After Transmigrating, I Joined a Dating Show with the Fake Heiress Actress - Chapter 24

Watching the increasingly outrageous comments flood the screen, Wu Xi slammed her fist on the table in fury.

 

Su Qingwan rose from her chair. “Wu Xi, screenshot those defamatory comments along with the usernames.”

 

With that, she grabbed her bag, pulled out several Lawyer’s Letters stamped with official seals, and handed them to Wu Xi. “Fill in the usernames in the defendant fields. If the IDs are incomplete, we should be able to obtain them from the platform.” She then turned to Bai Man.

 

After hearing Bai Man’s account yesterday, Su Qingwan had consulted a lawyer she knew and thoroughly researched the streaming platform they were using. The platform required real-name authentication, and usernames were unique. To protect user privacy, longer usernames were sometimes truncated.

 

“What if they refuse to provide the full usernames?” Wu Xi asked.

 

Bai Man interjected, “Then we’ll send the Lawyer’s Letter directly to the platform.”

 

No one wants to invite trouble, and the platform was no exception.

 

With renewed confidence, Wu Xi nodded decisively and began working with fierce determination.

 

Seeing Wu Xi complete the forms, Bai Man immediately stood up, grabbed a Lawyer’s Letter, and strode toward Zhao Xinghui, who was still streaming live.

 

Zhao Xinghui, who had been closely monitoring the live chat, noticed the increasing number of abusive comments and unconsciously tightened his hands at his sides.

 

As Bai Man approached, his anxiety eased slightly. He told the camera, “Just a moment,” and went to meet her, accepting the Lawyer’s Letter from her.

 

Sensing his hesitation, Bai Man said, “It has legal effect as long as we intend it to.”

 

Zhao Xinghui immediately understood. Returning to the livestream, he zoomed in the camera to clearly show the Lawyer’s Letter and the defendant listed on it. “Our team and our leaders unanimously believe that certain individuals’ recent remarks constitute defamation. We’ve preserved the evidence and will file a lawsuit. This concerns our livestream’s reputation. Do you think we should defend our rights to the fullest extent?”

 

Seeing skeptical comments in the chat, Zhao Xinghui’s expression turned serious. “You have the right to question this Lawyer’s Letter, but those who doubt it should prepare themselves. We will submit this letter, along with all supporting evidence, to the court.”

 

Within minutes, the abusive comments and skeptical remarks vanished completely.

 

Bai Man turned to Su Qingwan, her eyes silently asking about the current number of viewers in the live stream.

 

Receiving the answer, she quickly walked back, picked up a pen, and wrote a few words on a piece of paper. Holding it up high, she signaled to Zhao Xinghui to use a “giveaway” strategy to regain the live stream’s popularity.

 

Zhao Xinghui understood immediately. “I apologize for keeping you waiting. To thank you all for staying with us, I’ll be giving away several down jackets worth thousands of yuan…”

 

As soon as the giveaway was announced, the live stream’s viewership not only returned to its peak but also surged even higher.

 

Unlike other live streams that dragged on endlessly, their efficient format had won over viewers, and both their online audience and sales rankings continued to climb.

 

Seeing this, Su Qingwan finally breathed a sigh of relief. “After this, they should stop causing trouble.”

 

“Not necessarily,” Bai Man said, turning to Wu Xi. “Did you get the information on those people yet?”

 

Wu Xi shook her head. “That infuriating customer service rep said they’ll only provide a response in an hour.”

 

Realizing what Bai Man was planning, Su Qingwan grabbed her hand and pulled her aside, lowering her voice. “Are you really going to sue them?”

 

“What else can we do?”

 

“Won’t that be too much trouble?”

 

Bai Man leaned lazily against a nearby steel pipe. “An hour in court? We’ll get compensation for reputational damage and mental distress. It’s a win-win.”

 

Su Qingwan was speechless.

 

Ding…

 

She pulled out her phone. It was a message from Su Qingyue: These candidates’ resumes seem to match your requirements. I’ve forwarded them to your email.

 

Su Qingwan: Okay, thanks for your hard work!

 

Su Qingyue: Use your brain and don’t let yourself be bullied.

 

Su Qingwan instinctively pressed her phone against her body, glancing cautiously at Bai Man to make sure she hadn’t seen the message. She let out a silent sigh of relief and forced a smile. “I’ve shortlisted a few resumes. Would you like to take a look?”

 

Bai Man hummed in agreement. She knew nothing about fashion design, but she had some experience reviewing resumes.

