At the banquet, Xi Xinxin saw many familiar faces. Yu Shuwen and Ji Nianya had also returned to rest for a few days and took the opportunity to attend the birthday party.

Before the banquet began, everyone surrounded Xi's mother, presenting her with their gifts. Some people also subtly mentioned their own businesses, and casually complimented Xi Xinxin and Xi Dai on how much prettier they had become.

When she praised her daughter, Xi's mother was amused.

Xi Xinxin's adoptive parents were also invited. Some people came up to them and said they had truly raised a wonderful daughter. This made the adoptive parents feel quite flattered.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

"You kids can sit there and have a good chat," said Xi's father, and someone came over to offer a toast.

Mo Chen spoke first: "You know what, Xu Chacha really gave me a big surprise. My brother finally looks at me properly."

Lilili also thanked Xixinxin: "Thank you for helping me with the things before."

Xi Xinxin said, puzzled, "Can we not be so business-like and eat?" Then she looked at Yu Shuwen and Jinian Ya and asked, "How are your studies going lately?"

Yu Shuwen will be studying abroad for a while longer. Jinian Ya, on the other hand, is returning to China to study.

She will probably go to Xu Chacha's school later, where she can look out for each other if she knows someone there. Yu Shuwen sighed after hearing this: "I still have some time to go. Actually, my language is fluent now, and I don't have any other problems."

Just then, Xi's mother came over with the cake: "Jiangjiang, my darling daughters, I've cut the cake for you."

"Mom, I have another gift for you." Xi Xinxin clapped her hands.

As the lights dimmed, Sasha, dressed in a long dress, stepped forward and started a conversation: "Now, let's welcome our singer to celebrate Mrs. Xi's birthday, please welcome Bai Tianrao!"

The lights shone on Bai Tianrao, and as the music started, she gradually got into character.

First, she sang a simple "Happy Birthday" song, and then she sang several of her popular songs.

As soon as Bai Tianrao finished singing and stepped off the stage, Xi's mother took her hand and said, "This little girl has a really good voice. I also liked to sing when I was a child, but I wasn't very good at it. Back then, only my husband supported me."

After the birthday party, Bai Tianrao expressed her desire to visit Mo Chen's studio to see what kind of entertainment company it was. Mo Chen named a few popular artists: "These are all from our company."

Since everyone was free, and Xi Xinxin also wanted to go, we all agreed to meet up and go together tomorrow morning.

When Bai Tianrao arrived at the agreed meeting place early in the morning, she saw everyone discussing something seriously, so she went up to ask, "What's wrong?"

The team members this time included Xi Xinxin, Mo Chen, Xi Dai, Yu Shuwen, and Ji Nianya. Bai Tianrao looked around and asked, "Where's Yu Shuwen? Hasn't he arrived yet?"

Xi Dai nudged Xi Xinxin expressionlessly: "What do you want to say? Go and call them."

Xi Xinxin nudged Mo Chen: "Go."

Mo Chen nudged Ji Nianya: "Didn't you say she set the alarm?"

Ji Nianya instantly recalled their previous live broadcast. Back then, she didn't understand and went directly to call Yu Shuwen, but something terrifying happened.

"What's wrong with you? Are you embarrassed? I'll go then."

As soon as Bai Tianrao said this, everyone immediately led her to Yu Shuwen's house, to her door.

Everyone gestured for them to sit down.

Although she was a little confused, she still knocked on the door, but no one answered.

He knocked again, harder: "Yu Shuwen! We're leaving! Are you there?"

There was a sound of someone getting out of bed inside. Yu Shuwen opened the door, and Bai Tianrao was frightened by the fierce look in Yu Shuwen's eyes before she could even feel happy.

"Who are you, lady? Are you crazy?"

"Huh?" Bai Tianrao only realized something at this moment, and stiffly turned her head to look at the group of people who were whistling as if nothing had happened.

"Where are you turning your head? Why are you bothering other people like that? Aren't you just looking for trouble? Go outside and broaden your horizons. Knocking and shouting like that, I'll cut your tongue out one of these days so you can never speak again."

Bang! The door slammed shut. Bai Tianrao covered her mouth in fear. Was there any hope for her tongue?

A few minutes later, Yu Shuwen fully woke up, quickly changed her clothes, opened the door and went straight to Bai Tianrao, crying loudly, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I won't cut off your tongue."

Ji Nianya sighed helplessly: "Didn't I remind you to set the alarm?"

"I adjusted the time, but I just realized it's a bit off. Is it still possible for us to leave now?"

Yu Shuwen said guiltily, "I'll treat you to lunch today as an apology."

The group arrived at the company, where Xu Chacha happened to be there as well. Xu Chacha had also received a message from Mo Chen saying that Xi Xinxin would be coming today. However, she didn't give Bai Tianrao a friendly look when she saw her. When she heard Mo Chen say that Bai Tianrao was going to sign with their company, she was utterly shocked.

She took Xi Xinxin's hand and asked, "Xinxin, do you think I'm prettier or Bai Tianrao is prettier?"

