Chapter 43: 43: Heroes Don't Ask for Origins, Keys Don't Ask Where They Come From
Xu Qingyan also got startled and thought to herself, Sister, aren't you overreacting? I was just testing the waters with my words.
"Actually, I really want to partner with you, but I'm afraid negative comments would affect you."
She turned sideways, leaning against the door, her eyes slightly downcast.
"Hmm."
He wasn't affected by Pei Muchan's indifferent attitude; the fact that she responded meant she wasn't very angry.
Being angry with a friend is different from being angry with a lover.
"Since you don't care about that, then I apologize. It was presumptuous of me. I'm not good with words, and I may have been lacking in my manners. I hope you'll give me another chance."
"I really like being with a friend like you. I was attracted from the first glance, and it feels very comfortable to be around you."
Sincerity is a killer move, one true word outweighs ten false ones.
Pei Muchan slowly turned her head, glanced at Xu Qingyan, blinked rapidly twice but didn't speak immediately. It took about half a minute before she finally said something.
"Really?"
"Absolutely. Last night at the bar, when I came in, it felt like I could only see you."
"Why?" Her body had already moved away from the doorframe.
"I like older, slightly more mature types of big sisters," Xu Qingyan said frankly, "When I saw you for the first time, I thought being friends with you might be very enjoyable."
"And now?"
"Well, that depends on whether you're asking about the impression from before or now," Xu Qingyan said, fearing that the camera crew would come down and start asking questions, so he began to make small talk.
"Is there a difference?"
"There's a big difference. You, come in first, sit down and I'll tell you slowly." Xu Qingyan gently tugged on the chain, and Pei Muchan struggled only slightly before following him inside.
There was no romantic atmosphere. Xu Qingyan pulled the silver chain to its longest extent to make it easier for them to move around inside the room.
"You haven't said yet." She removed the elastic band from her hair, letting it down with a slight curl. Her hair was tucked behind her ear, her expression seeming somewhat nonchalant.
"I think you look a bit prettier now than just a moment ago, perhaps because you're not angry," Xu Qingyan said, immediately beginning to flatter her once he achieved his goal.
"What kind of difference is that?" Pei Muchan gave him a look but didn't get angry.
"Of course, there's a difference... Today's shooting is over," Xu Qingyan said, crouching in front of his suitcase fishing for a change of clothes, glancing at his phone without lifting his head.
"Will you be going out later?"
"What's up?" She looked at Xu Qingyan, puzzled.
Actually, it was a WeChat message from the director Chen Fufeng; he didn't want to lie, so he straightforwardly said,
"Staff sent me a message asking if we want to show up in the living room later, to chat with the audience."
"Is it mandatory?" She lay in the sofa, her eyebrows and eyes showing fatigue.
"No, I don't want to go, so I was asking for your opinion." Xu Qingyan had already taken out his toiletries, clearly not wanting to go downstairs.
"No."
"That's great." Xu Qingyan looked relieved, thinking to himself that he was finally off work.
This program was broadcast live 24 hours, but the guests were not required to face the cameras all the time; there was a live streaming room downstairs in the living room. If they wanted to chat with the audience, they just had to go downstairs.
This was also a form of exposure that was good for both the guests and the audience, a win-win situation.
But Xu Qingyan was not titillated by this, with a fixed salary, he thought that doing his job was enough. As for Pei Muchan, she wasn't lacking exposure.
"Are you planning to take a shower?" Pei Muchan tilted her head and glanced at him, her eyes full of puzzlement.
He was just about to answer when he suddenly realized that with the chain on, there was no way to take off his shirt, unless he decided not to change today, which he found somewhat unacceptable.
"No, we need to figure out how to get this chain off."
"How can we open it? The kitchen knife is downstairs; we'll have to go down," Pei Muchan said as she sat on the edge of the sofa, her eyebrows slightly furrowed in thought.
"Going downstairs would get us photographed, and the sound of a knife cutting a silver chain is too loud, it would alert the others." He outright rejected Pei Muchan's suggestion.
"So what do we do?" Pei Muchan slumped into the sofa with a thump, looking up at the white ceiling, "Xu Qingyan, do you know the Bone Shrinking Skill?"
"This is not the time for jokes," Xu Qingyan began pacing the living room, "After such a tiring day, I can't stand not taking a shower."
"Same here," she echoed, "do you have any good ideas?"
Their tones had become more subdued. Having known each other for a day and a half, they had exchanged and adjusted through several interactions, finally finding a way to get along harmoniously.
From being somewhat strangers to recognizing a mutual friend, to now having tentatively become friends.
The relationship had progressed undeniably fast, but on closer inspection, it seemed they had also experienced a handful of things together. They couldn't be considered old friends, but it was a proper, well-acquainted relationship.
"I've got an idea, but you have to promise not to tell anyone," Xu Qingyan stopped walking and turned to look at her.
Pei Muchan hesitated for a moment, then nodded her head.
About twenty minutes later, Xu Qingyan, who had been reclining in bed browsing his phone, suddenly sat up straight, then with a curious look from Pei Muchan, he scurried to the window.
The automatic curtains slowly unfurled, and the window was pushed open outward.
The seaside night wind gushed in, the entire seaside town was soaked in a gentle blue night. The street lamps along the road weren't very bright.
The area by the window was dark, and a buzzing sound could be faintly heard. He reached out, grabbing for something outside, but this was the second floor!
Then, he turned his body, back against the window, and in his hand appeared a small, golden-yellow object.
A key!
In that instant, her CPU almost fried.
"Where did the key come from?"
"Heroes don't ask about origins, keys don't ask where they come from; just think of it as a wild key," Xu Qingyan said tossing the key, looking pleased with himself.
"Did the director give it to you?"
"How could that be possible, I said stop asking," Xu Qingyan had already unlocked his own chain, moving closer to her as he spoke.
The key deftly entered the keyhole, and with a soft click, the chain opened in response.
"Can I go take a shower first?" she asked.
"By all means."
The seaside villa had high standards. Xu Qingyan hadn't visited the rooms of other guests, but the one he stayed in was spacious, with the reception living room completely separate from the guest room.
The guest room also had a small living area, similar to a normal hotel room, with two large beds against the wall. The TV could be raised and lowered, and appliances, even the water cups, were all brand new.
The only downside was the lack of a balcony, only a semi-open sea view window.
With the room lights dim, the sound of rustling from the bathroom indeed could easily lead to wandering thoughts. Even Xu Qingyan, with his strong will, couldn't help but have a few more stray thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to commit the utterly conscienceless act of starting a game of King's Glory.