After their eyes met for a few seconds, Bian Li snapped out of it first, quickly averting her gaze. Her movements were abrupt, almost flustered, as she shifted her focus elsewhere.
He Yunxing, on the other hand, turned his head slowly, his expression unreadable. His eyes rested casually on the distance as if the fleeting interaction had never happened.
But Bian Li wasn’t fooled. She remembered the teasing glint in his eyes from just moments ago and felt a wave of annoyance wash over her. Muttering to herself, she lowered her head, opting to mimic an ostrich and pretend she didn’t exist.
The other two girls were equally caught off guard by the unexpected moment. For a while, silence blanketed both balconies, as neither side seemed willing to break it.
From inside the opposite room, Ning Xuechu turned on the light, stepping onto the balcony with ease. Seeing the tall figure of He Yunxing leaning against the railing, he smirked. “What are you doing out here, boss? Standing on the balcony all alone—are you feeling melancholic?”
He Yunxing didn’t bother looking at him and lazily replied, “Why are you in my room?”
Ignoring his tone, Ning Xuechu sniffed the air theatrically and said, “I came to deliver news. Brother Li just mentioned that a few small gigs were turned down, and we need to prepare for the company’s Christmas single and national tour. Since you never check your phone, I’m here to remind you.”
He Yunxing half-lifted his eyelids, giving a faint nod in acknowledgment.
With their current fame and status, opportunities were never in short supply. Their company carefully managed their schedule, turning down unnecessary engagements. Just their endorsements and annual concert tours brought in massive revenue for the company, and Ace was undoubtedly their star act.
But Ning Xuechu’s attention was still fixated elsewhere. He sniffed the air again and frowned. “Hold up… why does your balcony smell like barbecue?”
As he spoke, he leaned casually against the balcony railing, running a hand over it as though testing its durability. “Wow, this railing is surprisingly solid. Sturdy too.”
His gaze drifted across the gap to the balcony opposite. With a teasing tone, he added, “You know, boss, this setup is a bit unsafe. If your neighbor catches sight of your face, they might scale the railing and sneak into your room in the middle of the—”
Ning Xuechu abruptly stopped, choking on his words. “What the—?”
His eyes locked on three figures half-squatting on the opposite balcony, bundled up in thick coats. For a moment, he thought he was hallucinating.
“Little… Junior Sisters?” he blurted out, bewildered.
Ruan Xiangyi recovered first, clearing her throat awkwardly. “Hello, Senior. What a coincidence. What a huge coincidence.”
Ning Xuechu rubbed his eyes, confirming that he wasn’t imagining things. “You… live next door?”
The three girls nodded in unison, their movements oddly synchronized.
Ning Xuechu hesitated, glancing at He Yunxing, who remained silent, before turning back to the trio. He had the distinct feeling he was missing something important.
“Hehe, happy neighbors,” he said awkwardly, a formal smile plastered across his face. It was as if he hadn’t been the one joking about late-night attacks just moments earlier.
Bian Li, feeling a strange sense of obligation, hesitated for a moment before offering a skewer. “Senior, would you like some barbecue?”
Before Ning Xuechu could respond, she grabbed another skewer and, after a quick glance at He Yunxing, timidly held it out in his direction. Her cautious movements made her look like a little squirrel offering its hoard.
Ning Xuechu chuckled at her earnest expression, debating whether to accept the food. After a moment, he finally took one of the skewers with a small nod.
At that exact moment, He Yunxing turned on his heel and started walking back into the room.
“Boss, you sure you don’t want one? Fatty Sister gave me an extra,” Ning Xuechu called out teasingly.
He Yunxing didn’t even pause. His cold, indifferent voice floated back through the glass door. “No need.”
Bian Li froze, her grip tightening on the skewer she had prepared for him. She barely registered his words—her focus had been completely derailed by something else.
‘Fatty Sister?’ she repeated to herself, incredulous. Her annoyance returned in full force, sparking a fire in her chest.
Fatty is different from Fatty! Sister! Sister! It’s far from it, okay!
Bian Li was fuming with anger but tried to stay composed. Unable to suppress her irritation, she finally said, “Senior, my name is Bian Li, not Fatty Sister.”
Ning Xuechu chuckled mischievously. “Of course, I know. Who’s calling you Fatty Sister?”
Bian Li: …
—
Yi Qian Entertainment’s annual Christmas single was always a spectacle, meticulously prepared months in advance as a token of gratitude to fans.
As the leading entertainment company, Yi Qian carried an aura of mystique in the eyes of fans. Its prominence stemmed not only from its award-winning actors and actresses but also from Ace, its crown jewel boy band that consistently dominated the industry.
This year was no exception. The Christmas single’s grandeur was elevated further by He Yunxing’s involvement as the lyricist and composer—a detail that had already sent fans into a frenzy.
