"Look at those dark circles under your eyes. You didn't even get a proper rest after filming. You're in such a hurry to see your mayor?" Zhang Yue teased Hong Xinran about how much she cared for Shao Qibin. In private, the two of them jokingly called Shao Qibin "Mayor."
"You're just here to tease me. Okay, tell me what's wrong. You're not the kind of person who'd suddenly come to me with this for no reason." Hong Xinran knew Zhang Yue's personality; she wasn't one to beat around the bush. But today, Zhang Yue had come in and was beating around the bush, the conversation revolving entirely around Shao Qibin. Remembering how she had subconsciously and cautiously asked Zhang Yue for a favor before going to film, Hong Xinran straightened her expression. "Has something happened with Qibin?"
"No, you should trust your mayor. Of course, many women throw themselves at him, but your man remains unmoved. I just want to ask you something: how much do you know about Shao Qibin's sister?"
"You mean Lele? What happened to her? You forgot? She's my number one fan. In fact, to be honest, my relationship with Qibin was largely thanks to her as a matchmaker. Lele likes me, and Shao Qibin, out of affection for her, has been more attentive to me as well. Didn't she go back to Beijing to study? What, she's back? I remember you said you quite liked this little girl back then, but now, judging from your expression, it's as if Lele has done something to offend you?"
"That's because I hadn't noticed the way Shao Qile and Shao Qibin were interacting before. I was wondering why Shao Qile looked at you so strangely later. Didn't you realize that your number one fan is actually a brother complex?"
“Lele is a little dependent on Qibin, but isn’t it normal for girls to be a little dependent on and admire their older brothers? Besides, Qibin is so outstanding. If I were Qibin’s sister, I would admire him too.” Hong Xinran explained subconsciously, but then she realized what Zhang Yue meant. She paused, her face showing disbelief, “You don’t mean Lele likes Qibin, do you?”
Zhang Yue nodded: "You have to trust a designer's judgment. That day, I was just in Shao Qibin's office discussing investment in charity in T City when Shao Qile barged in, her eyes filled with hostility. However, she hid it well, immediately offering to treat me to dinner as an apology. But she specifically invited Secretary He along for dinner, and Secretary He happened to drive me home. She, on the other hand, went home with Shao Qibin."
After listening, Hong Xinran felt that Zhang Yue was making a mountain out of a molehill: "Qibin and Secretary He have a very good relationship. It's normal for Secretary He to be invited when we have a meal together. Sometimes when I go on a date with Qibin, Secretary He even comes along to report things. Besides, if Lele really liked Qibin, why would she have tried to set me up with him in the first place? There's absolutely no logic to it."
"Maybe I'm overthinking it. I'm just saying this as a friend." Seeing that Hong Xinran didn't believe her, Zhang Yue didn't say anything more. "At this time, you can still go have dinner with your mayor. I still have designs to work on, so I'll head back now."
Hong Xinran saw Zhang Yue off, then frowned slightly. She had just confidently refuted Zhang Yue's claim, but now a sense of doubt crept into her heart. Zhang Yue was never one to speak without reason.
She bit her lip, thinking about how Shao Qile was still single at her age. Since this birthday party was supposed to be a celebration with some of her friends from the entertainment industry, maybe it would be a good opportunity for Lele to find love.
Even if it's all just a misunderstanding, Lele is not young anymore, and at this age, it's time for her to have a relationship.
After much deliberation, Hong Xinran, having already made her decision, called her agent and asked her to arrange for the artists in her studio to dress up nicely and perform energetically for Lele's birthday. After doing this, she remembered that Lele had once mentioned that among the female celebrities in the industry, she was her favorite. As for the male celebrities, she had a strong liking for Mo Cheng, who was now in his early thirties, had debuted as a singer, and had suddenly switched to the big screen.
Coincidentally, the scene she finished filming this time was a collaboration with Mo Cheng.
"You invited Mo Cheng over? You went to all this trouble to make Lele happy." Shao Qibin saw Hong Xinran as soon as he got off work, and the two naturally went to a Western restaurant for a date. Hearing about Hong Xinran's thoughts on spending money for Shao Qile's birthday, he felt very touched by her actions.
"What are you talking about? Your sister is my sister, isn't she? But don't let it slip beforehand, I'm going to give Lele a surprise."
"Don't worry, I will definitely keep it a secret."
The two enjoyed their meal together. Towards the end, Shao Qibin extended an invitation: "Didn't you say you hadn't seen Lele in a long time? Why don't you stay at my place tonight?"
Hong Xinran nodded naturally. The two returned to Shao Qibin's apartment. As soon as Shao Qibin opened the door, he heard a cheerful voice.
"Brother, you're back. The food's getting cold, I'll go heat it up quickly so we can..." Shao Qile jumped over as soon as she heard the door open, but her joyful voice stopped abruptly when she saw Hong Xinran beside Shao Qibin. A fleeting look of jealousy, disgust, and resistance crossed her face, but she quickly concealed it with a sweet smile.
"Ranran, you're back! You've had dinner with your brother, haven't you? It's all his fault. He's such a womanizer. Now that he has a girlfriend, he's completely forgotten about me, the poor little thing. And I even made his favorite dishes."
Hong Xinran looked at Shao Qile, who was affectionately holding her arm and smiling sweetly and charmingly. If she hadn't been sure that the thorn in her back she had felt just now was not an illusion, and hadn't been able to magnify and reconstruct Shao Qile's expression in her mind, her heart would have skipped a beat.
