Chapter 114 - Became A Queen At The Age Of Twenty
Chapter 114: Became A Queen At The Age Of Twenty
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Ning Qing and Xia Xiaofu were walking on the red carpet while there was another wave of cheering. They turned back and looked; it’s Ou Luo Xi.
Xia Xiaofu felt her heart skip a beat. Her heart started racing.
Ou Luo Xi was wearing a white shirt with a black tailor made suit. It was a classic masculine suit. However, he wore a black bow tie at the collar and the collar brought a strong sense of young fashion and individuality.
In Xia Xiaofu’s head, it was her first time seeing Ou Luo Xi in formal wear. He was normally in a black coat and jeans. When he was in his suit, he didn’t look like the general public. He wasn’t tainted with any worldly aura but he was extremely clean and elegant. Everyone’s eyes twinkled as they saw him. It was a soothing sight.
Just as Xia Xiaofu was stunned, she felt a soft hand tug her. She looked to the side and saw Ning Qing blinking at her, “Xiaofu, what are you looking at? I called you a few times but you didn’t seem to hear me.”
Xia Xiaofu’s cheeks grew rosy. Her gaze was fixed on Ou Luo Xi without any subtlety. She reckoned Ning Qing had seen it all.
Ning Qing smiled and said, ” Xiaofu, we are surrounded by the media. Every word we say and every action we take is under their watch. Luo Xi is here. Let’s wait for Luo Xi to walk on the red carpet.”
Ning Qing reminded her to behave properly.
Then, Xia Xiaofu blushed hard.
Ou Luo Xi put one of his hands in his pocket while he waved with another. He didn’t smile. His delicate features were cold and lifeless like a painting. However, it didn’t affect his passionate fans.
Ou Luo Xi walked to the two Goddesses and he lifted his gaze to greet, “Ning Qing.”
He ignored Xia Xiaofu’s existence.
Xia Xiaofu’s blushing face grew pale. The young man was always behaving like that. He wouldn’t look at her nor would he call her by her name.
She reckoned he didn’t even know her name.
“Luo Xi, let me introduce you.” Ning Qing held Xia Xiaofu’s hand. “This is my best friend, Xia Xiaofu.”
Xia Xiaofu reined back her sorrow. She lifted her head and flashed a gentle smile. She then extended her hand generously, “Ou Luo Xi, nice to meet you. I’ve been looking forward to meet you.”
Ou Luo Xi then looked at her. The young man’s eyes were beautiful. The black and white in his eyes were crystal clear like the murmuring mountain creek and in the water, there was her reflection.
Xia Xiaofu was caught by surprise.
She extended her hand but Ou Luo Xi took very long and didn’t shake her hand. Ning Qing saw and quickly smiled as she said, “Luo Xi…”
“Ou Luo Xi, why don’t you shake my hand?” Xia Xiaofu cut Ning Qing off. Her courageous tone had a tinge of stubbornness of a young maiden, “There are so many media and reporters here. You don’t shake my hand and tomorrow, the two of us shall be on the headline for entertainment paper.”
Ning Qing saw admiration in Xia Xiaofu’s eyes. As a talented lady and her appearance like a fairy, there was a side of her with natural manner.
Ou Luo Xi heard and raised his hand slowly to shake her delicate hand.
Their skin touched for a second. His fingers only glided against Xia Xiaofu’s soft palm slightly but Xia Xiaofu was already smiling.
He couldn’t see her so she would work hard for him to notice her. There was no other man who dared to ignore her in Xia Xiaofu’s life.
Very good, Ou Luo Xi. He already successfully caught her attention!
“Alright, we can consider ourselves friends then. Luo Xi, walk the red carpet with us. Walking down the red carpet with two big beauties, you’re very lucky,” Ning Qing tried to ease the situation.
Ou Luo Xi didn’t reject the proposition. Ning Qing moved to Ou Luo Xi’s side while Xia Xiaofu stood on his other side. The three of them walked down the red carpet.
…
The award ceremony started at seven sharp. White Flower Award’s king and queen of the silver screen was a big event. When they announced the list of candidates for queen of the silver screen, everyone was holding their breath.
The presenter for the award of the queen of the silver screen, was of course Xia Xiaofu who made an appearance during the climax. She took the list of candidates from the host and her beautiful pair of eyes looked towards Ning Qing seated on the third row as she smiled. “I officially announce here that the thirty-third White Flower Award for Queen of the Silver Screen, is Ning Qing! Ning Qing has won the laurels of Queen of the Silver Screen at the age of twenty and she has become the youngest Queen of Silver Screen in the history of the White Flower Award Ceremony. Let us congratulate her!”
The camera aimed at Ning Qing as she stood up elegantly. With all eyes focused on her, she slowly walked to the stage.
Xia Xiaofu passed Ning Qing the trophy and they hugged.
The host passed Ning Qing the mic and invited her to share her thoughts about her victory.
