Chapter 785

Starting Wednesday, Yan Zhusheng and Yuan Wanqing became busy, spending the next two days entirely in the recording studio.

It wasn't because their singing ability was problematic, but simply because TikTok had invested too much money in this.

Even though the sound engineer, music arranger, and other staff felt the recording was already perfect, they still spent an extra day refining it.

After all, it's a job—you can't let your superiors think your work is easy; you must spend extra time to show you're serious and hardworking.

Yan Zhusheng and Yuan Wanqing didn't mind at all, since they were paid well enough; it was just a day or two, so they sang anyway.

By Friday, Li Luo, accompanied by Director Wang, finally selected one of the five male lead candidates who had stood out from the auditions—a young actor who had just graduated this year.

Then Ying Chanxi and Lawyer Tian took over to handle the details of the contract signing.

During these two days, while Yan Zhusheng and Yuan Wanqing were busy recording songs, Ying Chanxi, with nothing else to do, kept dragging Li Luo around Beijing to visit many places.

They didn't go to any famous classic attractions, but specifically sought out places with old hutong charm, walking through alleys, taking photos, eating street food, and enjoying themselves thoroughly.

Unfortunately, such moments were always brief; once Ying Chanxi became busy, she could no longer drag Li Luo out for leisurely outings and had to focus on work.

With that, Yan Zhusheng, having just finished recording, finally seized the opportunity and pulled Li Luo out to play while Ying Chanxi was occupied.

Unlike Ying Chanxi, Yan Zhusheng specifically targeted famous attractions, taking Li Luo to Tiananmen Square and then climbing the Great Wall.

After squeezing in the TikTok-required short video recording over the weekend, they mostly just toured attractions with Li Luo.

By Sunday afternoon, after Ying Chanxi and Lawyer Tian finalized the male actor's contract, Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng didn't return to the hotel until around three or four p. m., having just finished touring the Summer Palace.

At that moment, Ying Chanxi had already packed all three of their bags and sat on the living room sofa with arms crossed, waiting for them.

"Back already?" Ying Chanxi said calmly, seeing her annoying little sister walk in holding Li Luo's arm, "Our flight's at five-thirty—you two really know how to time things perfectly."

"Don't talk, sister." Yan Zhusheng sniffed the air, pretending to smell something, "The room reeks of vinegar—it's overwhelming."

"Hmph." Ying Chanxi snorted, "I'm not jealous—I'm just reminding you to mind the time. If I hadn't packed your bags, you'd be rushing to get ready right now instead of being able to leave straight away."

"That's right," Yan Zhusheng nodded, "We knew you'd help pack, so we came back at this exact time—thank you, sister."

Ying Chanxi: "..."

"Alright, alright, Chanxi, you've worked hard." Li Luo released his grip on Yan Zhusheng's slender waist, walked over to the sofa, picked up Ying Chanxi, and gently stroked her head, "Let's go—Yuan Auntie is waiting downstairs."

"That's it? Just 'you worked hard' and you're done?" Ying Chanxi murmured, leaning against Li Luo's chest.

The next second, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Ying Chanxi's eyes widened in surprise, then gradually softened; soon she was dazed from his kiss.

Only when Li Luo pulled away did she step back half a pace, cheeks flushed, muttering, "You only know how to do that."

"As long as it works," Yan Zhusheng said, watching from the side, "You clearly enjoyed it—what's there to complain about?"

"You..." Ying Chanxi suddenly realized her little sister had been watching the whole time; her face turned bright red, "Why were you watching?"

"You didn't say I couldn't," Yan Zhusheng replied, then deliberately leaned in and kissed Li Luo's neck right in front of Ying Chanxi; after the kiss, she turned to look at her, "Now I'm letting you watch too—so we're even. But you kissed him so long, so I..."

"No need!" Ying Chanxi quickly grabbed Yan Zhusheng's arm and pulled her aside, holding up her phone to show the time, dead serious, "It's late—let's go downstairs. Don't keep Yuan Auntie waiting."

