What?
Sheng Xiangsi was stunned. Why did he ask such a random question all of a sudden?
"I'm asking you a question."
Fu Hanjiang urged, glancing at the roadside where a silver-gray Pagani had already come to a stop, and Zhong Pei was about to get out of the car.
"Uh."
Given the choice, Sheng Xiangsi didn't think much, "Dancing."
I see...
Fu Hanjiang nodded silently, understanding. Just as Zhong Pei opened the car door, he bent down and got into his own car.
As the car drove away, Zhong Pei walked over.
"Xiangsi."
Sheng Xiangsi looked puzzled at the departing Bentley. Why did Fu Hanjiang seem so strange?
...
Over on Rong Zheng's side, there was some progress in the investigation of Gu Shaohua.
"Second Master." Rong Zheng reported, "It turns out that Gu Shaohua does have a weak point."
"Oh?"
That's good. Fu Hanjiang was pleased, recalling Xiangsi's answer—that she preferred dancing.
"Let's hear it."
"Here's the situation—"
Gu Shaohua and Zhou Jinting's mother were close childhood friends, but her husband's family wasn't as fortunate as Mrs. Zhou's.
The Zhou family held a prominent position in Jiangcheng's upper echelon, while Gu Shaohua's husband's family had shown signs of decline in recent years.
Although Gu Shaohua's family came from a scholarly background, they couldn't provide significant support in this regard.
In recent years, her husband's family struggled more and more.
—This was where Fu Hanjiang could make his move.
...
When Gu Shaohua learned that her husband's company crisis had been resolved, she was naturally happy but also surprised.
Her husband had been in trouble for a long time; how did it suddenly get resolved?
"It was President Fu."
Her husband was still excited, "What kind of family is the Fu family? Even a little help from them is enough to turn our fortunes around!"
President Fu? The Fu family?
Hearing this, Gu Shaohua was thoughtful.
Why would President Fu suddenly help her husband?
Not sure if she was overthinking, Gu Shaohua felt something was off.
Sure enough.
The next day, Gu Shaohua arrived at the dance troupe, and at the entrance, Fu Hanjiang was waiting for her.
"Teacher Gu." Fu Hanjiang smiled warmly, polite yet distant, "Sorry to show up unannounced and disturb you."
Gu Shaohua frowned slightly, "What brings President Fu here? Please, speak your mind."
"Alright."
Fu Hanjiang didn't have time for small talk and got straight to the point.
"I'm here to apologize on behalf of Xiangsi. She's young and naive, broke the troupe's rules. But could you forgive her this once and give her another chance?"
Here it was...
Gu Shaohua's heart skipped a beat. So this was why President Fu had suddenly offered an olive branch to her husband!
Should she agree or not?
Her husband had already accepted the benefits.
If she didn't agree now, could she persuade her husband to refuse the Fu family's help?
It was conceivable that not only would her husband refuse, but their relationship might also become strained because of it.
One had to admit, money could indeed achieve almost anything.
Even someone as proud as Gu Shaohua had no choice but to bow down.
Gu Shaohua looked at Fu Hanjiang helplessly, "With President Fu asking like this, how can I not agree?"
"Oh, please don't."
Fu Hanjiang still wore that smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He was polite but cold.
"I want you to genuinely accept Xiangsi. She will need your guidance when she dances under your direction."
If there was any insincerity, wouldn't that harm Xiangsi?
Gu Shaohua took a deep breath and made a decision.
"President Fu, rest assured, I wouldn't agree if I couldn't do it. But since I am agreeing, I won't be biased or give Xiangsi a hard time."
That wasn't her way.
"Do you trust me?"
"I trust you!"
Fu Hanjiang nodded without hesitation. Whether he truly trusted her or not, he had to show the proper attitude for Xiangsi's sake.
"How could I not trust your character, Teacher Gu? If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't entrust Xiangsi to you."
After a moment's thought, he added.
"One more thing, Teacher Gu."
"What is it?"
Fu Hanjiang said, "Xiǎngsi doesn't know about this, and I hope you can keep it a secret from her. I don't want it to affect her mood."
Such a complex matter wasn't something Xiangsi needed to know.
She loved dancing, so she should focus on dancing peacefully.
Gu Shaohua was a bit surprised. This man went to such lengths for Xiangsi, yet chose to keep it hidden?
Did he not intend to 'take credit'?
Sometimes, men's thoughts were hard to guess.
But this wasn't her concern. Gu Shaohua nodded, agreeing, "Alright, President Fu, I understand. Thank you."
"Not at all. I should be thanking you. Please take care of Xiangsi."
...
When Gu Shaohua called, Sheng Xiangsi was on set, filming the last scene as a dance double for this movie.
After tonight, she would be out of a job.
Director Bai was waiting for her to make a decision so they could sign the contract for the next film, which would be her debut work.
Only after signing the contract could they proceed with the subsequent work.
But Sheng Xiangsi was hesitant. Entering the entertainment industry wasn't her original intention.
Was she really suitable? Could she do it well?
Then, she received a call from Gu Shaohua.
"Teacher Gu?" Sheng Xiangsi was both excited and puzzled. Why was Teacher Gu calling her?
"Yes."
Gu Shaohua was concise, "I'm at the film city. Do you have time to meet and talk?"
"?"
Sheng Xiangsi was extremely surprised, "Yes, I do! Where are you?"
"I'm at a café nearby."
"Okay, I'll be right there!"
She hung up the phone and hurried to the café. The filming hadn't started yet, so she had some time.
When she arrived, still in costume, she saw Gu Shaohua.
Gu Shaohua smiled, "You took another role?"
"No." Sheng Xiangsi quickly shook her head, "It's still the same movie. I have a contract to finish."
She had to complete it.
"Sit down." Gu Shaohua pointed to the chair opposite.
"Okay, Teacher Gu." Sheng Xiangsi pulled out the chair and sat straight like a schoolchild.
"Please, go ahead."
Gu Shaohua laughed, "I fired you for taking this role, yet you still dare to continue filming?"
"Teacher Gu?"
Sheng Xiangsi was startled, her heart racing.
She explained nervously, "The assistant director who gave me this role was very kind to me. He helped me a lot during difficult times. This was before I joined the dance troupe. I broke the rules, but it wasn't intentional..."
"Alright, alright."
Seeing her panicked state, Gu Shaohua waved her hand, "How much longer do you have to film?"
Why was she asking this?
Despite her confusion, Sheng Xiangsi answered truthfully, "Tonight is the last scene."
Gu Shaohua nodded, then asked, "After you finish, do you plan to take more roles?"
"..." Sheng Xiangsi hesitated, "I'm still considering."
"Don't consider it."
Gu Shaohua casually said, "Finish the last scene and come back to dance. The lead role in the D group of 'Qinghuan Du' is waiting for you."