At Wencheng Airport, through the expansive, spotless floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the silver-gray runway where parked airplanes were glazed with a golden glow in the sunlight.
Though the number of terminals here was far fewer than at Haicheng Airport, the facilities were comprehensive, and the local scenery was uniquely captivating. In the distance, lush green mountains were faintly visible.
Inside the terminal, Xie Shenci held his phone, his gaze fixed motionlessly on the screen. The words “The other party is typing…” appeared again and again, yet no message came through. He held his breath nervously, unsure how she would respond.
Had he been too abrupt after all?
Throughout the program, he had cautiously avoided overstepping boundaries, never daring to act or speak recklessly. He was constantly afraid that the slightest misstep might shatter the delicate balance between them, damaging the precious bond built on trust and understanding, and casting it under a cloud of suspicion and dust.
The intense competition had made everything sensitive—she was a contestant on the show, and he was the program director. Regardless of the truth, becoming too close during filming could harm her reputation and cast doubt on her abilities.
So, he had carefully restrained and concealed his feelings, firmly believing there would be plenty of time in the future to slowly and steadily reveal his heart.
But now that the competition had ended, it was already too late.
After the upheaval of the finals, Chu Duxiu sent polite and formal words, gracefully declining to meet him in person and returning directly to Wencheng.
This left Xie Shenci feeling somewhat helpless. On one hand, he was pulled in multiple directions—every party required his communication and coordination, tasks that Shang Liang, Shang Xiaomei, and others simply couldn’t handle on his behalf. On the other hand, words alone felt insufficient. Attempting to resolve everything through a few brief online messages seemed somewhat disrespectful, as if trying to sweep the matter under the rug too lightly.
The only option was to rush to Wencheng after handling the most urgent matters.
Nothing could be more genuine and reliable than actual communication and action—though he wasn’t entirely sure if she even wanted to see him.
Nevertheless, Xie Shenci had long prepared himself mentally. At worst, it would be a wasted trip. His arrival was sudden, so being turned away would hardly be surprising.
Fortunately, after a long period of hesitation, Chu Duxiu replied. She sent him a location pin in Wencheng.
Seeing this, Xie Shenci let out a slight sigh of relief and began walking toward the parking lot to hail a taxi to the given location. Yet, before he had taken more than a few steps, another message arrived.
His eyelashes trembled slightly, and for a moment he feared she had changed her mind. He quickly opened WeChat again.
But her message was filled with fluster: [Um… if I were more considerate, should I be hailing a cab to pick you up from the airport?]
At home, Chu Duxiu was utterly thrown by the situation. It had never crossed her mind that Xie Shenci would make the trip to see her. She had spent a long time unsure where to suggest meeting and, worried about leaving him waiting too long at the airport, simply sent him the location of a café near her residential area.
Had he flown directly from Haicheng? Didn’t he have to deal with matters from the finals?
As a local of Wencheng, shouldn’t she do something to fulfill her duties as a host? Should she prepare something?
Fortunately, Mr. Xie had always been low-maintenance, and he perfectly resolved her doubts.
Mr. Xie 10:09: [It’s fine, I can get there quickly. No need for you to come.]
Seeing this, Chu Duxiu relaxed, realizing that his lack of response earlier was likely due to being busy or on a flight. Her mood lightened, and her wording returned to its usual casual tone.
She replied: [That’s good. I was just being polite—I wasn’t actually planning to come pick you up. Saving the company some cab fare.]
Mr. Xie 10:09: [?]
Mr. Xie 10:09: [???]
Mr. Xie 10:09: [Little black cat glaring angrily.jpg]
Perhaps it was the playful tone that bridged the distance—the awkwardness that had lingered between them for days vanished, and they returned to the same dynamic they’d shared before the finals.
In the parking lot, Xie Shenci had just opened the car door and settled inside when Shang Liang’s call came through. He hurriedly answered the phone before even properly sitting down.
“Hello?”
Shang Liang’s puzzled voice came through the phone, “Why couldn’t I get through to you? Mr. Cheng isn’t replying to my messages or answering my calls. I had to contact his family—they said he’s home safely and everything’s fine for now.”
“I explained the plan to his family. They said they’d discuss it with him, but it doesn’t seem to be working. He seems to want to take some time off to rest.” Shang Liang asked, “Have you been in touch with Chu Duxiu? How is she holding up?”
The light incident during the finals dealt a heavy blow to Shanle Culture, severely damaging the reputation of both the show and the company. Shang Liang was swamped with work, so much so that he could hardly keep up with sending out cease-and-desist letters.
