If she hadn’t seen his temperamental performance on set, Lin Xiaoman would never have connected this considerate man with his previous behavior.
“Give me a chance to save face,” Qian Yuan was somewhat awkward, his entire face turning red.
“Okay,” Lin Xiaoman smiled slightly and handed over her luggage.
Lin Xiaoman had intended to be dropped off at the company entrance, but Qian Yuan insisted on being a fan sending her to the airport. Lin Xiaoman, tired from the day, didn’t want to argue and let him accompany her.
After hailing a car, Qian Yuan thoughtfully sat in the front seat, while Lin Xiaoman sat alone in the back. Qian Yuan was silent throughout the journey, and Lin Xiaoman quietly browsed her phone. She hadn’t been on Weibo for a while.
However, these comments were few, quickly dismissed as trolls or bought off with a meal. Although fans wanted to defend her, their fighting power was far weaker than the haters.
In this group, Lin Xiaoman discovered a familiar ID “Perfect Mushroom”, which seemed to always comment on her Weibo posts. This person’s fighting power was incredibly strong, able to single-handedly take on hundreds with ease.
“Hard work.” Lin Xiaoman quietly liked the comment that said “Xiao Man is also working hard.”
Then she posted a night scene photo and a selfie on Weibo —
“Having seen the people of City C after 1 AM, can I say I’m working hard? I will work even harder to live up to everyone’s love. Heart.”
After being silent for a day, her die-hard fans had already been defeated. Now with this Weibo post, she attracted many night owls.
— The little fairy is working so hard! Poor thing.
— Heart back, mom will love you even if you don’t work hard.
— Today’s beauty is still in business, so beautiful!!!
— Just like us office workers, suddenly feeling heartbroken.
— I’ll write a blood letter, please give me your Alipay, let me send you money!
— Alipay request +1
— Alipay request +2
…
The comment style was a bit off, but the overall direction was correct, without erupting into arguments.
Although some said working until 2 AM was normal and she was being dramatic, such comments were quickly torn down by her fans.
After handling Weibo, Lin Xiaoman returned to her fan group and left a message: “Everyone sleep early, good night.”
During the early stages of her program participation, she had few fans. She managed both the fan group and Weibo fan club by herself. Now as fan numbers gradually increased, with no company arrangements, she still managed everything alone. Whenever she had time, she would check in and maintain her presence. But she wasn’t sure how to manage it properly.
She’d need to hire someone to manage these matters.
Lin Xiaoman rubbed her brow. If she could manage her fans well, they wouldn’t be so scattered during Weibo arguments. Many people wanted to speak up for her, but the haters came prepared, controlling the narrative. Her fans’ cohesion was low, quickly dispersed, leaving only negative comments.
She’d need to mention this to Xiao Bai.
Lin Xiaoman followed the flight attendant to the first-class cabin. Inside, only Ji Zhixian was present. He sat quietly by the window, flipping through his iPad.
She averted her gaze, remembering that Ji Zhixian had asked her to play the role of Tang Feifei, not his kept woman, Lin Xiaoman.
Tang Feifei would definitely want to stay as far away from him as possible, so Lin Xiaoman sat down at a distance from Ji Zhixian.
“Mr. Ji,” the flight attendant still stood in place, her small face flushed, her eyes excited, “If you need anything, you can call me anytime—”
“No need, thank you,” Ji Zhixian’s voice was polite but distant.
The flight attendant was momentarily stunned, and seeing his demeanor suggested he didn’t want to be disturbed, she quietly withdrew.
The cabin fell silent again. Ji Zhixian looked at his tablet, while Lin Xiaoman, exhausted, lay back in her seat. Although her eyes were closed, she could still feel Ji Zhixian’s gaze.
“What do you want to say?”
Lin Xiaoman suddenly opened her eyes, meeting Ji Zhixian’s cold gaze.
She smiled at the corner of her mouth: “Being this silent is not your style.”
“This impolite demeanor is not Tang Feifei’s style either,” Ji Zhixian retorted.
“Oh, I…” Lin Xiaoman paused, “What is my cousin’s style?”
“You’ve watched all her interviews,” Ji Zhixian frowned, “You should know her style very well.”
Of course she knew.
“Then there’s no problem,” Lin Xiaoman looked at him, her eyes full of provocation, “I’m playing my cousin now.”
“No!
“Ji Zhixian looked at her coldly, ‘She is definitely not like this.’
‘Then how is she?’
‘Definitely not arrogant and impolite,’ Ji Zhixian said in a low voice.
In his impression, Tang Feifei was gentle and polite to everyone; she was always very friendly.
Absolutely not as rude as Lin Xiaoman.
‘From what I know, my cousin is like this.’
Lin Xiaoman’s voice was crisp and sweet, but Ji Zhixian found it uncomfortable.
He had not held a grudge about Lin Xiaoman deliberately lowering her cap to avoid seeing him, but her claiming Tang Feifei was like this was something he could not tolerate.
‘How she is, is not for you to determine.’
In Lin Xiaoman’s impression, Ji Zhixian was a very restrained person who would remain composed even when angry. She could immediately sense this because she had spent a long time with him.
She rarely saw Ji Zhixian express his emotions so openly.
And all for such a trivial matter.
Lin Xiaoman understood and, having promised to play Tang Feifei well, she couldn’t back down.
‘Since I’m the one playing her, I have the most say,’ she argued.
‘Someone who doesn’t understand the role they’re playing has no right to speak.’
‘I don’t understand?'”
“Lin Xiaoman laughed, her bright eyes sweeping over Ji Zhixian with a hint of disdain, “No one knows Tang Feifei better than me, and no one is more like her.”
“How naive!” Ji Zhixian’s handsome face was cold as frost, “Right now, you only look similar to her. Beyond that, there’s nothing comparable.”
Lin Xiaoman inwardly scorned but knew continuing to argue was pointless. She lay back in her seat: “Fine, fine, you’re right. I’m tired and want to rest.”
Ji Zhixian was left speechless, still feeling angry. He stared intently at the girl who had laid down, but she didn’t open her eyes again, instead appearing to have fallen asleep.
The cabin was extremely quiet.
Ji Zhixian suddenly noticed that Lin Xiaoman’s beautiful face, already six parts similar to Tang Feifei, now looked even more adorable and gentle without the previous arrogance.
The coldness at the corner of his eyes softened slightly.
Suddenly, his gaze fell on a bruise on Lin Xiaoman’s arm.
He frowned, feeling a sharp pain as if his heart was being grabbed.
Realizing this strange emotion, he turned away, deciding to ignore it. But even as he tried to focus on his report, the numbers became meaningless.
He was concerned about Lin Xiaoman’s injury.
Putting down his tablet, he turned back. The girl’s sleeping face was serene, her skin like white porcelain, seemingly glowing.
As if possessed, he stood up and walked to Lin Xiaoman’s side.
Only now did he see that her right arm was truly injured, a blue-purple bruise that was painful to look at.
He stood there for a long time, his gaze moving to Lin Xiaoman’s face. Finally, his gaze landed on her tender, red lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and inexplicably, he slowly leaned down.
Just as he was getting close to Lin Xiaoman’s face, Ji Zhixian suddenly became clear-headed.
What was he doing?
Ji Zhixian was about to get up and leave.
Suddenly, the plane shook, and he tilted downward, his lips touching Lin Xiaoman’s lips.
He was momentarily stunned, meeting the girl’s bright eyes.
