Chapter 155: Dance Practice

Some comments even mentioned Jiang Xiaobai herself—

“Jiang Xiaobai was already called a heroine when she caught that criminal. Now that she’s played this role, I’m even more convinced she’s the real deal! So cool, I want to marry her!”

After reading the comments, Jiang Xiaobai started typing.

Since Chao Nan had tagged her, she couldn’t ignore it. She replied to his post, “The work is amazing. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with you.”

The post was already trending. Chao Nan was a highly promoted artist under Tangming Entertainment, and since he rarely posted on social media, this update naturally garnered a lot of attention.

The post quickly climbed to the top of the trending list, and it looked like it would stay there for a while.

After commenting, Jiang Xiaobai reposted the MV, and soon, replies started pouring in—

“My girl is both cool and beautiful. The enemy princess doesn’t stand a chance. I’m team heroine!”

“The song is great, the video is amazing, the heroine is so cool, and the prince is so handsome!”

Most of the comments were positive, though a few accused her of riding on Chao Nan’s coattails. However, those comments were quickly drowned out.

Both Chao Nan and Jiang Xiaobai were signed under Tangming Entertainment. While their collaboration was cross-disciplinary, it wasn’t unusual in the entertainment industry, and most fans understood. Only a handful of toxic fans criticized her for trying to gain attention from their idol.

Jiang Xiaobai ignored those comments.

Not long after, Chao Nan replied to her comment—

“The heroine was excellent. I look forward to collaborating with you again.”

Jiang Xiaobai was momentarily surprised when she saw this, then smiled.

“It seems he really appreciates you. That’s good—you’re starting to build a positive reputation,” Dong Ran said, sitting beside her with a look of satisfaction.

She wasn’t wrong. Chao Nan did admire Jiang Xiaobai. Her singing aside, what stood out most was her diligence, adaptability, and lack of pretension. She was far easier to work with than many other actresses who were more high-maintenance.

It was precisely because of these qualities that Chao Nan had expressed interest in collaborating with her again.

When Chao Nan’s fans saw his comment, many were curious and started following Jiang Xiaobai—

“If our idol likes her, she must be something special!”

After reading the script late into the night, Jiang Xiaobai went to bed early. The next afternoon, she and Dong Ran headed to Tangming Entertainment.

Dong Ran was efficient. She had already secured a private dance studio, and the dance instructor, Sun Cong, was ready and waiting.

Sun Cong was a short man with an… interesting demeanor. His gestures were naturally flamboyant, and though he wasn’t conventionally handsome, he exuded a certain charm.

When he demonstrated a few dance moves, Jiang Xiaobai was immediately impressed.

He’s amazing!

Male dancers, even when performing fluid movements, retain a sense of strength. It’s a unique blend of power and grace that’s different from the softness of female dancers.

As Sun Cong danced, he seemed to glow, his presence overshadowing his appearance and making him appear taller than he actually was.

Jiang Xiaobai had only learned ballet as a child, so starting with folk dance meant going back to the basics.

With less than a month to prepare, there wasn’t enough time to become truly proficient. However, Sun Cong still had her practice the basics, believing it would help her get into the rhythm faster.

Jiang Xiaobai was diligent, practicing non-stop. It was then that her physical condition became apparent—

“Hey, you’re in pretty good shape,” Sun Cong remarked.

At first, he hadn’t noticed. He’d been busy correcting her movements and explaining the details. But after watching her practice for a while, he realized something was off—

This girl didn’t seem to get tired!

She’d been dancing continuously, yet her face wasn’t flushed, her breathing was only slightly heavier, and she wasn’t even sweating!

“I exercise regularly,” Jiang Xiaobai lied without batting an eye.

Thanks to the spiritual energy improving her physique, her stamina and endurance had significantly increased.

“Good. In that case, let’s extend today’s session. We’ll practice a bit longer,” Sun Cong said, finally smiling for the first time that day.

He’d worked with many celebrities, each with their own reasons for learning dance—some for fitness, others for roles or performances. Most were pampered by their fans and couldn’t handle the physical demands, often complaining and asking for breaks after just a short while.

As a professional dancer, Sun Cong found this frustrating, but he had to keep his opinions to himself. He’d teach them, but whether he liked or disliked them was another matter.

Initially, he hadn’t expected much from Jiang Xiaobai. But seeing her work hard and maintain such stamina, he decided to take her training seriously.

“Thank you, Teacher Sun,” Jiang Xiaobai said, grateful.

She was more than willing to practice longer. As long as Sun Cong was willing to teach, she was happy to learn.

From Dong Ran, she knew Sun Cong was a highly sought-after instructor. Getting him to offer extra training was a big win.

They trained for nearly five hours that afternoon. By the time Jiang Xiaobai left the company, she felt like her body was about to fall apart.

While her physical condition was good, she was still human and could get tired.

Back home, she ran a bath with essential oils and soaked, finally feeling some relief.

The next afternoon, Jiang Xiaobai returned to the dance studio. This time, Ming Zhu accompanied her instead of Dong Ran.

Dong Ran had come the previous day to ensure everything was in order. Once she was satisfied, she didn’t need to come again.

The session ran late again, and by the time they finished, it was almost dark outside.

“Tomorrow’s an odd-numbered day, so Hai Cen doesn’t need to come. You can come in the morning to get in some extra practice,” Sun Cong told Jiang Xiaobai.

