Chapter 168: Heading To The Ancient Temple
Sui Tang widened her eyes and refuted loudly: “Can you not talk nonsense? I invited josen here. If he leaves, how can I have the face to continue playing? Wouldn’t that be repaying kindness with enmity? Besides, my cousin hasn’t spoken yet. Is there room for you to speak?”
He Shang’s mouth tightened: “Whatever.”
Jiang Ning’s eyes darkened slightly, instantly vigilant in her heart. This josen spoke politely, but upon closer listen, it was all provocation; he was someone with skill.
And Sui Tang, this sweet and naive girl, treated him very well because josen had saved her life.
It wasn’t love in that sense, just unilaterally treating josen as her own benefactor and honored guest.
If this continued, Jiang Ning felt she would sooner or later be squeezed into the corner by Sui Tang.
She had only been too busy with Sui Tang for a month, and someone had come to steal her home.
Jiang Ning wasn’t angry; instead, she smiled invitingly: “Of course you’re welcome. We’re just going to the ancient temple to seek a peace talisman, nothing major. Since you want one too, come with us.”
He Shang was dumbfounded. Sui Tang cheered: “Yay, josen, you can play with me now.”
josen looked at Sui Tang indulgently and smiled: “Yeah, Tangtang, I’m very happy to be with you.”
Shen Jinhe had a look like she ate shit, seemingly unable to understand how Jiang Ning agreed to let this guy join the group.
Wei Jin didn’t feel much, because he was originally josen’s fan. Being in the same group as his idol, he had too many questions to ask.
So he pulled josen aside alone, and the two muttered about who knows what.
He Shang looked at the sky speechlessly: “How is Jiang Ning so stupid! This is totally letting the wolf into the house. Based on my intuition, this josen approaching Sui Tang must have ulterior motives. I don’t believe it—that day on the cruise ship, so coincidentally Sui Tang fell, and then so coincidentally met josen to save her. This looks totally like a script, right?”
He Shang angrily put hands on hips.
Complaining to Xie Jingyan.
And Xie Jingyan’s eyes glanced over the back view of Sui Tang and Jiang Ning walking side by side.
The two walked at the end of the group, some distance from the main group, not afraid of being overheard.
Xie Jingyan said flatly: “Jiang Ning isn’t stupid. She’s much smarter than you.”
He Shang: “???”
If it were him, he would’ve kicked josen this outsider out of the group long ago.
They were just high school students, while this josen was several years older and a star.
He Shang didn’t want to be photographed by paparazzi, then have josen post all their photos online because of him.
With the title [Music Prodigy josen Playing with Friends.]
He Shang felt sick to the point of vomiting just thinking about it.
Saying they were friends with this josen.
He hadn’t acknowledged it.
And on the other side.
Shen Jinhe walked between Jiang Ning and Sui Tang.
She frowned at Sui Tang: “Didn’t you promise me yesterday not to go with him? Tangtang, we still shouldn’t trust this person so quickly. josen has a record in the entertainment industry.”
Record?
Jiang Ning didn’t know about this, because she didn’t stan idols. Last time she went was because she promised Wei Jin, so she went with him to the concert.
So Jiang Ning asked: “What record? Can you tell me?”
Shen Jinhe twitched her mouth: “Do you think in the entertainment industry’s big dye vat there’d really be someone pure and spotless? Especially a pretty boy like josen with looks and height. Otherwise, how could he go from an unknown little musician to a hot little top streamer in the music world in just a few years? He has many sponsors behind him; Shanghai sisters and Beijing sisters fawn over him, and the number of people throwing resources at him is countless.”
After Shen Jinhe finished, she awaited Sui Tang’s reaction.
Who knew Sui Tang didn’t care much: “josen told me all this. He said these scandals are all because he’s too popular, black material bought by rivals. josen is a very upright person. He’s twenty-six this year and never even had a girlfriend, all thanks to his own willpower to get here. I think his spirit is worth us learning from.”
Shen Jinhe: “…”
Jiang Ning: “…”
Shen Jinhe was speechless and choked, pulling Jiang Ning aside and whispering: “Your cousin is totally brainwashed. Come save her. I don’t know how she suddenly got obsessed with josen. That day we shouldn’t have met my certain second generation rich friend. He enthusiastically invited Sui Tang on the boat, and with Tangtang’s playful nature, she agreed without thinking. By the time I hurriedly went to find her, it was too late to get off.”
Shen Jinhe explained to Jiang Ning, afraid she would think Shen Jinhe led Sui Tang astray.
Jiang Ning rubbed her forehead with a headache: “I know all this. It’s Sui Tang’s problem. Her life has been too smooth, never hit a snag, so she doesn’t know pain. Even if we help her dodge josen this time, next time there’ll be kosen, yosen, all sorts of people lurking around her. She needs growth, not my overprotection.”
Shen Jinhe looked at Jiang Ning, blinking puzzled: “So we just let it be? I found black material on josen but didn’t dare tell Sui Tang, afraid she’d think I’m badmouthing josen and cut contact with me. I worked hard to hang out with you all; I don’t want to lose friends over a man.”
Jiang Ning shook her head: “Let it be. She needs to see people clearly with her own eyes.”
Jiang Ning now confirmed that Shen Jinhe really wanted to be friends with her, so she took time during Jiang Ning’s busyness to keep an eye on Sui Tang’s situation.
She sighed softly: “Thanks, Jin He. My cousin must have caused you a lot of trouble.”
Shen Jinhe waved smilingly: “No problem. I think Sui Tang is pretty cute, just too innocent. She really needs experience, but with us around, nothing should go wrong.”
Jiang Ning didn’t respond, just waiting for Sui Tang to discover it herself.
The group got into the car to the ancient temple; they chartered a van for ten people.
The car shook and bumped for half an hour before slowly arriving.
In view were fiery red maple leaves, fallen leaves covering the ground, adding ancient charm to the bluestone steps leading to the ancient temple.
josen’s eyes lit up, unconsciously walking with Sui Tang again: “I didn’t expect Jin Cheng to have such a beautiful place. Worth the trip.”
Sui Tang nodded: “Come on, I’ll take you in to make a wish. I heard the ancient temple’s wishes are very effective.”
The two left first.
Jiang Ning pushed He Shang and jerked her chin at him: “Follow her.”
He Shang incredulously raised his voice a bit: “Why me!”
He didn’t want to watch Sui Tang flirt with that josen.
It was really annoying to see.
Xie Jingyan stepped forward and kicked him: “Go when told. Why so hesitant?”
