If we're going back, we need to wrap things up.
Gu Ruoyan's previous suggestion made a lot of sense. Chu Ge called Lao Zhu to express his willingness to cooperate on an animation studio.
Lao Zhu was quite surprised: "I was just considering bringing this up with you. It's not easy for you to have this kind of awareness."
Chu Ge retorted, "Why can't I have a business mindset?"
"The weather today, hahaha..." Lao Zhu chuckled, implying that Chu Ge should be more aware of his own limitations: "Even if you didn't come to me, I would have. I wanted to find Mengmeng something productive to do, and I thought cooperating with your husband would be perfect."
Chu Ge asked curiously, "Isn't Sister Mengmeng running a teahouse? Why doesn't she have anything to do?"
"The teahouse has employees selling tea. She can just go every now and then to keep an eye on things. What's the point of her just sitting around drinking tea all day? Besides, do you know that the main source of income for a teahouse isn't..." "It's these individual tea buyers; they don't make up a large portion of our main revenue." Chu Ge was taken aback: "Then what are they?"
"Group purchases by companies and organizations, long-term work tea supplies—that's the real money. And... the 'high-end goods' used to rip off certain leaders."
Chu Ge: "Damn."
"I've already paved the way for all this. Why would I need Mengmeng? She used to be so bored she'd go out and pick up young men, but she doesn't anymore; she's practically moldy..."
Chu Ge: "...Okay, I get it. Having Mengmeng and Qiuqiu work together is indeed a good idea." Zhu Mengmeng at least understands some company operations and management; she can at least read the books. Qiu Wuji is in charge of the specific business, and the two best friends get along well, so they should have a good working relationship. Otherwise, they'd need to hire someone to manage it, which is better than Zhu Mengmeng.
"Then don't worry about the acquisition here; I'll handle it. Besides, it should be relatively quick. Having connections is always a plus..." Old Zhu said meaningfully.
"Uh, how much should I invest? My copyright fees haven't even arrived yet, so I can't contribute too much right now..."
"As for investment, the studio itself isn't worth much, but it comes with some copyright libraries and cooperation contracts, which are worth a bit. Around 1.5 to 1.6 million should be about right. You put in 60%, be the big spender, and I'll be your second-largest shareholder, helping you out. We'll talk about the money back in Nanjiang; I'll cover it for you in advance."
Chu Ge: "...That's so kind?"
"Who do you think you are with such a small amount? I was thinking of giving you a house, which is worth more than this!" Old Zhu feigned anger: "Get lost, get lost, it's infuriating."
Actually, Old Zhu only told half the story. Finding something for Zhu Mengmeng to do was secondary; the main reason was that he felt he could use this opportunity to strengthen his connection with Chu Ge.
Chu Ge's formidable strength and his mysterious background couldn't escape the notice of his own people in this incident.
Let alone their own people, even Xie Wenyuan, who was practically unrelated to them, spoke with a meaningful tone during the afternoon's signing meeting: "Mr. Chu has surprised me somewhat... Well, I hope for a pleasant cooperation." Chu Ge didn't dwell on what the hidden meaning in Xie Wenyuan's words was; he figured Gu Ruoyan's inquiries had allowed these old foxes to glean something.
They simply shook hands: "Pleasant to cooperate."
Xie Wenyuan asked, "Will you start the comic project as soon as you get back?"
"Yes, submit a draft within three days. Who needs to review it?"
Xie Wenyuan smiled: "No need. You're in charge. Contact your company's animation department for the release details… We'll handle the marketing and distribution."
Chu Ge laughed: "So confident in me? What's with this 'you just do the work, I'll cover the costs' attitude…"
"I always feel you're more dedicated to this than I am. I'm swamped with other things, and I also rely on my department for oversight. Trusting you seems less reliable than trusting them."
"Ha, Mr. Xie is so generous."
Xie Wenyuan smiled slightly: "I always feel there will be more opportunities to cooperate with Mr. Chu in the future."
"Well, we'll need to cooperate again when the film/television project is launched."
