Chapter 4

Xu Chaomu had already been too embarrassed to know what to say. Now she was even more flustered.

Ji Changyin had only meant it as an offhand remark. Who would have guessed that someone as cool and aloof as Xu Chaomu would be so easily embarrassed in private?

“Get up.” Ji Changyin let go of her and rubbed her arm.

“Sorry.” Xu Chaomu sat up, bracing herself with one hand on the bed. “Something happened, and I couldn’t help having a little to drink last night.”

“You really do trust me.”

Xu Chaomu was quiet for a few seconds. “You’re a good person.”

Ji Changyin stopped on her way to the bathroom and glanced back at Xu Chaomu.

She had no idea why she’d been handed a “good person” card first thing in the morning.

I didn’t even do anything.

“Call your manager. She called last night, but you wouldn’t wake up, so I answered.”

“Okay.” Xu Chaomu nodded and took her phone out onto the balcony.

After washing up, Ji Changyin checked her schedule and saw that she had nothing planned for the day.

She really didn’t have much work in the entertainment industry. Most of the original Ji Changyin’s energy had gone into chasing after a man.

Ji Changyin looked at herself in the mirror and touched her face. Her features weren’t all that different from the way she’d looked in her previous life, but her skin was much smoother. It was obvious she took good care of it.

Because of that face, she couldn’t help wondering if the people in the book had some special connection to the people in the real world.

Ji Changyin stretched.

There was no family drama in the Ji family. Ji Changyin was her parents’ only child, and they spoiled her rotten, giving her whatever she wanted. Even though the way she’d pursued Wei Jingbo had brought shame on the family, her parents had barely said a word against her. The strange thing was that, according to the memories she’d inherited, the original Ji Changyin wasn’t close to her parents and rarely went home.

But the memories gave no explanation.

Ji Changyin decided to visit the Ji family that day.

She’d tell them what was going on with Wei Jingbo.

“Miss Ji, are you done?” Xu Chaomu knocked on the door.

“All yours.” Ji Changyin came out and made room for her.

“My manager will be here to pick me up soon. I’m sorry for bothering you last night. If there’s ever anything I can help you with, just ask.”

Ji Changyin looked at Xu Chaomu and smiled. “You’re cuter when you’re drunk.”

Xu Chaomu pressed her lips together.

“No need to be so formal. We’ve slept in the same bed, after all.” Ji Changyin’s tone was casual.

Xu Chaomu took a deep breath. “I’m going to wash up.”

“Your clothes from yesterday are still wet. You can wear something of mine for now.”

“Thanks.” Xu Chaomu nodded.

Ji Changyin had been planning to invite her to breakfast, but by the time Xu Chaomu finished getting ready, her manager was already waiting at the entrance to the neighborhood.

Ji Changyin watched Xu Chaomu leave, then turned her phone back on. Wei Jingbo had called twice since the night before. The second call had come only five minutes ago—and from another number.

Ji Changyin rolled her eyes, then messaged her parents to say she’d be coming to the family home that evening. Her mother replied almost immediately. It was only a few words, but the excitement came through.

Come to think of it, Ji Changyin was a little nervous. She wasn’t really the original Ji Changyin. What if her parents realized someone had replaced her?

She could only hope they didn’t know the original all that well.

Ji Changyin arrived at the family home in the afternoon. Her mother was waiting by the entrance, her eyes bright with eagerness and anticipation.

She parked in the garage.

In her previous life, her parents had died when she was young, and she’d grown up in an orphanage. The word “parents” meant very little to her.

“Mom, why are you waiting outside?” Ji Changyin got out of the car and frowned faintly.

“I had nothing else to do.” Her mother smiled.

They spent the afternoon talking, mostly with her mother doing the talking and Ji Changyin chiming in from time to time.

Her father came home around dusk.

Ji Changyin brought up the matter at the dinner table.

“Mom, Dad, I don’t like Wei Jingbo anymore,” she said.

Her mother froze. “Yinyin… did Wei Jingbo do something to you?”

“Mom, I’m not just saying this because I’m upset. I really don’t like him anymore.”

“Have you thought it through?” her father asked.

Ji Changyin nodded. “I want to focus on acting from now on.”

“Good.” Her father looked at her. “You’re wonderful, Yinyin. You’ll meet someone better someday. There’s no need to be upset over a man like that, understand?”

“I know. Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve really moved on. I finally see him for what he is. He’s not worth it.”

Her father smiled. Ji Changyin felt a little helpless. It was obvious he didn’t believe her.

“Will you stay here tonight?” her mother asked.

“Yes. I’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

“Good, good.” Her father nodded.

Ji Changyin’s room at the family home was huge, too. She didn’t stay there often, but it had everything she could need.

Wei Jingbo called again. That made three times that day.

He’d never called her so often before.

“You’re so annoying.” Ji Changyin answered, her voice thick with impatience.

Wei Jingbo fell silent.

“It’s Wei Jingbo.”

“I know. Your name’s in my contacts. What do you want?”

Wei Jingbo took a deep breath. “What did you do to Chaomu?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

“She’s so kind. How could she tell me the truth?”

“Wei Jingbo, aren’t you the one with a violent streak?” Ji Changyin said. “Why assume the whole world is violent just because you are?”

“When have I ever been violent?”

“So it wasn’t you who threw something at me yesterday?” Ji Changyin let out a cold laugh. “If you suspect I did something to Xu Chaomu, go ask her. Take her to get checked out if you want. Why should I put up with you accusing me for no reason?”

“Ji Changyin, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”

“Someone accuses me of something I didn’t do, and I’m supposed to be nice about it? Wei Jingbo, how did I never realize how big your ego was?” Ji Changyin said coldly. “If that’s all, I’m hanging up. Goodbye.”

Wei Jingbo tried to say something, but Ji Changyin had already ended the call.

He listened to the dead line, unable to react for a long time.

Ji Changyin let out a long breath. She felt fantastic from head to toe. Heaven knows how badly I’ve wanted to tell this bastard off. And now I finally did.

After thinking it over, she sent Wei Jingbo a message.

[Ji Changyin: I’ve thought it through. I was wrong to keep pursuing you when you didn’t want me to. I’m letting go. From now on, we’ll stay out of each other’s way, so please don’t call unless you have a reason. I know you’re free, but I’m busy. Thanks.]

Wei Jingbo read the message and curled his lip. He’d thought she was apologizing. After opening it, his face darkened.

He took a deep breath. He badly wanted to reply, but in the end, he tossed his phone onto the bed.

He was sure Ji Changyin would come back and apologize within three days at most.

But after sending the message, Ji Changyin promptly forgot all about him and contacted Zhao Xi.

“Hello, Young Miss. What do you need?”

“I’m ready to work hard.”

Zhao Xi paused. “All right. Is there anything in particular you’re interested in? Acting, or variety shows? Anything you’re keen on?”