Qiao Xi, her mouth full of foam, said, "What a coincidence, neither did I."
"So... you remember everything?"
"Rest assured, I remember it very clearly." She winked and chuckled.
The young master, satisfied, looked down at the ground and whispered, "Then... hurry up."
Qiao Xi: ?
Is it that urgent?
"Got it."
Qiao Xi quickly sped up her actions.
"Scrub scrub scrub! Scrub scrub scrub!"
"Who cleans the toilet that loudly?!" Old Sun pushed open the window, bleary-eyed, and shouted, "Can't a person even have a spring dream in peace? Seriously!"
Bang!
The window slammed shut.
Qiao Xi said, "He told me not to rush, so this time it's not my fault."
Yu Siyan: ?
Xiao 6: "..."
Should it also start keeping a diary? It would read—
**August 10, Sunny. Xiao 6 wanted to die for the 200th time, but didn't succeed.**
"Knock knock!"
There was a sudden knock at the door.
The head of a show assistant peeked in.
"Sorry to bother you, Xi-jie, Siyan-ge! The director wants to talk to you. Are you available...?"
"Available, available."
Qiao Xi continued brushing her teeth while pulling a contract out of her pocket, handing it to the assistant like it was dried seaweed.
"A brand new contract with a brand new price. If Director Jin wants me back, he should follow this."
Assistant: ?
The next second, Yu Siyan also handed over a contract, "Here's mine. Take a look."
Assistant: ??
When did these two even prepare contracts?!
A few minutes later, in the show's office.
"What?! A million?!" Director Jin cursed, "Qiao Xi dares to ask for this price! Her initial fee was only fifty thousand! I thought she'd triple it, but she's multiplied it by twenty!"
The voice was so loud the cameraman couldn't retreat in time, capturing it all.
The bullet screen exploded instantly.
In a few minutes, this topic was trending.
#QiaoXiAsksForAMillionForShowAppearance
"Damn!" Zhu Feng was completely numb, shouting, "Qiao Xi! You're causing trouble again!"
The assistant hurriedly pulled him aside, "No, no, Zhu-ge, don't faint! Look at these comments first!"
He showed the screen to Zhu Feng.
The comments section read—
[@BankBalance13.78: What's wrong with a million? Can't the show afford it? Crowdfund it! As long as she comes back, I'm willing to donate all my balance!]
[@YuSiyan'sWoman: If the show can't pay, I'll get my dad to invest. You guys took Siyan away too! This is just unacceptable!]
[@HeartlessStepmom: Damn! The person above is Yu Siyan's big fan! So rich! I believe it! Please bring Xi-jie back!]
[@BathtubCPFan: Only a million?! I thought no amount would bring her back! Count me in for the crowdfunding! And please bring back Huan too! He's having too much fun; I can't watch anymore. Find him a real job!]
Zhu Feng's expression was blank after reading.
"These are real comments, not something you made up?"
The assistant said, "What are you talking about! Why would I lie to you?"
Zhu Feng, overwhelmed, fainted again with a bang.
"Zhu-ge!!!"
At the hospital.
"Bed 209 is back again!" The nurse ran to inform, "VIP monthly subscriber, 20% off, 20% off! Register here!"
In the end, the show, under the pressure of the comments, decided to negotiate.
"Xi-jie, Siyan-ge, please come in!" The assistant bowed.
Qiao Xi, hands behind her back, strolled in leisurely.
Behind her, Yu Siyan followed in the same posture.
A photographer outside, driven by personal interest, snapped a photo.
[@MyDarlings: Long time no see my darlings (rose in mouth) Woman, you'll always dance in my heart (wall slam) (failed to slam) (180-degree spin support) (awkward exit)]
[@CoupleWalk: Even their walking postures match. If they're not real, I'll livestream cutting my little guy.]
[@NoNeedBro: No need for that, bro. Keep it. You never know when it might be useful.]
[@He'sChanged: He's changed, folks. In just a few days, this dog is full of himself! Radiant with joy! They must have kissed! (Don't mind me, I'm just making things up.)]
Upon entering, Qiao Xi grabbed a lollipop and tossed a Wahaha milk drink behind her.
Smack!
The young master caught it precisely.
They both sat down, crossed their legs, leaned back, and sipped their drinks in unison.
The director's team across from them: "..."
Director Jin, gritting his teeth, said to Qiao Xi, "I called you here mainly to discuss the million-dollar fee."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Xi held up a finger and waved it.
"It's not a million."
Director Jin: ?
Did he see it wrong? Didn't Qiao Xi ask for a million? Was she wronged?
"That was the price half an hour ago." Qiao Xi put her leg on the chair, "It's now 1.2 million."
"What?! Are you crazy?!"
"Flexible pricing. In half an hour, it will increase again."
"Qiao Xi!! You're pushing it too far!!"
The producer clung tightly to Director Jin, stopping her from rushing forward.
Outside, a group of guests were trembling with excitement!
Zhang Shu whispered, "What did I say! She's even more cunning than Director Jin! She's his nemesis! With her here, he wouldn't dare say a word! But you guys didn't believe me!"
Li Siyao, wiping her muddy face, said, "They're crowdfunding online to get her back! Should we chip in too? As long as Xi-jie comes back, anything is fine. I don't want to stay up late working anymore. Boohoo..."
Inside, Qiao Xi stood up.
"If you don't want to, that's fine. Siyan, let's go!"
She said, grabbing two bags of chips, a big bag of snacks, three rows of Wahaha drinks, and two cans of Wangzai milk.
Director Jin stomped her foot, "Wait!"
She reached out to grab Qiao Xi.
Yu Siyan sidestepped in front of her, taking five steps in a slide, and collapsed into a chair with a thud, moaning instantly!
Director Jin: ?
Show crew: ?
"Siyan!"
Qiao Xi dropped the snacks with a smack, rushing forward with a sobbing tone, "Director Jin hit you, didn't she?! Where did she hit you?! Tell me! What? What?! The most important place for a boy, how could she hit that?!"
Director Jin, trembling, "D-don't talk nonsense!"
There were guests and recording equipment outside! If Yu Siyan's fans heard this, she'd have no place to hide!
But Qiao Xi, like a mudfish, slipped away, evading capture!
She shouted, "Siyan! I'm sorry, I didn't protect you..."
"Qiao Xi!" Director Jin's voice, with perfect head resonance, echoed to the ceiling—
"What do you want! I'll agree to any condition, okay?!"
Qiao Xi instantly stopped crying: "…Your arm. A boy's arm can only be touched by his beloved, right, Siyan?"
The young master elegantly stood up from the chair, nodded slightly.
As he sat back down, he secretly brushed his arm against Qiao Xi.
Director Jin: ...
Everyone else: ...
As they left, Qiao Xi read the contract, "We made it! Appearance fee, medical expenses, mental distress compensation, totaling 1.5 million... Wow!"
She laughed heartily, kissing the contract twice!
The young master's eyes immediately focused on the spots where she had kissed, narrowing.