 

In the conference room, she opened her laptop and began scrutinizing the resumes.

 

After rejecting three candidates, Su Qingwan finally spoke up as Bai Man moved on to the fourth. “Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

 

Bai Man’s gaze didn’t waver. “No, they’re not a good fit.”

 

The rejected candidates, with their years of experience in the fashion industry, had listed salary expectations that were absurdly high, making them unsuitable for their company.

 

“Let’s see!” Hearing the printer whir to life, Su Qingwan immediately strode over and grabbed Bai Man’s freshly printed resume. Her eyes widened when she saw “None” listed under “Work Experience.” “A recent graduate?”

 

“Let’s at least meet her.”

 

Sighing, Su Qingwan pulled out her phone and dialed the contact number on the resume, scheduling an interview for the following afternoon.

 

Meanwhile, Song Tao went live.

 

Midway through her broadcast, trolls reappeared. Having learned from past experience, Song Tao promptly brandished a Lawyer’s Letter, silencing them with a barrage of legal threats.

 

Having repeatedly run into brick walls, the trolls left Zhang Xia’s livestream remarkably smooth.

 

By the time the three finished their broadcasts, it was past 4 PM. Su Qingwan and Bai Man had initially planned to stay longer, but Xu Mengjie urged them to leave.

 

“Manman, your father and I will be home late tonight. Why don’t you two eat out?” Xu Mengjie suggested.

 

Bai Man nodded. “Okay.” She took a few steps, then stopped, turning back to gaze at Xu Mengjie and Bai Shanheng, who were packing up with the workers. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

 

As a celebrity, Su Qingwan had to be more careful when choosing a place to eat.

 

In the end, Su Qingwan chose to go to Yao Yanhui’s private kitchen.

 

She and Yao Yanhui had met five years earlier on a film set. Unlike Su Qingwan, Yao Yanhui had a clear dream of becoming a star and a natural talent for acting. Just when she had secured a promising opportunity, a family crisis forced her to abandon her dreams and return home to inherit the private kitchen.

 

This private kitchen had a history spanning nearly a century, with its signature dish, poached chicken, being particularly renowned. Every patron who tasted it raved about its exquisite flavor. The only drawback was its spicy taste.

 

Upon learning of Su Qingwan’s arrival, Yao Yanhui pushed open the private room door and strode in. “Being a film queen has its perks, huh? Trying to get a glimpse of you is like trying to climb to heaven!”

 

Before Su Qingwan could respond, Yao Yanhui’s gaze shifted to Bai Man. Stroking her chin thoughtfully, she blurted out, “You’re Bai Man? You look completely different from when the show started filming!”

 

Su Qingwan had harbored the same question but had been too afraid to ask.

 

Her main concern was that the question might anger Bai Man, undoing the fragile truce they had managed to establish.

 

Without looking at Bai Man, Su Qingwan unconsciously leaned slightly toward her, eager to hear her response.

 

Bai Man set down her water glass, lifted her gaze to meet Yao Yanhui’s scrutinizing eyes, and countered, “Then who do you think I am?”

 

Yao Yanhui choked, awkwardly rose, and asked Su Qingwan, “Same as usual?”

 

Su Qingwan hid her disappointment and instructed, “No chili.”

 

The words “But you like chili” lingered on Yao Yanhui’s tongue, but when her peripheral vision caught the undeniable presence of Bai Man, she swallowed them back.

 

The sky outside the window gradually darkened. As the full moon retreated, dawn arrived.

 

Just like the previous day, Bai Man ate breakfast prepared by Xu Mengjie before heading to Hengjie Garment Factory.

 

As soon as she sat down, Wu Xi rushed over. “Baby has a pair of golden eyes! You and Sister Wan are totally dating!”

 

“Nonsense,” Bai Man snapped, her face tightening. How could she possibly be dating Su Qingwan?

 

Su Qingwan was a character from a book.

 

“Everyone online is saying it,” Wu Xi said, lowering her head in grievance. “And Baby thinks you and Sister Wan are way better together than that Yu Meng. She’s such a scum woman!”

 

Something was wrong. Something must have happened.

 

Bai Man pulled out her phone and opened Weibo, immediately spotting several trending topics.

 

#Su Qingwan and Bai Man’s fake romance turns real#Bai Man and Su Qingwan: From enemies to lovers#Bai Man and Su Qingwan’s late-night rendezvous#

 

#Yu Meng’s impending marriage#Yu Meng’s wedding date approaches#Yu Meng and her fiancée: Childhood sweethearts#

 

The trending topics about Su Qingwan included photos of her and Bai Man leaving a private restaurant.

