The Prime Minister Becomes a Global Sensation After Transmigrating into a Pariah - Chapter 6

Qi Luo entered the scene wearing a strapless evening gown, his neck adorned with a massive pink bow. He looked like the feline of one’s dreams from Tom and Jerry; currently, aside from his Adam’s apple, voice, and physiological organs, he was indistinguishable from a woman.

The host asked: “Qi Luo, do you have any small goals for joining our show?”

To everyone’s surprise, Qi Luo’s voice was exceptionally deep and resonant. After a moment of thought, he uttered words that shocked the room: “I hope to marry a wife this year.”

That single sentence sent the live comments into a frenzy:

• “Ahhh! I knew Qi Luo was the Top! Cross-dressing Tops are the best!”
• “Who understands how beautiful yet masculine Qi Luo is? A-tier charm!”
• “I guessed the wrong dynamic QAQ. Another heartbroken girl tonight.”
• “I want to see the ‘Two Tops meet, one must become the Bottom’ trope. Qiao Yuxi, can you satisfy me?”

After the interview, Qi Luo took his seat. He immediately spotted the watch on the seat next to Ye Qi. Thinking of the final guest, Qiao Yuxi, Qi Luo instantly understood Ye Qi’s intention.

How childish, using such a method to reserve a seat.

However, he had no intention of offending Ye Qi. As an A-list idol, there was no benefit in crossing him. Qi Luo pivoted smoothly and sat between Lou Yishu and Gu Huazhang. A fresh red rose sat waiting at his spot.

“Your makeup is quite lovely,” Qi Luo remarked. While offstage, he had learned that Gu Huazhang gave Lou Yishu a blue rose, which piqued his interest in the youth. His praise was sincere; as a beauty blogger, Qi Luo could tell that Lou Yishu’s makeup artist was a master. The look perfectly bridged the style of the clothing with Lou Yishu’s features, even highlighting his unique character.

“Thank you. You are also very beautiful,” Lou Yishu replied warmly, turning to face Qi Luo.

“Is this how you always converse?” Qi Luo’s eyes held a hint of mischief, though he maintained a pitiful expression. “You didn’t even try to initiate a topic with me.”

While Qi Luo was as flexible as a coiled serpent, Lou Yishu was as straight as a steel rod. He spoke with startling bluntness: “Ah. Do you not like me praising your beauty? My apologies.”

“Er… Cough!”

Qi Luo felt an arrow strike his heart. He was momentarily choked up and coughed involuntarily. Flirtatious words that usually came so easily were now impossible to utter. He hadn’t expected to trip up here. His plan to manufacture a “CP” (couple) for trending status seemed to have gone up in smoke.

Inwardly, Qi Luo grumbled that Lou Yishu had no sense of romance—it was like “throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man.” Yet, he turned back around as if nothing had happened and continued to chat with Lou Yishu about makeup.

“Who did your makeup? I truly wish to seek their advice.”

“It was Grandma Lin. I met her at a barbershop near my home,” Lou Yishu replied, happy to share Grandma Lin’s craftsmanship. He truly believed her hands were magical.

“Grandma Lin?” Qi Luo’s brow furrowed as he asked tentatively, “Would that be Teacher Lin Chunyan?”

“Yes! You know her? She is very talented.”

Hearing Lou Yishu speak Lin Chunyan’s name so casually, Qi Luo instantly lost interest. It seemed the internet rumors were right: Lou Yishu was just a low-EQ, boastful “pretty vase” with nothing but a shell  a shell that was likely manufactured. His lip twitched as he offered a perfunctory reply: “I don’t know her. Look, Qiao Yuxi is coming out.”

Unknown to them, because Qi Luo had initiated the conversation, the camera had been locked onto them. Although their voices weren’t recorded, lip-readers would eventually expose their conversation, sparking a massive controversy in the future.

Qiao Yuxi held the highest status among the guests. A former child star, he had been on screen since he was young, appearing exclusively in films. This year, at only twenty-four, he had won a Best Actor award for an art film, making him the youngest “Movie King” in the country. While his “die-hard” fan base wasn’t as large as a typical idol’s, his general public recognition was unparalleled.

As a gifted actor, he embodied every role he played, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in his characters. Because of this, he usually avoided variety shows; he feared exposing his real personality would break the immersion for future viewers.

The culprit behind his presence here was none other than Lou Qingtai.

