Chapter 76
If Ji Fengxue hadn't realized that Xia Linxia was interested in her, she wouldn't have deserved to be human.
At first, she wasn't sure. During breaks from filming, she'd accidentally turn her head and see the other person staring at her, only to immediately avert their gaze and pretend nothing had happened.
It wasn't until she got a small injury last time, and the other person stood before her holding broccoli, that she noticed Xia Linxia's gaze was no longer evasive but full of determination and expectation, brimming with vitality. It was as if what they held wasn't broccoli dusted with frost and snow, but a passionate and sincere heart.
At that moment, she was delighted, joyful, and her heart softened. But she dared not show too much emotion, fearing she wouldn't be able to control herself if she spoke.
However, behind the immense joy lay a constant worry. She often had the thought: would Xia Linxia only be interested due to novelty? Or to pursue excitement? Or perhaps, after they got together, she'd get tired of her and leave?
Any of these answers could destroy her.
But she was too greedy for the other person's warmth.
The current ambiguous state was certainly good, allowing for unspoken stolen kisses and secret delight. But every night, she still had to suppress her own impure thoughts.
After a few days of testing the waters, she finally understood Xia Linxia's intentions. The night before last, they suddenly started discussing the script, specifically the ending for Lu Ke and Lu Wuyi, and they each had their own ideas.
Xia Linxia casually mentioned, "Lu Wuyi is just silly. If she had just explained her feelings earlier, she wouldn't have ended up with nothing."
She suddenly smiled.
She almost forgot that Xia Linxia was a tsundere. She definitely wouldn't say what she liked directly, and was probably waiting for her to make the first move.
In that case, she certainly couldn't back down.
She didn't have much experience confessing. She'd forgotten how she got together with Xing Baifeng, and with Xiao Yuran, she'd just casually mentioned it over dinner.
Since she had decided to confess, she naturally couldn't be vague like before. She wanted to give Xia Linxia the best. So, she meticulously planned various strategies, considering the time, place, setting, and gifts, always feeling like something was missing.
In her plan, she had ordered many things, which should arrive in the next couple of days. Then, in front of everyone, she would confess her love to her. Given Xia Linxia's high-profile personality, she would definitely be pleased that the whole world knew Ji Fengxue pursued her first.
It didn't matter if it failed. Filming would wrap up soon, and then she could give Xia Linxia everything she wanted. She still had plenty of time to spend with her.
"Then we'll head back and let the kitchen prepare," Chen Nian and Xiang Huaimeng waved at them and drove off with a car full of supplies.
When Ji Fengxue turned around, a ball of snow hit her face.
She smiled and wiped the snow away. Xia Linxia, as if regretting it, stepped forward to help her wipe her face. "Oh, forget it. Let's not have a snowball fight. If you catch a cold again, Director Chen will definitely scold us."
"Mhm, I'll listen to you."
Xia Linxia chuckled. "You're an award-winning actress, and you'll listen to me?"
"What's wrong with being an award-winning actress?" Ji Fengxue held her hand, their fingers intertwined. "You're Xia Linxia."
"That's true," Xia Linxia happily shrugged her shoulders. "You have to listen to me."
Ji Fengxue pursed her lips and smiled. "Why should I listen to you?"
"Because I..." Xia Linxia paused, then patted her chest. "Because I'm younger than you."
"Okay," Ji Fengxue lowered her head, suppressing a smile. "No one has ever managed me except my mom."
"Really?" Xia Linxia deliberately walked through the snowdrift, leaving a trail of footprints. "Why does it sound like your mom is quite fierce? Does she manage you strictly?"
"It's alright, I guess. After all, even if she manages me, I don't listen," Xia Linxia burst out laughing.
Xia Linxia recalled the embarrassing stories Xing Baifeng had told her, feeling that Ji Fengxue must have been quite mischievous back then, just outwardly appearing well-behaved, so the teachers couldn't get angry.
"What were you like before?" she asked.
Ji Fengxue pondered for a few seconds. "Even more beautiful than now."
