Chapter Sixteen: Whatever You Fear, Comes to Pass

Unfortunately, before she could enjoy a lazy morning in a luxury hotel, Ge Fenfen presented Bai Ling with a new project proposal.

Bai Ling was startled.
“I just switched jobs and already have work to do?”
“Isn’t that a bit much?”
“How about giving me a six-month vacation instead?”

Ge Fenfen rolled her eyes in exasperation.
“Most people can’t wait to take on a job, but you have so many complaints?”

She changed the subject. “We’ve already sent someone to handle your contract with Starshine. Since you didn’t sign anything too restrictive, it should be a simple process. But don’t go tearing into them yourself anymore. Overexposing yourself isn’t good for your career.”

“Also, aside from this proposal, you’ll need to record a song and participate in some promotional activities.”

“Don’t worry, young miss, it won’t take much of your time.”

Bai Ling nodded after hearing this. “As long as it’s not a hassle, that’s fine.”

“I’ll do my best to cooperate.”

She then opened the proposal and glanced through it.

Sure enough, it was the variety show Ge Fenfen had mentioned earlier—“Girl Group Assembly Order.”

The production team wasn’t particularly high-profile. There were some experienced planners and directors, but also quite a few young faces.

From what Bai Ling remembered, this show had never been mentioned before. That meant it had nothing to do with the female lead, Wen Yan. Or maybe it was just too obscure to be noteworthy. Either way, Bai Ling didn’t care; she was only appearing as a guest for one episode. As long as the appearance fee was right, nothing else mattered.

But once she started making money, Bai Ling began to ponder: what should one do after suddenly coming into wealth? Should she go shopping for clothes like a normal girl, or indulge her past life’s habits: buy a pile of games and happily become a homebody?

The latter seemed far more interesting.

“Being a guest on the show is the priority. Someone will pick you up this afternoon, and the recording starts at eight tonight.”

“Do you need me to arrange a makeup artist for you?”

“Even if you don’t, you still need an assistant. I’ll take care of that right away.”

Ge Fenfen seemed incredibly busy, speaking even faster than before. Bai Ling was once again impressed by her efficiency. Who says female powerhouses don’t exist? Wasn’t Sister Ge the perfect example?

“In such a rush?” Bai Ling asked.

“Of course. Signing you and getting you on the show were last-minute decisions. A little hurry is normal. Don’t worry, after the recording, there’s just a few days of promotion, and then you get a vacation!”

It seemed Ge Fenfen had figured out just how to talk to Bai Ling. Her eyes sparkled at the mention of time off. A break—how wonderful.

Once everything was arranged, Ge Fenfen left. In the afternoon, someone from the company arrived to take Bai Ling to the set.

For a rising star like Bai Ling, Spring and Autumn Entertainment showed considerable respect: a two-million-yuan luxury van and a sharp-looking young driver.

His name was Li Weixiang, and when he introduced himself, he came across as bright and cheerful.

“Just call me Xiangzi, Sister Bai!” he said.

Next to him stood a ponytailed girl dressed simply, giving off the vibe of the girl next door. Bai Ling suspected she’d only just graduated high school—she looked impossibly fresh and young. But upon closer conversation, Bai Ling learned she was the same age as herself—twenty-six.

Bai Ling remembered her name—Shen Miaomiao. With so much water in her name, no wonder she looked so fresh and lively!

“From today on, I’ll be your personal assistant, Sister Bai. Just call me Miaomiao.”

Li Weixiang chimed in with a wink, “Or you can call her Sanshui or Shuishui.”

Miaomiao didn’t get annoyed, only smiled gently.

Having two new companions, Bai Ling was quite satisfied.

“I’ll be counting on you both from now on.”

After packing a few essentials, Bai Ling followed Xiangzi into the van and headed to the recording site.

The venue was at the city’s largest TV station, with a dedicated space for variety shows—spacious and imposing, yet already packed with people.

Upon arrival, Bai Ling saw a flurry of activity. Though she was now a minor celebrity, even trending on social media for a while, few people spared her a second glance. After all, these were professionals who’d seen every kind of star—handsome or beautiful. Work came first; eye candy was a bonus at best.

Bai Ling didn’t mind and followed the group to the makeup room. To her relief, there was none of the ridiculous drama of fighting over dressing rooms just to show off one’s status. Otherwise, it would only waste words or even create needless grudges. What a pain that would be.

“Sister Bai, the makeup artist arranged for you might be running late—is that alright?” Xiangzi took a call and turned to Bai Ling.

“Late? How long until the recording starts?”

“And where’s the script for the show? Is there none?”

Bai Ling asked.

Xiangzi replied, “The makeup artist is stuck in traffic, so will be a bit late. The recording starts in about an hour and a half. At this rate, you’ll have about ten minutes for makeup.”

Bai Ling pouted. “City A really is bustling—traffic jams last that long?”

Thinking of the traffic they encountered on the way, she couldn’t complain much. “Alright then.”

She could wait.

As for the show’s rundown and script, Miaomiao brought them over at that moment. Bai Ling glanced through the materials, her eyes immediately locking onto a few names.

“Huh?”

“What’s going on?”

“Wen Yan?”

“Lin Yubai?”

“What are they doing here?”

She hadn’t misread. After rubbing her eyes repeatedly, Bai Ling was certain.

Those were indeed the names.

Just days ago, she’d been hoping not to run into these two jinxes. How had she managed to cross paths with both at once?

This wasn’t right. Not at all.

Right away, Bai Ling considered backing out of the event. But she wasn’t foolish. She was already here, the show had been arranged. If she bailed now, she’d make powerful enemies. How was that any different from inviting misfortune by running into the male and female leads?

She had no choice but to suppress her irritation and study the show’s rundown, hoping she wouldn’t have to interact with those two.

By carefully reading the proposal—which was essentially the show’s script—Bai Ling got the gist of things.

Lin Yubai, like her, had been added last minute as a guest to boost the show’s popularity. As for Wen Yan, perhaps due to some twist of fate, this time around she hadn’t debuted directly, but had taken the girl group route instead. That explained her presence on this particular variety show.