Yesterday, he must have gone back to the Shen Family after leaving her home.
Since he didn’t say anything, Qiao Xi pretended not to know.
The new issue of "Dream Chasing Camp" was about to be filmed, and Qiao Xi was even less inclined to concern herself with this matter.
On the day of filming, Qiao Xi had called for a driver, but Shen Dang insisted on taking her.
After dropping Qiao Xi off at the filming site, Shen Dang left; he had other matters to attend to and told her he would come to pick her up after she finished filming.
"Dream Chasing Camp" broadcasted its second episode, and everyone was calling for Qiao Nan to get off the show. They didn’t want to see her on it anymore, calling her talentless and arrogant, utterly disgusting. They didn’t feel like watching the program with her on it.
The controversy was significant.
And they didn’t know that Qiao Nan would be eliminated in the third episode.
With the controversial figure that was Qiao Nan, the show’s popularity steadily surpassed all other variety shows of the season.
Nie Anfong’s performance was also improving more and more.
Since it was a competition, the rivalry was brutal.
This episode saw the elimination of more than ten people, and female trainees of the same age easily developed bonds, making it hard to part ways when someone had to leave.
The trainees shed tears at the production crew, quietly stirring up a wave of emotional impact.
After the show’s recording ended, Qiao Xi had a brief meeting with the four judges to discuss upcoming arrangements.
By the time everything was done, it was already very late.
"Dream Chasing Camp" was filmed at a resort in Hai City, and all four judges were also staying here with the trainees.
They would also teach the trainees during the weekdays.
Indeed, as Wang Li said, Qiao Xi’s role as a special guest was relatively relaxed.
After saying goodbye to them, Qiao Xi left and hadn’t yet reached the exterior when she saw the tall figure of Shen Dang approaching against the light.
His broad shoulders blocked the light from behind him, casting an indistinct halo around him.
He stepped forward, his gait light and unhurried as he walked towards her.
Before her was a tall and distinct silhouette.
Even though his face was indistinct, one could still feel the firmness emanating from him, along with that laid-back, arrogant bearing unique to him.
And the sound of his footsteps seemed to tread on her heart.
His coming to pick her up was supposed to be nothing out of the ordinary, but Qiao Xi felt an unusual emotion stirring within her.
This emotion kept pounding against her.
Looking around and seeing no one else, Qiao Xi looked up at him again, "How did you get in?"
Shen Dang was already close, and Qiao Xi could see his expression clearly.
His brows and eyes were touched with a smile, "It’s dark, I was worried you’d be scared."
Qiao Xi pouted, muttering, "I’m not afraid of the dark."
Rolling her eyes, Qiao Xi said, "Let’s go, let’s go back."
Walking side by side, Shen Dang suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Qiao Xi glanced up at him.
Shen Dang watched her, still not letting go.
Qiao Xi struggled but to no avail, and let him be.
Who knew that he would take an inch, instead reaching down to hold her hand.
Their hands intertwined.
Just as Qiao Xi was about to say something, she heard Shen Dang, "Chu Wan went to the Shen Family the night before, and I handled it."
Qiao Xi hadn’t expected him to bring it up, she was silent for a moment, "And then?"
They walked out into the light.
Their shadows elongated behind them.
Shen Dang sneered, "Everything’s been taken care of, Madam Shen forced her to do a paternity test."
Qiao Xi looked at him, her eyes holding a half-smile, "Chu Wan agreed to it?"
"Of course she didn’t."
But Ran Jing wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
She took Chu Wan straight to the hospital for the test.
Despite Chu Wan’s wailing and Old Madam’s threats and tantrum, nothing could change the outcome.
Qiao Xi thought Chu Wan was insane.
She was curious, "Didn’t the Chu Family react to this?"
Shen Dang laughed disdainfully, "The Chu Family? I haven’t even considered them yet. The test results will be out tomorrow."
A baseless accusation will never become reality.
Once a lie is exposed, it falls apart.
The paternity test was conducted at the hospital under the Shen Family, and there would be no surprises.
The Chu Family couldn’t extend their hands that far.
Qiao Xi gave him a look.
Shen Dang furrowed his brows, contemplative, "What’s that look for?"
"Nothing," Qiao Xi responded indifferently, withdrawing her gaze.
Shen Dang’s voice carried a hint of resentment, and his face darkened, "Do you think I’m a scumbag?"
Qiao Xi looked unbothered, "You said it yourself."
Shen Dang touched the corner of his mouth with the tip of his tongue, laughing in exasperation, "The results tomorrow will prove my innocence." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
He sounded quite earnest.
Qiao Xi was nonchalant, "I never said you weren’t innocent."
They had reached the car. Shen Dang maneuvered her in a half-circle, trapping her between the car and his embrace.
His dark eyes half-closed, his gaze intensively fixed on her face, "Your eyes just now betrayed you."
Clearly, she didn’t trust him, and there might even have been some revulsion.
Boss Shen felt he was quite innocent.
When facing her, that innocence was unwieldy.
Qiao Xi had to look up to meet his gaze. Eyes crashing into his dark pupils, she feigned calm and said, "You’re overthinking it."
Even the warmth of his hands seemed to have grown hotter.
Qiao Xi only felt that the place where he was holding her hand was already soaked with a fine layer of sweat.
As if her whole body was gradually heating up.
His eyes curious, he prodded, "Are you sure I’m overthinking?"
Qiao Xi pushed against his chest with some force, pushing him away, "Yes!"
Her voice carried a trace of anger.
Facing his oppressive presence, Qiao Xi was somewhat flustered but refused to back down, "It’s because you’re guilty that you’re overthinking it!"
Shen Dang looked at her stubborn face and really wanted to shut her up, to stop her from saying anything more that would anger him.
But seeing her bluster, Shen Dang had to suppress the anger and desire rising within him.
He smiled meaningfully, "I’ve only ever been inappropriate with you. What do I have to feel guilty about?"
His voice remained casual.
Shen Dang released her hand and opened the car door, a tilt of his jaw motioning Qiao Xi to get on.
Qiao Xi mumbled at the corner of her mouth but said nothing.
She bent over to get into the car, and before Shen Dang boarded, took a deep breath, trying to calm her disordered heartbeat.
Shen Dang drove away from the filming site.
"Do you have plans tomorrow?"
Shen Dang’s eyebrows raised slightly, his lazy demeanor catching a glimpse of her, "Don’t you want to come and see the test results with me?"
She knew what the results would be; what was there to see?
Besides, she had no time.
"Busy with something tomorrow?"
"Mm," Qiao Xi didn’t hide, "Going to pay respects to my mom."
Qiao Xi was somewhat surprised as she raised her phoenix eyes, "You’re going with me?"