At this moment, in another corner of the city, at the photoshoot site of a not-so-famous fashion magazine.
Zhang Ying, dressed in a gown provided by the brand, took advantage of a break while the photographer adjusted the lighting to casually edge toward the best-lit center position.
The more she could occupy the center, the more eye-catching the final photos would be.
However, she had barely settled in before a staff member came over to remind her, “Miss Zhang, please move aside a bit. This spot is reserved for Teacher Lily.”
Zhang Ying’s smile stiffened. Following the direction indicated, she saw a slightly higher-ranked third-tier actress being ushered over by a group of people.
“Okay, sorry.” Zhang Ying clenched her teeth and unwillingly stepped aside.
After finally wrapping up, she was preparing to leave when someone casually asked,
“Hey, Zhang Ying, I heard you’re going to participate in the variety show Best Partners with that Gu family young lady? Is that true?”
A faint sense of triumphant vanity rose in Zhang Ying’s heart. “Yes, Mingyan invited me to go with her.”
As soon as she said that, the small artists who had just ignored her immediately gathered around, their tones turning extremely warm.
“Wow! You’re amazing! You actually connected with Miss Gu!”
“Best Partners is super popular right now. I heard lots of celebrities want to be on it.”
“Yingying, don’t forget us when you get famous!”
Listening to the flurry of flattery around her, Zhang Ying merely smiled without speaking.
Gu Mingyan was just a brainless fool with too much money. Zhang Ying had simply relied on a few paparazzi she knew to provide Ye Jinyan’s whereabouts a few times, which pleased the young lady. She casually gave her this chance to join the show.
As long as she could gain popularity through this variety show, Zhang Ying would never have to worry about resources again.
Thinking of this, she subconsciously glanced at her phone again, a hint of unease rising.
Why hadn’t Gu Mingyan replied yet?
There wouldn’t be any changes, right?
Zhang Ying secretly took a breath and comforted herself: Gu Mingyan, with that bad temper and spoiled personality, didn’t have any real friends at all. Other than someone like her with ulterior motives, who else would be willing to accompany her on a variety show?
Among all the lackeys, Zhang Ying was undoubtedly the most skilled at flattery and the most competitive.
With that thought, she felt somewhat reassured.
But to ensure everything went smoothly, Zhang Ying quickly sent a few more messages to urge her.
After anxiously waiting for several minutes, her phone finally vibrated.
Gu Mingyan replied condescendingly:
【Got it. You’re so naggy. Just find somewhere and wait for me.】
Seeing the reply at last, Zhang Ying’s hanging heart finally settled.
Seizing the opportunity, she suggested:
【Mingyan, how about we meet at Fischer Restaurant? I heard the environment there is very quiet, perfect for discussing things.】
After sending the message, Zhang Ying stared nervously at the screen.
Fischer was the city’s top membership-only restaurant. She had seen its name countless times in fashion magazines and celebrity gossip, yet had never once had the chance to step inside.
Now she could finally ride on Gu Mingyan’s coattails and freeload a lavish meal.
Very quickly, Gu Mingyan replied succinctly: 【Mm.】
Though it was only a single word, Zhang Ying was already over the moon.
She put away her phone and, unable to hide her smugness, said to the few young artists nearby, “Ah, sorry about this—Mingyan asked me to go to Fischer to discuss the variety show details. I’ll have to head out first.”
“Fischer?!” someone gasped softly. “That super expensive French restaurant?”
“Miss Gu really treats you well.”
Hearing their envious tones, Zhang Ying’s vanity was greatly satisfied. “Yes, well, I’ll take my leave then.”
With that, she grabbed her handbag and hurried toward Fischer Restaurant, barely able to contain her excitement.
As one of the Gu family’s five-star properties, Fischer Restaurant sat in the most prosperous district of the city. It was said the main structure had been designed by a famous French designer, and its exterior was extraordinarily grand.
The moment Zhang Ying reached the entrance, the gilded doors alone stunned her.
