Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
He turned to Shi Nianyao and instructed, “You put on the red one.”
Then, he left the room.
Qiao Lian looked at the yellow traditional dress and changed into it.
As they were changing, they suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
Almost immediately, they heard the makeup artist say, “Sister Qiao, what brings you here?”
Another voice replied, “My makeup is smudged, please fix it for me.”
Sounding rather nervous, the makeup artist said, “Sure, please give me a moment.”
She found the opportunity to dash into the changing room, instructing them, “You two, don’t come out! Come out only after she leaves!”
Qiao Lian and Shi Nianyao nodded in unison.
The other voice they had just heard sounded familiar to Qiao Lian. She peered through the door crack leading to the makeup room and saw a lady in traditional costume, sitting at the dressing table.
From the side profile, she had a rather upturned nose and a pair of delicate eyes.
Even though she looked different from the person in Qiao Lian’s memory, Qiao Lian recognized her right away.
Her cousin Qiao Yiyi!
Qiao Lian’s pupils shrank immediately and froze on the spot, as though electrocuted.
She stared at Qiao Yiyi with disbelief. She would have never imagined that she would run into her under such circumstances.
Qiao Lian knew that she couldn’t avoid this forever. The day would come that she would have to return to Suzhou and face reality.
It was just that she hadn’t expected that they would meet so abruptly; she felt completely unprepared and defenseless.
The makeup artist was talking to Qiao Yiyi, saying, “Sister Qiao, have you seen Best Actor Shen?”
Qiao Yiyi laughed and said, “I’ve seen him. He’s much better looking in real life than on TV! Furthermore, the traditional outfit he’s wearing… absolutely stunning!”
The makeup artist laughed. “When it comes to outfits, we admire Best Actor Shen the most. His carriage is incomparable! Except, of course, hehe… Best Actor Shen comes across rather cold.”
Qiao Yiyi pouted and kept silent.
Her assistant, on the other hand, interjected, “Best Actor Shen might treat other people coldly, but how could he possibly be cold with our Sister Qiao?”
The makeup artist realized that she had said something she shouldn’t have and quickly corrected herself, “That’s right. Our Sister Qiao is not just anyone. She’s so stunning, who’d dare be rude to her? Perhaps when Best Actor Shen sees her, he will immediately change his attitude! But Sister Qiao has just made her first public appearance and she’s already acting alongside Best Actor Shen. How fortunate!”
Qiao Yiyi was appeased by these words.
After her makeup was fixed, Qiao Yiyi stood up and said, “I’m going into the changing room. My undergarment has come loose.”
On this note, she directly entered the changing room.
The makeup artist tried to stop her but alas, it was too late.
Meanwhile, as Qiao Yiyi walked into the changing room and pushed open the door, she saw the two girls and exclaimed in shock, “Ahhhh!”
The makeup artist hurried over and explained, “They are here to get changed and will be leaving immediately.”
She shot Qiao Lian and Shi Nianyao a look and snapped, “Hurry up and leave.”
Shi Nianyao immediately yanked Qiao Lian along as she headed out of the room.
However, as they were walking past Qiao Yiyi, the latter suddenly pressed her hand up against Qiao Lian’s shoulder.
Qiao Lian halted, but did not turn around. Nevertheless, Qiao Yiyi exclaimed loudly with surprise, “Qiao Lian?!”
Still, Qiao Lian did not turn around.
But even if she hadn’t turned around, that brief face-to-face meeting was enough for Qiao Yiyi to recognize her. After all, they had lived together for more than ten years.
She intensified the force she exerted on Qiao Lian’s shoulder and her voice sharpened, “Qiao Lian! I know it’s you!”
“Huh, fancy seeing you again after so many years. How unexpected that the pampered little girl is now a small-time actress!”