Liu Qiao Qiao's apartment.
Liu Qinyang was standing by the table wearing an apron, a frying pan in one hand, and a spatula in her other hand. She was dishing out their breakfast.
Liu Qiao Qiao and Shi Xiaotong had got back from the gym and were washing up. when she was done with breakfast, Liu Qinyang placed the pan in the sink and brought the plates of food to the dining table.
She had just set down the last glass of smoothie next to the plate of egg and bacon when Shi Xiaotong walked in.
Shi Xiaotong was already dressed for work in a light blue cotton dress shirt tucked into a dark brown straight cut palazzo pants and nude-colored stilettos, her shoulder-length auburn hair was packed up.
"Qiao Qiao isn't out yet?" Shi Xiaotong asked typing furiously on her phone.
"Not yet"
"What's keeping her, we have to be in the studio soon" she checked the time on her watch, scowling she called out "Qiao Qiao hurry up, we haven't got much time".
"I'll be there soon" Liu Qiao Qiao answered her voice sounding a few rooms away.
Shi Xiaotong didn't bother answering, she resumed typing furiously.
Seconds later Liu Qiao Qiao walked into the room and sat on the fee seat next to Shi Xiaotong.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting Tong Tong," she said taking a bit of her food.
"It's alright Qiao Qiao, you came out earlier than I expected. You beat your record from the day before, that should count as something."
Liu Qiao Qiao and Liu Qinyang just smiled and exchanged a look.
"So Qinyang when did you get back from the dinner? I didn't hear you come in." Liu Qiao Qiao said.
"I came in pretty late, You guys were already asleep when I got back"
"You came in really late, I went to sleep by 11 pm"
"The dinner started later than expected"
"Really" Liu Qiao Qiao and Shi Xiaotong replied in unison.
"Yes," Liu Qinyang said laughing nervously. "so Qiao Qiao How was the variety."
Liu Qiao Qiao watched her sister for a few seconds, trying to get the truth out of her. She was prepared to ask her some further questions about the business dinner when Shi Xiaotong squeezed her knee holding her back.
"It was good, Qiao Qiao even made a new friend. Didn't you Qiao Qiao?"
"Yes I did"
"That's wonderful news, who is it?"
"Oh it's Li Na"
"What!, okay am I hearing that right. Did you just say your new friend is Li Na, Explosive temper Li Na"
"Yep, we are even having dinner today"
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my sensible elder sister" Liu Qinyang was shocked.
While Shi Xiaotong burst into a peal of sudden laughter.
"oh come on Yang'er you're just being dramatic"
"I'm being dramatic, Qiao Qiao this is a woman that just a few weeks ago, started fake rumors just to defame you. Why would you be friends with her?"
"Because she apologized and she honestly isn't that bad. Plus I like Li Na, she's honest and real. Unlike most people in this industry, with her, you know where you stand because she isn't pretending to be what she's not. What you see is what you get."
"Qiao Qiao I understand why you are saying this, what those girls in your group did to you was horrible. However you shouldn't keep expecting people to betray you alright, they are a few good people out there, Qiao Qiao.
You have to keep an open mind since you think it's a good idea to be friends with Li Na. I will let it go, You are an adult and as such should know what is good for you.
"I still think that you should be careful around that tempest of an artist that is Li Na"
"Don't worry, I will be very careful"
"Alright, don't forget to tell me all about your play date with Li Na" Liu Qinyang said with a wink.
"HaHaHa, you're really funny"
"come-on Qiao Qiao, can you blame me. You're about to have dinner with an urban legend, Li Na isn't exactly known to be friendly"
"keep quiet and eat your food, it's not good table manners to talk when eating"
After breakfast, Liu Qiao Qiao and Shi Xiaotong left for Baiyu Studios. While Liu Qinyang and Qin Yantian left for Phoenix entertainment human relations office, to submit a sexual harassment report on Xu Yangzhou.
* * * *
At Phoenix entertainment, Shi Xiaotong's office.
Liu Qiao Qiao was discussing the weekly schedule with Shi Xiaotong and the rest of her team when there was a knock on the door.
"Yes, please come in," Shi Xiaotong said looking at the door.
"Hello everyone, sorry to disturb you. Qiao Qiao can I please speak with you in private. I wouldn't keep her I promise, it will only take a minute." Executive Director Lu Zhiyuan said putting only his head into the room.
Liu Qiao Qiao turned around and looked at Shi Xiaotong to get her permission.
"We are pretty much already done with the meeting, you can go, Qiao Qiao," Shi Xiaotong said.
"Alright, I will be back soon" Liu Qiao Qiao replied and walked to the door.
Liu Qiao Qiao and Lu Zhiyuan walked down the hallway and into his office. When they got in Lu Zhiyuan directed her to the couch and sat opposite her.
"I will jump straight to the point. I am planning on releasing my new album by the end of the year and I would like to collaborate with you on one of the tracks.
"You are a talented musician Qiao Qiao and I would like to work with you. what do you think?"
Liu Qiao Qiao was quiet for some time, thinking about the offer and weighing all her options.
Lu Zhiyuan noticed her silence and continued
"You don't need to reply immediately. You can think about it for a few days and then give me a reply."
"There's no need to thank you further, I accept. It would be a pleasure to work with you teacher Lu Zhiyuan".
"that's good, I will talk with Meng Ling and let you know."
That night, at their apartment. They had just finished having dinner and were washing up the plates. When Liu Qiao Qiao informed Shi Xiaotong and Liu Qinyang of her conversation with Director Lu Zhiyuan.
They were silent for a few seconds then began to congratulate Liu Qiao Qiao.
"This is really good news, Qiao Qiao. We have to celebrate this, Let's go out this Friday and get a few drinks at Ziggy's bar. What do you say, guys, ready to have some fun" Liu Qinyang said.
"Sure, why not"
"We have been working non-stop, I can do with a break"
"Then it's settled, we"re going out this weekend"
"this weekend? we only agreed on Friday"
"Oh whatever, you know what I mean."