It was supposed to be a typical pampering session, the kind Yun Xiyan had indulged in a thousand times before, strolling into Lunaria with Xu Meilin by her side. The air was thick with the scent of luxury, the soft hum of exclusive chatter, and the promise of flawless skin and perfect nails.
But as they approached the salon's grand doors, Yun Xiyan's steps faltered.
Her gaze zeroed in on the figure standing just outside, a lone silhouette that immediately stole her attention.
Her heart skipped.
"No... it can't be," Yun Xiyan thought, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "Isn't that the female lead?"
There, just on the other side of the salon's glass doors, stood Xia Qinglan. The girl who was meant to have her first meaningful encounter with the male lead Xu Yanfei much, much later. She wasn't supposed to cross paths with him until the plot reached a pivotal turning point, after a series of misunderstandings and slowly building tension.
But here she was. At Lunaria. A place where only the highest of society could step foot.
"What is she doing here?" Yun Xiyan thought, her mind racing. "Is this because I'm here? Did my presence... disrupt the timeline?"
She had spent so much time preparing, subtly shifting the story's course around Li Mochen. She never imagined that Xia Qinglan and Xu Yanfei would meet so soon.
Yun Xiyan's grip on her purse tightened, her mind whirling with the implications. Did she really have that much power to alter the storyline? Did changing Li Mochen's fate cause this ripple?
Xu Meilin, ever the observant one, noticed the sudden shift in Yun Xiyan's demeanor. She paused, following her gaze to the mysterious figure standing at the entrance.
"Who's that?" Xu Meilin asked, her voice curious but tinged with amusement. "Do you know her, Yanyan?"
Yun Xiyan blinked, catching herself. "No, no... Just wondering why she's loitering at the door like that."
Xu Meilin let out a soft, almost playful chuckle. "Maybe she's lost. Or waiting for her prince charming."
But Yun Xiyan wasn't laughing. Her attention had already shifted. Her gaze was no longer fixed on the female lead, it was now locked on something far more alarming. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xu Yanfei walking toward Xia Qinglan, a bright smile on his face as he extended a hand to her. Without hesitation, he guided her inside the salon.
"So, they've already met," Yun Xiyan thought, her mind racing. "But… this could be good. This means Li Mochen is out of the picture. With the female lead and male lead on its original path, Li Mochen can truly become his own person, and the plot can shift in a new direction."
Her relief was short-lived, however, as Xu Meilin suddenly stood up straighter, her expression flipping from curiosity to full-blown shock. She pointed urgently toward the door.
"Wait a second… Isn't that my big brother?!" Meilin's voice rose with alarm. "Why is he leading that girl inside the salon? Who is she?"
Yun Xiyan quickly placed a hand on her best friend's arm, urging her to stay calm. "Linlin, it's probably nothing. Maybe it's just your brother with a companion."
But Xu Meilin wasn't having it. She was already tugging Yun Xiyan forward, her steps growing faster as she dragged her friend toward the salon. "I don't care if it's nothing! I need to see this for myself!"
The moment they crossed the threshold of the salon, the staff was quick to greet them, as always.
"Welcome back, Young Lady Yun, Young Lady Xu," the receptionist called out with a warm smile.
Yun Xiyan gave a polite nod, her smile soft and composed. But Xu Meilin was already on edge, her eyes scanning every corner of the salon with pinpoint focus. Her gaze landed on the one person she was searching for — her brother. There he was, chatting with the hairstylist, while Xia Qinglan sat in the chair, looking slightly out of place.
Without a second thought, Xu Meilin quickened her pace, practically dragging Yun Xiyan behind her. "Big brother!" Her voice rang through the salon, cutting through the soft murmur of the space.
Xu Yanfei turned, his expression briefly startled before he broke into a small and gentle smile. "Linlin," he greeted her, his voice smooth.
"Who is she?" Xu Meilin demanded, arms crossed defiantly. "Does Mother know about your little date?"