Xu Chacha is the pure and sweet type, and Bai Tianrao's initial style was also this type. The two of them are quite compatible.

“You’re all quite good-looking.” Xi Xinxin’s honest statement made Xu Chacha pout in dissatisfaction.

After Bai Tianrao had a general understanding of the basic information, she began preparing to sign the contract.

Mo Chen looked at the two of them with satisfaction: "I will have Bai Tianrao's agent contact you. You two should get along well from now on."

Xu Chacha snorted coldly: "What kind of good person would someone be to sleep in Xi Xinxin's room in the middle of the night?"

Bai Tianrao now understood why Xu Chacha always disliked her, and she snorted coldly, "Some people can't even sleep in Xi Xinxin's bed in the middle of the night."

Xi Dai frowned and asked Xi Xinxin, "When did this happen?"

Xi Xinxin: "?" What's wrong? Did she do something wrong?

As the weather gradually cools, more and more people are coming to Xi Xinxin's perfume shop, and there have even been a few days when they run out of stock. The staff suggested that they might need to hire more staff, but Xi Xinxin told them to stick to their usual routine and not to add too many people.

Staff members reported that because of the stock shortage, they discovered a strange person.

He seemed to be looking for help with something. But then he browsed the perfume section, and everyone else who heard the perfumes were sold out was waiting until the next day. This person came very early but never bought anything. He just sat downstairs.

They didn't offer any assistance. Seeing that no one cared, they seemed to be spending more and more time there each day. However, their clothes were relatively clean, suggesting they were male college students.

Xi Xinxin thought for a moment and told the staff that if they were still there next week, she would come over in person.

These past few days, Qu Tianzuo has been appearing on television programs again. The previous public opinion surrounding her has subsided since her parents apologized, and it hasn't caused any further controversy. Qu Tianzuo has been further cultivating a "kind-hearted" persona for herself.

He just goes around helping people and then gets them to film videos thanking him. It seems like he's trying to clear his name. Now some fans are starting to come back. Xi Xinxin thinks it's fine as long as he doesn't touch on things around her.

He learned his lesson last time.

Chu Quanyi remained in her room and did not come out. Every time Xi Xinxin passed by, she would knock on the door and wait for a while, but there was no response. If she hadn't accidentally seen her picking up takeout, everyone would have thought she was gone.

The staff said that person is still in the store, but now they stay for almost the entire day. They come when the store opens and leave when it closes. They don't respond when asked if they need any help.

Xi Xinxin took a car to the city where the perfume shop was located. As soon as she entered, the staff pointed out the location of that person to her.

She looked to be about the same age as her, and was sitting in a corner reading a book.

"Hello, I'm the manager of these stores. Do you need any help?"

The man only glanced at Xi Xinxin before returning his attention to his book. Xi Xinxin wasn't in a hurry and simply sat opposite him, watching him.

Finally, the person who couldn't stand being stared at any longer finally felt embarrassed: "Are we not allowed to stay here any longer?"

"sure."

"Then there's nothing I can help with. I just want to read some books."

"It's common to see people come to get off work and leave work every day, but it's rare to see someone come every day from the start of the workday. Don't you go to school?"

The boy put down his book: "Nobody cares about me, I can do whatever I want. You should get out of here too."

Xi Xinxin laughed and said, "Normally, I would beat someone like you up first, but since you're a guest, it's really not good to do it."

The boy immediately became interested and looked Xi Xinxin up and down with a mocking expression: "That's funny. How could you possibly beat me? There are so many braggarts these days."

"What! Are you scared?" Xi Xinxin provoked.

"Who's afraid? But I never hit women!" The boy's face revealed arrogance.

"Oh, oh, oh, you just don't dare to beat me."

"Who said that!" The boy immediately went outside: "Come with me, I'm going somewhere."

Xi Xinxin followed the boy to the entrance of a residential area, where only some children were playing in the sand.

"I'll let you have your way, come on!"

Without a word, Xi Xinxin went up and did a backflip. The boy didn't even have time to react. Even as she landed, Xi Xinxin turned around and caught him, saying, "Oops, I almost won."

"Again! Again!"

Several children nearby were also drawn over, clapping and cheering, "Go, sister! Go, sister!"

A child seemed to recognize the boy: "Go, Feng Yufeng!"

It's obvious. Feng Yufeng suffered a crushing defeat, and those kids were all... oh dear!

Feeling humiliated, Feng Yufeng plopped down on the ground: "My name is Feng Yufeng, and there's a reason I sit in your shop every day..."

Xi Xinxin immediately covered her ears: "I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it!"

"...Listen to me! Aren't you the store manager?!"

"Beg me to listen."

Feng Yufeng was furious and was about to continue speaking.

In fact, Feng Yufeng just graduated this year and lives in this neighborhood. At first, he was diligently looking for a job. Later, his family experienced a change of fortune. His parents divorced.

His parents have remarried, and he's past the age where he needs child support. No one will accept him. He feels life is so hard. Suddenly, he feels like he's lost everything, and he has no motivation to work.

"I just plan to stay in your shop for a few days, read some books, and then I don't need to stay in this world anymore."