 

Each of Yu Meng’s trending topics featured intimate photos of her with another girl.

 

As someone in the entertainment industry, Su Qingwan was more sensitive to online buzz than most. She glanced at her watch. Su Qingwan had arrived at this time yesterday, but not today. She must have seen the trending topics.

 

The thought of Su Qingwan hiding in a corner, licking her wounds alone, stirred an inexplicable irritation in Bai Man’s heart.

 

In the distance, Su Qingwan walked toward her, head bowed.

 

Feeling a sudden chill, she looked up, her eyes filled with confusion. Even in June, Suzhou mornings were usually muggy. Why had it suddenly turned cold?

 

Wu Xi instinctively rubbed her arms. Spotting Su Qingwan, she immediately stood up, beaming. “Sister Wan!”

 

Hearing her voice, Bai Man whipped around to look.

 

Su Qingwan wore a Qing-style azure gown today, its hem adorned with vibrant, scattered embroidery. Her slightly curled hair was styled into a delicate bun, complemented by light makeup, giving her an air of gentle elegance.

 

Yet, behind her clear, phoenix-shaped eyes, an unmistakable sorrow lingered.

 

Noticing Bai Man’s gaze, Su Qingwan immediately averted her eyes.

 

She’s avoiding me… for a scumbag woman? Bai Man thought, narrowing her eyes slightly.

 

“Bai Man, I have something to ask you,” Su Qingwan said hesitantly. She had pondered this question throughout her journey here. The moment she learned Yu Meng had a fiancée, her heart had grown heavy, yet she wasn’t entirely surprised.

 

Recalling Bai Man’s earlier claim that she wasn’t targeting Yu Meng personally but merely exposing her true nature, Su Qingwan suspected Bai Man might have known about this all along.

 

She had also considered the possibility that the media was exaggerating the story. Fans often disapprove of their idols being in relationships, and some brand partners explicitly prohibit dating during contract periods. Consequently, most celebrities in the industry go to great lengths to conceal their romantic lives. When caught by paparazzi, they immediately issue clarifications to minimize the fallout.

 

The rumors had been circulating for so long, yet Yu Meng’s agency hadn’t issued a denial. It seemed her engagement was all but confirmed.

 

Bai Man stood up and followed Su Qingwan to the warehouse’s ventilation shaft.

 

Su Qingwan turned. “You knew all along, didn’t you?”

 

Bai Man stepped closer, closing the distance between them, and stared directly at Su Qingwan. “Yes.”

 

“Then why—”

 

Bai Man cut her off. “Why do you think I didn’t tell you? Hmm?”

 

Su Qingwan froze, but a moment later, she gave a self-deprecating laugh.

 

Why hadn’t Bai Man told her? Either Bai Man was waiting to see her make a fool of herself, or she believed telling her would be pointless, only inviting suspicion and questioning.

 

Her intuition told her it was the latter.

 

As System 388 remained silent, Bai Man’s frustration grew. She wanted to crack open Su Qingwan’s skull and see what she was really thinking.

 

Yu Meng not only hid her fiancée but also flirted indiscriminately. Shouldn’t Su Qingwan be avoiding such a person at all costs? Yet she still harbored feelings for Yu Meng.

 

Was Yu Meng truly so wonderful? So wonderful that Su Qingwan could deceive herself?

 

With that thought, Bai Man turned angrily and strode back the way she had come.

 

Su Qingwan watched Bai Man’s hurried figure retreat, murmuring softly, “Bai Man, who are you really? Why are you so different from before? And why do you keep helping me, over and over again?”

 

Ding…

 

Hearing the notification, she absentmindedly pulled her phone from her bag and opened it. The message was from Yu Meng.

 

You’ve been spending time with Bai Man these past few days? Haven’t you learned your lesson from her? Her family’s garment factory is on the verge of collapse. She’s used to living lavishly, so she’s suddenly doing a complete 180. She wants you to lower your guard so she can trick you into helping her family’s factory.

 

Qingwan, you’re different from everyone else in our circle. You have a bright future ahead of you. Don’t let that cunning little schemer, Bai Man, deceive you.

 

And don’t naively think that throwing a little money at the factory will save it. Let me tell you, even millions might not make a difference.

 

As she finished reading the messages, her grip on the phone tightened involuntarily.

