Chapter 381: Chapter 343: This is a Prenuptial Agreement
Zhuo Yuqing did not expect to be questioned by Xixiao in return, and subconsciously looked towards the audience. There, Bai Chengxi was sitting with his long arms and legs making the chair look too small, yet he still maintained an elegant posture, filled with the domineering aura of a leader.
As soon as Xixiao finished speaking, their gazes collided.
Feeling as if she was pricked by something, Zhuo Yuqing quickly averted her gaze and smiled, saying, "Miss Xi really knows how to joke. I’m afraid no one cares whether I’m married or not, everyone is concerned about you."
Xixiao also smiled, "Then, thank you everyone for your concern. I can responsibly tell everyone here that I am not married and do not have a boyfriend."
"What are Miss Xi’s ideal mate criteria?"
"And what about you, Miss Zhuo? What type of man is your ideal?"
This time, Zhuo Yuqing was very composed, "A gentleman who knows how to be considerate of others."
Bai Chengxi had his fingers interlaced in front of him, listening with interest.
The interview went very smoothly. Xixiao was not as aloof as the editor-in-chief had described, and even cooperated with Zhuo Yuqing to reveal a couple of hot topics.
After the interview concluded, Zhuo Yuqing shook hands with Xixiao. Ignoring her extended hand, Xixiao took a step forward and hugged her instead. Zhuo Yuqing thought it was just a warm goodbye gesture, but then she heard Xixiao whisper in her ear, "Miss Zhuo is quite skillful, even Mr. Bai gives you face."
Before she could react, Xixiao had already hurried off with her agent.
Bai Chengxi also stood up, and as he passed by her, he suddenly said, "Let’s have dinner together tonight, I’ll come pick you up."
"I might have to work overtime tonight."
His gaze was deep and scrutinizing, and under his intense stare, she faltered: "I’ll try to finish up work."
After giving her a look of silent approval, Bai Chengxi left with his assistant.
Zhuo Yuqing returned to her office still feeling unsettled, pondering the meaning behind Xixiao’s words.
"Yuqing, you were amazing, managing to get the cool Xixiao to reveal so much juicy information. Our magazine’s news will definitely hit the headlines tomorrow," the editor merrily approached, his face blooming with a smile, "I’m so happy today, I’ll treat everyone to afternoon tea."
A cheer erupted in the office immediately.
"The influence of Miss Xi is really something, even arousing her big boss to come. Yet, her daring to speak like that in front of her big boss is really impressive; truly a top-tier celebrity," one colleague remarked jokingly.
Another hurriedly said, "Maybe it was at the big boss’s suggestion, why else would she dare?"
It was at this moment that Zhuo Yuqing suddenly understood the meaning behind Xixiao’s words; it appeared that Bai Chengxi’s visit wasn’t just for accompanying, but he had instructed something, maybe he had directed Xixiao to leak the information.
"Yuqing, keep up the good work, next week you’ll be interviewing Zhou Xiaoyu, get ready for that," the editor was in good spirits, patting Zhuo Yuqing’s shoulder cheerfully.
"Editor, wasn’t I supposed to interview Zhou Xiaoyu?" Tong Bi, who had been silent, finally couldn’t help speaking up, "Why the sudden change?"
The editor, not wanting to offend Tong Bi, consoled in a gentle voice, "Aren’t you suffering from a persistent cough? That’s not suitable for conducting interviews."
"It’s bad now, but I’ll recover by next week."
"What if you’re still unwell?" The editor didn’t want to argue further, "Take care of your health, let Yuqing handle it this time."
"But..." Tong Bi wanted to say more, but the editor had already waved his hand and walked away.
Tong Bi stamped her feet in frustration and walked up to Zhuo Yuqing’s desk, knocking forcefully: "Zhuo Yuqing, what kind of spell have you cast on the editor, stealing both Xixiao’s and Zhou Xiaoyu’s interviews from me, huh, should I start addressing you as the top star sister now?"
"If you want to address me that way, I won’t stop you," Zhuo Yuqing didn’t bother with her, "Please keep your distance, I don’t want to catch a cold."
"You..." Tong Bi glared at her hatefully before storming off.
Colleague Liu approached and commented, "Blatant jealousy, can’t stand such people."
Zhuo Yuqing just smiled, not taking Tong Bi’s words seriously.
Before leaving work, she received a call from Tang Tianyou, and every time she saw the character "Brother" on the screen, Zhuo Yuqing would feel immensely excited.
Eagerly, she picked up the phone and headed to the pantry.
"Brother."
"Qingzi, are you at work?"
"Brother, are you sick? Your voice sounds so hoarse," Zhuo Yuqing asked anxiously, gripping the cup in her hand tightly.
"It’s nothing, I just drank too much yesterday," Tang Tianyou rubbed his temples, "Drank too much, and I wasn’t even sure if you got home safely. If your dad found out, he’d beat me."
Zhuo Yuqing bit her sparkling lips; she did make it home safely but brought home an unexpected tail.
"Brother, what will you do if Qili gets married?"
"Married? Did you hear some news?" Tang Tianyou’s tone suddenly became tense.
"No, I was just asking."
"Qingzi, don’t ask about things unnecessarily," he said.
