Will the plagiarism girl be a substitute for the preference for women?

Page 145

“Xiao Aiyin, I’ve seen you motivated several times, but now you seem a bit discouraged.”

"Yes, this fickleness makes me hate myself, but..."

Aine wanted to say that she was motivated because China was watching her.

But now she doesn't actively call Chika over to spar with her.

It is the companionship of someone you like that motivates you to do things you're tired of.

But once the boredom with this activity reaches its peak, even asking others to keep you company won't help...

So... because I always associated China with practice, I missed an opportunity today, which should have been a day of rest, and couldn't just go out and have some fun with China...

Realizing this, a sense of regret swept over Aine like a dark cloud.

No, there's still one night left. Although it's not as much as a whole day, it's good to still have a chance.

"China, shall we go for a walk tonight?"

"Well, let me know where you decide to go shopping."

When Chika responded, she noticed Mutsumoto's hand on her fingers and awkwardly withdrew it.

After hanging up the phone, China asked Mutsu, "Are you free tonight?"

Mu bowed his head and shook it.

"All right……"

China closed her legs, placed her arms on her knees, and looked around restlessly, hoping that her older sister would return soon so that the atmosphere wouldn't easily fall into silence.

After a moment of silence, China thought of something to say to liven up the atmosphere.

"If you're not full after dinner, you can call me. I'll come over on my electric scooter, pack up the food, hang it on your fence, and then leave right away."

"We have enough to eat at home," Mu replied honestly.

"Uh, okay..."

…………

Office.

"So Xiao Xiang and Xiao Chu have known each other since they were very young."

Mana obtained this information during the conversation just now.

"Xiao Chu really made a very capable friend! Xiao Xiang can handle the theater script, music arrangement, and costume design all by himself. The costume designer said that Xiao Xiang's drafts meet the standards. Sigh, he's much better than the client who can only offer suggestions verbally."

Her praise seemed to carry a hint of self-deprecation.

"Fashion design is more of a hobby for me; I wouldn't say I'm a professional in it..."

"No need to be so modest."

Mana already felt that her opponent was far superior, and continuing to be so humble made her feel even more inferior.

"I hope it will be a great success, so that Sumimi can gain more popularity."

Mana offered her blessings, hoping that the agency wouldn't cut Sumimi's project just to allow Hatsuka to focus on her activities.

This humble attitude left Xiangzi somewhat at a loss, so he could only smile and say:

"We all need to work hard. By the way, you have activities this afternoon, right? I'll take my leave now."

Mana was incredibly grateful to Shoko for giving her and Hatsuka some time alone, like finally getting a chance to catch their breath after a long and arduous race.

She turned and continued to look at Chu Hua with a gentle smile, but the trembling corners of her mouth seemed as if she was about to burst out with uncontrollable emotions at any moment.

"Mana..."

"It's okay, Xiao Chu," Mana blinked awkwardly, "It's time to shoot the music video, let's go over there."

Chapter 192 abandons my red tape here.

"Here, the word~"

With the camera in place and the lights dazzling, the person who provides spiritual solace leans on his shoulder, and the strings of a musical instrument resonate.

It was just a music video shoot, but Mana cherished it as if it were her last collaboration, savoring every minute and second, and the figure beside her, described as "great," swaying gently to the rhythm.

You've achieved so much through talent and hard work, without any connections or background—that's truly amazing...

It is my honor to work with you.

I'm sorry, I don't have the same strength as Xiangzi.

At the end of the music video, when the action was frozen, Mana remained in a daze, lost in thought.

“Mana?” Hatsuka walked up to her.

"I'm sorry..." Mana's eyes flickered, then she looked at Hatsuka with reluctance, as if she wouldn't be able to see her often soon.

Chu Hua put down her guitar. "You really don't need to worry too much..."

"Yeah, our Sumimi has such a bright future, why would the agency want to cancel this project? It's not like Konami."

Mana forced a smile and spoke in a strained, light tone, though her heart was still filled with worry.

Despite her best efforts to suppress it, the emotion still welled up, constantly stimulating the tip of her nose and the corners of her eyes with a sour taste, making her eyes wet.

"But I...I..."

The sour taste spread to her mouth, making her words slurred and her lips tremble.

Finally, as she closed her eyes, a few tears fell to the ground.

She clenched her fists, turned around, and ran out of the recording studio.

"Mana!"

