Chapter 32
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned again.
Fu Xiaoxuan took a while to react, then sneered, "You think someone else is instigating me?"
"It's not impossible to rule out, after all, there are too many coincidences," Ji Fengxue said.
Xia Linxia blinked, as if enlightened, and suddenly remembered, "That's right, why were you at the scene? Logically speaking, you already had a stain on your reputation, so the program team wouldn't have invited you! Also, how did you manage to tamper with things backstage without anyone noticing?"
"And that female staff member, how could you be so sure that just by saying 'get clothes,' she would go and get them for you? And how did it happen that she used clothes to cover your shoes and avoid the surveillance?" Ji Fengxue added.
Fu Xiaoxuan was momentarily stunned by the questions. After a long pause, she sneered, "Ji Fengxue, who are you suspecting? Are you suspecting Yuran?"
"I'm not," Ji Fengxue frowned slightly. "She wouldn't do these things."
"It's good that you know. One person does things, one person takes responsibility. I myself dislike Xia Linxia. It was also me who kept telling Yuran bad things about Xia Linxia, and she kept advising me not to be prejudiced," Fu Xiaoxuan said with a mocking smile, looking at Xia Linxia. "Yuran never intended to be your enemy. You're the one who's been targeting her, never giving her face in front of the audience and others."
Xia Linxia was so angry that smoke seemed to be coming from her head.
"And you, Ji Fengxue, you keep saying you love Yuran, but then you get together with Xia Linxia, who is against her. Don't you think that's too much? Even as a friend, have you considered her feelings?" Fu Xiaoxuan said sternly. "Even if you switched to anyone else, they would be better than Xia Linxia! And who's to say you won't become the second Qiu Xingzhou?"
"She won't be Qiu Xingzhou," Xia Linxia couldn't listen anymore. She braced herself on the table, leaned over the table, and looked into Fu Xiaoxuan's eyes, saying word for word, "Stop dreaming. Qiu Xingzhou will never like you. Also, why should Ji Fengxue be strung along by Xiao Yuran for so many years, and not be allowed to be with anyone else? You all know how much she's given, and you've also benefited from her, haven't you? I think there's something wrong with your brain. Believe it or not, I'll beat your head crooked!"
Jiang Yuan gave her a warning glance.
She angrily kicked her chair, making a loud noise, then turned and left the room. Ji Fengxue sighed, picked up her forgotten bag and phone, and chased after her. When she reached the door, she suddenly turned back and asked, "Fu Xiaoxuan, were those your own thoughts just now, or Yuran's?"
Fu Xiaoxuan said, "My own. I'm purely standing up for Xiao Yuran."
"To be blunt, you're meddling too much. Take care of yourself first," Ji Fengxue said, then looked at Jiang Yuan. "General Manager Jiang, I suspect Fu Xiaoxuan has psychological issues. It would be best for her to seek medical treatment and not stay with the company. She might cause trouble."
Fu Xiaoxuan's face turned from green to red.
"I have my own plans. You go find Linxia," Jiang Yuan said.
When only the two of them were left in the room, Jiang Yuan rubbed her temples. Fu Xiaoxuan's punishment was inevitable, but it seemed that keeping her in the company would inevitably lead to more disputes with Xia Linxia, and it might indeed escalate into bigger problems as Ji Fengxue suggested.
"Fu Xiaoxuan, let's terminate the contract."
"No, General Manager Jiang, I beg you," Fu Xiaoxuan looked at her in panic. "I was wrong, General Manager Jiang. Please give me another chance."
Ever since the group disbanded, she had gradually lost her popularity. Her scandal with Zhao Dayu had not yet subsided, and she was completely tainted. If she left the company now, she would never find a company with better prospects than Chenxing. It would be ruined!
"It's useless," Jiang Yuan said as she tidied her things. "I know you're clever, but you've kicked a steel plate. Do you know that our company cooperates with a major client every year? He... he is the most protective of Linxia. I advise you to give up any other ideas, otherwise, if her family gets truly angry, you'll be completely ruined."
Fu Xiaoxuan slumped onto the chair, her eyes vacant. Finally, she couldn't hold back and burst into tears.
