The joyful mealtime ended quickly. Yi Xing and Ju Jingyi ate until they were about 80% full and sat in chairs chatting. It’s best to rest a little right after eating.
Don't talk about 'a hundred steps after a meal, live to ninety-nine'; if you're going to walk, it's something for half an hour after the meal, not immediately after eating.
"Xiao Ju, when does your film start shooting?"
"Early December."
"Then why did you come here so early?"
"This is my first time in Hengdian! Of course, I need to spend some time getting familiar with the surroundings. Wasn't that your thought when you joined a film crew before?" Ju Jingyi tilted her head, her clear eyes looking at the person opposite her.
"Indeed, that was my thought when I first came. If you don't mind, then let me, as your senior, give you a proper introduction." Yi Xing said with conviction; he knew all the good food and fun places nearby, more than enough to be a guide.
"Then I'll trouble Senior Yi Xing!"
"No trouble at all, no trouble. It's my honor to serve such a beautiful lady as you."
After he finished speaking, the two looked at each other and laughed simultaneously. Their laughter filled the air. When you're teased, you naturally tease back immediately; you don't hold it in.
After the laughter subsided, Yi Xing picked up his phone and checked the time. A long time had passed since they ate, so he suggested, "Do you want to go out for a walk with me? Tomorrow, we can see if I can take you to the film set."
"That's fine, I'll follow your arrangements." Ju Jingyi was indifferent to this; she wasn't in a hurry to return to the hotel anyway.
"Then let's go!"
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When Yi Xing and Ju Jingyi finished dinner together and returned to their respective rooms, he sat on the bed and massaged his legs. He felt like they weren't his own anymore, having accompanied her for an entire afternoon, drinking three or four cups of milk tea alone.
They barely stopped along the way, looking left and right, browsing. Besides food and drinks, he hadn't bought anything else. He didn't know where she got so much energy from.
Could it be that as long as it involves shopping, girls of all ages seem tireless, always full of enthusiasm? Thinking of this, he shook his head helplessly. However, although his body was exhausted, his heart felt exceptionally fulfilled and happy.
Only shopping with Ju Jingyi could bring him such a feeling; not even his own family had ever given him that. He actually knew he liked her a little but had no intention of confessing.
Even if he did, now wasn't the right time to confess to her. Plus, he wasn't sure what she thought of him—whether she simply considered him a good friend or if she, like him, harbored a certain sentiment. There were too many unknown factors, and he didn't dare to gamble.
If he gambled correctly, everyone would be happy. If he lost, he would lose completely. In all his life, he had never seen people who failed at confessing remain good friends. Real life isn't like variety show recordings, where making a wrong decision doesn't cause a huge problem.
In front of the camera, even with the greatest risk, Yi Xing would try hard to attempt it, because he knew that failure wouldn't make him lose anything. But reality is not like that; once a wrong decision is made, everything before it will be irreversible.
He had thought too far ahead for a moment. He picked up his phone, found a tongue twister, stood up, and began practicing his voice facing the window. This kind of practice could greatly improve his line delivery skills. It might not show great results in the short term, but by taking a little time each day, it would be effective over time.
The training also took away that trace of confusion born from his emotions. He silently made a resolution in his heart: just enjoy the present. As for future developments, let nature take its course.
After finishing his line practice, Yi Xing sent a message to Director Jiang. Only at this time of day would Director Jiang have time to reply; he was busy filming during the day and had no time to check his phone.
"Yi Xing: Director Jiang, I have a friend who wants to visit our film crew. Do you mind?"
"Director Jiang: I don't mind. Just no photos or videos, you should understand that."
"Yi Xing: I will tell my friend."
Seeing Director Jiang agree to let him bring someone to visit the film crew, the big stone in his heart finally landed.
Although he hadn't explicitly promised Ju Jingyi that he would definitely take her to the film crew, he had been thinking about it, hoping she could learn something from it. Then he eagerly sent her a message.
"Yi Xing: Xiao Ju, are you asleep?"
"Ju Jingyi: Just got into bed, what's up?"
"Yi Xing: I asked the director, and he agreed for you to come to the film crew with me. Remember to wake up early tomorrow morning; I'll wait for you in the lobby. Get some rest, goodnight."
"Ju Jingyi: Yay! See you tomorrow, goodnight."
After sending this message, Ju Jingyi didn't immediately put down her phone and fall asleep. Instead, she told her assistant, who had come with her, about her specific plans for tomorrow. Roughly, she would be visiting the film crew with a friend tomorrow, so the assistant didn't need to follow her and could rest well in the hotel.
With everything arranged perfectly, she finally put her phone aside, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
The sky outside suddenly changed from dim to bright. The moon hadn't completely set, but the sun had already risen, seemingly announcing the arrival of a new day. In a hotel room, the phone on the bedside table suddenly rang.
It rang for a few seconds, then a hand reached out from under the covers, fumbled to turn off the sound. The person on the bed made no further movement, as if his brain hadn't fully booted up yet. After a while, a person slowly sat up, picked up the clothes nearby and put them on, then walked to the window and began vocal exercises.
It must be clear who he is. After Yi Xing finished his vocal exercises and washed up, he left the hotel, bought some breakfast nearby, and sat in the lobby as agreed, waiting. He thoughtfully held Ju Jingyi's portion close to his chest to keep it warm longer.
About half an hour later, Ju Jingyi walked out of the elevator with light steps. Her outfit was unchanged from yesterday, still the same, but her hairstyle had changed; her bangs were gone.
She saw someone sitting on a sofa in the distance, conveniently with his back to her, head bowed, doing something. She immediately had a good idea, lightened her steps, and quickly came up behind him.
She placed her hands on his shoulders and shouted, "Good morning!"
Yi Xing was so startled he nearly jumped off the sofa. He trembled all over and stiffly turned his head, replying with a tearful smile, "Good morning."
Seeing him so scared by her, her prank was a great success! She couldn't help but burst into laughter, and her clear, resonant 'hahaha' once again erupted from her mouth: "Hahaha, you're so easily scared."
"You try it?"
"I don't want to~"
"And here I brought breakfast for someone, only to be treated like this. Never mind, I'll just eat it myself." Yi Xing said, taking out a still warm bun from his embrace.
"No, don't!" Seeing this, Ju Jingyi quickly grabbed the bun from his hand.
"I'm sorry, I won't do it next time." She blinked her pair of pitiful big eyes, looking at Yi Xing.
"Given how proactive you are in admitting your mistake, I'll give it to you!" He released his tightly clenched hand.
"Wow, you're the best!"