《The Goddess is Sweet and Aloof》 Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Best Actress_1 Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Best Actress_1 Qiao Xiaren woke from a deep sleep, completely immobilized. The sky was gloomy and rain pelted the ground, hitting her body with a bone-chilling cold. Her facial features were very exquisite, her skin delicate and glossy like porcelain glaze, rendering a smooth outline. However, upon closer observation, half of her face bore interlacing scars, horrific like a dreaded ghost. ¡°Haha~~¡± Perhaps they assumed she was already dead and so without any reservations abandoned her in the wilderness, covering her body haphazardly with a bamboo mat. The world could never imagine, this superstar Qiao Xiaren who had become a three-time acclaimed movie queen at the age of 24, had been made use of and betrayed by her husband and his mistress in the prime of her career. They stepped on her fame to ascend to the pinnacle of the entertainment industry. Qiao Xiaren couldn¡¯t comprehend why Ye Mohan could despise her so much, even after she had pitifully become a stepping stone for him and that woman, he continued to viciously seek revenge against her. Seemingly, their hatred towards her was relentless. Nobody could conceive the life she had been leading previously, she had even been on her knees, indulging in the dirtiest and most tiresome work of the world, yet Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu wouldn¡¯t let her go. ¡°Ye Mohan, Qiao Anchu, even if I, Qiao Xiaren, die, I will not let you off¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s voice was soft, carrying a frightening chill in the midst of the darkness and despair, akin to a ripping sound deep in her throat. She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed. In this dark despair, she was waiting for the final death. She seemed to hear a vague sound near her ear, a voice was speaking, like a cold machine. ¡°System has automatically searched for a compatible organism, beep, commencing integration.¡± ¡°Host begins integration, beep, beep, beep¡­¡± ¡°Beauty: 1000.¡± ¡°Wealth: 0.¡± ¡°Acting skills: 1000.¡± ¡°Star Luck Value: 20.¡± ¡°Affiliated space: Yet to open.¡± Qiao Xiaren had no idea what was happening, it was as if she had plunged into an endless darkness, undulating and waning in mist. It was as though she was having an interminable nightmare. Within the nightmare, her past life was replayed. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, Ranran we love you¡­ Ah¡­¡± ¡°Xiaren, only love Xiaren, never change Ranran¡­¡± Her fans were frantically cheering for her, she strode across the red carpet in a nude-colored off-shoulder dress, signing her name at the Global Film Gold Awards Ceremony. The scene suddenly transitioned to Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu entwining lasciviously on the bed. The disheveled clothes scattered around were a clear indication of the urgency of the man and the woman. Qiao Xiaren hadn¡¯t expected that after she used her resources to help Ye Mohan become a superstar in the entertainment industry, she¡¯d be ruthlessly discarded by him in the end. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, I have never liked you, you were the one throwing yourself at me. A slut, actually thinking I want your damaged goods? Now, you may leave.¡± The two scenes toggled back and forth, replaying repeatedly, causing Qiao Xiaren to let out almost a pained sob. When she woke again, morning light was streaming in through the window. ¡°Beep, Host is physically depleted, system under repair¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren clearly heard the cold mechanical voice inside her head, a chill running down her spine. She didn¡¯t know who was speaking by her ear, wasn¡¯t she already dead? Qiao Xiaren tried to open her eyes, but lacked the strength to struggle. A surge of data suddenly flooded her mind, as if a machine was operating, various sets of data rotating crazily inside her head. Qiao Xiaren even felt as if her head was about to explode. This feeling was like being reborn. A warm current rushed in, and Qiao Xiaren could feel it ecstatically surging through the pores of her body. This unknown situation was inexplicability terrifying. Qiao Xiaren seemed to be trapped in a spell, blind and deaf, the cells and flesh inside her body were beginning to coalesce. She was unaware, that the wounds on her body were miraculously healing. ¡°Beep, system repair completed.¡± The familiar ceiling, the familiar bed, she was lying on a sky-blue soft quilt. In reality, Qiao Xiaren had already been awake quite a while. Her ears perked, she listened to the sounds coming from outside the house, her clear and striking black eyes filled with a strange, eerie chill. With trembling hands, she held them up to her face. Her hands were very beautiful, slender and delicate, with tender and translucent nails. Like a dream, Qiao Xiaren got out of bed and picked up the small round mirror on the table. The girl in the mirror looked only seventeen years old but was already stunningly beautiful. Her face was petite, emanating a sweet scent in the darkness, and her features were exquisite in their refinement. Smooth and delicate skin, fine nose, cherry lips ¨C Her lip color, naturally vibrant akin to the glory of dawn. Especially those large watery eyes, full of intoxicating ripples and vitality. Such supreme beauty, still a mere young girl at the break of dawn. Back then, Qiao Xiaren was regarded as the number one beauty in the entertainment industry. ¡°Haha~¡± Qiao Xiaren looked at the girl in the mirror, her grip on the mirror tightening until her knuckles turned pale. She was reborn, back to when she was seventeen. At seventeen, she was still following her master for training in Shanshui Town. That face indeed was enticing, no wonder Qiao Anchu had sadistically defaced half her face. Everything from the past seemed like a nightmare. And now, she had awoken from that nightmare. Only Qiao Xiaren knew the pain and despair that nightmare had contained. Shanshui Town was a place nestled in the mountains and on the waterside, with simple and honest locals. Early in the morning, people often took to the road to trade goods, so at this time, Qiao Xiaren could still hear the sounds of people walking outside. At that moment, a knock came from the door. Having been reborn, Qiao Xiaren clearly knew who was standing outside her door. She set down the mirror and got back into bed. ¡°Host, host, unidentified object approaching.¡± A sound echoed in her mind, buzzing, as if her brain was about to blow up. Why would there be¡­ A voice? Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Long Time No See_1 Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Long Time No See_1 System Little Tiantian: Congratulations on the successful fusion of the host with this system. The host has gained the opportunity to rebirth. Please make good use of this opportunity. Little Tiantian will always support you ~ System merge? Obtain a rebirth opportunity? A fact that seems absurd is hard for Qiao Xiaren to believe, but faced with reality, she has no choice but to believe. As Qiao Xiaren was still contemplating, the system spoke again: ¡°However, your current Star Luck Value is only 20. Star Luck Value is the energy that allows us to survive together. If the Star Luck Value cannot increase, the journey of rebirth cannot be initiated.¡± ¡°If it cannot be initiated, what will happen?¡± System: ¡°Both of us will perish in this world forever.¡± Qiao Xiaren was silent for a while, then asked, ¡°What is Star Luck Value?¡± System: ¡°Star Luck Value is a value related to the entertainment circle, which means it has a great relationship with the entertainment circle. By the way, host, you can call me Little Tiantian. We can communicate with our thoughts. Come on, keep it up!¡± ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± Qiao Xiaren closed her eyes, and the System Lord, who called himself Little Tian, finally fell silent. The knocking on the door persisted for a long time. After a few seconds of silence, the sound of the door handle turning could be heard. At the same time, a figure flashed into the room. ¡°Hehe, Ranran, I never thought you would actually invite me over. It seems that the little beauty is also lonely, huh?¡± Without even opening her eyes, Qiao Xiaren could imagine the sleazy man with a greasy face and a big belly. The impatient sound of the man undressing came to her ears, just like in her previous life. It has indeed been a long time. Qiao Xiaren was almost certain that she had been reborn on the day she had fallen into the water by accident at the age of seventeen. It was this day that led her fate to gradually head towards tragedy. As Huang Youde drew closer, a strong smell of cigarettes, sweat and body odor was mixed, creating a disgustingly rotting smell that made people want to vomit. Qiao Xiaren suddenly opened her radiant eyes. The darkness at the bottom of her eyes surged and enveloped everything. She lifted her foot and kicked Huang Youde in the forehead. With just one kick, Huang Youde could only let out a groan before falling onto the floor. Qiao Xiaren got up emotionlessly, curved the corner of her lips, and fatal danger emanated from her like a red spider lily. Unfortunately for Huang Youde, he didn¡¯t pass out completely from the kick. Without even batting an eyelash, Qiao Xiaren lifted her foot again and struck it on Huang Youde¡¯s forehead, precisely striking the same spot as before, but this time, she was much stronger. Huang Youde winced in pain and passed out. Qiao Xiaren laughed, stepped directly over the man¡¯s fat body. Probably because he was obese, the soft feeling of stepping on his body felt amazing. Qiao Xiaren, in high spirits, stomped on him several more times. Even in faint, Huang Youde couldn¡¯t help but utter a groan in his dreams. In her previous life, Huang Youde hadn¡¯t succeeded either, but the news of him leaving her room dishevelled was leaked by Qiao Anchu ¡°inadvertently¡±. Her scandal spread, and almost everyone in Shanshui Town knew about it. As if having had her fun, Qiao Xiaren finally stepped off. She kicked the motionless fat body on the floor under the bed. Just in time, the door was forced open at that very moment. ¡°Ranran!¡± Qiao Anchu entered with that shout. Qiao Xiaren kept her eyes on her, and her deeply dark eyes narrowed slightly. The girl in front of her had a delicate face with splendid eyebrows. The aura of arrogance between them was undeniably present. At the age of seventeen, with soft long hair falling on her shoulders, she was pretty and inviting. When they met again, she appeared much younger than before she was reborn. Qiao Xiaren wouldn¡¯t forget how Qiao Anchu stepped on her to rise to the top and mercilessly killed her. As soon as Qiao Anchu entered, her gaze began to search around as if she was looking for something. Qiao Xiaren of course knew what she was looking for, but pity, Huang Youde had already been silenced and passed out under the bed. ¡°What is Anchu looking for?¡± Qiao Xiaren deliberately asked. Qiao Anchu hadn¡¯t found what she came for, and when she heard Qiao Xiaren¡¯s clear and lazy voice, she looked a little unhappy, but she still covered it up. ¡°Nothing, he said he was going to check up on you earlier but now I do not see him anywhere?¡± Qiao Anchu cast a suspicious look at Qiao Xiaren, who shrugged and silently smiled, ¡°I don¡¯t know either, I haven¡¯t seen him the whole time.¡± Having been reborn once, Qiao Xiaren was very clear that the reason he dared to enter her room boldly was no doubt that Qiao Anchu had plotted something behind her back. The young girl had just woken up, her shining eyes seemed to have been stained with all the brilliance of the world. She lazily yawned, the aristocratic aura that formed naturally made people subconsciously feel inferior. Qiao Anchu couldn¡¯t take her eyes off her, and the jealousy in her heart began to rise little by little. Although they were all disciples of the same master, Qiao Xiaren was distinctive among them since childhood. The children in the village and town were all dirty faced, wearing earthy clothes and styling, but Qiao Xiaren wore a plain dress, her skin was fair and bright, with a simple and refreshing ponytail, she was particularly eye-catching among the several earthy kids. To them, Qiao Xiaren was like a noble swan raised among a group of wild ducks. Whether it was her beauty or her demeanor, it seemed that she was born to be looked up to and envied. With such recognition, Qiao Anchu naturally refused to accept. With a creaking sound, Ye Mohan entered the room with a bowl of medicinal soup in his hand. His alluring face was incredibly handsome, with a certain demure and charming aura, sculpting an unparalleled beauty. However, his demeanor was as gentle as jade, creating an extreme contrast with his appearance, but it didn¡¯t feel awkward. ¡°Xiaren, you finally woke up.¡± Twenty-year-old Ye Mohan, it had indeed been a long time. Qiao Xiaren smiled, lowering her eyes to hide the surging hatred. She just casually nodded in response. Hearing Qiao Xiaren¡¯s cold response, both Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu were surprised. Who doesn¡¯t know that Qiao Xiaren is very fond of Ye Mohan? There are four disciples under their master¡ª apart from the three of them, there¡¯s also the eldest brother, Shen Sichen. Ye Mohan and Qiao Xiaren, Shen Sichen and Qiao Anchu, were recognized as two couples by all. Ye Mohan put down the medicine in his hand, his expression was a little helpless, ¡°Xiaren, are you blaming me? Blaming me for not rescuing you and instead rescuing Anchu?¡± This time the accident of falling into the water was actually Qiao Anchu and Qiao Xiaren being swept down by the surging river. Shen Sichen loved Qiao Anchu and naturally went to save her. But Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t expect that Ye Mohan would actually jump into the river to save Qiao Anchu, leaving her alone in the river. Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Chapter 3: No Chance for You to Hurt Me_1 Chapter 3: Chapter 3: No Chance for You to Hurt Me_1 Qiao Xiaren nearly drowned and was not rescued in time, almost permanently buried in the river. Although she luckily did not drown, the branches and stones in the river scratched her tender skin. There were shocking wounds all over her face and body. Fortunately, the system had helped her heal her injuries, otherwise her beautiful face could have been horribly disfigured. ¡°Doesn¡¯t Second Senior Brother owe me an explanation?¡± Qiao Xiaren sneered, crossing her arms and watching the man in front of her leisurely. ¡°Even refusing to call me Mohan anymore indicates that you blame me.¡± Ye Mohan shook his head, his helpless expression was like a parent coaxing an unruly child. ¡°Xiaren, I truly didn¡¯t recognize the person then, mistaking Anchu for you. I¡¯m sorry, it won¡¯t happen again.¡± Hearing the man¡¯s explanation, a gloomy darkness seemed to cover Qiao Xiaren¡¯s intense gaze. Ye Mohan¡¯s justification was exactly the same as in the previous life. In the last life, she foolishly believed him. But this time, would she be foolish enough to believe him again? In the previous life, Qiao Xiaren loved Ye Mohan and always thought that Ye Mohan loved her. But in reality, Ye Mohan had already gotten involved with Qiao Anchu and she foolishly made money to support his advanced studies at the film school. Even his living expenses were paid by her. Reality proved that she had only nurtured an ungrateful wolf that would return kindness with ingratitude. Next time? Unfortunately, there won¡¯t be a next time in this life. I, Qiao Xiaren, swear that I won¡¯t give you any more opportunities to harm me. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, please leave. I need to rest.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face was expressionless, unable to tell whether she had accepted his explanation or if she didn¡¯t care to listen. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, what do you mean? We came to visit you out of good intentions, and you actually show us a long face? So what if Mohan saved me? We absolutely don¡¯t owe you anything!¡± Qiao Anchu was proud, impulsive and young, unable to control her nerves. ¡°Senior Sister, I didn¡¯t say anything. Why are you getting upset?¡± Qiao Anchu was taken aback. Indeed, she hadn¡¯t said anything, but her barely concealed derisive expression, as if making fun of them, made everyone extremely upset. Observing Qiao Anchu¡¯s alternating pale and flushed complexion, Qiao Xiaren suddenly found it amusing to bully her. Her past self actually thought this senior sister was straightforward, which seemed ridiculous now. Ye Mohan stared fixedly at the young girl in front of him, shocked to find he was unable to discern her emotions. Something¡­ had changed. Ye Mohan glanced at the weight on the table, his eyes still gentle as a spring breeze, and even closed the door on his way out. ¡°Xiaren, you rest well, I¡¯ll call you when lunch is ready.¡± Qiao Anchu wanted to say something but was pulled away by Ye Mohan. Looking at Qiao Anchu¡¯s unwilling appearance, Qiao Xiaren simply chuckled and continued lying on the small bed to recuperate. She had already forgotten about Huang Youde, who she had kicked under the bed earlier. When Huang Youde regained consciousness, he lay shivering underneath, not daring to move for fear of being tortured by Qiao Xiaren again. He pitifully maintained his position, some sweat seeping out of his fat face. Qiao Anchu, that despicable bitch, actually dared to trick him into coming here! Huang Youde¡¯s face revealed a ferocious look, vowing to take revenge on her once he got out. Qiao Xiaren was woken up again by someone knocking on the door after sleeping for who knows how long. She opened her eyes again, a cold glint flashed in her black eyes, revealing a bit of annoyance. Feeling quite irritable, Qiao Xiaren got out of bed and slowly opened the door. She was not a morning person and being woken up had put her in a bad mood. Her intense gaze made the person outside the door apprehensive. ¡°What is it?¡± Shen Sichen¡¯s hand was still on the door, meeting Qiao Xiaren¡¯s sharp gaze for the first time, instinctively wanting to back away. ¡°Xiaren, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, is there anything you need, First Senior Brother?¡± Leaning against the door, Qiao Xiaren crossed her arms, appearing leisurely and at ease. Her tone was flat, her face had a faint smile. At first glance, she still looked like a carefree and innocent young girl. However, Shen Sichen started to feel an unfathomable weight in his heart when looking at her. ¡°Master summoned us for a discussion. He has something to discuss.¡± Shen Sichen hesitated for a moment, a concerned look appearing on his face, ¡°How¡¯s your health?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Upon hearing that the master was looking for them, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes slightly narrowed. Without even glancing at Shen Sichen, she casually adjusted her clothing and walked towards the living room. Watching Qiao Xiaren¡¯s receding back, Shen Sichen felt a faint sense of loss. It seemed that she had even started to become cold towards him, treating his concern as if she was completely indifferent. Did it all happen because both he and Mohan had saved Anchu together? Of course, Qiao Xiaren would not pay attention to what Shen Sichen was thinking. She remembered clearly that in her previous life, Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu had publicly disclosed their romantic relationship. To avoid painting Qiao Anchu as the third party, they had blatantly accused Qiao Xiaren of cheating on Shen Sichen first. They even slandered her for cohabiting and having an abortion with Shichen. The most ridiculous part was that Shen Sichen admitted to these completely made-up ¡°facts¡± in front of the media, because he loved Qiao Anchu and didn¡¯t want her reputation destroyed. So because they couldn¡¯t bear to see Qiao Anchu¡¯s reputation ruined, she was supposed to be the sacrifice? Suddenly, the media slandered all the filth onto Qiao Xiaren, making her reputation in the entertainment circle stink. While Qiao Anchu and Ye Mohan, the sinful couple, had become a good story in the entertainment world. In the last life, Qiao Xiaren thought she had been foolish, and had endured enough. After reincarnating, she no longer needed friends, or family, much less love! She just needed to trample each person that had insulted, slandered, hurt and harmed her under her feet. Qiao Xiaren came out of her room, the dilapidated door made a creaking sound. The four of them lived with their master in a country house. A vegetable patch had been cultivated in front of the courtyard, and their master liked to plant some small vegetables to go along with their meals when he had spare time. The wild grass in the vegetable field had already begun to grow tall. Qiao Xiaren bypassed it, and her skirt even brushed past the wild grass. Their master had always been diligent, but now he let the wild grass grow so tall. Qiao Xiaren wasn¡¯t sure why, but her heart sank. ¡°Has Ranran arrived?¡± An aged voice came from the living room. Qiao Xiaren walked in to see the familiar yet old face of her master. His complexion seemed rather pale. She knew that he was likely to pass away soon, which was around the same time as in her previous life. Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Illness_1 Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Illness_1 Their master was trained in traditional Chinese medicine. He was heartbroken at a young age and started wandering before coming to Shanshui Town twenty years ago. He had stayed there ever since and adopted them as his disciples, teaching them Chinese medicine. ¡°Master?¡± It seemed as though the Master saw through Qiao Xiaren¡¯s thoughts, he waved his hand dismissively: ¡°Xiaren, I called you here today for an important matter.¡± Only then did Qiao Xiaren notice that Qiao Anchu and Ye Mohan were also present. Ye Mohan¡¯s gaze upon her was somewhat strange, Qiao Anchu was as arrogant as ever, but with a particularly cold expression and an annoying demeanor. Qiao Xiaren did not bother looking at Qiao Anchu. Her elder disciple sister always acted as if the world owed her something. Her gaze unconsciously fell on the yard, where she was surprised to see a stranger. In the late spring of March, peach blossoms extended over the wall, their pink petals fell like a beautiful rain of flowers. Four tall men stood in the courtyard, their backs as straight as birch trees. She glanced at them unintentionally, were they¡­ the big shots stationed in Shanshui Town? Xiaren had heard her Master mention that Shanshui Town was strategical, often attracting fugitives and criminals. Later, noble families from the Capital City responded to the call and sent people to protect the residents of Shanshui Town. Qiao Xiaren collected her emotions very well, no longer looking over there but sat upright on a chair, listening to the Master. ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve all seen the people in the courtyard?¡± The Master coughed gently, Qiao Xiaren heard a hint of exhaustion underlying his tone and couldn¡¯t help but frown, the Master¡¯s health was already quite serious. Seeing that everyone seemed contemplative, Master once again started speaking: ¡°Those people have come to invite us to treat Si Limo¡¯s younger sister, who has fallen ill with a severe disease.¡± Severe illness? Qiao Xiaren was slightly surprised. In her previous life indeed people from the stationed organization had visited, but the Master never called her to attend. All she remembered was that Qiao Anchu followed those people up the mountain. Upon returning, she looked joyful and her complexion greatly improved. Later, they left Shanshui Town, and Qiao Xiaren never saw her fellow disciple sister again, until she got together with Ye Mohan. By then, Qiao Anchu had already become a widely popular top star. Just as Qiao Xiaren was lost in thought, she suddenly heard the voice of System Lord Xiaotian in her mind: ¡°Please pay special attention, Host. This is an important turning point for you to change your destiny. Please take hold of it.¡± ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± After a moment of silence, Qiao Xiaren responded to Xiaotian. After all, they were now reliant on each other. Everything she did now was for the sake of survival, and she also wanted to completely change her life. She would definitely seize this chance. Qiao Xiaren and Xiaotian have been communicating mentally, so no one could tell that anything was amiss. They may just think Qiao Xiaren was deep in thought. Here, Xiaotian started talking again. ¡°Qiaoqiao, I must remind you, your Star Luck Value is too low right now. If it¡¯s used up, we won¡¯t be able to embark on our rebirth journey, we¡¯ll be finished.¡± Xiaotian¡¯s troubled voice echoed, ¡°Wah, wah, wah, I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡± ¡°Understood.¡± With this simple three-word reply, Xiaotian quietened like a deflated balloon. On the other hand, Qiao Anchu was particularly interested in the term ¡°Si Limo¡±. ¡°Master, are you saying that Si Limo is inviting us to treat his younger sister¡¯s illness?¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes sparkled, clearly indicating increased interest. Si Limo, the head of the mysterious family from Capital, had arrived in Shanshui Town a few years prior on a mission to protect the townspeople. The self-generated effort of protecting the townspeople had won the heart of gratitude from the whole town for the Si Family. The master nodded, coughing lightly once again: ¡°My old bones are giving up, I won¡¯t be able to perform this task. Thus, the responsibility to treat the young lady falls upon you all. As for who should go, I wish to hear your opinions.¡± After all, the patient involved was a person of high status. Since he was unable to go due to health reasons, he naturally needed to select the most suitable candidate. ¡°Master, I would like to volunteer.¡± Qiao Anchu was somewhat impatient, already calculating her gains in her heart. If she could cure Si Limo¡¯s sister, it would bring her boundless benefits. To meet that legendary man in her lifetime would be an extreme blessing. Master did not make an immediate decision but instead looked at the other three. Qiao Xiaren remained silent, seemingly playing with the end of her hair unconsciously. Shen Sichen saw that Qiao Anchu wanted to go, of course, he wouldn¡¯t fight with her. ¡°Doctor, may we depart now?¡± A man with straightforward features walked in, seeming somewhat anxious. In reality, the news of Si Limo¡¯s younger sister had long since spread within a ten-mile radius. Si Limo¡¯s sister, Si Zhilan, followed her brother to Shanshui Town three years ago. A few months later, she unexpectedly became pregnant without anyone knowing who the father was. Si Limo was infuriated and demanded several times to know the identity of the child¡¯s father. But all Si Zhilan did in response was cry, not uttering a single word about the baby¡¯s father. After a miscarriage that wrecked her health, Si Zhilan¡¯s condition deteriorated day by day. Her mental state was at an all-time low and she even started to talk nonsense at night. Watching Si Zhilan grow skinnier and skinnier due to her illness, Si Limo initially planned to send her away for treatment, but Si Zhilan refused to leave, clearly still clinging to the man. She didn¡¯t want to leave. ¡°Is such a coward worth it? You lost your child and got seriously ill for him, yet he doesn¡¯t even dare to show his face.¡± Si Limo only had this one sister and naturally cared immensely for her. ¡°Brother, you don¡¯t understand.¡± Si Zhilan maintained a fool-like demeanor, her tears flowing like they were broken, she continued to stare out of the window, seemingly waiting for someone. Only Si Limo knew that she would never wait until he arrived. ¡°I don¡¯t understand, you can tell me.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t let you understand, only when the person destined for you appears will you understand.¡± Perhaps in this world, there are always such fools. Since Si Zhilan refused to leave Shanshui Town, and Si Limo couldn¡¯t stand by and let his sister die, he could only resort to hiring traditional Chinese medical doctors from Shanshui Town to keep her alive. In fact, Si Limo didn¡¯t hold out much hope for the traditional medicine doctors. ¡­ Seeing that they were beginning to get anxious, the Master reassured them: ¡°This matter can¡¯t be solved by hurrying. I¡¯m in poor health and fear I might not be able to go. I can only have one of my disciples take up the task.¡± Qiao Anchu noticed that even though she had volunteered to go, the Master seemed to hesitate, not rushing to make a decision. She was puzzled as there seemed nothing left to consider. Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Qiao Anchu is Suppressed_1 Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Qiao Anchu is Suppressed_1 Since she proposed to go herself, the elder brothers wouldn¡¯t compete with her. As for Qiao Xiaren, she was quite a blockhead. From childhood to now, besides reading, she didn¡¯t even know the basics of pulse diagnosis, making her the least savvy amongst the disciples. How could such a waste possibly replace her? Of course, Qiao Xiaren noticed Qiao Anchu¡¯s ruffled appearance. She flashed a faint smile. She felt it was time for her to step in. A turning point to change her fate? She liked that. After being reminded by Xiaotian, Qiao Xiaren started to recall some things from her past life. She remembered in her previous life, Qiao Anchu¡¯s good fortune seem to follow after this trip, she soon left Shanshui Town and successfully enrolled in the most difficult to enter Capital Film Academy in the country. After graduation, she signed a contract with the Capital entertainment giant, SGS. With a dedicated team to shape her look and temperament, her rise to fame was astonishing, even reigning as a popular queen of the music scene for a while. She single-handedly escaped her past of poverty and rusticity, enjoying all the benefits brought by wealth and fame. As a member of the entertainment circle like her, Qiao Xiaren knew too well how smoothly Qiao Anchu led her life in her previous life. She had never been involved in any commonplace entertainment industry scandal, nor did she need hype, because good resources would continually pour into Qiao Anchu¡¯s door, regardless of the time. At that time, everyone in the circle guessed that Qiao Anchu must have had a powerful supporter behind her, so she didn¡¯t need to go through the unwritten rules of having to sleep her way to the top. Therefore, Qiao Anchu was even heralded by netizens as the purest and most innocent star in the entertainment circle. A trace of mockery appeared at the corners of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips. Hehe, who wouldn¡¯t want to stay clean and pure in the entertainment circle? Without support, Qiao Anchu would still be humiliated, having to struggle amidst those men. Needless to say, the man standing behind Qiao Anchu in her previous life must be Si Limo. In this life, Qiao Anchu should not even dream of climbing to Si Limo through Si Zhilan! ¡°Master, let me go.¡± At Qiao Xiaren¡¯s words, everyone, including Qiao Anchu, looked at her in surprise. Who doesn¡¯t know that Qiao Xiaren has studied traditional medicine for so many years, yet still doesn¡¯t get it, and had often been punished by the master during her childhood, unable to even diagnose pulses. ¡°Xiaren, you, a person who doesn¡¯t even understand pulse diagnosis, should not come out and boast, okay?¡± Qiao Anchu seemed to be hearing some kind of big joke as she said this. A cold, sneering smile appeared on her proud face. ¡°Why is sister so agitated? I¡¯m just making a suggestion.¡± Faced with Qiao Anchu¡¯s ridicule, Qiao Xiaren just curled the corners of her lips and lazily pushed the hair out of her temple. Her icy white fingertips were like the snow on the mountains, breathtakingly beautiful. The master didn¡¯t speak but seemed to be lost in thought. Qiao Anchu was unable to speak because of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s words, and her fists began to clench slowly. For some reason, she always felt that Qiao Xiaren had become a different person after waking up. Before, she liked to stick around them, a person of weak character, making it natural for Qiao Anchu to order her around like a maid. But now, Qiao Xiaren had a certain aura that gave people chills. Although Qiao Xiaren was also very beautiful before, she often looked like a bitter gourd, oozing a troubled look, which naturally made people unable to see her beauty. Standing next to Qiao Anchu, she looked like an ugly duckling next to a princess. But now, having changed her temperament completely, coupled with her natural beauty, she instantly grabbed Qiao Anchu¡¯s spotlight. Qiao Anchu, who was not outstanding in the first place, now appeared even more dim and lackluster. Everyone finally realized that the gap between Qiao Anchu and Qiao Xiaren was not just a little bit. When Qiao Xiaren spoke out, the eyes of the four men fell directly on her. The sight made even those with exceptional self-control unable to move their gaze away. Qiao Xiaren seemed to be different today, even the elder brother and Ye Mohan were looking at her in a daze. Seeing their gaze, jealousy and resentment began to emerge in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes. She was dressed in a very simple white shirt and jeans, her entire being bathed in brilliance, her left hand tucked in her pocket. Qiao Xiaren just stood there, like a ray of cool sunshine. Despite appearing bright, she exuded an unwarranted chilliness that pierced into everyone¡¯s heart. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s beauty was always flamboyant and didn¡¯t hide in the slightest. At just 17 years old, she was a high school senior. The fact that she was already a beauty, coupled with the charm and temperament that set her apart from ordinary girls, made her far superior to ordinary people. One can say that Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face was stunning from every angle, an absolute 360-degree beauty. In her previous life, she won a global award. Her every frown and smile on stage were brimming with charm and the beauty was unimaginable. Qiao Xiaren took a deep breath, greedily enjoying the fresh air of the moment. This was a completely newborn feeling; since her rebirth, she had countless nightmares, each time afraid to return to the desperate and dark scene. The man with a straight face scrutinized Qiao Xiaren. This child seemed different from the others in the village. Such appearance and aura could not have been nurtured by ordinary villagers. Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Waste_1 Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Waste_1 It must be said, these four subordinates guessed right to some extent. Although Qiao Xiaren was adopted by a mysterious old doctor from a young age, she was also sent up the mountain by her biological parents. Her biological parents lived at the foot of the mountain in Shanshui Town, but Qiao Xiaren had not descended the mountain for seventeen whole years, naturally never meeting her so-called biological parents. Her master told her that her father had accrued massive debts due to a gambling addiction which her mother could not withstand, spending all day in tears. Unable to care for Xiaren, her father simply sent the baby still in swaddling clothes up the mountain, and that¡¯s when her master took her as a disciple. It is said that from the moment she was born, she was different from other children in the village, her skin snow-white and translucent, nothing like the other wrinkly babies. Before her rebirth, she was unaware of her own origins, and always thought her parents were the resentful couple who lived at the foot of the mountain. Only later did she find out she was adopted. As for why she bore the surname Qiao, it was also a whim by her master, who saw the word on a handkerchief in her swaddle and simply named her Qiao. At this time, Qiao Xiaren did not know that this ¡®Qiao¡¯ character would be closely related to her future. ¡°Xiaren girl, are you sure you want to treat Master Si¡¯s sister¡¯s illness? This is not a joke. Have you thought about what consequences you¡¯ll face if you fail to cure Si Zhilan¡¯s illness?¡± All eyes in the room naturally fell on Qiao Xiaren, whether they were looks of awe or skepticism, nothing could shake Qiao Xiaren. With eight years of experience in the entertainment industry in her past life, she had developed an invulnerable fortitude, impervious to remarks and resilient to slander. No matter what kind of comments, even if someone openly called her a vixen, she could remain calm and even indifferent. How could this be a girl not yet seventeen? The subordinates muttered to themselves in secret admiration. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, master. If my medical skills are insufficient, I will accept the punishment myself,¡± Qiao Xiaren said firmly, causing her master to say no more, but that previously vocal subordinate chuckled and spoke up. ¡°Girl, don¡¯t be afraid, even if you don¡¯t cure Master Si, he won¡¯t really punish you. It¡¯s a civilized age now, not ancient times where every dispute leads to violence. Besides, our Master Si, although he often has a cold face and seems difficult to approach, is actually a very good person.¡± Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaren only smiled. Si Limo having subordinates who instinctively defend him showed his high prestige. Generally, such people, aside from being more capable, are also truly formidable men, not the ¡°good person¡± as described by his subordinates. Qiao Anchu heard this and was somewhat dissatisfied. Was she really going to let Qiao Xiaren snatch away this great opportunity? It was so frustrating! She wanted to say something, but was interrupted by her master. ¡°Anchu, go back to your room and read.¡± Seeing her master¡¯s stern gaze, Qiao Anchu was furious inside, biting her lip and looking unwilling. How could she have expected that Qiao Xiaren, so foolish and clumsy, could replace her? Had her master gone mad? Watching Qiao Anchu¡¯s departing figure, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips curved into an inscrutable smile. Annoyed already? There would be more to infuriate her in the future. Qiao Xiaren withdrew her gaze, only to see the subordinate now smiling honestly at her: ¡°Xiaren, just come with us. This time, Master Si¡¯s sister is all relying on you. If Zhilan gets better, Master Si will definitely not mistreat you.¡± Her master waved his hand: ¡°Go on, girl, I¡¯m a bit tired. We¡¯ll wait for you to come back for dinner, I¡¯ll go rest in my room for a while.¡± Qiao Xiaren said nothing but took her master¡¯s hand, his hand full of calluses, rough yet warm. She silently sighed in her heart, her master¡¯s health was really failing. ¡°Master, I definitely won¡¯t let you down,¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s tone was soft, conveying a sense of determination. Turning towards the subordinates, Qiao Xiaren said, ¡°I¡¯ll change my clothes first, please wait for me in the courtyard.¡± They nodded in understanding, returning to the dilapidated courtyard, their upright figures unexpectedly adorning the rundown courtyard with their presence. Her master watched Qiao Xiaren¡¯s departing figure, his cloudy yet perceptive eyes emitting a hint of brightness. Xiaren, this lifetime¡¯s destiny, has to be changed by you. Qiao Xiaren went straight back to her room but saw Qiao Anchu standing at her door, arms folded, chin slightly raised, looking down at her in arrogance. Qiao Anchu had always been prideful, feeling so superior that she thought no one deserved to stand beside her. ¡°Sister, do you need something?¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s posture and tone were somewhat casual, her eyes dark and intense, covered by a thin, translucent veil, making them unreadable. ¡°Give me the chance to go to Master Si¡¯s place!¡± Listening to Qiao Anchu¡¯s commanding tone, Qiao Xiaren just glanced at her currently arrogant demeanor and lightly said, ¡°On what grounds?¡± This woman, used to bullying her before, thought it was entitled for her to make such a demand? Heh. Qiao Anchu thought Qiao Xiaren would meekly comply, and did not expect her to dismissively reject her while provocatively asking: On what grounds? This useless waste, how dare she challenge me? Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Qiao Anchu is Unwilling _1 Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Qiao Anchu is Unwilling _1 This worthless, talentless person dares to challenge me? A hint of a fracture appeared on Qiao Anchu¡¯s refined face, her heart roaring in fury. Qiao Xiaren, you damned fool, the opportunity to treat Miss Zhilan¡¯s illness was supposed to be mine! You, Qiao Xiaren, are nothing but the mud beneath my feet, living a miserable life under my oppression. Only then might I consider sparing you. But who would¡¯ve thought you¡¯d be so restless; don¡¯t blame me if I decide to destroy you! ¡°Qiao Xiaren, if you don¡¯t hand this opportunity to me, I¡¯ll expose your misdeeds, leaving you utterly disgraced!¡± Qiao Anchu spouted these words viciously, clearly aimed at provoking her. A strong sentiment of resentment burst forth from Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes. What a serious accusation. In her previous life, she was found guilty of this crime and was exploited by Qiao Anchu, ruining her reputation in both Shanshui Town and the entertainment circle. Qiao Xiaren couldn¡¯t understand why this woman had always seen her as a thorn in the side. In her last life, she didn¡¯t compete with Qiao Anchu for the opportunity to treat Si Zhilan, yet she still exaggerated her scandalous affairs, even bringing up past matters after entering show business and intentionally exposing them in front of the media, making her reputation worse and worse. Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t believe that if she gave away this opportunity, Qiao Anchu wouldn¡¯t expose her. She had already experienced the woman¡¯s wickedness in her past life. ¡°Sister, so your venomous side is finally showing?¡± Seeing the malice in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes along with her sly cunning, Xiaren sneered. ¡°Qiao Anchu, I want to live a different life this time around, so let me start with you. I¡¯m curious to see who else was standing behind you in my past life, besides Si Limo.¡± Her acting career was indeed smooth sailing last time, frequently rubbing elbows with internationally acclaimed actors. Her earrings and pendants alone were worth millions. Such lavish spending was not something a typical benefactor would willingly spend on a woman. It seemed that Qiao Anchu had quite a few secrets. Qiao Xiaren laughed lightly. The smile that curled up at the corner of her lips was as brilliant as a spring flower but soon turned incredibly dark. She walked past Qiao Anchu, stretching herself in a lazy elegance, filled with satisfaction and charm, looking completely untouchable. Xiaren quickly packed her things, efficiently without dawdling, her fair and delicate face exuding unparalleled self-confidence and composure. The sunlight at this moment showered down on her, casting an enchanting dark halo around her, creating an exquisite sight to behold. Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan happened to reach the door and took in the full view of the gorgeous scene before them. They were both stunned. They had never known Qiao Xiaren could be this beautiful, this dazzling. Especially Ye Mohan, who suddenly felt his heartbeat thudding irregularly. Shen Sichen, on the other hand, was lost in a daze, staring blankly at Xiaren. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, freeze! Did I say you could leave? This opportunity was initially mine, and you craftily stole it away. Who knows what tricks you used to have the master favor you?¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s blatant disregard infuriated Qiao Anchu. At the same time, she felt a chill creeping into her heart. How was this the same Qiao Xiaren she was used to? But it was definitely still her. In a few steps, Qiao Anchu caught sight of Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan and her face contorted hideously. ¡°Brothers, is something the matter?¡± Xiaren caught Shen Sichen¡¯s shadow in the doorway, slinging her packed bag over her shoulder, ready to head out. Her lips held a faint smile, projecting confidence and composure, showing none of her former vulnerability. Ye Mohan noticed that Qiao Xiaren¡¯s bag seemed to be filled with medical equipment. He couldn¡¯t believe it. Didn¡¯t Qiao Xiaren not know how to treat people? The words he had intended to say suddenly got stuck in his throat. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, excuse me.¡± Shen Sichen was jolted back to reality by Qiao Xiaren¡¯s cool words. He stepped forward to block Xiaren¡¯s path. ¡°Xiaren¡­I have something to discuss with you.¡± Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t say a word, only gave him an inquiring look. There was a hint of impatience in her expression. ¡°Xiaren, why don¡¯t you let Chuchu take this opportunity to treat Miss Zhilan? You know nothing, not to mention exorcism. Chuchu is much more capable than you. Can¡¯t you just let her do it?¡± Ye Mohan quickly joined in, ¡°Exactly, since Chuchu wants to do it, just let her. Aren¡¯t you two good friends? You, being so kind-hearted, will surely agree, right? Besides, it should¡¯ve been Chuchu¡¯s opportunity in the first place¡­¡± Here, Ye Mohan¡¯s eyes glistened warmly, ¡°Xiaren, what I like most about you is your innocence and kindheartedness.¡± Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaren finally couldn¡¯t help but laugh. But that laughter held no warmth at all. So, Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan were here to help Qiao Anchu negotiate. Seeing Qiao Anchu as she stood proud and confident, Xiaren felt completely nauseated. It was as though everything in the world rightfully belonged to Anchu. Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Turtle Matched with Box Turtle _1 Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Turtle Matched with Box Turtle _1 Why should she cede this opportunity to Qiao Anchu? What in the world inherently belonged to Qiao Anchu? Did everything not come from personal efforts? Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan certainly had undying loyalty to Qiao Anchu, especially Ye Mohan, who was using every trick to encourage her at this moment. As long as there was something Qiao Anchu desired, they would fulfill it without consideration of Xiaren¡¯s feelings. It was understandable for Shen Sichen, after all, he had always been fond of Qiao Anchu. But Ye Mohan was currently Qiao Anchu¡¯s boyfriend, an identity he had not denied. Was it appropriate for him to take up another woman¡¯s cause? Before, Xiaren didn¡¯t know that Ye Mohan had always desired Qiao Anchu. On one hand, he could not bear to let go of Xiaren¡¯s heartfelt consideration for him and he enjoyed the sensation of being pursued and put on a pedestal, yet on the other hand, he vied for Qiao Anchu¡¯s favor and didn¡¯t mind letting Xiaren be wronged. That was why Ye Mohan¡¯s attitude towards Xiaren was always ambiguous and he enjoyed everything Xiaren did for him as if he deserved it. No wonder they had maliciously plotted against her for the sake of Qiao Anchu. Such selfish people were indeed a match made in heaven. They were destined to be together. Perfect, just perfect! ¡°Kindness?¡± Mu Xiaren smiled faintly. ¡°So, my kindness becomes the reason you manipulate at will and I should yield everything to my senior sister? Why should I? If such is kindness, I¡¯d rather forsake it.¡± The moment Anchu saw the sneer on Xiaren¡¯s face, she felt a sudden burst of fear and unconsciously retreated a few steps. She reconsidered her thoughts, she¡¯s a useless person, why should she be afraid of Qiao Xiaren? With these thoughts in mind, a malicious smile floated onto Anchu¡¯s face. She stealthily extended her foot towards Xiaren, attempting a trip. Yet, Xiaren reacted promptly and not only avoided the fall, but also stepped ruthlessly on Anchu¡¯s instep. ¡°Ah!