Deliberate Possession [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Don’t Kiss

Jiang Yumian planned to quietly ask Jing Xiaoyan about her identity. After all, she couldn’t guess “lovers” haphazardly, especially on a live broadcast. If she guessed wrong, her surprising remark would land her on the trending search again.

However, she still thought it was better for Jing Xiaoyan to wear her sunglasses now. That gaze made her feel uncomfortable, and her face felt hot, perhaps from the sun.

Perhaps seeing Jiang Yumian turn her head and raise her hand to touch her face, Jing Xiaoyan put her sunglasses back on.

She couldn’t push the person too hard. A bit of push and pull was good.

Lin Xi shook her head, tut-tutting, “Amazing, truly amazing.”

She wasn’t talking about the acting.

Luo Cheng nodded in agreement. “I’m impressed.”

Chu Qianyuan glanced at her leisurely, wondering why they were all so gullible.

Jiang Yumian also looked at Luo Cheng, as if seeing herself from last night. She had been equally impressed by Jing Xiaoyan’s acting then.

They reached an intersection, and soon someone called out to Jiang Yumian. The staff didn’t intervene.

“Xiaomian!”

Jiang Yumian looked over. It was a girl in a school uniform. Did she know her?

Ling Yisong, who hadn’t said much, pointed to the road sign not far ahead. “School ahead. Slow down.”

After he said that, the girl walked up to Jiang Yumian, acting very familiar, and said naturally, “Xiaomian, why are you still here? The homeroom teacher is waiting for you in the office.”

She then turned to Luo Cheng. “And Chengcheng, you and Xiaomian still have clean-up duty today. Wait for me, and we’ll do it together. Xiaomian has to go to the office first.”

Luo Cheng looked at the girl’s student ID—a very NPC-like name, Xiao Tan, the class monitor.

Luo Cheng opened her mouth and tentatively asked, “Class monitor?”

Xiao Tan uttered a confused “Hmm.” “Aren’t you leaving yet? You’ll be late if you don’t hurry.”

She paused, as if just noticing the two boys behind them. She took two steps back, and the person who was just friendly instantly showed disgust, her tone full of contempt and annoyance. “Why are you two still here? Hurry up and follow me!”

Ling Yisong and Xie Yunhuan exchanged glances. Their identities were high school seniors about to take the college entrance exam. In that case, this NPC should be their class monitor.

Xie Yunhuan quickly said, “Oh, oh,” remembered his character, quickly changed his expression, frowned, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and lifted his chin. “We’re going, we’re going. What’s with that look, tsk!”

Ling Yisong quickly got into character too. He pushed Luo Cheng and Jiang Yumian, his tone arrogant. “Go! Why are you standing there stunned? We’re not yelling at you, right?”

“You’re not scared of me, but she’s the class monitor after all.” His tone was utterly mocking, showing no sign of fear.

Xie Yunhuan lowered his eyes, a light bulb went off, and he also pushed Jiang Yumian’s back.

Jiang Yumian wanted to spit blood. Couldn’t they be gentler? Their acting was too realistic.

Xie Yunhuan patted Jiang Yumian’s shoulder again. “It’s bad enough that we sit behind you every day. Now you’re being slow-poke when walking, blocking the front?”

Ling Yisong raised an eyebrow, he understood.

He reached out to push Luo Cheng aside, impatiently saying, “Move, move, move!”

With that, the two “bros” walked forward with their hands in their pockets…

Luo Cheng and Jiang Yumian, who were squeezed to the side: “…”

Lu Zhi watched them grasp the pace perfectly, and her heart finally settled down. This was a live broadcast. Although it was just the prequel to the story, it was important. If they performed poorly, the show would be ruined.

The group continued walking towards the school.

Xiao Tan’s gaze returned to the other people. She tugged at Jiang Yumian. “Are these your parents? The old homeroom teacher asked you to call your parents, but it’s really nothing serious. Don’t be scared.”

Lin Xi quickly smiled. Her acting wasn’t great, so she nudged Su Mumu. It was quite enjoyable to watch the actors in close proximity.

Su Mumu nodded quickly. “Hello, student. I’m Xiaomian’s aunt, and this is her mother.”

Jiang Yumian’s attention was on Xiao Tan. She saw the class monitor glance at Chu Qianyuan a few times, then look back at her, looking like she wanted to say something but held back. Finally, she pursed her lips and said nothing.

It felt like she had already asked too much and was too embarrassed to ask about her personal matters, so she refrained.

However, only Jing Xiaoyan on the side was thoroughly ignored.

Jiang Yumian frowned, looking at the person wearing sunglasses. Why was that?

