Chapter 552: Chapter 552: Raising a Rare Species

The fact proves that compared to sweet meat just at the tip of one’s tongue, face can be dispensed with.

Xie Qingci had several good meals, feeling joyful in body and mind and experiencing a spiritual elevation, with every pore of his body exuding happiness.

In contrast, Yu Xia had gotten used to a lifestyle she once scoffed at, eating then sleeping, sleeping then eating; her most intense emotional fluctuations were being allergic to Xie Qingci’s embrace, to certain places in her home, to her furniture.

By the day she went to try on the dress, she was still a bit dazed even after getting into He Ci’s car.

Looking at the flowers and plants outside the window, she felt like being released from prison and returned to the human world with tears of joy.

The first thing He Ci did upon seeing her was to scan her from head to toe with a gaze as penetrating as an X-ray.

"Initially, you don’t seem to have gained weight, but you seem a bit off."

Looking out the window with a foolish gaze, she seemed to be in a daze.

He was responding to messages and dealing with matters on his phone, casually asked her, "What have you been doing with all these days off?"

Mei softly whispered, "He, that’s a rather uninspired question."

Come on, it’s obvious what two lovers at home would do. She was holding onto that sweet imagination to maintain her pride as a CP fan. If nothing happened, her belief would collapse.

He Ci gave her a glance, then asked Yu Xia, "You can’t have been cultivating emotions all the time, did you do anything serious?"

"Could you guys not overthink?" Yu Xia put on a Bodhisattva face, her expression subtle and complex, "Most of my time at home was spent studying."

He Ci: "Studying what?"

"Studying how to maintain my perfect figure, studying how to guide a college boy out of life’s confusion, studying human differences and societal progress."

He Ci: "Are you saying you studied to join a pyramid scheme?"

Yu Xia: "..."

Mei stifled her laughter at the side.

Yu Xia decided not to bother with them, continuing to gaze out the window for fresh air.

This haute couture was prepared for the television festival’s red carpet. According to what He Ci previously said, it was very elegant, able to transform her from a flamboyant celebrity to a representative of elegant and intellectual women the instant she wore it.

After seeing the real thing, she admitted that He Ci was quite right.

A light cyan evening dress with a sparkling hem decorated with scattered diamonds, the style wasn’t complex or exaggerated. The most eye-catching design points were probably the flower-shaped satin folds on the chest and the vine embroidery that only extended to the waist.

"Wearing this brand’s fall-winter haute couture on the red carpet at this time, you’re the first in the country," He Ci said proudly, "Plus, it perfectly highlights your figure, with a large cutout back."

She turned to check her back; unlike the front, the vine-embroidered thin gauze reached only to her lower waist.

Yu Xia really liked the dress. She changed into it in the dressing room and stood in front of the mirror with arms outstretched for brand adjustments, saying contentedly, "This dress is beautiful."

He Ci: "Right? I knew you’d like it."

Yu Xia nodded and then waved to the staff, "I’ll buy it."

He Ci: "..."

Truly a wealthy lady, while others borrow, she buys. He Ci still remembered those few others at her home bought by Xie Qingci, each worn only once—it’s like she was planning to start a haute couture exhibition at home.

After indulging once, Miss Yu was carrying her bag, leaving under the brand’s ninety-degree bend farewell, starting to ponder on the way back about filming another movie to earn the money back.

Even with family resources, one can’t just laze around. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

She told He Ci, "Is there any new work coming up recently?"

He Ci: "Quite a few variety shows have approached you, but I’ve mostly declined them. You’re not suitable for doing too many variety shows currently. There are also quite a few scripts handed over, you can take a look at them later. Besides that, there are some brands wanting you for endorsements, mostly everyday goods not matching your image, so I declined those too. Meanwhile, there’s a foreign top-tier cosmetic line endorsement that might suit you."

Yu Xia nodded while listening, "If suitable, take it. But not too many endorsements. As for variety shows, if there’s a single-episode recording not far away, pick one to attend."

But these can only be considered small short-term amounts, she mused about other ’less work, more money, close to home’ opportunities.

Before she could come up with anything, Yu Heng brought her good news.

Her brother was really making a move in the entertainment industry.

"It’s just a subsidiary, only handling investments, not involved in film production or artist training. You should invest some money, and then you’ll get dividends."

She suddenly realized the true source of substantial income.

Dividends, it’s the investment dividends that bring in big money. The capital market is called capital because they have plenty of money.

Yu Xia agreed without hesitation and generously said to Yu Heng, "How much do you need, brother? I’ll invest it all!"

Yu Heng: "Do you think I came to you because I lack money? Fine, an initial estimate is two hundred million, transfer the money to me right away. I’ll surely remember your support forever without forgetting."

"...Never mind, the amount doesn’t matter, it’s the expression of our sibling bond, not about that cold number. You say the amount, but I’ve just bought an exceedingly expensive dress, my wallet’s got a hole, my heart aches."

Yu Heng: "No wonder you want to recoup, back when we were kids you’d use my money to buy an expensive ice cream and then try to profit from me, you’re still the same, inheriting the Yu Family’s business capitalist genes perfectly. Why be a star? You should manage this investment company."

She touched her nose, unwilling to admit nor agree.

"I don’t want to work myself to death like you. At least now I can rest for two months after filming a movie, kind of like having winter and summer vacations."

A familiar deep breathing sound of helplessness came from the other end, then Yu Heng snorted a laugh, "So you want the money without the hard work, right? Everyone dreams that way, but you’re the only one daring to both dream and act."

"I..."

"Enough, I’ll transfer your dividend in as initial investment. Talking more with you raises my risk of a heart attack."

Then he hung up.

Yu Xia sheepishly shut her mouth.

This was essentially getting a dividend opportunity without spending money, but she was still unsatisfied. Taking advantage of the last stretch of the way back, she asked He Ci:

"He, are there any crews currently seeking investments, or any new shoots that are interesting but dead poor? Keep an eye out for me, I want to dabble in investments to replenish my funds."

He Ci looked her up and down, "What are you doing, planning to move from acting to behind-the-scenes now?"

Many artists at the peak of their careers love to split their roles as producers, executive producers, investors because after fighting to reach the top over years, they amass many connections and money, it’s quite nice to make money with money. Who wouldn’t want more?

"But I must tell you, there are thousands of film and TV projects, very few make a hit and earn profits—it’s much like when I buy stocks. Consider it carefully."

Speaking of stocks, he almost wept.

Yu Xia waved her hand, "I know, just keep a lookout."

"Why this sudden urge to invest?"

"Oh, there’s a college boy at home I need to support, you know, those precious species are hard to maintain."

He Ci rolled his eyes heavenward.