Hai Cen’s training schedule was on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings. Dong Ran had arranged for Jiang Xiaobai’s sessions to be in the afternoons, as Sun Cong preferred not to overwork himself. He also had other clients to attend to.

But after two days of working with Jiang Xiaobai, Sun Cong saw potential in her. He believed that with proper training, her demeanor could reach new heights.

This prospect excited him.

 

 

Chapter 156: A True Man

Jiang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned by Sun Cong’s offer, then quickly replied with delight, “Thank you, Teacher. I’ll come first thing tomorrow morning.”

“You’re a good student,” Sun Cong said, shaking his head with a hint of regret. “It’s a shame you didn’t start learning dance earlier. Otherwise…” He sighed, his fingers naturally forming a delicate gesture.

After two days of working together, Jiang Xiaobai had grown accustomed to Sun Cong’s mannerisms. She no longer found his gestures odd; in fact, she now thought he was quite endearing.

Sun Cong had a proud exterior, often accompanied by small gestures like eye rolls, smirks, or drawn-out tones that could come across as mocking. But in reality, he was thoughtful and kind. Several times during their sessions, he had reminded Jiang Xiaobai to pace herself to avoid injury. He even taught her specific exercises to improve her posture and physique.

Jiang Xiaobai genuinely liked and respected him.

After saying goodbye to Sun Cong, Jiang Xiaobai left Tangming Entertainment.

On the way home, Ming Zhu, who was driving, updated her on the fan gift situation—

“Most of the fans have received their gifts, and they’re happily sharing them in the group chat. Those who didn’t get one are so jealous, haha… Even the group leader and deputy leader posted about them on Weibo.”

With the efficiency of modern delivery services, gifts sent to nearby cities arrived the next day. Many of Jiang Xiaobai’s fans had already received their presents.

“I’m glad they like them,” Jiang Xiaobai said with a smile.

“But, Xiaobai, you said these have calming effects. Is that true?” Ming Zhu asked curiously.

“Yes, they do,” Jiang Xiaobai confirmed.

“Oh… You mentioned that an elder in your family knows how to make talismans. Did they teach you this?” Ming Zhu’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Ming Zhu had purchased the materials, and Jiang Xiaobai had crafted the charms herself. Since they still had the intended effect, it was natural for Ming Zhu to make the connection.

Jiang Xiaobai gave her a meaningful look. “You’re so clever!”

This would be a perfect explanation for the origin of the talismans.

Ming Zhu chuckled sheepishly. “If they work, that’s great. A lot of people struggle with sleep issues, and I sometimes overthink things and can’t sleep either… Oh, and when those who received the bracelets notice the effects, they’ll probably spread the word online. Could that help you gain more fans?”

Jiang Xiaobai thought about it seriously. “I hope so.”

A celebrity gaining fans through small gifts… That would be quite amusing.

When Jiang Xiaobai got home, she called Dong Ran to update her on the change in her dance schedule.

“Sun Cong offered to extend your training time? That’s rare. He’s actually quite averse to celebrities. If he could, he would’ve quit long ago,” Dong Ran said, clearly surprised.

“Really? Then why did he join Tangming? There are so many celebrities here,” Jiang Xiaobai asked, puzzled.

“He was hired by the boss at a high price. Back then, he made a living through dance performances, which was his passion. But when his wife fell seriously ill and needed a lot of money for treatment, he didn’t have enough savings. So, he signed a long-term contract with the company, essentially tying himself here. Fortunately, his wife recovered,” Dong Ran explained over the phone.

Jiang Xiaobai couldn’t help but ask, “He has a wife?”

“…Of course,” Dong Ran paused, then laughed. “Don’t let his… flamboyant demeanor fool you. He’s a real man at heart. Some behaviors are just influenced by his environment. We shouldn’t judge without knowing the full story.”

“You’re right,” Jiang Xiaobai agreed.

She hadn’t meant to imply anything about Sun Cong’s character. It was just surprising to think of such a graceful man being married. But the fact that he had sacrificed his freedom for his wife’s sake proved he was a true man, no matter how he appeared on the outside.

Jiang Xiaobai silently gave him her respect.

The next morning, Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the dance studio as scheduled.

Sun Cong was punctual, arriving shortly after she did. Jiang Xiaobai was already warming up with some basic moves, and seeing her diligence, Sun Cong smiled faintly.

“You’re learning quickly. The basics are no problem for you now. From today on, I’ll teach you some dance steps and simple, combinable movements. Once you master these, you’ll be able to pick up any choreography for the film quickly.”

Jiang Xiaobai knew her character would perform a stunning dance in the movie, but she had no idea what it would look like. There was no way to prepare in advance.

But Sun Cong had a solution—

If she didn’t know the full routine, she could at least learn the building blocks. Once she mastered the basic moves, she could adapt them to any choreography. And if she struggled, she could always come back to Tangming for his guidance.

After all, he was practically her dance mentor now!

Sun Cong puffed out his chest proudly, his fingers forming a delicate gesture as he began explaining the key points.

Just as they were deep into the lesson, the door was suddenly kicked open with a loud bang.

Startled, Jiang Xiaobai turned to see a strikingly handsome man standing in the doorway, his leg still raised from the kick. His eyes were sharp and unfriendly as he glared at them.

The man had delicate features—large eyes, a refined nose, and a small mouth—giving him an almost androgynous beauty. But his expression was far from pleasant.

Jiang Xiaobai recognized him immediately—

Hai Cen.

