Chapter 6: Late-Night Call
By the time Xia Linxia got home, her hiccups still hadn’t stopped.
Her house was in the most bustling part of the city, with excellent location and surroundings. The neighbors were either rich or noble, so the security measures in the community were top-notch.
The room was a bit messy. She was usually busy with work and almost never at home. When she wasn’t busy, she would choose to sleep and rest, never to clean. Luckily, she had a housekeeper arranged to clean regularly and check if Xia Wudi1 was still alive.
“Hic… I’m exhausted.” She took off her high heels, put on comfortable, soft slippers, unhooked her bra while walking, pulled it out from her sleeve, tossed it aside, and collapsed on the sofa. “Ah, I’m alive again. Hic!”
Pretending to smile all day, with cameras and crowds watching during the live broadcast and dinner, was a mental and physical strain. The most exhausting part was Ji Fengxue, that old woman, who never played by the rules and was nothing like what she imagined!
Suddenly, something crawled over to her feet. She looked down to see Xia Wudi slowly crawling over with its heavy green shell.
Xia Wudi was quite valuable, a gift from her brother, who said her temper was too fiery and impatient, so this little turtle was perfect to teach her the calmness of time.
Moreover, there was no one else at home, and having a pet was good, and turtles were easy to take care of.
Of course, Xia Linxia was disdainful. Other little princesses had Poodles or fancy cats, so why did she have to have a turtle so green it was almost oily?
But her brother, Xia Yangxuan, didn’t care. He only needed to lift his cold eyelid slightly, and she would obediently follow.
Though she was fiery and fierce, at home she was utterly subdued by force.
She and Xia Yangxuan had a twelve-year age gap. As their parents’ late child, she was spoiled beyond measure, cherished like a treasure.
However, Xia Yangxuan was like a stern judge, strict both inside and outside the family. Whenever he had time, he would tutor Xia Linxia.
He would hit wherever she didn’t understand, and a few beatings later, she would cry and complain, only to get more beatings afterward!
Due to Xia Yangxuan’s violent teaching, her grades were always excellent. She never missed any extracurricular classes, especially loving music and dance, which she studied seriously.
But in her third year of high school, she finally entered her rebellious phase, declaring she wanted to enter the entertainment industry. Her reason was simple: she was so excellent, everyone had to see her beauty. She got another beating for saying that.
At seventeen or eighteen, still getting beaten, she was so angry and resentful that she decided to go on a hunger strike.
On the third day of her hunger strike, her brother came to talk to her. She quickly hid the cookies her parents had secretly given her and started crying, sobbing uncontrollably.
Xia Yangxuan watched her cry through an entire roll of tissue and said, “You cry so much, you should be able to make a living a in the entertainment industry.”
Then he packed her up overnight and sent her to his classmate Jiang Yuan’s company, cutting off all her credit cards, suppressing her family background, making her an ordinary trainee.
Now, her brother wouldn’t beat her, but he would still cut off all her cards. As the head of the Xia Group, a flick of his finger could ruin her career in the entertainment industry.
So, she had to behave, not daring to disobey Jiang Yuan’s words, for heaven’s sake.
Every time she thought of this big demon king, a cold sweat would break out on her back, as if she was about to get beaten again. She snorted, picking up the turtle shell, and Xia Wudi’s small legs slowly flailed in the air.
“Xia Wudi, you’re running around again. Are you trying to sneak back and report to the big demon king?” Xia Linxia warned it, “If you keep running, I’ll make turtle soup out of you.”
She realized that sounded weird, shook her head, and lay limply on the sofa, looking up at the little turtle. They stared at each other, wide-eyed. “Xia Wudi, how old are you? Are you a few hundred years old? Living in my house every day, you don’t even have time to date, huh? Really pitiful, a few hundred years of being single. Give me some reaction, will you?”
Xia Wudi: “…”
Xia Linxia: “Even I’m in a relationship. No, mine should be called a work relationship. The other person is really annoying. When you see her, you must bite her to death, got it?”
Xia Wudi: “…”
Xia Linxia turned its head, lightly pressed it, and imitated its voice, “Got it, got it, I will definitely bite Ji Fengxue to death.”
“Good boy.” Xia Linxia smiled and petted the shell again.
Xia Wudi: “…”
After lying down for a while, she turned on the Bluetooth to play music, went to the dance studio to dance for a while, worked up a sweat, and then went to take a shower. Although she mainly worked in acting and variety shows now, she couldn’t forget her basic skills because she loved them.
After showering, she touched her half-dried hair and passed through the living room, where a new drama was playing on TV. She watched for a few minutes, switched channels, and found the new season of the talent show had started.
Every summer, talent shows would be launched, with newcomers emerging one after another, but most were like fleeting fireworks, and very few could stay popular. Only a handful left a lasting impression, and Xia Linxia was the most famous among them.
