Chapter 54: Initiating Friendliness
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhao Nan’s eyes brightened; this was a great opportunity for her. She really wanted to take up the offer. Besides, she had been a member of Xu Zhi’s fan support group, so handling Xu Zhi’s work should be well within her capabilities.
However, setting up a studio would take at least a few months of preparation, and Zhao Nan didn’t want to get her hopes up too high.
During the rest of the dinner, Zhao Nan and Xu Zhi discussed the studio’s details. The dinner only concluded when Xu Zhi’s agent came to remind him of his schedule on set.
Zhao Nan’s mood visibly improved after dinner. Xia Xin invited Zhao Nan to stay at her place for the night, and just as they were leaving, Zhao Nan received a call from Zhang Liang, saying he would come to pick them up.
As soon as Xia Xin heard that, she knew Zhang Liang was up to something. She suddenly remembered the Enchanted Puppet she had purchased from the system’s Shop and an idea formed.
After studying the usage and effective duration of the Enchanted Puppet, Xia Xin knew that as long as she spoke the designated person’s name to the puppet, that person would gradually lose their ability to move and think. Everything that person did afterward would be determined by the controller of the puppet.
The effect lasted for ten minutes. It was a short time, but Xia Xin thought it was enough for Zhang Liang to reveal the truth.
Xia Xin believed that instead of allowing Zhang Liang to keep sowing discord between her and Zhao Nan, she could make him tell the truth using the Enchanted Puppet. Then, it would be up to Zhao Nan to decide whether to continue her relationship with Zhang Liang.
With this plan in mind, Xia Xin unexpectedly suggested, “Nan, it’s getting late, and I’m concerned about taking a taxi at this hour. Why don’t we let your boyfriend come to pick us up?
Touched, Zhao Nan interpreted this as Xia Xin’s way of making amends. From her perspective, Xia Xin was finally no longer pushing Zhang Liang away.
On the other end of the phone, Zhang Liang smirked, thinking that Xia Xin was showing weakness by inviting him. He believed she was regretting her closeness to another guy before and wanted to make amends tonight. He immediately rushed to the restaurant.
A smug Zhang Liang even opened the passenger door for Xia Xin, trying to get her to sit in the front seat.
With a furious glare, Xia Xin stared at him, grabbed Zhao Nan, and directed her to the back seat.
Zhang Liang was in high spirits, teasing Zhao Nan with vulgar language during the drive, and occasionally saying disgusting things to Xia Xin. His intentions were clear.
Xia Xin felt like she was going to throw up the dinner she just had. She comforted herself, thinking that she just needed to endure a little longer and Zhang Liang would reveal his true colors soon enough!
Upon arriving at the residential complex, as Zhao Nan and Xia Xin stepped out of the car, Zhang Liang followed them, asking, “Why didn’t you invite me, the driver, to come up for a while?”
Zhao Nan wondered why Zhang Liang was so insistent on coming up to Xia Xin’s house. However, Xia Xin immediately said, “Of course, I’d invite you. You came all the way to pick us up so late; we should at least invite you up for a cup of tea.”
After all, Zhang Liang was the highlight of the evening, so Xia Xin couldn’t possibly not include him.
With Xia Xin’s invitation, Zhang Liang grew even more pleased.
While Zhao Nan went to the restroom, Zhang Liang intentionally walked up to Xia Xin from behind, getting very close to her. He even let his breath touch her neck, saying, “I knew you still have feelings for me deep down. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have invited me to your place.”
Feeling repulsed, Xia Xin pushed him away and said, “You’re reading too much into it. I invited you up out of politeness. Please keep your distance from me.”
Zhang Liang saw that as a ploy by Xia Xin to keep him interested. He said, “No worries, there’s always tomorrow.”
Although it was the first time Layle had seen Zhang Liang, it could sense that he was harassing its owner. It was extremely angry and disliked him. If it had a tongue, it would have roared at Zhang Liang by now.
Since Layle couldn’t, it could only glower at Zhang Liang. Ignoring it, Zhang Liang shot it a glance, then suddenly kicked it hard in the belly, sending it tumbling far away. He then returned to the couch.
Seeing Layle get kicked made Xia Xin really angry. She held Layle, massaging its belly to soothe it, then took out the puppet and focused on Zhang Liang’s image in her mind.
The worn-out-looking puppet suddenly changed. After about ten seconds, it actually transformed into Zhang Liang’s appearance, even wearing the same clothes he was wearing today.
While Zhang Liang was still having tea with Zhao Nan, he suddenly twitched. Zhao Nan asked him, “What’s wrong?”
Rubbing his temple, Zhang Liang said, “Maybe I’m just tired from driving.. Xia
Xin, do you have a room here? How about I stay the night?”