Chapter 235: You’ve Arrived At Just The Right Time
Although she had made up her mind to work hard to improve herself in the future, on this evening of being eliminated, the helpless young girl still wanted to indulge herself properly once.
So while the mutton hot pot shop hadn’t closed yet, Wang Heng brought the two young girls to the shop, sat down, and ordered the pot. Pei Ningle was still wearing the blue skirt from the stage, and the head-turning rate on the way over was quite high. Even in the shop, quite a few people couldn’t help but sneak glances at her.
Pei Ningle of course paid no attention to these things. Once the clear broth in the pot started boiling, she unhesitatingly poured a whole plate of mutton slices in.
Seeing her about to add more ingredients, Wang Heng quickly stopped her: “Wait, mutton hot pot is meant to be swished briefly. If you dump it all in at once like that, the meat will get tough.”
Pei Ningle: “I can finish it!”
“Yeah right,” Wang Heng unceremoniously exposed her, “How much fatty beef and tripe did you waste last time you ate hot pot? Forgot already?”
Pei Ningle: “…”
Silent for a moment, Han Yixuan suddenly whispered a reminder: “The meat seems to be done.”
Pei Ningle hurriedly picked up her chopsticks to grab it. But Wang Heng’s movements were half a beat faster. Before her chopsticks could reach it, Wang Heng had already scooped up the cooked mutton slices with a strainer and divided them evenly into the three dipping dishes.
Wang Heng: “Xilai Shun’s mutton is sliced very thin and cooks in boiling water right away. Dip it properly in sesame paste, and the flavor will be very fresh. You can add some seasonings to the sesame paste, but I don’t recommend MSG or salt, because it’s already quite salty.”
“You know your stuff,” Pei Ningle said somewhat indistinctly while eating, “It feels like you’ve already eaten it many times in the Imperial Capital…”
Wang Heng’s expression remained natural, smiling: “No need to eat it in the Imperial Capital; there are mutton hot pot shops all over the country. It’s just that the flavor here might be more authentic.”
“Mm-hmm, delicious!” After swallowing two slices, Pei Ningle’s chopstick movements involuntarily sped up.
In comparison, the other young girl’s eating manner was obviously much more refined and reserved.
After chewing slowly for a bit, Han Yixuan glanced at Xiao Le beside her, who was turning sorrow and anger into appetite, leaned slightly toward Wang Heng, and whispered: “She seems happier now.”
Wang Heng: “She’s distracted herself, so her mood will improve a bit.”
Han Yixuan: “But eating like this, won’t she gain weight? She should count as having debuted now. If she gains weight, wouldn’t that be really bad?”
Wang Heng shook his head: “No need to worry. Watch how many more bites she can take.”
Hearing this, Han Yixuan’s gaze returned to Pei Ningle, and so did Wang Heng’s. Under their gaze, Pei Ningle swished two more slices of mutton and suddenly stopped.
The young girl touched her belly and murmured: “Urgh, can’t eat anymore…”
Wang Heng and Han Yixuan quietly exchanged a glance, with a distinct ‘just as expected’ meaning.
————
After one round of mutton hot pot, although she had clamored the loudest, it turned out Pei Ningle’s appetite was about the same as Han Yixuan’s steady trickle, and both were less than Wang Heng.
After finishing eating, he suddenly stood up and walked toward the counter. Right then, he felt his arm being tugged by a warm, soft little hand.
It was Pei Ningle who had grabbed him. Seeing him stop and turn back, the young girl let go of her hand and said: “I’ll treat today.”
Wang Heng: “Forget it, I’m your agent after all, and this meal is to soothe your mood. No need to stand on ceremony with me…”
“You’re the one who doesn’t need to stand on ceremony with me!”
After saying that, Pei Ningle turned and walked away.
This Xilai Shun shopfront wasn’t small; from the three’s seats to the counter required two turns. Han Yixuan sat in place holding a cup of hot tea, watching her best friend’s back disappear around the corner.
Then she teased: “From now on, whenever she’s unhappy, do we just bring her to eat something delicious?”
Wang Heng shrugged: “Maybe. At least for now, it seems pretty effective.”
Just then, Pei Ningle came back.
She poked her head out from the corner and asked: “Where’s the bill for our table?”
“Forgot to take the bill for payment—totally Xiao Le’s style…” Han Yixuan couldn’t help but laugh.
Wang Heng sighed, picked up the bill on the table, and walked over.
The two passed that corner and headed side by side to the counter.
Suddenly, Pei Ningle asked quietly: “Do you think I should participate in these talent show programs in the future?”
Wang Heng contemplated briefly. Today’s elimination scene was of course somewhat regrettable in his view, but he had anticipated it beforehand. Perhaps because of the first playthrough’s impression, Wang Heng always felt Pei Ningle would have a hard time becoming champion or blowing up big. A niche singer receiving good reviews in a very limited scope—this should be the young girl’s future prospect.
So he said: “More importantly, it’s about creation, accumulating your own things. Going on programs is like hawking wares, and right now you only have two original songs. Even if you spread out, what you prepare for fans is just two things—that’s too monotonous, right?”
Pei Ningle thought about it and nodded: “You have a point.”
Wang Heng added: “Also, one more thing: the Good Songs program might already be the fairest talent show on the market with the least reliance on connections. If you look for other programs, with novice agents like me and Han Yixuan, we really couldn’t handle it. But if you sign with a company…”
“Absolutely not signing!” Pei Ningle said without hesitation, “Sister Wen’s lesson is right there. How could I possibly sign.”
Wang Heng: “Can’t say it that absolutely. After all, when Chang Wen debuted it was ten years ago; times are different, requirements for singers are different. Besides, you’ve already shown promise on Good Songs. Any company that signs you, as long as they’re not idiots, would definitely develop you as an original singer.”
Pei Ningle only thought for a few seconds, still shaking her head: “But I still don’t want to sign with a company. I hear the interpersonal relationships inside companies are very complex, and there are unspoken rules popping up all the time…”
“Hahaha, you’re overthinking it,” Wang Heng laughed and patted the young girl’s head, “Singers aren’t actors; actors need unspoken rules more. And in the domestic entertainment industry, there’s rarely any forcing. Unspoken rules are mostly for those who are willing to bite the hook, only messing around if they want to get ahead. You just be an original singer, don’t fight or grab, focus on writing and singing, and no one will bother you.”
Just as Wang Heng finished speaking, he noticed Pei Ningle holding his hand, saying seriously: “But I still don’t want to sign with a company.”
The young girl gave no further reason, just quietly looked up and gazed at him—perhaps it could be said that there was no longer any need to voice the reason?
Just then, Han Yixuan’s wistful voice sounded from behind them: “Sorry, bad timing for me to show up…”
Wang Heng hurriedly turned around. He didn’t let go of Pei Ningle’s hand, instead saying frankly: “No, your timing is perfect.”
Han Yixuan: “?”
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The book has gained another Alliance Leader【Rich Tomoe in the Vortex】 and Sect Leader【Reader20190209104520649
】. Plus, old Alliance Leader【Cola with a Bit of Poison】 rewarded another big wave, so… nothing to say, five extra chapters for May Day, staying in. Also, if updates feel too slow, this part-time author really has no other ways usually, but please come check back every week to avoid starving it to death… Thanks to all you reader bosses.
