Throughout their conversation, Mingyan had been speaking in English. There were multiple reasons for this: her father was American, she had lived in Boston for three years, and her therapist was also American. As a result, English felt more natural to her now. It was also why she had sung in English during her audition.
"Tonight, the first wish should be done," Mingyan mused, tapping her phone lightly against her chin.
Lily tilted her head thoughtfully, accessing her database to review the original soul's three wishes:
1. Knock some sense into my best friend, Yang Xi.
2. Become someone my parents are proud of.
3. Marry Shen Yan.
Lily's eyes sparkled with realization as she grasped Mingyan's intentions.
Not long after Mingyan confirmed her location with Lu Feng, the door opened, and Hui Mingli entered, accompanied by his assistant. They got straight to business, discussing the terms of her contract and her schedule for the month.
Mingyan internally screamed in shock. She had only just passed the audition, and now they wanted her to release a song written by Hui Mingli himself! If her fate remained unchanged, this could very well be considered a farewell gift. It suddenly made sense why the original Mingyan had been too excited to care about anything else.
She nodded repeatedly, keeping her stoic expression intact. Her demeanor, though reserved, came across as endearing, drawing warm smiles from both Hui Mingli and his assistant. Without hesitation, she signed the five-year contract, officially becoming an artist under Brilliant Stars. They parted ways on good terms, the weight of her new reality settling in.
Mingyan lingered at the front of the building but didn't leave right away. Many people were still filing out, heading home after the audition. A quick glance at the time told her it was only 6:30 in the evening. Deciding not to rush, she opted to wait in the lounge near the entrance for thirty minutes.
As 7:00 p.m. approached, Mingyan rose from her seat and peeked outside. If someone had told her thousands of years ago that a bustling audition crowd could clear out in just half an hour, she wouldn't have believed it. Yet, here it was—an empty front yard outside the headquarters of a famous company. The magic of plot armor, she mused. Not even she could defy it without using brute force.
Now, the only occupants of the area were two girls standing in the middle of the clearing, staring intensely at each other. Mingyan's gaze sharpened, a flicker of recognition passing through her.
This scene was exactly as she had seen in the memories.
"One of them is probably the protagonist of this world," Lily muttered, her small stuffed body slumped over Mingyan's shoulder as she watched the confrontation with barely disguised contempt.
Mingyan silently agreed. "Let's go over. We can't keep them waiting now, can we?"
Adjusting her demeanor, Mingyan shifted into character. She exuded an air of carefree bliss, as if she were 'too happy to care about anything else.' Her eyes sparkled faintly, and the corners of her lips curled upward ever so slightly—just enough for the observant to notice. Then, with a practiced skip, she made her way toward the scene.
"Chen Rui! If I don't kill you right now, then let me die so I can haunt you!" Yang Xi screamed, her bloodshot eyes glaring with unrestrained fury. Her once elegant demeanor had completely unraveled, replaced by a frenzied, almost possessed state.
Mingyan froze, her eyes widening in disbelief as if struggling to comprehend the scene unfolding before her. Yang Xi, her best friend, stood gripping a gun, its barrel aimed squarely at Chen Rui. The terrifying expression on Yang Xi's face sent chills down Mingyan's spine, draining the color from her face.
Chen Rui, on the other hand, anxiously scanned the entrance of Brilliant Stars. The moment her gaze landed on Mingyan, her eyes lit up with desperate relief. "Gu Mingyan, you're here!" she cried, rushing over and clutching Mingyan's arm tightly, crocodile tears streaming down her cheeks.
Mingyan blinked, as if snapping out of her frozen state. She opened her mouth to ask what was going on, but before she could utter a word, Chen Rui scrambled to take refuge behind her. Mingyan's lips curled slightly, a mischievous gleam flickering in her eyes.
Taking full advantage of the moment, she allowed Chen Rui to shield herself behind her arms—before swiftly sidestepping just as a gunshot rang out.
