Chen Xiaoyan had already given up.
Song after song played, never stopping, and they were all children’s songs.
There’s something wrong here, absolutely something wrong.
Who’s messing with me?
Mu Qingxue?
It must be her.
After all, apart from her, no one else could change the program’s rules.
Damn it, I, Chen Xiaoyan, will remember this grudge. (Chongchong: Xiaoyan-jie, don’t you have any lines of your own?)
Mu Qingxue seemed to know not to go too far; after the tenth children’s song ended, she didn’t let the backstage continue playing.
Chen Xiaoyan and Yilian Youmeng finally got off the stage as they wished.
Yilian Youmeng immediately collapsed onto a chair, mumbling “left, right” nonstop.
She looked completely worn out.
Although each children’s song was only about two minutes long.
But being on stage required constant attention to oneself, constant movement, and high concentration, which was mentally exhausting.
No one wanted to embarrass themselves in front of hundreds or thousands of people.
“Xiaoyan-jie, did the program team deliberately arrange to extend the time?”
Chen Xiaoyan curled her lips, but didn’t tell the truth.
“Maybe.”
“Youmeng-meizi, Xiaoyan, have some juice and take a break.” As soon as the two came down, Hongchen Jiumeng quickly handed them each a glass of juice.
He moved so fast, the others didn’t even see it coming.
“Thank you.” Chen Xiaoyan nodded at him with a smile, took the juice, and drank through a straw.
Hongchen Jiumeng was very pleased with this.
But suddenly.
Hongchen Jiumeng felt a cold gaze shoot at him from behind, making his hair stand on end.
He looked back.
But that cold gaze vanished instantly.
He was full of confusion, his face puzzled.
Did he just imagine it?
Hongchen Jiumeng didn’t think much of it and turned back to continue chatting with Chen Xiaoyan.
The revolution wasn’t complete, so he wouldn’t miss even the smallest chance to deepen their bond.
However, he had to control the degree.
If he went too far, it would be annoying.
“Wow, thanks, Boss Jiumeng!” Yilian Youmeng said with delight, quickly took the juice, and drank it in big gulps.
“Slow down, don’t choke. No one’s fighting you for it.”
Yilian Youmeng drank the entire glass of juice in one go, then gave Chen Xiaoyan a silly grin.
“Hehe, I was a bit thirsty.”
“It’s fine, when you finish, I’ll go squeeze more. I’ll make juice for Youmeng-meizi until you’re full to bursting.”
“Mm-hmm, Boss Jiumeng, you’re the best!”
Hongchen Jiumeng grinned, satisfied with her words.
He quickly glanced at Chen Xiaoyan to check her reaction.
It seemed like she didn’t react at all, just quietly sipping her juice.
“It’s noon, should we go out for lunch and come back after?” Hongchen Jiumeng suggested.
As soon as he said this, Chongchong couldn’t sit still anymore.
A sweet outing for two, and you want to butt in?
Impossible.
“Xiaoyan-jie, we just had a meal earlier, and we’re so full!” Chongchong rubbed her belly, her tone full of satisfaction.
“Hm?”
This confused Chen Xiaoyan. When did we eat?
But seeing this girl wink at her, she immediately understood.
She winked back to signal she got the message.
Chongchong curled her lips, looking smugly at Hongchen Jiumeng, her gaze filled with disdain for the loser.
See?
I’ll always be Xiaoyan-jie’s precious one.
Does fawning work?
You stinky man are nothing.
Now, it was Hongchen Jiumeng’s turn to be full of question marks.
He didn’t get why Chongchong was looking at him so weirdly.
What’s her problem?
On the other side, Hongchen Rumeng also agreed to go out for lunch and come back, but after hearing Chongchong’s words, she immediately played dumb, determined not to stick her neck out.
It was still best to quietly watch with Xianyun-chan.
“Big Sister Head and Chongchong have already eaten?”
Hongchen Rumeng was stunned and looked strangely at Xianyun beside her.
What’s up with this girl?
Usually, she’d never speak at this time.
“Yeah, just ate with Chongchong,” Chen Xiaoyan replied.
Xianyun nodded and continued, “Then let’s go out to eat.”
“Sure!” Yilian Youmeng chimed in.
“What about you, Rumeng?”
Hongchen Rumeng snapped back to herself, gave Xianyun a surprised glance, and nodded.
“I’m fine with anything.”
Hongchen Jiumeng was a bit disappointed. His original plan was to eat out with her, but if she didn’t go, then what was the point?
At this moment, Meixin Meifei came over with a plate of cake.
He handed it to Yilian Youmeng.
“Big Sis, have some cake.”
