Helping a friend is the right thing to do

Xie Shuting shook her dizzy head and got out of bed.

Inside the quaint and tidy house, everything remained the same. Through the half-open window, the mountains and rivers of Huangling were fully visible, bathed in the morning light.

"It's been so long since I've been drunk."

She muttered something to herself, walked to the computer, and subconsciously turned it on.

The recent progress has been surprisingly smooth. She personally immersed herself in the role, and in the process of spending time with Zhang Yang, she had endless inspiration every moment.

There's no such thing as "Kavan".

"Let's go downstairs first, I'll write when I get back." Xie Shuting glanced at her document page, didn't think much of it, and closed her notebook.

A moment later, Xie Shuting, having finished washing up, came downstairs and immediately saw Zhang Yang busy in the kitchen.

On the table were Xiaomi and side dishes, which looked small but exquisite, making her, still hungover, very hungry.

"Awake? Have Xiaomi, it's good for your stomach." Zhang Yang placed a stack of fried eggs on the table and said with a smile, "You drank quite a lot last night."

"It's very, very rare. By the way, why are you so kind today, cooking for me yourself?" Xie Shuting smiled a little shyly.

Zhang Yang smiled but didn't say anything.

"What's wrong with you?" Xie Shuting vaguely sensed that something was off.

"I'm planning to leave," Zhang Yang said. "I've troubled you quite a bit while I've been here, so I won't bother you any longer."

"Wha... what, you're leaving?" Xie Shuting's heart skipped a beat, and her smile became somewhat forced. "Why so suddenly? Aren't you going to continue doing my job?"

"No, I'm planning to resign," Zhang Yang said.

"Resigned? Is it because of me? Is it because my work here isn't going well?" Xie Shuting pressed on.

Zhang Yang blinked and shook his head imperceptibly.

"No, don't take that personally. I just... I simply want to change jobs."

"You still won't admit it? There must be a reason, right?" Xie Shuting stared at Zhang Yang, then shook her head, not believing Zhang Yang's explanation at all.

"Why ask so many questions? If I haven't done my job well, it's my own fault, and it has nothing to do with anyone else." Zhang Yang smiled, stepped forward, hesitated for a moment, and then raised his hand to ruffle Xie Shuting's hair.

"Keep up the good work, and I look forward to seeing your new work soon."

Life is like a play; it's all about acting.

Especially after Zhang Yang glimpsed Xie Shuting's inner thoughts through her works, his feelings for her intensified.

Aren't you prone to overthinking, fantasizing, and being sentimental?

If he were to stage a farewell scene at this very moment, adding some unintentional little gestures with his hands, I'm sure she wouldn't fall into some inexplicable sadness.

Although this method was a bit underhanded, Zhang Yang was doing it for the mission, and also harbored a small desire for revenge. After all, he wasn't easily fooled; if he was deceived, how could he not pay a price?

As expected, Xie Shuting trembled all over, and obediently let Zhang Yang touch her hair.

In an instant, I was overwhelmed by a sense of melancholy and sadness at the thought of losing something.

Actually... I...

She suddenly felt a pang of regret, even a bit annoyed at herself for being too inflexible.

It was such a small matter as going out to participate in an event, and she made excuses and wouldn't listen to reason, but Zhang Yang came all the way here and quietly stayed with her for so many days.

If it's ineffective, of course they'll leave, and they might even lose their jobs.

Am I really that heartless?

"Alright, stop talking and have breakfast. My flight's this afternoon, so I'm leaving right now without saying goodbye." Zhang Yang smiled and walked to the table.

"Here, I've packed it for you. Go get your chopsticks."

The morning air was slightly cool, and Huangling was unusually quiet, shrouded in a thin mist.

Xie Shuting silently drank the warm porridge, looking at the figure so close to her, and a sentence was on the tip of her tongue.

"Why··"

"Huh? What's wrong?" Zhang Yang put down his chopsticks and looked at Xie Shuting strangely.

"Um... what if... what if I wanted to help you?" Xie Shuting said hesitantly in a low voice.

Zhang Yang was overjoyed, but his expression remained impassive. "Help me? You mean you went to do that livestream thing? Forget it, don't get distracted. After all, going there would take up a lot of time. Don't let helping me cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture."

"It's not about losing sight of the bigger picture," Xie Shuting shook her head. "Helping a friend, helping you keep your job, is far more important than anything else. Besides, you're right, it's good to have a change of scenery."

