Wen Yajun’s expression was very peculiar, looking at him as if he were an idiot. “You actually believe her nonsense? Let me tell you, Ji Xingzhu has had a terrible temper since she was a child. She might have hit me because she finds me annoying, or because she was in a bad mood, but it’s absolutely impossible she hit me because she likes you!”
“Someone as self-centered as her would never do something foolish for a man. If you believe her so-called ‘liking you’ or similar talk, then you are…” Considering Song Qingchi’s considerable influence, Wen Yajun swallowed the word “idiot” with difficulty, but her eyes betrayed her thoughts.
Song Qingchi’s expression remained calm, showing no trace of anger. He chuckled lightly. “Whatever she says it is, that’s what it is.”
At this moment, the look in Wen Yajun’s eyes toward Song Qingchi contained only two words—beyond hope.
Next, Song Qingchi summoned someone from somewhere. They applied an ice pack to Wen Yajun’s face, then took her elsewhere to avoid others and reapply her makeup, ensuring the incident wouldn’t be exposed.
Whether the show’s crew was feigning ignorance or genuinely didn’t notice, they never actively went looking for Wen Yajun.
After handling everything, Song Qingchi relaxed back into his chair. A moment later, he suddenly spoke, “System?”
Silence filled his mind.
Song Qingchi snorted softly. “I know you’re there.”
Ji Xingzhu finally spoke slowly, “How do you know I’m online?”
Song Qingchi smiled without answering. He had long guessed that Ji Xingzhu would secretly hide and watch the drama. And for some reason, he also hoped Ji Xingzhu would witness this scene—witness him diligently resolving trouble for her.
He didn’t expect gratitude from the young lady, only that she might curse him less as the “detestable Male Lead”…
Song Qingchi cleared his throat subtly, probing, “What do you think of my handling just now?”
“Passable,” Ji Xingzhu said reservedly.
Song Qingchi raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly. “Worthy of Ji Xingzhu’s liking, right?”
Ji Xingzhu replied with confidence and nonchalance, “Barely.”
The Cannon Fodder System immediately chimed in, unable to stay silent. “Host, the Male Lead just helped you a great deal. Can’t you praise him a bit more?!”
“Based on my calculations, if word gets out that you slapped Wen Yajun, the public will definitely condemn you!”
After all, netizens don’t know Wen Yajun is the illegitimate daughter of Ji Xingzhu’s father, nor that this shameless father-daughter pair is scheming to seize the Ji family’s assets. Netizens don’t know how many times Wen Yajun has framed “Ji Xingzhu” since childhood, nor that Wen Yajun got slapped this time for harboring malicious intentions and stirring trouble. They’d only know Ji Xingzhu hit someone.
Once physical violence is involved, public opinion is naturally at a disadvantage.
Ji Xingzhu’s public image has always been quite arrogant and spoiled, but netizens surprisingly show her a lot of tolerance, even seeing her as candid. However, if they learned she hit someone without understanding the specifics, their opinion of her would likely sour.
If Wen Yajun then seized the opportunity to buy some online shills for promotion, the public perception of these two cousins would reverse, and Ji Xingzhu would likely end up at a disadvantage.
So, it’s fortunate Song Qingchi decisively blocked the show’s crew outside the door at that time, controlling the situation promptly.
But Ji Xingzhu didn’t want to admit this. She stubbornly insisted, “I hit someone for his sake. It’s only right that he cleans up the mess for me!”
Cannon Fodder System: “…It’s one thing to deceive others, but don’t deceive yourself! Don’t you know in your heart whether you hit Wen Yajun for the Male Lead’s sake?”
Ji Xingzhu giggled: “Gotta say, after venting my anger by slapping Wen Yajun, and having the detestable Male Lead proactively help clean up the mess—I didn’t have to lift a finger. This feeling of just lying back is really great~”
Song Qingchi leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling, hearing the conversation in his mind clearly. Listening to the two “systems” bicker back and forth, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifted. Without even realizing it, he felt quite pleased at this moment.
It seemed that since binding with the so-called “System,” his smiles were no longer just superficial pleasantries but often genuine.
Unknowingly, his once dull and tedious life had gained fresh amusement.
Ji Xingzhu was completely unaware of Song Qingchi’s subtle inner journey. While bickering with 999, she logged off. Returning to her own body, she headed downstairs, still arguing with 999 in her mind.
However, just as she reached the private room door, she ran into Wen Yajun face-to-face. Ji Xingzhu raised an eyebrow, gleefully scrutinizing her. Wen Yajun had clearly reapplied her makeup, thoroughly concealing the red marks on her face. Now, apart from being a bit swollen, her face showed no signs of what happened.
