However, speaking of Xu Jiayi. Shi Xinxin realized she hadn't yet told Xu Jiayi about her upcoming study abroad plans.
Shi Xinxin didn't know what Xu Jiayi's reaction would be upon hearing the news. But no matter what, Shi Xinxin had already made up her mind, and no one would become an obstacle to her.
Although Xu Jiayi had been pursuing her, and Shi Xinxin was well aware of this, she had been avoiding him. In fact, Shi Xinxin really wished she could become friends with Xu Jiayi, but it seemed difficult.
Even so, with her departure imminent, Shi Xinxin felt she had to inform Xu Jiayi. After all, Xu Jiayi had always treated her as a friend, and leaving without a word would be something Shi Xinxin wouldn't forgive herself for.
With this in mind, Shi Xinxin decided to tell Xu Jiayi once she had everything else arranged.
"Did you tell Xu Jiayi yet?" Wen Xiaoxiao asked Shi Xinxin secretly while at work. After all, Wen Xiaoxiao had seen Xu Jiayi appearing around Shi Xinxin again today, which brought this matter to her mind.
Shi Xinxin shook her head, "I haven't told him yet."
"Why haven't you told him?" Wen Xiaoxiao was very surprised. Going to the US for a year of further study was a big deal, and she didn't expect Shi Xinxin to have not told Xu Jiayi. "Don't just leave without saying goodbye. What if Xu Jiayi looks for you and can't find you?"
Hearing Wen Xiaoxiao's words, Shi Xinxin shook her head. "No, I will find a time to tell Xu Jiayi before I leave."
"Why do you have to find a specific time? You can just say it casually," Wen Xiaoxiao said, then seemed to remember something and leaned closer to Shi Xinxin with a knowing look. "Oh, I get it. You want to have a deep conversation with Xu Jiayi, right? I understand you, I understand you."
As she spoke, Wen Xiaoxiao patted Shi Xinxin's back as if she really knew everything. Shi Xinxin felt a bit speechless at Wen Xiaoxiao's demeanor but didn't think much of it. Since Wen Xiaoxiao had misunderstood, she decided to let her continue believing it and didn't plan to explain. After all, she was leaving soon, and nothing else mattered.
However, Wen Xiaoxiao's reminder made Shi Xinxin realize that she really had to tell Xu Jiayi about her going to America. She couldn't keep him hanging on, even though she had clearly rejected him before. This way wasn't good either.
Just as Shi Xinxin was contemplating when to tell Xu Jiayi, her phone rang. It was Xu Jiayi calling.
"Hello, what are you doing? Want to go out for dinner tonight? I'll treat you to a big meal." Hearing Xu Jiayi's voice, he sounded very happy.
Shi Xinxin thought that since she had decided to tell Xu Jiayi, and he was calling now, it was as good a time as any.
So, Shi Xinxin agreed to Xu Jiayi, "Okay, I'll call you when I get off work. Wait in the parking lot."
Every time, Shi Xinxin always met Xu Jiayi in the parking lot.
After all, everyone at Xu Jiayi's studio knew he was pursuing her. So Shi Xinxin disliked going to Xu Jiayi's studio. Every time those people looked at her with ambiguous eyes and deliberately teased Xu Jiayi, Shi Xinxin would feel uncomfortable.
If he came to the magazine office, it would be even worse. Shi Xinxin was sure she would be killed by the glares of Xu Jiayi's fans. Shi Xinxin herself wasn't afraid of taking risks.
Therefore, the safest option was the parking lot, and moreover, choosing a time when most people in the magazine office had already left.
For some reason, at these times, Shi Xinxin always felt as if she were going to have an affair with Xu Jiayi. Even though nothing was going on between them. This made Shi Xinxin feel a little distressed. But each time, Shi Xinxin would comfort herself, telling herself that she just had to get used to it, and there was nothing else she could do to console herself.
Only when most of the staff at the magazine office had left did Shi Xinxin dial Xu Jiayi's number.
"You finally called me? I thought your colleagues were working overtime and I'd have to starve."
Hearing Xu Jiayi say that, Shi Xinxin couldn't help but chuckle.
"Sorry, I always keep you waiting too long."
Xu Jiayi said nonchalantly, "Every time I wait, I think about how I need to work harder next time so you'll fall in love with me sooner. Then I can enter and exit your magazine office freely and openly."
Whenever Xu Jiayi said things like this, Shi Xinxin always wanted to roll her eyes at him. But on the phone, she felt a bit helpless.
"Don't say that every time. Try something fresh next time."
Xu Jiayi smacked his lips and indeed said nothing more.
"I'm leaving," Shi Xinxin said to Xu Jiayi, hung up the phone, and began to pack her things, preparing to get off work.
Sometimes, Shi Xinxin truly admired Xu Jiayi. Perhaps it was because celebrities like them could always find such discreet places.
Looking at the extremely luxurious hotel, which almost only top tycoons could enter, Shi Xinxin's jaw nearly dropped.
How could Shi Xinxin not know about this Emperor's Grand Hotel? It was a place frequented by the wealthy and celebrities in the area. Rumor had it that not only was the service excellent, but the privacy of guests was also handled exceptionally well. It was said that even wives of the rich and powerful had a hard time finding their husbands' mistresses here.
She never imagined that she, herself, would one day be able to enter such a splendid hotel.
"Welcome." Four beautiful hostesses stood at the entrance to greet them.
Shi Xinxin immediately felt a little afraid to raise her head. She tugged on Xu Jiayi's arm, "Xu Jiayi, what are you doing? I'm still not used to this kind of scene. Let's find a smaller place."
Xu Jiayi looked very wronged. "But you know my status. If we go to some random small restaurant outside, we'll either be mobbed by fans or secretly photographed and posted online. Do you really want to be rumored to be dating me?"
By the end of his sentence, Xu Jiayi, quite unethically, raised an eyebrow with a look of great interest.
Seeing Xu Jiayi's expression, Shi Xinxin let go of his arm and stopped talking. "Alright, then let's stay here. But Mr. Xu Jiayi, I'm begging you. You've already moved behind the scenes, you shouldn't have many fans left, right? With your lack of traffic, you shouldn't be recognized."