She searched the room, finally finding Xia Wudi who had escaped again, picked it up, and walked to the water tank, hearing the TV host say, “Please welcome our team leader, Xiao Yuran!”
Xia Linxia paused, walked to the TV, and saw the long-unseen Xiao Yuran, gracefully stepping onto the stage in a light blue dress.
If Xia Linxia was flamboyant, then Xiao Yuran was reserved.
When they were teammates, they constantly made headlines. Either Xia Linxia stole Xiao Yuran’s C-position2 camera time, or there were conflicts with teammates and no team spirit.
Due to Xia Linxia’s unabashedly arrogant personality, Xiao Yuran seemed like the underdog, easily winning the audience’s sympathy. In the final competition, even though Xia Linxia’s skills far surpassed everyone else, the audience chose the gentle and lovely Xiao Yuran as the C-position.
As a result, Xia Linxia expressed her dissatisfaction, declaring in the group formation speech “One day, I want all of you to recognize my talent!”
With that, black fans emerged in droves.
Later, during their two years as a group, they were constantly in the spotlight, but the audience clearly preferred watching the two women fight over their performances.
Xia Linxia didn’t get along well with the other members either. Even Fu Xiaoxuan from the same company clung to Xiao Yuran. But to the public, she deserved it. Her isolation and exclusion were justified; she asked for it with her arrogance and deserved the internet’s wrath.
On TV, the host introduced a few judges and started the initial evaluations for the trainees.
With nothing to do, Xia Linxia’s eyes brightened and she opened Ji Fengxue’s WeChat to call her.
After three rings, the call was answered, and a cold voice sounded, “Hello?”
“Hey? What are you doing?” Xia Linxia asked.
“Do you need something?”
“Just asking, are you watching TV?”
“No.” Ji Fengxue sat in a hanging chair on the balcony, just out of the shower, with her slightly damp hair gently swaying in the night breeze. With a slender cigarette between her fingers, glowing red, she turned a page of her book and said casually, “If there’s nothing, I’m hanging up.”
“Strange, aren’t you watching Xiao Yuran’s show?” Xia Linxia asked curiously.
Ji Fengxue paused, tapped her cigarette, and a small layer of ash fell into the ashtray beside her. She put the cigarette back into her mouth and mumbled, “No, what show?”
“The talent show.” Xia Linxia placed her phone next to the TV, recording the sound. She happened to catch Xiao Yuran’s sweet voice saying, “Contestant number four performed very well, though their personality is a bit outgoing, much like Linxia. Keep it up.”
Suddenly, Xia Linxia got angry, “Damn it, why is she mentioning me again!”
Ji Fengxue’s lips curved into a smile, but she didn’t say anything.
“So annoying, can’t she let me shine on my own?” Xia Linxia couldn’t help but complain, “It’s been three years since we disbanded, why does she always have to mention me? She’s such a schemer, always trying to ride on my popularity. Just wait, soon the internet will start comparing us again.”
Ji Fengxue raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Thinking back, it did seem like Xiao Yuran often linked herself with Xia Linxia in her news.
“Hey, hey, Xiao Yuran is giving a dance demonstration to them.” Xia Linxia broadcasted live, “Tsk, it’s nothing special, all soft and weak with no energy.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” Ji Fengxue rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
“Don’t hang up. I’m lonely at night, let’s chat,” Xia Linxia said mischievously, “What’s this, breaking up with an old flame and not even staying friends?”
“Xia Linxia.”
“Why so hostile, am I wrong?”
“You are wrong.”
“What’s wrong?”
After a long pause, Ji Fengxue said, “She’s not my old flame.”
Xia Linxia: “Oh.”
“You’re my new flame.”
Xia Linxia froze, staring at her phone in disbelief, her mouth agape. She shouted, “Get lost.”
Ji Fengxue chuckled softly but didn’t hang up.
Xia Linxia couldn’t help but ask again, “So as your new lover, can I know when you fell for Xiao Yuran? Hello? Hey?”
Beep, beep—
Ji Fengxue mercilessly hung up.
She finished her cigarette, closed her book, picked up the tablet playing a silent movie on the round table, and switched to the lively talent show.
It had been a long time since she’d seen Xiao Yuran, who hadn’t changed much. She still smiled beautifully and elegantly, treating everyone with gentle kindness—a genuinely good girl.
Ji Fengxue smiled bitterly, recalling Xia Linxia’s question. When did she fall for Xiao Yuran?
It was before she was hospitalized. She was on a film set in a remote and scenic location, and she heard there was a villa nearby housing a group of talent show trainees.
That day, the sun was scorching, with temperatures nearing forty degrees. She had been filming for hours but couldn’t get the desired effect. After wrapping up, feeling down, she walked back to the hotel alone. Suddenly, she felt dizzy and fainted.
