Xiao Yao very professionally acted out the mentality of a gloomy, withdrawn cannon fodder character who was deeply moved yet firmly refused. Only after the Female Lead repeatedly pleaded with her did she finally relent with obvious reluctance.
Lin Xiaotian pressed her down onto a chair in front of the dressing mirror. Xiao Yao closed her eyes and allowed the other girl to paint and fuss over her face.
Lowering her head, Lin Xiaotian looked at Xiao Yao’s obediently upturned face and felt her heart melt.
Xiao Yao had been born with exceptional features. Whether it was her skin or her facial structure, there wasn’t a single flaw to be found. Lin Xiaotian spent a long time experimenting, applying makeup and removing it, then applying it again. In the end, she merely added a layer of lip gloss and a touch of blush. The pale face immediately gained a bit of color and vitality without stealing the spotlight.
Looking at that silky, jet-black hair, Lin Xiaotian’s fingers began to itch. Unable to resist—
Xiao Yao stared expressionlessly at her reflection in the mirror.
Two ponytails.
Her lips pressed into a thin line, her entire face radiating unhappiness.
So stupid.
So embarrassing.
She wasn’t a child.
Why did she have to wear two pigtails?
Yet this appearance struck Lin Xiaotian’s adorable-point even harder. While softly comforting Xiao Yao, she carefully pulled out her phone.
Click—
The camera lens met a pair of icy black eyes.
Crap.
She had been caught.
Lin Xiaotian laughed awkwardly and instinctively hid her phone behind her back. However, Xiao Yao had already extended a hand, palm upward, silently demanding it.
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Xiaotian was just about to surrender the evidence when the supervisor called for everyone to gather outside.
Whew.
Lin Xiaotian let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, her precious photos of her daughter had been saved.
…
The important client had arrived.
Judging from the tension on the supervisor’s face, the visitor’s background was definitely extraordinary.
She once again reminded Xiao Yao and the others to be extremely careful. Under no circumstances were they to offend the important client, or none of them would escape the consequences.
“When you go in later, talk less. Those who get chosen stay. Those who don’t get chosen aren’t allowed to gossip elsewhere. You all know the rules. Don’t entertain unrealistic fantasies.”
The more Xiao Yao listened, the stranger it sounded.
This wording…
Why did it sound like they were selecting imperial concubines?
Hadn’t she applied to be a waitress?
The Female Lead beside her also looked completely confused. After the supervisor left, Lin Xiaotian couldn’t help asking a more experienced waitress nearby.
The waitress flicked her fingernails and didn’t even raise her carefully made-up eyes.
“Don’t tell me you thought Jinye was paying you that much every month just to serve tea and carry drinks? Little sister, don’t be so naive.”
After saying that, she didn’t spare Lin Xiaotian another glance and gracefully walked away with several companions.
Lin Xiaotian froze in place. Her face alternated between red and pale.
A moment later, she finally gathered the courage to look at Xiao Yao.
“I’m sorry, Xiao Yao. I didn’t know…”
“It isn’t your fault.”
Xiao Yao said honestly,
“I wanted to come myself.”
She was telling the truth.
She had come purely to follow the cannon fodder storyline. It really had nothing to do with the Female Lead. As for the so-called industry secrets, she couldn’t care less.
After all, she wasn’t the Female Lead.
What did any of this have to do with her?
At the same time, a thought drifted through her mind.
Perhaps in the original novel, the scene where the Male Lead rescued the Female Lead happened because the Female Lead had discovered these hidden dealings and refused to serve the so-called important client.
As an evil yet beautiful villainess, Xiao Yao felt not the slightest bit of sympathy.
In fact, she almost wanted to laugh.
Served her right.
Such a silly, sweet innocent.
Without the Female Lead halo, she wouldn’t even survive the first three episodes of a palace intrigue drama.
Xiao Yao thought this heartlessly.
Then she raised her head and met Lin Xiaotian’s teary eyes.
The silly sweet Female Lead seemed to think Xiao Yao was comforting her.
With a sob, she burst into tears without any regard for her image.
A sense of foreboding immediately rose within Xiao Yao.
Sure enough, in the next second, the Female Lead lunged forward and wrapped her in a bear hug, rubbing her face repeatedly against Xiao Yao’s chest.
Xiao Yao’s face darkened.
“Let go of me.”
“Waaah… no! Xiao Yao, I knew you were the best!”
Ten minutes later, Xiao Yao—whose chest was now soaked in a damp patch—and the Female Lead, whose eyes were red from crying yet somehow possessed a pitiful charm, finally arrived at the private room.
Outside stood several rows of beautiful young women dressed in maid outfits, all with long legs and slender waists.
Since they had arrived late, they ended up at the very back after entering.
Through the crowd, Xiao Yao could vaguely make out several men seated on the sofas inside.
They were talking among themselves.
For a long time.
As though they had forgotten the girls entirely.
Xiao Yao was staring at the floor in a daze when she suddenly felt a light nudge on her arm.
Turning her head, she saw that the Female Lead, who had already fully recovered, was secretly mouthing words at her.
“One of them has such a nice voice.”
Bored, Xiao Yao listened carefully.
