Exchange of Movie Queens - Chapter 2

Headache.

Ruan Yesheng felt as if her skull had been filled with lead. Her eyelids struggled open slowly, taking a long time to adjust to the faint light filtering in.

The curtains had been partially drawn, and the hazy glow made her extremely uncomfortable.

She didn’t like the color of these curtains.

“She’s awake! She’s awake!” That was Feng Tangtang’s voice, brimming with joy yet laced with an undercurrent of unease, as if she were suppressing some deeper anxiety.

Someone strode over quickly.

The person sat down beside her, and Ruan Yesheng could clearly detect the scent of cologne clinging to them.

She didn’t like this smell either—it was obnoxious.

“Feeling any better?” A man’s gentle voice sounded near her ear.

Ruan Yesheng forced her eyes open and looked at him.

The man was dressed in a crisp, well-tailored suit, seated on the stool beside her hospital bed. His short hair was neatly styled, his features refined and scholarly, with a pair of glasses perched on his nose.

Lu Qingming?

Wait, Tangtang being here made sense, but why was he here?

In the past, Ruan Yesheng had kept her distance from Lu Qingming because he was Xi Mo’s manager, and he, in turn, had avoided unnecessary contact with her. They had maintained a clear boundary, neither encroaching on the other’s space. Later, as she gradually faded from the industry, she had hardly seen Lu Qingming at all. If not for this encounter, she might have completely forgotten what he looked like.

Since when had he suddenly become so attentive to her? His overly tender tone sent shivers down her spine.

“Would you like something to eat?” Lu Qingming spoke to Ruan Yesheng with warmth. “The doctor said there’s nothing seriously wrong with you. Once you wake up, it’s best to have something warm to settle your stomach. Just name it, and I’ll have it prepared immediately.”

His tone instantly reminded her of a devoted servant catering to a queen.

Ruan Yesheng’s beautiful eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent.

Had Lu Qingming lost his mind?

“Nothing you’d like?” Lu Qingming pressed. “Even if you don’t feel like eating, you should at least have a little something.”

Ruan Yesheng had no intention of humoring him.

With effort, she turned her stiff neck toward Feng Tangtang and called out, “Tangtang.”

Hearing this affectionate address, Feng Tangtang’s eyes widened abruptly, and the glass of water she had been about to bring over slipped from her grasp, spilling onto the floor.

Feng Tangtang looked utterly horrified. “Xi… Xi-jie.”

Ruan Yesheng froze at the same time.

Cool and softly melodious—this wasn’t her own voice. It sounded like Xi Mo’s.

And why was Tangtang calling her Xi-jie?

Ruan Yesheng’s gaze slowly lowered to the hands resting atop the white hospital blanket.

Those hands were pale and slender, the faint blue veins visible beneath the skin, appearing delicate and slightly gaunt. After so many years, she knew her own body inside out—there was no way these could be her hands. The fingers were noticeably longer than hers, like those of a pianist.

She didn’t play the piano.

But Xi Mo was an accomplished pianist.

She looked down further at the straight, jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders, smooth and unadorned except for the slight disarray from sleep—not a single curl in sight.

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

“Xi Mo?” Lu Qingming asked with concern. “What’s wrong? You’re acting strange all of a sudden.”

…Xi Mo.

That single utterance struck the final, devastating blow to Ruan Yesheng’s heart.

Ruan Yesheng drew in a sharp, cold breath, clenched her fingers, and forced out a faint smile. “Could someone please hand me a mirror first?”

Feng Tangtang looked horrified all over again.

Xi-jie had actually smiled.

Apart from when acting required it, she actually saw Sister Xi smile in daily life.

Having just survived a fire, any burns, injuries, or disfigurement would have been catastrophic. Lu Qingming knew this was a normal reaction and, to reassure her, immediately hurried to fetch a mirror for Ruan Yesheng.

Ruan Yesheng sat on the hospital bed, staring unblinkingly at the woman’s face in the mirror.

The jade-carved, ice-sculpted contours, the high-bridged nose, the cold and detached eyes that seemed almost heartless—this unfamiliar yet eerily familiar beauty chilled her to the core.

Ruan Yesheng covered her mouth, suppressing the scream that threatened to burst out.

That fire… the footsteps approaching her and Xi Mo outside the restroom—what exactly had happened?

For a moment, her mind went blank.

“Xi Mo.” Lu Qingming, well aware of how much this face meant to Xi Mo, called her name gently again. “Don’t worry. Though the hotel fire was severe, you barely suffered any injuries. You just fainted from shock. There’s nothing wrong with your face—I’ve already had the doctors check thoroughly.”

Ruan Yesheng took a long moment to steady herself, her shoulders trembling slightly before she tossed the mirror aside.

Lu Qingming sensed she was sulking—or rather, suppressing her sulking—and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should I call the doctor back?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine.” After a pause, Ruan Yesheng glanced at the discarded mirror on the bed and said, “I just feel like I woke up uglier.”

Lu Qingming: “…”

Feng Tangtang: “…”

“Tang—” Ruan Yesheng looked at Feng Tangtang.

Xi Mo had always been arrogant, and Ruan Yesheng knew she usually addressed people by their full names. To avoid suspicion, she spoke coolly: “Feng Tangtang.”

Even if she was past her prime, her acting skills were still top-notch. Ruan Yesheng flawlessly mimicked Xi Mo’s usual aloof and haughty demeanor—though she’d always privately thought Xi Mo was just putting on airs.

Feng Tangtang looked like she was about to cry and instinctively straightened up. “Sister Xi.”

This was the real Sister Xi.

The same old attitude, the same familiar aura.

Ruan Yesheng said, “I remember Ruan Yesheng was also in the building. When the incident happened, she was with me, trapped in the restroom. Where is she now?”

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she’d one day be asking about herself.

Feng Tangtang quickly replied, “Ruan Ruan is in this hospital too—she was brought in with you—”

Lu Qingming coldly cut her off. “Xi Mo, don’t involve yourself with irrelevant people. Once the doctor confirms you’re fine, I’ll arrange for your transfer. This incident has caused quite a stir. After you eat something, I’ll fill you in.”

Irrelevant people.

Ruan Yesheng sneered inwardly.

Feng Tangtang looked awkward.

Seeing Feng Tangtang’s obvious divided loyalties, Ruan Yesheng was inwardly pleased but kept her expression neutral. “You seem concerned about her. Since you’re friends, go check on her.”

Feng Tangtang immediately relaxed. “Of course, Sister Xi.”

Ruan Yesheng thought for a moment, then called her back. “Go see if her face is ruined, and call me with updates.” If there was even the slightest damage to her own face, she’d have someone to answer for it.

Feng Tangtang: “…”

Is Sister Xi trying to ruin Ruan Ruan’s face or not?

Feng Tangtang pondered deeply and was terrified—this was the third time she’d been scared out of her wits.

“Not leaving?” Ruan Yesheng glanced at Feng Tangtang.

Feng Tangtang hastily replied, “I’m leaving, Sister Xi! Call me if you need anything.”

With that, she hurried out the door.