Chapter 9
The scene was quiet for a moment, so quiet that even the sounds of Father Xia and Mother Xia excitedly slapping their thighs under the table could be heard clearly.
“Cough, cough, let’s eat first,” Xia Yangxuan broke the awkward silence.
Xia Linxia finally snapped out of her shock. Not wanting to yell at Ji Fengxue in front of her family, she shot Ji Fengxue a resentful glare before burying her head in her food.
“Come, Xiao Xue, eat more dishes,” Mother Xia warmly beckoned, piling food into Ji Fengxue’s bowl until it formed a small mountain.
Ji Fengxue smiled sincerely, “Thank you, Auntie. I’ll eat well.”
“So obedient,” Mother Xia was deeply touched. “Neither of my children is as obedient as you.”
“That’s why she’s the child from someone else’s family,” Xia Linxia said, picking up a slice of fatty beef. Just as she was about to eat it, she received a warning look from her mother. Puzzled, she followed her mother’s gaze and placed the meat into Ji Fengxue’s bowl. Only then did her mother nod with satisfaction.
Xia Linxia: “……” Favoritism lost in an instant.
She decided to find an ally and her gaze of appeal immediately locked onto Xia Yangxuan.
Xia Yangxuan elegantly raised his head and asked, “Why are you squinting? Want to copy homework again?”
This was the look she always gave when she copied her classmates’ homework in the past.
“No!” Xia Linxia couldn’t be bothered to talk to him.
Xia Yangxuan then looked at Ji Fengxue properly. After a few seconds of observation, he asked, “Linxia hasn’t caused you any trouble, has she?”
“No, no, she’s quite good.”
“You don’t have to speak well of her; we know her character best,” Xia Yangxuan said leisurely. “If she’s disobedient, you can tickle her, and she’ll immediately become compliant.”
“Brother!” Xia Linxia shouted, “What nonsense are you talking about! I’m not ticklish!”
“Okay, I understand. Thank you,” Ji Fengxue said, smiling with pursed lips.
“Also…” Xia Yangxuan looked at her, hesitating.
Ji Fengxue asked, confused, “Hmm? What?”
“That… could I have an autographed photo? The last one only had your signature…”
“Sure,” Ji Fengxue’s lips curved upwards. It was quite interesting that he asked for an autograph with such a serious, expressionless face.
What was going on with these two siblings? One was calm and reserved, while the other was openly expressive. They were truly interesting.
Xia Linxia asked, “Brother, don’t you want my autograph? I can sign your latest poster, it’s a special exclusive release!”
“No, thank you.”
“Heartless!” Xia Linxia pouted. Her gaze suddenly stopped, and she quickly reached out, blocking Mother Xia’s hand as it moved towards Ji Fengxue’s bowl. “What dish is this?”
Mother Xia said, “Onion rings.”
“She doesn’t eat this.”
“Is that so? I’m sorry, Xiao Xue, I didn’t ask beforehand what you like to eat.” Mother Xia changed the direction of her hand and placed the onion rings into Xia Linxia’s bowl.
Xia Linxia took two bites and suddenly felt an ambiguous gaze. She turned her head and saw Ji Fengxue quietly looking at her, a faint smile on her face.
She coughed and said forcefully, “It’s not that I care about you.”
It was just that she was afraid something might happen if Ji Fengxue ate at their house, which might affect her parents’ mood. That was all.
“Mm, I know,” Ji Fengxue said with amusement, picking up a piece of yellow croaker she hadn’t eaten from her bowl and placing it into Xia Linxia’s. “I don’t like this either. I’ll remember.”
Xia Linxia: “……”
With her family present, she had to restrain herself. Murder was wrong!
After dinner, Xia Yangxuan rushed back to the company. Xia Linxia also claimed to have an announcement and, after bidding farewell to her parents, left with Ji Fengxue. She didn’t want Ji Fengxue to stay any longer, lest her parents start thinking of Ji Fengxue as their daughter instead.
The two sat in the car and simultaneously received calls from their agents, heading straight to the company.
After getting out of the car, Xia Linxia suddenly called out to Ji Fengxue, took a bracelet out of her pocket without any packaging, and stuffed it into Ji Fengxue’s hand. She said dismissively, “My mom insisted on giving it to you. Consider it a thank-you gift for the jade.”