There were tears simmering in her eyes. For the past half a year, it was like a dream. She rose from the lowest point in her life. She climbed up to the peak and welcomed an era of prosperity.
That day, she finally proved to everyone with her blood, sweat, and tears that she was no longer the fallen no.1 socialite in T city. She wasn’t a broken vase. She wasn’t surrounded by scandals about being kept as mistress. She wasn’t a toy for people to bully and play with.
Her name was Ning Qing. She escaped humiliation and won herself recognition, respect, and dignity.
“I’ve received the title of Queen of the Silver Screen today. What I’d most like to say is: Thank you Director Wang, who was willing to give me this opportunity to take up the role as Meng Yao. Thank you all the crews of Street Walker for working so hard through the strenuous filming process. Thank you to my fans, my friends, my family. Also, the one who I’d like to thank the most…”
Ning Qing locked her gaze with the man who was seated on the first row. Lu Shaoming came. Although he was busy, he wouldn’t miss such an important moment in her life.
Just like the day when her mom had been discharged from the hospital. Just like the day Li Meiling had been sent into prison. Just like today when she stood right in the middle of a glorious stage…
He treated her like his wife, like his daughter.
So embarrassing yet so great.
He sat in his black wool jacket and full black suit of the same design with a light grey scarf. His sculpted handsome face was cold yet elegant. Only his pair of slender eyes were gentle when he looked at her.
“Thank you, my lover. Thank you for the most beautiful dream that you’ve given me.” Ning Qing kissed the trophy in her hand gently as though she kissed the man’s lips.
Then, enthusiastic applause burst throughout the venue.
That very moment, Xu Junxi was seated in the second row, diagonally behind Lu Shaoming. The Xu family couldn’t compare to the Lu family. The front seat could only be taken by Lu Shaoming.
He was just there to set him off.
He looked at Ning Qing on the stage. She was in a sequin mermaid dress that set off her beautiful body. Her silky hair was in a bun and two strands of hair hung by her cheeks which added charm and style. She didn’t wear any luxurious accessories but only a pair of elegant pearl earrings. She looked very refined.
She’d won the title of Queen of the Silver Screen at the age of twenty and she was in full bloom that day.
She blossomed at the beautiful age of twenty, with the help of that other man.
Did he regret it?
He had been asking himself that question for the past one month. Yes, he actually really regretted it all.
The girl, he missed her after all.
…
After the award ceremony, the media quickly surrounded Lu Shaoming…
“Young Master Lu, influential people of high social status like yourself never attend such entertainment ceremonies. May I ask the reason for your attendance?”
“Young Master Lu, for the past month, we’ve constantly found you and our Goddess, Ning Qing going everywhere in pairs. May I ask if the two of you are in a relationship?”…
Zhu Rui and a few bodyguards stood in front of Lu Shaoming. He raised his blade-like eyebrows. He looked like he was in a good mood that day. He asked in a deep voice, “This question, you’d better ask Ning Qing.”
He answered and there was a sudden commotion near him. It turned out that Ning Qing, who was walking over, was surrounded by the media and under the protection of Xiao Zhou and her bodyguards.
The bodyguards opened a route for Ning Qing to walk to Lu Shaoming’s side. Lu Shaoming took a white fur garment from Zhu Rui and covered Ning Qing gently.
The reporters were surprised at the sight. For the past month, the two of them had not been responding regarding the rumors but then they’d been displaying their affection in public. It seemed that they have decided to publicize their relationship.
“Miss Ning, we asked Young Master Lu earlier if you are in a relationship but Young Master Lu said to wait for your answer. Please tell us, Miss Ning. What is the answer?”
“Miss Ning, earlier when you were giving a speech, you said thank you to your lover. We are very curious who you are referring to as your lover? Is it Young Master Lu?”…
Ning Qing looked at Lu Shaoming and felt like her heart had been dipped in honey. The two of them had a mutual agreement earlier that if she were to win the title of Queen of the Silver screen, they shall make their relationship public.
At first, Ning Qing didn’t agree. If she were to tell everyone that she was Mrs. Lu, she wouldn’t be able to work properly. In the end, both took a step back and decided to announce that they’re together.
Lu Shaoming was right. They weren’t seeing one another stealthily. Their marriage had to be make known one day.
“Mm, we are together. The lover that I am referring to is naturally him, Lu Shaoming,” Ning Qing admitted.
“Wow…” The reporters gasped. The Lu family is an aristocratic powerful family on a global scale. They never expected that Ning Qing would climb up to his level.
“Young Master Lu, when did you start dating? I heard that you’re the largest investor for Street Walker. Did you invest the movie for Miss Ning?”
Lu Shaoming looked at the girl next to him and smiled, “When I first laid my eyes on Ning Qing, I fell in love with her. I got to know Ning Qing because of Street Walker.”