Bang!
"Mingyan!!!" A deep, terrified voice thundered, startling both Chen Rui and Yang Xi.
But Mingyan barely registered the voice, her body overwhelmed by the sharp, searing pain of the bullet. She staggered, her vision blurring as a man in a formal suit rushed onto the scene. His face contorted in horror as he took it all in: his fiancée holding a gun, the woman he found intriguing using his cousin as a shield, and his cousin now lying injured from the shot.
Rage and terror flooded his chest, making his voice tremble as he stepped forward.
Yang Xi's flushed face turned deathly pale, her lips trembling as the weight of her actions crashed down on her. "Mingyan...? Mingyan!" she cried, stumbling forward in panic.
Lu Feng didn't dare let his thoughts stray to his fiancée at this moment. He rushed to Mingyan's side, his sharp gaze assessing her injury. The bullet had only grazed her shoulder, but his expression remained grim. In fact, his face darkened so severely that it felt as though winter had descended, chilling the summer evening.
"Fengfeng, what do we do?" Chen Rui's voice trembled with panic, her face a picture of terror. Yet deep down, she couldn't suppress a flicker of delight. Lu Feng had witnessed his fiancée shooting his cousin—an event she hoped would fracture their relationship irreparably.
Lu Feng sneered, a cold snort escaping his lips as he cast Chen Rui a fleeting, contemptuous glance. Did she thought he was blind?
Ignoring her, he crouched down and carefully gathered Mingyan into his arms, holding her in a gentle princess-carry. His voice softened, a stark contrast to the icy fury emanating from him moments before.
"Mingyan, don't worry. Cousin's here, okay?" he murmured, his tone coaxing. Seeing her shiver, biting her lower lip to suppress her pain, and silently tearing up, his heart ached with worry.
Nearby, Yang Xi stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the trembling, delicate girl in Lu Feng's arms. She didn't even glance at her fiancé, her mind consumed by the consequences of her impulsive actions.
Lu Feng's gaze flicked to her, colder than ice. The fury he felt toward her burned just as fiercely as his disdain for Chen Rui, but his ironclad rationality kept him from lashing out. "Yang Xi, call the hospital," he instructed curtly as he walked past her.
Yang Xi nodded repeatedly, her hands trembling as she fumbled for her phone.
Lu Feng carried Gu Mingyan to the car parked right in front of the building. His movements were deliberate, ensuring he didn't aggravate her injury as he gently placed her inside. Turning to the driver, his voice was firm yet urgent. "To the nearest hospital—now."
Yang Xi climbed into the car after them, her focus entirely on Mingyan. Throughout the ride, she hovered nervously, doing her best to make sure the journey didn't worsen Mingyan's condition.
Mingyan, meanwhile, was summoning every ounce of her acting skills to refrain from cursing out loud. The pain was excruciating, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as real tears slid down her cheeks, one by one. Despite her discomfort, she observed the dynamics unfolding around her.
Lu Feng's every action exuded genuine care, his protective demeanor reminding Mingyan more of an older brother than a cousin. The thought, oddly comforting, helped distract her from the sharp throbbing in her left shoulder.
Yang Xi, however, was a different picture entirely. Her face was clouded with guilt, her lips pressed together as if to suppress the urge to explain herself. She remained quiet, offering no excuses—a sign that gave Mingyan a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this incident would be enough to awaken her.
The car ride was mostly smooth, save for the occasional sharp turns that made it feel like a roller coaster. But Mingyan had little to worry about. Both Lu Feng and Yang Xi were hyper-aware of her condition, instinctively shielding her from any jarring movements.
Upon reaching the hospital, Mingyan was treated promptly. After the bullet graze was cleaned and her wound bandaged, the doctor advised her to stay for observation for a few days—possibly up to a week. Sitting on the hospital bed, she glanced down at the fresh bandage on her shoulder, where a faint red tint was already beginning to seep through.