The shouts behind her didn't stop her; she just wanted to escape all of this as quickly as possible and find a quiet place.

As she passed the conference room, Mana calmed down a bit and remembered something.

They didn't see it when they left the meeting room.

Is it because it's inconvenient for a virtual anchor to appear in person, so they participate in the meeting online?

Mana wiped her glasses and walked into the conference room.

The cleaners had already cleared away the snacks and drinks, except for a pair of sunglasses that were on the table.

Mana knew it belonged to Hatsuka, and she also knew that Hatsuka wouldn't be forgetful.

Was it because Xiao Chu was so excited about the meeting that she forgot to bring anything due to her meticulousness?

Thinking of this, Mana's heart clenched even tighter, and she squatted down, bursting into tears without reservation.

Chu Hua arrived quickly.

Seeing Mana squatting next to his sunglasses, he had mixed feelings.

The sunglasses that were "accidentally" left behind were meant to serve as a medium for someone who noticed them to chat with me after the meeting.

It may not be very effective, but it won't cause any trouble.

But to everyone's surprise, Mana seemed to interpret something else from the sunglasses.

If it's just a "colleague relationship," it might not be so troublesome.

Unfortunately, this is not something that can be decided unilaterally.

Chu Hua tilted her head back, took a slow breath, and picked up a few tissues from the table.

She knelt down, about to wipe Mana's tears, when the latter covered her eyes with her hand, choked back sobs, and raised her trembling lips again.

"The live stream is really interesting..."

Chu Hua was somewhat taken aback by this sudden topic, but nodded in response.

"Yes, everyone praised it during the gathering."

Mana pursed her lips and asked, "Did you come here in person to participate in the gathering?"

As an outsider, and also as an artist with professional ethics, she doesn't need to ask about matters outside her purview.

As for Hatsuka, no information about the person behind the Vtuber should be revealed. Even answering "yes" would expose her whereabouts.

Unless, Mana has also established a cooperative relationship with them.

"Do you want to meet him?" Chu Hua asked.

"I……"

In that squatting position with her arms wrapped around her knees, Mana only showed half of her face from beside her arms. Her lifeless, heartless eyes covered her messy hair, making her look completely different from the lively and cute girl on the cover of Sumimi's album.

"I want to see her..."

At the very least, as the loser, she wanted to know who was behind the veil of mystery.

Defeated by mystery, it's like stepping into an invisible swamp.

Please let me fall beneath the tangible.

For a moment, Mana imagined a scene.

She knelt in the hall, and the two-faced witch stepped down from the throne and grabbed her by the throat.

"Let me hear your request again."

"Please let me see Xiao Chu one more time... just one more time..."

"all right."

The witch gave a sly smile, sat back on her throne, and crossed her legs.

"Let me see your resolve?"

Suddenly, Mana's arm was shaken, bringing her back to reality.

Seeing her smiling blankly with lifeless eyes just now startled even Chu Hua, who was usually calm and collected.

"I'll get in touch later..."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Xiao Chu~", Mana gently stroked her hair. "I'm sorry, I was thinking too much just now. I'll definitely continue to work with you, Xiao Chu."

"Of course I will."

.........

"Huh...huh..."

Perhaps it was the lingering effects of the quetiapine, coupled with the inability to find anything to talk about while sitting with Mu, that caused him to fall asleep.

When she woke up, she saw that Mu was holding one of her hands and choking her throat.

"Mu, you're there?!"

Chika instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Mutsu held it tightly with both hands.

"Please pinch harder," Mu pleaded.

"...What?" China's voice trembled with panic.

This is absurd! What on earth is going on? Where is my sister?

She looked around, but heard Mu say calmly.

“I told Xiang to let you sleep a little longer, and I would stay by his side to watch over him.”

"Xiang is back at your house now... um..."

Mutsu pushed China's hand towards his neck even harder, making it harder to breathe and making his vision blurry, but he was still far from suffocating.

Some things that can't be done with Sho can be done with China.

But Mu Tingjing has been quiet for far too long.

However, no matter how much discipline there is, it is ultimately just formalities. Once abandoned, instinctive impulses will surge forth like a raging torrent.

"Xiang and I are accomplices."

Mu sat on the latter's lap, leaning forward to press his own weight more firmly against his neck.

"You're not Xiang...cough...you saved us."

But you look a lot like Xiang from before.