...
Xia Linxia couldn't help but imagine it, but she couldn't. In any case, she felt that Ji Fengxue was already telling the truth now. She snorted, "Shameless. Could you be as good-looking as me?"
"That's impossible," Ji Fengxue smiled deeply. "Our Xiaxia is the most beautiful."
Xia Linxia chuckled and turned to look at her, unexpectedly meeting her deep eyes. For a moment, she forgot what to say.
At this moment, Ji Fengxue subtly leaned forward, her lips stopping about three to four centimeters away from her.
Xia Linxia's heart skipped a beat. She looked up at her. A tiny snowflake landed on her eyelashes. She blinked, and the snowflake didn't fall off; instead, it seemed like a snow sprite had attached itself to her.
She remained still and asked in a low voice, "Why are you leaning so close?"
"Hmm? Aren't you going to kiss me?" Ji Fengxue asked back.
Xia Linxia was stunned. "When did I?"
"Oh, you're not going to kiss me." Ji Fengxue acted as if she had just realized and pulled back. "Sorry, I thought you were going to kiss me."
Xia Linxia: ...
Damn it, I wasn't going to kiss you, but now I want to, what should I do!
"You're so good at seducing people, why didn't you hook up with Xiao Yuran?" she suddenly asked.
Ji Fengxue's lips slowly straightened. She hadn't mentioned this person in a long time, and for a moment, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity. She asked, "Do you mind?"
"Mind what?"
"I pursued her before."
Xia Linxia thought very seriously. She wanted to say she didn't mind, she just thought she was an idiot. But then she thought, what did Ji Fengxue mean by asking if she minded?
Wouldn't the next sentence be a confession!
She chuckled and said sternly, "I don't mind."
Ji Fengxue breathed a sigh of relief and said faintly, "Perhaps when I pursued her before, I wasn't very dedicated. I always thought about letting things happen naturally, and then they just slipped away."
Xia Linxia burst out laughing, completely believing this answer. After all, even a beautiful goddess like herself was attracted to Ji Fengxue, let alone someone like Xiao Yuran who already had ulterior motives.
Snowflakes began to fall again. The two turned to walk back, snow dusting their heads. As Ji Fengxue reached out to brush it off for her, Xia Linxia called out to stop her.
"Let me take a picture," Xia Linxia quickly took out her phone, opened the selfie mode, and pulled her to stand under a tree, framing both of them in the shot. "Smile."
Ji Fengxue curved her lips.
Click.
They both looked down at the photo. The vast snow could still be seen in the background, but their smiles were exceptionally beautiful.
Xia Linxia couldn't help but post on Weibo.
Xia Linxia v: It's snowing, it's snowing! Two little painters have arrived in the snow! [Image]
[Ahhhhh! Xiaxia, you finally remembered your Weibo!]
[Waited so long, and you come back with dog food, that's ruthless!]
[Xiaxia, please tell Fairy Ji that if she doesn't post on Weibo, we're going to climb into Xia Linxia's house!]
[Ahhhhh, saved it. The scene is stunning!]
[Is it true that every angle is this beautiful?]
[Wuwuwu, my Summer CP, Xiaxia is smiling so sweetly, and Fairy Ji is such a gentle top!]
"What are they saying?" Ji Fengxue suddenly asked.
Xia Linxia quickly covered the comment that read "gentle top" which she had just seen, and put away her phone. "They're saying you're a very gentle girl." Especially suitable to be a bottom, hmm.
"Is that so?" Ji Fengxue unhurriedly took out her phone, saved the photo in front of her, and then—opened the comment section. She quickly scanned the comments and read meaningfully, "Gentle..."
Xia Linxia immediately covered her mouth.
After returning to the hotel, they didn't rest for long before the sun began to set. Since the film set was in a remote location, ordering takeout every day was unrealistic. The production assistant had outsourced a kitchen locally. Due to Ji Fengxue's earlier "sweep," the kitchen had prepared hot pot. Everyone gathered in the main hall, eating enthusiastically, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation amidst their busy schedules.
