"It's our director. Damn it. I have suggested him long ago to play that exclusive interview in the draw ceremony for the knockout. Yet they failed to make a final decision after several discussions. How sissy! Why wait until the very last minute? If they had told me a little earlier, I'd have finished before the holiday, and there'll be no need for me to work overtime." Su Rui complained.
Cheng Mingqian held her hands like he always did in school, smiling. "That exclusive interview with Lou Cheng?"
"You know it?" Shu Rui's eyes lit up, and her attention was shifted as well.
Cheng Mingqian showed slight complacency. "I'm your boyfriend. How could I not know what my girl has been doing or what you have done? I remember everything you have specifically told me."
Sui Rui laughed. "Yep. It's that exclusive interview. Sign. You're also a leader. Do all leaders change their decisions at will?"
"I'm nothing like that." Cheng Mingqian thoughtfully replied. "Rui, you don't have to work so hard. I can support you. If you're interested in your current job, then I'm fine with it. But if this job requires too much work and harm your health, why not be my housewife? If director Zhao calls you again, just talk back to him. Let him work overtime."
Looking at her boyfriend, Shu Rui let out a sign. "I wish that too. However, how could I be your housewife without marring you and meeting your parents?"
Meanwhile, I don't like to be a canary.
Speaking of this, there was an embarrassed smile on Cheng Mingqian's fair-skinned and attractive face. "Rui, I assure you that my mom will find no excuse once my company is on track. By then, I'll bring you to her. Just give me one more year. You have my promise."
Cheng Mingqian's mom was a famous iron lady in Songcheng business circle. She was bossy enough to arrange everything for his son, including his marriage. If he made no achievements, he dared not bring his girlfriend to his mom.
"I trust you." Shu Rui answered with a smile.
She had heard something similar like this for several times, and she had given similar replies for several times.
Even when you plan to hang yourself, you need to catch a breath first. So Shu Rui let her boyfriend drop her at television station after they finished their dinner.
For tonight's date, she boldly tried a bohemian gown with a pair of high-heeled scandal. But these scandals which she rarely wore gave her blisters on her heel. When she got into the passenger seat, she couldn't help rubbing the wound as it hurt so much.
Cheng Mingqian took a glance without saying more and drove out of the underground parking lot.
A few miles down the street, he suddenly pulled off the roadside.
"What's wrong?" Shu Rui turned to her boyfriend, puzzled.
"Give me five minutes." Cheng Mingqian smiled at her.
He pulled the handbrake, opened the door and headed toward the pedestrian crossing. Because something blocked her sight, she had no idea where he was going.
Several minutes later, Cheng Mingqian came back with a bag within which was a box. He drew out a pair of white sneakers from the box, smiling. "You'll have to do with this pair temporarily. I think I get the right size."
Shu Rui was touched by his sweetness as her bright eyes swept across the shoes.
"I thought you didn't notice!"
When she changed into sneakers, her grievance for working overtime relieved quite a bit and she was willing to chat again. Over small talks, they soon arrived at the building where television station was located.
"Call me when you finished, I'll pick you up." Cheng Mingqian made a gesture of calling.
As for now, he had to head back and check in.
Shu Rui waved goodbye to her boyfriend with a smile and then walked into the building carrying a handbag. While waiting for the elevator, she heaved out a long breath.
Her boyfriend was perfect, much better than her first love who was naive and immature, and also better than her second one who was a male chauvinist. Otherwise, she would not fall in love with him among so many pursuers and also would not give up the offer provided by Huahai Satellite TV. She came to Songcheng on her own just to be with him.
However, he was not exactly that perfect since he was a mama's boy.
Forget it, there is no perfect man in this world…" Shu Rui could only console herself like this. She stepped into the elevator and arrived at the second newsroom where she ran into Yang Juan who also came here for Lou Cheng's exclusive interview.
"Juan, what're you thinking?" Shu Rui noticed Yang Juan was quite distracted.
Yang Juan was startled by her sudden question. "Rui, do you make any sounds when you walk?" She spoke with hands covered in her chest.
"You got carried away." Shu Rui chuckled.
Yang Juan turned to Shu Rui, hesitated for a while and said, "Rui, can I ask you something? It's just that my friend falls in love with a man and she wants to make the first move. Can you give her some advice?"
Shu Rui could not hold back her smile. "Juan, I assume that friend is you."
Yang Juan blushed upon hearing this, knowing her cover-up was too lame.
Shu Rui stopped smiling and said earnestly. "I can't say every man is the same, but most of them are easy to be seduced. Get his contact and chat with him every day. Don't worry about the topic. Remember act more active, more optimistic and cute. But don't overdo it. Don't talk too long, but you should let him know you had a thing for him. Trust me, it'll take you three months at best to get him. As for whether he'll be your boyfriend or friend with benefits, it depends on how he sees this relationship."
"That simple?" Yang Juan wore a stupefied expression on his face.
Shu Rui stretched his hands out and said, "But first you have to learn how to apply makeup and dress yourself. At least you need to make yourself look okay, and this only works for some men, not all."
"Have you tried before?" Yang Juan blurted out.
"Nope." Shu Rui answered with an innocent look, "I have never taken the initial move. My former roommate told me this and she successfully seduced several men."
"How they end?" Yang Juan curiously pursued on.
There was a twitch in the corner of Shu Rui's mouth. "I'm embarrassed to mention her because she only enjoys flirting. When that man starts to take the initiative, she'll lose her interest and defriend him."
"Nothing is too strange in this big world…" Yang Juan signed with complexed feelings.
Shu Rui dropped her handbag and took a glass. There was a curve in the corner of her mouth.
"Talk to me on Wechat if you have any problems. Now let's work on Lou Cheng's exclusive interview, so we can come home earlier."
...
At 9 o'clock on Sunday evening, Zong Yanru came out from their next door and saw Li Liantong held a glass, watching television in a simple couch.
"Dirty Tong, what're you watching?" She asked curiously.
LI Liantong laughed while changing the channels. "The draw ceremony for the knockout is held tonight."
"What knockout?" Zong Yanru was lost.
"The knockout for martial arts clubs, remember?" Li Liantong added.
"Right. I'd forget it had you not tell me," said Zong Yanru .
"Me too. Luckily Ke reminded me at noon." Li Liantong complained. "I do not understand their arrangements for this competition. The group competition finished in the first week of April and it took organizers almost one month to hold the draw ceremony. Who would remember without paying special attention?"
Zong Yanru sat next to her and seemed unbothered. "I'm sure the school will publicize for it."
Although almost ten thousand spectators were coming to the auditorium, most of them went there for fun. Few would follow up when it was no longer under the spotlight. They gradually forgot this competition since there was other stuff in their life, such as studying, dating, reading novels, video gaming, online shopping and so on. And there were new headlines and topics every day to draw their attention. Everybody was busy after all.
"Yeah!" Li Liantong took a sip from the glass and gazed at the screen. "Don't talk anymore. The ceremony begins now."
Few events like this had been held in Songcheng University, and forum users such as Yan Xiaoling and other Lou Cheng's supporters had already led a frenzy discussion, hoping Lou Cheng's squad would not meet those powerful opponents.
Lou Cheng, Yan Zheke and other members who participated in the special training gathered in the already closed arena, watching the live show from the laptop in Geezer Shi's office.
They instinctively became nervous when the first group of draws was set and anxiously waited for the second group.
"The second group, Songcheng University Martial Arts Club." One female guest took out the first ball.
Inside the office, everyone seemed to hold their breath. The coming draw determined how much revenue they would receive from the live broadcast.
The female guests took out another ball, carefully looked at it and announced loudly,
"Donglin Squad!"
"Songcheng University Martial Arts Club versus Donglin Squad."
"Ohh..." Lou Cheng and the other members exhaled with relief upon hearing the result.
They did not get the worst draw.
Monday Squad from Songcheng had one fighter of the Seventh Pin in Dan stage and one fighter of the Eighth Pin in Dan stage. They aimed to advance during knockout and went for the preliminaries in the second stage.
Meanwhile, Donglin Squad came from Donglin city, which was another economic pillar in this province. The squad built upon a local sect with a thousand-year history. They were led by fighters of the high-ranked Dan Stage. So Donglin Squad was regarded as the leading representative in Donglin martial arts circle.
"Donglin Squad has one fighter of the Eighth Pin in Dan stage and three of Professional Ninth Pin. Those fighters were young representatives of Wensheng School, stronger than members of the Fearless Squad." Yan Zheke recollected the relevant information.
She had already gone through all the profiles of the final eight. After all, it did not require much work.
"We still stand a chance..." Sun Jian smiled at Lou Cheng and Lin Que.
The knockout used the host-guest tournament system. The squad which got the first ball played on the road then at home. If each squad got a victory, then scores would be added up according to the number of wins. If their number of wins was the same, then competition would be held between substitutes after the second match so that the overall strength of the squad would be measured.
"Another Might one in Dan stage..." Lou Cheng grew a bit excited and a bit nervous.
Wensheng School's position in martial arts circle was proven by its long history, so by no means could we underestimate their disciples in Dan stage.
Yan Zheke was about to say something when she saw video clips which introduced fighters from two sides being played during the interval.
They stopped talking and focused on these official profiles. While watching, Yan Zheke suddenly turned to Lou Cheng, amazed and exhilarated.
"Cheng, is that the interview you mentioned before?"
Why do they release this video so late?