But judging from what Xiao Tan just said, Luo Cheng and the two boys should be her classmates.

Jiang Yumian gently patted Luo Cheng. Seeing that Xiao Tan wasn’t looking at them, she leaned close to Luo Cheng’s ear and whispered, “Are we classmates?”

Luo Cheng paused, then nodded. “Not entirely right.”

Jiang Yumian took a light breath, replaying the conversation between Ling Yisong and Xie Yunhuan. They said she and Luo Cheng sat in front of them every day…

She pondered for a moment, then finally asked, “You’re my deskmate, right?”

Luo Cheng nodded vigorously, almost moved to tears.

Jiang Yumian looked at the two people in front, pointed, and asked, “Then they are the ones sitting behind me?”

Luo Cheng nodded again. So this was why the four of them had maintained this formation the whole way—they were just waiting for a chance to act out a scene.

Jiang Yumian let out a huge sigh of relief. This was too easy to guess. But she still hadn’t figured out Chu Qianyuan and Jing Xiaoyan’s identities.

But Jing Xiaoyan…

Jiang Yumian looked down slightly. She probably knew, but even knowing, she didn’t dare to ask.

When they arrived at the school, Xiao Tan was about to lead Luo Cheng and the three others to the classroom. Su Mumu reacted quickly and pulled her back.

“Oh, Class Monitor Xiao Tan, please show us where the homeroom teacher’s office is.”

“The third room on the second floor of the north building, Math Group,” Xiao Tan said, glancing at Chu Qianyuan, then frowning. “Just let Xiaomian take you there. She knows the way.”

Jiang Yumian withdrew her gaze from Xiao Tan’s face. Did she misjudge?

She seemed to recognize Chu Qianyuan, and she didn’t seem to like her.

When they arrived in front of the office, the door was open. There was only one female teacher inside, looking to be in her forties or fifties.

Lin Xi knocked on the door, and the person inside quickly looked over.

“Please come in!”

As soon as the group entered, the person inside quickly stood up, put on a warm, friendly smile, and greeted them enthusiastically. “You must be Xiaomian’s parents. Come and sit down quickly. I’ll pour you some tea.”

Su Mumu quickly waved her hands, very politely. “Thank you, thank you, no need, Teacher. It’s too much trouble.”

The homeroom teacher said it was no trouble, and then pulled Chu Qianyuan’s arm, leading her over to them. “Aiy, since you all came in together, you must already know. I’m retiring soon. Little Chu will be helping me teach them from now on.”

Jiang Yumian looked at Chu Qianyuan. “My new homeroom teacher?”

Chu Qianyuan raised an eyebrow and nodded. She had been wondering how to act this out. She hadn’t expected Lu Zhi to arrange a school for them.

It was the weekend, so the school was empty, and their presence wouldn’t affect the students’ studies.

The homeroom teacher poured them tea, sat down again, smiled as she looked at Jiang Yumian, and then suddenly sighed. “Xiaomian is the only student in our class who is repeating the year. I know you’re also worried about her situation in school. The college entrance exam is only a few months away. Getting anxious at this time, and changing homeroom teachers, can affect students. But I really have something going on at home and have no choice but to let Teacher Chu take over. Teacher Chu’s ability is top-notch in our school, so you can rest assured.”

She suddenly stopped speaking, turned, and took a paper from her desk. It was Jiang Xiaomian’s exam results. Except for Math, all the subjects were failing.

“Aiy, take a look. Her score last year was enough for a first-tier university, but now it’s like this. I don’t know if there’s a problem at home, or if there’s a problem with my teaching. Sigh… She only puts effort into the Math exam, which is taught by Teacher Chu.”

Chu Qianyuan twitched her mouth. Good, good, good. No wonder her role was to be super complimentary—a homeroom teacher who loved to praise and was especially good to Jiang Xiaomian. So, this Jiang Xiaomian only studies diligently for whoever praises her and is good to her?

Lin Xi’s eyelids twitched. Besides Math at 134, all the other scores were steadily around 70. One might think she was deliberately controlling her scores.

Her initial mission card was different from Su Mumu’s. Jiang Xiaomian wasn’t just simply silly and sweet in her eyes, but a smart, obedient, and considerate precious daughter. This must be written from the perspective of each person.

It was unclear how the others described her.

But her “obedient girl” seemed quite rebellious?

Jiang Yumian was also curious, but she generally knew that the person opposite was a teacher. She felt an inherent pressure and stood honestly in place, not daring to utter a sound. She secretly glanced at Jing Xiaoyan, who was standing quietly beside her. It seemed like the matter didn’t concern either of them.