"Linda, get me a contract termination agreement and have the public relations department prepare a termination statement," Jiang Yuan instructed her secretary as she left. However, she was still worried about another matter. What had she just heard?!
Xia Linxia and Qiu Xingzhou? Ji Fengxue and Xiao Yuran?
What a mess! Why didn't anyone tell her about these entanglements! If she had known all this, she wouldn't have chosen to pair Xia Linxia and Ji Fengxue as a CP. None of the parties involved were simple people. If anything went wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Moreover, how should she explain this to her old classmate?
Thinking of this, she quickly called Xia Yangxuan and arranged a meal. She needed to get closer to him during this time, so as not to end up too badly.
Downstairs at the company, Ji Fengxue hurried down and ran into Xia Linxia, who had returned, in the lobby. She handed her bag and phone to her. "Why are you rushing around like this? You forgot your things?"
Xia Linxia took them impatiently, took out her car keys, and then walked outside. "Didn't you get angry listening to her nonsense?"
Ji Fengxue motioned for her to speak quietly. After getting into the car, she said, "It's okay. I don't care what attitude or thoughts she has. In the end, she has nothing to do with me."
"Your state of mind is truly high," Xia Linxia said perfunctorily. "That's because you haven't spent a long time with her. She badmouths me behind my back every day, and then cries pitifully in front of the camera. She's so shameless."
Ji Fengxue remained noncommittal. After all, everyone had their own version of events, but she instinctively tended to believe Xia Linxia's side.
"I can understand you disliking Fu Xiaoxuan, but why do you dislike Yuran?" she asked curiously.
She remembered that not long after she met Xiao Yuran, they were having dinner together. Xiao Yuran was constantly searching online for birthday cakes, saying that Xia Linxia from their group was having a birthday, and she wanted to choose a good cake for her.
She asked Xiao Yuran, "Aren't people saying your relationship isn't good?"
Xiao Yuran smiled and said that Xia Linxia just hadn't grown up yet, and she was taking this opportunity to handle their relationship well.
After the meal, she couldn't find a suitable cake. Seeing Xiao Yuran sighing, she invited her to her home and made a cake herself.
The two of them were busy in the kitchen for a long time. Xiao Yuran suddenly felt playful and smeared the remaining flour on Ji Fengxue's face. They started playing around.
In the end, Xiao Yuran smeared the cake on Ji Fengxue's face, and they couldn't deliver it. They ended up eating it all on the sofa.
It was a heart-stirring afternoon.
"Actually, Yuran has always wanted to be good friends with you. You should listen to her more..."
Before she could finish, Xia Linxia let out a scoff. "What? Do you think your white moonlight is so great that everyone should like her?"
Ji Fengxue was sharply rebuffed, her mood complicated. She said in a deep voice, "I'm reasoning with you. You can communicate properly."
Xia Linxia suddenly slammed on the brakes by the roadside, her tone icy. "Get out."
Ji Fengxue unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and closed the door, standing there watching her.
Seeing that she had actually gotten out of the car, Xia Linxia became even more furious. She slammed the steering wheel. "Go find your white moonlight, you bitch. Sooner or later, you'll cry!"
The black car sped away, quickly disappearing from sight.
Ji Fengxue sent her location to Chen Nian. Ten minutes later, a car stopped in front of her.
"My dear aunt, what's wrong with you today? Are you playing with me? I've been driven all over the city by your location," Chen Nian complained resentfully. A moment later, she looked up from the rearview mirror and saw Ji Fengxue remaining silent, lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?"
"Drive properly," Ji Fengxue said faintly.
Chen Nian silently withdrew her gaze and pondered for a moment before guessing, "You just happily finished recording the show and were picked up by Xia Linxia, but then you were dumped on the side of the road... So, did you have a fight with her?"
Ji Fengxue's expression softened slightly.
"Classmate Xia is quite something, to be able to make you angry every few days. I've never seen you have such emotional ups and downs before," Chen Nian guessed she was probably right and teased, "But she's still a child, don't be too calculative with her."
Ji Fengxue also smiled. "She just deserves a good beating."
Chen Nian: ...Why do I feel like your smile is a little scary!