Lu Feng stood near the window, his phone pressed to his ear as he updated her parents about the situation. His voice was calm, though his tightly clenched jaw betrayed his lingering anger.
Yang Xi sat beside Mingyan's bed, holding her hand gently but firmly. Her head hung low, a few unshed tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. She finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "...I'm sorry."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with remorse. She gripped Mingyan's hand a little tighter, as if afraid she might pull away. Inside, Yang Xi was battling with herself, feeling she didn't even deserve the right to apologize.
When Lu Feng re-entered the room after his call, the sight before him made his chest tighten. His cousin sat upright in the hospital bed, her eyes staring blankly into the distance, as though she couldn't comprehend the betrayal she had just endured. Her pallor hadn't improved, even after treatment, and the bluish tint to her trembling lips only deepened his concern.
But inside Mingyan's mind, there was no trace of shock or heartbreak. She was deep in conversation with Lily, her thoughts calm and calculating. Her outward appearance, however, was a perfect imitation of someone grappling with overwhelming disbelief.
'First wish half done!' Lily's cheerful voice rang out in her head, accompanied by an explosion of imaginary confetti. 'It feels amazing to expose that bitch's true face!' The little rabbit bounced around with unrestrained glee.
Mingyan's lips twitched faintly, though she quickly suppressed it. 'It seems Yang Xi truly was Gu Mingyan's friend', she mused, recalling the original host's memories. 'In high school, Yang Xi helped Gu Mingyan fit in, always standing up for her. But thanks to the dog-shit plot of this world, she's been reduced to reacting like a jealous wife in every scene with Chen Rui.'
Lily tilted her head, her fluffy ears twitching thoughtfully. 'Does this mean Chen Rui is sufficiently screwed now?' she asked, her innocent expression belying her obvious delight.
Mingyan almost broke character, barely holding back a laugh. 'Never underestimate the resilience of world plots, Lily. Remember when we burned down the building where the female protagonist was sleeping? We thought that was the end of her. But the very next day, she miraculously showed up at the male lead's house, claiming to have "severe burns" around her legs!'
If she weren't under Lu Feng's watchful gaze, Mingyan would have laughed until her sides hurt.
Lily bristled with indignation, stomping her tiny feet in Mingyan's mind. 'So you're saying Lu Feng might still marry her?!'
Mingyan's eyes glinted briefly, though she quickly masked it with a hollow stare. 'Let's just say, if the plot tries to force that outcome, it'll have to deal with me first.'
Mingyan continued to maintain her blank expression, inwardly analyzing the situation. She deliberately ignored Lu Feng's concerned calls, fully immersing herself in the role of a damsel in distress—one who had been shot by her own best friend. She did her best to appear utterly devastated, though in truth, the wound didn't hurt as much as she let on.
After all, she'd endured worse in her previous lives. Her body was still capable of functioning normally—she could even sing properly, which was crucial for her second wish. She had decided to become a superstar, after all, and nothing would stand in the way of the original's dream.
The sound of frantic footsteps grew louder, two pairs rushing toward the room. Moments later, two adults entered, their faces pale with worry. The woman, a Chinese lady with dark, long hair, appeared to be in her late twenties, while the man, an American in his early thirties with short auburn hair, looked just as alarmed.
"Baby, are you alright?!" The woman's voice was filled with panic.
"Yan'er!!" The man's tone mirrored her urgency as they rushed to Mingyan's side.
Mingyan cast a glance at her parents, her expression still distant, though inwardly, she was amused. Her mother might have looked to be in her late twenties, but she was actually closer to thirty-five. As for her father, though purely American, he bore a Chinese surname, a result of his foster parents' heritage. Their story was anything but ordinary.
Despite the fact that both of them were clearly distressed, Mingyan made no move to acknowledge them. Her indifference prompted the couple to exchange confused glances before turning their questioning eyes toward Lu Feng.
