Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 43

Si Xiaoxiao’s execution ability was very strong.

That evening, she decisively booked a flight to A City, deliberately arranging Li Ting’s seat next to her own.

However, this trip was somewhat “undercover,” so Si Xiaoxiao didn’t call her assistant.

After all, she was traveling with Li Ting. If her little assistant, who usually stood united with her in hostility towards Li Ting, found out, she would probably be angry.

Given that A City is a fashion capital and many Chinese people are there, some disguise was necessary, especially since she was with Li Ting, this “bomb.”

The two “met up” in the hotel lobby.

Si Xiaoxiao’s wide-brimmed hat was pulled low, and large sunglasses obscured half of her bright face, revealing only the beautifully defined lines of her jaw and her tightly pursed lips.

Li Ting’s attire was similarly low-key—she wore loose casual wear—but her innate star quality was still hard to conceal.

The “ill will” that had been building up inside Si Xiaoxiao since the teasing phone call instantly found an outlet.

She slightly lifted her chin, her gaze piercing through the sunglasses and “nailing” itself onto Li Ting’s face. Her first sentence was delivered in a deliberately constructed, cloyingly sweet, and intimate tone:

“To elope with you, I even abandoned my assistant, you know~”

The ending note was drawn out, like a small honey-coated hook, yet her eyes were filled with the challenging message, “Let’s see how you respond.”

Li Ting, of course, chose to return the favor: “Is that so? Then, Miss Si Xiaoxiao, may I have the honor of becoming your new assistant?”

Si Xiaoxiao tossed her hair back haughtily, let out a light “Hmph,” and raised her chin even higher, struggling to maintain her “queen” demeanor as she replied, “Let’s see your performance.”

No one would have guessed that just half a month ago, they were so fiercely antagonistic, their first words to each other usually being mutual sarcasm. In contrast, their current conversation could be described as that of two friends with a somewhat special relationship.

While still full of gunpowder, the fuse seemed to be mixed with something else—something indefinable.

However, A City was indeed very close to the small island. In less than an hour, the two had already arrived.

The air in A City seemed to carry a specially formulated, chilly yet flashy scent.

The glass curtain walls of the skyscrapers reflected the faint morning sun, the streets were excessively clean, and the pedestrians walked briskly, dressed stylishly, like moving fashion editorials.

As soon as they arrived at their luxurious suite, luggage set down, Si Xiaoxiao instantly turned into a wound-up puppy, twirling around twice, her eyes shining astonishingly. She tore off her sunglasses and excitedly announced, “Let’s go shopping!!”

Top-tier shopping district! Global limited editions! Current season’s new releases! Countless little dresses were beckoning to her! A true woman cannot resist little dresses!!

Li Ting had just hung up her jacket. Hearing this, she raised an eyebrow, looking at the instantly revived and spirited Si Xiaoxiao. She spoke slowly, her tone carrying a hint of knowingness and barely noticeable teasing: “It looks like it’s time to walk the ‘dog’?”

“Li Ting!!!” Si Xiaoxiao instantly exploded, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. A blush spread across her bright cheeks. She furiously snatched up her heavy limited-edition handbag, pretending to throw it, but under the gaze of Li Ting’s calm, unwavering eyes, she completely chickened out and could only put it down dejectedly: “…Hurry up! Stop dragging your feet! An assistant needs to be conscious of their role!”

Li Ting complied gracefully, the corner of her mouth curling into a faint smile: “Understood, Boss Si.”

Boss Si?

Si Xiaoxiao was rarely called this, and she triumphantly pursed her lips. Clicking her delicate high heels, she strode out with great momentum.

As the streetlights came on, A City’s most exclusive shopping district was adorned with brilliant neon lights and soft spotlights, resembling a fantastical crystal palace.

The massive display windows showcased staggering high fashion and jewelry, and the air was filled with the unique fragrance of money mixed with art.

Si Xiaoxiao, like a fish to water, had a clear goal and walked with a brisk, purposeful step.

She plunged into a luxury clothing store known for its design aesthetic, her eyes shining like flashlights, scanning the racks with exceptional precision.

Unlike big stars who have assistants deliver the latest classic styles to their homes, small celebrities like Si Xiaoxiao still need to visit specialty stores to access such renowned brands.

Si Xiaoxiao dreamt of becoming famous so that countless little dresses would await her favor.

“This one, this one, and this one! Please take them all down. I want to try every single one!” Si Xiaoxiao’s slender fingers began pointing out the clothes, while the trained saleslady quickly and sweetly retrieved them.

Li Ting was very dutiful, genuinely acting like an assistant, quietly following half a step behind.

Si Xiaoxiao completely transformed into “Miracle Xiaoxiao” and embarked on her changing spree.

Strictly speaking, watching Si Xiaoxiao try on outfits was a form of enjoyment.

Because she was truly beautiful.

She first tried on a black backless gown. Under the lights, the fluid tailoring perfectly outlined her attractive figure, and the large expanse of her clean back was dazzlingly white against the black silk.

