Chapter 53 of 100

Chapter 53

17 min read4,189 words

"Please wait a moment, the two of you."

The voice was not loud, but it was sincere. Liu Jingtong and Mi Hu had just become familiar with this voice, so they were sure it was directed at them. They stopped and turned around, and the person in front of them was the handsome boy they had just seen.

Liu Jingtong reacted quickly and asked, "Are you Dao Hua No.1's boyfriend?"

The handsome boy smiled and nodded, extending his hand, "Gong Cheng'en."

Liu Jingtong was not particularly familiar with or comfortable with such social etiquette, but he was not so pretentious as to refuse. He politely extended his hand to shake the hand of the boy named Gong Cheng'en and introduced himself, "Liu Jingtong." Then he turned to introduce Mi Hu, "Hu Xiaomi."

Mi Hu looked at Gong Cheng'en and said, "I've seen you in magazines and on the internet, but everyone says that the second son of the Gong family is dating Yang Han. I didn't expect..."

Gong Cheng'en said with a hint of helplessness, "I've been linked with many second- and third-rate actresses, but these rumors usually stop when they become first-rate."

"Rumors stop at the top," Liu Jingtong seized the opportunity to show his wit.

Gong Cheng'en laughed, "Everyone needs exposure, and we all get what we need." His tone was self-deprecating, which made Liu Jingtong form a good impression of him.

"By the way, you called us to stop just now. Is there something you need?" Liu Jingtong asked.

Gong Cheng'en turned and pointed to the stage where Dao Hua No.1 was singing, "To be precise, Qianqian and I have some questions to ask you, but we might have to trouble you to wait a bit."

Faced with such a polite and super-rich second-generation, Liu Jingtong found no reason to refuse. Even in a world where rich second-generation scandals were frequent, he did not deliberately criticize or attack such a group. He believed that not all crows were black and that in a large forest, there would definitely be crows.

"Are you sure you're asking questions, not causing trouble?" Liu Jingtong asked with a smile.

Gong Cheng'en laughed heartily, "I apologize on Qianqian's behalf, but to be honest, your performance just now was truly impressive. You didn't let Qianqian make a big mistake."

Liu Jingtong smiled but said nothing.

Gong Cheng'en continued, "I guess she didn't expect you to be so young."

Mi Hu immediately added, "What's the big deal about that?"

Gong Cheng'en said, "Her temper is a bit quirky. When something unexpected happens, she tends to do something surprising."

Liu Jingtong looked at Gong Cheng'en's expression when talking about Dao Hua No.1, and scenes from idol dramas involuntarily came to mind.

"A girl her age who can sing and write scripts is already quite impressive," Liu Jingtong commented casually.

"Singing and writing are truly talents, but the script is something she's still trying out, learning as she goes. You, on the other hand, are the one who surprises me," Gong Cheng'en said sincerely.

"Luck," Liu Jingtong couldn't explain much more and didn't want to be overly modest, so he said, "It's just a mission from heaven."

"That's a good way to put it. Talent is a mission. By the way, did you compose that song on the spot?"

"Absolutely not. I heard the elders sing it back home. It's a pity that many of our traditional folk arts are gradually disappearing."

Liu Jingtong's words carried a mature tone, which Gong Cheng'en, a rich second-generation, did not fully understand. Even Mi Hu only had a vague sense of it. Gong Cheng'en nodded and said, "I've booked a table at Beicheng. Since I don't know your tastes, I haven't ordered any dishes yet."

Hearing the name Beicheng, Mi Hu and Liu Jingtong exchanged a smile. Mi Hu's expression seemed to say, "See, this is a real tycoon."

...

"Because of the arrival of a wonderful friend from afar, today's concert will end here. See you all next time."

Dao Hua No.1 finished her tenth song, bowed gracefully to the audience, and finished her performance, ignoring the calls for an encore.

After getting off the stage, she walked straight to Liu Jingtong, looked at him with interest, and said, "I didn't expect the uncle to be so young."

Liu Jingtong replied, "I didn't expect the niece to be a real niece."

Gong Cheng'en and Mi Hu, who had already heard their conversation, smiled but said nothing.

"Please don't take what I said earlier to heart, or I'll be too embarrassed to interact with you."

Liu Jingtong was incredulous, "Really? I don't think the niece should have such concerns."

Gong Cheng'en coughed, his face changing slightly. Liu Jingtong read his expression and knew he was trying to protect Dao Hua. He gave him a slightly apologetic look.

"This is the uncle's girlfriend, right? She's so beautiful. I'd have to work hard to look like that," Wang Qianqian, who seemed oblivious to the situation, said to Mi Hu.

"I'm Hu Xiaomi, and I really enjoyed your song 'Heaven's Choice.'"

"Just for fun."

"Let's go eat and talk while we eat." Gong Cheng'en looked at Wang Qianqian, his eyes soft and almost watery.

"Did you book Beicheng again?"

Gong Cheng'en said, "For guests, I thought..."

Wang Qianqian interrupted, "The air conditioning there is too low, and the food is too salty. Who would like to eat there?"

Only Gong Cheng'en knew that these were excuses Wang Qianqian made up on the spot. He wouldn't expose her and nodded, "I'll cancel the reservation. Where do you think is better?"