“Sun Cong, what’s the meaning of this?” Hai Cen demanded, crossing his arms and tilting his chin up. “I specifically told you these sessions were for me alone. So, who is she?” He pointed at Jiang Xiaobai with clear disdain.

Jiang Xiaobai was baffled. What’s going on? Didn’t Dong Ran sort this out? Why is Hai Cen causing a scene?

She glanced at Sun Cong, who was equally furious.

“Who told you to kick the door? Get out!” Sun Cong snapped, hands on his hips, his fingers forming a delicate gesture as he pointed at Hai Cen.

Jiang Xiaobai’s eyes widened.

Wow… He’s really standing his ground.

 

 

Chapter 157: Feedback

“You dare tell me to leave, you effeminate jerk! Do you want to lose your job?” Hai Cen’s face flushed with anger, his cheeks tinged with pink. His delicate features made Jiang Xiaobai glance at him a few more times…

Such a beautiful sight, a beauty in anger…

Wait, no. Hai Cen wasn’t shy—just furious.

“Ha! I don’t care if I lose this job. What are you going to do about it? Fire me? I’d thank you for that!” Sun Cong sneered, crossing his arms. Despite his defiant stance, his movements were graceful and pleasing to the eye, his slender arms moving with elegance.

Compared to Hai Cen’s aggressive posture, Sun Cong’s was far more refined.

“Fine, just wait and see!” Hai Cen glared at him, then turned and stormed out.

“That little brat, daring to throw a tantrum at me. Who does he think he is?” Sun Cong muttered, swaying his hips as he walked over to close the door, his expression clearly annoyed.

Jiang Xiaobai hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, “Teacher Sun, did I cause trouble for you? Did Hai Cen not know about our training sessions?”

“He knew,” Sun Cong said with a dismissive wave. “We agreed that I’d only teach you in the afternoons. But when he heard I was giving you extra time in the mornings, he got upset. That little brat thinks he can throw his weight around, but he’s not my son. I’m not going to indulge him.”

“But…” Jiang Xiaobai hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Could this cause problems for you? Maybe we should stick to the afternoons. I can practice at home in the mornings.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not afraid of him. That little rascal,” Sun Cong grumbled, rolling up his sleeves. “Let’s continue.”

His mood was clearly sour, and his tone was sharper than usual. But Jiang Xiaobai had already figured out his temperament. She knew his anger wasn’t directed at her, so she didn’t take it personally and obediently resumed her training.

Hai Cen had come and gone in a flash. Jiang Xiaobai was worried he might return to cause more trouble during her afternoon session, but to her surprise, there was no sign of him.

When she mentioned this to Sun Cong, he scoffed. “He probably realized he can’t do anything about it. You know what? His manager contacted me at noon and said he’s quitting dance lessons. Good riddance!”

“Quitting? But isn’t he supposed to dance on that variety show?” Jiang Xiaobai was puzzled. She remembered Dong Ran mentioning that Hai Cen was learning dance to perform on an indoor variety show, hoping to impress the audience.

But he hadn’t been training for long. Why quit now?

“Who knows? Maybe he’s hiring a private tutor outside. He’s got the money for it,” Sun Cong said indifferently. “Don’t worry about him. That guy won’t last long in this industry.”

Jiang Xiaobai felt something was off but decided not to dwell on it. Sun Cong had the backing of Tangming’s boss, so Hai Cen probably couldn’t do much to him.

Otherwise, Hai Cen might have succeeded in getting Sun Cong fired.

“Anyway, now that he’s gone, my time is all yours. Come whenever you’re free, and I’ll give you proper guidance,” Sun Cong said, his tone softening. “Ah, if only I’d met you when you were younger. I could’ve made you a top-tier dancer.”

The best time to learn dance is during childhood, when the body is still flexible and easier to shape. The longer one trains, the better their posture becomes.

Although Jiang Xiaobai was talented, some things couldn’t be fully compensated for by talent alone.

Jiang Xiaobai thought to herself—

Original Jiang Xiaobai: No, I don’t want to be a dancer. I want to be a superstar, the hottest one out there!

“Thank you, Teacher. I’ll work hard,” Jiang Xiaobai said politely.

“Don’t mention it. Just make sure you don’t embarrass me when you’re filming. I’ll have you know, the choreographers on your set won’t be as good as me. If my student gets criticized by those amateurs, I’ll lose face,” Sun Cong said sternly.

Jiang Xiaobai nodded vigorously. “Got it, got it.”

After finishing her training, Jiang Xiaobai was about to leave when she remembered something. She called out to Sun Cong, who was also preparing to go.

“Teacher, I made this small gift for you. I hope you like it,” she said, handing him a talisman bracelet.

This wasn’t the calming talisman she had given to her fans but a vitality talisman. It was designed to improve overall health over time. While it couldn’t cure serious illnesses, it could alleviate minor aches and pains.

She had chosen this gift because Sun Cong had mentioned having old injuries, particularly in his joints and ligaments, likely from years of intense dance training.

Sun Cong had gone above and beyond in teaching her, treating her like a true disciple. Jiang Xiaobai wanted to show her gratitude, so she had brought the bracelet with her that morning.

“Oh, this is quite lovely. I’ll take it,” Sun Cong said, his eyes lighting up. He didn’t hesitate, slipping it onto his wrist with a pleased smile.

Though he wasn’t conventionally handsome, his fair skin made the red bracelet stand out beautifully. He admired it for a moment, his smile growing wider.