But the source of the amazement was her existence itself, which carried an undeniable, burning vitality. She possessed an almost primitive, vigorous, and unrestrained vigor. Even black fabric could make people’s eyes light up.

Her brightness was fiercely aggressive, and her energy was not baseless noise; it was an honesty untarnished by the world, a passionate eagerness to conquer and maintain infinite curiosity about the world.

She loved and hated clearly, her likes and dislikes written on her face, and her eyes, as they darted around, carried the pride and vibrancy of a small beast.

This kind of fresh vitality was something Li Ting lacked.

Li Ting had never disliked Si Xiaoxiao.

Si Xiaoxiao tried on many dresses in a row, and after meticulous selection, she only kept one set. Of course, she used her manager’s card, as her own debts were already scheduled into the next year.

Li Ting knew a little about Si Xiaoxiao’s financial situation. Seeing her look heartbroken, she found it amusing and teased her, “If you’re so reluctant, just buy them all.”

Si Xiaoxiao seriously retorted, “Don’t you think it would be a shame for such beautiful dresses not to be worn by a beauty like me?”

“…Really knows how to compliment herself.” Li Ting shook her head, looked up, and quietly took note of the clothes Si Xiaoxiao was so reluctant to part with.

The next day, the photoshoot officially began.

S Family’s photography studio was located on the top floor of a highly conceptual building in the city center.

Outside the massive floor-to-ceiling windows was the city’s skyline. Inside, it was a completely different world—a pure white space, high-powered professional lights suspended like small suns, and large softboxes, reflectors, rail cars, and various uniquely shaped shooting props arranged in an orderly manner.

The air was filled with the special smell of hairspray, new fabric, and a tense yet highly efficient creative atmosphere.

“Sally Teacher!” As soon as Si Xiaoxiao entered, she darted like a cheerful little bird towards a woman with neat silver short hair, wearing a black work jumpsuit.

The woman was focused on adjusting a huge octagonal softbox. Hearing the sound, she looked up, revealing a face with a high nose bridge, defined contours, and eyes as sharp as an eagle’s.

She was Sally, a top stylist and design director in the industry, famous for her pickiness and perfectionism.

Si Xiaoxiao had the opportunity to work with her when she was at her peak popularity, but she was still a child back then.

Unexpectedly, the teacher still remembered her.

“Xiaoxiao? It’s really been a long time~” Sally’s voice was as crisp as her personality. Her gaze quickly swept over Si Xiaoxiao with professional scrutiny, then landed on Li Ting behind her. That look was one of unconcealed scrutiny, precise like a surgical knife: “And who is this?”

“Oh, she’s my assistant,” Si Xiaoxiao introduced vaguely. Li Ting had not been in a photoshoot for Sally’s magazine back then, so they shouldn’t be very familiar with each other.

Sure enough, Sally didn’t pursue Li Ting’s presence further, a faint smile appearing on her face: “It really has been a long time, Xiaoxiao has certainly grown up.”

Facing this legendary designer, who was also a senior figure, Si Xiaoxiao appeared a bit shy: “Teacher Sally still remembers me?”

Sally seemed lost in memory, showing a thoughtful expression: “Yes, I remember you crying and clamoring to go back to find your older sister back then.”

“Older sister?” Li Ting murmured, turning to look at Si Xiaoxiao.

Hearing an embarrassing story from her youth, Si Xiaoxiao was slightly awkward and unnatural, forcefully changing the subject: “I don’t have an older sister, Teacher Sally must have remembered wrong…”

Sally tilted her head, recalling: “I remember you insisted on shooting continuously for more than ten hours while on an IV drip, just so you could return home early to celebrate your older sister’s birthday and give her a surprise, and then…”

“It was just a child being scared in a foreign country.”

Si Xiaoxiao suddenly interrupted Sally’s recollection. Her smile was somewhat forced, and she abruptly changed the topic: “Teacher, what style are we shooting today?”

Shifting back to work, Sally became much more serious: “The style and theme this time are quite wild and sensual. Can you handle it, Xiaoxiao?”

Si Xiaoxiao nodded. How big of a name was the other person? A minor character like her certainly had to cooperate.

Besides, she trusted Teacher Sally’s aesthetic. S Family’s magazines would never feature overly male-gaze-focused shots; they would only be about the appreciation of the female form and power.

Sally nodded, then snapped her fingers and called a staff member over: “Let’s get the Miss Succubus outfit changed first.”

“S-Succubus??” Si Xiaoxiao’s beautiful cat eyes instantly widened into perfect circles, as if she had heard an Arabian Nights tale. Her slender finger pointed at herself in disbelief: “Ah, I’m playing a succubus??”

Her voice rose several pitches, filled with surprise and a hint of almost imperceptible fluster, her cheeks involuntarily starting to heat up.

Of course, this abnormality was inextricably linked to the moments from the system scripts that flashed in her mind—the incredibly embarrassing snippets of “Miss Succubus and Her Contract Dog.”

She couldn’t stop thinking about Li Ting’s expression when she became the succubus—so powerful, so controlling…

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