The younger generation, starting from where the wind blows...

Chapter 119 What to do if you fall for Teacher Du?
Besides Xie Wanghe and Xie Hongzu, Du Qiong also had something to do in the evening and couldn't attend the dinner.

After Du Qiong said goodbye to Xu Hongdou and the other girls one by one, Yang Muye and Hu Ling saw Du Qiong off.

Just as they reached the door, Ma Siyi pulled Xia Fenghua in and rushed in.

Yang Muyi thought something had happened and was about to ask the two women what was wrong when Ma Siyi spoke first.

"Teacher Du, are you leaving?"

Du Qiong was somewhat curious.

She didn't design any makeup or styling for Ma Siyi today, but she noticed this very pretty mixed-race girl early on.

The guitar accompaniment was played very well, but it's a pity I didn't hear Ma Siyi sing.

"Do you need something from me?" Du Qiong asked.

Ma Siyi nodded vigorously, grabbed Xia Fenghua's hand, and pushed her towards Du Qiong.

"Teacher Du, this is my good friend Xia Fenghua. Her dream since childhood has been to be a singer. She even did some modeling and advertising in high school. Could you design a makeup and styling for her?"

Xia Fenghua turned around abruptly, staring at Ma Siyi with an incredulous expression.

Ignoring Xia Fenghua's shocked gaze, Ma Siyi asked in an almost pleading tone:
"Teacher Du, is that alright?"

"Sure, but you have to have your friend turn around first so I can get a good look at him."

Before Ma Siyi could even feel happy, she immediately turned Xia Fenghua, who was still in shock, to face Du Qiong.

Du Qiong carefully examined Xia Fenghua for a few moments.

This girl looks quite ordinary at first glance.

But after taking a second look, I think it's alright.

It's the kind of design that grows on you.

But Xia Fenghua's current short hairstyle... is really hard to describe.

"Is your current hairstyle a copy of Li Yuchun's?"

Xia Fenghua nodded, then asked cautiously.

"Is it ugly?"

Du Qiong burst out laughing on the spot.

"This is just an example. I never said that Chun Chun's hairstyle was ugly. But from a stylist's perspective, I wouldn't recommend most girls to imitate Chun Chun's style."

As he spoke, he took out a business card from his backpack and handed it to Xia Fenghua.

"Once your hair has grown out, you can call me at this number, and I'll redesign your hairstyle then, how about that?"

Xia Fenghua gripped the business card tightly and nodded vigorously.

Du Qiong slung her backpack back over her shoulder and then offered her hand to Yang Muye.

"Mr. Yang, I'll be going now."

"You were calling me 'Little Yang' just a moment ago, how come you're calling me 'General Manager Yang' now? You've become distant, Teacher Du."

Yang Muye replied with a smile.

Du Qiong smiled and nodded.

"Okay, Xiao Yang, remember to save me a ticket for your college's welcome party."

After saying that, he turned and walked outside.

Yang Muyi stopped there, and Hu Ling continued to escort Du Qiong away.

After everyone left, Yang Muye turned to look at Xia Fenghua and Ma Siyi.

Before she could even speak, Ma Siyi quickly admitted her mistake, saying that she had acted on her own initiative.

Xia Fenghua's statement was the exact opposite of Ma Siyi's; she kept taking the blame upon herself.

"Teacher Du has already agreed, so why do you two think I'll be the bad guy?"

Yang Muyi looked at the two who were covering for each other with annoyance: "Pursuing dreams is everyone's right. Just like you like Chun Chun, I told you not to like her. All that 'believe in Brother Chun and you'll have eternal life' stuff is a lie. Would you listen to me?"

Xia Fenghua stared at Yang Muye in astonishment.

"You want to call me 'Little Blackie,' huh? Go ahead and call me whatever you want. But Xia Fenghua, let me remind you, you haven't even started your first job yet, and you're already thinking about taking on a second one. Can you handle it?"

Sensing that Yang Muye's words carried no malice, and even a hint of concern, Xia Fenghua felt a warmth in her heart and immediately raised her hand to swear:

"Mr. Yang, even if I take on a second job, it will absolutely not affect my work at Cainiao Station."

"It doesn't matter if it affects your work. If you don't do your job well, it's considered as being absent for one day. If you're absent for more than ten days, you can forget about getting paid this month. If you're willing to work for me for free, I'd be more than happy to oblige."

That sounds pretty harsh.

But Xia Fenghua didn't think so.

"Mr. Yang, so you agree to let me have a second job?"

Just then, Hu Ling returned after seeing someone off.

Yang Muyi immediately pointed at Xia Fenghua and said to Hu Ling, "There's someone here who dreams of being Li Yuchun. I can't wake her up. Why don't you give it a try?"

Xia Fenghua was also present when Hu Ling approached Ma Siyi to sign a contract; the two had already known each other back then.

Hu Ling also knew something about Xia Fenghua's situation.

