Don’t Chase Me, It Won’t Work Out - Chapter 1

Meishi City, Baomeng Commercial District.

Inside an elegantly decorated hair salon on the fifth floor, two young girls sat at a table flipping through styling books. The LCD TV embedded in the wall was playing the latest popular food variety show, featuring the current hot actress Jiang Yaling as the guest.

Jiang Yaling had a delicate and refined appearance, with large, innocent eyes and smooth, jet-black long hair that made her look like a sweet girl-next-door.

“If that hair were real, the quality would be pretty good—long enough to fetch a decent price,” one of the hairstylists in the shop remarked objectively.

The people around him were stunned. “The female celebrity is on the show for you to appraise the value of her hair???”

The hairstylist calmly replied, “Never forget your roots.”

Another stylist nudged him. “Then take a look at that customer over there. Her hair is long, smooth, and thick—a classic ‘black long straight’! Just like Jiang Yaling.”

He turned to look, his gaze passing through a glass partition. He saw the owner of the “black long straight” hair giving advice to her baby-faced friend across from her before withdrawing his gaze regretfully. “She said she won’t cut her hair.”

What a shame—that long hair was truly a waste.

Meanwhile, Tao Youqing, the proud owner of the “black long straight” hair, spun the styling book around and pointed at the model on the cover. “This one’s nice—pretty and full of presence.”

The model on the cover had a striking, cold beauty, her voluminous curls accentuating her sharp features and amplifying her icy aura.

Guan Meilin glanced at it. “Doesn’t suit me. Suits you.”

Tao Youqing had a bright, charming beauty, with an innate elegance that made her seem like a pampered young lady from a wealthy family. Her clear, expressive eyes sparkled with vitality when wide open yet could exude endless allure when half-lidded—she effortlessly pulled off both styles.

So, Guan Meilin thought bold, voluminous curls with a strong presence would suit her perfectly. Besides, she had seen Tao Youqing with straight hair for so long that she was curious to see her try a new look—though she knew Tao Youqing wouldn’t change it. Changing it would make her even less like that person.

Tao Youqing lowered her thick, distinct lashes, staring at the curly hairstyle she had pointed out. After three seconds of silence, she suddenly lifted her head and flicked her long hair with pride. “A fairy like me looks good in any style, of course.”

Then, dramatically clutching her forehead, she sighed. “Damn it, how is anyone else supposed to survive when I’m this gorgeous?”

“Why can’t my genes be a little more merciful to the world?”

Here it was—Tao Youqing’s signature narcissism in full swing!

Having known her for so long, Guan Meilin was more than accustomed to it. “Yes, yes, you’re the prettiest, the most beautiful.”

In the end, the seasoned narcissist Tao Youqing recommended a chin-length bob with inward curls for Guan Meilin’s baby face. Guan Meilin loved it and happily went to discuss it with the stylist.

With nothing else to do, Tao Youqing let her gaze wander around the salon before settling on the LCD screen playing the variety show.

On the screen, Jiang Yaling, poised and graceful, picked up a glass of water and took a composed sip.

Tao Youqing knew that when she picked up a water glass, she would habitually raise her little finger, intentionally or unintentionally adding a touch of coquettish charm.

Tao Youqing also picked up her glass and took a sip, all five fingers firmly pressed against the cool surface—not even one missing.

The food variety show had just reached the part where Jiang Yaling smiled gently and said she didn’t like eating barbecue when it was abruptly cut off, replaced by the country’s two major music stages—Music Valley.

Male and female idol groups gathered together, striving to showcase their charm and professional skills, each one eager to win the top award at Music Valley—and preferably, to also claim the top prize at the other major music stage, Music West Sea.

The top awards at Music Valley and Music West Sea carried more prestige than those at other music stages, representing an extremely honorable recognition for idols. Countless groups and soloists, along with their fans, worked tirelessly for this goal.

Tao Youqing tilted her head slightly. She remembered it had taken Jiang Yaling three years to win the top award at Music Valley, and she still hadn’t achieved the feat of securing top awards at both Music Valley and Music West Sea with a single album.

Lost in thought, Tao Youqing’s mind and soul wandered off together.

