"Hello!"
Sheng Xiangsi laughed angrily, letting him talk to himself. She'd just do whatever she needed to do when the time came.
...
She got off at the stop and entered the office building, heading to the elevator. The dance institution was on the fifth floor.
As she stepped in, a familiar voice rang out.
"Xiangsi?"
Sheng Xiangsi looked up to see Yao Leyi standing there, smiling at her. "What a coincidence, long time no see."
Ha. Sheng Xiangsi shot her a sideways glance without replying.
Yao Leyi's expression immediately darkened, her tone turning mocking. "Sheng Xiangsi, don't you have any basic manners? I greeted you, and you won't even reply?"
"..."
Sheng Xiangsi turned to look at her. "Whether I have manners or not isn't the point, but there's no need for you to put on a show in front of me. Fu Hanjiang isn't here, nor is Grandma... who are you performing for?"
"You..."
"Or perhaps..."
Sheng Xiangsi sneered, "Have you been pretending for so long that you actually think you're a good person? Do you think you're someone special? Like Andy Lau? Do you deserve it?"
"You..."
Yao Leyi's face turned white with anger.
"Hmph."
She laughed coldly, aiming to wound where it would hurt most.
"You're here looking for a job, aren't you?"
Yao Leyi squinted and sneered, "I advise you not to bother because... in Jiangcheng, you won't find a job at any dance venue!"
What? Sheng Xiangsi was stunned. "What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?"
Yao Leyi repeated, then asked, "Don't you find it strange? Are you really that terrible?"
She looked Sheng Xiangsi up and down with disdain. "I won't comment on your abilities, but you did graduate from the Philadelphia University of the Arts. Are you really so bad that no place will hire you?"
"What exactly do you mean?"
Sheng Xiangsi frowned, losing patience. It was clear Yao Leyi was withholding information.
"If you're going to say something, just say it. If not, forget it..."
"Don't be impatient, I'll tell you."
Yao Leyi didn't prolong the suspense any longer. "It's because Hanjiang gave the order—no dance venue in Jiangcheng is allowed to hire you!"
"? ?"
Sheng Xiangsi was shocked. Was such a thing possible?
However, this explained why she had encountered so many rejections recently...
So, it wasn't because she was inadequate.
It was because Fu Hanjiang had cut off all her options! What was he trying to do? Drive her to despair?
Sheng Xiangsi stood silently, clenching her fists. She stood there, her face pale.
Yao Leyi felt satisfied.
With a casual tone, she said, "I originally didn't want to tell you, but seeing you running around like a headless chicken, working so hard... I couldn't bear it."
She finished, took out her sunglasses from her bag, and put them on.
The elevator doors opened, and she walked out first.
Sheng Xiangsi stood still, her face ashen. Was there any point in going to the interview? It would be futile!
Her heart filled with resentment and unwillingness. She wanted nothing more than to find Fu Hanjiang and fight to the bitter end!
She left the office building and called Fu Hanjiang.
But no matter how many times she dialed, there was no answer. Fu Hanjiang wasn't deliberately ignoring her; he was genuinely busy.
Sheng Xiangsi bit her lip, reluctantly putting down the phone. Didn't he say to wait for him in the evening?
Then they would meet tonight!
...
At six in the evening, Sheng Xiangsi received a call from Fu Hanjiang.
"Hello."
"I'm coming up now."
Fu Hanjiang didn't waste words. "Get ready, change your clothes, and come out with me."
Hmph. Sheng Xiangsi sneered silently. "Okay."
When Fu Hanjiang arrived at her apartment door, he found it unlocked and pushed it open. "Why didn't you lock the door? It's not safe..."
Then he saw Sheng Xiangsi sitting on the sofa, staring at him.
"What's wrong?" Fu Hanjiang sensed something was off and sat down opposite her. "Had a bad day? Something bothering you?"
Sheng Xiangsi squinted her eyes at him, seeing through his pretense.
Suppressing her anger, she pleaded, "Fu Hanjiang, please, leave me alone."
"Hmm?" Fu Hanjiang was taken aback, raising an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"You..."
Sheng Xiangsi dug her nails into her palm. "You ordered all the dance venues not to hire me, didn't you?"
"!"
Fu Hanjiang's eyes flickered. "How did you know? Who told you?"
Unless a person has nothing to hide, there will always be leaks.
Did that matter?
Sheng Xiangsi didn't answer, focusing only on her livelihood.
"Please, let me go. I really need a job..."
"A job?"
Fu Hanjiang frowned. "Those places you've been looking at, can you even call those jobs? Sheng Xiangsi, if you keep dancing in those places, you'll be doomed!"
"Then let me be doomed!"
Without thinking, Sheng Xiangsi retorted.
Her eyes reddened, tears welling up.
Didn't she know that places like Mise were low-class? But reality forced her to bow down!
Her voice hoarse, she begged him, "Stop pushing me! You just want to force me back to your side, right? It's not going to happen. Even if you push me to death, I won't agree!"
"..."
Fu Hanjiang was speechless, staring at her with deep, unfathomable eyes.
"We'll talk about this later. Right now, go change your clothes and come with me!"
"I won't!"
Sheng Xiangsi turned her head away. The negotiation had failed, so why should she go with him?
"No?"
Fu Hanjiang laughed angrily, scrutinizing her.
She hadn't dressed up, just a simple T-shirt and jeans, with some light makeup. She had probably gone out today.
This would do. She was naturally pretty.
"Fine."
Fu Hanjiang nodded slightly, then suddenly stood up and approached Sheng Xiangsi.
"What are you doing?" Sheng Xiangsi had a bad feeling.
"I'm giving you one more chance. Get up and come with me."
"No... ah..."
Before she could finish the word, Fu Hanjiang bent down and picked her up—like carrying a child!
"..." Sheng Xiangsi was both embarrassed and angry. "Put me down!"
Fu Hanjiang smirked, "Don't move! If you want to keep dancing, be obedient and come with me!"
What? Sheng Xiangsi was stunned. What did he mean by that?
While she was still in shock, Fu Hanjiang carried her out.
They attracted many onlookers, who pointed and whispered.
"Where are you taking me?" Sheng Xiangsi felt humiliated. "Put me down, I can walk myself!"
"I don't trust you."
Fu Hanjiang shook his head. "If I let you down and you run away, I'll have to chase you... too tiring. This is easier."
He carried her all the way to the car, put her in, and buckled her seatbelt.
Sheng Xiangsi bit her lip. "Where are we going?"
"A good place! I promise you'll like it!"