"I was wrong, alright? I apologize. You have important things to do, don't waste time, let go of me quickly."
"Unless you agree to my first condition. Otherwise, what's the point of me winning first place? This competition isn't worth participating in."
"Xiangyang, don't be willful. It wasn't easy for Sister Man to secure the next gig. How can you just walk away? You'll have to pay a penalty for breach of contract."
Xiangyang gave a defiant shrug, "She didn't secure the gig, and you're not paying the penalty. What business is it of yours if I work or not?"
"..."
She felt like he was a maddened bull now, completely deaf to reason.
As they were in a deadlock, Sister Man called again.
"Xiangyang, young master Xiang, my brother Xiang! Have you come back? They've started gathering, and makeup will begin soon. I can overlook your momentary craziness and cover for you if possible, but you absolutely cannot mess up at the crucial moment!"
Xiangyang tossed his phone onto the bed, setting it to speakerphone. Chen Jiaojiao heard Sister Man's words clearly.
Both of them were anxious, while he, the person involved, acted as leisurely as a lord.
"There's plenty of time, why the rush?"
"Plenty of time? Look at the clock! You're just a trainee, who do you think you are, making others wait for you!"
"You've finally accumulated some goodwill. Don't upset Sister Hua. Come back quickly, big brother!"
Xiangyang remained indifferent, "I don't care if she's happy or not. It's me who's unhappy now. I don't want to do this anymore."
"What? You don't want to do this anymore?"
Sister Man was almost scared to death.
"I just arranged for my mother to be admitted to the hospital. There will be many expenses going forward, big brother, don't scare me!"
"Didn't you guys sort things out last night? My dear brothers and sisters, this is not a time for jokes. If Sister Hua gets angry, we'll all be doomed. Can we talk about this later?"
Chen Jiaojiao could feel Sister Man's burning anxiety through the phone. She picked up her phone and turned off the speaker.
"Alright, stop talking. He'll be back soon."
After hanging up, she checked the time and asked Xiangyang, "What time does the recording start?"
"In 40 minutes."
"Hurry up! I'll drive you back."
"I'm not going."
"Are you sick, Xiangyang?"
"Just assume I am. Say whatever you want. I'm not going unless you agree."
How had she never realized this guy was such a scoundrel before?
He was using his future to threaten Chen Jiaojiao. Was Chen Jiaojiao someone who could be threatened?
In the past, perhaps not.
But now, she had caused Xiangyang to lose his chance to attend university. If he lost this job too… Chen Jiaojiao couldn't bear that responsibility.
She could only try to appease him, "Okay, okay, I promise. Get up quickly, get dressed, and let's go."
Xiangyang's eyes lit up, and he sat up.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, big brother, there's no time. Can we talk while we go?"
Within five minutes, they were downstairs and got into a taxi. Xiangyang took out his phone, wanting to record a video for Chen Jiaojiao.
"Aren't you being childish?"
"What if you go back on your word? I don't have paper or pen. If you don't record a video, how can I hold you accountable?"
"Do you really think I owe you something?"
Xiangyang retorted righteously, "Yes. You owe me responsibility, an outcome. You must give me an explanation!"
The driver was right there. Saying such things so early in the morning…
Chen Jiaojiao, helpless, could only negotiate with him in a low voice.
"I won't. I'll keep my word, I definitely won't go back on it."
"No. My trust in you is completely broken. What if I go in, and you run off or block me immediately…"
"Then what good will a video do? I'm not a public figure. Even if I really run off, and you release it, we're not married. What can you do to me?"
"I can't do anything, but in my heart, it's a form of security. Just tell me, are you going to record it or not?"
He placed his hand on the door handle, preparing to jump out of the car. Chen Jiaojiao was about to explode with anger.
"I'll record it, I'll record it, okay?"
They arrived at the TV station entrance. Chen Jiaojiao didn't get out, and Xiangyang remained seated.
"What are you doing? Do you need me to escort you inside?"
"Kiss me before you go."
Chen Jiaojiao had gone crazy countless times; one more wouldn't matter. The driver was waiting for payment, and she couldn't be a spectacle any longer. She could only peck him on the cheek, "Is that good enough?"
"What do you think? How did you kiss me every time I went out before?" Fine, she'd lost all pretense of dignity. "Is it good now?"
"Yes."
Xiangyang, satisfied, pushed the car door open.
"Then I'm leaving. From now on, every night when I get my phone, I'll call you. If you dare not answer, I'll come find you. I know where your shop is, so you can run, but you can't hide."
"If you dare not see me, I'll put up a banner outside your place, saying Chen Jiaojiao slept with…"
"Alright, alright, I get it, big brother. Hurry up and go!"
On the way back, Chen Jiaojiao was agitated and sent a message to Zhou Jinbei.
"Let's chat for a bit."
Zhou Jinbei had just arrived at the CEO's office and was bored.
"What's up?"
"I've run into trouble."
"Oh?"
Zhou Jinbei's mind instantly conjured up hundreds of possible troublesome scenarios. Then Chen Jiaojiao told her.
"I have a secret to tell you. You can't tell anyone else."
"What secret? Are you trying to kill me with suspense? Have you incurred debt, or offended someone? Spit it out!"
"Can't you wish me well for once? Remember the person you asked me about yesterday?"
"Which one? The scumbag?"
"You could say that. Actually, you know that person too."
"I know him? You've hooked up with someone close to me? Who? Besides my second brother, it's Lu Mingzhe and Lu Qingxu. None of them are possible!"
"Then could it be… it couldn't be my brother, could it? Your ex-boyfriend is my brother?"
"Don't flatter yourself. Who knows your brother? I'm talking about Xiangyang, Xiang Wan's brother."
Zhou Jinbei stared blankly for several seconds before replying.
"I need to take leave and come find you immediately. Chen Jiaojiao, you're too amazing. Every guy you date surprises me!"
"What exactly happened? I have to hear it from you in person. Get some food and drinks ready, and wait for me!"
Early in the morning, while she was beside herself with worry, the other person wanted to prepare food and drinks to gossip.
Chen Jiaojiao was also speechless.
They agreed to meet at Chen Jiaojiao's place.
The moment Zhou Jinbei arrived, she rushed over.
"What's going on, how did you two meet, how did you get together? Tell me quickly!"
"You're too much of a stranger, keeping such interesting news from me. Are we still sisters?"
Chen Jiaojiao said weakly, "Sister, think about my relationship with Lu Mingzhe, and his relationship with Lu Mingzhe… how can I say it out loud?"