¡± Qiao Anchu shouted horrendously. Her face started to perspire from the intense pain, glaring at Xiaren furiously. However, Xiaren looked back at her with an innocent expression. ¡°Ouch, senior sister, are your eyes unwell or are you consistently rolling your eyes at me?¡± Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan didn¡¯t notice the Ladies¡¯ footwork, and agreed that Qiao Anchu was actually rolling her eyes. Shen Sichen sighed, his expression toward Qiao Anchu started to reflect a disapproval. Even if he disliked Xiaren, there was no need to make it so obvious among the schoolmates. Qiao Anchu remained silent, patiently waiting while Xiaren continued to step on her foot. She endured the pain and did not dare to make a sound. ¡°What¡¯s going on? I just want the older sister to remember. What can be provoked and what cannot, shouldn¡¯t be overconfident. Understand?¡± Xiaren disregarded Anchu¡¯s pale face and walked past them, ignoring the ugly reactions of the people around. Somewhere in the distance, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s detached voice could be heard. ¡°The so-called ¡®like¡¯ from Brother Ye is an embarrassment, I don¡¯t need it.¡± Ye Mohan found it hard to believe that the Xiaren just now was the same person who was at his beck and call. Wasn¡¯t she supposed to humbly comply to every one of his requests? Could she have just said¡­ She disliked him? Impossible. From the moment she left, Xiaren suddenly chuckled. Her laughter was alluring as silver bells, unrestrained and pleasurable. Only today, while confronting these three individuals, did she truly express a sense of starting over in life, of rebirth. Starting today, she would live a carefree life and alter her tragic past. After following those four men up the mountain, Xiaren saw the green tents from a distance, their place of residence. Feeling the cool mountain breeze, she looked at the men training in the wilderness with an indifferent expression. The men also found it odd. A girl, barely 17 years old, would normally be intimidated in such a grand scenario, right? But Xiaren accompanied them all the way, her expression was serene and her steps were firm. She did not inquire about Mr. Si¡¯s affairs, which made her seem quite surprising. In fact, although Xiaren seemed just seventeen years old, she was someone who encompassed a twenty-eight-year-old soul, naturally, she was unlike other young girls. She possessed an air of maturity and calmness that made her irreplaceable. Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Si Zhilan_1 Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Si Zhilan_1 Qiao Xiaren followed a group of people to the military camp. The further they walked, the louder the discussions became. When Qiao Xiaren saw Si Zhilan, she was lying on the bed, pale and thin, almost skeletal, her eyes dim and lifeless. As if sensing someone¡¯s approach, Si Zhilan looked up. She saw a 17-year-old girl, but her eyes were as cool and detached as if she were surveying humanity from a distance, distinctly chilly, unlike girls her age. ¡°Who are you?¡± Si Zhilan didn¡¯t know that her brother had brought a doctor. She didn¡¯t want to leave Shanshui Town or the man she loved, even though they couldn¡¯t be together. If possible, it would be good to die like this, at least she could die where he resided, without enduring more torment. ¡°Your illness is very serious,¡± Qiao Xiaren sat down, casting a glance at her. Not only was her body ill, but a sickness was clearly plaguing her heart too. ¡°I know,¡± Perhaps due to being isolated for too long, Si Zhilan felt an unexpected sense of ease facing this stranger girl. This girl¡¯s words carried a sense of cool relief, a comfort that Si Zhilan couldn¡¯t comprehend ¨C why¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Qiao Xiaren took her pulse, trying to diagnose the issue. Caught off guard, Si Zhilan yanked her hand away, accusingly asking, ¡°Why are you touching me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m the doctor your brother asked for,¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need a doctor.¡± Si Zhilan stubbornly pulled away her hand. She had already resigned herself to death, especially after she lost the child. She would have rather died with him promptly. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Qiao Xiaren spat out indifferently. Si Zhilan was stunned for a moment, looking at this unconventional girl in shock. Anyone else would have tried to persuade her relentlessly. Qiao Xiaren seemed not to care how she was perceived, nonchalantly leaning to the side, a medical book in her hand, leisurely browsing through, propping her head with the other hand. Her relaxed posture seemed more fitting for a library instead of here. ¡°You¡­ aren¡¯t you afraid my brother will punish you?¡± gasped the slack-jawed woman. Everybody was afraid of Zhilan¡¯s brother, Limo, even though he rarely lost his temper. Many dreaded him still. Was this young girl really not afraid of death? ¡°Medicine can cure the body, but not the heart,¡± Qiao Xiaren turned a page indifferently, ¡°Miss Si, when you can¡¯t control even your own life and death, don¡¯t meddle with others,¡± Again, Si Zhilan was left speechless. For a long moment, silence. Si Zhilan still lay on the bed, but instead of seeming like a stagnant pool as before, she now turned and tossed frequently. Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t care what she was doing, she continued reading her book. Si Zhilan stole glances at the slender and delicate fingers that flipped through pages, yet Qiao Xiaren remained calm and composed. ¡°Child, have you told me, you¡¯ve come of age?¡± She was incredibly curious. ¡°I¡¯m 17,¡± Exactly as she had anticipated. In the following days, Qiao Xiaren stayed by Si Zhilan¡¯s side, but she neither initiated conversations nor did she entice her to accept treatment. She ate and drank as necessary and slept when tired. Si Zhilan was curious as to why a 17-year-old girl could always maintain such a calm and detached demeanour. Limo¡¯s men came repeatedly to rush Qiao Xiaren, but she was never in a hurry, spending her time reading medical books, brewing tea when free. ¡°Want a cup?¡± Si Zhilan sat up at the smell of the tea. Somehow, she felt a strong desire to drink it. She reached over to take the cup from the young girl¡¯s hands. ¡°How is it?¡± Qiao Xiaren asked. ¡°A bit bitter, but sweet afterwards,¡± Qiao Xiaren smiled at her, raising her cup in a toast, ¡°Then speak less and drink more tea,¡± ¡°¡­¡± Si Zhilan had assumed that Qiao Xiaren would seize this opportunity to give a passionate speech on the importance of cherishing life, dispensing customary wisdom on the topic, but Qiao Xiaren simply told her to drink more tea. Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Si Zhilan Successfully Persuaded_1 Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Si Zhilan Successfully Persuaded_1 ¡°You said that those who study medicine can only heal bodies, not hearts,¡± Si Zhilan suddenly uttered a bitter laugh, for some reason feeling an overpowering urge to confide, ¡°because you will never understand what I have endured, what I have encountered. Only when you truly experience those things will you realize that this world was never worth it.¡± Xiaren didn¡¯t argue but let out a light chuckle, a laugh that sounded devoid of mockery, as if it were simply innocent laughter. ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± ¡°Let me tell you a story,¡± Xiaren said, looking at her. ¡°I once heard a story, would you like to listen to it too?¡± ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°Once upon a time, there was a 17-year-old girl, a prot¨¦g¨¦ of a famous doctor, with two elder male disciples and one elder female disciple. One day, she and the elder female disciple plunged into the river. The two elder male disciples rushed to save the elder sister but abandoned the youngest in the river without a second thought. The junior sister was submerged and for a moment thought she would die. That was the first time she tasted the bitterness of being discarded by those around her.¡± ¡°Later, when they had the opportunity to enter the entertainment industry, the girl made a lot of money to support the second elder male disciple¡¯s film academy studies, feeling a sense of dependency on him. She thought they would be together. But afterward, once the elder female disciple gained fame, she hooked up with the second elder male disciple. To cover up certain facts, they shamelessly claimed in front of the media that it was the girl who cheated, and that he had gotten together with the elder sister out of heartbreak. They twisted right and wrong, black and white, ruining the girl¡¯s reputation in the industry.¡± ¡°Even her eldest male disciple on that particular occasion stood out to say that he and the junior sister had been in a relationship, that they had even lived together and she had miscarried their child.¡± At this point, Xiaren let out a low chuckle, a flicker of mockery tinged with bone-chilling coldness and sinister undertones. ¡°That¡¯s just too¡­¡± Si Zhilan was too shocked to speak. She had been brought up in the Si Family¡¯s environment, pampered from a young age, surrounded by caring people, and she could not even begin to fathom a world filled with such dark deeds and people. ¡°Later on, they still wouldn¡¯t let it rest. The elder female disciple arranged for her death in the wilderness. When she died, she was only in her twenties and had just received every honor in the industry. Yet her elder sister, crazed with jealousy, turned assassin and left her to die in that desolate place.¡± ¡°Why would it be like this¡­¡± Si Zhilan couldn¡¯t imagine what kind of hardships that woman had faced. The closest people to her betrayed her one after another, and in the end, even took her life. What depth of hatred could drive someone to such extremes? Similarly, that young girl truly had a hard life. Xiaren put down the teacup, having regained her composed demeanor, and glanced at Si Zhilan, ¡°Compared to her, you really are far more fortunate.¡± Xiaren¡¯s remark left Si Zhilan without a rebuttal. She lowered her head, thought for a moment, but said nothing. Xiaren stood up and left, pushing the door open on her way out. By the eighth day, Si Zhilan seemed to show some improvement, began to eat on her own initiative, and started cooperating with Xiaren¡¯s treatments. The subordinates were overjoyed and rushed to report to young master Si. Once the emotional issues started to improve, her physical ailments were essentially minor. After a miscarriage, a woman¡¯s body is very weak and needs proper nourishment. Xiaren prescribed several gentle and nourishing medicinal courses, combined with food for treatment. However, Si Zhilan¡¯s emotional wounds still needed that man to be fully healed. Xiaren asked Si Limo¡¯s subordinates to convey her thoughts, and Si Limo immediately ordered an investigation into his sister¡¯s affairs and had that man captured and brought to the mountain. Seeing Si Zhilan¡¯s poor state before, Si Limo didn¡¯t dare to investigate that man¡¯s matters, fearing it might agitate his sister. After all, Si Zhilan was deeply attached to that man, and there was a fear of being too harsh on him. Now that Si Zhilan showed signs of coming to terms with her ordeal under Xiaren¡¯s guidance, Si Limo no longer had any concerns. However, Xiaren wasn¡¯t concerned with what followed; she had fulfilled her obligation and that was enough. Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Si Limo_1 Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Si Limo_1 Having been living in the harsh outdoor conditions of the mountains for several days with these people, Qiao Xiaren was beginning to succumb. She was about to bid farewell to Si Zhilan when suddenly she felt her legs give way. Xiaren heard a faint sound of footsteps coming from behind her. They didn¡¯t sound like a woman¡¯s¨Cboots stepping on the ground, the subtle footprint sent a chill down one¡¯s spine. Her pupils constricted slightly as she turned to see a tall figure. It was a young man, standing against the light. Despite the sweltering heat, he showed no signs of perspiration in his formal attire, appearing calm and aloof. Could this be, Si Limo? ¡°Xiaren, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Si Zhilan was taken aback. How could someone who was bursting with energy just moments ago suddenly turn so weak? As she reached out to steady Xiaren, a clean, slender hand appeared from the side. The hand was particularly well-maintained, void of the typical dark and tanned texture commonly seen in army men, rather it was more towards the fair side. This hand held onto Xiaren who was so weak she couldn¡¯t even see clearly, let alone make out the man¡¯s face. However, his imposing aura sent an unexplainable chill down the spine, akin to the cold of an unsheathed ancient sword, perfectly masking his lethal and harsh demeanor. ¡°Brother, this is¡­?¡± All Xiaren heard was Si Zhilan seemingly trying to explain something to Si Limo. Feeling a bit muddled, she fainted in the arms of this man. ¡°How can this girl faint just like that?¡± It was lunchtime. The attendant who had brought Xiaren here earlier was about to beckon her to come for lunch, only to find her lying in a state of exhaustion in Si Limo¡¯s arms. ¡°Young Master Si?¡± He opened his mouth slightly in disbelief at the scene unfolding before him. Si Limo gave him a sharp, cold glance, picked up the girl in his arms, and headed towards the new recruit training camp. The gaping man was left even more stunned, and even Si Zhilan was rooted in place. She couldn¡¯t believe that her brother would actively hold a woman for the first time. ¡°Big Brother, where are you going?¡± Feeling better, Si Zhilan¡¯s steps had grown lighter. She trotted after him. Si Limo turned back to glance at Si Zhilan, his eyes trailing down towards her stomach, ¡°You feeling better?¡± ¡°Yes, it was this girl who cured me. It¡¯s truly magical.¡± Si Zhilan still hadn¡¯t completely recovered from the joy of her sudden recovery. This girl named Qiao Xiaren was truly capable. ¡°I¡¯ll take her to another tent to rest properly. After all, she fainted from saving you. We, the Si Family, owe her a debt of gratitude.¡± Si Limo¡¯s voice was filled with a certain solemnity, more like a promise. He was a man who valued loyalty and righteousness at his core. Qiao Xiaren had saved his sister, he would repay the favor. Si Zhilan caught her breath. Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Little Village Girl_1 Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Little Village Girl_1 After an unknown length of time, Xiaren woke up with a sore waist and back. As she opened her eyes, the sight of the green tent above her caused her to pause briefly. It was only after she came to her senses that she remembered she was still in Si Limo¡¯s territory. After getting out of bed, Xiaren stretched her aching muscles. She looked around quietly and noticed that the tent was quite large, with more than a dozen beds, one of which she had been sleeping on. The sound of organized footsteps echoed from outside, allowing Xiaren to discern that it was around seven o¡¯clock in the evening. Thankfully, the summer days were appreciably longer. Hearing a grumble from her stomach, Qiao Xiaren suddenly remembered that she hadn¡¯t eaten for a whole day. Just as she was about to find some steamed buns to eat, she saw a group of girls walk in from the outside. Upon hearing the noise, Xiaren naturally lifted her head and looked over. The group of girls was each unique in their own way with their small-sized training suits and different looks, but their aura seemed wholly distinct from the people of Shanshui Town. ¡°Oh, has the little village girl woken up?¡± Zhang Lerong stepped forward. A striking beauty with a rebellious streak, she spoke while snapping a bubble gum. ¡°A village girl who was carried in by Si Limo?¡± As Zhang Lerong spoke, she popped the bubble gum in her mouth, a malicious look crossing her face. ¡°You wretched creature, how dare you tempt my Si Limo? Are you tired of life?¡± The very thought of that dignified man carrying this woman irked Zhang Lerong substantially. The girls were from the city, here to visit their relatives stationed in Shanshui Town. They were like a bunch of spirited, rebellious teens, finding the place extremely new and exciting as they slowly let loose their city-born instincts. Qiao Xiaren, a woman with the soul of a twenty-eight-year-old, had absolutely no interest in engaging with these kids. Seeing Xiaren¡¯s indifferent expression, Wu Fang arched her brow and pointed to her bed as she ordered, ¡°Village girl, get some hot water for us and make our beds quickly!¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips curved slightly, her black and white-contrasted eyes sparkling with an alluring tranquility. She almost burst out laughing at the girl¡¯s impudent voice. Xiaren turned her face and looked at the girl before her with interest. As her face fully emerged into the light, she could hear the gasps echoing around. She was so beautiful. Zhang Lerong had merely noticed the simple dress Qiao Xiaren was wearing initially but had paid no attention to her face. When Xiaren turned her head, all she could feel was awe. Qiao Xiaren was barefaced, yet she looked stunningly beautiful like a hibiscus blooming from pure water. Just looking at that face was enough to hear the chaotic rhythm of her own heartbeat. Even though they were all girls, they couldn¡¯t help but stare at her. Whether it was in admiration or jealousy, they had to accept that her face was so breathtaking that it could make one swear. Qiao Xiaren stood up, her eyes sweeping indifferently across the group of girls without any reaction to their current expressions. She glanced at the outside where the darkness of the night was gradually settling in, a dangerous curve rose at the corner of her lips. She walked over, her height one head taller than the rest, exerting an oppressive presence. Zhang Lerong suddenly felt that Xiaren¡¯s aura was not like that of a village girl, but more of an artist. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Xiaren¡¯s crimson lips barely moved as she spat out these cold words. The girl who had ordered Qiao Xiaren to clean the beds reacted first, glaring at her savagely, ¡°What are you standing there for? I told you to get hot water and tidy up the beds! Do you believe we can beat you up?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, you¡¯re just a village girl!¡± Zhang Lerong also recovered from the shock. As she thought about Si Limo carrying this woman, she felt utterly disgusted. Chapter 13 - Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Fear_1 Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Fear_1 Fear and jealousy were quickly festering among the crowd, who began to shove Xiaren around. Their initial amazement at her beauty turned into envy and resentment¡ª a mere village girl, she was even prettier than them, well-bred city folk! ¡°Damn it, who allowed you to stand in front of me?¡± Ji Qin couldn¡¯t bear it anymore and pushed Xiaren, nearly causing her to stumble. ¡°Hurry up and get to work; sweep the floor, then go to heat up water and make the bed. If you don¡¯t finish within an hour, you¡¯ll pay dearly!¡± Once they saw Ji Qin bullying Xiaren so openly, everyone else lowered their guard. She was just a teenage village girl, what could they possibly have to fear? Qiao Xiaren coldly glanced at the girls before her, showing no signs of intending to engage with them. It was more like she was completely ignoring them. Zhang Lerong felt as if a ball of evil fire had started to burn in her stomach. She reached out and grabbed the person before her, even more maliciously clutching Xiaren¡¯s hair. ¡°What kind of attitude is this? You¡¯re just a dirty, uncultured, and ugly village girl, and you dare to ignore us? You¡¯re indeed the cheapest kind, brought up in a village. Low class is low class, with no manners at all¡­¡± Zhang Lerong continued both berating and tugging on Xiaren¡¯s hair whilst the others jeered in encouragement. But then, they saw Qiao Xiaren¡¯s icy smile as she stepped forward and, with a swift grip, grabbed Zhang Lerong¡¯s hair. She hoisted her hand onto her shoulder, and with a swift judo throw, fiercely flung Zhang Lerong onto the ground. Zhang Lerong managed only a stifled grunt before she lay on the floor, groaning unconscious from the pain. Everyone was stunned by the scene just played out before them, standing there slack-jawed. Their gazes towards Qiao Xiaren were all tinged with a complex mix of emotions¡ª dark and opaque. Zhang Lerong lay on the ground in disbelief, looking up at the condescending figure of Qiao Xiaren, her arms folded across her chest. ¡°You¡­ you lowly peasant¡­ how dare you hit me¡­¡± Zhang Lerong scrambled up from the ground, disregarding the aches in her body. She screeched like a madwoman and came charging over, only to have her hand seized mid-air by Xiaren, rendering her immobile. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare to hit you?¡± Qiao Xiaren mocked, and with a flick of her hand, sent a stumbling Zhang Lerong crashing onto the ground again, who promptly hollered in pain. Zhang Lerong was utterly stupified from the tumble. ¡°Today¡¯s judo flip is a lesson for you to watch your tongue and not shit-talk everyone you meet. Mind who you¡¯re messing with, or you¡¯ll be asking for trouble.¡± ¡°Grab her, grab that girl for me! I must kill her!¡± Zhang Lerong bellowed in fury, girls closed in, encircling Qiao Xiaren with ill-intentions. Qiao Xiaren was only by herself, how could she fight back this time? Zhang Lerong cackled viciously, throwing herself forward like a lunatic, regardless of her disheveled appearance. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face remained unchanged. She stretched and limbered herself up, before anyone could see what she was doing, a girl was flung across the room, crashing into the others. Zhang Lerong barely could make out what was happening when a sharp pain surged from her abdomen. She was sent flying by the fierce kick from Qiao Xiaren. One by one, the girls dropped to the floor. Their previously vindictive eyes quickly filled with awe and fear, twinkling with trepidation. No one dared to step forward again. Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Wild Boar_1 Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Wild Boar_1 Qiao Xiaren slowly stepped forward, scoffing, ¡°Well, want another round?¡± Ji Qin and several other girls lowered their heads, considering Xiaren a formidable figure. Who would dare to upset her now? ¡°Go prepare some hot water and make the bed. I¡¯ll be sleeping here tonight,¡± Qiao Xiaren ordered and reclined comfortably. Zhang Lerong and the others didn¡¯t like it, but they were afraid of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s tactics. They hurriedly picked up the kettle from the ground to fetch water from outside. Xiaren closed her eyes and continued her siesta, hoping to regain her lost strength for the day. After what seemed like a while, Xiaren was awakened by someone. She opened her eyes abruptly to see Zhang Lerong with a fearful expression. ¡°The¡­the hot water is ready, you can go take a bath¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren sat up, stretched her wrists, and seeing other girls trembling with fear, she said casually, ¡°Don¡¯t be too scared. As long as you don¡¯t provoke me, I promise not to hit you. But if you dare to confront me, well¡­¡± Xiaren displayed her fist in mid-air, and Zhang Lerong immediately replied, ¡°We dare not, we dare not! From now on, we¡¯ll obey you. You are our boss!¡± The other girls chimed in, their faces showing a mix of reverence and fear. Xiaren got off the bed and went outside with the hot water. There was a dedicated place for all the girls to take a shower outside. Xiaren didn¡¯t have a change of clothes, so she took a set of women¡¯s uniform. After a bath, the sticky feeling finally disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented freshness. When Xiaren came back to the tent, the girls were already asleep, with a faint lamp light pouring in. Unable to fall asleep, Xiaren sat in the tent for a little while, then decided to go outside for some fresh air. The air on top of the mountain was very fresh and clean, and the mountain breeze was slightly chilly. Aware of the wild boars roaming in the mountain that might harm people, Xiaren, with her current physical strength, wasn¡¯t afraid. She walked upwards where the rustle of tree leaves swayed in the air. After walking for some time in the moonlight that elongated her shadow, she abruptly stopped. Sitting ahead of her was a man¡¯s back facing her. Though sitting, the man radiated an unattainable and fierce aura. Xiaren couldn¡¯t see the man¡¯s face, but his back showed an infinite darkness, mirroring the cold and indifferent abyss of the deep night. There was a brutally detached yet sharp aura about him that didn¡¯t sit right with Qiao Xiaren. A few seconds later, she turned and began to run. But, she had only taken three steps before she felt a blade-like cold wind slicing past her back. A sudden cold sweat broke out on Qiao Xiaren¡¯s back. Moments ago, the man had his back to her without even turning his head. But now, he was right behind her. The cool mountain breeze whistled through the rustling tree leaves. Qiao Xiaren put her head down and ran like the wind without daring to look back. Not understanding what she was running from, she could only feel an extreme sense of danger from the man behind her. ¡°Xiaotian, Xiaotian¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren tried to communicate with the system, but strangely, the usually responsive System Lord was silent. Minutes hadn¡¯t passed when the man had already overtaken her, blocking her path. His overwhelming masculine scent hit her hard. Xiaren stopped in time, just barely avoiding running into him. Qiao Xiaren was a seventeen-year-old girl after all. Exhausted, she started panting slightly. The faint moonlight fell upon the man¡¯s face, revealing it clearly. Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Night Attack on the Wild Boar_1 Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Night Attack on the Wild Boar_1 She gasped, looking at a face that was exquisitely handsome, his thin lips set in a straight line of tension. A straight and proud nose, his bewitching, captivating black pupils enthralled her. He seemed to embody an ethereal nobility and a frigid aloofness, two entirely different traits flawlessly converging in him. This man¡¯s aura was so intense, it felt as if it could swallow her whole. ¡°What are you doing out here so late?¡± As Xiaren was lost in thought, the man spoke first, his words ending with a prolonged note that insinuated a hint of laughter. Xiaren was somewhat surprised, their exchange was so ordinary, it felt as if they had known each other before. What surprised Xiaren even more was that the stern and cold aura around the man seemed to be suddenly blown away as soon as he opened his mouth, replacing it instantly with a clear breeze and a bright moon. This was her first encounter with a man who could instantly shift his aura and temperament, as if the solitary, dangerous man from earlier wasn¡¯t him at all. ¡°Just taking a walk.¡± These four words made Qiao Xiaren move a few steps back, wanting to escape from this man¡¯s presence. However, he seemed to see through her intentions, approaching her step by step with tread so soft that it raised Xiaren¡¯s caution. The man¡¯s cold, isolating aura began to intensify again. In that moment, Xiaren could feel his domineering energy surge to the surface. ¡°Out for a walk?¡± His voice was steady but harbored a certain coldness. The moment Si Limo reached out his hand, Xiaren lifted her foot, intending to kick him. During her 17 years of training high in the mountains, not only had she, along with three others, learned various spiritual and geomancy arts under their master¡¯s guidance, she had also honed her physical capabilities. Among the four, Xiaren was the best. Seeing how wary this young lady was of him, Si Limo raised his eyebrows slightly and evaded her like a leopard. But when Xiaren lunged a punch, it was caught by his large hand, which then held her waist firmly. Qiao Xiaren was startled, rage simmered in her eyes. Si Limo seized the opportunity to raise her hands above her head, reminiscent of surrender. Xiaren was so flustered, she didn¡¯t notice that her fingers were intertwined with his. ¡°Let me go!¡± This was certainly embarrassment turning into anger, Xiaren being subdued by a strange man for the first time. Now, looking closely at the man, Xiaren realized she had never seen such beautiful eyes. His eyes were deep like abysses, suppressing a formidable, murderous aura, suggesting an arrogance that could overlook anything. One look, and it was as if one could fall into their depths. He appeared a born ruler, and an innate conqueror. ¡°Don¡¯t go out alone like this again. It¡¯s very dangerous here.¡± Si Limo looked steadily at the woman in front of him, his eyes unreadable, making it hard to fathom. His gaze was sharp and piercing, as if he could see into one¡¯s soul. It left Qiao Xiaren at a loss. The lad looked good in a military uniform. As he finished speaking, Si Limo released one of the arms binding the woman. Qiao Xiaren freed herself, her eyes gleaming with a cold light. A deliberate rustling came from underneath a birch tree nearby. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s ears pricked up, and she squatted down to pick up a rock, ferociously throwing it in that direction. The breaking of branches could be heard. Qiao Xiaren heard the grunting sounds getting closer. Lifting his head, Si Limo spotted a group of wild boars coming their way. From the moment she heard the grunting, she figured there must be not only one but several wild boars. However, she never expected an entire group of them. Xiaren gave a chilling stare, she had no weapon to fight with, and these swarms of wild boars were ready to consume them. Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Chapter 16 Delicious_1 Chapter 16: Chapter 16 Delicious_1 ¡°Go over there, don¡¯t come near.¡± The man¡¯s voice was indifferent, his tone steady. Before she could react, Xiaren was pushed aside by him. In the night, she saw him draw a sleek, black gun under the moonlight. His arm extended straight out, he took a shot and killed the leading boar. With one lethal stroke, the group of boars seemed disoriented and started to scatter. Xiaren counted almost thirteen wild boars that night. As the boars fled, a few ran directly towards Qiao Xiaren, showing their fierce, large teeth. The boars couldn¡¯t get close to Si Limo, yet they all rushed towards her. A cold light flashed in Si Limo¡¯s eyes as he threw her another gun from his waist. There was no hint of panic on Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face. She smoothly caught the pistol, turned the safety on in one fluid motion, hooked her pinky, and turned around to open fire on the boars. The boars let out a roaring sound that would fill ordinary people with fear. Yet Qiao Xiaren remained unfazed. Her icy face looked extraordinarily beautiful in the night. With gun in hand, she kicked a boar¡¯s sharp tooth with one foot. Her movements were graceful, yet each one was deadly. Under her onslaught, the boars let out terrifying sounds. Xiaren attacked without mercy, her breathing remained steady, and her movements were graceful, like an elegant arc drawn in mid-air. ¡°Roar¡­¡± A boar opened its yawning mouth, its sharp teeth bearing, only for Qiao Xiaren to forcefully kick it into a large rock. It hit its head violently on the rock, killing it instantly. ¡°Not bad,¡± Si Limo said, walking up to her with his gun, admiration in his eyes. The air still lingered with the scent of boar blood, which caused Xiaren to wrinkle her nose in disgust. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the boar¡¯s carcasses,¡± Si Limo said, seeing her frown, he gave a low chuckle and motioned for her to sit and rest. However, Qiao Xiaren remained standing, eyeing the blood-soaked ground. The price of boar meat was sky-high in the market. The carcasses of the thirteen boars that now laid dead on the ground could substantially improve the meals of the soldiers. ¡°Young Master Si.¡± A few torches suddenly appeared from the bushes. Turning around, she saw a solemn-faced Zhao Jiashi holding a torch, with a gun at his waist, followed by a group of men. Hearing these fellows call him ¡®Young Master Si¡¯, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She did not expect the man in front of her to be the legendary youngest Young Master Si, Si Limo. The moment they heard noises from the hill, Zhao Jiashi alerted his men and rushed over. Thinking that Young Master Si might be attacked, they hadn¡¯t realized it was just boars. For someone with Si Limo¡¯s skills, boars were no match. Recently, Shanshui Town had been disturbed by fugitives hiding out, harassing Shenzhen and hurting the villagers. After all, Shanshui Town¡¯s terrain was dangerous and ideal for people who wanted to evade the authorities. Si Limo put down the gun still stained with boar¡¯s blood, stretched his neck and wrist, making a comfortable gesture. ¡°You guys came just at the right time. Help carry these boars back. We can cook them into several large pots, for everyone to enjoy something fresh.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master Si.¡± Each man carried a boar, a rare smile appeared on Zhao Jiashi¡¯s dark face. ¡°Young Master Si¡¯s performance was rare; the cook will be working overtime this time.¡± With so many boars, they could feast for several days. ¡°I can¡¯t take all the credit, this little lass helped a lot. If you guys are enjoying a feast, you should thank her.¡± Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Attacking the Entertainment Industry_1 Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Attacking the Entertainment Industry_1 Si Limo glanced deliberately at Qiao Xiaren. Xiaren just gave a faint smile, tossing the short gun in her hand into the air, which Si Limo caught flawlessly: ¡°Tonight is quite interesting,¡± he remarked. Under 17, a young girl, she was the first person worth his special attention. Xiaren slowly hooked the corner of her mouth upward in a reserved and elegant manner. The gradual smile on her face almost dazzled Si Limo. His eyes cold, he too slowly lifted the corner of his mouth. If it weren¡¯t for her young age, he could have mistakenly thought the girl was a female spy sent to bewitch him. Just with that smile, even he was somewhat entranced, let alone those with less composure. Xiaren didn¡¯t notice Si Limo¡¯s thoughts at all. Her mind was full of cooked, mouthwatering wild boar meat ¡ª a delicacy of her dreams. She hadn¡¯t had dinner tonight, and she found herself salivating. Since her rebirth, she hadn¡¯t had a good meal. She thought about how she could finally feast to her heart¡¯s content after hunting so many wild boars today. Having dealt with thirteen wild boars, Xiaren turned around to meet Zhao Jiashi¡¯s surprised eyes, which also seemed to carry a hint of admiration. ¡°Little girl, you¡¯re amazingly skillful!¡± he marveled. The people who could earn Si¡¯s praise could be counted on one hand during his time in the military. He could hardly believe that such a young girl could catch the interest of the sharp-eyed Si. This was beyond belief. In the face of Zhao Jiashi¡¯s heartfelt praises, Qiao Xiaren did not show any significant emotional response, simply smiling lightly. Quite a composed little girl. Si Limo took a few steps forward and stopped in front of Xiaren. ¡°Young girl, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?¡± he asked. As Qiao Xiaren looked up, she saw admiration in Si Limo¡¯s eyes. She thought for a moment: ¡°I¡¯ll see. I¡¯m still a senior high school student now. I will be back to school in a few days.¡± Qiao Xiaren had thought about it long ago. She planned to continue her old profession and attack the entertainment industry. Furthermore, if she could no longer earn Star Luck Value, her half-life given by her rebirth might be taken away by the heavens. Si Limo didn¡¯t make things difficult for her, but instead asked with great interest, ¡°Are you studying at that little school in Shanshui Town?¡± Although the school in Shanshui Town was not very good and the conditions were difficult, there were quite a few young university students with a genuine passion for teaching. Thus, the education in Shanshui Town was still decent. Qiao Xiaren nodded. Seeing the admiration in Si¡¯s eyes, Zhao Jiashi looked at the young and frail girl with some relief. Being admired by Si, this girl was probably in for some luck. Zhao Jiashi didn¡¯t know that Qiao Xiaren understood this even better than he did. Furthermore, she was almost certain that within a month, Si Limo would surely take her out of Shanshui Town and arrange for her to study in an elite school in the Imperial Capital. Her destiny would start changing from here. Qiao Anchu, as for who exactly would emerge victorious this time, it was still unknown. The wild boars on the ground were taken away one after another, and naturally Qiao Xiaren followed Si Limo down the mountain. There was still a no-stranger-allowed aura surrounding Si Limo. Xiaren was preoccupied with her thoughts and didn¡¯t pay much attention to the road ahead. Not paying attention, she bumped hard into the man¡¯s wide back. Hunger coupled with the impact caused her head to spin. In the middle of the ensuing dizziness, Qiao Xiaren felt herself being lifted by a pair of arms. Xiaren opened her eyes to meet his dark and deep gaze: ¡°I can see that you¡¯re a bit weak on your feet. Let me carry you,¡± he said. Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Barbecue_1 Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Barbecue_1 ¡°No need.¡± Qiao Xiaren was uncomfortable. She squirmed, intending to get down, but was roughly slapped on the buttocks by the man. A low voice came, ¡°Stay still.¡± Si Limo¡¯s seemingly casual move made Xiaren¡¯s face flush with a delicate red hue, a surge of anger welling up in her eyes. She somewhat despised such overly intimate actions, especially from a man, and not even one she was particularly familiar with. If she weren¡¯t so frail at the moment, she would have toppled this man to the ground. Si Limo naturally realized the stiffness in the small body in his arms. His thick eyebrows slightly raised, and his handsome face showed no significant emotion. They finally reached the camp. Having rested along the way, Qiao Xiaren had regained some stamina. Without saying a word, she leapt from Si Limo¡¯s arms and wrestled free. Most of their patrol team was still awake. Those who had already fallen asleep were awakened by the sound of the whistle at the door. The rhythmic wake-up call had already sounded; a few team leaders were even holding stopwatches to keep time. Without saying a word, they tumbled out of bed and then clambered into their field dress. Within five minutes, all the members of the group stepped in with their synchronized tread. The resounding slogans echoed neatly in mid-air. Seven people lined up, standing tall and straight awaiting the orders of the officer. Zhao Jiashi¡¯s sharp gaze swept over the rows of people. Satisfaction slowly surfaced in his eyes, but his expression remained solemn. ¡°The reason I have you all here this late, is because Limo and Xiaren hunted more than a dozen wild boars in the mountains, and the kitchen has already boiled several pots of soup. You all have stayed with Shanshui Town and suffered for so many years. Tonight, enjoy a good feast.¡± ¡°We do not consider working for Limo a hardship,¡± someone responded stoutly. Si Limo stood up with an easy grace, signaling them to sit. Xiaren sat in front of the pot, adding some ingredients to make the wild boar meat more delicious. Si Limo¡¯s pair of deep, dark eyes scanned around before naturally taking a seat next to Xiaren. Few would dare to glance over, even though Limo was seated quite a distance away. The soldiers felt a weight of presence over them; the newbies didn¡¯t dare look his way. Iron-blooded, heartless, and indifferent were the labels consistently attached to Limo himself. Even on this lively moment, they didn¡¯t dare make noise. They barely spoke in low whispers. His sitting posture was casual, yet he remained straight and upright like a pine tree. He casually pushed some firewood onto the fire. A few days ago, the villagers downhill had sent over some peanut oil. Xiaren chopped off a piece of meat, skewered it on a sharpened stick, touched some oil, chili, and spices, and began to roast it over the fire. The sizzling sound and the rich aroma started to waft around. Everyone¡¯s salivary glands were tiptoeing on the edge, looking at the piece of meat which appeared yummier than the one being boiled in the pot. ¡°What delicious meat, Xiaren. Is it for me?¡± Si Limo¡¯s charmingly deep voice rang out. Qiao Xiaren, raising her head, met the man¡¯s deep, black eyes. His cold eyes and stern face were intimidating. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s roasting action paused. This meat was supposed to be for herself, right? As she raised her head slightly, everyone quickly turned their attention to her. Xiaren felt awkward refusing in public and grumbled inwardly. She had to sacrifice her precious meat unwillingly and resentfully, handing the well-roasted meat to Si Limo. ¡°Limo has worked hard, he deserves this meat.¡± Si Limo recognized Xiaren¡¯s gritting teeth tone of voice and saw her longing look, a flicker of amusement crossed his deep, dark eyes. Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Rise_1 Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Rise_1 ¡°Thank you.¡± Si Limo takes the roast meat and eats it elegantly. The atmosphere is quite good. Qiao Xiaren cooked a pot of meat soup. The delicious flavour of the meat was almost entirely seeped into the broth. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying their meal, with some even taking the initiative to perform a few acts. Xiaren notices that their gaze would occasionally sneak over towards her, their eyes filled with ambiguous glances. Unfortunately, the man beside her didn¡¯t seem to look up much. ¡°The girl¡¯s cooking skills are indeed excellent.¡± The people in the kitchen couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°If you were one of us, we would be so lucky.¡± At this, Zhao Jiashi suddenly seemed to remember: ¡°School is starting again soon, isn¡¯t it?¡± Qiao Xiaren nodded. As she was nearing the end of her senior high school, the course load was a bit heavier. The school in town would start classes early. Si Limo, with his usual elegant demeanor, took a sip of the soup from his bowl and looked at the girl beside him: ¡°Pack up your clothes and things when you get back, I¡¯ll take you down the mountain in a few days.¡± Perfect timing, his task of staying in Shanshui Town had been completed. His father had instructed him to return to Capital City immediately, citing urgent matters. What? Including Zhao Jiashi, those around the pot seemed surprised. Even though Zhao Jiashi had the inkling that Si Limo would help Xiaren with her studies, he never expected that he would be so direct, without even asking for Qiao Xiaren¡¯s thoughts. Qiao Xiaren, who had been prepared, didn¡¯t share the same surprise as the rest, and simply nodded her head lightly. Originally, she had intended to help Si Limo¡¯s sister with this very hope in mind ¨C that she could break out of Shanshui Town, attend a prestigious high school, and ensure her entry into Emperor Capital Film Academy. As the night grew darker, everyone finished and returned to their own groups after the monitor¡¯s whistle signal. The sound of uniform footsteps echoed as several groups returned to their tents. Three hours later, these soldiers would start executing a task of night march under load. ¡°Go back and rest.¡± Si Limo stood up. He could see that Qiao Xiaren was somewhat tired. Xiaren stretched gently, giving off an enchanting vibe in an instant. However, her black eyes were filled with a hint of coolness. Si Limo shifted his gaze from her and had someone escort her back to her tent. The night passed without words. The next morning, Qiao Xiaren woke up to find no one else around. She packed up some of her things and slung the backpack swiftly onto her shoulders, striding briskly towards the foot of the mountain. ¡°What¡¯s going on? This, this, this¡­ The Star Luck Value actually increased! What¡¯s happening?¡± Xiaotian was stunned. What¡¯s going on? Why? Just why? She was desperate to know what great thing occurred yesterday! Why did her Star Luck Value increase by 500 points upon waking up this morning?! How did she miss such a glorious moment last night?! In frustration, the system started counting the Star Luck Value in hand, tightly clutching it, as if afraid it would suddenly disappear. Such happiness! Xiaotian¡¯s sharp voice exploded in her head, giving Qiao Xiaren a headache. Irritated, Xiaren snapped, ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re so noisy!¡± Xiaotian felt wronged: ¡°I just want to know!¡± Hearing the pitiful system, Xiaren immediately imagined a hypersensitive kitten demanding attention. Well¡­ ¡°Have the nerve to ask me? Last night when I called you out, you pretended to be dead?¡± Qiao Xiaren began retrospecting. If it weren¡¯t for Si Limo last night, she might have been in danger. Xiaotian became even more aggrieved: ¡°Host, though I can give you advice most of the time, there are certain mysteries I¡¯m not supposed to reveal. Just like you, Si Mister¡¯s fate is unique, it¡¯s not appropriate for me to pry. Besides, at that time, you didn¡¯t even have a single point of Star Luck Value. Even if I came out, I could only watch you getting beaten¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡°¡­¡± Seriously, who speaks like this? Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Space_1 Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Space_1 So that¡¯s how it is, Xiaren lowered her eyes. Si Limo indeed did not seem like an ordinary person, considering the current situation, he was unlikely to be an enemy. A scene of Xiaotian rolling and acting cute popped into Xiaren¡¯s mind. She chuckled and clarified its confusion. ¡°The problem lies with Si Limo. I guess I managed to win over the heartthrob yesterday.¡± He is the mastermind behind the SGS Entertainment Tycoon Company. The increase in Star Luck Value must be related to Si Limo. It seems, this man¡¯s fondness for her is more than just a little. If she hasn¡¯t guessed wrong, the Star Luck Value and her fate in the entertainment industry are closely related. That is, if she does something beneficial for her Star Path, the Star Luck Value would rise. Conversely, if she does something detrimental to her Star Path, the Star Luck Value would decrease. ¡°Xiaotian?¡± ¡°Host, how can I assist you?¡± Qiao Xiaren commanded in her mind: ¡°Open the portable space.¡± ¡°Deduct 200 points of Star Luck Value, yes OR no?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright, deducting 200 points of Star Luck Value, remaining Star Luck Value is 300 points. Please continue to work hard, host, and accumulate Star Luck Value.¡± After Xiaotian finished speaking, it began to chatter in Qiao Xiaren¡¯s mind: ¡°Qiaoqiao, the remaining 300 points of Star Luck Value is our shared energy for survival, be mindful of how you spend it, understand?¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Suddenly feeling dizzy, Qiao Xiaren felt as if the surrounding had turned into another world, with her standing in a vast space. There were bookshelves around her, and she estimated that there were thousands of books on them. Topics ranged from acting, beauty, fortune telling, to various esoteric and hard-to-understand books that were hard for ordinary people to come by. She walked out of the space filled with books, to find the world outside was well-lit. Sharp Mountain towered into the clouds, colorful clouds littered the sky, and various small animals were playing in the fields of flowers. This place was simply another scene distinct from the real world. Qiao Xiaren walked several rounds but hadn¡¯t managed to tour the entire space. Remembering her other tasks, Xiaren exited the space, a ring now on her index finger. The moment the ring was on her finger, it seemed like words were constantly flashing and reorganizing before her eyes. Xiaren felt as if she was completely blocked off from the outside world, not seeing or hearing anything from it. A massive amount of information rushed into her mind, her brain whirring rapidly like a machine. Clamping her teeth, Xiaren bore the huge impact. By the time Xiaren came back to her senses, her clothes were already soaked through. Xiaotian¡¯s voice echoed in her mind: ¡°Space initialization successful, update complete, host please rest assured to use. All knowledge and skills have been transferred, scholastic skills have been upgraded.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Xiaren straightened up her clothes and continued her way down the mountain. Upon returning to the blue-brick house, the master was already resting in the room. Listening to the soft coughing sounds coming from the room, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s brow slightly furrowed. Qiao Anchu and Shen Sichen were both not there. Xiaren felt that Qiao Anchu was probably upset for not getting the chance to treat Si Zhilan¡¯s illness. Ye Mohan was probably busy comforting his sweetheart. No one left her any breakfast on the table, Xiaren knew it was on purpose by Qiao Anchu. It was always like this before, as long as her senior sister was angry, she deliberately didn¡¯t leave any food for her, sometimes even leaving her hungry all day. Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan clearly knew about it, but they always deliberately pretended not to see and never asked her about it. Raising the hand with the ring, Xiaren instantly entered the space. There were many small animals in the space, as well as lots of wild chickens. Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Happiness Comes Too Suddenly_1 Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Happiness Comes Too Suddenly_1 Xiaren, of course, couldn¡¯t bear to kill these adorable little creatures, so she took several fresh eggs. After leaving the space, Qiao Xiaren cooked a dish of steamed egg in the kitchen and boiled a few eggs. The freshly boiled eggs smelled delicious, and Xiaren ate several of them in succession. Although she had eggs in her space, she couldn¡¯t continue to eat just eggs all the time. ¡°Qiao Xiaren?¡± The sound of Qiao Anchu¡¯s voice came from behind, and Xiaren turned around to meet Qiao Anchu¡¯s angry gaze. Perhaps she didn¡¯t get a good night¡¯s sleep, as she looked somewhat fatigued. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Senior Sister. Good morning.¡± Xiaren smiled amiably, her hand scooping the water out of the pot into the drain. Sunlight shone on her cheeks, casting a dreamlike glow. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, leaving a faint shadow beneath them. Qiao Anchu¡¯s breath hitched, her expression becoming even more distorted. ¡°I left you a bowl of porridge in the kitchen. How dare you steal other people¡¯s eggs! You really have the nerve, Qiao Xiaren!¡± Xiaren casually combed a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled, ¡°Senior Sister, dare I eat your porridge? It¡¯s already cold. What if I get a stomach ache?¡± Xiaren glanced at the porridge sitting over there, she genuinely hadn¡¯t expected Qiao Anchu to leave a bowl of porridge for her. There must be something fishy about such a sudden gesture. What if she was trying to frame her by adding laxatives to it? This kind of situation wasn¡¯t unheard of in her past life. At these words, Qiao Anchu¡¯s gaze shifted, evincing a flicker of guilt. Xiaren snorted coldly. She knew Qiao Anchu was up to no good. ¡°Still pretending to be a delicate princess, aren¡¯t you? You can¡¯t even drink a bowl of cold porridge.¡± Qiao Anchu mocked, but Xiaren brushed her off and marched past her, accidentally brushing Qiao Anchu¡¯s shoulder. Qiao Anchu staggered back a few steps, watching Xiaren¡¯s receding figure with venomous eyes, wishing she could shred her to pieces. Soon, it was time for the school¡¯s annual examination. Although the school was a bit rundown, birches stood majestically on both sides, and the sandy sports field bore traces of leftover morning rain. ¡°Hey, did you hear? That silly girl from class three scored the highest in our school.¡± ¡°The silly one? Are you talking about that girl called Qiao Xiaren?¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s her. It¡¯s unbelievable. She used to be one of the last few, but this time, she unbelievably ranked first in the entire school.¡± ¡°Huh, she might have cheated.¡± The schoolyard remained bustling, filled with people chatting and gossiping. People loved to gather and gossip. At that moment, the bustling crowd parted to create a path. A girl with a ponytail walked in. Dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, she carried an air of refreshing beauty. The sunlight brought out the crystal translucent glow from her fair skin. Carrying a pile of books, she seemed unaffected by the noisy environment around her. As she walked past, not just the boys, even the girls were lost in admiration. Sudden gasps resonated around the campus, for the girl who stepped onto the scene was stunningly beautiful! Xiaren walked up to a boy and handed him the book in her hand, and said softly, ¡°Thank you for your book.¡± No¡­. Not at all,¡± the boy¡¯s face turned beet red. He used to be her classmate and later, due to his excellent academic performance, was transferred to an advanced class. He Zimin¡¯s face turned a shade of red, looking at the girl¡¯s pure and pristine white arm, he felt that every glance he took was a violation. Taking the book and accidentally touching Xiaren¡¯s arm, he smelt a faint fragrance exuding from the girl, different from anyone else. The burst of happiness had come too suddenly; He Zimin was so elated that he almost coughed. Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Cant go on_1 Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Can¡¯t go on_1 ¡°Qiao Xiaren, the principal is looking for you over there.¡± A girl ran over, panting heavily, and stammered out her words after a long pause. Why was the principal looking for Qiao Xiaren? All students were quite curious, as the principal would only summon one directly if they¡¯d earned a top-class scholarship or a higher honor. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going now.¡± Xiaren smiled at He Zimin and then followed the girl. Not until Qiao Xiaren left did the huddle of students snap out of their daze. ¡°Qiao Xiaren is so attractive! Why didn¡¯t we notice how beautiful she is before!¡± ¡°That¡¯s because she usually keeps her head down, so we can¡¯t see her face clearly!¡± ¡°Yeah, she used to wear her hair loose and always stayed behind Qiao Anchu.¡± As the school bell rang, all students who were still on the corridor and playground scurried back to their classrooms. Entering the classroom, Teacher Zhang found it a mess, and the front seats were still vacant. Sitting at the back, Qiao Anchu, of course, noticed this was Xiaren¡¯s seat. Qiao Xiaren actually skipped class! Her eyes gleamed maliciously as a wicked smile crept onto her face. Without a second thought, Qiao Anchu stood up, an enchanting smile on her face. ¡°Excuse me, Teacher Zhang.¡± Seeing Qiao Anchu stand up, Teacher Zhang, assuming she had something important to discuss, adjusted his glasses and asked in a gentle tone, ¡°Anchu, what¡¯s up?¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s academic grades were always in the top few ranks in town. Many teachers praised her and were fond of this talented and beautiful girl. However, for every exam, Qiao Anchu had Xiaren write all the answers on a slip of paper for her first, leaving Xiaren insufficient time to fill out her own paper. Thus, Qiao Anchu always ranked first, while Xiaren was one of the lowest. The chaotic classroom quieted down a lot the moment Qiao Anchu stood up, and all eyes turned to her. ¡°Teacher, I know where Xiaren is and why she has missed class.¡± Qiao Anchu bit her lip, lowered her head slightly after saying these words, as if she found it hard to utter something embarrassing. Teacher Zhang assumed that Qiao Anchu had some secret difficulty and his voice softened even more, ¡°Anchu, you can tell me anything. I¡¯ll certainly help you with anything regarding Xiaren. She hasn¡¯t¡­¡± Before Teacher Zhang could finish, Qiao Anchu impatiently interrupted, ¡°Teacher, Qiao Xiaren is currently messing around with someone, that¡¯s why she has missed class¡­ You know, that guy is already 48 years old. But she has bewitched him to follow him, he was initially reluctant. But Xiaren kept seducing him, last time¡­ last time I even saw them together on one bed¡­¡± As if she couldn¡¯t say anymore, Qiao Anchu fell silent, biting her lip. Her face turned pale with a appropriately mixed look of fear and embarrassment as if she was truly shocked by what she had witnessed. Certainly, for a girl her age, being seen with boys in bed, let alone having a boyfriend, would be considered audacious. As she wished, the classroom filled with gasps again, as if everyone had actually been frightened by what Qiao Anchu had said. The students started whispering amongst themselves. Qiao Anchu kept her head down, continuing to feign a mournful demeanor, as if she was truly heartbroken by what Qiao Xiaren had done. Her slightly drooping eyes concealed the flash of a vicious smile. In her heart, she gloated, thinking that this time, she would surely defame Qiao Xiaren in front of the teachers and students. Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Old Man_1 Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Old Man_1 She got involved with a man in bed¡ªa 48-year-old man who already has a wife and a daughter to boot. Let¡¯s see how Qiao Xiaren defends herself in front of everybody! Huang Xiaohua is in the same class with them too. When she goes home and tells her mother about it, Qiao Xiaren will surely get a good beating from that woman. Don¡¯t blame her, these are all due to Qiao Xiaren¡¯s ingratitude! If it wasn¡¯t for that cheap little vixen Qiao Xiaren meddling, she would already be considered the Si Family¡¯s saviour, even getting a chance to meet that god-like man. Every time Qiao Anchu thought of this, she wished she could tear Qiao Xiaren apart. Qiao Anchu did not notice the doubtful and strange glances from the teacher, as well as looks of contempt and surprise from the students, even sneers. ¡°Qiao Anchu.¡± By now, Teacher Zhang¡¯s tone was completely unlike his previous gentleness. It even carried a stern undertone. Qiao Anchu lifted her head, slightly timidly: ¡°I¡¯m sorry, teacher, I¡¯ll go home and tell my master to discipline Xiaren strictly. Please don¡¯t punish Xiaren, she¡¯s still too young and doesn¡¯t understand¡­¡± By the end, she looked like a pitiful figure, on the verge of tears. If this had been before, the teacher and students would have believed her and would even join her in criticizing Qiao Xiaren. If Xiaren were present, she would definitely applaud for her. Such a spectacular performance really made her take a new view of Qiao Anchu. No wonder she could become the rising movie queen in her previous life. But right now¡­ Everyone¡¯s gaze at Qiao Anchu had become strange. Qiao Xiaren had clearly arrived at the school, and was even called into the principal¡¯s office. Both year group heads and the headteacher were present. But Qiao Anchu actually said that Qiao Xiaren was messing around with someone. Isn¡¯t this blatant nonsense? In Teacher Zhang¡¯s mind, this was more than just nonsense, it was slander. Having not heard the teacher¡¯s reply for a long time, Qiao Anchu was somewhat surprised, and mumbled: ¡°Teacher¡­¡± ¡°I really didn¡¯t know when I got involved with a man. Sister Anchu, it seems you know about my affairs more than I do.¡± A cold voice echoed through the room, like a bucket of icy water poured on a sweltering summer day, drenching everyone present. Qiao Anchu¡¯s body stiffened, and she instinctively turned her gaze towards the doorway. Qiao Xiaren stood there with a shoulder bag slung across her body and her hands in her pockets. She stood upright like a cool beam of sunlight piercing the heart. She hooked her lips with a light smile, her pitch-black eyes displaying a look of mockery and anticipation of a good show. ¡°Xiaren, how come you¡¯re here¡­¡± Qiao Anchu had some panic on her face, but she quickly composed herself. Anyway, she had already done the smear campaign, and the teacher would definitely believe her¡ªa good student with both excellent character and academics. ¡°Qiao Anchu, Qiao Xiaren came to school just now. The head has called her over for something.¡± Teacher Zhang dropped the bomb, looking somewhat disappointed at Qiao Anchu. Sure enough, upon hearing Teacher Zhang¡¯s words, Qiao Anchu¡¯s face turned as white as a sheet. ¡°It¡¯s not possible, this can¡¯t be¡­¡± Realizing she had misspoke, Qiao Anchu quickly shut her mouth and dared not say anything more. The words she had inadvertently blurted out made Teacher Zhang understand the whole story. ¡°Anchu, Xiaren is your younger sister who grew up with you. Why did you have to¡­¡± Teacher Zhang didn¡¯t finish her words, feeling pain in her heart. She never expected a model student to do such a thing. Regardless of whether the matter between Xiaren and that man is true or not, publicly disclosing it this way could ruin her future. Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Beautiful_1 Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Beautiful_1 ¡°Qiao Anchu, what kind of nonsense are you spouting! My parents have an excellent relationship ¨C how would my father ever do anything to Xiaren? You wicked girl, stop making unfounded claims and defaming my father. I swear, my mother will not let this slide!¡± Huang Xiaohua slammed her hand on the table, her furious gaze directed at Qiao Anchu. She was well aware of her father¡¯s lecherous tendencies, but airing these dirty secrets in front of everyone was a slap in her family¡¯s face, wasn¡¯t it? A boy chimed in from the side: ¡°Qiao Anchu, you¡¯re just jealous because your junior sister has become much prettier than you, so you¡¯re spreading gossip about her, aren¡¯t you?¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the whole class burst into raucous laughter. Qiao Anchu¡¯s face turned unsightly, her fists slowly clenching. She remembered, this boy speaking up used to be her most loyal admirer. But now, he dared to humiliate her in front of so many people! Unable to resist, Qiao Anchu looked up at the obvious derisive and contemptuous smile in Xiaren¡¯s eyes. It was as if her mind had been brutally jabbed; she wanted nothing more than to tear Xiaren to shreds. This damn woman! Xiaren, of course, noticed Qiao Anchu¡¯s resentment. She walked towards her, laughing lightly. Her clear, black eyes, framed by thick lashes, shimmered like a veil of mystery. The curve of her lips as she laughed was brighter than the sun. Everyone watching Ria laughed could only think one thing. Qiao Xiaren was so beautiful ¨C so incredibly, mind-bendingly beautiful! This kind of beauty, so staggering that it pierces through to your soul. That belonged to the girl before their eyes, Qiao Xiaren. God only knew she was only seventeen, but her natural, off-the-charts beauty, that soul-stirring beauty, stirred up an urge to kneel, even worship, her. ¡°Qiao Anchu, please explain here why you¡¯re accusing me of having inappropriate relations with someone,¡± Qiao Xiaren towered over Qiao Anchu by a half head, ¡°please provide your evidence in front of everyone!¡± Xiaren looked down on Qiao Anchu, clearly wanting her to explain the accusation of ¡°seducing¡± people in front of everyone. In her past life, she was too weak and hadn¡¯t realized the importance of this matter. By the time she had caught on, Qiao Anchu had already spread her scandals on a grand scale, and the label of ¡°seductress¡± had already been unfairly pinned on her. Because of her previous ignorance, Qiao Anchu had found an opportunity to repeatedly smear her reputation in Shanshui Town, even throughout the entertainment industry, under the pretext of her ¡°seducing¡± others. This time, she absolutely wouldn¡¯t let such a thing happen again. These rumors should be dealt with strictly and eliminated promptly. Wasn¡¯t it enough to oppress her with beauty? Now they wanted to pressure her with momentum. Qiao Anchu suddenly found herself struggling to breathe in front of Qiao Xiaren. ¡°What explanation?¡± Qiao Anchu avoided her gaze, seemingly reluctant to answer this question. Seeing her attempting to evade the question, Qiao Xiaren scoffed, deciding it was pointless to further argue with her, and instead turned to the teacher. ¡°Teacher, please stand up for me.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes were clear and righteous. The teacher looked at the girl before her and, despite her small stature, she possessed an indomitable spirit. With Xiaren¡¯s parents not around since young and being of tender age, she had no choice but to seek help from her in this case of being bullied. On thinking this, the teacher couldn¡¯t help but feel more sympathy for Xiaren. Chapter 25 - Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Is It Normal_1 Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Is It Normal_1 ¡°Xiaren, rest assured, the teacher will definitely handle this matter seriously as it concerns your reputation.¡± Teacher Zhang patted Xiaren¡¯s shoulder comfortingly, then turned to look at Qiao Anchu, ¡°What Xiaren said is right, these kinds of accusations demand proof. Anchu, you can¡¯t just arbitrarily tarnish someone¡¯s good name.¡± ¡°I did not speak arbitrarily.¡± Qiao Anchu bit her lip, seemingly wronged to the extent that she started sobbing on the spot. ¡°Teacher Zhang, Anchu would never speak irresponsibly.¡± The girl sitting next to Qiao Anchu abruptly stood up, indignantly looking at Xiaren. ¡°Teacher Zhang, Anchu might have just misunderstood the situation earlier, but if Qiao Xiaren truly is innocent, how could Anchu make up such stories? There¡¯s a saying that rumors don¡¯t start from nothing, there¡¯s always a hint of truth in them. If she really did nothing wrong, why would she be nervous?¡± Qiao Xiaren recognized her. This was her classmate Guo Yu, who usually got along well with Qiao Anchu. ¡°Guo Yu, you better stop trying to confuse everyone with claims that misrepresent the truth.¡± Xiaren sneered, ¡°Evidence is what matters in these situations. If you can present evidence, I¡¯ll admit defeat. Otherwise, I¡¯ll sue you for defamation!¡± ¡°You!¡± Guo Yu¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment, she stammered and stopped speaking. While both sides were at a deadlock, a flash of bright red appeared at the doorway. A middle-aged woman, approximately in her forties, rushed over. As soon as she saw Qiao Xiaren, she stormed over angrily. ¡°You wretched girl, I can¡¯t believe you would even do something like this. I regret ever giving birth to a troublesome child like you, I should kill you today to prevent future problems!¡± As the woman spoke, she raised her hand, intending to slap Xiaren. When Qiao Anchu saw the appearance of the woman, she quietly let out a sigh of relief. She looked at Qiao Xiaren gloatingly. This time, even if Qiao Xiaren had been skilled with words, there was no way she could defend herself! Qiao Xiaren, with a firm grip, held the woman¡¯s wrist. She said coldly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am, but who are you exactly?¡± She critically looked the woman up and down. The middle-aged woman was dark-skinned, dressed in bright red with floral prints, a dirty towel wrapped around her head, and an apron tied around her waist that had long lost its original color. The woman¡¯s wrist was gripped tightly, she tried to free herself unsuccessfully. Seeing Xiaren¡¯s pure and beautiful face, a surge of anger rose from her chest: ¡°You wretched girl, dare to deny your own mother? If it weren¡¯t for me giving birth to you, would you even have the chance to confront me here? You better let go of me¡­¡± At the mention of ¡®mother¡¯, a hint of surprise crossed Xiaren¡¯s face, but it quickly turned back to calmness. ¡°I have never seen a mother who tries to slap her daughter as soon as they meet.¡± Xiaren laughed coldly and let go of the woman¡¯s hand, if she didn¡¯t know she was adopted, Xiaren would really believe that this was her biological mother. Her biological mother, who had not seen her daughter for seventeen years, not only was there not a single word of consolation, but instead she yelled at her and even tried to slap her. Was this normal? ¡°Ma¡¯am, let¡¯s discuss things calmly, don¡¯t hit the child. The matter is not yet clear, don¡¯t wrong Xiaren.¡± Teacher Zhang frowned, took a few steps forward, and stood in front of Qiao Xiaren. Initially, she felt that Xiaren, with her parents absent and facing such an unexpected incident alone, was truly pitiful. Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: Chapter 26 The So-Called Birth Mother_1 Chapter 26: Chapter 26 The So-Called Birth Mother_1 But she never expected that her own mother, who was so irrational, would come to her door and unfairly accuse her own daughter, slinging dirt at her. Even the most ignorant person should know that this matter concerns the future and reputation of their own daughter. Li Cuihua never expected that Xiaren, a girl of just 17, would dare to talk back to her own mother in public. Gnashing her teeth, she resorted to her usual tactics of creating a scene and being unreasonably persistent. ¡°Well done, you unrepentant girl. If it weren¡¯t for Chuchu taking the trouble to come down the mountain to tell me, I would never have known that you¡¯ve been tarnishing my reputation, Li Cuihua, outside! When I die now, I won¡¯t dare to meet our ancestors, I¡¯m so embarrassed, the reputation of my Li Family, has been tarnished by you, this little wretch¡­¡± Li Cuihua conveniently sat on the ground and started to make a fuss, crying and yelling ¡®aiyo¡¯. Her hair was messy, her face looked miserable, as if she was truly grieved and heartbroken for her daughter¡¯s deviation. Her voice was so loud that the students from the next classroom came by following the sound, all clustering at the window. Heads lined up outside the window, all gazing curiously inside. Seeing more people shaking and swaying, Li Cuihua wailed even louder. Qiao Xiaren stood straight, her pair of black and clear eyes quietly watching Li Cuihua, a sarcastic curve appearing at the corner of her mouth. Her gaze was too transparent, as if any shade of darkness can find no place to hide within her sight. She just stood there and watched Li Cuihua¡¯s extemporaneous performance. ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t know where you have heard these rumours from. Even if I¡¯m ignorant, I know that men and women are different, the affection between relatives outweighs everything else, I would never do such an indecent thing.¡± Li Cuihua was stunned, unconsciously meeting Xiaren¡¯s misty yet clear eyes, she somehow shivered. The moment Qiao Xiaren called her ¡®mom¡¯, it felt as though a cold wind had blown from behind, sending chills down her spine. ¡°There¡¯s no smoke without fire, as they say, ¡®flies don¡¯t bite seamless eggs¡¯, if you were innocent, would such filthy news about you have circulated?¡± Li Cuihua stubbornly clung to Xiaren, trying hard to splash the dirty water onto her. Qiao Anchu took advantage of the situation to add: ¡°Yes, little sister, as they say, ¡®there¡¯s no smoke without fire¡¯, if you haven¡¯t done it, could we falsely accuse you? If you admit your mistake now, it¡¯s not too late, just make sure not to anger aunty.¡± One line at a time, all hinting that Xiaren really did have an illicit affair. Both the students and teachers who heard this started feeling that something was not quite right. Is this really her mother? She actually insisted that her own daughter had an affair with an old man? Even though the mother and daughter hadn¡¯t seen each other since they were small, even if there wasn¡¯t much expressions of warmth and concern when they met, there wasn¡¯t need to be so ruthless was there? Teacher Zhang looked at Li Cuihua with a very odd expression, his tone a lot more serious: ¡°Madam, you shouldn¡¯t throw around accusations that tarnish a young girl¡¯s reputation. Your daughter is only just 17. This is a serious offence! Why not call the person here to confront him on the spot to clarify the real truth.¡± ¡°I agree with the teacher.¡± Xiaren stood there steadily, her back straight, calm expression, and clear eyes, all proved that she had not lied at all. Li Cuihua stuttered and couldn¡¯t say anything. She hadn¡¯t conspired with Huang Youde, what if calling him out of the blue exposed the truth? Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth and stood up. Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Peculiar_1 Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Peculiar_1 ¡°You little wretch, do you intend to air our family¡¯s dirty laundry? Since you insist on denying it, just wait till Huang Youde¡¯s wife barges in. I¡¯d like to see what you¡¯d do then! I knew you were a curse from the moment you were born, I should have smothered you right then!¡± Li Cuihua glared maliciously at Qiao Xiaren, wiped her hands on her apron, and turned to leave. Thought she could slander someone and get away with it? No chance! Xiaren chuckled coldly. Before anyone could even register, she was already standing in front of Li Cuihua, blocking her escape with a pristine, slender arm. ¡°You little wretch, what are you trying to do now?¡± Li Cuihua glared at Xiaren, looking as vile as a demon, feeling a hint of unease. ¡°Of course, to clear my name!¡± Qiao Xiaren slowly walked towards Qiao Anchu. Sunlight bathed the young girl, casting a light, beautiful shadow on her. Her every move, her every gesture, held a captivating beauty. All Qiao Anchu could do was squint painfully at the uncomfortable brightness. His hands were clenched tightly in his lap, it took him a long while before he managed to speak, ¡°Xiaren, stop making excuses for yourself. Even auntie thinks you¡¯re not clean. Who do you think would trust your excuses now? Xiaren, apologize sincerely, and we¡¯ll all forgive you. Otherwise, your life will be ruined.¡± He spoke temptingly to Qiao Xiaren, but every word was an attempt to push her into accepting the blame silently. How could Qiao Xiaren have the gall to defend herself after her own mother had openly accused her? Would anyone believe her? Indeed, those around them seemed uncertain, their doubtful eyes wandering between Qiao Xiaren and Li Cuihua. They were at a loss about who to believe. Qiao Anchu¡¯s face reminded her of a scene from her nightmare, as though he was poised to push Xiaren into the dark, fallen depths of hell. Xiaren¡¯s eyelashes were long and beautiful, casting a lovely silhouette on her eyelids. She carried herself with grace, her demeanor radiating a breathtaking beauty. She lowered her gaze, a moment of darkness and gloom flashing in her eyes. ¡°Smack!¡± Caught up in the stunning moment of beauty, no one saw it coming. The sound of a hard slap echoed through the silent crowd. Everyone, including Mr. Zhang, stared open-mouthed at Qiao Xiaren who retracted her hand and coldly faced Qiao Anchu. ¡°Sister, it seems that you didn¡¯t take my words to heart. Do you enjoy spreading rumors? Do you like pointing fingers at people for fun? Unable to find proof, so you dragged my mother here? If you can¡¯t find proof of my alleged misdeeds, I swear I will not let you off!¡± Qiao Anchu was silent, his eyes were filled with a venomous intent, glaring back at her like a poisonous snake. ¡°You brat, you goddamn whore! You dared to hit Anchu? You do such shameful things and have the audacity to deny them?¡± Seeing Qiao Xiaren slap Qiao Anchu, Li Cuihua, like a woman possessed, lunged towards Xiaren. As Xiaren saw Li Cuihua rush towards her like a mad sow, she let out a slight, contemptuous smirk. With a simple sidestep, Li Cuihua missed her completely, tumbling face-first onto the ground due to her unchecked momentum. Laughter burst out amongst the students, as Li Cuihua clumsily picked herself up from the ground, only to see a pair of feet clad in white shoes standing before her. Xiaren looked down at the woman on the ground, her gaze somewhat inscrutable. The way Li Cuihua reacted was somewhat odd to Xiaren. She had merely given Qiao Anchu a slap, yet Li Cuihua reacted as if she was ready to fight to the death with her. Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Huang Youde Appears_1 Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Huang Youde Appears_1 This Li Cuihua and Qiao Anchu don¡¯t seem to have any connection, right? Why is Li Cuihua defending Qiao Anchu so vehemently? If you didn¡¯t know better, you would think Qiao Anchu was her own flesh and blood daughter! The thought crossed Xiaren¡¯s mind in a flash. She considered it ludicrous, even found it to be a mix of shock and ridicule. With this thought, the look in Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes changed when she looked at Li Cuihua. Could it really be as she thought, Qiao Anchu was the daughter of Li Cuihua? If this was really the case, then who was she? Who were her parents? Why was she found by Li Cuihua? Why did Li Cuihua let her be her daughter and neglect Qiao Anchu, her own biological daughter? When Xiaren was sent to the mountain back then, Qiao Anchu was by the master¡¯s side as an orphan. If Li Cuihua was truly her mother, then things would indeed get interesting. Too strange! There must be something fishy here! Was there a profound connection with Qiao Anchu? Xiaren furrowed her brows, various thoughts and ideas flashing through her mind. Xiaren suddenly realized, things were not as simple as they seemed. Or perhaps, there was a staggering conspiracy hidden behind it all. The teachers and principals around couldn¡¯t stand Li Cuihua¡¯s foul language, and this foul language was directed at her own daughter. Who would curse their own daughter like that? It¡¯s absurd! Her tone was as if she was treating her daughter like an enemy. ¡°Principal, teachers, please stand up for me.¡± Qiao Xiaren is just a girl under 17 years old. For such rumors, she had to depend on authority figures like the teachers and principals, otherwise the rumors would continue to spread unverified. Just as in her previous life, the nightmare continued to haunt her. There will come a day when she will make Qiao Anchu personally taste the pain of being pointed at by thousands. Qiao Xiaren smiled faintly, half dark and half bright. ¡°Xiaren, don¡¯t worry.¡± The principal¡¯s expression was solemn, he patted Qiao Xiaren¡¯s shoulder as a gesture of comfort. ¡°Even if her own mother affirmed it, what else can be said¡­¡± Guo Yu muttered resentfully under her breath, looking at Qiao Xiaren¡¯s beautiful face blooming like a plum blossom in the wind and snow, her jealousy heightened. ¡°Guo Yu, you should not speak recklessly in this matter!¡± Teacher Zhang had a headache. Why was Guo Yu, who had always been an outstanding student, acting so foolish today? ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± Guo Yu¡¯s voice dropped a few pitches, looking at the teacher defiantly, ¡°Qiao Xiaren is always asking for evidence from Anchu, but she does not have evidence to prove her own innocence either! She has no evidence, what right does she have to be so defensive?¡± The more Guo Yu spoke, the more she felt justified. She looked at Xiaren with a challenging expression: ¡°You tell me, if you can provide evidence to prove your innocence, I will apologize to you in front of everyone!¡± ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious!¡± Guo Yu looked up defiantly, her eyes filled with disdain. ¡°Alright.¡± Qiao Xiaren smiled faintly, her hand once again pointing at Qiao Anchu, ¡°If I have evidence, then I want both Qiao Anchu and you to apologize to me in person!¡± As soon as her words fell, two men in proper attire walked in, each holding a slightly chubby man between them. Huang Youde was brought in with soldiers on either side of him. He raised his head and jumped in surprise. Teachers, students, and even the principal ¨C they were all here. ¡°How did you get here?¡± The first one to get shocked was Qiao Anchu ¨C she hadn¡¯t expected Huang Youde to appear at this time. If he couldn¡¯t withstand the principal¡¯s pressure and spilled all his secrets, wouldn¡¯t that be the end of her? Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Clarification_1 Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Clarification_1 Looking at the increasingly anxious Qiao Anchu, a faint smile gradually appeared on Xiaren¡¯s face, ¡°Qiao Anchu, why are you in such a hurry? I am here to reveal the truth.¡± Xiaren¡¯s words were like a bomb to Qiao Anchu, causing her to tremble and a myriad of thoughts flashed through her mind. The truth? Had this girl already figured everything out? Or was Mr. Si helping her? Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyelashes quivered slightly, the sight of the two stern soldiers by her side confirming her suspicion. Her heart pounded heavily, and she nearly wished for a hole to burrow into. Her hands started to fidget and her mind began to race rapidly. What to do, what to do? She could not ruin Qiao Xiaren, but she also couldn¡¯t risk her own future! Seeing the tense atmosphere, Huang Youde disregarded everything and blurted out, ¡°I have nothing to do with Xiaren, last time when I found that Xiaren had fallen into the water and was bedridden, I just wanted to invite a doctor from the village to see her¡­¡± His children were both studying in town, and he wouldn¡¯t bury their future for his lustful desires. Seeing Huang Youde candidly explain everything, Qiao Anchu gritted her teeth and hurriedly said, ¡°So that was the case, why didn¡¯t you say so earlier? It led us all to a misunderstanding, I was even worried and scared that Xiaren was going astray¡­¡± As soon as she finished speaking, Qiao Anchu went up and took Xiaren¡¯s hand, pleading sincerely, ¡°Little sister, I am sorry, we were the ones who misunderstood you, it was our fault, can you forgive us?¡± With apology after apology, her soft gaze almost seemed about to spill tears¡ª pitiful, really. Qiao Xiaren crossed her arms and watched Qiao Anchu¡¯s performance. When she had cried herself out, she said lazily, ¡°Why are you crying, sister? It seems like the one whose reputation was at risk was me, wasn¡¯t it? With all your crying, others might think that I am the unforgivable sinner here!¡± Xiaren¡¯s sarcastic tone made Qiao Anchu secretly grind her teeth; if it were normal times, she would have slapped her long ago. ¡°Asking for my forgiveness? Sure, you can start by apologizing to me right here and promise never to talk about this matter again.¡± Qiao Xiaren took a pre-written note from her bag, which clearly stated the cause and effect of the matter, ¡°Here, you can sign it.¡± That cunning girl. Qiao Anchu¡¯s face turned dark. She knew she was taking evidence, so if she ever ran her mouth again, she would defend her innocence with the note. Qiao Anchu signed on the paper. ¡°And what about the apology?¡± When Qiao Anchu wanted to walk away, Xiaren raised her eyebrows, standing up in front of her, and laughed. Qiao Anchu felt a tingling sensation on her scalp, feeling humiliated under the public gaze, but had to humble herself and apologize, ¡°Sorry, I misunderstood you.¡± Each word was filled with gritted teeth. ¡°Alright, since everything has already been cleared up, anyone who dares to bring this matter up again will be severely punished!¡± As soon as the headmaster¡¯s words were uttered, the students naturally understood the seriousness of the matter. ¡°That¡¯s enough, everyone go back to class.¡± The teacher drove all the students who were watching the drama back into the classrooms, and they buzzed back into the rooms like a swarm. When she returned to the classroom, she was surprised to find a strange man standing at the podium. His tall body stood up like a birch tree, the class was so silent that even a pin drop could be heard. Chapter 30 - Chapter 30: Chapter 30 No Need_1 Chapter 30: Chapter 30 No Need_1 The classroom had already become so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Si Limo calmly stepped forward, revealing his stunningly handsome face. With his prominent and stern features, the side profile of his face was smooth and exquisite. Such a man possessed a handsome face that could astound the heavens. When silent, his cold and domineering aura remained fully intact. All the female students were staring unblinkingly at the front of the room. He really was too handsome! He removed his hat, resting his arm on the lectern. Even with the slightest bend at the waist, it didn¡¯t affect his grace and demeanor in the least. ¡°You all saw the incident just now. Rumors are stopped by the wise. You are the flowers of our nation, the pillars of our motherland. I hope none of you will let such unfounded rumors disrupt your judgment,¡± Si Limo¡¯s thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, a cold light shooting forth from his eyes. Although the curve of his smile remained light, the chill in his eyes was enough to intimidate the high school students below the podium. Xiaren sat in her seat, having the distinct feeling that the man¡¯s gaze was lingering on her for a little too long, making her slightly uncomfortable. Si Limo stepped down from the podium, his smiling eyes sweeping past Xiaren, who was seated in the front row. ¡°Today, I am here to assist Qiao Xiaren with her transfer procedures. Xiaren has her own dreams. Someday, if fate allows it, we will meet again.¡± As soon as Si Limo¡¯s words were spoken, a noticeable reaction was stirred among the class. They started to whisper to each other, seeming somewhat incredulous. Among all the students in Shanshui Town, why did Si Limo take a special interest in Qiao Xiaren? Qiao Anchu sat in her chair, her face terrifyingly pale. She unconsciously twisted her fingers together, shocked that the Si family would regard this girl so highly as to arrange her transfer to another school. Looking at the stunningly handsome face on stage, Qiao Anchu¡¯s heart bled with regret. This man should have been on her side, not Qiao Xiaren¡¯s! Everything should have belonged to her! Qiao Xiaren appeared relatively calm, as she was already fully aware of Si Limo¡¯s purpose for visiting the school, and the principal had already given his approval. The entertainment circle, here I come. Xiaren gave a slight smile, revealing a significant glimpse of a conqueror¡¯s ambition in her beautiful smile. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, you should start packing and follow Master Si immediately.¡± Teacher Zhang, who always liked Xiaren, naturally felt overjoyed at Si Limo showing favor to her. Given Xiaren¡¯s excellent academic performance, she was sure to be a valuable asset in the future. Xiaren gave a slight smile, quickly packing her belongings into her bag with a calm demeanor. She was really a very steady child. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± Qiao Xiaren slung her bag over her left shoulder and stood in front of Si Limo. The man was, after all, an impressive height of one hundred eighty-eight centimeters. Next to him, Xiaren was completely overshadowed by his towering figure. As she slightly lifted her head, their eyes accidentally met, strangely matching each other. The man¡¯s strong scent enveloping her, Xiaren felt her whole body wrap in his vivid masculine aura. His usually expressionless subordinates seemed surprised. Known for his intense and intimidating demeanor, even a glance from Si Limo was more than most men could bear, much less his chilly aura. But now they could see, this girl¡¯s calm demeanor coerced Si Limo¡¯s ferocious aura to subdue, without even speaking. Si Limo also seemed to have discovered this. His eyes flickered, revealing a rare hint of surprise. He gave a slight nod, then turned and walked towards the classroom door. Qiao Xiaren followed him calmly, still bearing the same relaxed smile on her face. Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Not Interested_1 Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Not Interested_1 She walked up to the two subordinates and patted one on the shoulder, ¡°Take care of him.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s gaze dropped from Huang Youde. Just such a simple exchange of looks made Huang Youde feel chills down his spine, as if a cold gust of wind had just swept by. Watching Qiao Xiaren¡¯s retreating figure, Qiao Anchu almost gritted her teeth in frustration. How hateful, her opportunity just passed by. She was supposed to have everything! The two exited the classroom one after the other. Si Limo suddenly stopped. Qiao Xiaren quickly also halted, avoiding colliding into his back like last time. That was too awkward. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, my parents heard you cured Zhilan¡¯s illness and they want to meet you,¡± he said. Si Limo turned around and saw Xiaren¡¯s guarded look. He frowned. Was he really that scary? Si Limo¡¯s parents wanted to see her? Xiaren frowned, feeling suspicious, ¡°No need. That sounds a bit weird¡­like a daughter-in-law meeting her in-laws.¡± Xiaren swore this was the most regrettable thing she ever uttered in her life. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, you said it yourself,¡± he reminded her. Xiaren felt a sudden tightness around her wrist. Before she could react, she found herself thrown fiercely against a human wall. The overwhelming masculine scent hit her again. Xiaren¡¯s wariness deepened, her body stiffening. She could hear her heart pounding chaotically. It felt strange. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± she demanded. Si Limo didn¡¯t answer. Under her shocked gaze, he slowly leaned in closer. Never having experienced such intimacy, Xiaren began blushing. Her heart pounded with embarrassment and annoyance. She tried to push him away, but found him as immovable as a mountain. The heavy pressure almost flattened her against the wall. Si Limo had never experienced such feelings. It was pleasant and familiar. The woman before him made him irresistibly want to get closer. To him, the current Xiaren resembled a shocked wildcat. Si Limo sighed softly. A light smile appeared in his deep, black eyes. He reached out to tease her cheek, ¡°Little girl, you admitted it yourself.¡± ¡°I was joking!¡± Xiaren pushed him away and distanced herself, warily watching the man, who now sported a wicked smile. She felt goosebumps all over her body. ¡°Young Master Si, I have things to do. I¡¯ll be going first,¡± she said. Xiaren instinctively wanted to run, but a strong hand wrapped around her waist, preventing any retreat. Xiaren¡¯s eyes flashed with determination. She made a knife with her hand, preparing to strike when he was off guard. Si Limo¡¯s hawk-like eyes scanned the woman in front of him, his brows furrowing slightly, ¡°Xiaren, from today onward, you have to start accepting!¡± Xiaren nearly fainted. She took a long time to collect herself, mute at the domineering man. ¡°Young Master Si, are you sure you want to harm the flower? Besides, I don¡¯t need it!¡± Chapter 32 - Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Speak Up_1 Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Speak Up_1 Qiao Xiaren choked, speechless to the extreme. She retreated a few steps, but he immediately advanced, each step drawing him closer to her. Suppressing the melancholy in her heart, Qiao Xiaren strained to keep her tone calm: ¡°Si Limo, I appreciate you taking me out of Shanshui Town, but I do not love you, and you do not love me. There¡¯s too much difference between us. Would you please not make such huge jokes?¡± Moreover, her heart had long since hardened into a stone. After rebirth, her goal was to break into the entertainment industry, reclaim everything that was hers, and fulfill the dreams she did not achieve in her past life. She wanted to stand at the peak of the entertainment industry, admired and revered by thousands, and claim the glory that was rightfully hers. The glory that belonged to the king. Si Limo¡¯s expression faltered, a hint of darkness flashing in his eyes. It resembled the anticipation of a predator closing in on its prey. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s heart skipped a beat and she instinctively avoided his gaze. He reached out and trailed his fingers down her back, the touch sending a shock like an electric current through her. Just when Xiaren thought she couldn¡¯t handle it, his expression suddenly turned serious, his voice low, ¡°Pack your things. We¡¯re leaving Shanshui Town at five this afternoon.¡± His completely unrelated declaration left Qiao Xiaren temporarily stunned. When she came back to her senses, all she saw was Si Limo¡¯s tall figure walking away, the steady sound of his boots echoing off the ground. Without thinking, Qiao Xiaren quickly followed in his steps. At that moment, the school bell rang, marking the end of class. The students began to whisper about what had just happened, commenting on how beautiful Qiao Xiaren had become, how handsome Si Limo was, and expressing their envy towards Xiaren and the like. Qiao Anchu listlessly laid her head on the desk, listening to the conversation around her, responding sporadically. ¡°Qiao Anchu, someone¡¯s looking for you!¡± A classmate called out as he walked past, but didn¡¯t wait for her response before returning to his seat. The peers in her class began to avoid her like the plague ever since the incident. Qiao Anchu felt suffocated but also helpless. Go to ????????????????????.co Feeling increasingly irritable and pent-up, she thought she would soon be unable to stand being in this place. When she heard that someone was looking for her, she glanced towards the window with obvious impatience. A woman in her forties was peering around the doorway, her sneakiness in plain sight. Upon recognising her, Qiao Anchu lazily rose from her seat and strolled unhurriedly toward the woman. ¡°What are you looking for me for?¡± she asked, her tone noticeably irritate. Checking to ensure they hadn¡¯t captured anyone¡¯s attention, Qiao Anchu heaved a sigh of relief. Upon seeing Qiao Anchu, a reluctant smile crossed Li Cuihua¡¯s dark complexion while she wringed her hands nervously. ¡°Anchu, I ¡­ I am here today to discuss something with you.¡± Seeing how close Li Cuihua was, Qiao Anchu recoiled a few steps, a hint of disgust in her eyes. ¡°Speak quickly, I have a class to attend soon.¡± Li Cuihua¡¯s previously jovial face dropped at Qiao Anchu¡¯s repulsion, looking somewhat hurt. As Qiao Anchu¡¯s impatience grew, she made to walk away but was detained by Li Cuihua tugging at her sleeve awkwardly. Finally, Qiao Anchu snapped: ¡°Can¡¯t you see you¡¯re being a nuisance? Say whatever you came to say!¡± Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: Chapter 33 So thats how it is_1 Chapter 33: Chapter 33 So that¡¯s how it is_1 ¡°This is for you.¡± Li Cuihua delicately pulls out a necklace from her pocket. Under the sunlight, the tiny diamonds on it twinkle brilliantly. Qiao Anchu¡¯s gaze is immediately drawn to the shiny object. She can¡¯t help but stop in her tracks and frown at the object Li Cuihua was holding. It was a necklace with a small gem embedded in it, polished and bright, featuring an elaborate yet fluid retro pattern. It seems to grow more splendid and significant with time. It¡¯s evidently valuable at first glance. ¡°What is it?¡± Before Qiao Anchu could reach out for it, Li Cuihua carefully shields the brilliance of the gem necklace with her body and solemnly hands it to Qiao Anchu. ¡°Child, you keep this,¡± she says. ¡°What on earth is this?