"Fine, I admit it. You win."
Xiao Jingxi took several deep breaths, struggling to steady his voice. "Our breakup was entirely down to you being unreasonable, but I'm willing to compromise. I'll stop promoting myself and Xu Shuangrong as a couple, so you can quit while you're ahead."
He acted as though he were granting her a favor, as though he were being incredibly magnanimous.
Xie Mi grinned, folding her arms and watching him with amusement.
"You think I broke up with you just because you were promoting a ship with Xu Shuangrong?"
"Wasn't that why?"
Xiao Jingxi snorted. "Back when you were pursuing me, I told you that once I entered the entertainment industry, my work would inevitably involve other actresses. You pretended to be so understanding then. Who knew you'd be this petty? Whatever, I won't hold that against you. I'm being generous here, so take the offer..."
Before he could finish, Xie Mi let out a derisive chuckle.
"Look at you, all stripes and no substance, talking like you make perfect sense."
Xiao Jingxi: "?"
A vein throbbed on his forehead. He looked dangerously close to losing his temper.
"Looks like you still don't get it." In the darkness, a faint trace of laughter seemed to dance in Xie Mi's beautiful eyes.
"I broke up with you because, from start to finish, you've been a-"
"Piece. Of. Trash."
Xiao Jingxi's pupils abruptly contracted, and even his breathing faltered.
Xie Mi kicked him aside, opened the refrigerator, grabbed a can, and left.
Xiao Jingxi was still reeling from the enormous change in her.
Right up until that moment, he had firmly believed that everything unusual Xie Mi had done lately was an attempt to win him back.
He had thought that if he graciously beckoned to her, she would obediently return to his side and grovel at his feet like she used to.
But it seemed he had been wrong.
She really had changed.
Xiao Jingxi clenched his fists so tightly that his back teeth nearly cracked from grinding them.
Early the next morning, Xie Mi drifted into the kitchen like a ghost, sporting two dark circles under her eyes.
Yep. She had gone to sleep at five in the morning and gotten up at seven.
If she hadn't needed to film this product placement, there was no way she would have gotten up early.
Life was precious, sleep was dearer still, but for the sake of cash, she could sacrifice them both.
[First, first! Holy shit, Sister Xie actually got up early? Got it, I must still be dreaming.]
[Old Xie, those dark circles? Is this dating show making you its national treasure?]
[@ProductionTeam I only have one Sister Xie! Don't let her die on me!]
Looking thoroughly aggrieved, Xie Mi opened the refrigerator and took out the sponsor's milk. She gulped it down, found the camera, and flashed a radiant smile in an instant.
She recited the unhinged ad slogan the sponsor had tailored exclusively for her. "QQ Baa-Baa Milk tastes so good you'll baa and poop! Drink it down and poop with ease!"
What could she do? The sponsor had simply paid too much.
[Haven't ordered. Expect delivery. Know what's good for you. Don't let me down.]
[Love it. Ordered it. Haven't paid. Please send it free.]
[Ordered a hundred and they've arrived! Excellent quality, exactly as described. The kids love eating it, the cut is great, the fabric is comfortable, the sizing is accurate, it doesn't transfer onto cups and lasts all day, the orange shades brighten my complexion, my hair is soft after washing and no longer greasy, the screen is clear and it runs smoothly, totally safe for sensitive skin, comfortable grip and gentle on gums, I add a few drops every time I cook. Very satisfied with this purchase.]
Xie Mi's persona was so unhinged that her fans were all internet pranksters. They could turn even an ad slogan into endless jokes, and the response was unexpectedly good.
The sponsor couldn't stop praising it.
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" Liu Woxing had entered the kitchen at some point and was operating her personal coffee machine.
Some of Xie Mi's sleepiness vanished.
Liu Woxing had actually struck up a conversation with her. That was a rare occurrence.
Although Liu Woxing occasionally exchanged a few words with her, it was always polite small talk. Clearly, her first impression of Xie Mi hadn't been good.
When Xie Mi didn't answer, Liu Woxing paused and rephrased. "It looks like we're going out to film this morning. I just saw the production team's vehicle. You look sleepy. Some coffee might help you wake up."
"Thanks, but I'm good." Xie Mi declined her kind offer.
Liu Woxing was briefly taken aback, but said nothing more and continued grinding her coffee.
Soon, the other guests got up one after another.
Director Niu also announced the morning's filming plans. "This morning's segment is [Mock Blind Dates]. Based on the ideal-partner questionnaires you filled out on the first day, we've arranged blind dates with people who best match your preferences."
"Please get into the van outside right away. We're heading to the blind-date venue now."
[Holy shit, dates on day three and blind dates on day four? I love this pace.]
[From what Director Niu said, they're not going on blind dates with each other? They've brought in other people?]
[Huh? Isn't this a dating show? Aren't the guests supposed to interact with each other? Why bring in their ideal partners? Are they trying to break up our ships?]
[Niu Bi, you'd better watch yourself! Just try breaking up my ship!!]
Despite the viewers' protests, the guests boarded the vehicle bound for the city.
Everyone else enthusiastically discussed what twists the segment might hold. Only Xie Mi slept peacefully.
[Sister Xie actually fell asleep? It's her ideal guy! A six-foot-one athletic guy with abs! And she's not interested?!]
[Proof that sleep matters more than men.]
[No! It's because Sister Xie already has Mr. Shen in her heart. Even the hottest athletic guy holds no appeal now!]
[Someone escort the romance-brained one out.]
The coastal city was hot in July, and the air conditioning in the vehicle was turned down very low.
One of the vents pointed straight at Xie Mi, blasting her with cold air.
Xie Mi frowned in her sleep.
Shen Yeqing casually picked up a blanket and draped it over her.
The shippers were just about to start swooning when something utterly baffling happened.
Xiao Jingxi suddenly spoke. "Driver, could you please turn off the air conditioning?"
Everyone stopped talking at once and looked over in confusion.
Xu Shuangrong was the first to react, smoothing things over. "Jingxi, I'm fine. I'm not cold."
Xiao Jingxi paused. "I'm cold."
[Huh? Dude, what are you doing?]
[You're wearing more than anyone else in this van, and you're cold??]
To nail his look, Xiao Jingxi had worn a sweater and jacket that day. Just looking at him in the height of summer was enough to make anyone sweat.
Yet Xiao Jingxi claimed he was cold?
[He's obviously worried Shuangrong is cold, but he's too proud to admit it! That's why he said that!]
[Ahhh, so that's it! So sweet!]
"The temperature's fine, isn't it? Turning off the AC in the middle of summer-are you trying to roast us all? It's cramped enough in here already."
Qiu Chengye voiced his displeasure. "If you're cold, put a blanket over yourself."
Xiao Jingxi pressed his lips tightly together and said nothing more, but then made another shocking move.
He reached over and tilted the vent in front of Xie Mi upward, directing the airflow toward the ceiling.
The moment he did that, Xu Shuangrong's expression soured.
Qiu Chengye's eyes widened as though he had seen a ghost.
Liu Woxing gave him a meaningful look.
[??????????]
[Dude, what are you doing?!!]
[Xiao Jingxi, have you lost your damn mind?!!!!]
Before you continue