A moment later, she remembered that her suitcase was still at Xia Linxia's house. She opened her contacts, and her gaze paused. Below Xia Linxia's name was Xiao Yuran.
Just as she was about to call Xia Linxia, the car braked sharply, and her finger tapped on Xiao Yuran.
"...Hello? Fengxue?" Xiao Yuran answered the phone quickly.
She glanced at Chen Nian dejectedly and replied, "It's me. Have you eaten?"
"It's only afternoon, what are you talking about eating?" Xiao Yuran said with a smile. "But I was just planning to cook tonight. Do you want to come for dinner?"
After hanging up the phone, she instructed, "Turn around, go to Yuran's house."
"Are you deliberately messing with me today?" Chen Nian complained, but when she heard the address, her expression grew complicated. "You're still going to see Xiao Yuran? What's so great about her that you're so hung up on her?"
"You also think she's not good?" Ji Fengxue asked back.
Also?
Chen Nian keenly caught the key point. It seemed someone had spoken ill of Xiao Yuran before. Thinking of Ji Fengxue's expression, the reason for the fight with Xia Linxia was probably this.
She pondered for a moment and said, "It's not that I think she's not good. On the contrary, I think she's too good, perfect in every way. Anyone who meets her will like her. But don't you think such people are terrifying? What kind of person can be so devoid of temper? Even you were angry enough to want to beat Xia Linxia just now, weren't you?"
"I didn't."
"Your expression says you did."
"....." "Anyway, I don't hate Xiao Yuran, but I can't like her either. She's like a porcelain doll, exquisite in every way, but I prefer people with a bit more substance."
Ji Fengxue said with a laugh, "You might as well just say Xia Linxia's name directly."
"Hey, it's good that you understand. I really admire Xia Linxia," Chen Nian said. "I'll poach her as soon as Xiang Huaimeng resigns."
Not long after, the car stopped. As Ji Fengxue got out of the car, she saw Xiao Yuran standing not far away. The latter ran over and affectionately linked her arm. "What do you want to eat tonight?"
"Anything is fine."
"You always say that, but you're actually the pickiest eater. Don't worry, I've prepared your favorite," Xiao Yuran said with a smile.
Ji Fengxue smiled. Xiao Yuran had always been considerate. Even after not seeing each other for a long time, she still remembered her likes and dislikes.
The room hadn't changed much, only a few more pieces of furniture. However, compared to the rental apartment when they first met, it was a world of difference. She glanced at the black leather sofa that was completely out of place with the surrounding decor.
Xiao Yuran explained, "This... my ex-boyfriend changed it. The item was too big, and I couldn't throw it away, so I kept it for now."
"It's quite nice, good quality," she said, sitting down and smiling.
Xiao Yuran bit her lip. "I still prefer the fabric sofa you gave me originally, but his personality was too domineering."
After a year, Ji Fengxue could finally sit down and talk with her properly.
"Why did you break up? Was he not good to you?"
Xiao Yuran's expression dimmed for a few seconds. She sat down next to Ji Fengxue and said softly, "He cheated, and not just on one person."
Ji Fengxue's eyes widened slightly. Looking at her thin shoulders, she raised her hand to pat her back, but then withdrew it, quietly retracting her hand. She then noticed Xiao Yuran lowering her head, a tear hanging at the corner of her eye.
She no longer wiped away tears for her as she used to. She sighed, "It's been so long since you broke up, why are you still crying for him?"
Xiao Yuran shook her head, quickly pulled out a few tissues to wipe her tears, and as she wiped, she suddenly reached out and hugged Ji Fengxue, sobbing softly, "Why does everyone dislike me?"
"Not everyone dislikes you," Ji Fengxue comforted her. "You're very good, it's just that other people are bad."
"Yes, you like me, you're so good... Why don't I like you?" Xiao Yuran said after a moment of silence. "Fengxue, can you let me try to like you?"
Ji Fengxue held her arm and pushed her away, looking directly into her eyes. "No, are you pitying me?"
"I, I didn't," Xiao Yuran's eyes darted away for a moment, then met hers again, with an indescribable emotion in her eyes. "I really want to fall in love with you. I think I can."
