Acting as the Vicious Second Lead [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 31

The active fan who acted cute in her Weibo comments, sparred with anti-fans, offered daily greetings, and begged for hugs and kisses turned out to be the “A-list starlet,” Qu Li.

Just moments ago, Qin Xiaoxiao had even bragged to her about how fierce her own fanbase was. At the realization, Qin Xiaoxiao felt an embarrassing wave of suffocation. This girl is way too good at acting!

“Um…”

Qu Li finally spoke. She walked from the doorway to the woman’s side, a radiant smile on her elegant face. Her eyes curved into crescents, making it impossible to discern her true emotions. Qu Li’s performance was impeccable; she didn’t betray a single hint of embarrassment at having her lie exposed.

“This,” she said, pointing at the phone, “could you give it back to me?”

“Here.”

Qin Xiaoxiao looked up and held the phone out. Throughout the exchange, her expression remained indifferent, as if she didn’t care at all about being toyed with. However, just as Qu Li’s slender fingers were about to touch the device, Qin Xiaoxiao abruptly withdrew her hand, a mocking curl on her lips.

“You think it’s that easy to get it back?” She tucked the phone into her waist pocket.

Then, Qin Xiaoxiao glanced at the starlet and said, “I understand you less and less. Whenever I’m with you, I’m always being played, yet you don’t seem to have any intention of actually harming me.”

Qin Xiaoxiao believed that only by uncovering Qu Li’s true purpose could she turn the tables and stop being at her mercy. Frustrated by the mystery, her voice grew sharp: “Tell me, what exactly are you after?”

Faced with the stern interrogation, Qu Li withdrew her hand and stared at her silently. The silence stretched until Qin Xiaoxiao’s skin began to crawl.

Finally, seeing that Qu Li wasn’t moving, Qin Xiaoxiao smirked and began to speculate wildly. “Could it be… you’re after my money? Do you want to be ‘kept’ by me, like the rumors say?”

Qu Li neither confirmed nor denied it. She simply continued to stare.

“Say something!”

Qin Xiaoxiao had mentioned it offhandedly, but the more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. In the original plot, the “Original Soul” of her character had faced financial ruin due to various factors. Perhaps this starlet was only glamorous on the surface but was actually broke and looking for a sugar mama.

Worried that Qu Li might actually agree, Qin Xiaoxiao cleared her throat to clarify: “If you have those thoughts, drop them now. I can’t provide for you. As you can see, I’m so poor I can barely afford to eat. If you follow me, you’ll be eating plain porridge and Lao Gan Ma chili sauce every day.”

Feeling a bit sorry for herself, she exaggerated: “At night, to save on electricity, I don’t even turn on the lights. I go to bed early. I have zero nightlife.”

“Then let me support you instead,” Qu Li suddenly blurted out.

The air went dead silent.

After a long pause, Qin Xiaoxiao found her voice: “Huh?”

That was a total conversation-killer. Is that a normal response? Usually, when people realize a rich heiress has fallen into such poverty, they either lose their illusions or offer a few dollars out of pity. Who suggests “sponsoring” them? Qin Xiaoxiao wondered if the starlet even knew that being “kept” was a derogatory term.

“I’ll be the one to keep you,” Qu Li repeated.

Qin Xiaoxiao: “…”

“Is that a no?”

“Of course it’s a no!”

One cannot be corrupted by wealth, Qin Xiaoxiao thought. Suppressing her irritation, she forced the topic back: “Just tell me: why did you get close to me?”

“I wanted to be your friend,” Qu Li said brightly, her smile blooming like a flower.

Qin Xiaoxiao was suspicious. “Is it really that simple?”

“There is… one deeper reason.” Prompted by the question, the words slipped out before Qu Li could catch them. She immediately felt a pang of regret. Is a confession too soon? Is this moving too fast?

However, Qin Xiaoxiao didn’t give her time to think. Sensing a breakthrough, she took two steps forward, leaning in close to stare into Qu Li’s face. “Tell me. Now.”

The sudden proximity left them barely a step apart. Looking at Qin Xiaoxiao’s vivid, beautiful face and feeling her warm breath on her cheek, Qu Li’s heart began to race. Those eyes—usually so distant and indifferent—were now focused entirely on her, reflecting her own image in their dark depths.

Under that gaze, Qu Li felt she would give her anything. If she needed it, she would give up her most prized possessions, let alone the answer to a simple question.

Qu Li lowered her eyes and whispered softly, “Fine, I’ll tell you everything.”

Her voice was like the first ray of spring sunshine—clean, pure, and warming the heart without burning it. Qin Xiaoxiao, eager for the gossip, leaned in to listen.

“At first, I saw your ‘vicious’ disguise and was drawn in by the contradiction of your character. I wanted to get close to you, to understand you. The deeper I went, the more attracted I became. I’ve fallen into a quagmire I can’t escape.”

“Some people think that because you were born into a wealthy family, you’re entitled and reckless. Some think you’re promiscuous, mocking your lifestyle and how you change boyfriends like clothes. Some say you enjoy bullying others—that you’re someone everyone fears and loathes…”

Qu Li’s voice slowed, reciting her virtues like a list of treasures. “But I know you aren’t like that. I saw your persistence while filming under the scorching sun, your silent hard work behind the scenes, and your carefree nature. I’ve seen all your shining qualities.”

