DTBS – Chapter 19
Chapter 19: Visiting the Set
"I'm finished eating." Qin Qingshang stood up and looked at Old Master Tao and Grandpa Zhang. "Grandpa, Grandpa Zhang, please take your time."
With that, she reached out and gave Tao Aiqin's little head a good rub before turning towards the stairs.
As Qin Qingshang walked past her, Tao Qiuyun's body stiffened slightly, straightening her already upright back even further. When she realized the woman hadn't paid her any attention, the tension in her back eased, and a sense of indescribable powerlessness filled her heart.
She really wanted to turn back, to go upstairs with her, to explain what happened last night again, or perhaps...
Tao Qiuyun sighed inwardly, looked up at the little one swinging her spoon, and silently gritted her teeth.
They say a daughter is a thoughtful little padded jacket, but why was hers so drafty?
The woman walked towards the dining table and sat to Tao Aiqin's left. She glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and said unhurriedly, "Since I'm married, Qinqin's household registration can be arranged. It's also time to send her to kindergarten to study, learn, and make friends."
"Your own daughter," Tao Shizhou glared at her, "Of course you have to arrange things properly for her. Oh, right, Qingshang has a commercial shoot this afternoon. You take her there and stay with her."
"Grandpa, I'm very busy. I have to go to the company after breakfast," Tao Qiuyun said while drinking her porridge. "I'm busy all morning and afternoon, and I have international video conferences. I'll drop her off with her manager later."
"You don't even look after your own wife and leave her to others, you..."
"Grandpa," Tao Qiuyun stood up, her gaze sharp, her voice firm: "We both have our own work. She is a capable, goal-oriented, and independent adult woman. She is my wife, but not my appendage. She is a star with the potential and ability to shine. I don't want people to say she succeeded because of me."
The woman's clear voice continued, her tone measured and distinct: "She's made it this far on her own over the years. She loves her career and works hard for it. I respect her."
"I will provide help when she needs it, but I won't make decisions for her on my own initiative, or presume to arrange things for her. That wouldn't be good for her; it would be harming her."
"I hope you will do the same, Grandpa. Don't trap her under the guise of love and concern. She is not a canary kept in a cage by a wealthy family. She is very clear-headed and doesn't need us to worry about everything for her."
Tao Shizhou opened his mouth, speechless for a long time, staring blankly at his distinguished granddaughter before him, as if trying to see into her heart.
Yes, our Qiuqiu has always been like this, convincing people with reason, obedient and sensible, always polite. She has been gentle since childhood, even when angry, she would sit down and reason with others. The image of a gentleman who uses words, not fists, is firmly established, but...
He looked directly into Tao Qiuyun's eyes. The woman before him had a gentle appearance, but her eyes and tone revealed a strength and assertiveness he had never seen her display before.
Old Master Tao also recalled her casual posture and demeanor in the office earlier, and the details of their interactions over the past few days.
Undeniably, Tao Qiuyun's emotions had been much more active these past few days, no longer like... a machine operating according to a program.
That's right, why had he never considered that his seemingly perfect granddaughter didn't actually exist? After all, in reality, no one's personality is so flawless.
The old Qiuqiu was so perfect she didn't seem human. She never made mistakes, never lost composure, and rarely showed emotional fluctuations. She always followed the path of the successor he envisioned, treating people gently while managing a large group like Chunjin with decisive methods, and never going against the requests of her elders... Oh, except for opposing the engagement with the Su family girl and secretly having a child with a female star.
So, was this obedient, humble, and polite granddaughter truly real? Was she really the same on the inside as she was on the outside?
If she wasn't real, how long had she been wearing this disguise?
If she truly wasn't what she seemed, then what was her real self like?
It wasn't until Zhang Cheng patted his shoulder that Old Master Tao stopped his chaotic thoughts. He came back to his senses and said gently, "Qiuqiu, you're right. Grandpa won't worry about your affairs anymore."
If his granddaughter was truly different on the inside, it was his fault. He had overlooked her emotional journey as she grew up...
He had never asked her if she liked musical instruments, if she liked socializing, what major she wanted to apply for, or what she wanted to do in the future.
As the eldest daughter of the Tao family, her future was already set. She had been the focus of attention since childhood and had shouldered almost everything. Tao Zhuohua had lived carefree under Qiuqiu's wing since he was little, doing whatever he wanted, playing happily when he wanted to play, but Qiuqiu... Right, besides studying and working, did she have any hobbies?