Gemini, the rising girl group, was set to collaborate with Ace for the first time on this project. Last year, their involvement had been minimal due to their then-nascent fame. Now, with their popularity soaring, this collaboration was a strategic move to amplify their visibility.
The company spared no expense on the practice room for Ace, a spacious, sunlit space equipped with the finest amenities. Upon entering, Bian Li was struck by the grandeur. “Wow, this is amazing,” she whispered, glancing at the towering cityscape visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Meanwhile, Da Xiong and Brother Li were exchanging pleasantries with Ace’s managers, leaving their artists to fend for themselves.
Ning Xuechu noticed Gemini’s arrival and waved enthusiastically. “You’re here! We’ll start soon.”
As Bian Li and her group approached, Ruan Xiangyi’s leadership instincts kicked in. She surveyed the room and asked, “Is everyone here yet?”
Ning Xuechu chuckled. “The captain’s still in the studio. He’ll join us for the MV shoot later.”
He Yunxing, Ace’s captain, was notorious for his elusive nature. With a personal studio under the company, he often disappeared for days, entirely consumed by his creative process.
Ruan Xiangyi nodded knowingly. “Ah, I see. Well, it’s a lyrical song, so there’s not much choreography anyway.”
While Ruan Xiangyi made conversation, Bian Li and Ying Xuelai were curiously exploring the room. Ning Xuechu beckoned them over with a playful smirk.
“Senior, are we starting soon?” Bian Li asked, her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ning Xuechu was instantly charmed. “Why call me ‘senior’? That feels so distant. Just call me Brother Ning.”
Bian Li hesitated, waving her hands. “That wouldn’t be appropriate…” She imagined the uproar their fans would cause if they heard her calling him that.
Ning Xuechu remained persistent. “It’s fine! We’re all family here. Go ahead and call me Brother Ning.”
After a moment’s thought, Bian Li nodded reluctantly, conceding.
Ruan Xiangyi, observing this exchange, crossed her arms and quipped, “Brother Ning? Seriously? You’re making our sister call you that now?”
Ning Xuechu grinned. “Hey, aren’t you calling me that too?”
The atmosphere lightened with their playful banter.
Suddenly, a sneer came from behind Ruan Xiangyi.
She turned around to find He Xuyi leisurely gazing at her, his expression unreadable. At some point, he had raised his head, silently observing their interaction.
He stood up and walked forward, his tone calm but commanding. “Practice.”
—
The Christmas song practice lasted two days and concluded smoothly. Both teams were seasoned performers, and their rehearsals showcased seamless cooperation.
Afterward, they shifted to the intensive MV filming schedule. But since practice ended early, Bian Li took the chance to enjoy half a day of rest.
With filming scheduled for the following day, the three girls stayed in their dorm and napped through the afternoon.
Bian Li woke first. Quietly slipping on her slippers, she shuffled to the kitchen, only to discover that the yogurt in the refrigerator was gone, leaving only an empty shelf.
She checked the kitchen cabinet drawers and found a few packs of soft candies. Looking at the closed doors of her sleeping roommates, she decided to head to the supermarket herself.
Their dormitory was located in a high-end community known for its privacy, a necessity for celebrities. A newly opened imported supermarket nearby made grocery shopping convenient and discreet.
However, the downside was the distance. The supermarket was at the far end of the community, requiring a long walk to reach.
Bian Li chose a pure white wool plush hoodie to wear, its design featuring bunny ears on the hood. She put it on, adjusting the slightly crooked ears until they stood up properly.
Not wanting to disturb her roommates, she slipped out quietly. She arrived at the elevator and pressed the button to go down.
Just then, the door of the neighboring unit opened, and the rustling sound of footsteps drew her attention.
Ning Xuechu was the first to notice her and exclaimed, “Fei Fei, are you heading out too?”
Bian Li turned to him, a polite smile on her lips. “Good afternoon, Brother Ning.”
Her gaze shifted to He Xuyi, and she greeted him obediently, “Hello, Brother He.”
He Xuyi gave a faint nod, humming softly in acknowledgment.
When she thought the encounter was over, her eyes landed on He Yunxing stepping out last.
Startled, she immediately straightened up and greeted him with extra respect. “Hello… Senior.”
Flustered, she quickly turned away, avoiding eye contact.
He Yunxing arched a brow at her reaction, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
The four of them stepped into the elevator together. Bian Li moved to the farthest corner, facing the wall as if attempting to blend into the background.
Ning Xuechu chuckled. “We’re not big bad wolves—what are you hiding from?”
Bian Li pouted, her voice muffled. “I’m not hiding… I just like standing here.”
He Yunxing leaned casually against the elevator wall, arms folded. Hearing her soft voice, he glanced her way.
The plush hoodie’s bunny ears caught his attention. One ear stood upright, while the other drooped slightly, giving her an adorably lopsided look.
He allowed himself a faint, fleeting smile. It suited her.