As someone in the entertainment industry, Sun Cong had a keen eye for value. He could tell the bracelet wasn’t expensive, probably worth around a thousand yuan, so he accepted it without hesitation.

After a long day of training, Jiang Xiaobai felt like her body was about to fall apart. The physical exertion was intense, but the sense of accomplishment made it all worthwhile. She never considered slacking off.

After her usual post-training bath, Jiang Xiaobai settled down to read her script. Just then, Ming Zhu rushed over excitedly.

“Xiaobai, look! The feedback is in!”

“Feedback?” Jiang Xiaobai looked up from her script as Ming Zhu handed her phone over. The screen displayed a Weibo post.

[Xiao Mianmian: What a magical treasure! I thought it was just cute and pretty, but it turns out it has special powers too! I’ve been wearing it for two days, and I fall asleep within five minutes every night. No more dreams, just deep, restful sleep until morning. It’s been so long since I’ve slept this well. I feel so lucky! Here’s a shoutout to my goddess, Sister Xiaobai. Thank you for the gift! Being your fan group leader is the best! @Jiang Xiaobai]

The post included a photo of the calming talisman bracelet Jiang Xiaobai had sent.

“Is that Mianmian?” Jiang Xiaobai asked after reading the post.

 

Chapter 158: Side Business

“Yes, it’s our fan group leader,” Ming Zhu nodded.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled. “As long as it works, that’s all that matters.”

“Not just her, another male fan who received the bracelet also posted on Weibo. Look.” Ming Zhu showed Jiang Xiaobai another post.

Both fans had initially posted about receiving the talisman bracelets, but this time, their updates were different. They were praising the bracelets for their sleep-enhancing effects.

“Some of the other winners have also shared photos,” Ming Zhu said excitedly, clearly happy for Jiang Xiaobai. “Xiaobai, your bracelets are amazing! We should open a shop. I’m sure we’d get a lot of repeat customers!”

Jiang Xiaobai looked puzzled. “Why open a shop?”

Ming Zhu was taken aback. “To make money, of course.”

“But I don’t need money,” Jiang Xiaobai replied instinctively.

Ming Zhu: “…”

Her smile instantly faded, and she gave Jiang Xiaobai a reproachful look.

Jiang Xiaobai then remembered that Ming Zhu’s life was very different from hers. Ming Zhu had grown up in hardship, and it was only in recent years, after starting work, that her family’s situation had improved. Naturally, she had a stronger desire to earn money.

“Ming Zhu, have you ever thought about starting a side business?” Jiang Xiaobai suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Ming Zhu was momentarily confused.

“You could open an online store and sell ‘Jiang Xiaobai’s signature bracelets’…” Jiang Xiaobai explained her idea in detail.

She knew that she would continue to give away various talismans on Weibo, but only as gifts, not for sale. As the talismans gained popularity, “Jiang Xiaobai’s bracelets” would likely become a trend, and knockoffs would flood the market.

If they only sold replicas, they wouldn’t be able to compete with others. But what if Ming Zhu’s store occasionally sold “authentic” bracelets?

Authentic bracelets, personally blessed by Jiang Xiaobai, the “fairy,” with the same effects—wouldn’t that attract customers eager to buy them?

“That… sounds great, but how would we explain the source of the authentic bracelets? What if people don’t believe us? Or what if they associate it with you and think you’re using your celebrity status to make money?” Ming Zhu asked, intrigued but still hesitant.

She fully believed in Jiang Xiaobai and knew she would become a big star. Using “Jiang Xiaobai’s signature bracelets” as a selling point was indeed a great idea. It could definitely make money!

But she still had some concerns.

“Every time I give away gifts on Weibo, different people win. Who’s to say they’ll all keep the bracelets for themselves? Some might sell them at a high price. You can claim that you’re sourcing the authentic bracelets from these winners. It’s impossible to verify, and you don’t need to sell many—just one or two authentic bracelets a month at a reasonable price. The rest can be replicas,” Jiang Xiaobai explained.

“That… sounds doable. I’ll look into the process of opening an online store and give it a try?” Ming Zhu said, her interest piqued.

“Sure, it doesn’t require much investment. We can test the waters, and if it doesn’t work out, we can always pull back without losing much,” Jiang Xiaobai said with a smile. “Besides, the market is limited. The earlier we claim our share, the better. Don’t be afraid—go for it.”

“Alright, I’ll start researching right away,” Ming Zhu said, clenching her fists in determination.

Her parents were in poor health and couldn’t earn much. She also had younger siblings to support, so the burden of the family fell entirely on her shoulders. Ming Zhu was used to hard work and was willing to take on any job.

She wasn’t afraid of not knowing how to do something because everything could be learned. She believed that as long as she was willing to work hard and endure, she would eventually succeed.

People who had come from humble beginnings had to have this kind of determination—otherwise, how could they rise above their circumstances?

Jiang Xiaobai nodded in approval.

The reason she had suggested this idea was that she trusted Ming Zhu’s character.

Despite her hardships, Ming Zhu had never taken shortcuts. She earned every penny through honest, hard work. Even after two years in the entertainment industry, surrounded by temptations, she had remained true to her humble roots.

The original Jiang Xiaobai had been extravagant, buying many pieces of jewelry and leaving them lying around. As her assistant, Ming Zhu could have easily stolen a few pieces without being noticed, but she never had.

