"Oh, nothing, I was just asking casually."
Yang Xiaoxiu’s expression changed slightly, a hint of panic flashed in her eyes, then she forced a few laughs.
Li Jing saw her panic for the first time; it was clear he had revealed her intentions face-to-face.
It must be said that Yang Xiaoxiu’s thoughts run deep, and everything she does is highly purposeful, whether it’s coming to the set every day or actively approaching Li Jing. Each of her actions has a clear objective behind it.
But unfortunately, she is still too young, just an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl. Li Jing only needed to bluff a little for her to almost lose her composure.
However, soon after, Yang Xiaoxiu quickly thought it through, seemingly to recover from her earlier panic, and spoke again.
This time she proactively revisited the earlier topic, seriously saying, "Brother Jing, I was indeed curious about your financial capability. I panicked when you exposed me earlier and lied. I’m sorry."
Upon hearing her response, Li Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, looking a bit surprised.
But then he laughed and said, "Is this your last-ditch effort? Thinking that since I’ve seen through your thoughts, you might as well change plans and answer differently to alter my impression of you?"
Yang Xiaoxiu was slightly startled, her face turning somewhat pale, not expecting her thoughts to be seen through again.
This time, she no longer had any intention of hiding, her hands slightly clutching her clothes, and after a moment of silence, she softly said, "I’m sorry..."
After her apology, Li Jing said no more and continued driving.
Li Jing knew Yang Xiaoxiu had made him her strategic target, so he intentionally warned her to prevent being taken for some foolish and wealthy nouveau riche.
Especially given Yang Xiaoxiu’s deep scheming, Li Jing timely reminded her so she could better understand her identity and position.
As the silence lingered inside the car, the atmosphere suddenly grew cold.
Li Jing seemed indifferent, leisurely driving his sports car.
Yet Yang Xiaoxiu felt quite pressured in the silence.
This pressure came not only from Li Jing uncovering her intentions but also from the disparity in their status.
Originally, the chat between them was fine, but once silence took hold, this pressure and unease enveloped her entirely.
"We’re downtown now. Do you need to get off at this subway station?"
Half an hour later, Li Jing finally broke the tense atmosphere.
Yang Xiaoxiu’s shoulders slightly trembled, seemingly startled by the sudden sound. Then she looked up to see they indeed had arrived in the city.
She quickly came to her senses and nodded, saying, "Yes, I can get off here."
Once Li Jing pulled over, Yang Xiaoxiu got off the car silently, and as she was about to close the door and leave, she paused, biting her lip, bracing herself to look at Li Jing again, squeezing out a slight smile:
"Brother Jing, can I still chat with you in the future?"
Yang Xiaoxiu’s eyes showed a mix of pleading, nervousness, expectation, and reverence, closely watching Li Jing, waiting for his answer.
Hearing this, Li Jing smiled slightly, "Of course, you found my phone number, right? You can also call me if you need something."
At these words, Yang Xiaoxiu’s smile suddenly froze on her face.
She didn’t expect her secret request for Li Jing’s number from the prop master to be known by him, leaving her mind in turmoil, blank.
Seeing her stunned look, Li Jing said with a smile, "Remember, I like to associate with sincere and trustworthy people. Next time, if you want to find me, think about it well. Close the door."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaoxiu hadn’t fully understood his meaning, so she dumbly nodded and closed the passenger door for him.
Watching Li Jing’s sports car drive off into the distance, Yang Xiaoxiu stood there quietly, speechless for a long time, her hands tightly clutching her clothes, her knuckles vaguely white.
After a moment, she finally snapped back to reality, taking a deep breath.
She initially thought Li Jing was wealthy and easy to talk to, but after today’s interaction with him, she felt his sense of oppressiveness and aura, nearly suffocating her.
"It’s okay... since Brother Jing reminded me, it means I still have a chance."
Yang Xiaoxiu pondered Li Jing’s words, continuously comforting herself.
She originally thought after days of chatting, she had become closer to Li Jing, at least becoming a recognizable acquaintance or ordinary friend.
But she now realized she was completely dispensable in his eyes.
"Brother Jing is already the most powerful person I can reach in Celestial Sea City, I must hold onto him, make him my benefactor, my support."
After understanding this, Yang Xiaoxiu took another deep breath and mumbled to herself:
"Sincerity and loyalty... I will do it, no, I must do it."
After returning to Celestial Sea Drama Academy, Yang Xiaoxiu bought a box meal and took it back to her dorm.
At this moment, her three roommates were chatting, still discussing the latest cosmetics and brand clothes.
Compared to Yang Xiaoxiu’s simple, modest style, the three roommates were evidently dressed more fashionably and in high-end attire.
Seeing Yang Xiaoxiu return from outside, the three girls only glanced at her without any intention to greet, continuing their previous conversation.
"I recently picked up this new Chanel lipstick, the shade is amazing, look at the texture, matte but not dry, feels super comfortable on the lips."
"Really, this color is perfect for autumn and winter. Speaking of this fall, I found the weather cooling down again, I plan to go shopping to check out Max Mara; their styles are quite forgiving to the figure."
"How about we go today then, just have some spare time, I also plan to look at Celine’s designs. Plus, we can have a meal over there, get a manicure, I know a place where the nail artist has great skills, can do those intricate hand-painted designs..."
The three noisily chatted away and thus decided their evening plans.
Subsequently, a curly-haired girl glanced at Yang Xiaoxiu already seated at her desk, exchanged looks with her two roommates, then turned to ask tentatively, "Um... Xiaoxiu, we’re planning to have dinner outside, do you want to join us?"
"No need, I’ve already bought a box meal downstairs."
Yang Xiaoxiu seemed to have anticipated their question and smiled in response.
Upon hearing this, the three girls sighed with relief, clearly not wanting to go out shopping with Yang Xiaoxiu.
Not that they rejected her, but Yang Xiaoxiu intrinsically wasn’t in their circle or the same type of person. The biggest difference between them was their family backgrounds.
The three immediately tidied up and prepared to leave.
At the door, the girl who spoke earlier peeked at Yang Xiaoxiu’s box meal on the desk and kindly said, "Xiaoxiu, although this box meal is cheap, who knows if it’s clean or not, better eat less of it."
Hearing that, Yang Xiaoxiu’s hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, then turned to smile, "Thank you, I returned in a hurry so didn’t think much."
"Yes, after all, diet relates to health, you should eat better."
Saying this, the three closed the door and quickly left the dorm, as if from the moment Yang Xiaoxiu returned, they couldn’t stay in the dorm comfortably.
After the roommates left, Yang Xiaoxiu’s smile gradually faded, turning to look at the box meal on her desk, and after a brief silence, she ate again.
Eating, she looked at the various books on acting and professional topics on her desk, internally vowing:
I must succeed and become a top star, living the life I want!