Chapter 96/97: Tying Her Shoelaces Under the Public Gaze

Translator: 549690339

Xia Yangyang felt Gu Qi Chen had made his comments for her to hear. When Chen Yu noticed her intense gaze, he waved a hand in front of her face. “You’re not going to become infatuated with him like those other women, are you? Is his face really prettier than mine?”

Xia Yangyang snapped back to reality. Her instinct told her to leave immediately. She quickly gathered her things and started to go, but Gu Qi Chen was surrounded by a crowd near the doorway. She squeezed through a narrow gap at the edge, her head down, murmuring, “Excuse me… excuse me…”

Escaping the shooting room took a while. Relieved, she thought, as long as she quickly disappeared from Gu Qi Chen’s sight, she’d be safe. Don’t see me… Don’t see me… Don’t see me… she repeated softly.

“Miss Xia.” A low, clear male voice startled her. Her heart fluttered. Feeling as if nailed to the spot, she stopped and turned, plastering a submissive smile on her face. “President Gu, did you call me?”

She hadn’t done anything wrong, but Gu Qi Chen’s presence always unnerved her; it felt like she’d betrayed him.

Everyone’s eyes fell on Xia Yangyang. She felt the women’s cold, piercing gazes like daggers. Gu Qi Chen approached slowly and steadily, his presence accelerating her heartbeat. She couldn't predict his intentions. Even Chen Yu stood nearby, looking thoughtful. Master Gu, please stop causing trouble for me! she silently pleaded.

Seeing Gu Qi Chen stop, she hurried to say, “President Gu, if you don’t need anything, I must go.” She subtly gritted her teeth, a nonverbal plea for distance. But he ignored her expression, a gentle smile spreading across his face—a smile that felt like a hidden knife.

As she anticipated, he said, “Miss Xia, your shoelaces are undone.”

Startled, Xia Yangyang looked down. She’d changed into off-screen clothes and shoes—a pair of sports shoes she hadn't laced properly. Before she could react, Gu Qi Chen knelt, tying her shoelaces.

Xia Yangyang was stunned. Everyone’s jaws dropped. Gu Qi Chen was actually tying her shoelaces! His kneeling posture was dashing, making the women’s hearts skip a beat.

Dumbfounded, Xia Yangyang feared nothing more than Gu Qi Chen's public familiarity. Kneeling to tie her shoelaces felt like going too far. Gu Qi Chen, do you want me drowned in everyone’s spite?

Mortified, she froze. Having tied her shoelaces, Gu Qi Chen stood, still smiling gently. “Miss Xia, be more careful next time.” He turned and walked away.

Those three words, “be more careful,” sent a chill down her spine. She sensed a hidden meaning. But to others, it appeared as doting, fueling their jealousy.