Shi Xinxin had always been a person of her word, and she did exactly that the very next day.
Upon seeing Yue Ran, she would deliberately take a detour. She found excuses to decline any dinner invitation that Yue Ran was attending. Even when taking a car, she avoided riding in the same one as Yue Ran.
This went on for several days, with Shi Xinxin intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Yue Ran. Although it wasn't very obvious, Yue Ran still noticed.
From then on, his attitude towards Shi Xinxin changed drastically.
Not only did he stop trying to trick Shi Xinxin, but he openly began to "show his affection." Buying breakfast, giving small gifts, sending roses and chocolates – these were all common occurrences.
Despite Shi Xinxin's repeated rejections, Yue Ran did not give up; instead, he became even more determined.
One morning, as soon as Shi Xinxin entered her private lounge, she was stunned by the scene before her.
On the table sat a large, rose-colored cardboard box, tied with an ostentatious pink bow. Next to it was a small card that read, "To my dearest woman, Shi Xinxin." There was no signature.
Shi Xinxin closed her eyes and sighed helplessly.
It was definitely from Yue Ran again. He was relentless.
Just as Shi Xinxin hoisted the box, preparing to throw it away, a hand reached out and stopped her. Shi Xinxin glanced sideways to see her assistant, Xiaomi.
Xiaomi gestured for her to put the box down. "Why don't we open the box and see? I wonder what Yue Ran has sent you this time."
Shi Xinxin rolled her eyes and mumbled reluctantly, "No matter what he sends, I won't accept it."
What neither of them expected was that after layers of packaging, the box contained a brand-new handbag made in Italy. This bag was a current season's new arrival, a limited edition, and cost over fifty thousand yuan.
Shi Xinxin had fallen in love with this bag at first sight and had casually mentioned it to other actors on set. She never expected that this would reach Yue Ran's ears.
Xiaomi examined the bag from all angles, exclaiming in amazement, "Wow, the craftsmanship, the material, the diamonds, the hardware – it's all top-notch! Xinxin, why don't you just accept Yue Ran? Look how considerate he is towards you."
Without a word, Shi Xinxin snatched the bag and walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Xiaomi asked, looking confused at Shi Xinxin's retreating back.
Shi Xinxin replied without looking back, "I have to return this bag to Yue Ran and have him return it for a refund, or give it to someone else. I can't accept such an expensive gift."
To be honest, there were many reasons why she didn't want these gifts.
Firstly, she wanted to buy the things she liked through her own efforts, not by relying on others to "give" them to her. Regardless of the giver's intentions, she only wanted to earn them with her own hands.
Secondly, she didn't want others to misunderstand her relationship with Yue Ran, as she truly had no romantic feelings for him.
Thirdly, if she accepted this gift, it would almost be equivalent to acknowledging "this kind of relationship" with Yue Ran, wouldn't it? But she only saw him as a colleague, just a colleague.
As Shi Xinxin thought about this, she decisively tossed the gift into the trunk of Yue Ran's car.
At that moment, Yue Ran was sitting in his car, reciting his lines. He was taken aback to see Shi Xinxin throwing the gift back.
"Xinxin, didn't you really like this bag? Why are you returning it to me? Did I perhaps buy a fake?" He got out of the car.
Shi Xinxin stood with her hands on her hips, looking at him, and said sternly and earnestly, "Yue Ran, remember this: please don't buy me these things anymore. Thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it! If you dare to send me gifts without my consent in the future, I will throw them all away. That's all. Bye-bye."
With that, she turned resolutely and strode away. No matter how loudly Yue Ran called her name from behind, she didn't look back.
However, the very thing Shi Xinxin least wanted to happen, still occurred.
After returning the gift to the trunk of Yue Ran's car, Shi Xinxin walked towards her lounge. But as she passed the rehearsal room, the whispers coming from inside suddenly caught her ear.
A sharp, high-pitched female voice exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, do you know? Yue Ran really likes Shi Xinxin, just like the rumors say! I've been seeing Yue Ran give gifts to Shi Xinxin these past few days."
"Did Shi Xinxin accept the gifts? They're not together, are they?" someone asked.
"It seems she accepted them, doesn't it? Sigh, I didn't expect them to develop feelings while filming, sigh, it's truly enviable," the girl shrieked in a coy and affected manner.
Damn it. These people were so gossipy, twisting facts and fabricating stories out of thin air. The reality was nothing like what they were saying.
Shi Xinxin wanted to rush in and explain, but her reason overcame her impulse. She sighed and thought that no matter what she said, they wouldn't believe her.
Forget it, let them say what they wanted. Whether they believed it or not, it didn't matter to her.
Ten thousand people have ten thousand mouths, and ten thousand brains. Not everyone thinks according to one's wishes, and not everyone can stand in one's shoes and understand.
Doing your best is the most important thing, isn't it?
As soon as Shi Xinxin returned to her lounge, Xiaomi noticed something was off. Xiaomi walked over, took Shi Xinxin's hands, and asked with concern, "Did something happen? Xinxin, your complexion looks terrible."
Shi Xinxin sighed and vaguely recounted what she had seen and heard.
"They don't understand you, but I do. You don't need to care about what others think; just be yourself," Xiaomi comforted her. Seeing Shi Xinxin nod, she reached out and patted Shi Xinxin's shoulder, saying softly, "Shi Xinxin, I believe in you."
The next morning, Shi Xinxin woke up and, as usual, grabbed her bag to go to the set. But as she stepped out of her house, she suddenly received a text message from her assistant, Xiaomi.
The message was brief and to the point, asking Shi Xinxin to wear more clothes and, if possible, to bring a scarf, gloves, and a hot water bottle.
Shi Xinxin almost burst out laughing upon seeing it.
She looked up at the bright, sunny sky and casually tossed her phone back into her bag. She thought, Was this Xiaomi still asleep? The average temperature was over 20 degrees Celsius every day. Scarves, gloves, and hot water? That was too exaggerated.
She would have to tease her a few times later! Thinking this, Shi Xinxin yawned and got into the car.
When Shi Xinxin arrived at the set, she was completely stunned. Everyone on set was ready and "fully geared up."