NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62 - Newcomer
“Did you put me on speaker?”
“Nope.”
“You’re calling to ask about the funding I provided for that show, right?”
He shifted the topic so fast that Tang Yuan took a moment before softly responding, “Mm-hmm.”
“Before Qiaochu Entertainment collapsed, they withdrew their investment in Love Every Day. This show is currently the most talked-about variety program, so I increased the funding.” Tang Gu was puzzled. “So you’re calling about something this minor?”
At this moment, Tang Gu spoke plainly, “I invested to make money, not for you.”
This man was all business.
Tang Yuan rolled her eyes. “Of course I know that.”
“It’s mainly because the production team…” Tang Yuan glanced at the camera. “Forget it, it’s nothing important. I’ll hang up now.”
“Wait.” Tang Gu stopped her. “When are you coming home?”
Tang Yuan, distracted, replied, “Not yet, haven’t gone back yet.”
Tang Gu issued an ultimatum, “After finishing filming, come home immediately.”
With that, Tang Gu ended the call.
Although he didn’t follow entertainment news, he kept up with his sister’s updates. Her participation in this dating show had seen her relationship with Jiang Zi progress at lightning speed—but too quickly for his liking.
He had discreetly investigated Jiang Zi. The company Qi Yuan was a reputable enterprise, with no shady dealings behind the scenes. As Qi Yuan’s founder, Jiang Zi appeared clean.
Tang Gu wasn’t concerned about Tang Yuan’s personal relationships. He wouldn’t interfere with their free love, but his suspicious nature made him question Jiang Zi’s intentions, given how fast things were moving.
If Tang Yuan knew his thoughts, she’d sum it up perfectly: years of managing a business had ingrained a conspiratorial mindset in her brother.
…
Tang Yuan scrolled through her contacts and found her agent, Sister Qing.
Suddenly, she thought of someone—Du Shuhuai, her gold-standard stunt double from QinYan’s Tales.
Back then, she noticed Du Shuhuai’s dedication and resilience while performing as a stunt double. Her determination was magnetic, so Tang Yuan personally asked if she’d like to sign with Tanghua Entertainment.
Du Shuhuai, without a company at the time, readily agreed. Tang Yuan then had Sister Qing arrange the necessary contacts for her.
Now, Tang Yuan asked Sister Qing to contact Du Shuhuai to check her availability and interest in joining the show.
There was also a second candidate, and Tang Yuan left the decision up to Sister Qing.
As for Meng Yao’er’s request, Tang Yuan merely mentioned it to Sister Qing, leaving the arrangements entirely in her hands.
After all, Tang Yuan didn’t know the right people for such matters, let alone how to handle finding specific candidates.
…
Sister Qing worked quickly, and by the afternoon, Love Every Day welcomed two new female guests.
The male contestants were ecstatic, acting as if they were about to find their soulmates. Before the newcomers arrived, they blew up balloons and decorated the house to create an even sweeter, more romantic atmosphere.
When Jiang Zi and Tang Yuan returned from their workout, they were greeted by an explosion of confetti poppers the moment they stepped through the door.
Tang Yuan, drenched in sweat and utterly drained, froze in place as confetti rained down on her. Taking a deep breath, her hollow gaze seemed to form a mental question mark.
Jiang Zi, with an impassive face, plucked the colorful streamers from his hair and turned to the culprits.
Deng Peiluo and Guan ZiAn bolted, each clutching a confetti popper, putting five meters between themselves and Jiang Zi in record time.
Unlike Tang Yuan’s exhaustion, after her workout, Jiang Zi’s aura surpassed 1.8 meters. Describing her as domineering would not be an exaggeration—she looked like she Attack level of EX.
As Jiang Zi approached them, Deng Peiluo quickly apologized, “We thought… we thought you were the new guests! Sorry!”
He was genuinely afraid Jiang Zi might come over and slap them silly.
Tang Yuan tugged on Jiang Zi’s hand. “Let’s go shower, sister. You’re covered in sweat.”
Only then did Jiang Zi withdraw her gaze, carefully removing the remaining streamers from Tang Yuan’s hair and shoulders before guiding her upstairs.
It wasn’t until they disappeared around the staircase corner that the tension in the room eased.
Someone grabbed a broom to clean up the mess while another retrieved fresh confetti poppers. The little accident hadn’t dampened their enthusiasm for welcoming the new participants.
…
Tang Yuan showered, swapped her workout gear for casual clothes.
Speaking of which, the idea to work out today came to Tang Yuan suddenly, when she touched Jiang Zi’s vest line while they were hiding away to kiss.
At that moment, as her naughty thoughts surged, she felt the warmth of Jiang Zi’s hand resting on her own little belly.
Yes, her little belly.
Although she was slim, she still had a little belly, unlike Jiang Zi, whose waist and abs were perfectly sculpted.
This once again stirred her desire to work on her waistline, and she took action, dragging Jiang Zi to accompany her and act as her coach.
After showering, Tang Yuan collapsed on the bed, too tired to even move a muscle.
She wasn’t out of shape by any means; it was just that Jiang Zi’s exercise regimen was ridiculously intense.
When Jiang Zi came out of the bathroom, she saw Tang Yuan lying in the same spot, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Jiang Zi walked over and pinched her waist. “Little Tang Yuan?”
Tang Yuan flinched reflexively before glancing at her, hope flickering in her eyes. “Feel my belly. Do I still have a tummy?”
Jiang Zi, playing along, gave her waist a gentle squeeze. Then, feigning realization, said, “I can’t tell if you’re lying down.”
Tang Yuan grabbed her hand and pulled herself up, standing straight. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Try now?”
This time, Jiang Zi paid close attention. Tang Yuan’s tummy was soft and squishy to the touch—adorable, in Jiang Zi’s opinion. She hoped Tang Yuan wouldn’t lose this little bit of extra weight; after all, she was already so thin. That slight belly wasn’t unattractive or obvious, and it didn’t interfere with her wearing beautiful clothes.
Jiang Zi, who had intentionally increased the intensity of the workout to make Tang Yuan give up, said, “One day won’t make a difference.”
Hearing that, Tang Yuan’s excitement deflated entirely. She gave up. “It’s too much. I’m done.”
“Yeah, no need to push yourself.” Jiang Zi’s eyes glimmered with affection. “A little tummy is perfectly normal for a girl. I like it, actually.”
She leaned in to plant a light kiss on Tang Yuan’s cheek. “It’s sexy—and feels nice too.”
Tang Yuan’s crescent-shaped eyes shimmered with joy. She never had body image issues, but Jiang Zi’s words solidified her resolve to embrace her natural shape.
Leaning in, Tang Yuan kissed Jiang Zi on the cheeck. “Let’s go downstairs.”
“Sounds like the new guests are here. Sister Qing didn’t tell me who they are, let’s go check it out.”
Jiang Zi, still yearning for Tang Yuan’s clingy affection, was distracted by something else and found herself in a bad mood.
In her frustration, she pulled Tang Yuan close, pressing her lips against hers with a fierce intensity before taking her hand and leading her out of the room.
…
【What?! They actually invited my wife to the show?】
【Su QingYao? You dare invite my wife? Don’t blame me if I lick the screen!】
【Who’s the other girl? She’s also gorgeous, but I don’t recognize her.】