Ji Zhixian quickly stood up, his usually calm demeanor now showing a hint of panic.
“Mr. Ji,” Lin Xiaoman smiled slightly, calm and composed, “In this situation, could you tell me how my sister would react?”
She was certain Ji Zhixian was gay and believed this was just an accident.
But she enjoyed seeing Ji Zhixian flustered, unlike his usual self, now looking awkward and uneasy. It was rare to see Ji Zhixian anything other than rational and calm.
So, she felt a mischievous impulse.
“How would my sister react when being kissed without consent?”
“This was an accident,” Ji Zhixian averted his gaze, speaking coldly.
“What kind of accident makes you kiss me from across the aisle?” Lin Xiaoman teased.
“Nonsense,” Ji Zhixian didn’t want to continue this conversation and refused to answer.
“I know, it’s my fault,” Lin Xiaoman continued to provoke him, “I’m too beautiful, lying here defenseless. Any normal man would lose control. So just admit it, I won’t blame you.”
She thought Ji Zhixian would definitely refute her, but his expression turned ugly, and he remained silent.
“Besides, given our relationship, isn’t this kind of thing natural?” she felt in good spirits.
Ji Zhixian’s expression grew even more unpleasant. He said in a low voice, “Please show some self-respect!”
“Oh, I remember now, my sister definitely wouldn’t say that,” Lin Xiaoman gave a playful smile, “Look at my memory, I’ll reflect on this.”
Her words contained absolutely no hint of reflection.
Ji Zhixian had calmed down, realizing again that the aggressive young woman in front of him was not Tang Feifei.
He should not be deceived by her appearance.
“No matter how you reflect, you’ll never be like Tang Feifei,” he said coldly.
Lin Xiaoman: “…”
“Are you sure we’re not exactly alike?”
“Not similar at all,” Ji Zhixian’s icy gaze swept over her. “You still have much to learn.”
“I’m all ears,” Lin Xiaoman perked up, wanting to hear what good words he might say about her.
Lin Xiaoman was slightly stunned, looking back without fear, and said with a smile: “Are you concerned about me?”
Before Ji Zhixian could speak, she continued: “I am Tang Feifei now. Why would Tang Feifei tell her archenemy why she was injured?”
Indeed, even when severely injured, Tang Feifei would never show weakness in front of him. That year during filming, after Tang Feifei was discharged from the hospital, he originally wanted her to rest more, but what came out was “Don’t let this slow down the work progress.”
When they were doing a scene with wire work, Tang Feifei’s injured area was tightly bound, but she didn’t furrow her brow even once.
Ji Zhixian knew this.
Ji Zhixian let go of his hand, stepped back two steps, his voice cold: “I understand.”
His indifferent expression carried an inexplicable sense of distance, his gaze restrained, seemingly a bit melancholic.
Lin Xiaoman suddenly realized her words were too harsh.
After getting along these past days, she also knew that Ji Zhixian was not as aloof as she initially thought, just a bit tsundere.
“I’m sorry,” Lin Xiaoman said softly, “I was being emotional.”
When Ji Zhixian mentioned her injury, she thought of Huo Qizhi.
Back then, after being injured on set, she would have Huo Qizhi pick her up and drop her off every day, have him personally prepare three meals, and even carry her carefully downstairs… Huo Qizhi was too good to her.
But now, after being injured, she would get up and continue.
She couldn’t be fragile; she still needed revenge.
“I’m different from Tang Feifei,” she looked at Ji Zhixian and said slowly, “I don’t have the right to act coquettishly. Except for this matter, I’ll listen to you, okay?
The young girl tilted her head slightly, her face like the moon, her eyes like stars, her gaze like autumn water, breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreaking.
This was an expression she had never had before.
Ji Zhixian’s heart softened, and suddenly he had no more anger.
“Xiao Man, you’re in such high spirits!”
After taking a morning flight and being busy all day, she still looked full of energy. Wei Qinghuan was somewhat suspicious: “Let me find your power button.”
She began to pat around on Lin Xiaoman’s body.
“Stop it.” Lin Xiaoman, who was most afraid of being tickled, dodged and stood up laughing, “We can rest tomorrow, right?”
Today was the last day of the signing event, with three days until the next one. If their original agency had no other arrangements, they could rest for a few days.
“Don’t even mention it—” Wei Qinghuan sat in Lin Xiaoman’s chair, looking frustrated, “I have to shoot an MV in these three days. They’re treating me like a donkey!”
All agencies were the same, using resources to their fullest without caring about the artist’s hardship.
Lin Xiaoman sympathetically patted her head: “At least it’s an MV, not a special advertisement.”
“I’d rather shoot alone,” Wei Qinghuan discouraged, falling into Lin Xiaoman’s arms. “Bless someone about to go to war.”
“What’s wrong? Issues with the co-star?” Lin Xiaoman patted her back soothingly, “What happened?”
“Do you know Ji Yuan?
Lin Xiaoman had seen this name on Weibo before, seemingly a somewhat famous model: “I’ve heard of him.”
“Do you know he has a nickname called ‘Rumor Boyfriend’?”
Lin Xiaoman recalled seeing trending topics about Ji Yuan, which always involved other female celebrities.
“Any female celebrity in the same production with him will always have rumors,” Lin Xiaoman realized.
“Exactly.” Wei Qinghuan sat up seriously, “My first rumor cannot be ruined by such a scumbag.”
“You shouldn’t have any rumors at all,” Lin Xiaoman tapped Wei Qinghuan’s forehead.
“But if it were Ji Zhixian…” Wei Qinghuan laughed, her eyes sparkling beautifully.
“You like him?” Lin Xiaoman was surprised.
Although Ji Zhixian was handsome, talented, and rich, he didn’t seem to have many other advantages.
“Why?” Lin Xiaoman couldn’t understand.
“The fact you’re asking this is what surprises me!” Wei Qinghuan was shocked, “He’s a once-in-a-century top-tier talent in the entertainment industry.”
Lin Xiaoman pondered, and indeed couldn’t think of anyone better.
Over the years, she’d habitually disliked Ji Zhixian, but objectively, he was indeed an excellent person.
Unfortunately, he was gay.
“You might be disappointed,” Lin Xiaoman tried to comfort her, “But it’s okay, you can consider someone else.”
“I know it’s impossible,” Wei Qinghuan was casual yet determined, “But people always need dreams.”
“What an unexpected dream…”
“Thanks for the compliment,” Wei Qinghuan suddenly threw herself onto Lin Xiaoman, muffling, “Dreams are beautiful, but reality is cruel.”
“Think about me, shooting ads and catching midnight flights, and you won’t be so discouraged.”
“Let’s blow up each other’s companies,” Wei Qinghuan raised her head, saying something extremely dangerous.
“And then debut in prison together?”
“No competitors, how great!”
“No funding either.”
“Xiaoman, you can’t be so realistic. How can dreams be measured by money?”
“Go shoot your MV for your dream.”
“You heartless woman.” Wei Qinghuan hugged Lin Xiaoman, “I’ll drag you to hell with me!”
Lin Xiaoman smiled slightly: “Sorry, I have no schedule tomorrow.”
She deliberately swung her bag’s logo in front of Lin Xiaoman: “How are these bags always so heavy?”
This bag was indeed heavy. Lin Xiaoman knew this. She had one in her previous life too, though it was as heavy as a water bucket, but still looked good.
Stay calm, stay calm, don’t get provoked.
Chu Daizi took a deep breath and tried again: “A few days ago, I went to an international fashion show abroad, designed by top international designers. You’ve never seen one, right?
Today you’re lucky to get a glimpse of a master’s work.”
