Chapter 17: Interview (Part Two)

"Well said, follow your heart."

Li Yan, an experienced journalist, quickly caught the main point. "To jump into the water to save someone without a second thought in a moment of crisis, it really shows that Xiyu is a very kind and warm-hearted child."

"Mm-hmm..." Lin Xiyu nodded shyly, tacitly agreeing with her words.

The people present were once again amused by her adorable expression, and even Du Wei, the team leader and director of the program, couldn't help but smile.

"Uh." Lin Xiyu, a little slow to react, felt a bit embarrassed when she heard the laughter.

"If Xiyu dared to jump into the water to save someone, you must be quite a good swimmer," Li Yan, as friendly as a big sister next door, chatted with her to ease her awkwardness. "Much better than me, a complete landlubber. Could you tell me, Yan-jie, where you learned to swim? Any special tricks?"

"There aren't really any tricks, you just have to swim a few times and you'll learn," Lin Xiyu gradually relaxed under her gentle prompting. "Most of the kids in our alley can swim. We all grew up playing in the Prince’s Pool."

"Prince’s Pool?!" Li Yan raised her brows, her interest piqued. "Are you talking about that big pool next to Furong Street?"

"Yes," Lin Xiyu nodded. "Prince’s Pool is what the old Jinan folks call it. The real name is Zhuoying Spring. I heard from the elders that during the Ming Dynasty, it was inside the Prince De’s residence, so everyone called it Prince’s Pool."

"You really know a lot about the history of the Prince’s Pool," Li Yan’s eyes lit up and she improvised. "How about this: you be our guide and take us on a little tour of the Prince’s Pool?"

"Sure," Lin Xiyu agreed readily. "I can take you right now."

"Bring your swimsuit," Li Yan said excitedly. "Once we're at the Prince’s Pool, our little hero can show off her amazing swimming skills again."

"No!" Before Lin Xiyu could reply, Gu Binjun's face darkened and he cut her off.

"Stop, stop, stop..." Director Du was no longer smiling. He glared at the young man who dared challenge his authority.

He twitched his eyebrows, about to reprimand him, but a quick-thinking staff member hurried over, pulled him aside, and whispered quietly in his ear.

Director Du’s imposing manner visibly diminished, and the rebuke on the tip of his tongue was forcibly swallowed.

For a brief moment, the studio fell silent. Everyone working at the TV station was sharp; sensing the tension, they all kept their heads down, staring intently at their own toes.

Lin Xiyu, slow to catch on as she was, realized something was off. She glanced up discreetly at Gu Binjun, and by chance, their eyes met—his gaze full of playful mockery.

Caught peeking, her ears flushed red and she quickly looked away.

"Bin, why not this time?" Li Yan rubbed her brow, feeling helpless.

"Swimsuits are too revealing. Not suitable for a documentary," Gu Binjun said, not bothered by her complaint, his teasing gaze lingering on the one who had just stolen a look, the corners of his lips curling up.

"But she used to swim in them, didn’t she?" Li Yan was baffled. "Why not for the documentary?"

"She’s never worn a swimsuit," Gu Binjun replied with certainty, giving an unexpected answer. "If you don’t believe me, you can ask her."

"Mm-hmm," Lin Xiyu nodded in agreement.

"Never worn a swimsuit?" Li Yan’s eyes widened in shock. "Then what do you wear to swim?"

"Just what we wear in summer," Lin Xiyu answered matter-of-factly. After a moment’s thought, she added, "As long as it’s not a dress, it’s fine."