Chapter 162: The Obedient Student

After thanking the receptionist, Jiang Xiaobai and Dong Ran headed upstairs.

As Chao Nan had mentioned, the task was quite simple. The two of them first practiced singing the chorus a few times, mainly to get a feel for their coordination. Once they were satisfied, they began recording.

Since the video was also going to be posted on short video platforms, it was naturally going to be brief—no longer than a minute, and that included the time for greetings at the beginning.

Well, it should be easy.

Jiang Xiaobai had been rigorously coached by Chao Nan during the recording session a few days ago. Every syllable had been practiced dozens of times, so even though some time had passed, she still remembered it all clearly.

“Hello everyone, I’m Chao Nan. Today, I’m here with Jiang Xiaobai to sing a part of Beyond the Illusions for you. Thank you all for your love for this song.”

Chao Nan spoke in a serious tone, with a faint smile on his face.

“Hi everyone, I’m Jiang Xiaobai.”

The two of them stood side by side, facing the camera. After introducing themselves, they immediately began singing the chorus.

“Green mountains far from the mortal world, yet still within the mortal world…”

Chao Nan sang the first line, setting the tone, and Jiang Xiaobai followed.

This was a completely unaccompanied performance, and their voices were laid bare. Chao Nan’s voice was as magnetic and gentle as ever, with a hint of seductiveness, while Jiang Xiaobai’s was slightly cool and crisp. The two voices blended together in a uniquely harmonious way.

Jiang Xiaobai thought they were done after singing, but that’s when Chao Nan’s meticulousness came into play.

After listening to the recording three times from start to finish, he frowned and said to Jiang Xiaobai, “You dragged one note too long, and you glanced at me in the middle. That’s not acceptable.”

Jiang Xiaobai: ???

She wasn’t sure where she had dragged the note, but she acknowledged the mistake. However, glancing at him in the middle—was that really a problem?

“Ahem, Xiaobai, here’s the thing. You’re both artists under the same company, and you’re a man and a woman. Just collaborating can already make some fans speculate. Now that you’re releasing a video together, even the slightest hint of intimacy in your behavior could lead to rumors.”

Mo Kun, who had worked with Chao Nan for a long time, immediately understood what he meant. Although Mo Kun also thought Chao Nan was being a bit nitpicky, it didn’t hurt to be cautious, so he explained it to Jiang Xiaobai.

“So, we should just focus on the work and avoid any interaction during the process?” Jiang Xiaobai finally understood.

She hadn’t paid attention to this before. Glancing at him had been completely unintentional.

“For other artists, it might not be a big deal, but Chao Nan is like a thousand-year-old iron tree. If someone were to—oh, I didn’t say anything.”

Mo Kun stopped mid-sentence when he received a death glare from Chao Nan.

“Let’s record again. Pay attention to this issue, and also the dragged note…” Chao Nan pointed out the mistakes he had noticed to Jiang Xiaobai.

After listening to his explanation, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly understood. She practiced the part several times until Chao Nan finally nodded, and they began the next recording.

This time, Jiang Xiaobai was an obedient student. She stood there properly, not daring to glance around anymore, and sang with utmost seriousness. Mo Kun and Dong Ran, who were watching, exchanged glances, feeling a sense of—

Amusement?

“Why does it feel like Xiaobai is acting like a student in front of Chao Nan?” Mo Kun couldn’t help but comment.

“Exactly! Look at how serious your Chao Nan is. He’s scaring our Xiaobai,” Dong Ran retorted, rolling her eyes in dissatisfaction. “Other artists try to interact more during collaborations to create a lively and relaxed atmosphere and attract each other’s fans. But your Chao Nan? He’s practically acting like a monk!”

It was as if he were saying, “Madam, please stay away from me. I don’t get close to women!”

Look at Jiang Xiaobai—if she had been any more tense, she would’ve been standing at attention!

Mo Kun forced a bitter smile, feeling helpless.

Chao Nan was just like that. What could he do? He was just as frustrated!

Although the first attempt had a “hiccup,” the second one went smoothly.

Jiang Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief. When Chao Nan nodded in approval, she felt like she had narrowly escaped a disaster—

The teacher was terrifying. She wanted to go home!

After leaving Chao Nan’s side, Jiang Xiaobai thought for a moment and said to Dong Ran, “Sister Ran, since I’m here, I might as well practice dancing.”

The dance studio at the company was definitely more suitable for practice than her home. Even though there was no instructor present, the conditions were still better.

“Alright, I’ll go with you.”

The two of them went to the dance studio. As Jiang Xiaobai practiced, Dong Ran watched for a while and couldn’t help but nod in approval, her eyes filled with pride.

Unknowingly, the girl in front of her had spread her wings and was slowly soaring into the sky. Even if she wasn’t flying high or fast, her flight was steady, and her future was promising.

There had been a time when Dong Ran had considered giving up on her, but now, she was glad she hadn’t.

Indeed, adversity could help people grow. Comparing the current Jiang Xiaobai to the one from before, it was as if she had become a completely different person.

This was the price of growth.

Just as Dong Ran was sighing, her phone rang. She glanced at Jiang Xiaobai, not wanting to disturb her, and stepped outside to take the call.

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t practice for too long. Since it was already close to lunchtime, she stopped. However, she then heard Dong Ran’s voice.

The voice came from outside the door. Dong Ran’s tone sounded angry, and there was also a man’s voice, but Jiang Xiaobai couldn’t make out what was being said through the door.

What was going on? Was she arguing with someone?

