?Chapter 88: Engagement 088   Chapter 88: Engagement 088                                   “No,” Su Cheng’s head shook like a rattle-drum.


    “Brother Qinghe didn’t mention it either?”


    “Of course not, I n to apologize when he returns…”


    “Say no more,” Nan Qing interrupted Su Cheng anxiously, “Pretend I know nothing about this. If you dare let Brother Qinghe find out you told me this, I’ll make your life a living hell.”


    “Okay, I won’t say anything, absolutely nothing,” Su Cheng waved his hands frantically, “I promise I won’t tell anyone, including Fu Han.”


    Nan Qing then smiled with satisfaction, “Good brother. From now on, we are just like siblings, closer than blood. Let’s not harbor any inappropriate thoughts about each other.”


    “Really?” Su Cheng looked at Nan Qing, thrilled, his starry eyes almost bing moon-like.


    “Of course it’s true,” Nan Qing smiled, toying with the hair on either side of her face, and patted Su Cheng on the shoulder, “Young man, if you like Fu Han, go chase her yourself. I won’t help you, nor will I make things worse for you.”


    After saying this, Nan Qing walked away, leaving Su Cheng standing there alone.


    He stared at the door, stunned for nearly two minutes. His joy had now faded considerably, and that empty feeling began to erode his heart once again.


    …


    The He Group Meeting Room.


    It was a round-table meeting, discussing matters rted to the film ‘Homesick’, which was primarily financed and produced by the He Group.


    Now that all financing agreements had been settled, the next steps were script polishing and shooting.


    The He Group had reached its peak in its original domain. To take it a step further, it would need to venture into new fields.


    And the film industry, never before entered by the He Group but a future focus, made this initial foray particrly important.


    Today’s round-table wasn’t just attended by the entire board of directors, but also heads of various rted departments.


    After the staff had finished their reports, Director Wu stood up, “Chairman He, has the cast been decided?”


    “It’s still under discussion,” He Xing replied indifferently, lifting his head.


    “Have we decided on the lead actors?” Director Wu looked around the Meeting Room with a provocative gaze and said, “Everyone, this movie is our maiden venture. Many are waiting to see us fail, especially since we’re currently in the spotlight. This film must seed without fail, wouldn’t you agree?”


    Immediately, many agreed, their voices swelling in unison.


    But He Xing just swept his gaze across the room, and suddenly all the voices stopped, as if his look held the power of a pause button.


    He Xing’s gazended on Liang Tao, “Announce thetest cast list.”


    “Yes, Chairman He,” Liang Tao deftly operated the keyboard, and arge screen disyed a cast list with the words “To Be Determined” at the top.


    Pointing at the lead actress entry, Director Wu asked, “Bai Wei as the lead actress? Xia Ning as the second lead? Isn’t there a problem with that?”


    “What problem?” He Xing’s eyebrows lifted, “Whether in terms of star power or acting skill, Bai Wei is more than capable of being the lead actress in this movie.”


    “That’s true,” Director Wu scratched his head, chuckling with a sleazyugh, “But Xia Ning as the second lead doesn’t seem right. This is her debut film, and you’re letting her y a viin? Won’t it affect her future stardom?”


    “Since when did Director Wu care so much about Xia Ning?” He Xing’sment was steady, echoing his ck eyes that subtly concealed any probing intent.


    Director Wu’s face flushed red, and he fidgeted nervously, “Chairman He, it’s not that I care about Xia Ning. I’m concerned about you. After all, during the Skywalk Photography Competition, you personally said in front of thousands of cameras that although your rtionship with Xia Ning is currently just friendship, it might change in the future.”


    That remark pulled He Xing back to an event half a month prior. Even with his strongposure, the memory filled him with guilt.


    That day, Fu Han finally got the award she had longed for from the Skywalk Photography Competition, but before the medal could hang from her neck, the photos of He Xing and Xia Ning were leaked.


    If the woman in those photos had been anyone else, He Xing would have ruthlessly revealed the truth about what had happened at the bar that day.


    But the woman in the photo was Xia Ning, the daughter of his life-saving benefactor. He owed a life debt to the Xia Family. No matter what, he couldn’t ruin Xia Ning’s reputation, especially since Xia Guoxiong had “pleaded” on stage with He Xing to give Xia Ning a hand.


    In the end, He Xing stood on the stage in front of countless shes and said, “Everyone, Xia Ning and I grew up together. Our rtionship isn’t just friendship, but kin. On my honor, I swear nothing happened between us that day. Xia Ning is a good girl in my heart, and our future holds countless possibilities.”


    While saying these words, He Xing didn’t even dare to look at Fu Han’s face, who by then had been taken away by Luo Qinghe. In the sea of people, she turned back and looked at him.


    It was like a movie suddenly paused halfway through. Fu Han’s beautiful face turned pale, her eyes growing brighter as she looked at him from across what seemed like a great distance.


    He Xing had always thought that he must repay the life-saving grace, and no matter what, he would always yield to the Xia Family. Fu Han was his final barrier, he believed that no matter what happened, she would never leave him.


    But on that day, when Fu Han turned back to look at He Xing amongst the crowd, he felt an icy chill. He harbored the feeling that he was about to lose her.


    True enough, not two minutester, Fu Han announced to the journalists that they were canceling their engagement.


    “Chairman He? Chairman He?”


    Liang Tao’s voice rang out, interrupting He Xing’s thoughts.


    Looking at Director Wu’s usatory eyes, He Xing showed no guilt about being distracted during the meeting. He looked at Director Wu coldly, “Are you implying that our He Group’s first film should bepletely devoted to promoting Xia Ning?”


    Diretor Wu’s bronze face turned even more embarrassing. He coughed twice before bumbling an exnation, “It’s not exactly like that… But if Xia Ning is to be our future chairman’s wife, it wouldn’t be wrong to support her.”


    “What a thought, Director Wu,” He Xing rose slowly, watching Director Wu with a sneer, “It was you who insisted I make a military order due to personal affairs affecting thepany’s stock price, calling for discipline; and now you’re the one asking me to disregard the bigger picture to please someone else. Director Wu, what exactly is your agenda? You might as welly it all out at once.”


    “I… What agenda could I have?” Director Wu turned pale with fright, stammering in exnation, “I was just thinking of two birds with one stone, given that you and Xia Ning are about to get engaged.”


    “Chairman He is getting engaged?”


    “When was that?”


    “I haven’t heard anything about this, have you?”


    “Congrattions, Chairman He.”


    Director Wu’sment ignited the Meeting Room like a lit firecracker, and excitement buzzed through the air. Everyone forgot the focus of the meeting and started discussing amongst themselves in groups.