Chapter 54

City B had a large population, but the festive atmosphere wasn't particularly strong. Perhaps because the city indulged in revelry every day, by the time actual holidays arrived, people lacked the energy to celebrate.

Kong Xiyan's show was scheduled for Christmas Day. As she rode in the car, she watched the trees along the roadside adorned with neon lights, which stayed lit even during the day, shimmering and quite beautiful.

Today, Fu Qiu and Tong Yue accompanied her. Perhaps because this was her first variety show since her comeback, Tong Yue worried Fu Qiu couldn't handle it alone, so she came in person.

The two sat on either side of Kong Xiyan. Fu Qiu's expression was grim, her hands nervously clasped together. She turned to look at Kong Xiyan's calm demeanor and couldn't help but ask, "Sister Kong, aren't you nervous?"

Kong Xiyan smiled faintly. "Why would I be?"

Fu Qiu hesitated for a long time. "It's just... I don't know, I'm really nervous."

It wasn't her going on stage, nor her appearing on the show, yet she was so anxious she kept swallowing. On the other side, Tong Yue appeared much more composed. She glanced at Fu Qiu and said, "If you're that nervous, maybe you shouldn't go."

Fu Qiu stubbornly shook her head. "I want to stay with Sister Kong."

Tong Yue smiled helplessly, then lowered her head and whispered to Kong Xiyan, "Did you review the questions?"

Kong Xiyan hummed in acknowledgment. "More or less."

Tong Yue added, "I've already spoken with the host. They won't deliberately make things difficult. Just relax."

Kong Xiyan arched her eyebrows slightly, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Sister Tong, don't you trust me?"

Tong Yue was taken aback by the question, then broke into a smile.

True enough.

Three years ago, she had faced not only such live shows but even larger and broader stages without a hint of fear. What was this in comparison?

With that thought, she felt somewhat reassured.

A fine drizzle had started yesterday afternoon and continued today. The sky was dark and gloomy, pressing down heavily. The car swayed gently as it made its way toward the show's set.

Kong Xiyan arrived early; only a few from the cast were present. Tong Yue first led her to meet the host. Kong Xiyan nodded with a slight smile, exuding elegance. Tong Yue added a few kind words on her behalf, and the host nodded in return. "Understood."

Not long after, Gu Ling and Wu Qing arrived.

Wu Qing snorted upon seeing Kong Xiyan and turned her gaze away. Gu Ling, however, nodded at Kong Xiyan. "Sister Kong, you're here quite early."

Kong Xiyan replied coolly, "It's nothing—just arrived."

Gu Ling hummed, then was led by her assistant to a side area for makeup and costume changes.

Shortly afterward, Tong Yue came to take her to the dressing room.

For the show, they were to wear costumes from the drama. Kong Xiyan chose a yellow silk dress, loosely pinned her long hair up with a white jade hairpin, and applied light makeup. She bore a striking resemblance to Chu Qian from the drama.

Her expression was calm, yet her presence was not diminished. A single glance from her could inspire awe without anger.

Kong Xiyan sat at the vanity and noticed Gu Ling and Wu Qing huddled together, whispering. She lowered her eyes. Before long, Xiao Cheng arrived.

Xiao Cheng and his assistant hurried in, traces of rain on their shoulders. The production staff quickly handed him a dry towel and led him to change and apply makeup.

As he passed Kong Xiyan, he called out, "Sister Kong."

Kong Xiyan lifted her eyes, catching his reflection in the mirror, and gave a slight nod. "You're here."

Xiao Cheng wiped the moisture from his face while leaning toward the mirror. He stretched over from directly above Kong Xiyan's shoulder, and from another angle, his head appeared to rest on her shoulder.

"Sister Kong, you're really early—already changed."

He smiled at her reflection.

Kong Xiyan shifted slightly to the side, deliberately creating distance, and said coldly, "Mr. Xiao, you'd better go get changed first."

Xiao Cheng shrugged, straightened up, and moved away from her.

Not far off, Wu Qing watched coldly, curling her lips, her eyes filled with resentment.

Fu Qiu had gone to get hot water for Kong Xiyan. When she returned, seeing Kong Xiyan's stern face, pressed lips, and cold demeanor, she couldn't help asking, "Sister Kong, what's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan took the cup from her. "Nothing."

Fu Qiu sat on a stool beside her and frowned. "Huh, where's Sister Tong?"

Kong Xiyan thought for a moment. "She must be busy with something."

"Oh..."

Fu Qiu glanced around without spotting Tong Yue, then settled comfortably by Kong Xiyan's side. Seeing Kong Xiyan finish half the cup, she took it and asked, "Sister Kong, want more?"

Kong Xiyan waved her hand and rubbed her forehead.

In a corner beyond their line of sight, Tong Yue was on the phone.

"A lawyer's letter?"

"Okay, I understand."

"Mm, rest assured, Assistant Zhou, I know what to do."

Tong Yue hung up, turned to look at Kong Xiyan, and thought to herself, Assistant Zhou really does care about Xiyan.

