Zhao Youting asked Qin Qiao'er with a smile, "You won't be angry that I suddenly exposed our relationship, will you?"
Qin Qiao'er was stunned for a moment before she realized why Zhao Youting was asking this. Before, when Zhao Youting said he wanted to go public, she had always been reluctant. But now that the movie was already wrapped up, it didn't really matter whether they went public or not.
Previously, she just thought that her strength might not be as good as others perceived. So she was always afraid that people would associate her with capital. But now she was fearless.
She felt that she was completely worthy of standing beside Zhao Youting and deserved his trust and investment in her.
Moreover, she was extremely happy that night. It was as if suddenly there was a huge backer standing behind her. No matter what happened, there would always be someone to catch her.
Qin Qiao'er shook her head. "No, anyway, the movie is over. When that video was exposed before, people already knew that I was the one who found the investor.
But we'd better keep this from the public for the time being. I'm afraid they won't be able to accept it all at once."
Zhao Youting nodded. He had the same thought in mind. He felt that they had gotten along well with the crew, and it was time to tell them this news. After all, they were all in the same circle, and no one would just go around spreading it.
Seeing that Qin Qiao'er still seemed a bit dazed, Zhao Youting gently tapped the tip of her nose. "Why do you look so absent - minded?"
Qin Qiao'er glanced around guiltily. She would never admit that it was because she suddenly saw Zhao Youting like this and was a bit attracted to him.
It made her seem like a member of the "looks - first club".
She stammered, "It's nothing. I just think you look... kind of... handsome like this."
Zhao Youting was stunned for a moment after hearing what Qin Qiao'er said, and then he burst out laughing. He didn't expect Qin Qiao'er to be so cute. He pretended to be heart - broken. "Am I not handsome on normal days?"
Qin Qiao'er quickly shook her head. "You're handsome on normal days too. You're just especially handsome today!"
After forcing this confession out of Qin Qiao'er, Zhao Youting felt extremely happy. Qin Qiao'er blushed shyly all of a sudden. She had never complimented Zhao Youting on his good looks so straightforwardly.
Seeing Qin Qiao'er like this, Zhao Youting couldn't help saying, "What's the big deal? You once complimented my abs."
After Zhao Youting said this, both of them froze on the spot. Suddenly, the atmosphere became a bit ambiguous. They both took a sip of wine guiltily, trying to suppress the desires stirring in their hearts.
Although Qin Qiao'er and Zhao Youting had found a relatively secluded place, it was still at a banquet. Before long, they were found by others. People came around them, eager to secretly pry into their relationship.
Many people came to say goodbye to Qin Qiao'er, and many others came to chat with Zhao Youting. The two were soon separated and got caught up in their own socializing.
Just then, while Zhao Youting was being pestered by others, Li Fujin found Qin Qiao'er. He handed her a glass of red wine and said that he wanted to talk to her alone.
The two went to a small balcony outside the venue. They sat side by side, listening to the chirping of cicadas around them. The moonlight shone on them, and everything seemed so beautiful.
But Li Fujin felt a bit sad because he was about to say goodbye to Qin Qiao'er. He didn't know when they would cooperate again.
Although he had told himself that he had let go, in the process of interacting with Qin Qiao'er, he couldn't control the frequency of his heartbeat.
Zhao Youting's reappearance that day had sounded an alarm in his heart. He wanted to have a proper goodbye with Qin Qiao'er this time and cut off that last glimmer of hope in his heart.
If he didn't say this out, it might become a permanent regret in his heart. So no matter what the consequence would be after saying it, Li Fujin still wanted to say it.
"Qin Qiao'er, I... like you very much." Li Fujin summoned up his courage and said it bravely.
Qin Qiao'er never expected that Li Fujin had called her out just to say this. She had always regarded Li Fujin as an older brother, and Li Fujin had never done anything out of line.
She didn't know how to respond to Li Fujin's feelings. Moreover, Li Fujin clearly knew that she was already with Zhao Youting. It was because she had told Li Fujin this most intimate secret that she thought they had become close friends.
Now Qin Qiao'er didn't know how to respond to Li Fujin's feelings even more. Since she regarded Li Fujin as her best friend, she didn't want to hurt him. But she couldn't just drag things out and not reject him.
Seeing Qin Qiao'er's tangled expression, Li Fujin already understood everything. He didn't say this in the hope of getting a response from Qin Qiao'er anyway.
"It's okay. You don't need to feel pressured. I just wanted to tell you what's on my mind. I know there's no possibility between us. It's just that this has been weighing on my heart for a long time. If I don't tell you, I'll always feel like there's a regret.
Also, I just hope that you can be more confident in the future. You're extremely excellent. In every aspect, you're a girl that people can't help but admire.
I've been in the entertainment industry for so long that I've almost forgotten what my original aspiration was. But your appearance has made me rediscover the passion I had when I first entered the industry.
Maybe that's why I fell in love with you. I hope that after I've said all this, we can still be good friends."
After listening to what Li Fujin said, Qin Qiao'er was also deeply touched. She also thought that Li Fujin was an excellent person. But their fate could only end here.
Because she had already met a more outstanding person, a man who could give her the whole universe.
"Thank you." Qin Qiao'er said this sincerely. "For everything. Thank you for taking care of me on the set for so long, and thank you for liking me."