After their confessions were rejected, they regretted it for the rest of their lives.

Chapter 96 The Girl Whose Distance Is Getting Closer

"..." Zhu Xuening looked down at the table, and instead of answering directly, she said softly, "You haven't introduced yourself yet."

"I remember introducing myself to you on the phone."

Zuoqiu Hangyu looked somewhat impatient; she was quite exasperated by this guy's repeated irrelevant answers.

Zhu Xuening shook her head, pressing a finger to her lips, and said, "You lied to me on the phone, so it doesn't count."

Upon hearing this, Zuoqiu Hangyu narrowed his eyes and had no choice but to reply, "My name is Zuoqiu Hangyu, and I am a lawyer. I am currently handling matters for Xia Weichan."

"oh."

Zhu Xuening nodded, then asked with some curiosity, "Then Mr. Xia must be a very important person to you, right?"

"Hmm?" Zuoqiu Hangyu frowned slightly. She didn't know how to answer Zhu Xuening's question, which was important...

It might not be that important...

If we consider Lu Ye's perspective, then the answer is a very important person. But right now, "Xia Weichan," this independent individual, is, to her, only a barely acquainted employer.

Therefore, Zuoqiu Hangyu hesitated and said, "Strictly speaking, it can't be considered as such, but it is indeed very important in some aspects."

"All right--"

Do you know what kind of person Xia Weichan is?

"Hmm—a very kind person?"

"He's the owner of a well-known entertainment company and also a shareholder of a listed group. What do you think would be his motive for exchanging his assets for land that has absolutely nothing to do with his business?"

Zuoqiu Hangyu posed the question, staring intently into Zhu Xuening's eyes, seemingly trying to discern something. However, the girl's gaze remained clear and calm, though her light gray pupils flickered slightly as if she were pondering something. After a moment, Zhu Xuening shook her head and said, "I'm just a literature student who has taken a leave of absence due to illness. I don't know that many things."

"The melting snow mountain was just a bonus; it was probably for you."

Zhu Xuening glanced away silently, pursed her lips, and said softly, "I don't think I have that value."

Just then, their coffee arrived. The girl gently took it, thanked the waiter, took a small sip, and then, as if burned, stuck out her pink tongue: "It's so hot—"

"It's warm, isn't it?"

"I have a cat's tongue, I can't handle things that are too hot—"

Zhu Xuening explained.

Zuoqiu Hangyu didn't say anything, took a sip of coffee, and the other person steered the conversation away again.

The two people were always out of sync in their conversations, and sometimes their answers were irrelevant.

Zuoqiu Hangyu suspected that Zhu Xuening was deliberately chatting like this.

"Maybe they're just taking pity on you. But for someone with a girlfriend to do something like this for another woman, tsk—"

Zuoqiu Hangyu clicked his tongue: "Pretty scumbag—"

Zhu Xuening didn't refute it because she didn't know what Xia Weichan was thinking. Maybe he really was attracted to her appearance.

But if that's the case, at least the favor owed to Xia Weichan is easier to repay—

Does his girlfriend know about this?

"I probably don't know."

Zuoqiu Hangyu shrugged, recalling the pretty girl with long orange-yellow hair, and continued, "If that girl knew, I wouldn't be here looking for you."

After saying that, Zuoqiu Hangyu looked at the thoughtful expression on Zhu Xuening's face and frowned, asking, "I don't think you'd be stupid enough to actually do something that doesn't distinguish between what's important and what's not, right?"

No.

Zhu Xuening shook her head, her tone somewhat sincere: "Actually, I just feel a little sorry for that girl. After all, if she were my girlfriend, she would have been with Mr. Xia for a long time."

"Actually, it wasn't that long. From what I understand, her situation is the same as yours."

"Oh...I see?"

At this moment, Zhu Xuening's expression changed slightly; she hadn't forgotten the contract Xia Weichan had made her sign.

"Looking at this guy's clueless expression, Zuoqiu Hangyu sighed helplessly. It seems this guy really doesn't understand anything—"

But that makes sense, really. From what he knew, Zhu Xuening and Xia Weichan had probably spent less than three days together, so it was normal that she knew nothing about Xia Weichan's life.

"Never mind, I'm sorry to have bothered you."

After finishing his coffee, Zuoqiu Hangyu stood up and apologized.

Although the two had never met before, and the other person's words were somewhat offensive, Zuoqiu Hangyu didn't take it to heart.

I recall the sly glint in Zhu Xuening's fox-like eyes when she ordered coffee...

Actually, it was a subtle insult to her body shape...

Zuoqiu Hangyu still has some... concerns about it.

She moved her gaze down Zhu Xuening's face. The loose clothing concealed the curves of the girl's chest, which appeared to be not large. Zuoqiu Hangyu curled her lips in disdain.

"Tsk~"

"?"

Zhu Xuening tilted her head like a puzzled kitten.

Sitting there, watching Zuoqiu Hangyu's figure gradually disappear, the girl gently pursed her pink lips, lost in thought.