Online, rumors spread wildly that Shanle was eliminating rivals and intentionally suppressing non-contracted performers, hence the “one light killing two stars” move that took down both Chu Duxiu and Cheng Junhua. Some outraged netizens fiercely criticized the production team, demanding accountability from the directors who designed the rules and even attempting to dig into the backgrounds of the planning staff.
In the end, Xie Shenci and Shang Xiaomei co-authored a public apology letter, which was posted on the official Weibo account of “The King of Stand-Up.” They apologized to the audience and promised to fully improve and enhance the quality of the show in the future. This barely quelled the public anger and prevented other directors from facing further backlash.
Of course, the best way to debunk the rumors was to bring back Chu Duxiu and Cheng Junhua and secure deeper collaborations with the company. That would make the baseless rumors collapse on their own.
To this end, Shang Liang devised a new plan: first, to invite both of them to participate deeply in future shows as head writers; second, to negotiate business profit shares and equity distribution. Concessions were made both creatively and financially to make up for the regrets of the second season’s finals.
However, Cheng Junhua had always been skeptical of Shanle’s model, believing that stand-up comedy wasn’t suited for competition. Now, he had completely lost trust—he wasn’t even taking phone calls anymore. It was clear he wouldn’t agree to the proposal.
That left only Chu Duxiu, one of the two finalists.
Xie Shenci confessed, “I just arrived in Wencheng. I’ve contacted her, but we haven’t met yet. I’m not sure how she’s feeling.”
“When did you fly to Wencheng?” Shang Liang exclaimed in surprise, then quickly caught on. “Perfect. That means you can discuss the proposal with her in person. Communication will be quicker and easier that way.”
“The proposal…” Xie Shenci hesitated slightly. “Let’s wait until she returns to Haicheng. You can talk to her about it then.”
Shang Liang was puzzled. “Why? You’re already in Wencheng—can’t you discuss it face-to-face right away?”
“I can’t talk about this right now.”
“Any reason?”
“I haven’t had a break since the finals. My mind isn’t clear right now.” Xie Shenci said with exaggerated seriousness, “I’m afraid if I’m not careful, I might actually end up signing away 51% of the shares. But if you don’t mind, that’s fine too.”
“???”
After hanging up Shang Liang’s call, Xie Shenci finally had a moment to gaze out the window.
The taxi emerged from underground into the daylight, where the sun’s glow suddenly appeared at the end of the tunnel, revealing the peaceful and pleasant scenery of Wencheng. The sky was a soft blue, dappled with the shadows of trees, and the straight roads were bustling with traffic. In the distance, green mountains met white clouds—a captivating sight.
This was where she was born.
Xie Shenci had never been to Wencheng before. Infected by the clear, beautiful weather and feeling the recent pressures lift, he couldn’t help but look forward to seeing her. He didn’t know where this sudden lightness came from, but even the mundane car ride had become interesting, filling him with a sense of excitement the moment he arrived.
Perhaps when a city is tied to a person, it doesn’t need famous landmarks or scenic spots to become vibrant and colorful.
He studied Wencheng in detail, imprinting the new scenes in his mind, feeling a subtle and wondrous sensation. It reminded him of how he had stumbled upon her resume in Typoon Transit, serendipitously discovered her talent, and quietly nurtured her growth—and now, he had even followed her all the way to her hometown.
The two had grown closer through stand-up comedy, sharing daily chats and countless jokes, gradually realizing they shared similar senses of humor and perspectives. Even though he had met countless stand-up comedy actors, not everyone could resonate with him on a deeper level. Unexpectedly, he had slowly built a genuine connection with her.
Then, during the typhoon, he saw the 5200 yuan transfer on her chat page and hesitated for the first time, feeling a twinge of regret. He worried that frequently joking with her might cause discomfort and wondered if, upon learning about her emotional state, he should create some distance like Scallion did—reduce the frequency of their chats.
Fortunately, it was just her sister.
Since that was the case, there was no need to avoid her. It was fine for him to give her a birthday gift.
Later, as she delivered more and more brilliant routines on the show, their understanding of each other deepened, and they grew increasingly familiar.
He didn’t know when his feelings had changed, nor did he fully understand what others defined as “like” or “love.” He only knew that seeing her brought him genuine joy, and he looked forward to conversing with her and trying all sorts of things together. Rather than asking for jokes simply to appreciate her humor, it was more about understanding her inner world through stand-up comedy and sharing their lives with each other.
The essence of stand-up comedy was never just about eliciting laughter—it was about connecting scattered, lonely souls through shared laughter and resonance, helping them withstand life’s cold, overwhelming waves.
He and she had started with stand-up comedy, but that was merely the thread that brought them together.
Whenever they met, even without telling jokes, they were always immensely happy.