She remembered when they first met, Xiyan had said they weren't close.

Now, it seemed she had become someone dear to Assistant Zhou's heart.

How strange.

After putting away her phone, Tong Yue heard the staff calling them to get ready to go on stage.

She went to Kong Xiyan's side and conducted a thorough check, confirming no issues before nodding. "Let's go."

It was their turn to take the stage.

Kong Xiyan had appeared on many types of shows in the past—reality TV, singing competitions, talk shows, various entertainment programs—but few had been broadcast live.

So, as she approached the stage, she felt a little nervous. Fu Qiu, standing nearby, quietly reassured her, "Sister Kong, don't worry. I'll be cheering you on from the backstage!"

Kong Xiyan turned to see her cautious expression and smiled.

The slight nervousness she'd felt had already vanished.

As she stepped from the backstage to the front, Kong Xiyan's eyes lit up. A familiar feeling surged within her—this was the stage she'd been away from for three years, her battlefield. Kong Xiyan's eyes burned with warmth, and she quickly lowered her head.

The venue was filled with fans waving glow sticks and signs, chanting over and over: "Xiao Cheng! Xiao Cheng!"

"Gu Ling, Gu Ling, you're the most beautiful!!!"

"Wu Qing, you're our precious!!!"

All sorts of noise reached the stage. Kong Xiyan paused in her steps. Ling Yu behind her asked softly, "Sister Kong, what's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan coughed lightly, suppressing her emotions, and shook her head with a faint smile. "Nothing."

She straightened up gracefully, a soft smile on her face, exuding calm and composure. Amidst the clamor below, a wave of calls reached Kong Xiyan's ears.

"Chu Qian!!!!"

"Ah! It's Chu Qian!!!!"

"I love Chu Qian!"

"I love Kong Xiyan!!!"

The familiar shouts seemed to transport Kong Xiyan back to three years ago, when she was at the height of her glory. Then, such declarations were what she heard most—moving at first, then gradually ignored. She'd believed she would never again be stirred by fans calling out her name.

But she was wrong.

Standing on this stage again, hearing that name once more, her nose stung and her heart surged. Her eyes glistened with tears as she turned with a smile, and by fortunate chance, the spotlight operator happened to shine a light on her.

She looked breathtakingly beautiful.

The fans who'd been shouting other names suddenly quieted, replaced by chants of "I love Kong Xiyan!"

"I love Chu Qian!!!"

"Chu Qian, Chu Qian, charm infinite! Chu Qian, Chu Qian, powers unbounded!!"

The host couldn't help but smile, signaling everyone to quiet down.

The audience immediately fell into silence.

Gu Ling stood to Kong Xiyan's left, Ling Yu to her right. The host handed them microphones and asked them to introduce themselves.

Both Wu Qing and Gu Ling were first-timers on live shows; they fumbled several times, but the host smoothly covered for them, eliciting occasional laughter from the audience.

After introductions came the games segment.

Given that today was Christmas, the grand prize for the games was a necklace from the SO brand. The necklace was displayed enlarged on a screen behind them. Kong Xiyan turned to look—it was delicate and refined, a sun-shaped pendant on a platinum chain, gleaming silver.

As soon as the necklace appeared, a chorus of "Wow!" rose from the audience.

They marveled at its exquisiteness. The host, eyes curved in a smile, said, "This necklace is SO's sponsorship for today's show. It will go to the winner at the end. Can you guess what makes it most special?"

Wu Qing, holding the microphone, was caught by the host's gaze and stammered, "The pendant?"

The host shook her head.

Wu Qing passed the mic to Gu Ling beside her. Gu Ling thought for a moment. "The meaning?"

The host shook her head again and decided to reveal it directly. "This necklace's uniqueness lies in the fact that it is one of a kind—exclusively designed by SO's chief designer for this program. There is only one in the entire world!"

Kong Xiyan couldn't help but let her gaze linger on the necklace again.

Fans below clapped and cheered.

The host gestured for silence and said, "Of course, such a precious gift should be judged by everyone to see who is most deserving to take it home."

"Not only that, we've also selected four judges, all veteran actors in the industry."

She clapped her hands and said, "Let's welcome the judges to their seats!"

Applause erupted.

Kong Xiyan turned to look and froze when she caught sight of one figure.

Guan Xiaoying.

They had debuted at the same time and appeared together in two TV dramas—Kong Xiyan as the female lead, Guan Xiaoying as the supporting role. Because of their strong connection, Kong Xiyan loved being with her; they talked about everything. But after Kong Xiyan's scandal three years ago, they had lost contact.

The film contract Kong Xiyan had signed was terminated, and the role was given to Guan Xiaoying. Later, Guan Xiaoying won the Golden Forest Award for Best Actress for that film, catapulting into the top tier of actresses. Not long after, she married the general manager of Xinhui, Mr. Wei, becoming a full-fledged CEO's wife with a bright future.

So when Kong Xiyan saw her, she was taken aback for only a moment before quickly recovering.

Given her current status, Guan Xiaoying was naturally qualified to serve as a judge.