She opened the door and stepped out, only to see Dong Ran facing off with two men—or rather, arguing with them.

One of the men was someone Jiang Xiaobai had seen before—Hai Cen. The other was likely his manager.

“…We already applied for it. How can you just cancel it like that?”

Dong Ran wasn’t shouting, but her voice was filled with suppressed anger. Jiang Xiaobai could tell she was furious.

“So what if you applied? Just because it was approved doesn’t mean it can’t be canceled. If you’re so capable, why don’t you reapply? Maybe it’ll get approved again,” Hai Cen sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. “But this room? Forget it. It’s mine now.”

As he spoke, he noticed Jiang Xiaobai had come out and turned to look at her, his gaze filled with scrutiny and a hint of contempt.

Seeing Hai Cen, Jiang Xiaobai also felt a surge of anger.

This guy had brutally attacked Teacher Sun over a dance studio, nearly ruining his ability to dance forever. He was truly ruthless.

Moreover, Bo Xing had warned her that someone in the company was investigating her with malicious intent. Who else could it be but Hai Cen?

 

Chapter 163: Concert Guest

 

“Sister Ran, what’s going on?”

Jiang Xiaobai withdrew her cold gaze from Hai Cen and walked over to Dong Ran.

“Hai Cen said this dance studio has been reclaimed, and we no longer have the right to use it. But when I applied, I booked it for a month, and it hasn’t even been a week yet.”

Dong Ran explained to Jiang Xiaobai, her voice filled with both anger and helplessness.

If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t have tolerated this and would have gone straight to the person in charge for an explanation. But Hai Cen had powerful backing. If they offended him too much, he might have someone beat up Jiang Xiaobai, and who would they turn to for justice?

Even though Sun Cong had already been beaten and hospitalized, Hai Cen hadn’t done it himself, and the attack had been carried out in secret. Even if they reported it to the police, there wouldn’t be solid evidence. They’d just have to take the beating.

So, although Dong Ran was angry, she was trying to reason with him, keeping her temper in check.

“I told you, this room has been reclaimed. If you want it, reapply,” Hai Cen sneered, looking even more smug. “And now, take your things and leave immediately.”

“Hai Cen, we’re all artists under the same company. Don’t go too far,” Dong Ran shot back coldly.

“How am I going too far? It was you who stole my dance teacher first! Because he taught you too late, he got into an accident on his way home, and now I’ve lost my teacher. This has had a significant impact on my participation in the show. If anything, you owe me.”

Hai Cen then looked at Jiang Xiaobai, his eyes filled with meaning. “Besides, I’ve already gone easy on you. If it weren’t for Jiang Xiaobai’s connections… do you think I’d just reclaim the dance studio?”

Dong Ran was momentarily stunned, not understanding what he meant.

Jiang Xiaobai hadn’t told Dong Ran about Bo Xing’s phone call, so she didn’t know that Bo Xing had helped them resolve a problem.

But Jiang Xiaobai seemed to realize something. She smiled slightly and looked at Hai Cen. “That show… is it important to you?”

Hai Cen laughed. “Of course it’s important. A show like that isn’t something a small-time celebrity like you could ever get on. What, are you jealous?”

“Is that so?”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, then casually said, “Well, you might end up with nothing. If you don’t dance well… you might suffer some irreversible physical damage.”

Almost as soon as she finished speaking, that familiar feeling returned. As the cold energy slowly dissipated from her body, Jiang Xiaobai’s smile deepened.

At this moment, she was no longer angry. Instead, she felt a sense of calm and ease. Her smiling expression left Dong Ran puzzled—

How could she still smile after being provoked?

Jiang Xiaobai was genuinely happy because she seemed to understand why her curse hadn’t worked yesterday.

At the time, she had been too angry to think clearly and had simply said, “You’ll come to no good end.” But that was too vague.

What exactly did “no good end” mean?

Was it physical, mental, or material? And how severe would it be?

It was only now that she suddenly thought of this, so she decided to try a different approach—and it worked.

Having figured out a bit more about how her curse worked, Jiang Xiaobai was in a great mood.

“Hmph, don’t worry about me. I’m doing just fine! You’d better worry about yourself,” Hai Cen sneered, completely dismissing Jiang Xiaobai’s words. He then turned and left with his manager.

Dong Ran looked worried, afraid that Hai Cen might target Jiang Xiaobai.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” Jiang Xiaobai reassured her.

Not only might Hai Cen soon have his own problems to deal with, but she also had protective talismans on her to ensure her safety.

Moreover, among the people close to her, her three family members all had life-saving talismans, and Dong Ran and Ming Zhu had recently received new protective bracelets with peace beads. So, Jiang Xiaobai wasn’t afraid of him targeting those around her.

If things really got bad… she could always turn to her parents for help.

You have powerful backing?

So do I!

Once Dong Ran had calmed down, she suddenly remembered something. “Oh, by the way, someone called me earlier and said they wanted to collaborate with you.”

Dong Ran’s expression turned strange, as if she was puzzled by something.

“Huh? Who was it?” Jiang Xiaobai asked curiously.

“Ding Haoran’s manager.”

Jiang Xiaobai’s eyes widened slightly.

Ding Haoran? He wanted to collaborate with her?

On what?

“What’s the situation?” she asked, snapping out of her thoughts.

“They said that after watching the MV for Beyond the Illusions, they thought you’d be a good fit for one of Ding Haoran’s new songs. So, they want to invite you to be a guest at his concert next week and perform a duet with him.”

Dong Ran spoke hesitantly.

Jiang Xiaobai was baffled. “Me? A concert guest?”

