Xu Zifan investigated the problems with Pan's father's company and found them remarkably easy to resolve. Pan's father appeared generous on the surface but was actually stingy, valuing his own earnings highly and refusing to pay even a penny in child support for his own son. His tax evasion was also extremely blatant. This saved Xu Zifan a lot of trouble. He directly collected the relevant materials and sent them to the tax bureau, while simultaneously sending a mass email to all employees of Pan's father's company, informing them that the company was going bankrupt and they could consider switching jobs.
The next day, everyone in Pan's father's company was talking about it, but no one took it seriously, assuming the email was just a prank. Pan's father ordered the technical department to find the cause, but in a place like Beijing, a company with only a hundred employees is a small company, and it's quite normal for it to be hacked occasionally. As long as it doesn't cause any real damage, it's usually left unresolved, and this time was no exception; even Pan's father didn't take it to heart.
Before the day was even over, tax officials came knocking. Mr. Pan was utterly humiliated. Before being summoned for questioning, he urgently notified Mrs. Pan, urging her to quickly find connections and see if she could smooth things over. Meanwhile, the company employees were getting restless. Someone recalled the email and wondered, "Is someone targeting the company? Is it true that our company is evading taxes?"
"A friend of my relative works in the accounting department, it seems to be true. So, did General Manager Pan get involved this time?"
"I wonder how much the fine will be, and whether I'll go to jail?"
"Can the company continue operating?"
"Continuing to operate like this doesn't have a good future. It's better to switch to another company. Beijing is so big, you're not afraid of not finding another job."
Some people said they were leaving, while others kept their plans to themselves, but they all unanimously organized their resumes, started looking for suitable companies, and prepared to change jobs.
At this moment, Xu Zifan had just finished filming and was preparing to go to the airport to pick up his mother. Ma Hui asked, "Brother Fan, should we call a car?"
Xu Zifan put on his coat and saw that Bai Xingchen had also finished work. He immediately had an idea, "Wait a minute, I'll go ask something first."
"Oh, then Brother Fan, hurry up, it's hard to get a car right now."
Once Bai Xingchen was alone, Xu Zifan went to her lounge and asked, "Professor Bai, are you free later?"
Bai Xingchen slung her bag over her shoulder and said with a smile, "Sure, want to have dinner together?"
Xu Zifan leaned against the door, smiling at her. "My mom's flight is arriving today, almost here. You know I don't have a car, could you please give me a ride to pick her up? We can have dinner together afterwards, how about that?"
Bai Xingchen's eyes widened in surprise, her expression one of utter disbelief for the first time. She asked incredulously, "Pick up your mother at the airport? Is it appropriate for me to go?"
"What's inappropriate? My mom has always been very grateful for your help and often tells me to thank you. I think she would be very happy to see you." Xu Zifan observed Bai Xingchen's expression and spoke casually.
Bai Xingchen was certain that Xu Zifan knew she had feelings for him. Their interactions these past few days had been a test of whether they could take things further. But what was with this sudden talk of meeting his parents? They were still just friends, and hadn't even confessed their feelings yet. Was meeting his parents really a good idea? But then she looked at Xu Zifan, and his casual attitude made her seem like she was overthinking things. It wasn't like they were officially meeting each other's parents; it was just picking up a friend from the airport and having a meal together. What was the big deal?
Bai Xingchen turned to the mirror, straightened her hair, and said with a smile, "Okay, what time is your flight? Shall we leave now?"
"Let's go now." Xu Zifan smiled. He liked Bai Xingchen's outgoing personality, and mentioning his mother was also a way of giving Bai Xingchen a heads-up. He had said he was someone who wanted to date and get married; if you just wanted to play around, don't bother him. He didn't have time for dating games; if he was going to date, it would be serious. Only with that premise would he consider whether to develop a relationship. In the adult world, this was an unspoken understanding.
Their assistants and bodyguards naturally went home again, and this continued for three days in a row. They all felt that the atmosphere between the two was strangely ambiguous. However, both bosses were men of their word, so they didn't need to worry about it; they could just go home and consider it a holiday.
Xu Zifan and Bai Xingchen disguised themselves and successfully picked up Xu's mother. As soon as Xu Zifan went up to her, his mother pulled him aside and looked him over carefully. Her first words were, "You were just fine being chubby like you were in episode eight. Why did you have to lose so much weight? Being a little chubby brings good fortune."
Xu Zifan felt that he couldn't get over the "chubby and fair-skinned" joke, and said with a laugh: "Children are cute when they are chubby and fair-skinned. I'm an adult, so it's better for me to be strong. I work out regularly, which is healthier than being chubby."
"Oh, okay, as long as you're healthy. Why are you buying plane tickets? I've already bought train tickets, isn't that a waste!"
"You must have bought a seat ticket. It's been over ten hours. It's much more convenient to fly. It only takes two hours." Xu Zifan led his mother to Bai Xingchen and introduced her, "Mom, this is Professor Bai Xingchen. We're making a movie together. Professor Bai heard you were coming, so he specially drove me here to pick you up. Professor Bai, this is my mother, Xu Yuqin."
Bai Xingchen bowed slightly and greeted Xu Yuqin with a smile, "Hello, Auntie, nice to meet you, I am Bai Xingchen."
Xu Yuqin was startled and looked at Xu Zifan helplessly, nervously saying, "Um, hello Professor Bai, I... I didn't expect to meet you, and I didn't prepare a gift for you, this... this..."
