Chapter 74

Xia Xi rolled around awkwardly on her bed. Just thinking about the silly way she naturally acted whenever she encountered Lu Yisheng made her want to die of embarrassment.
She really didn’t want to appear so foolish every time she saw Lu Yisheng, nor did she want to be led around by him all the time. But it seemed there was no way around it, the moment she laid eyes on him, her brain stopped functioning properly. Her heart and eyes were filled only with him, and all she wanted was to be with him. No matter where they were or what difficulties they faced, everything felt sweet!
There was no doubt that Xia Xi liked Lu Yisheng. But even though she liked him so much, she had no idea what she should do.
Because in both her past life and this one, she had never felt such emotions for a man before. She was a complete novice when it came to love.
During this period, Xia Xi felt a bit confused and anxious deep down, but she was also somewhat happy.
After all, it indirectly proved that she was indeed attracted to men, unlike what many fans in her past life had speculated, that Xia Xi was destined to be alone forever.

"Xia Xi, have you made up your mind? Are you really sure you want to perform 'Once Again We Met' in the next episode?" Early in the morning, right after the recording of the second episode of "Cross-Border Singing Joy," Xia Xi rushed back to Zhang Lixin’s studio and shared her thoughts with him.
She hoped to perform this song as soon as possible.
Zhang Lixin furrowed his brow as he looked at Xia Xi, still hoping she would change her mind. He advised, "Xia Xi, although you've made rapid progress in singing recently, singing is something that requires long-term accumulation and can't be mastered overnight. 'Once Again We Met' is actually a very difficult song to perform. Choosing to sing it in the next episode might not allow you to deliver it well. But if you spend more time honing your skills, you'll undoubtedly interpret this song much better."
"But teacher, I don’t have time," Xia Xi replied. Though his words caused a slight waver in her heart, she quickly suppressed the thought. Shaking her head, she insisted firmly, "Teacher, I still want to perform your song 'Once Again We Met' in the next episode. I want this song to reach the public as soon as possible."
Reach the public as soon as possible?
Hearing this, Zhang Lixin’s frown deepened. He pressed his lips together and said, "Xia Xi, this isn’t like you. Since when have you become so impatient?"
"I’m sorry, teacher. I might be letting you down, but I truly want to perform 'Once Again We Met' in the next episode. I want to become famous faster!" Xia Xi bit her lip. "I know you must be wondering why I’m rushing to perform this song, but I really can’t tell you. All I can do is practice this piece over and over again, striving to deliver it as perfectly as possible next time."
Seeing the determination in Xia Xi’s eyes, Zhang Lixin finally sighed and waved his hand in resignation. "Fine, fine. Do as you wish. Just remember to practice this song diligently and make sure everyone remembers it next time."
"Don’t worry, teacher. I will!"
Time flew by quickly. As Xia Xi devoted herself to practicing "Once Again We Met," the recording date for Cross-Border Singing Joy drew nearer. Despite having practiced for so long and having memorized the song and dance steps thoroughly, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from her performance.
But what exactly was it?
She couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Xia Xi had been frowning with worry for days.
Da He, who had come to visit her in her free time, found her in this state, standing alone by the railing, lost in thought.
"Xia Xi, what’s on your mind?" Da He walked over to her, noticing her drenched clothes. Smiling affectionately, he handed her a towel. After Xia Xi took it, he pulled out his phone from his left pocket and showed it to her. "Xia Xi, did you check your phone this morning? Lu Yisheng has messaged me several times asking about you. Just now, Lu Yisheng’s agent called me saying he needs to talk to you. Give him a call back and see what it’s about."
"Lu Yisheng?"
Xia Xi was momentarily dazed upon hearing that name. She had been so busy lately that she hadn't contacted God Lu at all. Taking the phone from Da He, she pursed her lips, unable to quite describe the feeling in her heart, though it was certainly more surprise and sweetness than anything else.
She tightened her grip on the phone, let out a soft sigh, and slowly raised her arm. After hesitating for a few seconds over the familiar number, she pressed the call button.
"Hello?" The voice on the other end belonged to Lu Yisheng's agent, tinged with a hint of confusion.
"Hi, this is Xia Xi. I'm looking for, I'm looking for Lu Yisheng."
"Xia Xi!" The agent's voice carried a barely noticeable excitement. "You're looking for Lu Yisheng, right? Just a moment, he'll be right here!"
Right here,
Xia Xi instinctively touched her nose, glanced down at the floor, and silently took a few steps forward, her anxiety growing with each passing moment.
"Xia Xi, it's been a while, since we last saw each other." After what felt like an eternity, a magnetic voice finally came through the phone. "How have you been lately?"
"I'm great! I've been working hard on my singing and dancing. It's been tough and exhausting, but working toward my goals makes me really happy!"