This was completely out of left field. She was just a small-time actress. Why would a famous singer like Ding Haoran invite her to his concert to perform a duet?

“I had the same reaction when I heard the proposal,” Dong Ran said, equally confused. “Why would he approach you? You’re not only from different companies but also different industries. His move is quite sudden.”

Were there cross-industry collaborations? Of course. But usually, the two artists had some connection—either they were from the same company and the senior was helping the junior, or they were leveraging each other’s popularity for mutual benefit, or they were equally matched and suited for collaboration, or they had a good personal relationship.

But Jiang Xiaobai and Ding Haoran? They had no connection whatsoever. They’d never collaborated before, and Jiang Xiaobai’s fame was nowhere near his.

It almost seemed like he was trying to hand her a favor.

“We… kind of know each other,” Jiang Xiaobai said after some thought. “His mom and my mom are good friends. Maybe he’s trying to help me?”

“You have that kind of relationship?” Dong Ran looked surprised.

“Yeah, but I’m not close to him. We’ve only met once. By the way, Sister Ran, how did you respond to them?” Jiang Xiaobai suddenly thought to ask.

“I wasn’t sure why they made this proposal, so I said I’d discuss it with you first. I didn’t agree or reject it outright.”

Jiang Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this.

“On the surface, this seems like a good opportunity. If you agree, you could ride on his fame. But I actually feel… it’s better not to accept.”

Dong Ran furrowed her brows as she weighed the pros and cons of the situation. She then said thoughtfully, “There needs to be a valid reason for this collaboration. Ding Haoran’s fanbase is larger than Chao Nan’s, and his fans are more passionate and impulsive. If you suddenly collaborate with him, it might provoke backlash from his fans. And most importantly, you’re an actress. Your collaboration with Chao Nan was because of me. If you collaborate with Ding Haoran too, it might give people the impression that you’re not focusing on your acting career.”

 

Chapter 164: Counterfeit Goods

An actress who hasn’t even produced a decent work yet, jumping from variety shows to MVs to concerts—what would the audience think?

Especially for casual viewers, this would leave a bad impression, making them think Jiang Xiaobai was scheming and just trying to ride on the coattails of male celebrities.

Once she was labeled like that, it wouldn’t be good for her career.

“That’s just my opinion. If you feel it’s hard to refuse because of your relationship with him, then it’s fine to accept. I can release some related information beforehand to let netizens know you’re family friends. That would make it better.”

After saying this, Dong Ran added another point.

In her view, since Ding Haoran’s mother and Jiang Xiaobai’s mother were good friends, it would be difficult to refuse his invitation. It might even have been something the two mothers had discussed.

But Jiang Xiaobai knew this couldn’t have been her mother’s idea. Her parents had only softened their stance slightly, but asking them to help her network in the industry was out of the question. That would never happen.

“Let’s decline. Use the excuse that I’m preparing for a new drama.”

Jiang Xiaobai said this.

She felt a bit uncomfortable about the whole situation.

If Ding Haoran really wanted to consult her, he should have approached her privately first, at least giving her a heads-up.

Instead, his manager had called Dong Ran directly, making it feel like a formal business transaction.

“Alright, I understand.”

Dong Ran nodded in agreement. “By the way, do you still need the dance studio? If you do, I’ll apply for another one.”

Mentioning this made her angry, and her tone carried a hint of displeasure.

“No, I can practice at home. It’ll be more convenient and save me the trouble of commuting.”

Jiang Xiaobai shook her head and declined.

She had gone to the dance studio today thinking that since it had already been booked, she might as well use it to avoid wasting Dong Ran’s efforts. But then she ran into Hai Cen and all that drama.

If he could cancel one studio, he could certainly cancel another. Why bother with the hassle?

For now, she wouldn’t go to the company. She’d just practice at home.

It was mealtime, and since Dong Ran had nothing else to do, she went home with Jiang Xiaobai. When they arrived, Ming Zhu had already prepared lunch, and the table was filled with delicious, aromatic dishes.

“Sister Xiaobai, I’ve figured out the online store. I’ll have it up and running soon…”

During the meal, Ming Zhu excitedly talked about her learning process. This cheerful, talkative side of her was something rarely seen before.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled at her, her eyes filled with approval, which greatly encouraged Ming Zhu, making her even more enthusiastic.

Dong Ran, who was sitting nearby, was stunned. “Ming Zhu, what are you talking about? Opening an online store? What are you selling?”

“Oh, Sister Ran, Sister Xiaobai and I discussed it. We’re planning to…”

Ming Zhu then remembered that Dong Ran hadn’t been present during their earlier conversation and quickly explained.

Dong Ran also thought it was a good idea. “That’s a great plan. Go ahead and do it. It’s just an online store. There are so many ‘same-style’ products out there. No one will notice you.”

Ming Zhu was overjoyed and became even more determined.

Jiang Xiaobai said, “Ming Zhu, you’ve done well. Here’s what we’ll do: take some time to buy more jade beads and strings. The quality should be the same as the ones we bought last time. You can choose different styles for the strings. Once you’ve got everything, we can start listing the products.”

“Alright, I’ll go this afternoon.”

Ming Zhu had been the one to make the purchases the last few times, so she was already familiar with the process. She agreed without hesitation.

True to her nature, Ming Zhu didn’t wait until the afternoon. Right after lunch, she headed straight to the jewelry store.

When she returned, the three of them sat together, stringing the beads. But when Jiang Xiaobai reached the fourth bead, she paused.

