The abandoned daughter of the Lu family turns around and marries a celibate tycoon.

Jin Qiqi quickly stepped aside, her voice trembling with excitement as she called out in a low voice towards the bedroom, "Ranran! Look who's here!!!" She turned around, her face beaming with undisguised fan elation, her words trembling slightly, "Ms. Ling! I've been a huge fan of yours ever since your first World Championships! I can still recite the choreography for that 'ice spin' routine! Can, can I take a picture with you? Just one!"

Upon hearing this, Ling Xue smiled, removed her sunglasses, and revealed her clear, smiling eyes, which had been followed by countless cameras. Her voice was gentle: "Of course. You are... Miss Lu's friend, right? Thank you for your support." Her gaze swept over Jin Qiqi, her attitude friendly and natural.

"Yes, yes, yes! My name is Jin Qiqi!" Jin Qiqi frantically pulled out her phone, moved closer to Ling Xue, and flashed a peace sign that she herself later found a bit silly, her smile almost reaching her ears. After a click, she held the phone, staring at the group photo on the screen, her eyes shining brightly, as if she had won the lottery.

"Miss Ling, Ranran is resting in the bedroom. I'll take you there! Please have a seat, I'll get you something to drink!" Jin Qiqi led the way, asking excitedly, "Would you like freshly squeezed orange juice? Or do you prefer tea?" Her steps were light as springs, her inner voice already dancing wildly: Lu Xiran, you actually know Ling Xue! Why didn't you tell me!

In the bedroom, Lu Xiran propped herself up and watched Ling Xue walk in with a gentle smile. The surprise in her heart was mixed with a faint, inexplicable doubt.

Why would Ling Xue suddenly come to my house to find me?

And... how did she know the address here?

But Ling Xue quickly dispelled this doubt.

"Miss Lu," Ling Xue gracefully sat down on the chair beside the bed, her tone carrying just the right amount of intimacy and apology, "Can I call you Ranran from now on? I just found out that you got injured that day while delivering food to me..." As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, a thin layer of tears quickly filling her beautiful eyes, and her voice lowered, full of self-blame, "It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have sprained your ankle..."

"No, no!" Lu Xiran quickly waved her hand, her doubts instantly replaced by guilt. "It was my own carelessness, it really has nothing to do with you, Miss Ling."

"How can it be alright?" A tear slid down Ling Xue's cheek at just the right moment, rolling down her fair face. She tilted her head slightly, her profile fragile yet beautiful, enough to evoke pity in anyone who saw her. "It was my fault for not thinking things through, making you run around like this... and even getting you hurt... I really feel terrible. Ranran, let me do something for you, otherwise I won't be able to eat or sleep properly."

Lu Xiran was stunned.

Looking at Ling Xue's sincere, tearful eyes, she didn't know how to respond.

What could she ask her to do? But then she thought that Ling Xue's feelings at this moment were probably the same as her own when she had tried desperately to make amends for "causing" Ling Xue's allergy—both were driven by guilt.

Just then, Jin Qiqi came in with a glass of juice and happened to see Ling Xue weeping and Lu Xiran at a loss. She paused and her eyes darted curiously between the two of them.

"Miss Ling, really, there's no need..." Lu Xiran's voice softened.

"Then... what's this?" As if trying to change the subject, Ling Xue's gaze naturally fell on the design sketches spread out on the bedside table. Her eyes widened slightly, and her tone carried just the right amount of surprise. "Oh right, look at my memory! Ranran, you're getting married!" She picked up the colored sketches and examined them carefully. "Is it... the 20th?"

"Yes." Lu Xiran nodded and added politely, "Miss Ling has such a busy schedule, I didn't dare to bother you, but if you have time, you are very welcome to join us."

"I happen to be free that day!" Ling Xue immediately chimed in, her smile bright, as if genuinely happy for her. "I was just wondering how to make it up to you. How about..." She paused, then, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, her tone light and expectant, "How about I sing a song for you at your wedding? I'll sing 'My Only Love,' a lot of people say it's perfect for a wedding."

"Wow—!!!" Jin Qiqi almost spilled her juice, jumping up and down excitedly. "Really, Miss Ling! That song is a classic! It's the number one must-play song at weddings! Ranran, this is amazing!"

Lu Xiran was also taken aback by this unexpected "gift." Looking at Ling Xue's smiling eyes and Jin Qiqi's excited expression, the lingering unease in her heart was greatly diminished, replaced by overwhelming joy: "That...that's such an honor! Thank you, Miss Ling!"

Ling Xue smiled even more gently.

At this moment, Jin Qiqi remembered something and frowned: "Ranran, Ni Cen just messaged me saying that she has severe morning sickness and the doctor advised her to rest. The bridesmaid may really not be able to come... We need to find someone else quickly."

Ling Xue's eyes flickered slightly, and almost immediately, in a tone that mixed with curiosity and goodwill, she softly asked, "May I... do it?"

The air fell silent for a moment.

Lu Xiran and Jin Qiqi were both stunned.

A top superstar... to be her bridesmaid? That's like a fantasy.

Moreover, their relationship doesn't seem to have reached that point yet.

"I mean," Ling Xue seemed to see through their surprise, her smile frank yet with a hint of explanation, "I just happened to be free that day. And... to be honest, I have a scene in my next film where I attend my ex-boyfriend's wedding, and I've been worried that my emotions aren't 'complex' enough. I was thinking that if I could actually be a bridesmaid at a real wedding and experience that atmosphere and feeling, maybe it would help my acting?" She tilted her head slightly, looking a little embarrassed, "Of course, if it's too abrupt or inappropriate, just pretend I didn't say anything..."

"Are you filming 'The Story of Nan Yi'?!" Jin Qiqi's attention was instantly diverted, and her eyes lit up again. It was her favorite novel!

Ling Xue nodded with a smile.

"Oh my god! What an honor! Ranran, what's there to hesitate about!" Jin Qiqi immediately switched sides, shaking Lu Xiran's arm, completely overwhelmed by the double surprise of "my idol is going to be my best friend's bridesmaid + filming my favorite novel".

Looking into Ling Xue's sincere eyes and then at her excited friend, Lu Xiran's vague unease was eventually suppressed by the dreamlike scene before her and the enthusiasm of the two people.

Ling Xue probably just wanted to help out and gain experience for her job.

"Then... that would really be too much trouble for Miss Ling." Lu Xiran finally nodded with a smile.

"It's no trouble at all, it's my pleasure." Ling Xue's smile deepened, and a fleeting glint of triumph flashed in her eyes, so quick that no one noticed.

The three chatted for a long time, from wedding details to anecdotes about filming, in a harmonious atmosphere. Ling Xue even stayed for dinner, not getting up to leave until after 8 p.m. As she left, she turned at the door, waving goodbye to Lu Xiran and Jin Qiqi who were seeing her off, her smile still flawless.

But the moment the door closed, the warm smile on her face vanished like the tide, her eyes suddenly became deep and complex, and a barely perceptible chill quietly emerged.