CH 48.2

(Transitioning back to the World Studio, where Ji Xinxin has just left the set after being informed that Ji Fanyin is a co-founder of a studio and her script is in the midst of being filmed)

Ji Xinxin’s body slowly slid down the wall and slumped onto the ground, curling into a ball. Her mind was in utter chaos, as if someone had mashed it all up. It took her a while before she gradually regained her rationality. 

It’s too late for regrets. It wouldn’t make a difference at this point. I should think of a way to deal with the situation instead while ‘Ji Fanyin’ is still unaware that her cover is already blown.

Ji Xinxin massaged her temples before slowly rising back to her feet. She took out her phone and checked it. 

There was a notification informing her of an unanswered call from Cen Xiangyang. Swiping off the notification, she tapped into her WeChat and sent Cen Xiangyang a message telling him that she suddenly had urgent business to attend to and couldn’t meet him anymore. 

Despite her pale complexion, the message she crafted looked adorable and innocent. It would have been hard for anyone to hold a grudge against her.

After sending out the message, Ji Xinxin put away her phone and began making her way out of the World Studio.

Before I go on my three dates on Christmas, I need to confirm the situation with Ji Fanyin first. 

Ji Xinxin hailed a cab and returned home. When she walked into the Ji Residence, her face looked so dispirited that it alarmed Father Ji and Mother Ji. They anxiously asked, “Xinxin, what’s wrong? Who bullied you?”

“I’m fine,” Ji Xinxin tried to pull herself together and smiled. “… Do you know where big sis is living?”

“How are we supposed to know where she lives? She doesn’t even pick up calls from us anymore!” grumbled Mother Ji angrily. “ Aren’t you in contact with your big sis? You can ask her yourself.”

“Mm…” Ji Xinxin’s eyes drooped a little. “I’ll ask big sis then.”

She headed back to her room, picked up her phone, and tapped into Ji Fanyin’s contact. Her finger was already floating above the ‘Call’ button, but she wasn’t able to find the courage to press it.

If… If she’s really the other Ji Fanyin, wouldn’t everything I’m doing look no more than child’s play in front of her?

Such thoughts grew stronger and stronger in Ji Xinxin’s mind, crescendoing in her ears. 

Taking in a deep breath, she picked up her phone with a maddened look on her face and smashed it on the wall, producing a loud ‘bam’ sound. 

But that wasn’t enough to placate Ji XInxin’s anger. She angrily hammered down on her pillow for a long time before a sliver of rationality finally pulled her back.

Calm down. I have to calm down.

Even if she’s the ‘Ji Fanyin’ from my dreams, she wouldn’t know that I’ve seen her in my dreams. This is… the leverage I have over her. 

… 

On the day of Christmas Eve, Ji Fanyin decided to prepare a feast for herself. 

She put on a thick layer of clothing, cotton socks, and a pair of snow boots in preparation for the journey to the closest supermarket to buy some ingredients, fruits, and wine. 

Ah, I need to restock on the holy elixir of shut-ins too, cola. I should also catch that new movie that’s hitting the theaters today, Ji Fanyin thought joyfully to herself.

But the moment she opened her door, she was welcomed by a cold draft.

“…”

She headed back in and grabbed a cashmere scarf, which she used to cover an entire half of her face. 

“Winter sure is terrifying,” murmured Ji Fanyin under her breath as she left her house with yesterday’s trash.

There was a shopping mall located within walking distance from Ji Fanyin’s home. The movie theater was located on the highest level, and there was a Hema Supermarket in the basement. That was all she asked for in a shopping mall. 

After catching her movie, she made her way toward the lift lobby, so as to travel down to the basement floor. Yet, when the lift finally arrived and the doors opened, she found herself coming face to face with Ji Xinxin and Song Shiyu.