Yet on the surface, she remained composed. Refusing was out of the question; she was already cornered. If she stord off now, she guaranteed tomorrow’s headlines would blast her for either being a diva or difficult to work with, followed by a deluge of reports calling her hypocritical and worse.
What’s the big deal about adding one more person? What tricks could they possibly play? Leaving now would just make her seem petty. They had gone out of their way to set her up, and she was curious to see what they were up to.
"I’m fine with anything, just arrange as you please."
"That’s wonderful! Diva Xu really is as kind, considerate, and easy-going as people say."
Xu Qingqiu looked at her insincere expression and rely chuckled, without responding.
The other party also knew their motives were impure. Both had their own sches, so not much more was said.
When it ca to recording the show, there were three sofas on stage: one for the host, one for Xu Qingqiu, and one for Qin Xiao. Moreover, Xu Qingqiu’s and Qin Xiao’s seats were placed right next to each other.
As soon as the three went on stage, Qin Xiao clung to Xu Qingqiu’s hand like a dear sister, calling her "Sister Qiu" as if they were best friends.
But as the host’s questions grew sharper, the atmosphere gradually shifted.
"I’ve listened to Teacher Xu’s new album as well, but I’ve heard that Teacher Xu spent a great deal hiring very professional vocal tuners for this album. Is that true?"
Xu Qingqiu looked at her and finally understood the implication. Are they trying to attack my Singing Skills?
Before she could speak, Qin Xiao, still holding Xu Qingqiu’s hand with a beaming smile, interjected, "Oh my, how can you say that? I know Sister Qiu’s Singing Skills are already impressive. Why would she need any vocal tuners?"
"Besides, that’s not an issue. Anyone in the know understands that vocal tuning is a crucial step in producing an album. It’s indispensable, and not sothing to be ashad of, right, Sister Qiu?"
The first sentence made it seem as if Qin Xiao was defending Xu Qingqiu, but the second imdiately turned the tables on her.
What does she an, vocal tuning is a crucial step? What’s indispensable? And what’s this about not being ashad?
Xu Qingqiu gave a faint smile and said, "I’m not too clear on this matter, but I didn’t hire any vocal tuners during my album’s production. Perhaps it was due to a lack of funds and experience. However, I’ve learned sothing new now, and I might consider it next ti."
She didn’t address Qin Xiao’s insinuation directly, choosing instead to explain with self-deprecating humor. She knew this explanation sounded weak and others might not believe it, but she didn’t have a better response at that mont.
Why had this interview taken such a turn? Was it a trap from the beginning, or had sothing changed unexpectedly?
Hearing Xu Qingqiu’s words, Qin Xiao’s expression faltered for a mont, but she quickly recovered. Just as Xu Qingqiu was about to get distracted, Qin Xiao continued with a cheery voice, "Oh, let’s not talk about this if we don’t want to. I’m inexperienced and unaware of these taboos. Let’s switch topics."
After saying that, she suddenly turned to the host and added, "Right, my new album is also almost ready. I don’t have Sister Qiu’s level of talent, but I’ve specially hired King Lin’s production team to handle the sound engineering for my album. I’d like to take this opportunity to promote it and hope everyone will like it."
As if fearing others wouldn’t notice, she deliberately emphasized "King Lin" and "sound engineering," implying: if even a King needs sound engineering, who are you to claim you don’t?
Towards the end, she suddenly acted as if she’d just rembered sothing important and feigned a mont of realization, "Oh right, I’ve also been practicing a new song recently. It’s the the song for the TV series ’Eternal Love at Peach Blossom Rapids,’ and I’d like to also ride on Director Liu’s popularity here."
While saying this, she deliberately squeezed Xu Qingqiu’s right hand, as if to provoke her.
And as expected, Xu Qingqiu’s expression flickered montarily.
Because the song she had been negotiating for recently was none other than the the song for "Eternal Love at Peach Blossom Rapids." So, judging by Qin Xiao’s words, she had managed to snatch her the song? No wonder they’d been so evasive and kept delaying things recently. So this was the reason?
