Chapter 231: Left Embrace, Right Hold

"Bro..."

After repeated hesitation, Zhang Manyu finally, shyly, called out a move.

"So obedient."

Xu Yuexin, knowing Zhang Manyu was shy, deliberately smiled and said, "Tomorrow night, let's go camping at the beach together."

A single man and a single woman, going camping at the beach?

Zhang Manyu could almost think of what Xu Yuexin was thinking without even using her brain.

No, this really can't be.

Zhang Manyu admonished herself in her heart.

Today, Xu Yuexin's role in her mind underwent a huge change, from a warm, understanding big brother to an ambiguous friend.

If we go camping tomorrow night, the pace would be too fast.

This made Zhang Manyu a bit hard to accept in a short time.

"Huh? Camping? I'm filming the day after tomorrow."

"After I finish filming, shall we go camping together?"

Zhang Manyu shook her head awkwardly and said.

Speaking of that, she worried Xu Yuexin wouldn't believe her, and quickly added, "Bro, don't worry, I'm definitely not playing with you."

"As soon as the filming is done, I will definitely go to the beach with you."

Hearing Zhang Manyu's reply, Xu Yuexin realized she wanted to buy himself some time to adjust to the change in their relationship.

But Xu Yuexin didn't want to wait.

Facing the beautiful girl's repeated "bro", his heart had already begun to stir.

"No problem, I'll invite Lan Jieying, and the three of us will go together."

Xu Yuexin made the arrangement and reassured Zhang Manyu.

Hearing Xu Yuexin's arrangement, Zhang Manyu was momentarily at a loss.

Invite Lan Jieying as well? That should be foolproof.

After all, with a third person present, even if the two are already in an ambiguous stage, Xu Yuexin probably wouldn't be able to do anything during camping. Moreover, in a two‑girls‑one‑guy setup, they'd surely share a tent while Xu Yuexin would sleep alone.

Thinking of this, Zhang Manyu felt less nervous and thought it wasn't impossible to agree.

"It's possible, but I might have to leave early the next day."

"After all, I'm a newcomer; I can't be late for filming."

"No problem."

Xu Yuexin found Zhang Manyu's request reasonable and agreed, "I'll go back and prepare the camping gear; you just come over."

"You don't need to bring anything then."

"Okay, remember to bring a big tent."

Zhang Manyu reminded.

"Alright, I'm going back."

Xu Yuexin looked at the clock in the living room and said, "It's not early; you shouldn't have to go back to the office."

"Okay, bro, take your time."

Zhang Manyu said, seeing Xu Yuexin off to the door.

At that moment, Xu Yuexin turned his body and embraced Zhang Manyu's graceful figure.

"Bro..."

Zhang Manyu whispered softly.

Zhang Manyu was already mentally prepared for Xu Yuexin's embrace.

However, when she actually lay in Xu Yuexin's arms, she still felt a sudden flutter in her heart and nervousness.

"Little Yu, be obedient and listen to me."

"I guarantee, five years from now, the hottest star in Xiangjiang will be you."

Xu Yuexin whispered in Zhang Manyu's ear, then gently kissed her cheek.

"I... I will work hard."

Flustered, Zhang Manyu didn't know what to say, and ended up blurted this.

When she finished speaking, she laughed herself.

"It's not at the company, you don't have to prove your resolve to me."

Xu Yuexin couldn't help but laugh, "Tomorrow afternoon, I'll come to your place to pick you up."

"Okay... I'll wait for you."

Zhang Manyu nodded, a bit immersed in Xu Yuexin's embrace just now.

Xu Yuexin also sensed Zhang Manyu's need, held her a while longer before letting go.

Leaving Zhang Manyu's house, Xu Yuexin drove to other neighborhoods outside Central, bought a tent, blankets, sleeping bags and other supplies, and returned home.

The next morning, Xu Yuexin first called Lan Jieying, inviting her to go camping together that night.

"Oh? Is Little Yu also coming?"

Hearing that Zhang Manyu was also going, Lan Jieying said subconsciously.

"What, don't want to go with her?"

"No, no, not at all, I really want to camp with her."

Lan Jieying quickly replied.

Lan Jieying originally thought this camping trip would be a two‑person world for her and Xu Yuexin.

When she heard Xu Yuexin say that Zhang Manyu was also going, she felt a bit surprised.

However, Lan Jieying and Zhang Manyu are also good friends at work, so after regaining her composure she not only wasn't disappointed but felt equally happy.