Ji Fengxue let go of her hand.
However, Xiao Yuran eagerly grabbed her hand. "You think I can't? But Xia Linxia can. She used to date boyfriends too. Why are you with her?"
"She's different," Ji Fengxue said.
How is she different? Xiao Yuran wanted to ask this question, but swallowed the words. She adjusted her thoughts and returned to her calm and composed demeanor. "Yes, she's better than me in everything... I wish you both happiness, but I also want to say, if you ever break up, I will definitely snatch you back."
Ji Fengxue's emotions were somewhat complex. Hearing this, she couldn't tell if she was happy or sad. For a moment, she found it ridiculous.
Did Xiao Yuran truly love her? Or did she simply want to take something from Xia Linxia?
This thought flashed by. Just thinking about it sent a chill down her spine. She changed the subject. "When are we having dinner?"
"Look, I forgot. I'll start cooking now. Come help me," Xiao Yuran habitually pulled her towards the kitchen.
"I saw Fu Xiaoxuan just now," Ji Fengxue stated her reason for coming.
Xiao Yuran opened the refrigerator door. She paused upon hearing this, then took out the ingredients and placed them on the counter, asking, "And then?"
"I mentioned to you before to stay away from her, but now I have to tell you, it's essential," Ji Fengxue said. "She's very jealous. Sooner or later, this fire of jealousy will burn you."
"Are you concerned about me? Coming all this way to tell me this?" Xiao Yuran smiled and handed her a broccoli. "That's fine. After you told me about what she did last time, I already deleted her contact information. Help me cut this."
Ji Fengxue skillfully cut the vegetables and said, "Oh, right. Five years ago, you prepared a cake for Xia Linxia. What happened then?"
She had a hunch that Xia Linxia wouldn't be the type to target someone after eating their cake. It was like the candied hawthorn berries last time; she forgot about it after eating it, typical of someone who forgets the pain after tasting sweetness.
Xiao Yuran was stunned for a moment. After recalling for a long time, she said, "Oh, you mean that? She tasted a bite and said it wasn't good, so she threw it away."
"Are you sure?" she pressed again. According to the information she had seen, Xia Linxia clearly listed sweets in her preferences, but she couldn't eat them freely due to her figure management.
"Um... I'm not very sure." Xiao Yuran looked at her reaction and pondered for a moment. "It was too long ago, I can't remember clearly. Anyway, she didn't end up eating the cake I ordered."
"Is that so."
"But I still remember the cake you made that day. It was especially sweet and not greasy," Xiao Yuran recalled. "Speaking of which, I haven't eaten your cake in a long time."
"I'm old now, I'm too lazy to do it."
"Impossible, you'll definitely make it again," Xiao Yuran said with a confident smile.
Ji Fengxue teased, "Then I'll only make it for my future girlfriend."
After saying this, both of them were stunned. Xiao Yuran said keenly, "Future?"
Ji Fengxue touched her nose. Xiao Yuran narrowed her eyes, knowing she was hiding something from her, but didn't press further.
After a long-awaited meal, Ji Fengxue got up to leave. Before leaving, she remembered the original purpose of her visit and said, "Xia Linxia has a bad temper."
"Hmm?" Xiao Yuran smiled. "What's wrong?"
"But she's not a bad person, quite cute. If you still want to be friends with her, you can show more goodwill, and she'll definitely like you."
Xiao Yuran's expression stiffened. "You came all this way to persuade me to make up?"
Ji Fengxue's eyelids twitched. After a moment, she realized, "Yes, you haven't become good friends in these years, so I won't force you."
Xia Linxia returned home, extremely angry. She walked to the window and looked at the traffic jam in the distance, fiddled with her phone, and scratched her head in annoyance.
"What are you doing?" Xiang Huaimeng asked as soon as she entered the house, seeing her with her hair disheveled like a lion's mane, a mess that was hard to look at.
Xia Linxia slumped on the sofa and said coldly, "What do you think? If I left someone on the side of the road, would something happen?"
"What could happen?" Xiang Huaimeng asked as she changed her shoes.
"But there's traffic now. What if there was a car accident, and she happened to be in a car accident!"
