"I... I need to step out for a moment," Tao Qingyu said abruptly, rising from the lounge.
Song Xi looked confused. "What's wrong with him?"
Mi Xuan replied, "Maybe he's going to the restroom."
Song Xi nodded, but a few seconds later, Leng Xiaobing also got up and left.
Mi Xuan's expression faltered. "What is she doing? Is she planning to harass Tao Qingyu again?"
It wasn't an impossible scenario.
Without a second thought, Mi Xuan stood up. "I'll go see."
Fearing something might happen, Song Xi followed, and also asked Xiao Mo to contact the staff.
Tao Qingyu had merely intended to clear his head when he suddenly heard movement behind him. He turned to see Leng Xiaobing.
Before today, Tao Qingyu hadn't known her. Her previous behavior had left him with a poor first impression, and in this crowded place, he instinctively wanted to avoid her. However, Leng Xiaobing suddenly said something that made Tao Qingyu freeze on the spot.
"You like Song Xi."
Her tone was absolute. Tao Qingyu's heart skipped a beat.
He had hidden it for so long; how had she figured it out!
To his surprise, Leng Xiaobing was incredibly observant. She spoke with confidence, "Ever since you walked in, your eyes have been fixed on Song Xi. And you carefully put the candy she gave you in your pocket. What else could that be but liking her?"
Tao Qingyu regained his composure and feigned calmness. "Please don't make things up."
"I'm making things up? Fine, let's say I am." She shrugged, but her expression clearly indicated she wasn't letting it go.
Tao Qingyu found this woman calculating and didn't want to stay with her. Partly because he feared she'd see through him again, he quickly walked away.
Watching his flustered retreat, Leng Xiaobing became even more certain of her guess.
When Mi Xuan arrived, she saw Tao Qingyu approaching. His face was grim. Mi Xuan asked him what was wrong, but he denied anything was amiss. Yet, he didn't look like someone who was fine.
Tao Qingyu had been her student once. Leng Xiaobing couldn't just act recklessly just because she had a sponsor backing her!
Now, the old scores and new ones would be settled together!
Seeing Leng Xiaobing, Mi Xuan raised her hand to slap her again. But this time, Leng Xiaobing dodged it.
"Mi Xuan, are you bored lately? Have you gone crazy? Hitting people at the slightest provocation. Do you believe I'll tell Sister Wang!"
Sister Wang was their agent, but she had already abandoned Mi Xuan.
Mi Xuan sneered. "Go ahead, what do I have to fear now that I'm already like this!"
Leng Xiaobing scoffed. "So you've given up completely and want to drag someone down with you. Let me tell you, that's impossible! My career is just beginning! Do you think I'd end up like you? Your current state is entirely your own doing! You can't blame anyone else; you just didn't seize your opportunities!"
"Opportunities?" Mi Xuan found it utterly ridiculous. "Serving a dozen men in one night, and you still think you're something special?"
Leng Xiaobing's face showed a flicker of distress, but it was gone in an instant.
She approached Mi Xuan, her demeanor undiminished, and gritted her teeth. "Serving one, what's the difference with serving a dozen? You're so self-righteous, that's why you're so unbalanced now. Do you think you're still the same as you were? If it weren't for Song Xi, do you think Tao Qingyu would even greet you? Wake up. He's interested in Song Xi, that's why he bothered speaking a few words to you. You really think you're someone."
Mi Xuan's face turned pale.
Leng Xiaobing smugly stroked her cheek. "Senior Mi Xuan, it's best to have some self-awareness. Otherwise, you'll lose all face."
...
By the time Song Xi found Mi Xuan, both Tao Qingyu and Leng Xiaobing were gone.
Mi Xuan was huddled in a corner, curled into a ball.
Song Xi paused, unsure whether to approach. She knew Mi Xuan would want to be alone at a time like this, but she was also worried. After a few seconds of hesitation, Song Xi walked over.
"Mi Xuan."
Her voice was soft and gentle.
Mi Xuan took a deep breath, holding back tears in her eyes.
"Mm," she replied, looking up and pretending everything was fine. "What is it?"
Song Xi saw her reddened eyes and didn't dare to ask directly. Instead, she said, "The recording is about to start, let's go."
She reached out to take Mi Xuan's hand, but Mi Xuan ignored her.
Mi Xuan's face turned cold, and she suddenly asked, "Song Xi, am I a failure?"
"No..."
Before Song Xi could utter her denial, Mi Xuan interrupted her. "I know you've never considered me a friend."
"Mi Xuan."
Mi Xuan walked away angrily, leaving Song Xi standing there, at a loss.
Not far away, Leng Xiaobing, who had been secretly watching this scene unfold, smirked with satisfaction.