Jiang Yanchen seemed to have shut himself off from the world again, and this time it was even worse than when he fell into the chicken poop.
This was what Ji Zhaoxi had observed.
They were originally going to continue at the time, but Jiang Yanchen's heart rate fluctuated wildly, shooting up to 130 one moment and dropping back to 60 the next.
In the end, Ji Zhaoxi decisively pulled Jiang Yanchen down.
She looked at Jiang Yanchen's flushed face with concern. Jiang Yanchen, do you want me to go to the hospital with you to get that checked out?
That heart rate was obviously abnormal.
Jiang Yanchen glared at her and did not say a word.
Leaving a baffled Ji Zhaoxi staring blankly at his retreating back.
Jiang Yanchen was having a mental breakdown, even though no one dared to tease him about it.
But whenever he thought of how he acted back then, and how smelling her scent suddenly reminded him of that dress...
Was this really something a normal person would think about?
Jiang Yanchen decided he needed some peace and quiet.
There was a river in the village. Jiang Yanchen sat by it in a daze, hoping that getting close to nature might help him clear his mind of those distracting thoughts.
The village walls were covered in trumpet creepers that climbed wildly, blooming with flamboyant colors. Along the ridges of the fields grew many unknown wild daisies. Back then, the girls had used these flowers to make a floral wreath.
Ji Zhaoxi wore that loose floral wreath on her head, her eyes brimming with a smile as the village children followed her around to play.
Just thinking about that scene brought an unconscious smile to Jiang Yanchen's face, and his mood improved significantly. Getting close to nature really was useful after all.
Wait?
He quickly snapped back to reality.
Why was he thinking about Ji Zhaoxi again?
Was there something wrong with his brain?!
Jiang Yanchen cursed inwardly. Fine, he would think about the director instead.
When the director wore that floral wreath, he looked like a pig's head wearing a garland.
The reason he was so embarrassed that day was because the director kept laughing.
And his laugh was incredibly grating.
Thinking back to that day, he was wearing a blindfold and could not see her expression, only hearing her panicked voice.
When his heart rate monitor started screaming, what kind of expression did she have on her face?
Jiang Yanchen lowered his eyes, his entire being exuding a sense of disappointment.
Was she confused, bewildered, or did she see right through him and want to stay away? Or maybe she did not think anything of it at all.
So many people had said she liked him before, but did she still like him now?
He had embarrassed himself so many times on this show; it would be perfectly normal if she did not like him.
Jiang Yanchen felt incredibly stifled. He picked up a small wooden stick and scribbled aimlessly on the ground, but somehow, without realizing it, he wrote out Ji Zhaoxi's name.
Ji Zhaoxi... he murmured.
The very next second, a voice drifted faintly from behind him.
I am here.
Jiang Yanchen was speechless.
Jiang Yanchen cleared his throat awkwardly and grabbed the bag next to him to cover the words on the ground.
Ji Zhaoxi squatted down beside him and lifted his bag back up, earnestly examining the writing.
Jiang Yanchen's face was burning hot. Do not misunderstand...
But the next second, he saw Ji Zhaoxi write his name right next to hers.
Jiang Yanchen stared dumbfounded at the two names side by side on the ground.
He looked at Ji Zhaoxi in disbelief, a hint of expectation unconsciously welling up in his heart.
What... what does this mean?
Ji Zhaoxi looked at him earnestly, her expression serious. Jiang Yanchen, it is normal to win or lose in a competition. We are teammates, we advance and retreat together. Do not put all the pressure on yourself.
The cameraman clearly recorded the changes in Jiang Yanchen's facial expression.
Shock, faint expectation, nervousness, silence, despair, and finally, a look of having nothing left to live for.
Ji Zhaoxi stood up, reached out her hand to him, and smiled. It is just a competition on a variety show, do not take it to heart.
Jiang Yanchen forced himself to stay calm, took her hand, and stood up. I do not care about the competition.
However, as soon as he stood up, he suddenly flung Ji Zhaoxi's hand away as if he had been electrocuted. Ji Zhaoxi stared at her swatted hand in utter bewilderment.
I am leaving first.
Jiang Yanchen's voice trembled slightly. He dropped that single sentence and left without looking back.
Ji Zhaoxi watched his retreating figure, feeling a bit confused.
Why was Jiang Yanchen suddenly walking with the same arm and leg swinging forward at the same time?
On the internet, the number of fans shipping the two of them was gradually increasing. Jiang Yanchen's company hired a massive internet water army, vowing to strangle this couple pairing in its cradle.
Go ask Yanchen what exactly he is trying to do! His boss was furious.
The manager looked at him with a fake smile. Boss, I asked him. He said he does not know either, he is very confused.
Just thinking about the tone Jiang Yanchen used on the phone sent chills down his spine.
It carried a trace of confusion, a trace of resentment, and a trace of sadness.
The boss looked at him in disbelief. What exactly is he confused about? You must make him stay away from Ji Zhaoxi!
The manager forced a smile. Boss, I told him that. He said he also wants to stay away from her, but he cannot do it. He said if he stays away from her, her screen time will decrease.
Anyone who did not know better would think Jiang Yanchen was Ji Zhaoxi's manager, caring so much about her screen time.
The boss smoked a cigarette in melancholy and sighed. Then did you talk to him about the fans? Right now, Ji Zhaoxi's solo fans are increasing, while his solo fans are decreasing.
The manager stayed silent for a moment. He said he is someone who relies on connections for resources, so whether he has many fans or few does not matter to him.
The boss choked on his words.
Well, he was not wrong. His resources were indeed all provided by the Jiang family.
The boss's face was written with worry, as if he had aged decades in an instant. Then did you ask him what he actually thinks about Ji Zhaoxi? Is he sure it is her?
The manager lowered his head and smiled bitterly. He said he does not know, he is very confused.
Where did this Mr. Confused come from?
During this period, Jiang Yanchen and Ji Zhaoxi maintained a distance that was neither too far nor too close.
He would still follow behind Ji Zhaoxi, but he always stood a short distance away, pondering something.
Ji Zhaoxi would turn her head from time to time to see if he was still there. Seeing that he was, she would breathe a sigh of relief.
I feel like the watermelons in the village still taste the best, Ye Mubai smiled at the grandmother.
The grandmother fanned herself, her face beaming with a smile. If you like it, eat some more.
Ever since this group of youngsters arrived, the house had gained a lot of vitality.
Lin Yichen could not help but speak up. Sister Mubai, if you are losing weight, you should eat less watermelon.
The grandmother could not help but interject. Lose what weight? You look so blessed like this. Every single one of you is so skinny.
Lin Yichen retorted, Grandma, celebrities are different from ordinary people. Celebrities need to be thinner to look good on camera.
Ye Mubai's mood instantly soured. She muttered a retort, You are so short, but I do not see you getting limb-lengthening surgery.
Lin Yichen's expression froze. Sister Mubai, I am just caring about you. Is it necessary to personally attack me?
Ye Mubai ignored him, taking her watermelon over to eat next to Ji Zhaoxi.
Zhaoxi, someone over there has a foul mouth. I will sit with you.
Sure.
Lin Yichen's face turned pale and green in turns.
The grandmother shook her head. She is not fat at all. You made her angry with your words. Boys should talk a little less.
Everyone says Little Jiang is handsome. Little Jiang is the complete opposite of you, he talks less and does more.
Lin Yichen nodded reluctantly. I know, Grandma.
