After discussing serious matters, the two stared at each other.
Huo Yao knew that continuing to look at her would lead to trouble.
He released her hands, stood up and sat by the bed, pulling her up as well.
Shi Xi rubbed her wrists. “Huo Yao, you hurt me.”
He glanced over and indeed saw her wrists had turned red.
Even though he hadn’t used much force, only loosely holding them.
“Want me to rub them for you?”
“Alright.”
He was just being polite.
But she took it seriously.
A fleeting smile appeared at the corner of Huo Yao’s lips as he once again grasped the wrists offered to him.
It was less like rubbing and more like pinching.
After casually kneading them a couple of times, he said, “Done.”
With his strength, she might end up with bruises after his “massage.”
Shi Xi made a sound of acknowledgment and withdrew her hands. “Huo Yao, don’t make things so serious. Dating should be something relaxed.”
Earlier when she mentioned filing a report, it was just a joke, but she felt he had actually considered it.
In fact, Huo Yao was genuinely thinking about submitting a report.
He hadn’t taken a vacation in a long time. Since last year, the bureau chief had been urging him to settle his lifelong matters.
After the Huaying Hospital case concluded, he would apply for leave.
Dating leave.
Huo Yao seemed to see through her thoughts. “When you started flirting with me, didn’t you consider I might take it seriously?”
Shi Xi: “What do you take me for? I’m serious too.”
Wanting to have Tie Tie with him – she was serious about that.
Huo Yao didn’t deny her words. Of course he knew she… to some extent, was obsessed with physical contact with him.
But something was still missing.
If he wanted something, he wanted all of her.
He tilted his head slightly, his rough palms cradling her face. Though hesitant in his movements, he firmly kissed her cheek.
“That’s good then.”
Shi Xi: “…”
His movements were so rough… was there any difference from kissing a watermelon?
Huo Yao raised an eyebrow. “Not satisfied?”
Shi Xi seriously pushed him away. “Not appropriate.”
Now it was Huo Yao’s turn to fall silent.
Though he didn’t respond, Shi Xi continued on her own, “That’s something couples do.”
Huo Yao: “…”
The bullet he fired had accurately hit himself.
His expression showed slight helplessness, the frost in his dark eyes melting with warmth. “Then let me apologize to you.”
Shi Xi nodded with cool dignity. “Be more careful next time.”
Huo Yao chuckled lowly. “Alright.”
Tonight’s outcome was within Huo Yao’s expectations.
He had planned to be honest with her from the start.
But… the fire during the process burned too fiercely.
He glanced down and said euphemistically, “I’ll borrow your bathroom.”
Shi Xi followed his gaze and quickly nodded. “Okay!”
Their eyes met, and she blushed with an awkward smile. They had really gone too far tonight.
Caught in the act, Huo Yao made no attempt to hide it.
It would be strange if he had no reaction.
Huo Yao took a shower while he was at it, emerging only after more than half an hour.
Shi Xi had already ordered takeout, saying it was her treat.
She was too full from eating strawberries, so he ended up finishing both meals.
Before leaving, Huo Yao instructed her somewhat forcefully, “Stay away from Huaying Hospital.”
Shi Xi blinked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Huo Yao: “‘Avenger of Justice’ will know.”
Shi Xi immediately fell silent.
“Avenger of Justice” was an account she had created specifically to expose Huaying Hospital’s dark industry chain.
She was quite petty.
If she didn’t give Chi Yuan a bloody stab, she couldn’t shake off the pent-up frustration in her heart.
Under the guidance of the female protagonist System in the past, she was a genuinely kind, selfless, and adorable little sweetheart.
Now, she was left with just the “adorable” part.
Lan Yun was receiving treatment at Huaying Hospital. Although she had substantial savings, the frequent and repeated imaging tests, along with the promotion of various high-priced medications, quickly depleted all her savings.
This piece of information was something Shi Xi had learned from the Main Storyline she triggered last time.
By following this lead, one could uncover some of Huaying Hospital’s irregular practices.
“Be good, these matters aren’t for you to worry about,” Huo Yao looked at her, his voice softening slightly. “Am I not here for you?”
He had only been testing the waters earlier, but now, from her expression, he confirmed his suspicions.
He was afraid that her youthful impulsiveness and lack of restraint might lead her to cross legal boundaries in the online world, especially if she wasn’t careful.
Moreover, she shouldn’t be exposed to these dark sides of society anymore.
If possible, he wanted her life to return to the clarity and brightness typical of her peers.
“Okay.”
Shi Xi nodded.
Huo Yao: “I’ll pick you up tomorrow. You should go back to stay at the school for now.”
“No need, I’m going to Ming An Film and Television tomorrow to get my internship report stamped with the official seal.”
Huo Yao remembered she hadn’t officially started her internship yet. “If you haven’t started working, how do you have a report?”
Shi Xi said with a straight face, “The report is made up, but my boss is really nice and agreed to stamp it for me.”
Huo Yao: “…”
He patted her head. “I’ll head back now.”
