Chapter 6

Translator: ConfuzzledKin

Editor: Theatricalidiot

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When Ji Youyan returned to the suite, the living room was silent and completely filled with darkness. 

She closed the door gently and leaned against it as she stared at the closed door of Jing Xiu’s room in the dark. Her body and stomach had started to heat up from the drinks she had at the dinner party, and even her heart became fervent and restless.

Reunited after a long separation, she obviously had  thousands and thousands words to tell, but she never had the opportunity. The number of times she spoke with Jing Xiu today could be counted with both hands.

Ji Youyan opened her handbag and took out a rectangular shaped box from it. Inside the box there was an exquisite chain bracelet, and in the center of the bracelet was a black and white jade panda tha looked quite adorable. She placed it on her palm and looked at it with the moonlight streaming through the window. Her eyes were filled with tenderness.

This was the gift she had personally designed for their sixth anniversary in her last life, but she didn’t have time to perfect it before soon losing the reason to give it. In this life, after she was reborn she sorted out the sketches and perfected the design. She immediately contacted the jewelry designer that Jing Xiu was always fond of, and went off to France to participate in its production.

I want to give it to her. Thinking about her old life and all of her regrets, she turned around instinctively and wanted to head towards Jing Xiu’s room.

A step forward, two steps…… Suddenly she stopped in her tracks. She raised her hands and sniffed both sides of her sleeves, on her lips was a blank smile.

The mixture of perfume and alcohol gave out quite an irksome stench.

I really must be drunk. At this hour, A’xiu must be resting.  Not to mention I would be disturbing her while I reek of alcohol, which she despises. Doesn’t she think that I’m annoying enough?

Ji Youyan slapped her feverish forehead and put the box back in her bag as she turned and walked to her room.

In the room with only a dim table lamp, Jing Xiu kept wiping her hair silently as she listened to Ji Youyan’s footsteps, accompanied only by the sound of her own heartbeat. It first came closer and nearer, and then distant and farther before gradually… the sound of the door closing.

Jing Xiu turned her head to look at the stomach pills lying quietly under the lamp. She let out a faint sigh and resumed wiping her hair.

She didn’t know the answer as to why A’xiu liked pandas so much, come to think of it. Ji Youyan finished her shower and blew dry her hair, her thoughts slowly spreading out.

Seven years ago, after introducing a variety show about developing a group of foreign idols on a certain platform, several variety shows about cultivating idol groups were in full swing on various platforms and even on TV. However in the introduction of the program format, all the talents selected for the variety show were trainees from various companies who had already signed contracts. The formed group were limited to a contact lasting for a few years and they had a relatively large number of members. This led to conflicts and contradictions between the original agency of the group members and the brokerage company that later signed the group due to the division of interests. They even took the group to the court and ultimately made the group cease to exist except in name before the day of their disbandment. As a result, such variety shows often had a huge momentum during competitions, and after the buzz surrounding the participants had died down, they no longer made waves in the industry. Readonyuritranslations

In the light of many lessons learned from others’ mistakes, XinHu Technology, which had just emerged on the online video platform and was competing for the market, improved the program format and launched “Idol Creation Project”, a female group talent show. The program crew selected ninety nine female contestants who haven’t signed any contacts. After two months of training, through competitions and referendums the best three girls were selected, and they became the company’s next girl group.

XinHu hoisted a banner to pay tributes in respect to “EVE”, the company’s former three-person girl band, now disbanded, that was once popular in Asia. Hiring the skilled former manager of EVE and their vocal and dance teacher, it’d taken three years to develop the NO.1 girl group in China and create a legend.

Although the probability of being able to make a breakthrough through the program was small, the low threshold required for entry, high exposure, and high rate of return still made many amateurs come thick and fast. Being able to make it in this show, even if one couldn’t succeed in getting in the group, earning a little fame and traffic was an excellent stepping stone.

It was under such a desperate gamble that at the age of 20, Ji Youyan and Jing Xiu, who were almost kicked out of their homes after giving up their master’s and doctoral studies respectively, met in a variety show.

