Chapter 154: Things Are Rather Different

Ruan Mianmian was just about to explain when a commotion broke out not far away, as if some big shot had just made an entrance.

"Isn't that Le Chen's assistant, Xiao Ba? Why has he come out?"
"Yeah, yeah! Could something have happened to the little prince?"

Ruan Mianmian followed the sound and saw a round, chubby little guy walking out from the side door of the gymnasium.

[Le Chen: I've sent my assistant out to pick you up. Go to the side door and meet up with him, he will bring you inside.]

Ruan Mianmian saw Le Chen's message and figured this person must be the assistant everyone was talking about.

"Little sis."

Ruan Mianmian suddenly cast a meaningful glance at Xiang Kui and said, "Let's go, we're going to pull off something big!"

With that, Ruan Mianmian pulled Xiang Nuan and Xiang Kui toward the side door.

Seeing the newcomers, Xiao Ba squinted and smiled, "I'm here to pick you up. Follow me inside."

Xiang Kui didn't react immediately, dazed as Ruan Mianmian pulled her into the gymnasium.

"There's a slight issue with the gymnasium's equipment, so the concert is delayed by half an hour. You can rest in the lounge for a while."

Xiao Ba explained as he led the group toward the lounge.

Xiang Kui's mouth had been wide open the entire way, unable to close.

Even now, she still hadn't quite processed what on earth was going on.

"Sister Mianmian, what is actually going on here?"

Xiang Nuan was equally excited and asked Ruan Mianmian.

Before Ruan Mianmian could reply, she saw Xiang Kui's eyes light up as she ran straight ahead.

In the noisy corridor, Jiang Yao was standing alone and quietly not far away, her hesitant footsteps making it look like she was waiting for someone.

When Xiang Kui lunged forward to hug her, she even startled Jiang Yao.

"Yaoyao! Great, I knew you wouldn't forget about me!"

Xiang Kui was jumping up and down with excitement and continued, "Thanks so much for having someone bring us in! Kindness this great can't be repaid with mere words—from now on, I've got your bubble tea covered for a whole year!"

Jiang Yao was somewhat baffled by Xiang Kui's words, but instead of denying it, she smiled and patted Xiang Kui's head.

She reminded her, "Alright, since we're inside, don't scream and shout, so as not to disturb the others."

Xiang Kui's eyes were filled with excitement, but she hurriedly covered her mouth and nodded vigorously.

Ruan Mianmian lagged behind, the corners of her lips curling into a mocking smile.

This Jiang Yao really knew how to play the game. She neither refused nor denied it, quietly taking all the credit for herself.

Xiang Nuan awkwardly glanced at Ruan Mianmian, and then the look she cast at Jiang Yao carried some hesitation.

Why did she feel like Xiao Ba had actually come for Sister Mianmian just now?

However, Ruan Mianmian didn't say much, so Xiang Nuan didn't say anything either.

"Do you guys know each other?"

Xiao Ba suddenly asked, his gaze landing on Ruan Mianmian.

Ruan Mianmian smiled and said, "We are together with Miss Jiang here."

"I..."

Hearing Ruan Mianmian's words, Jiang Yao instinctively intended to deny it. The look she gave Ruan Mianmian suddenly turned several degrees sharper, and she then turned to Xiao Ba and said,

"Don't worry, we won't disturb the other members. Just let us stay h—"

Before Jiang Yao could finish her somewhat embarrassed words, Xiao Ba casually waved his hand.

"It's fine, it's fine. Brother Le Chen said everyone is a friend and told me to treat you well."

Xiao Ba smiled with an honest and simple expression, then pointed forward and said, "Let's go inside the lounge to talk, everyone is in there."

Xiang Kui hugged Jiang Yao's arm with excitement and whispered, "Yaoyao, you are simply amazing! The feeling of being friends with a major celebrity is just too great! I love you to death!"

A flash of awkwardness crossed Jiang Yao's face, which she then masked with a faint smile.

In truth, she had no idea how Xiang Kui and the others had managed to get in.

A trace of annoyance flashed in her eyes as she thought: I hope they don't mess up my plans!

"Let's go."

Assuming the posture of the host, Jiang Yao took the lead far ahead of the others, walking right beside Xiao Ba and chatting and laughing with him as they headed toward the lounge.

Xiang Kui, trailing behind, could barely suppress the envy in her eyes!

"Oh my god! If only I were also friends with our Lu Bao!"

Ruan Mianmian patted her shoulder and smiled, "You never know, maybe after today, you guys will be friends."

"May your words bring good fortune!"

Xiang Kui squeezed Ruan Mianmian's hand, then quickened her pace to chase after Jiang Yao's figure.

Meanwhile, the sneer on Ruan Mianmian's face grew even more blatant.

The door to the lounge was pushed open, and the chatter inside instantly ceased as everyone shifted their gazes toward the entrance.

Le Chen had poked his upper body out, and looking out without seeing the familiar figure he expected, he felt a twinge of disappointment.

Xiao Ba stepped forward and said, "I've brought everyone here."

"Huh?"

Le Chen took a glance; they were all unfamiliar faces.

Could this kid have brought the wrong people?

There was no sign of Sister Mianmian in here at all!

However, before Le Chen could speak, Jiang Yao stepped forward first and smiled, "Hello everyone, I'm Jiang Yao."

"Jiang Yao?"

Sitting in front of the drum kit, a male voice dressed in cool attire suddenly turned back to look, smiling as he said, "So you're Jiang Yao?"

Jiang Yao followed the voice. The guy in front of the drum kit was dressed with a strong sense of cool style, a pair of brownish-brown pupils glowing brilliantly, and a slightly roguish, light smile hung on his face without feeling frivolous.

"Hello, Shi Ye."

Jiang Yao smiled and tidied the stray hair at her temples, maintaining a poised and generous demeanor.

Seeing Shi Ye's reaction, the rest of the group wore expressions of sudden realization.

So this was Jiang Yao, who was going to shoot the couple-themed project with Shi Ye next.

Le Chen raised an eyebrow and withdrew his gaze.

Nearby, a silent Lu Bai focused intently on the sheet music before him without a word. Later on, he had a piano solo, which was a surprise gift he had prepared for his fans in Jiangcheng.

"Yeah, hello."

Shi Ye offered a greeting, then shifted his attention back to the drum kit in front of him.

The atmosphere in the lounge abruptly fell silent, a trace of awkwardness instantly blooming on Jiang Yao's face as if she had turned into thin air in an instant.

Xiang Kui's excitement hadn't even had time to subside before it felt like a basin of cold water had been dumped straight over her head.

Why was this scene nothing like what she had imagined?

Looking at Jiang Yao, who was equally ill at ease and awkward, a wave of doubt suddenly welled up in Xiang Kui's heart.

Were she and Lu Bai really good friends?

Why did it look like the members of OS were seeing Jiang Yao for the very first time?

Moreover, they didn't seem to hold Jiang Yao in any particular regard at all.

Xiang Kui tugged at the corner of Jiang Yao's sleeve and awkwardly asked, "What is going on?"

"..."

Jiang Yao was utterly speechless, instantly consumed by intense shame. She bit the corner of her lip, revealing a look of sheer unwillingness.

"Shi Ye, I've never heard that you played the drums before? Could this be a special treat prepared for the fans for this concert?"

Jiang Yao tried her best to use a familiar tone. Not daring to take the initiative to greet the other two members, she could only focus her attention on Shi Ye.

After all, they were going to play a couple-themed project together next, so this could be considered building a bit of rapport in advance.