Although she felt sowhat displeased, she restrained herself. After all, the show was still recording, and so things couldn’t be revealed. She wasn’t yet in a position to burn bridges, nor was it the ti to do so.
Every second that followed was tornting. When the recording finally ended, Xu Qingqiu was just about to leave when she saw Qin Xiao waiting ahead, beaming triumphantly.
"Sister Qiu, did you enjoy today’s recording? Oh, by the way, my album is being released next month. Don’t forget to support your little sister, okay?"
"No problem." Xu Qingqiu gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to rip Qin Xiao’s mouth apart. She squeezed the words out, then turned and walked away with a scornful laugh, not looking back.
But just as she reached the doorway, she found a few people standing there silently. They said nothing and caused no scene, rely holding up banners.
The banners read:
"HYPOCRITE"
"VOCAL TUNING MASTER, FAKED SINGING SKILLS"
...
Banner after banner seed like daggers aid at Xu Qingqiu. Without naming nas, without insults or shouting, they just stood there silently. But everyone knew they were targeting her, and she couldn’t catch them on any technicality.
"Despicable!" Yiyi panted with anger beside her, completely powerless.
"Forget about them, let’s go." Xu Qingqiu, with an icy expression, grasped Yiyi’s hand, ready to leave, when suddenly soone erged from the side.
That alone would have been bad enough. Crucially, this person was holding an open container of stinky tofu and rushing straight for Xu Qingqiu.
Yiyi turned just in ti to see this and, without a second thought, let go of Xu Qingqiu’s hand and charged forward.
The attacker seed to have tid it perfectly, feigning a fall, and the entire container of stinky tofu spilled squarely onto Yiyi’s chest. Its pungent odor imdiately filled the air, while from nearby, cara shutters clicked furiously, as if they had been waiting for this mont.
Xu Qingqiu looked up. About twenty ters away, there were at least four or five caras—so snapping photos, others recording video—and people nearby were also filming with their phones.
Yiyi gagged, "UGH!" She fought against the choking sll on her chest, but ultimately couldn’t hold back her nausea.
"Let’s go!" Xu Qingqiu pulled her quickly away, only relaxing slightly once they were in the car.
However, the stench inside the car was unbearable. Looking at the stinky tofu staining her clothes and slling the offensive odor, Yiyi finally burst into tears.
"BOO HOO... Sister Qiu, they went too far! These tactics are disgusting! UGH!"
Xu Qingqiu, while helping her clean the stains from her clothes, replied with reddening eyes, "I’m sorry you were wronged like this. Thank you for earlier, Yiyi."
"I... UGH! I’m okay, Sister Qiu. They’re just horrible."
The new assistant and makeup artist, their faces still showing lingering fear, frantically searched for clothes in the back seat.
Seeing people heading towards the car, Xu Qingqiu hurriedly said, "Yue, go drive. Let’s get out of here."
"Okay, Sister Qiu."
The assistant nad Yue quickly opened the car door, got behind the wheel, and drove off swiftly.
With the car windows cracked open just a slit, the atmosphere inside was somber and oppressive.
"Sister Qiu, are you okay?" Having cried her fill, Yiyi had sowhat resigned herself to the sll clinging to her. She glanced concernedly at the silent Xu Qingqiu beside her and cautiously asked.
"I’m fine. You’ve had a hard day. I’ll drop you ho first so you can take a shower and rest a bit."
"I’m fine, Sister Qiu. Don’t you rember? I like stinky tofu too. I’m used to this sll."
Xu Qingqiu turned and looked at her. Seeing her eyes still red, she couldn’t help but tenderly stroke her hair. "Silly Yiyi, this is different. Go ho and rest well. I won’t let today’s matter go just like that. Trust ."
"Of course, I trust you! You’re Sister Qiu! That Qin Xiao? Apart from being a bit flashy, she’s nothing!"
It seed Yiyi’s cheerfulness was contagious, and the atmosphere in the car finally lightened sowhat. However, the stench remained, so pungent that even with the windows open, it felt too thick to dissipate.
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