Even if Shao Qibin now has some affection for Hong Xinran, have you ever heard of a politician publicly marrying a celebrity? We've heard of many actresses marrying into wealthy families, but most of these families are prominent business tycoons. It's not easy for a daughter of a businessman to marry into a politician's family, let alone a female celebrity.
"Ah, Ranran, I'm sorry, I was just too excited, so I rambled on a bit. But, Ranran, my brother is a real catch, and he's still single. If you're interested in becoming my sister-in-law, I'll definitely be the first to support you." Shao Qile seemed oblivious to the warning in Shao Qibin's eyes and continued to say those teasing words that made one's forehead veins throb.
"Mayor Shao is indeed young and promising, handsome and talented, a truly charming man. However, I feel that a busy man like Mayor Shao needs a virtuous wife and loving mother who can gently care for him amidst his busy work schedule. I'm afraid I'm not up to that role. My current schedule is already booked until next spring. So, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Lele." Hong Xinran's response to Shao Qile's somewhat rambling words was so impeccable, as if she were patiently talking to a disobedient child. Her skillful handling of her fan was truly astonishing.
Shao Qibin's slightly furrowed brows relaxed. His conversation with Hong Xinran was extremely comfortable. It was hard to imagine that such an experienced and skilled person could be just a girl in her early twenties. This was also why Shao Qibin felt that his younger sister's liking of such a celebrity didn't lower his standards, and he even considered inviting Hong Xinran home for a visit in the future.
As a result, Shao Qile, who had always been enthusiastic about matchmaking for his brother, was utterly astonished when his first words to Hong Xinran were to act as a matchmaker. This immature Shao Qile was completely different from his usual well-behaved, considerate, and sensible self. It even gave Shao Qibin the illusion that his sister was worried about his personal charm and doubted his ability to find a wife, which was why she was so eager to find him a partner. Li Jianmei had been like that before, and now Hong Xinran was showing some signs of it, and even Wu Xinyu from the Wu family who had come from S Province a few days ago seemed to be doing the same.
These past few days, after going out with Wu Xinyu, I've made sure to subtly speak well of her to him.
However, even if one finds it strange, one cannot say that Shao Qile did anything wrong, considering that the younger sister was so enthusiastic about finding a partner for her brother.
"Alright, Lele, it's rare for Miss Hong to come to our house, and Miss Hong and I have some things to discuss. I've already asked Secretary He to buy the groceries. I've told Miss Hong that you're a very good cook, and there's still an hour or two before dinner. I'm sure that's enough time for you to show off your skills."
"Ugh! Brother, how could you do this! I finally get to see Sister Ranran, and you still want me to cook! You talk to Sister Ranran, don't worry about me, just let me get a closer look at her. As for dinner, we can order takeout, I guarantee it'll be a hundred times better than mine. I don't want to embarrass myself in front of Sister Ranran." Shao Qile, feigning a fervent fan eager to seize every moment with her idol, inwardly crossed out Shao Qibin's suggestion. Occasionally cooking meals and late-night snacks for Shao Qibin was to increase his favorability, but now asking her to become a cook and cook a meal for Hong Xinran? Forget it!
"Mayor Shao, I see Lele just came back from outside; she must be exhausted from the whole day. Just grab something quick to eat out tonight, no need to trouble her. Come on, Lele, sit next to me." Hong Xinran keenly sensed Shao Qile's resistance to cooking. Thinking that she herself didn't particularly enjoy cooking, and besides, she didn't have high expectations for the food prepared by a young lady like Shao Qile, she didn't want to deprive herself of it. So why not go along with it and help Shao Qile out?
Shao Qile obediently sat quietly next to Hong Xinran, gazing at her with fascination, seemingly oblivious to her conversation with Shao Qibin. He appeared completely uninterested in Hong Xinran's suggestion to establish a film school in T City, or even to set up a film and television base in the old city area currently undergoing renovation, attracting film and television talent from all over the country to develop in T City—a suggestion that would not only boost the development of professional schools in T City but also bring a new direction to the city's economy.
Even halfway through the conversation, Shao Qile somehow found a drawing board and started sketching Hong Xinran.
After Shao Qibin and Hong Xinran finished their conversation, Shao Qile's sketch was also completed!
"Lele, your drawing is so beautiful! I can't believe it's me! You draw so well!" Although Hong Xinran had heard that Mayor Shao's sister, Shao Qile, was also a genius, after their recent interaction, she thought she was just a spoiled girl. Now, seeing the simple and elegant version of herself drawn by Shao Qile, she was genuinely surprised and amazed.
