Chapter 043

The results of the second round of voting were somewhat stalemate. After all, all four groups performed exceptionally well and put together a great show. The audience had sharp eyes and expressed their love for all of them equally.

But perhaps because Xu Jingning's popularity has skyrocketed in recent days, Yan Xun's team ultimately won this round by a few votes.

The best student in the winning group and the student with the highest single score are both Xu Jingning.

Near the end, with only one round left, everyone was waiting to hear him refuse to change groups, but the host suddenly changed his tone and started to whet everyone's appetite: "In the next round, our grouping pattern will change. Maybe there will be completely unexpected combinations. Everyone can look forward to it!"

[What does the host mean? Is this going to cause trouble? ]

【Ahhhhhhhhhhh, no, if we draw lots or assign them randomly, it will completely mess things up! Wuuuuuuuuuuuuuu I don't want to see my couple break up!!!】

[But if the format is not changed, the finals will be divided into the same groups as now, as expected. It is indeed easy to get tired of watching it too much.]

[Aesthetic fatigue is better than being randomly assigned to a combination that kills me... I'm talking about a certain bloodsucking traffic.]

[Ah? Am I the only one looking forward to the big hodgepodge? It's so fun! Let's start! ]

After the recording was over, Yan Xun, who arrived at the parking lot first, watched Xu Jingning slowly running towards him. Unexpectedly, he put his things in the car and got out of the car.

"You go back first, I have some personal matters to take care of."

Yan Xun frowned slightly and asked patiently, "What is it? Can I help?"

"No need, I can go back by myself when the time comes." After saying that, Xu Jingning glanced at him and turned away.

The biggest help that Yan Xun could do him would be if he didn't go with him.

"Really? Ningning, you can ask me for anything."

Facing that direct gaze, Xu Jingning hardened his heart and refused to change his words, so Yan Xun had no choice but to give in: "Okay, then I'll wait for you here?"

"It won't be safe to leave you alone if it's too late."

Xu Jingning thought to herself, am I a timid little girl? What's unsafe about that?

However, considering that this sentence was already a relative concession, he nodded in agreement.

Then, he looked at the text message from the stranger on his phone and quickly walked towards the place indicated by the other party.

Pingjiang TV Station.

Coming to the coffee shop again, Xu Jingning ordered a latte first, and then leisurely found a seat in the corner.

"Long wait."

After sitting down, Xu Jingning looked at the person opposite with a smile: "The security inside the TV station is very good, there is no need to worry about someone sneaking in and eavesdropping on our conversation."

"So, you suddenly want to talk to me, what do you want to tell me? Shen Luo."

Being called by his name, Shen Luo's body suddenly tensed up. He pursed his lips and looked into Xu Jingning's eyes: "Don't say anything extra."

"It didn't take long for me to have people around me, from my agent to my assistant, keeping an eye on me."

As he spoke, he pushed a USB drive to the side of Xu Jingning's coffee cup.

"This is something that will interest you."

Following his movements, Xu Jingning slowly restrained his expression.

But he did not take it immediately. Instead, he asked carefully: "Since you are under surveillance, how dare you take the risk of giving this to me?"

"Besides, we are 'rivals'. Aren't you afraid that I will use this to frame you?"

Shen Luo sneered: "You have to force me to say it, right? Although my relationship with you has never been very good, I have to admit that your character, Xu Jingning, is relatively reliable."

To this sentence, Xu Jingning responded silently in his heart: No, not only is he a bad person, but he is also vindictive.

"I know you've been brooding over what happened last year, so I dare to give this to you."

“But I didn’t plan to do that at first.”

After all, only when the evidence is in his own hands can he ensure to the greatest extent possible that things will develop in the direction he hopes.

If not...

Chen Luo's eyes darkened, and he explained in a self-deprecating manner: "But what can I do? You are famous. You are luckier than me. It is your destiny to be famous."

His tone gradually became more gritted as he spoke.

"So much so that I now realize that... the most suitable person to expose this matter is actually you."

In fact, at this point, Xu Jingning had already guessed what was in the USB drive.

"So there really was something else behind last year's incident, right?"

Shen Luo's expression moved slightly.

"Do you think you can bring down Jiayi's shareholders with your methods?"

"It was just the result of some capital game behind the scenes, and you just took advantage of the situation at that time."

Having said too much, Shen Luo frowned when he looked at the time and spoke faster: "I have only collected this much information, you can handle the rest of the evidence yourself... If possible, let's set the time after the three rounds of performances."

"Take this as a personal request from you to let me stay in Yansheng for a while longer."

After saying that, he hurriedly stood up and prepared to leave.

Just after taking two steps away, Shen Luo suddenly turned around and looked at Xu Jingning with a complicated expression.

"Xu Jingning, do you believe me? I really like acting."

Xu Jingning looked at him and blinked, but did not respond.

