Lin Qinghe's eyebrows subtly rose, unnoticed.
The increase in the progress bar was within her expectations; she wasn't surprised. Although it wasn't much, judging by the current trend, increasing the progress bar further shouldn't be difficult.
Lin Qinghe lowered her gaze slightly, pondering in her mind.
She needed to find a way to help You Rong sign with another entertainment company, and she also had to help him resolve the debt he owed to Aurora Entertainment... but how could she help him?
The debt was easy to resolve. The original host, as a popular actress, had earned a considerable amount in the past two years from her acting fees, and her savings were more than enough to help You Rong clear his debt. As for helping You Rong terminate his contract and sign with a new company, that required careful consideration... the new company must be able to give You Rong sufficient speaking power and be dedicated to promoting him.
After much thought, Lin Qinghe eventually thought of Zhang Shanghua. Zhang Shanghua was a well-known director, producer, and investor, who also owned a film and television company and managed many popular artists. If You Rong were to sign with a company under Zhang Shanghua, she could at least help to put in a good word.
While Lin Qinghe was contemplating, the car returned to the village and stopped in front of the small courtyard prepared by the production crew.
As soon as the car stopped, Wen Qianyi, who had been looking out from the courtyard gate, immediately stepped forward to open the car door and asked with concern, "Sister Qinghe, you're back. How was it? What did the doctor say? Is your foot injury serious?"
Lin Qinghe withdrew her thoughts and replied with a smile, "It's fine, not serious. The doctor said it's just a sprain, and I just need to rest well for a few days."
Wen Qianyi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "It's good that you're okay. I was so worried. Then... let me help you inside to rest."
"Okay, thank you."
Wen Qianyi helped Lin Qinghe inside. In the courtyard, Zheng Yi and Zhou Cheng were looking at the ingredients with troubled expressions. Upon seeing Lin Qinghe and You Rong return, after exchanging greetings, Zhou Cheng said softly, "Well... Sister Qinghe is injured, so she definitely needs to rest well and can't make dinner anymore. So for tonight's dinner... should we try to cook it ourselves?"
There were quite a few ingredients, including various cured meats gifted by the neighborhood aunties, as well as vegetables obtained from completing tasks and a whole chicken.
Zhou Cheng and the other two exchanged glances, their faces filled with difficulty. Lin Qinghe was just about to say that they should help her prepare the ingredients quickly so she could stir-fry, when You Rong unexpectedly spoke up, "I'll make dinner."
The other four looked at You Rong with doubtful expressions. Zhou Cheng asked, "You Rong, you can cook?"
You Rong nodded. "I've cooked before. It should be okay. If it's not tasty, please bear with it."
Zheng Yi quickly said, "It's fine! I'm not picky! As long as it's edible, that's enough! At least you've cooked before, you have experience. I've never cooked before. Last time I tried to fry an egg, I almost burned down my kitchen!"
Zhou Cheng nodded in agreement. "Exactly! We're not picky. We'll trouble You Rong with dinner tonight. If you need any help, just ask!"
Wen Qianyi also chimed in, "Then... I'll assist You Rong."
You Rong lowered his eyes slightly and said indifferently, "No need, I can do it myself."
After You Rong finished speaking, he walked towards the kitchen. About an hour later, looking at the three dishes and one soup placed on the table, Lin Qinghe realized that You Rong had lied when he said he couldn't cook before!
This skill, this flavor... it was comparable to a master chef from an outside restaurant!
Zhou Cheng was overjoyed, picking up food and stuffing it into his mouth, constantly praising, "You Rong! You are too humble. You call this 'okay'? Then our cooking skills are simply abysmal! It's delicious... just as good as Sister Qinghe's!"
"Yes! You Rong's cooking skills are so good, and yet he said it was just average or okay. That's truly too modest!"
Wen Qianyi also smiled and said, "Yes, seeing that even a guy like You Rong is such a good cook, I feel almost ashamed as a girl."
You Rong smiled without answering, his peripheral vision subtly swept across Lin Qinghe. Their gazes met by chance, and she smiled with her eyes curved, "Yes! You Rong, your cooking is truly great, the dishes are so delicious! Thank you for making dinner for us today."
"Yes! That's right! We are able to have such delicious food thanks to You Rong!" Zhou Cheng picked up a bowl of chicken soup and said excitedly, "Come! Let's use chicken soup as wine today and toast You Rong to express our gratitude!"
"Cheng is right... Come, come, let's have a toast with chicken soup!"
The few of them raised their bowls of chicken soup, clinked them together, and took a sip. After drinking, they couldn't help but burst into laughter.
You Rong lowered his eyes, ate his food without any outward change, and secretly thought: She must know by now that I deliberately said I couldn't cook yesterday, but she... doesn't seem angry.
After dinner, You Rong handed the medicine prescribed by the doctor to Lin Qinghe. "After you've showered, apply it again. The doctor said applying it a few more times will help it heal faster."
Lin Qinghe nodded with a smile. "Okay, I understand. Thank you."
You Rong pursed his thin lips, his gaze flickering. After a moment, he uttered, "Thank you for saving me on the mountain today."
Lin Qinghe's eyes sparkled, and she smiled, "It's nothing! Just a small matter, you don't need to keep it in mind. When I saw the loose soil falling, I didn't think much and just rushed over. In short... I'm glad you're not hurt."
You Rong said, "You should go wash up and rest early. See you tomorrow."
"Okay! See you tomorrow!"
Watching You Rong's receding back, the corners of Lin Qinghe's lips curved upwards.
In fact, her sprained right ankle had already improved a lot and she could barely feel any pain now. Seeing that You Rong's attitude had changed and he had even unblocked her WeChat, she felt that this move was quite worthwhile.
Night quietly passed. Lin Qinghe slept soundly. When she woke up to wash up, You Rong had already gotten up and made breakfast with Zhou Cheng.
After the five of them had breakfast together, the production crew staff began to announce today's task. Due to Lin Qinghe's injury, their task had been adjusted. Today's task was that a neighbor was getting married, and they were to help with decorating the bridal chamber and the wedding venue.
Once the decorations satisfied the hosts, they would receive five hundred cash, which they could then use to buy anything they wanted at the market.
After listening to the production crew's explanation, Wen Qianyi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This task is good. Sister Qinghe is still injured, and I was worried about what we would do if it was a physically demanding task."
"Don't worry, I'm much better now," Lin Qinghe said. "However, a wedding is the most important event in a person's life. Since we are going to help decorate the wedding venue, we must do our best to make it perfect!"
"Yes, exactly!"
The five of them set off to the neighbor's house. The production crew had already communicated with the hosts, who warmly welcomed Lin Qinghe and the others.
After coordinating the wedding decorations with the hosts, the five of them, along with the hosts, began to set up the wedding venue. You Rong and the others helped with constructing the venue for the wedding ceremony, while Lin Qinghe and Wen Qianyi helped with simpler decorations, such as balloons and pasting the "xi" (喜) characters.
After working hard all day, Lin Qinghe, with the host's grandmother, carefully cut out the last "xi" character and pasted it on the window. Looking at the pasted "xi" character, Lin Qinghe clapped her hands and beamed with a bright smile, "Done! Mission accomplished!"
Just as Lin Qinghe was about to get down from the stool, the old wooden stool was a bit rickety, and Lin Qinghe swayed, about to fall. Someone quickly reached out and caught her.
As Lin Qinghe recovered from her shock, You Rong's deep voice came from above her head, "Are you okay?"