CHAPTER 190: CHAPTER 190 SILLY GIRL

"Mm, I’ve double-locked the security door. I’m very well-behaved when I sleep, so don’t worry. It’s so late, you must be tired. You should get some sleep."

After sending the message, Xi Yiqian stared blankly at the text from Xia Liang, a foolish smile creeping across her face.

On the other end, Xia Liang had thought Xi Yiqian was already asleep. But before he could close the chat box, he saw that she had replied. This girl hasn’t gone to sleep yet!

A hint of a smile touched the corner of Xia Liang’s mouth as he sent a video call request.

Xi Yiqian was startled by the sudden ringing. Snapping back to reality, she realized it was her phone. She glanced at the screen.

*Spring Breeze Brushes the Night Deer has sent you a video chat request.*

*Do you accept?*

Xi Yiqian thought for a moment and then tapped ’Accept’.

"Hey, girl. I thought you were still awake? Why is it so pitch-black over there?"

Upon hearing Xia Liang’s voice, Xi Yiqian stuttered a bit.

"I... I’m... I’m lying in bed."

"Oh."

Xia Liang nodded. In the dim light from the phone screen, he could see Xi Yiqian bundled up in her blanket, with only her head and one hand visible.

"Are you cold? Why are you wrapped up so tightly?"

"Not at all," Xi Yiqian answered honestly.

Although it was already October, the temperature in Qingyun City hadn’t dropped that drastically. Besides, the room had air conditioning. The only reason she was bundled up was that she was scared, but she didn’t say so. Xia Liang was busy, and she felt she shouldn’t make him worry.

Seeing her cute expression, Xia Liang couldn’t help but tease her.

"Girl, I’ve been away for so many days. Did you miss me?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Yiqian’s face instantly flushed crimson. Even in the dim light of the phone screen, Xia Liang could see it clearly.

Xia Liang let out a light laugh. This girl... after all this time, she’s still so easily flustered. I just asked if she missed me and she reacted like this. The mission’s not yet accomplished; I’ve still got work to do!

Just as he was about to end the teasing and let Xi Yiqian off the hook, she actually spoke up.

"Mm..."

Her voice was very quiet, but Xia Liang heard it clearly. He was instantly stunned. Holy crap! What did I just hear?! This shy girl actually admitted she missed me!

Xia Liang immediately pressed her.

"Girl, what did you just say? Say it again!"

Hearing this, Xi Yiqian knew he had heard her; it was obvious he was just in disbelief. She had spoken subconsciously, never expecting him to catch it. Now that he was asking her to repeat it, she didn’t dare. She quickly shook her head, bashfully burying it in the blanket like an ostrich.

Seeing her like this, Xia Liang knew it was probably no use pushing further.

"Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Don’t you have work tomorrow? Go on and get some sleep."

Hearing Xia Liang drop the subject, Xi Yiqian carefully poked her head out from under the blanket.

"Mm."

Xia Liang held his phone at a distance and waved at the screen.

"Good night, then. We’ll be back in a few days."

"Mm-hmm, I know." Xi Yiqian nodded obediently and added her own reminder, "You should sleep early too. Take care of yourself. Good night."

"Mm."

With that, Xia Liang ended the video call.

After the call ended, Xi Yiqian obediently placed her phone aside. Thinking of her video chat with Xia Liang, she closed her eyes, a smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep.

* * *

Meanwhile, after finishing with Xi Yiqian, Xia Liang moved on to the next person: Qingxue.

Today, she had sent many scenic photos from her trip, as well as some selfies. She had also asked what gift he wanted.

Xia Liang, however, replied with brutal honesty.

"This photo makes you look too short."

"The stone lion next to you looks great, though!"

"Isn’t it still short-sleeve weather in Haiya? Why are your hands in your pockets? Aren’t you hot?"

"That red hat is so ugly. I think a green one would look better..."

From top to bottom, the only praise he gave was, "The picture quality on your camera isn’t bad!"

When Qingxue didn’t reply after he had sent over a dozen such messages, Xia Liang concluded she must have fallen asleep. Of course, he didn’t rule out the possibility that she was simply too annoyed by him to speak. This killed any thought Xia Liang had of calling her.

He swiped to the next chat.

Su Yi’s messages were, by comparison, much simpler. After all, she wasn’t living with him like Xi Yiqian, nor had she met his parents like Qingxue. Although Su Yi already considered herself Xia Liang’s girlfriend, she had no idea what he really thought and didn’t dare to be too clingy, fearing it would do more harm than good.

She usually just sent good morning and good night messages or shared funny stories about her streaming PKs and school life. She kept entertaining herself even when Xia Liang didn’t reply. Her most recent messages were about how exhausting today’s PKs were, but she hadn’t said good night yet. It seemed she was still awake.

Xia Liang decided to send a message.

"Are you asleep?"

In her apartment, Su Yi, who had just finished streaming and was washing up, glanced at her phone. At first, she assumed it was her friends fooling around in their group chat, but she was shocked to see it was Xia Liang. Forgetting all about washing up, she quickly dried her hands and replied.

"Not yet, just washing up."

Xia Liang wasted no time and immediately started a video call. Seeing the incoming call, surprise flashed through Su Yi’s eyes, and she hurriedly accepted.

As Xia Liang’s face appeared on the screen, Su Yi waved.

"Hello~ Did our Big Brother Xia miss me?"

Xia Liang rolled his eyes and replied righteously, "This is purely a well-being check! Besides, I prefer you calling me Daddy Xia over Big Brother Xia."

Hearing his last words, delivered in a playfully teasing tone, even an old pro like Su Yi blushed furiously. She just shot him a look. Calling him that during a stream was just for the performance. Saying it now felt incredibly embarrassing.

Of course, Xia Liang was just joking. Seeing her red face, he didn’t push the teasing any further and changed the subject.

"Right, you mentioned some invitation today... what was that lousy program that wanted you to join?"

Hearing him ask about it, Su Yi returned to normal.

"It’s a new show from Fruit Radio called *The Voice of Heaven*. They invited me to participate."

Xia Liang stroked his chin. "What do you think?"

"I don’t know," Su Yi answered, honestly shaking her head.

Originally, Su Yi had enrolled at Qingyun Music University to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. But after starting college, she discovered the reality was very different from what she had imagined. Back then, quite a few men who coveted her looks had promised to make her famous. Naturally, that came with a price. Su Yi, of course, refused, and her ambition gradually faded.