CHAPTER 799: CHAPTER 789: PRACTICING THE OLD DUCK HOTPOT AT THE BANQUET

"Let me make a call to Director Feng."

Jiang Lingxi walked to the pavilion in the courtyard and sat down, glancing at the camera placed inside the pavilion. She dialed the number without changing her expression.

The call was quickly connected.

Jiang Lingxi looked at Xiao Yu, who had followed her, and simply put the call on speakerphone.

Feng Xu’s voice came through the amplifier, "Xiao Jiang, is it about that photo of you and Xiao Yu? I just heard about it this morning from the people under me. Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged for someone to edit the full video of you two racing at night, and it will be posted on Gale’s official account soon.

I originally planned to release it a couple of days later, but since this incident came up, releasing it early is fine too. However, it might be difficult to track the source of the photo. Everyone was watching your race at that time, and the phones had been handed to them, so the photo was likely passed through many hands before being uploaded..."

"It’s okay, the innocent will remain innocent."

Although Feng Xu was still frowning, he sighed in relief, "It’s good that you think so. However, the person behind this is probably targeting you, and perhaps Xiao Yu as well."

If both people in the photo were single, it wouldn’t be much of a problem. They could just form a CP naturally, and maybe even attract some CP fans while the movie is a hit.

But the problem is that Jiang Lingxi is already married. Does this imply that Jiang Lingxi is having an affair, or does it suggest that Xiao Yu knowingly became the other man in a relationship?

The person who secretly released this photo has truly malicious intentions.

Su Linlin heard the commotion in the courtyard, quietly lifted a corner of the curtain on her dressing table, and peeked outside.

Seeing Jiang Lingxi sitting and Xiao Yu standing in the pavilion, both with serious expressions, especially Xiao Yu with tightly furrowed brows, she couldn’t help but curl her lips.

Originally, she didn’t plan on releasing that photo so early; at least, she wanted to wait until this episode of the variety show aired. By then, when these two appeared together on a lifestyle show, the photo released would make people mistakenly think they had developed feelings for each other during filming, achieving the maximum effect.

But she couldn’t wait any longer.

Living in this small courtyard for the past few days, she felt like a ghost.

Watching others getting along happily while she couldn’t fit in almost drove her crazy.

Moreover, even though everyone was a guest in the small courtyard, everyone only revolved around Jiang Lingxi.

Just because Jiang Lingxi is more popular and famous, does it mean she deserves to be ignored?

If she’s unhappy, no one should be happy!

Thinking about comfortably and happily finishing recording the show? Don’t even think about it!

Jiang Lingxi was about to hang up the phone when she felt a malicious gaze and quickly turned her head to look.

Su Linlin hurriedly let go of the curtain, feeling her heart almost jump to her throat. Even though the curtain blocked Jiang Lingxi’s gaze, she still felt a chill on her forehead.

Xiao Yu saw Jiang Lingxi suddenly turn her head, "What’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing. I think I know who took the secret photo."

"Is it..." Xiao Yu instinctively wanted to ask who, but then thought of the direction Jiang Lingxi had just glanced. He wasn’t slow to react. Thinking of the person living in that room, his expression turned cold, "Is it Su Linlin?"

"It’s likely him."

Although she didn’t know everyone well among the dozen people during the closed training, the one with the most malice towards her was only Su Linlin.

Combined with the malicious gaze just now, it’s hard not to suspect.

"What’s her motive? What good does this do for her?"

Xiao Yu was genuinely baffled by Su Linlin’s actions.

"People’s malice often doesn’t stem from enmity with you but simply from finding you unpleasant. Seeing you suffer makes them happy, as simple as that."

Jiang Lingxi said as she picked up her phone and returned to her room; she hadn’t washed up yet, and she guessed that Wei Minmin should have finished by now.

As for Su Linlin, as long as she remained indifferent, Su Linlin would never be at ease.

Giving her face.

Leaving Xiao Yu still standing there, he mulled over these words for quite some time before his expression turned grim, and he returned to his room.

By breakfast, almost everyone in the courtyard knew about the photo incident.

After all, they had their phones, and their assistants could contact them anytime; the news was well-informed even while recording the show.