 

Bai Man had devised a countermeasure and planned the future of Hengjie Garment Factory in such a short time. How could someone like her waste time trying to deceive her?

 

Throwing money in and hearing no echo?

 

It would have been better if they had simply told her the truth, allowing her to remain uninvolved and indifferent.

 

She turned and gazed up at the steadily rotating ceiling fan. How could she ever have thought her values were even remotely similar to Yu Meng’s?

 

Logically, she knew Hengjie Garment Factory was on its last legs. Pouring more money into it would only sink her deeper.

 

Emotionally, she couldn’t bear to watch Hengjie Garment Factory fall into someone else’s hands. She couldn’t remain indifferent as Mother Xu and Father Bai exhausted themselves over the factory’s troubles. And she certainly couldn’t give up on Hengjie Garment Factory without even trying.

 

Therefore, her values weren’t just slightly different from Yu Meng’s—they were worlds apart.

 

Just as Bai Man settled into her chair, System 388’s childlike voice chimed:

 

Congratulations, Host! Su Qingwan’s affection for Yu Meng has decreased by 20 points! Her total affection score is now only 5!

 

Bai Man stared blankly ahead, her round eyes betraying no emotion, though her heart churned with turmoil.

 

A reduction of 20? What’s the difference between that and nothing at all?

 

System 388: Host, are you unhappy? Don’t you want to return to your original world? Honestly, I think this place is much better! Look, not only does Su Qingwan know you don’t like spicy food, but your parents are willing to stay here too. Compared to your old world, this is a huge improvement!

 

Bai Man’s expression darkened slightly. Can I even go back?

 

The stolen warmth and affection were nothing but fleeting illusions, none of it truly belonged to her, and she didn’t need it.

 

She had to go back, just to spite those people.

 

Wanting something she couldn’t have, reduced to a comical frenzy of frustration, was far more satisfying than any so-called warmth.

 

System 388: Host, don’t be so impatient! After I reported your situation, the central hub still needs to verify everything. Then they have to hold a meeting to discuss it. All this takes time!

 

System 388: Besides, you haven’t even completed your mission yet. Waiting a little longer won’t hurt!

 

Bai Man raised her hand, cracking her knuckles with a crisp “pop-pop-pop.”

 

System 388: Hitting machines is wrong! Hey, she’s fine, just leave her alone!

 

Su Qingwan composed herself and returned to find Wu Xi had dragged her chair more than three meters away from Bai Man, her body hunched forward, staring at Bai Man with wide-eyed terror.

 

Seeing Su Qingwan, Wu Xi scrambled off the chair and rushed to her side, clutching her hands tightly. “Sister Wan, Sister Man is so scary!”

 

Before Su Qingwan could ask what had happened, Wu Xi recoiled as if electrocuted, leaping away from her.

 

Realizing something was amiss, Su Qingwan immediately glared at Bai Man, suspecting she had taken advantage of her absence to do something to Wu Xi.

 

Wu Xi scuttled back to her chair like a crab, silent and inwardly shattered. Even though Bai Man’s clenched fist hadn’t struck her, the fear lingered.

 

She desperately wanted to take back her earlier words. Sister Man and Sister Wan were utterly incompatible. Sister Wan was like a gentle lamb, while Sister Man was the wolf that devoured lambs.

 

Could Sister Wan possibly survive against Sister Man?

 

Bai Man couldn’t know exactly what Wu Xi was thinking, but she could guess from the wary, fearful look in her eyes. Without offering any explanation, she calmly averted her gaze and focused on the display screen.

 

Today’s livestream was going much smoother than yesterday’s, and the number of viewers kept climbing. When the chat was flooded with messages begging her not to end the stream, Zhao Xinghui glanced over and asked for her opinion.

 

She shook her head slightly, signaling Zhao Xinghui to end the stream as planned.

 

After Zhao Xinghui exited the livestream platform, he approached Bai Man. “We had so many viewers just now. I think if I streamed a little longer, we could break 8,000 sales for this session.”

 

Bai Man leaned back in her chair. “What’s the rush? Once they receive their orders and see the quality, they’ll buy more without you needing to push them.”

 

Zhao Xinghui nodded in understanding. “Got it. I’ll go help with packing then.” He turned and walked away.

 

Wu Xi glanced around and, seeing everyone else gradually leaving, quickly stood up. “I’ll go see if there’s anything I can help with over there. Don’t want them saying I’m just freeloading.”

