Chapter 243: Studio |
The good thing about Zhu Mengmeng was that, unlike Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji, who were typical homebodies, she was a normie who was familiar with the surroundings and couldn’t be bothered with comparing prices endlessly. Even before Old Zhu’s plane landed, she had already rented a studio space and several employee dormitories.
If Chu Ge were to do it himself, it would take at least three to five days to get it done. For Zhu Mengmeng, it didn’t even take an hour, and the studio was ready, complete with furnishings and office supplies.
As soon as Old Zhu arrived with a group, he took Qiu Wuji straight to the government service center. They efficiently completed all the necessary paperwork, turning the studio over. Qiu Wuji looked at the studio space, not too big or too small, and at the employees who had already started arranging their desks. She still seemed a bit dazed.
Is this my company…
A company in modern times… I’m the legitimate legal representative…
Although the company was named “Chu Tian Wuji Animation Studio,” its registered status was a “limited liability company.” It wasn’t a sole proprietorship but a joint venture with Zhu Mengmeng… Their scope of business involved comic and animation production, as well as taking on various customized character illustration commissions. It was all very official.
“This company should be called ‘Qiuqiu Mengmeng Studio!'” Zhu Mengmeng pouted. “I don’t know why Dad agreed to use the name ‘Chu Tian Wuji’ . It’s just the name of the book; does that mean we won’t do anything else after completing one book…?”
Qiu Wuji smiled and hugged her shoulder. “Silly Mengmeng, because ‘Chu Tian Wuji’ sounds more poetic. Qiuqiu Mengmeng is just too cute. We’re grown-ups now; people will mock us…”
“Our name is set like this, even when you’re eighty, you’ll still be Qiuqiu, and I’ll still be Mengmeng!”
“Hey, but come to think of it, your husband is really good to you,” Zhu Mengmeng said enviously, patting Qiu Wuji on the shoulder. “Seeing how well you get along, my springtime heart is starting to sprout again…”
Qiu Wuji was puzzled. “Where do you see that we get along so well?”
“He’s putting in over 800,000 yuan for this studio. Right now, it’s just an advance from my dad. Once his copyright payment comes in—oh, I heard it’s supposed to come on the 12th, right? At that time, he’ll have to give it to my dad. The windfall hasn’t even warmed up yet, and it’ll be mostly gone in an instant.”
Qiu Wuji was momentarily confused. “Huh? So what? We’re in this venture together. It’s only right that he gives the money to your dad, isn’t it?”
Zhu Mengmeng looked at her in surprise. “But he’s putting in the capital, and the company belongs to you. He doesn’t even have his name on it.”
Qiu Wuji finally realized and stammered, “Uh… is there a difference?”
“Of course, there is!” Zhu Mengmeng acted like she was dealing with an alien. “You two are clearly not married, and your finances are not combined. Don’t you know? He’s treating you as his wife directly. What’s his is yours, without even batting an eye…”
Qiu Wuji was lost in thought. “Yes… not married…”
“Even most married couples rarely do this, let alone unmarried ones…” Zhu Mengmeng thought of her own tragic marriage and was on the verge of turning into a sour lemon, “And you said it was his idea. You never thought about using your name before, it’s unbelievable…”
Qiu Wuji smiled as she looked out the window.
He never saw me as separate from his family.
In fact, from the moment I arrived in this world, I guess he already considered me his daughter.
“Ah, how did you manage to find such a good man? I’m so jealous…” Zhu Mengmeng was getting upset.
Qiu Wuji smiled, “Actually, he found me. I’m like a foster daughter to him.”
Zhu Mengmeng: “…Should I toss myself into the trash heap? Is there a great man like this who can pick me up?”
Qiu Wuji folded her arms, “You can give it a try.”
“Never mind, this is fate…” Zhu Mengmeng sighed dramatically as she leaned on the windowsill.
“Um…” Qiu Wuji said apologetically. “Mengmeng, could you please take care of the employees for a while? I have something to do…”
Zhu Mengmeng turned to her with a puzzled look. “What could be more important than just opening the company? You haven’t even recognized the employees’ faces!”
