Chapter 41: Secret Admirer
The two were whispering secrets when a sudden cold snort startled them, especially Ji Junxin, who rarely gossiped, making her jump.
Fortunately, the person who snorted, “Hmph, you see things clearly,” emerged from behind the wall.
Ji Junxin breathed a sigh of relief. It was better for Jiang Lingling, the subject of their conversation, to overhear them than for some unrelated person to spread rumors. But… being caught gossiping was still very embarrassing. Wait, this wasn’t the first time. Ji Junxin recalled the clay pot rice incident, when she and Qiao Rubai were discussing whether Mi Hongdou had a boyfriend and were overheard. Gossiping was indeed risky.
“Um…” Ji Junxin was very embarrassed, not knowing how much Jiang Lingling had heard. She had just told Mi Hongdou about accidentally overhearing Jiang Lingling’s conversation with her assistant. If Jiang Lingling had heard that too, they wouldn’t have the right to criticize her for eavesdropping.
Mi Hongdou, however, quickly recovered from her embarrassment after seeing that it was Jiang Lingling. This girl always spoke in this tone, but she wasn’t a bad person. She would avenge wrongs and repay kindness. Even if she overheard them gossiping, she probably wouldn’t mind.
As expected, Jiang Lingling didn’t mention their gossiping at all and continued, “Some people, you may know their face but not their heart. The closer you get, the less you understand. In the end, it’s the onlookers who see things clearly.” Jiang Lingling’s gaze was fixed on Ji Junxin as she said this, a rare act of kindness. As for whether Ji Junxin understood, Jiang Lingling didn’t care.
From Qiao Rubai to Jiang Lingling, even though Ji Junxin had a hunch, she still felt her face burning. So, so many people had seen through her manager’s little scheme. Well, at least Mi Hongdou hadn’t said anything.
Speak of the devil, just seconds after Jiang Lingling finished speaking, Mi Hongdou waved her hand, “That ‘we’ doesn’t include me.” She quickly glanced at Ji Junxin.
Mi Hongdou’s eagerness to distance herself amused and irritated Jiang Lingling. “So you don’t see through it?”
“…” Not seeing through it was a matter of IQ. Mi Hongdou choked, “I mean, I wasn’t watching the show.”
Ji Junxin was even more frustrated. So, so many people had seen through Lu Gaoshi’s little scheme. Actually, Ji Junxin didn’t understand either. Although her career had been going well these past two years, because she needed time to detach from her roles after each project, she only had nodding acquaintances in the industry. Her only real connection was Qiao Rubai. People in the industry cared about face. Logically, after being repeatedly rejected by Ji Junxin, Jiang Duo should have given up. Even if she wanted to continue climbing the social ladder, she should have changed her target. This relentless pursuit was puzzling. And Lu Gaoshi, why was she so devoted to an outsider, even after she had expressed her disapproval?
Naturally, it was puzzling. Jiang Duo did want to change her target, but the one who was relentlessly trying to connect her with Ji Junxin had shifted from Jiang Duo herself to Lu Gaoshi.
Ji Junxin, feeling awkward and dispirited, wasn’t in the mood to join their discussion and tugged at Mi Hongdou listlessly, “I’ll go ahead, your scene is coming up soon, go get your makeup done.” She pulled Mi Hongdou to leave.
Just as they took a step, a white figure flashed past, and Ji Junxin’s hand was empty. She looked closely and saw that Mi Hongdou, whom she had been loosely holding, was now being held by Jiang Lingling.
“Her scene is still two takes away. I have something to talk to her about. I’ll have her go get her makeup done soon, there’s enough time.” Although she was keeping Mi Hongdou to talk, Jiang Lingling’s gaze was fixed on Ji Junxin, even addressing her directly.
She wouldn’t let Mi Hongdou be alone with this arrogant girl! She only knew how to ask for fried rice, what if she kidnapped her? Okay, Ji Junxin wouldn’t admit that she was worried that Jiang Lingling would continue to badmouth Lu Gaoshi, making her lose even more face in front of Mi Hongdou.
“But…” Ji Junxin racked her brains for a way to take Mi Hongdou with her.
“It’s okay, I’ll be back soon.” Mi Hongdou spoke up, and Ji Junxin, unable to come up with a reason, could only leave, even more frustrated.
With Ji Junxin gone, the two remaining people looked at each other, neither speaking for a while. Mi Hongdou looked at Jiang Lingling, whose arrogant expression clearly said, “Ask me, ask me what I want to talk about,” and sighed, “My scenes for the other production are almost finished. After today’s filming here, I’ll make you fried rice.”
As expected, upon hearing this, Jiang Lingling’s expression softened considerably, her eyes conveying the message, “You’re quite sensible.”
“Um…” Mi Hongdou hesitated. “Actually, I’m not very close to Lu Gaoshi.”
Jiang Lingling raised an eyebrow: “So?”