¡± With the gem necklace now in her possession, Qiao Anchu grips it tightly, barely suppressing her excitement. She couldn¡¯t resist asking Li Cuihua about the necklace¡¯s origin. Her intuition tells her that the necklace is not ordinary. How could a woman like Li Cuihua, who labors on the farmland in Shanshui Town for generations, possess such a remarkable object? ¡°We found it on Xiaren when we discovered her at the foot of the mountain. There was also a letter with it. I can¡¯t read, so your father¡­¡± Speaking to this point, Li Cuihua suddenly covers her mouth, knowing she misspoke. The color drains from Qiao Anchu¡¯s face, and she glares ominously at Li Cuihua. Li Cuihua continues, ¡°It was your dad who asked an educated gentleman to read the letter. It seems the one who wrote the letter was Xiaren¡¯s biological mother. She claimed she was trapped in Shanshui Town when she delivered the girl, unable to take her away. So, she pleaded with a kind soul to take care of her daughter. She proposed that the daughter should look for her someday with this necklace.¡± Back then, Li Cuihua heard a story from the village head. He mentioned that a well-known, prestigious family from the Capital had internal strife. The eldest daughter-in-law from that family hid in Shanshui Town and gave birth to a daughter. She then left the ailing young girl in the town to protect her. She initially listened to it akin to a tale, but the next day, she found a chubby infant at the foot of the mountain. The infant was distinct from the others in the village, with fair skin, delicate and crystal clear small physique. She was exceptionally adorable. The letter found in the infant¡¯s swaddling clothes led Li Cuihua and her husband to instantly infer that the infant was the daughter that the esteemed daughter-in-law gave birth to. Initially, her husband was not inclined to raise the girl because they already had Anchu and were too poverty-stricken to feed. Go to ????????????????????.co However, Li¡¯s cousin, who was known for his whimsical ideas, Huang Youde, put forth a rotten scheme, to swap the identities of Anchu and Xiaren. After several days of deliberation, Li Cuihua finally made up her mind, deciding to let Anchu replace Xiaren and enjoy the prosperity of the rich family. As Li Cuihua was recounting everything in detail, she took a cautious look at Qiao Anchu, ¡°Anchu, now I give you this necklace¡­¡± Before Li Cuihua could finish, Qiao Anchu abruptly lifted her head to interrupt, ¡°So you¡¯re implying that I should find my relatives under the identity of Xiaren?¡± Of course, she could see the immense value of the necklace. It was easy to infer that the family from which Qiao Xiaren hailed was affluent. If she were to leave the mountain with the necklace, she would immediately become a young miss from a prestigious family in the Capital! An intense glow blazed in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes at this thought, and she gripped the gem necklace in her hand even tighter. ¡°So you¡¯ve had this plot all along, that¡¯s why you abandoned me at the master¡¯s doorstep. It was all to set it up for me to successfully assume the identity of Qiao Xiaren today!¡± Qiao Anchu sneers, she had previously grumbled about how Li Cuihua would rather accept a foundling as her daughter instead of acknowledging her, and instead chose to abandon her at the doorstep of the master. Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Turning Point of Destiny_1 Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Turning Point of Destiny_1 Qiao Anchu laughed bitterly. She had once questioned why Li Cuihua would rather accept a foundling as her daughter than acknowledge her own flesh and blood and leave her at the doorstep of her master instead. Similarly, she never understood why they insisted that she take Qiao as her surname following Qiao Xiaren, a name she harbored no affection for. Now, everything fell into place. All of this was nothing more than a premeditated scheme. Li Cuihua and her husband planned to use her as a scapegoat. So she, not Qiao Xiaren, would search for the powerful birth parents, for the luxurious life of Miss Qiao Xiaren! ¡°Chuchu, your father and I, we thought it¡¯s for your own good. If you remain in this village, you¡¯d only end up marrying some random man and live a mundane life¡­¡± Li Cuihua thought that Qiao Anchu was complaining about her abandonment years ago and wanted to clarify. But she was interrupted by Qiao Anchu¡¯s icy response, ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain anything, I should thank you and my so-called father actually, for granting me this opportunity.¡± Li Cuihua looked up, stunned, and saw a mysterious smile crossing Qiao Anchu¡¯s face, ¡°Chuchu¡­¡± ¡°Did Qiao Xiaren¡¯s parents have the surname Qiao?¡± This sudden question left Li Cuihua hesitant for a moment, but she nodded, ¡°There was a small pendant on this gemstone necklace, and when opened, there was a letter Qiao inscribed inside.¡± The color had returned to Qiao Anchu¡¯s face; she carefully tucked away the gemstone necklace and solemnly looked at Li Cuihua, ¡°Remember, my father¡¯s surname is Qiao. I am a daughter of the Qiao Family, not your daughter, Li Cuihua. Do you understand?¡± Li Cuihua stared at Qiao Anchu, stunned, as she hadn¡¯t expected her to accept this proposal so quickly. A dreadful thought crept into her mind. What if Qiao Anchu decided not to recognize her as her biological mother? This wasn¡¯t the outcome they had planned. Seeing Li Cuihua¡¯s hesitation, Qiao Anchu turned more vigilant. ¡°What, you planned this path for me, and now you regret it, huh?¡± she sneered. Go to ????????????????????.co Qiao Anchu¡¯s sharpened voice and accusatory tone made Li Cuihua hesitate further, ¡°Chuchu, it¡¯s all for your own good¡­ but you¡­ you can¡¯t deny me as your biological mother?¡± A harsh light flickered in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes; her fingers instinctively clenched. She knew Li Cuihua planned to squeeze some benefits from her. Once Qiao Anchu truly became a wealthy daughter, Li Cuihua and Li Qiang would stick to her like leeches. Seeing the worry on Li Cuihua¡¯s face, Qiao Anchu mustered a reluctant smile, ¡°Why would I? You are my biological parents. If I ever become a rich lady, I won¡¯t forget you.¡± ¡°Really? That¡¯s a relief!¡± Li Cuihua looked ecstatic, completely oblivious to Qiao Anchu¡¯s true thoughts. Suppressing her urge to fling away Li Cuihua¡¯s hand, Qiao Anchu thought that when she acknowledged her real relatives, she would shut them up for good. It wasn¡¯t her fault. If Li Cuihua and her family could be so ruthless to devise this plan for her, they¡¯d have to endure her relentless reprisal. Who else was there to blame? Their blood ran in her veins after all. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be going.¡± Qiao Anchu walked away without any hesitation. Watching her leave, Li Cuihua felt a pang of unease and turned to walk back home. When Qiao Anchu returned to her seat, she was still trembling with excitement and shock, struggling to come to terms with what had just happened. Clutching the gemstone necklace tightly in her hand, she knew it marked a pivotal moment in her life. Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Master Doctor Passes Away_1 Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Master Doctor Passes Away_1 Hehe~ A strange look crossed Qiao Anchu¡¯s face as she started thinking about her next move. Even if Qiao Xiaren knew her own identity, without that necklace who would believe that she was the Qiao Family¡¯s heiress? By then, they¡¯d just kick her out like a madwoman. Qiao Xiaren, you think you¡¯re so great, right? You¡¯re so arrogant, right? You took away my things, so I¡¯m going to steal your identity! Then, I¡¯ll be the high and mighty lady of a prestigious family and you, you¡¯ll be nothing more than an insect I can trample on at will. This time, I¡¯m going to enjoy torturing you to death. You brought all this on yourself, I won¡¯t make this easy for you! Nobody knew why Qiao Anchu harbored such a deep grudge against Xiaren. Since childhood, she had been jealous of Xiaren¡¯s beauty, her demeanor, and now even her prestigious identity. Why was life so unfair, bestowing all the blessings upon Qiao Xiaren alone? ¡°Anchu, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s deskmate noticed the eerie smile on her face and poked her arm timidly, his heart sent aflutter. ¡°Nothing, let¡¯s continue with the class.¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s face quickly resumed its sweet smile, calming her deskmate who got back to work. He didn¡¯t notice the chilling smirk that had slipped onto Qiao Anchu¡¯s face when she lowered it. Lunchtime finally came and she quickly packed her bag, stuffing it with all the books on the table. ¡°Anchu, we still have classes in the afternoon and evening. Why are you taking all your books back?¡± Guo Yu felt curious and approached. Usually, they would only take home the homework assigned by the teacher. Taking all the books would be a hassle, as they would have to be brought back. Qiao Anchu, however, slung her backpack over her shoulder and curled her lips into a smile, ¡°Because, I don¡¯t plan on continuing my studies here.¡± She didn¡¯t want to spend another minute in this damn Shanshui Town. Go to ????????????????????.co Guo Yu awkwardly scratched the back of his head, not comprehending Qiao Anchu¡¯s words. Was she also planning to go to the Capital for studies like Qiao Xiaren? Regardless, it wasn¡¯t his business. Guo Yu went back to his seat, collected his homework, and left for home. As soon as he reached Master¡¯s House, he saw several men standing at the door. All of them were Si Limo¡¯s men, their upright posture exuding a commanding presence just by their simple act of standing there. The peach blossoms in the courtyard were still as gorgeous as ever but the sight of the man standing amidst them took Qiao Anchu¡¯s breath away. She didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who it was ¡ª Si Limo. His tall figure with sunlight gently illuminating the side of his face gave him an ethereal, dreamy appeal. Such a man would be remembered forever with just a passing glance. How could his demeanor, his king-like aura not be captivating? Upon closer examination, Qiao Anchu could even see the handsome contours of his face, under his military cap. His sculpted features were like a stunning work of art; his nose was straight and his thin lips, tightly pressed. Seemingly aware of the footsteps behind him, Si Limo slightly turned his head, catching sight of Qiao Anchu at the entrance and her nearly startled gaze. He appeared rather displeased, his thick brows furrowing. Without a word, he turned and walked directly into a small room. Before Qiao Anchu could recover from her astonishment, she saw Si Limo enter Qiao Xiaren¡¯s room. She bit her lip slightly, a sense of unwillingness flashing in her eyes. The disappointment deep in her heart fueled her hatred for Qiao Xiaren further. She looked in the direction of Si Limo¡¯s departure and then turned to go to her own room. Perhaps there was some kind of sign, after Qiao Xiaren packed her things, she noticed that the originally clear sky was slowly darkening. Looking up, she saw a trace of a yellow moon appearing on the horizon. Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: Chapter 36 The Old Doctor Leaves_1 Chapter 36: Chapter 36 The Old Doctor Leaves_1 Meanwhile, Xiaren heard the howling of a beast not far away. She recognized it as the cry of a creature named Tao Wu by the mountain people. These beings were very spiritual, not easily disturbed. It¡¯s said that Tao Wu usually does not make any sound, but when it does, it signifies the perception of someone¡¯s death. Her heart skipped a beat, she rose and walked towards the door. Just as Si Limo entered from outside, Xiaren plunged into his arms once more. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Si Limo reached out to hold Xiaren¡¯s waist, noticing something seemed off about her expression. Qiao Xiaren shook her head, disregarding Si Limo and stepping over the threshold. Sure enough, the increasingly urgent sound of coughing was coming from the room where her master lived. Indeed, her master was lying on the bed, barely breathing. ¡°Master.¡± She never knew the origin and identity of her master. Villagers said he wasn¡¯t originally from Shanshui Town, but twenty years ago, he brought his medical box and medical skills and settled in. From then on, he was a benefactor to the people of Shanshui Town. Though curious, the people of Shanshui Town never dared to ask about his past. The master thus became the most mysterious and hard-to-understand person in the town, spending his days treating the illnesses of villagers and gathering herbs on the mountain. That¡¯s how he had lived his life. Qiao Xiaren squatted before her master, her throat choking. In her past and present lives combined, the master had accompanied her for seventeen years. With eyes closed, he seemed to hear Xiaren¡¯s voice, his rough hand reaching out to hold hers. ¡°Xiaren, remember what the master says.¡± Listening to her master¡¯s frail voice, Xiaren leaned her ear to his mouth. The master¡¯s eyes could no longer open, straining to draw the last strength to speak, ¡°Xiaren, remember that no matter what you encounter in the future, do not easily trust anyone. Do you understand, Xiaren, do you understand?¡± Go to ????????????????????.co After saying these words, the master started to pant heavily, his face turning green and pale alternately, finally issuing a heavy cough. ¡°I understand, I understand.¡± Qiao Xiaren trembled, gripping the master¡¯s hand, tears flowing freely. There was sorrow for the master¡¯s death and tragedy for her past life. Qiao Xiaren, don¡¯t trust anyone anymore. The master¡¯s body stiffened, and he was gone. Xiaren saw the master¡¯s eyes still wide open, his facial muscles gradually stiffening. She reached out her hand to close the master¡¯s eyelids, her last teardrop drying up. Behind, Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan watched as Xiaren placed a mat over the master¡¯s head. She spoke quietly without turning her head, ¡°Find a place to dig a hole, let¡¯s bury the master.¡± Ye Mohan nodded, taking the old doctor¡¯s body with Shen Sichen. When people in Shanshui Town died, they were all buried in a hill of the town, symbolizing that the fallen leaves have returned to their roots. The master was not from Shanshui Town, but he wished to return to the source here. Naturally, choosing a burial place was not a problem for Xiaren. After a suitable place was located, a few villagers helped dig the grave for the old doctor. Chapter 37 - Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Rise Again_1 Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Rise Again_1 The funeral was held in a very simple manner. After seeing her master buried, Xiaren packed up everything and knelt down to kowtow thrice. The grace of her upbringing transcended the heavens; starting from that day, she would venture outside the mountain, perhaps never to return. After bowing, Xiaren departed without a word to them. Qiao Anchu was livid, feeling utterly disregarded by Xiaren. Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan exchanged looks, seemingly helpless. Xiaren seemed to have become thoroughly estranged from them. They acknowledged their part in failing to save her promptly during the previous mishap. Plus, there could be other reasons. In Shen Sichen¡¯s view, Qiao Xiaren was acting willfully. As fellow apprentices and siblings, was there a need for such pettiness? Xiaren, of course, did not concern herself with their thoughts. She returned to her room, gathered her belongings, and followed Si Limo down the mountain. From then on, she would no longer return to Shanshui Town. This place which had seen her growth, nurtured her, and where the villagers were kind-hearted. However, this wasn¡¯t her home; her origins still undiscovered, she didn¡¯t even know the location of her actual home. The journey that laid ahead was both foreign yet fascinating to Xiaren. This was the first time in her life that Qiao Xiaren had left the mountain. Due to the topography of Shanshui Town, they had to cross several mountains on foot, their luggage in tow. However, Xiaren was far from being a pampered girl. Like a tomboy, she walked ahead with Si Limo. Si Limo gave her a glance, his admiration for her noticeably intensifying. ¡°Do you need any help?¡± A clean and slender hand reached out, the nails well-trimmed. Xiairen looked up to see the man¡¯s profoundly handsome features, smooth and exquisite lines gracing his face. His eyes held a hint of amusement, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted. Go to ????????????????????.co Admittedly, this man possessed an enchanting and breathtakingly good-looking face. ¡°No need.¡± Xiaren cast him a lazy glance, her tone casual and indifferent. Unlike other girls, she did not have a soft aura about her. Her voice was also unique¡ªcharmingly low and captivating. A voice so mesmerizing it gave shivers of anticipation; bewitching to another level. Si Limo¡¯s breath hitched, feeling a slight flutter in his chest. Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t notice Si Limo¡¯s actions or thoughts. Silent as ever, a familiar voice echoed in her mind, Xiaotianax raving: ¡°Qiaoqiaoqiaoqiaoqiaoqiao, your Star Luck Value increased again! Congratulations, congratulations!¡± Chapter 38 - Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Acting Cute and Charming_1 Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Acting Cute and Charming_1 ¡°By how much?¡± As Xiaotian carefully counted on his fingers, Xiaren imagined a scene where a landlady licked her fingers to count money. Xiaotian honestly reported: ¡°10 points. But the host is already doing great! Keep going, earn back the Star Luck Value and there will be meat to eat!¡± Xiaotian continued to explain, ¡°These 10 points of Star Luck Value come from the affection of Si, who is right by your side. Master, master, continue to request for Star Luck Value!¡± Hearing Xiaotian¡¯s childishness, streaks of black lines slid down Xiaren¡¯s forehead. What a spirit! ¡°Only 10 points?¡± Qiao Xiaren frowned, scoffing a bit. ¡°Take it slow, one day it will increase a lot!¡± Xiaotian hid the Star Luck Value in his hand as if it was a treasured object, almost flashing hearts in his eyes, ¡°Qiaoqiao, Xiaotian really likes you! Master is the best! Get closer to this man quickly and increase the Star Luck Value more!¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Come on, come on?¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡°¡­¡± Would affection increase the Star Luck Value, or was she meant to throw herself at this man? Thinking of this, more black lines appeared on Xiaren¡¯s forehead, she involuntarily glanced toward Si Limo. Si Limo quickly noticed Xiaren¡¯s intense gaze, slightly turned his head, his deep, inscrutable dark eyes met Xiaren¡¯s. Go to ????????????????????.co Such bewitching eyes, Xiaren exclaimed in her heart, her gaze haphazardly shifted away. Si Limo found this amusing and chuckled lightly. ¡°Shut up!¡± At Xiaren¡¯s roar, Xiaotian went silent like good child, and the world became much quieter. Feeling the rising value of the system¡¯s grievances, Xiaren leisurely added: ¡°To me, isn¡¯t increasing Star Luck Value a piece of cake?¡± Xiaotian¡¯s eyes instantly lit up, flashing with admiration: ¡°Qiaoqiao is the best, Qiaoqiao is the best!¡± Chapter 39 - Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Giant_1 Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Giant_1 Finally reaching the foot of the hill, a flat but winding road unfolded before Xiaren. Looking ahead, she saw the road continuing straight into the distance, seemingly endless. Next to the road flowed a clear river, the only access path to the outside world. Qiao Xiaren saw several green SUVs parked by the side of the road. ¡°Mr. Si!¡± A few people approached Si Limo, who lifted Xiaren¡¯s luggage into a car. Climbing into the vehicle, the leader of the group took the driver¡¯s seat while Xiaren and Si Limo sat in the back. Watching the receding landscape, Xiaren felt a wave of drowsiness washing over her. When she woke up, she was shocked to find herself leaning against Si Limo¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Awake? Did you sleep well?¡± Hearing the calm voice, Qiao Xiaren suddenly felt that she couldn¡¯t afford to appear weak before him. So, she met his eyes, flexing her wrists and neck nonchalantly and said, ¡°Not bad.¡± Si Limo¡¯s eyes grew deeper, but he remained silent. Qiao Xiaren glanced outside, busy streets and skyscrapers reaching up to the clouds. The Capital, this is the most bustling commercial street. A 99-story building made of transparent tempered glass dominated like a king, standing in the center of the Capital. Reportedly, this is the headquarters of SGS Entertainment Tycoon Company, the most famous entertainment management company in the industry. Products endorsed by today¡¯s hottest A-list female stars were plastered all over the place: passing crowds, LED billboards, bus stations, and on the enormous screen at a nearby plaza ¡ª ultra-popular jewelry stealing the limelight in the Capital. The brightness in the female celebrity¡¯s eyes overshadowed even the jewelry she wore, unable to conceal her radiant charisma. Go to ????????????????????.co Xie Yurou, as the newly crowned national goddess in recent years, filled the aesthetic void for viewers amidst the fierce competition between Leng Qingxue and Shen Dan for the title of national superstar, swiftly rising to fame due to her immense popularity. ¡°So, are you interested in the entertainment industry?¡± Upon noticing Qiao Xiaren¡¯s gaze fixed on the SGS Building, Si Limo curiously posed a question. Xiaren did not answer, she merely flashed a smile at him, then turned around to fetch her suitcase. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Si, for bringing me out of Shanshui Town. Until next time.¡± With a faint smile, akin to a winter spring, Qiao Xiaren added a sprinkle of admiration amongst Si Limo¡¯s entourage ¡ª not for her appearance, but her temperament which was simply too impressive. Indeed, even in plain clothes, she was radiant and of unparalleled beauty. A combination of elegance and allure, the curve of her lips seeming to absorb thousands of rays of light, dazzling enchantingly. People around started having accelerated heartbeats, amidst some evident confusion and entrancement. Despite being accustomed to the numerous stars of the entertainment industry, at this moment, Si Limo admitted, this woman possessed a strikingly beautiful face. When he came back to his senses, Xiaren had already walked far away. Si Limo reeled back his gaze, his dark eyes flashing with inexplicably complex emotions. Until next time. He was eagerly awaiting. Qiao Xiaren, gazing at this bustling city, had unconsciously become a charming part of the commercial streetscape. Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Capital No.1 Middle School_1 Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Capital No.1 Middle School_1 Qiao Xiaren planned to accept Si Limo¡¯s help to continue her schooling at Capital No.1 Middle School. Capital No.1 Middle School offers two specialized art classes tailored for the Capital Film Academy. The Film Academy has always been extremely strict in its admissions process, selecting merely a few dozen individuals out of thousands. Every year, people from all over the country who harbor dreams of becoming stars rush to the interviews, yet many of them are still eliminated. Physique, knowledge, appearance, potential; these are all factors the school uses for overall quality assessment. The judges¡¯ eyes are both incisive and cruel, devoid of any sentimentality. Although in her past life Xiaren managed to become a successful newcomer actress, enjoying unparalleled honor, she was still criticized by some for not being a graduate of a proper drama school. In this new life, she intends to make full use of the second chance given by fate. Qiao Xiaren took a deep breath, her black and bright pupils revealing a sense of self-confidence and a desire for victory. She clenched her fists and headed towards Capital No.1 Middle School. Before going to Capital No.1 Middle School, Qiao Xiaren stopped at a hair salon to get her hair tidied up, and then went to a mall to buy a set of clothes. Born with natural beauty, a bit of dressing up completely transformed her, leaving the salesperson in the mall almost stunned. Just moments ago she seemed like a Cinderella and now suddenly her beauty was off the charts? A breathtaking profile, a perfect smile that took one¡¯s breath away. Her eyes, as dark as the autumn waves, looked at you as if they were wrapped in a thin veil, imbued with depths of emotion. The salesperson couldn¡¯t help but take a picture on her phone. The girl in the high-definition picture was pure and beautiful, her skin so clear that one could hardly see a single pore. When the salesperson regained her senses, the girl had already left. She suddenly looked up and only saw a slender figure getting lost in the crowd. My word, she was just too beautiful! It¡¯s a good thing she managed to take a picture in time. Isn¡¯t there a recent event searching for natural goddesses? With a face like that, she¡¯ll simply eclipse all competition. ¡ª¡ª Go to ????????????????????.co Capital No.1 Middle School, art class. In the classroom, students were still in discussion, the whole room bustling with chatter. ¡°Have you heard? A transfer student is joining our class.¡± ¡°A student? Male or female? Seriously, there¡¯s only one month left until college entrance exams, isn¡¯t it a bit late to transfer now?¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s a girl, who knows? Someone surreptitiously told their table mate, deliberately lowering their voice, ¡°I heard that this girl relied on connections to get in here. Whether she can pass the exams is still a big question.¡± ¡°Oh, and that¡¯s not all, I heard that she¡¯s from the countryside.¡± Someone said disdainfully, ¡°People from the countryside are nothing more than rustic, unsophisticated, and ugly. She actually thinks she can get into the Film Academy and become a glamorous star?¡± ¡°Exactly, she¡¯s way out of her league!¡± The Capital Film Academy not only looks at college entrance exam scores but also has a significant round of interviews. Singing, acting, recitation, and various types of dance. Even their elite class doesn¡¯t have the entire grade admitted to the Film Academy. Mostly, more than half of the students are eliminated. Not to mention a country bumpkin who doesn¡¯t understand the latest fashion trends. Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Familiar Person_1 No content Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Strange Feeling_1 No content Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Slapping the Face_1 No content Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Just Right_1 No content Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Nightmare _1 No content Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Chapter 46 E-fashion_1 No content Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Bare-faced Goddess_1 No content Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Chapter 48 is a Bit Interesting_1 No content Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Strengthening the Fan Base_1 No content Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Chu Yifei_1 Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Chu Yifei_1 Qiao Xiaren took a taxi directly there, taking out her earphones and iPad from her backpack and plugging in the earphones. Today, she had simply tied her hair into a bun, with a fringe playfully falling by her ear, adding a touch of youthful beauty to her appearance. Her finger scrolled down, abruptly pausing at a striking red headline. The news was soaring in popularity at an incredible speed, rising to the top of various popular lists within a minute. Chu Yifei, the great god of Chu, superstar, film emperor, male god, king, and various other labels have already risen to prominence. If Ye Mohan was once considered one of the top-tier male stars domestically, then Chu Yifei unequivocally held the crowning title of a superior film emperor. Chu Yifei¡­was it him? Qiao Xiaren suddenly sank into memories of her previous life. She remembered that Chu Yifei was a focal point in the entertainment circle, but he was more mysterious than anyone else, with excellent acting skills. What was even more surprising was that he had no scandals or hyped up news! Such a film emperor, a male god, was considered a rarity in the entertainment industry! She recalls, Ye Mohan, once whispering in her ear, stating that Chu Yifei had such good resources because he had a powerful background. Or maybe he was being promoted by some wealthy woman, he certainly didn¡¯t get his position through his own abilities. ¡°Film Emperor Chu Yifei Returns to the Country, Fans Track His Flight to Welcome Him!¡± ¡°Chu Yifei Wins Global Film Award, Raising His International Fame to New Heights!¡± ¡°Chu Yifei Appears at the Airport, Fans at the Scene Go Wild!¡± Reading out the string of headlines, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s voice was clear and tender, like a stream gurgling from her heart, brittle yet melodious. In just a few short minutes, news of Chu Yifei¡¯s return dominated the screens on Weibo and Tencent News, virtually flooding every news feed. Qiao Xiaren smiled faintly. Back in the day, her popularity was on par with Chu Yifei¡¯s. But she had ruined it all for a man like Ye Mohan, betraying the love of her fans and walking away from the industry she had adored so much. Seeing the continuously rising view count on the video, Qiao Xiaren clicked on it. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??0.§ã¦Ï Capital North International Airport Dozens of journalists with cameras on their shoulders gathered at the international terminal, along with millions of fans holding up posters and banners, chanting and shrieking in the crowd. All eyes were eagerly fixed on the exit. Especially when the airport broadcast announced the arrival of the flight, the screams of countless fans peeled out,¡±Chu Yifei, Chu Yifei, Chu Yifei ooooohhh¡­¡­Yifei, we love you to death¡­¡± The voices of countless people merged into a neat chant, their united spirit leaving other bystanders deeply shocked. In a short while, a man in a black trench coat strolled out of the VIP channel, escorted by bodyguards, agents, and assistants. The congestion at the airport was something to behold, no one dared to approach the man. His long slim legs were covered in black trousers, the muscle lines of his legs smooth yet robust, tense and flaunting. The fans surrounding him were almost powerless against the assault of their idol¡¯s pheromones and had started to scream crazily. Half of his face was hidden behind sunglasses, only his rose-colored thin lips, high, sculpted nose, and perfect chin were visible. His chin line was graceful and sharply defined. The aristocratic aura of the man and his relaxed attitude drove the fans at the scene into a near frenzy. ¡ª¡±Terrible, my eyes have been blinded by the god¡¯s dazzling legs. Husband is so handsome handsome handsome ahhhhh ¡­¡± ¡ª¡±How can there be such a handsome, such a perfect man? I can¡¯t take it anymore, I¡¯m starting to have a nosebleed, I¡¯m holding an oxygen mask while still sitting in front of my computer¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡­ Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Charm of Antiquity_1 Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Charm of Antiquity_1 After finally reaching the E-Fashion Building, Qiao Xiaren took off her headphones, handed a hundred yuan bill to the driver, and got out of the car. The E-Fashion Building was located in the prime area, a 35-story skyscraper with each department clearly demarcated and in perfect order. The grand atmosphere was accentuated by sharp-dressed men and white-collar beauties coming and going in professional attire. The photoshoot location was in the southwest position. When Qiao Xiaren arrived, the photographer team and a few managers were discussing something. The photo studio was an oasis of its own. Beautifully folding carved screens obscured half the view, behind which lay an intricately patterned ancient zither. The wisps of fragrant incense smoke gently rose. A pendant was barely falling onto the ancient zither, inviting wanderings of a beautiful scene of a captivating beauty playing the zither with a fan in hand. This was one of the scenes they were shooting today. Abby was still communicating with the chief photographer, Zhuang Xiao. When she saw someone walk in, she glanced up without thinking. Upon recognizing her, she was once again utterly stunned by Qiao Xiaren in person. ¡°Are, are you Miss Qiao?¡± Abby looked excited and stared at the person in front of her. As if afraid to offend the beauty before her, she was so nervous she hardly knew where to put her hands. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Qiao Xiaren.¡± Xiaren gave a slight smile and extended her right hand. Perhaps because of her young age, her face was full of the visual sensation of collagen, and her porcelain-white complexion also carried a hint of naivety, pure and flawless. Seeing the hand extended to her, Abby seemed somewhat flustered. ¡°Hello, Goddess! I finally see you in person! My name is Abby, I¡¯m the editor of E-fashion.¡± Abby¡¯s eyes shone like light bulbs, even her breathing became unsteady due to excitement, she kept repeating, ¡°So perfect, so perfect¡­ this face is a work of art.¡± As a photographer, she had always been particularly keen on capturing beauty. Having been in the entertainment circle for so long, this was the first time she had seen a real-life muse. Not putting up her picture for worship would be a waste! ¡°Thank you.¡± The deep black of her eyes was like a stream under the sun, which once again sent Abby into a new wave of amazement. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.§ã¦Ï ¡°Abby, aren¡¯t you going to quickly introduce today¡¯s shoot to Miss Qiao,¡± Amy reminded Abby, who was losing her composure, somewhat helplessly. ¡°Ah, I almost got carried away! Goddess, follow me.¡± Abby smacked her own forehead, leading Qiao Xiaren to the front of the camera. It must be said, E-fashion was a very professional and responsible leading magazine brand. The props inside were genuinely antique. Just looking at the intricately carved step bed, the finely engraved design made it look elegant and grand. The richness of the antique style gave people a sense of being in the scene. ¡°This bed is nice.¡± Xiaren gave a slight smile at the corner of her lips, her hand lightly touching the surface of the bed, ¡°The sandalwood is top-grade material, the carving is incredibly intricate, utterly different from ordinary beds. It¡¯s not only made of robust material and stands tall, but the legs, denticle, bedposts, rails, and headboard are all carved with cloud and dragon patterns. The bed canopy has a nearly 40-centimeter-high purple sandalwood cloud dragon pattern vi?he?aku??alas, the craftsmanship is exceedingly complicated and exquisite. Altogether, it is delicate, imposing and gives a sense of solemn magnificence.¡± The person in charge was somewhat surprised: ¡°Miss Qiao indeed has a good eye, this is an antique bed reproduced by a modern master, it can nearly pass off as the real thing.¡± ¡°Did you think my Goddess would be shallow? Of course, she is knowledgeable and beautiful!¡± Abby moved in, grinning. Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Shooting the Cover_1 Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Shooting the Cover_1 ¡°Abby, you flatter me.¡± Xiaren gave a slight smile and started observing the surrounding scene, a vivid depiction of an ancient pavilion¡¯s inner chamber. A rosewood table excellently arranged, with an antique vibe. The cover picture she was shooting was of the most recent popular TV series ¡°Dragon Girl¡±. ¡°Ah, goddess, you don¡¯t have to be so humble.¡± Abby¡¯s face turned slightly red. How lucky she felt being able to interact with the goddess at such close range. What bliss! ¡°Goddess, can I take a photo with you?¡± Abby clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Xiaren smiled and agreed. Oh my, the goddess is so gentle and easy to get along with! Every time I see the goddess¡¯s clean and serene smile, it¡¯s irresistible, totally irresistible! Abby was feeling so giddy inside. She was thinking about showing off on social media later to make those who can¡¯t be on the front line envy! Zhuang Xiao checked the time: ¡°It¡¯s about time, the male lead should be arriving soon, let them hurry up and set up the venue.¡± ¡°Right, right, right. I¡¯ll take my goddess to do makeup and change into ancient attire first, then report today¡¯s shooting matters to Chief Editor Xia on 29th floor.¡± Abby¡¯s face dropped a bit at the thought of Chief Editor Xia¡¯s fearsome face. But thinking about his possible reaction at seeing Goddess Qiao made her heart leap with joy. She was even a little too eager to share her catch of a goddess today. In the middle of their journey, Amy received a call, gave Abby a nod, and left the photo studio. Abby pulled out her phone to post on social media as she was leaving the studio. E-fashion editor AbbyV: Today, I caught a goddess, who¡¯s totally gentle, humble, and generous! Crucially, she¡¯s beautiful! Simply a 360-degree perfect beauty! I have the honor to invite the goddess to shoot the cover of E-fashion magazine. Are there any beauty junkies like me? Come idolize! Attached is a photo of Qiao Xiaren. Her face is simply a divine gift. Obviously wearing no makeup, but looking absolutely stunning. Her entire person is glowing in the sunlight, her long eyelashes casting beautiful shadows on her eyelids. She was smiling, not rigid like other celebrities, but oozing with electrifying confidence. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.§ã0 The post has only been made for a few minutes, yet hundreds have already come to comment and share. To Abby¡¯s surprise, it turned out that Goddess Qiao had already stirred up quite a bit of sensation among the beauty junkies. Xiaoning ingredients: Ah, our goddess¡¯s new photos are out. Come lick your screens @XiaTian @IamMeizi. XiaTian: Checking in, let me just say, so beautiful it makes my heart title, dang dang dang, supporting E-fashion, supporting Goddess Qiao¡­ IamMeizi: Let me say it three times, I love my goddess! I love my goddess! I love my goddess! The important things need to be said three times~~ These three IDs belong to Huo Xiaoning, Bin Xia, and Zhao Mei. All three are struggling with their iPads and social media profiles in the classroom wishing the whole world could see the charm of Goddess Xiaren. Humpty: Hahaha, eagerly looking forward to the goddess¡¯s high-definition cover shoot! I will definitely buy this issue of the magazine. [Naughty][Naughty][Naughty] Flower Fairy: Goddess is great, looking forward to more works from the goddess. Gradually, bystanders started watching and commenting, all praising Xiaren¡¯s genuine beauty. Abby read the comments, feeling a strange sense of pride. E-fashion Building A stern middle-aged woman in a black professional dress stood on one side. The fine face was more formidable than King Yama, bright, piercing gaze shooting out from behind her glasses. Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Peerless Beauty_1 Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Peerless Beauty_1 Don¡¯t underestimate Xia Yu, she¡¯s just a woman, but if she starts yelling, she can shake the whole floor. No doubt about it, this is the fiercely known Xia Yu, otherwise known as Extinct Master. ¡°What¡¯s up with this shooting angle? The two have no chemistry at all, are you deliberately trying to provoke me?¡± The Extinct Master dismisses the nearly hopeless deputy editor and moves onto the photographer: ¡°And what¡¯s with this model? Her facial expressions are stiff and her aura is unripe. Are you trying to attract wealth or attract disaster?¡± Having been scolded mercilessly by the Extinct Master, the new editor runs out crying. Since Chu Yifei has returned to the country and finally managed to carve out some time today to do an exclusive feature on the booming ancient costume drama ¡°Dragon Girl¡±, it brings no small frustration that they can¡¯t find a model at the moment. Thinking of this, Xia Yu really wanted to tear her hair out. ¡°Xia Da, Xia Da¡­¡± Abby almost came rushing over with a little hand waving. Seeing Abby coming, everyone on the floor breathed a sigh of relief, waiting expectantly for Abby to come to their rescue. ¡°What? Are you in a hurry to reincarnate or is there a tiger biting your ass?¡± Xia Yu is still fierce as ever, but Abby is surprisingly not looking miserable today. ¡°I, I¡­I found the model you wanted!¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Xia Da, you¡­you come with me.¡± Abby doesn¡¯t care about anything else, she directly pulls Xia Yu towards the elevator doorway. Xia Yu¡¯s face turns black, but Abby, who must have taken some kind of potion today, is holding onto her hand so tightly she can¡¯t get away. Xia Yu is suddenly curious to know who could make Abby lose control like this. ¡ª¡ª Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï Qiao Xiaren is still having her makeup done by the makeup artist. Her skin is fair and transparent, with no traces of acne or pores visible. This complexion received praise from the chief makeup artist, Sister Li, who couldn¡¯t help but marvel at it. She had previously won first prize in an international makeup competition and had never done makeup for ordinary people, only A-list celebrities and models, for fear of wasting her skills. In this industry, especially when one¡¯s skills have reached a peak, it¡¯s only natural to become somewhat arrogant. But Qiao Xiaren¡¯s stunning beauty broke all her principles. ¡°Miss Qiao¡¯s skin is very good, she doesn¡¯t even need to apply foundation, otherwise it will be too pale.¡± Sister Li said while diligently applying makeup on Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face. This perfectly sculpted face fully reflects the inspiration and ideas in her heart. Once all the steps were completed, Qiao Xiaren transformed into a full-fledged ancient beauty. At this moment, Abby, holding onto Xia Yu, steps out of the elevator and heads straight to the photo studio in the southwest. Coming out, Abby sees Sister Li stepping out of the studio with a flushed face, gleaming eyes, and is just able to steady herself at the doorway. ¡°Too¡­too perfect!¡± Sister Li gasps, slowly uttering these words, clearly in an excited and upbeat mood. Abby was about to take the chief editor in when she saw a figure slowly emerging from the room. Graceful and elegant, like a Lancaster beauty coming forth from an ancient painting. Her stunning beauty made the falling petals her background. Qiao Xiaren, wearing a red robe, the color rich and passionate yet elegant and imposing. Her hair gathered high with a few strands of hair slipping down from her temples, illuminating her porcelain-white face. Eyebrows like distant hues, her face as beautiful as the dawn reflecting in the snow. A look in her eyes, as touching as a melodious lullaby. A frown, a smile, a glance, all enough to intoxicate. ¡°Holy shit¡­. holy shit¡­ holy shit¡­¡± Abby didn¡¯t know what words to use to describe her current mood. A woman so stunning, with a touch of makeup could overshadow all others! With Qiao Xiaren approaching, even the always picky Xia Yu is left breathless. It was as if her brain was hit, with only the word beautiful left in it. She was like a beautiful woman who had traveled through time, a Lancaster beauty that one could fall in love with to their core. Xia Yu had to admit, this model is indeed the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Her temperament and appearance are both top-notch, more importantly, this girl is naturally radiant! Seeing Xia Yu floored, Abby had a satisfied smile on her face. Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Xia Yu_1 Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Xia Yu_1 Abby came over and began to introduce Xia Yu: ¡°Goddess, this is our E-fashion¡¯s editor-in-chief, Xia Yu. She¡¯s been overseeing the cover shoot today.¡± Qiao Xiaren had heard about Xia Yu¡¯s reputation in her previous life. A highly successful career woman, she held considerable prestige in the fashion industry. Assertive, obstinate, and stern were the labels always associated with Xia Yu. Along with these characteristics, she was also known for her role in maintaining high magazine sales and was respected by almost everyone in the entertainment industry. Regrettably, Xia Yu married into a rich family and left the fashion industry three years later. Her husband died unexpectedly after two years of marriage. Xia Yu soon married a prominent oil tycoon in the Capital, but it wasn¡¯t long before her husband passed away as well. As misfortunes continued to follow Xia Yu, public opinion about her began to sour. People gossiped that her presence was a harbinger of bad luck for her husbands and children, even going as far as to call her a wicked widow who prospered from her husbands¡¯ deaths. After all, the assets of her previous two husbands ended up in Xia Yu¡¯s possession. However, Xia Yu wasn¡¯t one to care about these allegations. She happily returned to the entertainment industry and thrived. Qiao Xiaren was quite curious about Xia Yu¡¯s history. ¡°Hello, Qiao Xiaren.¡± Qiao Xiaren quickly approached with a soft smile on her face, looking graceful and elegant. In a simple greeting of five words, there was an unintended comfort, akin to the peace brought by a gentle breeze under a bright moon. Seeing Qiao Xiaren so calm, a rare admiration flashed in Xia Yu¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Xia Yu.¡± Xia Yu shook hands with Qiao Xiaren and quickly pulled back. ¡°I¡¯m pleased to have invited you, Miss Qiao, to shoot for the cover of this issue of E-fashion. Your male co-star today is Chu Yifei. Do your best.¡± Being able to share a frame with a movie emperor right at the beginning of a career was no less than a pie falling from the sky for any newcomer. Upon hearing the name, Chu Yifei, the staff around them couldn¡¯t help getting excited, particularly the women ¨C the excitement almost made them scream out loud. Chu Yifei! They could finally see the movie emperor up close! Only Qiao Xiaren remained unfazed, her eyes slightly distant, as if recalling something. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?? In her previous life, she didn¡¯t have much interaction with Chu Yifei, but the names Qiao Xiaren and Chu Yifei were always associated with each other in the public eye, like rulers. Undoubtedly, Qiao Xiaren was an internationally acclaimed actress, while Chu Yifei held the title of movie emperor. ¡°Goddess, sit down and rest. We estimate that Lord Yifei will be here in half an hour.¡± Abby courteously led Qiao Xiaren to a nearby chair. Taking advantage of the spare time, Qiao Xiaren began to check the latest news updates on her phone. With only thirty percent battery left, she opened Weibo, closing the video page in passing. At this moment, a Weibo post by Zhou Siyu¡¯s manager caught her attention. It accused E-fashion of nepotism and various scandals, and condemned the magazine for choosing a cover model who had no entertainment industry experience. As it was an attack on a famed magazine brand like E-fashion, various prominent figures on the internet started to share the post for their respective reasons wildly. Zhou Siyu¡¯s Manager V: Our Siyu was originally scheduled by E-fashion¡¯s Editor-in-chief for today. But suddenly, they chose an unknown novice. People always have thick skins, always vying for and snatching everything. We don¡¯t know how powerful the backer behind this is. We, Siyu, can¡¯t compete, but that doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯ll compromise! It was evident that Zhou Siyu¡¯s manager was referring to Qiao Xiaren, sparking public speculation that Xiaren had leveraged her strong financial supporter¡¯s influence to snatch the role that was originally meant for Zhou Siyu. It was quite common for actresses to compete for roles, cover shots, and other resources in the entertainment industry. Yet, in Xiaren¡¯s view, public Weibo arguments reflected the artist¡¯s poor social skills. ¡°Idiot.¡± Xiaren scoffed softly. Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Resist E-fashion_1 Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Resist E-fashion_1 As soon as she saw the news, Qiao Xiaren furrowed her brows, unable to recall who Zhou Siyu was. This woman had not appeared in her previous life¡¯s star journey. After rebirth, Qiao Xiaren discovered many things that did not match her previous life. Things that should have happened didn¡¯t, and unexpected events occurred instead. She guessed that it might be because she had been reborn, altering certain aspects of her destiny. Xiaren started to be alert, understanding that her future path would be full of unpredictable twists and turns. Caution was the best choice. Abby, of course, also saw the Weibo post at the first moment, her face turning sour as she grasped the gravity of the situation. The usually playful Abby instantly became grave and serious, hurrying in her little heels towards Xia Yu¡¯s office. ¡°Something has gone wrong, Xia!¡± she exclaimed. As soon as she opened the door, Abby saw Xia Yu sitting in front of his computer, his face looking extraordinarily grim: ¡°I already know, Zhou Siyu is using her team to hype this up.¡± Abby, somewhat panicked, approached Xia Yu with a folder in her hand: ¡°What should we do, Xia? Nobody expected Zhou Siyu to pull such a move.¡± At this point, Abby seethed: ¡°Zhou Siyu is indeed an entertainment circle¡¯s shining white lotus and green tea b*tch. She appears frail and adorable, yet her plotting runs deep! She has an agent and a team helping her manipulate the media, but our Goddess Qiao is just a newcomer without even a manager. How can she fight against her?¡± Xia Yu glanced at Abby: ¡°She¡¯s merely following the innocent, pure maiden route. Do you really think she¡¯s as innocent and naive as she pretends to be? In this entertainment circle, what female celebrity is genuinely pure and good?¡± At this moment, Xia Yu slightly regretted his actions. If he had known, he wouldn¡¯t have sent the news about Zhou Siyu¡¯s cover audition. Probably Zhou Siyu bore a grudge because E-fashion did not select her. After all, this time, to share screen space with the popular actor Chu Yifei would undoubtedly increase her exposure rate significantly. Thinking of Chu Yifei, Xia Yu started to feel a headache again. Chu Yifei had been always eccentric and extremely disgusted with backdoor deals and hype. If he refused to cooperate with Xiaren because of the false information on Weibo, or directly refused to do this issue¡¯s special interview, then things would really get out of hand. ¡°I underestimated Zhou Siyu¡¯s ruthlessness,¡± Xia Yu shook his head, ¡°She calculated very accurately. With Chu Yifei¡¯s annoyance about backdoor deals, he would certainly refuse to cooperate with such a model. Now she uses her pitifulness to win netizens¡¯ sympathy, making public opinion entirely on her side, forcing us to use her! Come and have a look.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.§ã¦Ï Abby lifted her glasses and went over to see that Zhou Siyu had updated her Weibo. Zhou Siyu V: I¡¯m okay, E-fashion always goes for the high-end. Everyone, please don¡¯t argue anymore @Zhou Siyu¡¯s manager, Qiang, I¡¯ll work hard! With these words, she perfectly portrayed a humble and well-behaved image of a celebrity. She and her manager, one playing good cop and the other bad cop, were cooperating seamlessly and unyielding in their hype. ¡°Dammit, this wretched woman dared to scheme against my goddess!¡± Abby couldn¡¯t contain her anger, waving her fists around furiously, wishing she could tear Zhou Siyu¡¯s deceptive face apart. ¡°Let¡¯s first think about how to resolve this situation.¡± The entertainment circle has always been ruthless, especially with the fickle internet crowd that loved to follow the flow and throw hate. Seeing Zhou Siyu¡¯s manager so ¡°righteously indignant¡± criticizing a newcomer for stealing fashion resources, the netizens and internet marketing accounts obviously couldn¡¯t sit still. Although Zhou Siyu herself wasn¡¯t popular, there was never a lack of self-righteous people on Weibo. Zhou Siyu also had quite a few genuine fans. As her manager stood up for her, these true fans also jumped out in her support. Duoduo Blooming Peach Blossoms: Siyu, don¡¯t cry. We¡¯re here, aren¡¯t we? What¡¯s to be scared of a seductive bitch who hugs rich men¡¯s thighs from behind? Don¡¯t be sad, pat pat~. Decidedly boycott E-fashion. #Boycott E-fashion# Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Eye Hurting_1 Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Eye Hurting_1 Siyu¡¯s Little Pillow: Don¡¯t cry, Yuyu. The world is so wicked. E-fashion seems eager to be famous, even getting someone like him to share the cover photo with the Movie King, what an eyesore! #BoycottE-fashion# Just Love Siyu: Let¡¯s start digging, who is this chameleon that¡¯s snatching our Siyu¡¯s opportunity? It¡¯s utterly shameless! Are the newcomers so arrogant these days? Yue Bao: I¡¯m so angry[smile], Yue Bao don¡¯t get angry. That little bitch has her backer, sooner or later her dark past will be exposed, let¡¯s wait for her to cry! ¡­ ¡°Damn, they are defaming my goddess! Which onion is this that has come out of nowhere?¡± Bing Xia, holding an iPad in her hand, angrily slammed it on the table. The iPad nearly vibrated off the table from the impact, while her eyes shone with rage. ¡°What, what? Show it to me quickly.¡± Huo Xiaoning reached over and took Bin Xia¡¯s iPad, and clicked on the page that was just blacked out. Seeing the various negative comments from Zhou Siyu¡¯s fans, Bin Xia, Huo Xiaoning, and Zhao Mei couldn¡¯t stand it. Their goddess was being assaulted by Zhou Siyu¡¯s fans; wasn¡¯t it time to rush to the battlefield to defend her?! Huo Xiaoning squinted her eyes, looking at the iPad screen on her lap, and flexed her wrist: ¡°Let¡¯s go my sisters, let¡¯s pledge to defend our goddess¡¯s dignity!¡± Without a second word, the three, wearing their Weibo jackets, charged towards the enemy¡¯s camp. XiaoningIngredients: Who can¡¯t just talk big? If you have the guts, bring out the evidence! It¡¯s ridiculous to say that our goddess stole your resources. Did E-fashion previously acknowledge inviting you to model on Weibo? @Zhou Siyu I am Mei: Exactly, could you stop creating drama for yourself? Xia Tian: It¡¯s so funny, who do you think you are? With this kind of looks, working alongside Movie King Chu Yifei would surely blind him. Oh, I forgot, this kind of looks can only be achieved through cosmetic surgery[waving][waving][waving] Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??0.§ã0 Yue Bao @reply to Xia Tian: Yo, I never thought that the seductive bitch had fans. Hehe, are they bought bots? It¡¯s as if the girl you¡¯re talking about is so beautiful. Why don¡¯t you post a photo and let us see her country-falling beauty? [Doraemon style surprise] Bing Xia¡¯s fingers clenched in anger, chuckling, if you dare to release my goddess¡¯s photos, would you still dare to act smart in front of me? Just Love Siyu @reply to XiaoningIngredients: Stop bitching on other people¡¯s Weibo. Your master is the scum of the scums who disgusts me. She is just a person who has yet to debut and dares to be so arrogant, a born hater! Pink Little Prince @reply to XiaoningIngredients: Marketing trash, death to trolls. If you¡¯re capable, go lick your master¡¯s screen. Oh, I forgot, your master doesn¡¯t even have a Weibo account, sucks to be an idiot! Humpty: Spotted a green tea bitch, jealous of our goddess, case closed! Most Sunny Day of Happiness @reply to Pink Little Prince: You are the one who is trash, you are the one who is a troll, you damn retard who I¡¯m talking about! Your master herself is not capable and pretends to be a white lotus, such a huge white lotus! Most Sunny Day of Happiness @reply to Just Love Yue Bao: What¡¯s up, you own Weibo? If you have the guts, apply to the Weibo owner to shut down my comments! Originally being attacked by this group of haters to the point of exploding, the appearance of these netizens who came to help out of nowhere made Huo Xiaoning vent her anger. ¡°Xiaoxia, these two ids seem a bit familiar?¡± ¡°Hmm hmm, Most Sunny Day of Happiness and Humpty also seem to be real fans of our goddess, we can always see them.¡± Bin Xia stared at the screen intently, ¡°Why don¡¯t we follow each other on Weibo, and then invite Sunny Day and Humpty to join our fan Weibo group?¡± Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Stunned_1 Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Stunned_1 ¡°ok.¡± In real life, Humpty and ¡°Happiest Sunny Day¡± were still arguing with Zhou Siyu¡¯s fans when they suddenly received an invitation to join a fan group on Weibo. ¡°Happiest Sunny Day¡± accepted the invitation without a second thought, while Humpty, brimming with excitement, tremblingly clicked the invitation several times before successfully joining the group. Joining the group required an oath. Seeing the oath sent by the administrator, Humpty felt a surge of respect and a heavy sense of responsibility. He began to type out the oath line by line: ¡°As a fanatical fan of Goddess Qiao, I¡¯ll abide by the group rules. If any haters gather, I¡¯ll strike them down! I will not allow anyone to disrespect my Goddess. Any who do, however distant, will be hunted down! I will lead by example, fully supporting my Goddess! I¡¯ll behave in and out of this group, and will not engage in fights with her family! Today, I, Humpty, formally join the fan club as a fanatical fan! I pledge to follow the goddess and help her conquer the world of entertainment!¡± Reading these impassioned and powerful words, Humpty was filled with blood-boiling enthusiasm. His faith in his mission was strengthened. Conquering the entertainment world had become their shared dream. ¡­ Of course, Qiao Xiaren was browsing this Weibo post, indifferent to all the malicious comments. After eight years in the entertainment business, she stood unscathed and unruffled. Seeing these three familiar Weibo IDs, Xiaren paused. She knew they must be Abby and Huo Xiaoning. Seeing them protecting her so fervently, a warmth spread through her heart. She continued scrolling, reading other netizens¡¯ comments. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??0.§ã¦Ï Love Cats: Just passing by as a spectator here, I just want to say that the circle is so chaotic, I¡¯m powerless to resist. Unrivaled Handsomeness: I¡¯m also a bystander like the one above. Even though I think stealing resources is rather disgraceful, isn¡¯t it low to fight publicly on Weibo? [smile emoticon x3] The SB without underwear: I don¡¯t like Zhou Siyu and feel shameful for the newcomers who steal resources. As a fan of my Emperor Chu, I want to say, can Zhou Siyu¡¯s plastic surgery snake-face confused even keep up with my Emperor Chu? I guess she will be instantly overshadowed by my male god¡­[nose-picking emoticon x3] Come into Daddy¡¯s arms: OMG, above poster revealed the truth. In any event where my God Emperor is present, the mortals should hide. Be careful not to be blinded by the glory of the Emperor and become just a background. Indeed, wherever Chu Yifei was, everyone else seemed to become his backdrop, as though all the glimmer only reflected on him. Of course, this was before Qiao Xiaren appeared. Abby walked in and saw Qiao Xiaren still sitting there calmly and elegantly, her beautiful profile radiating an unparalleled confidence and poise that showed she was unaffected by honor or disgrace. It was as if everything was within her expectations. For some reason, Abby¡¯s previously anxious heart suddenly settled down. ¡°Goddess, about Emperor Chu¡­¡± Seeing Abby¡¯s troubled face, Qiao Xiaren immediately understood. It must be Chu Yifei saw the news on Weibo and refused to collaborate with her. Qiao Xiaren closed Weibo and swiftly dialed a string of numbers on her phone screen. It was Chu Yifei¡¯s private phone number, known to very few. The reason Qiao Xiaren remembered it so clearly was because of a small accident in her previous life. As expected, the call was quickly answered, and Chu Yifei¡¯s sexy and magnetic voice came through, ¡°Hello, who¡¯s calling?¡± She put the phone on speaker, so the sound easily reached Abby¡¯s ears. Abby was shocked to the core, as if she had seen a ghost. Oh my God! It was Emperor Chu¡¯s voice! Didn¡¯t everyone know Chu Yifei was notoriously mysterious and aloof? Now Abby felt like a herd of alpacas was running happily in her heart. But the bigger shock was yet to come. The voice of Goddess Qiao was calm and composed, slowly saying, ¡°The saying goes that seeing is believing, and hearing is deceiving. Does the world-renowned Emperor Chu need me to teach him this?¡± Her tone was indifferent, with a slight hint of mockery. Abby was dumbfounded! Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: Chapter 58 You are very Arrogant_1 Chapter 58: Chapter 58 You are very Arrogant_1 She nearly stumbled and fell to the ground. When she lifted her face again, she was on the verge of tears. Really, celebrities are different from ordinary people. How could he dare to command and interrogate an Film Emperor so confidently? If it were her, she wouldn¡¯t even dare to think about it! Oh my Goddess, he is the Film Emperor, he is Chu Yifei! Abby¡¯s inner voice was howling. In the stretch limousine, Chu Yifei lightly tapped his finger on his knee. His pitch-black eyes were deep and mysterious, his features exquisitely handsome, so captivating that even a woman would be envious. His eyes slitted slightly, as though he found the situation somewhat unbelievable. ¡°Who are you?¡± The girl¡¯s voice was still calm. ¡°Today¡¯s model working with you, Qiao Xiaren.¡± Chu Yifei, of course, didn¡¯t know who Qiao Xiaren was, but he knew that today¡¯s model had attracted a financial backer, which surprised him. She had the nerve to directly dial his private number. ¡°How did you get to know my private number?¡± The man¡¯s voice was like an inquisition, minor threads of coldness running through it, as if at any moment, he could strangle you. Yet, Qiao Xiaren was still unruffled. With a nonchalant smile she said, ¡°Instead of asking how I got it, you should blame your privacy protection, for being so low.¡± Qiao Xiaren swore she did not mean to mock Chu Yifei, but in her eyes, this sort of method of blocking numbers and signals using eus was utterly low! Chu Yifei chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re very arrogant.¡± Qiao Xiaren shook her head again, laughing lightly, ¡°Film Emperor Chu, you really haven¡¯t seen my arrogant side. Everyone talks about the Film Emperor¡¯s professionalism. Since we are collaborating, I hope you could arrive on time in half an hour. After all, the jewels on my head are heavy, otherwise¡­¡± ¡°Otherwise what?¡± Chu Yifei¡¯s voice sounded interested. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã0 Qiao Xiaren suddenly developed a teasing idea, her voice turned enchanting trapping people in it like a spider web, ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll disclose your private number and let your fans flood your phone with calls.¡± After saying this, Qiao Xiaren hung up. She wasn¡¯t the kind to compromise; if she was unhappy, she would express it, Film Emperor or not, she wouldn¡¯t let herself be wronged. Looking up, she saw the adoring peachy eyes of Abby, the hearts in her pupils magnified several times, ¡°Goddess¡­you, you are freaking awesome.¡± All Abby could think of was Qiao Xiaren¡¯s casual demeanor and regal aura. That was the Film Emperor! Yet the goddess didn¡¯t even blink and was even smiling. It reminded her of an ancient text she had studied. Amidst our laughter, the formidable enemy was gone in a puff of smoke! Abby was so overwhelmed that she was speechless. Her heart was shaking violently, and it took her a while before she found her voice, ¡°Goddess, has the Film Emperor agreed to come?¡± Qiao Xiaren calmly placed her phone down, ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Goddess, you¡¯re simply my faith!¡± Abby¡¯s admiration for Qiao Xiaren was elevated. After being excited for quite a while, she slowly regained her senses. Following Goddess Qiao truly gave her a sense of presence. Qiao Xiaren stood up, and as if caressing a kitten in her arms, she ruffled Abby¡¯s soft hair, smiling gently. ¡°Good girl.¡± Abby was stunned for a moment, her face started to turn red, as if hearing the screams from her heart. Ahhhhh, the goddess just touched my hair! The goddess¡¯ face is so beautiful, the goddess is so gentle, her look intoxicating ¡­ Good Lord, I¡¯m not going to wash my hair anymore. Qiao Xiaren sat back down, completely unaware that she had just teased another innocent and pure young girl. Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Arrival of the Film Emperor_1 Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Arrival of the Film Emperor_1 With less than half an hour left for the shoot, Xia Yu was starting to feel restless. The photographer was also frequently glancing at the door, creating a tense atmosphere throughout the studio. They never thought they¡¯d encounter problems during this shoot. From the photographer¡¯s pay to the props and studio, everything represented a significant expense. In the midst of this anxiety, only Qiao Xiaren sat relaxed on a chair, casually flipping through a book titled Five Thousand Years. Abby, of course, was exceedingly confident in her idol, thus she diligently brought tea and water. Xia Yu¡¯s lips twitched in annoyance, as if there was a single word written all over Abby¡¯s face: sycophantic. Five minutes passed. Four minutes passed. Three minutes passed. Still, no one came¡ª Xia Yu started to get irritable. Yet, every time he saw Qiao Xiaren¡¯s beautiful face, he found himself inexplicably unable to utter a curse. After a minute, a pair of long, straight legs that perfectly fit the golden ratio showed up in the studio. The shiny shoes stepping onto the floor felt like stepping on everyone¡¯s already anxious hearts. Two bodyguards followed the man who also had his assistant and manager hastening behind him. It was Chu Yifei! Abby¡¯s lips curled slightly. She knew her idol wouldn¡¯t lie to her! Perhaps it was just an illusion. After seeing her idol¡¯s beauty, Chu Yifei¡¯s good looks didn¡¯t cause her heart to race and explode like the legends said, nor did they render her speechless and trembling. However, the beauty of Chu Yifei and her idol were equally matchless. Indeed, as soon as these two individuals emerged, everyone else seemed to fade into the background. Upon seeing that devilishly handsome face, Xia Yu¡¯s heartbeat started to settle down, only to surge again with excitement. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.§ã0 ¡°Quick, get Chu Yifei ready with his wardrobe and makeup!¡± Li Jie nodded, carrying a makeup bag behind Chu Yifei. As soon as Chu Yifei entered, his eyes naturally landed on the goddess in a red traditional dress. Her overly beautiful face dwarfed those around her. Without trying, anyone¡¯s first instinct would direct their attention to her. Beautiful people naturally stand out. ¡°Chu Yifei is very professional, he isn¡¯t late.¡± Qiao Xiaren replied with a faint smile, her dark, enchanting eyes filled with charm. Qing Ran looked at the traditionally dressed woman in front of her with surprised eyes, a flash of astonishment crossing her face. As Chu Yifei¡¯s assistant, she had seen various beautiful women in the entertainment circle, but this one¡¯s beauty was unexpectedly breathtaking. She was sitting behind a screen, appearing like a beauty who had just strolled out of the palace. In her hand, she held an old, sandalwood comb. Her delicate bones lightly brushed through her hair, which fell to one side. She smoothed her hair, as if a gentle fragrance could flow from her and draw out a beautiful arc in the air. Even Chu Yifei was momentarily stunned. He drew back his gaze, a slight smile playing at his lips as he followed Xia Yu into the makeup room, his long legs striding behind him. He was suddenly looking forward to this collaboration. Soon, Chu Yifei¡¯s makeup was done. ¡°Lighting director, photographer, get ready!¡± Xia Yu issued a new round of orders, and then ran over to grab the magazine samples. The photographer began to adjust his equipment, while Xia Yu discussed the camera angles. Following the suggestions of Extinct Master, the lighting director adjusted the light reflections. Everything was ready now. Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Publicity Photo_1 Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Publicity Photo_1 With everything prepared, Xia Yu stood solemnly by the side, observing the shooting angles and the rapport between the models, constantly offering his opinions. When Zhuang Xiao learned that Chu Yifei had actually arrived, he was inwardly surprised. It was said that Chu Yifei disliked the hype of tabloid gossips. What on earth did Qiao Xiaren do that could make Chu Yifei break his principle? As for Abby, in her mind, Qiao Xiaren had long become an authority and a faith. The goddess is the best! The goddess is right about everything! Even if the goddess says that a sow is climbing a tree, she would firmly believe that it¡¯s the pig¡¯s fault! Chu Yifei¡¯s presence was indeed strong, wherever he appeared, everything around him paled in comparison. Zhuang Xiao played with the camera, his gaze unconsciously focused on Chu Yifei. Dressed in a gorgeous white robe and a jade crown bundling his hair, with strands of hair gently flowing down. Chu Yifei walked over, seeming to exude an elusive and ethereal aura. A man as precious as jade in the path, a prince unparalleled in the world. This was exactly Chu Yifei¡¯s look in the TV drama ¡°Dragon Girl¡±. Li Jie followed behind, diligently helping Chu Yifei with his makeup. Xiaren clearly saw Chu Yifei¡¯s gaze turning towards her, she saw the handsome and deep face of the man. Remembering the craziness of the fans and reporters at the airport, Xiaren admitted that this man had the capital to drive people crazy. ¡°Hello, Qiao Xiaren.¡± Qiao Xiaren had an elegant and indifferent smile on her lips, curving in a mysterious arc, and reached out her hand. Chu Yifei did not reach out his hand, his slender and deep eyes looked at her with a smirk. Qin Ran was a little embarrassed, little girl, aren¡¯t you afraid that this man will embarrass you on the spot? Having been with Chu Yifei for many years, Qin Ran understood Chu Yifei¡¯s character better than anyone else. He appeared to be perfect like a prince on the outside, but in reality, he was petty-minded and held grudges. ¡°Has the Emperor Chu never heard that it is impolite to refuse to shake hands with a lady?¡± Qiao Xiaren let go of her hand nonchalantly without any embarrassment. ¡°Do you think I should be friendly to someone who dares to threaten me?¡± Chu Yifei retorted, squinting dangerously at Qiao Xiaren. ¡°Hmm.¡± Qiao Xiaren shrugged, ¡°That explains it, Emperor Chu is indeed petty.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?? Having said that, she casually walked on, brushing past Chu Yifei without leaving any glance. For the first time, Qin Ran witnessed Chu Yifei being outdone, and that too in front of a young girl. ¡°Dragon Girl¡±, as a big-budget ancient costume fantasy drama that has rocked the silver screen this year, with its ratings soaring, even Zhuang Xiao couldn¡¯t help but finish the whole drama. The deep love of Dragon Girl, the forbearance of the male lead, the invincible destiny and the plot twisted the audience¡¯s heartstrings. After marveling, Zhuang Xiao¡¯s gaze unconsciously glimpsed at Qiao Xiaren striding towards Chu Yifei, and was once again deeply infatuated. Originally he thought that no matter how beautiful Qiao Xiaren was, she would eventually be overshadowed by Chu Yifei. But to his surprise, Qiao Xiaren was in no way inferior. All the other staff present, including Xia Yu, were thoroughly stunned by the perfect match of the two. They wished they had more than two eyes to record the beauty before them in 360 degrees. Xia Yu was the first to react: ¡°Zhuang Xiao, shoot a few specific poses first, for online promotional photos.¡± Having said that, Xia Yu turned to Qiao Xiaren: ¡°Xiaren, you must have watched ¡°Dragon Girl¡±, right? Imagine yourself as the female lead in it and portray Dragon Girl¡¯s deep-rooted love for the male lead. In other words, your eyes need to be convincing. As for which scene you want to act out, you can improvise.¡± Qin Ran frowned first, glancing unhappily at Qiao Xiaren. Just a rookie from a modeling background, according to Xia Yu¡¯s request, this would require relatively high acting skills. If Qiao Xiaren couldn¡¯t get the hang of it, wouldn¡¯t they waste a lot of time shooting the cover? Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Mei Cried_1 Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Mei Cried_1 Quite obviously, others felt the same way, they even thought that the editor was deliberately making things hard for Qiao Xiaren. It was not just about testing her acting skills, she was also facing the highly skilled actor Chu Yifei. Any newcomer would feel inferior in comparison. Unexpectedly, Qiao Xiaren did not hesitate at all and directly agreed. Qing Ran was surprised and lifted her head, only to see Qiao Xiaren¡¯s stunningly beautiful side profile. Her confidence shone brightly, mirrored in her subtle smile, as if all this was merely a trifle to her. Xia Yu nodded, her usually serious face softened considerably, a look of admiration in her eyes. This Qiao Xiaren, gave her another delightful surprise once again. ¡°Xiaren, look at the camera.¡± Zhuang Xiao lifted the camera, zoomed in, and captured Xiaren¡¯s misty and deeply beautiful eyes widening subtly, exuding innocence, curiosity, and a hint of bewilderment. Within a few seconds, the fresh and lively image of Dragon Girl was captured by the camera. Zhuang Xiao, who usually kept her emotions well hidden, couldn¡¯t conceal her excitement at the splendid face on the screen and became visibly thrilled. ¡°Perfect, your expression is absolutely perfect! Xiaren, change your expression, another one!¡± ¡°Oh my, Xiaren, you are simply a natural-born actress. You fit perfectly with my image of Dragon Girl. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!¡± The sounds of the shutter clicked rapidly, and the hot flashlights flickered ever more frequently, reflecting the photographer¡¯s extreme excitement. Zhuang Xiao held her camera, constantly changing angles and poses. She quickly pressed the shutter, her breathing becoming more strained, her eyes shone brightly, as she focused solely on the shoot. Soft lighting fell on Qiao Xiaren, making her glamorous to the point of making it hard to see clearly. A radiance burst forth from within her, illuminating everything around her. The subtle movement of her silky hair seemed dreamlike, creating an enchanting sight. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï Zhuang Xiao visualized a scene from Dragon Girl, while watching the scene in front of her. A long ancient street, bustling with vendors, colorful lanterns casting a beautiful light, creating a moving scene. The innocent, yet pure young girl, wearing a deep red dress with long flowing sleeves, weaving through the crowd. The elegant young man with a folding fan was passing through the crowd when their eyes suddenly met. Such a feast for the eyes¡­ Qiao is so beautiful! Chu looks so handsome! Oh¡­ my¡­ Abby decided to die right on the spot. Her heart rate was accelerating again, she pulled out her mobile and started tweeting. E-fashion AbbyV: Quick, check it out! Exclusive updates from the frontlines. The Goddess and the mighty Chu make a great pair, the love-struck Dragon Girl vs. the repressed Young Master, they are so beautiful that they made me cry. Unfortunately, the promotional photos are not out yet, so no leaks allowed. You guys will have to wait.[smile][smile][smile]. After the tweet was sent, a flood of comments from fans followed. Rabbits do not eat carrots: Pffft, no beautiful photos, thumbs down[wave][wave][wave] Sunny Sunny Day: Waiting for the photos to come out. Humpty: Above +1 Abby read dozens of comments, her elated feelings did not subside and she decided to chat with her fans. E-fashion AbbyV@ replied to Rabbits do not eat carrots: Hehehe, once the photos are out, I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. Goddess is amazing, and the movie king is so handsome, this couple is totally city-toppling! You guys don¡¯t know how the goddess was gazing at the mighty Chu¡¯s eyes ¡­ Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Chapter 62 Perfect Cooperation_1 Chapter 62: Chapter 62 Perfect Cooperation_1 Monk Does Not Eat Meat: Really? Really? OMG, I¡¯m so excited! Blogger, get into the details fast, did the best actor and goddess form a couple? Just spill it out already~ Abby replies @MonkDoesNotEatMeat: I¡­ Just as she typed one character, Abby was startled by the staff members around her, and lifted up her head abruptly, only to see that the Movie Emperor and the Goddess have already started taking photos together, her gaze stuck on them. Abby had only uttered a single character and suddenly disappeared from Weibo, leaving his followers in an uproar. Xiaoning¡¯s Ingredients: And what about me, hurry up and just spit it out¡­ Patch Strawberry: Fuck, Blogger is so irresponsible, just said half and left, I¡¯m gonna have insomnia tonight! Monk Does Not Eat Meat: Stop talking, let me cry for a while, I hate you Blogger, couldn¡¯t you finish before leaving? I¡¯m so anxious¡­ Rabbit Does Not Eat Carrot: I¡¯ve already sent Abby a knife [deadpan face] At this moment, Abby has completely abandoned Weibo; her thoughts have already drifted towards the Goddess and Movie Emperor taking photos together not far away. ¡°Get closer, Xiaren lean your head a little.¡± Zhuang Xiao put down his camera, slightly frowning, ¡°No, there¡¯s something off about you two, adjust your posture and movements, catch the right feeling.¡± Newcomers shooting covers for the first time do indeed face this kind of trouble. Zhuang Xiao was rather helpless; Qiao Xiaren thought for a moment, then lazily lifted her head, with a casual smile across her face: ¡°Xiaoxiao, you should have said this earlier.¡± Then, Qiao Xiaren held on to Chu Yifei¡¯s neck with both hands, which greatly enlarged the handsome man¡¯s face. Their eyes gazed into each other¡¯s, just like a couple truly in love. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?? Qing Ran: ¡°¡­¡± Chu Yifei: ¡°¡­¡± The goddess continued to maintain her calm demeanor, gazing affectionately at the Film Emperor. ¡°Perfect! This is it!¡± Zhuang Xiao adjusted his shooting posture and angles, and rapidly pressed the shutter. The synergy between Qiao Xiaren and Chu Yifei was impeccable, both their poses and expressions were picture perfect. Soon, the photoshoot was done. Xia Yu was browsing the photos on a computer, feeling a sense of relief. After being stressed for so long, the amazing results justified the tension. It was worth it! As soon as the shoot ended, Abby scurried over looking worried: ¡°Goddess, because of the Zhou Siyu incident, there are still many fans criticizing you, what do we do about this?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Qiao Xiaren winked playfully, ¡°Soon, Zhou Siyu will be mercilessly slapped in the face.¡± Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Publicity Photo_1 Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Publicity Photo_1 Just as Qiao Xiaren predicted, she didn¡¯t have to do anything. As soon as the promotional photos of the cover shoot came out, Chu Yifei¡¯s fans were completely agog. As for the dispute between Zhou Siyu and the new top model, the fans didn¡¯t care in the least; they were only interested in the beautiful photos of their beloved movie-star prince. It¡¯s no wonder the fans were so excited. Each promotional photo was as exquisite as a piece of art! E-Fashion¡¯s official website quickly released dozens of high-definition photos. The woman¡¯s long hair flowed down like a waterfall, and her red robe was stunningly beautiful. Shot from every angle in 360-degree, her flawless skin looked like jade. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s beauty was simply breathtaking, and her eye makeup enhanced her allure even more. With the jade hairpin of a lotus with twin flowers, Qiao Xiaren possessed not only an incredible beauty but also an indescribable nobility and elegance. The dreamlike beauty almost made people daze in an instant. Whether standing or sitting, or accompanied by that extraordinary young master, the woman¡¯s solo shots were surprisingly harmonious. A glance upward, a look downwards, was pleasing to the hearts. From every angle and posture, the netizens had already filled in the scenes of ¡°Dragon Girl¡± in their minds. As if through thousands of years of time, and through the elegant and ancient attic rooftop, they saw the Dragon Girl¡¯s hair floating in the breeze, the prince stretching his hand to caress it, but froze midair when a tear dropped from her eyes. They could even sense the smoke wafting from the finely made incense burner, the fragrance assaulting their senses. The official slogan of ¡°The Stunning Couple¡± really lived up to its name! Qiao Xiaren was the Dragon Girl in their minds, the only one who was worthy of being Chu Yifei¡¯s screen partner! Holy shit! Damn it! Oh, my God! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.?¦Ï Mama Mia! As the photos came out, fans were floored by Xiaren¡¯s beauty that they wanted to swear! The fans could hardly believe it! By rights, this female model was supposed to be just a foil for their movie-star icon. Anyone who appeared next to Chu Yifei, male or female, became insignificant. But this woman¡¯s face was so beautiful that she not only didn¡¯t get overshadowed by Chu Yifei but brought out her dazzling beauty even more. This pair¡­is the most attractive pair ever in history. So beautiful! So beautiful! So beautiful! At this moment, those were the only words left in their minds. Their minds switched off, their breath hitched, they were disoriented, dizzy from the shock of the high-definition photos. For a while, the promotional photos went viral online. The fans couldn¡¯t help but screenshot and save them. Even changing wallpapers. All who fell for Chu Yifei begun with his looks and ended up trapped by his talent. Now, faced with such an incredibly beautiful woman, their hearts were pounding uncontrollably! Naturally, ¡®Happiest Sunny Day¡¯ and ¡®Humpty¡¯ were among the first to arrive on the battlefield. They truly are a stunning couple. So damn pleasing to the eye! Coffee Without Milk or Sugar: Ahh, look at the goddess¡¯s side profile. I just can¡¯t¡­OMG OMG OMG¡­ This baby wants to go to the E-Fashion Building, this baby wants to run into the goddess and the movie superstar¡­ Ahhh¡­ The comment section under the photos was quickly filled with ¡°Ahh,¡± ¡°Holy shit!¡± and ¡°Damn it!¡±. Undeniably, this photoshoot was a complete success. Of course, there were also some murmurs. Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Xia Yu Defense_1 Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Xia Yu Defense_1 I¡¯d Like To Ride The Wind: Tsk tsk, this must be the legendary femme fatale, right? She managed to usurp Zhou Siyu¡¯s spot, using just her external appearance, disgusting! Toy sends: The previous person is correct. The unknown newbie who snatched away Zhou Siyu¡¯s resources is called Qiao Xiaren. I initially didn¡¯t believe the rumors about her having a powerful backer, but now, seeing her, it does look like she has the face of a fox spirit! The world is really too dark. Poor Zhou Siyu @Zhou Siyu There are scattered comments of agreement following them. Xia Yu sees these sorts of comments appearing on the Weibo platform and immediately furrows her brows. She clicks on the Weibo user¡¯s profile page, only to find that this user is not a fan of Zhou Siyu, simply a bystander. Qiao Xiaren hasn¡¯t even officially debuted yet, but she already has such a negative image. If she actually debuts in the future, she will probably be followed by a considerable amount of hate. After some thought, she responds boldly with a Weibo post. E-fashion Editor Xia Yu V: E-fashion has always been a fair platform! We initially only invited Zhou Siyu for an audition and found out she was completely unqualified! Only because she got in someone¡¯s way, someone went to such lengths to smear a young girl. How compassionless! The reason Xia Yu is willing to help Qiao Xiaren clarify things is because she has been conquered by this girl¡¯s potential and beauty. With such looks, she could absolutely hold up half of the entertainment industry in the future. On Qiao Xiaren¡¯s head, it seems like there is a natural crown of a champion. Sharp words, directly pointing at Zhou Siyu, harshly hitting the pitiful and innocent Zhou Siyu. Instantly, countless comments followed. Xia Yu personally slapped her face, even says she smeared a young girl, this is simply saying: You are just the peak of hypocrisy pretending to be pitiful in front of the netizens! With this statement, those who slandered her also automatically hid. They originally didn¡¯t understand much about the entertainment industry, even more so they didn¡¯t know the truth. Humpty: Tsk tsk tsk, got slapped in the face, right? Our Queen Xia¡¯s slap must¡¯ve left a certain hypocrite dizzy. Happiness is a Sunny Day: Isn¡¯t it? Humph, do you feel that hypocrite will be so angry that she¡¯ll explode when she sees this, hahaha¡­ Xiaoning Ingredients: Thanks to Queen Xia for speaking up for our goddess. We fanatical fans are not easily bullied. A cosmetic surgery snaky face dares to show off in front of our goddess. If she stands next to the great Chu, that would be an absolute eyesore! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï Coffee Without Milk or Sugar: Darn, Queen Xia has good judgement. It¡¯s a good thing it¡¯s not Zhou Siyu forming a couple with my idol. That face is just too much! Chu, the Film Emperor¡¯s wife: Ugly and shameless @Zhou Siyu, how dare you show your face out in public. Thank god it isn¡¯t you, otherwise my idol would be ruined. Official Wife of Film Emperor Chu: I¡¯ve made the comparison image, make of it what you will. An image made by a fan is displayed, featuring the great Chu Yifei and Zhou Siyu. Although both were photoshopped, the poses and movements didn¡¯t feel out of place at all, it shows the high level of the fan¡¯s photoshop skill. However, the visual effect¡­ leaves much to be desired¡­ Next to Chu, the epitome of beauty, Zhou Siyu just looks uglier and uglier, to the point where one feels like they can¡¯t look at her. They wish they could just photoshop this woman out! Dots cover the comments section. The initially neutral fans of Chu Yifei can¡¯t sit still any longer and start expressing their disgust. Simply put¡­ They can¡¯t bear to look. Unable to bear it any longer, fans rushed to Zhou Siyu¡¯s Weibo and started to bombard her with comments. Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Chapter 65 Failing to Steal a Chicken and Losing the Rice_1 Chapter 65: Chapter 65 Failing to Steal a Chicken and Losing the Rice_1 ¡ª¡ª Good thing you didn¡¯t pair up with God Chu, or I¡¯d have ruined you! ¡ª¡ª Damn it, still have the nerve to talk about secret rules, are you good enough to practice them? With that ugly face! ¡ª¡ªExactly, still pretending to be the innocent victim here, disgusting! Xia Yu closed the Weibo page with satisfaction and continued to work on retouching the photos with Zhuang Xiao at the computer. On the other side, Zhou Siyu¡¯s agent, Brother Qiang, was called into the office by Jingyun Entertainment Agency and severely criticized. The whole session was like a sensational melodrama. Brother Qiang bowed his head, in his heart, he cursed Zhou Siyu inside out. What the hell was happening? They had always been cooperating in this manner for the sake of resources in the entertainment industry, never expecting things would go south today. Zhou Siyu had no idea what had transpired and seeing all the public opinion directed at Qiao Xiaren, the corners of her lips curled up in a smirk. But in less than half a day, the comments on her Weibo post started increasing rapidly, all of them were disparaging and full of taunts and insults. Shameless. You wish you could be a vixen, with that ugly face, are you even qualified? Green tea bitch, pretending to be innocent! ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Zhou Siyu was furious, her beautiful face contorting sharply, ¡°Is it that cheap woman sending an army of trolls to defame me?¡± At this moment, Brother Qiang came in and seeing Zhou Siyu¡¯s furious face, he sighed, ¡°Siyu, hurry and delete that Weibo post I made, and delete yours too. This incident is blowing up.¡± Not only did they fail to bag the notice from E-fashion, her popularity dropped further, being laughed at and trolled by fans. It was a lost cause. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ??¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï Brother Qiang even started to doubt if everything he had been tolerating was a mistake in the first place! Fans of Chu Yifei and Zhou Siyu clashed, the battle intensifying and Zhou Siyu¡¯s fans, outnumbered, were forced to retreat and dared not to appear again. At this thought, Brother Qiang couldn¡¯t help but to massage his throbbing temple. This was such a difficult person to serve! Zhou Siyu was already fiery, and now she was even more annoyed, ¡°I¡¯m not deleting it, go delete it yourself. Qiao Xiaren, you really got some nerve. Haven¡¯t debuted yet and already so arrogant? Seems like I need to teach you a hard lesson! How dare you even climb over my head!¡± No agency, no agent. A person like that wouldn¡¯t last more than a minute in the entertainment industry, right? Zhou Siyu¡¯s face darkened further, a dark aura spreading in her eyes. Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Chapter 66 Group Photo_1 Chapter 66: Chapter 66 Group Photo_1 ¡°You¡¯re stirring up way too much trouble. Over a rookie too! You¡¯ve gone as far as to offend Xia Yu. Do you have any idea what her status is in the fashion industry? You¡¯ve putt off her and I don¡¯t see how you¡¯re going to continue making money and garnering popularity in the fashion world!¡± Generally speaking, the most significant profits for celebrities derive from the fashion industry. Now that Xia Yu points out Zhou Siyu¡¯s arrogance, openly criticizing her performance on Weibo! How is she supposed to continue to thrive in the industry? Audiences are dazzled by the glam and glitz of the entertainment world, without understanding the cutthroat nature of what goes on behind closed doors. Offending someone could mean a massive loss of connections. The thought gave Qiang quite the headache. Zhou Siyu was also regretful at this moment, but more than that, she felt indignant: ¡°You¡¯re just blaming me. Didn¡¯t you agree to my weebo post too? Who could have predicted that the almighty Chu would actually agree to work with her? Didn¡¯t you say he strongly despises women involved with scandals?¡± As Zhou Siyu spoke, her emotions grew more and more impassioned. She couldn¡¯t comprehend what scheme Qiao Xiaren must have used to actually get Chu Yifei to go on E-Fashion? She is only a 17-year-old girl, what kind of tactics could she use? A plan that was supposed to go flawlessly not only reaped no benefits but also brought trouble! ¡°Alright, alright, it¡¯s my fault!¡± Qiang no longer wanted to speak, and he glared at the woman engrossed in her phone with a touch of irritation. Damn, if it were not for someone backing you from behind, I would not bother. Typical void of emotional intelligence. Completely clueless! ¡°Qiang, come look!¡± Just as Qiang planned to step out, he heard her shout from across the room, her voice laced with an inexplicable fury and resentment. ¡°What is it, my dear princess?¡± ¡°Look at the picture. Just posted!¡± Zhou Siyu¡¯s facial expressions were extremely dark, almost as if she wanted to smash her phone to pieces on the spot, her beautiful face twisted into a terrifying sneer, ¡°That damned bitch!¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï Zhou Siyu, usually elegant and cute in front of others, was absolutely loathsome once her mask was ripped off. Suppressing his inner irritability, Qiang took the phone from Zhou Siyu¡¯s hand, nearly twisted from anger. There on the screen, was a post Chu Yifei had just made on Weibo, a photo of him with Qiao Xiaren. The man in the picture, dressed in a dark shirt with a lazily unbuttoned collar, revealed a breathtakingly handsome face. Qiao Xiaren stood just behind him, elegantly composed, with a calm smile spreading across her fresh and youthful face, the corners of her mouth slightly raised. She seemed to radiate a cool sunlight that illuminated everyone¡¯s heart. She¡¯s only 17-years-old, and yet her vibe easily matches that of an award-winning actor. She¡¯s like cool sunlight ¨C bright, yet comfortable to behold. Qiang thought to himself that it¡¯s no wonder E-Fashion insisted on this newcomer. Indeed, even he found it hard to resist as he looked at this picture. Her confident and composed light seemed to emanate from within her, exuding a fresh vitality that the entertainment industry lacked. Such a refreshing presence in the entertainment industry, no wonder no one could resist her. Looking again at the time, it was evident that the photo was taken after wrapping up the magazine cover shoot. The comment section explosively grew with over two million reposts and comments. Massive numbers of casual fans and followers of Chu had now become ¡°CP¡± fans. This sweet surprise was so sudden and unexpected that causes the screen to refresh every second with new comments, quickly burying earlier ones. Qiao¡¯s fans were howling with joy for their goddess¡¯ cool allure and couldn¡¯t bring themselves to leave the Weibo page. ¡°Qiang, when did Yifei become so close with that bitch? It¡¯s your fault too, if you had gotten the offer from E-Fashion, I would be the one standing next to him!¡± Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Beauty_1 Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Beauty_1 Zhou Siyu finally couldn¡¯t hold back her frustration any longer, crying and ranting at Qiang. When she first entered the entertainment industry, 80 percent of her motivation was Chu Yifei; he was the perfect male god in her eyes. Who is Chu Yifei? A prince charming in everyone¡¯s heart, but also an award-winning actor with one of the quirkiest personality in the entertainment industry, notorious for his lack of courtesies. But no matter what the prince does, a large number of hardcore fans follow him, shouting, ¡°We support you! Our Chu God is always right! No one is allowed to bully my hubby!¡± This heavily protected superstar had posted a photo with a female artist on Weibo for the first time. Qiang couldn¡¯t help but frown, he began to understand why Zhou Siyu was so angry. A newcomer, clearly lacking popularity, had been brought to the spotlight by Chu Yifei and was gaining much attention. If this newcomer wasn¡¯t cheating, she must be extremely lucky! A grudge flickered in Zhou Siyu¡¯s eyes as she slowly clenched her fists. ¡ª As soon as Chu Yifei posted on Weibo, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s newly opened account also started gaining followers explosively. She had opened her personal Weibo account since she left Shanshui Town. Xiaren only knew about her sudden increase from 300 to tens of thousands of followers, due to a excited voice from Xiaotian inside her head, saying, ¡°Goddess! Goddess! Your Weibo followers are exploding, your Star Luck Value is increasing too!¡± Happiness came so suddenly that Xiaotian, with starry eyes once more, clung onto the newly-earned Star Luck Value. Qiao Xiaren glanced at her phone and smiled faintly at the corners of her mouth. Her peaceful smile seemed to soothe all the irritability and noise in one¡¯s mind, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we can earn more in the future.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± The excited reply was from Xiaotian. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?0 By the time Qiao Xiaren got off work, it was nearly noon. This shoot went unusually well. Xia Yu and Extinct Master didn¡¯t fuss around as usual and readily let Abby go for lunch. Abby immediately invited Qiao Xiaren to join her for lunch. How she envied the students at Capital High School, they were so lucky to be studying in the same school as the Goddess. Looking at Abby¡¯s starry-eyed look, Qiao Xiaren was reminded of a cute kitten rolling and begging to be petted. Her fluffy hair on the forehead seemed like she wanted it to be stroked, too cute to resist. ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Abby cheered happily, ¡°Goddess, I¡¯ll treat you to anything you wish to eat!¡± ¡°Stop filming now.¡± Qiao Xiaren stood up from the chair gracefully and softly chuckled. Gazing at the Goddess¡¯s dazzling and noble figure, those eyes as clear and bright as if they were soaked in snow, Abby was almost blinded by her beauty. ¡°Goddess, you¡¯re teasing me again.¡± Abby blushingly twitched her body, acting like a shy girl in front of her crush, ¡°Goddess, can I take more photos, I really want to¡­¡± Qing Ran watched Abby and Qiao Xiaren with a skeptical look. It seemed his Chu God was about to fall flat on the sand beach with this girl-flirtation skill. Qiao Xiaren raised her eyebrow, smiling accepting it. Oh my! Goddess is really good at indulging fans, that look, that smile are simply unmatched! As for Chu Yifei, he showed no signs of surprise. With a graceful smile on his face and hands in his jeans pocket, he exuded an air of nonchalant charm. ¡°Why not all eat together?¡± Huh? Abby was startled when she looked at Chu Yifei. And so, the trio headed to a¡­ hotpot restaurant. At the boisterous hotpot restaurant, Abby sat in between the Goddess and the Emperor, her eyes blank as she watched both sides. She never expected that both stars shared such a homely and common hobby! Abby too, began to cook in her own spicy pot, the potent chilli aroma almost made her drool. Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: Chapter 68 Disrespect_1 Chapter 68: Chapter 68 Disrespect_1 This old hot pot restaurant was always bustling with patrons, and because they arrived late, there were no private rooms available. Abby had no choice but to bravely invite the two big shots to sit by the window sill. Just five minutes after they had taken their seats, Abby had already noticed the burning stares coming her way, with some people even excitedly taking sneaky photos. Whispers of excitement, suppressed squeals from the girls, all were directed towards them. Xiaren slightly tilted his head with the corner of his lips tilted upwards towards a certain direction. With eyes as clear as the azure tide, it was as though the most radiant sunlight was presenting itself, its rays rippling gracefully. Suddenly, gasps erupted from their surroundings, this, this¡­ it was simply criminal! Several girls clutched their hearts as if they were finding it hard to breathe. Xiaren didn¡¯t put restraints on himself when eating. However, his eating manners were impeccable, and could certainly be deemed a national treasure. His complexion, as radiant as morning sunlight reflecting off the snow, made him even more stunning. Abby brushed her sweaty hair back, her face sticky from the heat, her nose running, and tears welling up in her eyes. As she pulled out a tissue, she couldn¡¯t help but notice the stark contrast between ordinary people and celebrities. Abby silently wept in her heart, roaring inwardly, feeling that this was a blatant harm, wasn¡¯t it? Without comparison, there would be no hurt! Halfway through the meal, Qiao Xiaren heard a husky voice from the side, saying, ¡°May I sit here?¡± Xiaren raised an eyebrow, noticing a young man in a duckbill cap and casual black clothes casually seating himself by Qiao Xiaren. From this angle, only the young man¡¯s sharp chin and prominent nose were visible. His facial contours were beautifully crafted and the skin that was exposed was incredibly fair. Looking further up, only fashionable sunglasses were visible. Dressed like this, he must either be a deranged weirdo or a current popular celebrity. ¡°Haven¡¯t you already sat down?¡± Xiaren, finding this amusing, glanced at his strange attire, and chuckled. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã? The young man turned around, revealing a broad smile. As he glanced at Chu Yifei, his lips captured an expression that hinted something significant. Chu Yifei wore a gentle smile, his eyes held a mysterious allure. ¡°So it is Miss Qiao and Mr. Chu.¡± The woman who had followed the young man removed her sunglasses, revealing a surprised delight when she saw Chu Yifei. ¡°Since we¡¯ve met so coincidentally, let me treat all of you to this meal.¡± She had been complaining earlier about Yeqian wanting to eat in such a low-class restaurant. She never ate anything but French food and Western cuisine when she went out. But if the superstar wanted to eat, she could only follow suit. The surprise was so great; she hadn¡¯t expected to meet Chu Yifei here. Abby recognized the voice. When she looked up and saw Zhou Siyu¡¯s cute and adorable face, her face stiffened immediately. What a small world it was to run into Zhou Siyu in a hotpot restaurant. With that look of surprise on her face, anyone who didn¡¯t know better would think they were close friends! Zhou Siyu had originally thought Qiao Xiaren would invite her to sit down, but she wore an inexplicably proud and contemptuous expression. After all, she too had a notable reputation in the entertainment field. However, she was surprised to see Qiao Xiaren respond passively, continuing to eat undisturbed. Chu Yifei, with the corners of his lips slightly raised, didn¡¯t even bother to lift his head. Seeing that the three superstars weren¡¯t giving her face, Abby didn¡¯t show any reaction, but she felt exhilarated inside, and continued to chew on her piece of beef. Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Gritting Teeth_1 Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Gritting Teeth_1 Zhou Siyu¡¯s face instantly fell, revealing small cracks in her cute and sassy makeup. Looking at Qiao Xiaren¡¯s indifferent face, she gritted her teeth in annoyance. What the hell? Shouldn¡¯t a normal person invite her to sit down? Besides, she had initiated the conversation. Glances were shooting from all directions. Zhou Siyu was on the verge of snapping, standing in extreme embarrassment. But being fiercely proud and face-saving, she could only stand there pretending nothing had happened. Caught between a rock and a hard place, she wished she could just vanish into thin air. Ironically, two people had no idea about the embarrassment they were causing, and were discussing side dishes. ¡°Is the spice level here good enough for you?¡± ¡°Not bad, pretty authentic.¡± ¡°Should we get some hot water too? Top-level spice with hot water, it¡¯s euphoric!¡± ¡­ Ignored for so long, Zhou Siyu finally lost patience: ¡°Yeqian¡­¡± The young man lifted his head and gave her a lethargic glance: ¡°Go back first. Don¡¯t wait for me.¡± Zhou Siyu: ¡°¡­¡± Isn¡¯t it clear to everyone that she doesn¡¯t want to leave? Biting her lip, her face turned even more embarrassed. She knew Yeqian wasn¡¯t easy to get along with, but as they were from the same company, he should be giving her some face. The problem was, why was he so close with Qiao Xiaren, joking and laughing during their first meeting! Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?0 Not a rational person to begin with, Zhou Siyu¡¯s suppressed anger burned away her last bit of sanity: ¡°Qiao Xiaren, watch your attitude. I¡¯m your senior. Don¡¯t get arrogant just because you can hold a conversation. Oh, so now that you¡¯re working with the super star Chu, you can ignore everyone else? Do you even understand the basics of social etiquette?¡± Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaren, now looking at Zhou Siyu¡¯s arrogant face, revealed an interested smile: ¡°When have I ignored you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re still denying it, then why¡­¡± Looking at Zhou Siyu¡¯s frustrated face, Qiao Xiaren just smiled faintly: ¡°It wasn¡¯t my fault I didn¡¯t invite you to sit. After all, the person treating today is the great Chu, how could Abby and me, two extras, dare to take the lead?¡± Looking sincere and innocent. Chu, who was still eating, choked on Qiao Xiaren¡¯s words. She just passed the buck to him, he didn¡¯t realise she was also a dark horse! Chu Yifei glanced at the goddess still eating and then looked up: ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but there¡¯s no room.¡± Even if Zhou Siyu¡¯s skin was thick, she couldn¡¯t stay there any longer. Perhaps feeling sorry for Zhou Siyu, Chu Yifei spoke up to her. Zhou Siyu¡¯s foot paused and she felt a little relieved, but just as she was about to reply, she heard Chu Yifei say, ¡°By the way, please pay the bill before you leave. Didn¡¯t you say you were treating?¡± Zhou Siyu¡¯s heart was stabbed painfully. Yes, she did say she was treating, but why did she feel like she was being set up? This blow was too cruel. Zhou Siyu¡¯s smile finally faltered. She pulled out some bills from her bag and placed them on the counter, her feet stomping as if she wished she could stomp a hole in the floor. Looking at Qiao Xiaren, Zhou Siyu suddenly had a wicked idea. A malicious glint flashed in her eyes. She deliberately walked past Qiao Xiaren and feigned a stumble, consequently knocking over the hot soup on the table, straight towards Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face. The boiling soup, if poured directly, would definitely ruin her face! Let¡¯s see if she dares to be so presumptuous! Let¡¯s see if she dares to seduce men! She had wanted to pour this hot soup on this cheap woman¡¯s face for a long time. Seeing the soup pot going straight for Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face, Zhou Siyu felt a wicked pleasure. ¡°Ah¡­¡± The sharp scream of someone, caught everyone¡¯s attention. A woman in a white dress was drenched in bright red soup from head to toe. It looked as if a big bucket of paint had been poured over her, with water dripping continuously. Her dress was crumpled, and bits of food had splattered everywhere. She looked absolutely pathetic. As for Qiao Xiaren, she had already dodged aside the instant the hot pot overturned. Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Framing_1 Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Framing_1 She didn¡¯t even furrow her brows, looking straight at Zhou Siyu who had been drenched by the hotpot soup. She reached out to grab her bag from the chair, but Zhou Siyu bumped into the chair again, causing the bag to drop off the edge. Just then, a gust of wind blew in from outside, blowing out the joss paper that Qiao Xiaren had kept inside her bag and several sheets stuck onto Zhou Siyu¡¯s body. This joss paper was bought by Qiao Xiaren along the way, intended to be burnt as offerings for her master tonight. ¡°Paper? Joss paper? Whose joss paper is this?¡± The boss who had rushed over couldn¡¯t see clearly where the joss paper had come from, even his voice was trembling. Chu Yifei¡¯s eyes held a hint of amusement as he casually looked at Qiao Xiaren. Xiaren¡¯s face was unusually stiff, at a loss for an explanation as she saw the boss¡¯s face turn pale, and the fear prompting his whole body nearly darted out the door. It was ironic that a strong gust of wind happened to blow in from outside, giving a chilling sensation under such circumstances, which was obviously rather inappropriate. ¡°Ah, who pushed me?¡± Zhou Siyu¡¯s sharp scream was filled with inexplicable panic as she fell onto the ground. When the blasted wind had passed, everyone was surprised to find out that not even a single piece of the joss paper that had been scattered on the floor earlier remained. ¡°No way¡­?¡± ¡°Where¡­ where¡­ where¡¯s the joss paper?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?? ¡°Ah!¡± The whole hotpot restaurant began to sink into panic and commotion. A gleam of laughter flashed in Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes, but it was well hidden. She played innocent and added, ¡°Well, actually, I didn¡¯t see any joss paper just now.¡± In reality, while the chaos ensued, Qiao Xiaren had picked up all of the objects. Shit! Damn it! Upon hearing these words, everyone was so scared that they retreated a few steps away from Zhou Siyu. This Zhou Siyu¡­ she couldn¡¯t have been cursed, could she? Thinking about recent news of certain celebrities being cursed, everyone became even more frightened. Abby, scared, leaned towards Qiao Xiaren, seemingly thought of something, and pointed to the young man beside her, ¡°Goddess, that guy Yeqian, he wouldn¡¯t happen to be the famous King Ye, Prince Yeqian, would he?¡± This year, the Capital¡¯s Jiangbei TV station spent big to invite several top-tier celebrities to a New Year¡¯s concert. Among the star-studded lineup were the renowned Mandarin music scene¡¯s Yeqian and the versatile Chu Yifei who acted, sang, and performed. Although Yeqian was young, his international popularity had been soaring recently. With his occasional goofy charm, he became a national Little Prince who appealed to everyone of all ages, both genders. Abby was somewhat shocked and felt a little disoriented. What kind of luck did she have to bump into one big name after another lately? ¡°Qiao Xiaren, stop playing tricks here. You harmed me deliberately by splashing hotpot soup on me!¡± Zhou Siyu completely lost her former adorable and silly image, and she was furiously screeching at Qiao Xiaren. Almost instantly, Zhou Siyu wanted to throw all the blame on Qiao Xiaren. It was as if an inner demon was constantly whispering in her ear to destroy her, destroy her! As soon as Zhou Siyu finished her sentence, everyone present was taken aback. Even Jiang Chen, who was always following Zhou Siyu around as her assistant, couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. He thought carefully and quickly understood Zhou Siyu¡¯s intention. Now that Siyu¡¯s face had been splashed, which was fatal to a celebrity, if the higher-ups at the company were to assign blame, wouldn¡¯t he be the one bearing the brunt of it in the end? Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Kill Whatever We Encounter _1 Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Kill Whatever We Encounter _1 If now, they let Qiao Xiaren take the fall, not only would the company be able to get rid of a thorn in their side, they could also build buzz for the company and Zhou Siyu. Netizens and fans usually side with the underdog. By then, not only would Zhou Siyu¡¯s popularity rise, he wouldn¡¯t be fired due to his job mishap. Seeing Zhou Siyu¡¯s continuous hints compelling him, Jiang Chen instantly caught on. ¡°Miss Zhou, don¡¯t panic, I¡¯ll call the police right away. We won¡¯t let the real culprit get away!¡± Zhou Siyu felt relieved, knowing that Jiang Chen understood her intention. With nearly boiling hotpot soup poured down her, Zhou Siyu¡¯s face had begun to swell, reddening unbearably, much like serious allergy symptoms, which made a shocking sight. ¡°I suggest you get to a hospital quickly.¡± Qiao Xiaren sneered coldly, her bewitching jet-black eyes slowly landing on Zhou Siyu¡¯s face. ¡°Let me remind you, with such hot water splash on your face, your surface skin cells are already burned dead, possibly resulting in blisters, peeling, and deep tissue necrosis. If not properly treated, severe ulceration can occur.¡± Zhou Siyu thought Qiao Xiaren was trying to frighten her, but she was genuinely worried about her face, so immediately said to Jiang Chen: ¡°First, call the police, and then call an ambulance.¡± Jiang Chen nodded, standing in front of Qiao Xiaren, seemingly afraid she might escape. Never having experienced such an incident before, the hotpot restaurant was chaotic. Even the owner was panicking, not knowing what to do, nervously hanging the closed sign out front. In stark contrast, Xiaren remained calm, her eyes filled with silent sarcasm ¨C she didn¡¯t even blink under the various gazes cast her way. She was not really a 17-year-old girl. Being calm and composed was something Zhou Siyu and the like could never achieve. This kind of demeanor manifested strangely in her. Soon, the police and ambulance arrived, and Zhou Siyu was carried onto the ambulance, crying and whimpering. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï ¡°Goddess, what are we going to do?¡± Compared to Xiaren¡¯s calm, Abby seemed a little panicked. Qiao Xiaren patted Abby¡¯s shoulder and looked at Chu Yifei, ¡°You guys go back first. This has nothing to do with you.¡± ¡°Goddess¡­¡± ¡°Listen to me.¡± Qiao Xiaren slightly curved the corner of her lips, conveying tranquility through her gaze. Abby¡¯s inner fear calmed somehow. Regardless of what the Goddess says, she believes unwaveringly! ¡°Looking forward to our next collaboration,¡± Chu Yifei whispered, his handsome face exhibiting more severity and calm, exuding a mature and steady masculinity. ¡°The feeling is mutual.¡± Qiao Xiaren turned around and got into the car with Jiang Chen. Even before entering the entertainment industry, she knew that it was a magnificent killing field. She would encounter all kinds of people, and her rule was to kill anything that threatened her ¨C divine or mortal! ¡ª¡ª The matter blew up. The hospital immediately notified Zhou Siyu¡¯s family and the company. Reporters and fans, having sniffed the news, crowded at the hospital entrance, their tumultuous voices penetrating through the hospital¡¯s walls. When Liu Qiang arrived, he saw only Qiao Xiaren sitting in the hospital¡¯s corridor. The light shone on her, casting a glow on her exquisite face without a trace of makeup, her stunning elegance instantly catching Liu Qiang¡¯s attention. Seemingly hearing the footsteps, Qiao Xiaren turned around. ¡°So you¡¯re Qiao Xiaren?¡± ¡°Yes, I am.¡± Liu Qiang walked over to Qiao Xiaren, his gaze steady, his eyes sparkling with an inscrutable depth. ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re accused of disfiguring Zhou Siyu?¡± The hotpot soup, nearly 100¡ãC, had been on her face for about an hour. You didn¡¯t need to check that her face was ruined. To him, Zhou Siyu, whose face was gone, was just a useless pawn. Qiao Xiaren laughed, ¡°I think Mr. Liu should ask the police for proof. I, for one, will never admit.¡± Liu Qiang smiled deviously, a hint of menace lacing his voice. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, I presume you to be intelligent. You must understand my intent. If I say you¡¯re the instigator, then you are!¡± ¡°Sorry, I couldn¡¯t possibly attack Zhou Siyu because¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren lightly opened her lips, maintaining her elegance, ¡°She! Isn¡¯t! Worthy!¡± ¡°Young lady, don¡¯t be overly arrogant. In this industry, you need to know when to bow and face reality.¡± Liu Qiang, his cunning eyes flashing cold, ¡°Arrogant people won¡¯t have a good ending. If you¡¯re willing to listen to me ¡­¡± ¡°Oh? Do tell?¡± Qiao Xiaren seemed intrigued, prompting him for more. Liu Qiang thought he successfully intimidated Qiao Xiaren, considering she was but a 17-year-old girl. However stubborn, he could tame her. Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Be My Artist_1 Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Be My Artist_1 ¡°Be one of my artists, Xiaren. As long as you are one of my artists, I, Brother Qiang, can fully protect you. From now on, no one would dare lay a finger on you for you will have my protection. In turn, I can elevate you to become a red-hot superstar, even an overnight sensation!¡± There was no warmth in Liu Qiang¡¯s eyes, all he had was calculation and greed. From the moment he learned that Zhou Siyu¡¯s face had been ruined, he had started strategizing. Xiaren¡¯s beautiful face was a surefire weapon he could use to make money and gain wealth! He would never let go of such a stunning beauty! If he could use this body and this face to please the investors, money and fame would be trivial matters. ¡°Oh?¡± As Qiao Xiaren raised her brow, she scrutinized Liu Qiang. Her deep and dark eyes were like a gentle stream in the sunlight, ¡°What if, I refuse?¡± Xiaren spoke slowly and lazily, making those around her envious of her carefree attitude. Liu Qiang was indeed ruthless. Even as Zhou Siyu was still in the operating room, he was already setting his sights on her. Liu Qiang was indeed skilled as an entertainment manager, but everyone knew that he was infamous for pimping. Every time he found a promising talent, he would pimp them out to please the producers and investors. He was as mean-spirited as Qiao Anchu in her previous life. ¡°You won¡¯t agree?¡± Liu Qiang¡¯s eyes darkened, a malicious intent like a poisonous snake surfaced, ¡°If you refuse the toast, then don¡¯t blame me for taking a tougher stance. I could throw you in jail and make sure you never get out! Never doubt my ability to do so.¡± Seeing that Qiao Xiaren remained silent, Liu Qiang¡¯s expression softened a bit. He took out a contract from his briefcase that he had prepared beforehand. ¡°Be a good girl and sign this. It will benefit both of us.¡± His words were laced with coaxing undertones. Qiao Xiaren chuckled lightly, took the contract from Liu Qiang. Liu Qiang¡¯s face broke into a seemingly gentle smile. ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.§ã¦Ï He knew that a small girl like her would never resist the temptation of stardom. Xiaren took the contract. The corners of her lips curled up lazily, ¡°Liu Qiang, before you prey on something, shouldn¡¯t you understand its character? Take me for instance, what I, Qiao Xiaren should or shouldn¡¯t do, I don¡¯t need anyone¡¯s advice. What I want and don¡¯t want, I absolutely don¡¯t need instructions from others!¡± By the end, Xiaren¡¯s voice held a chilling cold, ¡°My life, does not permit anyone else¡¯s interference or planning, understand?¡± While speaking, Qiao Xiaren raised the contract. Shreds of white flew through the air and scattered all around her, accompanied by Xiaren¡¯s icy voice. ¡°Liu Qiang, you are far too presumptuous.¡± Upon hearing this, Liu Qiang¡¯s face became increasingly ugly, appearing almost as if he could eat someone alive. Qiao Xiaren looked at him coldly, her eyes hidden behind her lowered lashes, concealing her contempt and darkness. This countenance was strikingly similar to that of Qiao Anchu in Xiaren¡¯s past life. Despite how much she had suffered, Qiao Anchu still could not spare Xiaren, wishing her to live a life worse than death. Such villains, who targeted others for their own gain, deserved to die! ¡°Qiao Xiaren, you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!¡± Liu Qiang¡¯s face darkened, ¡°It¡¯s you who ruined our Siyu¡¯s face, Qiao Xiaren, prepare yourself for a lifetime behind bars! Siyu could have disputed with you over interests, but she chose not to. Aren¡¯t you too malicious?¡± Acting arrogantly when she has neither influence nor backers? She truly is blind to her circumstances! The words had just left Liu Qiang¡¯s mouth when a burst of camera flashes suddenly appeared. Xiaren furrowed her brow, realizing that at some point the reporters had broken in. They clearly heard Liu Qiang¡¯s previous remark and excitedly pointed their microphones at the two parties involved. Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Evidence in the Mobile Phone_1 Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Evidence in the Mobile Phone_1 Xiaren raised her eyebrows. No wonder Liu Qiang suddenly made that pompous statement. He had timed it to coincide with the arrival of the reporters, intending to frame her in front of the media! What a venomous scheme! Now, even if she were to jump in the Yellow River, she would not be able to cleanse herself! At this point, the police had also arrived at the hospital. They pushed their way through a large crowd of frenzied and excited reporters and stood stern-faced in front of Qiao Xiaren. ¡°Is this Miss Qiao? Someone has filed a report claiming that you deliberately caused harm. Please come with us to the station to investigate the matter.¡± The words of the police made the reporters even more excited. The microphones in front of Qiao Xiaren were like a mountain, and all she could hear were the cacophonous voices of the reporters. ¡°Miss Qiao, is what the policeman and Mr. Liu said, true?¡± ¡°Miss Qiao, can you tell us why you attacked Miss Zhou Siyu?¡± As a model who had just collaborated with the great Chu Yifei, this was certainly explosive news that would attract many viewers! Looking at Liu Qiang¡¯s hypocritical and sinister face, Qiao Xiaren was not the kind to swallow her anger. She brushed back a few loose strands of hair from her forehead. ¡°Since everyone wants to understand what happened, I¡¯m happy to satisfy your curiosity. Regarding my involvement with Miss Zhou, I would like to clarify things here, to prevent certain people with ulterior motives from playing the innocent after doing something malicious!¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s words carried a deeper meaning, directed unmistakably at Zhou Siyu and Liu Qiang! Liu Qiang was immediately flustered, ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense here. It¡¯s crystal clear that you maliciously splashed hot pot soup on Siyu¡¯s face! Such vicious intentions, it¡¯s outrageous!¡± ¡°I splashed her?¡± Qiao Xiaren repeated, seemingly amused, ¡°What about her is worth my bother, is she more beautiful than I am?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Xiaren looked up and smiled. With her back straight, her eyes, pure and clear like a budding sprout. Looking at the beautiful goddess in front of them, the reporters instinctively knew the answer: how could she be more beautiful than you? ¡°She¡¯s not as attractive as me, both Xiaren and Chu Yifei prefer me. So, what is there for me to be jealous of or to destroy her appearance? Usually, only those who feel inferior are jealous of those who are superior to them. Unfortunately, I was born superior.¡± Holy crap! She¡¯s pretty confident! Yet such grace didn¡¯t seem offensive at all. Instead, it seemed perfectly natural. Seeing how the situation was being turned around by Qiao Xiaren, Liu Qiang accused her angrily, ¡°Stop putting on a show in front of everybody. The police are interested in the truth. How can there be a woman as ruthless as you in this world? If Siyu¡¯s face is truly ruined, I will never let you off!¡± ¡°The truth?¡± Qiao Xiaren looked at Liu Qiang. ¡°I¡¯m sure Mr. Liu is aware that the hot pot restaurant has surveillance equipment, right? If you want the truth, let¡¯s watch the surveillance footage from just now. The truth will be revealed soon.¡± ¡°Miss Qiao, we¡¯ve already sent someone to retrieve the surveillance footage. Unfortunately, the restaurant owner said the surveillance equipment was down that day,¡± the police explained. It was down? Qiao Xiaren frowned. What a coincidence! ¡°Miss Qiao, we still need you to come to the station with us,¡± Liu Qiang said with a cold smile on his face. Lowering his voice so that only Qiao Xiaren could hear, he said, ¡°You can always give me a call when you¡¯re ready.¡± He would never leave any incriminating evidence for Qiao Xiaren. He knew Zhou Siyu¡¯s character very well, this was likely a mess she started on her own, but ended up hurting herself instead. Heh~ Xiaren remained calm, speaking in a measured tone loud enough for everyone to hear, ¡°The restaurant might not have any evidence, but my phone does. Conveniently, I managed to record everything when Miss Zhou entered the hot pot restaurant. So, it would soon be clear who¡¯s right and who¡¯s wrong.¡± Qiao Xiaren had never anticipated things would turn out like this. It was just that the lessons of her past life taught her how unpredictable people could be. Even if you don¡¯t harm them, they might still wish to see you dead. Hence, the moment Zhou Siyu walked in, she discreetly started recording a video on her phone, capturing everything and keeping this card up her sleeve. Once she finished speaking, Liu Qiang¡¯s complexion drastically changed. He looked as if he had seen a ghost, his eyes fixed on Qiao Xiaren, appearing somewhat skeptical about what kind of footage she could produce on her phone. Qiao Xiaren took her phone out from her bag and opened the video section. Her steady demeanor drove Liu Qiang to the edge, his face turning ashen and his heart restless. Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Liu Qiang Loses Control_1 Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Liu Qiang Loses Control_1 ¡°Qiao Xiaren, you¡¯ve almost ruined Siyu¡¯s face, and yet you dare to shirk your responsibility here. Do you have any conscience at all? Is this how your parents raised you?¡± Veins were popping out on Liu Qiang¡¯s forehead as he reached to snatch the cellphone from Qiao Xiaren¡¯s hands. Fortunately, Xiaren was quick to dodge, preventing him from succeeding. ¡°Mr. Liu, why do you seem so uneasy? You¡¯re trying to slander me with mere words, but do you think you can get away with it so easily?¡± Qiao Xiaren chuckled coldly, even the police found Liu Qiang¡¯s behavior weird at this moment. Liu Qiang stammered, his face turning purple, ¡°What do I have to be guilty about? It was you who harmed our Siyu¡­¡± He never thought this young girl would outsmart him, especially since she was only 17, she was incredibly cunning. If she really did have a video, wouldn¡¯t he and Zhou Siyu both be doomed? Every action of a entertainer could impact their future, once their reputation suffers, nobody can save Zhou Siyu! And him, the company¡¯s higher ups won¡¯t keep an agent who indirectly ruined the career of their artist! ¡°Since you can¡¯t speak for yourself, let me speak on your behalf.¡± Qiao Xiaren handed the video over to the police, ¡°Mr. Liu, you dare to criticize my parents¡¯ way of raising their child? Look at yourself first! You always plan on harming others, even as an artist. As the saying goes,¡¯If the beam is crooked, the crossbeam will be askew.¡¯ If you ever have a child, that child would be a misfortune to others throughout their life!¡± ¡°What did you say? Shut up!¡± Liu Qiang never thought he, a man in his forties, could be provoked by a girl of 17 into losing control; he lunged irrationally towards Qiao Xiaren. Of course, the police wouldn¡¯t let him succeed and reached out to stop him. Liu Qiang, now devoid of sanity, rushed forwards with all his might. Surprisingly, the police couldn¡¯t stop the wildly charging man and only managed to grab hold of his sleeve. Liu Qiang lunged at Qiao Xiaren, his demeanor like a vengeful ghost wanting to tear her apart. Xiaren¡¯s lips tightened slightly as she gracefully sidestepped. Unable to stop, Liu Qiang fell hard onto the ground. Seeing the commotion, the flashes from the press started to go off frequently and the sound of camera shutters started to intensify. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.?¦Ï Underneath the multitude of camera flashes and video cameras, Qiao Xiaren remained calm and collected. Her serene beauty made the reporters unable to resist focusing their cameras on her. ¡°Mr. Policeman, Mr. Liu seems overly agitated. Perhaps you should take him back for some thorough questioning? After all, his current state really does look like he¡¯s fallen into his own trap!¡± The policeman opened the video on the cellphone. Despite some shakiness, the footage was clear enough to see each person¡¯s movements. It was obvious, Zhou Siyu was the one with ill intentions but ended up hurting himself! This was one hell of a scoop! The reporters were unable to contain their excitement and started to point their microphones at Liu Qiang, ¡°Mr. Liu, can you tell us what really happened? Is it like Miss Qiao said, that you fell into your own trap?¡± ¡°She¡¯s just spouting nonsense, there¡¯s no truth to it!¡± ¡°What about the video?¡± ¡°She faked it! This never happened!¡± Seeing Liu Qiang still blathering, Qiao Xiaren made a sarcastic remark in response: ¡°A fake? Can you fabricate a video in such a short time? Mr. Liu, are you so guilty now that you can¡¯t even speak coherently?¡± Things took a swift turn, and the police realized the situation wasn¡¯t as simple as they¡¯d thought, instructing both parties to return home while they investigated further. Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Who is in the Car _1 Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Who is in the Car _1 ¡°Since I am no longer involved in this, I¡¯m leaving.¡± Qiao Xiaren shot a cold glare at Liu Qiang, who had orchestrated this entire charade, before she turned and walked away with grace. ¡°Qiao Xiaren!¡± Liu Qiang, unwilling to give up, attempted to retort, but he was swarmed and kept at bay by a throng of reporters. ¡°Mr. Liu, can you provide any details about Ms. Zhou¡¯s disfiguration due to this burn injury?¡± ¡°Mr. Liu, are there any misunderstandings between Ms. Zhou and Ms. Qiao?¡± ¡°Mr. Liu¡­¡± Liu Qiang was in for an endless storm of trouble and distress. Upon leaving the hospital, Qiao Xiaren slipped past the noise and chaos, heading towards a nearby bus station to return to school. The LED display on the square was promoting the ancient costume drama ¡°Dragon Girl¡±. The beautiful images, exquisite background music, and moving love story stirred up deep emotions in people. Looking at the flickering images on the LED screen, Qiao Xiaren was suddenly reminded of the dazzling stage from her past life, with fans screaming crazily below. She remembered how her mentor taught her earnestly when she was required to reflect on her actions while facing the wall. ¡°Xiaren, if you have a dream in your heart, hold onto it as long as you can. Let bygones be bygones when it comes to the past. Only love and dreams should never be neglected. Look at the path beneath your feet, and raise your head to look at the sky sometimes, maybe you will find a different life.¡± The glamorous stage, that was her dream. ¡°Master, I will remember your teachings.¡± For the first time, Xiaren¡¯s tears began to flow, emitting a dazzling light like diamonds, refracting self-confidence and composure. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?¦Ï.?¦Ï Unbeknownst to Qiao Xiaren, a black sedan had parked beside her. The car window slowly descended to reveal the silhouette of the person inside. ¡°Xiaren!¡± Looking at the slightly familiar face that came into her view, Qiao Xiaren was stunned. Si Zhilan? No wonder she barely recognized her. Si Zhilan often donned a military uniform in Shanshui Town, appearing like a tomboy. Now, in her feminine attire, she looked like the girl next door instead. ¡°Is it really you? What a coincidence.¡± Seeing Xiaren seemed to bring great joy to Si Zhilan, who swiftly exited the car with a handbag in tow after unlocking the door. ¡°Miss Si.¡± ¡°Why the formality? Just call me Zhilan.¡± Si Zhilan took Qiao Xiaren¡¯s hand and behaved very warmly. Xiaren felt a bit awkward but looking at Si Zhilan¡¯s face, she could not bear to push her away, and gently curved her lips. Si Zhilan looked at her, ¡°Xiaren, after parting in Shanshui Town last time, I never thought I¡¯d see you again in this life. My parents heard about you saving me and they wanted to meet and thank you personally. Now seems like a good time for us to have a meal together. Come, I¡¯ll take you to meet my parents!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not necessary, Zhilan. It wasn¡¯t a big deal.¡± Although Qiao Xiaren attempted to reject the offer, Si Zhilan didn¡¯t mind and looked particularly sincere, ¡°Xiaren, my parents really want to meet you. They have no other intention, they just want to thank you in person.¡± With things having gone this far, Qiao Xiaren wasn¡¯t one to make a fuss, so she acquiesced, ¡°Alright, please thank your uncle and aunt for me.¡± ¡°You agreed? That¡¯s great, get in the car Xiaren, they¡¯ll be so happy to see you.¡± Si Zhilan seemed visibly elated as she walked around to the driver¡¯s seat. Her parents must really love this daughter of theirs, Xiaren contemplated, a pang of envy suddenly welled up within her. She walked to the back seat and bent over to get in. She didn¡¯t notice the victorious smirk Si Zhilan sported in the driver¡¯s seat. Just as she sat down in the back seat, Xiaren immediately sensed an unusual aura about the surroundings. As she turned her head, her gaze met a pair of deep, black eyes. The man, with his half-closed starry eyes and slender fingers resting on the back seat, tapped rhythmically with an air of nonchalance. His side face was bathed in the soft glow, his refined and sleek features radiated an aura of cool and aloofness. Qiao Xiaren suddenly tensed. Why hadn¡¯t Si Zhilan told her that Si Limo was in the car?! Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Man who Says One Thing but Means Another_1 Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Man who Says One Thing but Means Another_1 Qiao Xiaren froze, an uncommon sight. Unlike the cold, stiff military uniform he had worn when they first met, he was now draped in a deep gray trench coat, tailor-made, accentuating his figure, exuding a sense of modesty and nobility. A faint aroma lingered around his nostrils, entwining with a bewitching aura. The handsome face before her eyes was unparalleled in its glory, its slight gleam perfectly concealing the underlying chill and ruthlessness. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be here? Comparatively speaking, it¡¯s more curious as to why you¡¯re here.¡± The deep voice retorted in her ear, only then did Qiao Xiaren realize this man was closer to her than expected. Without a peep, she shuffled a little further way. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for the bus.¡± ¡°After you get on the bus, do you always look for something to hold on to?¡± Si Limo asked, his expression unchanged. His eyes drop to look at her hand. Only then did Qiao Xiaren notice that her hand was still resting on his. Beneath her palm was the warm, jade-like sensation of the man¡¯s hand. She seemed able to feel the tenderness and strength of his fingers. His hand, coincidentally, was placed on the real leather seat. ¡°Sorry.¡± As if electrocuted, Qiao Xiaren swiftly pulled her hand away, staring fixedly at the scenery ahead. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± He looked at her calmly, barely smiled, his eyes shining faintly like a thin mist. The warmth vanished from his hand, as though he wasn¡¯t quite used to the absence. Qiao Xiaren gave a forced laugh: ¡°I was just being polite, don¡¯t take it personally.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Si Zhilan, who had been carefully listening to their conversation, suddenly broke into laughter. But at seeing Si Limo¡¯s stern face in the rearview mirror, she choked back her laughter, ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Just carry on, I¡¯m not laughing at you.¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡­ ¡°Ignore her.¡± Si Limo withdrew his gaze and began to openly survey the person in front of him. As if recalled something, he placed the instant hot milk tea he was holding in her hand. He looked at her confused gaze, the tips of his ears seemed to redden slightly, but his face remained serious, revealing no hint of any abnormality. ¡°Zhilan bought this on the way here. It¡¯s too sweet for my taste, I don¡¯t like it.¡± Si Zhilan: ¡°¡­¡± Who¡¯s the man who asked to stop the car on the road to buy milk tea? Oh dear brother of mine, you¡¯re right, girls need to be coaxed, but you¡¯ve got to speak up! Si Zhilan groaned inwardly. It seems, her brother¡¯s life-long happiness still depends on her. Qiao Xiaren felt the warmth in her hands. The man turned his face to the side, casting a dark shadow with his long eyelashes. ¡°Thank you.¡± They soon arrived at the entrance of the Si Family residence. Si Zhilan got out of the car and diligently held the car door open for Qiao Xiaren. ¡°Young Master, Miss, you¡¯re back.¡± The refined butler was standing at the entrance with a kind smile on his face. ¡°Where are our parents?¡± Si Zhilan, pandering Qiao Xiaren forward, introduced, ¡°Butler, this is Xiaren, her surname is Qiao.¡± ¡°Nice to meet you, Miss Qiao.¡± ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± ¡°The Madam and her husband have just returned from a meeting and are currently in the study.¡± The butler was somewhat curious about Qiao Xiaren, especially since she was brought back by Si Limo. The Si family¡¯s house was expansive and its layout was slightly different from most; spacious, weighty but still elegant and tastefully decorated. Verdant trees surrounded the iron gates, with brilliant red-thorny rosaries ensnaring the front. ¡°Dad, Mom!¡± Si Zhilan sprinted all the way, while Si Limo, his hands in his trench coat pockets, followed leisurely behind. The Madam of the Si family had heard her daughter¡¯s voice from afar. She pushed open the door to the study and walked onto the balcony. Under the lush potted plants, she saw that familiar, beaming face. Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Mrs. Si_1 Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Mrs. Si_1 Lady Si looked surprisingly youthful for her age, her inherent elegance and aura of nobility radiating silently. Naturally, she also exuded the intimidating air inherent to the well-born. The Si Family was a family with a complex background, being of nobility automatically came with an air of dominance, thus, they inherently possessed a somewhat awe-inspiring aura. ¡°Mom, this is Xiaren I told you about. If not for Xiaren saving me last time, your daughter wouldn¡¯t have been able to make it back alive.¡± Si Zhilan playfully hugged her mother¡¯s arm. Lady Si reluctantly extended a finger to tap Zhilan¡¯s forehead, ¡°Stop talking nonsense, you¡¯re too old to act spoiled.¡± Ever since Zhilan returned from Shanshui Town with her brother last time, she seemed to have become a different person from head to toe. The experience had made her more mature and stable, but also more cheerful. ¡°Good day, Lady Si.¡± Upon hearing the greeting, Lady Si lifted her head, her sharp and cold eyes scanning Xiaren from top to bottom. It felt as if she was seeing through Xiaren, as if she were unclothed, knowing everything about her. ¡°So you are Xiaren. There¡¯s something very likeable about this child. I didn¡¯t have the chance to thank you in person for last time. Without you, we really wouldn¡¯t have known what to do with Zhilan.¡± ¡°No need to thank me, ma¡¯am, it was a small matter.¡± In Qiao Xiaren¡¯s view, it was merely a mutual exchange. She had saved Si Zhilan, and in return could benefit from the Si family¡¯s favour. Additionally, she had severed the link to Qiao Anchu, who could have potentially used this as a motive to make his move. Why wouldn¡¯t she be willing? Lady Si suddenly smiled, her dominating aura disappearing as she naturally and affectionately held Qiao Xiaren¡¯s hand. Her hand was soft; it felt maternal. Xiaren felt a strange stirring in her heart, softening her from within. Si Zhilan suddenly interjected, ¡°Oh Xiaren, you and my mom are really meant to be. She hasn¡¯t ever taken a liking to another girl in all these years. Mom, since you like Xiaren so much, why don¡¯t you just accept her as your daughter-in-law?¡± Qiao Xiaren choked on Si Zhilan¡¯s words, about to say something when she was interrupted by Lady Si¡¯s slightly surprised voice, ¡°Zhilan, are you serious?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã0 Lady Si took Xiaren¡¯s hand again, her gaze focused on her, ¡°Xiaren, would you really be willing to be our Si family¡¯s daughter-in-law? That would be wonderful! If I had a daughter-in-law like you, I would be truly blessed!¡± Ever since they left Shanshui Town, Zhilan had been singing Xiaren¡¯s praises to her parents. Now meeting her in person, she was indeed exactly as they had imagined. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s smile stiffened. When had she ever said she was willing? In the middle of their conversation, Si Limo strode over to Xiaren, his tall figure towering over her, ¡°Mom, this is Xiaren¡¯s first visit, don¡¯t scare her.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s smile grew even more forced. His words sounded ambiguous, as if she was really visiting her future mother-in-law for the first time. ¡°Look at me, getting ahead of myself.¡± Lady Si gently stroked the back of Xiaren¡¯s hand, her smile growing even more tender, ¡°Aunt Lan has prepared lunch, let¡¯s eat first.¡± Without another word, Lady Si warmly led Xiaren by the hand towards the living room. Taking advantage of Lady Si leaving, Si Zhilan pulled her aside to whisper, ¡°Xiaren, my mom isn¡¯t usually easy to get along with, it¡¯s rare for you to please her so much. It¡¯s all thanks to me singing your praises in front of her, so she has a good impression of you. Xiaren, you don¡¯t have to thank me too much!¡± For the happiness of her brother, she¡¯d really put in a lot of effort behind the scenes; you know! Qiao Xiaren was left speechless for a moment, deciding to simply stand aside and listen to Si Zhilan speak with a subtle smile on her face. Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Seems Familiar_1 Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Seems Familiar_1 The dinner was quite pleasant, although Qiao Xiaren did not get to meet the Si Family¡¯s patriarch throughout. She had heard that he was a very strict person ¨C once a formidable figure on the battlefield and still influential in the military and political circles even after retiring from the frontlines. Xiaren didn¡¯t know what Si Zhilan had said to Lady Si to endear herself to her, but as the dinner wore on, Lady Si looked at her with affection, treating her as if she were her own daughter. ¡°Limo, kindly see Xiaren home for me.¡± When Lady Si approached the door, she seemed to remember something and looked over her shoulder at her son, Si Limo. The corners of his lips curled up in a barely visible smirk, his expression icy. ¡°No need, I can take a taxi at the front door.¡± ¡°How can there be no need? Do as I say.¡± Lady Si insisted before looking at her silent son walking towards the garage. She felt relieved; her son was finally showing some responsibility. For some reason, Xiaren seemed oddly familiar to her, especially her eyes. They were deep and dark, making one¡¯s heart skip a beat. They reminded her of someone from her past. An image seemed to flicker in her mind, only to disappear as quickly as it arrived. Meanwhile, Qiao Xiaren no longer felt compelled to refuse and followed a few steps behind Si Limo. ¡°How have you been?¡± The sudden question caused Xiaren¡¯s eyebrows to flutter. She looked at the man next to her thoughtfully before replying: ¡°Not too bad.¡± ¡°Not too bad?¡± He stopped in his tracks, his narrow eyes giving her a scrutinizing look. ¡°Are you sure¡­ that¡¯s what you would call ¡®not too bad¡¯?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?? It was clear that Si Limo was referring to the incident with Zhou Siyu. ¡°This is how the entertainment industry works, glamorous on the outside, brutal competition on the inside. But there¡¯s nobody who can play me.¡± Xiaren¡¯s expression was calm and her eyes, filled with brilliant light, met his gaze steadily. She seemed as though she was about to drown him in her vast, cerulean depths. ¡°Nobody can play you?¡± Si Limo repeated her words, his eyes, now darker, studied her face closely. ¡°Do you really think you¡¯re that strong? Unexpected things happen all the time in this industry. Do you really think you can control everything? You¡¯re beautiful, but still a woman. The entertainment world is like walking on thin ice, and if you¡¯re not careful¡­¡± On hearing this, Xiaren¡¯s smile widened and she replied with a playful tilt of her head, ¡°Thank you for complimenting my looks.¡± ¡°¡­Can you please pay attention to what I¡¯m saying!¡± Si Limo frowned slightly, but deep down, he felt a strange sense of warmth towards this defiant girl. He felt a pang of concern, even though she probably didn¡¯t need it. But he knew, Xiaren was far from weak. She was strong-willed, confident, and the dazzling stage seemed to be made for her, allowing her to shine in her own light and gain the recognition she sought. ¡°I know.¡± Xiaren lifted up her beautiful, radiant face, ¡°Thank you. You don¡¯t have to worry about me. I have held this belief all along ¨C ¡®Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown¡¯. I¡¯m in pursuit of a single goal, the title of ¡®the King¡¯.¡± ¡°The King?