"Perhaps." After signing the contract, with Lao Zhu helping to oversee the studio acquisition, Chu Ge completely ended his trip to Shanghai and booked a flight home for the evening.
His enjoyment was over; it was time to return home.
The trip to Shanghai lasted only two days.
The plan was to stay for three days or more, but he had only saved up enough manuscripts for two and a half days. He brought his laptop intending to spend half a day working on the manuscripts, but he didn't use any of them and brought them home untouched, with some still left.
Though short, two days were a crucial turning point in Chu Ge's life.
He officially connected with a film and television company and began working hard for the adaptation of his various copyrights.
Qiu Qiu began preparing to personally show the world her world to the public.
His first murder, though not with his own hands… was an order he gave himself. It felt like opening Pandora's box…
His first realization that he was actually one of the biggest spoiled brats.
His first time, his oxcart drifted into a ravine.
Even Mi Xiaolin's group, which he had initially anticipated wouldn't be enough in three days, was, according to his initial understanding, a terrifying organization. Even Tie Zhen and the others were merely Du Lianfeng's subordinates, indicating its immense size. What would have been a protracted struggle of back-and-forth conflicts was unexpectedly abruptly resolved overnight.
The dramatic betrayal of Du Qi and his companion simplified an extremely complex affair into a simple battle for control. Chu Ge wondered if he was simply lucky, or if the greed of Mi Xiaolin and her group was the inevitable consequence, erupting only after their intervention.
Regardless, this matter was far from over.
That group was just the tip of the iceberg, its reach unseen. Leaving aside other factors, how many others in China were connected to the "foreign musician"? Chu Ge didn't believe Mi Xiaolin was the only one; she was clearly just one of many tentacles. And was that musician alone? Obviously not.
Future conflicts might not be so fortunate…
However, since Gu Ruoyan had been informed, the authorities would likely handle it. He, a mere writer, wouldn't meddle further; further thought was pointless.
The couple, having returned home, immediately left behind everything in Shanghai and threw themselves into their comic book project. Qiu Wuji began drawing character designs for the main characters, while Chu Ge adapted the script for the first volume.
The couple, each in their own room, worked together, creating a sense of camaraderie and quiet companionship.
The biggest difference from before was…
"What are you doing?" Qiu Wuji, still smelling of fresh scent after a bath, glared at Chu Ge as he slipped into her room. "Your room is next door!"
Chu Ge's eyes darted around. "Um… it feels like the weather's getting colder."
Qiu Wuji crossed her arms. "So what?"
"Don't you think it's warmer to sleep in each other's arms?"
"Get out!" Qiu Wuji kicked him, and Chu Ge tumbled out.
Watching his antics, Qiu Wuji was both annoyed and amused.
Why the rush back? Of course, a major reason was the desire to avoid continuing to share a bed. This guy even wanted to do the same thing at home? Dream on!
Knowing he's getting increasingly restless, he's starting to test the waters and push his luck. Since we slept together on the business trip, could we do it at home too…? We've already slept together, right?
Pah! A temporary measure and a regular routine are two different things!
But… Qiu Wuji's face was also burning. Holding him while sleeping last night felt so comfortable, so warm… that lingering feeling could make you forget everything.
So much so that my brain went blank, and I even went so far as to drift him down Mount Akina.
Going back a day, Qiu Wuji couldn't believe he'd done something like that. Afterwards, he acted like nothing had happened, a trivial matter, but the shame and anger inside hadn't subsided.
Qiu Wuji returned to his computer, opened a document, and solemnly wrote this line in his diary:
November 6th, Sunny.
Autumn Without End, Autumn Without End, you can't keep going like this! You haven't achieved immortality, your comics haven't been released, how can you waste your precious time indulging in male beauty! Just because you have an excuse to create a secondary account, does that mean you can just let yourself go like this?!
November 7th, Sunny.
I woke up this morning to find Big Bear had been beaten up by me. He's all limp, not as tough as him.
I really want to hug him.