this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!
The elevator doors closed once again, and after ascending several floors, someone finally broke the silence in the quiet cabin with a hushed voice, “I never expected to run into President Wen here.”
“It’s not that surprising. The Wen and Huo families have always been quite close after all.”
“He seems different from the rumors. I heard he’s very fierce, but he seemed quite gentle.”
“Still, his presence is too overwhelming. I accidentally made eye contact with him just now—damn, my legs went weak.”
“More like you went weak-kneed from how handsome he is.”
“Hahaha, he really is even more handsome than the rumors say.”
*
As everyone chattered, Shui Miao glanced at Xu Qingli beside her.
Now she was certain—Wen Qiaozhou had only scanned the group briefly, but his gaze had lingered solely on Xu Qingli.
The fact that they had been granted access to film on this rooftop today must also be connected to Wen Qiaozhou.
It seemed she had underestimated Xu Qingli.
From what she knew, Xu Qingli hadn’t left the house in days. Counting their encounters up until now, she and Wen Qiaozhou had only met a handful of times. How on earth had they gotten so close?
Did she have some kind of cloning ability?
Xu Qingli, oblivious to Shui Miao’s thoughts, was lost in her own daydream. Earlier, she had noticed Wen Qiaozhou carrying a bag of food, and that delicious aroma she smelled had also come from it.
What exactly had he bought? It smelled amazing!
And now she was even hungrier.
They soon arrived at the rooftop.
The group stepped out and got to work.
Unlike the usual bare rooftops, this one was adorned with flowers, lounge chairs, and more, resembling more of a resort.
The photographer circled the area, picking out a few spots and started to direct the team in setting up props.
Xu Qingli tensed up, her hunger momentarily forgotten.
She rarely went out normally, let alone had opportunities to pose for photos. Being photographed under the scrutiny of so many people was a first for her.
Would she finally crash and burn right here? The Huo family had lent her this prime location out of respect for the Wen Group, only for her to fail at even striking a pose, her skills utterly lacking. Then Wen Qiaozhou, furious, would blacklist her on the spot.
If that really happened… it might not be so bad.
With that thought, Xu Qingli suddenly felt much less nervous.
“Pear Blossom1, look toward the ocean. Keep it natural, you don’t have to force a smile…” The photographer adjusted the lens, searching for the right angle. “Yes, this is your style today… just like that. Perfect!”
Xu Qingli could hardly believe her ears. She hadn’t even done anything yet.
Was he being sarcastic?
But the shoot went smoothly. Shui Miao went over to review the shots and returned, giving Xu Qingli a thumbs-up. “Your presence in front of the camera today was great, very fashion-forward. Well done!”
Xu Qingli: ?
During the shoot, she had already realized that this body, after such long-term training, had already developed muscle memory when in front of the camera. Even without experience, she somehow naturally adjusted herself according to certain angles, avoiding stiffness in front of the camera.
But being praised repeatedly was still unexpected for her.
Curious, she went over to take a look. The photographer was just reviewing a frontal shot and made room for her when she approached.
In the photo, she wore a black spaghetti-strap maxi dress with a slight sheen and her hair was tied in a high ponytail, further accentuating her elegant shoulders and neckline and harmonising with her delicate features. Her expression was aloof, yet her eyes were clear and bright, with the endless ocean stretching behind her… The overall effect was a paradoxical blend of cold fragility and vibrant vitality.
Even Xu Qingli herself loved this photo—she looked just like her original appearance.
When Xu Qingli first transmigrated, she noticed that while her facial features were strikingly similar to the original owner’s, for some inexplicable reason, they still looked like two completely different people.
But this photo looked more like her true self.
While the team made edits to the photos, Xu Qingli searched for some of the original owner’s past photos on her phone to compare.
Unexpectedly, Shui Miao noticed and mistook her actions as studying performance techniques. Unable to hold back, she remarked, “Your previous issue was being too deliberate.”
“Huh?” Xu Qingli was lost in her own thoughts and didn’t catch it clearly, reflexively making a questioning sound.
“Look at your past expressions.” Shui Miao pointed at the old photos and lowered her voice. “You were too eager to showcase your charm…”
Her face was practically screaming, “Look at me, I’m irresistible!”
The original owner had a habit of keeping admirers on a hook, always trying to present her most attractive side. While she was undeniably beautiful, it felt too superficial and lacked a certain depth to it.
Today, whether she was feeling down, slacking off, or starving to the point of discomfort, all of it was her genuine emotion, making her appear more natural.
Cameras have a way of capturing truths the naked eye might miss.
It was only after seeing the contrast today that Shui Miao realized this, “Now that you’re not overthinking it, the shots also turn out more authentic.”
She assumed this change was because Xu Qingli had decided to stop stringing people along.
Xu Qingli didn’t bother explaining and let her believe what she wanted to believe.
