"You're pretty young, yet already capable of smooth talking. Do you think I can't figure out your little schemes?" The lady's eyebrows slanted slightly, her words carried a hint of reproach. "Flattery might work on those young girls, but it's no use on me."

Xu Xiaoyou merely stood with her head lowered, eyes half-closed, listening to the lady's criticism. Her solitary figure seemed a bit desolate, resembling a cat chastised, evoking a touch of pity.

Seeing her like this, the lady chuckled: "Look at you, always thinking about investment-related matters. Don't worry, I've seen my share of storms; it's good for young people to face some setbacks."

"If you can deftly handle those matters, I'll make an additional investment in you. I'm talking about..."

The woman's fan pointed right in front of Xu Xiaoyou, slowly raising upwards, lifting the girl's chin to meet her gaze with those beautiful amber eyes.

"Investment in you, unrelated to that daughter of Stars."

"Your ballroom dancing is quite good, much better than those arrogant young men in the family circles; you must have practiced quite a bit, right? Although you're like them, at least you're willing to put in the effort."

"Let's go."

Watching the lady wave and walk away, Xu Xiaoyou's eyes shimmered with a gentle smile, soon calming down as she turned to walk towards the corner of the banquet.

Arriving at the round table cart of the banquet, a variety of wines were displayed; Xu Xiaoyou picked up a champagne glass, the color of the liquid like a dazzling ruby, with frost forming on the cup walls, the aroma of the wine wafting through the cold mist.

Sipping lightly, the rich fruitwood aroma and the scent of barrel aging spread between her lips and teeth, the aftertaste was slightly spicy and bitter yet fragrant, much like what she's doing at this moment.

I must admit, pleasing these wealthy but spiritually hollow middle-aged ladies is a physical task and also an art. Learning to read people, administer just the right remedy, and speak pleasant words they like to hear.

Throughout the whole banquet, she lingered amidst the aroma of rouge and perfume, successfully persuading most investors, save for a few more cautious ones opting to observe, waiting for future developments before deciding.

When she took a brief rest, the communication curtain lit up; it was Tang Xin calling.

She discreetly chose to answer, and there was a moment of silence from the other side before a slightly hoarse voice spoke after a while.

"You, where are you now?"

"At the banquet."

"You, I'm sorry..."

"Did something happen?"

"I messed up the concert, I'm sorry."

At this moment, Xu Xiaoyou heard someone softly calling her. She looked up to find Amy in a gown hiding behind the corner wall, secretly watching her.

She gestured to wait a moment and comforted, saying: "It's okay, as long as you've tried your best."

The other side suddenly fell silent. She wondered if it was her imagination, faintly hearing a hoarse trembling sound of inhalation.

"Okay, I understand."

"There's another concert shortly, right? I'll be on stage."

On the other side of the curtain, Tang Xin's slender arms wrapped tightly around her knees, hugging a guitar taller than her by half a head, shrinking into a narrow rest room, her entire head buried under her shoulder, buried in the skirt she loves, while outside the door is the sound of staff gently knocking.

"Miss Tang? Are you okay?"

She inwardly yearned to hear the girl's encouraging words, even if just one. As long as the other reassured her to get on stage with a gentle voice, she could muster immense courage. Despite the overwhelming criticism and scolding, she could face it with a normal mindset.

Tang Xin tried to summon courage, but ultimately, myriad words gathered at her lips, yet could not be uttered.

She didn't want the other to see her this sentimental and weak. What value do the harsh words of people even hold, as long as she has a clear conscience? Clearly, she's already grown, transformed, so why does she still feel sad, upset, suffocated to the point of being unable to breathe?

Crystal-clear glimmers hung at her chin, finally after a long time, Tang Xin's lips slightly moved, forcing a smile: "I'm fine."

"I'm going to be on stage, You, I'll shine brightly, letting everyone see."

The communication curtain echoed with busy signals, and the avatar of the girl's account remained frozen.

Xu Xiaoyou hesitated for a moment, not thinking much.

Walking to Amy's side, the latter had impeccable makeup, her black evening gown truly resembling a mysterious and noble black swan.

With hands on her hips, she raised her head to look over: "I've contacted the person you wanted me to."

"Thank you, Little Amy."

"What thank you! Aren't you going to see Xin? Are these investors really that important?" Amy's eyebrows almost stood up, she said with a reproachful tone.

"Her personality is far stronger than you think, this is nothing to her." Xu Xiaoyou chuckled and said. "Believe it or not, if she ended up dragging down others because of her matters, she'd feel even more guilty."

"So you actually know everything?" Amy gasped. "You know she'll be hurt a lot, know that those words of hers cause far more damage than swords."

After more than half a month's interaction, until this moment, she seemed to truly see the girl in front of her, she opened her mouth wide, wanting to say many words, ultimately blocked in her dry throat.

"Nothing comes easy, people need to face some setbacks, and only then can they rise from their falls and become stronger." Xu Xiaoyou spoke.

Finally, Amy stared into Xu Xiaoyou's eyes, and only after a long time did she say deliberately: "You selfish jerk!"

"Thanks for the compliment."

Dark clouds gathered, sparse rain fell, carrying tiny ice crystals, initially forming two or three dark gray rain spots on the cement pavement, then the number of gray spots increased visibly, a drizzle ensued, amidst the misty vapor, the vehicles parked under the building, pedestrians, umbrellas, the city's light outlines all became blurry.

Hurried people walked by, colorful umbrellas shuttling between streets and alleys, raindrops with ice crystals falling on umbrella fabric, creating a pattering water bouncing sound.

Yet the man's figure was strikingly visible in this flow of people, without holding an umbrella, soaked by increasingly heavier rain like a drenched chicken, but his spirit was exceptionally strong.

Hiding under a stand, Ince cautiously took out the camera from his arms, checking that the sensor was not damaged by rain before he slightly relaxed, this camera wasn't waterproof.

He admitted he miscalculated, the viewership for 'Moment of Disgust' was far lower than he expected, since its first episode aired, the play rate continued to decline, rescuing his Black Lake production team and Channel 23 was unlikely.

This also made him realize a truth, people only watch these things for amusement, after the novelty wears off there's not even a desire to click again.

Looking up at the rainy city streets, gray sky, he sighed gently, thinking of what's next, Ince unwittingly straightened his back.

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