She held the bead up to her eyes, examining it closely. After a while, she said, “Ming Zhu, you’ve bought some counterfeit goods.”

Ming Zhu, who had been happily stringing beads, froze and looked up in confusion. “Counterfeit goods?”

Dong Ran also stopped what she was doing and looked over.

“Yes, there are some fakes mixed in. For example, this one isn’t jade. It’s probably a dyed imitation. Let me see if there are more…”

Jiang Xiaobai handed the bead to Ming Zhu and began sifting through the rest of the beads.

This time, they had bought a large quantity—100 jade beads, each priced at 400 yuan, totaling 40,000 yuan.

Jiang Xiaobai worked quickly, her hands moving over the beads and separating the fakes into a small pile.

Ming Zhu stared at the beads in disbelief. She picked up a fake one and a real one, holding them up to the light for comparison.

When you don’t know what to look for, it’s hard to tell the difference. But when you compare them side by side, the distinction becomes clear.

One was cloudy, the other clear. It was obvious which was real and which was fake.

“Here, these are all fakes. There are 37 in total.”

After verifying, Jiang Xiaobai counted them and her expression darkened.

Out of 100 beads, 37 were fake. It was hard not to be angry.

Her method of identifying fakes was simple: she could tell by touch whether a bead contained spiritual energy. If it didn’t, it was definitely fake.

Ming Zhu’s face turned red with anger. “How could they do this? I’m going to confront them!”

The money for the beads had come from Jiang Xiaobai, as they weren’t for immediate sale but for future use, like giveaways on her social media. Ming Zhu would list the products online, and if someone placed an order, she would take the beads and ship them, settling the cost with Jiang Xiaobai later.

Now, nearly half of the beads she had bought for Jiang Xiaobai were fake. Ming Zhu felt incredibly guilty and stood up, ready to storm out.

“I’ll go with you.”

Dong Ran was also angry. How could the store deceive customers like this?

Moreover, they had bought from the store twice before without any issues. This time, they had mixed in fakes, which meant they recognized Ming Zhu as a regular customer and thought they could get away with it.

Jiang Xiaobai wanted to go too but knew she couldn’t.

In the past, she might have been able to go out freely, but after the “Old Bie San” incident, more and more people recognized her. Going out now would only cause trouble.

Dong Ran and Ming Zhu returned two hours later.

“Did it not go well?”

Seeing their expressions, Jiang Xiaobai knew things hadn’t turned out well.

“They denied the beads were from their store, saying we had swapped them and were trying to scam them. Even when we called the police, it didn’t help.” Ming Zhu started crying. “Sister Xiaobai, I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back for the money.”

 

Chapter 165: Pocket Money

This was truly a case of being left with no way to prove the wrongdoing. The beads were loose and had no brand markings. Although there were surveillance cameras in the store, Ming Zhu had left and then returned later.

So, the store staff insisted that she had swapped the beads and was there to cause trouble. She had no way to prove otherwise.

Thirty-seven fake beads meant a loss of 14,800 yuan. While this amount wasn’t huge, it wasn’t small either, especially for someone as frugal as Ming Zhu. To her, it was a significant sum.

She was heartbroken.

“That store, Legendary Jade, is a big chain brand. I never expected them to be such a shady business,” Dong Ran said, equally surprised. “Forget it, Ming Zhu. We’ll just have to swallow this loss. Just be more careful when shopping in the future.”

Jiang Xiaobai was about to tell Ming Zhu that she didn’t need to repay the money when she heard Dong Ran’s next words.

“What did you say? The store is Legendary Jade?”

She couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes, isn’t it surprising? I’ve never heard anything bad about this store before, but now this happens. It’s really a black mark on their reputation,” Dong Ran sighed.

Jiang Xiaobai, however, had a strange expression on her face.

“Wait a moment. I need to make a call.”

She took out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and dialed a number.

“Oh, Xiaobai! What made you call your aunt? Did you finish the 300,000 yuan in pocket money I gave you last time? Wait, I’ll have someone transfer more to you right away.”

A cheerful and affectionate woman’s voice came through the phone, with faint English chatter in the background.

“No, Auntie, I can earn my own money now. I’m calling because I have something to ask you.”

Jiang Xiaobai explained the situation about her friend buying counterfeit goods at Legendary Jade. Her aunt was furious upon hearing this.

“That little brat, Xiaobei! I left him in charge of the stores while I was away, and this is how he manages things? He’s so young and clueless. The branch you mentioned is the one on Garden Road, right? I’ll handle this. Wait for a call.”

Before Jiang Xiaobai could respond, her aunt hung up.

Ming Zhu and Dong Ran stared at Jiang Xiaobai, seemingly unable to process what had just happened.

The room was quiet, and her aunt’s voice had been loud. Since they were close by, they had heard the entire conversation.

300,000 yuan? Pocket money?

Managing the stores?

Was this what they thought it was?

Jiang Xiaobai nodded at their expressions. “My uncle is the owner of Legendary Jade, but he’s gradually handing over the business to his son, my cousin.”

Ming Zhu: “…”

Dong Ran: “…”

Jiang Xiaobai’s uncle was the owner of Legendary Jade?

While it wasn’t a luxury brand and didn’t have a long history, it had been growing rapidly in recent years, targeting the mid-to-high-end jewelry market. It was quite well-known in the industry.

Jiang Xiaobai had such a wealthy relative?

They were both surprised and shocked, but for the moment, they didn’t know what to say or ask.

Jiang Xiaobai was about to say more when her phone rang again.

