Chapter 73: A Strange Atmosphere
Xu Youyou used the compensation from her previous travel agency to hire a new tour guide and continued her trip as planned.
After three more days of traveling, the group returned to Mo City, where the film crew was shooting.
Meanwhile, the real estate agent Xu Youyou had contacted before her trip finally responded. Since she had listed the old house at a significantly lower price—150,000 yuan, 100,000 less than what she had paid—it sold quickly.
Xu Youyou’s main reason for returning was to finalize the sale, though it wasn’t about the money. She simply saw no need to keep a property she would never live in, nor did she want any further entanglements with the previous owner, Qian Datou. Rather than letting the house sit empty, she preferred to sell it to someone who genuinely needed it.
Although she had listed the house at a low price, she had restricted sales to first-time homebuyers only.
She knew her actions seemed odd—so much so that even the real estate agent couldn’t figure out her intentions. Throughout the process, Xu Youyou played the role of a capricious heiress who made decisions on a whim, without any apparent logic.
“I thought old houses had a certain charm,” she explained, “but I didn’t expect them to be so filthy. Just looking at it hurts my eyes.”
The agent sighed internally. Rich people really have too much time on their hands. Buying a house on impulse, then flipping it days later at a massive loss of 100,000 yuan—like it was nothing.
Meanwhile, two of Xu Youyou’s bodyguards were whispering to each other.
“Why do you think the boss stayed in that house until late at night?” one of them murmured.
The other bodyguard immediately warned, “Don’t ask too many questions about the affairs of the wealthy. Miss Xu is generous with her pay, so don’t gossip behind her back. If she finds out, she won’t be happy.”
The first bodyguard instantly realized his mistake. “You’re right. I need to keep my mouth shut—I can’t afford to lose this job.”
A job that paid 100,000 yuan per month wasn’t easy to come by, and for that kind of money, they were more than willing to keep their mouths shut.
Ouyang Ouyang had no idea Xu Youyou had returned to sign a property sales contract. He assumed she had come back because she was interested in someone from the crew. Overjoyed, he organized another farewell dinner for her.
“Boss, why don’t you stay a little longer?” Ouyang Ouyang, drunk after drinking too much, clung to Xu Youyou’s sleeve outside the hotel. “When you’re around, I feel more confident directing…”
Xu Youyou tried to pull her sleeve free but failed.
Even in his drunken state, Ouyang Ouyang didn’t forget to play matchmaker. He grabbed Song Zhibai’s hand and shoved him toward Xu Youyou.
“Boss, Xiao Song is a good kid. I’m entrusting him to you… Please take care of him!”
Ouyang Ouyang was the director and the most important figure on set. No one had dared to make him drink, yet he had been drinking heavily on his own. Now, in his drunken stupor, he was making a scene, leaving Song Zhibai thoroughly embarrassed.
Xu Youyou could see that Song Zhibai wished he could disappear into the ground. Helplessly, she said, “It’s actually me who’s entrusting Xiao Song to you. You have to make this film a success and turn him into a top-tier star.”
The short drama that had gone viral earlier had already given Song Zhibai a popularity boost. However, such fleeting online fame was unstable—he still needed a mainstream production to cement his position at the top.
But Ouyang Ouyang, his mind muddled by alcohol, misheard her words and became even more emotional.
“From now on, he’s yours! Sniff You two must be happy together!”
Xu Youyou was at her wit’s end.
Suddenly, Song Zhibai took her hand and said, “Brother Ou, you can relax now. The boss and I are together. You can let go of her now.”
Xu Youyou felt the warmth of his touch—almost like an electric shock. Startled, she instinctively tried to pull her hand away. Handsome men were nice, but she loved money more, and all she could think about was the massive penalty clause in Song Zhibai’s contract.
She turned to speak to him, only to see him wink at her.
Xu Youyou mouthed, You made the first move.
Seeing his OTP (one true pairing) hold hands, Ouyang Ouyang became emotional, his nose tingling. The big, burly man even pulled out a floral handkerchief and dabbed at his tears.
“You two are a perfect match! This makes me so happy! I don’t care if I have to become a dog as long as you two stay together—”
Xu Youyou: …
Then, all of a sudden, Ouyang Ouyang shivered.
“Why is it so cold? Did winter arrive early? It feels like someone wants to kill me!”
A shadow passed over his face. He turned and saw something—or someone—that scared him so much he collapsed onto the ground.
Xu Youyou followed his gaze and found herself even more puzzled.
It’s just a man in black. What’s the big deal?
Wait… That man is quite good-looking. And strangely familiar.
Xu Youyou beamed and waved. “President Lu! What are you doing here?”
Lu Jingyao’s gaze was locked on the hand that Song Zhibai was still holding.
Xu Youyou was about to walk over when she finally noticed her left hand was still in Song Zhibai’s grasp.
“Ah, sorry, I almost forgot.” Song Zhibai released her fingers, his voice casual.
His expression, however, was unreadable as he looked at Lu Jingyao, standing five meters away.
Lu Jingyao’s response was brief. “I’m here for a project evaluation.”
Xu Youyou remarked, “What a coincidence!”
This hotel housed the film crew. Originally, Xu Youyou wasn’t supposed to stay here, but her previous hotel was fully booked, forcing her to relocate.
What she didn’t know was that their encounter was anything but a coincidence. Lu Jingyao had sent people to inquire at several hotels, determined to find out where the crew was staying. His “chance meeting” had been carefully orchestrated. And what he saw nearly made him explode with anger.
Lu Jingyao nodded coolly, suppressing his emotions. Trying to act indifferent, he asked, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”
Xu Youyou saw nothing amiss and cheerfully made introductions. “President Lu, you’ve seen pictures of Xiao Song before. He’s our company’s future superstar. And Director Ouyang—he’s going to be an internationally renowned director. They’re both key figures in my company!”
“Xiao Song, Director Ouyang, this is President Lu Jingyao of the Lu Group.”
Lu Jingyao nodded at them, relieved that Xu Youyou had not introduced Song Zhibai as her boyfriend.
Ouyang Ouyang, who had just been helped up by Song Zhibai, felt an icy chill as soon as his gaze met Lu Jingyao’s. He nearly collapsed again, sobering up instantly. Instinctively, he wanted to flee the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Song Zhibai stepped forward and extended a hand, his expression calm and composed. “Mr. Lu, a pleasure to meet you.”
Lu Jingyao shook his hand, though his grip was firm and his eyes were as sharp as knives. Through gritted teeth, he replied, “Pleasure.”
Xu Youyou sensed that something felt off. But as someone who had lived two lives, she firmly believed in putting her own feelings first.
If something felt off, she would simply step away from it.
“I’m going to bed. You guys go ahead and chat.”
With that, Xu Youyou stepped into the elevator, leaving the three men behind in the hotel lobby.
As the doors closed, Lu Jingyao slowly withdrew his hand and said, “Mr. Song, even when playing along, one should know their limits.”
Song Zhibai smiled, but his eyes remained cold. “Sometimes, play-acting can turn real.”
