Hearing the name, Xia Qingtian and Li Xiaoxiao both froze for a moment, then exchanged glances with complicated expressions.
Exiting the small conference room, Li Xiaoxiao whispered to Xia Qingtian, "Speak of the devil, and they appear."
"Indeed," Xia Qingtian hadn't expected Mo Jianing to have the audacity to return to City No. 1 High School.
Did the internet have no memory?
Weren't the recordings of her threatening to disfigure someone, her power dynamics, and her subsequent apology all over the internet exposed just a year ago?
And now she was making a comeback?
And through a talent show program?
Talent show…
Xia Qingtian's entire body jolted as she immediately thought of the talent show project that Yu Linwan and Song Junhan were collaborating on, which was plagued with accusations of plagiarism from Gu's Entertainment.
Xia Qingtian's eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of her lips curling into a dangerous arc.
It seemed that after going through so much, Mo Jianing had still crossed paths with Song Junhan.
However, in this life, Song Junhan himself had become a professional in being a live-in son-in-law. Without her own voice and "financial power," Mo Jianing was just at the bottom rung of the entertainment industry.
She truly wondered if these two could still maintain their passionate rendezvous and marital bliss!
"Qingtian, your smile is a little scary…" Li Xiaoxiao looked at Xia Qingtian and couldn't help but whisper, "Are you okay…"
"I'm fine," Xia Qingtian retracted the sharp chill in her eyes and smiled at Li Xiaoxiao, saying, "I just think… fate is indeed very interesting."
"You're not going to forgive Mo Jianing, are you?" Hearing Xia Qingtian say that, Li Xiaoxiao became anxious. "Don't you remember when she framed Suisui, bullied the voice actor, and then blamed you! Don't you remember?"
"Don't worry," Xia Qingtian placed her hand on Li Xiaoxiao's shoulder. "What she has done, I will never forget in this lifetime."
"Then I can rest assured," Li Xiaoxiao said with relief, linking her arm with Xia Qingtian's. "Then, for that support video this afternoon, will you let Qingyu participate?"
"I don't want her to, but…" Xia Qingtian trailed off, not finishing her sentence.
Xia Qingyu was an independent person, and Xia Qingtian would support any decision Xia Qingyu made.
"Sigh, being good-looking is so troublesome. Look at my brother with his dead fish eyes; he never has this kind of trouble," Li Xiaoxiao said proudly.
"What's so great about this kind of thing?" Xia Qingtian's mouth twitched. "And Li Xiaozhong is your own brother… is it really okay for you to say that about him?"
"Heh heh~" Li Xiaoxiao giggled playfully, and Xia Qingtian could only smile and shake her head helplessly.
At the corridor intersection, Li Xiaoxiao waved goodbye to Xia Qingtian and returned to her TA classroom. Xia Qingtian headed straight back to Xia Qingyu's class.
When it was time for silent reading before class that afternoon, Xia Qingtian informed all the students, "We need to select one male and one female student to participate in the support filming this afternoon. All students participating in the video shoot will receive class-shared rewards, including our school's custom stationery. It's not something valuable, but it's a more memorable experience."
"Then it's obviously going to be Xia Qingyu," Yu Qian said, propping her chin with one hand, a hint of jealousy in her tone, sounding somewhat sarcastic.
Xia Qingyu frowned immediately upon hearing this.
Xia Qingtian also looked at Yu Qian. Meeting Xia Qingtian's gaze, Yu Qian realized her tone had indeed been less than ideal, and her eyes showed a hint of panic.
"Thank you for affirming Qingyu's beauty," Xia Qingtian said with a light smile. "I also think Qingyu is very beautiful."
Hearing Xia Qingtian's compliment, Xia Qingyu's tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
"However, this is just my personal opinion," Xia Qingtian said. "After all, she's my sister, and it's natural for me to like her no matter how I look at her."
At this moment, Xia Qingyu's cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkled, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but turn upwards.
"It's not just you who likes her; we all do!" Shi Xingwu chimed in with a chuckle. "Xia Qingyu is the school beauty, universally acknowledged!"
"Indeed, when beauty reaches a certain level, everyone's aesthetic taste becomes highly unified," Xia Qingtian said with a smile. "Seeing that everyone has such good taste, I, as a senior, am very pleased!"
Upon hearing Xia Qingtian say this, everyone let out a light laugh. The fear they had felt towards Xia Qingtian at the parent-teacher meeting had now gradually subsided.
"For this spot…" Xia Qingtian's words were interrupted.
"This isn't right, is it?" Yu Qian suddenly spoke up. She knew she shouldn't say anything at this moment, but she just couldn't stand seeing Xia Qingyu looking so pleased with herself.
Especially when she could guess that the male spot would go to Nie Qingkong…
Yu Qian didn't want Xia Qingyu and Nie Qingkong to be alone together.
The thought of that scene made Yu Qian feel a nauseating ache in her gut.
"What?" Xia Qingtian looked at Yu Qian.
"After all, you are Xia Qingyu's sister, and you should avoid even the slightest suspicion at times like this. Giving the spot to Xia Qingyu like this, I don't think it's right," Yu Qian said, clenching her fist by her side and sticking her neck out.
"You startled me," Xia Qingtian said with a laugh. "I thought you were saying everyone's taste was bad."
Hearing Xia Qingtian's words, everyone laughed again.
"Here," Xia Qingtian waved the square pieces of paper in her hand. "This is a ballot I prepared earlier. It's an anonymous vote. If you think anyone is suitable, you can write their name. Two names, one male and one female."
After saying this, Xia Qingtian looked at Yu Qian and said, "Is this fair now?"
"It's still not fair…" Yu Qian pouted. What was the difference? Everyone would still choose Xia Qingyu!
"Oh… I see. What you want is not fairness, but privilege, isn't it?" Xia Qingtian looked at Yu Qian, unceremoniously exposing Yu Qian's petty scheme in front of everyone.
Upon hearing this, Yu Qian's face immediately flushed red. She instinctively looked at Nie Qingkong, only to find that Nie Qingkong seemed to be observing Xia Qingyu, not even sparing her a glance.
On the other hand, the gazes of others were like thorns, making her feel uncomfortable all over.
"If anyone wants to abstain, you can. It will take up about two class periods," Xia Qingtian said, then glanced at Xia Qingyu. "I'll let you know in advance, lest people vote for you, and you don't want to go, which would be awkward."
She secretly hoped Xia Qingyu would abstain.
"I!" Shi Xingwu immediately raised his hand. "Don't vote for me, I'm not interested in this kind of thing."
"Although I suspect not many people would choose you anyway, I admire your confidence. Everyone, give him a round of applause," Xia Qingtian led the applause, and the others followed with laughter.
"Thank you~ Thank you for your appreciation~" Shi Xingwu waved his hand with a leader-like demeanor.
"I also abstain," Xia Qingyu raised her hand.