In her hazy state, she saw a girl running over and lifting her up. The girl’s shoulders were narrow, and soon Ji Fengxue could hear her heavy breathing as she struggled to carry her to a populated area. In her semi-conscious state, Ji Fengxue weakly said thank you. The girl paused, turned to look at her, and she fainted again.
When she woke up, she was in her car, feeling a bit stronger. She opened her eyes slightly and saw a tall figure walking away, wearing a training uniform with the number 18 on the back.
The doctor said she was suffering from heatstroke, fatigue, and anemia, recommending a few days of rest in the hospital.
When she woke up, she wanted to ask her manager about the girl who helped her, but her attention was caught by the TV showing a group of girls singing and dancing in familiar outfits, each with a number on their waist.
She stared at the TV, and after a minute, the camera finally showed number 18: Xiao Yuran.
She smiled.
Next to her was contestant number 19, Xia Linxia, who had an explosive debut, earning cheers from the audience.
But Ji Fengxue’s eyes and heart were filled with the fleeting image of number 18.
During her hospital stay, she repeatedly watched Xiao Yuran’s cut scenes, even personally tweeting to support her. Everyone knew she was a fan.
After being discharged, she visited the training base, much to the surprise of all the trainees. Only Xia Linxia sat far away, rolling her eyes now and then.
After getting to know Xiao Yuran, they became close. On the day of the group’s debut, she confessed her feelings privately.
But Xiao Yuran, a straight girl, tearfully rejected her. Afraid of hurting her, she cried her heart out, making it impossible for Ji Fengxue to let go.
So they maintained a relationship that was more-than-friends but less than lovers. Ji Fengxue found resources and gifts for Xiao Yuran, using every trick to win her over. Xiao Yuran would reciprocate with gifts and affection but never crossed the line.
Unfortunately, Xiao Yuran’s acting wasn’t up to par, failing to capitalize on the big opportunities Ji Fengxue provided, resulting in low box office returns and a damaged reputation among directors.
Gradually, Ji Fengxue’s own projects dwindled, and she considered leaving the industry to be with Xiao Yuran. However, last year, Xiao Yuran suddenly announced she was dating a man—a well-known, rich second generation in the industry.
What could Ji Fengxue do? She had always known Xiao Yuran liked men.
After half a year of depression, her manager dragged her out of the house, saying it was time to sign with a new company and start fresh.
On TV, the cheerful singing of the new trainees filled the room. Ji Fengxue watched these young, vibrant girls, each with a naive and hopeful expression. She had seen such faces before, but they seemed rare now.
She glanced at someone on the judges’ panel and turned off the video.
Just then, her phone rang again. Sighing, she answered and heard a cheeky laugh.
Xia Linxia: “I posted a tweet. As my contract partner, you must like it! Immediately! Now!”
Xia Linxia V: Of course she’s happy. My baby and I are watching her show together! If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself @Xiao Yuran // Pa Ge V: Tonight, Xiao Yuran mentioned her former teammate Xia Linxia on the show, but Xia Linxia was with her good friend Teacher Ji. I wonder how Xiao Yuran feels about this? [Mischievous smile]
Ji Fengxue: “……”
Xia Linxia urged, “Hurry up! If you don’t like it, I’ll lose face. Besides, we are watching together, just in different places.”
“What’s the point of doing this?” Ji Fengxue asked.
“It makes me happy,” Xia Linxia said righteously. “Several marketing accounts have already started criticizing me and digging up my black history! It’s all Xiao Yuran’s fault. Why mention me for no reason? Why can’t we just go our separate ways and live our happy lives?”
Ji Fengxue paused for a few seconds and then reluctantly liked the post.
After the show ended, Xiao Yuran left a comment in the comment section.
Xiao Yuran V: Thank you, very happy, love you all [heart]
Xia Linxia laughed, rolling on the floor, imagining what expression Xiao Yuran had when she replied. She couldn’t stop laughing loudly.
Ji Fengxue lay in bed, reading while waiting for sleep. Her phone buzzed with dozens of voice messages.
She opened them and set the phone aside.
Then the quiet room filled with quacking sounds.
Xia Linxia: “Hah, quack quack quack quack.”
Xia Linxia: “I’m dying of laughter, quack quack quack quack.”
Xia Linxia: “Quack quack quack quack hah quack quack quack quack quack quack……”
Ji Fengxue: “……”
Ji Fengxue: “Pfft.”
Even though she didn’t want to react, laughter was contagious, especially such a ridiculous laugh. So, Teacher Ji listened to it several times and completely lost her sleepiness.
The usually calm and composed actress suddenly burst out laughing loudly in her room.
T/N:
1 Xia Wudi – (夏无敌) means “Xia the Invincible” in English. The character 夏 (Xia) is taken from Xia Linxia’s surname (can also refer to the summer season), and 无敌 (Wudi) means “invincible” or “unbeatable ⤴︎
2 C-position – refers to the Center of the group; this individual usually gets the most attention or screentime ⤴︎
Baihe Fan 
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