Cheng Yi stopped halfway through his sentence. Everyone in the entertainment industry knows what kind of circle it is, and he didn't believe Tang Xue didn't know, even if Tang Xue hadn't acted in any works before.
But there are some things that even people outside the industry should know, such as whether or not an artist has a girlfriend. These are very sensitive topics for an artist.
Even those outside the entertainment industry should know how much a relationship can affect an artist's career. Yet Tang Xue so casually asked this question. Does she really think that their relationship has become that intimate?
To be honest, before Tang Xue asked this question, Cheng Yi had a very good impression of her. She was polite, humble, and ambitious. But now, Cheng Yi's opinion of Tang Xue has plummeted to negative numbers.
"I'm sorry, I was very rude," Tang Xue said, bowing her head in apology.
"It's nothing." Although his impression of Tang Xue had changed, Cheng Yi still maintained basic politeness, after all, they would be filming together later.
What Cheng Yi didn't expect was that, just when he thought the matter was over, he heard Tang Xue's question again, "I wonder what kind of girl Teacher Cheng Yi likes?"
Cheng Yi blinked his slightly sore eyes. He felt that the Tang Xue standing in front of him might be a fake. Otherwise, why would she keep asking questions that he had no idea how to answer? "Teacher Tang, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"Xiaoxiao seems to be a little interested in Teacher Chengyi."
As soon as Tang Xue said this, Cheng Yi realized that he had found the problem. Lin Xiaoxiao and Tang Xue were good friends, and anyone with eyes could see that.
Tang Xue said that Lin Xiaoxiao was interested in him, which is why Tang Xue asked him if he had a girlfriend and what type of girl he liked.
"Teacher Tang, I..."
"I don't think Xiaoxiao is the type that Teacher Chengyi would like," Tang Xue said with a smile, looking at Chengyi.
Cheng Yi's words were stuck in his throat. He had lost count of how many times Tang Xue had silenced him.
Cheng Yi genuinely felt his brain wasn't working properly, but he still followed his true feelings: "Teacher Tang, President Lin is lively and cheerful, a very good girl."
Although Cheng Yi and Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't had much contact, who wouldn't have a good impression of a girl as radiant as sunshine?
Although he wouldn't say he liked her, Cheng Yi still had a good impression of Lin Xiaoxiao. After all, Lin Xiaoxiao's approachable and cheerful personality brought a lot of joy to the crew.
Tang Xue's face gradually darkened at Cheng Yi's words. "Teacher Cheng Yi, do you mean you have feelings for Xiao Xiao?" Tang Xue's tone was somewhat cold, her eyes narrowed, concealing the icy coldness within them.
“I don’t dislike President Lin.” Cheng Yi, seemingly oblivious to Tang Xue’s change in attitude, honestly expressed his opinion of Lin Xiaoxiao: “To me, President Lin is like the little sister next door, very cute.”
Cheng Yi meant to tell Tang Xue that although he didn't dislike Lin Xiaoxiao, he had no intention of developing a romantic relationship with her. However, he was open to being friends.
However, Tang Xue interpreted Cheng Yi's words completely differently. She automatically interpreted them as Lin Xiaoxiao being as cute as the little sister next door, his type, and that he also had feelings for her.
“Teacher Cheng Yi,” Tang Xue’s tone became more serious, “Xiao Xiao isn’t some little sister next door; she’s a domineering CEO.”
"Huh?" Cheng Yi looked completely bewildered.
"She's mine." Tang Xue stepped forward, getting closer to Cheng Yi, and said, word by word, "Xiao Xiao is mine."
Cheng Yi took a step back, looking at Tang Xue in disbelief. He wanted to tell himself that he had just hallucinated, and that what Tang Xue wanted to express was definitely not what he thought.
However, looking at the determination and hostility in Tang Xue's eyes, Cheng Yi really couldn't tell himself that he had misunderstood.
"Teacher Tang, you..."
“That’s right, just as Teacher Cheng Yi thought.” Tang Xue’s face showed a gentle smile. “I like Xiao Xiao.”
Cheng Yi opened his mouth. To be honest, he was genuinely shocked by Tang Xue's boldness, even though he was aware of the online phenomenon of shipping couples.
But he never took it seriously, and never imagined that one day he would receive confirmation from the person in question, "So, you want me to stop having designs on President Lin?"
"Yes." Tang Xue nodded honestly. Although her actions might have been a bit despicable, everyone has to look out for themselves. She just wanted to be with the person she liked, and there was nothing wrong with nipping other factors in the bud.