“Xiaobai, I’m really sorry about this. My mom just told me what happened. I’ve looked into it, and it was the newly promoted deputy manager who caused this mess. Damn it, I didn’t realize he was such a sc*mbag. I’ve already called the police, and he won’t get away with this. As for compensation… tell your friend to go to the store now. You can keep the beads, and we’ll refund the full amount. We’ll also give you a discount card for 20% off all future purchases.”

He even cursed when mentioning the deputy manager, clearly furious.

“Alright, I understand, Cousin Xiaobei.”

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t hold back. This amount of money was nothing to them, and since the store was at fault, it was only right that they compensated.

She had put the call on speaker, so Ming Zhu and Dong Ran heard everything clearly.

“You can go to the store now. My cousin has already informed them. It’ll be resolved as soon as you arrive,” Jiang Xiaobai told Ming Zhu.

Ming Zhu left in a daze, while Dong Ran looked at Jiang Xiaobai and suddenly glanced around the room. “This house is under your name, right?”

“Yes.”

Dong Ran laughed and shook her head helplessly. “You… I really didn’t expect you to have such a background. No wonder you spend so freely. I should have guessed earlier.”

In the past, their relationship had been strained, and they only discussed work-related matters. Dong Ran had noticed Jiang Xiaobai buying luxury items but assumed she was using credit cards and didn’t inquire further.

She had never considered that Jiang Xiaobai might have a wealthy family because, in the two years since she entered the industry, she had faced many setbacks, and no one had stepped in to help. Dong Ran had assumed she was just an ordinary person.

But now, looking back, there were signs. For example, Jiang Xiaobai’s casual attitude toward money and the fact that she had never mentioned a landlord despite living in this house for so long.

Dong Ran had simply been too unobservant.

“My aunt and uncle are very busy with work, often flying between China and abroad, so I don’t contact them much,” Jiang Xiaobai explained.

Most of their communication revolved around her aunt sending her money.

Her aunt adored Jiang Xiaobai. After her parents cut off her allowance for entering the entertainment industry, her aunt had secretly funded all her expenses over the past two years.

Her aunt was a successful businesswoman, and giving pocket money was just a casual gesture for her. Thirty or fifty thousand yuan meant nothing to her.

In fact, Jiang Xiaobai’s mother also gave her cousin, Xiaobei, a lot of pocket money. For them, it was just a routine gift.

“I see… But your aunt isn’t your parents. You still need to work hard and earn your own money. Relying on others isn’t sustainable in the long run.”

Dong Ran rarely commented on Jiang Xiaobai’s personal matters.

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, not mentioning that her parents were also quite wealthy.

Dong Ran was right. No matter how much money others had, it wasn’t hers. She needed to rely on her own efforts.

So, she would focus on acting seriously and occasionally sell talismans for extra income.

Ming Zhu returned quickly, holding a card.

“Sister Xiaobai, this is the 20% off VIP card,” she said. “I’ve already transferred the 40,000 yuan back to your account.”

“Good, I’ve received it.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

Just then, her phone rang again. It was Cousin Xiaobei.

“Cousin Xiaobei?”

“Oh, I just realized I forgot to mention something. Do you remember Sister Fan Lan? She’s returning to China with her boyfriend tomorrow afternoon. Let’s have dinner together to welcome her back. Are you free?”

At the mention of Fan Lan, Jiang Xiaobai was stunned for a moment.

“Sister Lan… is coming back tomorrow?”

“Yes, she just called me today and specifically asked me to tell you. Clear your schedule for tomorrow. We’ll have a good reunion,” Cousin Xiaobei said, sighing. “It’s been five years since we last saw her.”

 

Chapter 166: Not Greedy

Yes, it had been five years since they last met.

Jiang Xiaobai was lost in thought, her eyes distant as she reminisced.

When the original host and her cousin, Kang Bei, were younger—around middle school age—they had spent a lot of time together. Back then, her aunt and uncle weren’t as busy as they were now, and family gatherings were more frequent.

Fan Lan was Kang Bei’s classmate, and the group of friends had gotten along very well. Once, when they went out together, Kang Bei had brought the original host along, and from then on, she became part of their circle. She gained many older brothers and sisters, and their relationships were all quite good.

They had spent several years together, but as they grew older, everyone started their own lives. Parents’ jobs changed, and meeting up became increasingly difficult.

Fan Lan had gone abroad five years ago. Since then, they had only kept in touch through phone calls and hadn’t seen each other in person.

“Alright, Cousin Xiaobei, I understand. I’ll be there tomorrow.”

After agreeing and chatting for a bit, Jiang Xiaobai hung up the phone.

Dong Ran left, and Jiang Xiaobai and Ming Zhu continued stringing the remaining genuine jade beads. Suddenly, Ming Zhu spoke up, “I’ve thought about it. I’m going to limit the number of items sold in the shop.”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiaobai was momentarily taken aback.

“Sister Xiaobai, I’m really grateful. I know you suggested opening an online store to help improve my life, but I’ve thought it over and realized it could actually be a potential problem,” Ming Zhu calmly expressed her thoughts. “Sister Ran is right. If our relationship is discovered, it could be a huge disaster for you, just like what happened to Cai Ran a few years ago.”

Cai Ran was a third-tier celebrity. A few years ago, she had posted an advertisement on Weibo for her relative’s store. Her intention was simply to help her relative, and the store’s products were indeed of good quality. It shouldn’t have been a big deal.

But as soon as the post went up, netizens exploded—

“Are celebrities now openly profiting off their fans? This is just making money off fans. I’m unfollowing.”

