He really was a strange little old man.
Chatting with a humorous old fellow like him was actually quite entertaining; at least he didn’t act on his seniority or play the fool. He just liked to brag a bit too much.
The street bells chimed for the second time.
Xu Xiaoyou glanced at her Gingko Curtain, sensing that the time was about right. Two days had passed, and Tang Xin had sent over the digital contract shortly after they had left the Amazon restaurant.
Reasonably speaking, she should be arriving at the address provided any moment now.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, the doorbell to the security booth rang. Her eyes brightened.
"She’s here."
Upon opening the door, the bright gaze of the blue-haired girl met her own. Tang Xin looked different than she did two days ago; her entire aura had undergone a significant change.
She wore a hooded cloak dress with a black shawl. Beneath the white skirt hem embroidered with floral patterns, her legs were fair and straight. She possessed a clean, elegant temperament, looking like the young miss of a wealthy family. She was also carrying a suitcase that appeared to be packed to the brim.
"Excuse me, is this the Black Swan Apartment?" Tang Xin asked politely.
She poked her head in, her eyes filled with confusion. It seemed she didn't recognize her host. This wasn't surprising—Xu Xiaoyou hadn’t brushed her hair, it was a messy nest, and she was dressed in dowdy clothes. There was no way to connect her current self to the "Yuzu" from two days ago.
"You look very much like someone I know," Tang Xin said with a smile.
"Mmhmm," Xu Xiaoyou nodded.
"Excuse me, is there an owner named Yuzu in Dream of the Black Swan? I saw the address she sent was here... she should be an owner, right?"
Tang Xin looked up at the apartment building. The design of this complex was unique; it didn't quite blend with the European style of the surrounding streets, yet it created a striking artistic aesthetic through the contrast.
The apartment stood dozens of stories high, each floor surrounded by transparent glass curtain walls. Through the glass, a sea-like azure light poured down, revealing various exotic plants growing around the exterior—some as tall as trees, others as low as climbing vines. It felt like being in an otherworldly fairyland.
Whenever night fell, this apartment became a brilliant gem in the Queen's District, drawing people into the dream of the black swan.
Dream of the Black Swan was a high-value piece of real estate in the Queen's District, located in the Second Ring area. In her memory, only people of high social status or wealthy great artists resided in such a place.
"What is her real name?" Xu Xiaoyou asked. "I’ll check for you."
"Ah, that... I don't actually know," Tang Xin admitted.
Xu Xiaoyou nodded thoughtfully, opening the owner archives on her Gingko Curtain and comparing them one by one. Finally, she gave a refreshing smile.
"Found her. Her name is Xu Xiaoyou."
It was only then that Tang Xin noticed the gingko leaf on Xu Xiaoyou's ear.
Wasn't that the exact same Gingko Curtain worn by the manager named Yuzu a few days ago? She had a deep impression of it; that was a commemorative model released by Kowloon Information Enterprise after Vantel created the opera Autumn of Gingko. Only about a hundred pieces were released in the entire Star of Art, and a single unit could sell for over a hundred thousand inspiration.
The other person’s number was even 10000000. To get a number like that, didn't you need massive amounts of money and networking resources?
The figure of the blonde girl in front of her slowly merged with the image of the manager from two days ago, becoming clear. She realized it.
This figure with messy hair, wearing padded cotton clothes and pants—wasn't this the manager, Yuzu!?
"Huh?" Tang Xin was stunned.
"Miss Tang, we meet again," Xu Xiaoyou smiled.
"You... you, wait a minute." Tang Xin's mind was in a state of chaos.
After her brain worked at high speed, she reached a conclusion. This is a company test! The interview is still ongoing right now! If she turned and left now, the company would think her will wasn't firm enough. It had to be that!
Xu Xiaoyou, unaware of Tang Xin's inner monologue, took a sip of instant noodle soup.
"May... May I ask when the training begins? Oh, right, and the employee apartment arranged by the company..."
"Training can start right now. And the employee apartment is right behind me."
Xu Xiaoyou pointed to the security rest area behind her. It was just one room with two beds. She lived there alone; the old man had his own place to go at night.