Perhaps Qiuqiu hadn't received the respect she deserved, which was why she valued Qin Qingshang's thoughts so much and wanted to give her the respect she felt she deserved.
"Thank you, Grandpa," Tao Qiuyun lowered her eyes slightly, the emotions within them calming. "I'll go to the kitchen to get her something to eat."
She had noticed Qin Qingshang's plate; it had barely been touched. She probably hadn't eaten much before that girl Tao Aiqin awkwardly chased her away.
Watching Tao Qiuyun's retreating figure, Tao Shizhou put down his spoon and sighed softly.
His granddaughter had grown up. He understood her thoughts even less now, but he could clearly sense that she felt differently about Qin Qingshang. He hoped the two children would be happy together in the future.
Tao Aiqin stared at the woman's back: "Sys, I suddenly think she's so cool."
System: "I recorded it. You can find a chance to let the female lead hear it later."
Tao Aiqin: "Excellent. You've learned how to assist. I'm very pleased."
System: "But did you notice what she just said? She's sending you to kindergarten."
Tao Aiqin: "Don't worry, it's just kindergarten. It can't trap me."
System: "Uh... Actually, I wasn't encouraging you to skip school."
Tao Aiqin: "I understand, I understand."
System: "......" No, you don't understand!
"I saw you didn't eat much," Tao Qiuyun placed the plate on the small table and looked at Qin Qingshang, who was doing her makeup. "Want to eat a little more?"
"No need, thank you, CEO Tao," Qin Qingshang put away her eyelash brush and twisted open her lipstick. "I've already arranged with Wen Yu. CEO Tao can just drop me off at the complex entrance later."
"Okay." Tao Qiuyun nodded, watching Qin Qingshang apply lipstick. "I'm planning to find a kindergarten for Qinqin. What do you think?"
"Whatever works."
"Is that so?" Tao Qiuyun awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling clumsy for the first time. "I..."
"CEO Tao," Qin Qingshang turned back to look at her. "Although this might sound a bit irresponsible, logically we should take turns looking after our daughter, but there are too many paparazzi around me. Every move is watched, which makes it inconvenient."
"I know," Tao Qiuyun nodded. "I will take care of her. I have an apartment not far from a kindergarten. I'll help you set up fingerprint access."
"CEO Tao, I have my own apartment, and we didn't say we were going to live together, did we?" Qin Qingshang stood up, slinging her small bag over her shoulder. "I'm an actress, traveling all over the country. If Old Master Tao asks in the future, you can explain it to him this way."
"Miss Qin," Tao Qiuyun pursed her lips. "I didn't mean for you to move. I just wanted to make it convenient for you to visit Qinqin in the future."
"That's good," Qin Qingshang walked closer to her. "I'm ready, CEO Tao."
"I'll go get the car keys." Tao Qiuyun took a step back.
Watching the woman's retreating figure, Qin Qingshang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, seeing Tao Qiuyun now was really quite awkward.
Getting into the familiar Bentayga, Qin Qingshang immediately closed her eyes after buckling her seatbelt, avoiding further conversation with a certain CEO.
The atmosphere in the car was not as relaxed as before, carrying a hint of dullness. It wasn't until she dropped Qin Qingshang back at the complex and saw her get into the black van that Tao Qiuyun leaned back against the seat and slowly exhaled.
The woman stared out the window until the taillights of the van disappeared, her eyes heavy...
She dislikes you, Tao Qiuyun.
"CEO Tao, the preliminary work for the 3:30 PM video conference is ready, and the equipment has been checked. It is now 2:05 PM. Here are three documents from Jiaxing, and also from the review office..."
Secretary Zheng's voice continued non-stop in her ear. Tao Qiuyun lowered her head, browsing the documents in her hand, occasionally making notes on the paper with her fountain pen.
Chunjin Group was a behemoth. Even with a complete system, as its head, she was still busy, with work that was never finished.
"CEO Tao, Miss Qin's shoot is at 3:30 PM. Would you like to go see it?"
Suddenly hearing a report unrelated to work, Tao Qiuyun looked up at Secretary Zheng Liuyu's serious face and frowned slightly: "What did you say?"
"CEO Tao, Director Ji from IOM told me. I thought you might want to know." Secretary Zheng's face showed no hint of gossip.
I want to know?
Tao Qiuyun turned her head and continued to stare at the document in her hand. It was a cooperation project with Wenshi Real Estate, worth billions. She frowned, her subconscious reaction surprisingly being the marriage agreement. If she breached the contract, she would have to give Qin Qingshang 100 million yuan a day.
