Yi Xing noticed someone had suddenly appeared beside him. He didn't even need to think to know who it was, as the scent was too familiar. He gradually slowed his pace to match hers, avoiding the awkward situation where he would take one step and she would have to take two to catch up. He subtly curved the corner of his mouth on the other side.
Noticing his action, Ju Jingyi felt a warmth in her heart. She hadn't expected him to be so considerate. So, those super-nice rich second-generation characters in the TV dramas she used to watch really did exist in reality.
The two walked side by side in silence for a while. Neither of them was particularly skilled at starting conversations, but walking together without talking always felt like something was missing.
"Xiao Ju, will you come to the dinner gathering later, or will you fly straight back to Magic City?" The boy was the first to ask.
"I'll go! If I were just a guest participant, the company would have me go back early, but now I've been promoted to a regular cast member, so the treatment is completely different. At least they'll agree to activities like dinner gatherings."
She quickened her pace, walked in front of him, turned around, and walked backward while answering his question.
"That's great then!"
"Looking at you, it seems like you really want me to go?"
Yi Xing was slightly taken aback by the question. When he had said it, he hadn't thought in that direction. Being asked like that made him overthink it a bit, and his face flushed slightly. Fortunately, it was already red from the strenuous exercise earlier, so it was impossible to tell if it was from shyness or something else.
He then said firmly, "Of course! We've played with everyone for so long. It's a great thing to have dinner together afterward to deepen our relationships, and..."
"And what?"
"I'll feel more at ease if you're there."
Hearing this answer, Ju Jingyi froze. Her heart pounded like a little deer, and she didn't know how to respond to him. She waved her hands in a fluster, lowered her head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, and her voice became intermittent.
"That... I... I... I haven't... I haven't planned to develop in that direction yet! I just want to focus on achieving my dream!"
"What direction? I know you want to achieve your dream of the stage." Yi Xing was a bit confused, not understanding why she would say such things. Could it be that his words had caused her to misunderstand? He carefully replayed what he had just said, and it did seem very easy for people to misunderstand.
"Just that direction! Anyway, I'm completely focused on work right now, and I definitely won't consider anything else!" Ju Jingyi bit her lip, her attitude very firm.
"My bad, my bad. I didn't make myself clear. What I meant was, if there's a familiar person beside me, I'll feel more comfortable and relaxed, and I'll be able to integrate better into that atmosphere."
She saw the genuine look on his face, not like he was lying. The tension in her heart immediately subsided. She cleared her throat softly and said, her face flushed, "So that's what it was. Why didn't you make it clear sooner? You made me overthink it. You didn't hear anything just now, okay?"
"Oh dear, what are you saying? I can't hear you anymore!" Yi Xing clapped his ears, deliberately feigning a confused expression, as if he were truly deaf, which made the person standing in front of him burst out laughing. He also laughed heartily, and the previous awkward atmosphere immediately vanished.
"Alright, alright, let's hurry and catch up with them!"
After speaking, Ju Jingyi chased after the main group ahead. The two of them were at the very end of the line, and if they continued talking, they would soon lose sight of the people in front. Yi Xing quickly responded with a "Got it!" and then also quickened his pace, following closely behind her.
Before long, the main group was close by. They could faintly hear everyone's laughter and chatter. Taking advantage of no one paying attention, the two quietly joined the end of the line and quickly blended in.
"Hey, where did Yi Xing go?" Xie Na, at the very front, looked around at the people, didn't spot a certain figure, and asked loudly.
"I'm here, Sister Na!"
Yi Xing moved through the crowd to her. Ju Jingyi followed behind him, one in front and one behind. Others who didn't know the situation might genuinely think they were a couple, whispering to those around them, their gazes fixed on them.
"I thought you got lost while walking! Oh, Xiao Ju, you're here too. What, do you two know each other?" Xie Na's gossipy heart ignited. Anyway, the recording was over now, so anything that couldn't be said on the show could be said now.
"Hello, Sister Na. We've known each other for a year."
"That long ago? So, what's your relationship?"
"Friends." x2.
A certain unspoken understanding manifested at the most inopportune moment, appearing completely. With their unison, no one would believe that there wasn't something more to their relationship.
"Friends, huh! Okay, I understand!" Xie Na said this, but the teasing in her eyes clearly showed her disbelief. However, she didn't press further, as it was her first time meeting these two, and it was better not to pry too deeply into personal matters.
"Hey, Sister Na, I just heard you all discussing so lively. Have you decided where to have dinner later?" Yi Xing quickly smiled and changed the subject.
"Just follow me when the time comes." She patted her chest. She knew Xing City like the back of her hand when it came to good food, having lived there for many years. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked the people behind her, "Teacher He will also be coming later. You don't mind, do you?"
"No mind!" xN.
In the entertainment industry, the only person who could be called Teacher He was He Jiong. Hearing that he was coming, they were too happy to mind, especially Ju Jingyi, whose excitement was almost impossible to hide.
After all, among everyone going to the dinner, only she and Yi Xing had not met He Jiong. The only way they could see him was through television or the internet.
Yi Xing's reaction was very calm, which caught the attention of Ju Jingyi beside him. She quietly asked, "You're about to meet Teacher He, but you don't seem excited at all."
"Don't forget my identity. What grand scenes haven't I witnessed? Compared to excitement, it's more curiosity, I suppose. I want to see if he's really as gentle in private as he appears."
"So what kind of news would make you feel very excited?"
"You'll find out later." Yi Xing smiled mysteriously, not answering Ju Jingyi's question.
"I've sent the dinner location to the group. Remember not to miss the time."
Xie Na raised her phone and waved it. Everyone got into the cars arranged by the production team and returned to the hotel. Having worked up a sweat, they naturally had to take a shower first to get rid of the smell.