The attendees of the dinner included the senior management of the Nahe Hotel, Zhang Qingyue, Jiang Yingche, and several staff members from the program crew.
PD Jiang’s appearance was unexpected yet made perfect sense to Zhang Jin’an. After all, without a program to provide promotion, the traffic wouldn't be nearly as high.
Zhang Jin’an was glad he had guessed the general guest list before coming and had his stylist choose a relatively formal outfit. Otherwise, it would have been incredibly awkward if the five or six others were in suits while he showed up in a hoodie and sweatpants.
His stylist, who had known him for years, lived up to expectations by selecting an olive and yellow-green patchwork trench coat paired with a white striped shirt and dark, waist-high straight-leg jeans. It satisfied Zhang Jin’an’s preference for loose-fitting clothes while remaining appropriately formal; even Zhang Qingyue remarked that it was a good choice when she saw him.
Overall, the atmosphere of the dinner was quite pleasant.
Zhang Jin’an had always been skilled at social navigation. He knew exactly what to say and what to keep to himself. When asked personal questions, he would simply smile and steer the conversation toward another topic. Since everyone present was a businessperson who understood the potential for future mutual benefits, no one pressed him with awkward or difficult questions.
However, if Zhang Jin’an had to choose, he would still prefer eating noodles with Jiang Siyang and Xiao Zhou.
Even if that noodle shop wasn't as luxurious as this place, lacked a private balcony overlooking the night view of Little South Mountain, and didn't have massive famous paintings on the walls or a table overflowing with delicacies—at least he could be himself there.
It would be even better if Jiang Siyang were there. Then he could actually have a real conversation.
"The buzz from our show alone wouldn't have created such a massive effect. This is all thanks to you."
PD Jiang’s voice pulled a distracted Zhang Jin’an back to the present.
He saw PD Jiang’s glass clink against his own.
Zhang Jin’an truly couldn't take all the credit. Just like the "destiny" mentioned in that episode, their meeting was the result of a thousand different choices. If the production team hadn't put their hearts into the show, he wouldn't have chosen this variety show based solely on the idea of "wanting to interact," nor would so many people have decided to become fans after watching just one episode.
Therefore, the current ratings of *Friday Morning* were more a result of the production team's hard work.
Zhang Jin’an had been looking for an opportunity to propose a toast, but PD Jiang had beaten him to it while he was momentarily lost in thought.
They both drained a glass together.
After finishing, PD Jiang set his glass down and spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear. "To be honest with you, because the show never really made a splash before, some of our investors' contracts were about to expire. We were actually considering canceling it."
"How..."
Zhang Jin’an was about to express his surprise when PD Jiang raised a hand, signaling for him to listen.
Zhang Jin’an had known nothing about this; it was his first time hearing it, and he was curious about what happened next.
"When you agreed to come on our show, we were all stunned. We thought it was a joke. It wasn't until your manager contacted us that we realized it was real." As PD Jiang spoke, the melancholy on his face faded, replaced by a faint smile. "Your appearance saved us... well, maybe not 'saved,' but you helped us. We never imagined the results would be this good. Starting from your episode, the viewership more than doubled, and the play counts for previous episodes tripled or quadrupled. We are all very grateful to you. I’ve just had one question that I haven't had the chance to ask."
Zhang Jin’an cupped his hands respectfully. "Please, ask away."
PD Jiang looked him straight in the eye.
"Why... why did you choose our show? Aside from the official PR answers, I want to know what you were personally thinking." PD Jiang perhaps felt he was being too serious and chuckled. "Rather than my question, it’s everyone’s question. Everyone is quite curious. No one believes you did it just to 'broaden your horizons,' especially with so many other variety shows out there."
Zhang Jin’an thought for a moment. "First, it’s an original variety show. Plus, *Friday Morning* has a good reputation. I watched a few episodes and thought they were great. And there were people I knew, so I joined."
"Oh, I see," PD Jiang nodded.
"How is everyone doing now?" Zhang Jin’an asked.
"Everyone is hoping you'll come back, especially Jiu Chang. He straight up said he wants to ride your coattails," PD Jiang said jovially.
"I will definitely go. If for nothing else, I have to go just for that bet of yours, PD," Zhang Jin’an said half-jokingly.
PD Jiang waved his hands repeatedly. "Don't even mention the bet. I’ve quit gambling, I’ve quit!"
Zhang Jin’an laughed, and PD Jiang joined him. The two chatted about other things and shared another half-glass of wine.
By seven-thirty, the General Manager and Deputy General Manager left one after another, followed closely by the Secretary-General. The dinner was effectively over.
PD Jiang and his group had come in two cars. Zhang Jin’an put on his hat and mask and saw them to the hotel entrance.
Only after the cars had kicked up dust and disappeared into the night did Zhang Jin’an breathe a sigh of relief. He tilted his chin toward Zhang Qingyue, who was standing aside watching him. "How are you getting back?"
