Chapter 93

After lunch, Wang Haining didn't rest. She packed up the leftovers, threw them in the trash, and said to Kong Xiyan, "I'll head back soon."

Then she glanced at Chi Wanzhao's profile, suppressing a grin. "I won't come over this afternoon."

Kong Xiyan was still holding Yanyan and playing with her. Hearing Wang Haining's words, she frowned. "Why so soon? You have nothing to do at home anyway; stay a bit longer."

Chi Wanzhao stood up silently from the sofa and headed to the bathroom.

Wang Haining watched her go and smiled, walking over to sit beside Kong Xiyan. "If I stay any longer, someone might kick me out."

Kong Xiyan followed her gaze to the bathroom and chuckled. "Are you talking about what happened at noon? She's not that petty. With you—"

Wang Haining looked at her, seeing she was still oblivious, and shook her head. She took Yanyan from her hands and said, "Xiyan, it's not about being petty."

"It's because she cares about you that she acts so childish."

"Can't you see she's jealous?"

Kong Xiyan's cheeks flushed slightly. She had indeed sensed a hint of that, but imagining Chi Wanzhao being jealous—linking her with the word 'jealousy'—seemed utterly improbable.

It wasn't her fault. Given Chi Wanzhao's earnest tone and demeanor, no one would ever associate her with jealousy.

Luckily, there was one clear-headed person in the room.

Wang Haining stood by the bed, patting her shoulder. "Think about it."

With that, she hugged Yanyan and prepared to leave. Yanyan squirmed in her arms, meowing a few times, her sapphire eyes glistening as if deeply wronged. Seeing this, Kong Xiyan quickly asked, "What's wrong with Yanyan?"

Wang Haining adjusted Yanyan in her arms, looked into her eyes, and said, "Maybe she wants some dried fish."

"Meow!"

Yanyan, who had been squirming, instantly calmed down, nestled in Wang Haining's arms, licked her chin, and rubbed against her cheek as if to please her.

Kong Xiyan: ...

The distance between Haining and Yanyan.

Was always just one dried fish apart.

After soothing Yanyan, Wang Haining stood at the door. Chi Wanzhao, who had been in the bathroom, came out and glanced at Wang Haining, who had gathered her things. She asked, "Leaving now?"

Wang Haining lowered her eyes. "Mm."

Chi Wanzhao said, "I'll have Zhou Sheng drive you."

Wang Haining lifted her gaze. "No need. I'll take the bus."

Chi Wanzhao's expression remained calm. "It's fine. Besides, Yanyan knows the car."

Wang Haining: ...

She looked down at Yanyan.

Knows the car?

A little white ball like this, small enough to fit in any bag, and it knows the car?

After spending so much time with Chi Wanzhao, she had even forgotten her own nature.

Yanyan looked up at Wang Haining's incredulous eyes, let out a meow, and nuzzled her.

Wang Haining: ...

Fine. Knowing the car wasn't so bad. At least she'd get a free ride.

After a 'discussion' with Yanyan, she cheerfully said goodbye to Kong Xiyan and left. Chi Wanzhao watched her leave, closed the door, and sat back beside Kong Xiyan with a calm expression. She lowered her head and asked, "Want to rest for a while?"

The bed wasn't very big. Kong Xiyan slept on the far side. She took Chi Wanzhao's hand, had her sit at the head of the bed, then rested her head on her lap.

Chi Wanzhao, afraid she'd hurt the back of her head, supported it with her hand to keep her from turning and hitting the wound.

Only their light breathing filled the room. Kong Xiyan looked down in thought for a moment, then asked, "Are you bothered by my relationship with Haining?"

Chi Wanzhao was cradling her head with one hand and playing with her hair with the other. She paused, her bright eyes dark and shiny, her lips pressed before she said, "No."

Kong Xiyan lifted her eyes, sparkling brilliantly, and pouted. "How is that possible? Then what about noon—"

Chi Wanzhao lowered her head to meet her gaze. "It's not that I mind. It just doesn't mean I wouldn't be jealous."

"Xiyan, those are two different things."

Kong Xiyan's lips parted slightly, the unfinished words stuck in her throat. She hadn't expected Chi Wanzhao to say those words so directly, and with such conviction. Her face flushed red, even the back of her ears turning crimson.

After a long moment, she finally said, "You're jealous for no reason."

Chi Wanzhao said, "I like it."

Kong Xiyan was amused by her serious demeanor. She looked up and met Chi Wanzhao's lowered gaze as the two stared at each other, ripples stirring in the air, the atmosphere suddenly charged.

Neither spoke; they simply looked at each other.

Kong Xiyan tilted her head upward, her hands sliding past Chi Wanzhao's arms to wrap around her neck. Chi Wanzhao, yielding, lowered her head until she could see the distinct, long lashes of Kong Xiyan, which fluttered like butterfly wings, each movement sending waves through her heart.

Chi Wanzhao couldn't help but lean in further.

Kong Xiyan parted her lips gently and said, "Actually, Haining and I—just like you and Chi Xuan—have no other feelings. I've always regarded her as family."

