After being briefly shocked by Ruan Taoās grand birthday wishes, someone soon discovered that not only hers and Qiao Daiās birthdays were on the same day, but so were their parties. Suddenly, subtle feelings spread in everyoneās hearts.
Ling Na, who had still been talking to Qiao Dai and the others about the organization, immediately rushed to a meeting with her superiors after seeing the news on Weibo, to find a way to deal with this matter. Although she didnāt say anything to Qiao Dai afterward, judging from her face when she walked out of the meeting, things seemed to be dim.
Ling Na planned to talk to her colleagues from the Communication Department about the next public message. But a few minutes after the first meeting, she came to find Qiao Dai and asked in a low voice: āQiao Dai, what happened between you and Ruan Tao?ā
Her tone was a little worried. Although she barely saw Qiao Dai and was only her appointed manager, she could see all of her efforts and couldnāt help but feel protective of her. She wanted Qiao Dai to celebrate her birthday happily, as much as possible.
Thinking of this, Ling Na felt even more dissatisfied with Ruan Tao. Even if she wasnāt to blame for being born on the same day as Qiao Dai, could nobody tell whether the parties colliding with each other was intentional or unintentional? COCO Entertainment had started publicizing Qiao Daiās party pretty early on, it was impossible for Ruan Tao to not have heard of it. If they wanted to rub Qiao Daiās current heat and gain more popularity, they could have done it much earlier; with the Ruan family wealth and power, there was no need for them to stab them in the back at the end.
Ling Na wasnāt stupid. The Ruan family had waited for COCO to stir up the enthusiasm of Qiao Daiās party and made a high-profile entrance at the last minute, taking all the heat that had originally belonged to Qiao Dai.
Qiao Dai had become their stepping stone.
It was impossible to be unprepared. As soon as it had been announced Qiao Daiās party would be sponsored by more than a dozen venues, the overwhelming wishes and announcement of the little princess Ruan Taoās birthday came out. The party would be held in a private villa, designed by a well-known architect and shown to the public for the first time. This was a top luxury mansion with no market priceā¦
Even if Ling Na was firmly on Qiao Daiās side, she had to admit their publicity was grand. Whether they were fans or passersby, everyone was attracted by Ruan Taoās party almost instantly and was amazed. When things had reached this point, it was no longer a simple competition. Not to mention Ling Na, everybody else was wondering how Qiao Dai had offended Ruan Tao; why was the little princess so obviously targeting her?
Everyone thought Ruan Taoās withdrawal in <Pick Eleven>ās first public performance was due to her failure in getting the first place at the time, but it had been Ruan Taoās personal decision. Even if Qiao Dai had gotten the first place instead, the fact Ruan Tao was retaliating now, wasnāt it too unreasonable?
āHow can Daidai and Ruan Tao be enemies? The two of them hardly were in the same frame during the show.ā
Before Qiao Dai could answer, Luan Zhen spoke first. Her tone sounded very dissatisfied as if she was particularly tired of Ruan Taoās behavior.
Shi Qing and Jiang Ruowei also nodded and Ling Na instantly dispelled her small doubts; Qiao Dai wouldnāt have gone to offend Ruan Tao in private either. But something still felt very wrong, yet she couldnāt tell what and she comforted Qiao Dai before rushing out to another meeting.
āDaidai, are you okay?ā
As soon as Qiao Dai returned to the dormitory, she changed her clothes and soaked in her childrenās pool. She didnāt seem to have any energy and half of her face was under the water and when someone called her name, bubbles appeared on the surface.
Seeing her appearance, the other girls couldnāt help but feel funny and distressed. They didnāt expect Qiao Dai would act like a child right now and wondered if they would be unable to find her if the pool was bigger.
āDaidai, you rest first. Call us if you need anything.ā
Luan Zhen and the other looked at each other and left the dormitory so Qiao Dai could have a little quiet time.
As soon as everyone was gone, the room fell silent, only to be broken by sounds of splashing water.
Qiao Dai played with the water with her fingers for a moment and stretched out her hand to grab the phone she had left on the floor beside her. Looking through the many contacts, she dialed Cheng Suās number in a daze.
She didnāt know why but while there were so many people in her address book, she only felt relieved when she saw Cheng Suās name. Perhaps it was because he was part of the Ocean Clan like her, or maybe because he had helped her before. In any case, she had an inexplicable trust in the man and she couldnāt explain clearly why.
