Chapter 55: Cramp

Although Guan Xi’s “screen time” in the program is not much, due to her outstanding appearance and good abilities, many people went to Weibo to watch her. Later, as more and more people watched, they inexplicably became interested, and her fan count increased significantly.

However, this time, not only did she gain fans, but also the Impression Studio received several invitations for commercial performances and other program-related events due to the increased popularity. Originally, Wang Qing and the others were delighted, thinking that Guan Xi was going to become famous. However, Guan Xi turned down all those offers.

“… You really don’t want to go? That variety show about playing games is quite popular, you know.” Wang Qing didn’t expect Guan Xi to be uninterested in the entertainment industry. After all, the internet celebrities, models, and famous personalities she had collaborated with before all had aspirations to enter the entertainment industry.

For example, just by looking at Zhao Xiaorou, it was evident. Zhao Xiaorou had been eager to participate in “Our Guesthouse” initially, just to interact more with the people in that circle.

Guan Xi glanced at her, saying, “When I approached you for collaboration, I mentioned that I wanted you to help me with marketing in the travel sector. I’m a travel blogger and only want to do things related to it. If you want to train an artist, you’ve got the wrong person.”

Participating in “Our Guesthouse” was only because it aligned with her “professional focus.” But now, the program invitations she received were based on her momentary popularity, without considering whether the work suited her or not.

Seeing Guan Xi so determined, Wang Qing began to reconsider.

She had been overwhelmed by the invitations from various variety shows recently, forgetting Guan Xi’s initial intentions. “Ah, yes… if you really don’t like it, I’ll turn down all such work for you in the future.”

“Okay.”

“Well, then let’s discuss the itinerary for our trip to Italy next month.”

“Sure.”

Despite turning down numerous variety shows and inexplicable commercial opportunities, Guan Xi’s popularity on Weibo continued to rise.

In the following two months, she received sponsorships for her travels, including hotels, homestays, and even many tourist attractions inviting her for paid visits. Guan Xi made quite a bit of money, and, of course, she also earned a good sum for the Studio.

On this day, right after returning from abroad, Guan Xi, instead of going home, directly got into the studio’s car.

The reason for not going home immediately was an issue with one of her business partners. The team urgently called a meeting, and she needed to participate.

The meeting was lengthy, and there were many detailed matters discussed.

Guan Xi, feeling uncomfortable today due to menstrual cramps and the fatigue from her journey, barely managed to endure until the end of the meeting and hurriedly left as soon as it dispersed. As she descended the elevator to the parking lot, she encountered Zhao Xiaorou and Yin Xiang, the meticulous and cautious Director, You Hao.

You Hao, noticing her pale complexion, politely inquired about her well-being.

Guan Xi, with a faintly pale face, replied, “It’s okay, probably just tired from the long flight, not feeling well.”

You Hao said, “If you’re not feeling well, why don’t you go home? Why come to the company?”

Guan Xi turned to look at him and smiled slightly, “Mr. You, weren’t you the one who told me there was a problem with our business partner and asked me to come and resolve it urgently before I boarded the plane?”

You Hao pushed his black-framed glasses and said, “Oh, really? Was there?”

Guan Xi thought, “Damn right, there was!”

You Hao cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting the topic, “So, how was the trip to Italy this time? Smooth?”

Ding—

The elevator reached the underground parking lot.

Guan Xi, feeling discomfort in her stomach, walked out with little energy, saying, “It was okay, as long as you didn’t scrutinize the budget too much.”

You Hao, displeased, responded, “It’s because the budget you reported was a bit too high, and some aspects were inappropriate—”

Guan Xi turned around and glared at him, “I’ve earned quite a bit for our studio, Mr. You. Expenditure is necessary for profit! Don’t be so stingy on these trivial matters!”

Guan Xi and You Hao often clashed in battles of wits over budget matters, and both had grown accustomed to confronting each other in the office. So when You Hao heard her words, he wasn’t offended but rather adopted the stance of an elder father figure saying, “Let me explain some reasoning to you.”