"Of course, we should ask the guests."

Liu Jingtong smiled and listened to their conversation, then said, "Guests follow the host's lead."

"Alright, let's go to 'Nine Square Meters.'"

...

Nine Square Meters was a bar, and it was the first time Liu Jingtong and Mi Hu had been to a bar. Gong Cheng'en, of course, booked a private room.

"By the way, where are your bandmates?" Liu Jingtong asked about the other members of Dao Hua after entering the bar.

"They've all gone their separate ways. We're not close off the stage."

"Huh?"

"People are too complicated. The more you interact, the more problems arise. I think a team should last without involving too much personal emotion," Wang Qianqian said casually.

Liu Jingtong, though completely disagreeing, had to admit there was some truth to it.

"We just practice and perform together. We don't keep in touch otherwise. Oh, do you know my name?"

"Dao Hua No.1."

Wang Qianqian laughed lightly, "That's obviously a stage name. I'm Wang Qianqian. My father gave me this name because I liked to trick people when I was little. He hoped I would become a master of deception one day."

Gong Cheng'en sat quietly beside her, smiling bitterly but saying nothing.

"Then, I need to explain something to the uncle," Wang Qianqian said seriously to Liu Jingtong, "I actually can't write scripts. The script I showed you was just a mess, with many problems. But don't worry, it's been handed over to professionals for revision."

Liu Jingtong wanted to praise her, but he couldn't bring himself to do so in front of Gong Cheng'en and the mischievous Dao Hua.

"Also, don't blame me for what happened earlier. I was just too surprised. The uncle is only twenty, right?"

Mi Hu covered her mouth and laughed, patting Liu Jingtong's shoulder, "He's a man of his heart."

Liu Jingtong didn't mind this, as it was the truth. With the soul of two lifetimes and a mind full of classics, his way of thinking and insights far exceeded those of his peers and even older people. As the saying goes, a man of learning has a natural grace. When one's knowledge reaches a certain level, it transforms from elegance to simplicity, a return to the essence.

"Ha, Sister Xiaomi, can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Has the uncle kissed you?"

"Ah?"

An awkward silence.

"Never," Liu Jingtong replied.

Gong Cheng'en, seeing the situation, quickly changed the subject, "The song Mr. Gu sang, 'Bao Qingtian,' is also from 'Seven Heroes and Five Gallants,' right?"

Liu Jingtong was moved and answered, "It's based on that."

Gong Cheng'en nodded, "The way is simple. The song has a simple melody but is powerful and catchy, much better than the theme song of 'Ocean.'"

Liu Jingtong remained calm and guided, "Why haven't you considered adapting 'Seven Heroes and Five Gallants'?"

Gong Cheng'en said proudly, "We never follow others."

Liu Jingtong disagreed, "In the arts, it's a process of passing down and innovating. Strictly speaking, there's no such thing as following others. 'Seven Heroes and Five Gallants' can be adapted in many ways."

Gong Cheng'en's eyes lit up, and he adjusted his posture, "What's Mr. Gu's opinion?"

"My suggestion is to focus on Bao Zheng's story and make a series about 'Bao Qingtian.' The story can be expanded based on the original, with the martial arts elements toned down. It could be a drama about a clean official solving cases, which should have a market."

Liu Jingtong's judgment came from his experience in the other world. After all, 'Bao Qingtian' had once been a sensation, drawing crowds.

Gong Cheng'en took out his phone and solemnly recorded this idea in his notes. Then he looked up at Liu Jingtong and said seriously, "I wonder if Mr. Gu would be interested in participating in the scriptwriting."

Liu Jingtong waved his hands, "The story has an existing original and many folk legends. You can form a small team to work on it, gather more folk stories. It shouldn't be a problem."

Gong Cheng'en nodded seriously, "If Mr. Gu really..."

"He's writing a novel," Wang Qianqian interjected, "His talent for novels is so great, and he's only written a few. It's a waste."

This simple statement struck Liu Jingtong like a thunderbolt. Yes, he had a mind full of classic works, and he had only written a few. He nodded and said, "After high school, I'll try to write more."

As he said this, a bold idea flashed through his mind.

"Recently, martial arts novels have been on the rise. Almost all publishing and cultural companies and magazines are promoting them, making me want to write one. Although no one says it, everyone knows that the uncle is still the leader, but he might be overtaken by others at any time."

Mi Hu, sitting beside them, said slowly, "Let them catch up to 'Yue Nü Jian' first."

Wang Qianqian stuck out her tongue and smiled, "Sister Xiaomi really cares about the uncle."

Mi Hu smiled faintly but didn't elaborate.

"So, is the uncle writing 'Seven Swords Descend from Heaven' while also thinking about a new story? Many authors have this experience, writing one story while thinking about another."

Liu Jingtong had been pondering the idea he had just had. Hearing Wang Qianqian's question, he smiled and said, "It will be a related story. Beauty fades quickly, and youth is fleeting. Love entangles, and black hair turns white. Ha, something like that."

Liu Jingtong's idea was to quietly write 'The White-Haired Demoness' and publish it directly, not in installments.

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