My Queen, My Rules - 30

Distance

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Pei Xiyan was a bona fide celebrity offspring. His mother was the household-name, highly respected film empress Su Cheng. His father's identity was a mystery, the subject of endless public speculation.

Some guessed he was Su Cheng's second husband, a certain jewelry magnate. Some insiders claimed it was her first husband, a certain political figure from the capital's circles. The gossip even claimed Su Cheng was recently planning to remarry this political figure.

Pei Xiyan first entered the public eye at age six, when Su Cheng brought him on a parent-child outdoor variety show. With his striking looks and distinct personality even at a young age, he instantly won over a massive following of 'sister' and ‘mom’ fans.

Unfortunately, he largely disappeared from view for many years after that, only occasionally spotted with Su Cheng or making cameo appearances in films, existing on the extreme periphery of the entertainment industry.

Last year, the film The Last Time, in which he played the protagonist's teenage self, unexpectedly became a critical and box office smash. Overnight, that once defiant, aloof little boy was back in the public eye. Not only had he not gone through an ‘awkward phase’, but he'd grown to be heart-stoppingly handsome, effortlessly capturing the hearts of countless young girls. His popularity soared like a rocket.

Ji Mingshu, though long past her teenage years, was among those captured.

She didn't understand much fan culture, things like meeting idols at airports or fundraising. But last year, to see Pei Xiyan, she'd shamelessly tagged along with her cousin to a dinner at Director Pei's house.

Pei Xiyan happened to be home. He gave them a cool greeting, picked up a bag of cold milk, and went upstairs, not even coming down for lunch.

If it had been Cen Sen, Ji Mingshu would have mentally plastered him with labels like "rude," "low EQ," and "cold and arrogant." But for Pei Xiyan, she could only think: Wow, my baby is so unique! So rebellious! So edgy! So full of youthful spirit! Love it!

"What do you think? Is this one better? Does it make me look more dignified and professional?"

Ji Mingshu spun in front of the full-length mirror after changing into a suit dress, then turned to ask Cen Sen.

Cen Sen glanced up, his tone flat. "You look like a real estate agent."

"…?"

What real estate agent was ever this stunning?

With Cen Sen's comment, Ji Mingshu took a closer look and felt the dress was indeed too corporate.

She tried on four or five more outfits, but every time she asked Cen Sen, he found fault.

"Too tight."

"Too flashy."

"Are you going to an idol audition?"

After repeated critiques, Ji Mingshu's patience finally snapped.

She hauled all the clothes from her suitcase and dumped them on the bed. "You pick, then! You pick, you pick, you pick!"

If you can't pick a decent outfit, you can commit seppuku!

Cen Sen paused, set down his documents, and pointed to a black tracksuit. "This one's good."

Ji Mingshu: "?"

"You're going to do interior design. Of course you should wear something comfortable and practical."

Ji Mingshu: "…"

No, I'm not going to do interior design. I'm going to protect my baby :)

The second recording was three days later. After much deliberation, Ji Mingshu decided to wear the shirt dress Cen Sen had said looked "a bit tight."

She felt this dress perfectly accentuated her exquisite, curvaceous figure, utterly overshadowing that little drama queen from the girl group, while also embodying the professionalism, elegance, and elite sensibility of an interior designer.

But since Cen Sen said it looked tight, she figured she might have been a tad indulgent with food lately. So, she stuck to very light meals and even did a one-day ‘cleanse’ in the middle.

On recording day, Ji Mingshu changed into the dress at the hotel, spun before the mirror, and felt only one word could describe it: Perfect.

She winked at her reflection, shooting finger guns with her hands.

Unfortunately, Cen Sen emerged from the bathroom just then, hair still dripping.

The two stared at each other silently through the mirror for thirty seconds. Suddenly remembering the previous embarrassing accident at Bocui Tianhua, and perhaps because her IQ had dropped along with her weight these past few hungry days, Ji Mingshu blurted out, "...Do you... want me to rap for you?"

"…"

"No."

Designer's Abode's second recording involved going directly to the site.

The apartment Ji Mingshu's group was tasked with renovating was an 89-square-meter apartment in a top school district in Xingcheng's old town. The owners were a newlywed couple.

The apartment was an old property left by the wife's parents, and the interior was severely dated.

The couple's request was to transform this old apartment into an artistic, nostalgic sweet haven for two, while reserving one room to be easily converted into a nursery for their future baby.

Ji Mingshu had seen the other groups' challenges. Others had points like "there's a sick elderly person or child in the family, so the design must accommodate their needs" or "the area is absurdly small, so it must make one square meter function like three"—aspects that allowed for deep exploration and showcased the art of spatial design.

In comparison, the challenge assigned to their group had no explosively difficult renovation problems and no tear-jerking backstory. It was utterly ordinary, lacking any standout points.

The camera crew followed them from the moment they got out of the car.

It happened to be elementary school drop-off time. A large group of kids was crossing the street in an orderly line ahead.

The little drama queen, Yan Yuexing, immediately cupped her cheeks, starry-eyed, and launched into her performance, going on about how much she missed elementary school and how fun it was, subtly implying she'd been very popular with the boys even back then.

Ji Mingshu figured this irrelevant chatter would end up on the cutting room floor and couldn't be bothered to engage. Her mind was solely on seeing Pei Xiyan soon.