For the rest of the shoot, Xu Qingli followed Shui Miao’s advice, focusing on expressing her genuine emotions. Combined with the muscle memory of her body, the session went surprisingly smoothly.
Just as the shoot wrapped up, Xu Qingli caught a familiar scent and instinctively glanced toward the door.
Her hunger immediately surged back. She was starving!
The staff member who had greeted them earlier pushed the door open, carrying two large bags of food.
Xu Qingli’s eyes lit up, her mouth practically watering.
Shui Miao grabbed her arm. “You haven’t walked the red carpet yet.”
So you can’t eat.
Xu Qingli: “…”
“President Wen said everyone’s worked hard, so he sent some food down for you all.” The staff member opened the bags and specifically pulled out a smaller one. “This is for Miss Xu, it’s low-calorie.”
Xu Qingli shot Shui Miao another pleading look.
Shui Miao: “…”
She silently withdrew her hand. If Wen Qiaozhou said so, could she even argue?
But one thing truly puzzled Shui Miao—Xu Qingli had been within her sight the entire time, and she was certain there had been no contact with Wen Qiaozhou. So how did he know Xu Qingli wanted something to eat?
Were they communicating via their brainwaves?
Or was it just from that one glance they exchanged in the elevator earlier?
If that were the case, even she might start shipping them.
Shui Miao couldn’t help but watch Xu Qingli, who was already digging in eagerly. Unlike most female celebrities who ate with restrained elegance, or those who wolfed down food when famished, Xu Qingli ate with a focused reverence, as if being able to respect the food was an honour in itself.
It was a complete reversal from the past.
Before, Shui Miao never had to monitor Xu Qingli’s eating habits. The original owner had been ruthlessly strict about her figure, never indulging. Even when she had to eat, it felt like a chore. Today, it was like she was a different person—not pretending, but as if her very soul had been swapped.
The thought startled Shui Miao.
Has she been reading too many novels? How could something like a soul swap even happen?
With a full stomach, it was time to get back to work. There was still so much to do.
For example, the photos taken needed to be posted as soon as possible.
Today’s event had already been teased by media and marketing accounts for several rounds, and fans were eagerly waiting on the results.
Because this venue was so hard to come by, they had even added another outfit, increasing their workload.
Fortunately, the photos turned out well and didn’t require much editing.
Shui Miao had originally prepared to have a few marketing accounts repost the photos as soon as they were released to ensure they trend, but she abandoned the idea at the last moment. This time, they should be able to make it to the trending list on their own.
*
This was just how the entertainment industry worked these days, and female celebrities were inevitably compared in terms of beauty and red carpet appearances.
This was especially the case for actresses like Xu Qingli and Xia Chuxia, who had similar styles. Marketing accounts would repeatedly pit them against each other, dragging their fans into endless battles with their online manipulation.
Today was no different. The celebrities attending the event had started releasing their photos since the morning. Some were stunning, while others flopped, making it quite the spectacle.
Xia Chuxia’s studio had released her photos relatively early. She had borrowed a high-end couture gown with a dramatic skirt, and the retouched images were dazzling, quickly landing her on the trending list with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Meanwhile, Xu Qingli’s studio had yet to release any photos. When one fan left a comment expressing anticipation, it was met with a wave of mockery.
[Sure, Xu Qingli can pull off the innocent sweet girl persona, but what’s there to look forward to on the red carpet?]
[She’s such a weird one—her face and figure are decent, but somehow, she always seems to lack soul on the red carpet.]
[She’s got no substance to begin with, yet she dares to call herself a femme fatale. I’m laughing myself to death.]
The fans were furious but didn’t know how to counter the criticism. Just then, Xu Qingli’s studio finally released the photos.
The fans, lacking confidence, nervously clicked to view them only to jump in excitement on the spot. They rushed to their supertopic to share the news, only to find the chats already buzzing.
Today, Xu Qingli released two sets of photos—one in a black, high-fashion editorial style and another in a white, pure and innocent look.
Completely different styles, yet she pulled off both effortlessly. Her eyes, in particular, were brimming with life, a stark improvement from the previous criticism about her lacking soul.
But what excited the fans even more than Xu Qingli’s performance was the shooting location.
[Holy shit! Isn’t this Huo’an Hotel?!]
[My girl has finally made it! This is beyond anything I could’ve imagined!]
A quick check across major platforms showed overwhelmingly positive feedback.
[Xu Qingli seems like a completely different person today.]
[The view from the top floor of Huo’an Hotel is amazing!]
[So many people attended the event, so why was Xu Qingli the one allowed to shoot up there?!]
[LOL, stay mad.]
[I declare Xu Qingli today’s best-dressed.]
[Yeah, right. Studio photos are all about heavy editing. Let’s see the red carpet and live shots first.]