Seeing the silly boy in front of her, Yilian Youmeng chuckled, waving her hand, “No, no, this stuff has too many calories. I can’t eat too much.”
“Then I’ll eat it myself,” Meixin Meifei replied, and polished off the cake in a few bites.
Yilian Youmeng could only helplessly accept his straightforward ways.
Hongchen Jiumeng came over, put his arm around Meixin Meifei’s neck, and laughed, “What’s so tasty?”
“Cake.”
“Is it good?”
“It tastes pretty good, Jiumeng-ge, do you want some? I’ll get you some.”
Hearing this, Hongchen Jiumeng’s eyes lit up. That was exactly what he wanted.
“Let’s go, let’s get some together.”
Hongchen Jiumeng led Meixin Meifei off to the side.
Then, after checking that no one had followed, he said, “Want to get a girlfriend?”
Meixin Meifei might be a bit dense, but he wasn’t stupid. He instantly understood.
“Yes.”
“Are you interested in Youmeng-meizi?” Hongchen Jiumeng grinned mischievously.
Meixin Meifei’s face changed, and he quickly shook his head, “No.”
Hongchen Jiumeng gave him a look, “Don’t pretend, your eyes are about to stick to her. Stop faking.”
“Why did you just bring cake to her and not to anyone else?”
Meixin Meifei scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
“Was it that obvious?”
“So you admit it?”
Meixin Meifei couldn’t deny it any longer and nodded.
“Before I teach you, let me ask, do you have any feelings for Xiaoyan?”
Meixin Meifei replied with a toothy grin, “I like sweet girls. Xiaoyan-dalao probably wouldn’t even give me a look, and she’s not my type.”
This left Hongchen Jiumeng blinking in confusion.
Is Yilian Youmeng that sweet?
Why didn’t I notice?
She just looks like a silly, naive girl, right?
Well—
A silly, naive girl is still sweet?
Alright then.
“Youmeng-meizi seems to like you, did you notice?”
“Really?” Meixin Meifei was overjoyed, hands and feet all over the place in excitement.
“Calm down, trust my eye. Youmeng-meizi is probably a girl who lacks a sense of security, so she’d be interested in someone as silly as you.”
“Am I really that silly?” Meixin Meifei scratched his head.
“Heh, only you think you’re not silly.”
“Then I’ll go ask for her Penguin number later.”
“No rush, you can’t rush these things. Go too fast and you’ll scare her. Take it slow. Like I said, Youmeng is a girl who lacks a sense of security.”
Meixin Meifei nodded, feeling that made sense, and let go of his plan.
“So what do I do, Jiumeng-ge, Jiumeng-dad, help your brother out.”
“Don’t worry, as long as you follow my instructions, the success rate is at least fifty percent.”
If those two got together, with Youmeng as a go-between, it’d be easier for him to get closer too.
He could only hope this iron dummy could pull it off.
Don’t let my efforts go to waste.
With Hongchen Jiumeng gone, Xianyun and Hongchen Rumeng no longer wanted to go out for lunch. It was too hot outside, so they just had some cake to fill their stomachs.
Time was too tight.
The event was supposed to continue after lunch, but to accommodate members from far away, it had to start early.
Next up were the Awards Segment, then the Raffle Segment.
Finally, there would be Dinner.
Once they all finished Dinner, the gathering would be over.
Mu Qingxue also wanted the party to last a few days, to have a good time.
But time waits for no one.
While Xueyan Pavilion was enjoying food and fun in reality, in the game, Wushuang Tower was quietly developing.
So, one day was already the most time Mu Qingxue could spare.
“Xiaoyan-dalao, you’re needed to Host the Awards Segment.” Qiuxue floated over with a light sentence, making Chen Xiaoyan speechless.
They want me to Host everything, so why did they even hire a Host?
Just give me that salary instead.
She grumbled in her heart, but had to nod on the surface.
Sigh, with a socially anxious, man-hating guild leader, it’s hard being the vice leader.
“Alright, I got it.” Chen Xiaoyan sighed.
“The young miss wants you to go alone.” Qiuxue whispered in her ear.
Chen Xiaoyan’s expression changed; she hurriedly stepped back, putting some distance between them.
Qiuxue looked at her with confusion.
Chen Xiaoyan pretended to cough a few times to cover her awkwardness.
“Ahem, I understand. Take me over.”
Qiuxue didn’t say more and turned to lead the way.
Chen Xiaoyan took a deep breath and hurried after her.
Just from that brief interaction with Qiuxue, her nerves suddenly tightened.
As if a great danger lay ahead, she instinctively reacted.
Even Mu Qingxue had never given her this feeling—just who was this Qiuxue?
