Chapter 231: It’s All An Act, Got It?
Xuan Xia took advantage of no one noticing and lowered her voice to ask: “What prophecy term is ‘can’t stand it’? Is there a more detailed explanation? Or has your forecast been withdrawn again?”
If the prophecy had been withdrawn again, Xuan Xia would have to consider returning directly to Ningzhou after work ended.
Chang Xi: “…”
After a few seconds of silence, Chang Xi told Xuan Xia, whose mind was full of nothing but prophecy terms: “No prophecy! I mean that Shi Mei. I hope you don’t forget her existence. Also, she’s going crazy right now, and I can’t stand it.”
Ever since Zhou Shiqing gave Xuan Xia the bead housing Shi Mei yesterday, Xuan Xia had just put it away without saying anything about examining or studying it.
Of course, Xuan Xia wouldn’t know what kind of state or mood Shi Mei was in. Only Chang Xi, who was the same kind, had been refined, and was close enough, could clearly sense it.
Xuan Xia fell silent.
Probably really too speechless, it took Xuan Xia a long time before she spoke to Chang Xi again: “Why is she going crazy?”
Chang Xi really wanted to retort: Do you really not know why?
But after thinking about it, she decided not to give Xuan Xia the chance to be stubborn and play dumb.
“What else could it be? Aren’t you and that Zhou Shiqing getting married?” As she spoke, Chang Xi even deliberately materialized, sizing Xuan Xia up. “You’re wearing a wedding dress, which is the modern wedding garment. Why do people nowadays use white clothes for wedding garments?”
Xuan Xia was startled by her sudden appearance, but fortunately no one could see her.
But she still irritably ordered her to disappear quickly. Ordinary people couldn’t see Chang Xi—what if a strange person suddenly appeared? How scary that would be.
Chang Xi stared at Xuan Xia for another two glances, tossed out “You look pretty good in it,” and then obediently vanished.
Xuan Xia: “…Thanks.”
After two seconds, Chang Xi reminded her again: “Do something about this Shi Mei. I don’t know what she’s banging around doing, but it’s so noisy. You be careful too—don’t let her resentment skyrocket later, or you won’t be able to handle it.”
Xuan Xia was extremely helpless, but she had no intention of dealing with Shi Mei. She only said to Chang Xi: “No real marriage, just the program’s planned effect.”
After thinking, she gave a more straightforward explanation: “Acting, got it?”
So it was acting.
Chang Xi hummed in response.
After explaining, Xuan Xia ignored Chang Xi and fully immersed herself in the program filming.
Today’s recording wouldn’t include a live broadcast.
Without the restrictions of live broadcast, everyone was relatively much freer during recording.
After trying on the outfits, it was the poster shooting process. Xuan Xia felt like she was back at the time when she first shot promotional photos with Zhou Shiqing.
However, their relationship was now vastly different from during the promotional photo shoot, and they could already cooperate very well with the photographer’s requests.
The two could even chat by seizing gaps during the shoot.
Zhou Shiqing asked Xuan Xia: “Back to Yanjing after the schedule ends?”
Xuan Xia said yes and curiously asked him: “Teacher Zhou, why do you ask? Is there something?”
Zhou Shiqing acted like he was just asking casually, but his eyes betrayed his mood.
Xuan Xia saw through it but chose not to probe deeper.
After a while, Zhou Shiqing asked again: “What schedule after the program ends? Are you joining a crew?”
“Yes. Joining at the end of the month.”
“Oh.” After responding, Zhou Shiqing gave her a deep look.
Xuan Xia pursed her lips.
The photographer nearby called out: “Teacher Xuan Xia, smile—a brilliant smile.”
Xuan Xia immediately smiled and, taking advantage of Zhou Shiqing’s earlier question, asked him back: “So what schedule does Teacher Zhou have next?”
Zhou Shiqing’s eyebrow arched, satisfaction appearing in his expression. Without any delay, he answered: “Tour, national tour. After the national tour ends, there will be two overseas ones, but probably early next year.”
Xuan Xia said “oh oh” twice. “Sounds really busy.”
Zhou Shiqing couldn’t wait but said with a touch of arrogance: “It’s okay. If you invite me to dinner, I’d still have time.”
“…” Xuan Xia politely smiled faintly, saying nothing.
Zhou Shiqing looked at her expression, his eyebrow arching again, but this time raising high.
Then he soon heard the photographer prompt: “Teacher Zhou Shiqing, if possible, don’t raise your eyebrow.”
Zhou Shiqing unhappily glanced at the photographer.
The photographer, whether bold or ignoring Zhou Shiqing’s look, kept pressing the shutter.
Zhou Shiqing withdrew his gaze, quickly adjusted his mindset, and muttered: “Me treating you works too.”
If Xuan Xia weren’t so close to him right now, she probably wouldn’t have heard what he said.
Xuan Xia curved her lips in a smile, but her mind thought of that little girl Shi Mei.
She still didn’t understand how Shi Mei had fallen for Zhou Shiqing at first sight—and it seemed like she really… super loved him.
After the program ended, she and Zhou Shiqing probably wouldn’t have much interaction anymore. She wondered if Shi Mei would really reach the point of resentment skyrocketing, as Chang Xi said.
After going back, she needed to prioritize handling Shi Mei.
Of course, there was also Zhou Shiqing.
Last time at Chu Miao Village, Xuan Xia had discovered that Zhou Shiqing forgot things inside the illusionary scenery relatively slowly.
Yesterday, Zhou Shiqing obviously still retained memories, but looking at him now, he had probably forgotten most of it.
The poster shooting ended while Xuan Xia was lost in thought.
After completing this part, the staff guided everyone toward the seaside for the final segment.
Jiang Feng finished his recording tasks, no longer participating in today’s recording, but Song Yuhan and Wen Zhu’s pair continued in the final episode.
Today’s two served as the wedding master of ceremonies.
With yesterday’s task segment as foundation, Song Yuhan was clearly at ease playing the master of ceremonies today.
Today’s focus was on the six pairs of guests; he just needed to read the master of ceremonies lines well.
Probably because everyone knew that after today, the program would truly reach its finale, and their CP relationships would formally end, with future meetings becoming uncertain, everyone suddenly showed obvious reluctance.
This mood lingered around the guests. During the emotional VCR stage, watching the sweet records specially produced by the program group, almost all the female guests in the pairs shed tears, and even the male guests had red eyes, providing the program group with plenty of material.
But Xuan Xia was probably an exception, as her expression remained unchanged throughout, her emotions stable.
Giving everyone the feeling that she had always been clear-headed and never indulged.
Perhaps influenced by her, Zhou Shiqing also became an exception. Throughout the emotional segment, he kept a straight face, occasionally glancing disdainfully at others, his lips moving now and then—but this time no one heard his muttering.
Xuan Xia also occasionally glanced at the reactions of the other guests around her. She wanted to be like them, but Chang Xi was really too noisy, endlessly reporting Shi Mei’s situation, so Xuan Xia couldn’t help being disturbed.
She couldn’t help grinding her teeth, thinking she still needed to make a trip back to Ningzhou.
