Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 272 Practicing Unspoken Rules

A week later.

Backstage at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

After the final performance, Hua Qing went to the makeup mirror, bent down, took off her earrings, and put them into the jewelry box.

In the mirror, her eyelashes were thicker and curlier than usual, and her blush was smudged by sweat, leaving a thin layer of red on her cheeks.

She picked up a makeup remover pad and was about to wipe her face when the door was pushed open.

"Hana Haru-san."

Someone peeked in: "Someone's here to visit you on set."

A set visit?

Before Hua Qing could ask who it was, a commotion broke out in the corridor.

Footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by gasps of surprise.

"It really is Longhe!"

"Why is she here?"

"Quick, quick, where's the phone?"

Hua Qing turned her head, and Long He was already standing at the door.

She wore simple, plain clothes, sunglasses, and held a bouquet of flowers.

"Good luck with the performance."

Longhe handed over the flowers, as if it were a routine task.

Hua Qing took the flowers, but before she could say anything, the corridor erupted in chaos.

"Longhe! Can we take a picture together?"

"Me too! Me too!"

"Oh my god, she looks even better in person than on camera!"

Several young actors rushed to the doorway, poking half their bodies in, eager to try.

Long He turned around, his smile natural and appropriate.

"Okay."

She took off her sunglasses and walked over.

The first girl who came up was shaking; she held up her phone for a long time but couldn't get it to the right spot.

Long He simply took the phone, raised his arm, and framed himself and the girl in the same frame.

"Come on, look at the camera."

Click.

"Thank you, Longhe!"

"You're welcome."

Longhe handed the phone back to her and turned to the next person.

Hua Qing observed quietly and saw that Long He was composed and spoke in a gentle tone, without any airs or pretense.

Are you prepared to face the spotlight offstage?

Hua Qing seemed lost in thought.

After the long group photo session, the two girls walked out of the dressing room one after the other and got into a black van through the back door.

The car door closed, and Long He let out a long breath.

"worn out."

"Weren't you quite skilled just now?"

"That's called business."

Long He corrected, "Being proficient and liking are two different things."

Hua Qing didn't respond.

Long He then asked, "Where's Ding Heng? Isn't he with you in the capital?"

"Just left this morning."

Hua Qing said unhappily, "They said something came up at the last minute."

"What's up?"

Long He raised an eyebrow: "Doesn't he have any free time during summer vacation?"

Who knows?

Hua Qing sighed.

The man was on vacation, but he only spent less than a week with her.

She said she had "something to do," but Hua Qing didn't bother to ask what it was.

It's nothing more than a matter concerning a few women.

Judging from her expression, Long He vaguely guessed what was going on.

"Are you just going to let him do this?"

"Otherwise what?"

Hua Qing smiled wryly: "It's not like we just met him yesterday."

Long He gestured for the driver to start the car, then turned to Hua Qing and said, "Have you ever thought about leaving him for a while?"

"ah!?"

Hua Qing suddenly became alert: "What do you mean?"

"Literal meaning."

Long He said seriously, "You are in the prime of your career right now. Instead of worrying about his trivial matters every day, you should focus your energy on yourself."

Hua Qing remained silent, her eyes growing increasingly wary.

Good grief, you big star, you're up to no good, aren't you?

"Think about it, you're only twenty-three. A graduate student at the Beijing Dance Academy, a lead dancer for the Lotus Award, and an account with millions of followers. If you're willing, you have plenty of opportunities. There's no need to dwell on teenage romance and childish games anymore—"

Long He's words came from the bottom of his heart.

In her opinion, the relationship between Hua Qing and the others and Ding Heng was bound to end sooner or later, so it was better to speed it up, which would be better for everyone, including her!

"Longhe!"

Hua Qing suddenly raised her voice, startling Long He.

"What?"

"Let's put it aside for now. Ding Heng asked me to study with you for the next period of time."

"What to study?"

"It's probably about learning how to be a star."

"He certainly knows how to make arrangements."

Helpless, Long He had no choice but to temporarily give up trying to persuade him: "Since that's the case, what are your plans for tonight? Stay at a hotel with me, or go home?"

Hua Qing thought about it.

"Can I bring the black beans?"

"Black beans?"

"My cat."

"Oh—that thing, okay!"

Longhe readily agreed.

The nanny van first turned and stopped in front of Huaqing Apartment Building.

Hua Qing went upstairs to pack the cat and a few changes of clothes, then returned to her car.

Twenty minutes later, the van came to a stop in front of the hotel.

As the elevator reached the executive floor, a capable-looking woman stood at the door and handed over a document.

"Longhe, there are still some details to confirm regarding tomorrow's press conference."

Sister Zeng is Longhe's new agent.

Long He's trip to the capital this time wasn't entirely for Ding Heng.

After changing companies, she has taken a full six months to rest and prepare for her first solo concert after going solo, which will be held at the Bird's Nest.

Long He nodded: "I understand."

