Chapter 73: This Is Absolutely Rigged

On the stage’s giant screen, the award citation for Lian Youyou was being read aloud: “She is the goddess Hua Meng who stepped from the world of games, and the daring, passionate Wang Xian in the television series ‘The Legend of De Zhao.’ She is a darling of the spotlight, every gesture delicate and captivating, her image ever-changing and full of spirit. A fresh energy is gathering strength within her. She lets her skills speak for her, proving herself through her craft. Congratulations to Lian Youyou for winning the Most Popular New Actress Award!”

Lian Youyou accepted the trophy from Jia Xiaomei, her lips curving into a radiant smile, revealing eight neat, pearly teeth.

“Thank you, everyone. Thank you for bestowing such an honor upon me. As a newcomer to acting, I still have much to learn. I am grateful to my grandparents for raising me. I also want to thank Director Li and the production team for their support, and all the audience members who have stood by me. I promise to work hard at my craft and bring you even better performances! Thank you all!”

With a graceful bow to the audience, Lian Youyou was met with thunderous applause.

In the audience, Fan Xiaoyun watched Lian Youyou basking in glory beneath the dazzling lights, her heart burning with increasing indignation and resentment.

This had to be rigged, she thought. There must have been some behind-the-scenes manipulation!

Absolutely. She swore she would never let Lian Youyou continue riding this wave of success!

The moment the award ceremony ended, before she’d even gotten out of the car, Fan Xiaoyun impatiently called Fan Chi.

“Dad! Why didn’t you and Mom come today?” As soon as the call connected, Fan Xiaoyun began pouring out her frustrations, “Did you know Lian Youyou won an award today? You have no idea how smug that wretched girl was—it infuriated me! Dad, you have to stand up for me!”

Fan Chi’s voice was tinged with annoyance. “Stand up for you? Youyou is your sister. What’s it to you if she wins an award? I really don’t understand why you two sisters are always at each other’s throats.”

Realizing her father wasn’t inclined to side with her, Fan Xiaoyun became petulant. “I don’t care! Dad, you have to help me! Lian Youyou is just some illegitimate child born who-knows-where, while I’m your only daughter! You have to help me—”

“I don’t have time for this!” Fan Chi cut her off. “Your mother’s in the hospital, and I don’t have time to worry about your petty squabbles!”

“What’s wrong with Mom?” Fan Xiaoyun asked.

“It’s nothing serious. Her vision has been blurry lately, so she’s in for a check-up,” Fan Chi replied impatiently. “Alright, I’m hanging up. We’ll talk at the banquet tomorrow evening when your mother and I arrive.”

With that, he ended the call. Fan Xiaoyun muttered to herself, “Blurry vision? What kind of illness is that? Cataracts?”

Dad’s spirits had seemed low lately. In the past two or three years, he hadn’t produced any noteworthy work.

Last year, he’d even paid out of pocket to write, direct, and produce a New Year’s film, starring Quan Qing’er and her mother, pouring a hefty sum into post-production promotion.

But when it was released on New Year’s Day, box office numbers were dismal...

Meanwhile, Yunyan had also been suppressed by Xincheng and a few other management agencies these past two years, so its profits were far from ideal.

And yet, that bumpkin Lian Youyou was now flourishing. As soon as she entered the industry, she’d signed with Xincheng, the leading agency, and now she’d won this award. On top of that, she had the reputation of being a top student—people didn’t see her as just another pretty face.

No, she couldn’t just sit back while others surged ahead. She had to make some changes herself!

But… where to begin?

Wait—wasn’t Lian Youyou supposed to be a top student? Then she would take the graduate entrance exam! She’d outdo Lian Youyou academically!

Yes! Not only would she take the entrance exam, she’d change fields entirely—she’d apply for a master’s program in directing!

She’d show Lian Youyou that the “top student” label wasn’t exclusive to bookworms like her! Hmph!

Back at the hotel, Xiao Shu asked, “Youyou, are you really not attending the banquet tomorrow? I heard many prominent directors, producers, and other industry figures will be there. Making connections now could really help your career down the line.”

“There will be plenty of such opportunities in the future,” Lian Youyou replied evenly, heading toward her hotel room.

Making connections? More like looking for patrons to sleep with.

Xiao Shu pressed on, “Youyou, you should really go. As for the dress, I can talk to President Li and have another one sent over...”

“I really don’t want to go. I dislike socializing,” Lian Youyou said, stopping at her door. “I’m going to rest now. You should get some sleep too.”

