That afternoon, Bai Xiaosheng and the others went out shopping, splurging on clothes and jewelry, with quite the haul. Even though they need to declare and pay taxes when bringing them back to China, the jewelry alone, with the discount given by Mr. Mai, was entirely worth it.
On the way back, Bai Xiaosheng called Wei Xuelian and told her what had just happened.
Wei Xuelian found it intriguing, "You actually bought the necklace that Mo Ran is going to use in the big jewelry show tonight!"
"Yes, quite dramatic, right? But the mont I laid eyes on that necklace, I thought it would suit you perfectly," Bai Xiaosheng chuckled.
"Really? I’d love to see it."
The two of them were so caught up in the mont, they couldn’t help but have a long phone conversation.
Regarding that piece of jewelry, Bai Xiaosheng planned to have it sent to the Wei Family since Wei Xuelian was quite busy lately, and she might not make it back from North Arica by the ti Bai Xiaosheng leaves.
Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying, in a considerate manner, quietly listened without interrupting.
By the ti Bai Xiaosheng finished talking with Wei Xuelian, their car had almost reached the hotel.
In the evening, Wei Moran called, saying she had arrived at Ganande and was attending the jewelry show. If Bai Xiaosheng and his companions wanted to watch, she could arrange it.
To avoid troubling Wei Moran, Bai Xiaosheng declined the invitation, saying watching it on TV would be just the sa, no need to be there in person.
Wei Moran didn’t press the matter further.
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, Bai Xiaosheng and the others, as usual, got up early and busied themselves with their work until noon.
When it looked like it was about the right ti, they set off to the place agreed upon with Wei Moran—the "Jasmine Restaurant."
Based on the information Bai Xiaosheng gathered, the restaurant was more like a private dining club in mainland China, located not in downtown but in a scenic suburban garden, mainly serving Chinese cuisine, and the owner was also Chinese.
Reportedly, two years ago, this restaurant was awarded three Michelin stars, but the owner refused it.
The reason being, the owner believed his food didn’t need such a Western rating and that his standards were far above such ratings.
That was quite arrogant and was even criticized collectively by nurous food magazines for a long ti.
Yet, not only did the restaurant not close down, it beca a prized spot for truly important people in Ganande, with countless big nas having dined there, and reservations required six months in advance.
However, as Wei Moran ntioned, the Wei Family’s direct descendants or close relatives did not need to wait. Back then, the owner here, also a Chinese chef, greatly benefited from the Wei Family’s help, reciprocating that favor with extensive privileges, naturally.
Upon arrival, Bai Xiaosheng and his companions ntioned their presence to the staff and were warmly welcod inside.
Initially, Bai Xiaosheng thought Wei Moran had simply given them a heads-up.
On the way, he had asked Wei Moran about it.
Wei Moran had said she’d arrive around that ti but couldn’t guarantee the exact timing.
Bai Xiaosheng figured they might have to wait a bit for Wei Moran.
That was understandable.
After all, Wei Moran is an international queen in the film industry, with nurous commitnts. Plus, such a big star’s outing is quite troubleso, needing to avoid the public eye and entertainnt reporters, requiring thoughtful arrangents and timing.
As it turned out, after Bai Xiaosheng and the others were led into an elegantly traditional room, to their surprise, they found a stunning beauty already seated there, burning incense and brewing tea, looking at ease and leisure.
"What, you’re already here!" Bai Xiaosheng exclaid in disbelief upon seeing her, "How did you arrive early!"
This woman was none other than Wei Moran herself.
"Why shouldn’t I be early? I’m the host, inviting people over, shouldn’t I be early?" Wei Moran looked at Bai Xiaosheng, grinning, "Is this not a little surprise for you? Actually, you all arrived just right; my tea is now ready to drink."
Seeing Wei Moran gesture for him to join, Bai Xiaosheng imdiately smiled and took a seat across from her.
Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying stood aside out of courtesy.
Seeing this, Wei Moran chuckled, "Co on, have a seat, we’re all friends here, no need to be so formal."