Within the artist management company, Zhou Juzi's debut single release went exceptionally smoothly. The recording, production, and MV shooting were all completed flawlessly after the girl became familiar with the recording studio, with no mistakes whatsoever. The post-production visuals were handled by a specialist. For profit purposes, the company would insert brand logos during MV shooting, such as small slogans like "Thank you for sponsoring," or GG props that would suddenly appear in certain shots.

As for Azusa Funagi, she was only responsible for playing the piano. After doing those things, there was nothing more for the girl to do.

Then, nothing much happened to Xia Weichan...

He didn't really need to come today; he came more to keep Zhou Juzi company.

After all, this is related to the progress of the character's development and directly affects whether Xia Weichan can obtain the system's final reward.

He went out to check the sky, and cascading clouds covered most of the sky over Qingcheng.

Xia Weichan frowned, glanced at the weather forecast, and her phone indicated a heavy rain was coming tomorrow.

Depend on!

Damn.

He plans to go to the Snowmelt Mountain tomorrow to discuss the breeding strategy with Zhu Xuening, and also to look for the Northern Long-tailed Tit.

If it rains tomorrow, his birdwatching plans will basically be ruined.

Xia Weichan stood there for a moment, thinking. There was no time like the present; it seemed she had to set off today.

Just as he made up his mind to take advantage of the afternoon to bring forward the plans that could not be completed tomorrow due to the rain.

Suddenly noticing a jogging sound behind him, he turned around abruptly and met the beautiful peach-colored eyes of Tachibana Furuya.

"The cicada that never fully blooms?"

The girl's expression seemed somewhat puzzled, yet also tinged with resentment at not being able to find him after the event.

However, seeing Xia Weichan now, she was clearly in a much better mood. "I was looking for you inside for ages, I didn't expect you to have gone out..."

"I might still have some..."

Are you going to be busy again this afternoon?

Xia Weichan was speaking when he saw Zhou Juzi's bright smile gradually fade, and the rest of what he wanted to say was instantly stuck in his throat.

Perhaps it's because the girl's favorability rating has reached 90, which has led to Xia Weichan's complicated feelings towards her.

Even though their relationship was only superficial, Zhou Juzi's recent display of disappointment still triggered a sense of moral condemnation in him, as if he were "cheating" her. In fact, Xia Weichan's thinking wasn't entirely unreasonable.

After all, the two of them are currently in a state between being lovers and not lovers. "Fine, I'll stay here this afternoon and sign the single revenue contract with you first."

"One afternoon?" Zhou Juzi asked softly.

"Hmm, it seems I still need to find you a place to stay outside."

"Okay~"

Zhou Juzi gently clapped her hands near her face, and the girl's tightly furrowed and slightly drooping eyebrows relaxed, her lips curving upwards into a joyful arc, as she responded with a sweet, soft voice.

From initial indifference, the person you like gradually begins to accept your presence in their life.

This feeling made Zhou Juzi a little excited, because Xia Weichan's attitude towards her was slowly getting better. The girl had tried to use the coquettish tactic before when she was being ignored, but compared to the previous times when it didn't work, this time it worked, and Zhou Juzi could vaguely sense that Xia Weichan was now more and more accepting of her affection.

Just as the girl had initially thought, she was confident that three months would allow Xia Weichan to re-evaluate their relationship.

Although the reality differed somewhat from Zhou Juzi's expectations, it was clear that Xia Weichan had noticed the girl's affection for him. However, it wasn't an acceptance, but rather a fear of this affection, which made Xia Weichan hesitant to say anything cold to Zhou Juzi during the nurturing stage.

With the affection level unlikely to drop any further, the only option is to continue pursuing the development goal as much as possible.

The way Zhou Juzi looks at him now always reminds Xia Weichan of Ke Yuexuan in the second timeline, both times with eyes full of him...

However, when Zhou Juzi makes eye contact, she doesn't shy away.

Speaking of which...

Ever since the girl almost forcibly kissed him, has Zhou Juzi become increasingly bold in her interactions with him?

These days, the initial dating contracts are basically no different from a piece of waste paper.

The only use I can think of is in the future.

When Zhou Juzi goes too far, it's appropriate to bring her up and address the issue, at least with some basis in reason.

Xia Weichan glanced away, his expression unchanged. He stopped thinking about these unnecessary things and moved on to discussing money.

"Around the time of the single's release, you should receive two contracts: a formal artist contract and a revenue-sharing contract. As the main performer and creator, your share of the revenue will be approximately 15% of the total. Do you have any objections to this percentage?"

"that..."

Zhou Juzi's eyes flickered, revealing a hint of hesitation. Just as Xia Weichan thought the girl felt the share was too low, she spoke up, "Can I return all of this share to you?"

Are you going to work for me for free?

"no..."

Even though she wasn't asking for money, Zhou Juzi exuded a humble air, as if she were asking someone for wages. Rubbing her index finger, she said, "That way I can pay you back the money I owe you sooner..."

Xia Weichan still doesn't know why the girl is so conflicted about owing money. Is it because there is an independent and stubborn streak hidden in this girl's personality?

"Those things are not important."

"Very important."

Upon hearing this, Xia Weichan narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the girl's seemingly thoughtful gaze, before sighing helplessly, "Alright then, since you're so persistent, let's do as you say—"