“Saying it’s to help a relative? More like colluding to make money together. She’s trying to have her cake and eat it too!”

“You celebrities already earn so much from acting and endorsements, and now you’re reaching into your fans’ pockets? Shameless!”

Some fans thought it was fine to support their idol and even felt that the store’s products were good, so it was a win-win. But others reacted extremely harshly, almost pointing fingers and cursing at Cai Ran.

Cai Ran was a relatively low-key and honest actress. Aside from acting and necessary promotions, she rarely made headlines and seldom posted on Weibo. Her calm and elegant demeanor had attracted a group of fans. But after this post, the tide turned.

At first, some netizens didn’t think it was a big deal. After all, didn’t they sometimes share ads for friends’ products on their own social media, even if they didn’t know the quality? And wasn’t it normal for celebrities to endorse products, leading fans to buy them? Wasn’t that also making money off fans?

But sometimes, people get swept up in the crowd. You might not think there’s a problem, but when you see everyone else criticizing it, you start to doubt yourself—maybe there really is an issue?

The situation escalated over a few days. At first, there were fewer critics and more supporters or neutral parties, but gradually, the critics outnumbered the supporters.

Cai Ran hadn’t expected such a severe backlash. When she realized things were spiraling out of control, she quickly deleted the post and apologized.

But by then, the public’s resistance had already formed, and an apology wasn’t enough to fix it.

After this incident, she was boycotted and effectively pushed out of the third-tier celebrity circle. Nowadays, it seemed like her name had all but disappeared.

Earlier, when Ming Zhu and Dong Ran went out to confront the jewelry store, Dong Ran had mentioned Cai Ran as a cautionary tale, advising Ming Zhu to be careful and not let things escalate to the worst-case scenario.

Ming Zhu’s first reaction was: I won’t open the store. I can’t let Sister Xiaobai suffer because of me!

But Dong Ran shook her head with a smile.

“There’s no absolute right or wrong. It’s all about how you handle it. A big tree attracts wind, but if the tree isn’t big, who would pay attention to a small online store? It’s good to be ambitious, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make money. You’re not selling overpriced or shoddy goods. The bead strings are genuine and beneficial. What are you afraid of?”

Ming Zhu came to her senses and thought it over. In the end, she decided not to follow the usual path of online stores.

While others focused on volume, she would focus on… limited quantities?

“So, how do you plan to limit the sales?” Jiang Xiaobai asked.

The online store was simply her way of helping Ming Zhu improve her life. The talisman beads were provided by her, but the profits and earnings would all go to Ming Zhu. She didn’t plan to get involved.

“I’ll only sell two of your talisman bead strings a month. As for the regular bead strings, I’ll sell fewer of those too—maybe fifty to a hundred a month,” Ming Zhu said with a smile. “We’re so busy that if the store does too well, I wouldn’t be able to handle it anyway. So, this is perfect.”

People who bought the talisman beads would know they were genuine, and that would naturally attract more customers. So, Ming Zhu wasn’t worried about sales.

She wasn’t greedy. She just wanted her parents, who were in poor health, to live a better life. As for making a fortune or becoming wealthy, she didn’t think about that.

Jiang Xiaobai nodded. “Let’s give it a try.”

When it was time to sleep, Jiang Xiaobai habitually checked Weibo before bed and noticed a new trending topic—

“Jiang Bingqian Marries Wealthy Boyfriend in a Flash Wedding!”

At first, Jiang Xiaobai was almost unfamiliar with the name Jiang Bingqian, but a second later, it clicked.

After the Ling Zi incident was exposed, Jiang Bingqian had kept a low profile. Although she hadn’t officially retired from the industry, she had practically disappeared. For so long, there had been no news about her, and the entertainment industry had almost forgotten her.

Now, there was news of her marriage?

Jiang Xiaobai tapped on the news link.

The article was published by an entertainment magazine, stating that earlier that morning, Jiang Bingqian and her boyfriend had registered their marriage at the civil affairs bureau. A staff member had confirmed her identity and leaked the news, ensuring it was genuine.

Below were a few paparazzi photos of Jiang Bingqian walking out of the bureau, arm in arm with a man.

The man’s face was clearly visible, but Jiang Bingqian was heavily disguised, wearing a hat and a mask.

However, the photographer had been skilled, capturing a moment when she was talking to her boyfriend—now husband—and tilting her head upward, revealing her eyes beneath the brim of her hat.

 

Chapter 167: Little Darling

Her figure, combined with her signature bright almond-shaped eyes, made it clear to even unfamiliar netizens that this was undoubtedly Jiang Bingqian. Not to mention, the coat she was wearing had been spotted in previous street photos.

The article also revealed the identity of her husband—a wealthy second-generation heir and the owner of a supercar club.

However, this wealthy heir wasn’t young. He was over ten years older than Jiang Bingqian, had been divorced, and his ex-wife was a model. Together, they had two sons.

Many female celebrities either marry within the industry or outside it to wealthy businessmen. Jiang Bingqian had once been a goddess adored by many men, and rumors had circulated that a wealthy businessman was willing to spend a million just to have dinner with her, but she had always refused.

Now, this “goddess” had married a divorced, unattractive man, and to make matters worse, he already had sons who would compete with her for inheritance!

Netizens were fired up, flooding forums with their opinions—

“Has she fallen so low in the industry that she had to find a man to spend the rest of her life with?”

“Look at how unattractive that man is! He’s got such a thuggish vibe. How could she marry someone like that? I can’t believe I used to be her fan…”

“How can someone who’s done such immoral things still live happily and even get married? I wonder what the heavens would think if they saw this.”

