Chapter 97 Update.

Chapter 97 Update.

Hao Jixin, reading the statement while drinking water, couldn't help but spit it out, choking and pounding on his chest, but quickly recovered.

Xie Qingfeng looked at him, "Are you okay?"

Hao Jixin glanced at his phone, then at Xie Qingfeng, and closed his eyes as he handed over the phone, "Master, you should see this for yourself."

He had expected Jing Yingdi to be bold, but not to this extent.

He didn’t even need to check the trending searches to know they must be exploding by now.

Jing Xi’s statement, though only one, spoke volumes.

The first part clearly stated he had no familiarity with Bi Yuxuan, warning against false rumors.

The second part was just short of directly accusing Bi Yuxuan of underhandedness, mocking the supposed 'important' item, which was just a script with notes, calling out the staged meeting and scandal for publicity, showing Bi Yuxuan's shamelessness.

The third part was a straightforward declaration of his own love, effectively outing himself.

The fourth and most explosive part was that after days of rumors about his comeback, Jing Xi chose to retire from the industry in a fit of anger for his male friend.

When Xie Qingfeng saw the statement on the phone, he was stunned for a long time, especially by the part that read, "I have someone I love." Holding the phone, he felt it grow warm in his hands.

This wasn’t the first time Jing Xi had openly declared his feelings, but previously, only Xie Qingfeng knew. Now, Jing Xi had told everyone... Xie Qingfeng couldn't quite define the emotions spreading within him.

But, inexplicably, he didn’t dislike it.

At the same time, Xie Qingfeng's own phone buzzed. He instinctively looked at it.

It was a message from Jing Xi, featuring an animated figure kneeling on the ground in front of the camera, with three words flashing beside it: "I was wrong."

This was followed by a voice message.

Xie Qingfeng glanced at Hao Jixin across him and converted the voice to text.

[Jing: I was wrong. I shouldn’t have taken it lightly. Don’t misunderstand, it won’t happen again.]

Thinking about the trending news, Xie Qingfeng felt quite good, but remembering the photo of the two of them together, he only replied with an "Oh."

Jing Xi, on the other side, was even more anxious but dared not disturb Xie Qingfeng further, feeling even more resentful towards Bi Yuxuan.

Meanwhile, Bi Yuxuan was seething as he watched the trending topics.

He had gained some fame from a drama a few years back and had leveraged his relationship as a friend from Jing Mianfeng's drama crew to gain popularity.

This had smoothed his path in the industry.

But as new talents emerged over the past two years, his popularity had begun to wane.

Outwardly glamorous, he had saved little money due to his extravagant lifestyle in recent years.

Desperate, he was caught off guard by Jing Mianfeng's sudden comeback and appointment as acting president.

He had inquired about Jing Mianfeng’s background, hearing that there was another hidden shareholder. Bi Yuxuan thought it was just a cover.

In his view, Jing Mianfeng just wanted to keep a low profile.

Bi Yuxuan, gritting his teeth, decided to falsely accuse Jing Mianfeng.

Having been photographed together, he was labeled as Jing Mianfeng's lover and rumored to be gay.

He planned to act as an uninformed, victimized party, expecting Jing Mianfeng to offer him resources out of guilt.

Even if that didn’t happen, he could still ride on Jing Mianfeng’s current popularity to gain some publicity.

Once he had milked enough attention, he would have his agent clarify that they were just friends, thus “cleansing” his own image.

However, he never expected that within an hour of the photos being leaked, Jing Mianfeng would issue such a straightforward statement.

Jing Mianfeng's statement was just short of accusing him of staging the photos to piggyback on his fame.

Had Jing Mianfeng only released the first few statements, Bi Yuxuan could have claimed it was all a misunderstanding and garnered sympathy from his fans, adamantly denying any involvement.

But Jing Mianfeng not only announced his retirement but also mentioned having someone he loves.

Jing Mianfeng’s fans were likely furious with him now.

Indeed, trembling, Bi Yuxuan opened his own Weibo to find a storm of outrage.

Pale-faced and deflated, he slumped in his chair: He had sabotaged himself.

Xie Qingfeng and Hao Jixin, after enjoying a lavish meal, returned to their hotel.

Although they were staying in the same hotel, Xie Qingfeng and Jing Xi were not on the same floor.

Xie Qingfeng took a shower first and then checked his phone, noticing it was already 9 p.m. The banquet would have ended by now.

Jing Xi usually would have sent a message by this time, but now his chat was still empty.

Xie Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss, and sent a message: [Where are you?]

Jing Xi’s chat indicated [typing...] for two or three minutes before he finally replied honestly: “On the way to the airport.”

He had planned to go back and explain everything personally to his national master, hoping to surprise him.

But feeling guilty, he hadn’t dared to send a message, only to find the national master had messaged him first.

Jing Xi felt both happy and uneasy, worried that the national master wouldn't let him return.

Indeed, Xie Qingfeng's next message came quickly: [Return to the hotel.]

Jing Xi wanted to pretend he didn’t see it; he was eager to see the national master.

Before Jing Xi could procrastinate on how to get the national master's agreement, Xie Qingfeng sent another message, this time a freshly taken picture.

It was of a room with a floor-to-ceiling window, outside of which the stars twinkled and the city lights glowed.

Jing Xi was taken aback: This wasn’t their home.

Looking again, he found the curtains vaguely familiar but wasn’t sure.

After another look, Jing Xi suddenly sat up straight in the back seat. Wasn’t this the hotel room he had checked into earlier? Even the view outside was the same!

"Liang Chenglei! Turn around at the next intersection and head back to the hotel!" Jing Xi realized a possibility, his voice unable to hide his joy.

Liang Chenglei’s hand on the steering wheel stiffened, “Big brother, how do you change your mind so quickly?”

