Chapter 137

unedited

The reason why

Sleek horses run fast

had retired that year must be because he owed someone money

Thats not it

Thats not how, it, should, be,

interpreted

Qi Jing was quietly browsing the forum while sitting in a bus, and momentarily became speechless when he saw this popular posts t.i.tle. He suddenly thought that he must have gotten old, and was no longer able to follow young peoples train of thought, hence he sighed woefully.

Their imagination is quite rich. The creditorTan Zixian, was sitting by his side, his expression unchanging as he spoke.

With the way you worded it so ambiguously, its no surprise that those who knew nothing of the situation would misunderstand. Qi Jing just didnt expect them to take it quite literally, making it into a money-centred dispute, with

Sleek horses run fast

playing the role of a sc.u.m who doesnt pay the debts back after borrowing money from people Still, either way, gossip or not, with no proof to back it, it would die out on its own, leaving no trace behind.

Youre getting your share of gossip as well, Tan Zixian took a lukewarm glance at the main forum page, where aside from that one post, there sure enough were also some that started with

Dont ask for my return date

as a key word for the t.i.tles. He then asked, Any regrets?

Regrets? Does he mean asking the question before everyone?

No regrets. Qi Jing chuckled.

After everyone from the NPC group went on stage, the introduction event entered the conclusion, so two hours pa.s.sed in a blink of an eye.

Although there was still a lot to get to know about those VAs, the fans were already satisfied with being able to see them, to hear about their individual experiences.

The wrap-up speech was delivered by Zhang Chengthe judges representative. He even brought the cute little lolita along to the stage to greet the crowd, causing a wave of exclamations.

Zhang Chengs wrap-up speech was mainly formal thanks to the contestants, both those who won the prize and those who partic.i.p.ated, then talked about his own new insight as the judge et cetera, ending with the thanks to the fans support. During the short break before their ride to the recording studio, the fans had the last chance to interact with the contestants.

During that time, Qi Jing composedly went over to greet a couple of the contestants he knew, even following the suit of the other fans and asking for the autographs with a cheeky smile.

Including Yang Jies, Tan Zixians, and Shen Yans.

During that whole time, the fans kept a close eye on them till the very end, wanting to see how

Dont ask for my return date

and

Kittys Papa

would interact, whether there was something fishy going on between them. Unfortunately, his att.i.tude toward the three of them was all the same, all of their behaviour just as friendly, comradely, same-minded heroes supporting each other alike, thwarting their hunger for gossip.

The only difference wasYang Jie and Tan Zixian signed their autographs on his notepad, while Shen Yan wrote it directly on Qi Jings sleeve.

And unlike how he would chat a bit after getting an autograph with everyone else, he didnt have a single word with Shen Yan, only meeting his gaze and exchanging smiles before they parted.

All the way from the exit to boarding the bus, they didnt have a single interaction.

And right now, while sitting in the same bus as the contestant and going to where Zhang Chengs company was located, Qi Jing also chose to sit with Tan Zixian, while Shen Yan sat far away in another row together with Yang Jie.

Leaving no s.p.a.ce for any guesses

Qi Jing held the sleeve signed with Shen Yans name, chuckling quietly while lost in thought. Then, as everyone else was lost in a merry chatting and under the cover of the seat in front of him, he lowered his head to kiss it.

Regret?

He didnt regret, not a single bit. Quite to the contrary, he felt accomplished instead.

Tan Zixian saw how his expression was calm and at ease, so he didnt pursue the question. Rather than that, he waved his phone with a message on the screen for Qi Jing to see, This one, will you go?

Qi Jing took a sideways glanceit was actually a message from Tan Zixians debtor.

The company arranged the contestants to eat dinner together with the Teachers tonight, so going out for dinner wont do, but I think we can go out for a drink after the banquet is finished? Ill drive my car to get you guys. Help me ask Dont ask for my return date if hell come. If he wont join, that guy will probably refuse to come as wellQAQ

Pffthaha.

The originally serious sentence instantly turned pitiful with that emote at the end, making it look just so silly.

Qiu Tianyang had to take care of the venue along with the company workers after the introduction event, then had to return to the company to handle some matters, so he couldnt ride the bus along with them. Outside of that, the beef between him and Shen Yan still remained unaddressed, and staying together would make it awkward, so he left the few of them for a while. At that time, he also sent the message with a call for help to his saviour number one and two.

