“What’s wrong?” Lin Xiaoman felt something was off, retreating to sit obediently on the bed, “I was just kindly reminding you. If you don’t want to listen, forget it.”
“I understand.”
Ji Zhixian suppressed his inner excitement and left the room without changing expression.
He indeed had a blue suit, remembering clearly that he bought it because Tang Feifei said she liked seeing men in blue suits. He remembered being directly called out for having a “straight man’s aesthetic” and being mocked for a week.
If it was Lin Xiaoman, she shouldn’t know he had a blue suit. But he didn’t directly expose her because he had no evidence, and Lin Xiaoman would definitely find other reasons to deflect.
Moreover, she seemed to have grown suspicious, so the probing would have to pause for now.
Seeing Ji Zhixian calm down, Lin Xiaoman breathed a sigh of relief. After being discharged, she received news from the TV drama side that the male lead was also confirmed, and it was her old acquaintance, Huo Qizhi.
She had long known she would eventually meet Huo Qizhi, so when she heard this news, she remained very calm.
Now mentioning Huo Qizhi again, she could control her emotions. All her lingering feelings had disappeared during the car accident, and the only remaining hatred could now be controlled well. She was looking forward to seeing him – that man she once loved but now hated.
She will take back everything she gave him and make him regret betraying her!
A few days before joining the crew, she received a call from Qian Yuan, saying that several crew members were having a meal together and asking her to join.
She went to the mall to buy the white dress that Huo Qizhi liked the most, with her long hair cascading down, just the way Huo Qizhi preferred.
As she was about to leave, Ji Zhixian came out of the study and glanced at her: “What are you wearing?”
“Isn’t it nice?”
The dress was quite conservative.
Moreover, Lin Xiaoman was confident about the original owner’s appearance, believing she would look good even in a piece of cloth.
“It’s ugly, change it,” Ji Zhixian frowned slightly.
“Hmm…” Lin Xiaoman thought about Ji Zhixian’s bizarre aesthetic standards and became determined to wear this dress, “Since you say it’s ugly, then this is the one.”
She winked at Ji Zhixian, not waiting for any further comments, and left.
When she arrived at the scheduled hotel, she met Xue Chenyan in the elevator and learned that he was one of the investors of the TV series.
“Because I’m interested in the TV series and really like Director Qian’s first film, I wanted to invest,” Xue Chenyan smiled, making people’s mood brighten, “I didn’t expect you to be the female lead, what a coincidence.”
“I hope Director Xue will take care of me in the future.”
As they were talking, the elevator arrived. Exiting the elevator, Lin Xiaoman saw a man coming out of the opposite elevator, wearing a white shirt, with features like a painting, skin whiter than snow, possessing a beautiful appearance like pristine mountain snow. When their eyes met, one would be attracted by his warm and deep gaze.
Despite harboring hatred towards him, Lin Xiaoman had to admit that his beauty was particularly deceptive.
“Director Huo,” Xue Chenyan greeted and introduced him, “This is your new co-star, Lin Xiaoman.”
When Huo Qizhi saw Lin Xiaoman, he was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, smiling and extending his hand: “Hello, I’m Huo Qizhi.”
“Hello, I’m Lin Xiaoman,” Lin Xiaoman shook his hand, unabashedly looking at him, smiling gently and reservedly, “I’m your fan and have always loved your TV series.”
Huo Qizhi withdrew his hand, politely lowering his head for a brief eye contact, speaking softly: “Thank you for your support.”
He then turned the topic to Xue Chenyan: “Director Xue was going to invite someone to play golf, how about tomorrow?”
“Sure, otherwise you won’t have time to accompany me once you start filming,” Xue Chenyan looked at Lin Xiaoman, “Xiaoman, want to join?”
Lin Xiaoman glanced at Huo Qizhi, who seemed to be ignoring her, not even giving her a glance. She knew there would be plenty of opportunities later, so she wasn’t anxious, and smiled while shaking her head: “No, this is my first time filming a TV series, and I need to prepare in advance.”
At this moment, seeing that familiar side profile again, her heart was still beating violently, but without the previous joy.
“Professor Huo.”
Huo Qizhi came back to his senses, his blazing gaze turning cold. He extinguished his cigarette in the trash can: “I’m going in.”
Finishing his words, he passed by her without looking at her.
“Wait,” Lin Xiaoman called out to him, pulling out a sobering medicine from her bag, “You seem to have drunk too much. This will help you feel better.”
Huo Qizhi glanced at the medicine in her hand. He was not good at drinking, and every time after a social event, Tang Feifei would prepare this kind of sobering medicine for him.
He looked up, warily glancing at Lin Xiaoman, but the girl in front of him was just smiling innocently.
“Although it might be a bit bitter, it’s good for your body,” Lin Xiaoman took out a candy from her bag and handed it to him, “Eat this after drinking, and it won’t taste bitter.”
Huo Qizhi stared blankly at the items in his hand. It was a Swiss milk candy that he liked, and Tang Feifei would always have someone bring it back for him.
This was something only Tang Feifei knew.
His hand trembled slightly, and a hint of panic flashed across his usually gentle face. When he looked up again, the person in front of him had already left.
He looked at the items in his hand and threw them into the trash can.
Lin Xiaoman returned to the private room, where her face started to turn red.
The people around continued to encourage her to drink.
Xue Chenyan noticed she couldn’t handle it and tried to help her block the drinks: “She can’t drink anymore.”
“Why can’t she? Tang Feifei could drink an entire group under the table back then. She definitely can too!” Zhou said.
“That’s not reasonable,” Xue Chenyan grabbed Lin Xiaoman’s wine glass, “I’ll drink for her. Whoever wants to drink, I’ll drink with you.”
The men around started teasing: “Why don’t you two do a cross-drinking toast?”
“I’ll drink myself,” Lin Xiaoman took the glass from Xue Chenyan’s hand, about to drink, when the door to the private room was opened.
Ji Zhixian strode in, his face expressionless, but his deep gaze was as cold and penetrating as ice.
“I happened to be eating next door and didn’t expect to find my artist being forced to drink,” Ji Zhixian coldly swept his gaze across the room, “Mr. Li, Mr. Zhou, you know I least like this kind of thing at the dinner table.”
“We… we were just having fun, not forcing her to drink…” Mr. Li’s voice trembled slightly.
“Yes, we’re just getting together, having some fun and bonding,” Mr. Zhou chimed in.
“Continue your fun,” Ji Zhixian walked forward, took away Lin Xiaoman’s wine glass, and led her out, “My artist, I’m taking her away.”
The people in the room watched him brazenly take her away, looking at each other in confusion.
Huo Qizhi listened to the surrounding discussions, his hand gripping the wine glass tightly, and his usually gentle gaze turned angry.
“Aren’t you afraid of being seen?” Lin Xiaoman shook off Ji Zhixian’s hand, looking around. Fortunately, the place where they were eating was quiet, with no one nearby.
Ji Zhixian seemed unconcerned, staring directly at her: “If I hadn’t come, would you have let them drink you under the table?”
“Did you specially come for me?”
“No, I just happened to be here for a meal,” Ji Zhixian avoided her gaze, “Don’t flatter yourself.”
