Ye Yi tilted his head, "Who said I was going to compete?"
"If you won't, consider me then." Jing Yiyi said earnestly.
Ye Yi glanced at her and suddenly chuckled, "Maybe next time."
The atmosphere of this conversation was much better than the last.
Jing Yiyi suddenly felt relieved, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart.
Even if they weren't together, this was good enough.
She couldn't ask for too much.
She looked up and smiled along, "Okay."
"Get in the car, I'll give you a ride. It's hard to get a taxi from here." Ye Yi dangled the car keys.
Jing Yiyi sat in the passenger seat, "Taking me home so late, my mom will think you're my boyfriend."
Ye Yi smirked playfully and started the engine, "Then should I leave?"
Jing Yiyi immediately panicked, "No, if she asks, just say you're my new driver."
"Are there any drivers as handsome as me?"
"Aren't there now?"
...
At the end of November, Jiang Mian participated in the recording of a variety show.
This was a reality travel show, and Jiang Mian's first time participating in such a program.
The recording for the first episode was in the capital and lasted for three days.
At the same time, the tribute drama she had previously filmed was aired on satellite TV, scheduled to broadcast on Kyoto TV.
After posting a "work" Weibo, Jiang Mian put down her phone and leaned her head back, "I'm leaving tomorrow."
Ji Zhi Xiu paused, his gaze shifting from the documents, "Mm, I'll see you off."
A sly glint flashed in Jiang Mian's eyes, "Won't you and Ye Yi get up to something while I'm away?"
Ji Zhi Xiu raised an eyebrow, "You should be more concerned about what Ye Yi and Song Yin will get up to when you're gone. By the way, his teacher at school told me Song Yin hasn't been in a good state recently."
Jiang Mian pondered for a moment, "After this recording is done, let's go visit the school together."
"Okay."
Jiang Mian wanted to laugh, "It feels like we're practicing raising a child in advance."
Thinking about how harsh he was with Song Yin, Jiang Mian was curious, "Will you be this stern with our baby in the future?"
Ji Zhi Xiu replied without hesitation, "No."
"Why?"
"Our child won't be like Song Yin."
Ji Zhi Xiu rubbed his forehead. Song Yin was indeed difficult to manage.
It had been almost a month.
His specialty was causing trouble for others.
Apart from not daring to provoke him, he had caused mischief for everyone else in the household.
Of course, he didn't dare to do anything to Jiang Mian.
He had only put sugar in the fresh milk Jiang Mian drank, hoping to give her a sugar shock.
These were all childish pranks.
They weren't really enough to cause harm, just quite annoying.
Jiang Mian thought his difficult temper would gradually improve, but she didn't expect him to be incorrigible.
She frowned, "Let's wait until I'm back. I'll go to the school first when I return."
"Mm." Ji Zhi Xiu signed the last stroke.
He stood up from his chair, bent down to pick her up, his voice clear and cold, "Sleep."
...
This variety show invited six guests, including Chang Min, Zhao Xinxin, Ling He, Shi You, and a singer named Xu Xingxing.
Except for Xu Xingxing and Jiang Mian, who hadn't interacted before, everyone else had collaborated with Jiang Mian to varying degrees.
On the first day they arrived at the villa area arranged by the production team to gather.
Everyone greeted each other.
Jiang Mian arrived right on time, and Zhao Xinxin was very happy to see her.
Ignoring Ling He, she gave Jiang Mian a big hug.
Jiang Mian was also very happy.
Chang Min, being the most senior among them, arrived a little later, carrying her luggage and removing her sunglasses, "Sorry I'm late, my flight was delayed."
Everyone shook their heads, "It's fine, it's fine, we haven't chosen our rooms yet."
Shi You glanced at Jiang Mian and quickly looked away. Thinking about how he had wanted to pursue Jiang Mian before, he found it terrifying.
She was already married, that was close!
Jiang Mian checked the time, "Then we're just waiting for Xu Xingxing."
Undoubtedly, she was late.
They waited in the living room for a while, chatting, and began to plan the next day's itinerary based on the cards provided by the production team.
Half an hour later, Xu Xingxing, out of breath, opened the villa door with her luggage, "Sorry, sorry I'm late!"
Everyone looked over.
She had a baby face, was short, with bangs, long straight black hair, and almond-shaped eyes. Her face was very fair, and she wore a light purple hoodie and jeans.
She looked very sweet.
She carried a guitar on her back and a heavy suitcase.
She gave the impression of a small body with great energy.
She smiled sheepishly, with a hint of unconscious coquetry, "I'm really sorry."
Jiang Mian then noticed she had two dimples when she smiled, which were very beautiful.
She thought, no wonder she's a singer, her voice is also pleasant to hear.
Who could resist being angry with her?
Certainly not her.
Zhao Xinxin obviously couldn't either.
Chang Min, who was usually very easygoing in private, clearly didn't mind.
She waved for her to come over and sit.
Only then did everyone officially gather.
The first day wasn't very formal. After choosing their rooms, everyone went back to their own. The official recording would start the next day.
Jiang Mian called Ji Zhi Xiu as soon as she got back to her room.
Ji Zhi Xiu was changing clothes. He looked at his phone, answered, and turned on the speakerphone, "How was today?"
Jiang Mian snuggled under the covers, feeling that the bedsheets provided by the crew were a bit thin. She yawned, feeling noticeably drowsy since she got pregnant.
But she still took out the talisman she had brought from her bag and placed it on the head of the bed.