 

Before the words had even left her mouth, she was already sprinting after Zhao Xinghui.

 

Soon, only Su Qingwan and Bai Man remained.

 

Su Qingwan could clearly sense Bai Man’s foul mood. She awkwardly approached, pulled a carton of milk from her bag, and placed it to Bai Man’s right. “Did… did something go wrong with your plan?”

 

Bai Man let out a soft hmph but remained silent.

 

“Director Xu called. The second episode’s recording is set for three days from now. Do you want to skip this one?”

 

Bai Man turned, her eyes locking with Su Qingwan’s.

 

Under Bai Man’s intense gaze, Su Qingwan felt inexplicably flustered. “I…” she lowered her head. “The Hengjie Garment Factory matter is more important than the recording.”

 

“Do you think this place can’t function without me?” Bai Man asked.

 

Su Qingwan nodded instinctively, then quickly shook her head. “I… right now, everyone sees you as their anchor. If you stay here, it will give everyone peace of mind.”

 

The words “anchor” stirred Bai Man’s memories. In her original world, when people saw a glimmer of hope, they had once hailed her as their anchor too. And what had happened then?

 

Once the company stabilized, their loyalties shifted again. They argued she lacked experience and insisted the former chairman should return to lead.

 

Killing the donkey after it’s done its work, she thought bitterly. They’re too naive.

 

She forcefully suppressed their dissent, refusing to yield even when the directors threatened to withdraw their shares.

 

These men were the former chairman’s old comrades-in-arms, not easily swayed. Only when she uncovered their corrupt dealings did they finally relent.

 

Sensing the growing chill radiating from Bai Man, Su Qingwan instinctively took a step back. But seeing the woman’s cold pride and loneliness, she moved closer again.

 

Forgetting her fear, she approached Bai Man step by step, tentatively reaching out to give her a hug.

 

The warmth radiating from Su Qingwan’s body, the unique grapefruit scent that was hers alone, momentarily disoriented Bai Man. A selfish desire bloomed in her heart: she wanted this warmth to belong only to her.

 

“I’m sorry,” Su Qingwan said. “I shouldn’t have pushed the responsibility of saving Hengjie Garment Factory entirely onto you. I forgot you’re human too, that you get tired.” What Su Qingwan didn’t say was that, in those fleeting moments, she had almost mistaken Bai Man for a machine.

 

No matter what challenges arose, Bai Man always remained calm and composed, as if she had a perfect plan in mind.

 

This version of Bai Man was so dazzling that it made Su Qingwan feel inferior.

 

She began to understand the sense of helplessness and inferiority the original “Bai Man” must have felt in the face of such absolute excellence.

 

Could anyone truly become this exceptional in such a short time? she wondered again.

 

She had considered asking Xu Mengjie, who had known Bai Man longer and would likely have noticed any anomalies first. But lately, Xu Mengjie had shown no unusual behavior beyond occasional absentmindedness related to the Hengjie Garment Factory.

 

Bai Man didn’t register a single word of Su Qingwan’s first sentence, but every word of the second sentence struck her heart like a hammer.

 

So, someone actually cares whether I’m tired.

 

She slowly raised her arms to return Su Qingwan’s embrace. Before her hands could reach Su Qingwan’s waist, a startled exclamation echoed in her mind.

 

System 388: Ah… I was just recharging for a moment, and you’re already hugging Su Qingwan! I’m so embarrassed!

 

System 388: Why did you stop? Keep going! Right now, you should be using all your strength to crush Su Qingwan into your body, making sure she can never escape. Ah! Just imagining that scene is so thrilling!

 

Bai Man clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white, once again wanting to destroy this machine.

 

Sensing her unease, Su Qingwan frantically pulled away, her cheeks flushed. She lowered her gaze involuntarily, fidgeting with her bangs, unable to meet Bai Man’s eyes.

 

Even so, Bai Man’s gaze burned like wildfire, enveloping her completely. Su Qingwan could feel her heart racing, pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of her throat. Unable to stand still any longer, she turned and fled in a panic.

 

Watching her retreating figure, Bai Man’s narrowed eyes were filled with complex emotions.

 

System 388: Don’t you think Su Qingwan smells so good? If you like her scent, go after her! Even better, start a fight with Yu Meng—two women fighting over one, how thrilling!

 

Bai Man’s expression darkened slightly. Using her mental command, she searched for the System. She was going to destroy this idiotic machine today, no matter what. She couldn’t wait another moment.