She only had Jing Xiaoyan’s identity left to figure out.

Jing Xiaoyan had removed her sunglasses when she entered. At this moment, she also turned her head and blinked a smile at Jiang Yumian.

Jiang Yumian quickly turned her head away. Her smile was quite beautiful…

This person—Jiang Yumian wasn’t sure if she was truly “professional” or using this opportunity to vent her suppressed feelings. Jiang Yumian fiddled with her fingers. Fine, she’d indulge her for one day.

Outside the office, Luo Cheng and Ling Yisong peeked in, secretly listening to the conversation. Xie Yunhuan held a rag, occasionally wiping the wall tiles.

Now, only Jing Xiaoyan’s identity hadn’t been guessed. They were anxious.

This situation was within Lu Zhi’s expectations. The others’ identities weren’t difficult. Whether she guessed them or not, Lu Zhi could still help by having the NPC assist. Only Jing Xiaoyan’s identity was the key.

The main attraction she wanted had always been Jing Xiaoyan. Judging by the comments, the reactions were also good; everyone was extremely anxious.

Lin Xi and Su Mumu were bowing and scraping inside, repeatedly promising to talk properly with Jiang Xiaomian when they got home. Only then did the homeroom teacher allow Chu Qianyuan to see them out and let them leave.

After meeting up with the people outside, having acted the whole way, they could finally take a breather.

Jing Xiaoyan suddenly tugged at Jiang Yumian’s sleeve. “I need to use the restroom. Wanna come?”

Jiang Yumian looked at the people around her. The others tacitly kept quiet, some looking at the sky, some at the ground.

Let Jing Xiaoyan perform. Whether they could leave depended entirely on Jing Xiaoyan.

Jiang Yumian thought for a moment and nodded.

However, the two of them didn’t head towards the restroom. Knowing Jing Xiaoyan was about to perform, the camera crew followed.

Jiang Yumian glanced at her, walked to the corner, and tugged at the hand they were holding. “Um, are we… in that kind of relationship?”

As soon as this question was asked, Lu Zhi’s heart leaped. The comments section was also cheering, with many people nervously excited.

Jing Xiaoyan smiled, knowing what she was asking and that Jiang Yumian had guessed it when she said that line. But she didn’t nod or admit it. She just pulled Jiang Yumian and walked into the corner.

The corner was a bit dim. Besides the two of them and the camera crew, no one else was coming over.

The atmosphere became strange.

Although the camera was there, Jiang Yumian couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t bear the way Jing Xiaoyan looked at her—truly without reservation.

Standing face to face, Jing Xiaoyan subtly licked her lips, tugged Jiang Yumian’s arm, and pulled her closer.

“Perhaps my actions aren’t obvious enough. I’ll do this once, and you boldly say whatever comes to mind.”

Jiang Yumian’s heart tightened. She looked at the camera in a panic, her red lips trembling slightly. It was too close. Jing Xiaoyan was gripping her tightly.

She felt Jing Xiaoyan was about to do something extraordinary.

Jing Xiaoyan took a light breath, then suddenly reached out and hugged Jiang Yumian tightly, pulling her into her embrace. Her face was calm, but her heart was pounding.

She looked down, her gaze intense, focusing intently on Jiang Yumian’s red lips, leaning closer little by little. Anyone could tell what she was about to do.

A familiar scent entered her nostrils. Jiang Yumian held her breath in shock. The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet. Her throat fluttered, and she felt like she could hear her own heartbeat.

Lu Zhi, in front of the monitor, was so startled she immediately stood up. How could she have imagined that Jing Xiaoyan, who had only been doing small, innocuous gestures, would suddenly go all out!

A thousand wild horses were galloping in her mind. They mustn’t kiss! This couldn’t be broadcast! It really couldn’t!

If they kissed, the live broadcast would be ruined again!

Jiang Yumian quickly spoke up. “I! I know! Lovers! Lovers!”

Jing Xiaoyan instantly pulled back. The emotion in her eyes and the expression on her face were wiped clean in an instant, as if nothing had happened.

She gave a thumbs-up. “Yes, that’s very clever.”

The light in Jiang Yumian’s eyes flickered. She swallowed hard, not daring to look at Jing Xiaoyan.

She was frightened by the way Jing Xiaoyan looked at her exactly the same as when she kissed her last night.

Lu Zhi was also terribly shaken. Although she was daring enough to film it, her heart was also pounding with anxiety! If those two had really kissed, the live stream would have definitely been blocked.

But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, the live stream screen suddenly went black. It wasn’t blocked; it just crashed again…

She internally roared: Jing! Xiao! Yan!

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