Chapter 85: Born for This Calling

These days, Xie Jinchuan was busy breaking into the entertainment industry. News of his intention to carve out a slice of the pie quickly spread, and many business owners eagerly sought to collaborate with him. Yet some scoffed, convinced that an entrepreneur from the commercial world could never succeed in this domain.

Xie Jinchuan paid no mind to such voices, focusing solely on his own pursuits.

Knock, knock, knock—

The door sounded with a rhythmic tapping. His assistant entered, placed a file before him, and said, “Mr. Xie, this is a new project Mingguang Media is about to launch. Would you like…”

To invest, of course.

Before the assistant could finish, Xie Jinchuan, without even looking up, uttered a single word as soon as he heard the name Mingguang Media: “Invest.”

The assistant sighed inwardly. The president’s love-struck mind was beyond saving.

Xie Jinchuan possessed both beauty and wealth; why had Shen Qingli chosen someone else? But then, Gu Qingming was also good-looking and rich…

Perhaps Xie Jinchuan simply didn’t fit Shen Qingli’s aesthetic.

Unimpressed by Xie Jinchuan, Shen Qingli yawned and sipped warm water from her thermos. The weather had turned cold, and she’d been sneezing; upon learning this, Gu Qingming immediately bought a box of cold medicine and placed it in her office.

Dong Yang was used to the sight of these two together—she’d believe it if told they were dating.

Watching Gu Qingming prepare cold medicine for her, Shen Qingli sighed, “I can take care of myself. You don’t need to trouble yourself every day.”

“How can it be trouble?” Gu Qingming frowned, his expression unhappy as he looked at her. “I’m more than willing to do this, Sister Shen; please don’t feel burdened.”

She didn’t, really—just felt it unnecessary.

The cold-hearted, calculating beauty merely shook her head and said nothing, letting Gu Qingming go about his way.

Seeing Shen Qingli’s indifference, a shadow crossed Gu Qingming’s gaze. He had been lingering around her these days, yet she showed no reaction, behaving as usual.

Did she still hold a torch for Xie Jinchuan?

The thought made Gu Qingming’s face fall. He resolved to find a time to properly talk to her.

At that moment, Dong Yang walked in and announced, “Ms. Shen, Mr. Xie’s company has suddenly invested in our program.”

The contract had been mailed by Shen Qingli herself.

She hadn’t expected much, yet Xie Jinchuan had actually invested.

Shen Qingli looked up at Dong Yang, her eyes shining. Gu Qingming felt even more certain she hadn’t let go of Xie Jinchuan.

Had all his efforts these days been for nothing? The very thought pierced Gu Qingming’s heart like a thousand needles.

He wanted a place in Shen Qingli’s heart.

Green Parsley was aware of this but couldn’t fathom why Shen Qingli had sent the contract to Xie Jinchuan. Wasn’t she done with him? Or… did she still have lingering feelings?

If so, Green Parsley felt lighter, hoping the immortal could finally find happiness with her.

“Sister Shen, remember to take your medicine. I have something to attend to.” Gu Qingming couldn’t stay any longer and left.

Dong Yang watched him go, worry in her eyes.

In the industry, it was common for celebrities to abandon their careers in pursuit of love. Hopefully, Gu Qingming wasn’t one of those, or the company would lose a cash cow.

“Leave the contract here. If their side has any questions, they can ask me.” She referred to Xie Jinchuan’s company.

Mentioning this, Dong Yang paused, then said, “Mr. Xie is planning to enter the entertainment industry and has set up a subsidiary called Brilliant Entertainment.”

The name echoed Mingguang’s.

Shen Qingli frowned but said nothing, merely instructing Dong Yang to return to her tasks. Whatever Xie Jinchuan did was irrelevant to her.

The industry was abuzz, especially upon hearing that Mingguang Entertainment had invested in a project, supposedly paving the way for Gu Qingming.

Everyone wondered why Gu Qingming, upon returning to the country, chose Shen Qingli’s company first.

Was there some secret story between them?

Everyone was intensely curious.

Gu Qingming, for his part, didn’t mind letting the rumors spread. Sometimes, reading what people said even gave him the illusion that he and Shen Qingli were truly in a relationship.

If only Shen Qingli felt the same; if she did, he would waste no time in confirming their relationship, getting engaged, and then married.

Gu Qingming didn’t care at all about Shen Qingli’s past with Xie Jinchuan. To him, she’d simply chosen the wrong person. If she married him, he would devote himself to her wholeheartedly.

Shen Qingli had no idea what Gu Qingming was thinking. She had arranged to meet Gu Linglong at a restaurant to discuss the entertainment program.

It was a singing show. With Gu Linglong’s connections, inviting big-name singers was difficult, so Gu Qingming was there mainly to lend support.

Thus, those celebrities would avoid him, preferring to be the star elsewhere rather than play a supporting role to Gu Qingming.

Seated opposite Shen Qingli was Gu Linglong, wearing black-rimmed glasses and sporting blunt bangs.

At a glance, Shen Qingli saw a budding beauty across from her, though Gu Linglong had armored herself so thoroughly that her true self was hard to discern.

Shen Qingli spoke warmly, even feeling a touch of friendship stir within her. She liked this grounded approach.

“Miss Gu.”

She smiled kindly. Gu Linglong nodded, then realized it might be too formal, hastily adding, “Hello.”

Seeing Gu Linglong’s awkwardness, Shen Qingli couldn’t help but laugh gently. “No need to be so nervous, Miss Gu. This meal is on me—just to discuss work.”

When it came to business, Gu Linglong was always articulate and confident, nothing like a novice. But on other topics, she became tongue-tied and shy.

This contrast only made her all the more endearing in Shen Qingli’s eyes.

“Alright, my plan for the show is as follows…” Gu Linglong began to outline her ideas, producing the competition rules she had prepared in advance.