It was he who had insisted on dragging Liang Chenglei to drive him to the airport.

And now he was the one changing his mind about returning to the hotel.

Jing Xi couldn’t help but boast, “Humph, I originally planned to go back and explain to Qingfeng, but who knew Qingfeng would come to find me.”

He had seen Xie Qingfeng’s schedule; there were classes tonight, so he thought the national master would only arrive tomorrow afternoon.

Who would have thought... he had come early.

Was it to surprise him?

Unfortunately, it was all ruined by that Bi whatever!

Maybe he could have had dinner with the national master.

Liang Chenglei’s eyes widened, “Would you dare to call him Qingfeng to his face?”

Jing Xi glanced at him and remained silent, obviously not daring to, but that didn’t stop him from savoring the name privately.

Liang Chenglei, after much effort, drove him back to the hotel, but as they parked in the underground parking lot, he suddenly remembered something and felt too guilty to get out of the car.

Before getting out of the car, Jing Xi noticed his expression, “What’s with that look on your face?”

Liang Chenglei chuckled nervously, “There’s good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?”

Jing Xi narrowed his eyes, “What’s the good news?”

Liang Chenglei covered his mouth and coughed twice, “Tomorrow’s Saturday, so you don’t have to go to the office. Happy about that?”

Jing Xi laughed in frustration, “I wasn’t supposed to go anyway. How is that good news?” He suspected the bad news was more significant, “Alright, what’s the bad news?”

Liang Chenglei touched his nose, “Thinking you would come back, I arranged a hotel closer to the office for you, so… I cancelled your previous room reservation.”

Jing Xi: …………

Liang Chenglei, on the verge of tears, hurriedly apologized, “I didn’t expect Mr. Xie to come. Given your current status, you need to frequently change hotels.”

He meant well, but his good intentions had backfired.

Jing Xi stared at him, then suddenly, thinking of something, slowly smiled, “No, you’re wrong.”

Liang Chenglei shivered, goosebumps all over, “Wh-what?” He wasn’t going to hit him, was he?

Jing Xi, before stepping out of the car, left with the words, “This is actually good news.”

Liang Chenglei thought, “That’s it, I’ve driven Jing Mianfeng insane.”

Jing Xi didn’t let Liang Chenglei escort him; he took his luggage from the trunk and waved him off.

Liang Chenglei, torn between staying and leaving, ultimately decided to flee, fearing future repercussions.

Xie Qingfeng had stopped checking his phone after replying at nine o’clock, until it buzzed at ten.

Xie Qingfeng guessed Jing Xi must have returned by now.

Xie Qingfeng was surprised when he opened the message.

Jing Xi had sent a photo of a man crouched in the corner of an underground parking lot, wrapped in a coat, wearing a hat and a mask, looking pitifully at the camera.

The only visible part, a pair of eyes, appeared innocent and pitiful.

This was followed by another message.

[Jing: National Master, Liang Chenglei carelessly canceled my room reservation. I’m homeless and can’t access the upper floors of the hotel.]

This hotel was chosen for its privacy, which was why Liang Chenglei had booked it for him.

Only guests of the hotel could access the elevators to the upper floors.

Xie Qingfeng, holding his card, went to the underground parking lot to pick up Jing Xi. When he arrived, Jing Xi was still crouched there, lifting his head at the sound, his eyes shining brightly in the dark.

Even though Xie Qingfeng knew Jing Xi was pretending to be pitiful, he couldn’t help but soften.

“Come with me,” he said, leading the way to the elevator.

Jing Xi followed, sighing, “I was about to rebook a room just now, but it requires a reservation a day in advance…”

As he spoke, he sneaked glances at Xie Qingfeng, waiting for him to say it's okay to stay in his room.

He was willing to sleep on the sofa!

Jing Xi kept talking, but Xie Qingfeng ahead seemed not to hear.

Once inside the elevator, Xie Qingfeng finally looked at Jing Xi, who had fallen silent, looking like he had something to say.

Xie Qingfeng almost laughed out loud, pretending to be oblivious as he removed his earplugs, “What did you say just now? I have an exam next week and was listening to a lecture, blocking out the noise.”

Jing Xi pursed his lips, shaking his head resignedly, “Nothing important.”

Xie Qingfeng made an acknowledging sound and reinserted his silent earplugs.

Jing Xi returned to the hotel with Xie Qingfeng and recounted the whole story while sitting on the sofa.

Xie Qingfeng nodded, “Indeed, we need to be careful in the future to prevent others from taking advantage.”

Jing Xi eagerly agreed, relieved that the National Teacher wasn’t angry with him.

On second thought, not being angry… was that really a good thing?

Jing Xi, making conversation, asked about this week’s school affairs, intending to prolong his stay. If it got late, the National Teacher might feel uncomfortable sending him away.

It was almost eleven o'clock when Xie Qingfeng yawned behind his hand, making Jing Xi tense up completely.

Standing up, Xie Qingfeng seemed to remember something and looked down at Jing Xi, who was still sitting obediently opposite him, "Oh right, it's getting late..."

Jing Xi thought: Here it comes, how will he subtly suggest staying over?

Xie Qingfeng continued, "I'm going to bed. There's a new quilt in the cabinet over there. You can sleep on the sofa. Remember to grab a pair before you sleep."

Jing Xi: ???

He suddenly realized something and stood up abruptly, "Can I stay over?"

Xie Qingfeng glanced at him, "Otherwise, why would I have gone down to bring you up? Just to reminisce?"

Jing Xi: ...So he had been worrying for nothing? Was the Grand Master planning to let him stay from the beginning?

Xie Qingfeng went straight back to his room, a mysterious smile curling on his lips as he closed the door.

His little schemes were all written on his face, did he really think they went unnoticed?