Shi Xi waved at him.
After submitting her internship report, Shi Xi also began her formal work.
She had already provided the software; all that was left was to continuously improve and optimize the algorithms. Overall, it was quite relaxed.
However, the director of “Qing Cheng” suddenly contacted her, saying he wanted to use her face to replace the actress who had gotten into trouble.
Firstly, because there were no suitable candidates in the industry at the moment, and secondly, because Shi Xi’s face perfectly met the director’s requirements.
Shi Xi declined politely at first, until the other party mentioned a price of five hundred thousand.
It wasn’t a high price, but for Shi Xi at the moment, it was a huge sum.
She still didn’t agree.
Because she didn’t want to be associated in any way with an actress involved with drugs, not even through this face-replacement method.
She told Huo Yao about this.
Huo Yao said, “As long as you’ve thought it through. Of course, I’d prefer you to refuse. You’ll need surgery later, and I don’t want you to overexert yourself.”
“Mm-hmm, then it’s settled.”
Shi Xi hadn’t considered that point.
She had almost forgotten about the surgery.
Over the phone, Huo Yao lowered his voice slightly. “It’s been three days.”
“Huh?”
Shi Xi had agreed to consider it for three days but had completely forgotten about it afterward.
It took her a moment to react.
“Oh… Huo Yao, here’s the thing. Since you’re the one who wants to follow the process, why don’t you confess to me in person?”
“…”
Huo Yao fell silent.
Huo Yao wished he could go back three days and slap himself hard.
Wasn’t it enough to just click and get together?
The way they were now was no different from being in a relationship. Why did they need to go through a process?
Confession? What was that?
He had never encountered such a thing in his thirty years of life.
“Wait for me.” He forced out three words.
Perhaps he sounded too serious, making his tone come off as fierce.
Anyone unaware might have thought he was challenging someone to a fight.
In the evening, Shi Xi stood in front of the Ming An Film and Television building, waiting for someone.
The mask was too stuffy, so she simply took it off, pulling her bucket hat lower to slightly block the glaring sunset.
“Woof woof…”
The cheerful barking of a dog grew closer.
Shi Xi paid no attention.
Until a white shadow appeared beside her.
She looked down and indeed saw a white Samoyed.
Its entire body was fluffy, grinning up at her with a cheerful expression. Meeting her gaze, it rubbed its head against her calf.
“Woof…”
Shi Xi froze. All dogs looked pretty much the same to her.
But this Samoyed before her couldn’t help but remind her of a dog from her memories.
“Is that Xiao Bao?”
The original owner had once raised a small dog named Xiao Bao.
Back when she saw photos of a classmate’s dog, she had fallen in love with it and begged to have one.
The Lu parents had been firm on this matter, absolutely refusing to keep a pet because they disliked furry animals and found them noisy.
But one day, Lu Mingzhe brought home a small puppy.
He had acted first and reported later, and the little puppy was eventually allowed to stay.
The original owner carefully raised it for half a year, but after leaving the Lu family, she never saw it again.
“Woof!”
The Samoyed responded to her, wagging its tail wildly.
Shi Xi squatted down in surprise, holding its dog’s head with both hands, “How did you get here?” Are you really Xiao Bao? Not just tricking me into buying you dog food?”
Xiao Bao: “…Woof.”
Who would be that shameless, tricking someone into buying dog food?!
Shi Xi couldn’t understand, but in her heart she already considered it to be Xiao Bao.
Its fur was snow-white and clean, clearly well cared for.
She picked up the leash and glanced at the tag on the collar. That number…
Shi Xi had a bad feeling. She immediately looked around and indeed saw Lu Mingzhe running over from not far away.
Lu Mingzhe seemed equally surprised to see her.
And behind him followed two other figures.
All too familiar to Shi Xi.
She stood up, the smile vanishing from her face, and prepared to leave with her cane.
Xiao Bao circled in front of her, acting like a cheerful fool, blocking her way.
“Xixi…”
Lu Mingzhe had already reached her.
He looked down at Shi Xi, his voice strained, “This is Xiao Bao. It still remembers you.”
As if confirming Lu Mingzhe’s words, Xiao Bao enthusiastically nudged Shi Xi’s leg with its head, even raising its front paws to rest on her.
Shi Xi didn’t avoid it, but Lu Mingzhe, afraid she might be knocked over, tugged the leash and gently scolded, “Xiao Bao, behave.”
“Woof…” Xiao Bao looked somewhat wronged, gazing pitifully at Shi Xi.
Shi Xi couldn’t help but continue petting its head.
“Dogs have such good memories. I only raised it for half a year, and it’s still so affectionate toward me.”
Compared to some people, dogs truly seem more loyal.
Shi Xi knew about things like plot constraints, but the original owner didn’t, and never would.
She had left in despair.
Shi Xi didn’t want anything to do with the Lu family, even though she knew Lu Mingzhe genuinely cared about her at this moment.
