Chapter 10: Teacher Ji, Please Take Care of Me~!

Morning light drifted across the windowsill. Ji Wushan’s eyes fluttered open; her lips pressed into a faint line as she turned her head with a trace of impatience.

The next moment, she saw Xue Erbai standing at the door with breakfast in hand, dark circles under her eyes, looking as though she hadn’t slept at all.

Xue Erbai walked over, set the tray aside, and crouched by the bed.

Ji Wushan propped herself up. The strap of her nightgown slipped from her shoulder with the movement, and a flicker of confusion passed over her cool, clear brows.

Her fingers lifted unconsciously, as if to touch Xue Erbai’s hair. But before she could, Xue Erbai straightened abruptly, tilted her chin up slightly, and asked with misty eyes, “Sister Shengsheng, I want to take you to work.

“Is that okay?”

The grievance in her voice was impossible to hide.

Ji Wushan froze for a moment, looking at her in confusion.

Xue Erbai gritted her teeth and said, “Actually, I had a nightmare.

Those words were true enough; Xue Erbai had had that dream twice before.

But she still felt a little uneasy, because her desire to see Ji Wushan off to work had only a small part to do with the dream itself. Most of it was because of Ji Wushan.

The Ji Wushan before her had a cool, impatient expression, and that made it even easier to imagine.

What exactly had happened to the fragile, helpless Ji Wushan from last night, the one with that muffled, choking cry in her voice?

Was there really so much unease hidden beneath that fresh, cold exterior, uneased for so many years and never soothed by anyone?

So she wanted to get a little closer to Ji Wushan.

Xue Erbai lowered her head even further. Just as she blinked and tried to look up at Ji Wushan, a warm hand settled over her hair.

Ji Wushan’s gentle voice followed. “A nightmare? Was it that scary?”

Her voice had softened, and Xue Erbai felt her eyes sting. She still didn’t lift her head, only nodded under Ji Wushan’s light touch. “Very scary, very scary, very scary!”

She was even a little embarrassed; when she finally looked up at Ji Wushan, she could feel moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes.

Ji Wushan only laughed softly, her hand never stopping. “You’re acting a little like a child.”

“Having a nightmare and wanting to cling to someone.”

“But we’re wife and wife, so if you’re scared, you can tell me. If you have time, of course you can take me to work.”

“Or if you want me to take you to work, that’s fine too.”

“I’ve been home alone a lot lately anyway; I should go out and get some fresh air.”

These past few days, Ji Wushan had rarely said so much at once. The first two sentences moved Xue Erbai so much that she almost thought she might cry.

But the next three.

Her embarrassment vanished; the moisture in her eyes dried up.

It all shattered on the words wife and wife.

Ji Wushan’s words sounded perfectly reasonable at first glance, but in reality, Xue Erbai didn’t want their relationship defined by that label at all.

Because when Ji Wushan said those things, her tone was so gentle, her gaze so clear.

There was no romance in it, only concern.

Xue Erbai felt an indescribable disappointment, looked down at the floor, and answered offhandedly, “Then that’s great. We can both go out for a walk.

“Maybe then I’ll be able to forget that nightmare... very soon.”

Forget the nightmare of losing you.

Forget it completely.

I hope you can, too.

----

Ji Wushan kept her word and sat in the passenger seat of Xue Erbai’s car.

She lowered her head to read the program’s recording schedule.

The car was very quiet. By the time they reached the XTV building, Ji Wushan and Xue Erbai got out one after the other. Before either of them could say anything, Mao Ying came out from the entrance and greeted them with a smile. “Sister Ji!” Then she turned and called Xue Erbai in a close, quiet voice, “Hello, sis-in-law~!”

Last night, when Xue Erbai heard that “sis-in-law,” she had been practically stunned. But now she took it in carefully for a moment.

Something about the way Mao Ying said it still felt off.

Her gaze moved to Ji Wushan.

She found that Ji Wushan’s slender figure was wrapped in professional attire, her back straight. Because she wore heels, she was a few centimeters taller than Xue Erbai.

Her expression was a little colder than it had been in the car, making her seem distant and aloof.

She was gradually matching the “cold and ruthless top” image that had spread online.

Someone had taken photos of Ji Wushan going to and from work; they’d gone around a little, and that was how the production team for “Her Romantic Encounter” had found her.

A lot of fanfiction had sprung up because of it.

Other people’s fantasies were a little different from hers.

In other people’s fantasies, Ji Wushan was always the top; only her pitiful little alternate account was still stubbornly insisting that Ji Wushan should be the bottom.

It wasn’t that Ji Wushan absolutely had to be the bottom. As long as Ji Wushan liked her, anything was fine.

She just really liked seeing Ji Wushan hold back.

Reality and the internet were different too.

On the internet, everyone wanted to be the “sis-in-law.”