 

She searched everywhere but couldn’t find the System. She tried to lure it out with her voice: “What happened to the original host?”

 

After waiting a while, she still didn’t hear System 388’s voice.

 

She knew the machine was hiding.

 

That afternoon, Yan Tianyue, the recent graduate Su Qingwan had recommended, arrived at Hengjie Garment Factory on time.

 

Considering the unique circumstances of Hengjie Garment Factory, Xu Mengjie proposed giving Yan Tianyue a preliminary tour to familiarize her with the company. If she expressed interest in staying, they would proceed with the formal interview.

 

Bai Man and Su Qingwan both supported Xu Mengjie’s plan. Wu Xi led Yan Tianyue on a tour of the factory.

 

Learning of Yan Tianyue’s desire to stay, Wu Xi then escorted her to the conference room.

 

“You must be the impressive Young CEO Bai that Wu Xi mentioned! You’re so amazing,” Yan Tianyue said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. Suddenly remembering something, she slapped her forehead, rummaged through her bag, retrieved her design sketches, and stood up to hand them to Bai Man with both hands. “These are the sketches I drew a few days ago. I hope they meet your requirements.”

 

Bai Man rose and took the design draft, glancing down at it. The sketch depicted a simple, clean-lined dress. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but closer inspection revealed subtle details that gave the overall design an understated elegance.

 

She handed the draft to Xu Mengjie, entrusting the review to someone with formal training in fashion design.

 

“It’s okay if it’s not suitable,” Yan Tianyue said, her head bowed slightly, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “Intricate designs aren’t practical for everyday wear. This simple, fresh style would be perfect, but it seems no one likes it.”

 

Xu Mengjie picked up the draft and stood, extending her hand to Yan Tianyue. “Thank you for accepting the reality of Hengjie Garment Factory. We welcome you to the team.”

 

Yan Tianyue froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. After a moment, she snapped out of her daze, a sweet smile spreading across her face as she bowed deeply to Xu Mengjie and Bai Man. “Thank you.”

 

Seeing the matter settled, Bai Man stood up. “Here’s your first assignment: turn that design draft into a finished product. I want to see it within two days.”

 

Yan Tianyue didn’t hesitate. “I guarantee I’ll complete the task.”

 

Realizing Bai Man’s intention, Su Qingwan hurried after her. “You’re planning to use the show to promote our new products, aren’t you?”

 

“Only fair,” Bai Man replied.

 

The Production Team had used them to promote the scenic area without their consent. Bai Man was now using the show to promote Hengjie Garment Factory’s new products—a tit-for-tat exchange.

 

Yet Su Qingwan still felt uneasy.

 

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Bai Man stopping ahead and bumped straight into her back.

 

The sharp pain in her nose made her gasp softly, tears welling up in her phoenix eyes. She glared at Bai Man. “Why did you stop so suddenly?”

 

Bai Man turned to see Su Qingwan’s aggrieved and pitiful expression, her heart tightening slightly.

 

She stepped forward, gently removing Su Qingwan’s hand from her nose and lightly massaging the tip.

 

The cool, tender touch sent a jolt through Su Qingwan’s body, a tingling sensation enveloping her from head to toe, reaching her tailbone. Her heart raced as it had that morning, pounding in her chest.

 

Afraid Bai Man would notice her reaction, she instinctively lowered her head.

 

The moment she moved, Bai Man whispered, “Don’t fidget.”

 

That gentle touch, as if handling a precious treasure, combined with her bewitching voice, left Su Qingwan’s mind blank. Her eyes focused solely on Bai Man, who was massaging her nose with downcast eyes.

 

Those dark, round eyes held only her gaze. Su Qingwan’s palm-sized face was delicate and rounded, her fair skin smooth and flawless. Yet what truly captivated Bai Man were Su Qingwan’s cherry-red lips, full and vibrant, like tempting cherries drawing her closer inch by inch.

 

Bai Man looked up and saw a dazed look in Su Qingwan’s watery eyes. The small red mole on her nose bridge, illuminated by the slanting sunlight, shone brilliantly. Su Qingwan’s body seemed boneless as she leaned closer, and within a few blinks, their breaths mingled.

 

The warm, moist air brushing against Bai Man’s face felt like a feather stroking her heart, both repelling and entrancing her.

 

She swallowed unconsciously, letting her other hand fall to her side, unsure where to place it for the first time. Her heart quickened.

 

Su Qingwan was seducing her.