Fine, Ill ask Shen Yan, Qi Jing resumed his proper tone of voice after laughing, But its not my decision whether he wants to come or not. If he refuses, then I wont force him to do that I just need you to know this beforehand.

Tan Zixian nodded his head.

And so, Qi Jing sent a message to Shen Yan. Not even three seconds after he sent it, he saw Shen Yan in the front seats of the bus lowering head to look at his phone, then turning his head back to look at him. Qi Jing smiled at him, but didnt say anything.

After a moment, Shen Yans reply showed on his screen.

Okay.

The moment Qi Jing saw this message, he sighed with relief.

Thats good, at least its a good start if he didnt turn it down right away

The bus arrived at the destination half an hour later, stopping by the film companys entrance to let the contestants out to be led inside by Zhang Cheng. His familys little lolita was even more proactive than her dad, determined to pull Qi Jing forward and acting as his guide herself, and h.e.l.l-bent on rus.h.i.+ng ahead of her dad. Qi Jing chuckled, letting her lead him forward, paying attention to not go too far away ahead of Zhang Chengs group.

Once they stepped through the entrance, a woman suddenly stood up from the sofa in the lobby, her expression shocked as she watched him and the little lolita pulling him inside.

Mom~ Little lolitas sweet call made her ident.i.ty known to Qi Jing.

So it was Zhang Chengs wife It seemed like she was waiting at her husbands workplace for his and their daughters return. This being the case, Qi Jing took two steps forward, starting off with introducing himself politely.

h.e.l.lo Mrs Zhang, Teacher Zhang Cheng is outside, hell be coming inside in a moment. Ah, thats right, I came here by the bus for the contestants from Order to End the Heavens compet.i.tion Although he wasnt a champion, he was indeed a contestant.

Considering how she didnt know him, seeing her baby daughter coming in with a strange man with her dad nowhere to be seen, anyone would get worriedso to avoid her misunderstanding the situation, Qi Jing needed to clarify his ident.i.ty right away.

When Mrs Zhang heard his voice, she momentarily blinked, staring at him for at least three seconds.

This left Qi Jing baffled, but little lolita already pounced at her mom, once again showcasing her supreme skill of hugging thighs as she plastered herself tightly on her moms trousers, saying in a high voice, Its Emperor Uncle~ The one who talked with dad on the computer~

Mrs Zhang lowered her eyes for a bit and by the time she looked back up, her expression had already changed into that of an indignation.

She didnt seem too happy to see him.

So you are that Dont ask for my return date? When she coldly spat those words out, Qi Jing could finally make sure that she not only didnt seem too happy about seeing him, but was

very

unhappy with this meeting, which caught him by surprise.

Yes, I am

To be honest, he didnt know why Mrs Zhang would hold any animosity toward him. It was their first time meeting, and he also didnt remember how he could possibly offend her or her husband. If it was because he led the little lolita inside, then didnt he already make it clear a moment ago?

At that time, Mrs Zhang suddenly continued, Someone shared a site with me, a certain thread from some forum. People there seemed to have a very lively discussion about some Long Term s.h.i.+pso

you

are that Dont ask for my return date who keeps this fishy relations.h.i.+p with my husband?

As she spoke, she slowly lowered her sad and angry face, holding little lolitas hand as if she felt pained, unable to accept the proof of such infidelity.

When he heard this, Qi Jing secretly felt like he was about to spit blood from the emotional damage

Mrs Zhang! You cant believe the gossip in the circle so easily!

It was exactly because he didnt want to see any gossip cropping out of it that he hoped so dearly for no Long Term CP to get created at the time, but turns out he had no chance of stopping the forum girls from creating a thread for it happily, letting their thoughts go wild there.

It was fine if he didnt go in there, out of sight, out of mind, but why would be so idle Actually sending some Long Term s.h.i.+pping threads for Mrs Zhang herself to seewasnt that causing trouble out of pure malice? Women with a family and children were very sensitive to rumours like this, so someone was being especially vile here.

Mrs Zhang, those people online are only being unserious and talking without thinking, please dont treat it seriously, His tone ill at ease and voice nervously hasty, he lowered his head to say quickly, I

Pfft Just as he was losing his mind wondering what to do, this Mrs Zhang suddenly laughed deeply, cutting his words shorta genuine laughter she really couldnt hold back anymore.

Following was her clear and sonorous hearty laugh that went on for a while, Ahahahaha

Qi Jing was taken aback, but he then saw her raise her head while laughing. The expression on her face was now completely changed, no more grave indignation or sadness to be seen anymore, only a pair of eyes narrowed from the laughinga face full of playful cheekiness.