This was a special request from Ji Zhi Xiu, and Qin Xiaoyan had also mentioned it.
Then she said, "It was good, everyone is familiar. I feel like it'll be very interesting. Tomorrow the director group is arranging for us to go outdoors, and the next episode will be abroad."
Ji Zhi Xiu hummed in acknowledgment.
Jiang Mian: "What about Song Yin?"
Ji Zhi Xiu was honest, "I don't know."
He never paid attention to Song Yin.
Jiang Mian thought for a moment, "Ah Xiu, why don't you assign someone to keep an eye on Song Yin?"
She was a little worried.
Ji Zhi Xiu pondered, "Then let Xiaobai go."
After saying this, Ji Zhi Xiu urged her, "Go to sleep quickly, don't you have to wake up early tomorrow?"
Jiang Mian shrunk back into the covers, poked her head out, and nodded, "But I miss you."
Her soft words tickled Ji Zhi Xiu's heart like a feather.
Ji Zhi Xiu picked up his phone, looked at the camera, his eyes gentle, "Then shall I coax you?"
"Okay, let's practice the coaxing-to-sleep routine in advance, we'll need it later." Jiang Mian curved her lips.
"Then I'll tell you a story."
Jiang Mian closed her eyes, put the phone to her ear, and listened to his magnetic voice, which was exceptionally reassuring.
The next morning, the group was divided into two teams according to the director's arrangement.
Jiang Mian, Xu Xingxing, and Shi You took one route, while Chang Min, Ling He, and Zhao Xinxin took another.
Both teams packed their things and set off separately.
Shi You put his hands in his pockets, acting like a lord, while Xu Xingxing carried half of the things.
Jiang Mian stopped and looked up, gesturing for Shi You to take some of it.
This kid, why did he have no gentlemanly demeanor?
Shi You turned his face away, pretending not to see.
Jiang Mian was annoyed, "Fine, you wait."
The program's requirement was three meals a day, with only dinner to be prepared by the guests themselves in the villa.
Jiang Mian was supposed to cook dinner, but considering her culinary skills, she hesitated for two seconds.
Xu Xingxing, being considerate, said, "Sister Mian, I'll do it."
Afraid she wouldn't believe her, Xu Xingxing emphasized, "I can cook."
Shi You slouched on the sofa, "I'm hungry."
Jiang Mian glanced at him, "Okay, then you cook, and I'll help you."
While they were busy in the kitchen, Chang Min's group hadn't returned yet.
Xu Xingxing glanced at the kitchen. There were only potatoes, tomatoes, and eggs provided by the crew, all common ingredients.
She thought for a moment and started washing vegetables and beating eggs.
Soon, Shi You, sitting on the sofa, smelled the aroma. He poked his head out and asked, "Can we eat yet?"
No one answered him.
He felt bored and stopped talking.
Before long, Jiang Mian brought out three dishes.
Tomato and egg soup, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and shredded potatoes in vinegar. All were dishes that went well with rice.
Shi You jumped up, as if inspecting, and commented, "Why are there no meat dishes? Just these? Can they even be eaten?"
This comment hit its mark.
Jiang Mian brought out the rice, "No, then you don't have to eat it."
Xu Xingxing timidly said from the side, "It's my first time cooking, I think I didn't cook enough, it might not be enough to eat."
Jiang Mian wanted to laugh. This little girl was lying without batting an eye!
When was this her first time cooking?
Her stir-frying technique was more skillful than her grandmother's!
The two women exchanged glances, understanding each other perfectly.
What was said couldn't be taken back, and Shi You clearly wouldn't admit he was wrong.
He slowly sauntered away, waving his hand, "Then you girls eat, I'm not hungry anyway."
He wandered into the living room and turned on the TV.
Jiang Mian and Xu Xingxing sat down to eat.
As soon as Jiang Mian took a bite, she couldn't help but exclaim, she gave a thumbs-up, "Xingxing, this is delicious! Your way of making egg soup is the same as ours, I love it. You're amazing!"
Xu Xingxing looked a bit embarrassed and smiled reservedly, "Really? I'm used to cooking for myself, no one has ever praised me like this."
Jiang Mian felt something was off about her words.
But she couldn't figure it out for a moment.
"Eat quickly, it'll get cold if you don't," Xu Xingxing said.
Jiang Mian was taken aback. Her eyes really looked like they had stars when she smiled.
After they finished eating, Chang Min and the others returned.
Jiang Mian looked up, "We've already cleaned the kitchen for you."
Chang Min gave an okay gesture.
Ling He said, "You guys sit down, I'll cook."
Zhao Xinxin nodded her head, ordering, "I want chicken wings."
Given the crew's usual tactics, Ling He felt this meal wouldn't be made easily.
He didn't agree directly, "I'll try my best."
Then he went into the kitchen.
After a while, he brought out dishes, using the same ingredients as Jiang Mian's group.
He also made the same dishes.
Zhao Xinxin, having walked a lot today, was already hungry.
She hurried to the table, "It smells so good!"
Chang Min teased her, "There are no chicken wings here, or any meat. Aren't you disappointed?"
Zhao Xinxin found her question strange, she shook her head, "Why would I be disappointed? It just means the crew didn't provide any meat. As long as he has it, what he gives me will be the best."
Zhao Xinxin was very confident about this.
She propped her head up, "Eat, Ling He!"
Ling He came out with the rice and handed a bowl to Chang Min, "Eat."
Zhao Xinxin narrowed her eyes contentedly, "It looks delicious, I'm going to have an extra bowl later!"