Ji Youyan always kept forgetting to ask Jing Xiu when was the first time she saw her and what was her first [JX] impression of her [JYY]. But she remembered that time very clearly. She remembered how Jing Xiu stood out in the center of the crowd at a glance, and only one word could describe her that time——untouchable.

At that time, all ninety nine contestants had arrived in the lobby of the recording center to await the results of the program’s dormitory assignments and the next announcement.

The entire hall was noisy with strangers becoming busy trying getting to know each other. Ji Youyan had only worn light makeup and a simple, plain dress so she looked inconspicuous among the gorgeous beauties. In addition, she used to be the target of being pursued and flattered by others in school, so she had never tried to take the initiative to build relationships with others. She was slow and introverted to the point of being almost wooden¹, so after a few contestants chatted with her and left, she was completely forgotten in the corner by the crowd.

T/N

1- TLN: wooden/wood as in being dull (like a wood)

However, seeing that she was isolated from the lively crowd, Ji Youyan breathed a sigh of relief.

She really couldn’t handle the awkward enthusiasm from strangers. Being somewhat face-blind, she observed the girls in the hall as though she were an outsider, only to find them all very beautiful and dainty, precise with their make-up, their beauty looked too similar that it would probably take her a lot of time to recognize them.

Until she turned her head and caught sight of Jing Xiu who was surrounded by a small group of people.

Stunning. That word alone was not enough to express her inner amazement. Ji Youyan glanced at Jing Xiu and averted her gaze to look around at the other girls, suddenly feeling dull. Her gaze returned towards Jing Xiu unconsciously.

This girl was not only beautiful in appearance, but even her temperament was out of the ordinary. Moreover the jewelry on her body highlighted her low-key lavishness. Apparently, her capabilities and background weren’t ordinary. Readonyuritranslations

Presumably it’s not just her who saw it, everyone must have seen it too and so waves of people were surrounding the girl to get in touch with and form a friendship.

It’s just that… Ji Youyan moved her eyes away and smiled faintly in her heart.

She didn’t know if anyone else could see it, but she did. Although the girl kept smiling at the person she was talking to, there was always a cold and sparse, almost indifferent emotion in her eyes. She was like a haughty white swan, coldly staring at a bunch of ugly ducks quacking without any self-awareness. Ji Youyan came up with this metaphor mischievously.

I’m not going to be like those stupid ducks. Ji Youyan proudly told herself in her heart.

So when the dormitory was sorted out and she dragged her luggage into her room and found out that there were six girls, and one of them was this haughty, prominent girl, she just smiled faintly to her when their eyes met.  They introduced themselves to each other before she staggered off to find her bed and start unpacking.

The roommates beside her had already taken it upon themselves to start exchanging laughs and jokes while Ji Youyan remained silent as she took off the backpack and prepared to make her bed.

She had just taken off one side of her backpack’s strap and was about to take the other off when she was caught off-guard by the sight of a pair of fair, beautiful and soft hands like catkin.

“This pendent looks so unique.” The owner of the hands held the panda pendant, and her voice was like a crystal-clear spring, bright and clear.

Ji Youyan followed the sound upwards and clashed with Jing Xiu’s amber eyes. She couldn’t help but stare blankly at the distinct smile on her face. 

“Did you order it yourself?” She asked.

Before Ji Yuyan could answer, Wang Meng, one of the roommates who was on the side, heard their conversation and leaned over, gushing, “Wow, really, Youyan, your panda looks so chic. Who put a vermilion dot between its eyebrows? It looks so cute.”

When Ji Youyan heard Wang Meng’s teasing, her eyes made contact with Jing Xiu’s, and her ears became hot instantaneously as she said in embarrassment, “I…I ordered it.” She saw Jing Xiu staring at the panda, lost in thought. Ji Youyan took the opportunity to change the subject, “Do you like pandas?”

Jing Xiu nodded her head.

“Then…… if you don’t mind, this is for you, as a gift for our first meeting.” Saying that, Ji Youyan took off her backpack and took out a box before handing it to Jing Xiu, which contained another panda pendant with a little cinnabar dot between its brows.

Jing Xiu’s lips blossomed into a smile and took the box with both hands. She asked with interest, “Do you always carry a lot of pandas in your bag?”

