When Bian Li got into the car, her cheeks were rosy. She held her face and pressed the back of her hand against it, feeling the warmth.
It wasn’t shyness—it was embarrassment.
She never thought in her life that she’d mistake someone else’s car for her own, let alone one from the same company.
Ruan Xiangyi had been chattering since she got in the car, asking why Bian Li had been so slow.
Bian Li raised her hand to close the door of the nanny car and muttered, “Damn it, didn’t you say you’d park directly at the door when you left earlier? Why was it parked so far back this time?”
Ruan Xiangyi, busy editing her Weibo post with photos and selfies from the night’s performance, didn’t even glance up. “I don’t know. Anyway, it’s always safe to double-check the model.”
Bian Li was silent for two rare seconds.
Who would’ve thought that even the models were the same?
As artists, nanny cars usually vary greatly in brand, model, and price. Since their debut, the company has provided excellent resources—high-end cars, a newly upgraded dormitory, and more.
Of course, these resources came with high expectations. The competition for a debut slot in their girl group had been fierce. Trainees gave it their all, fighting for survival and the thrill of a fresh start.
Bian Li consoled herself: ‘We’re all from Yi Qian Entertainment, so it’s no surprise if the cars look alike.’
In the back seat, Ying Xuelai had been dozing off. Noticing the sudden silence, she opened her eyes and looked over.
Bian Li was kneeling on the seat, one leg bent diagonally and the other stretched out, her gaze fixed on the window with an absent look in her eyes.
“Fei Fei,” Ying Xuelai called out softly.
Bian Li snapped out of her daze and turned her head. “Hmm?”
Instead of replying, Ying Xuelai leaned forward and gently pushed Bian Li down onto the seat. “Sit properly,” she said concisely.
Bian Li furrowed her brows but quickly relaxed and teased, “Do you think ‘Fei Fei’ sounds nice? Fans called me all sorts of names today while you were dancing—‘little fairy,’ ‘short legs,’ you name it.”
“Fei Fei” was a nickname her fans had given her. During her early days as a trainee, the company had arranged for her to play the role of a little sister in a senior artist’s drama to attract attention. Though her scenes were few, her soft and adorable demeanor captured the hearts of many.
Back then, she was youthful and doll-like, with an innocent charm that earned her the affectionate nickname. Over the years, her features matured and blossomed, yet traces of that girlish innocence remained.
Now, not just fans but even her family and friends used the nickname. Bian Li liked it—but whether it sounded good was another matter.
Ruan Xiangyi had just sent her Weibo post when she heard Bian Li’s comment. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, “Who are you implying?”
Bian Li shrugged nonchalantly. “I wasn’t talking about you. Whoever feels called out, that’s on them.”
Ruan Xiangyi smirked, feigning offense. “How can ‘Fei Fei’ not sound good? I’ll find you a fat baby later—it’ll be a perfect match!”
Bian Li scowled and lunged forward to tickle Ruan Xiangyi, causing an uproar.
From the driver’s seat, Da Xiong grumbled, “You’re like kids all day. If this car falls apart, are you covering the insurance?”
The girls quieted down momentarily but were soon back to their antics.
The nanny car turned a corner and stopped at the base of their dormitory building.
Their dormitory, recently upgraded by the company, was located in the city center. It boasted top-notch security, including a facial recognition entry system that effectively kept paparazzi out.
As the girls stepped out, Da Xiong called out, “Remember to focus. Stay in the dorms and get plenty of rest. The new album’s coming up soon, along with variety show recordings. It’s going to be a packed schedule, especially with the end of the year approaching. Be ready for the long haul.”
Bian Li blinked in surprise. “What? I thought Ruan Ruan was just being polite when she said we were preparing a new album.”
“It’s real this time!” Da Xiong leaned out of the window, scolding, “And don’t sneak midnight snacks. You’re young now, but eating takeout all day will catch up to you. Stay disciplined!”
Bian Li pouted. “You talk like you’re ancient.”
Da Xiong ignored her, waving as he pulled back into the car. “I’ve sent your schedule to your phones. The company’s also planning a Christmas single. I’ll pick you up for the shoot. Be ready.”
After agreeing, the girls watched the car drive off into the night before heading to their dorm.
Back in the dormitory, Bian Li collapsed onto the sofa, her exhaustion palpable. It had been a whirlwind of a day: makeup, rehearsals, performances, and interviews. From dawn to dusk, she had been spinning like a top, unable to rest for even a moment.
Yet, this was the norm. If a day came without such chaos, she might find herself feeling oddly out of place.
To her credit, the company treated them well. Their new accommodations were luxurious—a spacious flat with an additional half-attic. Ruan Xiangyi and Bian Li’s rooms were situated diagonally across from each other, a setup that offered convenience without sacrificing privacy. Ying Xuelai, preferring solitude, had naturally chosen the attic as her sanctuary.
“I’m taking a shower first,” Ruan Xiangyi announced, grabbing a pillow from the sofa and playfully pressing it against Bian Li’s face before retreating to the bathroom.
