"I admit I was wrong. I apologize to you. You have important things to do, don't waste time, let me go."
"Unless you agree to my first condition. Otherwise, what's the point of me winning first place? I might as well not participate in this competition."
"Xiang Yang, don't be willful. It wasn't easy for Sister Man to secure the next announcement. How can you just say you won't go? You'll have to pay compensation for breach of contract."
Xiang Yang looked defiant, "She didn't secure the announcement, and you don't have to pay compensation. What does my working or not working have to do with you?"
"..."
She felt like he was a stubborn calf now, completely deaf to reason.
As they were in a stalemate, Sister Man called again.
"Xiang Yang, young master Xiang, my brother Xiang! Have you come back? They're already gathering, and makeup is about to start. If you go crazy occasionally, I'll pretend I didn't see it and help you cover it up. But you can't mess up at crucial moments!"
Xiang Yang threw his phone on the bed, putting it on speaker. Chen Jiaojiao heard Sister Man's words clearly.
Both of them were anxious, but he, the person involved, was as relaxed as a lord.
"Still plenty of time, why the rush?"
"Plenty of time? Look at the time! You're just a trainee, who do you think you are, making others wait for you!"
"You've finally accumulated some goodwill. Don't let Sister Hua be unhappy. Hurry back, big brother!"
Xiang Yang was unmoved, "I don't care if she's happy or not. It's me who's unhappy now, and I don't want to do it anymore."
"What? You don't want to do it anymore?"
Sister Man was almost scared to death by him.
"I just arranged for my mother to be admitted to the hospital. There will be many expenses later, big brother, don't scare me!"
"Didn't you two clear things up last night? My dear brothers and sisters, this is not a time for jokes. If Sister Hua gets angry, we'll all be doomed. Can we talk about this later?"
Chen Jiaojiao could feel Sister Man's frantic anxiety through the screen. She picked up the phone and turned off the speaker.
"Alright, stop talking. He'll be back soon."
After hanging up, she checked the time and asked Xiang Yang, "What time does the recording start?"
"In 40 minutes."
"Hurry up! I'll drive you back."
"No."
"Are you crazy, Xiang Yang?"
"Consider me so. Say whatever you want. I'm not going unless you agree."
Why hadn't she realized he was such a scoundrel before?
Threatening Chen Jiaojiao with his future. Was Chen Jiaojiao someone who could be threatened?
In the past, she really wasn't.
But now, she had caused Xiang Yang to lose his chance to go to university. If he lost this job too... Chen Jiaojiao couldn't bear the responsibility.
She could only appease him, "Okay, okay, I promise. Get up quickly, get dressed, let's go."
Xiang Yang's eyes lit up, and he sat up.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, big brother. There's no time, can we talk as we go?"
Within five minutes, they were downstairs and got into a taxi. Xiang Yang took out his phone, wanting Chen Jiaojiao to record a video.
"Aren't you being childish?"
"What if you go back on your word? I don't have paper or pen. If you don't record a video, how can I hold you accountable?"
"You really think I owe you, don't you?"
Xiang Yang retorted righteously, "Yes. You owe me responsibility, an outcome, you must give me an explanation!"
The driver was sitting in the front. Saying such things early in the morning...
Chen Jiaojiao had no choice but to discuss it with him in a low voice.
"I won't. I'll keep my word, I definitely won't go back on it."
"No. My trust in you is broken. What if I go in, and you run away or block me afterward..."
"Then what good will a video do? I'm not a public figure. Even if I run away, and you release it, we're not married, what can you do to me?"
"I can't do anything, but in my heart, it's a guarantee. Just tell me if you'll record it or not."
He placed his hand on the door handle, looking like he was about to jump out of the car. Chen Jiaojiao was about to go mad.
"I'll record it, I'll record it, alright?"
When they arrived at the TV station entrance, Chen Jiaojiao didn't get out, and Xiang Yang remained seated.
"What are you doing? Do you want me to escort you in?"
"Kiss me before you go."
Chen Jiaojiao had gone mad countless times, so one more time wouldn't hurt. The driver was waiting for payment, and she couldn't be made a spectacle of any longer. She could only peck him on the cheek, "Is that good enough?"
"What do you think? How did you kiss me every time I went out before?" Fine, she'd completely thrown her dignity away. "Is it good now?"
"Yes."
Xiang Yang got out of the car, satisfied.
"Then I'm leaving. From now on, every night when I get my phone, I'll call you. If you dare not answer, I'll come looking for you. I know where your shop is, so you can run, but you can't hide."
"If you dare to avoid me, I'll put up a banner outside your place, saying Chen Jiaojiao slept with..."
"Okay, okay, I get it, big brother. Hurry up and go!"
On the way back, Chen Jiaojiao was agitated and sent a message to Zhou Jinbei.
"Come out and chat for a bit."
Zhou Jinbei had just arrived at the CEO's office and was feeling bored.
"What for?"
"I've run into trouble."
"Hmm?"
Zhou Jinbei instantly imagined hundreds of possible troublesome scenarios in her mind. Then Chen Jiaojiao told her.
"Let me tell you a secret, and you're not allowed to tell anyone else."
"What secret? Are you trying to kill me with anticipation? Did you get into debt, or offend someone? Hurry up and tell me!"
"Can't you wish me well for once? Remember the person you asked me about yesterday?"
"Which one? The scumbag?"
"You could say that. Actually, you know that person too."
"I know him too? You're actually involved with someone around me? Who? Besides my second brother, it's Lu Mingzhe and Lu Qingxu. None of them are possible!"
"Then could it be... my brother? Your ex-boyfriend is my brother?"
"Don't flatter yourself. Who knows your brother? I'm talking about Xiang Yang, Xiang Wan's younger brother."
Zhou Jinbei was stunned for a good few seconds before replying.
"I need to take leave and come see you right now. Chen Jiaojiao, you're incredible. Every time you date someone, it always surprises me!"
"What exactly is going on? I have to hear it from you in person. Prepare some food and drinks, and wait for me!"
Early in the morning, when the other person was extremely vexed, she wanted to prepare food and drinks to gossip.
Chen Jiaojiao was also speechless at her.
The two agreed to meet at Chen Jiaojiao's place.
As soon as Zhou Jinbei arrived, she rushed over.
"What's going on, how did you two meet, how did you get together, tell me quickly!"
"You're too much of a bad friend, keeping such interesting things from me. Are we still sisters?"
Chen Jiaojiao said weakly, "Sister, think about my relationship with Lu Mingzhe, and his relationship with Lu Mingzhe... How can I possibly say it?"