Chapter 2003: Invitation

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Xiao Chu followed Li Tingshen and was busy. She naturally knew why Miss Ye, who lacked nothing, was working here.

She must have wanted to give CEO Li a birthday present.

Although he didn’t know what it was.

He really didn’t expect that such a nonchalant woman who didn’t care about anyone would work for someone.

Her liking for CEO Li was not just superficial.

The corner they were standing in was behind Ye Qingqiu, so she wouldn’t notice them.

Li Tingshen retracted his gaze slowly and looked at the restaurant manager standing beside him.

“Have you asked her if she’s had lunch?”

The restaurant manager paused for a moment. Recalling his gaze on the pianist just now, he quickly smiled and said, “Not yet. Today’s situation is special. We have to wait until two o’clock.”

Li Tingshen frowned.

“She ordered the dishes after two o’clock. They’re all our restaurant’s main dishes. It’s strange. The prices of her dishes are not low and her clothes are expensive. I don’t understand why she still wants to work here to earn money. I don’t think she likes to play the piano…”

When she first came, her motive was clear. She wanted to ask about her salary.

Xiao Chu sighed. He wasn’t sure if Miss Ye liked playing the piano, but she definitely liked CEO Li.

Li Tingshen knew that no matter what she liked, she wouldn’t let herself suffer.

She was still feeling unwell, but she chose to sit there.

Since when did loving him become more important than loving herself?

Li Tingshen stared at Ye Qingqiu’s back for a while before saying calmly, “Don’t tell her that we asked her today. Pretend that we’ve never been here.”

The manager didn’t understand, but when he saw Li Tingshen’s strong aura, he nodded. “Okay.”

*

At two o’clock, the customers in the restaurant had already left. Ye Qingqiu went to the washroom.

When she was washing her hands, she met two young waiters. They must have just finished lunch and came to the washroom together.

Ye Qingqiu was beautiful and her temperament was naturally outstanding. When they first met, he felt that she was difficult to get along with. He didn’t dare to speak to her for more than half a month.

However, there was one time when a waiter accidentally dirtied her clothes. She didn’t mind it. Although her tone was cold, it was the same as usual.

She guessed that her personality was probably like that. After trying to talk to her a few times, she would receive a friendly response. Hence, she gradually let go.

When they saw her, two waiters greeted her with smiles.

Then, they continued their conversation. “Luoluo has really endured too much this time. I heard that she’s a huge IP. With such strong publicity in the early stages, it can be seen that there’s a high chance that this drama will become a hit in the future. Although it’s only a supporting role, it’s hundreds of times better than the supporting roles she has been playing for so many years. Oh right, Little Ye, have you received news of Luoluo? She’s treating us to a meal tonight.”

Ye Qingqiu shook her head. “I haven’t checked my phone yet, but I don’t think she’ll invite me.”

“Why would I? In order to make it easier for her to act as an extra, you’ve changed shifts with her several times. She told us privately that she’s very grateful to you. Don’t worry, she’ll definitely invite you.”

Ye Qingqiu looked at them in the mirror. “She said she was grateful to me?”

The two waiters nodded. “Yes, more than once.”

“Oh.”

Ye Qingqiu turned off the tap and took a piece of paper to dry the water.

Actually, she didn’t think much of it. She was free anyway, so changing shifts wouldn’t affect her much.

Grateful?

When she returned to the changing room, she took out her phone and realized that there was a missed call and a message from Li Tingshen.

She opened the message and saw that it was indeed Luo Luo.

“Little Ye, I got a good role in the audition. It’s a big IP drama. I’m very happy. I’ve received a lot of care in the restaurant. Thank you for your help recently. I know you’re busy now, so I sent you a message. Please come tonight. This is the address…”

What a well-behaved girl.

He had really invited her.

Her lips twitched, but she didn’t reply. Instead, she called Li Tingshen.

The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up. Ye Qingqiu was in a good mood and her tone was light.

“Why did you call me?”

A clear voice came through the receiver. “Where are you?”

Ye Qingqiu closed the cabinet and walked out of the changing room with her bag. “I’m… having lunch outside. What’s wrong?”

Li Tingshen was silent for a few seconds. “Xiao Chu sent you lunch, but you weren’t there.”

“If you had told me earlier that you would arrange my lunch, I wouldn’t have gone out.”

“I told you to stay at home obediently.”

“I thought I would be the one to settle lunch.”

“So, what did you eat for lunch?”

Ye Qingqiu walked to the dining room and saw the waiter setting up her lunch.

“Ham with foie gras sauce, shrimp with cheese, steak with red wine sauce.”

“Not bad. How does it taste?”

“Not bad.”

There was another silence.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore?”

“Yes?”