"Fenghua, do you also want to sign with Xingchen Dahai like Siyi?"

"Sister Ling, do you think I can do it?"

"Well--"

Hu Ling glanced at Yang Muye, who was watching the commotion with his arms crossed.

"Sure, but you have to tell me first what you want to do? Sing or make videos?"

“I’d like to try both,” Xia Fenghua replied confidently.

That means neither of them stands out.

Hu Ling sighed inwardly.

Out of consideration for Ma Siyi, Hu Ling did not dampen Xia Fenghua's enthusiasm.

"Alright, Siyi can teach you singing when she has time. If there are suitable roles for making videos, we'll also consider asking you to join. But you won't get much money at first. If you're willing, I can prepare a contract for you later."

Xia Fenghua looked at Yang Muye hesitantly.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Starry Sky is also my company. If you're willing to work for free, how can I, as the boss, say you're not welcome?"

Xia Fenghua knew that Yang Muye had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and she was so happy that she bowed to him on the spot.

"Thank you, Mr. Yang!"

Watching Xia Fenghua and Ma Siyi run into the bar hand in hand, Hu Ling deliberately slowed down and asked Yang Muye what he planned to do with Xia Fenghua.

"How about trying out the comedic girl?"

Yang Muye answered casually.

After a two-second pause, Hu Ling blurted out:

"A social media influencer version of Sandra Ng?"

"It's not that I'm deliberately trying to look ugly, I'm just trying to be a bit of a 'happy person'."

Yang Muye couldn't find a particularly suitable example at the moment.

It's actually just like Ma Li from Happy Twist in her past life.

However, it also depends on whether Xia Fenghua has the talent for comedy. If not, let Xia Fenghua continue working as a courier.

Yang Muyi's career focus is indeed on the internet, but not everyone around him has to squeeze into the online celebrity track.

After talking about Xia Fenghua, Yang Muye brought up Du Qiong.

"Sister Ling, are you and Teacher Du very familiar with each other?"

"She can be considered a friend, otherwise she wouldn't have come to help today, and for free no less."

"Are you confident you can bring her into the vast universe?"

"Sure, but how much salary are you planning to pay her?"

"No salary will be paid."

Trying to get something for nothing?
Hu Ling was stunned.

“I’ll give her 25% of the shares, without her having to pay a single penny,” Yang Muye’s voice continued.

Let them get something for free?
Hu Ling was stunned again.

No, Yang Muye isn't that stupid.

So you've taken a liking to her? Yang Muye readily admitted, "That's right, I've taken a liking to Teacher Du."

He was only interested in Du Qiong's family background.

It's said that the entertainment industry is a murky place, but the future of the internet celebrity world will also be full of all sorts of weirdos and freaks.

Although the temple of the stars and the sea is small, it still needs a great deity to preside over it.

Be prepared.

After learning of Yang Muye's intentions, Hu Ling nodded and said that she would try her best to persuade Du Qiong.

After the gathering ended that evening, Xia Fenghua immediately called Xie Wanghe to tell him that she had signed with Xingchen Dahai.

She thought she would receive congratulations, but Xie Wanghe instead launched into a tirade of abuse at her.

"Xia Fenghua, are you out of your mind? Do you really think they think highly of you? They only agreed to take you on because of Siyi. If I were you, I would just focus on doing my job properly. Although the threshold for becoming an internet celebrity is not as high as that for a star, how can someone like you, who is average in appearance, average in talent, and average in everything, compete with others?"

"Xie Wanghe, you just look down on me. Just because I had bad grades and didn't get into university, does that mean I deserve to be worthless?"

Hearing Xia Fenghua's tearful rebuttal, Xie Wanghe realized that he had spoken too harshly.

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant—"

"Don't worry, I won't drag Siyi down, nor will I take advantage of her. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

Xia Fenghua wiped away her tears and said in a stiff tone.

"Wait a minute—"

Xie Wanghe called out to Xia Fenghua over the phone: "I made a phone call home this afternoon."

"Are your parents doing well?"

Xia Fenghua's tone softened.

Although she was angry with Xie Wanghe, she kept things separate and still cared about her neighbors in Flower Street.

"Everything's fine. I also asked your parents, and everyone's doing well, except for Xingchi—"

What happened to Shao Xingchi?

“He secretly ran away from the school for repeat students, leaving a letter home saying that he was going to work outside and would never come home until he made something of himself.”

"what?"

Xia Fenghua froze on the spot.

"But don't worry too much. Xingchi is a boy after all, so he usually won't get into any trouble. Besides, based on my understanding of him, he's most likely come to Yanjing."

Xia Fenghua immediately realized: "Is it because of our shared wish when we were kids, to go and see the end of the Grand Canal?"

"Yes."

"What should we do then? Yanjing is so big, where are we supposed to find him?"

"You don't need to worry about this. Hai Kuo and I will figure out a solution together. If all else fails, we'll call the police and ask Uncle Hat to help us find the person."

