CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 47: CHARITY BANQUET (PART 2)

Early morning, an eight-fifteen flight.

At four-thirty, Zhou Huaiyi was woken up by Yang Li’s fancy knocking on the door.

Exhausted, exhausted, exhausted.

These were the two words looping endlessly in Zhou Huaiyi’s mind while washing her face and brushing her teeth. She dressed mechanically and packed her luggage just as Xiang Qichen came to knock on the door.

Zhou Huaiyi opened the door and yawned: "Morning..." The tone of her speech was instantly raised by two pitches due to the yawn, exceedingly exuberant.

Xiang Qichen: "..."

Only then did Zhou Huaiyi realize she might have been too free-spirited, so she immediately closed her mouth and gave a crooked smile.

Xiang Qichen glanced at her, then scanned the room: "Anything else left?"

Zhou Huaiyi shook her head: "Nothing."

Xiang Qichen grabbed a suitcase in each hand and headed out the door: "Let’s go, Yang Li and the others are already downstairs."

Zhou Huaiyi looked around: "Where’s your suitcase?"

Xiang Qichen: "Sent it down already."

Zhou Huaiyi let out an "Oh," and strided to catch up.

By the time they arrived at the airport, dawn was just breaking, but several fans had already gathered at the gate to see them off.

Zhou Huaiyi was quite amazed; she got off the car and, as usual, proceeded to the check-in counter under the protection of security guards.

The fans stood quietly around, maintaining airport order, only taking photos and videos with their phones.

Wearing sunglasses and waiting in line, Zhou Huaiyi couldn’t help but ask the surrounding fans: "You guys are up this early too..."

Their idol spoke, and the fans were exceptionally excited, nodding vigorously and responding: "Yeah, yeah."

Zhou Huaiyi grinned and then fell silent again.

Xiang Qichen stood to the side, silently absorbed in his phone, staying out of it.

"Hubby."

Suddenly, someone called out, causing Zhou Huaiyi to instinctively turn her head. She saw a female fan holding up her phone, smiling brightly. Only then did she realize she had been flirted with, blushing as she bit her lip and lowered her head, chuckling.

The surrounding fans also broke into laughter.

At this, Xiang Qichen glanced over, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift.

After passing security, they waited in the VIP lounge. Zhou Huaiyi sat next to Xiang Qichen and leaned over to tease him: "Hubby."

Xiang Qichen: "..."

Despite having no other intentions, the tips of the person’s ears instantly turned red.

The instigator was gleefully giggling to herself.

——

At ten thirty-five, the plane safely landed at Yanchuan International Airport.

Yan Qing had already been waiting in the van outside for ten minutes. After collecting their luggage, Zhou Huaiyi and her team boarded the van amidst the welcoming fans.

Once the door closed, Zhou Huaiyi lowered the window to wave and thank Xiang Qichen’s fans and reminded them to be careful on the road.

Xiang Qichen noticed this and couldn’t help but send her a WeChat message: [It seems you’ve fully embraced my role.]

Only to see Zhou Huaiyi turn to glance at him, then type: [I wouldn’t dare, I lack the courage to usurp the throne...]

Xiang Qichen: "..."

The car smoothly merged onto the airport highway. Yan Qing glanced over at Xiang Qichen sitting in the backseat and asked: "Huaiyi, how have the past few days been for you?"

Xiang Qichen nodded: "Pretty good, thank you, Sister Yan."

Yan Qing smiled: "It’s nothing. I’ve already mentioned you to the company. They said having an extra pair of hands is good since Qi Chen will be busy with movie promotions in the coming days. You should take care and be alert."

Xiang Qichen: "Understood."

Yan Qing: "The company has special staff apartments. If you need, just apply through me."

Xiang Qichen politely declined: "No need, staying at a friend’s place is fine."

Yan Qing didn’t press further and smiled in response.

,

Tonight’s charity banquet, initiated by a famous magazine under the Ye Group, Tinch, was a grand event, truly a gathering of stars. The initiator was the founder of this magazine, Fu Weijin.

Xingyue Entertainment Company, whom Xiang Qichen represents, is affiliated with the Ye Group. As a rising star under this old employer, attending was naturally expected.

However, being not fully in control of her situation today, Zhou Huaiyi had no choice but to bravely take on the task.

In a finely tailored GUCCI suit and an expensive pair of branded leather shoes, as soon as she stepped onto the red carpet, Zhou Huaiyi wore a smile, though internally she was nervous, repeatedly thinking: Don’t step out of rhythm...

But fortunately, after crossing this red carpet, both Yang Li and Xiang Qichen would be waiting inside, so at least she wouldn’t be alone.

After dealing perfunctorily with the host’s red carpet interview, Zhou Huaiyi strode backstage to find her team.

Xiang Qichen was the first to spot her, quickly guiding her into the dressing room.

As soon as she entered, Xiao Yu came up with a comb to restyle her hair, and Yang Li handed over a water cup, which Zhou Huaiyi gulped down. Once her hairstyle was fixed, before she could even speak, Xiang Qichen had pulled her aside.

Zhou Huaiyi was quick to seek approval: "How did I do just now, was it okay? Did I step out of rhythm?"

"...No." Xiang Qichen glanced at her and advised, "At tonight’s dinner, we won’t be able to join. You’ll need to find your seat from the name cards, and if someone greets you, try not to say too much..."

Zhou Huaiyi nodded with some understanding: "...Got it."