 

With just a little force, she could push Su Qingwan away and snap her out of her trance.

 

But she didn’t. She reveled in Su Qingwan’s eyes being fixed solely on her, in Su Qingwan losing her composure in her presence. She wanted Su Qingwan to press even closer.

 

A gentle breeze stirred, lifting strands of hair from both women’s faces and simultaneously snapping Su Qingwan back to her senses.

 

Staring at Bai Man’s face, now inches away, Su Qingwan’s eyes widened in panic as she stumbled backward. Realizing what she had just done, her face and ears burned with shame. She wished she could dig a hole and bury herself.

 

“I, I still have, have things to do. I’m leaving, I’m leaving now!” She blurted out, turning and fleeing before the words were even out of her mouth.

 

How could you let Bai Man bewitch you like that, Su Qingwan? she berated herself inwardly. Don’t you realize this could ruin any chance of restoring your relationship to what it once was?

 

Yet… Bai Man hadn’t pushed her away, nor had she mocked her.

 

Could this mean Bai Man actually…

 

Bai Man withdrew her hand from the air, glanced in the direction Su Qingwan had fled, and fell into deep thought.

 

How many times has she done this? Teasing me and then running away?

 

Have I been too lenient with her? Is that why she thinks she can tease me so casually?

 

The thought of Su Qingwan’s flushed, dazed expression being seen by anyone else ignited a fresh wave of jealousy in her heart.

 

If I ever find out there’s someone else…

 

 

Three days later, at Suzhou Airport.

 

Xu Mengjie checked in her luggage and turned to look at her two daughters standing beside her. “You two need to take good care of yourselves while you’re away. Don’t worry about things at the factory; your father and I will handle everything.”

 

Su Qingwan nodded. “You and Dad,” she glanced discreetly at Bai Man, and seeing no reaction, continued with more confidence, “You and Dad need to take care of yourselves too. This recording session will probably be like the last one—we won’t get our phones back until evening. We’ll talk then.”

 

“Alright,” Xu Mengjie waved her hand. “Go on in. Don’t keep them waiting.”

 

“There’s a more detailed plan on the desk. You and…” Bai Man hesitated, “You can refer to it.”

 

She still couldn’t bring herself to say that word.

 

Xu Mengjie didn’t mind. “Go on!” she urged.

 

Sensing something was amiss, Su Qingwan suppressed the anxiety and unease that had been gnawing at her heart. She moved closer to Bai Man and whispered, “What’s going on between you and Mom?”

 

“You’re not avoiding me anymore,” Bai Man replied without looking at her, striding toward the security checkpoint.

 

Ever since Su Qingwan had run away in embarrassment that day, she had been avoiding Bai Man like a mouse avoids a cat, fleeing faster than anyone else whenever she saw her.

 

Su Qingwan’s face flushed crimson, her lips parting slightly. Was Bai Man really holding a grudge?

 

She genuinely didn’t know how to face Bai Man, especially when Bai Man acted as if nothing had happened. This only intensified her anxiety.

 

It seemed she was the only one dwelling on the incident.

 

But she understood. After all, she had been the one blinded by lust.

 

How had she never realized she could be so consumed by desire?

 

After repeatedly warning herself to never let Bai Man seduce her again, Su Qingwan finally resumed walking, boarding the plane a little later than Bai Man.

 

Director Xu had mentioned that the filming location was Spring City. Suzhou wasn’t far from Spring City, just over an hour’s flight away.

 

After exiting the airport, they drove for nearly another hour before reaching their destination.

 

Stepping out of the car, Su Qingwan’s eyes fell upon an ancient-style courtyard. The wooden walls and green-tiled roof clearly indicated its age. The surrounding courtyards, similar in design, formed a row. Hearing the commotion, villagers emerged from their homes, peering curiously into the courtyard.

 

Bai Man, unwilling to be gawked at like a monkey, stepped forward and pushed open the weathered wooden door. The creaking sound, like a discordant musical note, echoed in her ears—unpleasant, yet not entirely jarring.

 

Crossing the threshold, she found herself in a courtyard spanning nearly eighty to ninety square meters. A few guests were scattered around the yard, lazily raising their hands in greeting as she and Su Qingwan arrived.

 

Looking up, she noticed several wooden windows propped open with forked poles. Through these windows, she could glimpse the simple, rustic furnishings inside.

 

Her gaze shifted to the sides of the courtyard, where vegetable gardens lined the walls. The vibrant chili peppers and cucumbers, plump and glistening with moisture, looked incredibly appetizing.