Xu Yanfei's eyes flickered toward Xia Qinglan, who was still awkwardly standing, and then back to the figure standing behind his sister. Recognition lit his face. "Yun Xiyan? It's been quite some time since we last met."
Yun Xiyan offered a poised smile, her tone cool. "Yes, the last time was at my mother's birthday banquet. I've been quite busy since then."
Before Xu Yanfei could respond, Meilin slung her arm around Yun Xiyan's shoulders, pulling her closer. "Duh, Yanyan's going to be a famous painter. No time for to fool around with someone random like—" Her voice trailed off, a sharp glint in her eyes as she subtly hinted at the girl sitting quietly nearby.
Xia Qinglan's fingers tightened into a fist behind her bag, but no one noticed.
"Linlin, don't be rude," Xu Yanfei chided gently, clearly trying to smooth things over. "She's a friend I made recently. Let me introduce you."
He reached over to Xia Qinglan, gently taking her hand "This is Xia Qinglan, she's around your age. We met in a café."
Meilin gave Xia Qinglan a long, appraising look before sneering. "Are you sure she didn't stage this meeting to get your attention?"
Yun Xiyan, standing just beside Xu Meilin, could see the shift in Xia Qinglan's expression, a subtle discomfort, the kind that betrayed her carefully controlled facade.
"Wait a minute," Yun Xiyan thought, her eyes narrowing with sudden realization. "Could it be that the female lead was reborn?" The thought struck her like a bolt of lightning, and her mind raced to piece together the truth. "No wonder everything's moving so fast. She must've planned this."
Inside, Xia Qinglan's fury simmered beneath a veneer of perfect composure. She stood there, her gaze fixed on the figure beside Xu Meilin, her heart swelling with a bitter, gnawing envy. In her past life, there had been no woman like this. Yes, she had been reborn.
Xia Qinglan clenched her fist tighter, her nails biting into her palm. She had never seen someone so overwhelmingly beautiful, so effortlessly mesmerising. The woman's every movement was like a symphony of elegance, her presence so commanding, so radiant, it was as if she were crafted by divine hands. Her flawless features, her figure, each step she took was poetry in motion, every glance a spellbinding invitation.
What a vixen, Xia Qinglan seethed inwardly, the words sharp as daggers, laced with venom and disdain.
For so long, Xia Qinglan had believed no one could rival her in beauty, that she was untouchable, the very pinnacle of perfection. But now, standing in the presence of this woman, all that certainty crumbled into dust. She was wrong.
The jealousy rose up in her like a firestorm, hot and suffocating. It twisted in her chest, burning through her veins with the force of an inferno. She ground her teeth together, the fury blinding her as she glared at the woman, whose beauty was so blinding it made her own seem insignificant, a mere whisper in comparison.
With every second, the bitterness festered, a desperate, seething need to overshadow her, to be the one who commanded attention, to capture every gaze in the room.
Now that she had been reborn, Xia Qinglan swore she would rewrite her fate. In her past life, her ending had been a cruel joke, a life full of shattered dreams and humiliating defeats. She had no place among the Li, Xu, or Zhang families, cast aside for her naivety and mistakes. But this time—this time would be different.
She would not fall victim to her own foolishness. She would become the angel she had always been meant to be, the one everyone admired, the one who finally claimed her rightful place. Xia Qinglan quickly compose herself and flashes a dazzling smile, "Hello my name is Xia Qinglan, you must be Linlin, Yanfei's little sister." Xu Meilin rolls her eyes and snaps, her voice sharp and dismissive "Who are you to call me Linlin, nobody except for my family and best friend calls me that! It's Young Lady Xu to you." Xia Qinglan smile froze, she didn't expect that this little sister would not give her any face.
The other young ladies around the salon couldn't help but giggle quietly, whispering to each other in hushed tones, though Xia Qinglan could hear every word, "What an embarrassment. Who the hell is this girl talking to the Young Lady of the Xu and Yun family like that."
