadn't attended classes for the past couple of days.
The fervent fans then found out Xu Xiuwen's dormitory and surrounded it.
However, Xu Xiuwen happened to live off-campus, inadvertently avoiding the commotion.
Initially, Xu Xiuwen didn't accept media interviews simply because he had no plans to become an actor in the future, so becoming too famous was unnecessary.
But things are different now.
Xu Xiuwen not only started a company, but his second drama is also in preparation.
Xu Xiuwen now needs fame to promote his second drama.
At this time, people from Su Province TV contacted Xu Xiuwen, wanting to do a special interview with him, Bai Yue'er, and director Hang Fei.
This time, Xu Xiuwen agreed.
The interview was scheduled for the afternoon of the third day of the new semester.
Xu Xiuwen drove to Jiangling College to pick up Bai Yue'er first, then to the Arts Institute to pick up Hang Fei, and then together to Su Province TV for the interview.
When Bai Yue'er got in the car, she greeted Xu Xiuwen warmly.
Xu Xiuwen ignored her.
This left Bai Yue'er feeling a bit hurt.