Though Qiao Yuxi came from a wealthy family, they didn’t have influence in the entertainment industry. Getting a “pariah” like Lou Qingtai into a high-profile IP like Travel Love was nearly impossible. Thus, he struck a deal with the director: he would join the show if he could bring Lou Qingtai along. The director, ecstatic to have a Movie King on his show, agreed instantly.

As he walked toward the light, Qiao Yuxi thought of his deal with Lou Qingtai a bargain with a thousand harms and only one benefit. That single benefit was the chance to finally rid himself of Lou Qingtai and the memories that haunted them.

The live comments exploded the moment his name appeared:

• “I’ve waited all morning for this moment.”
• “Brother Qiao, you’re so handsome!”
• “Qiao Yuxi! I love you!”
• “I wonder what kind of person Qiao-Qiao likes, hehe.”
• “Whoever you like, Mommy supports you!”
• “Witnessing history here. This low-profile Movie King is actually coming out.”

Qiao Yuxi didn’t wear a suit today. Instead, he opted for a European vintage aristocratic look: a long, cinched trench coat over a high-collared shirt, topped with a wide-brimmed gentleman’s hat. Eschewing a traditional tie, he wore a pure white silk scarf tied in a large bow at his collar. The ribbons fluttered against his chest, making him look like an elegant nobleman.

Fans in the fashion industry chimed in:

• “That’s XJ’s latest Haute Couture! Teacher Lin Chunyan designed his look for this show. So elegant!”
• “This outfit on Qiao-Qiao’s proportions is perfection.”
• “My god, my legs are weak from how handsome he is.”
• “I knew it was Lin Chunyan. Nothing she touches turns out ugly.”
• “Why are you just staring? Screenshot it!”

The host was just as excited as the viewers: “As the fans know, Qiao Yuxi never does variety shows. So, I must ask: what brought you here?”

Qiao Yuxi remained expressionless. He certainly couldn’t say it was to facilitate a breakup, so he fabricated a reason: “I wanted to see if I could encounter a fated partner.”

“Since you mentioned fate,” the host transitioned quickly, “do you believe in love at first sight, or love that grows over time?”

It should have been an easy question, but Qiao Yuxi fell silent. Just as the host prepared to save the situation, he answered with a furrowed brow.

“I can believe in love at first sight, but it is actually quite unreliable. When enough days and nights pass, you realize the object of your affection is nowhere near as good as you imagined let alone love growing over time. In short: dream less, do more.”

It was unclear if he was speaking to the audience or himself. The comments were stunned by his cynicism:

• “Translation: Love at first sight is a slap, love over time is two slaps, and both together are a full-blown assault.”
• “What if I like dreaming! Do you live by the ocean? [Crying]”
• “Someone sounds deeply triggered.”
• “Brother Qiao has a story.”
• “Why do I feel like he’s sniping at Lou Yishu? Is it just me?”
• “Sniping him is normal. Does anyone not know Lou Yishu’s ‘glorious history’?”

The host, sensing the tension, scrambled to recover: “Indeed, love at first sight has many uncertainties. When choosing a life partner, one must get to know them thoroughly to avoid major conflicts later.”

“So, Yuxi, seven guests have already entered. Based on your intuition, which one interests you most right now?”

The camera panned to the seven seated guests. Ye Qi straightened his back, Su Er fixed his posture, and everyone looked visibly tense.

Lou Qingtai. No… he’s called Lou Yishu now. Qiao Yuxi gripped the microphone. Seeing Lou Yishu sitting there obediently with his blue rose, his heart skipped a beat. Qiao Yuxi loathed himself for it.

He certainly wouldn’t speak his true thoughts. He knew all too well that Lou Yishu was like a fresh, red apple once sliced open, you would find maggots writhing inside, gorging on the rotten core.

He was beginning to regret this. The host’s question was a trap; answering for anyone would be a hassle, especially since he had zero interest in these people. Qiao Yuxi resorted to his “perfunctory” method, detaching his soul and using only his facial muscles to force out a lie.

“It is a secret. I do not wish to frighten him.”

To the viewers, however, this sounded like a “deeply affectionate” confession:

• “Mama, he’s so handsome. So soulful.”
• “Okay, I have material for my dreams tonight.”
• “Wait… Ye Qi’s idol was also a secret. Did I just catch the real couple in the pilot? [Smirk]”
• “I’m shipping it! The ‘Qi-Xi Love’ super-topic already has content!”
• “This is mutual attraction. The real couple is so sweet, hehe.”