So this “sis-in-law” title—she couldn’t tell whether she was overthinking it, or whether Mao Ying really was overthinking too.

Either way, Xue Erbai felt uneasy.

She even switched on her public-facing social persona, her brows faintly knit, standing straighter than Ji Wushan, wearing a standard, polished smile. “Hello. Please take good care of Wushan.”

Mao Ying couldn’t help straightening too, her tone becoming more formal. “Of course, President Xue; don’t worry.”

Xue Erbai smiled and nodded, then squeezed Ji Wushan’s arm before letting a little warmth show in her expression. “Then I’m leaving now. Text me when you’re done.”

Ji Wushan’s body stiffened slightly. She pressed her lips together, turned her head, and looked at Xue Erbai. “Okay. Drive carefully; be safe.”

Only Mao Ying knew about her memory loss.

With a few years of work experience, and because the two of them chatted on WeChat, she felt she was relatively trusted by Mao Ying, which was why she had told her about her relationship with Xue Erbai.

After all, it wasn’t practical for her to show up at the television station alone, with no one she trusted by her side.

And Xue Erbai’s subtle reminder and concern seemed to see right through her heart.

Seeing Xue Erbai looking after her after the nightmare had perhaps softened her, or perhaps made her act on impulse.

But at this moment, she felt that it was good.

Having Xue Erbai’s company was better than she had imagined.

Xue Erbai watched the two of them go in through the entrance before turning to leave.

Who knew that after only a few steps, she heard a voice she didn’t recognize very well. “President Xue?”

She turned around and saw that the speaker looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t place her at all.

“I’m the head of the XTV sponsorship department; my surname is Huang. I’ve spoken with your assistant before.”

“I didn’t expect you to come in person.”

The two of them were standing right at the entrance to XTV. Xue Erbai was in a dark gray suit, her expression serious, and that made Director Huang a little nervous. But thinking of her sponsorship targets, she still steeled herself and said, “Today just happens to be the recording of ‘Paperlight Shimmer.’ If you’re free, you could...”

“I can.”

“Eh...?” Director Huang blinked, looking at Xue Erbai a little speechless.

Her conversation with Qiao You actually hadn’t gone that far yet.

Inviting Xue Erbai to watch the recording had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. She hadn’t expected Xue Erbai to agree so readily, and even seem a little warmer because of it.

Naturally, she didn’t ask anything else and instead led her into the studio.

Once inside, Xue Erbai kept watching Ji Wushan from the shadows.

The others were all busy working, and Director Huang kept talking nonstop by her ear, but Xue Erbai only watched Ji Wushan.

She had never been to a recording set before, but she had watched the program countless times, and she knew Ji Wushan’s habits very well.

The habits hadn’t changed, but Ji Wushan was still nervous.

However, very quickly, Ji Wushan found her rhythm.

She had the fundamentals; she was only missing a little experience, so it took a bit more time.

Xue Erbai’s heart gradually settled too. She occasionally responded to Director Huang, but more often she stayed in the shadows, watching Ji Wushan.

Watching her shine, watching her voice grow full and bright, every word crisp and clear.

Time passed quickly; before Xue Erbai could bear it, the spotlight dimmed and Ji Wushan walked down the steps. Staff members began dismantling the backdrop, the noise turning somewhat chaotic.

But Xue Erbai could only see Ji Wushan.

Her hand clenched, then loosened.

Unnoticed by anyone, she curved her lips and smiled softly.

At herself, for being able to get a little closer to Ji Wushan.

“Director Huang, I still have work.”

“As for the investment side, my assistant and our professional staff will be in touch with you.”

-

After the recording ended, Ji Wushan held the microphone, still warm from use, and slowly walked down the steps.

The staff were busy taking down the backdrop; amid the clatter of metal frames colliding, there was the loud voice of a stagehand calling, “Pull the cable!”

“Sister Ji, you worked hard!” An intern, holding a stack of host scripts, ran over and handed her a thermos.

Ji Wushan paused, took the thermos, and though her throat was dry, she didn’t rush to drink. Instead, she smiled faintly and exchanged a few words. “Everyone worked hard. You all cooperated very well.”

Everyone was already used to Ji Wushan’s gentle, polite manner, and they all echoed her with “Sister Ji, you worked hard” while quietly doing their own work.

Ji Wushan didn’t drink more than a couple of sips of water to wet her throat until she got back to the lounge. Then she slowly and methodically took makeup remover and clothes out of her bag. Just as she was wiping off her lipstick, Mao Ying knocked and came in.

The tension in Ji Wushan’s shoulders immediately eased.

No matter how many times she had gone over it in her head, facing it in person still made her nervous.

Fortunately, Mao Ying really did understand some of her habits.

Meeting in person was more effective than talking through a screen.

She smiled at Mao Ying, who quietly praised her. “Sister Ji was really beautiful today, as professional as always.”

Then Mao Ying told her about next week’s recording arrangements.