"I'm glad Ranran likes it. It's all my brother's fault. He didn't tell me beforehand that he was inviting Ranran over, so I didn't prepare a gift. I could only draw this sketch for Ranran first. I hope Ranran likes it." Tearing the drawing paper from the sketchbook and handing it to Hong Xinran, Shao Qile smiled like an innocent child who had been praised.
When the group finished their conversation, the takeout that Shao Qile had ordered while they were talking had already arrived.
Shao Qile opened Shao Qibin's cabinet with practiced ease, took out Shao Qibin's treasured red wine, and then set out the delivered takeout with bowls and plates before enthusiastically beckoning Shao Qibin and Hong Xinran to come and eat.
After seeing Hong Xinran off and tidying up the living room, Shao Qile went back to his room to take a shower and relax. He simply smiled at the questions raised by the system.
"Aren't you afraid that by actively speaking well of your competitors in front of the task target, you'll increase the difficulty of the game and ultimately lead to failure?"
"Don't you think this is more fun?"
She's merely taking preventative measures! Everything she's doing now is simply preparing for any future changes. Of everyone, only Li Jianmei knows about Shao Qile's illicit affair with Shao Qibin. Since she's focusing her attacks on Li Jianmei, she should be prepared for Li Jianmei to turn the tables on her later.
With the precautions she's taken now in place, even if things really do turn out badly, Shao Qibin certainly won't believe it.
The initial disbelief, when finally brought to light, coupled with her efforts to find a girlfriend for Shao Qibin, and ultimately confirmed her secret and painful love, will achieve the greatest effect!
She has never been one to take things one step at a time. To perfectly complete this game and return to the people who love her and whom she loves as soon as possible, she has to be careful and calculating in every aspect.
Moreover, her opponent is no pushover either; he's not easy to deal with!
Author's Note:
31 Transmigrated Female Supporting Characters
Chapter 30: The Transmigrated Female Supporting Character
"Wow, does Sister Ranran know the designer of Beauty? She can just take clothes directly from the store and leave. That VIP card looks really impressive. Speaking of which, Beauty's owner, Zhang Yue, is just as talented as Sister Ranran. Although my brothers always say I'm amazing, compared to Sister Ranran and Zhang Yue, I'm far inferior." Hong Xinran had some time to spend in T City recently because she had a movie filming nearby and was also doing a promotional job for T City. Shao Qile had been spending more time with Hong Xinran. For example, when she casually complimented Hong Xinran's clothes, Hong Xinran enthusiastically took her to the Beauty store to choose some clothes.
The Shao family certainly doesn't lack money to buy clothes, but clothes given by an idol, especially ones with personalized image advice, carry a different meaning. If Shao Qile were truly just an eighteen-year-old fangirl, he might very well be completely captivated by Hong Xinran's star power.
"Everyone has their own strengths, and every field has its own geniuses. I'm good at acting, which is why I've made a name for myself in this industry. And in this circle, there are so many beautiful and talented young people emerging. My fame is not only due to my own hard work, but also thanks to the blessings of fate, which allowed me to encounter good scripts, good directors, and good production teams. As for Zhang Yue, the owner of Beauty, we're friends. She's an extremely quick-witted person, always coming up with all sorts of novel ideas, making her a great investor and an excellent designer. Just like Lele, you can draw architectural plans and have a real talent for architecture. I've heard that the design plans for the newly developed villa area in Beijing were done by you, Lele. And that's something neither Zhang Yue nor I can do."
"Sister Ranran is so gentle. I'm not that sensitive. Although I can't compare to Sister Ranran and Zhang Yue, I'm still someone that other people my age can look up to!" Shao Qile said this with great pride. She was naturally proud and flamboyant. But when necessary, in order to create a qualified fan image, what's wrong with doing some things that a normal eighteen-year-old girl would do and saying some things that an eighteen-year-old girl would say?
“Yes, Lele is an enviable little genius.” Hong Xinran didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but even though Shao Qile in front of her was smiling and looking at her with starry eyes, she still had a strange feeling of incongruity. “Isn’t Lele interested in Zhang Yue? I just heard that she has recently returned to T City. Maybe we can go to her studio to find her.”
"You mean Beauty's studio?" Shao Qile had originally planned to head home and end today's schedule, but it seemed she needed to change it. "Wow, that sounds really cool."
