Chapter 27
Logistics nowadays is incredibly fast. Soon enough, the package Wang Huijuan ordered was delivered to her school. The first items to arrive were all the costumes. After receiving the package, Wang Huijuan distributed the appropriate attire to everyone based on their roles.
"Everyone, please try on your clothes. If the size isn't quite right, see if any adjustments can be made with others."
Since they were rehearsing a large-scale drama, Wang Huijuan specially reserved a multimedia classroom in the activity center. As soon as she finished speaking, people started to head towards the restrooms, holding their costumes.
"What should I do? Should I go to the men's or women's restroom?" Ling Rong looked at the gorgeous long dress in her hands and fell into contemplation.
"…" The System was also stumped by this question. If it recommends the women's restroom, its host might be accused of being a pervert. On the other hand, going to the men's restroom might expose her to some unsightly scenes.
"Forget it, asking you is pointless. It's all your fault."
Thankfully, the activity center had restrooms on more than one floor. Clutching the dress tightly, Ling Rong pulled Qin Zhaoyang towards the upstairs.
Although Ling Rong took him without saying a word, Qin Zhaoyang didn't mind. He obediently allowed her to lead him without asking any questions. However, seeing their interlocked hands couldn't help but make his ears turn red.
Climbing up to the top floor where there were hardly any people, Ling Rong figured it was highly unlikely for someone to come up here. She pulled Qin Zhaoyang into the men's restroom, making sure it was empty. Ling Rong brought her clothes into a stall, and before closing the door, she instructed Qin Zhaoyang, "Keep an eye out for me, let me know if anyone comes.”
Finally guessing her intentions, Qin Zhaoyang's face turned even redder. He nodded hesitantly, "Alright."
With a slam, the door closed. Hearing the sound of rustling clothes from inside, Qin Zhaoyang didn't know what to do, his palms getting sweaty.
After a while, the door opened slightly. Ling Rong, with her back turned to Qin Zhaoyang, said, "Come over and give me a hand!"
"Huh?" It took Qin Zhaoyang a moment to react.
"Hurry up and help me zip up the back!" Ling Rong said in a rarely flustered and angry tone.
Only then did Qin Zhaoyang notice that the zipper on the back of the dress was only half pulled up, with a small portion of Ling Rong's white back exposed. The sudden sight of her fair skin caused his face to flush.
"Don't stare! Hurry up!" Ling Rong, although usually laid-back like a boy, felt embarrassed as a girl in this situation.
Qin Zhaoyang didn't respond, his feet feeling weighted down. He hesitated for an instant, then took a few steps forward and finally, with trembling hands, completed the task Ling Rong gave him.
It was then that he realized her frame was incredibly slender, without a trace of excess fat. Even for the type of gown that required the tightest waist, he easily zipped it up for her.
"It's... done." When Qin Zhaoyang spoke again, he noticed how hoarse his voice sounded.
"Done? Take a look, how do I look? Is it strange on me?" Ling Rong stepped out of the stall and turned around, revealing her front to Qin Zhaoyang.
The single-shoulder design perfectly displayed her delicate collarbone. The dress was cinched at the waist - if the wearer were a bit chubbier, the dress would probably split apart. However, it accentuated Ling Rong's slender waist perfectly, making it appear even more delicate.
The dress was a beautifully pure shade of sky blue that accentuated her fair complexion. The voluminous skirt added to the glamour. But what was most stunning was the person wearing the dress – their androgynous face did not seem out of place, making it appear like the dress was custom-made for them.
Perhaps the only imperfection was Ling Rong's short hair. If she had long, golden locks, the overall image would have been even more perfect.
At this moment, everything else seemed to lose its color – the only thing that held his attention was Ling Rong.
“Why are you not saying anything? Don't I look good?” Ling Rong, worried she might look strange since she hasn't worn a dress in a while, asked.
How could it not look good? He was clearly so amazed he couldn't speak!
The system silently made its snide remark, all the while hoping that Qin Zhaoyang would finally recognize Ling Rong's true gender.
" ...You look good," he finally said, his voice even more hoarse.
"Good then, you hurry up and change your clothes too, I'll keep an eye on you."
When the two of them returned to the ground floor, everyone felt as if their eyes had been cleansed.
"Damn! Is this level of beauty possible!" Following a series of astonishment, the boys swiftly crowded around Ling Rong, examining her from head to toe, not wanting to look away.
"You really aren't a girl?! You look so stunning!" Chen Xuerou's title as the school flower doesn't even compare.
"Don't talk nonsense," Qin Zhaoyang lightly scolded.
On the other side, Liu Xiaoyu's eyes were shining. As expected, her eyes didn't deceive her, there was definitely no one more suited to play Cinderella than Ling Rong! Paired with Qin Zhaoyang in a gentleman's court suit, they made the perfect pair!