Bai Xingchen smiled and said, "Auntie, please don't be so polite. Zifan and I are very close. He's the younger one, so you can just call me Xingchen."
To ease her tension, Bai Xingchen took the initiative to pick up one of her bags and said with a smile, "Auntie, it's almost lunchtime, let's go eat."
"Eating? Okay, I'll carry this. Give it to me, it's heavy."
Xu Yuqin nodded and hurriedly grabbed her luggage bag.
Xu Zifan took the bag from Bai Xingchen's hand and picked up the two large bags on the ground, reassuring her, "Mom, let me do it. You must be exhausted from packing these past two days. Go back and rest early after dinner. I was just thinking of moving, so it's good that you're here to help me see what kind of house we can move to that would be more comfortable."
Xu Yuqin's attention was immediately diverted. "Why change houses? As long as you have a place to live, that's fine. You don't earn money easily, so be frugal."
Bai Xingchen said, "Auntie, Zifan is a celebrity now. There are many paparazzi following him, and he also runs into fans. He really needs to live in a community with good security, which is safer."
Xu Yuqin said worriedly, "Oh, is that so? If it's not safe, then we'll have to move. Houses here are very expensive, where can we move to? I don't even know which neighborhood is safe."
"It's alright, Auntie. I have a friend in real estate who I can recommend to you."
"Really? That's great, thank you so much."
"Auntie, please don't be so polite."
Bai Xingchen was good at responding and finding topics to talk about, and in a short while, she diffused the awkwardness of her first meeting with Xu Yuqin. The two chatted quite congenially, while Xu Zifan, carrying his bag, followed quietly to the side. During the meal, Xu Zifan ordered dishes that his mother and Bai Xingchen liked based on his memory. To his surprise, Bai Xingchen ordered two dishes that were actually his favorites.
Xu Yuqin loves spicy food, so the three of them ate Hunan cuisine, which was absolutely delicious. The spiciness was delightful, and they chatted happily without a single awkward silence. After returning home, Xu Yuqin told Xu Zifan, "That Professor Bai has such a great personality; she doesn't look anything like her."
Xu Zifan chuckled and said, "What can you tell from someone's appearance?"
"Well, I had a feeling she was a pretty capable person, or someone who was quite temperamental. But after getting to know her, I found her to be quite nice. She's generous, polite, caring, and knowledgeable. Oh my, and she's so beautiful. I've never seen such a pretty girl before."
Xu Zifan listened to her enthusiastic praise of Bai Xingchen and felt that the meeting had been quite successful; at least everyone had a good impression. He rented a 40-square-meter one-bedroom apartment. Although small, it was fully equipped with everything he needed. Xu Zifan gave his bedroom to his mother, intending to sleep on the sofa in the living room. Initially, Xu Yuqin strongly disagreed, saying that Xu Zifan was tall and large, and he wouldn't be able to stretch his legs on the sofa, while she was only 1.63 meters tall, which was perfect for her. Of course, Xu Zifan couldn't give in, so in the end, he made a makeshift bed on the living room floor, laying out two blankets, and only then did Xu Yuqin feel at ease to rest.
Xu Zifan had many engagements and was very busy with work. Xu Yuqin regretted not coming sooner after just one day; the work was truly exhausting. However, seeing that Xu Zifan seemed happy at work, she didn't say anything. Instead, she went to the market every morning to buy fresh vegetables and cooked three meals a day for him. If Xu Zifan didn't come home for dinner, she would prepare the food, pack it in an insulated lunchbox for him, and at least Xu Zifan could eat well every day.
After learning that Xu Zifan was also filming a movie with Bai Xingchen, Xu Yuqin made an extra meal for Bai Xingchen. She felt that since they were friends, and Bai Xingchen had even gone out of his way to pick her up that day, it wouldn't be right for Bai Xingchen to see that she had only brought food for Xu Zifan. Making an extra meal was also a way of thanking Bai Xingchen for taking care of her son.
After Xu Zifan arrived at the film set, he brought Bai Xingchen's lunchbox to her dressing room. Bai Xingchen asked in surprise, "You even have one for me?"
Xu Zifan opened the lunchbox and showed it to her. Inside was a meat dish, a vegetable dish, rice, and a bowl of chicken soup. He smiled and said, "My mom said she didn't know what you liked to eat, so I hope you won't mind."
"How could I not like it? Let me try it." Bai Xingchen immediately took out her chopsticks, picked up some food, and ate it. Then she drank all the chicken soup. "Auntie's cooking is so delicious. I haven't had this kind of home-cooked food in years. It tastes just like home cooking. I have to thank Auntie in person."
Bai Xingchen asked Xu Zifan for Xu Yuqin's phone number and immediately called to express her gratitude. The two talked for a while before hanging up. Bai Xingchen said to Xu Zifan, "Auntie is very easy to get along with. She really dotes on you, but you are also very filial. She didn't spoil you for nothing."
Xu Zifan put down his lunchbox. "I don't have a private rest room yet. Can I leave this here for now? I'll come find you for lunch."
"Okay, let's put it here."
Bai Xingchen was in exceptionally good form during filming that day, and Director Shao praised her several times. Xu Zifan's scenes were also completed in one take, making the filming process very smooth. There had been ongoing debate about whether Xu Zifan's acting was genuinely good or not, with some even questioning Director Shao's casting choices. When Xu Zifan finished filming, Director Shao, in a moment of joy, posted a Weibo message praising Xu Zifan as the best newcomer he had ever seen, immediately generating a surge of attention for Xu Zifan.