Gao Qinghe jumped at the sound of Lin Xi slamming the door.
She looked at where Lin Xi had disappeared, then at Xiang Bei, who was staring blankly at Lin Xi’s door, equally confused.
“What’s her problem? She blows up after two sentences, and then takes it out on me?”
Xiang Bei’s tone was full of displeasure.
Clearly, he felt he’d been scolded for no reason.
“Didn’t she insist on me being the runway model? I didn’t ask her to help me.”
They muttered at each other, completely missing the point.
“What exactly are you here for?”
“Why did you stand me up?”
It seemed Xiang Bei wouldn’t let it go until he got an explanation.
Gao Qinghe sighed.
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit too self-centered? You chased Lin Xi all the way to her house for something like this?”
“…It’s not just that. I brought Lin Xi the clothes for tomorrow night.”
Xiang Bei’s tone was hesitant, as if he wanted to say more.
“Oh.”
Gao Qinghe responded.
She remembered Zhao Yuqi’s talk about the exchange event.
Xiang Bei going out of his way to bring the clothes meant Lin Xi had really put effort into preparing this time.
Then she definitely couldn’t lose to her.
“…And then?”
Xiang Bei waited a moment, but when Gao Qinghe didn’t continue, he pressed.
Gao Qinghe sneered to herself.
Maybe Xiang Bei really had never been turned down before.
“What’s the surprise you promised?”
“If I tell you now, it won’t be a surprise anymore… Gao Qinghe, what are you so mad about? Did I do something wrong?”
“What did you do?”
Gao Qinghe gave a light laugh.
“You definitely did nothing. You barged into the set just to watch Zhao Yuqi humiliate me, didn’t you?”
She pushed the table, and her chair scraped across the floor with a sharp squeak.
“And you still have the nerve to ask me to meet up?”
“Hey, Gao Qinghe, you know,” Xiang Bei glanced at Lin Xi’s door, lowering his voice as if afraid she’d hear, “the people at that shoot are all friends of mine and Lin Xi’s. I couldn’t do anything openly.”
He leaned in, bracing himself on the table, eyes sincere.
“But if you have a problem with Zhao Yuqi, I can find a reason to fire her. I’m definitely on your side.”
Ha, what’s the point of saying that now?
Gao Qinghe crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair, staring at Xiang Bei.
Suddenly, a thought struck her.
She smiled softly, her voice turning sweet.
“What do you mean by that?”
Wearing those pure white ankle socks, her foot lightly touched Xiang Bei’s shin across the table.
Her toes crept silently under the tablecloth, brushing against his calf—gentle yet precise.
The thin cotton of her sock pressed against the fabric of his suit pants, yet the warmth was unmistakable.
Gao Qinghe locked her gaze on his face, and sure enough, saw Xiang Bei flinch.
Her smile deepened.
“Brother Xiang Bei, do you mean that if I’m willing to go on a private date with you, you’d even abuse your power for personal revenge?”
Her full lips parted and closed, each word rolling off her tongue, clear and ambiguous.
She tilted her head slightly, while her toes hooked the hem of Xiang Bei’s pant leg, sliding up along his ankle bone, rubbing.
“Hey, you…”
Xiang Bei’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
His eyes narrowed slightly, trying to see through her act.
“Sure, you can name your terms. I think you’re worth the effort.”
“Oh, really? Brother Xiang Bei, I’m so happy.”
She smiled innocently, her almond eyes curving into crescents, long lashes fluttering.
“So, how far would you go for me?”
Her toes traced lazy circles on the side of his calf, as if playing, as if urging, varying the pressure.
Xiang Bei stared at her, his brow slightly furrowed, as if he couldn’t figure out what she was thinking.
His leg didn’t move an inch the whole time, letting Gao Qinghe’s foot roam over his calf through thin sock.
After a long pause, he spoke, his voice low and hoarse, with a hint of restraint: “What exactly are you thinking?”
“What am I thinking?”