Ji Youyan blinked her eyes, and as soon as she was about to respond, Wang Meng and other roommates joked familiarly, “There are more? Shouldn’t you also give a share to those who saw it²?” Readonyuritranslations

T/N

2- TLN: “见者有份 typically points to sth like the witness gets a slice of the cut too. Baidu’s eg is, if someone overheard you offer to treat someone else and they say that, they are hinting for you to treat them too.” In this case, it’s their roommates wanting to get the pendent too.

Ji Youyan quickly explained awkwardly, “No, there aren’t any more, sorry, but I’ve prepared other gifts for everyone.”

Later on, when they got together, Ji Youyan joked that the panda was their matchmaker. Without it, Miss high and mighty³ Jing might not have even noticed a nobody like her at all. What did Jing Xiu answer her with at the time?

T/N

3- TLN: Da xiao jie = Miss High and Mighty/the eldest daughter of an affluent fam/ a polite way to say ‘your daughter’.

Before Ji Youyan could recall it, someone knocked gently on the door.

It wasn’t too light nor was it too heavy, and with three rhythmic knocks the sound was gone.

Ji Youyan turned off the hair dryer and, for a moment, thought she was hallucinating. In the next instant she realized something and quickly put the hair dryer on the table before rushing to open the door.

She put her hand on the doorknob but hurriedly released it again. She raised her hands, quickly ran her hand through her hair a few times, trying to fix her frizzy hair. But, fearing that the person outside the door would be impatiently waiting, after two seconds she gave up the struggle and hastily opened the door.

“A…Jing… Teacher Jing, did me blow-drying my hair bother you?” Ji Youyan almost bit her tongue when she stuttered as she changed the way she called Jing Xiu.

Ji Youyan was in such a frenzy that her nightgown’s neckline nearly dropped to a low cut. Jing Xiu gulped as she stared at the charm of Ji Youyan that was vividly portrayed. Remaining calm and collected, she averted her gaze and succinctly denied, “No.”

She handed something forward, and only then did Ji Youyan realize that she was holding two medicine boxes in her hand.

Ji Yuyan took the boxes in a daze and heard Jing Xiu’s cold explanation, “Don’t get me wrong. When I sent Yao Xiao back to her room, Lin Yue asked me to pass it to you at my convenience.”

“It’s getting late, I won’t disturb you anymore.” Having said her words, Jing Xiu turned around and left, leaving Ji Youyan saying a belated “goodnight” to the air.

I don’t know if she heard it. Ji Youyan closed the door with a somewhat lonely air around her and walked back to the table. She pressed her upper abdomen, where she was feeling a burning sensation, and took the hot water Lin Yue had already boiled for her earlier.

She followed her customary practice with Lin Yue and habitually pulled open the first drawer of the table. Usually no matter where they went the medicines would be stored inside it. Just as she put the two boxes of medicine in, she saw another two boxes of identical medicine already lying quietly in the drawer.

Yeah, her stomach pain was a chronic condition. How could Lin Yue not prepare the stomach medicine for her but instead ask Jing Xiu to bring it to her?

Could it be that Jing Xiu was worried that she would have stomach pain and wouldn’t have the medicines for it?

In an instant, Ji Youyan’s heart leaped wildly.

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Author’s Note: 

Jing Xiu: not going to be like that stupid duck?

Ji Youyan: Quack? Quack Quack Quack! Quack Quack Quack!

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This is a fan translation presented by Yuri Translations. This novel does not belong to us. Support the author by donating to the site linked on the synopsis page. You can also donate to the translator if you appreciate their hard work.

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TLN: I’m sorry I’ve missed two weeks’ updates and apology chapters. I’ve gotten the shingles [herpes zoster] and have been resting since then. It isn’t painful as it was before and I’m recovering quite well. GOOD NEWS EVERYONE! I got my new phone and laptop, better than the old ones. I owe y’all three apology chaps and I would do my best to update it as fast as I can. Sorry and thank you for understanding. Also let’s welcome our new editor — Theatricalidiot! My former editor has a lot of school works coming on so Theatricalidiot would be taking over.

Happy Dasara to those who are celebrating it! Happy Dasia too! I live in the Southern region of Bhutan so we get a holiday for it so yay!

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