At the café near the residential area, Chu Duxiu watched as a taxi pulled up. Even before she could clearly see the person inside, an inexplicable premonition washed over her.
Sure enough, the car door opened, and Xie Shenci stepped out. He was still dressed in formal attire, though his collar was slightly disheveled. Carrying a small suitcase, it was clear he had traveled light, rushing straight from the airport.
Despite the long and weary journey, his expression showed no trace of exhaustion. His tall, straight figure stood out prominently on the street, like bamboo weathered by wind and snow—its leaves worn but its resilience unwavering.
Chu Duxiu hurried over to him, clapping enthusiastically as she greeted, “Mr. Xie, welcome to beautiful Wencheng! Where ancient charm meets natural splendor!”
She sounded every bit like a tour guide, as if she were moments away from playing a promotional video for Wencheng.
Xie Shenci looked up at her, his gaze soft and his dark eyes glistening like dew-kissed black grapes, the corners of his lips lifting into a smile.
The next second, both of them burst into laughter on the street, though neither was quite sure what they were laughing about. It seemed the mere sight of each other was enough to bring them joy. Without a word, they simply stood there, staring at one another and laughing, as if amazed by the sheer improbability of the moment.
They had actually met in Wencheng.
Chu Duxiu didn’t understand why she was laughing so uncontrollably. Logically, they should have been discussing the troubles left over from the finals, yet the novelty of meeting in person washed everything else away. Seeing the laughter spill from the corners of his eyes, she was swept up in a sense of carefree happiness—so different from the restrained atmosphere during the show. It was like breaking free from a tightly woven fishing net, reveling in the sheer delight of sharing this moment openly.
After a long while, her cheeks began to ache from smiling. She hurriedly covered her mouth to compose herself, forcing down the upward curve of her lips as she muttered self-deprecatingly, “We look like a pair of fools.”
There they were, laughing uncontrollably on the street—to anyone passing by, they must have seemed utterly out of their minds.
Xie Shenci pressed his lips together, though he couldn’t quite suppress his faint smile. “How has it been since you returned home?”
“Pretty good—probably better than you.” Chu Duxiu leaned closer, studying his face with curiosity. “Mr. Xie, you’ve grown some stubble.”
Xie Shenci’s skin had always been fair, like jade under the light, but now it was shadowed with a faint bluish tint. Likely, he had been too busy these past few days to bother with grooming, and it showed.
Hearing her remark, a trace of embarrassment flickered across his face. He immediately covered his chin, avoiding her gaze as he turned away awkwardly, evading her scrutinizing eyes. He felt a twinge of regret—if he had known, he would have tidied up at the airport instead of rushing over in such a hurry.
Noticing his flustered annoyance, Chu Duxiu only grew more amused. “Let me see,” she urged. “I’ve never seen you with stubble before. It’s kind of fascinating.”
After all, Mr. Xie was always impeccably groomed and composed. Catching him in a less-than-perfect state was a rare opportunity.
His eyes darted away. “…There’s nothing worth seeing.”
The two walked from the street toward the café, neither bringing up work matters. It felt like a casual stroll, a chance meeting between friends in an unfamiliar city, leaving all their worries behind and simply emptying their minds.
Xie Shenci pulled his small suitcase along, while Chu Duxiu walked beside him. Hearing the wheels of the luggage rolling, she thoughtfully asked, “Do you need me to help with your bag?”
Xie Shenci replied, “It’s fine, no need.”
“That’s good. I was just being polite.”
“?”
Chu Duxiu glanced around and asked, “Should we head to the café first so you can rest for a bit, or find a place to drop off your luggage? Since you’ve come all this way, is there any scenic spot you’d like to visit or any local snacks you’d like to try? I can be your guide.”
Xie Shenci shot her a sidelong glance. “Sure, then you arrange the sights and snacks. Let’s see how well you play guide.”
Chu Duxiu: “?”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “I was just being polite—couldn’t you have declined? Shouldn’t you be busy running around for the show? How do you have time to sightsee?”
“I didn’t plan on being polite with you. You did say I came all this way,” Xie Shenci replied flawlessly. “Besides, I’ve already handled the urgent matters. I deserve a short break.”
Stunned by his audacity, Chu Duxiu paused for a moment before a clever idea struck her. “Alright then, I’ll take you to the most fun place in Wencheng—and it’s really close, just a short walk away.”
A moment later, the two stood at the entrance of the residential complex, separated by an access-controlled iron gate. Beyond it stood several residential buildings.
Lush greenery and vibrant flowers filled the area below, with small pavilions built for residents to relax and enjoy the shade. Occasionally, a few playful children darted past—a scene brimming with the warmth of everyday life.
