No time to open for business
Yu Nianxi, carrying her precious basket, ran while calling out to Meng Yike, "Tell me quickly!"
"say what?"
"You said Yu Nianxi is the world's best mushroom-picking genius with the best eyesight."
Meng Yike smiled and very accommodatingly said to Yu Nianxi, "Okay, I agree with you."
Xi Ai and Chu Yiqi ran to the picnic blanket early. As the first and second runners-up in a race, they both held their breath, as if they didn't want to fall behind each other even in running.
Looking at the two paparazzi slowly walking behind, then at Yu Nianxi who kept turning back to show off on the public channel and Meng Yike who was very cooperative in supporting her, she finally turned her head and asked a question at the same time: "Let me interview you, what exactly are you running for?"
Lina stood to the side, recording and laughing as she watched, when she heard Xi Ai say, "I don't know, it's just a matter of passing by."
"I'm exhausted, so you're not allowed to say anything more casually."
Xi Ai obediently shut up, covering her mouth with a grin and pretending to be well-behaved.
The sun hadn't set yet, but the early autumn air in the woods was already cool.
Xi Ai was dressed very casually, which made her seem like she was prioritizing style over warmth.
Some people didn't intend to wear extra clothes themselves, but they still grabbed a light windbreaker and gave it to Chu Yiqi: "There should be a 'commercial break' before we return, don't freeze."
“Ugly…” Chu Yiqi subconsciously wanted to find fault and refuse, but then realized that the dress Xi Ai had casually picked up matched her clothes surprisingly well, and it was also a completely new dress.
There's really nothing to complain about.
There's no excuse left to avoid suspicion.
—Lina was very considerate; she turned off the recording and pretended to adjust herself when Xi Ai was about to get her clothes.
She said that since the part about handing over the clothes wasn't filmed, the clothes that were never shown on camera belonged to whoever they were.
Chu Yiqi awkwardly took the clothes and put them on. When she put her hands in her pockets, she seemed to touch something and looked up to check. Xi Ai avoided her gaze and looked at Yu Nianxi, finally mentioning something else: "Your hair is being pressed down."
“…Okay.” Chu Yiqi pulled her hair out and gathered it to one side, with a few cherries adorning the hair tie, scattered among the strands.
While Xi Ai and Yu Nianxi were making a fuss, Chu Yiqi leaned back slightly and secretly peeked out—it was a handful of candy.
Chocolate-filled liqueurs in various colored packaging.
One glance is enough to remember that this was made at home by someone Xi Ai had asked.
Chu Yiqi suddenly remembered a fan-made video she had seen at noon.
The interview segment in the video was finally over. She slipped out of the venue and wandered around for who knows how long before finally getting back here to drive.
Miss Xi, dressed in a suit and carrying a box of chocolates, looked incredibly alluring with her filter on.
The next moment, this young lady, who had been meticulously planning her pace and whose every step exuded an air of extravagance, slowed down and began to unwrap the packaging. Suddenly, she saw someone in front of her and froze on the spot.
Finally, he recognized the person in front of him as someone he had met many times at offline events, so he felt relieved. However, he held the half-opened chocolate in his palm and took out two or three small boxes from the gift box instead.
"Miss, may I have the honor of accepting this gift?" Xi Ai greeted the person with a smile.
"Baby, you're like a little robot that distributes snacks; you're always scattering food every time we meet."
Xi Ai readily agreed, saying, "The little robot is about to run out of power. If you don't answer, I'll put my hand down to save power."
"Okay, thank you~" The girl then asked, "Did you make this yourself?"
"Not entirely. Maybe I rushed to unlock the hidden item before leaving home this morning, but you can take a picture of the little tag on it and ask me... Lucky winners get a prize series."
"Okay, okay." She put the chocolate in her fluffy crossbody bag, then asked, "Ai'ai, have you lost weight? Please let Sister Luo give the little robot the necessary energy, okay?"
"Actually, it's not bad. Maybe it's because the clothes are slimming. But okay, I'll pass on the feedback right away."
Chu Yiqi smiled when she saw this, glanced at the kitchen, and that's how the almond tofu came about.
Chu Yiqi also glanced at the comments for a while.
[You can call me "Little Robot" in private, but in public you have to call me Boss Xi.]
[Xi Ai, you're a bit out of character (OOC), I'm not used to it.]