¡± Si Limo¡¯s gaze softened, and the corners of his mouth twitched as his dark eyes stayed firmly on her. ¡°The King¡­¡± ¡°Yes, the King.¡± Xiaren¡¯s dazzling smile emanated an inner confidence and calmness, and it was hard not to believe in her. Yes, she was determined to defy her past life and reclaim her crown. ¡°I believe you because the stage shines because of you.¡± Si Limo was captivated by the expression on her face. No woman had ever made him feel this way. It was like basking in the morning light, a feeling so comfortable he sought to be closer. He had seen her dance and not believing, he stared at her photos for an entire night, not catching a wink of sleep. Even his posture on the couch and the focus in his eyes remained unaltered; it was as if he could never get enough of staring at her. Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The Fated Feeling_1 Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The Fated Feeling_1 It was as though some predestined whimsical feeling was working in the shadows. ¡°Thank you, I didn¡¯t expect you to be so articulate.¡± Qiao Xiaren gave a sideways smile as she brushed her loose strands of hair behind her ears. Si Limo turned his face to her, his ear inexplicably reddened, the contrast of his demure blush and his icy expression strangely captivating. The driver trailing behind them couldn¡¯t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth: why did he get the impression that some woman was teasing their young master? What was behind this flirtatious tone? The women these days are truly skilled at flirting with both genders. Poor master Si, the redness in his ears said it all. ¡°Give me the keys,¡± he ordered. A reserved voice sounded, and the driver looked up to see master Si¡¯s elegant hand extended in his direction. The driver understood immediately and handed the car keys to him. Only when Si Limo and Qiao Xiaren¡¯s figures ultimately faded away did the driver realize: clearly, master Si wanted some alone time with her. The white Bentley swiftly traversed the highway. Her hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, exuding a subtle and elegant scent unlike the cosmetic products of ordinary women. Si Limo could smell her fragrance infiltrating his nostrils; he breathed it in almost greedily. He suddenly didn¡¯t want to leave her side, finding himself under some sort of spell, unable to articulate the nature of what he was feeling. The scenery outside raced backward. Eventually, they arrived at Capital High School. Qiao Xiaren unbuckled her seatbelt and bid farewell to Si Limo with a smile. When a car like this parks outside, naturally it drew many curious gazes, yet all they could see were hazy silhouettes and shadows. ¡°Jianian, isn¡¯t that your class¡¯s new dazzling flower?¡± A group of young boys, their backpacks slung over their shoulders, couldn¡¯t resist stopping their bicycles at the sight of the impressive car. Their natural fascination for cars was evident. With one foot on the ground and the other one resting on a pedal, they stared in curiosity. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï Upon seeing the girl¡¯s profile, Sheng Ming squinted and nudged the boy standing next to him. Ye Jianian squinted at the girl stepping out of the Bentley with a questioning frown ¨C it was actually Qiao Xiaren! ¡°So it really is her!¡± Ye Jianian¡¯s face hardened; he lost all interest in the car and immediately cycled towards the school via a small shaded path. Alighting from a luxury car signified either she was a mistress to some rich man or had been chosen by some old man. No wonder she had looked down on him with such arrogance earlier. So she was nothing more than a gold-digging harlot! Ye Jianian walked into the classroom with his bag, his eyes scanning for Qiao Xiaren only to find she wasn¡¯t there. He tossed his bag onto his desk, his frustration needing an outlet. ¡°Class President Ye, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Upon spotting Ye Jianian, Ye Qing¡¯s eyes lit up and he immediately approached him with an attentive smile. ¡°Ye Qing, have you seen Qiao Xiaren?¡± Ye Jianian¡¯s expression softened slightly, but it was still clouded with a dreary hue. ¡°Qiao Xiaren? I haven¡¯t seen her.¡± Ye Qing smiled with a slight shift of his gaze, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because she¡¯s teaming up with the renowned actor Chu. She acts like she¡¯s above others, not even practicing basic singing and dancing skills diligently. If her abilities get rusty, I¡¯m sure the Film Academy will reject her ¨C what a pity.¡± Ye Qing couldn¡¯t help but take some pleasure in her potential downfall. Let Qiao Xiaren think highly of herself! Their school¡¯s Film Academy was incredibly competitive. Only twenty spots were available per cohort ¨C not to mention countless hours practicing in front of the mirror, they wished their classmates would fall behind. Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Great Job_1 Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Great Job_1 As soon as Bin Xia, Huo Xiaoning and Zhao Mei stepped in, they heard Ye Qing speaking ill of Qiao Xiaren from the seats behind the door. Their faces instantly turned sour. A bottle of mineral water landed with a ¡®thud¡¯ on the table in front of them, startling both Ye Qing and Ye Jianian. Looking up, Ye Qing met three bright and pretty faces. They were definitely not friendly. ¡°Ye, the academic representative, did your parents teach you to gossip about others behind their backs?¡± Huo Xiaoning was always rather straightforward and sharp-tongued. Ye Qing, choked for words in front of Ye Jianian, couldn¡¯t help but retort, ¡°Creating cliques in class? What, Huo Xiaoning, do you actually regard Qiao Xiaren as a goddess? I really don¡¯t understand¨C can anyone casually be crowned a goddess?¡± ¡°So what if she is?¡± Huo Xiaoning slapped the table, exuding a strong aura. ¡°You can talk about me, but you cannot badmouth my goddess! Casually? If you think it¡¯s easy, how about you go ahead and make people respect you as a goddess? Are you so jealous that it¡¯s now unacceptable for others to look good?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Seeing that Zhao Mei and Bin Xia also chimed in, while Ye Jianian had no intention of defending her, Ye Qing¡¯s eyes reddened with grievance. She argued back, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m not as attractive as her, but that doesn¡¯t mean you have to come over and humiliate me. Is this fun to you?¡± After speaking, Ye Qing began to sob as though she had suffered a great grievance. At this moment, when class was about to start, her crying attracted a number of onlookers. ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense!¡± Huo Xiaoning immediately became infuriated upon hearing this. She hadn¡¯t expected Ye Qing to be such a manipulative person. They had just come to stop her from talking behind their goddess¡¯s back, yet she had turned it around to accuse them of humiliating her? ¡°Stop crying.¡± Ye Jianian gently patted Ye Qing¡¯s back. The image of a victim was vivid in her performance. Everyone was classmates, and no one wanted to make things so nasty. They even thought that Huo Xiaoning had said something to make Ye Qing angry. ¡°Huo Xiaoning, you should apologize.¡± ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s no need to have such a falling out among classmates¡­¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??0.§ã0 ¡°Why should I apologize?¡± Huo Xiaoning retorted angrily. ¡°Unbelievable, she really is a two-faced hypocrite! Dare you say again what you just said?¡± Ye Qing remained silent, crying even harder. Qiao Xiaren entered the classroom just as the bell rang. Almost simultaneously, all eyes landed on the girl who was slowly walking in. ¡°What happened? Why is everyone gathered here?¡± Her calm and gentle voice was exceptionally soothing. The students instinctively made way, and the whole classroom fell silent, save for the sound of Ye Qing¡¯s sobbing. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, you¡¯re finally here.¡± Ye Jianian looked over, his eyes filled with complex emotions. ¡°This situation started because of you, so you need to solve it. It would be best if you apologize to Ye.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes flickered with confusion as she glanced at Ye Qing. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, we may not be as pretty as you, but do you really need to humiliate me in front of everyone?¡± Ye Qing looked somewhat hysterical, her lips quivering as she glared at Qiao Xiaren, looking extremely pitiful. As she finished speaking, Ye Qing once again burst into tears. ¡°Stop playing the victim, it was clearly you who¡­¡± Huo Xiaoning was about to curse, when she felt a slender hand lightly touch her shoulder and gently pull her back. Looking up, she saw that Qiao Xiaren had moved in front of her. ¡°Thanks, I¡¯ll handle this.¡± In an instant, an image of the formidable goddess Qiao sprang up in the hearts of Huo Xiaoning, Bin Xia, and the others. Wow, the goddess was really impressive! Was she going to protect them? She was indeed awesome! Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Is There Something Wrong?_1 Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Is There Something Wrong?_1 Qiao Xiaren¡¯s gaze fell on Ye Qing, her lips gently revealing a hint of a smile. The mockery in her eyes passed quickly. In her previous life in the entertainment industry, Ye Qing would often use sympathetic pleas to win the favor of others. She remembered when Ye Qing made her debut, she latched onto a prestigious drama producer to gain her footing in the business. A myriad of rumors emerged afterward, and most of the roles she played were in low-budget web series. However, when the right opportunity came along, Ye Qing gained significant fame for her role in a large-scale historical palace drama called ¡°Weng Zifu,¡± where she played one of the concubines. As soon as she rose to fame, numerous scandals from her past were exposed. Her company worked hard to clear her name and, unexpectedly, Miss Ye was smart enough to play the victim, winning over a legion of fans and successfully whitewashing her reputation. Looking back, those tears really did wonders. Black history could be whitewashed with tears, and even the truth could be turned into a lie with crying. ¡°Miss Ye, could you please tell me why Xiaoning and the others would openly call you ugly?¡± Qiao Xiaren spoke lightly, seemingly curious. Why? Because she had badmouthed Qiao Xiaren! Ye Qing¡¯s face darkened, but she couldn¡¯t voice the truth. The voice was calm, devoid of much emotion, yet the mention of the word ¡°ugly¡± pierced straight to Ye Qing¡¯s heart. She bit her lip, her fingers slowly clenched into a fist, and she scoffed, ¡°Miss Qiao, why are you pretending? Weren¡¯t you the one who had them demean me? What does it matter that you are beautiful? I haven¡¯t done anything to you. Do you find this kind of humiliation amusing?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Qiao Xiaren appeared quite surprised, a marvelous smile on her face, her gaze deep and profound. ¡°Miss Ye, I don¡¯t need to degrade you in such a childish way, being beautiful is already a fact for me. I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not interested in using such a fact to humiliate you.¡± The last sentence from Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips accompanied by a slight laugh made her crimson lips even more radiant, her skin was luminous, making everyone¡¯s heart flutter. Ye Qing, whose tears seemed like they were under control as if by a switch, couldn¡¯t shed a tear. She was just stonily staring at the person in front of her. Contempt? Despise? Qiao Xiaren just stood there, without even bothering to raise her eyelids, her arrogant demeanor seemed to scorn everyone. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Amidst Ye Qing¡¯s stupor, Qiao Xiaren casually shrugged, ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m going back to my seat.¡± ¡­ Watching Qiao Xiaren return to her seat and casually tidy up her desk as if nothing had happened, left everyone in a state of disbelief. The powerful and domineering Queen Qiao has ended the drama just like that? Everyone, as if in a dream, slowly returned to their seats, their minds churning with memories of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s arrival until the teacher entered the classroom, bringing them back to reality. Those sitting close to her stared at the elegance she exuded. Their hearts roared with jealousy. How could she be so cool and brazen? Even though she seemed arrogant, why was her appearance so destructively handsome? At her desk, Qiao Xiaren was diligently doing her work. Ye Jianian watched her long eyelashes, calm yet beautiful. His heart clenched as he remembered her getting out of that car earlier. ¡°Teacher.¡± Ye Jianian abruptly stood up, naturally attracting the attention of the teacher: ¡°Class president, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Implicit Sarcasm_1 Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Implicit Sarcasm_1 ¡°I don¡¯t want to share a desk with Qiao anymore.¡± Ye Jianian stated his wish without any hint of subtlety, expressing himself in a crude and straightforward manner. The teacher blinked, glancing first at the ever-indifferent Qiao Xiaren, then returning her gaze to Ye Jianian, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I think, considering the kind of high-status person Qiao is, she must not be able to tolerate someone like me. I might as well take the initiative to move away to avoid being a nuisance,¡± replied Ye Jianian. His tone was filled with clear sarcasm, detectable by anyone. Qiao Xiaren almost burst into laughter. How did she manage to offend Ye Jianian? Was his life at risk if he did not find trouble with her? Everybody knew that Ye Jianian¡¯s mother was a manager of a state-owned company, and his father was some sort of bureau leader. In the art class, this was considered a high social ranking. But now he was purposely demeaning himself to aggrandize Qiao Xiaren, inevitably leading to speculation. Teacher Li adjusted her glasses awkwardly and gave a slight cough. She knew well that Qiao Xiaren, although a promising talent, possibly ended up in this prestigious school because of someone else¡¯s influence. Qiao Xiaren was at a loss. Why did Ye Jianian persistently antagonize her? If he wanted to change seats, he could have privately requested the teacher. Exposing his intention in public would only stir up unnecessary discussions about her. However, Qiao Xiaren generally ignored insignificant people, as long as their actions were not too excessive. She had too many other things to worry about to give attention to these individuals and their actions. ¡°Your thoughts?¡± Teacher Li turned her gaze to Qiao Xiaren. Xiaren showed no sign of panic, and simply stood up and replied elegantly, ¡°I have no objection.¡± In fact, she didn¡¯t want to see Ye Jianian¡¯s hypocritical face. Finding that both parties had no objections, Teacher Li naturally didn¡¯t say anything, and directly let them exchange seats according to their own wishes. Ye Jianian looked at Qiao Xiaren, his eyes a bit chilly. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã? He started packing up his bag, as if he couldn¡¯t stand being next to Qiao Xiaren for another second. Nobody expected Ye Jianian to start packing up his things on the spot. This was obviously an attempt to embarrass Qiao Xiaren. Bin Xia was about to interfere but was held back by Huo Xiaoning. It was better to keep quiet at times like this, especially since they had the goddess Qiao. Ye Jianian intentionally made noise as he packed up, but Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t even look up. This made Ye Jianian even more frustrated, and he hastily retreated to the back row. Earlier in the day, many boys had spotted Qiao Xiaren emerging from a luxurious car. Now, surely no boy would be willing to sit with her. Imagining the awkward scene of Qiao Xiaren sitting alone, Ye Jianian felt a wave of satisfaction. Backpack in hand, he took a seat next to Ye Qing. Seeing the boy she admired choosing to sit with her, Ye Qing¡¯s mood lifted, and her eyes were filled with affection. Teacher Li adjusted her glasses, glancing around the room; she found it strange that no boys volunteered to sit with Qiao Xiaren. The class had a rule that boys and girls must sit together. Bai Xinran, observing the situation, stood up and looked around, ¡°What, no boys want to sit with Xiaren? Qiao is quite a beauty. Don¡¯t tell me none of you boys want to be seated next to a beautiful girl?¡± Bai Xinran spoke loudly, obviously trying to add to Qiao Xiaren¡¯s embarrassment. Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Green Hat_1 Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Green Hat_1 Those boys glanced at each other, all with an unwilling look. Zhao Mei couldn¡¯t understand, usually these boys would do anything to be close to them, why have they changed today? Of course, they didn¡¯t know that Ye Jianian had posted a speculative message about Qiao Xiaren getting out of a luxury car in the boys¡¯ group chat. They called her a gold-digger, superficial and vain. Some boys even maliciously speculated that an older man was interested in Qiao Xiaren. This is common among losers who resent the rich and resent women who try to climb the social ladder. Now, no matter how attractive Qiao Xiaren is, they would intentionally isolate her. Ye Qing and Bai Xinran looked at Qiao Xiaren¡¯s awkward scene with a smug smile, clearly reveling in the situation. The corner of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s mouth twitched slightly. She looked at Bai Xinran with cold eyes. No wonder Bai Xinran was able to form such a close friendship with Ye Qing in her previous life. Their shared malice made them a perfect match! Zhang Hong furrowed his brows slightly, his handsome face devoid of much emotion. Rising to his feet, he dragged his school bag and took a seat next to Qiao Xiaren. ¡°Xiaren, I¡¯ll be your deskmate from now on. Please guide me a lot.¡± Zhang Hong turned his face, and a slightly green smile appeared on his fair, handsome face. Such a pure and beautiful smile touched Qiao Xiaren¡¯s heart, and a warm current slowly passed through her. This feeling was very different. Like being surrounded by disgusting black mud, but a ray of sunshine is warmly scattered on her. She, who had experienced such darkness, greatly cherished it. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?? ¡°Thank you, Zhang Hong, really, thank you.¡± Qiao Xiaren said seriously. Those bright and clear eyes were like pearls glistening under the calm stream, radiating light. ¡°There¡¯s no need to thank me.¡± Zhang Hong smiled shyly, and his pale face blushed slightly. Ms. Li breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the podium to continue teaching. No matter how reluctantly Ye Qing and others were, they had to grit their teeth and continue the class, yet they learned nothing. After barely getting through the 40-minute class, as soon as the teacher stepped out, the eerie voice of Bai Xinran resonated, ¡°Good for you, Zhang Hong, to be the deskmate of Qiao Xiaren. If you like her, there¡¯s no need to be so self-deprecating. Be careful in future not to be cuckolded unawares. After all, she did get out of a¡­¡± Youths are generally naive, but from Bai Xinran¡¯s mouth always popped out defaming words about Qiao Xiaren, as if Qiao Xiaren owed her something. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face was expressionless, and her gaze turned colder: ¡°So, being a deskmate with someone means you are into them? Then, with all the boys you have sat with, did you like them all at some point or have they all been cuckolds?¡± High school students are reluctant to even utter the words ¡°young love,¡± yet Bai Xinran was so shameless, deliberately making their relationship sound ambiguous. ¡°Exactly!¡± Huo Xiaoning angrily chimed in on behalf of Qiao Xiaren, ¡°Bai Xinran, you¡¯re so young and you can say the word ¡®cuckold,¡¯ have you ever cuckolded someone?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Bai Xinran had tears in her eyes and looked as if she had suffered a great grievance, ¡°You¡¯re all bullying me too much!¡± ¡°Thanks, but it¡¯s just reciprocation. It¡¯s just a matter of changing seats, and you have to make dirty remarks and poison our ears with talk of ¡®cuckolding¡¯ ¨C is your brain made of mud?¡± Qiao Xiaren glanced coolly at Bai Xinran and raised her chin slightly, ¡°You say we¡¯re bullying you too much, so I might as well cement your accusation, don¡¯t you think?¡± Before Bai Xinran could react, Qiao Xiaren picked up a book from the table and threw it lighting fast, hitting Bai Xinran right in the face. ¡°You should remember to watch your mouth, or else don¡¯t blame me for sewing it shut for you! Don¡¯t think since you¡¯re a girl I can¡¯t harm you, I¡¯m also a girl and I don¡¯t have to spare you because of that!¡± ¡°Qiao Xiaren!¡± Bai Xinran was absolutely livid. She hadn¡¯t expected Qiao Xiaren to dare to openly shame her in front of so many people! Bai Xinran couldn¡¯t help herself and continued, shrieking, ¡°Don¡¯t pretend to be high-and-mighty here, did you not see the message in the class group or are you pretending not to? You skank, who uses her pretty face to sleep with men everywhere! You¡¯re just a rotten woman who¡¯s been dumped again and again!¡± As soon as Bai Xinran finished speaking, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s gaze started to glow cold. Immediately following, a heavy slap crossed Bai Xinran¡¯s face. Bai Xinran didn¡¯t even react, she screamed and fell to the ground from the slap, collapsing on the floor. Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Until They Shut Up_1 Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Until They Shut Up_1 The classroom fell silent, nobody expected Qiao Xiaren to actually throw a punch. All Huo Xiaoning could think was: ¡®The goddess is fierce!¡¯ ¡°Qiao Xiaren, how dare you hit someone in front of so many people? That¡¯s outrageous. Do you really have to be this vicious towards your classmates?¡± Ye Qing stepped forward, looking at Bai Xinran with slight disdain, but still playing the part of a good friend and supporting her. Even in this situation, she still played the victim, fiercely accusing Qiao Xiaren, it was a downright provocation. Such deep sisterhood, quite moving! Upon hearing this, Bi Xia scoffed and retorted, ¡°Vicious? Just now, Bai Xinran harshly insulted Qiao Xiaren in front of everyone, talking about flirting with men, being a slut, being cuckolded, were you deaf, Ye Qing? Everyone heard it, are these words a person should say? Who can be more vicious than you? Not only being vicious but also acting like an innocent lamb, stop disgusting us, Ye Qing!¡± ¡°Exactly, pretending to be innocent! So foul-mouthed, it¡¯s as if she¡¯s a toilet. It¡¯s our fault now?¡± Huo Xiaoning felt a great sense of relief. For people like this who spew foul words, a heavy setback is a must! Zhao Mei quietly added from the side, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to say it, but Ye Qing was just spreading rumors about Qiao in the back. When we tried to stop her, she even attacked us! Ye Qing, we won¡¯t take the blame for embarrassing you. We hate it when some people play the villain, and then bite us as if we were the real unforgivable sinners!¡± Ye Qing didn¡¯t expect Zhao Mei to reveal everything that had just happened. She was so angry that she almost choked. Her face turned from pale to flushed, ¡°You¡­are talking nonsense!¡± She tried her best to argue, but her gaze became more and more dodgy, realizing that the way the rest of the class was looking at her had changed. The others also spoke up, indeed Bai Xinran¡¯s words were too harsh and malicious, any other girl in class would have been brought to tears. ¡°That¡¯s too much, Xiaren has never provoked them¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s true, Xiaren is so pretty and nice, who would bother Ye Qing?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï Bai Xinran was in shock, as if she was hit hard. There was a handprint on her delicate face, all swollen. She looked at Qiao Xiaren in a stupor, her lips trembled a few times without uttering a word, her eyes revealed ill will and fear. Xiaren shook her hand, as if shaking off dust, with utter disdain, ¡°Bai Xinran, didn¡¯t I tell you? For problems that can be solved with my hands, I absolutely won¡¯t resort to dirty words or arguing¡ªthose time-wasting methods. I¡¯ve endured you and Ye Qing for a long time now. If you piss me off again, I won¡¯t mind showing you what true viciousness is!¡± Beat them till they shuts up! Zhao Mei noticed the classroom group chat that Bai Xinran had talked about, and she felt there must be something fishy. There must be something in the group chat that gave Bai Xinran the audacity to openly slander Qiao Xiaren. As soon as she opened the chat, a bunch of 99+ messages popped up. Zhao Mei scrolled up and read all the messages thoroughly. It turned out that when these people saw Qiao Xiaren get out of a Bentley, they maliciously speculated that she was being favored by some old man! Zhao Mei quickly gave the phone to Qiao Xiaren, who glanced at the screen and her eyebrows furrowed slightly. ¡°Who spread this news? Favored by an old man? Haha, what a vivid imagination.¡± Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 85: The Brain is a Good Thing_1 Chapter 85: Chapter 85: The Brain is a Good Thing_1 Qiao Xiaren quietly lifted her eyes. The mesmerizing, ink-like depth of her gaze swept across the surrounding crowd causing everyone to involuntarily take a few steps back, everyone except Ye Jianian who stood unmoved in place. ¡°Is it you?¡± Xiaren took a few steps forward, her face illuminated by a stunning and radiant smile. But the moment those two words, ¡°Is it you?¡± left her lips, Ye Jianian felt as if a cold wind had swept across his back. Qiao Xiaren slightly lowered her gaze, a deep darkness beginning to spread from the depths of her eyes. Looking at Qiao Xiaren¡¯s incredibly beautiful face, Ye Jianian felt his resolve soften a bit. Boys always found it hard to be tough on beautiful girls. He believed that even if Qiao Xiaren had previously led a decadent life, they could persuade her to change her ways as long as they all tried. Moreover, he thought, Qiao Xiaren must be clinging to those old men because she had no money. An orphan without money or a father would indeed have a rough time surviving in this bustling city. Pretty pitiful. Some people are like that, conjecturing about others with ulterior motives while pretending to play the good guy. Ye Jianian said, ¡°Qiao Xiaren, hurry up and leave those old men. You are young and beautiful. What if you get into a film academy someday? If you become famous, your dark history will surely be exposed.¡± Continuing his unprompted advice, Ye Jianian added, ¡°Don¡¯t blame Qiao Xiaren everyone. She must not have intentionally become a bar hostess. Even though she¡¯s currently leading a life of moral decay, as long as Qiao Xiaren is willing to correct her mistakes, she will still be our classmate.¡± Those old men? At Ye Jianian¡¯s words, the classmates¡¯ mouths hung open in surprise. They had only guessed that Qiao Xiaren had caught the eye of an older man, but now Ye Jianian was saying there were several. Had Qiao Xiaren really become a bar hostess? If it weren¡¯t for Ye Jianian¡¯s earnest attitude, they would have thought he was doing it on purpose. ¡°What do you mean? Qiao has been hanging out with several old men? She worked at a hostess club?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?0 As soon as Ye Jianian finished speaking, Qiao Xiaren had effectively become a morally corrupt woman who had fallen for money. He hadn¡¯t clearly seen the man¡¯s face in the Bentley, but he distinctly saw two figures inside. In his opinion, an unaccompanied beautiful girl coming to school in a luxury car could only mean she was the new mistress of a wealthy old man. Beautiful women were just playthings for rich men, after all. ¡°Ye Jianian, are you even human?¡± Huo Xiaoning shouted, frustrated. How could there be a man like this; not only insinuating but also assuming that he was doing a good deed. He was clearly tarnishing Qiao Xiaren¡¯s reputation! Yet, Ye Jianian seemed completely oblivious as he added, ¡°Why are you like this? I clearly said all this for Qiao Xiaren¡¯s benefit¡­¡± ¡°For my benefit?¡± Qiao Xiaren lifted her eyes and approached his desk. With a slight push, she flipped Ye Jianian¡¯s table over completely. The crash of the table hitting the floor echoed throughout the classroom. The eraser, books, pencils, and pencil case from the table all fell heavily onto the floor. The ink bottle from inside the fallen bag overturned and seeped onto the floor. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, are you crazy?! If you have something to say, say it. Why did you have to get violent?¡± Looking at his belongings scattered about, Ye Jianian¡¯s face was horribly distorted, an ugly expression creeping onto his face. ¡°Ye Jianian, I think you are not only mentally ill but also nauseating! You spread rumors and tarnish others¡¯ reputations without verification. For a man to sink to your level is truly extraordinary! You think you are so great, don¡¯t you? In reality, you are nothing more than a yapping dog. You are nothing but a pervert that makes one retch! Scheming against people behind their backs, it just shows what kind of person you are! Brains are a fine thing to have, if only you had one!¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s expression remained unchanged, still lazily elegant. She dusted off her hand, her stunning demeanor creating a sharp contrast with her coarse language. Watching such a goddess, the class felt their blood boiling with excitement! Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Contempt_1 Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Contempt_1 ¡°Qiao Xiaren, have you lost your mind? Who are you calling a villain? How can there be a girl like you in this world? I was obviously worried about you going astray, trying to help you, but you slander me in front of all these people?¡± Ye Jianian accused her, pointing a shaking finger, his face turning extremely grim. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you¡­¡± ¡°Whoever agrees to it is it then? You should feel flattered that my goddess is calling you a villain, you¡¯re just a dog that likes to bark at others! Self-righteous, firm in your belief of being in the right, speaking without a filter, shallow and ignorant!¡± Huo Xiaoning sneered evily, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, calling you a dog is an insult to those adorable dogs. With your foul mouth, it¡¯s not surprising that you use words as dirty as working at a brothel, only a toilet is worthy of the name Ye Jianian! Bi Chi will always be Bi Chi, even if he turns into a man, it won¡¯t change his slutty nature!¡± After delivering this inhalation, Huo Xiaoning took a long breath: ¡°Ye Jianian, I¡¯m swearing at you, forcing civilized people to use foul language!¡± The college entry examinations were in full swing, and Ye Jianian suddenly created a farce in class, clearly intending to ruin Qiao Xiaren! ¡°Huo Xiaoning, you-you-you¡­¡± Ye Jianian never thought there would come a day when he would be made to jump in anger like a quarreling housewife, veins throbbing on his forehead, lips twitching without being able to refute a single word, he could only stutter repeatedly: ¡°You-you are all too much¡­¡± Although Ye Jianian is often sharp-tongued, and can smear others whether intentionally or not, when it comes to quarrels, Ye Jianian, who always sees himself as superior, is never an equal match. Zhao Mei and Bin Xia secretly gave her a thumbs up, My sister, you¡¯re amazing! ¡°It¡¯s obviously Qiao Xiaren who¡¯s the villain, I didn¡¯t expect her to be so manipulative, being played by a rich old man and still daring to show her face. She¡¯s a filthy hostess that people can¡¯t bear to see!¡± With flushed face, Ye Jianian finally spat out these words. Qiao Xiaren raised her eyes slightly, her beautiful and dazzling eyes clear and contemptuous. ¡°Me, a villain? Pray tell, am I presuming evil about others? Am I spreading rumors behind people¡¯s backs? Am I slandering a girl as a hostess? A grown man like you gossiping and smearing others, making the entire class chaotic and full of strife, only proves you¡¯re the true villain!¡± Ye Jianian was so angry that he yelled, ¡°I saw everything with my own eyes, are you still trying to argue? And there are others who saw it too!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Qiao Xiaren let out a word from the corner of her mouth and glanced at the others, ¡°Did you all personally see me following a rich old man?¡± The others looked at each other, somewhat guilty, and quickly shook their heads: ¡°No no no, we really didn¡¯t see.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?? They hadn¡¯t seen clearly, just vaguely seen a silhouette, they hadn¡¯t thought it would blow up to this extent. No one in the class expected Ye Jianian to spread rumors in the group, and suddenly this boy, who was usually well-liked, seemed hateful. They never imagined that Ye Jianian was such a disgusting person in private. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face was sombre, her indifferent gaze as cold as ice, sending shivers down people¡¯s spine. She casually raised her hand and slapped Ye Jianian¡¯s hand pointing at her, not holding back her strength at all. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t like being pointed at.¡± Her tone was casual, as if it were a matter of course, but it was chilly, making one unconsciously submissive. A burst of intense pain came from his hand, and the place where Qiao Xiaren hit turned red. Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Chapter 87 Eliminate Scum_1 Chapter 87: Chapter 87 Eliminate Scum_1 ¡± Qiao Xiaren, if you have the courage, prove your innocence to everyone, prove that you are not clinging to those old men?¡± Ye Jianian¡¯s gaze was full of malicious intent, ¡°Otherwise, I will spread this news around the school? By the way, I bet our teacher, Li, doesn¡¯t know that there¡¯s such a black sheep like you in our class?¡± Even if he has no evidence to support his claims, Qiao Xiaren also does not have any evidence to prove her innocence. With only her word against his, when the time comes, Qiao Xiaren will surely lose everything. Who asked her to refuse to know her good fortune? Looking at Ye Jianian¡¯s veiled malicious gaze, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes grew even colder, planning to destroy her reputation and ruin her? She got into Si Limo¡¯s car. It was not possible now to call Si Limo to prove her innocence, otherwise, things would only become more complicated. Thinking of Ye Jianian¡¯s nasty demeanor when he was following behind Qiao Anchu, it surprisingly overlapped with this sullen, hostile face in front of her. Xiaren suddenly stopped smiling, her gaze turned sharp and cold, so much so, that darkness seeped in from all sides. After being trampled on in a disgusting manner in her previous life, she only wanted a satisfying revenge in this lifetime, to kill whatever deity or Buddha comes in her path! Ye Jianian, this is what you asked for, don¡¯t blame me for the darkness without a sight of the sun in your future! Looking at Ye Jianian¡¯s maliciously triumphant gaze, Qiao Xiaren became even quieter, beginning to summon the System Lord. ¡°Xiaotian?¡± ¡°Here.¡± In her mind, Xiaotian¡¯s sweet and cute voice rang out, ¡°Qiaoqiao, what do you need Xiaotian to do for you?¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡°Knock out the man in front of me.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??0.§ã¦Ï ¡°OK, target locked.¡± ¡°Execute.¡± ¡°Deducting 100 points of Star Luck Value.¡± Before anyone could react, Ye Jianian suddenly felt an invisible heavy blow coming from his head, his eyes rolled up, and he convulsed on the floor. The originally quiet classroom became chaotic because of Ye Jianian¡¯s sudden collapse, and students hastily helped Ye Jianian up. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What happened to Ye?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, he suddenly fainted while talking!¡± Qiao Xiaren was calm as she casually took out her phone and dialed 120. Everyone didn¡¯t think too much. When the ambulance arrived, they quickly lifted Ye Jianian onto the stretcher. The previous commotion abruptly ended. Watching the teacher and students take Ye Jianian to the hospital, Qiao Xiaren first went back to her small rented flat, put on her mask and changed into a deep black coat. Feeling the dark aura coming from the host, Xiaotian¡¯s voice rang in her mind, ¡°Qiaoqiao, where are you planning to go?¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips curled into a harmless and innocent smile, ¡°I want someone to die!¡± Such an innocent smile made Xiaotian shiver involuntarily. It felt like someone was about to be in big trouble. Half an hour later, Qiao Xiaren left. The hospital was filled with a strong smell of disinfectant. The young duty nurse was sitting at the front desk playing on her phone. A tall figure approached, ¡°Excuse me, in which ward is Ye Jianian, who was just brought in this morning?¡± The nurse looked up, and was drawn in by the pair of icy, jade-like eyes of the stranger. These eyes seemed to have the ability to captivate people, and left her utterly defeated. How could there be such a beautiful pair of eyes in this world? When she regained her senses, the nurse blushed, ¡°Ye Jianian? Let me check¡­ oh, he¡¯s in room 1101.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The stranger turned and left, leaving behind a faint fragrance. The nurse watched the retreating figure, her face red and in awe. Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Go Die_1 Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Go Die_1 Room No. 1101 When Qiao Xiaren entered the room, only Ye Jianian on the hospital bed. The sparks in Xiaren¡¯s dark, shining eyes couldn¡¯t be ignored. The corner of her mouth raised slightly, emitting a whiff of danger. As she approached, Ye Jianian on the bed sensed something amiss around him. His parents had just visited him at the hospital, expressing both sympathy and reprimands before being ushered out by the doctor to pay the medical fees. Feeling irritated, he simply laid motionless on his bed. Could it be that his parents had returned? At this instant, all he saw was Qiao Xiaren standing at the door. Because of her peculiar disguise, he couldn¡¯t recognize her. ¡°Who are you?¡± Stunned by the natural reaction to an unfamiliar environment and person, Ye Jianian hastily tried to prop himself up from the bed. ¡°Who else could it be?¡± Xiaren walked over leisurely, her stunning facial contours, enchanting lips, and deep black eyes slowly revealing themselves from under the rim of her hat. At last, Ye Jianian recognized the person standing at the door. His face grew increasingly uneasy, ¡°Xiaren, how come you are here?¡­ Doctor, doctor¡­¡± Xiaren¡¯s hand had already formed a blade. Her swift and precise move knocked out Ye Jianian, who was getting ready to call for help. She watched as Ye Jianian fell noiselessly to the floor. She kicked him and he didn¡¯t stir. She signaled the two men dressed in black who were originally standing by the door. They shared a glance before striding into the room. ¡°Take him to your car.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï Without uttering a word, the men in black swiftly pulled up the unconscious Ye Jianian from the floor, swiftly hoisting him over their shoulder. Trained explicitly by the Dark Night Organization, they skillfully identified the hospital¡¯s back door, where they climbed over the wall, taking the unconscious man with them. Xiaren remained in place, suddenly lifting a silver-gray device in her hand. With a press of the switch, it discharged a black fog that fogged up the surveillance camera concealed in the dark. This ¡°fogging device¡± was something she had designed in her own time, inspired by an ancient book. Initially, she was just messing around, but now it had proven to be useful. After finishing all this, Qiao Xiaren nonchalantly exited the hospital. The sky was becoming darker. Xiaren swept a glance around, spotted a car with a license plate numbered 7869 and immediately approached it. She opened the car door and quickly slipped into the driver¡¯s seat. As soon as she stepped on the accelerator, the black sedan drove off into the distance. Qiao Xiaren was good at driving. She was steady and fast. Even though the road was becoming progressively darker and deserted, nobody dared to attempt carjacking. Looking in the rear-view mirror at the man slumped asleep in the back, Xiaren was one-hand steering and the other resting on the window, exuding an air of languid rebelliousness. The black-clothed bodyguard in the passenger seat found himself glancing at her more than once. They had never anticipated that a woman would be so different from other girls, not girly or cutesy. She didn¡¯t even seem like a seventeen-year-old child. Xiaren had never thought she would have to deal with Ye Jianian so soon. Ever since her rebirth, she had been particularly mindful of developments, trying not to alter the fate of anyone else from her past life. However, fate had them meeting sooner, and the man had presented himself in such a disgusting manner, corned after her downfall and full of slanderous intentions. Xiaren remembered that in her past life, Ye Jianian had fabricated numerous public scandals, psychologically attacking her, slandering her like Ye Qing, and Bai Xinran had done, just because she refused to comply and submit. Utterly disgusting. Back then, Qiao Anchu had the backing of some powerful figures, one of them being the Si Family, while she was isolated against the malicious rumors in the outside world. Since this man had harbored ill intentions for long, she would give Ye Jianian an upfront taste of what it was like to be disgraced. Let him experience the sufferings she had endured. Ye Jianian, why don¡¯t you just die? A radiant, innocent smile gradually emerged at the corners of Xiaren¡¯s lips. Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Surveillance_1 Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Surveillance_1 The car quickly stopped at the entrance of a secluded alley. Two bodyguards in black got out of the car and dragged an unconscious Ye Jianian between them. ¡°Miss Qiao, should we just leave him at the entrance?¡± asked one of the bodyguards. Qiao Xiaren opened the driver¡¯s door, removed her sunglasses, revealing her perfectly sculpted face. Her grey trench coat and the cap shrouded Xiaren in semi-darkness. ¡°Take him upstairs for me,¡± she ordered. Walking with ease, Qiao Xiaren proceeded to climb the stairs, followed by the bodyguards effortlessly lifting the unconscious man. The raucous beat of music from the second floor intensified with their approach. The decadent ambience hit them face on. Everyone inside moved their bodies in rhythm, completely surrendering to the freedom of their desires. The laser lights scanned overhead while the deafening music echoed around. Qiao Xiaren walked past the corridor, where several pairs of men and women, or just men, were brazenly engaged in intimate acts. Although they sent suggestive looks her way, Qiao Xiaren showed no reaction; her cold demeanor dissuaded them from getting close. ¡°Hello, gorgeous, your first time here?¡± A woman wearing high heels and heavy makeup approached, swaying her hips and giving Qiao Xiaren a once over. For a moment, she couldn¡¯t tell whether Qiao was a man or a woman. Xiaren replied in a cold, deep voice, ¡°I¡¯ve brought something for you. I think your boss will probably be very interested.¡± ¡°What sort of something?¡± The woman asked with curiosity. Qiao Xiaren smirked. That fleeting smile stunned the woman, who was already a veteran in this nightlife. Enraptured by the shock of Qiao¡¯s cold demeanor, she froze. What a strange person. With a flick of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s finger, the two bodyguards placed Ye Jianian on the ground. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã0 The made-up woman, seeing the man on the ground, shot Qiao a questioning glance. ¡°Train this one well, treat him as one of your girls.¡± Qiao Xiaren gave a slight smile. ¡°Given your experience, you should be adept at dealing with them, correct?¡± This club was much like an old brothel- notorious for their ruthless grooming practices. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll be rewarded handsomely, and it¡¯ll also bring you extra business. No losses on your part.¡± ¡°We can, we can. Rest assured, our service is top-notch,¡± the woman gestured to another person and whispered into their ear. Qiao Xiaren pulled out a card from her trench coat pocket: ¡°The pin is 541188, there¡¯s one hundred thousand in it, is this enough?¡± ¡°More than enough,¡± the woman immediately accepted, patting her chest, ¡°Rest assured, everything here is foolproof.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to go in and take a look.¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± Following the heavily made-up woman, Qiao Xiaren entered while others dragged Ye Jianian to a private room. Xiaren casually looked around the set up, installed her hidden surveillance cameras in the corners without breaking a sweat, ensuring a comprehensive view. After finishing all this, Qiao Xiaren at last returned to her couch. Soon, the brothel owner returned. Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Chapter 90 is him_1 Chapter 90: Chapter 90 is him_1 Without too much demand, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes flashed a cruel light. She crouched down, pinching the man¡¯s chin, and poured a glass of red wine from the table down his throat. Ye Jianian finally regained some consciousness, he painfully opened his eyes, only seeing a hazy blur in front of him. Xiaren slightly curved the corners of her lips as she released him to collapse onto the ground, desperately coughing. ¡°Have you woken up, Mr. Class Leader?¡± Qiao Xiaren sat on the sofa, leaning back lightly, and motioned towards those men, ¡°Madame Boss, you don¡¯t need me to teach you how to discipline him, do you?¡± The woman hurriedly nodded, instructing the nightclub bodyguards to clean up. Those in this line of business didn¡¯t need too much direction. ¡°Ye Jianian, enjoy yourself.¡± After covering the room¡¯s door, Qiao Xiaren lightly curled the corners of her lips and casually left. ¡°This is your reward.¡± Qiao Xiaren handed over a card. The black-clad bodyguard accepted it, nodded, and drove off. The people in the Dark Night Organization were indeed well-trained and worked quickly and efficiently. In her previous life, Qiao Xiaren knew about this mysterious organization, but the people inside were elusive. ¡ª¡ª In the darkness, a man reclined leisurely on a sofa with his back to everyone. He intentionally found a comfortable position, his gaze fixated on the beautiful view outside the window. Two black-clad bodyguards approached him, quite respectfully. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.§ã¦Ï ¡°Master, she has left.¡± Hearing this, the man turned around. His sunglasses hid half of his face, leaving only his rose-like thin lips and a prominent chin. Although his full face was not visible, the contours were delicate and smooth, hinting at a divine appearance. ¡°Is that so?¡± His voice was clear as a drop of water, unexpectedly, he chuckled, ¡°So, even a docile kitten can become a ferocious beast.¡± ¡°Master, this person is entirely different from what we thought, almost impossible to tame.¡± The Dark Night had never been wrong about people. Although she was just a young girl, she was extraordinary. The man did not respond, instead, he toyed with the ring on his index finger, ¡°Interesting, things are starting to get interesting. I am looking forward to meeting that girl again.¡± ¡°Master, do you know her?