The words Zhang Yue said when she came to see her that afternoon kept echoing in her ears.
They're siblings! How could she fall for her own brother?!
She's really good at disguising herself. She considers herself a top-notch actress. If Zhang Yue hadn't reminded her, she might have been completely fooled.
But does Shao Qibin know about this?
51. Testing and testing again
Chapter 50: Testing and Testing Again
"Lele, I'm moving in with Qibin. You won't mind, will you? I just finished filming a movie and decided to spend more time with Qibin." With a hint of apprehension in her heart, Hong Xinran made a decision instantly. While Shao Qile was heating up the already cold food and eating alone, Hong Xinran had already secretly whispered in Shao Qibin's ear that she wanted to move in.
For reasons unknown, Shao Qibin nodded in agreement.
"This is my brother's house, and I'm only staying here temporarily. I was worried that he was too busy with work and wouldn't take good care of himself, so I thought that at least when I was here, I could take good care of his three meals a day and make his diet more regular. But now that you're here, Ranran, I don't need to worry about anything." Shao Qile's eyes twitched slightly with displeasure, but a teasing smile spread across her lips as she continued to make sarcastic remarks.
The matter of Hong Xinran moving in was thus settled. Even though she harbored suspicions about Shao Qile's feelings, she didn't reveal it at all. Instead, she affectionately pulled in the people from her studio to help plan Shao Qile's birthday party, making sure it was a grand and successful affair.
Soon, it was Shao Qile's birthday. Early in the morning, Hong Xinran dragged Shao Qile out of bed for a full-on spa treatment to ensure her skin and body were in peak condition. After that, she had a delicious meal, and then in the afternoon, she had her makeup and hair done. Throughout the process, Shao Qile watched as Hong Xinran chatted skillfully with the stylist, clearly a regular customer.
"Lele, you're not a child anymore. Girls need to take good care of themselves and take good care of themselves."
"Is this based on Ranran's experience?"
"These are my heartfelt words, Ranran." Hong Xinran was always someone who knew where to place herself at a banquet. The protagonist of this birthday party was naturally Shao Qile, and her attire wouldn't overshadow him. Moreover, she intended to encourage Shao Qile to use this banquet to interact with the talented young men attending. After much thought, she concluded that even if Shao Qile did have inappropriate feelings for Shao Qibin, it was merely a youthful delusion. Perhaps she simply lacked suitable suitors and mistook her brotherly affection for romantic love.
"Lele, you're not young anymore. Haven't you thought about dating? Or have you secretly made a boyfriend without telling your brother? Don't worry, if your brother still cares about your dating life, just talk to your sister Ranran. You should seize the time to do what you need to do while you're young."
"Ranran, what are you saying! My brother would never interfere with my dating life. What do you think I've been doing in Beijing for the past six months? But no wonder some people say that first love is something to be cherished and remembered. I'm not ready to get hurt again yet."
When Hong Xinran heard Shao Qile say this, if she hadn't noticed the slight flicker in Shao Qile's eyes as he spoke, and the way his eyelashes unconsciously drooped down, obscuring the glint in his eyes, she might have believed eighty percent of what Shao Qile said.
"Lele, come tell Ranran, who is that guy who has such bad taste, who finally managed to win over our little princess but then gave up on her?"
“His name was Michel, and he was a romantic Frenchman. But the initial feelings faded. You know, cultural differences, lifestyle habits, and other issues arose. And I definitely wouldn't go to France with him, and he couldn't bear to leave his family there either. We broke up amicably.”
Upon hearing Shao Qile's words, Hong Xinran realized that she actually remembered this Michelle, as if Shao Qibin had mentioned her before. She wondered whether Shao Qile's relationship with this so-called Michelle was genuine or not.
"Oh, sorry, Lele, I didn't mean to."
"Ranran, I'm not that fragile. Relationships are a matter of fate for everyone. Michelle and I just haven't met yet. Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Am I dressed a bit too extravagantly?" She wore a modified pink cheongsam, the hem not a traditional slit, but rather a slanted cut, adorned with flowing tassels that swayed slightly with her steps, revealing a hint of skin. Her long hair was styled beautifully, adorned with pink crystal hair accessories that complemented her earrings. She looked as pretty and delicate as a pink rosebud, radiating a dreamlike, rosy glow.
"How could that be? Our Lele looks absolutely gorgeous dressed like this. If I were a man, I would definitely be completely captivated by her." Hong Xinran's words were quite sincere.
The woman before me, Shao Qile, was youthful and beautiful, yet exuded an elegant and noble air in every gesture. This kind of nobility is not something that just anyone can possess. Perhaps only someone like Shao Qile, a third-generation member of the elite, who is in the most elite circle in China, can cultivate such an temperament through natural influence.
Conversely, the more outstanding Shao Qile was, the more subconsciously wary Hong Xinran became. Out of a woman's instinctive defensiveness, and thinking of the phone call she had just received, Hong Xinran smiled and said, "Did our Lele invite a male companion today, since she's the main character?"
"Um, I had completely forgotten about it if Ranran hadn't mentioned it."
"I knew you seemed like a meticulous person, but when it comes to things that concern you, you always become so careless. Look at this guy I introduced you to, are you satisfied?"
"Ranran, you're teasing me again. But who are you going to introduce as my date? I won't accept anyone who doesn't meet my brother's standards." Shao Qile had already received the news and had a pretty good idea in mind.