Half an hour later, Ji Mingshu, Feng Yan, and Yan Yuexing had finished their on-site inspection of the old apartment when Pei Xiyan's van finally appeared downstairs.

Hearing the crew murmuring "Pei Xiyan's here" from afar, Ji Mingshu and Yan Yuexing secretly pulled out compacts to touch up their makeup.

"Pei Xiyan! Pei Xiyan!"

"So handsome!"

"Did you bring the photo? We've gotta get an autograph later."

"Brought it, brought it!"

Even the wardrobe and makeup girls were whispering excitedly.

Ji Mingshu stared unblinkingly at the aloof young man walking in, removing his mask as he came. Her heart pounded wildly.

Though only sixteen or seventeen, Pei Xiyan was already nearly 180cm tall. At this rate, he'd probably hit 185cm by the end of high school. He carried a distinct youthful clarity about him.

Following the director's introduction, he shook hands and greeted each of his teammates in turn.

When it was Ji Mingshu's turn, she presented the perfect smile she'd practiced for three days, beaming at him, her voice gentle and restrained. "Hello. I really enjoy your work."

Pei Xiyan glanced up briefly, responding politely but distantly, "Hello, sister."

The handshake was just a light, barely-there touch. After withdrawing her hand, Ji Mingshu stood near Feng Yan, casually tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

Ahhh! Yan-baby! Sister loves you! Mommy loves you! Mommy's not washing this hand, wuwuwu! This must be what electric shock feels like! I feel ten years younger instantly!

While Ji Mingshu's inner world burned with passion behind a calm facade, the director began explaining the day's recording schedule and a simple shoot for the sponsor's ad. Ji Mingshu didn't catch it all clearly, still in a dazed, dizzy state.

Feng Yan passed her the cue card. Still distracted, she glanced at Pei Xiyan first before looking at the card.

"Bringing design into your home, Junyi Yaji, your…"

Wait, what?

Ji Mingshu paused, looking closer.

"This Junyi…?"

Feng Yan helpfully whispered, "The same Junyi as Junyi Huazhang and Shuiyunjian. I heard their group sponsored our show to promote their new brand hotel."

Ji Mingshu: "…"

She remembered now. That hotel proposal document had mentioned naming options. Looking at it now, she suddenly recalled "Yaji" was indeed one of the dozen candidate names.

So, Junyi was a sponsor of this show.

Cen-shi Sensen was the show's sponsor.

Great. :) That dog man's mouth was tighter than a stitched-up jeans hole. If he could keep secrets this well, why wasn't he at State Security or working as a spy abroad?

It took Ji Mingshu thirty seconds to process this. For some reason, she felt a bit dizzy and nauseous.

Suppressing the discomfort, she tried to look on the bright side. Wasn't this essentially getting paid to chase stars? Not bad. Yes, not bad at all.

Ji Mingshu quietly asked Feng Yan to catch her up on what she'd missed.

It turned out the director had said today's main task was finalizing the preliminary renovation plan and assigning tasks like sourcing materials and finding contractors.

In principle, the show provided a 100,000-yuan fund for structural work and another 100,000 for furnishings and decor. "Renovation costs are no issue."

But each household had wished for a special housewarming gift. The director hinted: to enhance the show's appeal, they suggested the participants earn extra funds through labor, to be used for buying the gift upon project completion.

Ji Mingshu thought she'd misheard and confirmed with Feng Yan, "Just two hundred thousand?"

That's barely enough for a low-end bathroom remodel! And they say 'renovation costs are no issue'? How can they say that with a straight face?

Feng Yan nodded confirmingly. "Right, two hundred thousand."

That dizzy, nauseous feeling washed over her again.

After these instructions, the director left them to it.

As the designer, the task of assigning jobs naturally fell to Ji Mingshu.

Of course, these tasks also had a pre-written script. The production team had an on-set scriptwriter who provided scenarios designed to create chemistry or conflict, though these were just suggestions; they still had considerable freedom.

Ji Mingshu saw that the prepared script had Yan Yuexing and Pei Xiyan going to the building materials market together.

Without changing expression, she swapped things around and finally said to Pei Xiyan with a smile, "Xiao Yan, you'll come with me to the building materials market."

Pei Xiyan paused slightly, his voice low. "I might be better suited to looking for decorative items…"

Understood, understood, I'll arrange it immediately.

But when Ji Mingshu suggested she go with him to find decorations, he demurred again, saying the designer was the core of the show and should handle more critical aspects.

Ji Mingshu was unhappy.

Her thoughts spiraled chaotically: Did Yan-baby dislike her? Had he forgotten they'd met at the Pei house? Wuwuwu, what had mommy done wrong? Was it because she was too pretty and he was afraid of dating rumors after the show aired? Wuwuwu, it had to be that. T_T

No amount of self-comfort could salvage her plummeted mood.

After assignments, the group headed downstairs to their respective destinations.

Ji Mingshu was paired with Yan Yuexing. She didn't want to say a single word, slumping dejectedly in the back seat.

But Pei Xiyan didn't get into his own car. He suddenly walked over to theirs and tapped on Ji Mingshu's window.

Ji Mingshu rolled down the window, her mood instantly lifting, only to see Pei Xiyan clear his throat awkwardly and say, "Sister Mingshu, sorry. Brother Sen… asked that I keep some distance from you."

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Author's Note:

Little Canary Baby: Cen-shi Sensen, you are dead.

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