"I've fallen behind on a lot of coursework due to being hospitalized, and I haven't caught up yet," Xia Qingtian said apologetically, shaking the thick book in her hand. "You guys go ahead."
"Huh? You're reading this book too?" Wei Ling was surprised to see the book in Xia Qingtian's hand. "I read this in college too."
"Really?" Xia Qingtian blinked. "Sister Ling, were you also in the finance department in college?"
"Mm, I graduated from the finance department at Z University. It was a combined bachelor's and master's program back then," Wei Ling replied, nodding.
"Senior! I'm also in the finance department at Z University!" Xia Qingtian's eyes lit up, and a sense of closeness immediately arose.
"I'm also from Z University, but I'm from the sports department," Wu Hailong chimed in from the side.
"Wow! Senior, Senior Sister!" Xia Qingtian immediately called out, smiling. "What a coincidence!"
"Indeed. Reading this book now feels so familiar. Professor Chen's classes were incredibly tough; if you didn't study hard, you'd definitely fail. I ended up devouring all the books he recommended. For three months straight, I spent every weekend in the library, poring over books."
"Professor Chen Lilong?" Xia Qingtian asked tentatively.
"That's right! Professor Chen Lilong." Wei Ling was surprised. "Your professor is him too?"
"Yes! I hear he's still incredibly tough, and the failure rate is quite high every year." Xia Qingtian's spirits lifted as she chatted about school with Wei Ling.
The two talked animatedly, complaining and reminiscing. Wu Hailong sat by, occasionally adding a few words, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
With Wei Ling's help, Xia Qingtian not only grasped the key points of the book but also received recommendations for several highly practical reading lists.
Upon hearing that Wei Ling's ancestral home was in C City and that she particularly liked spicy food, Xia Qingtian generously scooped out half a jar of chili sauce for her: "This chili sauce is amazing. My assistant bought it for me specifically before I came."
"Wow, it smells so fragrant!" Through this chili sauce and their brief interaction, Wu Hailong and his wife felt much closer to Xia Qingtian.
Even the comments in the livestream became friendlier.
【Hmm… back and forth, she’s not impolite after all.】
【For Wu Hailong's sake, I don't dislike her as much anymore.】
【Yeah, and those books genuinely seem to be for studying, not for showing off.】
【Is she here to study? Her attitude is disgusting. Doesn't she know what she's supposed to be doing? She's not professional at all!】 The hired commenters were working hard to steer the narrative.
Although there were still some nitpickers, the number of people openly cursing had significantly decreased, with more and more viewers choosing to wait and see.
...
After seeing off Wu Hailong and his wife, Xia Qingtian hummed a tune and returned to her seat to continue studying. The sound of her pen scratching across paper and the rustling of pages was transmitted to the livestream.
【For some reason, this is making me want to do homework…】
【I want to read too. Maybe I'll do a practice test?】
【Guys! I've tested it! This livestream is perfect as white noise for studying. Just have it on as background music while you're doing problems! Your progress will double!】
【Totally! I originally wanted to do problems while venting my anger, but before I knew it, I'd finished all my assigned work for the day!】
【Is this livestream turning a reality show into a study channel? This is… way too weird!】
【I was so scared! My mom just walked in, and I was watching the livestream while doing my homework. For the first time, my mom didn't scold me for playing on my phone while doing work. She even told me to learn from this sister.】
【Is she trying to cultivate a "bookworm" persona again? Hilarious!】 The hired commenters, seeing the tide turning, immediately tried to regain control.
【I really dislike people like you, always saying this person is cultivating a persona or that person is cultivating a persona. So annoying!】
Seeing someone talk back, the hired commenters finally perked up. Finally, someone was engaging with them!
This was their area of expertise!
It was time to liven things up!
While the hired commenters and ordinary viewers were engaging in a heated back-and-forth, Xia Qingtian finally finished devouring the book. As she took a break to prepare something to eat, Wen Ning returned.
Wen Ning had come to coordinate work with Xia Qingtian and to ask if she was getting used to the filming and if her first day had gone smoothly.
As soon as Wen Ning entered, she smelled the distinct aroma of junk food in the air. She then saw Xia Qingtian's room with boxes spread out, the trash can overflowing, crumpled papers scattered on the floor, her jacket tossed on the bed, and the curtains half-open, half-closed, in a state of disarray.
When Wen Ning first appeared, the livestream immediately buzzed with excitement.
【Holy cow, no way! Isn't that the demoness Wen Ning!】
【Good heavens, is Wen Ning Xia Qingtian's agent? I hadn't heard! Wen Ning is taking on new talent? Isn't that a waste of her skills!】
【I heard Wen Ning is super cold and strict. The movie kings and queens she used to manage still shiver when they mention her name.】
【I'm new here and don't know who Wen Ning is. I looked her up and was stunned! Such an incredible, golden-hand agent is practically a legend in the industry!】
【One movie king, three movie queens, a new singing sensation who consistently tops the music charts and has won countless awards. She's not even forty yet! My god, other agents might not achieve this in a lifetime!】
【Otherwise, why would Gu Corporation Entertainment be considered so amazing!】
Seeing Wen Ning appear, the hired commenters dared not to speak rashly and could only watch silently.
And while everyone was excitedly discussing how cold, ruthless, and efficient Wen Ning was, Wen Ning herself was fuming.
"Xia Qingtian!"
"How many times have I told you not to throw your clothes around! Your socks! Why is there only one sock again? Where's the other one?"
"Your curtains, either open them or close them. Doesn't it look uncomfortable like this?"
"And the blanket, didn't I tell you to fold it properly? Can't you arrange the pillows neatly!"
"The trash can is full, and you haven't even bothered to empty it!"
"How many times have I told you to eat less of that junk food? Have you been eating spicy strips again? Do you know how to protect your vocal cords!"
Wen Ning rolled up her sleeves and started tidying Xia Qingtian's room, scolding her incessantly as she worked.
In the past, Xia Qingtian used to be very intimidated when Wen Ning scolded her. But after being scolded so many times, she had become numb.
Xia Qingtian simply followed behind Wen Ning, tidying up quietly. In the end, Wen Ning dismissively shooed her away: "Don't get in the way! Go sit over there!"
The viewers in the livestream were dumbfounded.
Is this… is this really the cold, ruthless, and efficient demoness Wen Ning that the internet rumors talk about…
【This, this! Suddenly I thought my mom was scolding me again!】
【Damn! Seriously, it's exactly the same words my mom used to scold me today!】
【This, this! Stop scolding, stop scolding! I'm already scared!】
【Xia Qingtian's reaction is exactly like mine! Stop scolding, I was wrong, but I'll do it again next time.】