117 The chance is over
Tears pooled in Xing Bi’s eyes. She could tell that Ai wasn’t doing any lip service, not that she had any reason to do it either.
She always kept a strong front that she wasn’t affected by people’s ignorance or their names. But inwardly, she felt alone. It felt lonely to be left out from gatherings or social circles because they judged you for something you didn’t have control over.
The others smiled in disdain. “Are you sure you want to be with a lamp post?”
Xing Bi gritted her teeth as she glared at them.
Mind your own business!
“She is right. You should pick Zhan Yahui.”
“Women shouldn’t be too tall, you know,” they giggled.
Xing Bi’s heart burned with fury while Ai glanced at them, her brows softly crinkling. “But I never read this anywhere that a woman shouldn’t be too tall.”
“…”
“Can you provide me with a reference book where it’s stated as such?” She sincerely asked.
“…”
“I-It’s assumed, you know…”
“But I didn’t assume it, which means your statement is not a universal fact.”
“…”
Ai alternated her gaze between Xing Bi and the others and seemed to realize it. “I see,” she nodded. “I understand now.”
The others were relieved.
Thank God!
“See? You get it, right? Tall women look so ugh-“
“You are jealous of her. I understand. I also feel envious of her height.”
Everybody was sharply silenced.
“You! As if we would be jealous of a lamp post!” The women were furious. “Do whatever you want! Hmph, you are gonna regret choosing her one day!” They left with their chests huffing and puffing with indignance.
Xing Bi burst into tears and jumped in to hug Ai. “You are shorter than me, but you are way cooler than me! I was never able to speak like that.”
Ai furrowed her brows. “Why are you crying?”
“Because I am so tall, and people always ignore me. They looked at and treated me differently. Heighted women are uncool.”
She pursed her lips. “Being heighted is the coolest. Your height is God’s gift to you. Everybody is different, and everybody should cherish the aspect that distinguishes them from others. We shouldn’t feel embarrassed about it.”
Xing Bi felt fuzzy like cotton candy in her chest.
She smothered Ai against her chest and declared. “I, Xing Bi, from today onwards, promise to take care of you as an elder sister! I will always protect you!”
—
At present, Xing Bi smothered Ai just like the day when they had met.
“You stood by my side when others alienated me. You gave me the confidence to appreciate myself. No matter what happens, I will always be with you! Things will definitely get difficult once you confess. But I believe that if you are sincere and honest, then it will definitely reach your readers out there.”
Ai felt her racing heart gradually calm down.
She sneered. “Worry not, Ai. If anybody is being overly mean or humiliating, then I am ready to strike them. Nobody can bully my cute Ai!” Her nostrils flared.
Ai softly chuckled. It was after days since she left Jun’s condo that she laughed for the first time.
“Thank you Xing Bi. It means a lot to me,” she whispered.
Xing Bi warmly smiled and squished her cheeks. “Come on. I will talk to Gu Yating about this and prepare a statement for you.”
Ai widened her eyes. “Gu Yating?”
“Yeah, well you are still working with Dream High. Since this issue is blown up so badly, Gu Yating and I would have to discuss this. Dream High’s PR team is currently managing the media. That’s why we have to be careful.”
She hesitated but in the end agreed.
Xing Bi watched her and slowly asked, “Ai, do you…have any problems with Gu Yating?”
Ai slightly stiffened.
“I noticed that you don’t seem so comfortable whenever he is mentioned. Is he related to why you don’t want to work in Dream High anymore?”
There was a beat of silence, but Ai smiled it off. “Nothing like that. Everything is fine.”
“I see…”
She smiled. “For now, just take your mind off everything and relax. Whatever happens, we will come out of it unscathed.”
Ai found assurance in her words and nodded. “We will.”
—
Dream High.
“Yating, did you find a way to end this plagiarism mess?”
Guiying faced Yating in his office as she questioned him.
Yating stared at her but didn’t answer.
“Yating? I am asking you. When will this end? I am really worried for Ai! Zhan Yahui stopped me from making any statement because I believed that Dream High’s PR team would resolve this as soon as possible. But I won’t stop anymore. I cannot see Ai going down like this!”
He shot her a sharp stare, startling her. He quietly asked, “And you think I want to see Ai going down? Never. She is the last person I…”
Ever since their last conversation, Yating had been consistently ignoring talking to Guiying. Her reaction that day confirmed that she might have feelings for him which led him wanting to put distance between them.
The only thing stopping him from confronting her was Ai’s promise that he wouldn’t ask Guiying anything. He hated these unresolved differences and wanted to put an end to Guiying’s feelings for him.
But he was afraid that Ai would hate him more seeing him break his promise.
His eyelashes trembled.
She already hates me…She already hates me…
Yating couldn’t understand the source of that hatred. Ai started to ignore him suddenly. He couldn’t help but feel that there was more to her rejection than what she was showing.
He vividly remembered how hurt Ai seemed when he confessed to her. For a moment, her gaze felt as if she was accusing him of something. He sensed her strong aversion towards him.
But why? What did I do so wrong? Why do you hate me, Ai?
Guiying snarled, bringing him out of his stupor, “Fine, if you don’t want to answer me! But nobody will stop me now from defending Ai! I have waited long enough. You do what you think is right. I will do what I think is right!” She stormed out of his office.
Yating let her go without trying to stop her. A frost covered his black eyes as he saw no update from Sky’s side to stop defaming MissImperfectlyFine.
A cold smile etched on his lips. “I gave you a chance, Liu Jun. And now my patience is over.”