Ji Fengxue was stunned for a moment, then smiled, “Thank you. Can you help me put it on?”
“Tsk, so troublesome.” Although she said she didn’t want to, her body was honest as she put the bracelet on Ji Fengxue. After all, it was a gift from her own mother, and seeing the other person wear it would bring her satisfaction.
“There, don’t lose it.” Xia Linxia touched the chain, confirmed it was on properly, then looked up and met Ji Fengxue’s deep, sea-like eyes. “You…”
“Sister Xue,” a voice interrupted their conversation. Fu Xiaoxuan stood not far away, watching them. She didn’t know how long she had been there.
Xia Linxia instinctively stood up straight and frowned, “Are you done with your audition?”
“Mm.” Fu Xiaoxuan didn’t want to deal with her and smiled at Ji Fengxue, “Sister Xue, I can act in the movie now. Can I ask you for advice on this in the future?”
“Female lead or third female lead?” Xia Linxia asked persistently.
Fu Xiaoxuan immediately raised her head, “Female lead. I fought for this role myself. What’s wrong? Are you unhappy that you didn’t get it? Director Zhao said you weren’t suitable for this role.”
Xia Linxia took a deep breath and said expressionlessly, “Idiot.”
“You!”
“I’m going up first,” Xia Linxia walked forward.
“Wait.” Ji Fengxue caught up and grabbed her wrist.
Xia Linxia turned back, looking at her in confusion.
“Let’s go together,” Ji Fengxue said. As she passed Fu Xiaoxuan, she nodded politely.
Fu Xiaoxuan watched them leave hand in hand, biting her lip in resentment.
Why? Why could Xia Linxia easily get what others wanted, and live her true self in this industry?
She hated Xia Linxia. Ever since they were trainees, she noticed that the General Manager paid special attention to Xia Linxia, allowing someone who had only been in the company for a month to participate in the competition with them, who had been training for two to three years.
In talent shows, Xia Linxia could easily attract the audience’s attention, whether it was her outstanding appearance and skills, or her controversial personality, all of which were hot topics for netizens.
She was like a wild grass, watching all of this from a dark corner. The jealousy burned her to madness, so she actively approached Xiao Yuran and took the lead in ostracizing Xia Linxia. Grouping up had its effects; at least she could always get screen time and topics from Xiao Yuran, and she gained a few plastic sisters. They appeared very close to the outside world.
After the group disbanded, she only occasionally kept in touch with Xiao Yuran.
In the office upstairs, Ji Fengxue and Xia Linxia sat opposite each other, with their respective agents on either side.
Chen Nian said solemnly, “The hottest live-streaming dating reality show, ‘Love, This Little Thing,’ has invited both of you. The company has accepted this announcement. This show has a very good reputation, and the ratings and discussion volume of the first season were extremely high. Among the invited guests, you are the only same-sex couple, which is full of appeal. So, if you perform well this time, you can attract a large number of fans.”
Ji Fengxue rarely watched variety shows and asked, “What is the main content of the show?”
“It’s about live-streaming the daily lives of several celebrity couples, focusing on slow-paced, plenty of sweet moments, and real, sweet love.”
Xia Linxia said, “So, we have to act all the time under the live-streaming camera?”
“That’s the idea.” Xiang Huaimeng glanced at her, knowing she wanted to refuse. She subtly used a provocative tactic, “For something that tests acting skills like this, Teacher Ji will definitely have no problem, but as for you…”
“What do you mean? You look down on me?” Xia Linxia asked displeasantly.
“So, are you going?” Xiang Huaimeng asked.
“Yes, whoever doesn’t go is a coward!” Xia Linxia provocatively looked at Ji Fengxue.
Ji Fengxue stood up and walked to her side, bending down and holding her hand. Under Xia Linxia’s surprised gaze, she squeezed her palm and said softly, “Perhaps there will be intimate scenes like this. Are you really okay with it?”
Xia Linxia looked into her eyes, lost for a few seconds, then abruptly pulled her hand back and turned her head away, “What’s not okay? I’ve even filmed kissing scenes before.”
“Good, then I’m relieved,” Ji Fengxue said with a smile.
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