Lin Xiaoman sat in the passenger seat, waiting for Ji Zhixian to return. She glanced at his face, which seemed even colder than usual.
Just as she was about to speak, she found her foot uncomfortable and tried to adjust her position. However, the front seat was too small, and she couldn’t stretch her foot.
Ji Zhixian suddenly turned and leaned towards her.
Lin Xiaoman, caught off guard, sat there stunned.
Ji Zhixian was almost completely over her, so close she could smell his crisp, pleasant scent, so close she could see his reed-like long eyelashes and her own reflection in his eyes.
Lin Xiaoman frowned, about to speak, but Ji Zhixian suddenly reached behind her seat and adjusted something. She felt the seat lean back, creating more leg room, no longer as cramped as before.
“Thank you.”
Ji Zhixian sat back, started the car, and along with the engine’s sound came his indifferent voice: “Why didn’t you use spray?”
Lin Xiaoman was stunned for a moment, then realized he had just spoken and replied: “It would affect the performance effect, and I can bear it.”
Ji Zhixian lightly furrowed his brow, thinking of the girl’s pale face on the livestream still forcing a smile, and silently accelerated the car.
Lin Xiaoman sensed his emotional fluctuation and continued to explain: “A qualified idol, no matter what happens, must present a perfect performance to the audience the moment they step on stage.”
He had heard her say something similar in an interview: “A qualified actor, no matter what happens, must present a perfect performance to the camera the moment they stand in front of it.”
It was too similar.
“Who are you?”
★ Chapter Fifteen: Gift
Lin Xiaoman had only taken a few steps when she couldn’t help but gasp. The previous dancing had worsened her foot injury, and now with each step, she would break out in a cold sweat.
However, to prevent Ji Zhixian from noticing anything unusual, she tried to maintain a normal expression.
Ji Zhixian could see she was suppressing her pain. He was used to women appearing weak in front of him, but rarely saw someone who was sweating from pain yet remained silent.
Ji Zhixian thought this and felt he shouldn’t pay too much attention, so he walked two steps ahead of Lin Xiaoman.
Lin Xiaoman sighed in relief, finally allowing herself to furrow her brow. Before she could relax, Ji Zhixian suddenly turned around.
In the clear moonlight, he saw Lin Xiaoman’s pain that she hadn’t managed to hide, and then saw her quickly regain her composure, appearing as if nothing had happened.
He was silent for a moment, then walked towards Lin Xiaoman.
Lin Xiaoman didn’t know what he intended, but when he reached out to her, she immediately reacted and stepped back: “I can walk by myself.”
Ji Zhixian looked at her deeply and bent down to pick her up.
Lin Xiaoman felt her ankle relax and leaned into Ji Zhixian’s arms. Tilting her head to look at his handsome face up close, she suddenly realized he wasn’t as dislikable as before.
Although arrogant and proud, at least he wouldn’t use emotions as a weapon to hurt people, and he wouldn’t pretend—if he didn’t like something, he simply didn’t like it.
The way he was holding her while maintaining distance, his face showing undisguised disgust.
Lin Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh.
It seemed Ji Zhixian really didn’t like women.
He originally wanted to throw away this useless pearl earring, but for some inexplicable reason, he kept it, thinking that if he had the chance to give it to her in the future, she would be happy.
But in the end, he never managed to give it away.
“Acting is just so-so? I…”
Lin Xiaoman’s voice trailed off, her annoyance apparent. Ji Zhixian continued to smirk, clearly enjoying the conversation.
She quickly regained her composure, trying to deflect his criticism. “Well, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, right? Just because I don’t match whatever standards you have for Tang Feifei doesn’t mean I’m not good in my own way.”
Ji Zhixian shrugged, unconvinced. “I suppose. But you have to admit, she’s a benchmark – a model that you can hardly compare to.”
“Well, I didn’t ask to be compared to her,” Lin Xiaoman shot back. “Maybe I don’t want to be a benchmark; maybe I want to create my own path.”
Ji Zhixian paused, intrigued by her response. “Creating your own path is one thing, but if you want to play in the big leagues, you need to step up your game.”
Lin Xiaoman nodded slowly, deep in thought. She appreciated the challenge but silently vowed to not let his negativity deter her.
“Challenge accepted,” she finally said with a grin. “Now, let’s see what I can do.”
“Lin Xiaoman got excited and almost let something slip, quickly adding, “If my cousin’s acting is just so-so, then no one can act.”
“They don’t understand acting,” Ji Zhixian’s tone was as arrogant as always.
“So you’re actually praising her?” Lin Xiaoman laughed.
“Who’s praising her?” Ji Zhixian’s face showed a hint of awkwardness. “Her acting is just barely watchable.”
“Oh…” Lin Xiaoman’s expression became meaningful. She had never known that Ji Zhixian was actually a tsundere, and even a bit cute.
“Your acting is completely unwatchable, nothing like Tang Feifei’s,” Ji Zhixian’s expression turned cold. “You say you’ve watched all of Tang Feifei’s interviews, but do you really know her?”
Lin Xiaoman: “???”
“I don’t know her as well as you do,” Lin Xiaoman decided to go along with his words, wanting to hear how he would evaluate her. “What kind of person is my cousin really?”
“That’s your homework to do.”
Ji Zhixian wasn’t falling for it, but Lin Xiaoman was patient and continued to ask, “Interviews only show her on-camera side, not her deeper self. You’ve collaborated with my cousin many times, so you must know her well. Why don’t you tell me about her?”
Ji Zhixian looked at her coldly and said nothing.
“If I’m going to follow the ‘Little Feifei’ persona, I must fully understand her to play the role properly,” Lin Xiaoman said. “Unfortunately, I only know how to imitate her words.”
Someone who knows her would immediately see through me. If I embarrass myself—”
“First,” Ji Zhixian interrupted her, “she would never argue with anyone or hit anyone.”
Lin Xiaoman thought he had forgotten about the times they had argued for days while recording a song together.
“Second, she doesn’t believe in an eye for an eye. No matter how others treat her, she won’t hold a grudge.”
Lin Xiaoman thought he had forgotten about the time she got revenge during a kissing scene by secretly eating the cilantro he hated most.
“Third, she always wants to help the people around her, which is why everyone likes her.”
It seemed that death could indeed make one forget the unpleasant moments with the deceased.
After listing three points, Ji Zhixian noticed Lin Xiaoman was looking at him strangely. Her youthful face and clear eyes somehow carried a compassionate look that didn’t match her age.
“First, fix your temper,” Ji Zhixian looked directly at her. “Then practice according to Tang Feifei’s film and television works. I’ll check your progress.”
“Didn’t you say I’m not allowed to imitate my cousin in front of you?” Lin Xiaoman remembered he had said this just a few hours ago.
Based on her understanding of Ji Zhixian, he was never someone who changed his mind so easily.
“Do not question my decision,” Ji Zhixian looked down at her, his tone as arrogant as always. “From now on, in front of me, you must always imitate Tang Feifei’s manner.”
“And, you’re not allowed to enter my study or music room. Understood?”
“I have absolutely no interest in your study or music room. You can rest assured,” Lin Xiaoman raised her head, her gaze becoming sharp.
Ji Zhixian was stunned but quickly recovered: “Good, that’s exactly right.”