Gao Qinghe repeated his words, her voice soft and playful like a child’s.
She put a finger to her chin, pretending to think, looking upward like an innocent young girl.
Then she flashed a sweet smile, her voice gentle but every word sharp: “I’m thinking, how can you be so shameless?”
She lowered her foot, eyes bright as she fixed on Xiang Bei.
Gao Qinghe watched with satisfaction as Xiang Bei’s expression slowly soured.
“Xiang Bei, I do think I’m valuable.”
She curled her lips into a cruel smile.
“But have you considered whether you’re worth the time I’d spend on you?”
***
Xiang Bei left looking noticeably dazed.
He barely said goodbye to Lin Xi before closing the door behind him on his own.
“What’s wrong with him? Off his meds?”
Lin Xi stood at the door, arms crossed, looking confused.
Hmm, who knows what’s up with him.
Maybe Xiang Bei really has never been rejected by a woman in his life.
Otherwise, this reaction would be way too over the top.
“Maybe he’s doing some soul-searching. You did yell at him, after all.”
Gao Qinghe feigned indifference, secretly pleased.
“Serves him right.”
“…?”
Lin Xi found her reaction strange, but then seemed to give up.
“Forget it. I’ll call him later.”
Gao Qinghe glanced at Lin Xi and shrugged.
She turned back to the sofa, curled up, and started scrolling through her phone, ignoring Lin Xi.
“Qinghe,” Lin Xi said, unusually walking over to the sofa, “I don’t want this to ruin our relationship. Looking back, I think I might have been a bit harsh. Zhao Yuqi judged you by professional model standards, so it’s normal you’re not used to it.”
Without waiting for Gao Qinghe to look up, Lin Xi pulled out her phone and started typing.
A moment later, Gao Qinghe received a message from Lin Xi.
“I’ve sent you Zhao Yuqi’s number. Whether you want to continue or quit, you can talk to her yourself.”
Lin Xi put down her phone, looking at Gao Qinghe curled up on the sofa.
“I’m not your agent, and I’m not your mom. I don’t have to apologize for you. You’re not a kid anymore. You can take responsibility for your own choices.”
…Is that right?
On the surface, it sounded fine.
Lin Xi was clear and logical—but in the end, Gao Qinghe had never asked Lin Xi to find her that fashion model gig in the first place.
If you’re going to meddle, at least see it through.
Why stick your nose in if you’re not going to help all the way?
Was she really just here to watch her fail?
“Mm, okay.”
Gao Qinghe agreed in a low voice, her face dark.
“I’ll talk to her.”
Seeing that, Lin Xi softened her tone: “Qinghe, I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Yuqi, but she didn’t mean any harm. If you’re afraid of her, I can go with you… But for a model, binding your chest really isn’t a big deal. I hope you can understand that.”
“Mm, no need.”
Gao Qinghe still kept her head down, scrolling through her phone, opening and closing text threads, feeling more and more irritable.
Lin Xi went on and on, first showing concern, then speaking earnestly, but in the end, wasn’t she just saying Gao Qinghe wasn’t working hard enough, couldn’t handle hardship, and didn’t know what she wanted?
The oppression she’d felt as Gao Jingdong began to stir again.
Gao Qinghe really couldn’t stand listening to Lin Xi repeat the same things anymore.
She suppressed her dissatisfaction and resentment, looked up, and forced a smile at Lin Xi:
“Sister Lin Xi, it’s getting late. Maybe you should get some rest? You probably have a lot to prepare for tomorrow’s exchange event, right?”
“…Ah, sure.”
Lin Xi frowned but didn’t say anything else.
“I’ve said everything I needed to. Get some rest tomorrow.”
Gao Qinghe just hummed in response.
Before Lin Xi’s door was even fully closed, Gao Qinghe quickly opened her text thread with Li Nan.
She tapped the dialog box two or three times to bring up the keyboard, then impatiently typed a few words:
“Don’t forget tomorrow. See you in the afternoon.”