After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 37

As the new guests of Elites of All Walks made their appearances one by one, the livestream’s popularity skyrocketed. The comment section exploded.

[User]: Help! These are actual elites! Xu Judong, who dominates the film industry, and Yu Shu, whose every drama is a hit!

[User]: What kind of neighborhood is this? I want to move there.

[User]: Can someone explain the last two? Their looks and aura… total “CEO type.”

[User]: Fine, I’m watching this as a dating show now. Don’t stop me.

[User]: Yi Chenqing! The woman who practically lives on the front page of financial newspapers!

[User]: And Dr. Yi (Yanbai)! I always thought she should be a model; I never expected her on a variety show.

[User]: I count four CEOs and two socialites. I don’t even know who to ship anymore!

[User]: Staying loyal to “Qiu-Ji” (Xu Linqiu & Shi Ji)!

The camera zoomed in, focusing entirely on Yi Chenqing’s face.

She frowned slightly. Her skin was so fair that there were no visible traces of makeup, yet she wore a touch of vivid red lipstick—striking but elegant—which further emphasized her sharp, cold temperament. Her narrow, willow-leaf eyes, with their deep brown pupils, seemed lost in thought. After a long moment, her red lips parted, and she spoke slowly and clearly:

“Age five: First place in the A-City Children’s Toy Model Building Competition. Age eight: First place in the A-City Elementary School Arithmetic Competition. Age ten: First place in the A-City Elementary Essay Competition. Age eleven: First place in English Essay and English Oral Proficiency…”

Yi Chenqing’s calm voice was crisp and pleasant to the ears. With an unwavering expression, she listed every achievement from primary school to the present. By the end, the audience was left speechless.

“Last February, the company’s market value hit a new high of three trillion. Last month, it broke 3.1 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 63%.”

Once she stopped, Xu Linqiu turned toward the camera to remind the staff: “Make sure you didn’t miss any~”

She couldn’t help but look at Yi Chenqing and smile. It was hard to believe Yi wasn’t showing off, given how she recounted her “golden child” life with such a flat tone. And to think, Xu thought, someone this wealthy actually fried eggs for us so obediently.

“None missed. Total: thirty-eight,” the staff member announced solemnly.

Shi Ji, finally snapping out of her daze, began winking frantically at Yi Chenqing. “Yi Chenqing, if we’re counting market value, shouldn’t we count every time the company gained ten million? Or a hundred million?”

“It was already nearly two trillion when I inherited it,” Yi Chenqing replied honestly, completely crushing Shi Ji’s little scheme.

Shi Ji turned to the director instead. “Does having a new girlfriend every week count as an honor?”

Director: “…”

“What about being dead last in class for years? That’s technically a ‘first place’ honor, and I held the title consecutively.”

“No.”

“Cheapskate,” Shi Ji muttered.

She wanted to say more, but Xu Linqiu interrupted with a smile. “Alright, let’s see what we can exchange these for.”

The group gathered around the tablet to check the price list. Under the cover of the table, Xu Linqiu discreetly squeezed next to Yi Chenqing. Her hand reached out beneath the tabletop to hook Yi’s pinky finger.

She tilted her head and smiled. She noticed the tips of Yi Chenqing’s ears turning red, even as the woman refused to look at her. She definitely came here for me, Xu thought. Otherwise, why would a CEO waste time on a small variety show?

With her mood brightening, Xu Linqiu fully grasped Yi’s hand, interlacing their fingers. Standing directly behind them, Xu Judong saw this. She forced herself to look away, her hands clenching into fists. Sister must be doing this to confuse Sister Chenqing for the sake of her treatment! she told herself. Beside her, Yu Shu watched her with a concerned frown.

A sudden exclamation drew everyone’s attention. Shi Ji pointed at the screen, accusing the production team: “Damn it! Are you guys trying to scam us?”

The prices on the tablet were absurd. “You might as well have invited senior citizens,” Shi Ji grumbled. “Actually, even a lifetime of honors from an elderly person couldn’t buy much here.”

Xu Linqiu was concerned about sleeping arrangements. She found only one type of shelter: tents. A three-person tent cost ten C-cards; a two-person tent cost two B-cards; a single tent was one A-card.

She made a quick decision. “I think the most cost-effective option is to get three two-person tents.”

“Agreed,” the others nodded, each with their own private thoughts.

The staff had already logged Yi Chenqing’s 38 cards. Xu Linqiu released Yi’s hand and tapped the screen to redeem them. Unexpectedly, Yi Chenqing leaned in, her index finger “accidentally” brushing Xu’s as she scrolled.

“The rest is for food and bathing,” Yi Chenqing said coolly. She swiped to the A-card section, pointing at the Jiuheng Hotel banquet and the two-person hot spring package. “We can skimp on sleep, but we can’t skimp on food and hygiene.”

Xu Linqiu: “…” “Hot springs!” Shi Ji’s eyes turned into stars.

Yi Yanbai, who had been silent, finally spoke up. She listed her achievements: “First place in the A-City High School Biology Competition… National medical certification for research on manic disorder treatment…”

“Total: twenty-one cards.”

Xu Linqiu followed suit: “Best Supporting Actress in elementary school, Best Leading Actress in high school… Winner of the New Artist Exhibition in France at age 20, Emerging Painter Award in France at 23… Voted Most Imaginative Oil Painter in France at 25.”

“Total: eighteen.”

Xu Judong: “Nominated for Best Supporting Actress at 20, Best Leading Actress at 24. Total: twelve.”

