CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 20: I’M NOT ACTING SPOILED

After reading the Dormitory Diary, Yu Xia fell into deep thought once more.

She was reflecting.

Xie Qingci wasn’t even twenty yet, indeed still growing.

Thinking back to when they had met, he had just turned eighteen, a fresh-faced young lad, at a critical growth stage.

And she had acted on him just like that.

She did feel a bit like a beast.

She looked up at herself in the mirror, her expression regretful, yet her hand couldn’t help but give herself a thumbs up.

Feeling relieved after all was done, she peacefully fell asleep.

The items in that gift box were put away again, returned to the bookshelf. Though she didn’t want to admit it, she sometimes did, slightly, have a bit too much drama.

Over the past year, that gift box had been taken out and put back several times, which was why it didn’t have even a speck of dust. Each time, she said she was reminiscing about her younger brother’s presence, then she would stop and start anew, yet each time she only managed the reminiscing part, tsk.

Wednesday.

Today was the first episode of the outdoor spin-off show.

Yu Xia arrived at the base early, accompanied by He Ci.

It was because He Ci was overseeing the whole process that she dressed very "celebrity-like" today.

In a black, tight-split top, loose jeans, revealing a sliver of white at the waist, with a small slit at the neckline, adding quite a bit of flair to the otherwise plain black top.

In the middle of summer, her hair was down, appearing like a regular down style, yet her hair was glossy, and she wore a beautiful misty blue velvet headband, clearly well-dressed.

He Ci even made her prepare a pearl-white shark clip, to put her hair up if she got hot.

As for makeup, she purposely had a fresh summer look, the black-and-white contrast making her quite "eye-catching at a glance" — He Ci’s own words.

Truly exquisite, if He Ci herself were a female celebrity, she’d certainly be a standout in the entertainment industry.

Upon entering the base, He Ci seamlessly integrated into Shu Ran’s manager circle, greeting and socializing with natural ease like a noblewoman.

Yu Xia chatted with Shu Ran and the others and went to the restroom halfway through.

Passing by several rehearsal studios, since the doors were open, the music could be heard clearly.

Without glancing aside, she entered the restroom, and upon coming out, detoured to that secluded corner outside the studio from last time.

As she was nearing her destination, she heard some heavy footsteps behind her.

Within two minutes of entering the corner, a tall figure followed suit.

Xie Qingci looked down at her, his gaze restrained to her face, saying nothing.

Yu Xia crossed her arms, gave him a once-over, then spoke first, her voice very low: "Are you also on today’s outdoor show?"

At first, it sounded as if she was quite disdainful.

Xie Qingci, with a flat tone, said, "What, Yu Xia, don’t you want to see me?"

"Who doesn’t like looking at handsome guys," she replied casually, then slightly frowned. "But if you’re on two spin-offs in a row, other fans will surely complain. Did the program team ask you to come?"

"Yeah, they directly called my name." When it came to business, he obediently cooperated.

Upon hearing this, Yu Xia’s frown deepened.

"Seems the program team is favoring you. But these talent shows have scripts, you should know. Being favored early rarely ends well. Other fans might assume you’re the golden boy, and they could band together to attack you later."

Xie Qingci leaned against the wall, his long legs slightly bent, looked at her, and asked, "Even knowing that, is there any way to refuse such arrangements from the program team?"

Yu Xia paused.

Right, although this early-praise-then-drop trick is quite disgusting, there’s no way to refuse it. He needs this high exposure; the program team’s early favor is beneficial for him.

Your poison is my honey, and whether he will be thrown under the bus for others later on is still uncertain; it all depends on Xie Qingci’s performance. As long as he’s indeed good, and fans buy into it, even if the program team wants to ditch him, they must consider their vast fanbase’s opinions.

She furrowed her brows in thought.

Xie Qingci openly stared at her, slowly blinking, his thick lashes lightly fluttering.

His gaze stopped at her furrowed brow, paused, then he softly interrupted her thoughts, asking, "What are you trying to do? Why bring this up suddenly?"

Yu Xia glanced at him. Calmly said, "Oh, just caring for you one last time on account of old friends, are you still not signed with a company?"

One last time.

Xie Qingci lowered his eyelids, his thick lashes shielding the emotions in his eyes, after a moment, he said, "You don’t need to worry about this, I’m not yours or anything."

"You’re almost two years an adult, so stop saying such petulant things."

Xie Qingci raised his eyelids slightly, his tone rather dark: "I’m not being petulant."

"Okay, I’ll pretend you weren’t being petulant. But I’m asking you a serious question now, answer properly. Signing with a company has a big impact on your subsequent development. By the way, I haven’t asked you yet, why exactly are you participating in this talent show? Do you really want to enter the entertainment industry?"

He responded with a nasal "Uh-huh."

Yu Xia shook her head: "I won’t comment on whether your idea is good or bad. I’m just afraid you don’t fully understand, so bear with me as I meddle a bit—

Saying this, her expression grew much more solemn: "It’s not easy to mix in the entertainment circle. Maybe your looks have given you the illusion that entry is easy, but what happens afterward has little to do with your appearance.

Lack of resources, exploitation, exhaustion, oppression, black fans insulting you, stalkers harassing you, each is a challenge for you. That’s even after you successfully debut; if you fall before debuting, perhaps for many years afterward, you’ll be in a state of being unknown."

"I know, but I want to try."

Yu Xia nodded: "Okay, then you genuinely want to enter this circle. What are your plans for the future?"

Xie Qingci looked at her moist, rosy lips, then suddenly chuckled.

"Why does it feel like you’re coaching me for college entrance exam volunteering? I’m an adult, with a clear life plan, not a brainless playboy, sister, sister."

The last "sister" seemed to linger on his tongue before heavily spoken out.

Yu Xia was momentarily choked.

"I’m sincerely helping you; I’ve been in this circle for a few years, and I know more than you, which can save you from many detours. For instance, regarding the agency matter, I have a suggestion."

Xie Qingci lazily responded: "Go on."

"If you’re not planning on just singing and dancing all the time, at Changhui Entertainment over there..."

Before she could finish, voices suddenly sounded in the hallway outside, coming closer.

Xie Qingci reacted quickly, pulling her into the shadows, using a suddenly-opened door outside to shield them in this corner.

The voices of the people talking outside were clearly audible to the two through that door.

"How come you have the time to visit me, novelist? Even calling in for a visit."

It was Shu Ran.

Yu Xia glanced at Xie Qingci, their gazes intertwined, and the previously quite normal atmosphere suddenly changed.

She blinked, her gaze landing on the arm trapping her.