Exchange of Movie Queens - Chapter 5

Lu Qingming straightened his suit as he stood up. “The internet is flooded with news about you right now—it’s a heaven-sent opportunity for publicity. The company will keep all your actual circumstances confidential over the next few days, only releasing some ambiguous hints for the public to speculate on. Your film A Spring Affair is about to premiere soon, so the timing couldn’t be better.”

A Spring Affair.

Ruan Yesheng thought to herself that those in the know would recognize it as an art-house film starring Xi Mo, while those unaware might mistake it for an R-rated flick.

Lu Qingming opened his bag and handed her a phone. Ruan Yesheng glanced at it before accepting.

“I’ll head back now,” Lu Qingming said. “The nurse will stay to take care of you—get some rest. I’ll handle the necessary paperwork. I’ll pick you up at 4:30 tomorrow morning for the hospital transfer. Most people won’t be awake by then.”

“4:30?” Ruan Yesheng looked up.

Perhaps wanting to let Xi Mo sleep a little longer, Lu Qingming amended, “Then 5:30. I’ll come for you at 5:30.”

“Why so early?” Ruan Yesheng saw right through it but kept her tone indifferent. “Is the hospital surrounded by reporters?”

Lu Qingming frowned and sent her a few photos. “Yes. That’s why you need to be transferred. We’ll arrange for you to leave in an ambulance—everything will be taken care of discreetly. No one will notice.”

Ruan Yesheng opened the photos Lu Qingming had sent, showing the situation outside the hospital.

The weather was hot, and the streets were suddenly packed with customers in nearby shops. Through the windows of teahouses, cafés, and milk tea shops, she could see groups of people resting inside—some clearly identifiable as reporters here for interviews, while others were more furtive, likely paparazzi waiting for a chance to sneak shots.

However, the hospital was currently overwhelmed with patients from the fire and was under intense public scrutiny. To prevent chaos, security had been tightened significantly, especially in the strictly quiet inpatient wards. Only registered family and friends were allowed in for visits, making it difficult for reporters to swarm inside. They were all desperate to find out exactly which ward Xi Mo was in, but so far, none had succeeded.

“Everyone knows you were brought directly here,” Lu Qingming said. “Many reporters are trying to get in, and some might attempt to sneak in for information. You can’t stay here long.”

“Will they camp outside overnight?” Ruan Yesheng asked.

Lu Qingming nodded.

“All waiting to see if my face is ruined?” she added.

Lu Qingming’s head almost bobbed in agreement, but he caught himself just in time, stiffening like a well-dressed robot.

Ruan Yesheng smirked inwardly but kept her expression neutral.

After a pause, Lu Qingming softened his tone. “Rumors about you are everywhere, but no one has solid photo evidence yet—it’s all speculation. Naturally, everyone wants to break the story first. Don’t take it to heart.”

Ruan Yesheng scoffed internally. Reporters these days really went all out.

She lowered her eyes, feigning exhaustion. “I’m tired. Send the nurse away too—I’d like to be alone for a while.”

“Xi Mo,” Lu Qingming frowned.

“The doctor said I’m fine, didn’t he?” Ruan Yesheng coldly issued the dismissal order.

Lu Qingming knew Xi Mo’s usual temperament and her capabilities, so he had no choice but to say, “Alright, call the doctor or nurse if anything comes up. I’ve already informed them. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning—remember to get ready and sleep early.”

“Got it.” Ruan Yesheng replied indifferently.

Finally, Lu Qingming left, along with the caretaker.

Ruan Yesheng raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on her lips as she leisurely dialed Feng Tangtang’s number from her bedside.

She knew Xi Mo was definitely listening nearby.

In the other hospital room, Feng Tangtang eagerly answered, “Xi-jie!”

Xi Mo subtly shifted closer, watching Feng Tangtang take the call in silence.

“Mhm.” Ruan Yesheng responded coolly.

Wonder what Xi Mo’s reaction is right now?

Is she still maintaining her usual aloof act, or is she about to drink pesticide in despair?

Feng Tangtang reported with utmost sincerity, “Xi-jie, Ruan Ruan didn’t get disfigured! Rest assured!”

Xi Mo: “…”

Ruan Yesheng suppressed a laugh, keeping her tone flat. “Oh, is that so? Good to hear.”

Feng Tangtang had always lamented Ruan Yesheng’s current slump in the industry, while Xi Mo, who debuted around the same time, was now at the peak of her career. If Xi Mo could just lend a small helping hand, Ruan Yesheng might get a chance to turn things around. Because of this, Feng Tangtang often tried to bridge the gap between them, though Ruan Yesheng always seemed to regard Xi Mo with disdain.

Xi Mo, on the other hand, looked down on her even more, which left Feng Tangtang deeply frustrated.

Seizing the opportunity, Feng Tangtang attempted to foster goodwill. “Ruan Ruan said, thank you for your concern, Xi-jie.”

Ruan Yesheng smiled, her eyes narrowing. “Tell her, no need to thank me.”

Just kneel in gratitude.

Xi Mo’s face remained stiff beside Feng Tangtang: “…”

I thank your entire family!

“Feng Tangtang, let Ruan Yesheng take the call. There’s something I need to tell her,” Ruan Yesheng said while examining her own hand in the air, her gaze filled with an indescribable fascination.

This was Xi Mo’s hand.

