Shi XinXin looked at him with an "I knew it" expression.
"But after the fireworks were over, he left. Besides him, there were only the guards at the entrance, to be honest." Even if he rented out an entire amusement park, he would still need people to help control the lights and set off fireworks.
Guards at the entrance were even more essential. Without them, he would probably be surrounded by fans very quickly. Xu JiaYi sighed, wondering why Shi XinXin was concerned about these things.
"Alright, let's get back to the main topic." Xu JiaYi forcibly steered Shi XinXin's thoughts back.
"I'm sorry, Xu JiaYi, I can't agree." Shi XinXin gave her answer before Xu JiaYi could speak again.
"Why? Don't you think we're a good match? You're unmarried, I'm unmarried, we're of similar age, and our work is similar. We're very suitable to be together." Xu JiaYi tried to analyze the benefits of them being together with Shi XinXin.
"Stop messing around." Shi XinXin was a little angry. She hadn't expected Xu JiaYi to call her over for this. She had been struggling, wanting to pull her hand away.
"I'm not messing around. I genuinely like you. I don't believe you haven't noticed. I moved my studio next to the magazine office and signed a collaboration contract with them. You can't possibly not know what all this is for."
"Let go of me first, and then we can talk." Seeing Xu JiaYi getting a little agitated, Shi XinXin decided not to answer his question directly. Moreover, Xu JiaYi was so close to her, making her feel rather uncomfortable.
If paparazzi were to photograph them in this state, how could she explain it clearly? Last time at the mall, she had thrown caution to the wind, making Sheng ChenJin think she liked Xu JiaYi, but that was out of spite.
If they were really photographed by paparazzi, how could she face Sheng ChenJin? Sheng ChenJin hadn't officially announced their breakup yet. If people saw her like this, she'd probably be drowned in a storm of gossip.
"Then do you believe I'm not messing around?" Xu JiaYi said childishly.
"I believe you're not messing around. Let go of me first, and we can talk properly," Shi XinXin said anxiously. Hearing this answer, Xu JiaYi finally released her hand.
"I'm sorry, Xu JiaYi, I can't agree."
"Aren't you going to consider it?" Xu JiaYi was very emotional. He hadn't expected Shi XinXin to refuse so decisively. She pushed the flowers back into Xu JiaYi's arms.
"You are a very outstanding person. You should find a more outstanding partner."
"No, I only want you. I feel that being with you is the most interesting. You are the person I want to spend my life with."
Although Xu JiaYi looked much more serious than usual now, Shi XinXin still felt like he was throwing a tantrum like a child.
She smiled and said, "Spending a lifetime together is a very long process, and making a decision is also a very difficult thing. You need to consider it more and not be so reckless."
"I'm not reckless. I've confirmed that I like you, and I want to be with you," Xu JiaYi said earnestly.
"But I'm sorry, I can't agree."
"Why?"
"Because, because..." Shi XinXin knew the answer in her heart, but she was unwilling to admit it.
"Because you still have that man in your heart, right?" Xu JiaYi finished the sentence Shi XinXin had left unsaid.
Shi XinXin looked up at him. After a few seconds, she slowly said, "That's right, it's that man I met at the mall in H City last time. I can't forget him. He's the one I like."
Xu JiaYi sighed. "But you rejected him, didn't you? You were clearly so upset that day."
"But I just can't forget him!" Shi XinXin yelled at Xu JiaYi.
"I want to forget him too. I've tried my best. I've done everything to forget the man who used me again and again, but I just can't. What can I do?"
As she spoke, she became more agitated, and helplessly squatted down, hugging her knees, and burst into tears. "What can I do?" Xu JiaYi, feeling heartbroken, squatted down and gently hugged her. This gesture was not about love, but merely a brief comfort.
"I am very sad, and I really want to forget him, but I still need time." As she said this, Shi XinXin's composure began to crumble.
"It's okay, I can wait for you. I can wait for you for as long as it takes."
Shi XinXin really wanted to tell Xu JiaYi not to wait for her. She had no confidence in forgetting Sheng ChenJin at all. She could control herself from seeking Sheng ChenJin out, but she couldn't control herself from thinking about him.
However, she was in such a bad state herself right now, unable to even manage herself. She didn't think she had the ability to convince Xu JiaYi. All she wanted now was to rest, to release her vulnerable self in this brief embrace.
For all this time, Sheng ChenJin had been the deepest wound in her heart, even after such a long period.
So many things had happened, but that wound had merely been buried by Shi XinXin in the deepest part of her heart; it didn't mean it had truly disappeared.
He once again held out the flowers to Shi XinXin, using the bouquet to catch her tears. "So, we can still be friends, right?"
Shi XinXin looked up. "We are friends, very, very good friends." After saying this, her tears could no longer be held back.
Later, Shi XinXin still couldn't remember why she had cried so sadly that day, but she knew that if she wanted to forget Sheng ChenJin, she would have to go somewhere even further away.
At the same time, she was also being urged by Xu JiaYi, who had been staying by her side. Xu JiaYi suddenly announced that he would be taking time to manage his studio, performing less and spending more time at the studio.
This gave him plenty of time and opportunities to visit the magazine office.
Shi XinXin looked up, looking helplessly at this celebrity who had been appearing around her constantly during this period, as if his acting career had hit rock bottom and he had no popularity. "You seem to have a lot of free time lately, constantly meddling in my affairs."
Xu JiaYi retorted, "You said it yourself, we're friends. Friends always need to care about each other."
Shi XinXin shrugged, unconcerned. "Fine, whatever you say."
After speaking, Shi XinXin picked up her bag, looking as if she was about to leave. Xu JiaYi quickly grabbed her hand. "What? Leaving already?"
Shi XinXin nodded. "What else? It's just a lunch break now, and work time is almost over."
Xu JiaYi then released her hand. "Shall we continue to have dinner together tonight?"
Shi XinXin shook her head. "No, I can't be hanging around with you every day."