Bai Xiaosheng also looked at them, laughing, "Relax, our Wei Tianhou is truly down-to-earth. If you stay so polite, she might get upset."
Upon hearing Bai Xiaosheng say so, Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying finally smiled and sat down.
"So, Wei Tianhou, how does it feel being the center of attention among the stars?" Bai Xiaosheng joked, taking a cup of tea from Wei Moran.
Wei Moran rolled her eyes at him playfully and handed a cup of tea to Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying, saying, "Aren’t you, the major figure at Zhenbei Group Greater China Region, also surrounded by stars? How does that feel?"
Bai Xiaosheng took a sip of tea, pondered briefly, and seriously replied, "Busy!"
Then he followed up with another word, "Tired!"
Those two words struck a chord with Wei Moran, who sighed lightly and gave a wry smile, "You’re spot on!"
"After this lunch, I have a plane to catch, heading to South Arica for a music festival!"
"Then I’m off non-stop to Europe, shooting two films, and a dozen comrcials; if we want to et again, it might not be until next year."
Wei Moran’s words carried a hint of frustration in her tone and expression.
Bai Xiaosheng empathized, nodding as he sipped his tea.
Both couldn’t help but let out a sigh together—
"What kind of life are we living!"
"It’s truly hard!"
To the side, Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying watched them, speechless.
They were already at a pinnacle ordinary people couldn’t dream of reaching, and yet they had the nerve to complain like that. If others heard this, wouldn’t they be scolded as "ridiculous"?
"Enough of the gloomy stuff, I heard you had quite the presence in South Arica, tell about it," Wei Moran said excitedly.
"No problem, I’ve got stories and you’ve got wine, let’s chat," Bai Xiaosheng replied with a grin.
Wei Moran imdiately stood up smiling, calling a waiter to bring wine and dishes.
When the food and drinks ca, the level of the place beca apparent.
The wine was superior grape wine, unobtainable in the market, with a top-notch taste. Even the wine glasses were carved from jade, fitting the saying "grape wine in luminous cups."
Dish after exquisite dish ca, each portion per person, with the finesse of French and Japanese cuisine, as well as the ultimate taste and sll of Chinese food.
Relishing the food and wine, Bai Xiaosheng and Wei Moran engaged in lively conversation.
Towards the end, Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying, tipsy from the wine, also helped fill in parts of Bai Xiaosheng’s tales.
Wei Moran listened with great interest, eventually declaring she wanted to turn it all into a movie.
Bai Xiaosheng, also rry from the drink, couldn’t help but clap and say, "I’m low on cash lately; when I have spare money, I’ll start a film company, make my own IP, and develop it myself!"
Wei Moran snorted dismissively.
Was Bai Xiaosheng ever short on cash?
Waiting for him to have spare money?
What nonsense.
When had he ever lacked money...
"If you start a film company, I’ll poach talent for you. No, I’ll work for you myself!" Wei Moran yelled, caught up in the booze-induced bravado.
Eventually, everyone got a bit tipsy.
After the al, they had cups of tea as well, to sober up.
In the end, with great reluctance, Wei Moran bid farewell to Bai Xiaosheng; she had a plane to catch.
And Bai Xiaosheng and the others also left at the sa ti, saying their goodbyes to Wei Moran outside.
At that mont, Bai Xiaosheng and the others needed so rest and to sober up. After all, there was a big evening banquet awaiting them that night.
In the evening, Bai Xiaosheng had heard from Xiya about the Horn Class North Arican alumni gathering, which not only included those from their class, but they even invited a bunch of friends.
Every one of them ca from significant backgrounds, with successful families!
The Horn Class mbers were contributing because they knew Bai Xiaosheng wanted to discuss business cooperation.
For Bai Xiaosheng, he didn’t mind more people coming—the more, the better. More would be rrier.
He intended to use the opportunity to reach out to many, and perhaps even form a large-scale collaborative partnership with all of them.
Should it co to that, even if Caroline really decided not to collaborate with him, or even stirred things up with Bai Xiaosheng—
—it wouldn’t be that big of a deal...
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