Amidst all the flattery, polite niceties, fake laughter, and insincere conversation, one voice stood out like a clear stream.
Gentle.
Pleasant.
Clear and melodious.
Xiao Yao had heard the Male Lead speak before.
Without even looking, she recognized the owner of the voice.
Nice?
It was alright, she supposed.
She began spacing out again.
However, before she could drift off for long, several crisp claps sounded from inside.
“Bring them in.”
As soon as the words fell, the floor manager gestured for them to follow.
The group was led inside and lined up in a row.
Under the dim lighting, Xiao Yao saw the Male Lead sitting on the sofa.
The man beside him was speaking to him.
He lowered his eyes slightly, a gentle smile lingering on his lips. Whatever the other person had said seemed to amuse him. He lifted his head, and his gaze casually swept across the girls.
Standing among the crowd, Xiao Yao watched as his eyes passed over her without the slightest pause.
The system immediately gloated in her mind.
“See? I told you the Male Lead isn’t someone who gets easily seduced by beauty. He really has forgotten all about you.”
Xiao Yao remained noncommittal.
“Well?” Jiang Yuan curled his lips into a smile. “See anyone you like?”
Ming Jing smiled faintly and took a sip of wine.
“No need.”
Jiang Yuan carefully observed the young man’s expression.
Seeing that aside from that single glance, Ming Jing truly never looked toward the girls again, the smile on Jiang Yuan’s face stiffened slightly.
“Young President Ming, why be so polite with me? These are all the prettiest girls in Jinye…”
He leaned closer, his tone carrying hidden implications.
“And they’re clean.”
The gaze beneath Ming Jing’s long eyelashes paused almost imperceptibly.
Looking up at Jiang Yuan, he sighed softly.
“President Jiang, there is truly no need.”
Jiang Yuan stared at him.
The last traces of courtesy disappeared from his face.
Tonight, he seemed determined to tear away that gentle, perfect mask.
A smile devoid of warmth suddenly tugged at his lips.
“Young President Ming is young and thin-skinned. I understand.”
His eyes shifted toward the row of girls by the wall as he spoke leisurely.
“Since you’re too embarrassed to say it, how about… I choose one for you?”
His gaze was direct and unrestrained.
Aggressive.
His eyes openly inspected each girl in the line.
Then he saw Xiao Yao standing in the corner.
His eyes instantly lit up.
Undisguised interest appeared on his face.
A beauty like this…
And she had actually appeared in a place like this.
He casually raised a hand and pointed at several girls.
Both Xiao Yao and Lin Xiaotian were among them.
“You few stay.”
After speaking, he waved his hand.
“The rest can collect their money and leave.”
Among those who had not been selected, several showed obvious unwillingness on their faces. Their lips moved as though wanting to protest, but in the end, none dared speak.
With lowered heads, they silently followed the supervisor out.
The room immediately became much emptier.
The spacious private room was filled with the rich fragrance of alcohol.
Even the air seemed drenched in luxury.
Lin Xiaotian nervously lowered her head, not daring to look around.
Then she heard that pleasant voice again.
“What does President Jiang mean by this?”
Unable to resist, she cautiously lifted her head and stole a glance.
The man’s face was partly concealed in shadow.
Handsome.
Gentle.
His features seemed painted into existence.
Lin Xiaotian’s heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
As though burned, she hurriedly withdrew her gaze.
That tiny reaction was completely noticed by Jiang Yuan.
The corner of his lips lifted.
Deliberately, he said,
“Young President Ming, why be so lacking in romance? It seems one of the young ladies likes you very much.”
Realizing he was talking about her, Lin Xiaotian’s face instantly turned scarlet.
Her eyes, moist like a frightened deer’s, lifted in panic and confusion.
Jiang Yuan watched her reaction with great amusement.
What a pity.
If he hadn’t already found a more satisfactory prey, this kind of inexperienced little fruit would have had its own flavor.
Thinking this, Jiang Yuan tilted his head slightly.
His gaze locked precisely onto the figure in the corner.
“You.”
“Come here.”
Xiao Yao lifted her eyes coldly.
She didn’t move.
The smile on Jiang Yuan’s lips faded.
Patiently, he repeated,
“Come here.”
Xiao Yao still didn’t move.
Inside her mind, the system’s scream nearly ruptured her eardrums.
“Have you lost your mind?! You’re just a cannon fodder! How dare you offend Jiang Yuan?! He’s the biggest villain in the entire novel! We’re finished! Finished, finished, finished!”
Inside the private room, after his invitation had been ignored twice, the atmosphere instantly froze.
The other selected girls barely dared breathe.
Their heads remained lowered as their bodies trembled.
Jiang Yuan stared darkly at the figure before him.
In all his years of life, no one had ever publicly embarrassed him like this.
Especially not someone of such low status.
She should have considered herself fortunate to catch his eye.
What right did she have to refuse?
Just as the last trace of patience vanished from Jiang Yuan’s eyes and violent fury began to surge—
A gentle, clear voice sounded at precisely the right moment.
“President Jiang.”
Ming Jing’s gaze swept lightly over Xiao Yao before returning to Jiang Yuan.
His tone remained calm.
“I’ve met her once before.”
“I wonder if President Jiang would be willing to give her to me?”