That’s why Jiang Xiaobai didn’t mind helping her.

After discussing the idea with Ming Zhu, Jiang Xiaobai called Yang Dan to let her know that the talismans were ready. She asked for an address so she could send the three talismans Yang Dan and Liu Qi had requested.

Yang Dan was delighted and offered to pay, but Jiang Xiaobai refused.

However, Yang Dan chuckled and said, “Xiaobai, you know that one thing has nothing to do with another. You saved me, so I gave you the role. We’re even now. But now I’m buying talismans from you. If I don’t pay, what does that make it?”

Jiang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned.

“Besides, Hu Zhou and Lan Qiao both paid for theirs. If I take them for free, what would they think?” Yang Dan added.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled. “Grandma Yang, I understand.”

After the call, Yang Dan transferred 300,000 yuan to Jiang Xiaobai, who then asked Ming Zhu to help mail the talismans. Ming Zhu readily agreed.

Mailing things was second nature to her now—no problem at all!

After a good night’s sleep, Jiang Xiaobai got ready and had Ming Zhu drive her to the company.

It wasn’t that Jiang Xiaobai was being lazy—if she knew how to drive, she would have gone herself. But…

Let’s just say she wasn’t the most confident driver. She knew her slow driving would likely earn her some angry honks from other drivers.

When they arrived at the company, something unusual happened. Jiang Xiaobai had been there for over ten minutes, but Sun Cong still hadn’t shown up.

Sun Cong was always punctual. Why was he late today?

Jiang Xiaobai thought it might be due to traffic, so she continued practicing on her own, planning to wait a bit longer.

But an hour passed, and Sun Cong still hadn’t arrived.

Jiang Xiaobai felt something was wrong. She picked up her phone and called Sun Cong, but the call didn’t go through.

“Hello, Sister Ran, do you know where Teacher Sun is? He didn’t show up for today’s lesson,” Jiang Xiaobai called Dong Ran directly.

Since Dong Ran knew about Sun Cong’s wife, she might have some insight into his situation.

But Dong Ran was just as clueless. “He didn’t come? Maybe something urgent came up. Could it be a family emergency? Don’t wait for him. Go home, and I’ll try to find out what’s going on.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for your update.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded in agreement.

 

Chapter 159: Beaten

After finishing her sentence, Jiang Xiaobai thought for a moment and added, “By the way, it would be great if we could get his wife’s phone number. It would make it easier to ask about his situation.”

“I don’t have his wife’s number… but there’s a female dance teacher who might have it. I’ll ask her,” Dong Ran said before hanging up.

Jiang Xiaobai changed out of her practice clothes and left without waiting any longer, taking a taxi home.

“Xiaobai, why are you back so early?” Ming Zhu was still cleaning the house when she saw Jiang Xiaobai return unexpectedly.

“Teacher Sun didn’t show up today. I’m not sure what happened, so I’m waiting for Sister Ran to find out more,” Jiang Xiaobai explained, her expression no longer relaxed. She had a bad feeling about this.

Dong Ran had mentioned that Sun Cong was a highly professional person. Even if he disliked someone, he would still show up for work on time and never stand anyone up. Moreover, he and Jiang Xiaobai got along well—they were more like friends than teacher and student.

For him to disappear without a word was highly unusual, and it worried her.

By noon, Jiang Xiaobai finally received a call from Dong Ran.

“Xiaobai, something bad has happened. Sun Cong was beaten up last night on his way home. He’s in the hospital now,” Dong Ran’s voice carried a suppressed anger.

“Beaten up? How serious are his injuries?” Jiang Xiaobai stood up abruptly, her eyes turning cold.

This news almost confirmed her suspicions. Although there was no evidence, Jiang Xiaobai immediately pinned the blame on one person.

She was furious!

“It’s not life-threatening, but it’s still quite serious,” Dong Ran replied.

“Sister Ran, can you find out which hospital he’s in and his room number? I want to visit him,” Jiang Xiaobai said.

Dong Ran was surprised by Jiang Xiaobai’s concern for Sun Cong. She had only checked on Jiang Xiaobai’s dance practice on the first day and hadn’t followed up since, so she didn’t know how close Jiang Xiaobai and Sun Cong had become in such a short time.

Still, she quickly agreed. “Alright, I’ll send you the address once I get it. You and Ming Zhu can drive to the hospital. I’ll take care of the gifts and supplements, so you don’t need to prepare anything.”

“Okay,” Jiang Xiaobai replied before hanging up. She then told Ming Zhu to get ready to leave.

The two of them went downstairs and got into the car. Shortly after, Dong Ran sent the address.

It was noon, and the roads were crowded, so they were delayed a bit. By the time they arrived at the hospital, Dong Ran had already been waiting for a while.

“Sister Ran, did you find out what happened? Who did this?” Jiang Xiaobai asked, though she already had a suspicion in mind.

“I asked, but his wife was vague and didn’t give any details,” Dong Ran said, equally puzzled. Sun Cong was just a dance teacher—who could he have offended to end up beaten like this?

“I know who did it,” Jiang Xiaobai said coldly, her eyes filled with a hint of guilt. “It’s almost certainly Hai Cen.”

Dong Ran was shocked. “Hai Cen??”

“Yes,” Jiang Xiaobai recounted the argument from the previous day and added, “I had a bad feeling yesterday. Hai Cen’s expression when he left was full of malice. He even threw out threats, so it’s no surprise he acted on them. Sure enough, Teacher Sun was attacked that very night.”

