Song Xi and Xiao Mo exchanged a glance, both stepping forward in perfect unison. They crouched by the door. Xiao Mo cupped her ear, listening for any sound outside, while Song Xi peered through the peephole.
Song Xi saw a young woman, dressed plainly with her hair tied in a ponytail, hurrying out of the room opposite theirs. She was carrying a bag.
“Who lives across the hall?” Song Xi asked.
“Another female artist here for the talk show, her name is… Leng Xiao Bing,” Xiao Mo replied.
Song Xi found the name unfamiliar.
“She’s quite popular on Douyin lately, a网红. She used to make short videos and was discovered by a director. Her first web drama just launched a few days ago and the viewership is great, trending on several hot searches!”
“I see.”
Song Xi didn't use Douyin. She only checked Weibo if it was related to her, and never browsed it aimlessly. Every time she logged in, she would see messages of abuse in her private messages, and Song Xi didn't want to make herself miserable.
That girl was probably Leng Xiao Bing's assistant.
She stood in the hallway, looking helpless and rather pathetic.
Song Xi felt a pang of sympathy but wasn't sure how to directly invite her in.
After much thought, Song Xi said, “Go and help her get another room. I’ll pay for it.”
“Sis, you’re too kind.”
“What, are we supposed to let her sleep in the hallway in the middle of the night?”
“I’ll go right now!”
Xiao Mo opened the door and walked out. She approached the young woman, and after some exchange, the girl hesitated before shaking her head.
It seemed she was unwilling.
Xiao Mo glanced back, then spoke again, “Come on, you don’t need to pay. It’s not good if you catch a cold outside, and it might get passed on to your boss.”
Hearing this, the girl showed a hint of emotion, but ultimately did not agree. She choked out, “Sister Bing needs someone to stay with her when she sleeps. I can’t leave. It’s okay, I’m used to it. Thank you. What’s your name?”
“Xiao Mo.”
“Hello, I’m Jing Jing.”
Seeing her so stubborn, Xiao Mo couldn’t say more.
“Then wait a moment, I’ll get you a blanket so you don’t catch a cold.”
Xiao Mo turned and went back into the room.
Song Xi frowned and asked, “She’s not willing?”
Xiao Mo nodded and explained the reason. Song Xi scoffed and sat on the sofa. “Is she a child? She needs someone to guard her while she sleeps? It’s not even summer yet. If she stays in the hallway all night, she’ll definitely get sick.”
Xiao Mo rummaged through the cabinet and found a blanket.
Song Xi glanced at it and said, “What good is such a thin blanket?”
Xiao Mo looked lost, “Then what should we do?”
As an assistant herself, Xiao Mo deeply empathized. If she hadn't met Song Xi, she might have been forced to sleep in the hallway too. That's why she wanted to help Jing Jing.
Song Xi looked at her big, shining eyes and sighed helplessly. “Ask her if she minds sleeping on the sofa.”
“Sister Song Xi, you’re so good!” Xiao Mo pecked Song Xi on the cheek and then hurried out the door again.
Song Xi shook her head dotingly.
With Xiao Mo’s persistent kindness, Jing Jing finally agreed.
The young girl was shy and didn't dare to step further inside, lingering at the doorway.
Finally, Xiao Mo gave her a gentle push from behind, and Jing Jing stumbled into the room. When she saw Song Xi sitting on the sofa, she was startled.
She hadn't expected Xiao Mo to be Song Xi's assistant! She thought they were both serving influencers.
Song Xi remained calm and said to Jing Jing, “Relax, we’re all girls.”
“Sister Song Xi is very kind. Don’t be afraid. It’s close to your boss’s room, so you’ll hear if there’s any movement,” Xiao Mo added.
Jing Jing was overwhelmed with gratitude, stammering, “Th-thank you, Sister Song Xi!”
Song Xi smiled gently, warm and approachable. She was nothing like Leng Xiao Bing, who, after becoming famous, would constantly scold, criticize, and find fault with Jing Jing, making her life miserable. She had even considered quitting several times, but with her low education, she couldn't find any other work.
Jing Jing had assumed all artists were like that, but seeing Song Xi today, she realized she was wrong.
Song Xi went to take a shower, and Xiao Mo took out extra blankets and pillows from the cabinet.
“No, no, I can do it myself!” Jing Jing said.
“Alright then.” Xiao Mo handed them over and said, “Make do with it for tonight. You’ll be fine after the recording tomorrow. Here are disposable toiletries, and oh, there’s some food. Are you hungry?”
Jing Jing waved her hands frantically, “No, I’m not hungry!”
She felt she had already troubled them so much, she couldn’t possibly eat their food.
Just as she finished speaking, her stomach let out a loud growl.
Jing Jing’s face turned red with embarrassment.
Xiao Mo laughed, “You say you’re not hungry, but your stomach tells a different story. I’m hungry too. I’ll go make some instant noodles.”
Jing Jing looked towards the bathroom hesitantly, “Doesn’t Song Xi want any?”
“Sister Song Xi doesn't like instant noodles, and she said she’s gained weight recently and needs to lose some.”
Gained weight!? Where? She was so thin!
Jing Jing’s voice became tense, “Then if she’s dieting, why can you eat?”
Xiao Mo looked puzzled, “Why can’t I eat? Does your boss not allow it?”
Jing Jing nodded, “She said she’s dieting, so I have to join her. If I secretly eat something, she’ll scold me…”
“What kind of person is that!”
Just then, the bathroom door opened.
Song Xi emerged, wrapped in a loose bathrobe, her curves hinted at beneath the fabric. She crossed her arms and said coldly, “Losing weight is about self-discipline. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”