Yu Shu: “First place in the C-City Elementary Essay Competition, second place in Arithmetic… Total: thirty.”

With a combined total of 117 cards, Xu Linqiu smiled at Shi Ji. “We should be able to afford the hot springs. We just need to hold out until tomorrow when we go into the woods to find more cards.”

Shi Ji remained unusually humble, nodding obediently. After all, she was the “negative example” who couldn’t contribute a single card.

The price list showed that the hotel banquet for three people required two A-cards, and the two-person hot spring package also required two A-cards. Xu Linqiu calculated that providing for all six would take 96 cards. Combined with the 18 for tents, they had five cards left. She scrolled to the C-card section and saw that six bags of bread cost only two C-cards, leaving three cards for six bottles of mineral water.

Shi Ji muttered: “Maybe we should just eat bread. The hotel is too expensive.”

Xu Linqiu patted her head comfortingly and asked the group: “Do you want to do the hot springs?” Everyone nodded. Yi Chenqing also nodded, though she seemed slightly unhappy, her expression colder than before.

“Alright,” Xu Linqiu said, hitting redeem. “We eat well tonight and chew on bread tomorrow morning.”

“Shi Ji and I will show you around before we head to dinner,” Xu Linqiu suggested. Shi Ji naturally linked arms with her, and the two led the other four toward the scenic area. They didn’t notice the several pairs of eyes burning holes into their linked arms.

The path to the hotel was picturesque, with golden beaches in the distance and waves gently washing over the sand as fishing boats returned. Coconut trees swayed, and roadside flowers danced in the breeze.

“Sister,” Xu Judong stepped forward to grab Xu Linqiu’s other arm. “You didn’t answer my question earlier.”

Xu Linqiu squinted into the breeze and smiled. “I wasn’t sure before, but now I am. It’s because of love.”

The others, who hadn’t heard the original question, let it pass. Only Xu Judong felt her heart tremble. A deep bitterness flooded her chest. She looked down, telling herself that since her sister had found someone she loved, she should let go.

But a long-repressed sense of despair surged up, making her eyes sting. It felt like she was being pulled into an abyss. She could barely breathe and felt like she might faint.

Suddenly, warmth drew near. Yu Shu linked arms with her in a friendly gesture. Seeing there were no cameras nearby, she leaned in and whispered: “Get a hold of yourself.”

Yu Shu’s clear voice pulled her back from the edge. It was just like before—whenever Judong was depressed, Yu Shu would use every trick to snap her out of it, or bring a bag of good wine to drink with her.

In the distance, the director watched their harmonious silhouettes on his monitor and nodded with satisfaction. Meanwhile, the livestream was hitting a new wave of excitement.

[Fan]: My Shu-Shu! Stay away from that green tea (Judong)! Haven’t you suffered enough?!

[User]: The fanbases are tearing each other apart, but the idols are acting like best friends.

[User]: Pfft, it was Yu Shu who linked arms with Judong first! Shameless.

[User]: “Most Imaginative Painter in France”… Guys, I just searched it. The winner was Xu Yun.

[User]: Damn, Xu Linqiu wouldn’t lie about that. Does that mean she is…?

[User]: !!!

Things only improved once they arrived at the hotel. Xu Linqiu sat next to Yi Chenqing as the group formed a circle around the table.

Xu Linqiu wasn’t very hungry, but Yi Chenqing and the others, having been on a long flight, began to eat. Xu watched Yi’s elegant movements. When a bit of oil touched those red lips, Yi lightly licked it off. Xu Linqiu couldn’t help but touch her own lips and ask: “What does it taste like?”

“You’ll know once you taste it,” Yi Chenqing replied without looking at her, continuing to eat in her methodical way.

Xu Linqiu felt something was off, but she couldn’t ask while they were live. She decided to wait until they could be alone.

After dinner, they walked toward the island’s famous Hot Spring House. The group was naturally quiet, creating a serene atmosphere as the sky turned red and the wind rustled the trees. Even the comment section calmed down.

[User]: This is a “slow” variety show, but it’s so soothing to watch.

[User]: No fighting, no bickering—just beautiful women on vacation. I love it.

[User]: Wait for the two-person hot springs! It’s time to choose “heartbeat” partners!

However, once they entered the Hot Spring House, the “two-person package” became a dilemma. After a moment of silence, Xu Judong spoke up: “Sister Yanbai, can I share a spring with you?”

Yi Yanbai was stunned for a second, but guessing why, she nodded in agreement.

Beside them, Shi Ji was shocked. An indescribable feeling of sourness rose in her heart. She told herself it was because Yanbai was too “dim-witted.” Even if Yanbai didn’t go with her, shouldn’t she go with her favorite, Yu Shu? What was this about agreeing to Xu Judong?

Shi Ji shifted her position, using her body to block the camera’s view as she pinched Yi Yanbai’s arm twice. To her surprise, Yi Yanbai just looked over calmly, her eyes behind her silver frames devoid of emotion.

Fine! Shi Ji gritted her teeth, feeling inexplicably stifled.

Yu Shu, taking in the whole scene, let her eyes flicker. She suddenly smiled and invited Yi Chenqing: “Sister Chenqing, would you like to join me?”

“Let me interrupt.” Xu Linqiu gave a friendly smile, though her voice carried an edge of curiosity. “Are you two very close?”

“We often participated in competitions together during high school,” Yu Shu replied instantly.

The answer sent a jolt through Xu Linqiu. She looked at Yu Shu carefully and realized they really did look alike.

Could it be… that this is the first love herself?