Edge of A Burning Kiss - Chapter 27

The moment Xia Jin opened the car’s back door, she was met with a towering stack of documents piled on the seat.

Song Qianrou, who was driving, turned her head and flashed a mischievous grin. “Surprise! Things are usually quiet, but the moment you take a day off, bam! Everything piles up at once.”

Xia Jin pinched the bridge of her nose, flipped open the topmost file, and dropped a bombshell: “It wasn’t Chen Zeyu who saved me during the car accident last time.”

Song Qianrou’s grip on the steering wheel jerked violently, she nearly slammed the accelerator instead of the brake!

“What?! I couldn’t even dig that up, how did you find out? If it wasn’t Chen Zeyu, then who was it?”

Xia Jin replied calmly, “Qin Yu.”

Song Qianrou sucked in a sharp breath, rendered speechless for a long moment.

Qin Yu? That CEO Qin from Lelai?!

Had Xia Jin misspoken? Shouldn’t it have been Qin Yu who hit her with the car? How could he possibly be the one who saved her?!

Ignoring her shock, Xia Jin continued, “Don’t bother questioning Chen Zeyu. That man won’t give you a straight answer. Just use Qin Yu’s name to pressure him into explaining what really happened.”

Her eyes turned colder, her tone decisive and unyielding. “Get the full story. And as for those resources he’s been getting, the ones way above his pay grade, strip them all. Give him only what he’s actually entitled to.”

“Consider the extra resources he’s received so far as compensation for his emotional distress and hush money. This matter ends here. I don’t want to pursue it further, nor do I have the energy.”

Xia Jin exhaled softly, a hint of exhaustion in her voice.

Song Qianrou steadied herself and nodded quickly. “Understood. I’ll handle it right away.”

Xia Jin gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment and picked up the tablet beside her, opening the file for Almost Lovers.

For this show, Lelai had submitted two A-list male celebrities: Chen Suihe and Ke Yun along with Qin Yu, making three in total.

Her fingers glided across the screen. Song Qianrou’s proposed plan was to pair two of Stellar Cube’s B-list actresses, Jiang Qingli and Xu Lingqing, with Lelai’s two male leads for promotional CP marketing, with Xia Jin rounding out the lineup.

Song Qianrou had arranged it well, not only were these pairings highly popular, but aside from the guest pair from Yihe, all the male leads were from Lelai and the female leads from Stellar Cube.

This setup would maximize buzz, ensuring the highest possible ratings and explosive discussions.

Song Qianrou spoke up, “Yihe hasn’t sent their proposed list yet.”

Xia Jin nodded, her fingers still scrolling, her tone indifferent. “It’s fine. No need to ask. I already have a good idea who it’ll be.”

Song Qianrou paused for a few seconds, as if suddenly realizing something, and said in disbelief, “Huh? It can’t be…”

“Right. It’s almost certainly Xia Zhixue and Ye Tiyan.”

Song Qianrou stole a glance at Xia Jin through the rearview mirror, worried she might take the news badly.

Noticing the gaze, Xia Jin looked up and smiled. “Don’t worry. This time, I won’t be alone on the show.”

Song Qianrou pressed, “What do you mean?”

Xia Jin only smiled without answering.

After all, wasn’t it just about flaunting affection? She doubted Xia Zhixue would be able to keep her composure once she saw Qin Yu and Xia Jin playing a couple.

Let’s see who outlasts whom.

Then, without warning, Xia Jin snapped the file in her hands shut and fixed Song Qianrou with an intense stare, leaving her utterly bewildered.

The two fell into a long silence until Xia Jin suddenly asked with a serious expression, “Do you have to be single to join a dating show?”

Song Qianrou was even more confused. “Are you worried some celebrity might reveal a relationship?”

“Oh, that’s not it.”

Xia Jin didn’t have the heart to say that she might be the one revealing a relationship.

…

The car stopped in front of an upscale residential building.

This was where Xia Jin had rented an apartment for Song Zhijian, a nice, quiet place.

As soon as the door opened, Xiao Zhi, her eyes red and brimming with anxiety, rushed forward.

“Sister Jin! You’re finally here! Teacher Song refuses to go to the hospital!”

Xia Jin reached out and gently patted the girl’s head to comfort her. “Don’t worry, let me check on him.”

She stepped past Xiao Zhi and headed straight for the bedroom.

The bedroom door wasn’t fully closed. Inside, it was a mess, sketches scattered everywhere on the floor, the desk, and the bed. The curtains were tightly drawn, leaving only the dim glow of a desk lamp.

Song Zhijian was slumped in his chair, his face pale and lips colorless, stubbornly clutching a paintbrush as he continued sketching.

Hearing the door open, he didn’t look up, assuming it was Xiao Zhi again. His voice was hoarse and impatient from illness.

“I told you to leave! I’m fine! Just let me finish this one-”

His words trailed off as he instinctively glanced up and saw Xia Jin standing in the doorway.

He froze.

Xia Jin’s face was expressionless, her thoughts unreadable.

One hand braced against the doorframe, she bent down to slip off her high heels, then carefully stepped barefoot around the sketches strewn across the floor, careful not to tread on any.

Song Zhijian pressed his lips together as he watched her walk straight to his side, looking down at him from above. For a moment, he was dazed.

She’s so beautiful.

He couldn’t help the thought. This qipao had been designed specifically for her face and figure, and today, he finally saw it on her in person.

Xia Jin took a deep breath then did something no one expected.

Slap!

She raised her hand and struck Song Zhijian across the face.

His head snapped to the side, the previously bloodless cheek now flushed red.

“Xiao Jin…”

Song Zhijian inhaled the faint fragrance from her palm, his Adam’s apple bobbing involuntarily.

Xia Jin ignored him, simply reaching over to firmly pluck the paintbrush from his grip.

She set it down lightly on the desk with a soft click.

Then, her cool fingers pressed against his forehead.

Burning hot.

Sure enough, he had a fever.

Xia Jin sighed softly.

This kid, stubborn as a mule. Just like she used to be.

Song Zhijian opened his mouth, ready to explain, maybe “It’s just a mild fever, nothing serious” or “I really will rest after finishing this sketch.”

But Xia Jin gave him no chance to speak.

She bent down, wrapped an arm around his waist, thinner than usual from illness and effortlessly, unyieldingly, pulled him onto the bed.

Her movements were swift, even carrying a hint of domineering finality.

Song Zhijian: “…”

Dazed by the sudden action, he instinctively tried to struggle, only to find he had no strength left.

With a “whoosh,” Xia Jin yanked the blanket over and tucked it tightly around him, leaving only his head exposed.

Looking down at him from above, she uttered just two simple, straightforward words.

“Go to sleep.”

Then, she took out her phone and swiftly sent Xiao Zhi a WeChat red packet with a message:

[Go buy some fever medicine and breakfast from the pharmacy downstairs, then you can take a paid day off and go home.]