 

“Surprised? Shocked? Let me tell you, when I first saw this place, I thought I’d time-traveled!” Liu Heng exclaimed dramatically.

 

Song Jie kicked the leg of Liu Heng’s chair. “It’s not as dramatic as you make it sound. You could just call it ‘rustic charm.'”

 

Bai Man, long accustomed to their peculiar banter, wheeled her two suitcases into the courtyard and asked, “Where are we staying?”

 

Liu Heng, convinced he had grasped the truth, leaped from his chair in shock. “Did I hear right? You used ‘we’! Does that mean everything online is true?” He pointed two fingers at Bai Man and Su Qingwan, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “You two rivals… are now lovers?”

 

The tips of Su Qingwan’s ears flushed slightly. “No, that’s just media speculation.”

 

“Is that so?” Liu Heng approached them, scrutinizing them from head to toe, stroking his chin and shaking his head. “Something’s off. Something’s definitely off.” He pointed at Su Qingwan. “Your eyes keep darting away.” He raised his voice. “You’re hiding something!”

 

Bai Man turned, shielding Su Qingwan behind her. “Where are we staying?”

 

Her powerful aura successfully repelled Liu Heng’s nosy curiosity.

 

Liu Heng awkwardly pointed upstairs. “The Director said the first guests to arrive get priority and can choose their rooms. The rooms we’ve already claimed have signs on the doors. Just pick one without a sign.”

 

Having received her answer, Bai Man wasted no time, grabbing her luggage and heading inside.

 

Su Qingwan hurried after her. “Let me help you. It looks heavy.”

 

Bai Man sidestepped Su Qingwan and tried carrying both suitcases upstairs, but quickly realized she couldn’t manage it and set one down.

 

After lugging one suitcase up, she returned to the stairwell and found Su Qingwan standing on the steps, panting heavily. Her body was half-collapsed over the remaining suitcase, the collar of her shirt slightly open from the exertion, revealing a faint glimpse of the deep cleavage beneath.

 

Bai Man immediately averted her gaze and turned away. “Stand up straight,” she said.

 

Su Qingwan realized what had happened, her face flushing crimson. Her hands, which had been hanging at her sides, clenched into fists as she avoided Bai Man’s eyes.

 

Seeing this, Bai Man opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing. She silently moved beside Su Qingwan, picked up the suitcase, and continued upstairs. When she didn’t hear Su Qingwan’s footsteps following, she called out, “Choose your own room.”

 

Su Qingwan lowered her head, her voice muffled and flustered. “O-okay.”

 

It’s not like this is the first time I’ve embarrassed myself in front of Bai Man, she reassured herself. It’s fine.

 

But now they were on the show, seeing each other every day. If she acted strangely, it would definitely draw attention from viewers and the other guests.

 

After this pep talk, the heat in her cheeks subsided somewhat, and she slowly made her way upstairs.

 

Emerging from the stairwell, she found herself in a small living room connected to a corridor. Rooms lined both sides of the corridor, their doors staggered, but unfortunately, each room had a sign hanging on it, forcing her to continue down the corridor around the corner.

 

Unlike the lower floor, this level had more rooms and brighter lighting.

 

Bai Man, who had already inspected the remaining rooms, emerged from the last one and pointed to the room next to where Su Qingwan stood. “The back window offers a view of the fruit trees,” she said.

 

Su Qingwan awkwardly approached Bai Man and entered the room she had indicated.

 

To be precise, it was a suite. A wooden tea table stood in the outer room, flanked by two rattan chairs. The inner room contained a large Simmons bed, positioned about a meter from the window, which, like the ones they had seen from outside, was also made of wood.

 

She walked to the window and gazed out. Sure enough, she saw a bayberry tree laden with ripe fruit. The bayberries, some larger than her thumb, ranged in color from deep crimson to nearly black. A gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of the fruit, making her swallow involuntarily.

 

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, followed by approaching footsteps. “This room is perfect. I want to stay here.”

 

She turned to see a girl with a sweet face and luminous, watery eyes gazing at her. Behind the girl, Yu Meng followed closely.

 

In that instant, she suddenly understood where the girl’s familiarity came from.

 

This was the girl Yu Meng was engaged to.

 

The girl stepped forward and extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Shangguan Yu.”

 

Before she could reciprocate, Shangguan Yu withdrew her hand. “I like this room. I want you to give it to me.”