"You just told me this secret like that? Aren't you afraid I'll do something bad?" Cheng Yi said with some emotion, unsure whether he should admire Tang Xue's open-mindedness.
It's remarkable how much Tang Xue likes Lin Xiaoxiao; it's to the point that she no longer cares about these things.
Tang Xue raised an eyebrow, her smile exceptionally bright. "I don't care about these things." The only person she cared about was Lin Xiaoxiao, if not for the fear that her feelings would push that person away.
So, once she's sure of her feelings, she'll probably confess her love immediately, and the next second, she'll declare to everyone that Lin Xiaoxiao is hers.
"You really have surprised me."
The two, who got along well, didn't see Lin Xiaoxiao standing not far away, looking at them with a sad expression.
Chapter 38
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"Your domineering CEO is here to see you." Cheng Yi was extremely sensitive to Lin Xiaoxiao's gaze. Even if he hadn't realized it before, he soon realized who was looking at him.
This time, however, her gaze was completely different from before. If before, Lin Xiaoxiao wished he would disappear.
Now, Lin Xiaoxiao's gaze towards him was much more complicated, containing sadness, hostility, and even a trace of resentment and unwillingness.
Before having this conversation with Tang Xue, Cheng Yi naturally couldn't understand it, but now, Cheng Yi felt that he had never been as clear-headed as he was now.
Judging from Lin Xiaoxiao's reaction, she clearly sees him as a rival in love. So, does Tang Xue know that Lin Xiaoxiao treats her differently from others?
"Teacher Cheng Yi, I'm really sorry for what I said earlier. I made things difficult for you." Tang Xue bowed to Cheng Yi and apologized for her behavior.
"It's okay." Cheng Yi patted Tang Xue's arm, and then he noticed that Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes were practically spitting fire.
Cheng Yi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "It's all in the past, so don't worry about it. I wish you all the best in winning the heart of your beauty soon."
"Thank you." Tang Xue accepted Cheng Yi's blessing and walked towards Lin Xiaoxiao.
When Cheng Yi saw Lin Xiaoxiao walk towards Tang Xue, she immediately composed herself and smiled. He stroked his chin, a slight smile also appearing on his face.
Cheng Yi didn't intend to reveal what he had discovered. He was just an outsider, and his relationship with Tang Xue wasn't close enough for them to talk about everything. Most importantly, he found the two of them quite interesting.
This was the first time he had been treated as a rival in love. Perhaps his status as a rival could actually help Tang Xue later. Some things, if the person involved doesn't speak up, there's no use in outsiders being anxious.
Cheng Yi was somewhat surprised by Tang Xue's feelings for Lin Xiaoxiao, but he didn't find it strange. In fact, after this incident, Cheng Yi experienced the joy of shipping couples.
"Xiaoxue." Seeing Tang Xue approach, Lin Xiaoxiao immediately composed herself and put on the smile Tang Xue knew best. "Are you and Teacher Cheng Yi about to rehearse a scene?"
"No," Tang Xue immediately denied. "We didn't have any scenes to rehearse. Director Li just said that we'd wrap up here for today. He saw that neither of us was really into it, so he told us to finish early."
As Tang Xue spoke, she took out her phone and glanced at it. "It's getting late. I'm going to change my clothes. Let's go get something to eat together."
"Okay." Lin Xiaoxiao nodded with a smile, but still couldn't bring herself to ask what she and Cheng Yi had talked about.
Tang Xue went to change her clothes. Lin Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment, then called Li Yu over.
"President Lin." Li Yu had been standing to the side the whole time, but because she hadn't heard the conversation between the group, she naturally had no idea about the intricacies of their relationship.
Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at the place where Tang Xue had left, and then at the place where Cheng Yi had been. At this moment, neither of them was within her sight.
"Are Teacher Chengyi and Xiaoxue very close?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked casually, turning her gaze away from the question.
Li Yu's expression changed instantly. She glanced at Lin Xiaoxiao, then immediately looked away, organizing her thoughts before speaking.
"Because Teacher Cheng Yi and Teacher Tang have a lot of scenes together, they usually spend a lot of time together."
When Teacher Tang was being harassed online, Teacher Cheng Yi would often comfort her and help her with rehearsals. On set, Teacher Cheng Yi took good care of Teacher Tang.
As Li Yu spoke, she carefully observed Lin Xiaoxiao's expression. When she saw that Lin Xiaoxiao's expression had become somewhat unpleasant, she immediately shut her mouth.
"I see." Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. "That's good too. Xiaoxue really had a tough time during that period. It's good to have someone help her distract herself."
Li Yu blinked, looking at the smile on Lin Xiaoxiao's face. She wondered if her eyes had just been playing tricks on her, or if the smiling Lin Xiaoxiao in front of her was real.
