While waiting for the bus, Wu Keqing held a cup of hot coffee and sat with Jiang Beicheng under the canopy of the sky for a while.
Seeing that Jiang Beicheng had nothing to say, she also quieted her chatter, silently leaning back in the chair.
Her gaze couldn't help but drift to the starry sky.
Suddenly, she felt a shift in her state of mind.
It was completely different from the frantic photo-taking mood when she first arrived.
The thoughts in her mind, her entire mental state… it was as if they had been elevated.
When it came to pinpointing a specific realization, she couldn't quite articulate it.
In short, it just felt different.
Comfortable, relaxed, captivating.
She turned to look at Jiang Beicheng. He was still in a quiet state, legs crossed, holding a coffee in one hand, seemingly lost in thought.
No way!
Was she being carried away by Brother Jiang?
Being around different people really felt so different.
Wu Keqing's mind was a bit hazy, unable to make sense of it, but this state was something she had never experienced before.
In her eyes, Brother Jiang seemed unfathomably deep.
In reality, Jiang Beicheng had simply let his mind quiet down for a moment, emptying his thoughts.
Coming back to himself, he noticed Wu Keqing's gaze, and their eyes met.
Wu Keqing shook her head, tactically adjusted her hair, and turned her head away.
She was hiding her shyness.
"Your bus is about to leave," Jiang Beicheng reminded her.
"Oh… I-I heard it," Wu Keqing stammered, hurrying toward the bus. Over dozens of meters, she stumbled two or three times, nearly falling to the ground.
Jiang Beicheng shook his head with a smile. This girl was a natural comedian.
After the tour group left, the Shepherd's Church instantly became quiet. Few people camped here, so Li Xingying could finally escape the clamor of the crowd and enjoy the brilliant galaxy alone.
"Little Boss Jiang, let me share something happy with you," Li Xingying said with a smile, lying next to Jiang Beicheng in the tent after shooting photos late into the night.
"Hmm?"
"An advertiser reached out to me with a 50,000-yuan offer," Li Xingying said, a little excited. "It's for an Olay face cream."
Jiang Beicheng teased, "Congratulations on making big money."
Li Xingying nestled in his arms, nuzzling against his chest, happily saying, "I couldn't have done it without your help."
She was deeply grateful to Jiang Beicheng.
It had nothing to do with him wanting to sleep with her.
If it were someone else, sleeping with them wouldn't necessarily get her what she wanted.
Jiang Beicheng had broadened her perspective and led her out of her small world… which was far more meaningful than directly giving her money to keep her.
In the past six months, even a 15,000-yuan ad offer couldn't attract advertisers.
Ads for things like "Zhuanzhuan" or "Guazi Used Cars" didn't align with the online persona she had crafted.
Her only monetization channels were some offline promotions and long-video support on Douyin, so her income was minimal.
Who wouldn't want to land big brand ads like those top influencers?
Money aside, being noticed by a big brand could elevate her status, leading to more brands knocking on her door.
The videos she made over the past two days were of very high quality, with well-received copywriting and noticeable growth in metrics, which attracted a brand like Olay. They directly offered 50,000 yuan, filling Li Xingying with a sense of happiness.
"Little Boss Jiang, I want to discuss a business deal with you," Li Xingying whispered in his ear.
Her tone lacked confidence, unsure if Little Boss Jiang would be willing to invest in her.
She was even less sure if she could achieve the results she envisioned.
"If you negotiate with others in this state, you'll definitely get taken advantage of," Jiang Beicheng said.
"Hahaha, I am a bit lacking in confidence," Li Xingying admitted, sharing her thoughts. "Last time, Xingxi Guild wanted to sign me for 5 million. Now that a big brand has approached me and my account's followers are growing quickly, my monetization potential should be pretty strong going forward.
If Little Boss Jiang is willing, I'd like to transfer a portion of this account's equity to you.
At a valuation of 5 million, I'd transfer 49% of the shares to you.
I need this money to keep growing my traffic. Last night, I thought about it for a long time and decided to step into a broader world, to see more, experience the world, and expand my perspective."
"Have you got a concrete plan?" Jiang Beicheng asked.
Li Xingying nodded. "Go to Iceland to see the end of the world, to Switzerland to experience pastoral life, to Syria to see Damascus roses, to Afghanistan, Pakistan… to African tribal lands…"
Her gaze fixed on the lantern above, envisioning her upcoming travels.
The anticipated scenes seemed to play out before her eyes.
Her eyes sparkled with light.
Jiang Beicheng could feel it too. After bringing her out here and showing her a bigger world, her desire to explore had grown stronger.
The unknown world out there was "seducing" her.
From an investment perspective, putting two or three million into her account would definitely yield returns.
But he wouldn't treat a woman as a tool for making money.
Jiang Beicheng said, "If you've thought it through, go for it. In life, there aren't many moments when you can make a firm decision.
The older you get, the more constraints you face.
Whether it's career or freedom, do it while you're young."
"Little Boss Jiang, are you willing to invest in me?" Li Xingying asked excitedly.
Jiang Beicheng shook his head. "I've said before that MCN is the worst business."
"Oh~"
Li Xingying pouted, her mood dipping slightly.
Two or three million might not be much for Little Boss Jiang, but it was understandable that he wouldn't want to take the risk of investing in her.
Li Xingying didn't let this upset her; it only showed she wasn't working hard enough or valuable enough.
Jiang Beicheng kissed her. "Feeling bad?"
"No!" Li Xingying shook her head. "It was pretty bold of me to even bring it up."
Jiang Beicheng smiled. "I said I wouldn't invest in you, but I didn't say I wouldn't give you money!"
Li Xingying froze for a moment.
Then a radiant smile spread across her face.
She had been too narrow-minded; this was more in line with Little Boss Jiang's style.
She hugged him tightly, kissing his neck several times. "I was thinking too small."
"How about I give you a hundred million tonight?" Jiang Beicheng teased.
"Deal!"
Li Xingying agreed readily.
Jiang Beicheng caressed her, reaching to turn off the lantern hanging in the tent.
"Little Boss Jiang, wait a sec," Li Xingying said, suddenly sitting up and rummaging through her backpack.
She pulled out an unopened pair of suspender stockings.
She grinned mischievously at Jiang Beicheng.
"When did you buy those?" Jiang Beicheng asked curiously.
"I bought them online before we came," Li Xingying answered honestly. "I saw Zhou Yu wearing these a lot, so I figured Little Boss Jiang would like them, so I…"
Considerate!
Jiang Beicheng was pleased.
A woman isn't won over by chasing; when you provide enough emotional value, she becomes more proactive and considerate than anyone else.
For Li Xingying, her emotional value was her career; for his ex-girlfriend Zhou Yu, it was bags and jewelry…
"Good morning, good night," "Have you eaten?"… In this day and age, those aren't emotional values—they're just empty words.
Li Xingying put on her "speed gear." "It's Little Boss Jiang's first time outdoors…"
Jiang Beicheng shook his head. "But I've never seen a starry sky like this before."
Li Xingying sat on him, glancing up at the dazzling starry sky, her body and mind reaching a peak of joy. She looked at Jiang Beicheng affectionately and said, "Then it's the first time."