A strong wave of jealousy surged in her heart—
She had to work nonstop filming for half a month just to earn a paycheck that probably wasn’t even enough for one extravagant meal here. Yet Gu Mingyan didn’t have to do anything; she was simply born with all of this.
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Ying straightened her back and walked inside.
She had barely stepped through the doors when a waiter in a crisp uniform stopped her. “Good evening, miss. Do you have a reservation?”
Zhang Ying had expected this. Unhurried, she took out her phone and showed her chat history with Gu Mingyan. “I’m meeting Miss Gu.”
The moment the waiter heard Gu Mingyan’s name, his attitude did a complete 180.
He quickly bowed slightly and stepped aside. “So you are Miss Gu’s guest. This way, please.”
At that moment, Zhang Ying truly experienced the thrill of borrowing a tiger’s might to intimidate others.
She was led to a booth with an excellent view and a very private setting. After sitting down, Zhang Ying thought: Since Gu Mingyan will definitely be paying later, when better to take advantage than now?
She picked up the price-less menu and smiled at the waiter. “I’ll order first. We’ll see what Mingyan wants when she arrives.”
Then she began ordering like crazy—from signature appetizers and soups to top-grade air-flown wagyu, plus a bottle of wine worth tens of thousands… and finally several exquisitely plated desserts that looked stunning even in the photos.
With every dish she ordered, the sourness in her heart caused by the class gap was diluted a little more by vengeful satisfaction.
After finishing her order, Zhang Ying seized the time to snap selfies like mad, carefully selecting a few to post on her Moments:
【Relaxing after a busy day. Thank you to Miss Gu for the treat~ ❤️ Fischer Restaurant truly lives up to its reputation!】
The post had barely gone up when people immediately began reacting in amazement:
“Wow, it’s really Fischer. Zhang Ying, you’re too lucky.”
“Miss Gu is treating? So jealous!”
“Take me with you next time! I want to broaden my horizons too!”
“This life is literally my ultimate dream!”
Zhang Ying leisurely replied to the comments, a self-satisfied smile hanging on her lips.
Meanwhile, Yun Qingqing was feeling a bit troubled.
After leaving the runway show, Gu Mingyan seemed to have gotten addicted to playing real-life Miracle Nikki, enthusiastically insisting on dragging her to sweep through another boutique to buy matching high heels for the dress.
Yun Qingqing had to coax and persuade her for quite a while before finally stopping her.
It wasn’t that her conscience suddenly kicked in—mainly, her stamina couldn’t keep up. She was truly too exhausted to keep shopping.
Gu Mingyan could only reluctantly stop. “Fine. Then come with me for a late-night snack. I’ll let you try the food at Fischer.”
Yun Qingqing didn’t yet have much concept of high-end restaurants in this world; she only felt that the name Fischer sounded somewhat familiar. Seeing that the other party was finally willing to rest, she quickly agreed, “Okay, okay—late-night snack it is.”
Thus, the two of them headed to Fischer Restaurant under the escort of bodyguards.
The waiter respectfully led them toward Zhang Ying’s booth. “Miss, your friend is already waiting inside.”
Zhang Ying spotted Gu Mingyan and Yun Qingqing beside her at a glance.
As fellow lackeys around Gu Mingyan, the two of them knew each other. But Zhang Ying felt her own status was at least higher than Yun Qingqing’s—a small-time web drama internet celebrity—so she never cared much to acknowledge her.
Ignoring Yun Qingqing, she smiled and waved at Gu Mingyan. “Mingyan, you finally made it!”
Gu Mingyan couldn’t even be bothered to lift her eyelids, as if she hadn’t heard. She simply pulled Yun Qingqing along and sat directly across from her.
Zhang Ying’s smile instantly froze on her face.
Unable to save face, she vented her anger at the nearby waiter. “What’s going on? I’ve been waiting so long and the dishes still aren’t served? Is your restaurant always this slow?”
The waiter maintained a professional smile. “My apologies, miss. Our restaurant charges first and serves afterward.”
Zhang Ying naturally turned to look at Gu Mingyan.