Was the same Lin Xiaoxiao who had looked quite upset when she said Tang Xue and Cheng Yi were close before really the same one? At this moment, Li Yu was plunged into deep self-doubt.
"Li Yu, I can't be with Xiaoxue often. You are her assistant, so please pay more attention to her and take good care of her."
Lin Xiaoxiao sighed softly, feeling a little sad. Perhaps after today, she wouldn't be able to approach Tang Xue so casually anymore.
If Tang Xue really has feelings for Cheng Yi, then her presence can only be an obstacle to Tang Xue's happiness. To be honest, she really doesn't have the courage to remain calm when she sees Tang Xue and Cheng Yi getting along well.
Since she lacks self-control, all she can do now is to keep her eyes open as a form of purification.
Li Yu patted her chest. "Don't worry, Mr. Lin, I will take good care of Teacher Tang."
"Then I'll have to trouble you." Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and patted Li Yu on the shoulder.
"What are you two talking about?" When Tang Xue came out after changing her clothes, she saw Lin Xiaoxiao and Li Yu chatting and laughing.
"We didn't talk about much." Lin Xiaoxiao naturally took Tang Xue's arm. "Let's go get something to eat, I'm a little hungry."
Tang Xue glanced at Li Yu with some suspicion, but didn't ask any further questions. "Li Yu, are you coming with us?" Although she wanted some alone time with Lin Xiaoxiao, Li Yu was her assistant, so she naturally had to ask.
"No need, Teacher Tang, I have some things to do." Li Yu quickly declined, not wanting to disturb their time alone.
"Then we'll be going now." Li Yu's refusal was exactly what Tang Xue wanted, and she happily left with Lin Xiaoxiao.
So, is the current situation that Tang Xue has feelings for Cheng Yi? And does Lin Xiaoxiao like Tang Xue? Watching the two leave, Li Yu thought about Lin Xiaoxiao's reaction just now and sighed softly. So, is the CP she's shipping really going to end badly?
The two who left had no idea that someone was saddened by their situation.
Tang Xue is in a good mood because she feels that she has gotten rid of a hidden rival in love. But for Lin Xiaoxiao, her mood is not so good.
Because she felt that she could no longer visit Tang Xue as often as before, Lin Xiaoxiao now truly cherishes the time they spend together.
"What would you like to eat?" Tang Xue took Lin Xiaoxiao's hand off her arm, then slipped her fingers through Lin Xiaoxiao's fingers and held her tightly. Then, she looked at Lin Xiaoxiao casually and asked her what she wanted to eat.
Looking at their tightly clasped hands, Lin Xiaoxiao felt her heart pounding like a drum, and even her ears were ringing. She didn't hear what Tang Xue said at all.
"What's wrong?" Tang Xue didn't look away, but only she knew how nervous she was. The hand she was holding Lin Xiaoxiao's was sweating profusely, but she had to act very naturally and not let Lin Xiaoxiao notice anything unusual about her.
"Didn't you say there was a really good restaurant there? Let's go to that restaurant then."
As if thinking of something, Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes softened, and she put the hand that Tang Xue was holding into her coat pocket.
At this moment, both of them thought that their sweaty palms were due to their own nervousness, so they consciously tried to ignore it.
Afterwards, the two went to the restaurant that Tang Xue had visited before, because film crews often shoot scenes there.
So the restaurant they went to was quite private. However, what made Tang Xue a little unhappy was that once inside the restaurant, she had no reason to keep holding Lin Xiaoxiao's hand.
She couldn't very well say that she kept holding onto the other person's hand while they were eating, could she? If she did that, wouldn't that be blatantly telling Lin Xiaoxiao that she had a problem?
"The food at this restaurant is quite good. I've been here several times. I ordered a few of their local specialties. You can try them later."
While waiting for the food to be served, Tang Xue gave Lin Xiaoxiao a brief introduction to the restaurant.
Because many celebrities dine at this restaurant, both the security personnel and the service staff undergo rigorous training.
At least there won't be any instances of staff stopping customers for autographs when they come to eat, nor will there be any reports of them being exposed for eating here.
"Oh, okay." Even though she was a little out of it, Lin Xiaoxiao still nodded subconsciously when she heard Tang Xue's voice.
Tang Xue frowned. "Xiao Xiao, what's wrong?" Lin Xiao Xiao seemed to be lost in thought, which worried Tang Xue.
Lin Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, looked at Tang Xue who was looking at her with concern, hesitated for a few seconds, but still couldn't help but say, "I'm fine, I just thought of some things."