Chapter 338

Ling Yan almost tortured herself, watching that episode over and over many times, especially the clips where Xu Yanfeng appears, she even repeatedly dragged the progress bar, just to see clearly Xu Yanfeng's favoritism toward Xia Xi.

In front of outsiders he affectionately called Xia Xi "wife", yet in front of Xia Xi he respectfully called her his fiancée.

Each time she watched it, Ling Yan felt pitiful, ridiculous, and also sad.

Xia Xi disappeared for six years, and Xu Yanfeng's side had a vacancy for six years; over two thousand days and nights she racked her brains and gave everything, yet could not fill that vacancy. When Xia Xi returned, that spot beside Xu Yanfeng was given to her, without reason.

In the late night, the screen's light shrouded Ling Yan's face, tear tracks clearly visible.

She had cried enough, her face cold, she wiped away the tears bit by bit, and the sorrow in her eyes turned to hatred.

What does Xia Xi have to be proud of? Her ordinary family background is not even noticed by Xu Yanfeng's elders, let alone the fact that she once cheated, having two lovers.

Is the Xu family that easy to enter? If her messing around with another man were exposed, the more glamorous she is now, the harsher the backlash would be. Those who support and like her would turn around and curse her, feeling deceived and fooled.

By then, Xia Xi would not only lose her reputation and be ruined, but also be despised by Xu Yanfeng's family; she would never even think of entering the Xu family's gate in this lifetime.

Ling Yan's fingers rubbed hard at the skin under her eyes; after the tears dried, the skin became tight, and the pain from the friction cleared her mind. She picked up the remote, pressed the red button, the only light in the room went out, and she fell into total darkness.

Her figure hid in the darkness, motionless for a long time, while crazy ideas kept bubbling up in her mind like a spring, impossible to stop.

After a night of fermentation, discussions about the variety show, as well as about Xu Yanfeng and Xia Xi, were all in an uproar.

Lu Mingji also saw it, he suppressed a faint sourness welling up in his heart, and sent Xia Xi congratulations on WeChat—she hadn't been coming to the company lately, so he couldn't congratulate her in person.

Lu Mingji: "Congratulations, it looks like the show was a great success."

Xia Xi didn't know what to reply, but couldn't ignore it, so she sent him an emoji.

Lu Mingji sent another message: "Choosing you for the show was really the right choice."

Xia Xi: "……"

Lu Mingji: "What's wrong? Not used to being so hot?"

Xia Xi: "I'm thinking about how to assassinate you."

Lu Mingji: "Haha, if you want to seize the throne, just tell me; the boss will let you have it, no need to silence me."

Xia Xi: "Then I'll spare your life."

Lu Mingji: "Just hold on a bit longer, is it almost over?"

Xia Xi: "Mm."

The show has nine episodes total; more than half have been filmed, only a little content remains, and after finishing it she will be completely free.

After tidying up at home, Xia Xi went straight to the villa construction site; it's currently under construction and will be finished soon.

She stayed at the site for most of the day; in the evening, the production crew's car came to pick her up and take her to the office building where the first episode was filmed.

Several designers had been busy with their own projects lately, even giving interviews at the construction site, so they hadn't met before. Upon seeing each other, they felt a sense of long separation.

A few others, upon seeing Xia Xi, couldn't help joking: "Thanks to Xia Gong's blessing, our show became popular, and many people around have come to me asking for gossip. To be honest, if I hadn't watched last night's episode, I wouldn't have known you and the villa owner… cough cough."

At that time they each had their own homeowners to liaise with; besides Liao Wanhuá, no one had seen Xu Yanfeng.

From yesterday to today, Xia Xi has heard and seen too many teasing remarks; she has long cultivated a steel-like mindset, and now she smiles faintly: "It's all thanks to everyone's efforts."

Someone quickly waved his hands: "We don't dare take credit; don't be modest."

Another chimed in: "Yes, yes, the show's popularity is a good thing; we also get to share in the glory."