"My problem is small, yours is big. It's no big deal for me to find another job, but if your inspiration and train of thought are interrupted, the loss will be huge. Don't try to help me..." Zhang Yang said, shaking his head.

By taking a step back to move forward, we are now truly on the right track.

He was certain that the more he said this, the less likely Xie Shuting would escape. As for deception? Deception about what? Feelings, perhaps? What a joke.

"I just want to help you." Xie Shuting suddenly bit her lip and gently grasped Zhang Yang's hand, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Seeing Xie Shuting like this, Zhang Yang did feel a pang of pity, but when he thought about how it concerned the gains and losses of an entire industry, his heart hardened instantly.

"Then... shall we go back together?"

"Okay, let's go together." Xie Shuting nodded.

"Okay, thank you for helping me this time." Zhang Yang stood up, hugged Xie Shuting across the table, and said, "I'll go report the situation to the company."

"Okay, go ahead," Xie Shuting said.

A moment later, Zhang Yang returned to his room and made a phone call.

"Everyone's here, let's get the event arrangements sorted out, the sooner the better."

Of course, he also made sure to inform others that his true identity needed to be kept secret for the time being. After all, he needed to maintain his current persona until the matter was settled, until the mission was completed.

The plane tickets for that afternoon were booked quickly.

Xie Shuting tidied up her room briefly, packing light, and finally put her laptop into her bag.

"Alright, there's nothing else to pack."

She gently clapped her hands, then wandered around the room to make sure everything was in order.

"Your inn is closed?" Zhang Yang asked curiously.

"So what if it's closed? I only opened this inn to fulfill the dreams of an artsy young woman; I wasn't even thinking about making money," Xie Shuting said with a smile, shaking her head. "My next goal is to earn enough money to open a coffee shop."

"So you just can't stand up to artsy, bourgeois types, huh?" Zhang Yang teased with a smile.

"Spiritual freedom is also a pursuit," Xie Shuting said, her eyes shining brightly.

Zhang Yang only thought that spiritual freedom also needs a material foundation. Take the bookstore-café he opened for Bei Wei, for example. It's half bookstore and half coffee shop, full of artistic atmosphere, and seems to have nothing to do with money.

But in reality, that means millions in expenses, not even considering that the shop was already their own asset, saving on rent.

"Okay, I wish you success soon. I will also work hard, and maybe I can lend you a hand in the future," Zhang Yang said.

"Really?" Xie Shuting smiled and hooked her arm around Zhang Yang's.

This unexpected display of affection left Zhang Yang somewhat stunned and surprised.

"Hey, I haven't asked you yet, do you have a girlfriend?" Xie Shuting suddenly tilted her head and looked at Zhang Yang as she asked.

"Of course... not yet," Zhang Yang said, though his words didn't reflect his true feelings.

"Trust you? Only a fool would do that. Are you too picky?" Xie Shuting's eyes showed a hint of interest, but she ultimately didn't say anything.

Zhang Yang felt a sense of relief.

This is the first time he's ever deceived someone's feelings.

Zhang Yang is upright and honest. He has never bothered to hide his thoughts or be afraid of others knowing what he thinks.

But in front of Xie Shuting, this was truly the first time in his life he had ever lied to her.

There's no other way; with such huge profits at stake, other minor details have to be put aside for now.

In the afternoon, Xie Shuting closed the door of the inn, and this small inn located in Huangling temporarily closed down.

"Will you come back here after you're done?" Zhang Yang asked.

"Not necessarily, it depends on my situation." Xie Shuting smiled, looked at Zhang Yang, and waved her hand. "Let's go to Magic City. Treat me to dinner as soon as we arrive."

"That's for sure, I'll treat you to a good meal," Zhang Yang said, waving his hand.

Once his business is successfully upgraded, well, let alone a single meal, he could easily treat Xie Shuting to good food every single day of the year.

In the afternoon, the two traveled to Jingdezhen and boarded a flight back to Magic City.

The plane landed at the airport in the evening.

As soon as they got off the plane, Zhang Yang kept his word and took Xie Shuting out for a nice meal.

Yes, the Michelin- the Bund is definitely high-class.

"I was just joking, but you actually came and treated me to such a nice meal. Isn't that too much of a waste?" Xie Shuting felt a little guilty. "You're an office worker; it's not easy for you to earn money. I'll treat you."

"How much will the food cost? Stop talking nonsense and eat quickly," Zhang Yang said with a smile. "The hotel and everything else have been booked for you. I'll coordinate the specific activities with you later and get you on stage as soon as possible so as not to take up too much of your time."

