CHAPTER 205: CHAPTER 205: CHOOSING WHO 1

Those four words were as light as feathers drifting in the air.

Yet they landed on Xiyan’s heart with a heavy blow.

Xiyan took a moment to steady herself, turned her head to look at him: "Ou Jue, does manipulating other people’s emotions so casually make you feel accomplished? What exactly do you take me for? Something you can just give away whenever you want? Something you can push aside whenever it suits you? Is that it!?"

Ou Jue stared at her intently: "I have never thought of you as an object."

"But the facts are right in front of me! If it weren’t for Qianze, I’d still be in the dark, foolishly oblivious to everything that’s going on. If it weren’t for Qianze, you wouldn’t have come looking for me tonight either, because in your heart, the guilt you feel for Qianze matters far more than I do!"

Ou Jue reached out, wanting to touch Xiyan, but she evaded him.

Xiyan stepped back a few paces: "I’m not the kind of girl you can summon whenever, and dismiss just as easily!"

With that, she turned and ran forward, her strides large and resolute.

Ou Jue silently watched her retreating figure.

In truth, this outcome was one he had already anticipated on his way here.

He knew Xia Xiyan far too well.

No matter how scatterbrained she usually seemed, deep down, she was an incredibly dignified girl.

"Idiot..."

Ou Jue tugged at his tie, a self-deprecating smile curling his lips, his voice low and subdued: "Xia Xiyan, who’s the real idiot here? You—or is it me?"

Who’s actually in control of whose emotions?

Back then, he’d clearly wanted to distance himself from her, but in the end, he’d only punished himself.

*——*——*

The next morning.

Xiyan didn’t disappoint—she woke up sporting two heavy dark circles.

That’s right, she had successfully given herself insomnia last night!

All thanks to Ou Jue and Yin Qianze’s mess...

As Xiyan was brushing her teeth, her phone rang.

She glanced at it and answered directly, speaking indistinctly: "Hello? Zeyu-ge."

"What are you doing?"

"Brushing my teeth," Xiyan replied, baring her teeth exaggeratedly as she brushed away.

Mu Zeyu could vividly imagine Xiyan’s expression at this very moment using nothing but his toes.

"Young lady, your contract is about to expire soon. Can you start carrying yourself with a little idol decorum?"

Xiyan gurgled a mouthful of water, rinsing and spitting it out: "Oh yeah, I think it expires the day after tomorrow."

"You’re aware? Soon, you’ll be presenting your real self to the world. Aren’t you going to prepare ahead of time?"

Xiyan blinked: "Prepare for what exactly?"

Mu Zeyu was utterly stumped by her response, left with no comment whatsoever.

Indeed, Xiyan’s existence was a perfect embodiment of what it meant to be naturally gifted and effortlessly radiant.

She didn’t need to painstakingly care for her skin; she didn’t need any special preparation.

All she had to do was remove those thick glasses, peel away the makeup that mimicked scars on her face.

That face alone was enough to captivate time itself.

"The day after tomorrow is the weekend. After your appearance returns to normal, you’ll be going to a film set for an audition. It’s for a third female lead role; I’ll send you the character details soon."

Mu Zeyu paused briefly: "Although it’s just a third female lead, the character is extremely likable. We can’t rush things—taking steady steps is more important than anything, right?"

Xiyan hurriedly grabbed her backpack: "Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right! Just throw the details into my email, I’ll take a look during breaktime today. Can’t talk now, I’m about to be late for class!"

After hanging up the phone, Xiyan had just rushed out of the alley when two flashy sports cars blinded her with their gleaming presence.