Zhang Qingyue brushed her hair with her fingers, her short locks falling silkily into place. She crossed her arms and looked at Zhang Jin’an. "Have you really made up your mind?"
Zhang Jin’an knew what she was referring to and nodded.
"Fine. I know you didn't drive here today." Zhang Qingyue glanced down at her watch. "Give me a few minutes to change my clothes."
"Just so we're clear, you're the one driving. I’ve been drinking," Zhang Jin’an said.
Zhang Qingyue had been about to turn away, but she stopped and glanced back at him, a cryptic, ambiguous smile playing on her lips. "Doesn't matter. Compared to your business, that is not—at—all—important."
She patted Zhang Jin’an on the shoulder and walked into the hotel without looking back.
Zhang Jin’an gave a helpless smile and followed her.
Thanks to his long legs, he caught up in a few steps, slowing his pace to walk side-by-side with her.
"I wonder who you got this personality from," Zhang Jin’an teased his younger sister.
"From you," Zhang Qingyue replied without turning her head. "Doesn't Dad always say that Shuyu and you are both blunt, while you and I are both stubborn?"
"Right, everything bad is blamed on me," Zhang Jin’an said with a laugh.
"I don't think either of those traits are bad things," Zhang Qingyue countered.
As they spoke, they reached the staff entrance. Zhang Qingyue swiped her card, and they entered the staff passage. After a turn, they pushed through a door and arrived at the elevators.
Zhang Qingyue pressed the button and finally turned to look at him. "You seemed very relaxed during dinner today. Have you figured out how to tell them?"
Zhang Qingyue shared another trait with him: they both loved cleanliness. Her work uniform was pressed so perfectly it looked brand new, and she hadn't gotten a single speck of oil on it during dinner. She looked immaculate.
Zhang Jin’an shook his head. "No, I’ll just let nature take its course. It has to come out eventually anyway."
Zhang Qingyue let out a soft chuckle. "That sounds exactly like you... By the way, have you told Shuyu yet?"
"Not yet," Zhang Jin’an said.
Zhang Qingyue asked in disbelief, "Why? I thought you’d told her, so I didn't say anything."
"It’s hard to explain to her..." Zhang Jin’an thought for a moment. "Let’s put it this way: explaining this to Mom and Dad will be easier than explaining it to her."
Zhang Qingyue narrowed her eyes, staring at Zhang Jin’an as if trying to see right through him.
A few seconds later, she spoke. "Is it someone she knows?"
Zhang Jin’an nodded. "Yes."
"Jiang Siyang?"
Zhang Qingyue’s answer gave Zhang Jin’an a genuine fright. The chime of the elevator arriving at their floor synced perfectly with his heartbeat.
In contrast, Zhang Qingyue walked into the elevator with complete composure.
"How did you know?" Zhang Jin’an asked, chasing after her in astonishment. "Is the overlap between my friends and her acquaintances really that high?"
Zhang Qingyue pressed the button for the basement level. "Let's just say you have too few friends. It’s always the same few people; it was incredibly easy to guess."
Zhang Jin’an felt like he’d been stabbed in the heart. "..."
Zhang Qingyue continued, "Someone you know, someone she knows, something that happened recently, and a man—who else could it be but Jiang Siyang? Though, he seems like a decent person. I’m actually a bit relieved you’re with him; at least I don't have to worry about him being a scumbag."
"So, if Zhang Shuyu finds out, what do you think she’ll do?" Zhang Jin’an asked.
"How should I know? I’ve never been a fangirl," Zhang Qingyue said, though she began to consider it. "Maybe... to her, it’ll feel like her best friend stole the guy she had a crush on. It’s not a capital offense, but your relationship will probably go from 'loving siblings' to 'plastic siblings' from then on."
Zhang Jin’an: "..."
The elevator reached the basement, and Zhang Qingyue finally burst out laughing. "That’s just my guess. Shuyu isn't that petty." She stepped out as she spoke.
Zhang Jin’an followed her without a word.
Zhang Qingyue scanned him from head to toe. "Brother, this is the first time I’ve seen you so nervous that you’d actually believe a joke. You weren't even this tense during your auditions, were you?"
Zhang Jin’an sighed. "I really don't want to disappoint you all, but I also really want to tell you."
Zhang Qingyue stopped smiling and adopted a serious expression, speaking with gravity. "This relationship of yours doesn't involve anyone else, it has nothing to do with morality, and it wasn't some calculated plan. There’s no such thing as 'disappointing' others. Don't you know Mom and Dad? Their biggest wish is for us to live the lives we want. Just go ahead and tell them. At most, they’ll be surprised. Just give them some time to process it."
Zhang Qingyue softened her expression, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "What does it matter if you like men, women, or transgender people? It wouldn't even matter if you didn't like anyone at all. As long as you’re my brother, I will always support you. You will always have my vote of approval."