Qu Li opened her eyes fully, no longer squinting them in a smile. She gazed at the starlet earnestly. “You act willfully and are always the center of attention, and my eyes have always followed you. I saw how helpless you were when Xiang Liwei harassed you. I didn’t want you to suffer from the internet’s baseless abuse. I…”

Qu Li placed her right hand over her heart, her expression softening into a genuine, slightly husky smile: “I want to protect you.”

“Yes, I like you. That’s why I’m not satisfied with the status quo. I want our relationship to go a step further. I want to know you more deeply… will you give me that chance?”

Qu Li held her breath, waiting for a response.

Silence. A deathly silence.

The unexpected answer left Qin Xiaoxiao feeling a bit lightheaded. In her eighteen years, not even her parents had praised her like that. She was certain now: the person in front of her liked her.

However, Qin Xiaoxiao—who still hadn’t “gone there” in her mind—began to ponder. What did Qu Li mean by a “deeper relationship”?

After a moment, Qin Xiaoxiao had an epiphany.

“Heh, I didn’t realize you were so greedy,” Qin Xiaoxiao said. As Qu Li’s gaze turned nervous, she continued: “You want to be my ‘bestie’ right off the bat?”

Qin Xiaoxiao threw up her hands with an air of helplessness. “Fine, I guess I’ll agree.”

Qu Li’s expression froze. “…Huh?”

“What’s with that face?” Qin Xiaoxiao asked.

Having been moved by the starlet’s words, Qin Xiaoxiao—who had previously been traumatized by the “Female Lead”—felt her confidence return. Having a companion to face the obstacles ahead gave her a sense of security. Thus, she shamelessly discarded her previous vow to stay away from the starlet.

Seeing Qu Li’s stunned silence, Qin Xiaoxiao frowned. “Were you playing me again just now?”

“No,” Qu Li said, waving her hands and adjusting her expression. “I’m just… too happy.”

Qin Xiaoxiao took it at face value and said arrogantly, “Good. You should feel honored.”

Qu Li forced a bitter smile. She thought her confession had been incredibly blunt. Was the girl really that dense, or was she playing dumb? Qu Li suspected that even if she said “I love you” in a romantic sense, Qin Xiaoxiao would just take it as a joke.

Still, Qu Li felt a sense of relief. At least she hadn’t been rejected, and their relationship had technically moved a step forward.

“Miss Qu! Are you here?” a voice called from upstairs—it was the movers.

“Coming!” Qu Li called back. She turned to Qin Xiaoxiao. “I have to go.”

“Wait, your phone!” Qin Xiaoxiao shouted as Qu Li headed for the door.

“Keep it for now! I’ll come get it later!” Qu Li’s voice drifted back from the stairs.

Qin Xiaoxiao stood there dazed. She’s not afraid I’ll mess with her phone? Moved by this profound trust, Qin Xiaoxiao decided not to betray it. She lay down on the sofa, opened her own phone, and went to Weibo. She searched for “Xiang Liwei” and found her profile bio.

[For work inquiries, please contact: 26820***@qq.com]*

The email address contained the Female Lead’s QQ number. Qin Xiaoxiao switched to her alt-account and entered the digits. An account with a silver fox avatar popped up. After a moment of internal struggle, she clicked “Add Friend” with a sense of grim determination.

As much as she hated it, she had to follow the plot: lure the Female Lead to a bar and use the most potent aphrodisiac on her so the Male Lead could “save the damsel in distress.” If she delayed any longer and the Movie Star left the bar, she’d be doomed.

I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow, she thought, trying to encourage herself.

At the Talent Agency

A group of seven or eight people were crowded into a room for acting drills. Xiang Liwei was listening intently and taking notes. Her hair fell like a waterfall over her smooth forehead, and her dark eyes were as quiet as a night sky. She looked gentle and obedient.

Suddenly, her phone screen lit up.

[New Friend Notification] Nickname: Anonymous Source: Searched by QQ ID Message: I know everything about you, including where your long-lost parents are living now. If you want to know, come to the “Night Colors” bar in Luoying District before 9:00 PM tomorrow. Come alone. Tell no one.

[Accept / Decline]

The moment she saw “Luoying District,” Xiang Liwei knew who it was. She had long ago memorized everything about that person—their company address, their neighborhood, even the shops nearby.

The person who wants to see me… are they related to her?

Even if they weren’t, it didn’t matter. She had already planned to go to C City to see Qin Xiaoxiao in a few days anyway. Since someone was using her parents as bait, she might as well go tomorrow to see her beloved.

At the thought of reuniting with the person she longed for, her blood boiled. Every cell in her body screamed with yearning. She couldn’t wait to fly to her side.

What kind of look will she give me this time? Disgust? Indifference? Will she look at me like a cockroach in a sewer? Or… will she have missed me?

Just as I have missed her.

No matter what kind of look it was, as long as it was a gift from her, she would accept it with gratitude. Even if this love was a form of torture, she would drink it like sweet wine.

Xiang Liwei’s lips curled into a secret smile.

I really hope tomorrow comes quickly. Hehehe.