Chapter 24: Task 9 Part 2

Jiang Xiaoyi: 【……】

After holding back for a moment, Jiang Xiaoyi took the initiative: 【What’s today’s task? Spit it out, then scram.】

System PP chuckled slyly: 【Today’s task: bury your face in those big waves.】

System PP bolted in panic: 【No need to ask whose, right? Off I go!】

Afraid of getting an earful, System PP fled hastily, leaving Jiang Xiaoyi standing there in the wind, utterly flustered.

Wh-what?!

Bury her face in big… waves?!

Jiang Xiaoyi desperately wanted to claim she didn’t know what “big waves” meant, but alas, she was an instant-understanding kind of girl.

This perverted System still dared call itself the Sweet Love System? Who starts burying their face in big waves before even falling in love?

Jiang Xiaoyi clutched her head with both hands. Her headache intensified as she plotted to go home and Google how to assassinate a system.

When Meng Chuning came over, she saw that the hand Jiang Xiaoyi was using for the IV was propped against her forehead, and the tube was already flowing back with blood.

“Xiaoyi, don’t move your hand around.” Meng Chuning took her hand and laid it flat on the chair. “Does your head hurt?”

It hurt—a lot. Terribly so.

Jiang Xiaoyi kept her eyes downcast, her face flushing hot with embarrassment. She didn’t dare look at Meng Chuning or even think about how to complete the task. She still hadn’t recovered from the previous one.

Jiang Xiaoyi stayed silent, and Meng Chuning stood before her, growing worried. “Are you still feverish?”

Meng Chuning leaned in slightly, pressing her cool palm to Jiang Xiaoyi’s forehead to check her temperature.

“……” Jiang Xiaoyi tilted her neck back, retreating. In that position, Meng Chuning was leaning too close. Her V-neck collar gaped open, revealing the lofty swell of her snowy-white skin.

That glimpse of soft white flashed in her vision. Jiang Xiaoyi raised a hand to cover her face and shook her head. “I… I’m fine.”

Her ears and face burned even redder. She didn’t look fine at all.

Meng Chuning thought Jiang Xiaoyi was acting strangely today. Ever since she’d sat down here, Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t looked at her much.

Was it because of last night’s kiss? Did Jiang Xiaoyi not dare meet her eyes—or worse, didn’t want to look at her? Did she hate her now?

Riding the Ferris wheel with Jiang Xiaoyi on her birthday was something Meng Chuning had dreamed of for a long time. The wish kiss had been completely unexpected.

Last night had been the first time Meng Chuning heard that Ferris wheel legend. Asking Jiang Xiaoyi to help make her wish come true had definitely involved some selfish motives.

After learning the legend was fake, Meng Chuning had panicked too. She wasn’t sure if she should tell Jiang Xiaoyi.

Last night’s kiss only proved that Jiang Xiaoyi had simply wanted to help her wish come true. Meng Chuning couldn’t confirm anything beyond that and didn’t dare cross the line again, for fear of scaring Jiang Xiaoyi away.

Once the drip finished, Jiang Xiaoyi felt mostly recovered. The dizziness in her head was clearing up. She furtively turned her face and saw Meng Chuning inspecting the IV bottle for her.

Meng Chuning pinched the soft tube with her fair fingers. “It’s almost done. I’ll call the nurse.”

“No need, Sister.” Jiang Xiaoyi grabbed her sleeve. “There’s a call button right here.”

She gave a light tug and let go. Meng Chuning looked down at her. “Feeling better?”

“Much better.” Jiang Xiaoyi smiled. “My head doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Mm.” Meng Chuning pressed the button on her chair. The nurse came over quickly, removed the needle, and instructed, “Drink plenty of water and get some good rest when you get home.”

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded. “Got it.”

The two left the hospital. Meng Chuning’s car had been taken by Meng Fanyu. Jiang Xiaoyi hailed a taxi at the roadside. “Sister, where are you headed? Let me drop you off first.”

“I…” Meng Chuning hesitated before asking, “Can I go to your place?”

“To my place?” Jiang Xiaoyi thought of her unmade bed from that morning and immediately stammered, “Wh-what for?”

Meng Chuning saw her big reaction and assumed she didn’t want her there.