However, they all snickered at the idea that the two people had an affair just because of the photo online.

To put it bluntly, although Xiao Yu is considered a young and handsome actor, it depends on who he’s compared with.

Compared to Mr. Shen, there’s simply no comparison!

If you’re not foolish, you should know whom to choose.

Moreover, they’ve all witnessed Jiang Lingxi’s relationship with her partner in the past few days, which can be summed up in two words: envy!

The entertainment industry they live in is a place of fame and fortune; finding pure love is like finding gold in the desert, nearly impossible.

Encountering such a genuine relationship, even as a spectator, is heartwarming.

It’s only those with dark hearts who can’t stand such beauty and always think of destroying it.

As the patriarch, Pei Shuxing was the first to express his view, "I don’t believe the photo incident. I think someone is scheming behind the scenes. You two shouldn’t let this affect your mood and fall into the trap of whoever’s behind it."

"Um," Jiang Lingxi nodded with a smile, "I don’t care."

Seeing that she truly didn’t care, Pei Shuxing’s eyes held more amusement, "Though still young, Xiao Jiang’s mindset is more stable than many, very good!"

Xiao Yu gave himself a bit of psychological encouragement, and silently tried to align his mentality with Jiang Lingxi’s, expressing that he didn’t care either.

Seeing the two unbothered and relaxed, Su Linlin tightened her grip on her chopsticks, buried her head, and fiercely slurped her noodles, but accidentally got burned by the chili sauce and turned her head to cough vigorously.

"Eat slowly." Su Ya patted her back, her heart growing heavier.

She couldn’t help but suspect Su Linlin was the one who released the photo, especially after these days of close interaction. Even if she didn’t want to admit it, she had to acknowledge that this girl had gone astray!

Now she’s an adult, how could she be straightened out?

Better to leave quickly to avoid doing something reckless and disgracing herself later.

The three guests from the small courtyard were to leave early the next morning, and it was the tradition to have a farewell dinner the night before.

Just as the sun started to set, Pei Shuxing gathered everyone to start preparing.

"Xiao Jiang loves fish, kill those two fish in the tank, one for braising and one for steaming."

"For the main course, do you prefer rice or cold noodles?"

"Xiao Yu, why don’t you take some pickled vegetables I’ve marinated; you seem to like them."

...

Su Linlin reached into her pocket, looked at Su Jincheng, who was preparing to kill the fish by the water tank, took a deep breath, and approached, "I saw there was a duck left in the kitchen fridge. Although I’m not good at much else, I’m good at making soup. Let me prepare a pot of old duck soup for everyone before I leave?"

Honestly, the moment Su Linlin spoke, everyone busy in the courtyard paused for a moment.

Pei Shuxing instinctively refused, but seeing Su Linlin was insistent, he left a burner in the small kitchen for her.

After all, everyone was busy here, and there were quite a few cameras, so they weren’t worried about Su Linlin causing trouble before leaving.

However, Jiang Lingxi still thought Su Linlin might pull a stunt, just unsure of what she planned to do or how she’d do it.

Wei Minmin was also curious, running over to whisper to Jiang Lingxi, "Why’d she suddenly become so diligent?"

"Who knows."

The dinner was laid out in the pavilion, and together they prepared a table full of dishes.

Su Linlin arrived late, carrying her old duck soup.

When the lid was lifted, the aroma drifted out, surprising Pei Shuxing a bit.

It actually smelled quite good!

"Alright, everyone’s here, let’s eat!"

With several cameras around, even though Su Jincheng still disliked Su Linlin deep down, he respectfully had a small bowl of soup.

Jiang Lingxi also took a spoonful of soup to her lips, pausing before swallowing it.

The soup was fine, pleasantly aromatic.

But it subtly masked a certain taste.

If not for her past experience of being cautious about food, she might not have noticed.

Su Linlin, you’ve really put some thought into this!

However, she wasn’t planning to expose her now; it would just ruin the farewell dinner’s atmosphere, and Su Linlin’s mental disparity wouldn’t be significant.

One must let the person think their plan is certainly secure before it shatters.

Only then, will it truly hurt!