Love Variety Show: The despised me exploded in popularity

Meng Yulong opened the door at the sound, and paused slightly in surprise when he saw the person knocking.

"Mr. Xu?"

The orange hue of the corridor lights was half-blocked by the approaching Xu Qingyan, prompting him to unconsciously take a step back before quickly asking.

"What brings you here so late?"

In Meng Yulong's memory, Xu Qingyan and President Pei were almost always in sync. The workshop's success was all thanks to this formidable figure who had come down from the romantic reality show.

Sometimes, he even wondered if the boss had gone on the romance show specifically to recruit him.

Other bosses brace themselves by pulling in funds and finding projects.

When his own boss made a comeback, he simply put on makeup, went on a romance show, and roped in some otherworldly demon from who knows where.

Fierce indeed, the singles he wrote exploded one after the other. On a music show, he nearly flipped the table with his aggressive and fiery style.

But Mr. Xu offstage was actually quite nice, chatting and joking with the staff without any airs.

The studio's chat group had discussed this for a while, coming to a conclusion.

He was the real deal, a living legend of tunes.

Seeing Meng Yulong's respectful demeanor, Xu Qingyan felt a little embarrassed. After all, it was late, and he was essentially disturbing the other person's rest.

"Uh... It's nothing, just came to let you know."
Your next read awaits at empire

Xu Qingyan only mentioned that he had something to do, without bringing up that Pei Muchan wanted to go home—it was just a minor matter.

"I have an urgent matter and need to go back to Xinghai. President Pei gets carsick and is coming with me on the way. There will be a shuttle bus arriving on time tomorrow; you organize it, make sure no one is left behind."

"Got it, Mr. Xu."

After a few more instructions, Xu Qingyan went back to his room to pack up and went downstairs. He waited for about five minutes before he heard familiar footsteps, and the light at the stairway flickered.

A familiar figure appeared as Pei Muchan came downstairs with her bag.

The building seemed a bit old, the light casting shadows on their faces. As their gaze met, one taller, one shorter, perhaps both felt that this was the moment they should kiss.

Pei Muchan's chest rose and fell slightly. She thought to herself that if she were a few years younger, perhaps she would have already put the thoughts in her mind into action.

"Let's go."

She walked up to him feeling suddenly hollow inside. Going back to Xinghai was just an excuse; in truth, she just wanted to be with him, not alone.

"Okay, give me the bag," Xu Qingyan said, taking it from her hand and heading to the car's trunk.

The night was quiet, their footsteps rustling one after the other. With a thud, Xu Qingyan shut the trunk and realized Pei Muchan was already sitting in the passenger seat as he got into the car.

Somehow, their interactions had become natural over time, even increasingly in sync.

Xu Qingyan's mind was swirling with thoughts, scattered by the engine's roar. The headlights cast two beams on the road, and within a few breaths, the car darted out.

The vehicle smoothly merged onto the main road, suddenly opening up the view. It stopped at a desolate intersection with not a single fellow traveler in sight.

They had not spoken much, driving for half an hour. Suddenly, without warning, rain began to fall outside. According to experience, if they just kept driving for a while, they'd leave the rainy section behind.

Driving on a rainy night, listening to raindrops on the sunroof, with the air conditioner's chill gently blowing. This was indeed a rare experience, as if time itself had slowed.

After passing another red light, the car stopped again.

Xu Qingyan glanced at Pei Muchan in the passenger seat, noticing her hand resting on the cup holder. In the dim car interior, her delicate fingers shimmered like jade.

Pei Muchan noticed his gaze and turned her head to look at him. She wore a fitted black base layer with a ladies' blazer over it.

In the dim light of the car, her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed, holding his gaze for a few seconds.

In the dimness, Pei Muchan's eyes shone brightly. To his surprise, the fleeting emotion in her gaze was even more intense and full than the rain outside.

Whether out of awkwardness or because the car's air conditioning was too low,

Pei Muchan spoke up, her voice ending in a husky, trembling tone, "Cold." At this moment, she seemed a bit nervous, or perhaps flustered.

As if her tail had been stepped on, her tone softened several notches.

The green light came on, and the car started moving.

Xu Qingyan gripped the steering wheel with one hand, the dark green veins on the back of his hand standing out slightly due to the pressure. His right hand reached over the gear stick, without looking, toward the passenger seat.

The car interior was quiet, his gaze fixed ahead until warm fingers met his cold ones. The soft touch clearly transmitted from his fingertips straight to his heart.

Pei Muchan's heart pounded fiercely. When she saw his hand reaching out, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. Her mind blanked for a moment, and before she knew it, her hand had reached out too.

In another moment of distraction, her hand was already clasped in his, being tenderly played with. Various kneading motions stunned her and her face instantly became hot.

"You..."

"What's wrong? Aren't you cold?" Xu Qingyan showed no intention of letting go of Pei Muchan's hand. She attempted a light pull, but couldn't free herself.

"Being cold doesn't mean you..." She stopped mid-sentence and hesitated, afraid he would let go.

"Then what else? True, touching and squeezing hands isn't quite appropriate," Xu Qingyan said nonchalantly while driving, slowing down before suddenly suggesting,

"Why don't we try it out?"

With a buzz, Pei Muchan's pupils dilated, and her facial skin prickled as if touched by needles. Her complexion reddened visibly as if chili oil had been spread over it.