Song Xi was a bit annoyed at the moment, but she didn't want to show it in front of Lou Yuming and Jin Ying. So, she suppressed her inner displeasure and said, "I have other things to do. You two go on your own."
If she didn't go, wouldn't this whole charade be meaningless?
Jin Ying quickly linked her arm, "No way! You have to come with me, otherwise it will be so awkward between just him and me."
Song Xi found it unbelievable, "Jin Ying, are you serious?"
"Of course," Jin Ying smiled. "Do you think I'm joking?"
Song Xi thought she was, believing that everything Jin Ying had done in front of her earlier was to deliberately provoke her!
Jin Ying's expression turned serious, "Song Xi, you can't go it alone in this circle. You need to find a backer. To be honest, I used to be the goddaughter of Director XX. Later, I'd had enough and decided to leave. What was the result? My resources plummeted, and I ended up acting in a low-budget short drama, yes, that one, 'The Princess is Above'."
"Now I've realized something. If I'm going to find a backer, why can't I find someone who is both handsome and rich? Look at those directors and CEOs, they're all bald with beer bellies. Why should I choose them? Although Lou Yuming is unpredictable, he's handsome and rich! Maybe his physique is great too. Someone like him, if you don't want him, then it's perfectly fine for me to have him!"
Song Xi was stunned by her words, "You..."
Jin Ying began to act cute, "Oh, I knew you wouldn't hold it against me, Song Xi. Let's go, accompany me."
And so, Song Xi was unceremoniously pulled into the car by Jin Ying.
Before getting into the car, Song Xi habitually reached for the seat next to Lou Yuming. To her surprise, Jin Ying got into the car first, "Sorry Song Xi, I want to sit here. You can take the passenger seat."
Song Xi's hand froze. Seeing that Lou Yuming didn't object, she had no choice but to retract her hand, "...Alright."
Lou Yuming narrowed his eyes, taking in her every reaction.
...
The car drove along the road. Dusk had fallen, and the stars twinkled overhead, a breathtaking sight.
Jin Ying took the initiative to break the silence, asking, "Mr. Lou, what a coincidence today. I didn't expect you and Director Pang to be at the club. How did you two meet?"
Her words carried hidden meaning.
Lou Yuming calmly replied with two words: "Coincidence."
Jin Ying tugged at the corner of her lips, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Then it truly is 'fate'."
How could Lou Yuming, a man usually bogged down with work, suddenly come to the club to play on a weekday? If he were truly there to relax, why choose today, the day Director Pang and Song Xi were both present?
She would never believe it wasn't to facilitate something between him and Song Xi.
It was just that she hadn't expected him to be so seamless, to the point where even Director Pang hadn't seen through it. If she hadn't recalled later that he had specifically invited them to the tea room, she wouldn't have become suspicious.
He had a connection with Song Xi, so it was natural for him to bring her to the tea room. But she, Jin Ying, was an outsider. He likely felt it would be too obvious if he brought only Song Xi, so he brought her along as a cover.
However, Jin Ying was pragmatic. Regardless of whether Lou Yuming had a hand in orchestrating things, there was no doubt that Song Xi's performance when facing Director Pang was brilliant. So, even if Song Xi were to be cast as the lead, she would be convinced.
Seeing that Song Xi seemed a bit down, Yao Yifan took the initiative to say, "Miss Song, would you like to listen to some music?"
Song Xi didn't refuse.
Yao Yifan pressed a button, and the sharp-eared Jin Ying immediately recognized the familiar melody, exclaiming in surprise, "This is 'You Light Up' from 'Kunshan Pian Yu'..."
And so, as the car slowly pulled over to the side of the road, Jin Ying was the first to alight with lightning speed. Then, pointing at Song Xi, she unleashed her frustration loudly, "Alright, you two! One of you is clearly jealous to death but pretends to be indifferent; the other is too proud to admit it, saying nine out of ten sentences while looking at her! You two eat this meal yourselves. I'm going back to the hotel to order takeout. Goodbye!!"
Song Xi: "..."
Lou Yuming: "..."
Yao Yifan: Sister Jin, you are my eternal sister!