The way the man replied was very tactful. When the reporters asked if he’d invested in the movie because of Ning Qing, he had to answer carefully. If he were to reply yes, Ning Qing’s success was due to his assistance. However, he only replied that they got to know each other because of the movie.
The reporters knew that they wouldn’t be able to get anything from him. Plus, the reporters didn’t dare to ask when he was around.
“Miss Ning, you won the title of Queen of the Silver Screen today. May I ask where you’ll focus next in terms of your career? Will you be filming another movie? Or will you be getting involved in a TV drama?”
It was a realistic question. When she won the honorable title of Queen of the Silver Screen, it mean that she was at the peak of her acting career. Her next step would be especially important.
It would determine if she could continue to guard the honorable title.
There have been too many people who had average results and found it hard to break through after they reached the peak.
Ning Qing looked at Lu Shaoming as they had talked about the question before. Ning Qing replied, “During the upcoming year, I won’t be acting at all. I am twenty this year. I will return to school to continue to pursue further studies in my profession to recharge myself.”
“What? Miss Ning, you’re planning to stop doing films for a year? You’re resigning at the height of your career? Aren’t you too spoiled, too stubborn to make such a choice?”
“Miss Ning, where would you further your studies? Would it still be Beijing Film Academy?”…
The reporters were asking one question after another excitedly, “Excuse me, the interview session ends here today. Please move aside,” Zhu Rui said.
The bodyguards opened a route and Lu Shaoming held Ning Qing’s shoulder as they walked out.
…
After they exited the plaza, Ning Qing had an interview session about becoming Queen of the Silver Screen. She followed Xiao Zhou to the VIP room that organizer had arranged while Lu Shaoming waited by the car.
After the interview ended in thirty minutes, Ning Qing met Xu Junxi’s mother on the way out.
Xu Junxi’s mother looked resentful as she walked to Ning Qing. She lowered her voice and asked, “Qingqing, you really don’t want my Junxi anymore? Are you really going out with the what Lu Shao?”
“Aunt Xu, his name is Lu Shaoming. Do you think I’d still want Junxi after I dated him?” Ning Qing stood straight as she asked in reply.
Mother Xu was at a loss for words. She heard the few rich men’s wives chatting about Lu Shaoming’s family background and she was frightened.
Every wealthy and influential person in T city would have to bow before the Lu Corporation.
She stole a glance at Lu Shaoming. The man was mature yet charming. He was like a business tycoon that stood above the clouds for people to worship him. He was so high above. He was so elegant.
She didn’t know why Lu Shaoming would like Ning Qing.
Ever since the Xu family had abandoned her, Ning Qing seemed to be more and more valuable.
Ning Qing didn’t want to speak more with Mother Xu so she took huge stride to walk forward.
She took two steps forward and saw Xu Junxi, who was walking towards her. His footsteps were slow. She reckoned that he heard the conversation between Ning Qing and his mom.
Ning Qing didn’t do anything but brushed past Xu Junxi without even looking at him.
Xu Junxi was stunned on the spot as her scent filled his nostrils.
…
Ning Qing came to the car and she saw Lu Shaoming chatting with another man.
The man was thirty-two years old, wearing a light gray wool jacket outside a silvery gray suit and a white shirt. His features were good looking and the shape of his face was sharp and handsome. He was standing next to Lu Shaoming and having a brief discussion. His temperament was gentle.
The man shared the same aura as Lu Shaoming. Both of them were in a high position. Every single movement carried a natural and smooth strong aura. However, Lu Shaoming was an aristocrat as his family background was significant, while the other man appeared to have accumulated shrewdness over time and his gentle appearance couldn’t conceal his sharpness.
Ning Qing walked towards them and heard them talking.
The man laughed, “Young Master Lu, I wonder – how do you view the project about developing Jing field. I did a statistic report when I had some time. I wonder if you are interested in taking a look?”
Lu Shaoming lifted the corners of his lips, “CEO Ying, are you making fun of me. Guang Qing is not suitable to develop refined oil. Even if it could generate billions of dollars. As CEO Ying liked the project and is determined to win, I will tell my underlings to cancel their attention on the project.”
“Haha, thank you Young Master Lu. I’m flattered.”
“No problem,” Lu Shaoming replied politely.
Then, Ning Qing walked over. Lu Shaoming saw her and he extended his hand to hold her waist. “CEO Ying, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Ning Qing. Ning Qing, this is finance tycoon, Ying Muchen, CEO Ying.”
Ying Muchan looked at Ning Qing with his black eyes and smiled faintly, “Qingqing, long time no see.”
“Brother Ying, how do you do.”
Lu Shaoming was stunned, “Ning Qing, you knew CEO Ying?”
Ning Qing didn’t reply but Ying Muchen answered, “Oh, the Ying family and the Ning Family have been friends for a few generations. Qingqing grew up with my sister Shuiling. They’re best friends and Qingqing is of course my sister too.”