“She should just leave the industry. Seeing her makes me sick.”

Jiang Xiaobai read the news without any emotional reaction. Whatever life Jiang Bingqian led from now on had nothing to do with her, and she didn’t care.

But in Jiang Xiaobai’s mind, the image of a girl appeared—pure, beautiful, with eyes that seemed to shine.

“Ling Zi, I’ve sought the justice you couldn’t. Even though they didn’t pay with their lives, seeing them lose what they valued most—their reputations ruined, their glory gone—can you rest in peace now?”

Jiang Xiaobai sighed softly, put down her phone, and closed her eyes.

The next morning, after waking up and practicing dance all day, Jiang Xiaobai had Ming Zhu drive her to the airport in the afternoon.

When she arrived, her cousin Kang Bei was already there, accompanied by a man and a woman.

“Oh, it’s Xiaobai! Long time no see, come here and give me a hug!”

The girl was lively, her eyes lighting up when she saw Jiang Xiaobai. She opened her arms to hug her, but the man beside her pulled her back. “What are you doing? Don’t make Xiaobai angry. We’ve just met.”

“Oh, right. Xiaobai’s the cool, aloof type.”

The girl chuckled.

“Brother Lu Zhe, Sister Shen Qiu, it’s been a while,” Jiang Xiaobai greeted them with a smile.

“Hmm… you’ve changed a bit over the years, but it’s a good change. You’re not as stiff as before,” Lu Zhe observed her for a moment before smiling.

The group of old classmates were around the same age, about three years older than Jiang Xiaobai. When Jiang Xiaobai was in middle school, they were in high school—a wild time when they didn’t care much about school and would go out to have fun whenever they had free time.

Back then, Jiang Xiaobai was aloof and quiet, with few friends. Kang Bei, seeing her loneliness, often took her along wherever he went.

Gradually, they all got used to having this little follower around and treated her like a younger sister.

“Is Xiaobai here? Let’s wait a bit longer. I just called, and they’ve already landed,” Kang Bei said, walking over after hanging up the phone.

Kang Bei was a sunny, good-natured man—gentle and considerate. He had been one of the original host’s closest confidants, even more important than her own brother at the time.

“Alright, Cousin Xiaobei,” Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

“Ah, it’s been five years since Xiao Lan left. I wonder how she’s changed. I really miss the old days when we used to hang out…” Shen Qiu sighed nostalgically.

“Yeah, it’s been five years. You, the tomboy, are now married with a kid. Who would’ve thought?” Lu Zhe teased.

Shen Qiu glared at him. “Who are you calling a tomboy? I’m a lady! I’ll—oh, Xiao Lan!”

Mid-sentence, she took off running, straight toward a tall figure walking over.

Jiang Xiaobai looked over.

It was a strikingly cool girl, wearing a white T-shirt, black leather jacket, and skinny black jeans, paired with combat boots. She wore a baseball cap, her long, straight hair a light ash blonde.

Her face under the cap was stunning, with a healthy, slightly tanned complexion.

When Shen Qiu tackled her in a hug, she remained calm, one hand still holding her suitcase, the other gently patting Shen Qiu’s back. “Sweetheart, you’re going to break my waist.”

“Haha, I just missed you! Wow, five years and you’ve only gotten cooler. If you were a man, I’d ditch my husband and chase after you!” Shen Qiu laughed, letting go but still admiring her.

Fan Lan smirked, pulling the man who had been overlooked by everyone closer. “You’d chase me? You’d have to ask my little darling first.”

As they spoke, Kang Bei and Jiang Xiaobai walked over, their eyes naturally shifting to the man beside her.

When Fan Lan had appeared, everyone had instinctively overlooked him. Now, they noticed his presence.

It was hard not to—Fan Lan’s aura was overwhelming, like a mafia boss. Anyone near her would inevitably be overshadowed, even men.

But upon closer inspection, this man had a strong presence too. He was nearly six feet three, not bulky, but his broad shoulders and muscular arms hinted at his strength. He was a foreigner.

Though not conventionally handsome, he had a pleasant demeanor.

But calling such a burly man “little darling”…

“Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Roger,” Fan Lan said, then introduced Kang Bei and the others to Roger.

When her eyes landed on Jiang Xiaobai, Fan Lan’s smile deepened. “Xiaobai, come here to your sister.”

She opened her arms.

“Hey, Lan Lan, stop flirting with our little sister!” Shen Qiu pushed Fan Lan, who laughed and put her arms down.

“Sister Fan Lan,” Jiang Xiaobai greeted with a smile.

“You’ve gotten even prettier. I heard you’re a big star now? I wonder what kind of man could win our Xiaobai’s heart,” Fan Lan complimented, looking her over.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly but didn’t respond.

“Alright, let’s go. Dinner’s already booked, and it’ll be dark soon,” Kang Bei reminded, checking the time.

The six of them then drove off to the restaurant.

 

 

Chapter 168: Unspoken Feelings

Dinner naturally involved drinks, and when old friends reunite, they can’t help but reminisce about the past—like how their classmates were doing now, which teacher had once made a student cry, or the romantic escapades among their group.

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t interject much during the conversation. She simply listened, occasionally taking a sip of her drink.

Perhaps due to her improved constitution, she didn’t feel the slightest bit drunk, treating the alcohol almost like water.

Roger seemed to understand Chinese, though not fluently. Jiang Xiaobai noticed him leaning in attentively, but whenever the conversation sped up or included slang, he’d look at Fan Lan with a puzzled expression, like a curious child waiting for his mother to explain.

