Ji Xiaoli was taken aback for a moment before she finally came to her senses.
Brother Xia must be referring to Qin Xiangxiang, and it was indeed she who had signed her.
However, she seemed to have never seen her since the signing.
Seeing Ji Xiaoli's hesitant look, Brother Xia immediately added fuel to the fire.
"Moreover, she's currently practicing in the company. I heard that you, General Manager Ji, are old classmates with her. Why not go and catch up?"
Ji Xiaoli twirled the pen in her hand, thought for a while, and then nodded.
"Okay, then take me to have a look."
Brother Xia immediately led Ji Xiaoli to the company's practice room.
There were many people rehearsing in the practice room, including some popular young idols. Qin Xiangxiang was practicing in one of the compartments.
It was the first time for Ji Xiaoli to come to such a place, and she took a few more discreet glances.
This calmness made Brother Xia nod approvingly in his heart.
After all, an ordinary girl wouldn't remain completely unmoved when seeing so many good - looking young men. Ji Xiaoli's reaction was just too calm.
Ji Xiaoli didn't know that Brother Xia had thought so many random things in such a short time. She just thought that these so - called young men didn't seem that good - looking. Their faces weren't as well - defined as Zheng Nanfeng's, their legs weren't as long as his, and even their voices weren't as deep and magnetic as his...
"General Manager Ji?" Brother Xia saw her in a daze and softly called out to her.
"I'm okay." Ji Xiaoli realized that she was thinking about Zheng Nanfeng again and couldn't help feeling annoyed.
After Qin Xiangxiang finished her practice session, Ji Xiaoli walked over and clapped her hands.
"It seems that you've made rapid progress."
Qin Xiangxiang's face flushed a little, and she lowered her head nervously: "Hello, General Manager Ji."
Ji Xiaoli waved her hand casually: "Don't be so formal. We're still college classmates."
Since Ji Xiaoli had said so, Qin Xiangxiang hesitated for a moment before saying: "Then can I call you Xiaoli?"
After all, their statuses were different now, and she still owed Ji Xiaoli so many favors.
While she was struggling, Ji Xiaoli didn't care so much.
She smiled helplessly: "Xiangxiang, let bygones be bygones."
Brother Xia was very sensible and immediately left quietly.
After he left, Qin Xiangxiang asked again: "Xiaoli, are you unhappy about something?"
Ji Xiaoli was a bit surprised: "You can tell too?"
She thought she had hidden it well.
Qin Xiangxiang: "You're usually much more energetic than this. There must be something bothering you."
Bothering her?
Of course there was.
Both Zheng Nanfeng, who had left in anger, and her parents, with whom there was a rift, made Ji Xiaoli feel uncomfortable.
Qin Xiangxiang was a bit surprised: "You're from a wealthy family and extremely lucky. What could you possibly be sad about?"
She had secretly wished to be like Ji Xiaoli back then.
The family had plenty of money, and every investment would yield profits. There were also quite a few gossip news. She really seemed to lack nothing.
Ji Xiaoli sighed again: "Every family has its own hard - to - read scriptures."
There seemed to be a thorn between her and her parents.
Qin Xiangxiang immediately understood. This was a family conflict.
Thinking that Ji Xiaoli had helped her so much, she patted Ji Xiaoli's hand: "I understand how you feel. But your parents waited for you for more than a decade. I believe they still love you."
Ji Xiaoli opened her mouth but said nothing.
Qin Xiangxiang continued to use her own experience as an example and persuaded: "Seriously, do you know that I borrowed money before?"
Seeing her open - minded look, Ji Xiaoli nodded: "Yes."
"Later I called my parents, but they were also overwhelmed by the bankruptcy and scolded me."
She paused for a moment: "I really thought they didn't love me anymore at that time and even resented them a bit. But later I stopped resenting them. They had raised me for more than twenty years, and their kindness to me couldn't be erased by just a few words. Even after the bankruptcy, they refused to touch the dowry they had prepared for me."
So she quickly pulled herself together and even wanted to debut as a star to pay off the debt.
It was only now that Ji Xiaoli learned so many inside stories and finally understood Qin Xiangxiang's transformation.
"If you don't mind, I can help you pay it off?"
Qin Xiangxiang shook her head: "Xiaoli, I'd better do it myself."
Seeing her determination, Ji Xiaoli didn't force her.
The two looked at each other and smiled, letting go of their past grievances.
They said a few more words and then left.
At this time, the familiar system prompt sounded again —
【Player, this system can tell you what your parents are hiding from you~】
Ji Xiaoli slowed down her steps and flatly refused: No need. Since they don't want to tell me, I don't need to pester them to find out.
Although she said so, her heart, which had been persuaded by Qin Xiangxiang just now, wavered again.
【Player, don't you really want to know what exactly makes your parents so secretive?】
Ji Xiaoli: No need!
【Trust this system. If you don't ask, you'll definitely regret it in the future.】
Ji Xiaoli's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly had a bad premonition.
Ji Xiaoli: What are they hiding from me?
【If you want to know, you just need to pay 19,999 good - luck points, and this system will tell you.】
Ji Xiaoli: Ouch, why is it so expensive? Are you taking a kickback?
The system was not satisfied with her words.
【This system is honest with everyone. Trust me, this information is definitely worth the price.】
Ji Xiaoli hesitated.
Good - luck points were hard to come by, and the price was really high.
The system tempted her again.
【Player, this information is very important.】
Thinking that this matter was related to her parents, Ji Xiaoli finally gritted her teeth and nodded.
Ji Xiaoli: Okay, I'll buy it.
【Okay, player. You'll be glad you made this choice.】
Ji Xiaoli: Stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and tell me. What exactly are they hiding from me?
【After detection, your father, Ji Changmin's company, has fallen into a financial crisis. According to the current progress, it will soon go bankrupt. All your family's assets will be forcibly recovered by the court. As the legal representative, Ji Changmin will be imprisoned for the joint liability of wrong decisions. And after your mother suffers this blow, she will fall seriously ill due to excessive longing.】
Cold sweat instantly soaked Ji Xiaoli's back.
Ji Xiaoli: What's going on?
【This system has already made it very clear. As for the details, you can ask your parents~】
Bankruptcy, imprisonment, serious illness.
Just thinking about facing such a difficult situation in the future made Ji Xiaoli shudder.
Without hesitation, she immediately returned home.
At this time, Ji Changmin was discussing with Wei Yanlan how to get through this crisis.
Seeing Ji Xiaoli suddenly come home, they immediately stopped talking.
"Xiaoli, why are you back?"
Ji Xiaoli looked serious: "Dad, Mom, what exactly happened to the company? I'm already an adult and a member of this family. Please don't hide it from me!"
Ji Changmin and Wei Yanlan looked at each other and still wanted to gloss over the matter.
"No, don't think too much."
Ji Xiaoli got anxious. "I already know. Is the company in a financial crisis?"
Seeing that she knew so much, the couple knew that they really couldn't hide it anymore.
Ji Changmin sighed: "Xiaoli, don't be angry. It was I who asked your mother to hide it from you."