Chapter 295: Chapter 268: Go to Meet Chen Xi
Ever since Gu Yanjing approached Qian Huai, the translation department has been much more enthusiastic towards Qiao Yuxian.
Although everyone’s enthusiasm was a bit stiff at first, a few days later, they found Qiao Yuxian to be just like before.
No airs at all, very serious about her work, gentle with others, polite and amiable towards everyone.
Knew her as Mrs. Gu both before and after, and she didn’t change a bit.
After spending more time together, everyone naturally relaxed.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, most of Qiao Yuxian’s internship was over.
The weather was gradually warming up.
After getting off work one day, Zhao Meng was packing up her things and said, "Ji Xiaoxiao’s drama has wrapped up."
"Hmm? News online?" Qiao Yuxian looked towards her and asked.
Zhao Meng nodded, "I just checked my phone, it’s trending."
"Hmm?" Qiao Yuxian was puzzled for a moment.
Ji Xiaoxiao just finished filming a drama, it hasn’t aired, right now she’s almost invisible. Even though she’s pretty, it shouldn’t trend just because it’s wrapped up.
Unless Gu Yicheng bought it.
"It’s not her that’s trending," Zhao Meng continued, "it’s Yixing City trending, bringing her along. Yixing City has been super popular these past two years, and he’s the male lead in the drama Ji Xiaoxiao is filming. Everyone’s talking about how Ji Xiaoxiao, a newcomer, could be the female lead."
Yixing City is from Xi Mei Media.
Qiao Yuxian had some impressions of him; he was introduced into the industry by Qin Xia.
Zhao Meng continued, "Initially, everyone questioned Ji Xiaoxiao’s qualifications, but after half an hour, her background was revealed. Second lady of the Gu family."
Qiao Yuxian’s pretty face displayed a huge question mark.
This title...
Is quite retro.
"You wouldn’t believe it, the whole group exploded when her background came out," Zhao Meng said, "and it was the group with all the teachers in it. Everyone got too excited and talked in the wrong group."
Qiao Yuxian laughed, "She’s Gu Yicheng’s fiancé, isn’t that something everyone knows?"
That group was from Zhao Meng’s graduating class.
Qiao Yuxian, having taken a break from studies, had not joined the group.
Anything happening in the group was shared with her by Zhao Meng.
"But no one thought she would actually marry into it," Zhao Meng said, "Gu Family—what a place, the pinnacle of Capital City. Not just anyone can marry into it."
Qiao Yuxian: "......"
"Of course. You’re not just anyone," Zhao Meng said, "You’re daring, something not everyone can marry into."
Qiao Yuxian looked at her: "......"
Zhao Meng raised a hand to pat her shoulder and laughed, "When did Ji Xiaoxiao get married?"
"Almost two weeks ago," Qiao Yuxian said.
"This drama is invested by Gu Yicheng," Zhao Meng said, "right after wrapping up, it gained all the heat. One Yixing City and one Gu Family lady. But there’s still a lot of criticism. Yixing City’s fans are the most vicious online."
"Really?" Qiao Yuxian asked, "Because Ji Xiaoxiao got married? Because Ji Xiaoxiao is a newcomer."
"Hmm. Not just a newcomer, but a newcomer who brought investment into the crew," Zhao Meng nodded, "Nowadays some young fans are quite intense, their insults are ugly. Ji Xiaoxiao is only twenty-two, yet being insulted as an old woman. Saying why bother coming out to act in dramas after getting married, and blaming capital for harming Yixing City, making his hard work for the drama wasted because of a newcomer. Of course, their insults are harsher than my retelling; some things I can’t bring myself to say."
"Some people’s fans are quite fierce nowadays," Xu Qingqing chimed in, still there after overhearing the conversation, "Really ruining their idol’s goodwill."
Lin You nodded, "My girlfriend once said something, about so-and-so being tied in scandal recently, and got spewed at so severely she uninstalled the app."
Qiao Yuxian listened as they chatted and said, "The entertainment circle and the internet have developed to a phase like this, free speech has gone extreme, and hopefully things will get better in a few years."
"Hopefully," Xu Qingqing said, "Especially typing online, it’s hard to express one’s tone; everyone has different interpretations. Nowadays I dare not speak online, afraid of being cursed into depression."
Zhao Meng laughed, "Xi Mei Media is being cursed really badly too. Everyone says Xi Mei doesn’t care about reputations, letting Yixing City take this kind of drama."
Qiao Yuxian smiled faintly and said lightly, "No matter how harsh the curse, what can they do to Xi Mei?"
Xu Qingqing and Lin You turned to her, paused, then said, "Qiaoqiao, for some reason, I suddenly feel what you said is quite ruthless."
"Really?" Qiao Yuxian asked.
Xu Qingqing nodded, "The kind that would infuriate fans."
Qiao Yuxian smiled, packed her things, and stood up, "Are you leaving?"
"Not leaving," Lin You said, "There’s nothing to do at home, might as well work overtime for extra money."
Xu Qingqing said, "I’m waiting for my husband to pick me up."
Zhao Meng asked, "Aren’t you going upstairs?"
"No," Qiao Yuxian said, "I have something to do, leaving first. Not needing him."
Xu Qingqing chuckled quietly, "Holding quite a high household status, huh."
"Sure thing," Qiao Yuxian joked, "About as high as the top floor."
They all chuckled, and then Qiao Yuxian left with Zhao Meng.
Zhao Meng headed straight home.
Qiao Yuxian went to Wufang Restaurant.
She went there once last Saturday but didn’t encounter Chen Xi.
Today she planned to try again.
At Wufang Restaurant, she bought some items and wandered around the vicinity, waiting until it was nearly the same time as that day, then she headed to the candy store next to Wufang Restaurant.
Inside, she bought some candied hawthorn.
She bought for Shang Chen and the rest, particularly getting an extra skewer.
Things in the store were made fresh, so Qiao Yuxian bought a drink and sat there for a while.
Until all the candied hawthorn was ready, just when she thought she couldn’t wait anymore, the store’s door opened, and Chen Xi came in.
Chen Xi came in, first scanning the store.
The moment she saw Qiao Yuxian, her eyes brightened, and she seemed to relax a bit.
Qiao Yuxian saw her, smiling, "What a coincidence, meeting again."
"What a coincidence," Chen Xi also smiled, though somewhat unnaturally.
She looked a bit healthier than the last time Qiao Yuxian saw her.
But she still appeared lifeless, like a beautiful walking corpse.
Chen Xi approached the ordering counter, placed an order, then sat opposite Qiao Yuxian.
Qiao Yuxian looked at her, without speaking.
Chen Xi also looked at her, her expression seemed somewhat puzzled and alarmed, her hands resting on the table, fingers intertwined nervously.
After a while, she asked, "Are you all interning now?"
"Yes," Qiao Yuxian replied, "Graduating in June. And you? Any plans?"
Chen Xi clasped her fingers, lowering her gaze, "First, get treated, can’t go to school being unable to distinguish between reality and illusion. I’ve temporarily suspended my studies."
Qiao Yuxian looked at her gently, "How’s the treatment going?"
"Pretty good," Chen Xi’s voice was somewhat dry due to nervousness, she swallowed and said, "The doctor said reality is reality, hallucinations are hallucinations. Once I’m better, I won’t confuse them."
Qiao Yuxian nodded, "With medical advancements nowadays, everything will get better."
"Hopefully," Chen Xi replied.