Chapter 19: 1.1.19: “Wow”
"Alright, so I'm going to ask you to follow me." Ni Ming said as she grabbed Xiao Yunhua's hand in hers. The eighteen year old girl was startled and nodded as she allowed herself to be pulled along with Ni Ming.
The older woman and she walked in the dim nightclub until they finally reached a room with a silver star on it. The star was kinda dull and didn't hold any type of luster at all. It was almost like the star was attempting to remain inconspicuous and out of sight if someone where to pass by the room. But even with the dull decoration, Xiao Yunhua was stunned to see Ni Ming press a hidden button to expose a lock.
This intricate lock was particularly special and it seemed like only Ni Ming was capable of opening it. Because in what was apparently a speed faster than the human mind could register, Ni Ming was already pushing the door open. Luckily for Xiao Yunhua, she had her five senses heightened to abnormal lengths. This included the sense of sight, so she didn't have too much trouble seeing what Ni Ming did.
"Wow." Xiao Yunhua mumbled when they walked inside. Her eyes fell to the door, and it seemed like Ni Ming noticed her gaze.
The woman giggled childishly and explained, "Blame that dumb man for being so possessive." Suddenly, her expression turned serious and she murmured, "Just precautions may seem ridiculous, but in all honesty, they are necessary. You never know who's a psychopath and who isn't."
"Wow." And that's all that Xiao Yunhua could say. Repeating something wasn't her style, but hearing Ni Ming's words, she couldn't help but feel dread. Maybe what she was going was dangerous? But she brushed off her thoughts. Mentally, she died at eighteen and has been in this world for approximately ten years. So if one were to do the math, she'd be nearly twenty-eight years old! She didn't need to worry about something silly like this!
Xiao Yunhua glanced around the room and found an abundance number of dresses, costumes, and such lying everywhere. There was a large vanity set with lights framing the mirror, giving it a 'diva' effect.
"Wow." She repeated for a third time. She couldn't help but want to smack her head. Did her vocabulary not extend beyond the word 'wow'? It was quite embarrassing, really, but she couldn't help it this time. She was genuinely awestruck and amazed by practically everything there.
Ni Ming chuckled and rolled her eyes, "Silly girl. I swear, I haven't met someone as unique as you."
Hearing her words, Xiao Yunhua genuinely blushed. She didn't expect to appear as a goofball in front of her mentor and one of her benefactors. But even with her rosy cheeks, she cleared her throat and stepped aside, letting Ni Ming walk to the vanity.
Even though she had never been here, she figured that Ni Ming used this room to completely change her looks and persona to a devilish temptress. Staring at her rapid hands that were multitasking, Xiao Yunhua saw Ni Ming change to a completely different person.
About an hour or two later, the woman that Xiao Yunhua saw on her first night at Riverside stood before her. With her strikingly beautiful blue eyes, red lips, and pale skin, it was as though Snow White was brought to life.
Xiao Yunhua opened her mouth, but Ni Ming interrupted her, "If you say 'wow' one more time..."
Xiao Yunhua embarrassedly laughed and remained silent because she was caught. Suddenly, Ni Ming pulled her hand and made Xiao Yunhua sit on the chair in front of the vanity.
"What are you doing?"
Ni Ming flashed her a mischievous smile, "Why, you're joining me, of course."
Xiao Yunhua frowned but flinched when she felt a pinch.
"Don't frown or else you'll get wrinkles early!" Ni Ming scolded as she began her role as a fairy god mother. She told Xiao Yunhua to keep her eyes closed and wait for the surprise.
Xiao Yunhua didn't mind as she used that time to think about all sorts of things. Her daydreaming came to an end when Ni Ming cleated her throat, "You can open your eyes now!"
Xiao Yunhua opened her eyes and saw a stunning woman staring right back at her in the mirror. The woman had a small face, beautiful, doe-like eyes, a thin, ruby mouth, and her hair was straightened to perfection. She looked like a living porcelain doll.
Unexpectedly, that woman was Xiao Yunhua!? "W-What..." Xiao Yunhua was so stunned and frozen that she couldn't help but stutter. Ni Ming smirked at her masterpiece proudly and pulled out a black qipao dress with red rose designs blooming everywhere. When Xiao Yunhua wore the dress, it fit her smoothly like a glove and accented every one of her curves.
"Wow!" Surprisingly, it wasn't Xiao Yunhua that said the word this time, it was Ni Ming. In all her years of doing the job of an entertainer, she had never seen such a beauty. In fact, Ni Ming did think that Xiao Yunhua was beautiful, but she never expected her beauty to be to such lengths.
As they were both ready, Ni Ming ushered for Xiao Yunhua to follow her, but the young woman paused in hesitation.
"Ni Ming, is it really okay for me to go like this?" Hearing her unconfident tone, Ni Ming's features softened.
"My dear, you'll be fine. Besides, you won't be in the limelight... not too much, at least!" But Xiao Yunhua still froze in her spot and didn't move.
Ni Ming really wanted for the young woman to perform her heavenly voice with her on that night, especially when the performance was due to start soon. Unfortunately, Xiahu Yunhua didn't seem to want to even move, nonetheless perform.
Her eyes fell to a silver object. Walking towards the object, Ni Ming realized that it was a silver half-mask with intricate designs using white lace. She smirked as she grabbed the mask and let Xiao Yunhua wear it.
"There. Now nobody will know it's you." Even though the young woman wasn't recognizable in the first place, Ni Ming still spoke such words to reassure Xiao Yunhua.
Seeing something that would deeply contribute to her plans, Xiao Yunhua smiled in appreciation. But behind her smile, there hid the smile of a demoness waiting to lure her prey.
"Alright, let's go, dear!" Ni Ming looped their arms together and they walked towards the front of the nightclub.
Once they arrived, Xiao Yunhua immediately felt numerous eyes on them, especially her. She felt nervous, especially since she had never been in the sight of people like this ever before, unless it was her former schoolmates. Ni Ming must've sensed her nervous state because she motioned for her to stand besides her, and the music for the song that she sang for her birthday happen to play. But she wasn't playing the piano this time, all she had to do was focus on singing.
And that's exactly what she did when it was her part of the song. The whole incident was a big surprise her her, but once Ni Ming motioned at which parts she was supposed to sing, Xiao Yunhua got the hang of it. She poured everything she had into the song and sang with every fiber of her being.
When the song ended, a silence loomed over the nightclub until people clapped with astonishment filling their faces. They had expected her to be mediocre as they've never heard of this entertainer before. But surprisingly, she was even more talented than Ni Ming, if possible!
Ni Ming made eye contact with Wang Yaowan and flashed him an inconspicuous thumbs up. She announced that the young woman with her preferred to stay anonymous for now, and the audience had managed to get a special performance.
While this was happening, Xiao Yunhua glanced around and her eyes met with a pair of cold eyes. Even though half of her face was covered, she had never felt so exposed.
She had never expected to see Zhou Feng here, especially when she was first performing! This was completely against her plans. Even though it seemed like minutes, it was only a few seconds before Ni Ming turned away. She quickly disappeared before anyone of the crowd could catch up to her.
Her heart thumped loudly and she felt her palms sweaty.
Even though she stopped for a few seconds, she never expected for someone to tap her shoulders...
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone