"Tch! Stingy!" Bailey gave him a disdainful glance, then quickened her pace and got into the car with an air of annoyance, leaving Louis to catch up. The more familiar he became with this "ice queen," the more he could sense her genuinely good nature, devoid of the initial intimidation.
Typical cold exterior, warm heart.
In the end, Louis couldn't escape treating Bailey to a meal, leaving her thoroughly satisfied.
After dinner, Bailey drove Louis to Ocean Melody Entertainment. This visit was to acquire a contract, Louis's initial goal: Anna's signing contract.
As they rode the elevator, Louis suddenly felt that Bailey's enthusiasm seemed to be lacking, looking rather listless, despite having just enjoyed a hearty meal.
Louis couldn't understand; women's minds were too difficult to fathom! Just like today, they changed at the drop of a hat!
Exiting the elevator, they went straight to Dylan's office. He had been waiting there for some time, and the contract was already prepared and placed on the desk.
With a perpetual smile on his face, Dylan watched Louis enter.
"Friend, a pleasant collaboration! Here's the contract. Take a look. Is there anything else you need to add?"
Louis nodded, sat down at the desk, and began examining the contract in front of him.
The contract was standard, in triplicate. As soon as Anna signed, it would take effect immediately. The contract contents were as promised: Ocean Melody Entertainment would provide Anna with top-tier resources and maximum freedom. In short, Anna could do whatever she wanted, and no one could force her!
This was what Louis wanted to see. The contract was for two years, and whether or not to renew would depend entirely on Anna's decision.
After reviewing the entire contract, Louis put it away, stood up, and shook hands with Dylan.
"Thank you, Chairman. A pleasant collaboration!"
Being offered such a contract also improved Louis's perception of him. At least he wasn't like other unscrupulous capitalists, setting traps everywhere in the contract.
"No need to thank me! I value your talent, and you value our company's resources. It's a win-win situation."
"Also, you promised to write songs for our company. I won't make a separate contract for that. I trust your integrity!"
Dylan also stood up and shook hands with Louis.
Louis naturally wouldn't refuse but also made his stance clear.
"Don't worry! But I have one condition! I'll only write hit songs, and I'll only do it if I feel like it. Don't expect me to write songs for everyone who asks! I'm busy!"
With talent to support his temper, Dylan's perception of Louis improved more and more. However, when he saw the look of his daughter on the side, he couldn't help but sigh quietly.
What a pity! Getting married at such a young age!
"With your talent, if our company's top singers didn't need songs, I wouldn't even invite you. After all, I know that with your reputation in the future, anything you write will be a masterpiece, and ordinary people don't have that qualification!"
A pleasant collaboration was reached between the two parties.
At this point, Dylan suddenly changed the subject: "Now that the contract is in hand, are you ready to go back?"
Louis didn't understand why he asked like that, but he immediately replied, "I'm ready to go back to the hotel now, pack up, and book my ticket. I'll leave in a while. After all, there's nothing here that needs me anymore."
"Chairman, is there anything else you need to explain?"
"No! No! Then I wish you a smooth journey home!"
Dylan smiled and said, but in Louis's eyes, why did he seem so happy when he heard that he was leaving? Without thinking too much, Louis stood up to bid farewell.
Bailey escorted Louis all the way to the hotel entrance but didn't follow him in. Ever since they entered Ocean Melody Entertainment, her enthusiasm seemed to have been lacking.
"Louis! I won't see you off at the airport. You can go by yourself! I have something to attend to. Bye for now!"
Louis turned his head and waved his hand.
"Okay! Take care on the road!"
Then he turned and walked into the hotel.
Bailey watched Louis's back, feeling inexplicably angry, then stepped on the gas and left the place.
Finally, he could go home! I miss my little darling!
This was Louis's heartfelt thought at this moment. He quickly packed up his belongings, which weren't much, just two sets of clothes for changing.
Booking the plane ticket, checking out, getting a taxi—all done in one go!
...
6 p.m., San Francisco. Louis walked into the familiar, run-down neighborhood carrying a bag full of gifts. His steps became lighter as he approached.
In his eyes, even the mottled walls around him seemed welcoming.
Until he pushed open the long-unopened door, the house remained as clean as ever, with a pleasant fragrance lingering in the air. Louis took a deep breath before striding into the living room.
The living room was quiet. It seemed that Anna and Cicc were not at home.
Not seeing the familiar faces immediately, Louis felt a slight sense of disappointment.
However, the next moment, the door to the master bedroom suddenly opened, and Anna walked out, rubbing her sleepy eyes, her demeanor unexpectedly charming.
At the sight of Louis, she woke up abruptly, instinctively widening her eyes as she looked at him.
She was wearing a camisole nightdress, one strap slipping down her arm, her hair in disarray, and her mouth slightly open, giving her the appearance of a sleeping beauty.
Both of them froze, bathed in the twilight's glow, silently gazing at each other, until Louis's face gradually lit up with a radiant smile.
"I'm back!"
Anna's cheeks slowly turned rosy as she stood there, not knowing what to do, feeling a bit flustered but also a hint of sweetness.
"Um..."
She lowered her head, softly responding, subconsciously pulling the fallen strap back onto her shoulder.
"Oh, I saw this on the way back and thought of you. It smelled nice, so I bought a bunch."
Suddenly, Louis took out a bunch of lavender from behind, the small purple flowers in full bloom, bathed in the soft golden light of the setting sun, looking beautiful.
Anna pursed her lips. She stepped forward and gently took the lavender from Louis's hand, her face already flushed with a rosy hue.
This was the first bouquet of flowers she had received from him, lavender, symbolizing redemption and hope. She liked it very much.
"Thank you."
Summoning her courage, Anna raised her head and looked into Louis's eyes, her eyelashes fluttering lightly.
"Um... have you... eaten?"
Louis suddenly smiled.
"Not yet! I bet you haven't either, right? I'll make dinner. Could you wake Cicc up?"
Anna's original intention was to cook herself. He had just come back from outside and must have been tired, but seeing Louis's insistence and remembering how much better his cooking was than hers, she nodded in the end.
"I'll go wake Cicc. She'll be delighted to know you're back. She's been asking me about it for the past couple of days."
With that, Anna turned and went back to the master bedroom. This time, she didn't close the door but left it open.
Louis glanced inside and saw that the master bedroom was very different from what he remembered. Cicc was sprawled out on the bed, sleeping soundly.
Anna gently lifted her up, and she didn't even stir.
Until Anna brought the little one to Louis's side and kissed her cheek, whispering softly in her ear.
"Wake up, Cicc. Daddy's back!"
Cicc suddenly stirred, slowly opening her cute almond eyes, looking around in confusion.
Then, the little one's eyes suddenly lit up, and her tiny hands reached out towards Louis, waving excitedly.
"It's Daddy! Daddy hug! Cicc missed you so much!"