Ji Fei couldn't resist her curiosity and looked up the gossip about Sun Mo and Pei Mingxuan.
At that moment, voices came from the entrance.
Sun Mo and Xu Meng separated as if struck by lightning. Xu Meng hurriedly wiped her mouth, while Sun Mo's face turned ashen, as if he couldn't comprehend what he had just done.
"What are you doing here? Sun Mo, this is the ladies' room!" An obviously displeased voice rang out. It was Pei Mingxuan, who had limped over to find them.
Pei Mingxuan was dressed in a professional suit with short, neat hair. Her skin was pale, her lips light in color, and her refined features gave her the image of a capable career woman. However, as her gaze swept over the state of the two, her expression became dark and unreadable.
Sun Mo remained silent, his face sour as if he couldn't be bothered to explain.
"Oh my, why are you two here together?" Yang Hong's surprised voice came through as he also entered. He was tall, handsome, and sunny, like an 18-year-old college athlete. His build was even slightly larger than Sun Mo's, befitting his title as the campus heartthrob.
Yang Hong spoke in a concerned tone, "Meng Meng, why are you crying?"
[Now the drama is complete.] Ji Fei watched with great interest.
Qin Xian: ...So are we really having a meeting in the bathroom?
"I... I'm fine, it's all a misunderstanding. I just accidentally fell, and I think Teacher Sun heard the commotion and came in to help me up," Xu Meng explained, casting a careful glance at Sun Mo.
Sun Mo stared straight at Yang Hong as he pulled Xu Meng into his arms, gently inquiring about her well-being and even affectionately kissing her forehead.
Sun Mo's eyes filled with murderous intent, but he was pulled back to reality by Pei Mingxuan, who tugged at him.
[Damn, this is intense.]
"Alright, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go outside," Pei Mingxuan said, furrowing her brow as if she had a headache.
"Right, right, let's go outside and continue discussing the performance and proposal," Yang Hong said, supporting Xu Meng as they walked out.
Sun Mo suddenly spoke coldly, "Is that so? Why don't you ask Teacher Xu's opinion first? She doesn't seem very willing."
Xu Meng shuddered.
Pei Mingxuan was taken aback, looking at Sun Mo suspiciously. Did Sun Mo know how Xu Meng would answer?
[Well, they were just making out, after all.]
Yang Hong looked at the woman in his arms and said gently, "Meng Meng, being a guest performer is also an opportunity for you. You should know that. Besides, didn't you say you were willing to marry me? I want to propose to you in front of the entire nation's audience. Isn't that good? Of course, if you say no now, I'll immediately drop the proposal."
Sun Mo's expression changed, and he glared at Xu Meng ominously.
Xu Meng kept her head down, looking as if she didn't dare to look up, appearing pitiful and unwilling to speak.
Yang Hong's eyes flickered. "Well, if you don't..."
"I'm willing," Xu Meng quickly spoke up, though her voice lacked conviction and decisiveness, as if it were a reluctant decision. After speaking, she raised her head and cast a reproachful glance at Sun Mo.
"That's great, I knew it," Yang Hong said happily. He looked up at Sun Mo, only to see Sun Mo's face ashen, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xu Meng like a predator eyeing its prey.
"Brother Mo, there's no problem now, right?"
Sun Mo coldly retorted, "Hmph, Yang Hong, don't push your luck. This isn't your personal stage. We're a group, just partners. I'm not your stepping stone."
Pei Mingxuan breathed a sigh of relief. At least Sun Mo hadn't lost his head completely when it came to matters involving Xu Meng.
"That's right, Teacher Yang. Whether it's having your girlfriend as a guest performer or proposing, it's all about your stage, your popularity. This way, our Sun Mo becomes merely your supporting act. This isn't appropriate. Even if the company demands it, we'll refuse to the end," Pei Mingxuan added.
Yang Hong looked helpless. "I really don't intend to steal your spotlight. Both Mo and I are in a critical period of career transition. If we don't make good use of this opportunity, it'll be hard to develop better in the future. The top-tier group is so popular, if we don't do something noteworthy, we're afraid we'll be crushed with no chance to rise."
The logic made sense.
But what Pei Mingxuan worried about most was the possibility of Sun Mo's past relationship being dug up. That would mean Yang Hong reaping all the benefits while Sun Mo bore all the negative consequences.
Pei Mingxuan wasn't stupid. She naturally wanted to refuse outright to protect her artist's interests.
This was a professional matter, usually decided by Pei Mingxuan. But before she could speak, Sun Mo suddenly changed his tone, "Letting you propose is out of the question. But I can agree to the guest performance. However, I should also do something to balance the publicity."
Xu Meng suddenly looked at Sun Mo, as if stung.
Sun Mo looked at Xu Meng, almost challengingly.
Yang Hong asked candidly, "What do you want to do? We can discuss anything."
Sun Mo suddenly turned his head and looked tenderly at Pei Mingxuan.
Pei Mingxuan was startled and instinctively took a step back, only to be pulled into Sun Mo's embrace.
"Actually, I've been planning to propose to Xuan soon. If we can use this stage, I'd also like to receive blessings from the entire nation's audience with Xuan," Sun Mo said passionately, his eyes seeming to be full of love.
But Pei Mingxuan's face darkened. She opened and closed her mouth several times, words tumbling back and forth on the tip of her tongue, but in the end, she said nothing.
[...Sister Pei must be cursing up a storm inside.]
Qin Xian: ? Doesn't Pei Mingxuan like Sun Mo?
"You two are a couple? No wonder everyone says you're so well-behaved and never involved in publicity stunts. Perhaps you've had someone by your side all along, just completely underground," Yang Hong's tone finally became a bit unnatural, and he even loosened his hold on Xu Meng.
Pei Mingxuan seemed to finally be unable to hold back, "Regarding this matter, we haven't discussed it yet. Why don't we talk about it first?"
Yang Hong quickly regained his composure and led Xu Meng towards the exit, as if to give them space.
As the door closed, Pei Mingxuan immediately pushed Sun Mo away. "Have you gone mad? What nonsense are you spouting?"
Sun Mo seemed to come to his senses and suddenly said seriously to Pei Mingxuan, "Xuan, let's be together."
"What?"
"I said, let's be together. If Xu Meng performs on that stage, I'll propose to you and make it official publicly."
"Wait, are you doing this just to spite Xu Meng? Don't tell me you still can't let go..."
"I can't let go, but it's not love, it's hate. I can never forgive her for the harm she caused me. I just want to find happiness before her, to prove that I'm doing better than her! Xuan, you've been by my side all these years, accompanying me through my lowest points. I know all of this. Although I've never expressed it, I care for you. I know only you can bring me happiness. Let's not waste any more time. Since we're changing our image anyway, why don't we just..."
[Come on, your lips were just kissing someone else, and now you can say such things? Don't be too ridiculous! Men's words truly are lies?]
Qin Xian, still with his mouth covered: ...
As Sun Mo spoke, he raised his hand to embrace Pei Mingxuan, as if truly moved by emotion.
Sun Mo confessed deeply, "Xuan, I love you."
Pei Mingxuan pushed Sun Mo away directly. "Are you serious? You like me?"
Sun Mo nodded firmly. "I know you're a professional manager, and you're worried about ruining me, but I'm not afraid. I'm willing to face everything together with you."
Pei Mingxuan looked at him suspiciously for a long time before finally saying, "You're drunk. Go back and sober up before we talk about this. As for the proposal, forget about it. Regarding the performance, I'll find a way to negotiate."
Still the calm and collected manager.