"Is that so?" Hearing the excitement in Xia Xi's voice, Lu Yisheng's mood lifted as well. He chuckled softly and said, "Xia Xi, the reason I called today is to tell you that I'm also going to be on Cross-Border Singing Joy."
On Cross-Border Singing Joy?
Xia Xi was taken aback by his words, momentarily unable to process them. She asked in confusion, "How, how come you're joining this show too?"
Could it be that he wants to be with me?
"I want to be on the show with you. I want to walk the path ahead with you." Lu Yisheng's voice was captivating, his words intoxicating. "Xia Xi, I've missed you."
"R-really?" Xia Xi pressed her lips together, her eyes brimming with joy. Her voice was soft as she replied, "I've missed you too."
After hanging up, Xia Xi looked up and immediately caught Da He's disdainful expression. She blinked at him cheerfully and handed the phone back. "Here, I'm done with it."
"Oh my god, Xia Xi. Wipe that silly grin off your face, you look ridiculous." Da He took the phone from her, stuffed it back into his pocket, and grumbled, "Someone should really give you a mirror so you can see how absurd your expression is right now."
“...” Xia Xi turned her head away proudly, completely ignoring Da He's teasing. Her current mood was so good that she couldn't be bothered to engage with him.
Perhaps it was precisely because she hadn't seen Lu Yisheng during this time that Xia Xi realized just how much she liked him. So much so that even a single phone call from him could make her this happy.
"But, Xia Xi, I do have a question for you now."
"Ask away." Still completely immersed in her joyful mood, Xia Xi failed to notice the obvious mischief in Da He's tone.
"I clearly didn't tell you which number was Lu Yisheng's just now, yet you dialed the correct one directly. How, why is that?" Da He's eyes carried a hint of teasing. "Could it be that you've already memorized Lu Yisheng's number so thoroughly that you didn't even need to think? I feel like there's something going on between you two."
"Ahem, ahem," Xia Xi choked on Da He's question, coughing awkwardly a few times. After organizing her thoughts for a moment, she replied, "Da He, you're overthinking it. Since there are only a few numbers in your call history, I just made a reasonable deduction to figure out which one was Lu Yisheng's."
"Is that so?" The expression on Da He's face clearly showed disbelief. He chuckled lightly and said, "If there's nothing between you and Lu Yisheng, why did you blush when I merely mentioned it?"
"I really don't know what you're talking about." Xia Xi lightly patted Da He's shoulder and awkwardly ruffled her own hair. "Let's not discuss this anymore; it's too boring."
Too boring?
Da He didn't find the topic boring at all. Inside, he was already burning with the flames of gossip, eager to know just how far things had progressed between her and Lu Yisheng.
However, it seemed Xia Xi wasn't going to reveal another word to him.
But he really wanted to know.
Because of this matter, Da He's inner thoughts were so rich and vivid, while Xia Xi remained completely unaware, uninformed, and clueless. Even if she had known, her first reaction would likely have been one of bewilderment, because she had already explained to Da He that there was truly nothing between her and Lu Yisheng.
But clearly, Da He didn't believe it. Whether or not there was anything between Xia Xi and Lu Yisheng at the moment, it was obvious that both had some fondness for each other, so Da He felt it was only a matter of time before things developed.
Moreover, even if the two of them weren't taking any action, Da He had decided to do his utmost to bring them together, to make their relationship progress by leaps and bounds, as if riding a rocket.
As for that annoying Luo Chu'an, he could just go wherever it was cool and stay there.
Thinking this, Da He narrowed his eyes and gave Xia Xi a once-over. He had originally wanted to ask her about Luo Chu'an, but seeing her cheerful expression, he wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.
No need to bring up that scumbag for no reason and add to her sadness. Her current state was just fine.
Speaking of which, when it came to having feelings for Lu Yisheng, Xia Xi couldn't deny it, she truly liked him a lot, really, really liked him.
She didn't know when it had happened, but she had already grown so fond of Lu Yisheng!
In her previous life, Xia Xi had been a workaholic. By her early thirties, she had already filmed 27 movies and 11 TV series, working all year round with almost no breaks. As a result, she had no time for romance, nor any interest in it. But unexpectedly, in this world, she had met someone like Lu Yisheng.
Sometimes we can't help but marvel at how magical fate can be, always arriving so suddenly, catching us off guard and plunging us into love, into blindness!
We start overthinking, nervously wondering if the other person likes us as much as we like them!
Some might say that overthinking leads to excessive anxiety, and sometimes that anxiety can push things in a worse direction.
Of course, that argument isn't wrong, but we aren't Xia Xi. We haven't lived through her past experiences, and we certainly can't feel the unease in her heart. That's why we can maintain a calm perspective and speak so lightly about it. If you were in Xia Xi's shoes, could you do any better?
The answer is unknown.