At this moment, Guan Xi, feeling unwell, quickened her pace.

“Hey, why are you walking so fast? Let me talk to you—”

“Hiss…” Guan Xi suddenly bent over in pain.

You Hao was momentarily stunned, quickly supporting her elbow and asked, “What happened? Your face turned so pale before I could say anything. Are you okay, Guan Xi?”

Guan Xi replied, “Stomachache…”

“What? Stomachache? Get in the car, get in the car. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No need to go to the hospital.”

“How can that be? You must go to the hospital for this!”

“No need.”

“Why are you so stubborn, little girl? I may scold you usually, but I’m clearly not the type to stand by and watch someone in trouble. You definitely need to go to the hospital…”

“It’s my period!” Guan Xi interrupted him. “I don’t need to go to the hospital for that.”

You Hao paused, “Oh… okay. Should I take you home then?”

Guan Xi initially thought of driving herself, but the pain in her stomach was too severe; she couldn’t even walk properly. At this moment, all she wanted was to get home and lie down on her bed.

“Take me home, please. I feel like I’m about to collapse,” she said as You Hao saw her pale complexion. He opened the car door and helped her inside. “Tell me your address.”

…

Not far away, Zhao Xiaorou watched coldly, saying, “I knew it. She could only get on that variety show because of You Hao’s connections. Originally, it was supposed to be mine. If not for You Hao’s favoritism, how could she have gotten it?”

Zhao Xiaorou’s assistant agreed, “Xiaorou, in this period, Guan Xi has become quite powerful. Our studio has been actively promoting her.”

“If she didn’t hook up with You Hao! Would she be able to achieve this?” Zhao Xiaorou smirked strangely. “That’s why, some people can do anything for fame and money.”

You Hao followed the address given by Guan Xi and drove the car out of the underground parking lot. The car moved smoothly, and Guan Xi, bending over with her hands on her knees, sent a message to Jiang Suizhou.

“You have someone at home, right?” You Hao asked.

“Yeah, my boyfriend will be waiting downstairs in a while,” Guan Xi replied in a hoarse voice, sweating on her forehead. “Thank you.”

You Hao: “Don’t mention it. Don’t get used to thanking me, really.”

Guan Xi: “You’re the boss; there’s nothing to get used to.”

“Have you ever seen a boss forced to spend money every day?” Yoho retorted.

Guan Xi glanced at him, holding her stomach and cursed silently in her mind, “It’s because you’re too stingy!”

But now she couldn’t say it out loud. Guan Xi bit her lip, conserving energy, and continued to message Jiang Suizhou.

Twenty minutes later, at Jialin Jingyuan.

As the car arrived at the entrance of the residential area, Guan Xi saw Jiang Suizhou. She pressed the car window and extended a hand, desperately saying, “Er Gou, help me…”

This time, Guan Xi truly didn’t expect her stomach to feel so uncomfortable. Her menstrual pain was occasional, not every month. Jiang Suizhou had received the license plate number sent by Guan Xi earlier. Upon seeing the car approaching, he immediately walked over.

You Hao, seeing a man approaching, guessed that he was Guan Xi’s boyfriend. He got out of the car and opened the passenger door.

Jiang Suizhou politely nodded at him and then bent down to carry Guan Xi out.

“How are you feeling?” Jiang Suizhou looked at Guan Xi, who was curled up, feeling a bit anxious.

“It hurts so much… I want to lie down, I want to drink hot water,” Guan Xi replied.

Jiang Suizhou frowned. “Did you eat a lot of ice outside this time? Guan Xi, don’t you know you’ll have your period these days? And since you’re feeling so uncomfortable, why did you go to work right after getting off the plane? Can’t the place function without you for a while?”

A certain boss, silently acknowledging the hit, looked away.