Return Date, ah, Return Date, She laughed lightly, her tone heavy with meaning, Three years has pa.s.sed already, yet youre still getting

married off against your will

at every possible occasion~

Ah?

Qi Jings heart shook a bit.

This shortened way she called his ID sounded so familiarpeople he just met would usually never call him this, and even if they did, they would at least add stuff like Lord or -sama to it. Those three years she mentioned were referring to the time he spent in the circle since he entered it, while getting married off against his will was always the root of his troubles throughout that time. For her to actually know all of that to this degree, she had to be an old friend.

You are

Who?

Haha, The woman laughed languidly, lifting a brow, How are the folks from gradually inching towards quitting the community doing?

Hearing this, Qi Jings eyes widened.

Gradually inching towards quitting the communityit was the only group chat for staff members he had ever joined in the voice acting circle,

Ninth Lady

was the owner of the chat and there were few members. They were all the staff members he got to know the earliest, so he had a strong and experienced relations.h.i.+p with them.

But because the members were gradually growing spa.r.s.e, it became just a place for idle chat and gossip, and Qi Jing himself found pleasure in it.

Outside of the members, no one else would know of this groups existence.

You

It couldnt be

Ninth LadyNinth Lady

was from the time-difference gang, currently studying PhD in the US.

It couldnt be

Rolling Ball of Meow Meows

this girl was crying about how studying the design major is going to take her dear life not so long ago, these days she had been pulling all-nighters trying to meet all the deadlines, so there was no way she had spare time for any outings.

It couldnt be

iCookie

she was still worrying about how she cant find a boyfriend, so where would she suddenly get a husband and daughter from.

It couldnt be

I wont survive if I wont procrastinate

or

Plainclothes with vermillion embroidery

, both of those good-for-nothings were in the chat everyday, stuffing themselves full with all the delicious gossip, so why would they ask stuff like how are those folks doing. Someone who would ask this was probably away from the group for quite a while

Could it be that youre An ID appeared in his head, so he tried calling it probingly, b.u.mpy?

Heh, She didnt deny this question, so it seemed like he guessed right, We havent talked online for such a long time, I didnt expect that I would b.u.mp into you IRL first, Return Date.

Is this really you? His eyes lit up, even his breathing speeding up at this exciting surprise.

b.u.mpy, not Indented

, nickname

b.u.mpy

her and

Ninth Lady

were so close,

Ninth Lady

would call

b.u.mpy

her CP.

Even though back in the day, her biggest commitment was to react with every time

Ninth Lady

was obsessing over her main life core

Swift horses run fast

, pouring cold water on her enthusiasm with her jabs, but it never stopped her from becoming one of

Ninth Lady

s most trusted companions and staff members. Aside from their att.i.tude to creating audio dramas and the personal conduct being very much in tune with each other, her editing skills were also superior, her ID gaining a fame of one of the best sound designers in the circle at the time.

Ah

Qi Jing suddenly remembered something, first quickly looking at her, then again looking just as quickly at the little lolita plastered on her leg.

A marriage A child He muttered.

Hm?

You really are busy with your IRL

IRL huh These days my its especially busy, I have to rush to finish my workload before making a year-end summary, and with the weather getting cold, the child easily gets sick as well. She stroked her daughters hair, watching as the little thing played cute, rubbing her face against the leg of her trousers. Then, she sighed.

A sound designer with skills on par with Lifetimes Locks He finally arrived at the crucial point.

Hearing him say so, she lifted her chin and laughed, Lifetimes Lock? Are you talking about that sound designer for the modern underworld drama Trap? Ah my, what on par are you talking aboutif I were to get serious, I would crush her with no problem?

Hearing this tone full of self-confidence, Qi Jing felt warmth in his chest, as if everyones fighting spirit for creating audio dramas was backhe suddenly felt that his companions didnt lose out a single bit to

Bronze Sparrow Terrace

s pack, or maybe were even more outstanding.

But, no matter how outstanding they were, they couldnt escape the most realistic of questions, Ninth said that youre unable to accept any new dramasis that true?

Sure enough, she nodded her head.

Mn, I havent done anything as a production staff for quite a long time, currently Im also half-retired from the circleif I have some free time, its just enough to go browse the forum for gossip.

