Chapter 6

Chapter 6: 006 – Beauty Qiao Tested the Limits

In the past, when Master wanted information, she’d order Little Tabby Cat around like a servant. Now she didn’t seem to need it at all.

And she didn’t tell it her plans anymore.

The thought hit like a cold slap.

It felt… discarded.

—

Once the system withdrew, Qiao Qing Yan opened her eyes again.

She stared at the spot where it had vanished, the faintest curve of interest returning to her mouth.

She wanted to see where the Quick-Transmigration Bureau’s bottom line was this time.

Again and again, she crossed lines that taskers never dared cross.

This time, the Bureau didn’t react at all.

Instead, it indulged her.

She wanted to know what those people were plotting—and how long they’d tolerate her.

—

When Wu Lan arrived in the Capital, she didn’t rush to find Qiao Qing Yan. She made a few calls as a formality. When no one answered, she stopped calling.

Instead, she went straight to another artist’s hotel room.

“Sister Lan, what do we do?” The woman on the sofa looked pretty with her eyes reddened, tears clinging to her lashes as she threw herself into Wu Lan’s arms. “Tonight’s award gala…”

She cried softly, fragile as a white lotus that couldn’t survive without someone holding her up.

Xu Shu Jing was the other artist under Wu Lan—besides Qiao Qing Yan.

She was also the one Wu Lan had planned to trade Qiao Qing Yan for, in exchange for Director Liu’s resources last night.

Wu Lan’s jaw tightened. “What happened last night? Why did you… why did you go—” Everything had been arranged. So why—

Even if someone was caught the next day, it should have been Qiao Qing Yan. How had it suddenly become…?

“W-Waa…” Xu Shu Jing’s shoulders shook. “Sister Lan, I… I-I don’t know either…”

“I just got a text telling me to go out.” She sobbed harder, voice breaking. “Who knew that when I woke up, it was…”

Xu Shu Jing was a newcomer the company had been pushing hard. If you looked closely, you could see she resembled Qiao Qing Yan—a similar shape to her face, a certain look around the eyes.

But their beauty sat in different registers. Qiao Qing Yan was bright and bold, like fire.

Xu Shu Jing was young and innocent, all soft edges.

“All right.” Wu Lan forced her voice into something soothing, though confidence didn’t reach her own chest. “The company will find a way to solve this.”

She could only hope they’d handle it cleanly, after pouring so many resources into Xu Shu Jing.

Otherwise, losing such a promising prospect would make it hard for Wu Lan to hold her ground.

Xu Shu Jing sniffled, lifting her head as if remembering something. “Sister Lan… is Sister Qing Yan okay? Wasn’t she drunk last night…”

The moment Wu Lan heard that name, heat flashed behind her eyes.

“At a time like this, you’re still worrying about her?”

She didn’t tell Xu Shu Jing the truth—that she’d planned to send Qiao Qing Yan to Director Liu in exchange for resources.

Xu Shu Jing wiped at her tears with trembling fingers, voice soft. “I might not be able to go to tonight’s award ceremony. I just hope Sister Qing Yan can go. That way you won’t lose face.”

Wu Lan frowned. The company had planned for both of them to attend together, using the gala to push Xu Shu Jing to a higher tier.

Qiao Qing Yan was supposed to be nothing but a stepping stone.

“Go to the ceremony tonight without worry,” Wu Lan said, as if she could force reality into obedience. “The company is already arranging public relations.”

Even in this mess, she refused to let Xu Shu Jing give up the opportunity.

Xu Shu Jing nodded, tears hanging at the edge of her lashes. “I’m sorry, Sister Lan. I’ve made everyone work so hard.”

Her voice dropped, almost tender. “I hope Sister Qing Yan won’t be dragged down by me. She’s already so pitiful. I don’t want her involved just because I look a little like her…”

Wu Lan’s breath caught.

Then her eyes lit up.

In the next heartbeat, a plan slid into place.

“Jing Jing,” Wu Lan said quickly, smoothing her hair. “You rest well. This afternoon, the company will arrange someone to pick you up for hair and makeup.”

“Tonight, you’ll definitely shine.”

She tossed out a few more comforting words, then hurried out like she couldn’t afford to waste another minute.

After the door clicked shut, Xu Shu Jing walked to the window.

And curled her lips.