The branches in third and fourth place, as well as those in sixth through ninth, were all busy strategizing. Only Jiang Qiuqiuâs branch wasnât discussing it at all.
Everyone in the holographic conference room was talking about Qian Xingxing.
"How did he suddenly get a brother... What kind of brother is this?" The worry on Meimeiâs face was the most obvious. "Is this why heâs been going back home so often lately?"
"It feels so sudden. Little President Qian didnât tell us anything in advance," Wanxing added.
Jiang Qiuqiu had also seen the announcement. It was extremely formulaic, not at all what youâd expect from someone who had just found a long-lost relative.
"I just sent him a message, but he hasnât replied." Meimeiâs thoughts were completely focused on Little President Qian.
He was an only son, and now suddenly there was news of an older brother.
âIf this brother was easy to get along with, that would be one thing. But if he isnât...â
âIt would probably feel like his life has been invaded.â
"Heâs probably busy with something."
Just as the three of them were chatting, a notification popped up in the holographic conference room: a fourth person had joined.
Meimei immediately looked toward the entrance. "Little President Qian!"
"What are you all discussing?" For the first time in a while, Qian Xingxing showed a smile. It was a little tired, but genuine. "Are you talking about tomorrowâs competition?"
"Not really," Jiang Qiuqiu said, shaking her head. "We were talking about you."
"...Me?" He sat down. "Talking about that announcement on the Star Network?"
"Yes, Little President Qian. Is that news true?"
"It is." He lowered his gaze. "If it werenât true, how could it have been sent from my terminal?"
Everyone could clearly see that his spirits dampened and his mood soured whenever the topic of that person came up.
They were all considerate people, so they quickly changed the subject and didnât bring it up again.
With the ever-so-career-focused Qian Xingxing now present, the meeting instantly became more formal. They discussed data on their competition opponents, their opponentsâ styles, who wasnât a threat, and who might be eliminated tomorrow.
They also discussed how to arrange the menu. On the Star Network, gossip from other circles had been mostly buried by Qian Xingxingâs new post.
But within the small food community, there was still an endless stream of people discussing Jiang Qiuqiu and expressing their curiosity about her.
The operations departmentâs main task was to properly channel the traffic from this group of people.
The subsidies from the previous event had to be distributed. This had become a small-scale phenomenon, so Qian Xingxing said he would find a media outlet to do a short interview about it. This would let it leave its mark on the livestreaming world and also serve as a notable achievement on Jiang Qiuqiuâs record.
Qian Xingxing arranged all of this methodically.
As the lead editor, Meimei logged off to start making arrangements as soon as her tasks were assigned.
Wanxing quickly received her tasks and left as well.
As they talked, soon only Jiang Qiuqiu and Qian Xingxing were left in the conference room.
"Stay seated, Qiuqiu. Thereâs something I need to talk to you about too."
"Whatâs wrong, Little President Qian?"
"Things havenât been going well for me lately." He didnât try to hide it; his first sentence got straight to the point. "Youâve probably noticed that Iâve been having some problems."
"Is it a family matter?"
"Yeah."
"Does it have to do with your new brother?"
For some reason, hearing the word "brother" come from the mouth of someone he knew was utterly nauseating. "He is not my brother."
That one sentence said it all.
Jiang Qiuqiu seemed to understand in an instant. The reason Qian Xingxingâs recent posts had been so formulaic, cold, and distant was because he hadnât been the one posting them.
"This is something I shouldnât be telling anyone, but I want to tell you."