"And she treats me the same."

Chi Wanzhao said, "I know."

"But it's still two different things."

Kong Xiyan caught her underlying meaning, unable to restrain her smile as her brows curved. She pursed her lips, took the initiative to wrap her arms around Chi Wanzhao's neck, and leaned in for a kiss.

Just as she was about to pull away, Chi Wanzhao seized the moment, capturing her lips, and together they fell onto the bed.

"Ah!"

Kong Xiyan's head hit the pillow, and she winced in pain. Chi Wanzhao instinctively pulled away.

She reached out and touched the bandaged spot. "Did I hurt you?"

Kong Xiyan nodded slightly. "A little."

If she said 'a little,' it was definitely more than a little. Chi Wanzhao's face showed a trace of regret. Kong Xiyan grabbed her hand. "It's fine now."

Chi Wanzhao nodded at that. "Then rest for a bit. I'll go to the sofa."

Kong Xiyan asked, "Can't you just sit here?"

Chi Wanzhao gave her a deep, long look and sighed. "I'm afraid I'll hurt you again."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Her blush deepened. Chi Wanzhao averted her gaze and walked to the sofa, then turned on the TV, lowering the volume.

Kong Xiyan lay on the bed, staring at Chi Wanzhao's profile until she finally looked away.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, her phone buzzed—a message notification.

She picked it up from the nightstand and saw it was from Fu Qiu.

—Sister Kong, how are you now? Are you okay? Are you still in the hospital? Should I come over?

Kong Xiyan quickly replied.

—No need. I'm fine now. I'm okay.

Fu Qiu: Scared me to death. I saw the news on Weibo and couldn't believe it. It was only after calling Sister Tong that I knew it was true. Sister Kong, you need to be more careful. You should rest more and not push yourself.

Kong Xiyan smiled wryly.

—Okay, I understand.

Then she exited WeChat and opened Weibo to take a look.

A post on her feed was pinned, explaining her injury: it was said that after accepting the project 'Dawn,' she accidentally hurt herself while rehearsing the script at her apartment, but it was nothing serious.

Soon, Director Lin of 'Dawn' also posted, confirming this and urging Kong Xiyan to rest well.

Weibo buzzed again.

Kong Xiyan's official fan page reposted it with the message: Congratulations to the goddess for starring in 'Dawn'! Wishing her health and hoping she climbs to the top again!

That post from the fan page was then shared by various influential accounts, and the hot search topic 'Kong Xiyan returning to the top again' emerged.

Kong Xiyan felt a sting in her nose. She opened the topic and saw mostly praise.

—Goddess, you're awesome!! Calling for my goddess!

—My Qianqian, get better soon! Can't wait for 'Dawn' and for you!

—Whoa, am I seeing things??? Is this really the official 'Dawn' announcement?? That's amazing!

—Congratulations! Director Lin is truly Director Lin, with sharp vision. I believe Yanyan will achieve glory again.

—Um... you all go ahead and praise her. I just want to curse He Wei and Wei Yan now. That trash! If it weren't for them, Yanyan wouldn't have been shelved for three years! Three years! It was her peak time in the industry. Just thinking about it makes me furious!

—Yeah, where are He Wei and Wei Yan these days? Why no news? Dead?

—Probably nauseated themselves to death.

—If the person above talks like that, we're friends now.

...

Kong Xiyan looked for a while before looking away. Her eyes were red, her nose aching, and even her view of Chi Wanzhao's figure from behind blurred.

"Chi Wanzhao."

Kong Xiyan held back for a moment, then called out softly.

Chi Wanzhao turned her head and frowned. "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan bit her lip. "Can you come over here?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

Chi Wanzhao: ...

She looked at Kong Xiyan deeply, then abruptly rose to her feet.

Outside the door, Chi Xuan looked at Li Bo. "Knock on the door."

Li Bo hesitated. "Maybe, Miss Third, you should wait a bit more?"

Chi Xuan: ...

She didn't wait long, because Chi Wanzhao didn't walk to the bed but went straight to the door. She opened it and frowned in confusion. "Chi Xuan? When did you get here?"

Chi Xuan pressed her lips together. "Just arrived."

Chi Wanzhao nodded. "Come in."

Chi Xuan hummed and entered with her head lowered. Kong Xiyan coughed lightly, patting her still-burning cheeks, then took a few deep breaths.

Seeing her like this, Chi Wanzhao's heart stirred, and she looked away.

Chi Xuan entered and stood by the bed, then looked up at Chi Wanzhao. "Second Sister, were you about to go out?"

Chi Wanzhao, for some reason, felt a faint blush spread to her ears so light no one would notice unless they looked closely.

She tightened her face, pressed her lips together, and said, "There was something. Chat with your sister-in-law for a while. I'll be back soon."

With that, facing Kong Xiyan, her voice softened. "I'll go to the apartment to get some things. Chat with Xiao Xuan?"

Kong Xiyan, her blush not fully faded, nodded. "Okay."