In the next two days, with the news of Li Jing's return to Tianhai spreading, many people took the initiative to contact him by phone.
Besides Wei Jia, Zhang Xinxin responded the quickest.
On the day Wei Jia left in the morning, Zhang Xinxin got the news that afternoon and took leave to find Li Jing.
Their meeting was a passionate affair; just that morning Li Jing's Primordial Energy was absorbed by Wei Jia, and by the afternoon, he was almost drained by Zhang Xinxin, who hadn't seen him for half a month.
If Wei Jia is the ultimate succubus, Zhang Xinxin is a natural enchantress.
Both women are extremely talented, but also different.
Wei Jia is about proactive teasing and assertive possession. Zhang Xinxin belongs to the category of charming tricks and knows exactly how to serve and attend.
At night, Li Jing took Zhang Xinxin and An Tong to a Michelin restaurant by the river for a big dinner, returning to the enjoyment of high-end consumption.
After half a month of home-style cooking, tasting a high-end dinner again made Li Jing appreciate the allure of money.
Although home-style food is good, the service and refined taste of a gourmet restaurant are something Li Jing enjoys greatly.
The next day, much to Li Jing's surprise, Yang Xiaoxiu arrived early in the morning with large baskets of fruit and New Year's gift boxes to visit him.
Compared to before, Yang Xiaoxiu behaved more respectfully and obediently in front of Li Jing.
After that house-moving banquet, Yang Xiaoxiu gradually discovered that Li Jing's circles and influence were much larger than she had imagined, not just confined to the movie industry.
She was just a Cinderella from a mountain village, and Li Jing was already the highest level person she could touch based on pure luck.
Especially since Li Jing helped her several times, she had complete trust and reverence for Li Jing, not to mention he was the man who took her first kiss.
Her emotions towards Li Jing are very complex, including respect, admiration, awe, but more than anything, gratitude.
She is smart enough to understand that her fate has fundamentally changed with Li Jing's help.
In her heart, Li Jing is the benefactor she must remember and be grateful for all her life.
In the living room, Li Jing poured a cup of hot tea for Yang Xiaoxiu, who was overwhelmed with surprise and quickly stood up to receive the cup with both hands.
Compared to the end of the year, Yang Xiaoxiu's state improved a lot.
Maybe it's because Li Jing previously gave her the tuition for acting lessons, relieving her worries about living expenses; or perhaps it's her newfound motivation and expectations after getting a second female lead role.
Yang Xiaoxiu's overall temperament elevated a bit; her cheeks were rounder than before and she wasn't as thin, making her neat and delicate features even prettier.
At this moment, holding the cup in her hands, Yang Xiaoxiu looked expectantly at Li Jing, whom she hadn't seen for a while and asked, "Brother Jing, will you be going to the set during this period?"
"Definitely not as frequently as before. I've nearly finished all my scenes; I'll go shoot only when the set changes."
Li Jing sat on the sofa, tossing an orange over to her, while peeling a banana for himself and saying.
Upon hearing this, a trace of disappointment flashed in Yang Xiaoxiu's eyes.
She hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to speak again, "Brother Jing, if you need any help, you can always turn to me. You've helped me so much, and yet I haven't been able to give anything back to you..."
"It's enough that you have this intention."
Li Jing smiled and leaned lazily against the sofa, "I don't need your help right now, but maybe when you become a big star, I might ask for your help."
Teasingly, he added, "You won't forget me when you become famous, will you?"
"Oh no, absolutely not!"
Yang Xiaoxiu shook her head immediately, her serious furrowed brows resembling tiny worm-like creatures crawling on her forehead, her bright eyes full of determination.
"Brother Jing, if I ever forget you, may I be struck by lightning..."
"Alright, alright, who taught you to swear like that?"
Li Jing stretched out his hand to stop her, shaking his head, "I've said, it's enough that you have this intention.
Promises or oaths are not as convincing as actual actions.
Instead of pondering how to prove your intention now, it's better to enhance your value; then naturally, you'll be able to help me."
Enhance her own value...
After pondering Li Jing's words, Yang Xiaoxiu nodded slowly, "Brother Jing, I understand, I will work hard on acting."
"Alright, I still have to meet a few people at noon; would you like to join me?"
Li Jing threw the banana peel into the trash and was about to get his coat.
Yang Xiaoxiu quickly grabbed the coat and helped him put it on, obediently saying, "I'll listen to Brother Jing. If Brother Jing wants to take me, I'll go. If you think I'm not suitable to go, then I won't."
Hearing this, Li Jing pondered for a moment, "You should come with me; meeting more people will do you no harm."
Yang Xiaoxiu nodded slightly, then squatted down to help Li Jing with his shoes.
Seeing this, Li Jing frowned slightly and lifted her up, "No need, I'm not lame, I can put on my own shoes."
Watching Li Jing put on his shoes himself, Yang Xiaoxiu explained awkwardly, "I don't really know how I can help you, so I thought maybe I could just do these things..."
"I've said, enhance your value and stop thinking about helping me with these little things; it doesn't mean much to neither you nor me."
Li Jing could roughly guess her feelings; looking at her clean and youthful face, he said, "Humbling oneself to earn others' recognition is very cheap. If you really want to help me, just act well."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaoxiu's expression shifted slightly, lowering her head without another word.
Noticing her still being unresolved, Li Jing asked without getting impatient, "What's wrong, don't you agree with me?"
Yang Xiaoxiu was startled and quickly shook her head.
She subconsciously tightened her grip on the hem of her shirt and after hesitating for a moment, she said in a low voice, "I'm just afraid it will take too long to enhance my value; in the meantime, I should do something..."
Li Jing looked down at her avoided face, remained silent for a few seconds, then slowly spoke, "Are you worried if you don't do anything, it'll take too long and I might forget you?"
As the words dropped, Yang Xiaoxiu's pupils contracted slightly, looking up in surprise at Li Jing.
She's always been a girl with plans.
Although she respects and is grateful to Li Jing, she simultaneously fears he might forget her, because she subconsciously wants to hold onto him, wanting him to always be her support.
With her inner thoughts exposed by him, she panicked more than being shocked, hurriedly lifting a hand to explain, "Brother Jing, I'm just..."
"Alright, no need to explain."
Li Jing straightened his clothes for going out, and said calmly, "Your approach isn't wrong; clinging to someone powerful is the quickest way for you to rise. As long as you know how to be grateful and repay, it's no harm for me to help you a little..."
"Brother Jing, I will never forget how much you've helped me..."
Li Jing interrupted her, placing a finger lightly on her lips, continuing, "So you don't have to worry about me forgetting you, you just need to enhance your value, then even if I wanted to forget, I couldn't."
Watching her slightly trembling eyes, Li Jing decided to give her a dose of confidence, reaching out to gently hold her youthful cheeks:
"Moreover, you are my woman; as long as you don't betray me, I won't forget you."
After saying that, Li Jing once again leaned in to kiss her lips in her stunned gaze.
Yang Xiaoxiu's body softened slightly, but she didn't resist at all, and even couldn't help but extend her tongue to respond.
A moment later, Li Jing released her body, calmly said "Let's go," and turned to walk out of the room.
Yang Xiaoxiu froze for several seconds, as if it was all a dream.
Once she regained herself, she pressed her moist lips together, her cheeks slightly flushed, turned to look at his retreating figure, a bit of strange light in her eyes, took a deep breath, and immediately chased after him.
Her pace subtly became a bit lighter and more confident than before.