Fan Lan didn’t talk much either, mostly listening and occasionally chiming in. Whenever Roger looked her way, she’d lean over and whisper something in his ear, and he’d immediately look enlightened.

Jiang Xiaobai found the whole dynamic amusing.

“…By the way, why isn’t Xiaobai talking to Xiao Lan? You used to stick to her like glue, following her everywhere. Out of all of us, you were closest to her.”

Lu Zhe and Shen Qiu were the most talkative. After a while, Lu Zhe took a sip of water and noticed the quiet Jiang Xiaobai, so he casually shifted the topic to her.

“Yeah, Xiaobai really liked Fan Lan. She was even closer to her than she was to me, her own cousin,” Kang Bei chimed in, pretending to pout.

“Haha, that reminds me of something! Remember when we went to Xiao Lan’s house to hang out? Xiaobai saw a teddy bear in her room and couldn’t take her eyes off it. When Xiao Lan noticed, she just gave it to her without a second thought. Xiaobai was so happy she actually jumped for joy!”

Shen Qiu burst into laughter at the memory. “Xiao Lan’s always been more like a boy, never into dolls or anything. That teddy bear was the only one she had, and Xiaobai just took it from her. So ruthless!”

When Shen Qiu mentioned the teddy bear, Jiang Xiaobai’s eyes flickered, and she glanced at Fan Lan.

Fan Lan was leaning back in her chair, holding a glass of wine, her expression relaxed and indifferent, as if nothing mattered.

Feeling Jiang Xiaobai’s gaze, she raised an eyebrow, lifted her glass in a toast, and then downed the drink.

Jiang Xiaobai followed suit, finishing her own drink.

“Xiao Lan’s not just boyish—I swear she’s got a man’s heart in a woman’s body. If she hadn’t found a boyfriend right after high school, I’d have thought she was into women!” Lu Zhe joked, then suddenly froze.

He cautiously glanced at Roger, but the man was cheerfully serving Fan Lan food—albeit with a spoon instead of chopsticks.

It was unclear whether he hadn’t heard or simply didn’t care.

Fan Lan, however, shot Lu Zhe a knowing look, making him shrink back and fall silent.

“If Xiao Lan were into women, the first one she’d fall for would definitely be Xiaobai,” Shen Qiu giggled. “Fan Lan even fought for Xiaobai once—one against three. It was so cool!”

“Keep talking, and I might just have to teach you a lesson,” Fan Lan said, narrowing her eyes at Shen Qiu, who immediately stopped laughing.

“Xiaobai’s my sister, and I’ve always loved her,” Fan Lan said with a smile, her gaze softening as she looked at Jiang Xiaobai. “But I do hope she finds a boyfriend soon. Someone who can take good care of her. After all, a sister’s love and a boyfriend’s love are different.”

She then turned to Roger, beckoning him closer. “Isn’t that right, my little darling? Come here, give me a kiss.”

Roger grinned and leaned in, planting a kiss on her lips.

Jiang Xiaobai watched the scene with a calm smile, her expression unchanged.

After the kiss, Fan Lan glanced at Jiang Xiaobai, her eyes unreadable.

During dinner, they asked Fan Lan about her plans. She explained that she’d returned because her grandmother was ill and might not have much time left, so she wanted to spend some time with her.

Everyone had their own busy lives, so after the meal, they prepared to part ways.

Before leaving, Fan Lan gave each of them a small gift. When she handed Jiang Xiaobai hers, she said, “Xiaobai, you’ve grown up and have a new career now. I wish you a bright future and a brand-new life.”

She placed the gift in Jiang Xiaobai’s hands and gently patted her head.

Jiang Xiaobai accepted the gift with a smile. “Thank you, Sister Fan Lan.”

Ming Zhu had dropped Jiang Xiaobai off at the airport earlier, and now her cousin Kang Bei drove her home.

Once inside her room, Jiang Xiaobai sat quietly on her bed for a while before opening the gift.

Inside was an adorable, high-quality teddy bear from a foreign brand, with a crystal pendant around its neck.

“A new teddy bear for a new life?” Jiang Xiaobai murmured, holding the bear as she lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

In her youth, the original host had developed an indescribable affection for Fan Lan—a subtle, unspoken attraction that made her want to be close to this radiant, confident older sister.

At first, Fan Lan had treated her like a younger sister, caring and affectionate. But over time, Fan Lan sensed something unusual in the original host’s feelings.

So, she began to gently guide the original host, repeatedly emphasizing that they were like sisters, not lovers, and that she’d always be there to help if needed.

But the original host didn’t believe her. She thought Fan Lan felt the same way but was held back by societal norms.

The turning point came when Fan Lan, jokingly responding to teasing, had once said, “Yeah, I’m not just like a boy—I also like girls, just like any other guy.” She’d then pointed at Jiang Xiaobai and added, “For example, I really like Xiaobai’s type.”

It was just a casual remark, but the original host took it to heart, clinging to hope.

When Fan Lan realized her words had been misunderstood, she decided to take drastic action. After graduating, she found a boyfriend and introduced him to the original host, shattering her dreams.

From then on, the original host buried her feelings deep inside.

Knowing her orientation wasn’t accepted by society, she became increasingly withdrawn, avoiding close relationships altogether. She decided to dedicate her life to her career—becoming a big star, the most beautiful version of herself, and making countless people fall in love with her.

In truth, Jiang Xiaobai knew that the original host had long since moved on from Fan Lan. But she’d become too afraid to love again, knowing that even the slightest “difference” would be met with scorn and judgment.