In her view, it was only right and proper for Gu Mingyan to pay for this meal.
However, Gu Mingyan asked in bafflement, “Why are you looking at me? You were the one who wanted to come to Fischer, and you were the one who ordered the dishes. Don’t tell me you expect me to foot the bill?”
Gu Mingyan certainly wasn’t short on money, but she wasn’t a complete sucker either.
When she was in a good mood, she could casually give her lackeys small perks in exchange for running errands. But that didn’t mean she would unconditionally accept such obvious freeloading.
Especially Zhang Ying’s self-righteous attitude after ordering a huge spread on her own—it made her very displeased.
Zhang Ying was left speechless, mortified.
The waiter tactfully presented the POS machine in front of her, smiling as he waited.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Zhang Ying forced herself to save face. “I’m actually not that hungry. Cancel the other dishes—just bring me a salad first.”
A basic dish like salad couldn’t possibly be that expensive.
Who would have thought the waiter would bow and say, “Certainly, miss. One Mediterranean organic vegetable salad, priced at 2,898 yuan. Please swipe your card here.”
“How much?!” Zhang Ying nearly bit her tongue.
The waiter repeated calmly, “2,898 yuan.”
As expected of a top-tier restaurant—one salad could sell for such an astronomical price.
Zhang Ying felt her heart bleeding, but with everyone watching, she couldn’t bring herself to cancel. She could only grit her teeth and swipe her card.
Across from her, Yun Qingqing’s eyes went wide when she heard the number.
Nearly three thousand for a salad? That’s robbery!
She touched her flat wallet and immediately felt that pride meant absolutely nothing in the face of poverty.
Yun Qingqing quickly tugged on Gu Mingyan’s sleeve. “The food here is too expensive. How about we switch restaurants?”
Gu Mingyan glanced at her. “You came with me—why are you worried if I’m paying?” She casually picked up the menu and asked, “Any food restrictions?”
Yun Qingqing: “Uh… no?”
“Alright.” Gu Mingyan closed the menu and snapped her fingers at the waiter. “Everything on the menu—bring her one of each.”
“Huh?” Yun Qingqing was shocked. “I can’t finish that much!”
Gu Mingyan said nonchalantly, “If you can’t finish, just take a bite of each. Have the rest packed and sent to your apartment.”
Those words made Zhang Ying feel extremely uncomfortable.
Why?
She, Zhang Ying, was clearly the one most skilled at pleasing Gu Mingyan and the most capable lackey. How had Yun Qingqing gotten so close to Gu Mingyan after just one day?
A strong sense of crisis made her unable to sit still.
She quickly changed the subject, trying to regain Gu Mingyan’s attention. “Mingyan, shouldn’t we talk about the official announcement for Best Partners?”
Yun Qingqing sensed Zhang Ying’s subtle hostility but didn’t care at all.
She hadn’t even listened to what the two were saying—her entire focus was on the dishes being served.
With every bite, Yun Qingqing felt like she was taking huge advantage.
She cut a piece of lamb chop.
This bite should be worth about fifty yuan.
She scooped half a spoon of creamy soup.
This spoonful should be worth sixty.
Duck confit, red wine-braised beef tongue, foie gras… Yun Qingqing immersed herself in the joy of milking the rich dry, eating with great relish.
Zhang Ying noticed Gu Mingyan staring at Yun Qingqing and hurriedly urged anxiously, “Mingyan?”
Gu Mingyan came back to her senses. Looking at Zhang Ying’s impatient, calculating expression, irritation rose in her heart.
Originally, she didn’t particularly care who accompanied her. Now, she had changed her mind.
“The announcement? No rush,” Gu Mingyan said. “For this variety show, I’m switching partners.”
“Switching?!” Zhang Ying’s voice rose sharply. Forcing a smile, she said, “Even if you want to change partners at the last minute, there’s no one more suitable than me…”
“Who says there isn’t?” Gu Mingyan tilted her chin toward the side, precisely pointing at Yun Qingqing, who was still buried in her food. “Her.”
Yun Qingqing, suddenly named: “…?”