“This is outrageous! Over such a trivial matter, he beat someone half to death?” Dong Ran was furious. She had been involved in this too—if she hadn’t recommended Sun Cong, none of this would have happened.

“That man is narrow-minded and overly arrogant. His behavior…” Jiang Xiaobai looked at Dong Ran. “Sister Ran, who’s backing him? Is he really that powerful?”

Dong Ran’s eyes flickered as she glanced around. “This isn’t the place to discuss that. I’ll tell you more when we get back.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded and didn’t press further.

When they entered the hospital room, Sun Cong’s wife was sitting by his bed, talking to him. She stood up when she saw Jiang Xiaobai and Dong Ran enter. “Honey, your friends are here to see you.”

“Who… Xiaobai?” Sun Cong was lying straight on the bed, wearing a neck brace and a cast on his left arm. He looked quite pitiful.

His wife carefully helped him sit up, propping a pillow behind him.

“Sun Cong, how are your injuries?” Dong Ran was startled by his appearance.

Once he was sitting up, they could see his face—it was bruised and swollen, and his arms were also covered in bruises.

However, Dong Ran quickly felt relieved. It seemed the attacker had held back, as there were no life-threatening injuries. It looked like only his neck and arm were fractured.

From the injuries… was it a beating with fists and feet?

When Jiang Xiaobai saw Sun Cong’s condition, she almost laughed. It was just so…

A man who was usually so elegant and refined now looked like a delicate flower that had been trampled on. The mix of pitifulness and a slightly sickly demeanor made it hard for Jiang Xiaobai to suppress a laugh.

Cough, no, that’s inappropriate!

“Teacher Sun, we’re here to see you,” Jiang Xiaobai said softly, placing the flowers, fruit basket, and supplements Dong Ran had bought on the table.

“Thank you so much. You really didn’t have to go to such trouble,” Sun Cong’s wife said gratefully.

Jiang Xiaobai finally had a chance to take a good look at her.

Sun Cong’s wife was a tall, beautiful woman with short hair that gave her a sharp, efficient appearance. Her smile was warm and friendly.

She didn’t look like someone who had been seriously ill before.

“It’s alright, I just need to stay in bed and recover for a while,” Sun Cong sighed helplessly, looking utterly defeated. “Xiaobai, I’m afraid I won’t be able to teach you for the next month.”

“Your health is the priority,” Jiang Xiaobai quickly reassured him.

“Honey, we still have those teaching videos I recorded years ago at home, right? When you have time, could you send them to the company for Xiaobai?” Sun Cong, who usually came across as aloof and dismissive to others, spoke softly and gently to his wife.

“Alright, I’ll take care of it,” his wife replied with a smile, then tenderly adjusted his blanket.

“Xiaobai, you don’t need to find another teacher. Your basic skills are already solid. Just follow my videos, and you’ll easily pass the requirements for the film,” Sun Cong told Jiang Xiaobai.

Not everyone can learn effectively from videos—it requires both insight and self-discipline. Jiang Xiaobai possessed both qualities, which was why Sun Cong felt confident in saying she didn’t need to find another teacher.

Jiang Xiaobai was deeply moved. “Thank you, Teacher. I’ll study hard.”

 

Chapter 160: I’m So Frustrated!

“Hmph, don’t embarrass me,” Sun Cong snorted lightly.

“You’ve always been restless, but now you need to stay in the hospital and rest properly. Don’t move around too much,” Dong Ran said with a smile.

Sun Cong was indeed someone who couldn’t sit still. He had been lively and active since childhood, which was why he had excelled in dance.

So, Dong Ran found it amusing to see him in this state. With his neck and arms in such a condition, it wasn’t easy for him to move, let alone run around.

Hearing this, Sun Cong immediately made a bitter face and cursed, “That bastard dared to ambush me! If I get the chance, I’ll make sure he pays for this!”

“What are you saying!” His wife scolded him with a warning look, and Sun Cong immediately quieted down, letting out an awkward laugh.

Dong Ran and Jiang Xiaobai didn’t stay in the hospital room for too long. Once they saw that he was in stable condition, they felt relieved and prepared to leave after giving a few more instructions.

Sun Cong’s wife came out to see them off.

“Sister-in-law, can you tell us the truth about what really happened?” Dong Ran’s smile faded as soon as they stepped out, and she looked at Sun Cong’s wife seriously.

“Well…”

“He must have told you already. This matter involves me and Xiaobai as well. We need to know the details,” Dong Ran added.

Jiang Xiaobai nodded repeatedly beside her.

Sun Cong’s wife hesitated for a moment but finally spoke, “Last night, after he finished work and was about to go upstairs after parking his car, two people dragged him to the lawn and beat him with sticks. They avoided vital areas like his head, but the beating was still severe.”

As she spoke, her voice choked up.

The couple had been through thick and thin together. In the eyes of others, Sun Cong was often labeled as effeminate, a freak, or even something neither male nor female. But in her eyes, Yan Yuan, he was the most upright man in the world, and no one could compare to him.

Last night, when he was beaten to the point of immobility and called her from the grass, she broke down in tears the moment she saw him. She was terrified, fearing that he might leave her alone in this world.