"Brother, please answer me, this is very important to me." Zhuo Yuqing’s anxious tone seemed to make Tang Tianyou take the matter seriously as well.
He paused for a moment before saying, "If in love, stay with her till old age; if fated not to be, ensure her well-being."
Stay with her till old age, ensure her well-being.
Zhuo Yuqing silently mulled over these words, a deep sorrow suddenly welled up in her heart. She truly envied Qili, even though she did not love her brother, but he was still willing to be by her side for a lifetime.
"Brother, I wish you happiness."
"Silly Qingzi, I wish you happiness too."
Zhuo Yuqing ended the call, a boundless bitterness overflowing from her lips. Only if he was happy could she be happy; if he was not, her happiness would merely be making do.
After having a cup of coffee, Zhuo Yuqing picked up her phone and sent a message to Bai Chengxi: I agree.
Soon, Bai Chengxi’s reply came back: Okay.
Zhuo Yuqing didn’t know whether her decision was right or wrong, but since she had to marry someone and couldn’t marry her brother, a man like Bai Chengxi wouldn’t be a disgrace to her.
After work, Zhuo Yuqing had just stepped out of the magazine’s building when she saw a dazzling black Bentley stopped under a street lamp. Bai Chengxi, wearing a khaki stand-collar fitted wool coat and sunglasses, was leaning against the car, smoking.
It was the rush hour, people sporadically exited the office building. Everyone passing by him couldn’t help but turn around to look at both the car and the man.
After finishing a cigarette, Bai Chengxi saw Zhuo Yuqing walking over. She didn’t dare to look at him, her head bowed as she clutched the straps of her backpack.
"Let’s have dinner," he said as he turned around and opened the passenger door.
Zhuo Yuqing said thank you and got in.
The car stopped behind Xiangshan Club, and Bai Chengxi took her to his private room. As they turned a corner, they bumped into Leng Shaoqing. Seeing the two approaching, he froze for a full minute until Bai Chengxi, with a look of disdain, pushed him aside: "Mr. Leng, please don’t block the way."
Leng Shaoqing was not one to miss such a gossip-worthy moment. Although Bai Chengxi wasn’t as ascetic as Mu Shuoqian, he wasn’t frivolous either. He had a lot of female artists under him, and with a mere gesture, women of all shapes and sizes would flock to him, but over the years, he had only been rumored to be involved with one person for a while; the rest of the time, he behaved quite decently.
Embarrassed by Leng Shaoqing’s blatant gaze, Zhuo Yuqing timidly said, "Hello."
"Don’t mind him," Bai Chengxi took her wrist and forcefully led her away.
Leng Shaoqing squinted his eyes, picked up the phone, and began dialing one number after another.
"Xiao Bei, still in the army? When are you coming back? Your Brother Bai got you a sister-in-law."
"Nan the lawyer, come to Xiangshan when you’re free, got some juicy news from old Bai."
"Professor, Professor, what are you researching lately? Why not study old Bai’s young wife?"
"Er Mu, where are you? Old Bai got influenced by you, going for younger girls. That young lady looks like she’s barely of age."
Unaware that Leng Shaoqing had already notified a bunch of people, Bai Chengxi handed the menu to Zhuo Yuqing: "Order something, the recommendations are the specialties of this place."
"I’m fine with anything, you order," Zhuo Yuqing did not take it.
Bai Chengxi, without any hesitation, flipped through the menu and asked, "Got any dietary restrictions?"
This was their second time dining together, Zhuo Yuqing was still somewhat uneasy, her fair small hands fidgeting with the tablecloth under the table, she spoke softly, "I don’t like cilantro and hate the taste of celery. Too spicy is not good for me, and I’m not too fond of sour either...."
Before she finished speaking, Bai Chengxi’s lips twitched, somewhat amusedly looking at her.
Her face turned red, her voice even softer, almost inaudible: "Also, I don’t eat chicken, duck, or lamb."
Bai Chengxi laughed, this still called ’fine with anything’? Clearly, there’s a whole list of things she doesn’t eat.
"Don’t be polite with me, if you don’t like it, just say it," Bai Chengxi quickly ordered a few dishes, "Want some ice cream? The ice cream here is pretty good, girls always order one."
"No, thanks," she would be having her period in a few days, can’t eat cold things.
"Hmm, then get a juice," Bai Chengxi closed the menu and handed it to the waiter.
The meal was very quiet, nobody talked, only the sound of utensils clinking could be heard.
After the meal, Bai Chengxi had his assistant bring over a document bag, he unclasped the lock on it and handed it to Zhuo Yuqing: "This is the prenuptial agreement, take a look, and if there is anything that needs to be added, let me know, I’ll have it changed."
Zhuo Yuqing took it, flipped through it; there wasn’t really anything special, just some clarifications about the division of assets.
"You don’t have to give me so much money, I am not lacking."
"Now that we are married, what should be yours will be yours," Bai Chengxi lit a cigarette.
"Then, after we get married, do we live together?" Zhuo Yuqing cautiously glanced at him, he squinted his eyes, seemingly finding her question amusing.
"What do you think? Do you think I’d marry a wife and still want a long-distance relationship?"
"I, I didn’t mean that," Zhuo Yuqing’s face grew even redder, actually, she meant to ask if he