But he seemed to have expected such an outcome, and quickly put on his hat and left.

Acting, most people choose to become actors because they like it.

But how many people can persist consistently?

However, Xu Jingning heard another meaning in his words.

Shen Luo couldn't understand why Xu Jingning, who didn't seem to have a passion for her career, had better acting skills and better development on this path.

And...would be valued so much by Yan Xun.

Xu Jingning pinched the USB drive in his hand and suddenly felt it was quite boring.

After putting away his things, he stopped a passing waiter and said gently, "Hello, please help me pack."

When returning to Yan Xun, Xu Jingning handed the cup of latte to him.

"I brought it for you."

He hadn't even drunk a sip, but Xu Jingning didn't feel guilty at all when he said this.

Yan Xun was stunned when he suddenly received the food. He picked up the identical coffee package and couldn't tell what it was.

"Oh yes, it's latte. Do you want some?" Xu Jingning realized later that his behavior was a bit impulsive and added enthusiastically.

Yan Xun, who didn't drink sweet coffee, tapped the wall of the cup and finally smiled: "Drink it."

Xu Jingning sat back with satisfaction.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to this side, Yan Xun quietly put the coffee aside and began to change the subject to fool him: "It's not too late now. I plan to go to the home improvement market to have a look. Do you want to come with me or should I send you back first?"

It's still early now, just after eight o'clock, and the markets should still be open.

The only thing Xu Jingning was worried about was: "Won't I be recognized if I go shopping at this time?"

"It's okay. I found a familiar boss and cleared the place in advance."

Then he had no worries: "I'll go with you!"

It's so lonely going home alone.

So, the two of them put on camouflage suits and went to a nearby large shopping mall together.

Although there were fewer people shopping outside at this time than usual, people could still be seen passing by in groups of two or three. The car parked in the underground garage, and the two took the elevator directly to the home improvement department on the third floor.

Compared to the noisy noise downstairs, this floor was extremely quiet. Someone was waiting at the door, leading them inside.

"Why do you suddenly want to buy furniture?" Xu Jingning just remembered and asked, "I thought you had already chosen..."

He shut up himself halfway through his speech.

Although the living room on the first floor of Yan Xun's house has changed a lot, but when I think about it carefully, I only changed the soft furnishings in the living room...

Yan Xun smiled and replied, "There are still many things I haven't bought, but I was busy with rehearsals in the past few days so I put it off for now."

"You can also take a look and buy anything you like."

Xu Jingning was afraid that he would spend money without permission, so he immediately said, "I'm not picky, in fact, the guest room is fine like this."

"Ningning." Yan Xun interrupted him, "I mean the decoration of other rooms."

Xu Jingning was stunned.

"After all, you also have the right to use other places in the house." Yan Xun's words were flawless. "Take your preferences into consideration. This is also very important. Otherwise, what if you regret it later?"

Xu Jingning: But I’m just staying here for the night.

Before he could say it, he realized that the time when he would move out was indeed a long time away.

...Why do I have this inexplicable feeling of being cheated?

They didn't chat for too long before the staff leading the way brought them inside and started to choose.

This time, the main focus was on selecting the home's hard furnishings, flooring, wallpaper, and some small furniture. Neither of us had any requirements for the specific shapes and patterns, as long as they were consistent with the style of the home.

Finally, following the guide's advice, I chose a color scheme that was more popular and less disappointing. After making my choice, I could leave.

When choosing, Yan Xun repeatedly asked Xu Jingning for advice, making people feel that the two of them were a couple who had lived together for a long time.

Xu Jingning pinched his ears to stop his wild thoughts.

"They are about to get off work, let's go." Seeing that the man was distracted for some reason, Yan Xun smiled and stretched out his hand to him.

Xu Jingning actually got involved in this daze.

I just didn't let go.

Maybe there were too many things happening in the evening and his brain was so filled that he couldn't think anymore. When leaving the elevator, Xu Jingning actually forgot to put on his camouflage glasses and mask again.

Yan Xun didn't know why and didn't remind him.

So the two of them didn't know that the scene of them leaving the mall together was actually photographed and posted online.

[This is??? This is??? Yan Xun and Xu Jingning???]

[Although I think he looks like her, the photo is blurry and it’s a side profile, how did you recognize him? ]

[Look at what they are wearing! They were wearing the same clothes when they went to the film and television city at noon! ]

[What the hell, you two went shopping together so late at night? I was refuting the rumor this morning that you two weren't living together but now???]

[Holding hands! You dare to hold hands! You are not afraid of being photographed at all! Ahhhhh this cabinet door can't be blocked at all!!!]

[Calm down, maybe he was just a kind senior who wanted to send someone home, and holding hands was just a way of showing care for someone... Forget it, I can't make it up anymore! Can you two be more careful?! ]

[Xu Jingning! If you have the guts, go live and clarify this for us!!!]