He said he wouldn't waste Xie Shuting's time, but in reality, it was Zhang Yang who was anxious.

He couldn't wait to get Xie Shuting to finish her live stream so he could complete his task as soon as possible.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony." Xie Shuting nodded, then suddenly asked, "Where do you live? Could you take me to see it?"

Zhang Yang paused in his eating, looking at Xie Shuting without saying a word.

"What are you looking at? I'm just a little curious, don't overthink it." Xie Shuting smiled, lowering her eyes, and tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear. "Is it okay?"

"Yes, that's fine." Zhang Yang nodded.

Previously, his lease on the Ruijie Apartments had not yet expired, but since he was living in a luxury apartment in COFCO Seaview No. 1, the apartment was naturally vacant.

Taking you over there to take a look wouldn't be a problem.

But late at night, Zhang Yang looked at Xie Shuting, who had drunk a little and was slightly tipsy, and hesitated for a moment.

After dinner, the two took a taxi to Ruijie Apartments.

"The environment is nice. You seem to care a lot about your living environment," Xie Shuting said, looking around at the surroundings and approaching the apartment building.

"It's... okay." Zhang Yang was used to living in a mansion, so he naturally couldn't give a good or bad opinion.

The two walked into the elevator, arrived at their floor, and stood in front of Zhang Yang's apartment.

"Wait for me to open the door."

Having not stayed here for a long time, Zhang Yang's movements were a bit rusty.

He reluctantly opened the door and stepped into the dark house, intending to turn on the lights.

Suddenly, a soft body pressed against him from behind, and a pair of hands wrapped around his waist.

"I don't want to go back tonight." Xie Shuting's slightly tipsy voice carried a hint of coquetry.

Zhang Yang was in a real bind, but he couldn't just refuse outright, since it concerned the success or failure of a mission and the gains or losses of a large industry.

"You··"

He held onto the hand that was encircling him, and as soon as he turned around, a burning kiss landed on his lips.

"Kiss me," Xie Shuting whispered.

"This isn't good..." Zhang Yang sighed softly and pushed her away.

Logically speaking, it would be reasonable to just go with the flow and tacitly agree to go to bed together; it would also be the safest and least risky way for Zhang Yang to complete his mission.

After all, refusing might lead to unforeseen circumstances.

However, Zhang Yang still had some bottom line when it mattered, even though he repeatedly told himself that interests should come first.

"What's wrong with it?" Xie Shuting asked, tilting her head back in the darkness, her gaze unwavering. "I don't want you to take any responsibility."

"That's not how it works. Let me take you home first." Zhang Yang shook his head.

Although he had made some harsh words, such as saying he would dump her a hundred times after winning her over, and had even used tricks to make Xie Shuting overthink and become unable to give up for the sake of the mission, he really couldn't bear to make the charade real when it came down to it.

To actually sleep with someone is just deliberately toying with them; he can't do that.

Xie Shuting took a small step back.

"Okay, so you think it's too fast, huh? Seriously, you reject everything that's offered to you."

"Let's go." Zhang Yang didn't continue the topic.

He stepped forward, thought for a moment, and then took Xie Shuting's hand. "I still hope... our relationship can be more purely platonic."

"Nothing is purer than a relationship between a man and a woman," Xie Shuting hummed softly. "I really didn't know you were such a gentleman."

"That's the biggest misunderstanding you've ever made about me," Zhang Yang said with a wry smile.

"Then why are you still..." Xie Shuting retorted.

"These are two different things. You're confusing the concepts. Just because someone isn't a gentleman doesn't mean they have to sleep with someone." Zhang Yang pulled Xie Shuting out of the house.

The two walked down the corridor, and only then did things finally quiet down completely.

They remained silent the entire way.

Zhang Yang personally saw Xie Shuting into the car and accompanied her all the way to the hotel.

"Go back now. Don't worry, I won't back out of our cooperation. After all, you're my friend, so consider this helping a friend." Xie Shuting said, bending down at the car window after getting out of the car.

"Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow," Zhang Yang said.

"Okay." Xie Shuting's eyes shone brightly, her pretty face pressed against the car window, as if she were anticipating and waiting for something.

"Hmm... If you're not leaving, what are you waiting for?" Zhang Yang asked after a moment's thought.

"Pretend to be stupid." Xie Shuting snorted, then leaned in and kissed Zhang Yang on the neck.