But thankfully, thankfully…

“His cervical spine and arm were fractured, especially the cervical spine. The doctor said it was fortunate that he had a strong constitution, or it could have led to paralysis…”

Yan Yuan’s eyes welled up with tears. “It’s strange, though. He’s always been delicate, like a girl. This time, it must have been a blessing from heaven that it wasn’t too serious. With proper rest, he should recover.”

Jiang Xiaobai’s pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this.

Strong constitution? She immediately thought of the red string with the nourishing talisman bead she had given to Teacher Sun. The talisman bead had a slight effect of strengthening the body. Could it be that Teacher Sun’s luck this time was due to the talisman bead?

That Hai Cen was truly ruthless, almost causing Teacher Sun to become paralyzed!

Teacher Sun was a dancer. Would this affect his ability to dance?

“Will Teacher Sun still be able to dance in the future?” Jiang Xiaobai’s heart trembled, and she quickly asked.

Yan Yuan shook her head. “It’s hard to say. The doctor said it depends on his recovery. If it’s severe, he might not be allowed to engage in strenuous activities anymore.”

Her mood was low because both she and Sun Cong feared that this injury would affect his ability to dance in the future.

That was the one thing he was most proud of and skilled at. If he couldn’t dance anymore… the consequences were unimaginable.

Jiang Xiaobai’s eyes lit up. “So, the doctor means it’s not serious now, and it will only affect him if his recovery doesn’t go well?”

Yan Yuan didn’t quite understand Jiang Xiaobai’s meaning but nodded in response. “Yes.”

Jiang Xiaobai couldn’t help but smile slightly, feeling a sense of relief.

That’s great! With the nourishing talisman bead, Teacher Sun’s recovery would definitely go well.

Since it wouldn’t affect his ability to dance, it was a stroke of luck amidst the misfortune.

After finishing their questions, Dong Ran, Jiang Xiaobai, and Ming Zhu drove back.

“That Hai Cen is terrifying. Xiaobai, we need to be careful around him from now on. He might hold a grudge against us too,” Dong Ran said with a serious expression.

Sun Cong’s incident was relatively minor, yet Hai Cen had retaliated so severely. Such a petty and vindictive person was truly frightening.

Dong Ran now regretted her actions. She had heard that Hai Cen was extreme and had a bad reputation, which was why few people wanted to work with him. She shouldn’t have confronted him for Sun Cong’s sake. Given his personality, he had probably already marked them as enemies.

This was troublesome.

“Sister Ran, you haven’t told us about his backer yet,” Ming Zhu couldn’t help but ask.

She was also angry and worried for Jiang Xiaobai. If they knew the identity of the person backing Hai Cen, perhaps they could take precautions?

“He’s backed by a wealthy businessman who has connections in both the legal and illegal worlds,” Dong Ran said, unwilling to elaborate.

Jiang Xiaobai noticed that Dong Ran’s expression was somewhat strange when she mentioned the businessman, though she wasn’t sure why.

“Hai Cen won’t have a good ending,” Jiang Xiaobai suddenly spoke up.

She waited expectantly for the familiar reaction, but after a while, nothing happened.

Jiang Xiaobai’s expression froze, and she was momentarily stunned.

What was going on? Why didn’t the curse work?

“Ah, Xiaobai, you still believe in karma? In this world, it’s hard to say. Sometimes, the worse a person is, the better they seem to live. It’s frustrating, but that’s how it is,” Dong Ran thought Jiang Xiaobai was just venting and found her naivety amusing. “For people like him, it’s best to stay away. Otherwise, you’ll only bring trouble upon yourself.”

“This is so scary… Sister Xiaobai, let’s not go to the company these days. Let’s avoid him for a while,” Ming Zhu also felt a bit scared.

She came from a poor family and had always kept her distance from people with connections, knowing she had no means to confront them.

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t respond.

She was still puzzled as to why her curse had failed. A sense of unease crept into her heart. Could it be that this strange ability had left her for good?

This thought made her panic. Suddenly, without thinking, she blurted out—

“Ming Zhu, is our car out of gas?”

As soon as she said this, a chill ran through her body but quickly disappeared.

Jiang Xiaobai: “…”

Her expression turned strange, and she secretly glanced at Ming Zhu, who was driving.

Ming Zhu was about to laugh. “No way, I just filled it up the day before yesterday. How could it be out of— huh? Where’s the gas??”

Jiang Xiaobai: “…”

She quietly averted her gaze, pretending to look out the window.

What the heck, this curse ability is so unreasonable!

Why does it work when it shouldn’t and fail when it should? I’m so frustrated!

 

Chapter 161: A Series of Phone Calls

After the car unexpectedly ran out of gas, it took them some time to finally get home.

Ming Zhu was a practical person. Once she decided to dive into the world of online stores, she immediately started researching the ins and outs. While Jiang Xiaobai was reading a script, she received a phone call.

“Bo Xing?” Jiang Xiaobai answered the call with some surprise.

“Jiang Xiaobai, have you gotten into any trouble recently?” Bo Xing got straight to the point, dropping a bombshell right away.

Jiang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned. “What do you mean?”

“Someone in the company is investigating you, probably planning something. I caught wind of it and intervened. It should be fine now, but you should still be careful,” Bo Xing said calmly, though his words made Jiang Xiaobai narrow her eyes.

“I see… Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I just helped out in passing,” Bo Xing replied, his voice carrying a faint hint of a smile. “After all, if something happens to you, it’ll be troublesome for me to get talismans in the future.”

“How are the talismans working for you?”

“…Not bad,” Bo Xing paused slightly.

