"A second plan? Okay... but we need to communicate with the other studio in advance."

"Then why aren't you on it already?!"

"Okay... alright."

This so-called second plan essentially boiled down to a few options. One was to spend a significant amount of money to get on trending topic lists, though securing a spot at this time wouldn't be cheap. According to the rankings, a top-ten spot during the National Day period would cost at least ten million to start, and even then, it risked public skepticism. The other option was to generate hype through scandals—be they accidental or romantic. These were the standard plays.

However, in Chu Tian's view, after these few maneuvers, the opponent no longer posed any real threat.

As the saying goes, "The first drum roll rouses the spirit, the second sees it wane, and the third exhausts it." This had happened several times now. Their initial momentum was long gone after the first couple of attempts.

Initially, netizens might have anticipated something. Later, with proper handling, the traffic generated from the buzz could have been converted into potential customers.

Unfortunately, that chance was gone. After these repeated attempts, the original sense of surprise and mystery had completely vanished. The most common reaction from the public was merely: "Oh, this again. Seen it." And then, nothing.

Seeing no unexpected developments, Chu Tian stopped paying attention to this matter. He had more important things to do.

...

"Darling, what do you want for lunch?"

"Ah? How about ordering takeout? I'm fine with anything."

"That won't do. How can you stay healthy if you don't eat well? What are you busy with?"

Chu Tian put his laptop aside, stood up from the sofa, and walked behind Xu Qingqiu, just in time to see the trending topics on her computer screen.

"Still worried about the publicity? Relax, haven't I arranged everything?"

"It's just... Do you really think our plan will work?"

"Of course, why wouldn't it? Didn't I explain it all clearly before? Even if they want to turn things around now, it would be very difficult. You're letting your concern muddle your thoughts."

Xu Qingqiu thought for a moment. It did seem to be the case. She gave a wry smile and nodded. When she looked up again, her face was wreathed in smiles.

"Alright then! Let's go get something delicious!"

"That's more like it. Let's go."

"I can't. Yiyi's still here. I need to give her a call..."

Chu Tian grabbed her hand and said with a laugh, "Why call her? We can just order her some takeout later—the most expensive kind. It's about time we had some quality time for just the two of us, don't you think?"

Xu Qingqiu shot him a glance, rolling her eyes coyly, but she still obediently put down her phone.

"She's going to scold me to death for this..."

"She's just jealous because she doesn't have a boyfriend."

"Chu Tian! You're terrible!"

"But do you like it?"

"Mmm... I do! HEE HEE HEE..."

The two walked out arm in arm, a confident swagger in their steps.

Their relationship was no longer a secret in the studio, but seeing them walk out so openly still had many people sneakily sizing them up.

After they left, people gathered in small groups, whispering and exchanging gossipy looks.

"Huh? Where did they go?"

"Has anyone seen Sister Qiu?"

Yiyi returned, holding a stack of files. Seeing the office empty, she turned to the staff outside and asked.

"Um... Sister Qiu went out to eat. It looks like she's with Chu Tian..."

"Ah? Sister Qiu!"

Even someone as clueless as Yiyi could figure it out. She stomped her foot in annoyance. Do I really come across as such a third wheel?

The worst part is, I haven't eaten either! Couldn't she have let me tag along for a free meal?

DING-DONG!

Her phone chimed. Yiyi picked it up and saw it was a message from Xu Qingqiu.

[Yiyi, I've ordered your favorite roast duck—a whole one! Remember to go downstairs and get it later.]

"HEH HEH, now that's more like it!"

At the mention of roast duck, Yiyi practically started drooling, all traces of her earlier anger gone.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Chu Tian and Xu Qingqiu were driving to the restaurant they had booked.

"Did you send her the message?"

"Yes, I sent it. I ordered a whole Quanjude roast duck for her. That should be enough."

"What did she say?"

"What else? Of course, it was, 'Thank you, Sister Qiu!'"

Watching Xu Qingqiu make a funny face from the passenger seat, Chu Tian couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

"Alright, now that our little foodie is taken care of, let's go get something even better!"

"Hmph, you just love to tease Yiyi!"

They chatted for a while as they drove. Xu Qingqiu, gazing happily at the passing cars with her head leaned against the window, suddenly said, "Thank you, Chu Tian..."

"Why so formal? Why are you thanking me again?"

"Of course, it's for helping me so much. And also, there's something else..."

"What is it? Do I know about it?"

"You should know, right? About 'King of Mask Singer.' I've always wondered why they chose me. Especially when I saw everyone unmask—do you have any idea how shocked I was?

"Zheng Qiuming! He was my childhood idol. Even my parents listened to his songs. I couldn't believe I was competing on the same stage as him. Who would believe it?

"And He Yike, renowned as the country's top guitarist—formerly the guitarist and later the lead vocalist of the famous Mozart Band. How could someone so incredible be eliminated?

"Not to mention figures like Lin Jiadong, Su Minghui, and He Zhengnan—aren't they all my seniors?

"With so many major figures participating, why on earth did they pick me? It felt like I wasn't even in the same league as them, right? And Qin Xiao—how did the two of us get roped into this so unexpectedly?

"When it started, I was so nervous listening to them sing. I couldn't believe how incredible everyone was. I genuinely thought I was just there to be a stepping stone for them.

"But as the show went on, I learned so much from them. And everything you taught me initially kept coming to mind, helping me quickly identify my weaknesses and work on improving them.

"Without all that, I probably would have been eliminated much earlier, don't you think?

"By the way, this show is produced by Unlimited Entertainment Company, right? Isn't your contract with them? Do you know something I don't?"

Listening to Xu Qingqiu chatter away like a lively songbird, the smile on Chu Tian's face grew increasingly mischievous.

"Are you just figuring this out? Could there be a possibility that I was the one who arranged for you to be on this show?"

"What... What do you mean?"

Xu Qingqiu looked at Chu Tian, her face momentarily showing a hint of confusion, which was quickly replaced by shock.

"Don't tell me... this company has something to do with you?"

Chu Tian gave her a wry smile and said, somewhat helplessly, "Darling, be bolder. Keep guessing."

"Bolder? You can't possibly be the boss, can you? That's impossible! Where would you get the money to start a company?"

"Well... you'll find out eventually."

Damn it! I got carried away and accidentally let my other persona slip. But it doesn't really matter. I wasn't planning on hiding it from her forever anyway.

"What do you mean, 'find out eventually'? Are you going to tell me or not?"

"HSSS—let go! I'm driving!"

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