"Ah... this."
Seeing that the other person seemed serious, Tang Xin didn't know what to do for a moment. She didn't know whether to put down her suitcase.
"...This is still a test, right?"
"Where are the other people in the company? Like other artists or something..." she asked tentatively.
"They're all in this room," Xu Xiaoyou said expressionlessly. "Just you and me."
Tang Xin felt like she had been struck by lightning. Her suitcase dropped to the ground. No matter how naive she was, no matter how many unrealistic fantasies she held, the reality before her forced her to see the truth.
【Character Tang Xin's favorability toward you has changed.】
Xu Xiaoyou glanced at the notification. The drop in favorability was within acceptable limits; it had merely fallen from 【Familiar]】to 【Indifferent】. It could still provide attribute conversions for her. With Social Master as a safety net, her favorability wouldn't drop to 【Stranger】 regardless. It wasn't a big problem.
Just as she was thinking this, Tang Xin's voice reached her.
"This is too much."
The slightly trembling tone made Xu Xiaoyou freeze. She looked up and realized that Tang Xin’s eyes had turned red without her noticing. The girl was biting her lip, staring at her.
"You really went too far."
Simple words, yet they hid countless complex emotions.
"Wait, wait—"
As Xu Xiaoyou reached out, the girl’s chest heaved. She turned and walked away. The door to the security booth closed with a soft thud, but to Xu Xiaoyou, it felt like being hit in the head.
It seemed she had played her hand a bit too far.
She scratched her cheek with her index finger. "You didn't even take your luggage..."
Xu Xiaoyou sighed. She didn't rush to chase after her. Instead, she sat down unhurriedly. The contents of that contract were half-true and half-false; it was normal for the girl to be angry after such a shock.
While it was a bit unethical, she wasn't entirely a "beautiful girl scammer." She truly intended to turn the girl into a dazzling superstar. To make Dream-Chaser Media big and strong, she needed a star with enough influence to make the company known, attract more investment, and create more value.
We have a long time ahead of us, she thought. Once the girl’s emotions stabilized, she would go out and find her.
The cold wind blew. Under the streetlight, the blue-haired girl was shivering. Tang Xin hugged her arms, her gaze fixed on the small pile of snow by her feet.
To make a good impression, she had specifically put on clothes she had bought while working part-time. She had spent a long time dressing up. She loved this beautiful dress and usually couldn't bear to wear it. Now, the fabric was soaked through by the snowflakes. She felt so stupid, being fooled so completely.
What was she going to do now? Signing that contract meant she had no other choice. Breaking it would mean paying a massive penalty fee, and she didn't have a penny to her name.
She had put so much effort into this path, spending so many nights tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The word "dream" suddenly seemed to have grown legs and run far away. She was so unwilling to accept this... The other person had clearly lied to her, yet they maintained that indifferent expression. It was truly too much.
Tang Xin wiped her tear-streaked face. Suddenly, she felt that the small pile of snow by her feet looked exactly like Xu Xiaoyou. In her anger, she reached out and smacked the snow pile into a mess. After doing so, looking at the "decapitated" snow pile on the ground, Tang Xin suddenly burst into a short laugh.
Then, the smile vanished.
She really wanted to call Xiao Yi and ask how the surgery went, but she lacked the courage. She was afraid her friend hadn't made it through, and that the only person she could confide in would vanish.
Tang Xin curled up, hiding her face against her knees as her stomach growled.
Snowflakes fell endlessly, covering her shoulders. In the soft yellow glow, a shadow slowly approached. She looked up and saw a figure silhouetted in gold.
A piece of steaming hot bread was handed to her. Xu Xiaoyou held an umbrella, shielding Tang Xin from the falling snow.
"Alright, don't be angry anymore. Things have come to this; why don't you eat some bread first?"
"Mm..." Tang Xin didn't flare up again. She numbly took the bread.
The next moment, Xu Xiaoyou's voice pierced through the wind and snow, echoing in her ears.
"Isn't it written clearly on that performance-based contract?"
"I swear by the Starry Movement."
"Within five years, I will transform you into a megastar whose name resonates throughout the Universe."
Rate on N.U.
