Chapter 20

"Should I thank you for scheming against me while pretending to care? Or thank you for hurting me and then tossing me a few pitiful crumbs?" Xia Xi sneered, the mockery in her eyes deepening. "Your actions are both contradictory and ridiculous."
"Originally, you broke up with me because you fell out of love. The breakdown of a relationship is a shared responsibility, I understood that, and I was willing to step aside for you and Lin Wei." Xia Xi narrowed her eyes. "I can even understand you using me to clear Lin Wei’s name. After all, she’s the one who holds your heart, and everyone else pales in comparison."
She paused briefly before continuing, "But trying to justify your motives to me is completely unnecessary. First, if you’ve done it, there’s no need to hide it. Second, to me, you’re nothing but a stranger now. There’s absolutely no need for you to explain yourself. You see, you're always so self-righteous, doing meaningless things under the guise of caring for me."
Hearing Xia Xi's piercing words, Luo Chu'an's face gradually paled. He realized he had once again done something incredibly foolish. His original intention had never been this, yet the outcome always ended up diametrically opposed.
"Xia Xi"
Luo Chu'an had wanted to say something more to Xia Xi, but a sudden ringtone interrupted his next words. He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket, frowned slightly at the name displayed, glanced at Xia Xi, hesitated for a moment, and finally answered the call.
"Lin Wei, yes, don't worry, I've already talked with them, It's fine,"
Xia Xi watched Luo Chu'an's gentle, affectionate expression with a faint, mocking smile. She tugged at Da He, who was standing beside her with a deeply furrowed brow, and said to him in a weary voice, "Da He, let's go."
Without waiting to see how reluctant Da He's expression was, she simply dragged him away.
Luo Chu'an stood rooted to the spot, watching Xia Xi's retreating figure. A bitter taste spread in his mouth as he stared intently in the direction they had left. Not a single word of retention could escape his lips.
His girlfriend was still talking on the phone, but he couldn't hear a word. Luo Chu'an realized that with Xia Xi gone, something inside him seemed to have shattered.
Things between them shouldn't have turned out this way.

On the way back to the hotel.
Xia Xi lightly tapped the edge of the car window with her fingers. The sound wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible in the car. Anyone familiar with her would know this was her subconscious habit when deep in thought.
Da He, while driving, stole a glance at Xia Xi and said in a muffled voice, "Xia Xi, if you're sad, just cry. It's just the two of us in the car. I've seen you in all sorts of states, I won't judge you."
"Why would I cry when I'm not sad?" Xia Xi looked amusedly at Da He's cautious expression, pursed her lips, and said very seriously, "Luo Chu'an is nothing but a stranger to me."
"Really?" Da He's tone was filled with obvious disbelief.
"Truer than pearls." Xia Xi found it somewhat funny. "Why don't you believe me?"
Da He sighed helplessly. "It's not that I don't believe you. You've heard the story of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf,' right? The problem is you've told me this many times before, but in the end, you always forgave that scumbag. With so many precedents, how can I believe you now?"
"Alright." Xia Xi's memories of the original host were fragmented. She understood the major aspects, but trivial matters like these left no impression on her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall them, the older the memory, the fainter it became.
"Still, your attitude toward Luo Chu'an today makes me a bit more inclined to believe you. In the past, whenever that scumbag showed a troubled expression, you'd forgive him immediately. Today, you actually talked back, not bad." Da He's expression relaxed slightly as he spoke. "Seeing that scumbag's face earlier felt incredibly satisfying."
Xia Xi gave a helpless smile at Da He's words, though her brows remained furrowed. "Da He, from now on, just treat Luo Chu'an like a stranger. Don’t think about beating him up to vent your anger for me. And you should really tone down that temper of yours. You’re not a teenager anymore, at your age, picking fights could seriously strain your back."
Da He was left speechless for a moment before he turned his head and glared at her. "You ungrateful little thing! Who do you think I’m doing this for? Besides, I’m only 25, still young and full of energy. Why do you make it sound like I’m some old man in his seventies or eighties?"
Xia Xi was instantly amused by his tsundere expression and chuckled softly. "I know you’re doing it for me, but fighting can lead to injuries. Don’t make me worry."
"Damn, Xia Xi, that line was so smooth." Da He froze for a few seconds, then stared at her as if she were a ghost. "Are you really Xia Xi? Did Luo Chu'an mess you up so badly that you’re not acting like yourself? You’re supposed to be a delicate, easy-to-tease cute girl, since when did you become so dominant?"
“...”
Xia Xi gave him a resigned look, not wanting to continue the conversation. She had a feeling Da He was deliberately trying to cheer her up today, so she quietly changed the subject. "Da He, what should we eat later?"
At the mention of food, Da He perked up, immediately forgetting his earlier confusion. "Now that you mention it, I’m actually getting hungry. What do you feel like having?"
"How about…"
Just as Xia Xi and Da He were happily discussing what and where to eat for lunch, a phone call made the decision for them: Fang Zichen had invited Da He to a meal at Lanfeng Garden.
Fang Zichen was quite an unusual person. Despite being a successful businessman, he had chosen to enter the entertainment industry as a singer. He only released one album or single a year, yet his songs consistently ranked in the top three on domestic and international charts, truly impressive. Along with Lu Yisheng and Luo Chu'an, he was hailed as one of the entertainment industry’s "Three Heartthrobs" due to his striking good looks.
For someone like him, whom other celebrities would jump at the chance to talk to, to personally invite Da He for a meal?
So when Xia Xi heard Fang Zichen’s name, she was utterly astonished. "Da He, you actually have connections with a big shot like Fang Zichen?"
"Not really that close," Da He replied, his eyes flickering slightly. "We just knew each other as kids."
"Childhood sweethearts, huh?" Xia Xi’s curiosity was instantly ignited, her previously furrowed brows smoothing out as her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Come on, spill the details!"
"What’s with that look, There’s really nothing between us. We just went to school together for a while when we were younger." Da He sighed helplessly. "If you keep this up, I won’t take you with me later."
"Wait, wait, wait! I haven’t had a chance to admire a big shot up close yet. Fang Zichen is the most mysterious figure in the entertainment industry. Take me with you, you have to take me with you!"
"I find it strange, Lu Yisheng is also a big shot, but I’ve never seen you get so excited about him." Da He chuckled lightly, noticing the sparkle in Xia Xi’s eyes at the mention of Fang Zichen, and asked curiously.
"Singing prodigies are different. Singing is really hard."
“...”
Da He was puzzled by Xia Xi’s response but didn’t dwell on it further. The car continued toward Lanfeng Garden.
As they drew closer to their destination, Da He couldn’t help but grow increasingly nervous.
Truth be told, he had decided from the start to bring Xia Xi along to meet Fang Zichen. He wasn’t sure why Fang Zichen wanted to see him, and facing him together with Xia Xi seemed far easier than going alone.