"Ah, right," Chen Jie began, turning to Xia Mingzhou beside her. "Mingzhou, didn't you mention wanting to try out for the pageant as well? Do you know the process? Jiang Xiu is interested too."
Jiang Xiu perked up upon hearing her name mentioned.
Xia Mingzhou reacted, "Oh, really?" She then shifted her attention to Jiang Xiu, who was already looking at her. A smile graced her lips as she inquired, "Are you planning to join the pageant?"
Jiang Xiu hesitated momentarily before replying, "I'm not entirely sure yet."
She hadn't discussed it with her sister and was uncertain about committing.
Xia Mingzhou chuckled softly, shaking her head. "My, you almost had me worried. I thought you were determined to join."
Her brow furrowed slightly as she sensed an underlying meaning in Xia Mingzhou's words, familiar with her subtle cues, though unnoticed by the others at the table.