"You didn't say that when you were kissing," Yan Zhusheng glanced at her sister, but still dragged her suitcase toward the door.

The three of them officially set out, met Yuan Wanqing downstairs, and headed for the airport.

The staff, including Xiao Wen, had all booked economy class tickets covered by the studio, so at the airport they rushed to security and queues.

Li Luo and the other three, in business class, didn't need to hurry; after checking their luggage, they entered through the business-class security lane and waited in the VIP lounge.

Only when boarding began did they slowly make their way to the gate.

As they boarded the plane, Yan Zhusheng turned to Ying Chanxi and asked, "Sister, are you sitting with Li Luo?"

Asking such a question in front of Yuan Wanqing made Ying Chanxi embarrassed; the word "yes" stuck in her throat.

Even though Yuan Wanqing pretended not to hear and didn't glance their way, Ying Chanxi still felt shy.

That gave Yan Zhusheng the opening to press on: "If sister doesn't want to sit with him, then I'll sit with Li Luo—you sit with Mom."

As soon as she said that, Ying Chanxi panicked.

Yuan Wanqing could no longer hold back; she glanced at the three of them, seeing Ying Chanxi's flushed face, and sighed at Yan Zhusheng.

Originally, Yuan Wanqing had assumed that with these two sisters together, her daughter's personality would naturally make Ying Chanxi the dominant one.

After all, Ying Chanxi had excellent grades, was former president of her high school student council, mature, sensible, and well-behaved.

But now, it seemed more like her own daughter was bullying poor Chanxi?

Watching this, Yuan Wanqing saw Ying Chanxi growing flustered, so she couldn't help herself and spoke directly to Li Luo: "Li Luo."

"Hmm?"

"I'd like to discuss the follow-up with TikTok. Why don't you sit with me?"

"Oh, sure." Li Luo, sensing his future mother-in-law's request, immediately nodded, then turned to the two girls, "Then you two sit together."

Yan Zhusheng frowned slightly at her mother upon hearing this.

Ying Chanxi, however, smiled with quiet triumph and nodded eagerly: "Fine, I'll sit with Zhusheng."

Saying that, she grabbed Yan Zhusheng's arm and pulled her forward.

Yan Zhusheng had no choice but to accept the arrangement.

Once inside the cabin, Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng took the two left-side business-class seats, while Li Luo and Yuan Wanqing sat on the opposite side of the aisle.

Yuan Wanqing sat by the window; after settling in, she didn't mention TikTok at all, acting as if she'd never said anything, quietly gazing out at the scenery.

Seeing this, Li Luo pretended not to notice and sat quietly beside her.

Only after all passengers boarded, the plane took off, and it entered steady flight, when the flight attendants served a refined dinner to business-class passengers, did Yuan Wanqing begin chatting with Li Luo over her meal.

"Zhusheng already told me everything about the three of you," Yuan Wanqing said calmly, cutting into her steak, speaking directly to Li Luo for the first time.

Li Luo ate quietly, nodded slightly, and hummed in acknowledgment, waiting for her to continue.

"I'm not a good mother," Yuan Wanqing continued softly, "Zhusheng grew up overseas; before middle school, she never attended school—she was taught one-on-one at home by tutors."

"She lacked paternal love and social interaction. After returning to China, I worried about how she'd feel at school, but things turned out better than I expected."

"Later, I realized it was all thanks to you."

When she said this, Yuan Wanqing paused.

Li Luo promptly spoke up, taking the lead: "Zhusheng may have some flaws in her personality, but those are also part of what makes her unique."

"At school, she doesn't only have me as a friend—for example, Xu Yinghuan, whom you've met before, is also very close to Zhusheng."

"Even without me, Zhusheng wouldn't have major problems."

Li Luo said this, though he wasn't entirely confident.

Because from his past life, Yuan Wanqing and Yan Zhusheng's relationship had clearly been poor.

