Chapter 6

Ji Changyin had thought they’d only add one extra day of practice, but Xu Chaomu had no idea what being tired meant. For several days in a row, she called Ji Changyin out to rehearse. No wonder she was such a workaholic.

In the end, Ji Changyin had to insist they take a day off. When she told Xu Chaomu, she could practically feel the other woman’s reproachful stare. It was a little intimidating, but she stood her ground.

If she didn’t rest, she’d go crazy. She might learn slowly, but after a week, she was doing well enough. They were mostly working on the little details now. A break wouldn’t hurt.

Dream Chaser’s other four mentors had all been announced.

Lin Zhiyi, Feng Qi, Yao Que, and Jiang Ruo.

They were all major names in their fields, whether leading members of popular boy and girl groups or top singers who had won international awards time and again.

Looking at the lineup, Ji Changyin was by far the least impressive of the six. Naturally, the internet mocked her even more, with people asking what gave her the nerve to appear on a show like this.

If she hadn’t been afraid Zhao Xi would scold her, she would’ve already posted, “Because I’m rich.”

She’d also spotted the Ji family brand among Dream Chaser’s sponsors. What was wrong with the Crown Princess appearing on a show her own family sponsored?

On her day off, Ji Changyin slept until evening.

She loved the original Ji Changyin’s metabolism. She could eat whatever she wanted and never gain weight. It was wonderful. So that night, she went out by herself and secretly had hot pot.

When she came out, she spotted Wei Jingbo surrounded by a crowd.

As expected, when things went badly, you could run into someone you hated anywhere.

She tried to make a quick getaway, but as the heroine, she was never going to be allowed to slip away unnoticed. She’d taken only a few steps when someone called her name.

“Ji Changyin.”

Ji Changyin pretended not to hear and walked faster. The oblivious person stepped right in front of her.

“Ji Changyin, Young Master Wei is over there.”

Ji Changyin gave him a cold look. He was one of Wei Jingbo’s many hangers-on. She couldn’t even remember his name, but his expression made it clear he was hoping for a chance to laugh at her. Wei Jingbo’s friends had mocked the original Ji Changyin plenty of times, and she’d fallen for it every time.

“I’m not his mother. Whether he’s here or where he goes has nothing to do with me. I don’t want to know, and I don’t care.” Ji Changyin tucked her hair behind her ear and stared him down. “Could you move?”

He froze, looking at Ji Changyin and then over at Wei Jingbo in the distance.

Ji Changyin went around him.

But she had underestimated how bored these people were.

“Miss Ji, why are you leaving? Playing hard to get won’t work on Young Master Wei.”

If it wouldn’t have ruined her looks, Ji Changyin would have rolled her eyes.

What a line. And playing hard to get, really?

She took a deep breath, holding back the urge to swear.

“I’m busy. I don’t have time to play your CEO romance game. And this isn’t playing hard to get. Do I have to beat Wei Jingbo up in the street before you believe I’m not interested in him?” As she spoke, Ji Changyin pushed up her sleeves.

“It’d be better if you weren’t interested in me.” Wei Jingbo walked over with his hands in his pockets. Every inch of him seemed to scream, “I’m the hottest guy here.” “Stay away from Chaomu.”

Ji Changyin gave a derisive laugh. “Don’t judge my intentions by your own petty standards, okay? And does Mumu even know who you are?”

She was telling the truth. Xu Chaomu barely knew Wei Jingbo. To her, he was just an investor who appreciated her work.

And plenty of investors appreciated Xu Chaomu.

Wei Jingbo’s face darkened.

“I have to practice with Mumu tomorrow. See you.” Ji Changyin waved at Wei Jingbo. The sight of his frustrated expression made her happier than she’d been in ages.

She walked away with a spring in her step.

Then she and Wei Jingbo ended up trending again.

“Ji Changyin’s secret date with Wei Jingbo.”

Ji Changyin was exasperated. Zhao Xi hadn’t even had time to warn her before the trending topic was taken down.

[Zhao Xi: ???]

[Ji Changyin: I just happened to run into him. I went out for hot pot, and Wei Jingbo’s people gave me a hard time. I didn’t do anything.]

Well, she’d made a few sarcastic remarks at his expense.

[Zhao Xi: You went out for hot pot?]

[Ji Changyin: …]

[Ji Changyin: Just once in a while. Don’t worry, I didn’t eat that much.]

[Zhao Xi: Go easy on it.]

[Ji Changyin: Mm-hmm.]

She’d already eaten it, anyway.

The next morning, Ji Changyin arrived at the dance studio right on time. When she got there, Wei Jingbo was already with Xu Chaomu, talking to her. They stood a good distance apart, and it was clear Xu Chaomu was only humoring him.

This was probably what they meant by the wheel of fortune turning.

“Mumu!”

Ji Changyin called out and waved to Xu Chaomu.

Xu Chaomu paused and glanced at her. Honestly, they weren’t close enough for that kind of familiarity yet. But she wasn’t stupid. She guessed Ji Changyin had a reason for calling her that, so she smiled and walked over.

“Yinyin, you’re here.”

Ji Changyin’s step faltered.

Xu Chaomu didn’t smile often. She was a cool, elegant beauty, but when she did smile, Ji Changyin felt as if spring had arrived, warming her from the inside out.

Wei Jingbo was taken aback by Xu Chaomu’s smile, too.

He’d been there for ten minutes, but the only smiles Xu Chaomu had given him were polite ones. She’d never looked this welcoming.

“CEO Wei, what brings you here?” Ji Changyin had already hooked her arm through Xu Chaomu’s.

Wei Jingbo: …

“I have shares in this company. Is there a problem with me stopping by?”

“Oh. Well, have you finished looking around? We’re about to practice.” Ji Changyin glanced at the door. She couldn’t have made it more obvious that he should leave.

“What if I want to stay and watch?”

Ji Changyin narrowed her eyes and looked at him. “I told you to leave, and you’re still here. What was it you called that kind of behavior? I can’t quite remember. Why don’t you remind me, CEO Wei?”

To be fair, Wei Jingbo hadn’t technically done anything wrong. Being pursued by someone he didn’t like could be frightening and miserable. If Ji Changyin had been in his position, she might have reacted just as strongly. But she still couldn’t stand him.

Wei Jingbo’s face darkened. He looked at Xu Chaomu again. “Miss Xu, if there’s anything you need help with, you can come to me.”

Xu Chaomu froze, then instinctively took a step back and stood behind Ji Changyin. “I don’t need anything at the moment, thank you, CEO Wei.”

The rejection couldn’t have been clearer.

Ji Changyin tilted her head and rested it on Xu Chaomu’s shoulder, raising her eyebrows at Wei Jingbo.

Seeing him seething with nowhere to vent made her want to laugh even more.