Chapter Seven: How Will the Production Team Arrange Things?

Watching as the ride-hailing car gradually disappeared from view, Sang Qiwen suddenly remembered something. “In another month, it’ll be little sister’s birthday.”

“It’s about time we give her a car,” he said.

Sang Qiwu frowned. “If you’re giving her a car, what am I supposed to give her?”

“Her apartment is rented by the company, so I’ll give her an apartment,” Sang Qibo replied, adjusting his glasses as they slid down his nose.

Sang Qiwu’s eyes widened in surprise. “Big Brother, Third Brother, if you’re giving her a car and an apartment, what are Mom, Dad, and I supposed to give her?”

“That’s for you to figure out,” Sang Qiwen replied with a glance. “I’ve got something to do—heading back now.”

With that, Sang Qiwen turned and walked toward the garage, making it clear he had no intention of leaving with his brothers.

Sang Qibo followed him. “Big Brother, my car’s in the shop. Give me a lift?”

“Alright,” Sang Qiwen agreed.

Sang Qiwu trudged back inside, dispirited. As soon as he entered, he called out loudly, “Mom, Dad, Big Brother and Third Brother say they’re giving little sister a car and an apartment for her birthday next month. What are you going to give her?”

Sang Zheng was furious at the news. “Those two rascals—since when is it their place to give her a car and an apartment?”

“Isn’t it just right?” his mother responded, producing a plate of cherries from who-knows-where—not from the fridge, that much was certain.

Sang Qiwu stared in astonishment, just about to ask their source when he suddenly remembered that Big Brother had mentioned little sister bought some fruit tonight, but none had been seen in the kitchen fridge!

“Mom, Dad, that’s not fair,” he protested, sitting down. “You hid the fruit that little sister bought!”

Not letting them eat it—now that was really too much.

His mother made a noncommittal sound and looked over at the “culprit.” “Ask your father about that.”

Sang Zheng turned away, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.

Sang Qiwu silently accused them with his eyes.

“Alright,” his mother said, “since Eldest and Third are giving her a car and an apartment, we’ll give Jia Jia the rental income from those few buildings at Haixin Square.” The children’s coming-of-age gifts had always been a building each, with the rental income serving as their monthly allowance. Now that all the children were grown and had their own careers, the remaining few buildings—she’d decided to distribute them as well, transferring everything to the children’s names.

That way, the two of them could finally relax, content to tend to their market stall.

“What about me?” After eating a couple cherries, Sang Qiwu pointed at himself in confusion. In the end, he was the only one left who didn’t know what to give his little sister.

——

When Qi Bin arrived at the Baishan Hotel, it was already ten o’clock in the evening. The atmosphere in the private room had reached a fever pitch: the table was crowded with famous liquors and cigarettes, the air thick with mingled scents—whether pleasant or unpleasant, it was hard to say.

“Brother Lu will be here soon. Are you sure you don’t want to pick a different place?” Qi Bin swept his gaze around. Baishan Hotel was the most renowned club in City A, and its female hostesses were equally famous.

At that moment, Qi Bin noticed that everyone had a woman in their arms, hands wandering in the haze of smoke.

Wei Heng stubbed out his cigarette unhurriedly and gestured for the woman sitting on his lap to get up. He picked up a glass of wine from the table and took a sip before finally speaking. “What’s the rush?”

“It’s not time yet, is it?”

Lu Wenchuan, heir to the Lu Corporation, had taken over the family business right after graduating from university. In just two years, he’d used forceful means to bring the old guard to heel. In their circle, he was already someone not to be trifled with. Yet there were always those eager to test him—people like Wei Heng.

“The smell of smoke sure lingers,” Qi Bin remarked, taking a seat. A hostess quickly poured him a drink and tried to get close, hoping to take advantage, but he declined.

“My sister’s at home tonight,” Qi Bin said with a smile, turning to Wei Heng. “How did you manage to get Brother Lu to join that reality dating show?”

Qi Bin was genuinely curious. Lu Wenchuan had never had women around him these past years and seemed to have no interest in such matters—so how had a simple bet landed him on a dating show? There had to be more to the story.

“Take a guess,” Wei Heng replied with a sly, narrowed smile.

Qi Bin was speechless.

“If I could guess, why would I bother asking you?”

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. A server entered, looking respectful. “Mr. Lu is in the private room next door.”

“How boring,” Wei Heng muttered, already expecting it. Lu Wenchuan wouldn’t deign to join them in this room—he was happy to let them be, not interfering in the slightest.

Qi Bin stood, surveying the room. Several people were already drunk but still conscious enough to amuse themselves with the women.

He frowned and looked away. “If it’s always going to be this kind of place, count me out from now on.”

“Oh?” Wei Heng raised an eyebrow. “Turning over a new leaf?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Qi Bin retorted, heading out first with determination and a whiff of tension in his words. “I just find it unlucky.”

Wei Heng shrugged. “Alright then, next time I won’t invite them.”

“But it’s only fun with a crowd.”

As they spoke, the two had already entered the private room next door.

Lu Wenchuan sat alone on the sofa, with only water on the table—no alcohol, not even tea. The setting was dull to the extreme.

“Trying to cultivate yourself for the dating show?” Wei Heng arched a brow and found a corner seat, determined not to be blamed for polluting the air with the smell of smoke and liquor.

“It’s late. No alcohol, no tea—wouldn’t want to affect my sleep,” Lu Wenchuan replied coolly. Then he glanced at Qi Bin, who had seated himself nearby. The scent of smoke and drink on him was faint, so Lu Wenchuan had no objection, but he couldn’t resist a reminder. “Secondhand smoke is more harmful than firsthand smoke.”

Qi Bin touched his nose, a bit embarrassed. “Brother Lu, you really live a healthy life.”

Such words sounded like something an elderly uncle would say, but Lu Wenchuan was only twenty-four, not even twenty-five yet.

Qi Bin didn’t say it aloud, but his expression had already betrayed him.

Lu Wenchuan’s face darkened, about to say something more.

Wei Heng couldn’t help but laugh. “Qi Bin, if you’re going to talk, say more.”

“Just joking, don’t take it seriously.” Noticing Lu Wenchuan’s displeasure, Qi Bin hurried to change the subject. “Brother Lu, how did you end up agreeing to join a dating show? Before I came out, my sister told me there’s a female celebrity on the show I’d better avoid—bad luck, she said.”

The topic shifted, and no one noticed the previous question had been left behind. Attention now centered on the female celebrity.

“Who?” Wei Heng was curious; he hadn’t paid much attention to this.

Under the lights, Lu Wenchuan’s gaze darkened, but he said nothing, quietly waiting for Qi Bin to continue.

“It’s Sang Yijia,” Qi Bin explained simply, passing on what he’d heard from Qi Yue. “She’s supposed to have been infatuated with Shen Jin for ages, but he doesn’t like her, and she just won’t give up.”

“Now she’s joined the dating show hoping to get together with Shen Jin.” Qi Bin shrugged. “Who knows how the producers will arrange things.”