Bian Li groaned, her voice muffled through the pillow. “I wonder when the food will arrive.”
Over in the open kitchen, Ying Xuelai rummaged through the fridge. She pulled out a bottle of beer, casually opened it, and took a sip. Her cold demeanor and ethereal poise made her seem almost otherworldly, her posture elegant as ever. From Bian Li’s vantage point, her long lashes cast delicate shadows over her cheeks.
Unable to resist teasing, Bian Li called out, “The cold fairy of braised pork has descended.”
Ying Xuelai’s serene expression cracked slightly as she rolled her eyes, carrying her beer over to the sofa. She nudged Bian Li with her hip. “Move over.”
Bian Li grudgingly slid to the side, her eyes fixated on the beer bottle. “It looks so cold and refreshing. Let me have a sip.”
Ying Xuelai didn’t look impressed. “Last time you tasted it, you said it was disgusting and swore you’d never drink it again.”
Bian Li blinked, puzzled. “I said that?”
Ying Xuelai’s expression grew suspiciously earnest. “Do you really want me to remind you what you said?”
Bian Li hesitated, her curiosity mingling with dread. She had a vague memory of trying beer once and finding the bitterness unbearable, but now she felt a stubborn urge to try it again. Was it the allure of the forbidden or just her innate curiosity? She couldn’t say.
Just as she opened her mouth to reply, the doorbell buzzed twice, breaking the moment.
“That must be the food!” Bian Li exclaimed, springing up to retrieve the delivery. By the time she returned with bags of steaming takeout, Ruan Xiangyi had finished her shower and was lounging in a thin nightgown, her hair still damp.
Bian Li glanced at her and suggested, “Let’s eat on the balcony. I’m still traumatized from getting caught by Da Xiong last time.”
Ruan Xiangyi chuckled as she approached the dining table. “Caught? Didn’t I always cover for you? The smell of food was so strong you couldn’t resist eating indoors.”
Bian Li shrugged, feigning innocence. “This time, I ordered a small barbecue—the kind with a portable stove.”
Ruan Xiangyi froze mid-step, staring at her incredulously. “You’re unbelievable, Bian Xiaoli.”
The three girls, bundled in thick coats, huddled on the balcony, savoring their barbecue. Thanks to the ecological charcoal combustion agent they used, the smoke was minimal, but the aroma was mouthwatering and lingered in the air.
Chewing on a skewer, Bian Li grumbled, “A family moved into the unit across from us a couple of days ago. Do you know who they are?”
Ruan Xiangyi tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I think Da Xiong mentioned it. They’re from our company.”
This upscale community boasted a prime location, excellent privacy, and exorbitant rent. It wasn’t surprising that many artists under their company lived here—after all, the company didn’t shy away from splurging on accommodations for its talents.
Bian Li glanced at the dark balcony across from theirs. “To be honest,” she muttered, “With these apartments, if I lifted my leg high enough, I could step right over to the neighbor’s balcony.”
Their dormitory had two balconies: one connected to the living room and another, more private one, attached to Bian Li’s room. Tonight, they had chosen the cozier option. From where they sat, they could easily see their neighbor’s balcony and, with a little effort, even catch a glimpse of their interior furnishings.
Ruan Xiangyi finished her skewer quickly and leaned in, eager to gossip. “Hey, who do you think it could be? Should we throw them a housewarming party to welcome them?”
Ying Xuelai tapped her beer can rhythmically, her tone neutral. “It depends. If we know them, sure. But why throw a party for someone we don’t?”
“That’s true,” Ruan Xiangyi agreed. “I just hope they’re easygoing. It’d be awkward if we saw them every day but didn’t get along.”
Bian Li had been silent for a while, clearly holding something back. Finally, she spoke up. “Speaking of easygoing… I have to tell you something. I accidentally got on the wrong car tonight.”
Ruan Xiangyi frowned. “Huh?”
Ying Xuelai looked up, equally puzzled.
“Well, you said I was slow, so I rushed out of the stadium,” Bian Li explained. “Then I saw a car that looked exactly like ours, so I got in immediately.”
She paused, biting into another skewer in frustration. “But it wasn’t our car. And guess who was inside? He Yunxing!”
Ruan Xiangyi’s eyes sparkled with interest. “And then? Did sparks fly? Did you two have a moment?”
Bian Li scoffed. “A moment? He looked at me like I was a stray cat and told me to get out—very rudely, might I add.”
As her words hung in the air, the previously dark balcony opposite theirs suddenly lit up.
A young male voice drifted over, carried by the chilly wind. “Boss, why are you hiding out on the balcony in the dark? Trying to scare ghosts or something?”
The light from the opposite balcony illuminated a tall, slender figure standing by the railing. His posture was casual, his hands resting lightly on the rail. The glow of the light caught his features—half of his jade-like face was now visible.
At that moment, he turned slightly, his gaze sweeping across the space between the two balconies. His eyes locked with Bian Li’s.
Caught off guard, Bian Li froze, her skewer halfway to her mouth, as her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.
