Chapter 144: Confirming If Her Name Is Tian Dafeng

Xia Mang cast a glance at the bulging bag and sighed, "Oh, alkaline noodles, alkaline noodles."

"What brings you to Country M?" Xia Mang asked, just as the coffee and pastries were served.

"I’ll have a little bit." Before Shen Qing could speak, Xia Mang picked up a spoon and scooped away half of the cake.

Shen—with an icy expression—Qing: "..."

"Hehe, couldn't help myself. This cake is so tiny." Xia Mang popped the rest into her mouth; the cream was silky and not at all cloying.

"I'm here on business." Shen Qing poured herself a glass of plain water, took a sip, and began to eat her own portion of the cake.

"What kind of business? Don't tell me it's some celebrity tour or film shoot?"

Xia Mang had been keeping an eye on Shen Qing’s situation on the Chinese internet. One day she was being vilified by everyone, and by the next, she had become the "Nation’s Little Sister."

One look was enough to tell her: this girl had a brilliant career ahead of her.

"No." Shen Qing finished her cake, shot Xia Mang a cold glance, and ordered two more servings.

"Oh, are you planning to visit the headquarters?"

Aside from when she officially joined Tiangou three years ago to register, Shen Qing had never shown her face there again. Most people only knew that the agent with the code name "Li Goudan" was male; as for his age or appearance, they knew nothing.

"Not going." Shen Qing waited for the two new servings to arrive, then pushed one toward Xia Mang.

"Hmm, when are you heading back?" Xia Mang remembered she was still a high school student, after all.

"I’m returning to Fan City in half a month."

"Tsk!" Xia Mang looked at Shen Qing with a meaningful gaze. "You’ve been out for so long—don't you think someone might be missing you terribly?"

"Are you talking about Erniu?" Shen Qing raised her eyes to meet her gaze.

"..."

Fine, fine. Gu Ting’s status clearly didn't measure up to Erniu’s.

"Huh?" Xia Mang suddenly looked up while eating her pastry.

"Yes?" Shen Qing lifted her eyelids to glance at her.

"You've been out for so long. What if that Gu Ting guy forgets all about you?" Xia Mang asked with genuine concern.

He was a young master from the capital, after all—wealthy and well-connected. What kind of woman couldn't he find?

Shen Qing stared at Xia Mang coldly, remaining silent for a long time.

Xia Mang continued her earnest analysis, "Qingqing, don't blame your sister for not warning you. Men are like clothes; out with the old, in with the new. Never hang yourself from a single tree, especially someone like Gu Ting. He is..."

Xia Mang lowered her voice, "A gambler. The world of gambling is treacherous; who knows when he might lose his entire family fortune? Little sister, you need to be careful!"

Xia Mang spoke from bitter experience; she had suffered great losses in casinos and knew how deep those waters ran.

Shen Qing finished the last bite of her cake, pulled out a napkin, and wiped her mouth slowly.

"He and I have no relationship."

"Oh—" Xia Mang smiled and glanced at Shen Qing, drawing out the end of the sound. "Qingqing, want to go to a bar tonight?"

"No. My brother is here, I have to go back."

Rejected, Xia Mang looked deflated. "Ugh, alright then. Is Zhong Yi in Country M too? Is he studying abroad here?"

"Something like that."

"Hey, Wild Wolf is back in town recently, too. You guys don't want to meet up?"

"I’m flying to Country R next week."

Xia Mang was stunned. "You're going that far? Something up?"

"Yes." Shen Qing nodded, her face devoid of expression.

"If you run into my idol while you're in Country R, get me an autograph, will you?" Xia Mang said with a beaming smile.

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. "Isn't your idol Long Aotian?"

"Oh, Long-ge is my absolute favorite, followed by Lu Xuanyou. I just love watching his dramas so much!"

Watching Xia Mang’s infatuated expression, Shen Qing suppressed the urge to rap her on the head. "Are you talking about those melodramatic soaps he acts in?"

"They aren't melodramatic! Actor Lu’s acting is top-tier. How are his shows melodramatic?"

"He’s played characters with amnesia from car accidents. How is that not melodramatic?"

"Hey, but he’s handsome, right? Wait, you've watched them?"

"No."

"Then what are you... talking about?" Xia Mang barely managed to bite back the word she almost blurted out.

Shen Qing picked up her phone and checked it; Zhong Yi had sent a message asking what time she would be back.

"What’s the deal between you and Dongfang Cheng?" Shen Qing finished replying to Zhong Yi and looked up at Xia Mang.

Xia Mang had just taken a sip of coffee and nearly choked, spitting it out at the mention of Dongfang Cheng’s name.

"Cough, cough... There’s nothing going on between him and me." Xia Mang pulled out a napkin and hurriedly wiped her mouth.

"Then why was he asking me about you?" Shen Qing curled her lips, watching the woman before her with amusement.

Xia Mang froze. "Why would he ask about me? What did you tell him?"

"Nothing much. Just confirmed whether or not your name was Tian Dafeng."