Chapter 301: Chapter 301

Plans can’t keep up with changes, Zhao Meimei went with Shi Yang to the provincial capital the next morning; Mu Guangping was arriving.

Shi Yang dropped Zhao Meimei off at the place rented by Zhao Wendada, asking Mrs. Qu to take care of her, then went to the airport with Qu Chaozong and Zhao Wendada to pick up Mu Guangping.

As soon as they met, Mu Guangping hurriedly apologized, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, the schedule was set, but I was delayed a bit because of an unexpected advertising deal."

Shi Yang laughed generously, buddy-buddy as he put an arm around Mu Guangping’s shoulder, and asked, "What advertisement?"

Speaking of this, Mu Guangping’s eyes lit up, his expression filled with pride, "You know Xiao Li, right? The assistant who followed me around when we went to headquarters to place orders last time."

Shi Yang thought for a moment and had a bit of an impression, seemed like a young guy in his early twenties, wearing black-framed glasses, looking scholarly, with a slight habit of lowering his head before speaking, quite polite.

Shi Yang said, "Yes, I remember, why?"

Mu Guangping couldn’t keep his mouth shut from smiling, "Back when he was in college, he had a junior who pursued him. Now that she’s graduated, she even applied for a job at my place just for him. A few days ago when there was a heavy rainstorm, her family drove to pick her up, and one of our company employees saw it. Guess who was picking her up?"

How could anyone guess that, Shi Yang cooperatively asked, "Who?"

Mu Guangping laughed, "Xu Meiyuan!"

Xu Meiyuan? Shi Yang was surprised. Even someone like him, who rarely watches TV, knew that Xu Meiyuan was a rising female star in the past couple of years, in her early thirties, with exceptional acting skills. She became an instant hit after starring in a popular family drama.

Mu Guangping said, "Xiao Li’s junior is named Xu Jing, and Xu Meiyuan is her sister, her real sister."

Shi Yang understood. It seemed Mu Guangping wanted to climb up the social ladder through Xu Jing, letting Xu Meiyuan be the brand ambassador.

If this really worked out, it would be a significant boost in expanding the brand’s influence.

Shi Yang asked concernedly, "Has the advertising deal been settled?"

Mu Guangping was elated, "Yes, it has! Xu Meiyuan also agreed to do some tours in select cities for us. I’m planning a small media event; otherwise, why would this trip be delayed for so many days? I just wanted to finalize it."

Shi Yang nodded, "Then who’s handling the advertisement now that you’re here?"

Mu Guangping squinted with a smile, "I’ve hired a professional team to handle it. From the company side, Xiao Li and Xu Jing are in charge of negotiations. If there’s anything, Xu Jing can just discuss it with her sister; I just pay, obtain the film, and deal with the TV stations."

After arriving, Shi Yang took Mu Guangping to the arranged hotel and let him rest first. In the evening, he planned to host a dinner to welcome him.

After settling Mu Guangping, Shi Yang, along with Qu Chaozong and Zhao Wendada, went to the West District’s storefront beginning to wrap up construction and the shopping area getting renovations.

After handling some trivial matters, the time was about right. Shi Yang called Wang Tianyu, and together they picked up Mu Guangping and went to a high-end restaurant in the provincial capital, booked a private room, ordered a couple of good bottles of wine, and had a lively dinner.

After the meal that day, Shi Yang drank a lot. He had been under immense pressure previously, with the financial chain disrupted, no news about the Naughty Castle’s acceptance, plus his relationship issues with Zhao Meimei—these things weighed him down like mountains. Now that everything was finally solved, he felt delighted and couldn’t control his emotions after a few drinks. Most of the ordered wine ended up in him and Mu Guangping’s stomachs. They drank till he needed to be helped out of the restaurant. The rıghtful source is novel fire.net

Shi Yang directed Qu Chaozong and the others to take Mu Guangping back to the hotel first, while he went to pick up Zhao Meimei.

However, just after Qu Chaozong and the others drove away, Shi Yang’s legs gave out, and he sat down right on the curb. His drunken eyes gazed at the bustling traffic and beautiful night scene under the newly lit streetlights, with warm yellow halos dancing and fluttering in his blurred vision.

Shi Yang zoned out for a moment, then forced himself to snap out of it, reached for his phone, and pressed the speed dial number one. The call was quickly answered, and Zhao Meimei’s voice came through, "Hey, brother! Where are you?"

Shi Yang slurred, "I’m at the restaurant entrance, I’m too drunk to move, come pick me up."

Zhao Meimei got worried, "What? Are you alone? What about Brother Chao and the others..." Before she could finish speaking, the call was already disconnected.

Zhao Meimei knew Shi Yang and the others had dinner plans that night. She only knew the restaurant’s name, not the exact location.

Hurriedly, she got dressed, grabbed her phone and wallet, and dashed down the stairs, ignoring Mrs. Qu’s attempt to stop her, and hailed a cab to pick up Shi Yang.

The thought of Shi Yang alone and drunk at the restaurant entrance pained the softest part of Zhao Meimei’s heart.

Along the way, she urged the driver to speed up, to drive faster.

After much difficulty arriving at the place, Zhao Meimei tossed down the cab fare and dashed toward the restaurant, only to find nobody in sight at the entrance.

Zhao Meimei searched around, even went inside to inquire, but the staff only informed her that the guests had already left, and knew nothing else.

Zhao Meimei’s back was drenched in sweat, and her eyes were misty. Where had Shi Yang gone!?

Zhao Meimei took deep breaths, trying to calm down as she grasped her phone and called Shi Yang repeatedly, only to get no answer. The more she called, the more anxious she got, until she eventually cried while dialing, scared something might have happened to Shi Yang, her mind spinning with fear.

Standing at the restaurant entrance, Zhao Meimei suddenly stopped and dazedly gazed at the shadows across the street, where a figure leaned against a tree with eyes closed.

Zhao Meimei’s vision was instantly blurred, she hurriedly ran over, grabbing onto Shi Yang’s arm with joy, exclaiming, "Brother!"

Shi Yang squinted and looked at her for quite some time before recognizing Zhao Meimei, murmuring, "Da Bao..."

Zhao Meimei tried to help him up, but Shi Yang only swayed, unable to muster the strength.

Zhao Meimei was about to cry from anxiety, in her most helpless moment, she heard someone tentatively call her name.

"Meimei? Are you Zhao Meimei?"

Zhao Meimei turned blankly, only to see under the night a beautiful girl with long hair and a dress, looking at her with surprised delight.

Zhao Meimei squinted to get a better look and exclaimed in amazement, "Oh my gosh! Peng Hui! Is that you!"

Seeing that it was indeed Zhao Meimei, Peng Hui hurried over and asked, "What happened? Is this your brother? Oh dear, is he drunk?"