Chapter 87: The Idol Afraid of Insects

"Cut! That's a wrap! Prepare for the next scene."

Bai Chenxi watched as Tang Ziyu, upon hearing the director's call, stood up with a blank expression and got ready to leave. This didn’t seem right—she hadn’t tried to overshadow my performance, just cooperated so smoothly. Could it be that she’s finally been triggered by Jiang Jize, that blockhead, and decided to let him go for good?

Considering Jiang Jize’s bizarre antics all day, it wasn’t impossible. Tang Ziyu, so sharp and independent, couldn’t possibly hang onto Jiang Jize, the crooked tree, forever. She should just let go and live freely—that’s truly her style!

Bai Chenxi wanted to explain something, but Tang Ziyu had already turned away and left as soon as the scene ended. It didn’t feel right to chase after her, especially since the topic wouldn’t be pleasant. If things were handled poorly, rumors of discord would flare up again.

She glanced sideways at Meng Ling, who eyed her like a predator, and at Xia Yan, who dodged her faster than a monkey. Was she really here for filming? It felt more like a survival challenge.

When shooting wrapped up, Bai Chenxi was about to leave but remembered she’d forgotten her phone.

"You all wait a moment, I need to grab my phone," she called. Xiaoyu wanted to say she’d fetch it, but Bai Chenxi had already rushed off.

As she reached the makeup room door, she heard music playing inside. Bai Chenxi gently pushed the door—it opened.

It was Xia Yan, practicing his dance, completely absorbed and oblivious to Bai Chenxi’s presence.

Say what you will, though the kid was a bit standoffish, his dancing was genuinely impressive.

"So cool!" Bai Chenxi blurted out her thoughts as she watched. Xia Yan heard her and looked over, frowning when he saw it was Bai Chenxi.

"What are you doing here?" Xia Yan’s words were blunt—he might as well have written his suspicion across his face.

Bai Chenxi comforted herself: Don’t get angry, don’t get angry. He must have traded emotional intelligence for looks, can’t blame him.

She walked in and explained, "I just came to get my phone. You were so focused on dancing, I didn’t want to disturb you."

She pointed across the room at her phone on the table. "See, my phone’s right over there."

She closed the door behind her as she spoke, intending to walk over and grab it.

"Don’t," Xia Yan suddenly shouted, holding his forehead as if life had lost all meaning.

Bai Chenxi froze mid-step, feeling as though she’d just stepped on a landmine.

"What’s wrong?"

Xia Yan glanced up at her, wearing the expression of someone unwilling to converse with a fool.

Bai Chenxi fetched her phone and waved it in front of him. "I really am just here for my phone."

Xia Yan remained silent, and Bai Chenxi stopped bothering him.

"I’m leaving," she announced, twisting the door handle, but it wouldn’t budge. She’d hoped to walk out with flair, proving to Xia Yan he was overthinking things.

Ugh! Bai Chenxi pressed her face against the door, mortified. She turned and pleaded with Xia Yan, "Um, I can’t open it."

Xia Yan replied coldly, "Do you think I can?"

Stubbornness flared in Bai Chenxi. What, I have to rely on you? Back in the day, I changed light bulbs one-handed, carried water buckets—what haven’t I done? No way I’d be defeated by a mere door handle.

She turned back, continuing to wrestle with it. Xia Yan watched her in silence—was she really clueless or just pretending?

"This door’s broken. It won’t open," Xia Yan said, stopping Bai Chenxi’s struggle.

"How do you know?"

"You dare ask? There’s a huge sign on the door—you didn’t see it?" Xia Yan felt he was about to lose his mind.

Was there really a sign? Bai Chenxi thought back—she’d only noticed the dancing, not any writing on the door.

She scratched her head, embarrassed. "Sorry!"

Seeing her phone, she brightened. "I’ll call Xiaoyu and have her come open the door. It’s fine—communication is so easy now, we won’t be...trapped..."

Bai Chenxi almost wanted to cry, "My phone’s dead."

"Didn’t you say communication was so easy?" Xia Yan mocked, unceremoniously. He picked up his own phone, his expression stiffening, then dialed with a quick, practiced motion.

As soon as the call connected, Xia Yan’s face darkened.

Bai Chenxi watched from the side. "No one answered?"

Xia Yan hid his phone away, unfazed. "Mm, no one answered."

Bai Chenxi tried to reassure him, "It’s fine. If my assistant doesn’t find me soon, she’ll come looking."

"And mine will too," Xia Yan added.

Bai Chenxi chuckled awkwardly, "See? We won’t be stuck here. Just wait a bit."

Xia Yan said nothing more, and the two of them sat on opposite sides of the room. It was as though a galaxy stretched between them.

Bai Chenxi lay bored across the table. Why was it taking so long? Xiaoyu, have you forgotten your sister already?

Xia Yan appeared calm, but his mind was restless. Was Bai Chenxi doing this on purpose, or was it accidental? Had he walked into her trap? Just to be safe, it was best to keep his distance.

The thought had barely formed when he looked down and spotted a bug crawling by. Instinctively, Xia Yan moved closer to Bai Chenxi.

He grabbed her shoulder, panicking. "Centipede, centipede, get it away!"

"What? Centipede? How could there be a centipede here?"

"There is, there is, right over there," Xia Yan pointed to his former spot.

Bai Chenxi started to step forward, but Xia Yan yanked her back forcefully. "Where are you going?"

He’d completely forgotten about keeping distance—no way was he letting go now. After all, she was the only living, breathing person nearby.

Bai Chenxi rolled her eyes. "Come on, I have to deal with your so-called centipede. Looking at you, I can’t count on you to handle it."

Xia Yan let go, immediately hopping onto the table. Bai Chenxi shook her head—how could someone his age be so scared of bugs? The dancing aura she’d seen earlier was almost shattered.

She walked over and nearly burst out laughing. "Xia Yan, this is your centipede? It’s just a tiny bug."

Xia Yan shrieked, "It’s got so many legs! How should I know? Just kill it!"

Bai Chenxi stepped on it lightly and called out, "Hey! It ran over here!" Hearing this, Xia Yan pulled his feet up onto the table and grabbed Bai Chenxi tightly.

Bai Chenxi felt she might be squeezed in two—was he really that terrified? Maybe she’d gone a bit too far with her prank. She didn’t even dare admit she was teasing him, fearing he might crush her outright.

She patted his arm, which was locked around her. "Alright, alright, I squashed it. It’s gone now."

It took Xia Yan a long moment to loosen his grip, still shaken. Bai Chenxi was left gasping for air—she really felt as though she’d barely escaped with her life.

After hesitating, Bai Chenxi finally spoke, somewhat embarrassed, "Hey, could you maybe come down now? You’re over six feet tall—the makeup table can barely hold you!"

What she didn’t say was: Seeing a guy your size curled up on a makeup table—well, the image is...quite indescribable!