“I mean, let me take you home first. You’re still not fully well.” After Meng Chuning explained, Jiang Xiaoyi breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright then.”

The taxi pulled up at Star City Neighborhood. After getting out, Jiang Xiaoyi said to Meng Chuning, “Sister, text me when you get home.”

Meng Chuning looked concerned. “Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?”

Jiang Xiaoyi replied, “No problem.”

Meng Chuning leaned lightly against the seat and sighed softly. “Call me if you feel off at all.”

“Got it.” Jiang Xiaoyi waved. “Bye, Sister.”

…

After going home and taking a nap, Jiang Xiaoyi felt full of energy. Her body was nearly back to normal. That evening, she nailed the entire scene with great condition. Her NG takes were noticeably fewer than before, and even the director praised her recent progress.

Jiang Xiaoyi pocketed all the compliments. “Thank you, Director!”

“Xiaoyi, the boss wants you to meet someone tonight. She’s a well-known director in the industry—treat her nicely,” Lu Xi said, handing her a shopping bag. “Change into this first. I’ll go with you.”

Jiang Xiaoyi was extremely curious. “Ruan Feng knows a big-shot director?”

Lu Xi shook her head. “No idea, but the boss sounded especially thrilled. Maybe while we were away from the company these past few days, she expanded her network.”

“I’ll change right now.” Jiang Xiaoyi dashed into the changing room. Halfway through, she remembered she still hadn’t completed today’s task.

What to do?

Jiang Xiaoyi tilted her head back and whined pitifully. How was anyone supposed to pull off such an outrageous task?

“Xiaoyi, ready?” Lu Xi called from outside. Jiang Xiaoyi frowned and stepped out.

Lu Xi looked her over. “What’s wrong? Don’t like the outfit?”

“No.” Jiang Xiaoyi suddenly had an idea. “Sister Lu Xi, could you do me a favor?”

“What favor?”

“Take all my money and hold onto it for me.” Jiang Xiaoyi felt like a genius. If she transferred everything to Lu Xi, the System couldn’t just randomly deduct from Lu Xi’s account, right?

Lu Xi: “?”

Lu Xi: “Why?”

“Oh, come on, I’ve been impulse-buying everything lately. I can’t save a dime. Just hold it for me, please.”

Can’t Save Money Jiang Xiaoyi swiftly transferred seven hundred thousand to Lu Xi, then added, “Sister Lu Xi, just add me to your family card on WeChat. I’ll work hard to curb my spending urges.”

Lu Xi: “?”

She’d never heard of Jiang Xiaoyi having trouble saving money before.

Though she had no clue what Jiang Xiaoyi was up to, Lu Xi went along with it and added her to the Relative Card on WeChat. After all, Jiang Xiaoyi trusted her so much.

“Alright, Xiaoyi. Monthly limit on the Relative Card is five thousand.”

“I won’t need that much.” Jiang Xiaoyi accepted it and grinned in satisfaction. “Let’s go, Sister Lu Xi.”

System PP, having listened to the whole exchange, was speechless and choked up: 【……】

Ruan Feng, the boss of Spring Wind Entertainment, was uncharacteristically generous this time, treating the director to dinner at a high-end French restaurant.

Jiang Xiaoyi and Lu Xi stood dumbfounded in front of the opulent restaurant for a full five minutes.

“Sister Lu Xi, you’re sure the address is right?” Jiang Xiaoyi hesitated to go in. The place looked insanely pricey.

Lu Xi double-checked several times. “Yep, this is it. Let’s head inside.”

The French restaurant had a unique style, with a serene and elegant ambiance. Even their footsteps were silent on the plush carpet.

The server led them in and stopped at a reserved table. “Enjoy your meal.”

Dark purple lights danced across the table, lending the atmosphere a touch of mystery.

The woman sitting beside boss Ruan Feng looked strikingly aloof, her makeup light yet approachable.

Ruan Feng beamed. “Xiaoyi, meet Director Zhou—Zhou Yiyan.”

At the mention of Zhou Yiyan’s name, Jiang Xiaoyi and Lu Xi both quietly drew in a sharp breath.

Zhou Yiyan was a rising star among directors in the industry. Her debut film had exploded thanks to its professionalism and flair, launching two female leads to stardom.

To think the boss knew Zhou Yiyan. Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes widened. “Hello, Director Zhou.”

