WBSGVS Chapter 228 V1

The show was pre-recorded, so the brief interruption didn’t cause any real problems. The host came over to check in, and after confirming everything was fine, they continued filming.

After the introductions came the game segment.

Most people were seated in the guest area, waiting to be called. With the cameras no longer focused on them, Ning Xi couldn’t wait to lean over to her and whisper, “So it was you! My savior! I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you all this time!”

Qingli looked surprised. “Savior? All I did was play a song with you.”

Ning Xi gave a little cough, looking embarrassed. “Back then, I was practically irrelevant. My company was ready to give up on me. That might’ve been the last show I ever did. But after it aired, someone posted the clip of us playing piano together. Remember how we looked at each other while playing? A lot of people thought there was chemistry, and the clip went viral. I started gaining attention. Then someone used one of my songs in a short video, and it blew up. That’s how I got popular…”

To Qingli, it was just a small favor. But to Ning Xi, it was the moment someone finally noticed him.

Maybe it wasn’t a huge deal, but that coincidence—his performance with Qingli—caught people’s attention, sparked discussion, and brought his music into the spotlight. He went viral, the show got more recognition, and he stopped being invisible.

Since then, he’d had opportunities to keep releasing music, gradually earning awards.

He had never forgotten that moment or that person, but he hadn’t seen her again. People used to ask who the girl was—the one who played a duet with him—and Ning Xi didn’t even know. He always thought she was just a random guest.

He never expected her to be a legend.

His face turned red from excitement.

But to He Tianzhuo, who had been discreetly watching Qingli the whole time, that kind of reaction was suspicious. Just one accidental hug and the guy was blushing this hard? Seriously?

He Tianzhuo didn’t bother hiding his displeasure, even in front of the cameras.

Qingli, on the other hand, was in a great mood. She was fully engaged in the games, having fun, and didn’t so much as glance at He Tianzhuo the entire time—like he didn’t even exist.

Though the producers had invited both of them, they were careful not to create unnecessary drama. They didn’t push them together on purpose, and He Tianzhuo never got a chance to approach her.

After the taping wrapped up and everyone headed back to the dressing rooms to pack up for the hotel, He Tianzhuo didn’t say a word to Qingli.

Seeing him like this, Su Yan advised, “You should go apologize to Aunt.”

He Tianzhuo hesitated, remembering how Qingli had completely ignored him. That made him nervous. “How about… you come with me?”

Su Yan chuckled awkwardly. “I’m dating Zhao Muyun now. The paparazzi are already on standby. Good luck, Uncle. You’re on your own.”

Then he left without hesitation.

He Tianzhuo couldn’t stop him. He just watched Su Yan’s retreating figure, letting out a helpless sigh. But seeing that everyone else was almost done packing up, he finally stood up to go.

If he waited any longer, even the other production crew would’ve left.

Luckily, by the time he got there, the Phoenix Slayer team was still packing.

When he walked in, people exchanged glances, all turning to look at Qingli.

She sat expressionless in a chair, silent.

Forcing a smile, He Tianzhuo greeted the team. In this industry, you don’t pick fights with someone who’s being nice. Ning Xi and Kong Li greeted him politely: “Hello, Director He!”

He Tianzhuo said, “I need to talk to Ah Li for a moment. Could you give us some privacy?”

“Of course!” Kong Li nodded quickly and dragged a hesitant Ning Xi away. “What’s your deal?”

Ning Xi whispered, “I don’t think Director Su wants to see him.”

Kong Li whispered back, “Stay out of it unless she says something. But let’s wait outside just in case.”

“Okay,” Ning Xi nodded. He gave one last worried glance at the tightly closed door before standing near it. If anything happened inside, he wanted to be the first to know. Come to think of it, wasn’t that photo Director Su asked him to take five years ago meant to piss off He Tianzhuo?

The door closed behind them.

He Tianzhuo’s tense expression softened a bit. He took a few steps forward and sat just one meter from Qingli. He wore a helpless, almost pitiful expression.

“Ah Li, this has been going on for a while now. I know I messed up. Can we just let it go this time?”

Qingli tilted her head and gave a cold smile. “You know I hate Zhao Rongrong, and you still let her show up in the home we shared. And now you want to just let it go?”

He Tianzhuo looked a little awkward as he explained, “I was sick, really sick. Zhao Muyun had been sending me herbal soups, and that day she couldn’t, so her aunt brought them instead. She only stayed an hour, and I clarified things right away!”

Qingli let out a sarcastic laugh. “An hour? Weren’t you supposed to not open the door?”

He Tianzhuo bristled, frustrated by her aggressive tone. “She went to all that trouble—how could I not open the door?!”

“Oh really? She had the nerve to sit on a married man’s lap—why shouldn’t you have the nerve to close the door in her face?” Qingli’s tone turned sharp. She didn’t usually go after other women, but that didn’t mean she approved of Zhao Rongrong getting cozy with someone else’s husband. She despised people like that.

He Tianzhuo snapped, “You weren’t there! I was seriously ill! What’s so wrong with her bringing me some soup?!”

Qingli smiled icily. “So by your logic, since you couldn’t take care of me, I should go find another man to do it?”

He Tianzhuo: “???”

What kind of logic was that?!

The moment she said it, his brain nearly short-circuited. He stared at her in disbelief. “What are you trying to say?”

“Exactly what it sounds like,” Qingli said, slowly and clearly. Her lips curled into a mocking smile. “He Tianzhuo, just because I didn’t say anything for five years doesn’t mean I didn’t mind. What did you think—was I with you just to have an extra name on the property deed?”

He Tianzhuo’s shame turned to anger. “You’re being ridiculous! I was injured! The doctors said I’d recover!”

“Yeah, well, you recovered, but you’re still useless.” Qingli pressed on. “I’m being unreasonable? You’re the one who got yourself injured. Sounds like a you problem. Honestly, you got off easy.