She quietly watched Qiuxue’s elegant figure, still a bit shaken.
Anyway, better to stay away from that woman in the future.
As soon as Chen Xiaoyan left, Chongchong quietly followed.
Though she didn’t hear what Qiuxue and Chen Xiaoyan said, her sixth sense told her it was best to take a look.
“Should we go over?” Yilian Youmeng held a plate of freshly intercepted Italian Spaghetti and asked the others.
“Has spaghetti not satisfied you yet?” Xianyun narrowed her eyes, staring at the food on her plate.
“No, I’m just curious what Xiaoyan-jie is up to.”
“And why are you eyeing my spaghetti? Go get your own if you want some, I finally got mine.”
“Tch, I don’t even like it.”
“Then stop looking.”
“Who’s stopping me?”
Hongchen Jiumeng shot Yizhi Qingshu a look, signaling him to step up.
Yizhi Qingshu was confused.
Why are you looking at me?
Hongchen Jiumeng was getting a headache.
This guy deserves to be single—can’t you see the girl wants spaghetti?
Go get her some!
No choice, Hongchen Jiumeng gave Meixin Meifei a look instead.
He grinned, walked over to Yizhi Qingshu, and patted him on the shoulder.
“Bro, watch my move.”
“Huh?”
Meixin Meifei shook his head in resignation at Yizhi Qingshu’s cluelessness.
This guy’s just as dense as I used to be.
Now’s the time to wipe away the impression that I’m a dummy in their eyes.
With that, Meixin Meifei suddenly felt a sense of mission, and marched off, chest held high, to get the spaghetti.
Yizhi Qingshu walked over to Hongchen Jiumeng.
He asked worriedly, “Jiumeng-ge, are you sure it’s a good idea to let that dummy go?”
“Then why don’t you go?”
“What’s the use if I go? No one’s interested in me.”
Hongchen Jiumeng was speechless.
If you never go, how will anyone be interested in you?
Even if they’re not, don’t you know how to try?
There’s not that much love at first sight in this world… except for myself.
Qiuxue also knew that in the heat of the day, you had to have some noodles.
After all, not everyone likes sweets or cake.
So she had someone bring all kinds of Italian pasta.
Meixin Meifei soon returned with a plate, hurrying toward Yilian Youmeng and Xianyun.
Seeing the eager boy, Yilian Youmeng felt sweet inside.
Just as she was about to reach out, he went to Xianyun instead.
Yilian Youmeng’s upturned lips immediately stiffened and drooped.
Then, her head turned mechanically to look at him.
“Xianyun-jiejie, for you.”
Xianyun froze, caught between accepting and not accepting.
What’s going on?
Wasn’t this guy interested in Youmeng?
Why is he turning around and trying to curry favor with me?
She glanced at Yilian Youmeng, who indeed looked upset.
Yilian Youmeng didn’t say anything; after all, they had just met, and she wasn’t so narcissistic as to think all women had to like her.
It was just that he had just brought her some, and then turned to give to another girl, which left her a bit annoyed.
Hmph, looks honest on the outside, but it’s all fake after all.
“Pfft~” Yizhi Qingshu clutched his stomach, trying hard not to laugh.
“Jiumeng-ge, I told you this dummy wasn’t right for the job, but you wouldn’t believe me.”
Hongchen Jiumeng facepalmed.
An iron dummy is always an iron dummy.
I told you to go for Yilian Youmeng, not Xianyun. Now, in her mind, this fool probably just got sorted into the “dishonest” category.
“I think you should give it to Youmeng, not me,” Xianyun declined, pointing at Yilian Youmeng.
“Youmeng-jiejie already ate, if she eats more she’ll get fat.”
“Still, you shouldn’t give it to me.”
“You didn’t eat, right?”
Xianyun was speechless, both angry and amused.
But this actually made her feel relieved, and a little embarrassed.
So he wasn’t interested in her, just thought she wanted to eat and kindly brought some over.
Chen Yunxian, Chen Yunxian, when did you become so self-absorbed?
“Alright, thank you,” Xianyun took the spaghetti, nodding her thanks.
“No problem, you’re Youmeng-jiejie’s friend. If you need anything, just let me know.”
As soon as he said this, the smile on Yizhi Qingshu’s face disappeared, turning into shock.
Damn, did those words really come out of that iron dummy’s mouth?
You’re Youmeng-jiejie’s friend—meaning, I brought it to you for her sake, don’t overthink it.
And, this also served as an explanation to Youmeng, who was sulking on the side.
Of course, a single sentence wasn’t enough and seemed abrupt, but thinking back to what he’d said before—