"We absolutely cannot call the police. What if Uncle Hat arrests Shao Xingchi and sends him back to Flower Street?"

"Are you stupid? Xingchi hasn't done anything wrong. If Uncle Hat finds him, he'll just give him a few words of criticism and tell him to contact his family as soon as possible."

"But he submitted a blank exam paper in the college entrance examination just to spite Uncle Shao. Now, the last thing he wants to contact is his family."

"That's why I said to look for it myself first, and only call the police if I really can't find it."

"Actually, there's another way. Isn't Siyi going to perform with the Barbarian Band at the welcome party of Yanjing Business School? We can post the video online later, and Shao Xingchi might come looking for her after he sees it."

Xie Wanghe on the other end of the phone remained silent.

He knew this method was feasible, but deep down he didn't really want to find Shao Xingchi through it.

The reason is because of another partner from Flower Street, Chen Rui.

Chen Rui scored over 600 points on the college entrance exam, but applied to Honghuai Normal University, a second-tier university. The reason was not only his interest in archaeology, but also because Ma Siyi had mentioned wanting to apply to that school.

Once Ma Siyi appears online, Shao Xingchi, who works in Yanjing, may not see it, but Chen Rui, who is in college, will definitely see it immediately.

At that point, Ma Siyi's presence in Yanjing will no longer be a secret.

However, during the phone call, Xie Wanghe did not mention Chen Rui, but instead expressed concern that Ma Siyi's mother would cause trouble if she saw the news.

Xia Fenghua was also filled with righteous indignation when the matter was brought up.

"Don't worry, I already told Sister Ling about this on the day Siyi signed the contract. If Siyi's mother dares to cause trouble in Yanjing, Sister Ling will find a lawyer to sue her directly, expose all the ugly things she has done over the years, and ruin her reputation!"

Having no other reason to object, Xie Wanghe could only acquiesce to Xia Fenghua's proposal.

At the same time, he secretly resolved to find Shao Xingchi before Ma Siyi went on stage to perform at the welcome party.

"By the way, did you tell Chen Rui about Siyi's situation in Yanjing?" Xia Fenghua deliberately brought up the most awkward topic.

Xie Wanghe was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone.

“I haven’t told him yet. I’m worried that if I tell Chen Rui, he might do something as stupid as Xingchi in a moment of impulse.”

"Chen Rui isn't that kind of person, he's just—"

Xia Fenghua suddenly couldn't continue speaking.

Chen Rui likes Ma Siyi, and that's probably why Xie Wanghe didn't tell Chen Rui.

Xie Wanghe finally made up his mind.

"Don't worry, I've seen everything Chen Rui has done for Siyi. I'll call him later and talk to him about it, and of course I'll also advise him not to act impulsively."

Xia Fenghua nodded, and before hanging up the phone, she didn't forget to tell him: "Don't go to Shao Xingchi's place by yourself. Cainiao Station won't be in trial operation until next month. Siyi and I are both free during this time, so let's go look for it together."

"Okay, Hai Kuo and I will discuss it, and then we'll split up."

At the entrance of Fairfield by Marriott.

Tonight, it's Wang Niulang and Zhang Guangzheng on duty again.

There weren't many customers at the moment, and the two were chatting when a young man wearing a plaid shirt and jeans walked over.

Although the other person didn't look like someone who could afford to stay in a four-star hotel, Zhang Guangzheng still greeted him with a smile.

"Sir, do you need help?"

"that--"

The young man glanced into the hotel.

"Brother, I have a question for you. For people like you who greet guests at the hotel entrance, is food and lodging provided? How much do you get paid per month?"

Zhang Guangzheng was stunned for a moment.

Are they here looking for a job?
Zhang Guangzheng looked the young man up and down.

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen, almost nineteen."

"Just graduated from high school?"

"Correct."

"I didn't get into university."

"Hmm—right, I didn't pass the exam. You need college graduates to do this kind of job?"

"Not necessarily, but the higher the education level, the better."

Do you accept students with only a high school diploma?

"We do hire, but there's a strict requirement: you have to have a driver's license, because we often need to help customers park their cars."

Upon hearing this, the young man's face darkened.

"OK, thanks."

Watching the young man's departing figure, Zhang Guangzheng recalled how he had also encountered setbacks everywhere when he first came to Yanjing, and felt very bitter.

Wang Niulang walked up and stood next to Zhang Guangzheng.

“I rarely misjudge people. Don’t let his current downfall fool you; this young man is actually very ambitious. He’s not cut out to be our ‘leader’.”

Zhang Guangzheng turned his head.

"Master, what you're saying sounds like you're scolding me for being unmotivated."

Wang Niulang smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Just as Zhang Guangzheng was about to ask for clarification, Wang Niulang reminded him that a guest had arrived.

Looking up, I saw Yang Muye walking towards the hotel entrance.

(End of this chapter)