"That's fine. You don't need to bring anything; I've prepared everything."

"Great, Brother Xin is the best."

Lan Jieying said happily over the phone.

When she spends time with Xu Yuexin, he always manages to prepare everything, so she doesn't have to worry about a thing.

This makes Lan Jieying feel very happy.

In the afternoon, Xu Yuexin drove to the villa community to pick up Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying and take them to the beach.

Their destination this time is Dalong Xiwan Beach, which is far from the Urban Area's hustle and is an ideal spot for camping.

When they arrived at the community gate, Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying were already waiting in full dress.

Zhang Manyu wore a water‑green off‑shoulder top, denim hot shorts, expensive sunglasses, fashionable strappy high heels—a perfect youthful beauty.

Lan Jieying linked arms with Zhang Manyu, wearing a pure white polka‑dot dress, her hair styled with an elegant hairpin, appearing pure and graceful.

"Let's go, you two."

Xu Yuexin rolled down the car window and said to Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying.

"Brother, did you put the tent in the trunk?"

Zhang Manyu asked as she walked to the car window.

"Yes, everything's in the trunk."

Xu Yuexin said, then Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying got into the car one after another and sat together in the back seat.

Dalong Xiwan Beach is far from Xiangjiang's Urban Area; Xu Yuexin drove for an hour to get there.

By then, the sun had moved to the horizon, and the sea water, under the changing light, shifted from daytime azure to deep blue.

Compared with the daytime scenery, the sea now seemed more profound and mysterious, prompting a urge to see what lies beneath the surface.

Xu Yuexin parked the car by the road away from the beach and, together with Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying, carried the tent and other supplies down.

"Is there a barbecue grill?"

When the trunk was opened, a look of delight appeared on Zhang Manyu's pretty face.

"The ingredients are also brought."

Lan Jieying exclaimed in surprise, and she and Zhang Manyu both smiled.

Before coming, they had discussed what to eat while camping by the sea.

Their final unanimous conclusion was to eat instant noodles, because the tent and other gear already took up a lot of space, leaving no room for more food.

Unexpectedly, Xu Yuexin brought them such a pleasant surprise.

Camping by the sea is already romantic; who would dare imagine a bonfire barbecue on top of that? "First set up the tent, then think about the barbecue."

When the three worked together to move all the supplies onto the beach, Xu Yuexin gave instructions.

He said that by night the seaside wind would become strong, making tent erection much harder.

One must not let a momentary appetite delay the important task of setting up the tent.

"I'll raise the tent poles; you two just spread the tent canvas."

"Alright, Xiao Yu, you and I will unfold the tent canvas together."

"Mm hm…"

Under Xu Yuexin's command, the three divided the work and began the tent‑erecting task.

Installing the poles, spreading the canvas, fastening rivets…

After about half an hour, the large tent that Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying would sleep in was erected.

Next came Xu Yuexin's small tent. The small tent is quicker and easier to set up than the large one.

When Xu Yuexin, Zhang Manyu, and Lan Jieying finished, the sun had not yet set.

"So beautiful."

Zhang Manyu brushed sand off her hands and pointed to the horizon.

Xu Yuexin and Lan Jieying also looked ahead.

In the distant horizon where sea meets sky, a red sun was half‑sunk in the sea, its afterglow tinting the clouds orange‑red, and the azure waves rippled in the crimson light.

"What a beautiful sunset."

Lan Jieying took Zhang Manyu's hand and said with emotion.

Xu Yuexin also nodded, turned back into the tent, and took out his Sea Gull camera that he always carries.

"Click, click."

After the shutter sounded, the beauty of that moment was forever captured.

While he was taking photos, Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying had already begun setting up the barbecue.

Xu Yuexin set the camera down, wanting to join, but Zhang Manyu stopped him.

"Brother, it's fine if the two of us handle it."

"You rest first."

"Alright. The seaside wind is strong; remember to add more charcoal."

Xu Yuexin nodded, turned, took out three lounge chairs from the tent, lay on one of them, and comfortably enjoyed the service of the two beauties.

Lan Jieying was quick and deft at setting up the grill, whereas Zhang Manyu was a bit clumsy.

Yet that made her appear even more pure and cute.

"Brother, do you have a lighter?"

When the grill was set up and the Silver Frost Charcoal was fully spread, Zhang Manyu walked to Xu Yuexin's side, gave his arm a shake, and said.

"Hey."

Xu Yuexin quickly agreed, hurriedly fetched a lighter and handed it to Zhang Manyu.

