Chapter 46: Far Too Greedy

Early the next morning, the car hit the road again.

This time, the three of them were much quieter.

Once they reached the capital, the trio would have to part ways.

There was no telling when they would meet again.

Everyone was still a struggling nobody, so career priorities naturally came first.

Ji Yu had to figure out a way to release an album, Fan Bingbing needed to find work, and Yue Jiatong had to head back to Hengdian to continue filming A Classic of Romance.

Perhaps the next reunion would be months away.

It was a pity that, in the end, their relationship remained just beyond friendship.

Desperate to make conversation, Ji Yu asked Fan Bingbing, "Do you have any film offers for next year?"

"Not yet, but a certain company wants to collaborate with me."

Fan Bingbing hadn't filmed many projects from last year up to now; she had spent the previous year dealing with her lawsuit with Qiong Yao.

This year, when she tried to find work, she lacked any decent resources.

Without a major company and relying solely on oneself, it was terribly difficult to stand out.

Ji Yu couldn't recall which company Fan Bingbing had signed with before joining Wang Jinhua.

After a moment of thought, he said, "Want to come to my company? My boss is arriving in a few days."

"Chinese Entertainment?" Fan Bingbing hesitated.

Yue Jiatong smiled and said, "Just look into it. At the very least, Ji Yu won't lead you astray."

Realizing this made sense, Fan Bingbing nodded in agreement.

Ji Yu turned to Yue Jiatong and asked, "The resources Qiong Yao arranged for you aren't bad, right?"

"Not bad at all." Yue Jiatong was quite satisfied with her current situation.

Fan Bingbing started to speak, stopped, and finally just smiled at her.

Qiong Yao wasn't a good choice; she truly lacked substantial resources on the mainland.

Otherwise, Fan Bingbing wouldn't have chosen to terminate her contract with her.

Yue Jiatong stretched lazily and said, "Let's wait until Romance in the Rain airs. Maybe I'll shoot to stardom overnight."

"Unlikely. You'd be better off asking me; I can make you a star overnight."

Knowing how deeply unlikable Lu Yiping was, Ji Yu knew a sudden nationwide sensation was practically impossible.

Yue Jiatong immediately sat up and grabbed his ear from behind.

"Are you playing the ruffian again? Don't think I can't tell what you're implying!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I'm driving, I was wrong."

Crying out in pain, Ji Yu couldn't resist his own mischievous mouth and added, "Why not consider it? Bingbing is heading home right away, and nobody will bother us."

"In your dreams!" Yue Jiatong snorted and let go.

Ji Yu sighed, then turned to Fan Bingbing. "Bingbing, why don't you consider it?"

"Drop dead, you greedy man!"

Before Fan Bingbing could reply, Yue Jiatong lunged forward to twist his ear again.

After a brief commotion, seeing that they were in much better spirits, Ji Yu finally stopped teasing them.

"I wish you both overnight success!"

Ji Yu offered a smiling blessing, his teasing paused.

With only a few hours left before parting, it was better to say some nice things.

"Why wouldn't it be an overnight success?" Yue Jiatong asked with a smile.

Ji Yu chuckled and said, "Because you two aren't willing."

"You're just too greedy."

Yue Jiatong muttered softly, then grumbled, "Why does it feel like you're driving so fast? Slow down, my heart is fluttering."

Ji Yu gradually reduced his speed and moved into the slow lane.

Having lived wildly and playfully together for over half a month, parting truly brought a twinge of reluctance.

Yet, no matter how slowly he drove, they would eventually reach their destination.

The capital. Looking at the scenery outside, Ji Yu felt a surge of anticipation.

His new battlefield!

Sitting in the passenger seat, Fan Bingbing gave Ji Yu directions, and the car soon arrived at her home.

Yue Jiatong would also be staying at her place for the next few days.

Ji Yu got out to help carry their luggage, smiling as he said, "I'll come over to hang out with you guys in a couple of days."

"Got it, and don't come empty-handed, hear?"

After joking, Yue Jiatong opened her arms to him and said, "Give me a hug. You won't get to hug me tonight."

"I didn't get to hug you last night either; I'm already used to it."

Ji Yu joked back and hugged her with a smile.

Extra words remained unsaid; speaking them wouldn't necessarily change the outcome.

It was better to maintain this kind of relationship—intimacy without other worries.

