Chapter 93: A Top-Tier Match, Yet I Am Unworthy of It (Please Subscribe! 7/10)

The next day dawned clear and bright.

Su Mu took a two-hour flight back to Galaxy City with Qian Jida and Little Orange.

He had already arranged for Master Zhu to meet them at the airport.

So as soon as they left the arrivals hall, they saw the gleaming Mercedes-Benz motorhome waiting in the parking lot.

After leaving the airport, they went straight onto the outer ring elevated road.

Qian Jida checked his phone, then said, “There’s still time. Should we go straight to the company and settle everything, or head back and rest first, then deal with it in a couple of days?”

Su Mu said, “Go now. Better to finish it before any more trouble comes up.”

Qian Jida nodded. “True. If Zhou Wanming is the kind of shrewd profiteer who won’t stop until he’s squeezed out every last advantage, then the sooner we wrap this up, the better.

Besides, the awards ceremony for this year’s China Summit is at the end of November. It’s your first time there, and you’ve got a real chance of winning something this year, so we still need to pay attention to the details.”

Before this, Su Mu had mostly attended events like Microblog Night or the New Idol Gala.

A heavyweight film and television awards ceremony like China Summit was truly a first for him.

The reason was simple: in the past, the company had spent money and worked the system to get him awards, so the easier-to-manipulate events were the obvious choice.

But for something like this, it was almost impossible.

From the moment of nomination onward, the judges selected the works in near-seclusion.

And it wasn’t a public vote, either. It was decided by ninety-nine of the most experienced and influential figures in the industry.

So the works that could catch those people’s eyes were almost never truly bad.

As for Su Mu before, his acting had not been strong enough, which was why he had never qualified.

But this year was different.

He had gone on a killing spree.

…

Juxiang Media Building.

The driver steadied the car and parked it at the entrance.

Then Su Mu and Qian Jida went into the company.

Fan Xiaoju did not go in.

There was no need for an assistant to follow them for this kind of matter.

At this level, it was no longer something ordinary employees could get involved in.

Little Orange took two bags of snacks from her cute backpack and handed one to the driver.

“Master Zhu, don’t be sad,” she consoled him. “What’s gone is gone. Something better will come along.”

The driver in front heard her and turned back.

He wore a simple, honest smile.

Yet in his eyes, there was still a trace of reluctance.

In truth, Little Orange had spent the most time with Master Zhu.

So ever since getting into the car, she had been able to sense the driver’s mood.

Usually, even if he polished the vehicle until it shone, he would not bother cleaning the tires and interior so thoroughly too.

But today he had even put on white gloves and carefully cleaned every inch of the Mercedes-Benz motorhome, inside and out.

It felt like a final farewell to the vehicle.

Still, that made sense. After all, he had driven it for so many years.

It would be a lie to say he felt nothing.

Little Orange thought for a moment, then said, “Master Zhu, do you know what Su Mu told me earlier?”

The driver blinked. “What?”

Little Orange looked envious. “He said he’d give you an office! A private office of your own! I don’t even have one. Tell me, how stingy is he?”

The driver was surprised. “Me?”

“Of course. He said it himself. I’m so jealous,” Little Orange said.

The driver was a little taken aback. “This…”

Little Orange went on, “So don’t worry. I know Su Mu best. Don’t let his usual thriftiness fool you. He only wears sponsored clothes and shoes; he never spends his own money.

But he’s actually very concerned about appearances. Do you really think he’d lower the standard? No way. He’ll definitely buy one even more expensive than this.”

The driver pointed at the car. “Actually, this one is already pretty good.”

Little Orange said, “But it belongs to Juxiang Media, not to us. I’m guessing that once they terminate the contract today, Zhou Wanming will take the car back. Still, don’t worry—Su Mu will definitely buy a new one, and it’ll be better than this.”

After hearing Little Orange’s words, the driver seemed to finally understand.

He smiled too.

Then he unwrapped his snack and ate a few beans.

Feeling like something was missing, he patted his pocket and took out half a pack of cigarettes.

After thinking it over, he still couldn’t bear to smoke inside the car.

So he opened the door and stepped out, standing by the roadside. While looking at the motorhome, he smoked half a cigarette.