The nails were translucent, the fingers long and slender—every inch was a sight to behold.

Feng Tangtang was overjoyed. Xi-jie actually wanted to talk to Ruan Ruan! She thought Ruan Yesheng’s big break had finally arrived. Excitedly, she pulled Xi Mo, who was standing by the bed, and handed her the phone.

Xi Mo couldn’t bear to look at Feng Tangtang’s beaming, hopeful expression: “…”

She stood up, stepping further away, struggling to suppress the fury bubbling inside her, and said in a low voice, “This is Ruan Yesheng. Whatever it is, make it quick.”

Ruan Yesheng chuckled. “Oh? Do you like my name so much that you’re using it now?”

Xi Mo: “…”

Soon, she realized Ruan Yesheng dared to speak so boldly only because there was no one else around. She glanced back at Feng Tangtang, who was still watching her with eager anticipation: “…”

The well-intentioned Feng Tangtang, oblivious to how much she was in the way, gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up of encouragement.

Ruan Ruan, don’t hesitate—cling to the thigh of award-winning actress Xi-jie! Rise to the top of the entertainment industry, marry a rich and handsome man, and reach the pinnacle of life!

Xi Mo: “…”

Ruan Yesheng murmured softly into the phone, “You heard it too, right? Room 1727 is empty now. Do you want to come over?”

Xi Mo listened without a flicker of emotion on her face.

Now that Ruan Yesheng’s voice was hers, hearing such ambiguous and disgusting words spoken in her own voice and directed at herself made her feel like her lungs were about to explode.

Ruan Yesheng chuckled, “Ah, I know you must be dying, wishing you could fly over here.”

Xi Mo: “…”

Hmph, I am dying—dying to fly over and strangle you.

Having finished her insinuations, Ruan Yesheng didn’t say anything more on the phone.

Xi Mo maintained her phone-call posture, deliberately mumbling a few vague “mm-hmms” in front of Feng Tangtang, followed by perfunctory replies like “got it.” Then she sighed and said, “Ah, Xi Mo, I have a question. Earlier in the bathroom, I took off my clothes to check and found that part of my chest was burned. The doctor treated it, but will it leave a scar? Do you know any good scar removal products? I know you’re quite knowledgeable about this.”

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

Feng Tangtang immediately jumped up as if electrocuted, frantically examining Xi Mo from all angles. “Ruan Ruan! Your chest was burned?!”

She looked on the verge of tears. “How did this happen? Thank heavens your face wasn’t ruined, but now your chest?! Is it serious? What exactly did the doctor say?!”

Feng Tangtang’s shouts traveled through the phone to Ruan Yesheng’s ears: “…”

Xi Mo “comforted” Feng Tangtang, deliberately leaning closer to the phone. “A scar is actually the best-case scenario—I’m lucky. The doctor said if it were any worse, they’d have to remove the br3ast entirely.”

Feng Tangtang’s mind echoed with Xi Mo’s words—remove, remove—until she was utterly terrified.

Ruan Yesheng: “…”

Xi Mo returned to the call, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Xi Mo, given that we’ve known each other for so long, surely you can recommend some scar removal products?”

After a pause, Ruan Yesheng replied, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Then she hung up.

Xi Mo put away the phone, satisfied as she watched Feng Tangtang’s horrified expression. If she tried to send Feng Tangtang away now, the assistant would refuse, and pressing the matter would only arouse suspicion. So Xi Mo sat by the bed, patiently waiting for an opportunity to be alone.

Feng Tangtang chatted away, and Xi Mo suppressed her irritation, responding with forced politeness while setting Ruan Yesheng’s phone aside.

Due to her personality and status as a public figure, Xi Mo detested invading others’ privacy. She hadn’t even glanced at the messages or photos stored in Ruan Yesheng’s phone, except for opening a few apps like Weibo and Tianya to check updates—only to find that Ruan Yesheng hadn’t saved any of her accounts.

The phone’s cache was meticulously cleared, as if Ruan Yesheng carefully erased her digital footprints after every use.

Even someone as cautious as Xi Mo, who owned multiple phones, kept many of her accounts logged in for convenience on her private device, never bothering to clear traces since no one else had access to it.

That Ruan Yesheng was this meticulous came as a surprise.

Xi Mo also noticed something else.

From start to finish, aside from Feng Tangtang, not a single person had come to visit Ruan Yesheng. It was as if she had no family or friends, which explained why the hospital room had been so eerily quiet earlier—cold as a coffin.

After Feng Tangtang’s long-winded chatter, she could finally leave with peace of mind. She tidied up a bit, gave a few more reminders, and then departed. Lu Qingming called to tell her not to disturb anyone in Room 1727 and to go straight home.

The world fell silent.

Xi Mo’s face turned cold again as she headed straight for Room 1727.

Standing at the door, Xi Mo had barely knocked when it swung open immediately.

Ruan Yesheng stood in the doorway, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

Xi Mo looked at Ruan Yesheng wearing her own face and could barely suppress the urge to strangle her.

Ruan Yesheng also gazed at Xi Mo, now inhabiting her own body, feeling an indescribable mix of emotions.

Ruan Yesheng sneered, “Heh.”

Xi Mo sneered back, “Heh.”

Rumors stop with the wise, conversations end with “heh.”

The atmosphere plunged to freezing point. The two walked in together, the hospital room door closing behind them—and locking.