Although Sangqiao was puzzled and shocked about having to personally go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to sign and seal the marriage certificate due to Fu Xingzhou's identity, considering that they had lost a person once before, this time Sangqiao obediently followed Fu Xingzhou into the car and sat in the passenger seat, and was obediently driven to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
And they received a warm and patient reception from the staff at the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Half an hour later.
Sangqiao, who was no longer single, walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau with two red little books, following Fu Xingzhou.
The sky was dark in the northern city.
It wasn't even six o'clock at night, but the sky had already darkened.
The signs of the nearby businesses near the Civil Affairs Bureau lit up one by one, casting colorful lights on the dark blue sports car parked on the side street.
The highly reflective car paint and well-structured lines, along with the trident logo.
Sangqiao rarely had a chance to come into contact with luxury cars, he only recognized the brand, and couldn't distinguish the style.
With his hands in his pockets, he looked left and right for a while, feeling that the car didn't seem to match Mr. Fu's aesthetic.
But Mr. Fu had still chosen this car when they arrived from the Fu residence.
Whatever.
It's not his own car anyway.
Sangqiao felt around in his pocket, took out the two red books, and handed one to Fu Xingzhou, "Here, one for you, one for me."
Fu Xingzhou lowered his head.
He happened to see the lush hair on Sangqiao's head, and a small curl.
Very.
Good-looking.
Possibly looking at Fu Xingzhou and not accepting it.
Sang Qiao then handed the marriage certificate to Xingzhou, conscientiously adding, "Don't worry, Sang's family told me to keep this marriage hidden. I won't go around talking about how you are dragging your feet!"
Xing Zhou: "......"
Xing Zhou didn't take the marriage certificate, turned to unlock the car, and asked Sang Qiao, "Do you have other matters?"
Surely, there must be other matters.
Sang Qiao was quite busy with work and immediately nodded.
He stuffed the marriage certificate into Xing Zhou's hand and said, "Yes, I have an appointment at 8 o'clock! I won't tell you, I'll call a Didi first."
Xing Zhou: "......"
Xing Zhou's face darkened slightly, "An appointment?"
At this time, it was the peak of the evening rush hour, and Sang Qiao hadn't had a Didi order for half a day.
He shrugged, turned around.
Judging by Xing Zhou's high-end status, he probably hadn't heard of such vulgar language as "appointment," so Sang Qiao explained while holding his phone, "It's like... um, it's like meeting? It's like having a gathering, I guess."
Xing Zhou: "Where is it?"
Sang Qiao checked WeChat and, with low cultural literacy, said, "It's over by the 4th Ring Road, at some English club. I've never been there either."
Xing Zhou's frowned imperceptibly and said in a deep voice, "Get in the car."
Sang Qiao: "Huh?"
Xing Zhou: "I'll take you there."
Sang Qiao: "???"
Sang Qiao: "For real?!"
He didn't want to miss out on such a big favor.
Sang Qiao hurriedly opened the car door and jumped in.
The car's air conditioning shielded the stifling heat of early autumn outside the window, and the distinctive sound of the sports car's engine could be heard.
They took the elevated road out of the city.
Xing Zhou asked, "Where exactly?"
Sang Qiao was engrossed in playing a game on the front passenger seat, but upon hearing his question, he fumbled to switch to the chat interface and found a line of English letters, "This one!"
Xing Zhou raised his eyebrows almost imperceptibly, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.
The appointed time was 8 o'clock.
The car arrived at the club's entrance exactly at 7:55.
Two hosts dressed in small formal attire respectfully came to open the door.
Sang Qiao told Xu Qiran that he had arrived, then stuffed his phone into his pocket.
Anxiously, he jumped out of the car and told the host, "Hello, I have an appointment with Director Wang at 8 o'clock."
Recognizing cars is a prerequisite skill for hosts.
The host who came forward could tell at a glance that the car behind Sang Qiao was likely the latest model of a Maserati that had not been officially launched yet, only seen in promotional material.
So, the smile on the host's face was particularly sincere as he said to Sang Qiao, "Yes, you arrived just in time. Please come this way."
Sang Qiao followed the host through the club's revolving door.
Only then did Xing Zhou get out of the car.
The other host and the security guard outside the club were both momentarily stunned, then they bent over in unison and greeted, "Mr. Fu, hello!"
Xing Zhou's expression hardly changed, and he casually handed the car key to the host, saying, "Which Director Wang is here?"
The host cleverly replied, "Boss, it's Director Wang Mao from Starfish Culture. He seems to be conducting interviews, and several groups of people have come."
Xing Zhou: "Which private room?"
The host hurriedly said, "On the 3rd floor, shall I take you there now?"
Xing Zhou nodded.
This club was founded years ago by Xing Zhou and two close friends.
From its opening until now, it has become more and more famous. Xing Zhou only visited occasionally a few times.
In less than a minute from when Xing Zhou entered the club.
The news of the CEO's inspection spread throughout the entire club's staff communication channel.
After another minute.
The manager personally hurried downstairs from upstairs.
The club manager anxiously greeted Xing Zhou, trying hard to flatter him, "Mr. Fu, you finally have some free time to come! It's been so long since your last visit, here, would you like to have...?"
A junior host pulled the manager aside and said, "The CEO accompanied someone here, it's in Private Room 3016."