This

is the biggest problem here. She pointed at said

this

by her leg. Little lolita looked with her pure and unblemished eyes at her momno matter how big of a trouble, she was still an adorable one, making it impossible for people to blame her.

And the other problem is

Just as she said that, Zhang Cheng walked in through the main entrance. She and Qi Jing turned their heads in unison, both pointing fingers at him at the same time,

This

one.

What this, what that?

Zhang Cheng was taken aback, only later realising that his wife was chatting with Qi Jing at the moment. With a surprised

eh?

, he asked, Xiaotu, so you actually knew each other?

Tu Xiaotu smiled brightly, What is it, are you jealous?

Zhang Cheng coughed, embarra.s.sed, then hastily shook his head. Qi Jing sighed inwardly

Teacher Longbow, youre so silly its kinda cute Youll get bullied a lot by your wife like this.

Tu Xiaotu waved her hand to make him move closer, then said quietly into his ear, No need to get jealous, Return Date is looking for a boyfriend, not a girlfriend.

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng couldnt help but laugh, I know, after all, didnt he find one already?

This in turn left Tu Xiaotu astonished. She quickly asked, Strange, strangewhy would you know it before me? And how do you know that? Whos the boyfriend?

Zhang Cheng pointed innocently behind his back, Its Return Date who told me himselfhis boyfriend is one of the contestants, I already saw him during the introduction event.

At that time, the contestants entered one after another. Tu Xiaotu was a woman of insatiable curiosity, so her gaze scanned through the group walking in. When her gaze fell on

Went off with a bang

, she skipped him without any word before stopping on Tan Zixian.

Is it the one in black suit? Hes quite a looker.

No, Qi Jing quietly thought that little lolitas beauty standards were surely pa.s.sed on from her mother, then he raised his sleeve, pointing at the name on it with a smile, Its this one.

Shen Yan. Tu Xiaotu read out loud.

One man from among the contestants seemed to have heard his name, jerking his head up and meeting their gaze right awaythis way, Tu Xiaotu instantly knew this was the person in question.

Shen Yan saw Qi Jing smiling at him and Zhang Cheng chuckling at his sight. An unfamiliar woman stood by their side, looking him up and down, leaving him dumbfoundedbut he still abided by the etiquette and greeted her with a nod.

Shen Yan, This time it was Zhang Zheng who spoke, calling him over with a smile and waiting for him to come closer, Let me introduce you two to each otherthis is my wife Xiaotu, she also works in this company as an audio designer and editor.

Qi Jing had already heard about Tu Xiaotu having a sound design-related job, but it was only that day when he finally got to know the details, So thats how it is Then its no wonder that youre here.

Tu Xiaotu laughed, My job isnt actually all that impressive, just the usual stuff. But its only because Im working in this industry that I met Zhang Cheng. Ah We keep talking between ourselves, yet I still havent properly said h.e.l.lonice to meet you, Mr Shen. Besides the introduction they gave me just now, Im also old friends from the circle with Return Date. Ive known him for a long time now, so Im happy to know that he finally found a home for himself.

When Shen Yan heard her saying how happy she was for Qi Jing, he instinctively broke into a smile, then said warmly, Thank you.

The four of them chatted for a while. When a question about Shen Yans job got asked, Qi Jing replied in his stead with a smile, Shen Yan works in a veterinary cliniches a kind and considerate doctor that really looks after the animals.

Tu Xiaotu had an epiphany, A veterinarian So hes actually a

healing

top.

Qi Jing asked curiously, How do you know that hes a healing top?

Although this guess was completely right, he was still curious how Tu Xiaotu came to this conclusion.

Tu Xiaotu patted his shoulder, her reasoning sound and clear, Its simplethats because you

receive

the doctor and his treatment.

b.u.mpy, you won

Qi Jing wanted to say something to that, but suddenly Zhang Cheng by his side exclaimed, as if he got spooked by something. Just as he wanted to turn his head to see what was going on, all of a sudden, he felt a sudden grip of an arm around his neck, so he instinctively exclaimed as well.

Everyone in the hall looked their way, surprised.

Qi Jing didnt even have time to struggle before he heard a familiar voice coming from behind, I just knew I could smell the seedlings hereso thats how it is.

A/N:

Kittys Papa will soon receive his own share of treatment as well~ (eh?)

Teacher Yuan, youve got a plenty of seedlings here for you~ (

eh?

)

P.S.: I didnt realise that I accidentally tossed some Time Limit crumbs inside *facepalms*