“It’s already lunchtime, and I need to go home and make lunch for him.”
Zhu Mengmeng; “Damn!”
On the other side, Chu Ge hadn’t written for two or three days. Initially, he felt a bit rusty, and he forgot everything about the plot he needed to write. He was searching for inspiration while looking at the outline, occasionally checking the chat group and not concentrating very well.
So, as they say, practice makes perfect, and it’s better not to scatter your energy on too many distractions.
Finally, he forced himself to start working, entering a state of focused concentration, and he gradually regained the feeling of being the unfeeling writing machine. At least he managed to complete the chapter for the morning.
He hadn’t missed an update, so he breathed a sigh of relief.
Chu Ge even found it strange that the smoothest writing came when he completely immersed himself in the world of the book. That was the true unfeeling writing machine, relying purely on instinct to write, not even knowing what he was writing about. However, the results turned out to be a perfect reproduction of the world’s plot, even better than the effects of his contemplation.
Maybe he should use it more…
I have a mature body now; which can write on it’s own… My soul should go and accompany Qiuqiu to see the magnificent world I created.
In a moment of distraction, while multitasking, Chu Ge caught a glimpse of Qiu Wuji practicing alone at the top of the mountain amidst the falling snow. She sat there like a celestial being, with swirling sword energy, radiating an otherworldly beauty. However, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of loneliness and heartache.
Qiu Wuji, who practiced alone at the peak of the world.
Qiuqiu, who was lively, cute, and full of vitality.
Two worlds, two completely different situations and mindsets for Qiu Wuji… Could it be that her “alternate personality” was becoming increasingly adorable as a response to the loneliness and heartache of her “main personality”?
At this moment, she was lively and cheerful here, but what was she thinking over there?
Just as he pondered this, the door clicked open, and Qiu Wuji returned.
Chu Ge greeted her in surprise, “You’re back so soon. I thought you might be eating out.”
“How busy could it be…” Qiu Wuji entered with bags of groceries. “Even if I’m busy, I can’t let my dear creator starve, right?”
Chu Ge took the bags from her. “Tsk, why are you suddenly so good… Wow, today’s meal looks really sumptuous!”
“Hmph, when have I not been good?”
“During our sparring sessions.”
The couple entered the kitchen together, and Qiu Wuji leaned against the stove, glancing at him. “You dare to say that? Even during our sparring sessions, it always ends up being you kissing me… If you want to talk about not being good, that evil woman in the book, she’s the one who really suffers after torturing you.”
Chu Ge chuckled. “The woman in the book isn’t evil. She just wants me to integrate into the world faster, so she’s a bit strict.”
“Yes,” Qiu Wuji gazed at him tenderly. “Just like how you treat me in this world. But you’re gentle, and I… I’m a bit harsh.”
“Why do you sound strange today?” Chu Ge hugged her. “It’s enough if this Qiuqiu is gentle with me. As the master over there, respected by all, her actions naturally have some differences.”
Qiu Wuji tilted her head. “Are you enjoying it?”
“You’ve already called me an ‘M’…”
“Why does it sound like you want to go there?”
“By the Huangpu River, as you said, that’s where we truly roam. The wuxia world in my writing, the free-spirited martial world in my heart.” Chu Ge kissed her forehead. “When our studio gets on track here, and we see the feedback from the comic release, everything is in order, we should go and explore the book’s world. There’s no snow in Nanjiang, but we can go see the snow there.”
When he mentioned snow, Qiu Wuji’ heart fluttered slightly.
Why would he mention snow? Of course, it was because he saw the snow in the book and the lonely person within it.
Perhaps Chu Ge did indeed want to explore the world in the book, but it was certainly not the main reason. There might be a significant part of him that wanted to accompany her…
Qiu Wuji’s heart softened further but was accompanied by a hint of guilt.
Chu Ge had done everything he could on this side. What could she do on the other side to reciprocate?
Did he like the aloof sect leader with a cold expression high above?
In the world of book and the world outside, both Qiu Wuji gently bit their lips.
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