Mysterious Assistant of the Washed-Up Queen-Chapter 439 - 296: New Year’s Eve Surprise_2

He thought for a moment before slowly typing a reply:

"I’m on my way back to the hotel now. Why did you come?"

He sent the message and almost instantly received a response.

"Of course, I had to come. This is our first New Year’s Eve together; how could we not spend it together? Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a huge regret?"

In the hotel lobby, Chu Tian, who had just checked in and hadn’t gone upstairs yet, held his phone with a smile as he replied to Xu Qingqiu’s message.

Originally, he hadn’t wanted to come or, to be precise, couldn’t get away, especially since people were needed for his new album’s release.

But now that the strategy had changed, there was no need for him to be tied down there anymore.

Besides, it wasn’t just about him. His employees were people too, with their own lives; perhaps they were even looking forward to this New Year’s Eve.

So he simply gave the studio a holiday and canceled all overtime. Those who needed to go home went home, and those who needed to celebrate New Year’s Eve did so.

As for himself, he had spent a good while buying a ticket to fly over overnight. Just booking the hotel took up a lot of his time. As soon as he finished with that, he couldn’t help but send a message to Xu Qingqiu.

If he hadn’t been afraid of disrupting her performance, he probably would have called her directly.

Who said Chu Tian was a straight man who didn’t understand romance?

Seeing his reply, Xu Qingqiu felt an indescribable emotion. She thought Chu Tian at this moment was more romantic than anyone else, at any other time.

"Okay, wait for me. I’ll be right back!"

After sending the message, Xu Qingqiu abruptly looked up, interrupting the two who were still bickering, her tone firm.

"Sister Hua, straight to the hotel, hurry!"

"Huh? Got it."

Sister Hua didn’t ask any further questions but silently sped up.

On the other hand, Chu Tian laughed as he imagined Xu Qingqiu hurrying back. However, looking at his luggage and his empty hands, he knew he couldn’t just wait.

She had come all this way. How could he greet her empty-handed? A gift wasn’t strictly necessary, but he should at least have a bouquet of flowers, right? Otherwise, it would be so awkward.

He quickly went upstairs to drop off his luggage and then rushed out to see if he could buy something.

After all, it was New Year’s Eve; there had to be some sense of ceremony.

Unfortunately, while the idea was good, it was simply too late; the flower shops were either sold out or closed.

It made sense. With the countdown approaching, who would be out buying flowers now? Wasn’t everyone gathering to find a good spot for the countdown and to celebrate New Year’s Eve?

In the end, all Chu Tian could find was a vendor selling balloons, and he bought them all in one go.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Xu Qingqiu rushed out of the car, messaging on her phone while hurrying towards the elevator.

"Which room are you in? I’ll come to you!"

"Eh? Sister Qiu! Why are you walking so fast? Where are you going?"

Behind her, Yiyi, while taking things out of the car, anxiously called out to Xu Qingqiu’s retreating figure.

They hadn’t brought any other assistants this time; Xu Qingqiu had no one with her. What if something happened...

Fortunately, Sister Hua, being a bit older, had pretty much guessed what was happening.

"Alright, stop shouting. Chu Tian has probably arrived. You just quietly pack up."

Patting Yiyi on the head, Sister Hua helped pack up their things, occasionally glancing in the direction where Xu Qingqiu had disappeared, a hint of envy in her eyes.

"I’m in room 8022. Or should I come down to find you?"

Chu Tian, who had been resting in his room, immediately jumped out of bed upon seeing the message.

He scrambled to put on his shoes, planning to go out and meet Xu Qingqiu, but then realized there was no need for him to go out at all.

"No need, I’ll come to you!"

The prominent exclamation mark in the message showed Xu Qingqiu’s unequivocal decision.

Chu Tian looked at it and couldn’t help but smile.

Since that was the case, there was no need for him to go out; he would just wait.

It wasn’t long before a knock sounded at the door, sending an unexplained tremor through Chu Tian’s heart.

When he opened the door and saw Xu Qingqiu standing there, elegant in her sunglasses and mask, all the prepared speeches he had thought of instantly vanished from his mind.