Lu Feng's face darkened, a heavy sense of guilt clouding his features. He lowered his head slightly, then turned to the couple. "Please step outside for a moment," he requested, his voice tinged with hesitation. He motioned for Yang Xi to follow. Once they were out of the room, he explained everything in full detail, recounting the events that had led to Mingyan's injury.
Outside the room, Lu Feng's voice was calm but steady. Though he spoke neither loudly nor softly, Mingyan could hear his words clearly. After he finished explaining the situation, the couple's voices grew sharper, laced with anger as they cursed the girls involved. They then turned their concern to Lu Feng, warning him to "take care" of Chen Rui. Lu Feng nodded solemnly, acknowledging their words without further comment.
Yang Xi, on the other hand, insisted she would accept any form of punishment, even jail, but the couple remained silent for a long moment before replying. "We will let our Yan'er decide," they said, the weight of their words hanging in the air.
Mingyan, hearing this, suddenly had an idea. She made her face contort with pain as she weakly tried to support herself. With great effort, she attempted to stand from the tall hospital bed, but the strain from the gunshot wound sent her crashing to the floor with a loud thud.
The noise from outside the room stopped abruptly. Mingyan could hear the rush of footsteps as everyone inside the corridor scrambled toward her. When her parents saw her collapsed on the floor, their hearts nearly stopped in fear.
"Baby, what are you doing?!" Mingyan's father rushed to her side, his hands trembling as he tried to lift her. But Mingyan stubbornly shook her head, refusing to let him help.
Tears welled up in her eyes, her head shaking from side to side as if her body was acting independently of her will.
"Yan'er, what's wrong? Tell mommy what's wrong, okay?" Auntie Chang's voice cracked, her words shaking with worry. The pain of watching her daughter suffer again, after everything she had endured, felt unbearable.
Mingyan struggled to speak, her chest heaving as if the very act of forming words was a monumental task. "Want to..." She gasped for breath, her voice barely a whisper, "Want to see Yan gege..."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the four individuals frozen in place as they observed Mingyan. She lay there, a girl who had narrowly escaped death, her eyes distant as though she were reflecting on her entire life. It was clear that her wish, in her most vulnerable moment, was to see someone who had always held a special place in her heart. She didn't want to depart with any regrets.
Aunty Chang's composure finally cracked, and tears streamed down her face as she embraced Mingyan tightly. "I understand, baby. Mommy understands," she whispered through her sobs, her voice full of empathy. "I'll call his family right away, so please don't overexert yourself, okay?" Her hands stroked Mingyan's back gently, as if hoping her touch could ease the pain that seemed to linger in her daughter's soul.
At the same time, Mingyan's father had already pulled out his phone, dialing a number. He stepped outside the room to speak with the person on the other end of the line. After a few tense moments, his expression softened, and he returned to the room, the weight of his relief evident in his posture.
"Baby, Shen Yan is on his way," he said gently, his tone far more relaxed now. He nudged Mingyan softly. "Please, get back into the bed. Don't strain yourself, alright?" Mingyan didn't resist this time. With a tired but grateful sigh, she let her father carefully lift her back into the bed.
Meanwhile, inside her mind, Lily watched the scene unfold with a touch of admiration. 'So beautiful... Your acting skills are too good!' she thought, her virtual eyes wiping nonexistent tears.
Mingyan's gaze drifted into the distance again, her mind clouded in a dazed state. Externally, she appeared lost in thought, but internally, she was giving a mental high-five to Lily. 'The third wish is progressing earlier than I expected... But this works out. I wanted to see for myself if this Shen Yan has any feelings for the original.'
She considered the situation thoughtfully. If he didn't harbor any feelings, she'd simply have to make him fall for her—so hard that he'd become completely obsessed. After all, manipulation was a skill she'd mastered long ago.
The challenge of it all was intriguing, and she hid a small, satisfied smile that curled at the corners of her lips. 'He's waaay more interesting than this dog-shit plot,' she mused.