Guan Meilin returned cheerfully after finalizing her hairstyle with the stylist and called out to her when she noticed her zoning out, “Hey, snap out of it! Once I’m done with my hair, let’s grab something to eat!”

Tao Youqing slowly snapped back to reality, blinked at Guan Meilin with a dazed expression, and enunciated slowly, “Eat… hair?” Then added, “Sounds kinda suffocating?”

Guan Meilin, “…”

The fact that you heard it that way is already suffocating enough!

Guan Meilin sighed and rubbed her forehead. She should have known better than to ask Tao Youqing anything right after she snapped out of a daze—half her brain was still floating in outer space, so her responses were often completely off-topic.

Finally, fully alert, Tao Youqing realized what Guan Meilin had actually said, “Oh! What are we eating?”

Guan Meilin set her bag down beside her and patted her shoulder as if entrusting her with a great responsibility, “You decide what we eat. Take your time thinking—I’m off to get my hair done. I’ve got a date tonight!”

A fresh hairstyle and looking her best to meet her girlfriend—bliss!

Watching Guan Meilin’s cheerful retreating figure, Tao Youqing propped her chin on her hand and suddenly sighed.

She also wanted to change her hairstyle to meet her girlfriend—or rather, her secret lover who couldn’t be seen in public. She was tired of her long, straight black hair.

Her dark eyes shifted calmly, her gaze landing lightly on the hairstyle book open beside her—right on the page with the voluminous curls she had liked earlier.

—She preferred this style.

Just then, her phone screen lit up with a new message,

Zhou Yirou said,  I’ll be coming over tonight.

Tao Youqing stared silently at the message for a few seconds. She realized she no longer felt the same excitement for Zhou Yirou as before—half of her passion had gradually turned into exhaustion.

Between her and Zhou Yirou, it was always her taking the initiative, her longing for Zhou Yirou to turn and look at her. But after being the one to act for so long, anyone would grow tired—yet she still had half her passion left.

She picked up her phone and replied, Got it.

Just like always.

She turned on her phone camera and aimed it at the curly hairstyle in the magazine.

One last try, like a drowning person’s desperate struggle, unable to resist hoping for a hand to reach out and save her.

…

Evening. The sky was painted with sunset hues, and the White Jade Apartments in the southwest district of Meishi stood silently beneath the vast sky, draped in the gentle hues of twilight.

After her shower, Tao Youqing curled up on the sofa with her phone. With a swipe of her thumb, she landed on the homepage of a cover song and dance YouTuber with millions of followers—Red Queen.

She took a closer look—seems like the follower count had gone up again. The comments section was still filled with adorable, exaggerated praise and rows of “must-watch for new fans.” She skimmed through them, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. Replenished by the compliments, she set her phone down contentedly and picked up her laptop instead, resuming her editing work.

Whenever she was bored, she’d get the urge to learn something new. Recently, she had started dabbling in video editing.

Just as she settled the laptop on her lap, the doorbell suddenly chimed—Zhou Yirou had arrived.

Zhou Yirou always rang the doorbell once to announce her presence before letting herself in. Tao Youqing closed the laptop, slipped on her cotton slippers, and went to greet her.

With a soft beep, the electronic lock disengaged, and Zhou Yirou, clad in a fitted white suit, stepped inside, her elegant and refined features instantly filling Tao Youqing’s vision.

Zhou Yirou’s gaze was cool, devoid of emotion—even when looking at her.

Instinctively, Tao Youqing flashed a smile, identical to the one Jiang Yaling often wore on variety shows. She effortlessly slipped into the role of Jiang Yaling. “You’re back, Yirou-jie.”

Only at this address did a trace of warmth—never meant for Tao Youqing—flicker in Zhou Yirou’s eyes. “Mm, I’m back.”

Tao Youqing ushered her inside, brewing her a cup of coffee while pouring herself some warm water. She then sat beside her and said considerately, “You’ve worked hard.”

In the entertainment industry, agencies were as numerous as stars, but only a handful could be called top-tier. Zhou Yirou’s Xinglan Entertainment was among them, as was Jiang Yaling’s company—Yueyong Entertainment, under Yuan Chumei’s leadership.

