Chapter 46: The Canned Peaches
After the initial shock came unconcealed hurt.
Ji Junxin’s shift from shock to sadness was like a sharp blade slowly twisting into Mi Hongdou’s heart, making it hard to breathe.
Mi Hongdou, already feeling lost, couldn’t bear the sudden pain and stumbled back half a step.
To Ji Junxin, that half step back was a subconscious distancing after Mi Hongdou’s disapproval of her actions. She had drawn a line between them, leaving Ji Junxin on one side, while she… went to the other…
Had she done something wrong? At least at this moment, Ji Junxin still felt that she hadn’t.
Regardless of whether Jiang Lingling considered her strength an advantage or a disadvantage, judging by her reaction after putting them down, she minded others knowing about it. Mi Hongdou’s abrupt change of topic, and Jiang Lingling’s continued silence and blush, suggested that Mi Hongdou’s attempt to pretend nothing had happened was silently rejected. Ji Junxin guessed that Jiang Lingling wanted a clear assurance that they wouldn’t reveal her secret, and her silence was perhaps a way of waiting for them to offer that assurance.
If it were just Ji Junxin, it wouldn’t matter whether she gave an assurance or just left. After all, she had Qiong Yu’s backing and a stable position in the industry. Even if Jiang Lingling minded, she wouldn’t be able to do anything to her. But Mi Hongdou was different. She was a complete newcomer, and Mengguan wasn’t well-established yet. Even on the set of the drama next door, which was Mengguan’s own production, some people were jealous and hostile towards her. If today’s incident couldn’t completely reassure Jiang Lingling, even if she couldn’t do anything to Ji Junxin, she could definitely target Mi Hongdou. Even if they just considered her strength a minor oddity, given the difference in their backgrounds, before Mi Hongdou became famous, any petty action from Jiang Lingling could cause her significant trouble. Ji Junxin could protect Mi Hongdou on this set, but she couldn’t be in every drama with her.
Ji Junxin knew that neither she nor Mi Hongdou would expose someone’s secrets. Giving an assurance wasn’t a big deal. But the problem was, in Ji Junxin’s view, they weren’t close to Jiang Lingling. So far, their interactions had only revolved around a bowl of egg fried rice. They didn’t know each other, let alone have any real connection. So, would Jiang Lingling believe a simple assurance? Would she still have doubts? Would it become a source of resentment later? After weighing the pros and cons, Ji Junxin decided to turn on “acting mode,” break the awkward silence, create a persona that Jiang Lingling would like, lower her guard, gain her favor and trust, and smoothly resolve the situation in a friendly manner.
Because it was an impromptu performance, Ji Junxin couldn’t discuss it with Mi Hongdou beforehand. She had to carry the whole act herself. However, her main goal was to prevent Jiang Lingling from harboring any resentment towards Mi Hongdou, so she mostly used “we” instead of “I,” including Mi Hongdou in the final assurance of keeping the secret. She hoped that this subtle hint would convey goodwill from Mi Hongdou to Jiang Lingling.
And indeed, Ji Junxin successfully lowered Jiang Lingling’s guard and gained her favor and trust. It wasn’t until Jiang Lingling’s expression returned to normal, even with a hint of happiness, as she went to change, that Ji Junxin felt the matter was truly resolved.
But Ji Junxin didn’t expect that this was just the beginning.
When Mi Hongdou asked about the incident, Ji Junxin told her everything except for her intention to protect her. She had intended to do a good deed without leaving any trace, but she never expected that Mi Hongdou would not only speak up for Jiang Lingling but also question her sincerity in making friends. No, or rather, Mi Hongdou was questioning her, Ji Junxin, as a person.
Now, it would be a lie to say that Ji Junxin wasn’t angry.
Angry, but she didn’t know how to explain. What was there to explain? She had only known Mi Hongdou for a little over a month. Although she had always thought highly of Mi Hongdou and felt an inexplicable connection, it seemed that in Mi Hongdou’s eyes, they weren’t that close yet. It felt a bit one-sided, Ji Junxin thought, and her heart didn’t ache as much, but it felt empty. The sadness on her face subsided, and when she looked at Mi Hongdou again, there was an unintentional distance in her gaze.
Mi Hongdou, who had always paid close attention to Ji Junxin in both her lives, naturally noticed this subtle change. Ji Junxin had a good temper, but she wasn’t someone who was easy to get close to. This past month, their interactions had been even more relaxed and pleasant than the four years in her previous life, making Mi Hongdou feel like she was walking on air, filled with joy but lacking a sense of security. This slightly greedy and uncertain feeling led to her seemingly thoughtless question earlier.
