A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

She was worried again now. Performing with Xia Yu?

If it were a competition like the Nebula Music Festival, she would have no qualms about meeting Xia Yu. But this was different, she was supposed to perform alongside Xia Yu. It was a kind of performance she had never done before. Adding the fact that her little sister was a scheming one, she had no idea what to expect on that day.

Even somebody as innocent as Luo Luo knew what she was like.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Ling?” Luo Luo asked when she saw her reaction.

Xia Ling shook her head and smiled. “Nothing much, I’m just tired after a day of filming.” She did not want to worry Luo Luo with such this issue. In any case, the decision was finalized.

She distractedly ate her meal.

The television in the living room was turned on the next morning.

As Luo Luo did not have to meet any deadlines, she could get a good rest and leisurely ate toast while watching some entertainment news. The news was featuring the results of the guest celebrity for the current season’s Extraordinary Risks. “The crew has called for a change of guest celebrities and has shocked everyone with their decision. But we believe that Xia Yu has her capabilities and will beat Zhou Yanxue to take the place…”

Xia Ling stopped in her tracks and stood beside the couch to watch the news with Luo Luo.

In the frame was Xia Yu’s usual gentle demeanor and pale look. She was smiling at the camera when a reporter asked her about the show. “I was very surprised too. I had planned to go to France next month to shoot my upcoming MV, but the production crew for Wonderful Adventure came to look for me and spoke to my manager about it very eagerly. Hence, I’ve decided that I’ll try my best to take some time to go for the show instead.”

She made it sound as if the production crew had begged for her to join them.

The reporter very directly asked, “Some people have said that you had Zhou Yanxue leave to ensure you could make the quota.”

A tinge of innocence was written on Xia Yu’s pale face. “Why would I?” She sounded hurt. “Nobody had even told me about Sister Zhou the whole time. I think she must have had her own reasons for withdrawing, but I’m thankful for her for giving me this spot.”

What a beautiful little flower she was.

Xia Ling laughed coldly on hearing Xia Yu’s words.

Luo Luo turned to look at her. “You think Xia Yu is lying too?”

“Whether she knew what had happened or not,” Xia Ling said. “She’s simply downplaying things after she’s gotten the benefits. Luo Luo, you’d better be careful when you film with her.”

Luo Luo nodded vehemently. She stopped eating her toast and looked at Xia Ling very seriously. “Xiao Ling, that’s what I want to tell you too. Remember the Nebula Music Festival the last time? It was because of Xia Yu that I ended up performing last, even though I had gotten a very good position. You’ve to be cautious of her too. Xia Yu…”

Luo Luo tilted her head but could not put it into words. “In any case, she’s not as fragile and innocent as she seems.”

“I know.” Xia Ling ruffled her hair. She should feel lucky that the one Xia Yu displaced was Zhou Yanxue and not Luo Luo.

Zhou Yanxue had gotten quite a bit of attention after the news spread. She was young after all and had vented some of her anger about the injustice on Weibo. However, her posts and comments were seen as her personally targeting Xia Yu, which riled up many of Xia Yu’s brainless fans and led them to retaliate. It did not take long for her Weibo to be filled with sarcasm and criticisms from many among the public.

There was injustice indeed — it was Xia Yu who had forcefully taken her place, and yet the one who was being attacked was Zhou Yanxue.

Xia Ling did not spend too much time thinking about it as she was busy enough as it was. In order to churn out her solo album by the end of the year, she had spent most of her time in Wei Shaoyin’s recording studio. Meteor Wings was also releasing new promotional videos every season, and also more interviews, features…

She felt that it was a miracle that she had not been overworked to death yet.

That day, Lin Yunan took her to a styling studio. The New World was Rong Ping’s second home.

With regards to the filming, she and Rong Ping had to coordinate their style to appear compatible, yet it could not be so alike that it appeared unnatural.

Rong Ping was even busier than her but had taken the time to try on the outfits. “I’ll wear this shirt with the newest winter outerwear from Versace.” He pointed to a few luxurious outfits and took his pick quickly. Matching an old piece with a new one would be more discreet about appearing like a nouveau riche but was not at the expense of trendiness.

The stylist had worked with Rong Ping for a long time now and nodded in agreement. “It suits your image.” He then turned to Xia Ling. “How about Miss Ye? Do you have a preferred outfit?”

When she first debuted, she only wore cheaper and less famous brands. Only when she built her name, and when Li Lei offered his generosity, did she get to wear a few better pieces. But generally, her outfits were nothing as luxurious as Rong Ping’s.

She smiled at the stylist. “I’ll match an old piece with a new one too, there’s no need to prepare anything extra to cater to Brother Rong. Otherwise, it’ll look too forced.” She got Wei Wei to open her photo gallery and show them some of her outfits from previous shoots. “It’ll be the usual day-to-day style, with minor changes to the details — like adding some accessories or changing the colors of the shoelaces such that it complements Brother Rong’s.”

Her usual style was actually not that different from Rong Ping’s — they kept their appearances simple but not simplistic.

The stylist who came along with her had a discussion with Rong Ping’s stylist, and they came to a conclusion in no time after making just minor adjustments.

“The both of you do seem like a couple actually.” One of the stylists laughed. “It’s not difficult to put you together.”

Rong Ping looked toward Xia Ling and smiled courteously.

Xia Ling smiled as well and thought that maybe the filming would not be as intimidating as she thought it out to be at first. At least her “boyfriend” Rong Ping seemed like a nice person to get along with.

Since the outfits had been settled, Rong Ping’s manager, Jimmy, suggested. “Shall we grab a meal together?” Since the two of them were supposed to be rumored couples in the next few months, there was a need for them to build some chemistry, even if they were not actually together. It would be too easy to see through their act if sparks did not fly.

Xia Ling did not enjoy such socializing and was about to reject when Lin Yunan agreed on her behalf.

She had no choice but to swallow her words.

Meanwhile, Rong Ping discreetly glanced at her.

The four of them got into Rong Ping’s silver Cadillac, one that had an air of prestige.