Shi Xin Xin listened and chuckled, "Is it not good for me to be a little soft-hearted? I'm not like you, with a heart of stone."
Mi left after staying with Shi Xin Xin for a while. Shi Xin Xin thought she had nothing to do today. She had promised to treat Yue Ran to a meal yesterday, and there was no better day than today!
Having made up her mind, Shi Xin Xin opened Meituan to search for nearby restaurants. She finally chose a decent-looking one and booked a private room, as both she and Yue Ran were public figures, and being photographed could lead to misunderstandings.
After booking, Shi Xin Xin called Yue Ran, telling her she would treat her to a meal at xx restaurant this afternoon, and the reservation was made. Yue Ran readily agreed, and they set a meeting time.
When the time approached, Shi Xin Xin left her place and headed towards the restaurant. It wasn't far from where she lived, so Shi Xin Xin chose to walk, not only for exercise but also to enjoy the street scenery.
Shi Xin Xin arrived at the restaurant quickly, half an hour earlier than her appointment with Yue Ran, being cautious.
Shi Xin Xin didn't wait long in the private room before Yue Ran arrived. Yue Ran was a bit surprised to see Shi Xin Xin already there. They exchanged a smile, realizing they had both thought of coming early.
After sitting down, Shi Xin Xin handed the menu to Yue Ran, asking her to order. Yue Ran ordered many dishes that Shi Xin Xin liked. Shi Xin Xin looked at the menu without saying anything and called the waiter to take it.
The dishes were served soon. During the meal, Yue Ran kept finding topics to chat with Shi Xin Xin, while Shi Xin Xin responded sporadically.
After the meal, Shi Xin Xin was about to leave when Yue Ran called her back, "Xin Xin, wait a moment!"
Shi Xin Xin looked at her questioningly, "What's wrong? Is there something else?"
Yue Ran seemed to have made a decision and said, "Xin Xin, come with me." She then walked out, and Shi Xin Xin, curious about what Yue Ran intended to do, followed her.
Yue Ran stopped in front of a private room and said, "Xin Xin, please go in!" Shi Xin Xin, unsure of Yue Ran's intentions, nodded and pushed the door open to enter.
Upon entering, Shi Xin Xin froze. Although the room was similar to the previous one, it was clearly and meticulously decorated in advance.
Small heart-shaped balloons were attached to the walls, and in the center of the floor, candles formed a heart shape filled with rose petals. Shi Xin Xin's name was written on the petals.
Before Shi Xin Xin could fully process the scene, Yue Ran pushed her inside, took a large bouquet of red roses from the side, and looked at Shi Xin Xin affectionately, "Xin Xin, I like you. I don't know when it started, but my eyes have always been focused on you, not wanting to leave. My heart is also full of you. Xin Xin, will you be my girlfriend?"
It turned out that after Shi Xin Xin called Yue Ran today, Yue Ran had come to the restaurant early to decorate. She had done all of this herself, bit by bit.
Yue Ran looked at Shi Xin Xin expectantly. Looking at his face, Shi Xin Xin felt a pang of reluctance.
Later, Shi Xin Xin still rejected Yue Ran and left early, leaving Yue Ran alone in the private room. The flickering candlelight seemed to mock Yue Ran's failure.
That day, Liu Jia was taught a lesson by Aaron and his group and eventually fainted from the pain.
Liu Jia woke up in pain to find herself dumped in a roadside green belt. It was still dark, and Liu Jia didn't know the time or where she was.
Liu Jia tried to move and get up, but her whole body ached, especially her face, which felt a burning pain.
Liu Jia didn't want anyone to see her in such a pathetic state. She endured the pain and managed to get up. She saw a small clinic not far away and slowly walked towards it.
When Liu Jia got closer, she realized the clinic was not yet open. Exhausted, Liu Jia collapsed on the ground, leaning against the door, and fainted again.
The next day, when the clinic opened, the staff was startled to see Liu Jia at the door. They went over to check her breathing, and thankfully, she was still alive.
Seeing her injuries, the doctor assumed she might be seeking medical help and had someone carry Liu Jia inside.
After an examination, the doctor found that Liu Jia's injuries were severe. Her left arm was fractured, and she had many other wounds of varying sizes. Whether there were internal injuries would require further examination, but her face...
Liu Jia woke up again in a hospital bed in the small clinic.
A young nurse who was watching over her ran to find the doctor when she saw Liu Jia wake up. Liu Jia tried to sit up but couldn't muster the strength.
The doctor rushed in and stopped her, saying, "Miss, your injuries are too severe. You cannot move for now." Liu Jia wanted to speak, but discovered her entire face was bandaged, making it impossible. She became very anxious.
The doctor, sensing Liu Jia's anxiety, comforted her, "Miss, please don't worry. Recover here slowly. You'll be able to speak after the bandages are removed in a few days." Liu Jia nodded with difficulty.
Thus, Liu Jia stayed at the small clinic for over half a month before returning home.
Liu Jia returned home and looked at her ghastly appearance in the mirror. Recalling the doctor's words when her bandages were removed at the clinic, Liu Jia smashed the mirror. She heard the doctor's words echoing in her ears.
"Miss Liu, the injuries on your face are too severe. It's basically ruined, and it's impossible to recover to its original state. You need to prepare yourself mentally."
Liu Jia couldn't accept her disfigured appearance for a while and locked herself in her room. She only came out at night.
In her room, Liu Jia sat on the floor, hugging her legs. She thought a lot and realized that she would never be able to outplay Shi Xin Xin. However, she was unwilling to give up and refused to believe that Shi Xin Xin could always be so lucky.
Liu Jia pondered how to get revenge on Shi Xin Xin, feeling she needed a patron. Once she had power, no one would look down on her, and she could then overthrow her enemies.
Liu Jia remembered an older man who had been pursuing her. He had contacted her when she was blacklisted, but she had refused him then.
Liu Jia thought, he pursued me before and I didn't agree, but now he's eagerly throwing himself to me, huh~
That older man was the boss of a company, surnamed Li. If she could get close to him, her return to the entertainment industry and revenge on Shi Xin Xin would be within reach.
Liu Jia dialed the older man's number.
"Ring~ Ring~ Ring~"
"Hello? Who is it?" Mr. Li answered the phone after a while.
Liu Jia said, "Hello, excuse me, is this Mr. Li? I'm Liu Jia."
"Oh, oh, is there anything?" Liu Jia felt something was off on Mr. Li's end. He had been pursuing her diligently before; receiving her call shouldn't have been so calm. However, she quickly reasoned that it was late at night, and his wife might be around.