Zhou Yiyan smiled faintly. “Hello. Ruan Feng and I go way back to high school. Funny coincidence—I’m casting for my next film’s lead right now, and she mentioned having the perfect candidate. She insisted I meet you.”

“Director Zhou, if anything, I should be the one seeking you out.” Jiang Xiaoyi was nearly tripping over her words. She didn’t dare dream of landing a lead in Director Zhou’s movie. Ruan Feng was overestimating her.

“Relax. Have a seat, and let’s just chat.” After Zhou Yiyan spoke, Ruan Feng signaled with her eyes for Jiang Xiaoyi to sit next to Director Zhou and make conversation.

Salty Fish Jiang Xiaoyi perked right up again. She answered whatever Zhou Yiyan asked, and soon the mood was warm and harmonious.

As they chatted, Jiang Xiaoyi gradually relaxed.

…

“How was your birthday yesterday?” Gu Nanzhi asked with a smile.

Meng Chuning swirled her red wine glass absentmindedly, not hearing a word.

“Chuning?” Gu Nanzhi waved a hand in front of her face. “What are you looking at?”

Meng Chuning sipped her wine bit by bit, her gaze fixed on a booth not far away.

Jiang Xiaoyi was chatting animatedly with a beautiful woman, their laughter drifting over now and then.

Gu Nanzhi turned, puzzled. “Isn’t that Xiaoyi? And next to her… Zhou Yiyan?”

Meng Chuning withdrew her gaze. “You know her?”

Gu Nanzhi grinned. “You’ve only been back in the country a year, so you might not. She’s last year’s award-winning rising director—pretty talented in the biz.”

“Really?” Meng Chuning said. “Talented and beautiful.”

It was the first time Gu Nanzhi had seen this expression on Meng Chuning. “You’re not jealous of Zhou Yiyan, are you?”

Meng Chuning shot Gu Nanzhi a sideways glance, unwilling to admit it.

“Chuning, you’re not even together with Jiang Xiaoyi yet, and you’re already this jealous.” Gu Nanzhi patted her shoulder consolingly. “It’s just a director meeting.”

“I know.” Meng Chuning had no right to be jealous anyway. And who was she showing it to?

“You eat first. I need some air.” Meng Chuning set down her wineglass and left. Gu Nanzhi turned just in time to see Jiang Xiaoyi heading out too.

“Coming back?” Gu Nanzhi chuckled and shook her head. “Guess I’ll eat alone.”

Meng Chuning leaned against the corridor wall, waiting for someone.

Soon, Jiang Xiaoyi wiped her hands clean and emerged from the restroom. When she spotted Meng Chuning, she blinked in disbelief.

The moment Jiang Xiaoyi saw Meng Chuning, she thought of the task the System had issued, and her ears flushed red again. She didn’t walk over but asked from a short distance away, “Sister, what are you doing here?”

Meng Chuning didn’t answer her question. Instead, her gaze lingered on Jiang Xiaoyi’s face for a moment before she asked, “Have you been drinking?”

“Just a little.” Jiang Xiaoyi had shared a glass with Zhou Yiyan at the dinner table. It wasn’t strong, and it hadn’t made her cheeks flush, so how had Meng Chuning noticed?

Meng Chuning let out a sigh. “You’re just recovering from an illness. You shouldn’t be drinking.”

Was her sister worried about her?

“It’s fine. I’m already better…” Before Jiang Xiaoyi could finish, Meng Chuning cut her off. “Xiaoyi.”

Jiang Xiaoyi blinked. “Hm?”

“Come closer.” Meng Chuning looked at her and said, “You’re too far away. I can’t hear you properly.”

The two of them were standing on opposite sides of the corridor, chatting back and forth, with people occasionally passing between them.

They were… indeed standing a bit far apart.

Jiang Xiaoyi slowly walked over. Meng Chuning leaned in close to her. “Can you smell it?”

“Sister, are you wearing the perfume I gave you?” Jiang Xiaoyi didn’t lean in too close; she was just guessing.

Meng Chuning tilted her slender neck upward. “Does it smell good?”

Jiang Xiaoyi had chosen a fresh, serene fruit scent—she’d smelled it herself when she bought it. “Mm, very sweet.”