The other ladies couldn't resist joining in, sneering, "I know, right? Doesn't she realise she's risking offending those families?" Xia Qinglan seethed with rage, but she could only swallow her anger. Gripping her teeth, she puts out an innocent and pure facade, laced with a friendly smile. "Yes, my apologies, Young Lady Xu. It's my fault. I'm new to high society and not yet familiar with the customs."
Yun Xiyan watched the scene unfold, snorting and rolling her eyes. "This female lead's acting is impressive," she thought. "If I hadn't read the novel, I might have believed her innocence."
Just then, Xu Yanfei stepped in, his face full of guilt, as though he couldn't bear to see his "friend" becoming the target of ridicule from the young heiresses of B Country. "Alright, alright, Linlin, that's enough. Qinglan's already apologized, okay?"
Yun Xiyan, already bored with the scene, couldn't even bring herself to watch or listen to the female lead's fake performance. She tugged at Xu Meilin's sleeve, trying to lift her spirits. "Come on, Linlin, we came here for a full glam, not to waste time on someone unimportant." Her gaze briefly flicked over to the figure standing next to Xu Yanfei before she turned and walked toward the private room reserved just for the two of them.
Xu Meilin flicked her hair and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Exactly. We came here to get glammed up, not to deal with... her." She shot a final glance at Xia Qinglan before turning to Yun Xiyan. "Let's go, Yanyan."
The two girls walk towards the elevator with staffs trailing behind them. The other young ladies with the show over continue on with their appoinment acting like nothing just happened, leaving Xu Yanfei and Xia Qinglan in place.
"Sorry about that, Qinglan," Xu Yanfei said, trying to smooth things over. "My little sister's been spoiled since she was young and has a bit of a temper. I hope it doesn't bother you."
Xia Qinglan clenched her jaw, biting her tongue so hard it almost drew blood. But she held it in, pushing down her irritation. Her eyes were set on one goal: becoming the next Madam Xu. If Xu Yanfei's sister was going to be an obstacle, then she would just face her.
"Of course, Yanfei," Xia Qinglan replied, her voice dripping with just the right amount of sweetness. "I understand. Being the Young Lady of the Xu family means she's had everything handed to her on a golden platter." She flashed a knowing smile, watching as Xu Yanfei let out a small, appreciative smile in return.
But underneath her calm exterior, Xia Qinglan's mind was spinning. There was one thing that had been gnawing at her ever since she stepped into the room: the woman accompanying Xu Meilin. Who is she?
Unable to shake the thought, Xia Qinglan leaned in a little closer to Xu Yanfei, her gaze still fixed on the mysterious lady. She tugged gently on Yanfei's arm, her voice soft but insistent. "Yanfei, do you know the young lady with your little sister? You two seem quite close," she asked, her tone deceptively casual.
Xu Yanfei looked at her, giving a slow hum of agreement. "Ah, yes, she's a family friend. Linlin and I have known her since we were kids. Our families often held banquets together, and she was always there. But over the years, we've all gotten busy, and we rarely see each other. Now, she mostly spends time with Linlin."
Xia Qinglan absorbed the answer, but the unease in her chest didn't quite subside. A family friend? he answer didn't quite sit right with Xia Qinglan. There was still an unsettling undercurrent to the situation, something off about the bond between Xu Meilin and this mysterious woman. What was really going on here? She wasn't going to drop it so easily.
She leaned in slightly, her tone casual but probing. "When you say family friend... is she the daughter of one of the four families in B Country?" she asked, watching Xu Yanfei's expression closely.
Xu Yanfei raised an eyebrow, the question clearly catching her off guard. Xia Qinglan quickly backpedaled, offering a polite smile. "I'm just curious, Yanfei. If it's too difficult to answer, don't worry about it."
But Xu Yanfei gave her a knowing smile, as if she'd seen through the veiled question. "She's Yun Xiyan, the only daughter of the Yun Family," he said, offering no further details.