Even while gushing over Ling Rong, Liu Xiaoyu remembered the task at hand and brought a pair of heels encrusted with fine diamonds, about five centimeters high, to Ling Rong, "Here are Cinderella's glass slippers, you should try on!"
Considering that Ling Rong probably wasn't comfortable in high heels, they thoughtfully chose a pair with the lowest heel - five centimeters.
Upon seeing the bling bling heels, Ling Rong felt a headache coming on, but for the effect on stage she gritted her teeth and said, "I'll wear them!"
She put on the shoes while sitting down, stood up carefully without a problem, and was about to take the first step when she lost her balance and fell to the side.
Qin Zhaoyang, startled, hurried over to catch her, but instead he was accidentally pulled down by Ling Rong, both falling to the ground.
The scene on the rooftop played out once more, only this time Ling Rong was wearing a dress and lying on Qin Zhaoyang's chest.
"Wow!" The couple's posture made a group of teenagers shriek, and someone even shouted, "Kiss each other".
After a brief dizziness, when Qin Zhaoyang opened his eyes, he saw Ling Rong's magnified beautiful face. Her handsome eyebrows were slightly furrowed due to the pain, and her long eyelashes fluttered like they were sweeping against his heart.
"Ouch!" Ling Rong complained while touching her forehead, looking more like she was acting coquettishly.
"Come on, get up! Are you both alright?" Although the scene was pleasing to the eye, safety was the top priority. Liu Xiaoyu didn't have time to scream, and immediately helped both of them up.
"Uh... I'm fine.", Ling Rong didn't mind, but as soon as Qin Zhaoyang was pulled up, he quickly muttered, "I need to go to the bathroom," and fled the scene.
Who knows how hot his face was at that moment! If he didn't use cold water to cool down, he might not be able to face anyone later!
After the commotion, of course they had to continue practicing. After spending the whole afternoon learning how to walk in high heels, Ling Rong felt as if her feet were about to give out. She finally couldn't stand it any longer and slumped down on a chair. Qin Zhaoyang, who had been by her side practicing as her "crutch," considerately said, "If you're tired, don't practice anymore. It doesn't make much difference at this point. Take a break and have some water."
Drinking almost half a bottle of water in one breath, Ling Rong didn't even have the strength to put her slippers back on and simply sprawled out on the chair.
Perhaps it was because of the experience from last time, Qin Zhaoyang squatted by Ling Rong's legs without a word, taking off her high heels for her and placing them to the side.
"Do your legs hurt? Do you need me to massage them for you?" Ling Rong had already changed out of her skirt, so she was wearing trousers at the moment. Hence, Qin Zhaoyang casually asked. If she were still in her skirt, he probably wouldn't even dare to glance at her.
How could she let the male lead massage her legs for her? Just as Ling Rong was about to refuse, she suddenly heard a familiar distasteful voice from outside.
"Yo, it seems like I've come at a bad time? Brother and Ling Rong's relationship is indeed 'close'!" Qin Zhaoyang leaned against the classroom door, speaking in a strange tone.
And Qin Zhaoyang had claimed his relationship with Ling Rong was nothing of the sort! Even doing things that a servant would do, like helping someone take off their shoes and massaging their legs, if they were not close, how could his brother, who had been born a young master, stoop so low as to do these things for Ling Rong?
The previous fear and worry had slowly disappeared with time. With Chen Yanyan's guidance, Qin Chaomu no longer felt guilty.
Seeing his sworn enemy, even with the best upbringing, couldn't help but coldly say in the face of his stepbrother, "What are you doing here? Are you thinking about how to make me disappear again?"
Since they had already torn their faces apart, Qin Chaomu didn't bother to mince words. He took bold steps to Ling Rong's side, contemptuously scanned him from top to bottom, and snorted, "I'm not here for you, don't flatter yourself, brother."
Following that, an invitation with a bright red gold-embossed cover was handed to Ling Rong.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Have you forgotten your father's birthday?" Qin Chaomu snorted, "Of course, you can choose not to go."
His words were obviously provocative, but Qin Zhaoyang knew that he couldn't possibly not attend Qin Yi's birthday banquet. If he didn't go, others would only think that he had given up or even lost his inheritance rights to the Qin family, and that he had grown fearful of his stepbrother.
"Of course I will go, but what does this have to do with Ling Rong?"
Was Qin Chaomu targeting Ling Rong again?
"Ling Rong is your only friend, isn't he? Or do you not consider him as a friend? Otherwise, why wouldn't you bring your friend to father's birthday banquet?" In line with Chen Yanyan's teachings, Qin Chaomu was maliciously sowing discord between the two.
Worried, Qin Zhaoyang immediately tried to explain to Ling Rong, "It's not like that! I…"
I just didn't want to drag you into this.
Ling Rong naturally understood.
And precisely because she understood, she felt compelled to go to this clearly treacherous banquet for Qin Zhaoyang's sake.
She snatched the invitation card from his hand, reciprocating Qin Chaomu's provocative smile.
"I'll go."
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Thanks for the translation!
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