Chapter 28: Cao Jin quit your club?

Just as Xu Xiu finished helping Meng Ziyi with the curtains, a sudden commotion erupted outside. It was a chaotic din, clearly caused by a large group of people.

Xu Xiu was baffled. Were these people incapable of taking a break? Were they fighting over chores again? When he stepped out of the women’s dormitory, he realized guests had arrived—specifically, the guest performer, Guo Qilin.

Guo Qilin happened to spot Xu Xiu at that exact moment. Seeing him emerge from the women’s dormitory, his brain short-circuited for a few seconds. He couldn't reconcile the sight with the idea of Xu Xiu being a woman.

"Hello, I’m Guo Qilin. Are you... a man or a woman?"

Xu Xiu, who had initially greeted him with a smile, was left stunned by the blunt inquiry. His composure shattered.

"I’m a man! Through and through!"

"Ah, my apologies, my apologies! I saw you coming out of the women’s dorm and just assumed... I mean, I didn't think there could be such a robust-looking woman," Guo Qilin improvised smoothly, offering a flawless excuse.

"What kind of logic is that? Does coming out of the women’s dorm make me a woman? If I walked out of the Presidential Palace, would that make me the President?"

"Uh... that’s not what I meant. I was just joking with you."

"No worries, I’m just joking with you too. I’m Xu Xiu. I’m a big fan of your troupe’s crosstalk." Xu Xiu shook his hand.

Guo Qilin’s mouth twitched. "Hold it right there. Enough with that. It’s a guild... I mean, it’s a company. What troupe? Be careful, or I’ll sue you for defamation!"

"Oh, whatever you call it, I like listening to it regardless."

"Don't do that. You have to distinguish between them—it’s a company, not a troupe! By the way, since you like crosstalk, do you prefer Master Guo, me, or Yue Yunpeng?"

"Oh, I really enjoy listening to Cao Jin’s crosstalk from your troupe."

"..."

The area fell into dead silence. Everyone looked at Xu Xiu with complex expressions, while Guo Qilin stared at him as if he were an absolute idiot.

"What’s wrong? Is Cao Jin not good? I feel like he inherited your father’s true mantle." Xu Xiu continued, oblivious. "By the way, how is Cao Jin doing these days? I haven't seen him in a long time. Did you guys freeze him out?"

[Ding! Detected the host’s abstract behavior gaining exposure. Singing +0.0069... Acting +0.0069... Cooking +0.0069... Physique +0.0069...]

Hearing the system prompt, Xu Xiu was completely bewildered. He had only asked out of curiosity—how did that earn him contribution points? He really didn't know much about the entertainment industry; otherwise, he wouldn't have failed to recognize the popular young actresses. He had only seen Cao Jin’s crosstalk on the Spring Festival Gala years ago.

That year, Cao Jin had left a deep impression on Xu Xiu. His rhythm and presence were identical to old Guo’s. They were like two peas in a pod; anyone who didn't know better would have thought Cao Jin was old Guo’s son.

Only then did Guo Qilin offer an awkward smile. "He left the troupe a long time ago. He’s no longer one of us."

"Oh? He left? That’s a real shame. If he hadn't, he might have grown into the next big boss."

"Wait, wait! Stop right there! Why does it feel like you won't be satisfied until you get us into trouble? It’s not a troupe, it’s a company, and there is no such thing as a 'big boss'!"

"Heh, I’m just used to saying it that way. It’s all the same thing, no need to be so particular," Xu Xiu said with a guileless, innocent grin.

But Guo Qilin was now terrified of Xu Xiu, fearing what outrageous thing he might say next. His own mouth might be happy, but it was the troupe—no, the company’s PR department—that would suffer!

"Please, let's keep the distinction clear. Otherwise, it’s going to be nothing but trouble."

"Fine, fine, it’s a company. Welcome, and I hope you have a great time here."

Guo Qilin heard the words, but they didn't sit right. He had just arrived, and he’d already been hit with a bombshell. The audience, witnessing Xu Xiu’s wild performance, flooded the chat.

"You really know how to poke a sore spot, don't you? Attacking him right to his face? I liked you before, but I like you even more now!"

"Hahaha, I’m laughing like a pig. Can a troupe and a company really be the same thing?"

"Kid, you’d better hope you really didn't know. That’s rubbing salt in a wound, and then peeing on it for good measure!"

"Isn't that a bit much? Our Big Lin is such a nice guy, and you, a total nobody, start off with such a heavy joke?"

"Big Lin is stunned. He just teased Xu Xiu a little, and Xu Xiu threw his entire kit at him. Who can handle that?"

By now, Xu Xiu had already run off to the vegetable garden with a few others, leaving the scene behind. The vegetable seeds they had planted two days ago were already taking root, showing vibrant, emerald-green life. They held watering cans, going back and forth to water the crops. At this stage, they couldn't use a hose, as it wouldn't soak the soil properly.

Using a hose would make it look like they had watered enough, when in reality, the vegetables wouldn't absorb much. Only the fine mist from a watering can would do the job.

The sunlight, now past nine o'clock, was intense. Under the refraction of the light, the mist from the watering cans created a man-made rainbow.

"So beautiful! It’s gorgeous!" Meng Ziyi exclaimed sincerely.

"Quick, quick! You go over there, I’ll take a picture of you," Dong Xuan urged Meng Ziyi.

Meng Ziyi straightened her clothes and ran over in her best pose, but Xu Xiu suddenly stopped spraying water.

"Why aren't you over at the 650 Radio station, or practicing dance with Teacher Song Dan?" Xu Xiu asked, puzzled.

Meng Ziyi pointed to her own face. "...Who am I? What right do I have to be hanging out with them?"

"Pfft—hahahaha!" Wang Chuanjun laughed loudly as usual.

Dong Xuan covered her face. "Oh my, Meng, you really are..."

"Accurate self-assessment!"

Meng Ziyi waved her hand. "Alright, alright, stop laughing. I may be slow, but I’m not stupid, okay? I have a little self-awareness."

"Eh? I disagree. If you had true self-awareness, you would have quit your habit of singing by now!" Xu Xiu squinted at her.

"Wow! What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m a bad singer? If you’re going to be like that, I’m going to make you sing a duet with me!"

She was triggered! Meng was triggered!

Xu Xiu froze for a moment, then his mouth twitched. "Repeat what you just said."

"If you’re going to be like that, I’m going to make you sing a duet with me," Meng Ziyi pouted.

"Not that part, the sentence before that."

"Which one? 'What do you mean'?"

"Not that one either, the one before that."

Xu Xiu had Meng Ziyi completely confused. She scratched her head, unsure. "Is it 'Who am I'?"

"Yes, yes, that’s the one. Say it again, exactly as it was."

"Oh... Who am I..."