“I’ve booked your flight. Next Monday at two in the afternoon, you’ll fly to Yunzhi Island.”

As she spoke, Mao Ying handed over the items in her hands one by one. Ji Wushan smiled at her. “Okay, thank you.”

Mao Ying smiled a little bashfully in return. “You’re welcome, Sister Ji.”

Then her mood sank again. “It’s just... sigh! I can’t go with you, Sister Ji!”

Mao Ying had been at XTV for three years. Ever since Ji Wushan became the host of “Paperlight Shimmer,” she had been following her as an intern assistant. Last year, the word intern was removed, and from then on her entire schedule revolved around Ji Wushan. Booking flights was part of her job, but going with Ji Wushan to Yunzhi Island was out of the question.

When Ji Wushan wasn’t around, there were many things that still needed her coordination and communication.

After all, she belonged more to the “Paperlight Shimmer” team, and her lively personality had helped Ji Wushan a lot.

Ji Wushan wasn’t very good at dealing with people; she had always been like that.

But when she saw Mao Ying’s enthusiasm and then her brief slump, she gently took Mao Ying’s hand and said with clear gratitude, “Thank you, Mao Mao. We’ll still see each other tomorrow.”

Without any accidents, “Paperlight Shimmer” recorded every week, but this time Ji Wushan had a job that required her to stay on Yunzhi Island for a week in advance. Coincidentally, she wouldn’t be back until next Thursday, and the later schedule was undecided, so they had to record two episodes ahead of time just in case.

So the two of them would still see each other tomorrow; that comfort didn’t completely soothe Mao Ying, but it did improve her mood somewhat.

“Sister Ji is being so polite now. If Sister Zhou sees this...”

“What are you saying about me behind my back?”

Ji Wushan looked toward the door and saw a woman a few years older than her walk in. Mao Ying’s shoulders shook, and she said haltingly, “N-no, I was just saying Sister Zhou will definitely be happy to see Sister Ji!”

“Of course she’d be happy; it’s a pity she won’t be able to see her for the entire next week.”

The woman who had entered was Zhou Mu, who was responsible for coordinating the hosts. Mao Ying had introduced her to Ji Wushan before; Ji Wushan knew her personality was straightforward, that she said what she thought, and that she liked to tease people.

So Ji Wushan only smiled and chimed in occasionally. The rest of the time, she listened to Mao Ying and Zhou Mu chat.

By the time she left XTV, it was already dark.

Xue Erbai’s car was parked not far away, and Ji Wushan walked straight over.

On the drive back, they remained mostly quiet.

Xue Erbai seemed to understand her fatigue, only asking what she wanted to eat. After they got home and finished dinner, she went to the study to work.

Ji Wushan also keenly noticed that Xue Erbai seemed especially busy today.

She was busy too. Even though they lived together, she often had to go back upstairs to prepare for work.

The first recording had been awkward, the second much more familiar, and the next day’s recording went much more smoothly.

And her impression had been right: after picking her up and dropping her off for two days, Xue Erbai became so busy she was barely seen at all.

Ji Wushan didn’t know the details of her work, so she did her best not to disturb her.

She checked the weather on Yunzhi Island, packed her clothes accordingly, then showered, did her skincare, applied body lotion, and went to bed on time with the lights out.

On Monday afternoon, she pulled her suitcase and took a taxi to the airport.

Ji Wushan had terrible spatial awareness and no real sense of direction; if she had been alone, it probably would have taken her quite a while.

Fortunately, a few of her colleagues from the station were on the same flight. Even though they were only acquaintances by face at this point, it still solved many problems.

She hated being late; she couldn’t tolerate it in herself and found it hard to tolerate in others as well.

So she pulled her suitcase along, moving from the side to the front of the crowd.

Not eye-catching; not abrupt.

She stayed unusually quiet all the way to the hotel, only catching bits and pieces of strange comments.

“This show is just too small. Besides the unpopular ones, it’s all washed-up people, plus a few half-ordinary guests.”

“How can someone even get in with money behind them?”

“Outrageous, absolutely outrageous.”

Ji Wushan wasn’t very interested in that sort of thing, so she took out her earbuds, trying to block the voices out; but just before she put them in, she heard the two words “wonderful... ”

Her fingers paused slightly, and then music filled her ears.

When she got out of the car, she was a little sleepy. Seeing the person standing in front of the vehicle, she froze for a moment, her steps stopping unconsciously as her fingers tightened around the suitcase handle.

This was very different from the person who had been by her side day and night for the past while.

Chestnut-brown curls were left to the spring breeze to tousle. Leaning against the car with a lazy smile, the one-shoulder dress made her figure look light and graceful, while her brows and eyes were full of tenderness.

She smiled faintly, drawing near in an unobtrusive way amid the hubbub, and in a soft voice said, “Teacher Ji, please take care of me~!”