When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 99: Chi Mo 53

"But I’m not. I’m just a very ordinary person." Tan You had a crystal-clear perception of herself. She was just an ordinary girl who had never learned any special arts or talents.

But to be honest, girls with such talents did look different from others. Tan You was already considering taking up dancing herself. She wouldn’t refuse an opportunity to better herself.

Chi Mo rested her head on the steering wheel. "Ordinary? If you’re so ordinary, how could you become a huge blogger? Or dance at the Spring Festival Gala? Or become a principal dancer? Or be so good at managing money? I think, Youyou, you sometimes sell your accomplishments way too short. You made all of this happen, which proves you’re an amazing person."

Tan You was silent for a long time before sighing. "Maybe. I’m not that confident about my own accomplishments. You’re right, I should be proud of what I’ve achieved. I’ll allow myself to be just a tiny bit proud."

’Ah, family of origin,’ Tan You sighed. It was the first time she had truly felt the mark her upbringing had left on her. Tan You hadn’t really understood it before, but after hearing Chi Mo’s words, she realized she had a bit of an inferiority complex deep down.

She wasn’t that confident in her own achievements and tended to see others’ successes as great while overly disparaging her own. ’This is no good,’ Tan You told herself. ’I have to change this. A little humility is one thing, but too much is just an inferiority complex.’

Chi Mo’s words were just a casual remark; she had no idea they had prompted such a change of heart in Tan You.

Even though she had accepted the dancing role in Director Liu’s film, Chi Mo’s life didn’t change much.

Whenever she had time, she would either go to the dance troupe to practice or post a video. The collaboration between Tan You, Brother Chuan, and Teacher Xu had always gone well, and that didn’t change after Chi Mo returned. The small team would get together from time to time to eat, drink, and hang out. But this time, Brother Chuan couldn’t make it, so it was just Chi Mo and Teacher Xu having afternoon tea alone.

Teacher Xu took a sip of her coffee. "You left in such a hurry last time, we didn’t get a chance to talk. Let me tell you, Director Liu has been swamped lately."

Chi Mo asked, "Busy with auditions?"

"Mhm," Teacher Xu nodded. "It’s a Director Liu film. Who wouldn’t want to be in it? He used to only make a movie every few years, but who would’ve thought he’d have a new script just one year later? Countless people have their eyes on it."

"Even for a bit part, countless people would be fighting tooth and nail." Teacher Xu found herself liking Chi Mo’s face more and more as she looked at it. "I heard the dancing role in Director Liu’s movie has been taken. So many people are asking about you."

"Asking about me for what? I’m just performing a dance sequence. I shouldn’t be a threat to the other actors, right?" Chi Mo took a sip of her milk tea, her cheeks puffing out, which made her look a bit playful.

"Not everyone thinks that way. By the way, has anyone been bothering you lately?" Teacher Xu was curious, her eyes glinting with a desire for gossip. "Otherwise, why would you suddenly leave N City and run off to S City?"

Chi Mo’s head ached. "Don’t even mention it. I really couldn’t stay at home any longer, and I didn’t want to disrupt the dance troupe’s operations, so I decided to come out for a change of scenery. Meeting me today won’t interfere with your work, will it?"

"The film crew hasn’t even been assembled yet, what work would I have? I’m just a makeup artist. All I have to do is get the styling right when the time comes." Teacher Xu waved her hand dismissively. "Didn’t you used to avoid milk tea?"

Chi Mo smiled. "I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it once in a while. Eating sweets really does improve your mood."

"What’s wrong? Who’s got you down?" Teacher Xu pried, eager for gossip. ’Who doesn’t love hearing gossip about a beautiful woman?’

Chi Mo looked a little listless. "It’s nothing, really. Just the same old story—family stuff."

The moment she heard it was family business, Teacher Xu understood. "Pushing you to get married? Aren’t your parents worried you’ll get hurt again?"

Chi Mo said, "They think that since I’m twenty-eight and always alone, someone should be taking care of me. To be honest, I don’t agree with them. I’m doing fine on my own, why do I need someone to take care of me? And nobody is obligated to take care of me, anyway."

"I know they’re just worried about me, seeing me all by myself, but I’m a little scared." Chi Mo looked out the window, a flash of pain in her eyes. "Anyway, let’s not talk about such unhappy things. Want to get dinner together tonight?"

Teacher Xu looked apologetic. "I probably can’t. I have plans with someone tonight."

Chi Mo did a good job of hiding her disappointment. "Okay, that’s my fault for not asking you sooner. I’ll just find something to do on my own tonight then."

Unfortunately, her trip to S City had been so sudden that Gao Jing, Zhou Wenwen, and Lin Meng all had their own plans. She couldn’t get ahold of anyone even if she tried. Now, Chi Mo realized just how big S City was, and she suddenly felt like she had nowhere to go.

Teacher Xu glanced at the time. "I should get going. The evening rush is about to start."

Chi Mo’s smile was brilliant. "Okay. Have fun."

As soon as Teacher Xu left, Chi Mo’s face fell. She curled up in the booth, looking as pitiful as a little kitten.

Tan You couldn’t bear to watch any longer. "They’re all busy, so I’ll hang out with you, okay? It’s my treat tonight. Whatever you want to eat, drink, or do, it’s all on me!"

Chi Mo immediately brightened up. "Okay..."

Tan You was suspicious. "Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve been tricked? Were you doing that on purpose?"

"Of course not..." Chi Mo drew out her words, whining playfully at Tan You. "Youyou, you promised! It’s your treat tonight. I want to eat all kinds of delicious food!"

Tan You shook her head. "So ambitious. My money is basically your money anyway..."

"It’s not the same," Chi Mo said, shaking her head. "That’s money you helped me earn; I can’t just spend it carelessly. I’m realizing now that men are far less reliable than you, Youyou. Actually, it wouldn’t be so bad for the two of us to spend the rest of our lives like this."

"Think about it. Someone who helps me make money, gives all the earnings to me, helps me build my career, and even gives me beauty points... Tell me, is there any man in this world who could do a better job than you?"

"Probably not," Tan You played along with her joke. "So, it seems I’m irreplaceable?"

"Of course. You are irreplaceable," Chi Mo said decisively. "Meeting you was a truly wonderful thing."

After killing time at the cafe until five o’clock, Chi Mo finally left with her small bag. Her steps were light and cheerful. Clearly, the thought of freeloading off Tan You had put her in an extremely good mood.

But her good mood only lasted for a very short while.

"Momo?" Xu Jike was incredibly surprised. He never imagined he would run into Chi Mo again.

However surprised Xu Jike was, that’s how rotten Chi Mo’s mood became. She glanced regretfully at the clay pot rice she had only taken two bites of, wishing she could go back in time an hour and strangle her past self for being so stupid.

She’d had a total lapse in judgment. She remembered there was a delicious clay pot rice place near Xu Jike’s apartment and, on a whim, had driven all the way over. Who knew she’d run into Xu Jike before she’d even had two bites?

Tan You remained perfectly calm. "Well, you’ve seen him. Not going to say hello? He looks pretty happy."