*
Today’s red carpet was being livestreamed, and quite a few netizens were watching. When Xu Qingli’s appearance was announced, the comment section was still filled with arguments.
[Pear Blossom’s look today is absolutely worth the hype!]
[What does Xu Qingli even do besides posing seductively?]
[Pear Blossom is just that stunning—deal with it.]
[I’m betting a pack of spicy strips Xu Qingli will take the longest to walk the red carpet again.]
When the long-awaited figure finally appeared on screen, the barrage comment section suddenly fell silent.
Xu Qingli was wearing a black gown, her figure graceful and her skin so fair it seemed dipped in milk, instantly drawing all eyes to her. The media photographers were shouting her name, but Xu Qingli, expressionless, strode forward as if she hadn’t heard them.
The male actor walking the red carpet with her seemed like he hadn’t snapped out of his daze yet, but Xu Qingli was already nearing the end of the carpet.
The livestream camera perfectly captured his utterly bewildered expression.
*
pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:
“Hahahaha, I’m dying.” Huo Wanfeng sprawled lazily on the sofa, clutching a tablet in his hands, laughing so hard he nearly toppled over.
The next second, a crumpled ball of paper flew toward him, hitting him right on his tall, straight nose bridge.
“Ow!” Huo Wanfeng yelped, looking up at Wen Qiaozhou, who sat composedly working at the side. “What was that for?”
Wen Qiaozhou: “If you have nothing better to do—”
“I was watching Little Rabbit on the red carpet, she’s too cute.” Huo Wanfeng shoved the tablet right under Wen Qiaozhou’s nose, but as soon as he saw his gaze flicker over, he quickly pulled it back. “Never mind, you probably don’t want to see.”
Wen Qiaozhou: “…”
“I won’t disturb your work.” Huo Wanfeng stood up. “I’ll go find someone else to chat with. After all, there must be plenty of fellow fans.”
With that, he actually headed to the adjacent lounge.
Wen Qiaozhou glanced at his retreating figure.
[I refuse to believe he can resist watching.]
What’s so irresistible about it? Aren’t all red carpet appearances the same?
Did he think his self-control was really that weak?
Wen Qiaozhou lowered his head and continued working.
The lounge was only separated by a folding screen, so every few seconds, he could hear Huo Wanfeng burst into exaggerated laughter.
The laughter was too over-the-top, too theatrical. It was devoid of genuine amusement, and obviously just bait for him.
Wen Qiaozhou scoffed softly and kept working.
But Huo Wanfeng’s laughter suddenly cut off a short while later.
It must be another trick.
If he ignored it, the laughter would surely resume.
Yet Huo Wanfeng remained eerily silent.
Three minutes later, Wen Qiaozhou lifted his gaze slightly, stealing a glance toward the lounge.
From this angle, he could only catch a sliver of Huo Wanfeng’s profile. He still seemed to be staring at the tablet, but he hadn’t moved for a while, his focus unnaturally engrossed.
Wen Qiaozhou stood up, picked up his cup, and went to refill it.
The water dispenser was right next to the lounge. As Wen Qiaozhou approached, he could clearly see the barrage of text floating above Huo Wanfeng’s head.
[Ahhhh so gorgeous! I’m gonna die!]
Wen Qiaozhou frowned slightly, but Huo Wanfeng’s tablet was blocked from his view. Without getting closer, he couldn’t see what was on it. From the audio, it still seemed to be the red carpet event.
After a pause, Wen Qiaozhou turned back to his seat and picked up his phone to check trending topics.
#Xu Qingli Huo’an Hotel#
#Xu Qingli Red Carpet#
#Yu Cheng Xu Qingli#
#Fastest Female Guest on the Red Carpet#
He already knew about the Huo’an Hotel situation. After a brief hesitation, Wen Qiaozhou tapped on the #Yu Cheng Xu Qingli# tag.
Turns out Yu Cheng was a male actor who had recently collaborated with Xu Qingli on a drama. The trending page was flooded with videos and GIFs of them walking the red carpet together.
At the start, Yu Cheng bent his arm slightly, waiting for Xu Qingli to loop hers through his. But Xu Qingli, whether from nerves or anxiety, didn’t even glance his way, already walking straight ahead.
Dressed in an elegantly tailored black gown, her slender neck fair and luminous, she walked expressionlessly the entire way, like a haughty black swan that had accidentally wandered into the human world.
Left behind, Yu Cheng failed to control his expression and looked completely bewildered.
While others walked the red carpet, she treated it like a mere formality.
Wen Qiaozhou couldn’t help letting out a soft chuckle. Suddenly, he was overcome with an intense curiosity. What was the little figure in her heart up to right now?
i love my babies so much QAQ
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- I’m assuming Li Hua or Pear Blossom is her stage name/nickname so I’ll be translating it as such from now on ↩︎