Seeing Jiang Suizhou scolding her with a cold face, Guan Xi felt even more wronged. “It’s so late, and you’re scolding me. Can’t you take me home first? I’m in so much pain… Jiang Suizhou, do you not love me…”

Jiang Suizhou’s heart tightened, and he turned to walk back. However, after a few steps, he remembered something and turned back. “Thank you, and sorry for the trouble.”

You Hao: “No problem, hurry up and take her home.”

Jiang Suizhou nodded, thanked again, and then carried Guan Xi back to his car, driving into the residential area.

You Hao, watching the car drive away, rubbed his chin. He felt that the guy seemed a bit familiar, like he had seen him somewhere before…

However, after thinking for a while, he couldn’t recall where. You Hao decided to stop thinking about it and just glanced at the entrance of the residential area.

“Hmm, Jialin Jingyuan… the price per square meter in this neighborhood is something even someone like me, a boss, doesn’t dare to think about.”

**

Jiang Suizhou carried Guan Xi back home, and she kept sniffling in his arms all the way.

“It hurts… you always blame me. Is this what you want? You were scolding me in front of others just now. What’s more important, scolding me or sending me home… I’m already annoyed with my period, and you’re acting like this…”

Jiang Suizhou entered the house and headed straight to the bedroom.

Guan Xi continued to murmur, “Do you not love me anymore? Huh? Tell me…”

“Guan Xi.” Jiang Suizhou placed her on the bed and pinched her cheek. “I asked you a question. Straighten out the messy things in your head.”

Guan Xi grunted and burrowed into the blanket.

Humph… Clearly, he asked three questions in a row.

Jiang Suizhou tucked her in, then went to the kitchen to pour hot water and fetched a few warmers.

“Sit up a bit and drink water.”

Guan Xi sat up, leaning against him, and weakly said, “I can’t lift my hands… you feed me.”

While her menstrual cycle had nothing to do with her hands, Jiang Suizhou complied. After all, he knew that if he didn’t listen to her now, she would repeat, from various perspectives, how he didn’t love her.

“If you’re uncomfortable, why didn’t you call me earlier?” Jiang Suizhou applied warmers to her stomach.

Guan Xi pressed her cheek against his chest and murmured, “The matter at the studio was urgent, so I rushed over to deal with it. I thought I could drive back, but when I got to the parking lot, I suddenly felt so uncomfortable and broke into a cold sweat.”

“Was the one who brought you here your colleague?”

“Well, it’s the studio head I told you about, the somewhat stingy gaming executive. But he’s still a good person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent me over.”

Jiang Suizhou nodded slightly, “Just be careful, and if anything happens, give me a call.”

“Got it.”

Jiang Suizhou helped her lie down and suddenly asked, “So, did you really indulge yourself abroad?”

Guan Xi’s expression stiffened slightly, and she evasively shrunk into the blanket, saying, “I’m tired; I’m going to take a nap…”

Seeing her like this, Jiang Suizhou knew he had hit the mark.

“Guan Xi, next time if you—”

“How?”

“Behave yourself.”

Guan Xi peeked out from the blanket with two eyes, “Behave myself? Are you willing to discipline me?”

Jiang Suizhou looked down at her, his face calm but a hint of danger in his eyes.

“Guan Xi, next time if you do that—”

“What?…”

“I’ll discipline you.”

Guan Xi weakly smiled, “Okay, okay, I get it. Don’t look at me like that. I won’t indulge myself anymore, alright?”

Jiang Suizhou wasn’t entirely convinced, saying coldly, “You better stick to your words.”

“Sure, sure, I’ll definitely do that. But can you not be so fierce since it’s already happened this time?” Guan Xi retreated under the covers, lifting them slightly, “It’s a bit cold… Why don’t you come in? You’re so warm; give me some warmth.”

Jiang Suizhou narrowed his eyes slightly, “Don’t talk nonsense now.”

“… What nonsense did I say?”

Guan Xi was puzzled, but after looking at Jiang Suizhou’s eyes for a while, she suddenly cleverly understood.

She glared at him, “Jiang Suizhou, is your mind not clean? I wasn’t making any suggestive remarks!”

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