Chapter 52: The Racing Driver's Past

“I mean pure looks,” Tong Liang insisted, unwilling to admit that the goddess had lost.

“Well... that’s hard to say,” Jiang Yun scratched her head. “I remember Shen Yanxi mentioned that Yu Jie was once approached by talent agents during her university days, but she wasn’t interested. Otherwise, she might have been a big star, too.”

“Definitely...” Tong Liang, sour grapes in full display, said, “If Yu Jie had become a celebrity, she’d be even more popular than Xia Qianyi.”

“Nah, that world doesn’t suit her,” Jiang Yun shook her head, thinking that Xia Qianyi had already been forced out of the industry; with Yu Jie’s aloof nature, if she became a star, she’d probably be constantly at odds with her own fans.

“Honestly, she’d be better off as a star. At least then she wouldn’t have to worry about food or clothing and could easily achieve financial independence,” Tong Liang said, shaking his head. “I really don’t get what’s so great about that lousy civil service job that everyone’s dying to get.”

“Stop being bitter just because you can’t get it. Being a civil servant is like the end of the universe,” Jiang Yun said dismissively. “Think you can pass the exam?”

“I…” Tong Liang was at a loss for words and changed the subject. “By the way, how’s she doing with the exam? I heard she recently made it to the interview stage?”

“How do you know?” Jiang Yun frowned suspiciously.

“I… heard you say it. Didn’t you forget?” Tong Liang avoided her gaze.

Jiang Yun stared at him for a moment before saying, “Yeah, she’s in interview prep classes now. If all goes well, she’ll land the job soon.”

“She really is outstanding...” Tong Liang sighed, thinking Yu Jie was impressive—passing such a difficult civil service exam on the first try, even if it’s considered the end of the universe.

It’s worth noting that the civil service exams in the Shandong region were notoriously difficult. Some key positions were even harder to get than those in the capital. This province was nationally famous for its hellishly tough civil service exams—not to be taken lightly.

…

Gu Yin ate quickly. Despite the elegant setting of the Japanese restaurant, he devoured his food as if he hadn’t eaten for eight lifetimes. Xia Qianyi had only eaten a few slices of sashimi, yet he was nearly done with the tempura.

What was worse was his eating style—he threw several plates of Wagyu beef into the small sukiyaki pot, scooped it all out with one chopstick, and shoveled it into his mouth in one big bite. Xia Qianyi was grateful they had found a fairly private room; otherwise, she would’ve been utterly mortified.

She thought to herself, “Good thing I didn’t tell him the price of that beef.”

If he knew he was eating Wagyu that cost over a thousand yuan per plate, he’d probably explode on the spot.

Gu Yin’s explanation? “Food tastes better when you eat it in big bites!”

Xia Qianyi was speechless.

When they finished and stepped outside, Tong Liang and Jiang Yun had already left. Gu Yin felt a little regretful and said to Xia Qianyi, “I feel a bit bad for them. If it weren’t for me, they definitely would have asked you for a photo.”

Unexpectedly, Xia Qianyi just dropped, “We already took one,” and walked off.

…

“What?” Gu Yin blinked, then asked again and learned that Xia Qianyi had willingly taken a photo with Tong Liang and Jiang Yun when she went to the restroom.

At that moment, Gu Yin was slightly stunned—he hadn’t expected this cold and distant actress to have such a warm side.

“Maybe she was just trying to save face for me?” Watching Xia Qianyi greet the partner boss, Sister Panpan, by the door, Gu Yin felt inexplicably touched and thought to himself that he should treat her better from now on.

After dinner, it was already half past nine at night.

“Want me to take you home?” Gu Yin asked as they left the restaurant.

“Do you really want to go shopping with me?” The girl didn’t even glance at him.

“Forget it, it’s inconvenient for you,” Gu Yin shook his head knowingly. “If anyone sees us, I’ll become your rumored boyfriend again.”

“You…” Xia Qianyi’s forehead twitched with frustration, her delicate fists clenched tightly. Sometimes, she really wanted to punch Gu Yin a few times just for fun.

They took the elevator down to level L3 and smoothly drove away from the mall.

Though it was late, the city center remained brightly lit, with continuous traffic jams making the roads unbearably congested.

Gu Yin drove cautiously, strictly abiding by the rules. The cameras in the city center were incredibly sensitive; even the slightest lane crossing would be caught immediately.

Because he was so careful, Gu Yin didn’t speak much, making the atmosphere inside the car a bit tense.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xia Qianyi tried to break the silence. “Were you a racecar driver before?”

Gu Yin was startled. “How do you know?”

“I checked out that show you were recording last night.” Her bright eyes reflected the city lights as she glanced at him, as if trying to peer beneath his playful exterior.

“Hah…”

It was the second time tonight someone had mentioned his past as a racecar driver, and it left Gu Yin feeling uneasy. Though those days were like raindrops wiped clean by a wiper, the faint stains in the corners still proved they had existed.

“That’s all in the past,” Gu Yin was clearly reluctant to talk about it.

But Xia Qianyi was intrigued. Her short hair framed a graceful hand propping up her cheek as she calmly asked, “Being a famous racer pays well, better than coaching at least. Why’d you stop?”

“…” Gu Yin said nothing, his expression turning serious.

“Technical problems?” Xia Qianyi teased playfully. “Can’t be that you weren’t good enough, right?”

Gu Yin rolled his eyes, half-joking, “Women, I advise you not to be curious about everything. Sometimes, the less you know, the safer you are.”

Xia Qianyi rolled her eyes back, then surprisingly raised her delicate hand and gave Gu Yin a long, slender middle finger.

“Pfft…” Gu Yin laughed. “Hey, you’re a famous actress. You can’t be making rude gestures like that!”

“I learned it all from you,” Xia Qianyi replied without hesitation. “You’re my coach; you taught me.”

“Can’t you learn something good from me? I have plenty of fine qualities,” Gu Yin said.

“For example?” The girl arched an eyebrow.

“For example…” Gu Yin was momentarily at a loss for words.

Xia Qianyi couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing. The car’s atmosphere lightened significantly as they chatted, but then—

Glancing at the rearview mirror several times, Gu Yin suddenly frowned and said, “There’s a car following us.”

“Hm?”

The laughter ceased abruptly. Xia Qianyi furrowed her brows and looked back, spotting a very familiar car—the same one they’d seen earlier at the mall—tailing them persistently.

Sighing in frustration, Xia Qianyi touched her forehead and muttered, “This is troublesome…”

…

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