"besides----"

Sister Zeng spoke faster: "We've already communicated with the media, and the Q&A session won't be too outrageous. But a few reporters might ask about your solo career; just stick to the lines we agreed on beforehand."

"Um.

"Also, the stylist will be here at seven tomorrow morning, so go to bed early tonight and don't stay up late."

"Okay, okay."

Longhe interrupted Sister Zeng, his tone slightly impatient.

Sister Zeng wisely shut her mouth and took a half step back.

Compared to Sister Song in the past, Sister Zeng is not assertive, nor does she dare to be assertive, since Yang Sijie now has to occasionally be mindful of Long He's feelings.

"Oh, right, Sister Zeng."

Longhe picked up Heidou: "Buy some cat food for my friend, and a litter box. We need it tonight."

Sister Zeng glanced at the tabby cat peeking out from Long He's arms, her expression subtle.

"This is----"

"My friend's cat."

Long He said matter-of-factly, "She's been with me these past few days, so could you help me make arrangements?"

"What is your identity?"

"I'll treat her as a dance consultant—and I'll also book her a room next to mine."

"OK."

After seeing Long He off, Sister Zeng arranged for Hua Qing to stay in the room.

"Miss Hua Qing, is there anything else you need? I'll have it brought up."

"No need, it's fine."

"Then you should get some rest. I'll have someone deliver the cat food and litter tomorrow. Call me if you need anything."

Sister Zeng handed over a business card, which Hua Qing accepted with both hands.

"Thank you, Sister Zeng."

"You're welcome."

Hua Qing closed the door, but before she could step inside, a dark figure suddenly darted out from behind the door and tackled her to the ground on the entryway carpet.

"Ugh—!"

She instinctively struggled, trying to push him away by bracing her hands against his chest, but the moment her fingertips touched him, she immediately relaxed.

"What are you doing—"

Hua Qing shoved him irritably: "Didn't you say you had something to do?"

"Isn't it because I can't bear to part with my senior?"

Ding Heng buried his face in the crook of her neck, his warm breath brushing against the skin behind her ear, causing her to tremble slightly.

Hua Qing turned her head to dodge, but failed and could only let Ding Heng suppress her tightly.

"Relax a bit—I just finished a performance, I'm covered in sweat, and I haven't showered yet."

"I don't mind."

Ding Heng didn't loosen his grip; instead, he buried his face even deeper, his nose sliding down her neck to her collarbone as he inhaled deeply.

"My senior always smells so good."

Hua Qing's face flushed bright red.

"abnormal----"

She still managed to squeeze out two words through gritted teeth, but completely gave up struggling, letting the man touch her all over.

A few seconds later, Hua Qing simply suggested.

"Shall we take a shower together?"

"OK."

Ding Heng lifted Hua Qing from the ground and strode towards the bathroom.

Half an hour later, in the bathtub.

Ding Heng sat behind Hua Qing, encircling her completely, his arms naturally around her slender waist.

"Is it comfortable?"

"Um.

Hua Qing tilted her head back, water droplets trickling down her chin.

During her post-coital moment, she suddenly asked curiously, "How did you end up at the hotel?"

"Didn't I say I had something to do?"

"What is it?"

"Well, it's a long story—"

Ding Heng gently drew circles on Hua Qing's lower abdomen with his fingers, briefly recounting how he had arranged to invest in Longhe.

Finally, I mentioned, "I just finished discussing the arrangements for the upcoming concert with her mother, and then I came to see you."

Hua Qing was stunned for a moment, and it took her several seconds to fully digest the information.

"So—you're the big boss of Longhe now?"

"That's right."

"Then why don't you just tell her the truth?"

"Isn't this because I don't want my brotherhood with her to deteriorate?"

Miao San spoke arrogantly, and Hua Qing's ear twitched slightly as she listened.

She didn't believe such nonsense, nor did she believe that their brotherly bond could remain unchanged. "Really? I think you're just teasing her—"

Miao San sneered and pinched Hua Qing's waist hard with his fingers.

"When did you become so smart, senior?"

"snort----"

Hua Qing winced in pain and groaned, "How annoying!"

Miao San continued, "There's another matter. I want Yang Sijie to sign you, and then the company can handle the performances on your behalf, whether it's a lead role or a supporting role, it will all be done through the company's channels."

"Does that mean I want to become one of your artists too?"

"What, senior, you don't want to?"

"Do I have a choice?"

Hua Qing had long realized that if her pavilion wanted to develop further, it would indeed be necessary to find a suitable agency.

Therefore, working with Longhe seems like a good choice.

"Then I'll pretend to be your senior, okay?"

"oh----"

Before she could finish speaking, Hua Qing was pushed forward by Miao San.

She leaned forward, bracing herself with her hands on the edge of the bathtub, her back completely exposed to the man.

Water droplets flowed down the spine groove, gathered into a small puddle at the waist dimple, and then slid down the hip line into the water.

"What are you doing!"

"Of course, I'll practice the unspoken rules on my senior first—"