As Xie Shenci watched her pull out her access card, he stopped in his tracks and asked suspiciously, “Where is this?”
“My home,” Chu Duxiu replied, feigning nonchalance. “Want to come up for a bit?”
She felt like a shady character trying to lure a stray cat, attempting to abduct rather than adopt, leading him all the way to her building—only to finally arouse his suspicion.
Xie Shenci fell silent, unable to resist shooting her a wide-eyed look, as if deeply shocked by her words.
This was the most fun place? Was she sure she wasn’t just messing with him?
There was a subtle change in Xie Shenci’s facial expression, and he hesitated before speaking. “You just casually bring people home like this?”
He couldn’t help but suspect that she genuinely saw him as one of the girls—after all, if someone like Lu Fan or Wang Nali came to Wencheng, they would probably deserve this kind of treatment.
“What’s wrong? Is it not okay to bring the boss home?” Chu Duxiu scratched her head, looking confused. “I haven’t really worked in an office before, so I’m not sure about these things. But there’s nowhere else to go right now, and my sister, mom, and dad are all home. You’ve met my sister before.”
It was the afternoon. Even if they rushed to a scenic spot now, it would likely close soon, so there really wasn’t anywhere else to go. Going for an early dinner felt too soon, leaving them in an awkward in-between time.
She didn’t see anything wrong with bringing Xie Shenci home. After all, there were other people there—it was just a place to rest for a while. They could go out later in the evening, and they could even use the family car for easier travel.
Xie Shenci’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he murmured, “Does your family know I’m coming?”
“They saw me when I went downstairs. My sister knows who you are, but my parents only know I’m here to pick up a friend.” Chu Duxiu replied, “If you’d rather not go, we can find a hotel for you to rest. But the options around here might not be as nice as in Haicheng—I’m not sure what standard you’re used to for business trips.”
Xie Shenci’s visit had been sudden, and Chu Duxiu hadn’t had time to prepare. Since she lived with her family in Wencheng, it was impossible to slip out unnoticed. She had simply mentioned that a friend from the stand-up comedy scene was visiting, keeping the description vague and not revealing Xie Shenci’s specific identity.
The area was mostly residential, with no luxury hotels nearby—only budget-friendly chain options. Worried that these might seem too shabby for someone of Mr. Xie’s stature, Chu Duxiu had suggested bringing him home to rest, figuring it would at least be more comfortable than a hotel.
“I should definitely visit, but perhaps a bit later.” After a long moment of thought, Xie Shenci finally made a decision and added, “I need to drop off my things first.”
Although Chu Duxiu had already put the finals behind her, her family might still harbor some reservations. From a professional perspective, it made sense for him to visit and offer his apologies regarding the show.
Moreover, on a personal level, since he had come all the way to Wencheng, paying a visit felt only natural.
The only thing he hadn’t anticipated was walking into what felt like a three-way interrogation—especially since Chu Shuangyou had even flown back from Nancheng for this.
“Alright.” Seeing him turn with his suitcase, Chu Duxiu quickly followed. “We can go after you’ve dropped off your luggage.”
On the street, Xie Shenci held his phone, checking the navigation as he took a few steps forward, scanning the area for the nearest hotel. Noticing Chu Duxiu trailing closely behind him, he turned back in surprise. “Are you planning to follow me?”
Chu Duxiu nodded. “Yeah, why not? You’re in an unfamiliar place—what if you get lost?”
She now saw Mr. Xie as something of a vulnerable visitor. After all, he had traveled a long way and knew nothing about Wencheng—having a local accompany him seemed only right.
“But I’m planning to find a hotel to drop off my luggage, freshen up, and change clothes,” Xie Shenci said, his gaze shifting slightly. Though his expression remained neutral, a hint of embarrassment flickered across his face as he hesitated. “Are you sure you want to tag along?”
“…”
Chu Duxiu was immediately speechless, suddenly understanding his discomfort. The tips of her ears burned as if scorched by fire.
If the two of them went to a hotel together, it would essentially mean she was accompanying him to check in—something that could easily be misunderstood by the front desk staff.
Worse, while he was showering and freshening up, she’d have nowhere appropriate to wait except sitting quietly in the room, listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom—a thought so suffocating it left her flustered and at a loss.
The idea of him changing clothes was even more awkward. With nowhere for either of them to turn to, she’d probably want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
Abah abah, she really was an idiot. No wonder his expression had shifted—he must have been utterly startled by her suggestion.
“Hahahaha…” Chu Duxiu’s face flushed crimson as she covered her embarrassment with forced laughter. She quickly waved goodbye to him and darted back toward the residential area in a flash. “Then we’ll meet later! Let me know when you’re done—just message me on WeChat!”
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