Chapter 245
When they learned that the mission could only be received starting tomorrow, the few restless poor contestants no longer felt the need to hurry.
“Since the missions can only be taken tomorrow, then announce it tomorrow. Why drag us all out here so late at night?”
Qiu Chengye impatiently dug at his ear. “We can go back now, right?”
Director Niu (the most undignified director in history): “…Yes, you can.”
After returning to the villa, the guests each went back to doing their own thing.
Xiao Jingxi was determined to keep up his affectionate persona until the end. Since returning to the show in the afternoon, he had been especially attentive to Xie Mi, now again serving her tea and water.
“Xie Mi, you don’t sleep well. Drink a cup of hot water before bed, it’ll help you sleep.” He placed the steaming cup of hot water in front of her.
Just as the cup touched the table, another hand with long, distinct fingers set down a cup of steaming milk beside it.
“I remember that warm milk works even better for sleep.”
Shen Moqing, who had set down the milk, sat down lazily on the sofa next to Xie Mi, flipping through the pages of the book in his hand. “Why didn’t Best Actor Xiao buy milk? You didn’t want to?”
The corner of Xiao Jingxi’s mouth twitched, and he pushed the milk aside.
“She used to call me whenever she couldn’t sleep, because she was used to falling asleep to my voice. The hot water is symbolic—it means I’ll always be by her side.”
Xie Mi, who had just been about to take the milk, couldn’t help but retort, “That’s because your voice is so weak and airy, it’s like ASMR—makes people sleepy.”
“Pfft—”
Next to her, Shen Moqing laughed openly. “So in other words, Best Actor Xiao has found himself a suitable side job.”
Xiao Jingxi nearly fainted with anger. Just as he was about to say something more, a figure suddenly squeezed in, shoving him aside and plopping down heavily on the other side of Xie Mi.
“If you’re not going to watch TV, then don’t block the way. Haven’t you heard the saying? A good dog doesn’t block the path.”
It was Lai Bingxuan speaking. She didn’t bother to hide the huge eye-roll she gave him.
Xiao Jingxi frowned unhappily and was about to respond, when another voice sounded behind him.
“Best Actor Xiao, excuse me.”
Liu Woxing said this while walking straight past him, deliberately bumping into him on the way, making him stumble back two steps.
By the time he regained his footing, Liu Woxing was already sitting on another empty seat on the sofa.
Now, the long sofa was fully occupied by four people, with Xie Mi in the middle, completely cutting off Xiao Jingxi’s chance of getting close.
At this point, how could Xiao Jingxi not understand?
They were ganging up against him.
[Xie x Liu x Bing for the win!!]
[Blessed are those who feast on this—Xie x Yan slays, Xie x Liu, shrimp soldiers and crab generals, I’m losing it with joy!]
[Ever since this morning’s incident came out, Star has been worried about Old Xie, and Sister Lai has been scolding Xiao Jingxi nonstop. They’re just… I’m crying.]
[Xiao Jingxi is disgusting. He didn’t cherish her when he had her, and now he wants her back. Sister Liu and Sister Lai can clearly see what he’s after. No way they’ll let him near Old Xie.]
[This is great—finally Old Xie isn’t alone this time.]
[I was about to get emotional reading the above, but then remembered that Old Xie fights pretty well on her own…]
[Hahaha Old Xie really can’t do sentimental at all.]
Xiao Jingxi’s face darkened, a layer of cold frost covering his eyes. But when he remembered there were cameras in the villa, he quickly put on his affectionate expression again.
Off to the side, Yu Jinzhe sat obediently in a chair, sipping water. The live-stream comments were full of praise for the “good baby.”
He looked like he was just watching the show, but his gaze was locked on Xiao Jingxi’s face, catching the flicker of unwillingness there.
Yu Jinzhe’s fingertip tapped thoughtfully against the rim of his glass, as an intriguing idea began to take shape in his mind.
At 11 p.m., when the villa’s cameras were already off and the guests were heading to bed, Xiao Jingxi was quietly making a phone call in the back garden, his tone impatient.
“Of course I know the key to redeeming my image lies in Xie Mi! But she’s dead set on making me look bad now—what can I do?!”
“…”
The person on the other end said something, making Xiao Jingxi even more irritable.
“Yes, I did say before that Xie Mi was devoted to me, and I can still guarantee that. But when we were dating, I had her wrapped around my finger. She’s probably just trying to get a little revenge now…”
“…”
“What else can I do but endure it? Public opinion is all on her side right now. She’s probably gotten a little carried away and wants to toy with me for a few days, but deep down she still likes me—I’m certain of it.”
“…”
“Otherwise, she could just ignore me completely. Why bother provoking me again and again? Clearly she doesn’t want to cut ties.”
“…”
“She just wants to see my attitude. As long as I keep up this persona, once she calms down, she’ll come crawling back to me. Then we’ll just release a few PR pieces saying it was a couple’s quarrel, and everything will be resolved.”
“…”
After ending the call with his manager, Xiao Jingxi rubbed his temples wearily, ready to head back to his room—only to see a figure standing at the garden entrance.
“!!!”
His heart nearly leapt out of his chest. When he realized it was a person and not a ghost, he forced himself to relax a little and said in as calm a voice as possible, “Jinzhe, why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“I wanted to chat with Best Actor Xiao. But since you were on the phone, I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Yu Jinzhe still looked as obedient as ever, but under the moonlight, that innocent smile carried a faintly unsettling edge.
Still, recalling Yu Jinzhe’s normally well-behaved personality, Xiao Jingxi convinced himself it was just his imagination.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“About sister.”
Yu Jinzhe’s smile deepened.
Xiao Jingxi instantly grew wary. “How much did you hear just now?”
“It doesn’t matter what I heard. What matters is—I want to help you pursue sister.”
“?”
Xiao Jingxi’s gaze hardened. Of course he didn’t believe such clumsy talk. “You think I’ll fall for that? You like Xie Mi too.”
“I did like her before, but I also have my pride. Sister rejected me again and again—it was humiliating.”
Yu Jinzhe lowered his gaze and sighed. “After we return to school when this season ends, my classmates will laugh at me too, saying that as an ordinary person, I was foolish to even dream of pursuing a star. It makes me look arrogant and ridiculous…”
“My feelings for sister can’t outweigh my self-respect. I even thought about quitting the show, but the contract was already signed, so I had no choice.”
“I figured I’d try again, but as you’ve seen, this season sister has been even harsher with me. I really can’t hold on anymore.”
“Since I’ve given up on her, I thought—why not help you instead?”
“I’ve been unhappy with Mr. Shen for a long time. Don’t you think he carries himself as if none of us matter to him?”
“So why not try bringing him down a notch?”
“Best Actor Xiao, you’re her ex—you’re someone she once loved. As long as you’re willing, Mr. Shen can’t beat you.”
