"Song Yingdi's fruit platter, come try some."
Li Laidi plopped onto the sofa. "Heh heh, that must be so sweet if the movie star sent it. I'll have a piece of honeydew."
"It's all for you. I'm watching my sugar intake, won't eat too much tonight."
"Mhm, okay."
Jiang Mian quickly tied her hair into a bun and found the pajamas she wanted to wear. "I'm going to take a bath."
"Okay, sis."
Just as Jiang Mian stepped into the bathroom, the phone on the coffee table lit up. Li Laidi glanced at the sound of running water from the bathroom and called out, "Sis, phone!"
Jiang Mian, soaking in the bath, didn't hear. Li Laidi looked at it for a moment, then let the phone ring for a while before the screen went dark.
By the time she came out, half an hour had passed. Li Laidi was still sitting on the sofa. "Sis, your phone rang just now."
Jiang Mian picked up her phone from the coffee table. It was Sister Ning.
She called back, and Sister Ning's urgent voice filled her ears: "My darling, what were you doing just now? Have you seen the trending searches?"
Jiang Mian was confused, stopping her hair-drying motion. "I was taking a bath. What happened?"
"You and Song Yingdi are trending!" Sister Ning said with mixed emotions.
Trending with Song Yingdi was naturally beneficial for Jiang Mian's exposure. But Sister Ning knew that Jiang Mian was married, and to President Ji at that.
Jiang Mian frowned. If it were just a normal trending topic, Sister Ning wouldn't be so anxious.
"Open your phone and take a look now."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Jiang Mian opened the trending searches. "Song Yingdi Jiang Mian" was at the top.
Clicking on it, the title read: "Song Yingdi Enters Jiang Mian's Hotel Room at Night, They Spend the Night Together, Suspected of Developing Feelings During Filming." The title was sensational, and with Song Yingdi involved, it had already reached the top of the trending list.
The entertainment account had posted a short video. Jiang Mian thought about it and realized it was from when Song Yingdi came to give her fruit. It seemed the hotel was no longer safe, and paparazzi had already infiltrated.
Fortunately, the fans of both sides were rational, and there was no infighting in the comments.
[As far as I know, Song Yingdi and Jiang Mian's new movie hasn't finished filming yet. What can a video of them entering and exiting a room prove? It's the paparazzi's unscrupulous invasion of privacy that's deplorable.]
[I don't know if this is meant to slander Song Yingdi or Jiang Mian? Have they run out of things to say? Get a job at an electronics factory if you have nothing better to do!]
[No, why is Jiang Mian getting to act with Song Yingdi? Isn't her status strange for this? Plus, I remember Liang Qiao mentioning something about someone stealing a role, was it Jiang Mian?]
[Don't spread rumors. Director Wang's casting was public and fair. He said in an interview that Jiang Mian perfectly fit his image of Chen Wenya, and she earned this role with her own abilities.]
[I don't understand, but if they are together, considering their looks, it's not impossible.]
[Song Yingdi is so handsome! Is that a fruit platter he's holding? It looks like it's all cut up, how thoughtful!]
[Thank you for promoting Song Xingjia's new movie. Please look forward to it. No announcements, no dating. Taking Song Xingjia away.]
Jiang Mian skimmed through the comments. There were also comments cursing her. The first comment had the most likes, and the netizen's points were logical and convincing.
This matter could actually be resolved easily. Whether it was asking the hotel manager for surveillance footage or having Li Laidi or Director Wang issue a statement, they could all prove that the two of them had a clean relationship.
It wasn't a case of being alone in a room together, but simply a casual conversation between friends.
She glanced at the time; it was already twelve o'clock. If nothing unexpected happened, Song Xingjia should be asleep.
Jiang Mian didn't want to bother him; this video wasn't even solid evidence. She opened WeChat and sent a message to Sister Ning.
Soon, a reply came: [You can ignore it, but should I help you talk to President Ji's side?]
Jiang Mian was startled. Ji Zhixiu... there seemed to be nothing to say.
[No need.] she replied.
Sister Ning: [Then goodnight, get some rest early.]
Jiang Mian put on her sleep mask and set her phone to silent.
"Laidi, goodnight."
"Goodnight, sis."
...
The villa.
Xiao Hei and Xiao Bai were on duty tonight.
Xiao Hei had brought some Zha Jiang Mian. He nudged it with his lips. "Want some? Aunt Song specially made it for me."
"Aunt Song is biased! Why did she make it specially for you?"
Xiao Bai found a pair of disposable chopsticks and took half of it from his lunchbox.
Xiao Hei said smugly, "Because I fixed the gas stove for Aunt Song."
Xiao Bai took out his phone and rolled his eyes in displeasure. "I can do that too. I'll help Aunt Song next time."
"Forget it. You just want to eat Aunt Song's cooking, dreaming on."
The next second, Xiao Bai swallowed the noodles in his mouth and exclaimed, "Xiao Hei, our young madam seems to be trending..."
Xiao Hei leaned over. "Holy crap!" he exclaimed, "What do they mean by developing feelings during filming and spending the night together? These marketing accounts just write whatever nonsense!"
