Xiao Yi arrived and announced they needed to film a short segment before boarding. Everyone took it in stride, accustomed to the spotlight as they were. Even Wai Shao and…
Xia Weiliang squinted at the time. With twenty or thirty minutes to spare, she pulled her hat brim lower and curled up in her chair.
Just then, her bag was taken, and someone sat beside her.
She was so sleepy, she thought it was little A Ning. "Let me lean on you for a bit."
"Mmm."
That voice…
Groggy, she hadn't even registered the change when her cheek was pinched, and her head was guided onto the person’s shoulder.
In that instant, Xia Weiliang jolted awake. Just as she was about to struggle, she heard a soft, husky voice: "I'm here."
She blinked, her heart once again beating uncontrollably!
There was no way she could sleep now. The heat in her cheeks intensified. She whispered, "The cameras are all rolling."
His tone was calm yet assured. "It's fine. They won't dare broadcast it."
As if on cue, led by Brother Qiao, all the cameras tactfully turned the other way.
A Ning and Situ beamed with genuine delight, as if witnessing their favorite couple come true.
Mikoy suddenly stood up. Wai Shao was still struggling. "Ah, I can't, I can't! I'm going to die! Xiao Mi, where are you going? Save me!"
"To wash my eyes!"
Xiao Yi’s lips curved slightly, a hint of smugness in his expression.
Lin Suixiang, sitting opposite, was forced to watch them lean against each other. Though she seethed with hatred inside, the cameras were all focused in their direction, compelling her to maintain a smile.
Xia Weiliang’s stiffened body gradually relaxed. Then, she heard his long, even breaths beside her.
Xiao Yi chuckled softly. The person he had been so worried about just moments ago was now sleeping soundly.
He couldn’t help but wonder if she would be this at ease with anyone else beside her.
He recalled how she had fallen asleep so easily in the audience seats during "Love Run," so carelessly, without a trace of awareness of potential risks.
The thought soured his mood.
He turned his head to glance at her. Her lovely face was mostly hidden by her hat, her rosy lips slightly parted, a sight that momentarily captivated him.
Although the VIP lounge offered good privacy, Xiao Yi was simply too eye-catching. Even with Situ and A Ning trying to deflect attention, it was difficult to avoid being secretly photographed.
Xiao Yi remembered his promise to her. So, he naturally raised his fingertip, his thumb gently brushing her lips, then he looked up, signaling A Ning.
Message received!
A Ning was becoming increasingly perceptive. With a single glance, she understood the instruction. She moved over, allowing Xia Weiliang to lean against her, and gave the film emperor a subtle thumbs-up.
Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and stood up. However, he didn’t return to sit beside Lin Suixiang. Instead, he went to find Director Huang.
Lin Suixiang pursed her lips, a look of dejection on her face. He hadn't spoken a single word to her on the entire journey.
She had been more worried than anyone when she heard he was sick and unwell! She admitted she had used a few subtle tactics to join the program, even coercing him through his grandfather.
But it was all for him!
Why wouldn't he appreciate it?
And what was so special about that Xia Weiliang? How could she possibly be better than the years of history they shared?
The more Lin Suixiang thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. She couldn't help but lower her head, avoiding the cameras.
The program crew announced boarding. Xia Weiliang stretched, about to pick up her small suitcase, when someone already had it.
Watching his retreating back, her lips pursed. Her heart began to bubble with countless pink fantasies, impossible to burst this time.
"Brother Yi is truly so considerate!"
A Ning clasped her hands together, smiling, "I've never seen him be so attentive to anyone! Sister, you're the first!"
Xia Weiliang said with mock seriousness, "That's called gentlemanly conduct."
"Oh? Then why didn't he show any to me? Or to Miss Lin, the family doctor who came with him?"
As she spoke, she glanced back. Lin Suixiang was walking ahead with a sullen expression, carrying her own suitcase.
Xia Weiliang’s lips tightened, preventing her from bursting into laughter.
Alright, she admitted, she was being a little petty about this.
But that was her dad’s personality!
The group finally boarded the plane.
Night Vision Platform was extremely generous, chartering a flight directly to Guanqi Town.
Xia Weiliang had been busy for the past few days and hadn't rested properly. After finding a seat, she prepared to catch up on sleep.
Before Mikoy could snatch the seat next to her, A Ning beat him to it, settling in first.
She even cast a triumphant glance back at him.
Mikoy pouted, "Childish!"
He looked up at Xia Weiliang, still feeling a little indignant.
"Excuse me, could you make way?"
Lin Suixiang passed behind him, followed by Xiao Yi.
As he passed by Mikoy, he didn't even spare a glance.
"Let's sit here."
Lin Suixiang pointed to the seat next to her.
Xiao Yi remained silent. At that moment, A Ning quickly got up and waved at him, "Brother Yi! Here, here!"
Xiao Yi smiled slightly.
Hearing A Ning's voice, Xia Weiliang quickly tugged at her sleeve, "There are no more seats! You sit down quickly!"
"How could there not be? Look—"
A Ning stood to the side and politely vacated the seat.
Xia Weiliang: "..."
Xiao Yi walked over graciously and sat down. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, you're welcome!"
A Ning happily took her small bag and sat with Situ. Situ gave her a look and a thumbs-up: Beautiful!
Xia Weiliang leaned heavily against the window side, hugging her arms and closing her eyes tightly.
Pretending to be asleep!
Completely unreachable!
The man beside her suddenly leaned closer—
She immediately tensed, her voice extremely low, "Xiao Yi! You, you promised you'd keep it a secret!"
"Mmm."
Just a lazy, deep response.
Though he answered, he still held her small hand, his finger tracing something in her palm.
Xia Weiliang slowly opened her eyes. He was writing in her palm?
She carefully deciphered the movements, her face suddenly flushing red.
His finger in her palm was writing, stroke by stroke: Like.
Like what?
Her?
The little deer in her heart started to prance again. Xia Weiliang pursed her lips and lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushed.
Until he clearly wrote "you."
Her breath hitched. It was over; the rational voice in her head had also been conquered!
Film Emperor, are you this proficient?
Xia Weiliang gritted her teeth, turning the tables, and hooked her index finger in his palm…
Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, his gaze growing deeper.
What she wrote was…