Xia Linxia turned and chatted with a few people at the next table. When she turned back, she found her bowl piled high with food, and she felt incredibly pleased. She immediately shot a smug look at Qiu Xingzhou opposite her.
"You eat too. Don't just focus on me," Xia Linxia said to Ji Fengxue beside her.
Ji Fengxue nodded, but her appetite wasn't great. She had been feeling inexplicably down since earlier. Xia Linxia picked up a slice of beef for her. Just as she was bringing it to her mouth, her phone suddenly rang.
The caller was the housekeeper hired to take care of her mother.
Her hand trembled. She had a bad feeling. She picked up the phone and went outside to answer it. Xia Linxia watched the piece of meat fall from the table. After waiting for a while, she saw Ji Fengxue hurriedly go to Director Chen Lianjie's table, say something, and then run out again.
"What's wrong with Teacher Ji?" Qiu Xingzhou asked.
"I don't know either." Xia Linxia went to ask Chen Lianjie for information and learned that Ji Fengxue had just asked for leave because her mother had been taken into surgery.
Ji Fengxue only grabbed essential items. Her gaze lingered on the diary for a few seconds before she put it in her bag and left with a bag in hand. She met the arriving Xia Linxia in the hallway.
"How is the situation?"
"Acute appendicitis. I'm going to the airport now."
"You're only taking this little with you?" Xia Linxia followed her into the elevator, anxiously stomping her feet. "Which hospital is it? Is it far? Are there flights this late?"
Seeing her anxious look, Ji Fengxue smiled again and patted her head reassuringly. "I should make it. Be good these few days, and I'll be back soon."
"Oh." Xia Linxia felt inexplicably dejected. She watched her get into the nanny van. As soon as the car started, she suddenly tapped on the window.
Ji Fengxue rolled down the window. "What is it?"
"Well, even though you're older than me, I'm not a child anymore. You can tell me anything that happens," Xia Linxia said sincerely.
"Okay," Ji Fengxue smiled faintly. "Hurry back, it's cold outside."
Until the car left, Xia Linxia suddenly remembered that during the hot pot earlier, everyone had taken off their coats, and Ji Fengxue had only worn a sweater before running out.
Ji Fengxue managed to catch the last flight. When she arrived at the hospital, it was not yet five in the morning. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and she had already been transferred to a ward. The housekeeper was accompanying her, and seeing her arrive, she went home to get clean clothes.
She sat by the bedside, looking at Fang Xingyan's well-maintained but undeniably aged face. Although they spoke on the phone every few days, it had been almost half a year since they last met.
The next day, she woke up to the sound of conversation.
"Big sister, your daughter is quite filial. She came to accompany you in the middle of the night and fell asleep leaning on your bed, not even going to sleep in a bed herself."
Then came Fang Xingyan's gentle voice, speaking slowly, "She's just lazy."
The patient next door said, "Your daughter is quite pretty, like a big star. Is she married?"
Fang Xingyan said leisurely, "Not yet. She did say she'd bring me back a daughter-in-law. She's been saying that for over ten years, but there's been no progress. She gets dumped every time, it's so embarrassing, hahahaha."
Ji Fengxue: ...
... The patient also laughed. "So, does she have a boyfriend?"
Ji Fengxue could no longer eavesdrop. She pretended to have just woken up. As soon as she sat up, a blanket fell off her. Then she heard Fang Xingyan ask, "Did you hear that? The aunt next door is asking you. Do you have a boyfriend?"
... She sighed helplessly. "Professor Fang, are you sure the first thing we say after reuniting after so long is to ask me about this?"
"Yes."
"I do. We even have a child."
Fang Xingyan's gaze suddenly fixed on her stomach.
Ji Fengxue: ...
She went to wash her face, then went to consult with the attending physician about the situation.
The patient then looked at Fang Xingyan in surprise. "Big sister, I, I, I think I've seen your daughter on TV! She seems to have a girlfriend. My daughter is chasing that celebrity named Xia Linxia. It seems like they're a couple!"