I wasn’t questioning you, I was just suddenly so afraid of falling from the clouds…
Mi Hongdou couldn’t say these somewhat sentimental words to Ji Junxin. Ji Junxin’s silence and the growing coldness in her expression said it all. Perhaps the friendship and trust they had built over the past month was about to crumble. Mi Hongdou almost heard the shattering of glass, the coldness from earlier gone. To be precise, she felt like a tormented and helpless soul, her body no longer present.
They stood facing each other in silence, neither leaving.
Jiang Lingling, having quickly changed her clothes, saw two familiar figures in palace costumes standing in the distance and couldn’t believe how slow they were.
I know that efficient and capable girls like me are rare, but I’m not asking you to be as fast as me in changing and removing your makeup, at least finish one of them! And you, Mi Hongdou, we agreed to watch the show together, at this rate, we’ll only see the leftover sunflower seed shells!
Jiang Lingling took a deep breath, patted her face, and pushed away the memory of the time she arrived late to a movie screening in the village and could only see the discarded fruit peels and shells. Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, they were going to be friends, watching the show and eating fried rice together!
Having changed and no longer needing to feign illness, Jiang Lingling walked briskly, reaching them in a few strides.
“Why aren’t you two ready yet? Director Pan might change his mind and not let us go.” Jiang Lingling said as she approached, then noticed the strange atmosphere between them. “Um… Ji Junxin, your manager left this morning. If no one is driving you back, do you want to take my car?” Could they be having a fight? Jiang Lingling had a good impression of Ji Junxin, who had just praised her. Hmph, she was in a good mood today, so she would help them out. Jiang Lingling put on a friendly face.
Ji Junxin didn’t speak. Mi Hongdou looked at Jiang Lingling, her lips moving slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but even with Jiang Lingling straining her ears, she couldn’t hear anything.
The three just stood there in silence.
This mysterious silence, it felt familiar… Jiang Lingling rubbed her sleeves, looked at Ji Junxin, then at Mi Hongdou, then back at Ji Junxin, her gaze landing on Ji Junxin’s hand.
“Why haven’t you eaten the canned peaches yet? You have to eat it quickly after opening it, or it won’t be fresh.” Jiang Lingling thought she had found the right topic to break the ice and said to Ji Junxin, “Why don’t you eat a little before removing your makeup?” Although she didn’t know why they both looked unhappy, she had heard that Ji Junxin was a foodie and hoped that food could cheer her up. As for Mi Hongdou, it was fine, as long as Ji Junxin was happy, she should also be happy. So, although eating canned peaches was a bit of a waste of time, it seemed that some sacrifices were necessary.
Jiang Lingling had stumbled upon the right topic. Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou instantly snapped back to reality.
How could they eat expired canned peaches?
“No…” Mi Hongdou subconsciously wanted to say that there were no spoons and they would eat later. But Jiang Lingling ran off and came back holding a plastic spoon, which looked like it was from KFC…
“Here, a spoon.” Jiang Lingling handed the spoon to Ji Junxin.
Ji Junxin took it.
Mi Hongdou snatched the spoon.
Mi Hongdou also snatched the can.
Mi Hongdou ate all the peaches.
Not a single drop of peach juice was left.
“She’s not hungry, I am.” Mi Hongdou wiped her mouth, her expression sincere.
Who was the one who just criticized my acting! Who! Ji Junxin looked at the nonchalant Mi Hongdou with a complicated expression, then at her stomach, which was completely hidden by her costume. Did this person even know that it would take five hours to drive back to Jiang City? Eating a whole can of expired peaches, was she an idiot?
“I’m going to remove my makeup.” Mi Hongdou didn’t dare to look at Ji Junxin and ran away with the empty can.
Something felt strange… Jiang Lingling, despite successfully breaking the ice, didn’t feel any sense of accomplishment. And Mi Hongdou, if she could change and remove her makeup half as fast as she ate those peaches, she wouldn’t have to worry about time!
Things went much smoother after that. Jiang Lingling watched Mi Hongdou change and remove her makeup, which was quickly done. The assistant drove, and Jiang Lingling and Mi Hongdou sat in the back. Just as Jiang Lingling was about to ask Mi Hongdou what had happened between her and Ji Junxin earlier, the assistant slammed on the brakes, and the two lurched forward.
Fortunately, they had just left the parking lot and hadn’t picked up speed yet. The sudden braking only startled them, they weren’t injured. The assistant was a decent driver, what was she doing before even getting on the road? …
She should wear a seatbelt in the back seat from now on! Jiang Lingling patted her chest and turned to ask Mi Hongdou if she was okay. She saw Mi Hongdou sitting there, stunned, looking like an idiot.
Wow, she was really bad at handling surprises!
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