Releasing Yue Jiatong, Ji Yu turned to look at Fan Bingbing.

Fan Bingbing pointed upward stealthily and whispered, "My dad is watching from up there."

Ji Yu: "..." Never mind then. He hadn't bleached his hair yellow yet; he'd come back after dyeing it yellow next time.

Unable to hold back her laughter, Yue Jiatong watched as Ji Yu drove away.

Ji Yu had Li Xiaoran's address, but didn't know the way, so he had to drive and ask directions along the route.

It was snowing in the capital, heavily enough that the roads were covered in snow, especially inside the narrow alleyways where navigation was particularly treacherous.

It took Ji Yu over half a mile of slow driving before he finally parked at the entrance of an alley.

Peeking his head outside, he spotted Li Xiaoran standing by the roadside in a thick down jacket, exhaling puffs of white mist into the freezing air.

He immediately pushed open the car door, sprinted over, and swept her up into an embrace.

Startled at first, Li Xiaoran saw it was Ji Yu, and the corners of her mouth curved upward.

Happily watching her, Ji Yu saw her foot shift, causing her body to instinctively lean backward.

Thump! The two of them tumbled into the roadside snowdrift.

Snowflakes swirled down, dusting their faces.

As they lay in the snow, Li Xiaoran pressing down on top of him, she couldn't help laughing out loud.

Staring intently at her, Ji Yu suddenly lifted his head and kissed her.

Teacher Li's face flushed red as she blinked at him.

Passersby on the street saw them publicly displaying their affection in the snow and averted their eyes in amusement.

A few minutes later, Ji Yu carried the suitcase into Li Xiaoran's rented apartment.

The place was small, but arranged with warmth and kept impeccably clean.

Embarrassed, Li Xiaoran said, "It's just a rental, please don't mind it."

"How could I? Teacher Li is so capable, keeping even a rented place spotless."

After offering the compliment, Ji Yu asked, "Where is your roommate? Not here?"

"She went out to look for work, will be back tonight." Apologetic, Li Xiaoran added, "I told her about moving out, but I haven't found a new place yet."

Unfazed, Ji Yu said, "It's fine. I'll go stay somewhere else for a few days and find a place. Then you can move in with me."

"Mm..." Li Xiaoran agreed with a blushing face, wondering if things were moving a bit too fast since Ji Yu had never formally confessed his feelings.

Ji Yu walked around the room a few times, seeing firsthand how diligent Li Xiaoran truly was, with everything neat and orderly.

Just how much advantage had that woman Xie Na taken by living with Teacher Li!

And she'd even had the nerve to scam her!

He'd have to teach her a lesson tonight!

As Ji Yu pondered how to deal with Xie Na, pranking her was simple enough.

However, making Teacher Li see Xie Na's true colors was somewhat troublesome.

Teacher Li was so kind-hearted, while Xie Na was so adept at manipulation; she would surely be tricked again the moment Ji Yu wasn't around.

He could absolutely not give Xie Na that chance!

A vicious thought even flashed through Ji Yu's mind.

His thoughts lingered momentarily on the pocket pistol available in the system mall.

Ultimately, however, he reined in the impulse in his heart.

Meanwhile, back at Fan Bingbing's house, Yue Jiatong and she were whispering in secret.

"Does he really have a girlfriend?" Yue Jiatong asked, still somewhat in disbelief.

"Probably, he did bring flowers to look for someone that day."

Looking at her, Fan Bingbing said, "I told you to just ask directly, but you wouldn't."

Yue Jiatong snorted, harboring a sliver of resentment toward Fan Bingbing.

Fan Bingbing had only mentioned this to her yesterday; otherwise, she wouldn't have booked a separate hotel room last night.

She had been fully prepared to throw caution to the wind, only for Fan Bingbing to drop this bombshell while Ji Yu was out booking rooms.

Glaring at Fan Bingbing, she snorted, "Why didn't you ask? You're interested in him too!"

Fan Bingbing bit her lip and stayed silent.

Yue Jiatong's face flushed as she muttered, "Once you lay it out in the open, how can you even remain friends? It's all his fault for being so greedy."

Fan Bingbing couldn't help sighing, vowing to demand a clear answer when she saw Ji Yu in a couple of days!

Though she'd wait until after Yue Jiatong left to ask!