Jiang Ning actually didn’t know what to say to Xi Yue either.
But she always felt she should say something to him.
Seeing Xi Yue sit back down, her thoughts drifted for a long time before she finally spoke.
“Jiang Jintao used to love my mother very much too.” Jiang Ning unconsciously began pinching her fingertips. “He loved me very much too. He would defy his family’s orders to marry my mother, who came from an ordinary background. He planned a globally reported century wedding for her, personally queued up in Country Z just to buy me a limited-edition doll, and even got down on all fours to let me ride on his back when I threw a tantrum.”
“Until I was diagnosed with hereditary depression, accompanied by psychotic symptoms.”
Everything changed.
Jiang Ning kept staring at the sun outside the window, not looking away even when it began to sting her eyes.
She murmured, “Those who know the so-called truth all think I didn’t manage to stop my mother from jumping off the building, but that’s not what happened.”
Xi Yue paused.
Because what Qin Huai’an had found out was indeed that version.
Seeing Xi Yue’s reaction, Jiang Ning guessed that what he had heard was probably that same version.
It seemed Jiang Jintao had indeed kept it well hidden.
Jiang Ning even managed a faint smile before saying, “She actually wanted to take me with her at the time, because depression is truly too painful. For her, it was a misfortune.”
Jiang Ning was pulled back by the doctors who arrived shortly after, but in the chaos, her mother broke free and still chose to jump.
That scene truly happened right before her eyes.
Jiang Ning never imagined that in her lifetime, she would be able to sit calmly with Xi Yue and talk about these things.
After all, in her plans, she had intended to keep these matters hidden from Xi Yue forever.
It would be best if Xi Yue thought she had broken up with him because she grew tired of him.
Given Xi Yue’s personality, he would probably hate her so much that he’d never want to see her again for the rest of his life.
But even after saying so many harsh words, she still couldn’t deter him.
He looked at Jiang Ning’s face, as pale as a pillow, and stared fixedly for a long moment before finally asking, “So, is that why you want to break up with me?”
Jiang Ning: “How long can teenage affection last? Especially when faced with my unpredictable condition, could you really take care of someone like me over and over again without ever growing tired?”
“How long?” Xi Yue was so infuriated by Jiang Ning’s reasoning that his mind felt like it was about to explode. Without thinking, he blurted out, “I’ll remember you for the rest of my damn life. Why do you always have to be so self-righteous…”
Xi Yue wanted to say a lot more to Jiang Ning, but seeing the weary curve of her lowered eyelashes, all his words were abruptly choked back.
“I always thought you understood me quite well.” Xi Yue only forcibly pressed Jiang Ning back onto the hospital bed. “You’re sick right now, and your mind isn’t clear. I don’t want to say much more to you. Just get some rest.”
…
Jiang Ning only stayed in the hospital for a day before returning to the program crew, without mentioning what she had been doing.
For guests on a full-day live broadcast program, leaving for other engagements was perfectly normal.
But Jiang Ning and Xi Yue disappearing and reappearing together was particularly suggestive.
Shen Yiqiao’s curious gaze shifted between the two of them. “Where did you two go?”
Jiang Ning: “Brother Xi had an engagement and took me along to broaden my horizons.”
The simple-minded Shen Yiqiao didn’t think too much about it and was especially envious.
In the entertainment industry, most relationships are competitive, with scarce resources. Even seniors fear being overtaken by newcomers, so few are willing to help newcomers.
Shen Yiqiao sighed, “You two have such a good relationship. Have you always been friends in private?”
Xi Yue’s gaze fell on Jiang Ning.
“Mm,” Jiang Ning said calmly, “Friends.”
Xi Yue’s expression was icy. Fortunately, he was only facing away from the camera, and the fans in the live stream were still cheering wildly.
【Every time Brother Xi and Jiang Ning hang out, they seem so happy! I knew they were good buddies!】
Only Wei Lan, who had just sneaked out of the kitchen after stealing a bite, passed by and inexplicably shuddered.
With the return of the show’s two biggest traffic magnets, the director was overjoyed, almost ready to beat drums and gongs to welcome them back.
Zhong Hui, who usually cooked, was absent today, leaving a group of fledglings crying out for food.
While waiting for the production team to deliver the ingredients, Xi Yue sent her a message, showcasing his sarcastic skills to the fullest.
【From strangers to friends, you really have a way. Next time, will it be ‘good brother’?】
Jiang Ning’s reply was so sincere it made people want to hit her.
【Probably not.】
She sent another message, trying to make Xi Yue recognize his place.
【A qualified ex-boyfriend should act like a dead person.】
Xi Yue: “?”
Sitting across from Jiang Ning, Xi Yue looked up and narrowed his eyes at her.
“Jiang Ning.”
As soon as he spoke, Jiang Ning, afraid he would say something outrageous again, immediately announced to everyone, “Brother Xi can cook. Let him do it.”
Xi Yue: “?”
Wei Lan and Qin Lang, who were playing rock-paper-scissors nearby to avoid cooking duties: “!”
Wei Lan immediately perked up.
“Brother Xi, you’re my real brother! Today’s lunch is in your hands! Finally, no more instant noodles, wuwuwu.”
And so, Xi Yue was inexplicably forced into the kitchen by Jiang Ning.
He had never intended to reveal that he could cook.
Everyone assumed that Xi Yue, a proud son of heaven and a wealthy young master who had everything handed to him since childhood, wouldn’t know how to cook.
No one had ever thought of letting him blow up the kitchen.
Xi Yue was about to refuse, but Qin Lang suddenly praised him.
“Wow! Brother Xi can actually cook.”
The words of refusal were already on the tip of his tongue, but after a moment’s hesitation, he said, “I learned it for my first love.”
Jiang Ning’s expression stiffened slightly.
The other guests on set: “??”
Live stream audience: !!
What!
Xi Yue actually had a first love!
Xi Yue actually dated someone!
【First love! He specifically learned to cook for his first love??? I’m crying. For someone like Brother Xi to cook for a woman, he must have really liked her!】
【Definitely. With Xi Yue’s domineering personality, if he didn’t like her, why would he cook for her?】
【I’m so curious about what kind of girl Brother Xi’s first love was.】
The guests all knew that Xi Yue rarely talked about his private life in public, always keeping his personal and professional lives separate.
Only the clueless Wei Lan dared to openly gossip: “First love? When was that?”
Xi Yue actually answered: “During school.”
“Damn, a school romance! When did you break up?”
Xi Yue: “Before the college entrance exam.”
Wei Lan: “Who initiated the breakup?”
Xi Yue looked expressionlessly at Jiang Ning: “I was dumped.”
Jiang Ning: “…”
Xi Yue’s fans: !!
Jiang Ning’s jaw tightened, fearing that in this back-and-forth questioning, Wei Lan, that silly boy, might ask Xi Yue who his first love was, and Xi Yue would blurt out her name without hesitation.