Inextricable

Due to Huai Jing’s order, Tang Didi had to purchase another performance dress for Xu Xingxing. Song Youling also came to check on the dress when Xu Xingxing was trying it on.

This time, Tang Didi chose a tight-fitting, lotus-coloured cheongsam with a half-high collar and a skirt slit to the knees. Luckily, this cheongsam emphasised Xu Xingxing’s exquisite figure without being too revealing.

Tang Didi looked pleasingly at Xu Xingxing, who looked demure and noble in this outfit. Before, she had never imagined that Xu Xingxing, who usually looked so ordinary, could be this charming. She didn’t even need heavy makeup to look good, she looked like a delicate southern woman in an ink painting—very pleasing to the eye.

Tang Didi, who was currently fascinated by Xu Xingxing’s beauty, finally managed to utter some words, “Sister, you should change the style of your usual clothes! Otherwise, your good foundation will be in vain.”

Although Tang Didi praised her sincerely, Xu Xingxing felt that it was a bit exaggerated. She was a little embarrassed, blushed and shook her head while saying, “No, no…”

Song Youling was also satisfied with this dress because it was very suitable for Xu Xingxing. However, Song Youling didn’t show it, and just said lightly, “The image is second, and the performance is the main point. How is your piano practice going now?”

There was still one week until the annual meeting, and Xu Xingxing had been practising the piano consistently, but she was still a little unconfident about her performance, so she just said, “It’s okay.”

Song Youling raised an eyebrow at her and started with a sigh, “It can’t be just okay, you have to be really skilled. In front of the leaders of the company, even the slightest bit of sloppiness would be bad. You can record a video and send it to me to check.”

“Alright,” Xu Xingxing answered with a nod.

After Song Youling left, Xu Xingxing took off her dress and came out. Tang Didi muttered while packing her clothes, “Why is Team Leader Song being so fierce?”

Xu Xingxing just smiled and didn’t utter a word.

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……………

When Xu Xingxing returned to the office, she met Chen Wanwan, who was on her way to meet Huang Qiansong with some documents. “How’s the dress?” she asked.

“Very good.”

Chen Wanwan felt relieved, and looked at Xu Xingxing while complaining. “Why was your dress changed? I heard that Li Miaoxue’s clothes are very revealing, but they passed. Maybe Mr. Huai didn’t like your dress, right?”

Pursing her lips, Xu Xingxing nodded and said, “Maybe.”

Chen Wanwan imitated being a superb investigator with the gesture of supporting her chin and concluded, “It’s also possible that Song Youling was the one who didn’t want you to wear it. She has a close friendship with Li Miaoxue. With just a few words from her, Song Youling can have your outfit changed.” 

Xu Xingxing was a little dumbfounded. “Why is that…?”

“What else, she must be scared that you will steal her limelight. No wonder.” Chen Wanwan rolled her eyelids and continued, “Li Miaoxue always sneers at you because she thinks you are pretty.”

Not knowing what kind of logic Chen Wanwan was talking about, Xu Xingxing shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

“Song Youling didn’t make things difficult for you, did she?” 

“No,” Xu Xingxing spoke while grinning helplessly.

Chen Wanwan was always afraid that she would be bullied, so she protected Xu Xingxing like an old hen protecting its chicks.

Hearing her say no, Chen Wanwan felt relieved.

“That’s good. Then you just have to perform well. By the way, I’ll show you something.” Chen Wanwan smiled and took out her phone, sent Xu Xingxing a WeChat message, then patted her on the shoulder and said, “You watch it slowly, I’m going to deliver the documents to Lao Huang.”

“Okay.” After Chen Wanwan left, Xu Xingxing opened the video that her friend had just sent. 

“Aunt Xingxing, I miss you~” shouted Kangkang with a shy expression as he stood in his toy house, holding the big dinosaur in his arms.

She heard Chen Wanwan mutter from behind the camera, “Speak of the matter…”

“Oh!” Kangkang nodded fiercely, then tilted his head at the camera, smiled and said, “I wish Aunt Xingxing a smooth performance. Don’t be nervous, I and the big dinosaur will be cheering for you!”

After this, Kangkang also asked the big dinosaur to bow to the camera.

Xu Xingxing smiled on seeing such a cute scene.

“Come and kiss auntie,” Chen Wanwan said.

“I’m coming~” Kangkang trotted over, pouted his small mouth and kissed the camera while Chen Wanwan looked at him and laughed foolishly from behind.

Xu Xingxing touched Kangkang’s face on the screen while listening to the childish voice. ‘Children are so nice,’ she thought with a delightful smile.

……………

When Huai Jing returned to the living room after answering a phone call, he saw Xu Xingxing practising the piano.

She was wearing a tight-fitting light beige turtleneck sweater, which made her figure appear slim and slender. As she played the piano with both hands, the butterfly bone on her back moved along gently as well.

She had been practising this piece for almost a month, and she was already very proficient. 

Suddenly, something fell on the piano keys with a “bang”. 

Puzzled, Huai Jing went near the piano and saw Xu Xingxing pick up her mobile phone, and noticed that the mobile camera was on.

After noticing Huai Jing’s arrival, Xu Xingxing quickly said with an apologetic smile, “Sorry, I hit the piano.” 

Huai Jing asked, “Are you recording?”

Nodding her head, Xu Xingxing explained, “Well, Team Leader Song asked me to record a video of me practising the piano for her. She wants to see how I am doing.”

When Huai Jing saw Xu Xingxing struggling to place her phone on the piano, he volunteered to record it for her.

Xu Xingxing looked up at Huai Jing, smiled and said, “Thank you.”

Huai Jing held the mobile phone, glanced at her, and asked, “Shall we start?”

“Okay.” Xu Xingxing let out a long sigh of relief, put her fingers on the keys and began to play.

When she played the piano, she looked like a primary school student who was very obedient, and gave the impression that she was a gentle person.

Huai Jing kept looking at the woman who was playing the piano with deep eyes, and she seemed to have noticed that, so she raised her head and looked at him— her eyes were bright, and the corners of her lips curved slightly.

Maybe it was because his gaze was too hot, a layer of embarrassment formed in her eyes. When she lowered her head, her white ears had already been painted with a layer of pink.

This little action was really seductive.