Liao Wanhuá, who had been silent all along, spoke in a light tone: "No wonder my efforts to win Mr. Xu's favor were useless back then; it turns out the clown was me. If I had known you two had this connection, I wouldn't have wasted my time—poor me, I wore my lips raw back then."

The smile on Xia Xi's lips faded a bit, and she had nothing to say in response.

Someone nearby detected Liao Wanhuá's sarcasm, guessed she was upset about imbalance, and spoke up to comfort her: "The rule is that homeowners can also choose designers; the director said from the start it's a two-way selection. Lighten up—didn't the house I picked also get changed?"

"Rules aren't made by people," Liao Wanhuá laughed at him, a veteran worker whose thinking is still so naive, "Xu Clan is the sponsor of our show; a word from the financial backer dad, and the director dare not disobey."

That remark was serious, implying Xu Yanfeng was the one setting the rules, not a joke. Everyone fell silent, their expressions turning awkward.

Xia Xi also didn't argue or explain to Liao Wanhuá; there's a saying, "Once suspicion arises, guilt is established." No matter what she says, the other party's preconceived notion won't easily change. Moreover, from an observer's perspective, one would indeed suspect Xu Yanfeng of altering the rules, even suspecting that everything is under his control.

After finishing the tasks arranged by the production team, Xia Xi prepared to leave.

The director said in the group chat that there would be a dinner tonight, a private room already booked, inviting everyone to come, to celebrate the show's smooth premiere and good results.

Worried they might miss the group message, the director specially sent someone to notify them. Xiao He found Xia Xi while she was waiting for the elevator; Xiao He came running, out of breath, one hand on his waist, unable to stand straight: "Glad you didn't leave; Director Li asked me to tell you, tonight's dinner, treat it as a celebration banquet. Teacher Xia, didn't you see the group message?"

Xia Xi had just glanced at the group message when she came out of the restroom; she hadn't planned to attend, intending to say something in the group after leaving, but didn't expect Xiao He to come find her.

"I have something else to do, so I won't go," Xia Xi said with a smile, "Have fun."

"Huh?" Xiao He was a bit surprised and flustered, "Is it something important? Director Li told me repeatedly that everyone should come."

Xia Xi hesitated a moment, then Xiao He immediately came close, grabbing her arm and shaking it: "If it's not important, just come along; everyone's really looking forward to chatting with you." Her eyes sparkled, and she whispered, "The production team splurged, booking an ultra-luxury restaurant—don't miss out on free food."

Xia Xi looked at her, thinking of Xia Xuan acting coquettish, and the corner of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

Xiao He pressed on: "Go, go."

Xia Xi was defeated: "I'll send a message to let someone know."

Xiao He released her, then obediently stepped aside to wait for her.

Xia Xi pulled out her phone, lowered her head to type, and sent Xu Yanfeng a message: "The production team has a dinner tonight; I'll be back later. Are Zi Heng and Youyou at my mom's place today? It's fine if you eat dinner alone, right?"

It should be fine.

Before they reunited, he always lived alone in the big house, ate alone, with no one to keep him company; now, when she pictures that scene, she feels he's a bit pitiful…

Shortly after, Xu Yanfeng sent a voice message.

Xia Xi tapped the voice bar, put it to her ear, and heard the man's low, smiling voice strike her eardrum: "The production team also invited me."

Xia Xi froze for a moment—had the production team also invited the homeowner? She quickly realized Xu Yanfeng is the sponsor's representative; out of courtesy, the team should have invited him, but whether he attends is not up to the production team.

Xia Xi: "Will you come then?"

Xu Yanfeng: "I wasn't planning to go, but since you said you'd be there, I have to go."

Xia Xi: "Maybe you shouldn't come."

Xu Yanfeng: "?"

Xia Xi: "Just think, the hot search is so explosive—if you show up, everyone's discussion will definitely revolve around us two. We'll become the monkeys on display in the private room!"

Xu Yanfeng: "Wife, if I don't go, you alone wouldn't just be treated like a monkey to be gawked at; I'll go keep you company."

He made a good point, Xia Xi momentarily couldn't refute, she narrowed her eyes and typed a few characters back: "Then you come."