Putting everything else aside, the idle cash she had was enough to renew the contract for another year. What she had said to Qin Qingshang about a businesswoman's bottom line was actually a lie; 100 million yuan was nowhere near her bottom line.
But even if she could keep renewing the contract, what difference would it make? Qin Qingshang avoided her like she was something dirty; she didn't want to see her at all.
"She and I are secretly married," the woman's expression was unreadable. "It's fine when it's just you and me, but don't mention her in front of others in the future. She and I shouldn't have any connection. Casually associating with me will affect her career."
"Understood, CEO Tao." Secretary Zheng nodded, feeling very surprised, and looked at Tao Qiuyun's hands.
She wasn't wearing a wedding ring and was hiding her marital status, all to avoid affecting her star wife's career? CEO Tao... is she this in love?
"What are you thinking?" Tao Qiuyun turned to look at her. "Secretary Zheng, if you have something to say, just say it."
"Nothing, CEO Tao," Secretary Zheng remembered Director Ji Qiongxue's message, hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Actually, there is something. CEO Tao, do you really not want to go see Miss Qin's shoot?"
"What's there to see?"
Startled by Tao Qiuyun's steel-like, cold, and direct question, Secretary Zheng took a while to react. "Ming Siwen, Miss Ming, will also be at the shoot today."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"I've been catching up on entertainment industry knowledge. I heard that Ming Siwen and Miss Qin don't have a very good relationship." Secretary Zheng was a qualified close subordinate. After Wang Huai met the little princess, she was even more determined to regain CEO Tao's trust. Whether in work or life, she was the confidante!
"Ming Siwen also wanted this IOM endorsement before, but Director Ji insisted on having Miss Qin, even having a big argument with another director at IOM over it..."
"Get to the point." After signing, Tao Qiuyun switched to another document.
"The point is, if they clash, there might be a conflict. Although Miss Qin is popular now, she still can't compare to Miss Ming, who just won the Golden Film Award. She might be at a disadvantage."
"If IOM can't even protect its own signed artist, then it's too useless." Tao Qiuyun was unperturbed, her movements processing documents never stopping. "I don't keep useless people."
"No! That's not what I meant, CEO Tao." Secretary Zheng quickly said, "It's just that it's normal for celebrities to fight over endorsements. If she can't win, the other party might start a public opinion war online, and Miss Qin might suffer grievances in that regard."
"Then she also has a company, a manager, and public relations. I don't need to worry about it."
Tao Qiuyun put down the document and looked at Secretary Zheng. Seeing her stunned expression, she suddenly smiled, "But I understand what you mean. You think that if I go, I can better support her, right?"
Secretary Zheng smiled, "As expected of CEO Tao, you easily saw through my and Director Ji's thoughts."
Thoughts my foot! Director Ji and I are afraid that those high-level executives at IOM might think Ming Siwen is your lover and go trouble your legitimate wife!
However, she knew Ming Siwen wasn't, but Ji Qiongxue still believed that rumor and was genuinely afraid that Ming Siwen, the "mistress," would clash with the "main wife," which was why she contacted her.
After all, Tao Qiuyun requested that her marriage to Qin Qingshang be kept secret, but the rumor about Ming Siwen being CEO Tao's lover was an open secret in the industry.
Secretary Zheng had a headache. She couldn't just suddenly grab a loudspeaker and shout, "The rumor about Ming Siwen being CEO Tao's lover is a lie spread by CEO Tao's younger brother," could she? That would be too embarrassing for Young CEO Tao and the bigwigs in the industry.
After all, the resources they gave Ming Siwen were real.
This matter could only be handled in a more subtle way.
"Then let's go." Tao Qiuyun put down her pen and called Wang Huai on the internal line, asking her to attend the afternoon video conference on her behalf.
Then, the woman stood up and loosened her tie. "Secretary Zheng, please inform IOM that I will be inspecting the commercial shoot this afternoon. I hope they will showcase their highest standards."
"Understood, CEO Tao." Secretary Zheng was full of energy.
Am I about to witness a live version of the domineering CEO and her starlet wife up close?!
However, when they arrived at the shoot location, Tao Qiuyun bumped into a woman around a corner. Secretary Zheng looked at the person who hooked her arm around CEO Tao's neck...
Damn it! It's Ming Siwen!
At this moment, a beautiful woman walked by...
The passing Qin Qingshang: Tsk!
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