Before Ye Qingqiu could react, Li Tingshen repeated himself. Only then did she know what he was asking.

“It’s fine if you didn’t mention it, but it hurts again.”

Through the phone, her reaction was normal. Her soft voice sounded like she was wheedling.

“I’ll bring the medicine back tonight. Go back and rest after you’re done.”

Ye Qingqiu sat on the chair. “Okay, what time will you be home?”

“Around six-thirty.”

“Oh.”

After hanging up, Ye Qingqiu was in a good mood. She looked at the food in front of her and found it pleasing to the eye.

After eating, she paid the bill and left.

*

Li Tingshen was about to leave the company when he received a call from Lian Lili.

She asked him to go home for dinner, but her tone was mandatory.

He frowned but chose to go back.

She asked Xiao Chu to send dinner to Ye Qingqiu.

After hearing from Xiao Chu that Li Tingshen had returned to the Li family, Ye Qingqiu felt a little regretful, but she didn’t have much of a reaction.

She asked Xiao Chu, “You didn’t have dinner, right?”

Xiao Chu replied, “I haven’t had the time.”

“Then you can have this dinner. Treat it as my treat. Since he’s not back, I can go out to make an appointment.”

Xiao Chu hesitated. The incident at noon had almost caused a misunderstanding. He wanted to know who she was going to meet, but he couldn’t say anything.

Ye Qingqiu seemed to have seen through him and said with a faint smile, “You’re loyal to him. Don’t worry, it’s a female colleague. After the audition, I’ll join in the fun. After all, I was specially invited.”

Xiao Chu heaved a sigh of relief and immediately said, “If it’s not convenient, I can send you there.”

Ye Qingqiu thought for two seconds and nodded. “It’s not convenient.”

Xiao Chu smiled. She liked her frank personality.

At the Li residence.

Li Tingshen walked into the living room where Liang Xuer and Lian Lili were chatting.

Lian Lili looked at him and the smile on her face faded. “Why didn’t you come home after your birthday?”

Li Tingshen took off his windbreaker and handed it to the servant. His voice was indifferent and his answer was simple.

“I drank some wine.”

“You were with Ye Qingqiu last night?”

Li Tingshen didn’t say anything and frowned.

“You’re still with her? You promised me that you wouldn’t do anything to her!”

Impatience flashed across Li Tingshen’s eyes. He looked up and his gaze swept across Liang Xuer.

Liang Xuer’s body stiffened and she clenched her fists, her face turning pale.

“Tell me why you asked me to come back.”

Lian Lili was angered by his attitude. “Is the matter between you and Ye Qingqiu nothing to you?”

Li Tingshen’s voice was cold. “Is this the first day you know that we’ve never separated?”

“So when are you going to break up with her?!”

Li Tingshen remained silent.

This was his usual attitude in front of Lian Lili.

He didn’t want to lie, but Lian Lili wouldn’t accept the truth.

Silence was the best solution.

Seeing the impatience and anger on his face, Lian Lili’s anger subsided. “I know you know your limits, and I believe that you won’t go back on your word. When Xu’er went to look for you last night, she had something to ask you, but you didn’t give her a chance, so she called you back tonight. I heard that you’re investing in a movie and there’s a drama that’s going to start filming? Xu’er wants to act. She’s seen the original novel and has taken a fancy to a small role. I hope you can let her play this role.”

Li Tingshen’s gaze finally landed on Liang Xuer. “You want to take a shortcut on my side?”

Liang Xuer bit her lip and said, “I think I’m very suitable for this role.”

“If you pay attention to the situation, you should know that the actors have all been chosen. The director has personally participated in the entire audition. Which actor do you think is unsuitable? If there’s a role that you like, why didn’t you sign up for the audition?”

Faced with Li Tingshen’s aggressiveness, Liang Xuer’s voice trembled. “I… was focused on the drama. It was too late when I found out.”

“Then this role shouldn’t be yours.” Li Tingshen rejected him directly.

This drama was his first trump card in the film and television industry. Nothing could go wrong. Even a small supporting role could not be taken lightly.

“Tingshen!” Lian Lili was dissatisfied with Li Tingshen’s attitude. “I don’t understand what’s going on inside, but I heard that the role that Xu’er has her eyes on is a minor supporting role that can’t be ranked. Moreover, she won’t deliberately drag you down. Just give her this role for my sake.”

Li Tingshen’s face was so cold that he couldn’t bear to look at her. The atmosphere in the living room had obviously plummeted.

Lian Lili was a little afraid and her tone softened. “As long as you agree to give Xu’er that role, I’ll postpone the matter between you and Ye Qingqiu. I won’t mention it to you for the time being. I believe you know your limits and won’t disappoint me.”

Lian Lili reiterated that there was no end to their relationship.