"Calm down, this is definitely fake. I mean, our young madam isn't that kind of person, right?"
He clicked on the comments. "Look, no one believes the comments."
The two looked at each other, both thinking of a possibility. "Will the CEO see this..."
Master bedroom.
Ji Zhixiu, having received the confirmation from Xiang Long's arrival, was about to go to bed. As he lifted the covers with his large hand, he saw Xiao Yugan stir and meow innocently.
He seemed to realize he'd been discovered. He elegantly walked to the foot of the bed, as if saying, "I've left space for you, sleep."
Ji Zhixiu clicked his tongue, and for once, didn't kick him off. He lay down on the bed and opened his phone.
As soon as he unlocked it, the phone automatically pushed the day's trending news. His eyes narrowed, and he clicked on it.
After scrolling through all the information, the man's fingertips tightened, and he lightly tapped the screen, a cold sneer playing on his lips.
...
When Jiang Mian arrived at the set the next day, she ran into Song Xingjia. Before she could say anything, Song Xingjia apologized with deep regret. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect this to happen."
Hearing him say that, Jiang Mian knew he had also seen the trending searches. She immediately shook her head. "It's fine, it's not your fault."
"I've already spoken to Director Wang. Director Wang has booked a new hotel. I'll have security patrol this floor from now on, and this won't happen again," he said softly, having arranged everything in a few words.
Jiang Mian was grateful but hesitated. "Actually, I should be the one apologizing."
After all, from an outsider's perspective, it looked like she was riding on his coattails and gaining an advantage by trending with him. It was good that Song Xingjia didn't suspect her of arranging it.
Song Xingjia looked down at her and smiled. "I know you're not that kind of person."
Jiang Mian smiled too. "Thank you."
"By the way, do you need me to issue a statement on Weibo?" he asked.
Jiang Mian shook her head. "No need. What can a few-second video prove? The innocent will remain innocent."
Song Xingjia nodded slightly, appreciating her attitude. He also felt there was no need to respond. "Okay, then let's go get makeup done. See you later."
"See you later."
When Li Laidi saw Xiang Long, her mouth fell open in astonishment. "You, you, you... how did you get here so quickly?"
Xiang Long stood beside her. "Guess."
"You're so funny." Li Laidi knew that Xiang Long's real master was probably the man who picked up Sister Mian at the airport last time.
But she had no idea of their true identities, and of course, she wouldn't pry.
If he didn't want to say, Li Laidi wouldn't press further. However, she was still curious. "Did you follow us right after we arrived? Where did you stay last night?"
"Hotel."
"Oh." She replied indifferently and then fell silent.
Her sudden silence made Xiang Long a little uncomfortable. He looked at her awkwardly a couple of times. Li Laidi looked at him, bewildered. "What are you looking at me for?"
"Why aren't you talking?"
"Talking about what?"
"Nothing."
Li Laidi scoffed. It was a bit warm in Hainan. Li Laidi was wearing long sleeves, not because she was afraid of getting tanned, but because she had forgotten to pack short-sleeved clothes this time.
Xiang Long saw her roll up her sleeves and asked, "Are you hot?"
"A little."
Xiang Long looked at her, then ran off into the distance. Before long, he returned with two coconuts and handed one to Li Laidi, a faint blush on his face. "I bought two coconuts. When Sister Mian finishes work, she can try them. You try one too. If it's not good, I'll ask him to return the other one."
It was rare for him to speak such a long sentence.
The coconuts came with openers. Li Laidi took it and her eyes curved. "Thanks. Do you want to drink some?"
"No." After a pause, he asked again, "Do you want me to open it for you?"
"No, this is easy to open."
She put in a bit of effort, opened it, and sighed with satisfaction. "It's delicious, no need to return it."
The coconut water was sweet and pure, refreshing her.
Xiang Long's gaze shifted from her lips, which were lightly stained with the coconut water, to her face. "As long as it's good."
When Jiang Mian finished work, Li Laidi quickly stepped forward. "Sis, Xiang Long bought coconuts, try them quickly. I've already tasted them for you, they're good."
She smacked her lips. "It's inconvenient for us out here, but if we were home, we could make some delicious coconut chicken."
Jiang Mian was surprised. "Xiang Long? He's already here?"
"Yes, I don't know how he got here."
Jiang Mian understood. As long as Ji Zhixiu wanted it, Xiang Long had ways of getting here.
She patted Li Laidi. "Let's pack up. We're not going back to that place tonight. Director Wang sent the address of a new hotel."
Li Laidi nodded. "Okay, sis. Then we'll have to go back to the hotel to get our things."
Their luggage was still in the room.
"Should I go alone?"
She was very tired after filming today. Jiang Mian thought for a moment. "No, let Xiang Long go with you."
She looked at Xiang Long. "Can you? Take Laidi to get our luggage and bring it to the new hotel. I'll go ahead and book you a room there."
Xiang Long nodded seriously. "Of course."
Li Laidi waved. "Then see you later."
Seeing them leave, Song Xingjia walked over and asked, "Going together? I have a car."
With a car, why not take advantage of it? Jiang Mian nodded. "Okay!"