Her words successfully made Lu Mingzhe’s face turn pale, guilt churning inside him like a sharp blade.
He didn’t know how to explain.
The damage had already been done.
“Xixi, where are you going? Let me take you there.”
Lu Mingzhe knew she detested him and didn’t dare disturb her life.
But he had been keeping tabs on her affairs.
He knew she had grown close to Huo Yao.
At first, he thought she would prefer Chi Xuan…
But clearly, she held no favorable opinion of the Chi family anymore.
“No need.”
Shi Xi didn’t look at him, patted the dog’s head a few times, said “Goodbye Xiao Bao,” and walked toward the roadside.
A few steps away, Lu’s mother and Lu Yan stood quietly, not approaching any closer.
After the initial shock, their expressions gradually became increasingly dramatic.
“Is that Xixi?”
Lu’s mother realized she had forgotten to change how she addressed her, and her first reaction was to look at Lu Yan.
Lu Yan was struggling to control the dark, burning rage inside her.
But some of it still showed on her face.
As her mother, Lu’s mother could clearly sense her emotions.
Yanyan had been in a terrible mood lately, all because of Lin Shi Xi.
“Let’s go.” Lu’s mother took her hand and looked toward Lu Mingzhe. “Mingzhe, come quickly.”
But Lu Yan suddenly called out, “Lin Shi Xi.”
Both Lu’s mother and Lu Mingzhe looked at her in surprise.
Shi Xi simply pretended not to hear.
Lu Yan quickened her pace, blocking Shi Xi’s path, looking down at her condescendingly. “That video was deliberately released by you, wasn’t it?”
“…”
Shi Xi didn’t follow her train of thought and silently watched her.
However, from Lu Yan’s perspective, she was admitting it and even provoking her.
Lu Yan let out a light laugh. “Are you trying to say I stole Chi Yuan from you? Don’t tell me you think a little sympathy from netizens can turn your life around?”
“Yanyan, what are you talking about? Xixi hasn’t done anything.”
Lu Mingzhe stepped between them, facing Lu Yan as if afraid Shi Xi might be hurt by her.
“Nothing? Brother, haven’t you seen the public opinion? Everyone’s gossiping about the Lu family, saying we’re heartless.”
“Those people have too much time on their hands. Why take idle gossip seriously?”
“They’re already pointing fingers and cursing at me—how can I not take it seriously? Brother, I’m your sister.As she spoke, Lu Yan was already crying from grievance.
Lu Mingzhe took two steps forward to comfort her. “Yanyan… but you can’t blame all this on Xixi.”
Shi Xi wanted to leave, but the Samoyed had clamped onto her pant leg, forcing her to stay and listen to the siblings’ conversation.
Noticing the familiar Land Rover parked by the roadside, Shi Xi said to the siblings, “You two are really annoying.”
Her voice made them both turn to look at her.
Shi Xi continued, “I’m just waiting for a ride here, and you two can put on a performance anytime, anywhere, without even asking if I want to watch. Seven years ago, there was already no connection between us—you said so yourselves.”
She stared directly at Lu Yan’s face and went on, “You hold a lot of hostility toward me, both seven years ago and now, but I’ve never done anything to wrong you.”
“Oh, is that what you think?” Lu Yan’s smile was full of mockery. “The scars on your face may have faded, but the ones on my body are still there. Your birth mother even wanted me to go into prostitution with her!”
Shi Xi retorted, “And what about me? What did I do to you?”
Lu Yan was momentarily speechless, then roared in shame and anger, “You’re all in this together!”
Shi Xi replied, “So the Lu family kept those two around to make me experience the pain you went through back then, right?”
She laid it out plainly, exposing the darkness in Lu Yan’s heart.
Lu Yan froze, then retorted, “I didn’t!” I haven’t done anything. I don’t care how you’re doing!”
Shi Xi looked at her silently, her gaze clear and bright, completely different from before.
Lu Yan had to admit—she was jealous. She could never escape the shadows of her childhood, so how could Lin Shi Xi move on…
“I’m doing perfectly fine now! Lin Shi Xi, who do you think you are!”
Lu Yan stepped forward agitatedly, reaching out to push Shi Xi.
Shi Xi could have dodged her hand, but Xiao Bao suddenly leaped up and pounced toward Lu Yan, startling her.
“Woof!!”
Xiao Bao stood guard in front of Shi Xi.
Shi Xi patted the dog’s head. Good dog.
“Are you alright?”
At the same time, a deep voice came from the side.
Huo Yao pulled Shi Xi into his embrace, his sharp gaze fixed on the opposite side, his entire presence intimidating.
Shi Xi reached out and patted his chest, reassuring him, “I’m fine, not a single hair fell out.”
He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt today. When her hand touched it, it picked up a layer of soft white fur.
Shi Xi: “?”
Shi Xi looked down at Xiao Bao.
Well, she hadn’t shed any hair—Xiao Bao had.
Huo Yao: “…”
Xiao Bao: “Woof…”Puppy dog eyes full of grievance.”