Hong Xinran watched Shao Qile smile, revealing two delicate dimples on her cheeks. Bathed in the warm hues of the autumn afternoon sunlight, and with her ponytail swaying slightly behind her head, she looked like a little angel who had wandered into the human world. How could such a charming and adorable girl with a smile remind her of the bewitching shadows of the half-moon?
Beauty's studio is located in a newly developed creative industry park in T City, which is home to a range of emerging industries including animation, IT, and electronics. The streets are wide, the green spaces are beautifully designed, and a river flows through the area, creating a wonderful environment. However, because it was only developed in recent years, the foot traffic isn't very high. As these emerging companies move in, apartment buildings will be constructed nearby. Furthermore, according to information Shao Qile overheard from Shao Qibin, a university town will also be planned near the creative industry park, both to boost university graduate employment and to provide talent for various companies.
When I arrived at Beauty's studio, I happened to see a group of models trying on clothes in preparation for their winter fashion show in two weeks. Zhang Yue, the main designer for the show, was busy among the models. To achieve the perfect look for the show, she needed to coordinate styling and makeup. A dedicated makeup room was set up next to the studio, staffed with internationally renowned makeup artists and stylists.
"Ranran, it seems we've come at the wrong time. Perhaps we should come another time," Shao Qile said to Hong Xinran, observing the busy yet orderly scene in the studio.
"Xinran, you're here. Come help me out. Take a look at the overall makeup and styling of these models, and then give me a feedback form." Wearing ten-centimeter high heels, with neat short hair, her makeup wasn't heavy, even just a light nude look, but she had painted her lips a striking bright red, grabbing all attention. This woman in a simple white suit exuded a queenly aura, radiating an overwhelming presence.
Hong Xinran, who had been given paper and pen, smiled helplessly: "Well, Zhang Yue, this is Mayor Shao's sister, Shao Qile. You can call her Lele. She really likes your design."
"Lele, right? Make yourself at home. I'll borrow Xinran for a bit. There are drinks and snacks at the bar over there. You can sit there for a while." Zhang Yue nodded to Shao Qile and then hurriedly pulled Hong Xinran to get to work.
The people in the studio seemed to be moving around like they were on wheels of fire, while Zhang Yue was like a queen who commanded with composure amidst the chaos. Without shouting or reprimanding, she could make the people in front of her, who were obviously a few years older than her, work efficiently with just a slight frown or a glance.
The appearance of Hong Xinran, a superstar who has garnered national attention, did not cause any commotion in the studio. The models were focused on letting the costume assistants take care of their clothes, or going to the dressing room next door to change their makeup and hairstyles as arranged by Zhang Yue.
Shao Qile sat alone on a high stool at the bar, watching Zhang Yue and Hong Xinran's seamless collaboration, recalling the hints Hong Xinran had given him on the way. Shao Qile thought of the outline's settings for the transmigrated female lead and supporting female character. Perhaps, for men, women who are too assertive and lack tact are generally not very appealing. Even though the original setting designed Shao Qibin as a harem man with one man and multiple women, it was probably to avoid alienating female readers that the "supporting female character" was created to complement the so-called "female lead."
Like Hong Xinran, Zhang Yue is a highly capable transmigrator from another world. Hong Xinran is a big star on screen, while Zhang Yue is a genius designer and investor. Their initial storyline naturally follows a tale of sisterly affection between two transmigrated women. However, when these two close friends with similar experiences fall in love with the same man, the outcome takes a different turn.
Beautiful and elegant, with a gentle yet resilient nature, Hong Xinran first met Shao Qibin. Their shared ideas sparked a connection. Meanwhile, Zhang Yue, introduced to Shao Qibin by Hong Xinran, was equally beautiful, but like a thorny rose—delicate yet overly assertive, inevitably losing the initiative.
In this competition between the red rose and the white rose, the red rose lost because it was one step too late, because it was too stubborn and strong.
Now, it seems that Hong Xinran is going to follow the original plot and introduce Zhang Yue to Shao Qibin. One reason is to expand the influence of Zhang Yue's studio, and the other is to let Shao Qibin know about Hong Xinran's network of relationships. I wonder what Hong Xinran will think if she finds out that her introduction has created a love rival for her.
After all, after spending some time together, Shao Qile, who was acting as a third wheel, clearly noticed the hormonal attraction between Shao Qibin and Hong Xinran.
Hong Xinran's idea of introducing Zhang Yue to Shao Qibin was probably related to their plan to open a film and television school, which would certainly involve art-related projects such as costume design. If this project could get the support of Beauty Studio, it would naturally be much more efficient.