After receiving the lighter, Zhang Manyu lit the charcoal.

"Bro, move a bit; the wind is blowing toward you."

"Bro, what do you like to eat? We'll grill that for you first."

"Bro…"

Under Zhang Manyu's repeated "Bro," Xu Yuexin's bones felt like they were about to melt.

Having to be called that by a pure, youthful maiden in a short while—who could stand it?

"Bro, you eat first."

When the beef and salmon were done, Zhang Manyu handed Xu Yuexin two skewers first.

"Also scallops and Jiwei shrimp."

"You guys grill yours too."

"I brought them especially for you and A Ying to eat."

Xu Yuexin took the beef and salmon and said to Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying,

"Hey, how did you know I like Jiwei shrimp?"

Lan Jieying asked curiously.

"Yeah, bro, I never told you I like scallops."

Zhang Manyu looked equally puzzled.

"I heard it at the company."

"So I brought them over."

Xu Yuexin took big bites of the beef and said to the two,

He's really thoughtful.

Hearing Xu Yuexin's reply warmed Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying.

They had never mentioned their food preferences to Xu Yuexin, but he silently remembered them as soon as he heard.

The two opened the foil packets containing the ingredients and took out the scallops and Jiwei shrimp.

Like the beef and salmon, these two were packed in chilled bags, and the ice hadn't melted when taken out.

Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying grilled the two items, and soon the grill emitted a fragrant aroma.

When the Jiwei shrimp and scallops were done, Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying eagerly took down the skewers and started eating together.

After the first bite, both faces showed endless praise.

"Bro, the scallops you bought are so fragrant, they taste sweet and silky."

"The Jiwei shrimp too, they're light and sweet."

Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying said in turn.

"I bought them as organic food, so they taste a bit better."

"Organic food?"

Zhang Manyu asked curiously.

"Yes, the whole cultivation process is completely green and pollutant‑free, no chemicals, that's what organic food is."

"Besides scallops and Jiwei shrimp, things like pork and vegetables also have organic versions."

"Oh? Do they have to use chemicals to raise scallops and shrimp now?"

Zhang Manyu, like a hundred thousand whys, kept probing.

"Of course."

Lan Jieying answered for Xu Yuexin, "The farming density is high; a pond holds many scallops and shrimp, so bacteria can easily arise."

"If you don't use them, they'd all die out."

"I guess organic scallops and Jiwei shrimp are stocked at very low density, which allows them to be raised without chemicals."

"Then the price must be high, right?"

Zhang Manyu said.

"I think so too. Brother Xin, how much are the scallops per jin?"

Lan Jieying asked.

"200 per jin."

"Wow, that's really expensive."

"Exactly, regular scallops are only 5 yuan per jin."

Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying sighed.

The life of the rich is truly hard to imagine.

A seemingly ordinary seaside barbecue can actually consume two months' salary!

After learning the ingredients' steep price, Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying ate very carefully, fearing any waste.

During the meal, the three discussed the company's future plans.

"Brother Xin, I heard you invested ten million into the company; is that true?"

"Hmm, who told you?"

"It was Xiao Yu."

"You intend to expand the company, right?"

Not entirely.

Xu Yuexin took the beef skewer, and while waiting for it to cool, shook his head and said, "Scale is secondary; the key is to change the model."

Change the model?

Right. At present the company's model is still to launch artists and then act as a small shareholder on the investment side.

The advantage of this is light‑asset operation and low risk, but it also loses control over the artists' works.

If we invest more money, the company can later produce movies and TV dramas on its own, and we'll decide what to film.

Then wouldn't we have to recruit a lot of people?

Like screenwriters, directors… and so on.

No, no, we'll only increase investment, not recruit staff.

Xu Yuexin shook his head in denial.

To be precise, we won't recruit other personnel, only female artists.

But it's not very convenient to say that to Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying.

The three of them discussed the company's development until late night.

Xu Yuexin, holding a Seagull brand camera, took a few shots of the starlight on the horizon, and finally each of Zhang Manyu, Lan Jieying, and he returned to their tents to sleep.

Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying slept in the big tent, while Xu Yuexin went alone to the small tent.

However, after returning to the tent, he didn't fall asleep immediately; he waited a while, then after a moment stepped out again and headed toward the adjacent big tent.

Inside the big tent, Zhang Manyu and Lan Jieying were already sound asleep, and at that moment Xu Yuexin arrived at the outside of the tent.

(End of chapter)