A Favor Done, A Husband Won-Chapter 473 - 467: Dragging Jing by the Hand Toward the Beach

"There’s a couple’s variety show. Can you find the time..."

Before the words were finished, Shi Su’s phone suddenly rang. She glanced down at the caller ID and seeing the prefix, her brow instinctively furrowed.

A call from the Imperial Capital? 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Her studio often sent announcements and other work to the Imperial Capital, but for some reason, seeing this number made Shi Su instinctively tense up.

As soon as she answered the call, there was a two-second silence on the other end, and then the long-unseen voice of Shi Lingkang sounded abruptly from the phone: "Shi Su, Mr. Shi is critically ill. If you have time, make a trip back to the Imperial Capital."

The person on the other end was her biological father, the source of many nightmares from her youth, and the cause of numerous unpleasant memories.

Normally, upon hearing it was him calling, she wouldn’t give him the time to say another word, she’d hang up and block the number, never planning to contact him again for the rest of her life.

But Mr. Shi was critically ill, and the call was specifically to inform her, implying that Mr. Shi was indeed nearing the end of his life.

The old man with gold-rimmed glasses, whose sharp business acumen persisted despite his clouded eyes and frail health...

No matter the lack of familiarity, he was still her biological grandfather by blood.

Moreover, Shi Dongyang was currently detained and couldn’t possibly return to the Imperial Capital, especially with Jing Jihan’s unilateral statements and pressure on the police, Shi Dongyang didn’t even have a chance of getting out. If Mr. Shi was truly at his end, Shi Su owed it to herself and to him to go to the Imperial Capital for a look.

Coincidentally, Jun had informed her today that another outdoor reality show she wanted to join was based in the Imperial Capital.

"What couple’s variety show?" Jing Jihan’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

She put down the phone, "No rush, it’s a variety show themed around marriage and romance. I haven’t finished reading the details yet, I’ll decide whether to join in later. If you have time, we can consider it. For now, I’m heading to the Imperial Capital to join another show and guide a few rookies."

Upon hearing "Imperial Capital," Jing Jihan looked at her.

Even though he didn’t ask, it was clear he could see that something was up with her.

Shi Su had no intention of hiding it from him and said outright, "Mr. Shi is critically ill, I’ll take the chance to look in on him. Even if there’s no emotional bond, there are certain blood and moral obligations I can’t ignore."

"I’ll go back with you."

Shi Su lifted her gaze and saw the calm, penetrating look in his eyes, which made her instantly understand his meaning.

In recent years, things hadn’t been peaceful with the Shi family in the Imperial Capital. Shi Dongyang’s constant trouble was definitely for other reasons, too. Once Mr. Shi passed away, it would shake the entire Shi Family and even the Imperial Capital’s business circles. Her going back alone might not be very safe.

But if Jing Jihan was there, the situation in the Imperial Capital’s business circle, no matter how volatile, would be stabilized, at least on the surface, many things wouldn’t dare to stir up much trouble in front of him.

Shi Su leaned closer to him, looking up to him, hoping on one hand that he could accompany her, while not wanting to delay his work at the company because of her, she muttered, "What about your company? It’s already so busy at the year’s end."

"There are priorities, Mr. Shi is closely related to you by blood, it’s necessary for you to go back, but Shi Su, don’t forget, I’m your husband, also related to the Shi Family, I can’t just turn a blind eye."

"The waters run too deep in the Shi Family, I’ve never wanted to get involved in their mess..."

"Don’t worry, I’m with you."

Jing Jihan would even drop everything in Jiang City to accompany her back to the Imperial Capital, even just his words were enough.

The smell of barbecue on the beach was maddening in Shi Su’s senses, she was unbearably hungry, so she grabbed Jing’s hand and dashed towards the beach.

Nothing is more important than filling your stomach!

-

By noon the next day, they arrived in the Imperial Capital.

Neither Shi Su nor Jing Jihan intended to stay with the Shi family. According to the show Shi Su was to join, they booked a hotel suite under the Yu Jing Group, located within the Second Ring of the city.

The outdoor reality show’s official in the Imperial Capital, who was also the show’s marketing manager and co-director, had been informed that Shi Su was coming today and had arranged a car in advance for her arrival.

But this time, Shi Su wasn’t simply running her itinerary alone, given Yu Jing Group’s extensive business coverage in the Imperial Capital, and with Jing Jihan making rare time to come, the company also sent a car early to pick him up.

Coming along with Shi Su was Lin Chen, while Jing Jihan had Lu Zhao by his side. After getting in Yu Jing Group’s car, Lin Chen and Lu Zhao went in the SUV behind, while Shi Su and Jing Jihan got into the Ghost ahead.

In the car, Shi Su took a call from Mr. Xv, explaining tactfully the reason for not meeting up at the airport and arranged to meet them at 4 PM.

The hotel location was prime, plus it was a presidential suite Shi Su had never stayed in before. The first thing she did upon entering was to take a shower, washing off the dust from the road, for she had not only to meet Mr. Xv in the afternoon, but also might have to wait on the Shi family to arrange a visit to see Mr. Shi at the hospital, so Shi Su changed into a low-key and plain outfit, not wanting to draw too much attention at the hospital.

...

At 4 PM, at a commercial center in the Imperial Capital, Shi Su and Miss Chen arrived at the meeting office and met with Mr. Xv along with several program producers and representatives sent by the organizers.

"Miss Shi has truly been a model star in the domestic entertainment industry over the past two years; not only are your works numerous, but each project maintains exceptional quality in both film and advertising resources. We’ve always wanted to find an opportunity for Miss Shi to join a reality show, but Miss Shi is always swiftly moving from one project to another, leaving no gaps in your schedule. We’re finally glad to meet today, a pleasure, a pleasure!" Mr. Xv extended his hand for a handshake with Shi Su and Lin Chen, cordially inviting them to sit for a chat.

The show’s officials were very warm to Shi Su, after all, this was her first formal appearance in a reality show in recent years, an excellent topic to draw fan attention, offering highly lucrative conditions and rewards, meeting as many of their requirements as possible.

It wasn’t until Lin Chen took out the profiles of other rookies from their studio and requested their occasional appearances on the show that Mr. Xv immediately understood this was to promote new talent.

"These are the rookies your studio plans to push in the coming years?"

"Yes."

"Getting them some camera time isn’t an issue, but given our current personnel and game design arrangements, too much focus on rookies might spark a backlash from fans. However, we can discuss with the story designers on how to best incorporate them. However, this might affect the anticipated pay for them since they are so new, and before we start filming, we’d need to evaluate their appeal on reality shows. If they exceed expectations, it may be possible for them to stay long-term..."