Chapter 171
Normally, after Shen Zhuoqing finished unwrapping his gift, it would have been the next person’s turn.
But the others clearly weren’t ready to end things so quietly.
“Xie Mi, did you really paint this?” Xiao Jingxi suddenly asked.
He had known Xie Mi for so long and had never known she could paint, let alone possess such exquisite skill.
This painting simply couldn’t have been done by Xie Mi.
It wasn’t just Xiao Jingxi; many skeptical comments appeared on the live feed as well.
Some trolls jumped at the chance to stir trouble.
[This wasn’t painted by Xie Mi—it was bought. I’ve seen this painting in a store before.]
[Guess why they ended filming early yesterday? So they didn’t have to show Xie Mi ‘painting.’ Hahaha.]
[See, she bought a painting and pretended she painted it herself. Don’t get why Xie Mi would set up a ‘can paint’ persona—planning a career pivot?]
[I work in media and have cooperated with Xie Mi’s company. Here’s the scoop: her company’s strategy is to have her appear on shows doing funny, attention-grabbing things, then when she’s trending, pivot her career, while fans are left clueless.]
The trolls mixed facts with falsehoods, successfully misleading some unaware viewers, and the live chat filled with question marks demanding an explanation.
On the show, Xiao Jingxi’s doubts persisted.
“I think buying a painting isn’t shameful, but you can’t claim someone else’s work as your own.”
Frowning deeply, he seemed disappointed.
“Xie Mi, how could you lie?”
Shen Zhuoqing’s eyes had no trace of amusement as he glanced at Xiao Jingxi. Just as he was about to speak, a hand suddenly pressed onto the back of his hand.
“Big bro grump, looks like you’re not convinced?”
Xie Mi smiled warmly, leaning in close.
Xiao Jingxi’s expression darkened, his disappointment deepening.
“I just don’t like lies.”
“So you’re not convinced.”
Xie Mi wasn’t annoyed at all. She casually rolled up her sleeves, cracking her knuckles.
“Then I’ll make you convinced.”
Xiao Jingxi instinctively took two steps back, but an unknown force pushed him forward.
Turning in shock, he saw only Liu Woxing behind him, her face full of worry, seemingly unsure how to handle this sudden confrontation.
Meanwhile, Director Niu, who tried to intervene, had his mouth firmly covered by the assistant director—a complete power grab.
“Teacher Xie’s got this, got it?”
Director Niu, his face bright red and nearly suffocated by the grip: Got it? Yeah, right!
Seeing this, Xiao Jingxi finally panicked.
“Xie Mi, what are you doing? We’re recording a show! So many cameras are on you, you…”
“Qiu Chengye, hold him still for me.”
Qiu Chengye, who had been enjoying the spectacle, was suddenly addressed by name. His face—
Xie Mi actually dared to speak to him in this commanding tone?
If he obeyed, how could he behave normally outside?
Furious, Qiu Chengye surged forward, grabbing Xiao Jingxi’s arms tightly. His mind resisted, but his body obeyed.
Xiao Jingxi was completely immobilized.
“Qiu Chengye, let me go! Xie Mi, what are you doing?!”
“Do you have ink and brushes?” Xie Mi suddenly asked the staff.
The staff exchanged glances.
For now… there wasn’t any.
“I have some.” Liu Woxing suddenly spoke up, then hurried to Xiao Jingxi and picked up the gift box he had set on the table.
“I prepared ink and brushes as a gift, and it just happened to be chosen by Actor Xiao. Since we need them now, I’ll open it ahead of time.”
Xiao Jingxi: “???”
In a few quick movements, Liu Woxing opened the box, revealing the exquisite ink and brushes inside.
Oddly, she unpacked them more efficiently than usual.
Shen Zhuoqing naturally took over, slowly beginning to grind the ink.
Xiao Jingxi, completely unaware of what they intended to do, was nearly driven insane.
“Can someone do something? We’re recording! Where are the staff? Assistants?!”
The staff and assistants didn’t dare move.
One, they feared Xie Mi might lash out at them too; two, they were intimidated by the assistant director’s authority.
The assistant director now held all the power over Director Niu—a total madhouse.
As for the other guests: Qiu Chengye complied reluctantly, Lai Bingxuan watched with fascination, Liu Woxing appeared worried but was secretly enjoying herself, Xu Shuangrong wanted to improve her image with Xiao Jingxi but didn’t want to truly help him, so she only spoke softly without intervening physically. Yu Jinzhe, Xiao Jingxi’s roommate, should have been on his side… but he thoroughly enjoyed watching Xiao Jingxi being tormented.
The perverse satisfaction was palpable.
Shen Zhuoqing? Already on Xie Mi’s side, naturally.
Xiao Jingxi could only howl in distress, watching Xie Mi approach.
Swish swish!
The ink-dipped brush moved across Xiao Jingxi’s face. His eyes smeared shut, eyelids twitching.
Trolls in the live chat immediately accused Xie Mi of bullying her colleague, dragging Xiao Jingxi fans into cursing.
But soon, the profanities were replaced with question marks.
Because the ink on Xiao Jingxi’s face formed a shape.
It was a lively, retractable turtle.
Or, to be blunt—a “wangba” (turtle/badass).
The turtle quietly lay on his face, perfectly blending with Xiao Jingxi’s features.
Everyone stared in shock at his face.
[No way, sis, you really can paint?]
[I told you Old Xie could paint, but no one believed me. Remember when Old Xie randomly drew on Old Shen with lipstick? I immediately knew she had skill and even screenshot it on Weibo, but everyone thought she was just messing around again…]
[You can tell by the technique she can paint! You really think she’s dumb because she acts wild sometimes?]
[Where are the trolls? Speak up!]
[That person who said they saw the painting in a store, I’ve tagged you dozens of times. Post the store address already!]
[And the self-proclaimed media worker? Checked the account—it’s deactivated. Hilarious.]
[People went to Weibo to roast them, trolls completely lost, and many deleted their accounts hahahaha.]
[Xiao fans, chill. Your Big Grump first mouthed off and got a cap thrown on him; this is his own fault.]
Some Xiao Jingxi fans still resisted.
[Xie Mi bullying people will face heavenly punishment!!]
But alas, Xie Mi was basically a queen.
[Don’t worry, fellow Xie bros, I just asked my fortune-teller grandpa. He said Xie Mi disciplining Xiao Jingxi won’t bring divine punishment—Xiao Jingxi asked for it, and Xie Mi was just helping him. Old Xie is a good person and accumulates blessings.]
Xiao Jingxi fans: [?]
