Chapter 128 - 101: Xiao Wanqing’s Condition
[Fine, I won’t come back. You’ll just bite me again if I do.]
’What the hell...’
Xiao Wanqing’s temper flared the moment she saw his text. ’If you don’t want to come back, just say so. Why make up excuses?’
Muttering to herself, she fumed, ’Fine! So you’re not coming back! Then we’re done!’ before snatching up her phone and typing out a supposedly "commanding" reply: [So where are you? I’ll come take you home.]
’Pfft~’
’Did I really just cave?’
BEEP BEEP BEEP.
[Langyue Japanese Restaurant]
’That place?’
Xiao Wanqing lifted her head and gazed across the river. The dazzling lights on the opposite bank of the Huangpu River illuminated the Langyue Japanese Restaurant, which wasn’t far from her home at Tangchen Yipin.
Xiao Wanqing finished getting ready, making herself look stunning. She checked her reflection in the mirror, threw her shoulders back, and sucked in her stomach, trying to summon the "Queen" aura she used to command. With a final swipe of lipstick, she was ready. OK! Time to go hunt down her man!
「Meanwhile.」
Su Ran had joined the conversation with Lin Che and the others. The main topic was Reba discussing the costumes and styling for the performance in two days; she felt it was important to help Lin Che’s group get their look right.
The SJ Band had four members. Lin Che and the other two guys weren’t bad-looking by any means. Their average height was over 177 cm—taller than 180 cm with shoes on. It was a classic case of "clothes make the man." Many of today’s hottest stars had been plain and unremarkable before their debut. Afterward, they transformed day by day into heartthrobs and goddesses. It just proved that as long as the underlying potential was there, a good makeover could work wonders.
Reba said seriously, "Many of the other top-ranking Trainees in the camp have entire teams promoting them. It’s not a secret; everyone knows. Lin Che, you’ve invited your friends to perform with you this time, and... well, to be honest, the production team hasn’t really placed their bets on you. So, while the camp has stylists and designers, you’ll likely just be treated as background filler..."
Lin Che nodded. He knew this all too well. His screen time each episode was insultingly short. He was just there to fill a spot, mainly because he didn’t have a Sponsor backing him.
Reba continued, "I really admire you guys, and I’m looking forward to your next performance. That’s why I’ve already contacted my personal styling team to create custom looks for all of you. I’ll also see about getting you a few clothing brand sponsorships."
The three band members said in unison, "Thank you, Ms. Reba."
Su Ran said, "Maybe we should pass."
Lin Che interjected, "Su Ran, what are you talking about? Ms. Reba, he’s just a kid, he doesn’t know what he’s saying. Please don’t mind him."
Su Ran: ...
Reba asked, "Su Ran, do you have something else in mind?"
Su Ran explained, "I’m part of the SJ Band, too. Even though I’m only here to help Brother Che on stage for this one performance, it’s a chance to fulfill an old dream of mine. And since it’s a dream, I want the performance to be perfect. I want the SJ Band to have its best moment ever. That’s why I’ve already arranged for a styling team, so there’s no need to trouble Ms. Reba."
Lin Che, slightly taken aback, tried to stop him. "How is that going to work? Is the team you found really better than Ms. Reba’s? Her team styles A-list celebrities!"
Su Ran replied confidently, "I’m sure they’ll be fine!"
"Su Ran, which team did you hire?" Reba asked. "I’ve worked with quite a few in the industry. If you tell me the name, I can probably tell you if they’re legit." Reba knew Su Ran was wealthy, but from her position in the fashion world, she felt she had to ask. There were too many pretenders out there, and she didn’t want him to waste his money on a team that couldn’t deliver.
Su Ran said, "I’m sure it’s fine. I don’t actually know the name; I had someone else take care of it for me."
Hearing this, Lin Che’s face fell. "Ah, come on, man. Are you just pulling our leg? Eat your sushi and be quiet. Here." Lin Che placed a piece of sushi in Su Ran’s bowl. "You’re a freshman, you need to grow. Eat more, talk less."
Lin Che was a great friend to Su Ran. Just yesterday, he’d insisted on bringing Su Ran along to a private club. That’s a true bro for you.
In truth, they had known each other for years. Lin Che had always been good to Su Ran, but after Su Ran’s parents died in a car accident, he started treating him like his own flesh and blood. Before Su Ran had even turned eighteen, Lin Che would have him wear a mask and tag along to his bar gigs to earn some cash. He even invited Su Ran to join his "professional Funeral Band," but Su Ran wasn’t interested. To each their own. Lin Che didn’t press the issue and just continued his "graveside raves."
Now, Su Ran was dabbling in things like "Bitcoin" and the "Metaverse"—all virtual stuff—and had made his first fortune. Then he got into other ventures and made even more money. Lin Che was envious, sure, but he still saw him as a brother and never started sucking up to him because of his new wealth.
Su Ran set down his chopsticks. "I’m not joking," he said seriously. "I really did arrange for someone."
And Su Ran really had found someone: Wang Xiaoxiao of the International Finance Center. The moment Wang Xiaoxiao heard that Mr. Su and his friends needed to be styled for a stage performance, she had thumped her ample chest and declared, ’Consider it done! Professional makeup team, professional wardrobe team... If we at the International Finance Center say we’re number one, then we *are* number one!’
’The International Finance Center is one of the most prestigious malls in the city, home to nothing but top-tier international brands. Was this even a challenge for them?’
"Alright, alright," Reba intervened. "Fine. Since you’ve already found a team, that’s that. We still have two days. How about this: tomorrow, we’ll go check out this team you’ve hired. If they’re good, we’ll use them. If not, you listen to me. Deal?"
"Deal," Su Ran said, raising his glass. "Come on, everyone. A toast to Ms. Reba."
BEEP BEEP BEEP.
Su Ran’s phone went off.
Su Ran answered. "Hello?"
"I’m here. By the cashier’s desk."
"I’m coming to get you."
Lin Che teased, "Is that your lady? What are you waiting for? Go get her!"
"You guys keep eating. I’ll go get her."
Su Ran stood up and slid open the door to their private room. He spotted Xiao Wanqing standing by the cashier’s desk, walked over, and tapped her on the shoulder. "You made it."
Xiao Wanqing turned around, her eyes immediately drawn to his lips. "Does it hurt?"