It might also have something to do with Yan Zhusheng's high school experience at Fu Yi.

Recalling how Yan Zhusheng had handled the girls in her class faking their periods during the freshman military training, Li Luo fell into thought.

Yan Zhusheng was indeed lacking in social graces.

Once isolated, this situation would likely worsen.

Thinking this through, Li Luo suddenly realized that in this life, he might have truly protected Yan Zhusheng well enough that she could retain her innocence and purity.

This might be one meaning of his rebirth.

Li Luo spoke these words partly hoping Yuan Wanqing wouldn't carry too much burden.

After hearing this, Yuan Wanqing's expression softened, and she continued: "As for your affairs, deep down I don't strongly oppose them."

"Especially after seeing how you two interact, it's clear that Chanxi and Zhusheng are both willing."

"Their own willingness is naturally the most important."

"But your Uncle Ying and I have a simple thought: if Chanxi and Zhusheng choose to be with you, we won't oppose it."

"We only hope you won't betray them."

As Yuan Wanqing spoke, her tone was sincere; after another pause, she continued: "Li Luo, you are outstanding—among boys your age, there is no one who can compare to you."

"If only one of Chanxi or Zhusheng were to be with you, it would be her own fortune."

"But if both of them are to spend their entire lives with you, I hope you truly clarify the possible disagreements that may arise."

"Living your life well matters more than anything else."

When she said this, Yuan Wanqing's expression grew complex, as if recalling something.

In fact, if Li Luo hadn't specially crafted a hit album for her, Yuan Wanqing might have already retired halfway.

Occasionally taking small commercial gigs, and if she didn't spend recklessly, that income would be enough to maintain a respectable life.

Marrying Ying Zhicheng, bearing him a child, and staying home to raise the child and support her husband might have been a decent choice.

But by sheer coincidence, with Li Luo's help, her career experienced a second spring, step by step bringing her to where she is today.

Undeniably, Li Luo has been their good fortune in their careers.

The cost, however, is that this man has stolen away both their precious daughters.

"Auntie Yuan, I know words mean little, but I still have to say it," Li Luo looked at her earnestly and said sincerely, "I will never betray them."

"I still trust your character in this regard," Yuan Wanqing said, then added silently in her heart—though Ying Zhicheng clearly didn't trust men's character in such matters.

They talked at length; Yuan Wanqing had spoken openly with Li Luo, and the heavy stone in her heart was finally lifted.

Still, Li Luo felt uneasy, several times opening his mouth to say something, but sensing it wasn't appropriate on the plane, he held back.

He had realized now: Auntie Yuan and Uncle Ying only knew about his relationship with Chanxi and Zhusheng—they hadn't noticed anything odd about Xu Youyu.

After all, theoretically, Xu Youyu was a tenant of Bihai Lanting, and their closeness stemmed only from being alumni of the same school.

Moreover, whenever Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing were present, Xu Youyu always kept a low profile, causing both to overlook Xu Youyu's presence.

Li Luo didn't yet know how to explain this to Yuan Wanqing, so he could only set it aside for now.

After finishing the meal, they had talked enough; the flight attendant cleared the trays, and Yuan Wanqing closed her eyes for a brief rest.

Across the aisle, Yan Zhusheng had been secretly watching; after seeing her mother finish talking with Li Luo, she tugged at his arm, signaling him to switch seats.

Li Luo glanced at her, saw her determined expression, and got up to use the restroom.

Yan Zhusheng immediately rose and sat in Li Luo's seat, moving beside Yuan Wanqing.

"Why are you here?" Yuan Wanqing noticed the change and asked.

"Mom, did you just say something to Li Luo?"

"We were talking about TikTok."

"Really?"

"You don't believe me?"

"Then let's just say it's that," Yan Zhusheng nodded, then whispered, "I came over to ask something."

"What?"

"When can I sleep with Li Luo?"

Yuan Wanqing: "..."

(End of Chapter)