Chapter 86: Meeting Once Again

The entire hall erupted into enthusiastic applause upon hearing Li Weiwei’s announcement. Nan Yan turned to Song Waning and said, “Wow! Waning, you and Wen Shao are really impressive—so many votes!”

Song Waning replied with a cheerful smile, “Oh, not really. I just benefited from Wen Jingxing’s popularity.”

Jiang Mingzhao immediately cut through her modesty, “Come on now, you played the pipa so beautifully yesterday. The high votes are partly your credit!”

Seeing the lively conversation, Li Weiwei waited a moment before speaking. “Congratulations to Song Waning’s team for earning the reward of halved tasks over the next six days, and enjoying a ten-to-four work schedule!”

Once again, everyone applauded Song Waning and her teammates in celebration.

Li Weiwei continued, “Alright, all results have been announced. Please return and resume your tasks, everyone!”

With her words, the guests began to move toward their task locations.

This time, Song Waning strolled leisurely, even wandering outside with Wen Jingxing for a while. After all, starting today, she had five days’ privilege of the ten-to-four schedule. There was still plenty of time until ten o’clock.

Nonetheless, Song Waning arrived early at the lakeside park. The slightly plump manager with a round belly was still waiting at the entrance.

Upon seeing Song Waning, he greeted her warmly, “Miss Song, congratulations on winning first place in the competition!”

He also shared an unexpected piece of news.

“There’s something else, Miss Song. Over there is a young lady claiming to be your sister, asking to see you.”

He pointed in a direction as he spoke.

Song Waning looked over and saw Song Xin, dressed carefully and beautifully in a little dress, sitting alone in a boat.

Song Xin looked up at the same moment. Upon seeing Song Waning, she instantly broke into a joyful smile. “Sister! Come over here!”

Song Waning raised an eyebrow. What could Song Xin want with her? Definitely nothing good.

She tightened her collar, slipped her hands into her pockets, and flashed a smile to the cameraman. “Could you wait for me here, please?”

The cameraman didn’t dare refuse her smile. “Of course, Miss Song! Go ahead!”

After all, it was sometimes necessary to shoot wide shots, and Miss Song’s small request was hardly troublesome.

As she walked, Song Waning turned on her microphone. When she reached Song Xin, she said, “I’m still in the middle of the show’s recording—why did you come to find me so abruptly?”

Song Xin nearly lost her composure at that, barely holding her forced smile. Was Song Waning implying she was thoughtless?

“Sister, you’re right. I was a little abrupt.”

“If you have something to say, come up here. No need to stay on the boat.”

“What’s the matter, sister? Are you afraid of me?”

Song Waning wasn’t afraid at all—she simply didn’t want to bother getting in the boat.

“It’s just a conversation. It won’t take long. I need to get to work soon.”

Seeing that Song Waning truly had no desire to chat, and remembering her mother’s instructions, Song Xin reluctantly agreed, “Alright, I’ll come up and talk to you.”

She’d originally hoped to draw Song Waning into a conversation by staying on the boat, fearing that her sister would leave. But Song Waning wouldn’t even board.

It was a struggle for Song Xin, dressed in a long dress, to get ashore. With the boatman’s help, she managed to climb up with some difficulty.

Song Waning waited impatiently, while Song Xin, delayed by the effort, felt awkward—her cheeks, ears, and neck all flushed red.

“Go on, what do you want?”

Song Xin lowered her gaze, her eyes darting anxiously as she considered her words.

“First, congratulations on winning the competition, sister.”

“Mm,” Song Waning replied, glancing at her and moving ahead. So?

Song Xin and her family had seen the trending topics—they knew Song Waning’s pipa performance was remarkable and had come to ask when she’d learned it.

If it were just that simple, she wouldn’t have sought her out so urgently, would she?

This time, unlike before, Song Xin’s manner and tone were that of a genuinely sweet younger sister—almost too good to be true.

“Sister, your pipa playing was amazing! Did you know you went viral online? You have so many fans now—I’m really envious.”

“Is that so?” Song Waning was surprised. She’d actually trended online? And positively, not as part of some scandal?

Song Xin nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! Everyone’s praising your pipa skills. But didn’t you used to dislike music? Why do you like it now? Is it because of Wen Shao?”

Song Waning thought as much—Song Xin wouldn’t come running if she weren’t up to something.

She counted the days; since their first meeting, Song Xin had been here for about six days.

No matter how wealthy Song Zijang was, he wasn’t the type to let Song Xin idle here every day—he was stingy, especially with money earned by Song Waning’s biological mother.

The Song family had once done small business, but after marrying Xu Xiangling, they expanded into a large company, all funded by Xu Xiangling’s dowry. After her mother’s death, however, the company fell entirely under Song Zijang’s control.

The other day, Song Waning had seen Song Xin acting intimately with a foreign young man, who immediately recognized Wen Jingxing—suggesting he was quite influential.

Song Waning looked at Song Xin. Could there be something between them?

Song Xin felt uneasy under her sister’s gaze. “Sister… what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s not because of him—I just taught myself, and that’s how I learned.”

In the livestream, viewers hoping for some wealthy family gossip were floored by Song Waning’s nonchalance.

[Song Waning, your words are so arrogant! But what can I say? She really plays beautifully! I can’t argue.]

[Comparisons are deadly. I’ve practiced the pipa for ten years and still haven’t mastered it.]

[Uh, how old are you, above? Maybe you should pick a different hobby. My nephew learned it in a month.]

[5555… You’re just as smug as Song Waning! You’re both bullying us!]

…

“Oh… I see.” Song Xin was surprised by the answer—it had nothing to do with Wen Jingxing.

Song Waning, hearing her rambling questions, said, “If you have nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

“Wait!” Song Xin immediately stopped her. “Sister, I’ve been watching your livestream lately. It seems your relationship with Wen Shao is getting closer.”

The reward days for the competition changed from six to five, but it doesn’t affect the plot. I’ll revise the earlier scenes when I have time after work tonight.

(End of this chapter)