The two of them just stood in the doorway, looking at each other, neither speaking, as if time itself had stopped in that moment.

Just as Chu Tian regained his senses and was about to say something, Xu Qingqiu moved.

However, she didn’t step in or speak. Instead, she reached out, wrapped her arms around Chu Tian’s neck—paying no mind to the mask on her face—and kissed him.

Watching this, Chu Tian’s heart stirred uncontrollably, and his throat felt dry.

He smoothly wrapped his arms around Xu Qingqiu’s soft waist and lifted her up. His left foot deftly nudged the door shut. They entered the room in silence, not uttering a single word the entire time.

From the doorway to the suite’s living room, then to the bed in the bedroom.

The obstructing mask and sunglasses had long since disappeared; even her coat and high heels were scattered on the floor.

After a good while, looking at the flushed Xu Qingqiu in his arms and her evening dress, now twisted and askew, Chu Tian couldn’t help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at! You used so much force just now, you tore my dress!"

Xu Qingqiu straightened her clothes, her face full of distress.

You see, she didn’t have any endorsements yet. This dress wasn’t sponsored by a brand but was custom-made for her. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The custom-made dress was perfect in every way, except for its price.

Though not as expensive as luxury brands, it wasn’t cheap either.

Crucially, she had planned to wear this dress several times. Now, it had become a one-time outfit.

As for why she hadn’t changed, she’d planned to change back at the hotel, but Chu Tian had intercepted her plans before she could.

"If the dress is gone, we’ll buy a new one. Besides, with your popularity now, it’s not appropriate to wear the same dress to multiple events anyway. Let’s aim to secure an endorsement deal next year; then you’ll have plenty of dresses to wear."

"Easy for you to say. It’s not that simple."

Although she retorted, Xu Qingqiu didn’t say anything more. It was just a dress, and certainly not worth spoiling the mood over.

"I’ve prepared a gift for you. Do you want it?"

"A gift? What kind of gift?"

"Come on, it’s in the living room. It has a great view. I wonder if we’ll be able to see the fireworks later."

The two tidied themselves up and went to the living room, where a large floor-to-ceiling window stood, reflecting the brilliant city lights outside.

"What gift?"

Xu Qingqiu searched but couldn’t find anything. Then Chu Tian walked to a corner, tugged on a string, and the previously still balloons began to collide with a soft rustling sound.

"Well, do you like it?"

Xu Qingqiu looked at the large bunch of balloons he held, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on her face, and couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

"Hahaha, this is your so-called gift? Why did you buy so many balloons!"

"Hehe, I originally wanted to buy flowers, but they were sold out. I happened to see the balloons, so I bought some."

"But you didn’t have to buy so many! Did you buy out the entire balloon stall?"

"Pretty much. It’s freezing out, so she could go home early for New Year’s Eve too."

"You really are..."

Xu Qingqiu rolled her eyes at him, but her hand honestly reached out and took the balloons, looking at them curiously.

"So, do you like them?"

Chu Tian sensed she wasn’t entirely pleased and started to feel a little anxious.

Xu Qingqiu looked at the colorful balloons in her hands. Just as she was about to speak, fireworks blossomed outside the window.

Their light danced across the balloons and their faces, dazzling and beautiful.

"I like them. The balloons are very pretty, and now they’re even prettier!"

Although it wasn’t the proposal she had envisioned—no ring, no bended knee—Xu Qingqiu felt immensely satisfied at that moment, despite some initial disappointment.

After all, he had come all this way to be with her, hadn’t he? As long as he was by her side, what else mattered?

"Well, as long as you like them. Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year! Chu Tian, I love you!"

"I love you too. Come here for a hug~"

...

One held a beauty in his arms, the other held balloons. They stood quietly watching the fireworks outside the window, listening to the joyous roars from the distant square as a warm and romantic atmosphere began to fill the air.

At this moment, they wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

...

Of course, such blissful times were fleeting. They spent only one night in Star City, with no time to even explore, before the group returned to the Capital early the next morning.

There was no helping it—the new album was a race against time, and no one could afford to rest.

...