Couldn’t she just get the hint? Mi Hongdou slowly paced around, seemingly casually but actually carefully checking all the corners and walls where someone could be hiding, before speaking again: “I mean, you don’t have to let the person who slandered you off the hook just because I made you a meal.” Mi Hongdou had witnessed Lu Gaoshi’s betrayal of Ji Junxin in her previous life. Now it seemed that Qiao Rubai had given Ji Junxin some warning, and things weren’t progressing smoothly between Lu Gaoshi and Jiang Duo this time. However, Ji Junxin’s protectiveness towards Lu Gaoshi was still very obvious. Mi Hongdou was starting to understand why Qiao Rubai hadn’t immediately replaced Lu Gaoshi after her rebirth. In Mi Hongdou’s opinion, Qiao Rubai’s gradual approach was certainly considering Ji Junxin’s acceptance, but it was still better to cut ties with a teammate like Lu Gaoshi sooner rather than later. Mi Hongdou didn’t have enough influence at this time. If Jiang Lingling could take action, it would be perfect.
“You’re really straightforward.” Jiang Lingling adjusted her hair ornament and smiled faintly. “But I like that. Since you’re making the food, I’ll listen to you, of course.”
Jiang Lingling wasn’t bad-looking, it was just that she was usually inexplicably arrogant, with no one else in her eyes. Now, suddenly being so amiable and smiling, she looked much better. It was just that her costume, coupled with her slightly teasing expression and the words “I’ll listen to you,” sounded a bit off. Wasn’t that a line from Jiang Lingling’s character flirting with the emperor? … Looking at Jiang Lingling, whose demeanor had suddenly changed, Mi Hongdou shivered for some reason. Okay, it seemed that not leaving with Ji Junxin wasn’t the right decision.
“And… don’t tell Ji Junxin what I said.” Mi Hongdou lowered her voice.
“Aiya, I know, I know.” Jiang Lingling resumed her impatient demeanor and waved her hand at Mi Hongdou. “You should go change your clothes too.”
One moment keeping her, the next moment shooing her away, did her attitude have to change so quickly? … Having said this much, she should investigate Lu Gaoshi, right? Mi Hongdou hesitantly glanced at Jiang Lingling and, after repeating her request not to tell Ji Junxin, left, worried.
This past month, besides dealing with those annoying people who kept provoking her, Jiang Lingling had also spent a lot of time figuring out how to get that bowl of egg fried rice that Dong Yuannan had craved. Recently, Mi Hongdou spent most of her time on the other set, but whenever she came here, besides filming, she mostly spent her time talking to Ji Junxin. Previously, Jiang Lingling, wanting to get egg fried rice from Mi Hongdou, had naturally paid close attention to her. And this attention led to an extraordinary discovery. Heh, the gentle yet intense gaze Mi Hongdou directed at Ji Junxin, could that be the look of a friend of just one month? But judging by their interactions, they were just ordinary friends. It was quite interesting. “This strange aura, should it be called a secret admiration that the person herself hasn’t realized yet?” Jiang Lingling muttered to herself, watching Mi Hongdou’s retreating figure, her smile deepening. As expected, there were many closeted people in the industry. But fortunately, Mi Hongdou had given in quickly. Actually, she had kept her behind to say, “If you don’t make me fried rice, I’ll tell Ji Junxin that you like her.” But since Mi Hongdou had agreed, she didn’t need to say it.
Mi Hongdou, who had already walked quite far, seemed to hear someone talking behind her. She turned around and saw Jiang Lingling still standing there. Seeing her turn back, Jiang Lingling waved her hand impatiently again. Okay, it must be a hallucination…
Tsk, thinking about it, filming every day was quite boring. Observing this secret admiration that even Mi Hongdou herself hadn’t realized was quite interesting. But since she had agreed to make fried rice, after she had enough of watching the show, she could give her a little hint. Jiang Lingling waved her hand and, without any hesitation, mentally lit a candle for Mi Hongdou.
Poor Mi Hongdou, without even a chance to defend herself, was labeled a foolish secret admirer by Jiang Lingling.
However, even if she had a chance to defend herself, it would probably be difficult to convince the experienced and imaginative Jiang Lingling.
Most importantly, Mi Hongdou, who considered herself just a die-hard fan of Ji Junxin, had only grazed the edge of the truth before rolling away.
Jiang Lingling, having finally secured the egg fried rice she had been craving for a month, was in a great mood. The first thing she did after returning to the makeup room, her skirt swirling, was to pick up her phone and start typing.
“Miss Jiang… the next scene is about to start filming, the director is calling for you.” Jiang Lingling’s assistant softly called out to the person who was suddenly immersed in the world of her phone.
“Okay.” Jiang Lingling quickly typed the last few words, pressed send, and then got up and left. Treat others with respect, and they will treat you with respect in return. As a trustworthy rich person, Jiang Lingling was still very efficient. She just hadn’t expected the private investigator to be so efficient too.
The scene went very smoothly. From sending the message to finishing filming, it took less than half an hour. Picking up her phone again, she saw a reply saying that the information she requested had been sent to her email. Looking at the time, the email was sent ten minutes ago. Which meant that they had found the information she wanted in just over ten minutes…
Wasn’t that… a bit too exaggerated… This was a reputable investigator she had a long-term cooperation with, she hoped they hadn’t just sent a few lines. Jiang Lingling frowned and opened her email, then… she was stunned by the huge compressed file inside.
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