Xia Qinglan's curiosity clawed at her, The Yun Family... That was part of the answer, but it didn't explain everything. From her memories of her past life, she knew the Xu Family was the titan in B Country—the family, the one that controlled everything. They were the ones who dictated the rules, whose name sent ripples of fear through even the most powerful. No one stood taller than them, and certainly no one was capable of rivaling them. The Xu Family was the power.
The Yun Family, on the other hand, was almost invisible in comparison. They were powerful, yes, but quiet and discreet, never seeking attention, never appearing on the front pages of tabloids. They were the kind of family that moved in the shadows, never truly in the public eye.
And Yun Xiyan? Xia Qinglan couldn't help but let out a small, satisfied breath. She had been nothing more than a second-rate daughter of a well-off family, likely overlooked by most. There was no way someone like her could hold a candle to the Xu Family's towering legacy.
The realisation filled Xia Qinglan's heart with a sense of calm superiority. Of course, she thought, her confidence returning in full force. Yun Xiyan might be an exceptional beauty, but that was nothing compared to the Xu Family's influence. She was just another rich girl—easily ignored, easily dismissed. And she was about to be the next Madam Xu, standing side by side with Xu Yanfei.
Xia Qinglan's chest swelled with satisfaction. She's nothing, she repeated in her mind, the words soothing her like a balm. No threat. No competition. Just another fool in my way. She couldn't help but smile, her mind at ease, the tension melting away as she once again saw herself as the shining star.
But what Xia Qinglan failed to see, in her blinded confidence, was that in a few years, everything she believed to be true would be upended. She was wrong. So completely, so disastrously wrong.
The conversation shifted as Xu Yanfei lightly stirred the topic. "I've already spoken to the staff. They said you can have your hair and nails done here. If they ask for the bill, just mention my name. They know me well, especially since Linlin always comes here and never bothers to pay for herself."
Xia Qinglan's face softened into a smile of gratitude. "Thank you, Yanfei," she said, her expression warm. Her smile made Xu Yanfei's heart flutter slightly, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her chest.
But then Xia Qinglan's expression faltered, her eyes flicking to the door nervously. "Is it really okay for me to be here, Yanfei? I'm worried someone might cause trouble for me."
Xu Yanfei, sensing her discomfort, gently took her hand in his, offering a reassuring squeeze. His voice, soft yet firm, broke through the tension. "Of course it's okay, Qinglan," he said, his gaze steady. "I've already told the staff that you're with me. And with Linlin here too, I hope the two of you can get along." His smile was warm,"I want my little sister and the girl I like to be on good terms."
Xia Qinglan forced a smile, though it barely reached her eyes. Her lips curved, but there was no warmth in it, just a cool, practiced expression. "Of course, Yanfei. Don't worry about a thing."
Xu Yanfei, oblivious to the subtle shift in her demeanour, gave her a reassuring nod before excusing himself to attend to his responsibilities at the company. Father Xu was grooming him to be the successor, and his obligations demanded his attention.
With Xu Yanfei gone, the air around Xia Qinglan seemed to change. The mask of innocence that she had carefully maintained fell away for just a second, replaced by something far more calculating. Her smile twisted into something darker, her eyes glinting with cold ambition.
Unbeknownst to Xia Qinglan, from the second floor where the private rooms were tucked away, Yun Xiyan had stepped out for a moment, her eyes catching sight of the scene below. She watched quietly, her gaze sharp, as Xia Qinglan's expression shifted slipped past the mask she had so carefully worn.
Yun Xiyan's lips curled into a quiet, knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "My, my..." she thought, the words dripping with quiet satisfaction. "Now that Xu Yanfei is gone, it seems her mask isn't holding up so well, is it?"
Her gaze lingered on Xia Qinglan, watching the calculated malice take hold beneath the surface. "I wonder what kind of scheme she's cooking up now", Yun Xiyan mused darkly, her mind already racing with possibilities.