Chapter 48: Departures and New Beginnings

“Well, it’s time for me to say goodbye!”

After breakfast, Dai Wen returned to her room, finished packing, and slowly descended the stairs, greeting Lin Ziyao and Qin Yu who were still in the living room.

Lin Ziyao then walked to the stairs, helping Dai Wen with some of her luggage, and cautioned her, “Be careful on your journey and stay safe!”

Qin Yu also came over to assist Dai Wen with her bags. Glancing at the time, she remarked, “By my calculations, Manager Nan’s car should be arriving soon.”

No sooner had Qin Yu finished speaking than a black seven-seater commercial van pulled up to the villa’s entrance. As the driver’s side window slowly lowered, a mature woman could be seen seated within.

Lin Ziyao’s first impression was of her fluffy, curly hair paired with a professional suit, an image of sharp competence that immediately sprang to mind.

They carried the luggage to the doorway, first seeing Dai Wen off as she departed in the car.

This freed up time to greet Li Xinan. Li Xinan stepped out of the car and approached them, asking, “I haven’t arrived too late, have I?”

Qin Yu smiled upon seeing Li Xinan, walking forward to meet her. “Timewise, Manager Nan, you’ve arrived at just the right moment.”

“Do you need help with your luggage?” Li Xinan inquired, noticing they had no bags with them. She directed the question to Qin Yu.

“Our luggage is all packed and ready,” Qin Yu informed Li Xinan. “We just need to bring it down from our rooms.”

Their bags had been packed and stored in their rooms the previous night, so retrieving them would be quick.

“Then I’ll go help you bring them down!”

This time, neither of them refused. As the three ascended the stairs, they happened to encounter Director Chen emerging from his makeshift office.

“Is it just you two left?”

Director Chen yawned, his eyes gradually darkening to resemble a panda’s, clearly having pulled another all-nighter. Sometimes, Lin Ziyao couldn’t help but worry about his health.

“Director Chen, you pulled another all-nighter? You should really turn off your phone and sleep when you need to.” She couldn’t help but express her concern.

He had been staying up all night for the two days following the show’s broadcast, and the production team was estimated to remain at the villa for another week. Such a schedule was simply too damaging to one’s health.

“No worries. The post-production for the show is complete, so I’ll finally get a good night’s sleep tonight.”

He repeatedly assured Lin Ziyao, who was concerned for him, finally putting her mind at ease. Director Chen then offered to help carry Lin Ziyao’s luggage from her room.

With Director Chen’s assistance, their luggage was quickly and neatly loaded into the car.

“Well then, goodbye, Director Chen!”

After bidding Director Chen farewell, Lin Ziyao and Qin Yu’s commercial van started its engine and gradually departed from the villa. They had finally left the filming location of the variety show.

Soon, Lin Ziyao was dropped off by Qin Yu at a hospital in the city center.

“I can just walk in through the hospital entrance, Manager Nan. You can drop me off here!”

Seeing Manager Nan about to turn the car around to drive into the parking lot, Lin Ziyao quickly tried to stop her, not wanting her to go out of her way.

However, Qin Yu reached out and gently pressed down on her leaning body, saying, “Listen to Manager Nan’s arrangements. Appearing at the hospital in your current state would cause quite a stir.”

Based solely on her performance yesterday, Lin Ziyao’s appearance was now widely recognized by most people. If she were to appear at the hospital without any disguise, it would undoubtedly create a sensation.

Recalling how exhausted she had been from all the photos taken at yesterday’s fan meeting, Lin Ziyao shivered involuntarily. This time, Director Chen wouldn’t be there with security to maintain order.

“Then I’ll listen to Manager Nan.” She said stiffly, then obediently settled back into her seat.

The car quickly pulled into the parking lot. Lin Ziyao retrieved her suitcase and stepped out of the commercial van.

She turned back to Qin Yu and said, “I’ll be going now.”

“Wait!”

No sooner had Qin Yu spoken than Lin Ziyao felt a hat being placed on her head.

Then, something was placed in her palm. Looking down, she saw that Qin Yu had handed her a pair of sunglasses, still warm, likely having just been taken from an inner pocket.

“To avoid drawing attention, you still need to be well-prepared!”

Qin Yu thoughtfully gathered Lin Ziyao’s stray hairs, then helped her put on the sunglasses before returning to the car.

“So, goodbye?”

Holding her suitcase, Lin Ziyao cautiously asked Qin Yu. After Qin Yu’s styling, all her hair was tucked into the hat, complemented by the sunglasses. Without a careful look, her original appearance would be completely unrecognizable.

“Goodbye!”

Once the commercial van carrying Qin Yu disappeared from sight, Lin Ziyao turned and walked towards the hospital.

Qin Yu hummed a tune, her slender arm propping up her chin as she gazed at the scenery outside the car window.

“You seem to be in a good mood?”

Li Xinan, who was driving, spoke up then.

Qin Yu responded with a hum.

“Lin Ziyao is indeed a very promising talent, and her songs are written with such spirit. I estimate it won’t be long before her popularity rivals yours.”

As a professional manager, Li Xinan had an accurate eye for people. In Lin Ziyao, she saw a certain ‘spirit,’ a profound and almost mystical quality she rarely mentioned to others. However, individuals possessing such a spirit typically had the potential to make a significant name for themselves in the entertainment industry.

Qin Yu responded with another hum.

“And you? Don’t you feel any sense of urgency?”

Seeing Qin Yu’s complete lack of apprehension, Li Xinan couldn’t help but ask.

“Isn’t she one of us now?” Qin Yu replied nonchalantly, shifting into a more comfortable position.

“My dear boss, you opened a studio to make money! We agreed to a fifty-fifty split when we signed Lin Ziyao, but you gave her a ninety-ten contract. If your venture fails, you can just go back and inherit your family fortune, but I’ll be left to starve.”

Qin Yu’s attitude made her a little frantic, and she began to vent her frustrations.

She complained about the company’s current financial difficulties, the amount spent on utilities, and the personnel costs, painting a pathetic picture.

“Worst case, I’ll take on more endorsements to support all of you?”

Li Xinan’s outpouring of grievances made Qin Yu feel a pang of sympathy, and she joked with her.

“Actually, I don’t feel much urgency about popularity. It’s a good thing if Ziyao’s popularity surpasses mine; it means the studio won’t have to rely solely on me. With her, I’ll also be able to free up time to properly manage the studio’s affairs.”

Qin Yu seriously explained her plans to Li Xinan.

“Since you have it all figured out, I won’t say much more. Besides, you’re still my boss, after all.”

Li Xinan, who was driving, shrugged. If her boss had arrangements for these matters, then there was no need for her, the employee, to say anything further.

“However, she’s only been in the entertainment industry for a short time, so I’ll be relying on you a lot, Manager Nan.” Thinking of Lin Ziyao, Qin Yu teased with a smile.

Li Xinan sighed upon hearing Qin Yu’s words.

“Who told you to be my boss?”

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