Because of this circle of film emperor's friends, after receiving greetings from all corners of the world, Xia Weiliang simply lay flat with a "you've seen better" attitude.
As soon as Xi En posted about having dinner with her family at Xia Weiliang's place, Xiao Yi posted a selfie with her that same day! What was going on? Anyone who couldn't see it needed to go to the ophthalmology emergency room!
However, this matter only circulated within the circle on a small scale. No one dared to leak it to the media, otherwise, Weibo would have crashed again!
Xi En also saw the photo. He just smiled and didn't comment.
"Brother En! Can we avoid the film emperor? Don't always get linked with him. People are already spreading rumors that you're intentionally competing with him! I definitely believe in your professional ability, but you also know how deep the Xiao family's influence runs. It's best for us to stay as far away from him as possible!"
His agent, Chacha, felt like her hair was falling out in clumps. Besides appeasing this esteemed client, she also had to deal with the outside world! If people knew that the film emperor and the actor emperor were at odds, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that capital wouldn't care about face!
So what if he was the film emperor? What you can achieve today, others can achieve tomorrow!
Frustrating?
Frustrating.
What to do?
Endure it!
"Why does everyone think I'm intentionally comparing myself to him?"
Xi En found it amusing when this topic came up. "Just because we've both won awards? If we're really going to compare, let's compete in acting and awards. At least those are proper matters."
"But..." Chacha looked at him suspiciously. "You know about Xia Weiliang's relationship with him, and you still..."
Xi En smiled even more helplessly. "It's just a photo. Aren't you all too quick to judge? I admit I had a prejudice against Xia Weiliang before, but now I quite like this little girl..."
Fearing she might misunderstand, he added, "It's purely professional admiration and appreciation for her dedication. There's no other meaning. If... if I have to say a good point, it's probably that she's indeed very beautiful."
Chacha was startled.
Please stop talking!
"From now on, don't even say things like she's beautiful. It could be troublesome if it gets back to Xiao Yi! Sigh, I didn't realize before that Xiao Yi would be so possessive! It's like anyone who looks at Xia Weiliang a few extra times is interested in her. He wishes he could hide her away! Then why even enter the entertainment industry? He might as well marry her and make her a rich wife, since that's the ultimate destination for most actresses anyway."
Something in her words seemed to displease Xi En, and he glanced at her indifferently. "Xia Weiliang has a bright future. Making her a rich wife would be an insult to her."
"Yes, yes, yes, whatever Brother En says is right! Those who know you will see it as cherishing talent, but those who don't might think you don't want her to marry Xiao Yi!"
Xi En lowered his gaze and remained silent. Given his nature, he truly disdained explaining.
"By the way, are you still continuing her lessons?"
"Mm."
Just as he said this, he received a WeChat message from Xia Weiliang.
His eyebrows rose as he read it, and his emotions changed noticeably.
Chacha had been by his side for so long and naturally noticed something was wrong. "Xia Weiliang sent it? What did she say?"
As he was looking at his phone, she caught a glimpse. She was quite curious what she had said to cause such a rapid emotional shift in Xi En.
"It's nothing." After a pause, he added, "The performance class tomorrow is canceled for now. She has other arrangements."
Chacha was not surprised. "What did I just say! Xiao Yi must have spoken, telling her to keep her distance from you! Otherwise, why would she suddenly say this when everything was fine?"
Chacha was actually a bit anxious. Although she didn't say it, giving Xia Weiliang performance lessons was beneficial to Xi En in every way!
After all, with Xia Weiliang's current popularity and status, there were plenty of people in the entertainment industry who wanted to befriend her, build connections, and ride her coattails! It was just that those at the top were too proud, while those below the mid-tier couldn't reach her!
Let alone someone like Xi En who didn't need it, no matter how excellent or low-key you are, you still need topics and attention! Otherwise, what would you use to negotiate business deals? Working diligently on filming every day, how could it compare to how quickly business brings in money?
Of course, these were things she couldn't say to Xi En, or he would definitely fly off the handle.
"Why don't you ask why it's stopped? Is it just for today, or is it from now on?"
Xi En seemed unenthusiastic. "If she doesn't want to attend, that's her business. I have nothing to ask."
"But..."
He directly pushed open the car door and got out.
A gust of wind blew, and he couldn't help but pull his collar tighter. He had just thought the weather was nice, but now it was windy.
It was truly annoying!
...
In the morning, Nuomi went back to the company, and Xiao Jinzi was also sent to kindergarten by Su Hui. Su Hui even proactively offered to pick him up after school and take him home for dinner.
Xia Weiliang felt restless at home, constantly looking at the clock on the wall.
There was only a man and a woman at home now. What if something went wrong? Who would be able to stop it? She couldn't possibly rely on her sense of justice to intervene, could she?
Perhaps if Xiao Yi wanted to leave, she'd punch him and knock him out before continuing the indescribable things.
Realizing her mind was playing a private movie, Xia Weiliang quickly shook her head to stay clear-headed.
Her phone suddenly rang. She answered it, and Xiao Yi's voice on the other end was very crisp: "Come downstairs."
"Uh?"
Wasn't he at home?
She quickly dressed and went downstairs, only to see the familiar nanny van parked outside the community.
The security guard even greeted her, "Sister Weiliang, have a good date!"
Xia Weiliang gave him a look that said "you know too much," and the little security guard successfully retreated.
Just praying not to be dealt with!
She got into the car. Yan Zhi and Da Yang were also there.
"Aren't we going to my place?" she asked curiously. "Or are we going to yours?"
Xiao Yi glanced at her. "Outdoors."
Yan Zhi and Da Yang exchanged glances. Yan Zhi's vivid, contorted expression said it all: he was jealous! He had returned with a gaze of envy!
It wasn't that he saw Auntie being taken to the botanical garden by Brother En, and their boss, seeing this, didn't say anything on the surface, but his internal imbalance was immense. It was only a matter of time before he found an opportunity to surpass him!
Hearing the word "outdoors," Xia Weiliang felt relieved, but also a little disappointed.
"Outdoors" meant they wouldn't be able to be alone. He kept his word; if he said he was coming to teach, it would absolutely not be about romance!
"Oh, why does Auntie look a little disappointed?"
Yan Zhi stared at her face and teased, "Are you perhaps wanting to go... to our boss's place?"
"How could that be?!" Xia Weiliang's reaction was very strong. "Don't insult my pure thoughts! I'm here to take lessons from the film emperor, and I've never thought about kissing, hugging, or being lifted high!"
The car had just started moving.
The man beside her suddenly leaned in. "Kissing... hugging... lifting... high..."
He pursed his lips and nodded slightly. "It's not impossible."