Not long after,

Su Mu and Qian Jida came out of the building.

The termination of the contract had gone unexpectedly smoothly.

Zhou Wanming didn’t pull any tricks.

Li Hui and Li Xinjie weren’t there either; they were out doing promotional events, so there wasn’t even a chance for a confrontation. It ended before anything could start, dull and anticlimactic.

Looking ahead, Qian Jida asked, puzzled, “I rarely see Master Zhu smoke. Is something on his mind?”

Su Mu looked toward Little Orange.

Little Orange pointed at the car and spread her hands helplessly.

Su Mu raised an eyebrow, understanding at once, then smiled. “Master Zhu isn’t smoking a cigarette.”

Qian Jida said, “Then what is he smoking?”

Su Mu said, “A longing for a new car.”

Qian Jida: “???”

Su Mu said, “Come on, let’s go to the dealership and buy a new one. We’ll leave this junk for Li Hui. He loves taking what’s left of mine.”

…

The money Su Mu made after terminating the contract—

aside from the five million given by Liu Qiangxi, the rest had not yet arrived.

The contract with Kiwi Fruit would not be signed until early next year.

That was because the studio’s other related documents would only be issued around then.

So the money definitely would not come in that quickly.

Fortunately, Su Mu had saved up some money over the years. Not much, really—just over sixty million.

But even so, buying a new car was easy.

When they reached the dealership, Su Mu did not go in, since his status as a celebrity was special.

Qian Jida took Master Zhu inside.

The two of them did not look at any of the other cars, going straight to the motorhome section.

A saleswoman in a black-stocking business suit asked warmly, “Sir, what kind of car are you looking for?”

Qian Jida pointed ahead. “He’ll choose.”

The saleswoman turned to Master Zhu. “Hello, sir. Which model do you like?”

Master Zhu froze for a moment. Then, seeing Qian Jida’s signal, he finally relaxed.

He began walking around the few motorhomes.

He inspected them very carefully, inside and out, as though choosing a wife.

Outside, Su Mu stood with Little Orange, both wearing masks.

Through the dealership’s floor-to-ceiling window, they watched Master Zhu choosing a car.

Su Mu said, “Little Orange, which one do you think Old Zhu will pick?”

Little Orange narrowed her eyes and smiled. “The most expensive one.”

Su Mu said, “What!”

Little Orange said, “I already told him that you care about appearances, Boss, so if you’re starting a studio and changing cars, it has to be better than before. I’m pretty sure Master Zhu took that to heart.”

Su Mu pinched her cheek. “Tell me, did you do that on purpose?”

Little Orange said with perfect righteousness, “Hmph. Who told you not to give me an office?”

Su Mu laughed in exasperation. “Just for something this small, you want me to spend several million more?”

Little Orange said, “Then kill me.”

She even made a little pleading face.

Su Mu: “……”

Half an hour later.

Master Zhu chose the most expensive model in the store.

It was also a Mercedes-Benz motorhome, even more luxurious than the one the company had before, and far more spacious inside.

The top configuration was twelve million; the mid-range was nine million.

In the end, Su Mu texted Qian Jida and told him to pick the mid-range version.

Because the top configuration was beyond his station.

…

On the way back.

Su Mu said, “On the matter of buying the new car today, I’d like to say a few words… of course, that includes the previous sentence too. Two sentences in all, thank you.”

[Speech skill proficiency +1]

[Skill points +0.01]

Qian Jida: “……”

Little Orange: “……”

The driver: “Nice!”

Postscript: Thank you all for the gifts. Tomorrow I’ll open a separate chapter to give my thanks and summarize things.

Recommended book: “The Courtyard House and I, Xu Nian.” I am Xu Nian, and I do not have much money.

A lovely wife to welcome home, and children in pairs.

Living in a courtyard house, admired and envied by the neighbors.

A small temple stirs up great winds; a shallow pond is crowded with turtles.

The world is full of human warmth and smoke, so if nothing else, keep your mouth shut.

Bare teeth and twisted faces—watch your legs.

If you dare to speak of revenge again, remember that even a chancellor has no belly to spare.

Do not blame heaven or earth; so long as you are willing to give up.

End of chapter.