"Wake up, watch fewer melodramatic dramas." Xiang Huaimeng sat down on the sofa next to her disdainfully, took a sip of water, and took out a new itinerary. "Get up, you're busy these days. Besides the previously scheduled advertisement endorsement shoot, there's also a new announcement. Do you want to take it?"
"What is it?"
"Guest performer," Xiang Huaimeng said. "The 'National Singer' show is having its finals, and the contestants need to choose a guest singer to help them. A rock band wants to invite you, and the program team contacted me."
Xia Linxia knew this band. Since the show started, it had been highly discussed, bringing rock music back to the public eye.
"But the internet says their band members have quite strange personalities," Xia Linxia said.
"They play rock music, so they must have some personality. That's why they chose you."
Xia Linxia glared at her. She immediately said, "But they said they decided to invite you after watching your performance on the talent show stage last time. You fit their rock spirit."
"You decide," Xia Linxia waved her hand listlessly.
"I suggest you take it. This show has high national popularity and professional standards. Moreover, they are an established band, so you won't lose out. It might also show the audience more of your potential. You're just a guest performer, so the pressure isn't high," Xiang Huaimeng analyzed.
"Okay, then I'll take it," Xia Linxia decided immediately, sitting up with a jolt. "Let that old lazy fish Ji Fengxue see what it means to be busy as a young person!"
"What does that have to do with her?"
Xia Linxia said, "Look at her, with her love-struck brain, how can she have as many announcements and opportunities as I do?"
"It's not as exaggerated as you say," Xiang Huaimeng said with a laugh. "She can still get quite a few scripts, she's just picky."
Xia Linxia said unhappily, "Then why doesn't she take them? I don't know who she learned her high standards from."
Xiang Huaimeng sized her up carefully. "Did you have gunpowder for breakfast today?"
"Get lost!!!"
Hearing this hearty roar, Xiang Huaimeng felt that taking this announcement was the right decision. Xia Linxia would definitely be able to let out a soul-stirring cry on stage with the rock band!
In the following days, Xia Linxia was busy filming commercials, temporarily putting Ji Fengxue's matters aside.
It wasn't until Xiang Huaimeng notified her to prepare for the third recording of the dating reality show that she remembered she would have to "work" with Ji Fengxue again.
On the day of departure, the program team's van stopped downstairs. She dragged her luggage down and saw Ji Fengxue sitting steadily in the car.
"My luggage is still with you," Ji Fengxue said.
She pouted, then took Ji Fengxue home to pick up her luggage. Turning around, she saw Xia Wudi desperately trying to climb out, so she brought him along for the ride.
The atmosphere in the car was very quiet. The staff could tell there was a problem and gossiped, "Why aren't you talking?"
Xia Linxia: "I don't want to talk. Why so many questions?"
Staff: "Why don't you want to talk?"
Xia Linxia didn't answer, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.
[Hahahaha, as expected of you, Xia Hu Niu!]
[Did they have a fight?]
[But Teacher Ji doesn't seem to be acting unusually at all]
After getting out of the car, Xia Linxia realized that Ji Fengxue had brought an extra suitcase. After returning to the room, she quickly packed her things and was about to go to the next room to play games with Song Wanyi. However, just as she reached the door, Ji Fengxue grabbed her hand.
She was stunned and looked down at her hand. "What are you doing?"
"I brought you something," Ji Fengxue pulled her towards the extra suitcase, then opened it. Inside were all sorts of candies.
Xia Linxia's eyes suddenly lit up a little. She pursed her lips, her expression unchanged. "Childish."
"Is that so?" Ji Fengxue let the lid drop down, but Xia Linxia quickly and accurately grabbed it and reopened it.
A faint smile appeared in Ji Fengxue's eyes.
"Lao Ji, Lao Ji, with your childish behavior, only I can afford it," Xia Linxia said as if justifying herself, pouring all the candies onto the bed and stuffing them into her pockets.
Ji Fengxue leaned back in the chair beside her, watching her actions, the corners of her mouth uncontrollably turning upwards.
She had never seen anyone so easily appeased.
And so incredibly cute. So, so cute.
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