Chu Tian nodded, looking at Hou Yichuan and asking, "What do you mean?"

Hou Yichuan immediately said, "Technically, it's not necessary to go. But this is our company's first TV series, after all, so I think it's better to go. You know, for the sense of ceremony, and to make a memory of it."

He thought about it, and it did seem to be the case—after all, it was their first TV series, which was quite meaningful.

"Are you going?"

Hou Yichuan quickly shook his head; he definitely wasn't going. "I'm busy enough as it is. I really can't spare the time."

"Alright then. I'll see if I have time to make the trip."

"That's great. Take your time with the other document. It's this year's Q3 summary; just familiarize yourself with it."

"Okay, I got it. Anything else?"

"Not really. Old Wei is organizing a get-together this weekend, planning to introduce a few friends. Do you want to join?"

"Old Wei? What kind of get-together?"

"Just some friends from his circle—actors, directors, singers, and hosts. From what he said, they are his friends, all people from the Capital's social circles."

"I figure this opportunity could be quite beneficial for the company, so I plan to go and check it out. You never know when such connections might come in handy."

Hou Yichuan's rationale was sound. Although Chu Tian didn't want to deal with company matters, he wasn't truly disinterested; it was just playful teasing, as he and Hou Yichuan were close. He was still very attentive to gatherings that could clearly bring connections and benefits to the company.

"Alright, I'll consider it. I'll most likely go too. We can discuss it more then."

"Then I'll head back first. You carry on with your work."

After Hou Yichuan had left, Chu Tian glanced at his phone. Seeing no message from Xu Qingqiu, he calmed down and earnestly tackled the work at hand.

The contract for the online broadcasting rights was basically fine. He reviewed it once and considered it essentially confirmed.

As for the iPartment wrap-up, he thought about it and decided to go check it out.

But before that, maybe he could ask Xu Qingqiu. He just wasn't sure if she wanted to go.

"The company has a TV series wrapping up. I'm going to attend. Do you want to come?"

The reply came about three hours later.

"Your company produces TV series now? When did this start?"

"Hmm… it was a while ago, before King of Mask Singer, I believe."

"What series is it? Is it any good?"

"It's exceptionally good! I mean, just consider whose company produced it!"

"Pfft. But why would you go? Don't tell me you actually played a role in it?"

"Not really. But since it's our company's first TV series, it's quite significant. So, I want to go, show some support for the team, and offer some praise."

"I see. Roughly when?"

"Tomorrow. Do you want to go?"

"Can I?"

"Why not? But maybe you should check with Sister Hua? What if someone takes your photo and it causes issues?"

"Hmm, I'll ask. It should be fine."

In the studio, Xu Qingqiu put away her phone, stepped outside the recording room, glanced at Li Chunhua's office, and then hurried over.

"Sister Hua, a production from Chu Tian's company is wrapping up, and he invited me to go take a look. What do you think?"

Li Chunhua's eyes immediately lit up. "Qingqiu, have you come around to the idea?"

"What idea?"

"About acting! Do you want to give it another try? Maybe it'll work out next time?"

Hearing Sister Hua bring this up again, Xu Qingqiu's face immediately soured, and she looked as if she was about to cry.

It seemed Sister Hua had always wanted to mold her into a star successful in film, television, and music. However, her previous attempts at acting... well, words failed to describe them. Moreover, those attempts had attracted a fair amount of negative press. She'd thought Sister Hua had given up on the idea, but here she was, bringing it up again.

"Sister Hua, I'm just going with him to take a look! Who said anything about acting?!"

"Really not?"

"Really not!"

"Sigh… Alright then, go ahead. Just be careful and try your best not to get photographed."

"I know, thanks, Sister Hua! MWAH!"

"Hmph. Such flattery..."

"Hehe, this is my love for you!"

"No, thank you. You'd better save that for your Chu Tian. I have no need for it."

After coming out of the office, Xu Qingqiu sent this news to Chu Tian.

The two agreed to go together the following morning.

Since they were attending the wrap, they couldn't just show up for the wrap party. They needed to arrive earlier, at least in time to watch the final scene being filmed.

Chu Tian wanted her to come along, not because he wanted her to act or anything. It was purely because Xu Qingqiu had been practicing her singing day and night. He was worried she'd exhaust herself, so he was just looking for an excuse to get her to take a break.

Early the next day, Chu Tian was already waiting in his car downstairs.

As October set in, the weather gradually grew cooler, and they had started wearing an additional jacket. This actually made Xu Qingqiu's disguise more convenient; wearing a hat and mask didn't seem too conspicuous.

"Buckle up. Ready to go."

"Where are we headed?"

"To the film studio. They've built a set there."

"What kind of show is it? A period drama?"

"Not a period drama. Our company's current goal is to produce high-quality dramas. Period dramas are too demanding on the team, so we decided to test the waters with an urban sitcom first."

"A comedy? Is it very funny?"

Upon hearing it was a comedy, Xu Qingqiu's eyes immediately lit up.

Chu Tian glanced at her while driving and said with a smile, "What, do you really like comedies?"

"Yes! When I have downtime from work, I love watching comedies to relax. They don't require much brainpower, and they always cheer me up."

She said this very naturally and casually, but Chu Tian felt a pang in his heart upon hearing it.

If she weren't under so much pressure, why would she need comedies to lift her spirits?

However, he didn't press the issue, because everyone walks a difficult path. To reach the pinnacle of one's dreams, some sacrifices are inevitable, much like Xu Qingqiu's current situation.

He had been a slacker before, simply because he lacked any dreams or aspirations. But now, he too felt pressure—a pressure stemming from the dream he shared with Xu Qingqiu.

That night, when the two of them stood on the balcony and shouted to the night sky, "Let Chinese music conquer the world!"—to others, it might have just been a slogan, but in their hearts, his and Xu Qingqiu's, it was a genuine ambition.

And to achieve this ambition, more effort was necessary.

Xu Qingqiu understood this, and so did he. To be together securely, to make their dream a reality, both status and power were indispensable. If he lacked sufficient strength, then the day their relationship became public, they might face numerous unwarranted troubles, putting pressure on both him and Xu Qingqiu. The best solution to this pressure was for him to possess enough power—for instance, a company formidable enough to weather any storm, or the capability to help Xu Qingqiu achieve her dream more quickly. For example, being able to stand firmly behind Xu Qingqiu as her staunchest supporter, rather than being mistaken by her fans for some pretty boy, a kept man.

Two hours later, the car pulled into a parking lot. They had arrived at the film studio complex.

"'That take was excellent! Let's get one more for safety,'"

"'Camera ready!'"

"'Camera rolling!'"

"'Clapper!'"

"'Scene 561, Slate 21, Take 4! CLAP!'"

Just as they stepped into the studio, they heard the sharp sound of the clapperboard. The floor manager had instructed everyone on set to maintain silence, so Chu Tian and Xu Qingqiu did their best not to make any noise, standing quietly behind the director and watching the monitor.

"'Cut! That's a good take! Next scene, prepare!'"

After Cao Zheng shouted into the walkie-talkie, he stood up and then noticed someone behind him.

"'Huh? President Chu?! When did you arrive?'"

"'We just got here. We saw you were filming, so we didn't dare make a sound.'"

"'This is great! I was thinking no one from the company would come. I didn't expect you to come personally, President Chu.'"

"'How is it? How much is left to shoot?'"

"'Not much left, just the final scene. It only has a few shots, so we should be finished this afternoon.'"

"'Excellent. In that case, I'll really get involved today and stay with you all until you wrap!'"

"'Oh, that's fantastic! We couldn't ask for more!'"

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