In the end, they were just afraid that Ji Siyue would, just like before, constantly break through the ranks among big - name stars and stay on the hot search list every other day! It was only human nature, and Ji Siyue could understand it, but she couldn't accommodate it.
Online violence meant nothing to her anymore.
Liu Fanghua called Ji Siyue.
"Siyue, what are you going to do about this? The company's public - relations team said they're ready, but they still want to wait for your order."
After all, Ji Siyue was the soul of the company now, and since she had given her instructions, they had to follow them.
"Okay. Issue an official statement in the company's name, saying that from now on, all my personal live - streaming income will be donated to charity organizations, and the whole process will be open and transparent."
"Ah? But the company also has to boost your live - streaming performance. If we don't do that, will it..."
"Don't boost my performance anymore. What I want now is not great popularity, but to restore the company's image. Take this opportunity. Now, quickly select a list of new talents for me. I'll plan their future development routes."
After a brief hesitation, Liu Fanghua said, "So, what you want is actually to use yourself to create topics for the company, restore the company's image in the process, and then get the company back on track, right?"
Sure enough, she was a shrewd businesswoman. Her way of thinking was very different from before.
"Otherwise?" Ji Siyue said, half - amused and half - exasperated. "Do you think I have the ability to save the whole company on my own? I need you all. So, in the future, you can discuss things with me before you act. But if you think I've done something wrong, you can also give me your opinions. Do you understand?"
"Understood. I'll go and do what you've told me now."
"Okay. Hang up."
At night, Ji Siyue was sleeping groggily when she accidentally received a call.
"Siyue..."
As soon as Ji Siyue heard this voice, she instantly woke up. There was only one person in the world who could make Ji Siyue react like this. Who else could it be but Qin Chengyao?
"Hmm?"
"If I abandon everything right now, if I don't want anything but just want to be by your side, will you come back to me?"
These words were spoken very slowly, one by one. Ji Siyue heard them clearly, and the shock they brought to her heart was extremely strong.
Abandon everything?
Was he really willing to abandon everything for her?
What on earth did she do to deserve his such deep affection?
While Ji Siyue was silent, Qin Chengyao was already so drunk that he was almost losing consciousness. So he urged again, "Answer me."
"I can't."
I want to, but I can't.
I've sworn in front of your father. My mother was able to recover well because of your father. Although everything has calmed down now... but I can't.
This answer was both expected and unexpected.
Qin Chengyao laughed twice and hung up the phone without saying a word.
Just before he passed out, Qin Chengyao called someone.
"Come to my place..."
...
When he opened his eyes, it was still a familiar environment, but there seemed to be someone beside his ear.
Qin Chengyao's vision was a bit blurry. He could barely see that person swaying in front of him. That thin and small figure made him unconsciously think of someone...
"Siyue..."
"Is it you, Siyue?"
Qin Chengyao struggled to get up from the bed and hugged the person's shoulders.
She was really so thin. She felt so small in his arms...
"Chengyao, are you okay?" The woman gently patted Qin Chengyao's shoulder to comfort him, even though she knew very well that the name Qin Chengyao was calling wasn't hers.
Hearing this, Qin Chengyao woke up immediately and directly pushed her away. There was even a hint of disgust in his eyes when he looked at her.
"Why is it you?"
Liu Xuejiao was hurt by the look in his eyes, but she still replied with a smile, "You called me last night and asked me to come to you, so I came."
"So that's how it is... Sorry, I wasn't fully awake yet."
"It's okay." Liu Xuejiao reached out to pick up a glass of water on the bedside table, felt the temperature with her hand, and then smiled and handed it to Qin Chengyao. "It was poured an hour ago. Now it's just the right temperature, lukewarm. Drink it all at once. It will make you feel much more awake."
After the emotional outburst, it was time to talk business, right?
Liu Xuejiao thought so in her heart.
She watched Ji Siyue and Qin Chengyao's live - stream. She didn't understand the game, but she could feel the emotions and bitterness hidden in their interactions and their tit - for - tat words.
Last night, Qin Chengyao called her while drunk and asked her to come.
There were probably only two possible outcomes.
One was that he was going to break up with her.
After all, she had forcefully occupied Qin Chengyao for more than two years with a certain purpose. It was time for an end. Although there was no perfect ending, she would accept it calmly.
The second...
was that her forced marriage proposal had paid off, and he was going to marry her. Judging from his drunk call last night, this possibility wasn't completely non - existent, but it was so slim that she even thought she was drunk and daydreaming.
Qin Chengyao drank the water in one gulp. Sure enough, he felt much more awake.
He put down the glass and looked at the woman in front of him.
She was already 26 years old. At this age, other women were either in relationships or married, but she wasn't. She was just waiting with him.
She knew clearly that he would never like her, but she still waited like this.
"Liu Xuejiao, you know that I'll never like you, but you still stay by my side. What do you want?"
Liu Xuejiao was a bit at a loss when she was asked this question, but she quickly calmed down.
Qin Chengyao was a smart man. Lying to him wouldn't do her any good, so Liu Xuejiao decided to be honest.
"I want you to see my devotion. Maybe one day when you can't wait any longer and want to find someone to settle down with, I'll still be standing closest to you."
"During this hopeless waiting, have you ever thought about giving up?"
"To be honest..." Liu Xuejiao suddenly pursed her lips. "I've thought about giving up every minute, every second. It's so bitter, but I've endured it. I don't even know how I've survived these almost three years. To be honest, at my age, how many more three - year periods do I have..."
"Do you want to make a bet with me?"
"What kind of bet?"
"The stake is a wedding. If I win the bet, I'll win Ji Siyue, and it will be over between you and me."
Liu Xuejiao was almost shocked to the core.
It took her a long time to calm herself down. Then she looked at him and said, "Then... what if you lose?"