The phone rang for only two or three seconds before it answered.
āHello?ā
As soon as the call connected, Qiao Daiās small and slightly trembling voice sounded, making Cheng Su unconsciously the anger in his heart. He frowned and asked: āWhatās the matter?ā
His mood today was not particularly good. Had it been in the past, he would have directly hung up the phone and let the other person contact him later. But after he heard Qiao Daiās voice, his grip on the pen he was holding loosened.
āCheng Su.ā Qiao Dai sounded tired and lazy, making Cheng Su wonder whether she had eaten enough. The end of her words was longer as if she was acting all spoiled, and Cheng Suās heart moved slightly. He turned on the computer placed aside with one hand and launched Weibo.
There was no need for him to deliberately look for what had happened because as soon as the homepage opened, overwhelming discussions about Ruan Tao and Qiao Daiās birthday parties appeared. Some people had even started voting and the comment area was thunderous.
[Curious where the <Pick Eleven>ās mentor will go. Ruan Taoās party or Qiao Daiās?]
[We can all see Qiao Dai and the <Pick Eleven>ās team have a much better relationship. Of course, they should go to Qiao Daiās.]
[Iām speechless, what happened to celebrating a nice birthday?]
[Ruan Tao is the little princess, arenāt people afraid to offend big bosses by not showing?]
[Low EQ: Iām going to Ruan Taoās/Qiao Daiās, High EQ: Going to none.]
[I agree with upstairs, most people will probably choose not to go.]
Cheng Su glanced roughly through the comments and felt both amused and angry for a while; what did Qiao Dai think of him? She came to him for such a trivial matterā¦ but on the other hand, what did her agency do? If their artist was so badly bullied by others, shouldnāt they counterattack?
At the same time, Cheng Suās assistant finished sorting out all relevant information and passed it over. Cheng Su clicked on the documents and realized COCO Entertainment was a sub-company of Galaxy. There were too many large and small companies under the Group Cheng and one as small as COCO didnāt have the qualifications to be named subsidiary. The Group Cheng had long forgotten about it.
Damn it, it turned out he was scolding himself.
This was the first time this had ever happened and Cheng Su couldnāt help chuckling lightly. Qiao Dai heard the noise and became a little worried but as she was about to speak, the manās clear voice reached her: āSomething so small but you still have to come to me.ā
He didnāt sound angry and he even sounded slightly smiling, which made Qiao Dai a little confused.
Was she bothering him? Qiao Dai felt a little guilty; Cheng Su was the president of the group Cheng. If she troubled him for such little things, wouldnāt he feel annoyed?
Just as Qiao Dai was muttering in her heart, Cheng Su spoke again but this time, his voice sounded more serious.
āWhy donāt you ask for someone elseās help? Jiang Fengchi? Lang Xing? Arenāt you familiar with them?ā
Cheng Su felt regretful as soon as he said those words.
āIā¦ I donāt know.ā
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone and even if Cheng Su was not beside Qiao Dai at this moment, he could easily imagine her embarrassed appearance. He frowned again and subconsciously held his breath.
āI only thought of you. Only you, Cheng Su.ā Qiao Dai tried to explain incoherently. She didnāt know what she was talking about and simply conveyed the thoughts in her head. Any time she encountered difficulties, the first person that came to mind was Cheng Su. There wasnāt any particular reason, it just was.
Listening to Qiao Daiās confused voice, Cheng Su suddenly said: āNo need to say anymore.ā
This was the first time Qiao Dai was so flustered. She didnāt know how to explain her current behavior and she didnāt know that she was feeling panicked like this. It seemed she was worried Cheng Su wouldnāt appreciate her answer.
But at this moment, Cheng Su, who had been silent for a while now, interrupted her and Qiao felt like time had stopped for an instant.
āI understand.ā
Cheng Su said in a deep voice. His throat felt a little dry and he turned off the computer without thinking. He stood up quickly and asked: āWhere are you now?ā
Qiao Dai was slightly startled. She didnāt know what he was asking but she answered honestly: āIām in the dormitory.ā
āOkay.ā Cheng Su opened the door of his office and walked out as he continued, āIām on my way.ā