Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
To Long Xiaoxi’s surprise, a sullen expression formed on Zhong Tian’ai’s face as soon as she heard her answer. “You’re back?”
“Yeah, I have been for a while.”
Zhong Tian’ai retorted, “Why did you come back? I thought you were going to settle down abroad.”
Long Xiaoxi’s smile vanished, and Zhong Minhe’s assistant began to feel awkward as well.
“My home is in A City. My parents, family, and closest friends are all here. Why can’t I come back? Regardless of how great it may be overseas, it’s nowhere comparable to home.”
Zhong Tian’ai questioned, “What are you here for, then?”
Long Xiaoxi retorted, “I’m looking for your brother, not you. Why do you have so many questions?”
Zhong Tian’ai was at a loss for words. Long Xiaoxi thought to herself, What’s wrong with Zhong Tian’ai? Why is she so hostile?
Their conversation ended on an unhappy note.
Long Xiaoxi continued to use her mobile phone and could not be bothered to talk to her. When Zhong Minhe was done, his assistant whispered something to him. His spirits were dampened after hearing what his assistant said. Glaring at his sister, he chided, “Why are you so insensible? Xiaoxi and I are going out. You may go home if there’s nothing you’d like to tell me.”
“What’s the fun in you two going out alone? I want to come with you.”
“Tian’ai, don’t be so willful,” he warned sternly.
Zhong Tian’ai left in displeasure.
Long Xiaoxi gloated in her head.
After exiting the studio, Long Xiaoxi asked, “What’s wrong with your sister? Why has she changed so drastically?”
Zhong Minhe explained, “Ignore her. My parents have spoiled her rotten. She knows how to get in my parents’ good books too. She doesn’t usually act like this.”
“Why did she have such a hostile attitude toward me, then? Does she have a crush on you?”
Zhong Minhe chuckled and said, “How can that be? She’s my sister.”
“You’re not related by blood anyway.”
“It can’t be.” Noticing that she was carrying a bag, he said, “Let me carry your bag for you. Hang it around my neck.”
Long Xiaoxi declined profusely, “It’s alright, it’s not heavy anyway.”
Zhong Minhe insisted, “I want to help you.”
Afraid that she would hurt his pride, Long Xiaoxi conceded. “Does it feel uncomfortable?” she asked worriedly.
“No, not at all.”
Long Xiaoxi grabbed his sleeve and continued walking with him.
“I watched the live broadcasts of the modeling contest that you participated in. You did really well. The next broadcast seems to be the last one. Are you confident about winning?” Zhong Minhe asked.
“Of course. I’m full of confidence. It’s honestly just a game of connections. I didn’t want my family to pull strings for me at first. However, I decided to follow suit and play along after finding out that the contestants were all predetermined. I got my parents to help me out.”
“Have you ever thought about the other contestants who don’t come from wealthy families? Aren’t they being treated unfairly too?” asked Zhong Minhe, who took sympathy on the other contestants.
“I understand, but what can I do? I can’t make the judges and organizers play it fair either. After all, we’re not in charge of organizing the contest. In every industry, there’ll always be people who gain benefits by using their connections. Nothing is fair in this world. If you can’t change society, you’ll have to force yourself to adjust and adapt. It’s a dog-eat-dog world and this is the only solution I have to ensure that I won’t be eliminated.”
Despite understanding her mindset, he said, “Xiaoxi, I know you have a point, but would you be happy with that title?”
Staring at him, Long Xiaoxi answered, “Why not? I’m not snatching the title away from the other contestants who come from humble backgrounds. I’m just depriving those who pulled strings to get into the top thirty the chance of being champion. By the way, Wen Yuechan joined the contest too. She’s going to be in the top three because of her stepfather who enjoys power and authority. How else could she have gotten in?”
Zhong Minhe sighed and said, “What matters is you’re happy. I just think that this contest is no longer a battle of abilities. Instead, it’s just a competition of who has the best family background.”
Long Xiaoxi regretted telling him about the contest. She remained silent.
Noticing that she had stopped speaking, Zhong Minhe pressed his forehead against hers and said, “That’s the only thing you could do. I don’t blame you. I just find the organizer to be disgustingly immoral.”
Long Xiaoxi said, “The organizer’s daughter shares the same dormitory as me. Her name is Wang Hulu. She used to be named Wang Xizhen, but she changed it in order to leave a stronger impression on others.”
“Her original name was so much better. Her new name sounds so unrefined. There’s a fried chicken store in front. Shall we go there?”
“Alright.”
As soon as they reached the fried chicken store, Long Xiaoxi stopped in her tracks because she saw Jin Yiheng alighting from his car.
Why is he here?
She had never seen him again ever since the time that he sneaked into her room.
She refused to answer his calls or reply to his messages. Hence, she was rather surprised to see him too.
Zhong Minhe had also caught sight of Jin Yiheng. He stood beside Long Xiaoxi and waited for Jin Yiheng to walk toward them.
“Why are you here?”
“To look for you.”
“What is it that you’re looking for me for?”
“I’m here to discuss our marriage.”
“…”
Zhong Minhe stared at Long Xiaoxi in shock and asked in disbelief, “Your marriage?”
Long Xiaoxi vehemently said in denial, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. I don’t plan to marry him at all!”
“Are you not going to take responsibility for me? You kissed me and slept with me…” he said with open frankness, especially since Zhong Minhe was there.
Long Xiaoxi turned red immediately, embarrassed and infuriated. She did not expect him to say such shameless things in front of Zhong Minhe.
“Jin Yiheng!”
“Since you’re here for fried chicken with Minhe, I’ll talk to you tonight instead. I’ll be waiting for you at home.”
Watching him leave, Long Xiaoxi stomped her feet on the ground and hollered, “You jerk!”
He turned around and winked at her before leaving.
A sudden tension filled the air.
Long Xiaoxi looked at Zhong Minhe, who was looking at her too. She quickly explained, “It’s not like what he said. He sneaked into my house yesterday… and refused to leave… no…”
Finding her explanation to be a little inappropriate, she continued, “I don’t know what happened to him…”
