Xia Weiliang could only smile and accept this beautiful misunderstanding.
On the other side, Master Gu and Master Liu looked over. Master Gu chuckled, "Look at that girl, doesn't she look a bit familiar?"
Master Liu raised an eyebrow. "You think so too?"
"Yes, the moment I saw her, I felt a sense of familiarity, a good impression..."
"A good impression?"
Noticing Master Liu's gaze, Master Gu hastily explained, "Your Excellency, don't misunderstand. The good impression I speak of isn't that kind of sentiment... Besides, with Young Master Xiao Yi's demeanor, who would dare harbor any designs on that girl!"
Master Liu smiled. "To be honest, I find this child familiar too. Seeing her is like seeing an old acquaintance."
Master Gu paused, then looked at Master Liu. Their eyes met, and they understood something from each other's gazes.
Master Gu tentatively said, "Do you think she looks... remarkably like someone?"
Master Liu remained silent.
After a long moment, he turned his head. "Xiu Yi."
Meng Xiuyi stepped forward and smiled slightly. "I'll go investigate right away."
***
Xiao Yi came to the banquet, and the hosts repeatedly tried to speak with him but never found an opportunity.
He stayed by Xia Weiliang's side, his gaze almost never leaving her.
Over here, Lin Zhuonan held his wine glass and chuckled, "When a cast-iron tree blooms, the fragrance drifts ten miles!"
Across from him, Shang Rongrong glanced at him. "So it's better for men not to be fickle."
Lin Zhuonan was taken aback, then gave a bitter smile. "Rongrong, are you implying something?"
"No."
Shang Rongrong spoke her lie with such conviction.
As she turned to leave, Lin Zhuonan immediately blocked her path. "Are you planning to film a movie?"
"Mm."
"Then I'll sponsor all the OSTs."
Shang Rongrong looked at him seriously. "I can't afford that."
Everyone knew the music industry was struggling, with market share shrinking and being divided by many online singers. A singer like Lin Zhuonan, with his reputation and sales, was virtually one of a kind.
Having him handle all the OSTs would likely cost more than the combined salaries of the male and female leads. She certainly couldn't afford it.
Lin Zhuonan took a step closer, looking at her deeply. "If it's for you, I won't charge."
"Then it's even more impossible," Shang Rongrong said sternly. "We have no relationship now, not even friends. How can I not accept payment?"
"Do you have to be so calculative with me?"
"It's not me being calculative; it's that our relationship should be this way."
Her desire to draw a clear line was too obvious.
Lin Zhuonan frowned. He could no longer find the initial admiration and pursuit in her eyes.
Ultimately, he was the one who lost her.
He lowered his gaze and smiled bitterly. "I understand."
Shang Rongrong nodded slightly at him. "Excuse me."
Then, she walked towards her friends on the other side.
Lin Zhuonan took a deep breath, burying the heaviness in his chest. When he looked up again, he resumed his nonchalant demeanor.
The banquet wasn't over, but Xiao Yi sent Xia Weiliang back early.
On the way, he said, "If anyone from the Xiao family causes you trouble, just ignore them. Leave it to me to handle."
"Oh."
Xia Weiliang lowered her head and played with the little blue snake on her wrist, poking its horn.
"Also, don't believe any rumors outside. You only need to believe me."
"Got it."
She still hadn't looked up, engrossed in playing with Little Blue.
Xiao Yi frowned. The more he looked at the little snake on her wrist, the more displeased he became. Without thinking, he reached out to hold her hand...
"Careful!"
Xia Weiliang reacted quickly, deflecting his hand.
At the same time, half of Little Blue's body reared up, flicking its tongue, its eyes turning cold and menacing.
It was hard to imagine such a presence from a tiny snake!
Xiao Yi's heart also tensed. He fully believed that if he had been even a moment slower, he would have already been bitten!
Master Gu's words still echoed in his ears: if bitten, the best first reaction was immediate amputation...
Little Blue stared at him intently, its gaze clearly a warning: Try moving again, and I'll bite you to death!
Xiao Yi: "..."
Heh, excellent!
He was actually being threatened by a snake!
Xia Weiliang also felt a lingering fear. She first checked on Xiao Yi to ensure he hadn't been bitten, then immediately looked down to scold Little Blue.
"You've gotten bold! Are you going to bite anyone?!"
Little Blue tilted its head, looked at her for a moment, then leisurely coiled back up, pretending to be dead.
"Classmate Blue, what kind of attitude is this?"
Xia Weiliang was annoyed. She poked its head with her finger, "Look clearly, this is your Brother Yi, he's one of us. You're not allowed to scare people like this again, understand?"
Xiao Yi watched Little Blue's reaction. He wasn't sure if the snake was valuable, but it was the most human-like snake he had ever seen! Or rather... quite spirited.
It seemed unable to tolerate Xia Weiliang's scolding. It raised its head and flicked its tongue. Xiao Yi's expression tensed. After all, it was a cold-blooded animal; what if it bit her?
But before he could figure out how to get Little Blue off her wrist, Xia Weiliang got angry. She flicked its head, "Are you throwing a tantrum with me? You've gotten quite capable, haven't you?"
Little Blue was caught off guard and its head tilted to the side, looking a bit dazed. After wobbling for a bit, Xia Weiliang flicked it again.
"Are you glaring at me? And sticking your tongue out to scare me?!"
Little Blue was quite dizzy. It didn't even look at her anymore, instead, it directly coiled back up, settling on her wrist and remaining still.
Xiao Yi was truly shocked at this moment.
He looked at the snake, then at Xia Weiliang. "You..."
"Hmm?" Xia Weiliang, just about to set rules for Little Blue, looked up at his words. "What is it?"
He gazed at her deeply, then chuckled again. "Nothing."
No matter what mysteries were involved, as long as she was still her, it was enough.
The car drove directly into the villa district and stopped in front of the Xia residence.
Xia Weiliang emerged from the car and turned back, giving the man behind her a brilliant smile. "I'm going in."
Xiao Yi's heart stirred. This scene felt like it had played out countless times in his dreams.
He also got out and stood before her. "I feel like... I've known you for a long time, and yet, it feels like I've only just come to understand you."
This feeling was complex; he couldn't explain it, but he didn't reject it.
Xia Weiliang lowered her eyes, her cheeks flushing. Her small hand tugged at his clothes. "Then... do you..."
She was too embarrassed to ask.
The man smiled. "Yes."
She blinked in surprise. "You know again?"
It seemed like every time she wanted to say something, he could guess it.
Xiao Yi took a step closer, narrowing the distance between them. Even though she was wearing high heels, he was still half a head taller. He leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "I do like you quite a bit."
Xia Weiliang's face turned even redder. She flusteredly waved her hands. "I I I... didn't didn't didn't... didn't mean to ask if you like me! Really, really..."
Ahhh, how embarrassing!
Xia Weiliang, Xia Weiliang, look at your lack of backbone!
Just admit it boldly, what's the harm in asking?!
Does this embarrassment really matter to you?
Does it?!