The manager immediately breathed a sigh of relief, turned to beckon the secretary behind him, and lowered his voice, saying, "Open thirty bottles of Louis XIII and put it on my account." Then, turning to Fu Xingzhou, he smiled and said, "Chairman Fu, room 3016 is right ahead, please go in!" The club had the best soundproof equipment. The tranquil corridor was suddenly filled with a quiet, almost oppressive cold aura when Fu Xingzhou arrived.
Perhaps as a contingency for interviews, Wang Mao was using two rooms simultaneously. Room 3016 was the formal selection site, and the next door, room 3018, was the waiting room for trainees. However, when Fu Xingzhou, the general manager, the deputy manager, the manager's secretary, and various divisional directors walked up to the two rooms, they found both doors closed. Outside the rooms, a figure was casually leaning against the soundproof wall, chatting with someone in front. The person leaning against the wall had somehow taken off his outer shirt, wearing only a very short T-shirt. In the dim light, the low-rise light blue jeans outlined an almost perfect yet delicate waistline and slender legs.
Fu Xingzhou's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't say anything. Generally, the corridors of high-end clubs did not allow idle individuals to stay, especially when the most intimidating person was present. The manager was so angry that he took a step forward intending to get the two of them to leave immediately. However, he saw Fu Xingzhou go over first.
Sang Qiao was covering his ears and listening to how he should perform incessantly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the savior walking towards them. Annoyed by all the commotion, Sang Qiao enthusiastically waved at Fu Xingzhou, "Hey! Chairman Fu, hello, and thank you for the ride just now. You've come up here too?" Fu Xingzhou: "..." Sang Qiao's tone showed no intention of acknowledging any relationship with Fu Xingzhou. Even the car ride had become a mere "ride". With a cold face, Fu Xingzhou took a few steps forward and finally saw the person standing beside Sang Qiao. A man, probably not yet thirty, dressed neatly and wearing glasses. Fu Xingzhou withdrew his gaze and asked Sang Qiao, "Who is this?" Sang Qiao grinned broadly, "He, he is my broker. Surname Xu, called Xu Qiran."
Fu Xingzhou courteously nodded, "Hello." Xu Qiran: "..." Xu Qiran signaled Sang Qiao frantically with his eyes to explain the current situation, but Sang Qiao, who was starving, completely ignored Xu Qiran's hints, sniffed, and looked into room 3018. The trainees from various companies waiting in room 3018 were enjoying food and drinks, including tasty barbecue... Sang Qiao peered through the crack of the door, full of envy. Fu Xingzhou's gaze lingered on Sang Qiao for a long time before asking Xu Qiran, "Why don't you go in?" Xu Qiran replied, "The producer said there is no room in the waiting area and asked us to wait outside." Fu Xingzhou: "Didn't you arrange to meet the director at eight?" Xu Qiran was somewhat surprised that Fu Xingzhou knew the exact time and explained, "Yes, we arranged to meet at eight. But..." Xu Qiran sighed helplessly, "But Chairman Fu, you see, these things often involve personal relationships."
In other words, at eight o'clock, as promised, they were cut in line and then kicked out of the waiting area. The barbecue and cake on the table in room 3018 were untouched, and Sang Qiao was starving. Fu Xingzhou's voice was deep as he asked Xu Qiran, "Can we go next?" Xu Qiran shook his head, "Many people cut in line, at least another fourteen or fifteen groups ahead." Fu Xingzhou then asked, "What kind of variety show?" Xu Qiran hesitated for a moment, and an unrealistic idea suddenly occurred to him. However, he immediately discarded this absurd idea from his mind. "It is a variety show about growth, called 'Your Stage'."
Fu Xingzhou didn't know what he was thinking about, turned around, and glanced at the manager behind him.
The manager, who had already recovered from being shocked, hurried over, and with keen insight, bent over: "Director Fu, I will arrange a private dining room for these two gentlemen right away. There is an empty room near 3016, as well as 3015, which will make it convenient for the interview later on."
Fu Xingzhou was still not very satisfied with 3015, but he didn't say anything more.
The dedicated waiter in the private room warmly led Sang Qiao and Xu Qiran in with a smile.
When they were about to enter, Sang Qiao didn't forget to tilt his head and wink at Fu Xingzhou.
Probably meaning, "I'll leave first without considering my feelings."
Fu Xingzhou interpreted Sang Qiao's expression somewhat unhappily, and had the manager bring the menu and personally added a few more dishes.
Coincidentally at this moment, the waiter who had just been sent by the manager to fetch the wine arrived at the door of Room 3016 with an ice bucket.
After the recent series of events, the manager had realized that the director in Room 3016 had formed a deep bond with Fu Xingzhou.
Sending someone else in to deliver the wine, isn't that foolish?"
Just as the manager was about to go and stop him, Fu Xingzhou pointed to the row of ice buckets: "How many bottles?"
The manager hesitated, unable to grasp the boss's intention for a moment, tentatively saying, "Director Fu, there are thirty bottles."
The line at the corner of Fu Xingzhou's lips appeared cold and noble in the light of the corridor: "Add another fourteen bottles, and take them all to Room 3016."
All... to 3016?
The manager was taken aback, about to confirm again.
Fu Xingzhou had already turned around: "Consider it as delivering his due courtesy."