His tone made Jiang Xiaobai curious. “Is there a problem?”

“It’s not really a problem. Life has indeed become smoother since using them, but occasionally, there are still some minor inconveniences,” Bo Xing explained, then added, “They’re not as effective as the previous good luck talismans!”

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai chuckled. “Your situation is unique. The good luck talismans could offset your misfortune, but they were consumed too quickly. These misfortune-dispelling talismans can handle major troubles, though some minor inconveniences might still pop up. But they shouldn’t affect your life too much, right?”

“Yes, that’s true, which is why I didn’t contact you.”

“By the way, my… elder can also carve jade pendants. Wearing one would have a longer-lasting effect and would be more aesthetically pleasing. Would you like one?” Jiang Xiaobai took the opportunity to bring this up. “Though they’re a bit pricey.”

“Of course,” Bo Xing answered without hesitation. “I have the money.”

Jiang Xiaobai felt a strange sense of déjà vu upon hearing this.

“Alright, I’ll give it to you once it’s ready. Will you be at the company recently?”

Both of them were artists under Tangming Entertainment, so meeting up would be convenient.

“No, I’m filming right now.”

Bo Xing’s voice was filled with undisguised joy.

And why wouldn’t he be? In the past, he rarely took on acting roles—partly because crews were hesitant to hire him, and partly because he didn’t want to bring misfortune to others.

But ever since he started using the talismans Jiang Xiaobai gave him, he felt more at ease and quickly accepted a role. Now, he was already working on set.

“Congratulations. Give me your address, and I’ll send it to you.”

“Alright, thank you.”

After finishing their conversation, Jiang Xiaobai hung up and pondered over Bo Xing’s warning.

Just as she was deep in thought, her phone rang again.

She looked down and saw that it was Li Biying.

What a coincidence. Both of them rarely called, yet today they happened to call one after the other.

“Jiang Xiaobai, my scenes are done, and I’m about to start closed-door training,” Li Biying’s voice came through as soon as the call connected, filled with nervous excitement.

“Done already? That was fast,” Jiang Xiaobai was surprised.

“Of course it was fast! I worked from morning till night every day to save more time for training. I feel like I’ve turned into a big, tired ox!” Li Biying poured out her grievances to Jiang Xiaobai. “Speaking of which, this makes me so mad. Director Niu actually said I’m not as good as you!”

Jiang Xiaobai, “…What happened?”

“At the wrap party last night, Director Niu had a bit too much to drink and told a production executive,” Li Biying said indignantly. “His exact words were—‘Out of all the actresses I’ve worked with, Jiang Xiaobai is the most hardworking and obedient on set. It’s truly surprising.’”

Jiang Xiaobai’s expression turned strange.

So, Director Niu’s first impression of her was that she was hardworking?

She was an actress, after all! It would’ve been nice if he had praised her acting instead…

Of course, Jiang Xiaobai was just thinking this to herself. She knew her performance in The Legend of the Nine Heavens wasn’t outstanding—it was just decent and mistake-free. The role of Liu Ruyan suited her well, which added some points to her performance.

After all, this was her first drama, and she often struggled with finding the right balance. But with this experience under her belt, it would be easier to get into character in future projects.

“Jiang Xiaobai, it’s only because it’s you. If he had dared to praise another actress at my wrap party, I would’ve made her pay!”

Li Biying snorted.

To her, Jiang Xiaobai was a special friend. They had started off on the wrong foot but eventually became close, and since Jiang Xiaobai had helped her at a critical moment, Li Biying always held a bit of gratitude in her heart.

Li Biying: Anyone who gets in my way will be gone. Oh, except Jiang Xiaobai.

“Ahem, good luck with your training. I hope you achieve your goal and land the role,” Jiang Xiaobai said.

“Alright, if I sign the contract, you’ll be the first person I treat to a meal.”

Li Biying was also very busy. Although her scenes were done, she still had some work to handle before starting her closed-door training. After chatting with Jiang Xiaobai for a bit, she hung up.

Jiang Xiaobai picked up her script again, but after reading just two words, her phone rang once more.

She looked at her phone in confusion.

Was this a phone call marathon?

Who was it this time?

“Chao Nan?” She was surprised by the caller.

“Yes, do you have time to come to the company tomorrow?” Chao Nan asked.

“I do. What’s the matter?”

“Beyond the Illusions has been very well-received. I need you to help me film a short video to release. Just sing a few lines—it won’t take much time.”

Even Chao Nan himself hadn’t expected the MV to gain such high popularity and discussion. Although the company had pushed it, the positive reception was genuine, and it had stayed on the hot search list for almost two days.

Due to its popularity, many netizens had left comments under his video, asking for a live duet with Jiang Xiaobai.

After discussing it with Mo Kun, they decided to ask Jiang Xiaobai to film a short video to post on Weibo and short video platforms, which would also help boost their popularity.

“Alright, let me know the time, and I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Let’s do it in the morning. Come before nine.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

The night passed, and the next morning, Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the company on time. Dong Ran accompanied her, but as they passed the front desk, the receptionist called out to her, “There’s a package here for you.”

A package?

She walked over and took the package from the receptionist. Seeing the name “Sun Cong” on it, she immediately understood.

This was the package Sun Cong’s wife had sent her, containing mostly old dance tutorial DVDs. Since there were quite a few, converting them to digital format would have been inconvenient, which was why Sun Cong had asked his wife to deliver them personally.