Seeing her, Wen Yajun’s expression changed slightly, but in the end, she just silently lowered her head, choosing to swallow this bitter pill in silence.
Ji Xingzhu leisurely strolled up to her, leaned close to her ear, and snorted lightly, “I hope you remember this lesson. In the future—bother me less!”
Ji Xingzhu truly despised this older cousin who constantly played the innocent victim. She especially hated how Wen Yajun often pulled her in front of the cameras to perform their sisterly bond. Today, she had finally vented some of her anger. She just hoped Wen Yajun would remember this lesson and stop constantly scheming against her.
Wen Yajun didn’t look up at her or respond verbally, but her hands, hanging by her sides, suddenly clenched tightly, betraying her inner turmoil.
Ji Xingzhu couldn’t be bothered with her and left her behind, feeling triumphant and satisfied.
For a long time, Wen Yajun stared fixedly at her retreating figure, hatred surging in her eyes.
·
After handling that little episode, Song Qingchi asked for Ji Xingzhu’s opinion, “Where would you like to go next?”
Ji Xingzhu thought for a moment and once again chose an unconventional path. “Let’s go to the supermarket.”
Song Qingchi still had no objections. The group immediately drove to a supermarket. Inside, Ji Xingzhu was actually seriously buying groceries!
She walked to the vegetable section, carefully selecting items, and casually tossed the chosen vegetables into a basket—of course, the shopping basket was carried by Song Qingchi.
Song Qingchi watched quietly for a while before finally saying, “Why are you buying groceries?”
Ji Xingzhu gave him a meaningful glance and surprisingly flashed him a sweet smile. “To cook, of course!”
Song Qingchi: “……” An inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Looking at the vegetables in the basket, Song Qingchi sighed quietly and began putting them back one by one.
“Hey! I picked those with great effort. Why are you putting them back?!” Ji Xingzhu glared at him, annoyed.
Song Qingchi said helplessly, “Many of the vegetables you picked are wilted. Let me help you choose.”
Ji Xingzhu was momentarily speechless and finally fell silent. Next, Ji Xingzhu stood to the side, commanding the situation, stating what vegetables and meats she wanted to buy, and Song Qingchi followed her instructions to pick some.
Surprisingly, Song Qingchi was quite skilled at buying groceries. The vegetables he picked were all fresh and crisp.
After buying the groceries, the group drove back. The production team had said that tonight’s dinner would be a group meal so all the guests could get to know each other better.
The village’s large auditorium where they had gathered before was the designated location for their dinner.
Soon, all the guests gathered there. The seasoned actress Cen Xuan, generous and enthusiastic, offered to prepare dinner for everyone, and naturally, no one objected.
Just then, Ji Xingzhu confidently announced, “I’m cooking too.”
The others immediately looked at her in surprise, clearly not expecting this pampered young lady to offer to cook. The irresponsible rich second-generation heir, Shao Rui, immediately scoffed, “You know how to cook? You’re not planning to poison us all at once, are you?”
He still held a grudge from Ji Xingzhu embarrassing him yesterday and seized every opportunity to antagonize her.
Ji Xingzhu gave him a cold smile. “If I had the chance to kill you, I wouldn’t choose poison. I’d choose to beat you to death.”
Having said that, she casually glanced at Wen Yajun in the corner. Seeing Wen Yajun’s face instantly turn green, Ji Xingzhu felt much better. Ignoring Shao Rui’s further taunts, she directly started cooking.
The others secretly watched, even beginning to quietly anticipate tasting a meal personally cooked by Miss Ji.
Only Song Qingchi wore a subtly heavy expression.
However, everyone soon fell into silence.
Ji Xingzhu said she was cooking… well, one could barely call it cooking.
She didn’t wash the vegetables, didn’t cut the meat, just dumped everything into the pot together, then poured in all kinds of seasonings like crazy…
Cen Xuan, who was also cooking nearby, silently twitched her mouth, utterly astonished. The others… were already thinking of excuses to skip dinner.
Finally, Ji Xingzhu “successfully” produced a pot of something pitch-black with a very strange appearance and, presumably, an equally strange smell.
She carefully scooped out two bowls and placed them on the table. Casually scanning the guests with their varied expressions, she said, “This is my first time cooking. It contains my heartfelt intentions.”
“However, not everyone has the honor to eat what I cook.” Ji Xingzhu slightly raised her chin, proud as a little swan. “The food I make is only for my family and… the people I like.”
Having said that, she leisurely crooked a finger, revealing a sweet, charming smile. “Wen Yajun, Song Qingchi, you’re in for a treat~”
Wen Yajun: “???!!”
Song Qingchi: “……”
Hello, police? I think someone’s trying to assassinate me. 🙂