Fang Xingyan smiled. "It's hard to say. What if she gets dumped again someday? I'm waiting for her to come back crying to her mother."
Patient: ... Suddenly felt that behind the gentle face of Big Sister was a devil!
For the next two days, Ji Fengxue and the housekeeper stayed by the bedside to take care of her. When it was suggested to transfer her to a VIP ward, Fang Xingyan was unhappy, saying she wanted to chat with her fellow patients.
In her free time, she noticed that the patients' gazes towards her were very complex. It was one thing to have concern and affection, but why was there also a hint of sympathy?
One day, after finishing a call with Chen Nian, she turned around and saw Fang Xingyan and a patient staring at her expressionlessly. She sheepishly explained, "My agent."
Fang Xingyan's expression relaxed, and she spread her hands to the patient. "A bet is a bet. I said it couldn't be her partner."
The patient reluctantly took out ten yuan from under her pillow and looked at Ji Fengxue resentfully. "No wonder she gets dumped. She doesn't even call her girlfriend."
Ji Fengxue: ...
A moment later, she couldn't stand it anymore and asked her own mother, "Professor Fang, what else did you bet on?"
"When you'll get dumped," the patient answered quickly. "I bet six months, you have to hold on, and your mom bet one month."
Fang Xingyan added, "Mhm."
Ji Fengxue: ...
A few more students came to visit. They were all Fang Xingyan's students. Fang Xingyan worked at a local university, and her students respected her greatly. As soon as they heard she was hospitalized, the class president came to visit, and then the class president saw Ji Fengxue!
After returning to school and spreading the word, the entire school knew who Professor Fang's daughter was! Students from several classes took turns visiting.
At first, Ji Fengxue felt embarrassed to refuse her classmates' kindness, but after three days, she felt like she was hosting a reception.
Finally, after sending off her classmates, she had nothing to do. She remembered that her confession plan had missed the best timing and sighed.
She really wanted to see Xia Linxia, but the film crew was very busy during this period. She was afraid of distracting the young girl, making her tired and worried along with her. They had also spoken on the phone, but their schedules never aligned. In the end, it turned into chatting on WeChat, with whoever was free chatting for a bit, and often having to wait a long time for a reply.
"What is this?" Fang Xingyan suddenly spoke. She was about to pick up a book to read when she accidentally saw a notebook in Ji Fengxue's bag. "Oh, you still carry things to read?"
Ji Fengxue was startled. She took the notebook and smiled, accidentally opening it to the last page, so she started reading.
September 7th, Saturday, Sunny
Today, we officially formed the group! I'm debuting!
It's a shame I'm not the center. I hope Mom and Dad and my brother won't be disappointed. I promised them I'd get first place beforehand TT
I don't know what the future holds, but I can only keep climbing. This is just the starting point, I will definitely reach the top!!!
I have a premonition that I will become famous, so to prevent these black histories and handles from being dug up, I've decided not to write a diary. Mainly, I don't have time.
Xia Linxia's eighteenth year will be temporarily recorded here.
The rest of my life will be recorded by the lens.
Xia Linxia, keep going.
— Xia Linxia.
Ji Fengxue couldn't help but think about how Xia Linxia, at eighteen, wrote these few lines with such fervent anticipation on the night of her debut.
She felt a bit regretful that she hadn't shared such a wonderful moment with her.
Ji Fengxue flipped forward a few more pages and found that after she became a trainee, her diary became very dense. For example, who she argued with, what she practiced today...
She also discovered where the other person's habit of posting on WeChat Moments late at night came from. When she practiced until four in the morning on the first day, she couldn't help but post a moment, and then Xia Yangxuan liked it.
Xia Linxia realized her brother was also so busy, so every time she posted late at night, it was to let Xia Yangxuan know that someone was working hard with him.
Ji Fengxue's heart softened immensely.
She flipped forward two more pages. Before she could clearly read the content, her gaze suddenly stopped. In a line of elegant handwriting, she saw the words "Ji Fengxue."
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