Yi Xing ate his Jianbing Guozi as he headed to the nearest subway station. The streets were bustling with traffic at night, and colorful neon lights flickered, making the city's evening exceptionally lively.
He strolled through the crowd; there were still two hours until the flight arrived, so there was no need to rush. He wanted to fully experience Xing City's nightlife.
Before long, he arrived at the subway station, having just finished his food. He threw the wrapper into a nearby trash can, then took the escalator with the flow of people to a self-service ticket machine.
He tapped his destination on the screen, paid, and with a 'ding,' the ticket popped out of the dispenser. He took the ticket and put it in his pocket, then placed his luggage on the security conveyor belt.
After smoothly passing through security, he walked to the platform and found a less crowded spot to stand. He pulled out his phone, and the screen lit up, displaying several unread messages, one of which was from Ju Jingyi a few minutes ago.
【Ju Jingyi: We're about to leave. Have you set off yet?】
【Yi Xing: I'm already on my way.】
Yi Xing took a photo of the glass in front of him and sent it. The glass was too dark to capture his inherent charm and appearance, but it didn't matter; proving he was on his way was enough.
【Ju Jingyi: No, why are you taking the subway? Where's the driver who picked you up last time? Didn't he come out with you?】
【Yi Xing: I'm out alone this time. I didn't bring anyone else.】
He didn't really want to share details about his personal life with Ju Jingyi. Liu Xuhui's situation was purely accidental, and besides, his family knew about him, so it was fine to mention.
But she was different; telling her wouldn't help in any way.
He sent the message, put his phone back in his pocket, put on his headphones, and quietly waited for the subway. The surrounding noise now had nothing to do with him.
Suddenly, an announcement sounded. The moment it ended, the subway slowly pulled into the station. He boarded, found an empty seat, looked up to calculate roughly how many stops it would be, then leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes to rest.
About forty minutes later, Yi Xing opened his eyes, sensing something.
The subway announcement simultaneously played, "Huanghua International Airport is approaching. Please prepare to exit the train." He stood up and walked to the end of the crowd, waiting to disembark.
He quickly walked out of the subway station. The night breeze gently brushed his cheek, bringing a touch of coolness in the hot summer. He checked the time; the flight wouldn't arrive for another hour, which was plenty of time.
【Yi Xing: I'm at the airport. Have you arrived yet?】
The other side didn't reply immediately, but he wasn't in a hurry. He continued on his way. It would be great if they could chat, but if not, he wouldn't lose anything.
It would just be a bit boring on the way back to Magic City, but he had been used to it for the past two years.
As he walked, his headphones chimed with a message notification. He opened it.
【Ju Jingyi: We just passed security and are waiting at the gate. Come over quickly; I saved you a spot.】
【Yi Xing: Okay, I'll be right there.】
Yi Xing glanced at the photo she sent, memorized the approximate location, and quickened his pace. He passed through security, navigated the bustling airport crowd, looked up to quickly scan the signs, pinpointed the general direction, and advanced with determined eyes.
At the same time, after sending the message to Yi Xing, Ju Jingyi broke into a happy smile, which left Zhao Jiamin, sitting on her other side, a bit confused, wondering what she was smiling about.
Could it be a funny video on her phone? She quietly leaned her head closer, wanting to see what she was looking at.
"I knew you were smiling so happily! So you were chatting with Xing Ge. I've been meaning to ask, what's your relationship with him? I noticed he seemed to take special care of you on the show."
The staff accompanying them immediately perked up their ears. Goodness, these were things they hadn't known! They eagerly wanted to hear Ju Jingyi's answer.
If it was confirmed they were dating, they would have to report it to their superiors. She wouldn't be able to continue as an idol, because the contract explicitly stipulated that dating was not allowed during the group's active period. If verified, she would have to voluntarily withdraw from the group and pay liquidated damages.
"What nonsense are you talking about? I wasn't smiling that happily. He and I are just ordinary friends. If I had to say, he's someone who helped me in the past."
"Last year, when I first came to Magic City, I didn't know my way around, and he was the one who took me to Jiaxing Road. I thought I'd never cross paths with him again, so I didn't expect to meet him again on this show."
"Oh, I thought you were classmates or something. So you've only met a few times."
Zhao Jiamin leaned in closer, covering her mouth with her hand, and whispered. The next question was something the staff couldn't hear: "By the way, do you have any other feelings for him?"
"What feelings?" Ju Jingyi looked at her, puzzled.
"You know, those kinds of feelings between a man and a woman."
"What are you thinking about? Of course not! I have no plans to date until I've fully achieved my dream."
Zhao Jiamin pouted and said with a grin, "Alright, alright, I was just gossiping. Since you don't, then never mind."
"But I think Xing Ge seems like a pretty good guy. Maybe if there's an opportunity in the future, you could consider that direction."
"If the people behind us heard you say that, who knows what they'd say about you. But how come you call him Xing Ge?" Ju Jingyi gently patted the person next to her, annoyed.
"He should be older than me, right?"
"I don't know either. I haven't asked him what year he was born. Can you check online?"
Just as the two were chatting happily, the man himself appeared before them, pulling a suitcase, and greeted them with a smile: "Hello everyone, I hope I'm not late?"
"No, you're right on time. What year were you born?" Ju Jingyi patted the empty seat beside her, motioning for him to sit down quickly.
"I was born in '96. Why?"
"What a coincidence! I'm two years younger than Xing Ge, and you're two years younger than Xiao Ju, so it forms a perfect chain."
"Were you two just discussing that?" Yi Xing seemed a bit surprised by the topic they were chatting about.
"What, we can't?"
"Yes, you can."
... The three fell into a tacit silence simultaneously, unsure what to talk about next. They couldn't very well discuss their private information, could they? In this slightly awkward silence, Yi Xing suddenly had an idea and broke the deadlock.
"What are your feelings after finishing the recording?"
"If I had to describe it in one word, it's 'exhausting'!".
"Exactly! It's even more tiring than when I usually practice dancing!"
Ju Jingyi agreed. The amount of exercise she did this afternoon was equivalent to her usual two days. When the company initially arranged for her to come, they hadn't told her what kind of show it was.
But after experiencing it, she realized how intense the workout was. However, she didn't regret it.
Because she could reconnect with the person who had helped her in the beginning, and she could repay the kindness she owed him. That was the most important thing!