[Attention, attention! The above is Xiao Ai's personal behavior. Please do not generalize this to Xi Ai from Class A.]
I picked out a few nested posts to read, and they were quite witty, just like the main character's.
Can the little robot collaborate with Super Wings? It's nothing much, I just want to see chocolate delivered to everyone's hands.
There was no collaboration with Super Wings, but Chu Yiqi received two copies.
—Sisi put five in each of her pockets.
Chu Yiqi's fingers brushed against the chocolate wrapper, feeling inexplicably happy, yet a strange sense of melancholy crept in, a contradictory feeling stuck in her throat.
Xi Ai turned off her microphone, turned her head and said, "I finally managed to find the time to mix twenty drinks, and half of them are here. Don't you want to try some?"
Strangely enough, as soon as Xi Ai spoke, Chu Yiqi's lingering feelings of unease were suppressed.
She remembered Xi Ai saying she wanted to reconcile, but saying she didn't want to was just an ambiguous situation. However, Xi Ai never pressed for confirmation.
However, Chu Yiqi remained indecisive, pondering and doubting.
The only one who doubted himself was himself.
Chu Yiqi took out two and picked out one with blue wrapping paper for Xi Ai.
Xi Ai watched for a while, then finally raised her hand, a hint of warmth appearing in the corner of her eye—a genuine smile.
The dark chocolate melts on the tongue, releasing a layer of alcoholic aroma, with a subtle hint of fruitiness.
Xi Ai always has a knack for mixing drinks, bringing out the most unique flavor of each drink perfectly, inviting you to savor it slowly.
Perhaps the cocktails we mix are just like the people we make. Chu Yiqi thought.
Yu Nianxi's gaze was drawn to Meng Yike, so when she turned around again, she only saw Xi Ai staring wide-eyed like a hamster stealing nuts: "You've been sneaking snacks behind my back again!"
"Then go ahead and grab it." Xi Ai laughed, and then somehow produced a bag of steamed chestnuts, quickly showing it off before hiding it behind her back.
Yu Nianxi ran a few steps with the basket in her hand, then remembered something and solemnly entrusted the basket to Meng Yike, not forgetting to be coquettish as she made the most of every second: "Sister, you're the best! Let me help Her Majesty the Empress to purge the court of corrupt officials!"
Meng Yike was always easy to talk to, and she always indulged Yu Nianxi with a bit of helpless leniency, like taking care of a child: "Okay, I'm waiting for you to expand my territory."
"Remember to prepare dinner for Shouhaochen."
Xi Ai not only got herself into trouble and ran away, but she also dragged Chu Yiqi down with her.
"You're annoying!" Chu Yiqi laughed, pretending not to understand as she ran. "Excuse me, what's the point of me running?"
"Because you're my accomplice." Xi Ai doesn't need to prepare when she wants to act coquettishly; her voice is sweet and charming.
Chu Yiqi smiled helplessly, accepting the fate of being dragged onto the pirate ship and becoming a traitor, and only said, "Slow down a bit."
"Extreme sports, all-around, all-hands, not allowed to keep up."
Actually, it was just playing around anyway, so going slower or walking is no different.
Chu Yiqi snorted, but then took two steps past Xi Ai, and instead led Xi Ai to a flat area not far away.
"Stop, stop, stop! I don't want to go any further. I'm already over 25,000 plus plus plus." Xi Ai finally waved her hand, but didn't move the hand that Chu Yiqi was holding on the wrist.
"Okay, little robot is running out of energy."
"...?"
Chu Yiqi knew in his heart that something was wrong; his death had let slip his true feelings.
Xi Ai's expression changed repeatedly, finally settling on a half-smile as she looked at Chu Yiqi with a distinctly mocking expression.
Both of them turned off their microphones.
Judgment Day? Chu Yiqi wondered.
Xi Ai asked, "Commander Chu, may I laugh?"
"No!" Chu Yiqi's tone was firm, but there was a faint smile on his lips.
"We have a high degree of autonomy here, so we reject the application." Xi Ai's eyes curved into crescents, as beautiful as a ray of moonlight falling through the forest. "Let's interview Professor Chu. What are your thoughts?"
"His business acumen remains as natural as ever."