Zhou Yirou loved hearing her mimic Jiang Yaling’s tone. It always lifted her mood, making the chaotic mess at the company seem a little less unbearable.

Zhou Yirou turned to look at her, watching intently as she gracefully sipped her warm water, fingers curled around the cup, pinky slightly raised—a touch of delicate charm.

Exactly, the same.

Tao Youqing could see the satisfaction in Zhou Yirou’s eyes. Long ago, that look would have made her happy. She had even foolishly believed that as long as Zhou Yirou was pleased, it didn’t matter if she had to live as someone else’s shadow.

She had thought that if she stayed by her side long enough, she would eventually fill her heart—because growing accustomed to someone’s presence was a terrifying thing.

But reality proved her wrong. They had been secret lovers for nearly five years, yet Zhou Yirou still couldn’t forget her precious Jiang Yaling.

Tao Youqing no longer had the confidence to carve the name “Tao Youqing” into Zhou Yirou’s heart. She was exhausted—whether it was playing the role of Jiang Yaling or loving Zhou Yirou.

Nearly five years had passed. Not many could persist this long, and she had already given it her all. But she wanted to try one last time—if Zhou Yirou showed even the slightest willingness to let go of Jiang Yaling and start anew with her, she could reignite her confidence to continue their relationship!

Her eyes darted around as she pondered how to broach the subject, when suddenly Zhou Yirou asked, “What did you do today?”

Tao Youqing had a flash of inspiration. “Meilin got a new hairstyle.” She picked up her phone and flipped through her album. “There’s one style I really like. Look, this one.”

She showed Zhou Yirou the photo of the curly hairstyle she had taken. Zhou Yirou lifted her eyelids indifferently, barely glancing at it before replying without hesitation, “It’s ugly.”

Tao Youqing wasn’t surprised. Of course, Zhou Yirou would think it was ugly—because Jiang Yaling didn’t have that hairstyle. Her aesthetic was Jiang Yaling.

But Tao Youqing no longer wanted to “be” Jiang Yaling. She wanted to be with Zhou Yirou as Tao Youqing—or leave her as Tao Youqing.

Tao Youqing clenched her fingers around her phone and said firmly, “But I like it. I want to get this hairstyle.”

As expected, Zhou Yirou’s expression darkened instantly, all traces of warmth vanishing from her eyes as she glared at her. “You’re not allowed to change it.”

If she did, she wouldn’t resemble Yaling anymore.

Strangely, Tao Youqing wasn’t even shocked by this reaction. Instead, she found it almost laughable. Suddenly, she couldn’t understand why she had ever naively hoped to win Zhou Yirou’s heart—or how she had endured these five years.

Was it out of gratitude? Love? Or both?

Her heart ached unbearably, as if someone had sliced it open with a knife. But she refused to show weakness, lifting her chin defiantly as she declared, “I’m Tao Youqing, not a second Jiang Yaling.”

Zhou Yirou froze at her words, silent.

Seeing this, Tao Youqing softened her voice, making one final concession. “Let go of her and look at me. Try to love me too… okay?”

“We’ve been together for five years. Isn’t there even a small place for me in your heart?”

She gazed at her cautiously, eyes brimming with hope.

Truthfully, even now, she still wanted to believe Zhou Yirou had warmth in her. They had been lovers for five years, and she clung to the faint hope that she might occupy some corner of her heart.

No matter how ruthless Zhou Yirou was in the outside world, she was still human, with emotions and desires. Faced with someone who had stayed by her side for five years, who had genuinely cared for her, Tao Youqing wanted to believe there was some reluctance in her heart.

Right here, right now—if Zhou Yirou said she was willing to give her even a sliver of space, she would dare to keep loving her. Because she no longer had the strength to love someone who, after five years together, still couldn’t love her back or give her a chance.

But reality never unfolds according to one’s wishes. It isn’t a fairy tale.

Zhou Yirou abruptly stood up, her lips parting as she uttered coldly, “Stop dreaming. Tao Youqing, the only value you have to me is becoming a second Yaling.”

Looking down at her with icy disdain, she delivered her final verdict.

“You’ll never be worthy of my affection.”