Seeing she couldn’t persuade her, Xiao Shu conceded, “In that case, should I call the driver and have him pick you up early tomorrow morning?”

“We’ll see,” Lian Youyou yawned lazily. “I want to sleep in for once. I’ll let you know when I wake up.”

...

Without setting an alarm and with Xiao Shu leaving her undisturbed, Lian Youyou slept right through until after ten in the morning.

When she checked the time, she realized she’d missed breakfast.

What a pity—she’d heard the hotel’s breakfast was unique and delicious, but she’d missed it today.

She’d just have to wait for lunch.

Too lazy to change clothes or put in her contacts, she donned her thick glasses, took out the laptop she always traveled with, and logged into “Wulin Chronicles” for a bit of gaming.

She’d barely logged in when she heard someone knocking at the door.

Was it Xiao Shu, or perhaps housekeeping?

She cracked the door open a sliver—and immediately, a familiar, faint woody scent drifted in on a gentle breeze from the corridor.

Oh no, it was Lu Ming!

Lian Youyou quickly slammed the door shut, leaving Lu Ming standing outside in confusion.

When they lived together, even without makeup, she’d always wear contacts and style her hair.

But now… what a disheveled sight she must be!

Calling out, “Give me a minute!” she scrambled to heat up her straightener, wash her face, and put in her colored contacts.

Once she’d composed herself, she finally opened the door.

Lu Ming stood outside, wearing a gray Japanese-style sweater and loose linen trousers, his coat draped over his arm. Today, his hair was left unstyled, falling naturally across his forehead, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on his prominent nose.

There was no denying Lu Ming had a keen sense of style—his wardrobe choices always suited the occasion: formal at work, relaxed at home, sometimes ascetic, sometimes Japanese-inspired and understated.

Lu Ming asked, “Why did you open the door and then close it again?”

“Oh… nothing, the room’s a mess and I didn’t want you to see it,” Lian Youyou fibbed. “Lu Lu, are you here to check in on me again?”

“I was also invited to the banquet,” Lu Ming replied, stepping inside. “You told me last night that your gown was ruined, so you didn’t plan to attend?”

They even invited university lecturers to this banquet?

“Yeah, I don’t know who did it. But it’s fine—I don’t like those kinds of events anyway.” She smiled, feigning ease so he wouldn’t worry. “It’s just a shame I won’t be able to go with you.”

“There’s no need to worry about the gown.”

With that, Lu Ming strode to the foyer, opened the door, and called, “Come in.”

A group of young men and women entered—some wheeling racks laden with evening gowns, others carrying large silver cases.

Lu Ming beckoned. “Come, Youyou, pick a dress.”

“Where did all these come from…” Lian Youyou gazed at the dazzling array of dresses, overwhelmed. “There are so many.”

And none of them looked like the cheap rentals from bridal shops. Each appeared brand new, with exquisite craftsmanship and luxurious fabrics.

Lu Ming’s fingers skimmed across the gowns, finally coming to rest on a mauve off-the-shoulder evening dress. He took it down, looked it over, and raised an eyebrow, satisfied. “This one. How about it?”

“It’s beautiful,” Lian Youyou agreed enthusiastically. With her chronic indecisiveness, she was grateful to have a boyfriend like Lu Ming to help her choose.

She took the gown into the bathroom, while Lu Ming began selecting high heels for her.

Under the bathroom lights, she noticed the dress was adorned with tiny crystals at the bodice and waist.

In the light, they sparkled with an intense white brilliance—so dazzling she could barely keep her eyes open. There were so many of them.

If she wasn’t mistaken, these weren’t the usual cheap rhinestones!

Rhinestones reflected a gaudy spectrum of colors under light, totally different from this piercing white shine.

Good heavens, what kind of side business did Professor Lu have to afford so many gowns, each one studded with real diamonds?

Changing into the dress and smoothing her long hair, Lian Youyou stepped out.

In the suite’s living room, Lu Ming was examining rows of high heels. Suddenly, he picked up a pair of silver stilettos and turned toward her. “Youyou, wear these—”

The words caught in his throat.

Standing before him, Lian Youyou’s sleek hair cascaded over her shoulders, the soft mauve of her dress melding perfectly with her fair skin. The gown accentuated her graceful waist, the off-the-shoulder neckline revealing her alluring collarbones. Once pure and delicate, she now radiated a captivating allure, equal parts luminous and sensual.