Shi Yunshan and Nie Chuiying walked back together, shook off the cameraman and turned off their microphones, and Nie Chuiying covered her face with her hands.
Shi Yunshan looked at the two people not far away, then turned around and saw Nie Chuiying covering her face and trying to pretend she didn't exist. She smiled, took Nie Chuiying's hand, and then pinched Nie Chuiying's face.
Shi Yunshan said, "Your CP is doing promotions again... so it doesn't really count."
Nie Chuiying glanced at it, temporarily ignoring the fact that she had been kissed out of the blue and had been hugged for a long time for no reason. Then she took Shi Yunshan's hand and said, "I know, they're just busy with 'final exam review' and don't have time to do business."
Shi Yunshan glanced at Nie Chuiying, and their eyes met.
Shi Yunshan blocked Nie Chuiying's eyes and was about to lower her head when she felt someone lean in, something brush against her palm, and then the next moment someone kissed her.
It carries the scent of grass and trees from the early autumn dew.
Shi Yunshan blinked, not quite understanding.
Nie Chuiying mischievously covered Shi Yunshan's ears, and in the slightest opening, she said, "Can you hear my breathing, sister?"
Shi Yunshan looked at her and said, "I heard... your heartbeat is faster than before."
...
After Chu Yiqi finished speaking, there was a moment of silence. Even the slightest smile dissipated in the mountain breeze, and no further explanation was needed.
Just as Yu Nianxi reached Chu Yiqi, she managed to stop, completely dispelling the last trace of awkwardness.
"Please, this military governor from who-knows-where, hand over your military tally right now!" Yu Nianxi said, hands on her hips, looking at Xi Ai.
Seeing that Meng Yike was almost there, Xi Ai immediately pretended to be loyal and pledged her allegiance: "Your Majesty, I have been quick to hand over my military power and supplies, and I did so willingly and without any negligence. As for what the General Zhenguo is planning to do, I have no idea."
Chu Yiqi then added, "That's true, General, beware of slanderous words from petty people."
"Lord Chu is exceptionally good, while Lord Xi is exceptionally bad," Yu Nianxi quickly commented.
Chu Yiqi: "Yes, yes, after all, public opinion can be a fearsome thing, especially when it comes to acting."
Meng Yike also adopted a tone of voice and coughed, "Are you all going to have a fight here with me?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I'll take my leave." Chu Yiqi tried to suppress his laughter, but he still couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Fortunately, there was Xi Ai, who knew to save the day with just a glance: "If you back down now, it'll be for life."
"Shut up, all of you!" Meng Yike's laughter was so weak that she couldn't even open the packaging. But Yu Nianxi, who didn't care about after-sales service, handed her the steamed chestnuts, took the basket, turned on the flashlight, and picked out pretty mushrooms. Every now and then, she would look up at her expectantly.
Even a general who doesn't care about after-sales service is not a good official.
After relinquishing her military command, Xi Ai planned to return to the assembly point and wait to go home for lunch.
Chu Yiqi tugged at Xi Ai's sleeve: "Have you thanked His Majesty?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Meng Yike handed the chestnuts to Yu Nianxi, then took one for herself and prepared to go back with her.
When we arrived in the courtyard, it was already night. Assistant Xiao He had arrived earlier, so the lights were on in the house, which gave us a strange sense of peace.
Chu Yiqi stood beside Ai Xiang, and no one pushed open the door. In that instant, it was just like the night they returned from the semi-finals of their group formation, downstairs in the dormitory building.
Chu Yiqi glanced at Xi Ai, a strand of curly hair swept past her eyes, and the perfume of the person next to her smelled exactly like the one she had described.
It should have been a relaxing moment, but Chu Yiqi felt, quite inappropriately, that she seemed to see Chu Rou standing downstairs in the dormitory building from that year.
When Xi Ai saw that scene, she patted Chu Yiqi's hand, knowing that Chu Yiqi didn't want anyone else to be there at this time, so she said, "Come back early, I'll help you sign in first."
Chu Yiqi didn't know how Chu Rou found the place, but she knew that Chu Rou had lost a lot of money at the gambling table at that time. So when Chu Yiqi saw her, she remembered the phone call that had come to her before, and she understood the reason in an instant.
"I advised you to stop a long time ago," Chu Yiqi sighed.
Suddenly, she wished Xi Ai had just pulled her away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com