¡± The man smiled slightly without a word, his eyes hidden behind the sunglasses deepening. ¡ª¡ª After a long and tiring day, Qiao Xiaren found a place to change into a new outfit, tied her hair into a bun, and when she came out, she was again the simple seventeen-year-old girl. As night fell, the moment she came out, she suddenly froze on the spot. The military green coat fluttered in the cold wind. The man stood beside the car, with the cigar lit on his fingertips dispersing in the cold wind. The lights in front of the building fell on his handsome face, which seemed to dim everything else. The expression on Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face did not change at all, but her heart was already storming. She was at a loss about how to react, knowing only that a man she knew wouldn¡¯t just come here for a smoke. She met the man¡¯s profound gaze, deep yet devoid of any emotion. Qiao Xiaren felt a messy mood at revealing her dark side in front of a man who she was not very familiar with ¡ª it was a kind of indescribable complexity. After what felt like a long stare-down, the man slightly moved and then steadily walked towards her. The young girl stood in the slightly chilly wind, looking as pure as a little white flower. Qiao Xiaren stood still, and no emotional fluctuations could be seen on her. Si Limo stopped less than half a meter away from her. Standing tall and strong, the shadows cast upon him, creating a form of invisible pressure. Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Bewildered_1 Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Bewildered_1 The man¡¯s scent seemed to circle in the air around her. She felt warmth spread across her shoulders as Qiao Xiaren slightly raised her head to see him drape his military coat around her. The thin smoke rising from his cigar intermingled with his unique masculine fragrance. ¡°It¡¯s late. Let¡¯s take my car,¡± he suggested. ¡°Alright.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s smile was faint, as if nothing had happened. She couldn¡¯t put to words the feeling that welled up inside of her, the warmth she felt on this particular night, brought about by this man¡¯s unexpected gesture. No matter how many years passed, she would always remember that there was a man who descended upon her like a celestial being. He didn¡¯t ask anything, and she didn¡¯t say anything. She just closed her eyes in the seat, seemingly exhausted. ¡°Why don¡¯t you call me?¡± Si Limo¡¯s sudden comment broke the silence in the car. Qiao Xiaren carefully opened her eyes, her mood brightening noticeably. ¡°I don¡¯t have your number,¡± she responded. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you save it?¡± Si Limo frowned slightly, appearing frustrated, yet his facial expression didn¡¯t change significantly. ¡°From now on, feel free to call me whenever. If you have problems, you can directly ask me for help.¡± With one hand on the steering wheel, he smoothly extracted her phone from her hands, entering a series of numbers. His fingers, bone distinct, were warm and dry against Xiaren¡¯s delicate, icy digits, stirring something within her. ¡°Call you?¡± Qiao Xiaren, eyebrows furrowing in confusion, looked questioningly towards the man driving. Si Limo met her gaze, a touch of chaos in his eyes, before he quickly composed himself. ¡°In the Capital, I¡¯m among the few who you know. Of course, you can call me. When you left Shanshui Town, did you start treating me as a stranger?¡± Thinking about this made Si Limo feel frustrated inside. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?¦Ï ¡°You saved Zhilan. No matter what, the Si family is forever indebted to you.¡± He didn¡¯t know what his feeling towards Qiao Xiaren was at the moment. Perhaps it was just affection, but surprisingly, he didn¡¯t feel the slightest repulsion, only a peculiar sensation. ¡°Thank you.¡± He was certainly a stubborn man. Side-glancing, Qiao Xiaren broke into a soft smile. Si Limo really cared for his sister. Because she¡¯d saved Si Zhilan earlier, Si Limo had restlessly been keeping an eye on her all the while. Qiao Xiaren believed that if she asked him for anything, Si Limo would surely help her out. Xiaren silently sighed. It was no wonder Qiao Anchu was able to live such a charmed life in her past. With such a strong backing, there was no need to get entangled in showbiz, nor deal with wealthy, fat-faced, lecherous investors. Si Limo drove Qiao Xiaren directly to the small rented apartment. It surprised Xiaren that he actually knew where she lived, but the surprise quickly faded and she didn¡¯t find it strange at all. Even if she didn¡¯t need him, it wasn¡¯t remotely possible for Si Limo to ignore her. After all, he¡¯d keep an eye on her all the time. It was a trait ingrained in the DNA of a soldier ¨C a deep-seated sense of loyalty and unwavering devotion. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll head back now.¡± Qiao Xiaren stepped out of the car, waving goodbye to Si Limo. She pushed back the loose strands of hair on her forehead, her jade-like arm emitting an icy shimmer in the shadows. Si Limo watched her serene brilliant smile, his expression unchanging, though the tip of his ears reddened in the darkness. Watching Qiao Xiaren enter the building, Si Limo leant back in the car seat, closed his eyes and greedily savored the lingering scent she¡¯d left behind. His hand rested on the steering wheel, showing no intention of driving away. When a light turned on in one of the upper floors, Si Limo opened his deep, richly colored eyes but remained still. He saw the curtain flutter slightly before Xiaren emerged onto the balcony in her lounge wear. She remained, gazing up at the sky, unaware of his presence down below. What was she looking at? Si Limo raised his head instinctively, riveted by the scattered stars in the deep blue sky. He had never realized how beautiful the stars could be. That night, bewitched, he stayed in the car parked downstairs, sleeping peacefully for the first time till the break of dawn. Rubbing the bridge of his nose to dispel the fatigue from the night, he finally drove away as he saw the early risers from the building beginning their day. Si Limo felt as if he was going mad. He couldn¡¯t control these extreme actions. He wondered, would she think he was some sort of pervert? Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Chapter 92 - Peaceful Slumber_1 Chapter 92: Chapter 92 ¨C Peaceful Slumber_1 Qiao Xiaren was completely unaware of Si Limo¡¯s turmoil. She lay flat in bed, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she had fallen into a deep nightmare. Her soul seemed to float in mid-air, entering an unknown world. The surroundings gradually became clear. She saw the sky filled with dark clouds, as if a downpour was imminent. Before long, the rain began to fall and hit her body. Qiao Xiaren felt her soul floating, not sensing the raindrops that struck her. She knew she was probably just within her own dream. She looked around and her gaze suddenly froze, her mind blank for a moment. This place was almost identical to where she died in her past life! Not far away, it seemed there was a figure lying on the ground. Qiao Xiaren slowly approached to see a ragged person wrapped in a straw mat, their eyes closed and emitting a mournful and desperate aura. The face was her own. Half of the face was blotched and horrifying, scary like a ghost, all thanks to Qiao Anchu. She had gone back to the day she died, witnessing her own tragic fate. Qiao Xiaren started to feel icy cold all over, her hairs standing on end as a chilling and dark feeling started to spread around her. Qiao Xiaren stared at the body on the ground, like she was under a spell. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes away, her lips curving slightly. Was this dream showing her how terribly she died, and just how pitiful it was? She hadn¡¯t forgotten. Hatred and darkness were already etched into her bones. From not far away, the slight sound of footsteps approached. Qiao Xiaren was surprised to find that this dream seemed as real as reality, not like a dream at all. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.?¦Ï She saw two people coming from the other side, shielding themselves with a black umbrella. The umbrella lifted slightly, revealing the face of the seductive Qiao Anchu. Qiao Xiaren furrowed her brows, her soul still floating in mid-air. She was dreaming of Qiao Anchu at thirty years old. The other person accompanying her was wearing a black trench coat and a low-brimmed hat. His face was completely concealed. The two walked lightly towards the body, Qiao Anchu with her delicate makeup, decked in a Chanel designer dress that made her look as youthful and radiant as an eighteen-year-old girl. ¡°Finally dead.¡± Qiao Anchu laughed lightly, turned to the companion beside her, her smile charming, ¡°This time, I really have to thank you.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to thank me.¡± The man¡¯s voice sounded cold and stiff, a chilling aura spreading. ¡°I just did it¡­ for myself.¡± The rain fell on the silent corpse, desolate and mournful. The renowned actress¡¯s life ended up so pitifully buried here. The smile on Qiao Anchu¡¯s charming face stiffened, her hand snaking around the man. She cosied up to him, ¡°Dearest, don¡¯t be so heartless¡­¡± ¡°You got what you wanted, don¡¯t be insatiable.¡± The man¡¯s lips curled up slightly, cruel and cold. ¡°She¡¯s dead. You can sleep peacefully now, can¡¯t you?¡± He turned and walked away without any mercy. His hardened silhouette strained, as if he¡¯d burst out his terrifying and violent emotions in the next second. Qiao Anchu, clinging to him, lost her balance; she stumbled a few steps before regaining it. Watching the man¡¯s retreating figure, her seductive smile faded, replaced by a cruel, cold expression. Yes, she got everything. All the outstanding men were enchanted by her charm while Qiao Xiaren was empty-handed. She didn¡¯t even have a final resting place. As for her, she was above everyone else, proudly carrying the titles of an aristocrat¡¯s wife, a golden award winner, and so many shiny crowns. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, now that you¡¯re finally dead, I can be completely at ease.¡± Qiao Anchu stared gloomily at the shattered corpse on the ground, laughing coldly, ¡°You don¡¯t know how much I envied you. Since we were little, you were always different, always favoured. God was too unfair. Every part of you was perfect, while I was just an ugly duckling in front of you!¡± Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Nightmare_1 Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Nightmare_1 She squatted down, her delicate face contorted instantly, then suddenly burst into a joyful grin, ¡°But now, you¡¯ve not only lost your beauty, even your life is gone. I, Qiao Anchu, am the real winner in life! And you, just keep being gnawed by these snakes, insects, and mice, until your bones are no more¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren floated in mid-air, her brows slightly furrowed as she watched the scene below. She had wanted to get a closer look, but the surroundings began to shatter like glass, Qiao Anchu¡¯s sharp, triumphant laughter all she could hear. The entire world spun, and she could no longer see anything. The surrounding darkness made it impossible to see anything. She was surrounded by coldness, despair, and shadows. Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t know where she was, she hugged herself and sat on the ground, attempting to seek some warmth. After an unknown amount of time, her surroundings suddenly lit up. It seemed like she was on a dazzling stage, with dazzling lights and the frenzied shouts of fans. ¡°Next, we¡¯d like to invite the youngest actress in the history of our global awards, Qiao Xiaren, to present the award!¡± She walked on stage, accepted the small golden statue from the presenter¡¯s hands, and gave a speech with a smile under the unified cheer of her fans. For some reason, Qiao Xiaren felt something was off. ¡°Ranran, Ranran, our only love Ranran!¡± ¡°Goddess Ranran, we love you, you¡¯re the best, Ranran¡­¡± Ye Mohan appeared in a suit, looking handsome and suave, staring at her with deep affection, ¡°Ranran, congratulations on getting the little golden man, your husband loves you.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã? Qiao Xiaren held the small golden statue and began to retreat. No, this was all not real. Ye Mohan, the heartless ingrate, had maliciously murdered her. She was already dead. ¡°Ranran¡­¡± ¡°Get away, don¡¯t call me!¡± The scene suddenly changed to another, and she still couldn¡¯t see her surroundings. It seemed like the sound of dripping water came from her ears, why was there the sound of dripping water? The darkness around her slowly dissipated, Qiao Xiaren stood up, and saw that the road in front of her began to fill up with white fog, everything ahead was vague and elusive, and she still couldn¡¯t see anything. A low sobbing sound seemed to come from up front, she seemed to be in a foggy tunnel. She slowly groped her way forward, the sound of her footsteps along with the quiet sobs were somewhat unnerving in the tunnel. Xiaren kept telling herself that this was just a nightmare and that she would wake up once she got out. The fog gradually disappeared, and Qiao Xiaren saw a little boy squatting on the side of the road, rubbing his eyes and crying. He buried his head under his arms, and with each sob, his small body trembled, looking unbearably cute. He cried so sadly that Xiaren couldn¡¯t bear it and squatted down, patting his shoulder, ¡°Little brother, why are you crying?¡± Hearing the girl¡¯s voice, the little boy slowly raised his head, ¡°Sis, my dad is missing, can you help me find my dad, please¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, and she was unable to move as if frozen in place. On the boy¡¯s face, there were no eyebrows, no nose, even no mouth, only two large hollows where his eyes should be, a black substance continuously flowing from them, dropping in her skirt. ¡°Sis, they all abandoned me¡­¡± ¡°Sis, can you give my dad back to me¡­¡± ¡°Sis¡­¡± The little boy stood up, the two black hollows looked exceptionally chilling and terrifying. ¡°Eh¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren woke up drenched in sweat, instinctively sat up from the bed, but was engulfed in a warm, sturdy embrace, she responded by holding it back and drilled further into it. Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Chapter 94 Who Taught Her_1 Chapter 94: Chapter 94 Who Taught Her_1 The person gently patted her back, as if to soothe her. Seemingly hesitating for a moment, he completely embraced her. The strength of his hold was somewhat strong, yet not painful. The warmth seeped through her thin clothing. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s consciousness was still somewhat clouded, but in the next second, she forcefully pushed away the person in front of her, the dark pupils in her eyes filled with surprise and caution. For some reason, when Si Limo saw the wariness in Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes, he felt a kind of blockage in his heart, as well as an indescribable heartache. He looked at her elegant profile, in her calm demeanor there was an air of world-weariness. Her eyes were bright but numb and cold, like that of an old man who has seen the world, causing his heart to ache. She¡¯s only seventeen, why does she possess such a despairing and desolate air about her? What has she gone through, for her to constantly wrap her heart in ice, hiding it deep within, unreachable by anyone? Who taught her to hide herself in corners where no one could find her? He wanted to get closer, to delve deeper into her heart, to urgently understand what she was thinking. He wanted even more to spread his wings, to let her, like any other girl, rush into his embrace for protection. She deserved to be cradled in the palm of his hand, treated with care and cherished. Si Limo¡¯s hand paused mid-air, he wrapped the blanket tightly around her body, then stood up and walked to the window, his gaze fell on the scenery beyond. He had to admit, the reason why he could speak freely back in Shanshui Town, was because he hadn¡¯t taken things too seriously. Now that he was indeed serious, he found himself unable to speak so freely, he felt awkward and embarrassed. ¡°Xiaren, you¡¯ve finally woken up.¡± A gentle female voice sounded from the side. Qiao Xiaren turned her head, meeting the slightly worried gaze of Mrs. Si. ¡°Mrs. Si, why are you all here?¡± As soon as Qiao Xiaren spoke, she realized that her voice was incredibly hoarse. The landlord only came in when he heard the commotion inside: ¡°Young girl, you¡¯ve finally woken up?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï???.§ã0 Qiao Xiaren was somewhat confused, looking towards Mrs. Si. ¡°You¡¯ve been in a coma for two days straight. If Limo hadn¡¯t found the landlord to get the keys to your room, things would¡¯ve been terrible.¡± Mrs. Si lovingly patted the back of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s hand: ¡°You silly child, how can you sleep so soundly? You gave us quite a fright. If Limo hadn¡¯t come to find you, we might¡¯ve not found out.¡± Qiao Xiaren glanced at the man standing by the window, his back still facing them, not making any other movements. Yet the more silent he was, the overriding pressure grew stronger, it was impossible to ignore his presence. ¡°I¡¯ve been asleep for two days?¡± Qiao Xiaren felt her mind get a bit foggy, but she quickly snapped back to alertness. The landlord, seeing that they indeed knew Qiao Xiaren, simply greeted them with a smile and left. Mrs. Si stood up and patted her son: ¡°You go get the takeout first. Xiaren needs to change and wash up.¡± Si Limo turned his head and silently looked at Qiao Xiaren. Without a word, he walked towards the door. As he brushed past her, Xiaren instinctively moved back, furrowing her brows without saying a word. Why did he have to squeeze past her when there was so much space? What kind of logic was that? Seeing Mrs. Si¡¯s smiling face, Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t delve further. ¡°You go take a shower. When you come out, you can eat. Your health, ah, you need to take good care of yourself,¡± Mrs. Si looked at her. ¡°You need to gain a bit of weight, being a little plump is better¡­¡± As she was talking, she suddenly stopped with a mischievous smile. Xiaren felt goosebumps all over, and instinctively thought Mrs. Si was going to say, ¡®better to be stewed and eaten.¡¯ Taking her clothes, she went to the bathroom. Checking the time, Qiao Xiaren remembered that today was supposed to be the day of the talent show audition. This was the business card that Chu Yifei had given her the last time she left. Apparently, this talent show was jointly organized by Vienna Records, GYE Entertainment, and Jinghua Entertainment. It was all for the selection competition for the old show, the new round of the Starlight Cup, and the recruitment of future talents. Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Training_1 Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Training_1 This program is considered the most authoritative singing competition over the years. Its selection process differs from the ordinary ones, where singers have to rely solely on their own charm to attract the audience and earn their popularity rank. Several companies will select suitable newcomers to sign contracts at the grand finals. The first-place winner of the Starlight Cup will even be invited to the Jiangbei TV station¡¯s New Year¡¯s Eve concert, which guarantees a high level of exposure. The current popular diva Xie Yurou, was the champion of the Starlight Cup a few years ago. After receiving much attention from Jiangbei TV station, she transitioned to film and television, and her popularity soared. Due to the peculiar nature of this program, not everyone who wants to enter the training can do so; it usually requires connections. Most people are unable to participate in the training and can only register to attend the talent show. If one can successfully attend the training before the talent show, the chances of ranking will dramatically increase, and they will receive more attention from the judges. This program is basically a high-profile star-making plan, thus attracting many people who dream of becoming a star. Xiaren carefully put away her business card, just in time for the training programme. Qiao Xiaren quickly changed her clothes and glanced at the notification on her phone once she was done. Pfft ¨C She was out of money. The bank notification indicated a balance of merely a thousand yuan. Qiao Xiaren: (¡¥¨Œ¡¥;)¡­ She had made over a hundred thousand by selling the medicinal herbs she found through her space to the black market, but she had almost spent all of it. These medicinal herbs were really rare. If she sold them too frequently on the market, it might arouse other people¡¯s suspicion and covetousness. She was practically sitting on a gold mine and it would be unwise to show off too much. The only way to make money now was to start acting and singing as fast as possible. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.?¦Ï Just as Qiao Xiaren had finished changing, she heard Xiaotian¡¯s serious voice in her mind, ¡°Congratulations host, you just successfully completed a mission.¡± ¡°Star Luck Value increased by 500 points.¡± ¡°Acting skills have been strengthened.¡± ¡°Intelligence and beauty have increased.¡± ¡°Fame has increased by one point.¡± ¡°Charisma has increased, and invisible skills have increased.¡± Once the formulaic list was completed, Qiao Xiaren asked, ¡°Mission? What mission?¡± ¡°The nightmare was a test for the host,¡± Xiaotian explained seriously, unlike his usual playful manner. ¡°Qiaoqiao, if you hadn¡¯t been able to escape from the nightmare, you would have faced eternal demise in this world. So¡ª¡± Xiaotian deliberately paused, before exclaiming joyfully, ¡°So, our Qiaoqiao is indeed amazing. Congratulations Qiaoqiao on passing the test. Your skills have been further enhanced, which is awesome!¡± Only then did Qiao Xiaren realised that the nightmare she¡¯d just experienced had almost been a disaster. She had overcome her mental barrier and dreams, successfully emerged from the nightmare. The thought of waking from the nightmare into that warm embrace, Qiao Xiaren hesitated for a moment. Something inside her seemed to be softening. Thinking about how refreshing and invigorated she felt after waking up, with the pleasant freshness emanating from within her, she seemed even more energetic. Xiaren walked over to the mirror and saw her skin had become finer, pale and luminous like ice, with rosy lips. The entire person looked like a budding young tree, radiating a fresh aura. Qiao Xiaren gently lifted the corners of her lips and smiled. Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Get Closer, and Closer_1 Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Get Closer, and Closer_1 This sensation was truly delightful, a sense of revival that filled her with vibrancy, like a reward for having passed a test. That man. Qiao Xiaren slightly lowered the corners of her mouth, recalling the man in black who had appeared in her dream. The man was with Qiao Anchu, seeming very familiar with each other. In her previous life¡¯s memory, this man didn¡¯t exist. She closed her eyes, and fragments about that man surfaced in her mind¡ªthe black outfit, the steady, slow stride, and the view up to the fair and elegant chin. From his appearance, he didn¡¯t seem old. Qiao Xiaren intuitively sensed that he was no ordinary person. Moreover, she found him very odd. Why was he helping Qiao Anchu? Also, Qiao Anchu said, ¡°You¡¯re dead, and I may finally find peace.¡± What was Qiao Anchu afraid of? Why did he want her dead? She couldn¡¯t recall offending so many people. Xiaren always felt that either there was something mystical at play, or there was something she didn¡¯t know about the whole situation. ¡°Your highness, have you figured something out? Is there another shameless slut coming to bother you?¡± Xiaotian¡¯s innocent voice sounded in her mind, sounding somewhat excited, ¡°Kill them one by one, a couple for a couple!¡± Qiao Xiaren just smiled and didn¡¯t speak. She left the bathroom directly, with her mind already reflecting on the anomaly that had emerged that night. ¡°Xiaren, come eat.¡± Madam Si set the tableware and beckoned her to sit down. Qiao Xiaren stared at the woman full of nobility who seemed very young, feeling a bit stunned. The appearance of a luxurious and noble madam setting the table in such a humble apartment was quite incongruous, but it grounded her a lot. ¡°Thank you, madam.¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.?? ¡°Why are you still calling me Madam?¡± Madam Si sat down with a smile, ¡°You may as well call me¡­ Auntie.¡± She originally wanted to suggest ¡®mom,¡¯ but feared it would directly scare her away. ¡°Thank you, Auntie.¡± Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t fuss about the title. Looking at the sumptuous food in front of her, her appetite was stimulated. The mini soup dumplings were delicate and smooth, full and shiny. The buttercreamed meat slightly fried with a golden hue wrapped in delicious broth looked appetizing. There were octopus balls, omelette rice, and a few dishes that Qiao Xiaren couldn¡¯t name. Madam Si was also very satisfied, it seemed that her son wasn¡¯t too obtuse after all. ¡°Come on, eat more.¡± ¡°Thank you, Auntie.¡± Hearing her crisp voice and seeing her calm smiling face, a tingling sensation, as if being teased, sprang up in Si Limo¡¯s heart. It was tickling, somewhat numb, and brought a sour-sweet feeling. Suddenly, a surge of irritability rose from within. She was right before his eyes, yet this feeling didn¡¯t lessen. He felt it wasn¡¯t enough; he wanted to be even closer, much closer, preferably holding her in his arms. Lately, his mood had been rollercoasting like this. Sometimes he felt inexplicably sweet, while often he felt melancholic. Even his parents and sister told him his moods were increasingly volatile. But as long as he saw Qiao Xiaren, as long as he saw her, everything felt alright. Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: Chapter 95-98: Dont Be Affected by the Mediocrity _1 Chapter 97: Chapter 95-98: Don¡¯t Be Affected by the Mediocrity _1 This show is considered the most authoritative singing competition over the years. Unlike typical selection methods, singers have to rely solely on their charm to attract audiences to determine their popular vote ranking. Several companies will sign up suitable newcomers during the finals, and the winner of the Starlight Cup will be invited to the Jiangbei TV station¡¯s New Year¡¯s concert, with the exposure rate self-evident. The current popular diva, Xie Yurou, was the champion of the Starlight Cup a few years ago. After gaining attention at the Jiangbei TV station, she transitioned to the film and television industry, and her popularity soared. Due to the uniqueness of the program, not everyone who wants to get into the training can get in. Generally, it requires connections. Most people can¡¯t get into the training and can only participate in talent shows by signing up themselves. If one could attend the training before the talent show as wished, the chance of getting a high place will significantly increase, and that person will also get more attention from the judges. This show is essentially a hefty star-making plan, which attracts many people who dream of becoming stars. Xiaren put away her business card, luckily she didn¡¯t miss the training time. Qiao Xiaren quickly changed her clothes, and when she was done, she glanced at her phone that reminded her of a new message. Puff¡ª¡ª She was broke; the bank notified her that there was only a thousand yuan left on the card. Qiao Xiaren: (¡¥¨Œ¡¥;)¡­ She thought about how she had made over a hundred thousand by selling rare herbs she dug in her space to the black market, but she had almost squandered it all recently. This kind of herb was extremely rare. If these items are sold too frequently on the market, it could arouse others¡¯ suspicion and covetousness. Currently, it wasn¡¯t advisable for her to flaunt herself since she was like a treasure trove. The only way to make money right now was to hurry up and go act or sing. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?¦Ï.?0 Just as Qiao Xiaren finished changing her clothes, she heard Xiaotian¡¯s serious voice in her mind, ¡°Congratulations to the host, you just successfully completed a mission.¡± ¡°Star Luck Value increased by 500 points.¡± ¡°Acting skills have been strengthened.¡± ¡°Intelligence, beauty increased.¡± ¡°Fame increased by one point.¡± ¡°Charm increased, invisible skills increased.¡± After all the formulaic stuff was recited, Qiao Xiaren finally asked, ¡°Mission? What mission?¡± ¡°The nightmare is a test for the host,¡± Xiaotian explained seriously, unlike his previous nonchalant tone, ¡°Qiaoqiao, if you hadn¡¯t escaped from the nightmare, the result you would face is to disappear from this world forever. So¡ª¡ª¡± Xiaotian paused on purpose then chuckled: ¡°So our Qiaoqiao is truly amazing. Congratulations to Qiaoqiao for passing the test, and your skills have been further strengthened! Well done!¡± Only then did Qiao Xiaren realize that the nightmare she had almost became a catastrophe. She overcame her psychological barrier and dreams to successfully escape from the nightmare. Thinking of the warm embrace when she woke up from the nightmare, Qiao Xiaren paused for a rare moment. Something inside her seemed to be softening. Thinking about the refreshing feeling she had when she got up, the fresh and joyful breath emanating from her body made her feel more energetic. Xiaren walked over to the mirror in a few steps. Her skin had become more delicate, as white and radiant as ice, and her lips were scarlet. The whole person was like a tree that had just sprouted, emitting a fresh scent. Qiao Xiaren gently lifted the corners of her mouth and smiled. The feeling was really nice, like getting a new lease on life. Her whole person appeared radiant, probably the reward for passing the test herself. That man. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s smile faded. She suddenly recalled the mysterious man she dreamed of who seemed close to Qiao Anchu. In her memories of her previous life, this man didn¡¯t exist. She closed her eyes, and fragments related to that man surfaced in her mind; his black clothes, steady steps, and a glimpse of a delicate and beautiful chin. From his appearance, he didn¡¯t look too old. Qiao Xiaren felt intuitively that this is an extraordinary person. Plus, she found this man quite strange. Why did he help Qiao Anchu? And why did Qiao Anchu say something like, ¡®When you die, I can finally be relieved¡¯? What was Qiao Anchu afraid of? Why did he want to see her dead? She couldn¡¯t remember where she had offended so many people. Xiaren always felt that there was something mysterious or something she didn¡¯t know at all about it. ¡°Goddess, have you figured something out? Is there another glamorous cheap slut looking for trouble?¡± Xiaotian¡¯s naive voice echoed in her mind, sounding somewhat excited, ¡°Kill them one by one, if a pair comes, kill them in pairs!¡± Qiao Xiaren smiled without saying anything, directly left the bathroom, but in her mind, she was already pondering over the anomaly that happened that night. ¡°Xiaren, come and have dinner.¡± Madam Si set up the chopsticks and bowls, gesturing for her to sit. Qiao Xiaren looked at the luxurious and young woman, a little taken aback. A gorgeous and noble lady, setting up chopsticks and bowls in such a shabby apartment, seemed somewhat out of place but also more down-to-earth. ¡°Thank you, Madam.¡± ¡°Why do you still call me ¡®Madam¡¯? ¡± Madame Si grinned as she sat down, ¡°You might as well call me¡­ um, Auntie.¡± What she originally wanted to suggest was ¡®Mum¡¯, but she worried that it might scare the girl off. ¡°Thank you, Auntie.¡± Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t mind these formalities. Looking at the abundant food in front of her, her mouth watered. There were takoyaki, omurice, and a few dishes that Qiao Xiaren couldn¡¯t name. Madame Si was quite satisfied; it seemed that her son wasn¡¯t completely obtuse after all. ¡°Here, eat more.¡± ¡°Thank you, Auntie.¡± Listening to her crisp voice and looking at her calm smiling face, Si Limo¡¯s heart felt as though it was being teased. A burst of restlessness suddenly emerged within him. Even though she was right in front of him, this feeling did not decrease. He felt it wasn¡¯t enough. He wanted to get even closer, closer, and it would be best if she was in his arms. His emotions were always fluctuating like this recently; sometimes, he would feel inexplicably sweet, but most of the time, he would feel a sense of loss and melancholy. Even his parents and sister noticed his mood swings becoming more and more unpredictable. But as long as he saw Qiao Xiaren, everything would be fine. He was completely clueless, like a headless fly. It seemed like it was time to seek some advice. Madame Si was very kind to Xiaren and very gentle, which made Qaio Xiaren feel a bit uncomfortable. She was not used to others being too nice to her. Her stomach was too hungry, so she picked up her chopsticks and began to eat. She ate quickly, yet she had an unexpected charm. The cheap porcelain bowl in her icy white fingers seemed to become invaluable. The sun shone down, and her long eyelashes cast a beautiful, dark shadow. No matter how Madame Si looked, she was pleased. ¡°Are you going back to school later? I¡¯ll let Limo take you.¡± Qiao Xiaren subconsciously wanted to refuse, but Madame Si directly pushed her son over, and Xiaren almost bumped into him. The unique, light fragrance on Si Limo¡¯s body, mixed with an overwhelming scent of hormone, suddenly surrounded her. Madame Si: y¡É__¡Éy Qiao Xiaren: -_-|| ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Si Limo looked at the girl not far from him, the tip of his ears slightly red. Qiao Xiaren nodded and followed behind him. Her afternoon training class at four o¡¯clock allowed for late registration for the first session. Qiao Xiaren planned to check the school first, guessing that the issue with Ye Jianian was probably becoming a big fuss. Thinking of his fate, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips curled up slightly in a cruel yet cold smile. They arrived at the school quickly. Qiao Xiaren unbuckled her seatbelt, turned around, and smiled at Si Limo: ¡°Mr. Si, I¡¯ll go first. I really appreciate what you did today, thank you.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes were as clear and bright as running water, shining against her creamy complexion like winter plums in full bloom. ¡°Call me if you need anything.¡± Si Limo hesitated for a moment, adding this sentence. Qiao Xiaren thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile: ¡°Alright.¡± ¡ª¡ª Ever since that incident, Ye Jianian didn¡¯t dare to show up at school. He could only lock himself in his room day and night, too ashamed to face anyone. As a man, there was nothing more humiliating than that incident. When his parents found him with the police, he was wrapped in a shabby mat and dumped at the stairwell, lying there weakly. The Ye Family¡¯s parents repeatedly warned the police not to spread the word, but somehow the related photos and videos were leaked overnight. The entire school started to buzz with gossip, and the discussions escalated. No one was more shocked than Bai Xinran and Ye Qing, who felt a chill go up their spine when they heard of Ye Jianian¡¯s fate. As far as Qiao Xiaren was concerned, the most satisfying thing was that Ye Jianian had disappeared from her sight and would no longer bother her like an annoying fly. She didn¡¯t know whether Ye Jianian would meet Qiao Anchu in the future like in her past life, but after this battle, Ye Jianian wouldn¡¯t dare to act rashly. Even if they were to become enemies, he would definitely think twice about the videos and photos in her hands. Now the incident had only circulated in a small scope. If anyone dared to provoke her in the future, it would become the talk of the town. Qiao Xiaren slightly curved her lips into a smile, satisfied with taking down a future enemy. Destiny be damned, in this life, she wouldn¡¯t be bullied by these nobodies. Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: Chapter 99: Irrelevant to Her_1 Chapter 98: Chapter 99: Irrelevant to Her_1 After attending the afternoon classes without a hitch, Qiao Xiaren received an unexpected phone call. The training program for fledgling performers allowed her to bypass the interview; she was to report directly to the training camp the day after tomorrow. Qiao Xiaren was slightly taken aback. On the other end of the line, she agreed. That¡¯s good; it saved her the trouble. She had dinner with Huo Xiaoning and took a car directly back to the apartment. Upon entering, she took off her shoes. Qiao Xiaren slightly drew the curtains, twisted her ring once, and entered the space. As the shelves of the space materialized, Qiao Xiaren walked around and took out the treasured divination disk. The disk unfurled, wavy light faintly glowing from it. As the disc opened up, the light flowed like a river. With her eyes closed, Qiao Xiaren calmly suspended her hand over the disc, and the symbols on the divination chart emitted an unusual golden light. After a while, Qiao Xiaren put her hand down. Her pupils suddenly constricted; she seemed incredulous! The waves in her brown eyes gradually subsided. ¡°Qiaoqiao¡­did you discover something? Or are you feeling unwell?¡± Xiaotian¡¯s innocent voice resounded in her head, seemingly concerned. Shaken, Qiao Xiaren quickly composed herself but remained silent for a long time. Finally, she replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She quickly put away the divination chart, carefully preserving it. She was startled to realize that man bore abnormal traits, exactly like hers. Moreover, his intentions seemed malicious. Between lightning and flint, a daring and bizarre answer arose in her mind. That man was probably a rebirthed individual too. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã? This meant that she was not the only reborn person in this space- that man was one too! Who is he now, and where is he? What kind of conspiracy and purpose does he have? She had no idea. The hairs on Xiaren¡¯s back pricked slightly. This unpredictable danger and intuition made her nerves tighten further. She was suddenly grateful that she¡¯d been taught metaphysics, even though she only knew the basics. At least now, she knew of another enemy¡¯s existence. That man¡ª What kind of entanglement and secrets existed between him and Qiao Anchu? No matter whether it was his past or present life, he definitely wasn¡¯t a pushover. At least to Qiao Xiaren, he was an enemy, an enemy who helped Qiao Anchu. An enemy, the extent of whose ambition was unknown. Right now, though, this enemy was out in the open while she was hidden. She could still root him out, provided she found him in time. This man had to be eliminated! She wouldn¡¯t let anyone put her back into the tragedy of her previous life! Thinking of this, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes flashed with a sharp, icy light. ¡ª¡ª After asking Abby for information about a few screen tests, Qiao Xiaren started planning her weekend itinerary. She shortlisted a few messages about audition roles, preparing to choose a few minor parts to try out for. The first was a fresh, aesthetic music video where she played the role of a bride. The romantic painting-like scenes weave a series of heartwarming little stories, and the ending was naturally cheerful. The second was a fairy drama ¡°Slaying Immortal.¡± Qiao Xiaren wanted to try out for the role of a malicious demon immortal who constantly sabotages the relationship of the male and female leads but dies young. The demon immortal position in ¡°Slaying Immortal¡± caught Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eye. Although wicked villains often loomed as distasteful, this role portrayed a complex and delicate balance of love and hatred, shaping a vivid and three-dimensional image, a dark, all-conquering queen. She didn¡¯t aim for the moon and tried not to challenge major productions starring roles directly. If an actor¡¯s popularity grew too quickly, it was likely to arouse the disgust of fans and the public. Slow and steady wins the race. Early the next morning, Qiao Xiaren got up, freshened up, and looked for bus stops and routes. By coincidence, the music video ¡°Dream Bride¡± and the TV drama ¡°Slaying Immortal¡± were holding auditions in the same place. Qiao Xiaren arrived promptly at the audition hall. It wasn¡¯t late, but a long line had already formed behind her. As people saw individuals enter, those waiting couldn¡¯t help but glance over. When they saw Qiao Xiaren¡¯s breathtakingly beautiful face, low gasps emitted from the crowd. Semi-concealed hostility started appearing in their eyes. Such extreme beauty was indeed an overwhelming weapon; naturally, it would arouse people¡¯s disgust and vigilance. Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: Chapter 100: Playing with the Devil_1 Chapter 99: Chapter 100: Playing with the Devil_1 Qiao Xiaren ambled over casually, her serene gaze unchanged and faintly hinted at a serene coolness. No matter the jealousy, malice, admiration, or praise around her, none could shake her emotions in the least. She remained poised amid praise and criticism¡ªit was her norm. She strolled in, collected her audition form, and calmly settled into a comfortable seat. ¡°First one, come in!¡± ¡°The second one¡­¡± ¡°Next!¡± ¡­ The call for auditioning actors echoed from inside, one after another leaving with bowed heads and gaps of disappointed resignation. Each futilely shook their heads at the yet-to-be-called auditionees, their faces filled with innocence. A repressive and nervous atmosphere began to pervade the hall. Everyone seemed anxious and uneasy, watching each actor who had been called enter, and then exit, dejected. ¡°Word is, if you¡¯re chosen as the female lead for the MV, you might have a chance to share a screen with the nation¡¯s Little Prince, Yeqian!¡± ¡°Yeqian? Ah! He¡¯s my idol!¡± ¡°Imagine being so lucky to be seen alongside the nation¡¯s Little Prince. It¡¯d definitely garner a lot of attention and visibility!¡± ¡°Not only the MV, but the male lead for ¡®Slaying Immortal¡¯ is even in talks with big-name stars. If you¡¯re good enough to bag both auditions, there are no limits to the future!¡± Gazing at the person chatting excitedly, someone couldn¡¯t resist throwing cold water on their enthusiasm: ¡°Young girl, have you woken from your dream?¡± Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Wouldn¡¯t it be already something if they could bag just one? Amid a small disturbance at the front, Qiao Xiaren remained calm and elegant, observing all while listening attentively. She was merely studying the few lines of script she held in her hand, pondering her role. As if the hustle and bustle around had nothing to do with her. At the front stood a middle-aged man wearing a baseball hat, in a black vest and shorts, holding a loudspeaker before the camera. At first glance, he seemed like a mobster. ¡°No, the angle is wrong. I want a wide angle, a wide angle OK? Do you have a scar on your brain? It¡¯s so narrow, you might as well eat shit!¡± The middle-aged man held a megaphone and shouted, even those outside could hear the director¡¯s routine bellowing. The entire cast couldn¡¯t help but shudder. This man was ¡°as mad as a hatter¡± Li Li, ready to unleash chaos at any moment, obsessed with the play, and quick to curse at the drop of a hat. As soon as the angle was adjusted, he turned his critical eye to the others: ¡°How is this flower arranged? I asked for three pots, you gave me four, what the hell is that? Why haven¡¯t the fallen leaves on the ground been cleared? Where are the assistants? I¡¯ve said it so many times, details determine success or failure. Have you all skipped meals or are you deliberately waiting to be scolded?¡± Amid Hatter Li¡¯s cursing, the crew members begrudgingly began moving items back and forth. Chapter 100 - Chapter 100: Chapter 101 MV_1 Chapter 100: Chapter 101 MV_1 The drama crew was being tortured by the director to the point of wanting to die, a desire to cry without tears. Lately, Li Li has not only directed the latest fantasy drama ¡°Slaying Immortal¡±, but also served as the director of Yeqian¡¯s latest MV, ¡°Dream Bride¡±. MV does not require high acting skills; as long as there is looks, it could support a world. Not to mention this is the national Little Prince¡¯s MV. His fans had long ago raised a wave of expectations, repeatedly stirring up excitement on Weibo. But once Li Li took action, the demands on the actors became harsh. The main style of the MV is fresh and clean, positioning a high standard for the leading lady who not only needs to be pure but also emits a subtly delicate and immature feeling. It¡¯s easy to find a fresh-faced actress, but the feel had to be right, and that required acting skills. The assistant complained privately, where could such a leading lady be found! Although he grumbled, he dared not voice it out loud. ¡°Li Li, I thought Luo Hong, whom you looked at yesterday, was good. She¡¯s very suitable for the role of Demon Immortal in ¡°Slaying Immortal¡±, why are you suddenly holding a public audition today? It might be very difficult to find a suitable candidate for the Demon Immortal character. Luo Hong is currently recognized within the circle as the best newcomer actress. She will definitely be the highlight of ¡°Slaying Immortal¡±.¡± Zhang Qiu, the producer, sat down, somewhat helplessly glancing at Li Li. ¡°Luo Hong¡­ hahaha¡­¡± Li Li glanced at him, a slight movement at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Luo Hong has just received the Bai Yulan Newcomer Award and is currently in full swing. Naturally, she looks down on the supporting roles in our drama. The newcomers in this circle are too impulsive, always eyeing for profits, the movie market is truly lacking in real acting talents.¡± Li Li shook his head with an inexplicable disappointment. Zhang Qiu pondered, ¡°She rejected you? If it weren¡¯t for you recommending her for the leading role in ¡°Dragon Girl¡±, she would never have risen to fame so quickly. Doesn¡¯t she have any respect for you, the one who noticed her talents?¡± ¡°She¡¯s now the new darling of investors and fans. Who still remembers my suggestion?¡± Li Li put down the loudspeaker in his hand, a sarcastic smile in his eyes. Many people came to audition at the scene, not just actors, but also non-actors who dream of becoming stars. Stars all have dazzling halos on their heads, but before that, they need to go through trials and tribulations and climb the ladder. Zhang Qiu looked around at the audition hall with some boredom, but his gaze stopped on one person. Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï Everything around seemed to become her backdrop, as she lowered her eyes and concentrated on flipping through her audition form. From this angle, they could only see her profile, which though only the tip of the iceberg, was stunningly beautiful. ¡°Li Li, what do you think of her?¡± Zhang Qiu remembered, she was introduced by E-fashion¡¯s Abby, who mentioned her repeatedly to him today, so it left a strong impression. Li Li subconsciously looked in that direction. Even though they were far apart and he could barely see her profile, he clearly identified her figure. He couldn¡¯t help but perk up, ¡°Quickly, ask that young lady to come over and try.¡± Qiao Xiaren had just sat down when Bai Xinran and Ye Qing came in. Seeing each other, they were both surprised. A sense of amusement gradually rose in Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes, interesting. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, what are you doing here?¡± Ye Qing¡¯s tone was very unfriendly, looking at Qiao Xiaren with reverence and disgust. ¡°Why can¡¯t I be here?¡± She leaned back in her chair, lazily glancing at Ye Qing, ¡°Ye Qing, do I need to explain to you about where I appear?¡± Ye Qing choked, her face flushed, and she was about to say something harsh. But when she met Qiao Xiaren¡¯s cooler gaze, she suddenly felt a tingling sensation on her scalp.