Chapter 112: A Villain’s Prerogative

“I’ll just wear something thick underneath; no one will notice.”

Ye Qing interjected, pulling the conversation back to herself. ‘Don’t mistake me for some easily bullied little cupcake, alright? If I get played, I’ll be far more ferocious than you can imagine.’

At her words, the two exchanged a look, smiling helplessly.

“Alright, if you insist…”

After all, for a performance aimed at children, a slightly comical villain might be better. Yet, this went against the very essence of theatrical performance.

Indeed, the Magical Girl exhibition aimed not only to showcase the heroines’ radiant and heroic demeanor but also to portray the villainous organization’s ugliness and terror. If the actor playing the evil executive failed to frighten anyone, the entire production would feel rather peculiar.

Consequently, selecting actors for the evil executives had always been a troublesome task. It wasn’t as if they could simply pluck a real villain from a confinement prison; achieving that fierce, menacing aura required nothing short of superb acting.

Typically, the exhibition organizers would recruit these performers. In the past, seasoned veterans could be found, their chilling, witch-like presence capable of terrifying children into silence.

However, over time, things gradually changed. Whether it was due to larger forces at play or a shift in public taste, portraying an evil executive eventually became a shortcut to stardom.

After all, sharing the stage with a Magical Girl undeniably boosted one’s fame, and if the actor possessed a striking appearance, popularity was almost guaranteed.

Thus, when the exhibition’s scriptwriter learned that Liu Qingruo intended to revise the script and even designate the evil executive’s actor, he felt a headache brewing.

Arrangements had already been finalized, and breaking the contract now would be a significant hassle for him. Yet, the Magical Girls wielded considerable power, far more influential than mere money.

Faced with Liu Qingruo’s stubborn insistence, he had no choice but to comply. This, however, was also what led to the replaced individual developing immense resentment.

***

That unlucky purple-haired woman was currently backstage at the exhibition, waiting to see who precisely possessed the ability to usurp her role.

It had to be said, she was truly unfortunate. Not only did her hair color clash, but her name, An Yingying, was also coincidentally similar to another’s.

Her mature figure and sensuous, fiery red lips immediately revealed that this woman, even without resorting to bribery, was perfectly suited for the role of an evil executive.

After all, her image almost perfectly mirrored that of a certain current leader of an evil organization.

“So, she still hasn’t arrived?”

An Yingying pressed, a hint of impatience in her voice. Seeing her demeanor, the staff member beside her could only offer a helpless expression.

“I apologize, Miss. We haven’t met her either.”

An Yingying scoffed, pulling a slender, feminine cigarette from her pocket and beginning to puff smoke backstage.

To think, she, An Yingying, was a daughter of the esteemed An family. Money was no object to her, and her looks were on par with any A-list celebrity. All she lacked was a chance to skyrocket to fame, and who would have thought she’d encounter such an obstacle?

So, who could have offered a reward more generous than hers—one substantial enough to make the production crew breach a contract? Or, perhaps, that little hussy had seduced someone influential here?

An Yingying’s eyes narrowed into sharp slits as she swept her gaze across the faces of those present. The staff, for their part, felt nothing but helplessness, knowing none of them could afford to offend Miss An.

Though they were unaware of the An family’s specific dealings, they knew it was a prominent clan, not one to be provoked by mere common folk.

Just then, Ye Qing, clad in her cardboard suit, entered through the doorway alongside the other two Magical Girls. In an instant, she captivated everyone’s attention.

All three maintained their transformed states. Ye Qing, with Gu Xuanyu’s assistance, had activated a facial filter to prevent her face from being remembered.

Anyone who saw her would only recall a beautiful face, only for the memory to vanish completely moments later, much like Silver Moon’s ‘lover’s filter.’

In her current state, Ye Qing not only wore a crude cardboard shell, but her lower half also appeared strangely bulky. It was unclear if she had stuffed something into her bloomers, but it made her walk stiff and unnatural.

Behind her, Liu Qingruo watched her peculiar gait, constantly suppressing a laugh.

Those backstage who noticed Ye Qing also displayed a variety of expressions.

‘Is this the one who… replaced Miss An? It feels a bit too haphazard.’

An Yingying, the unlucky protagonist, was seething. She simply couldn’t comprehend how such an inexplicably odd character could have taken her place.

‘You say she has a pretty face? Well, her face isn’t even visible, only a pair of amber eyes peeking through those two holes. It’s not bad, but the leather suit is just too ugly.’

‘And she’s so petite… one might mistake her for a kidnapped child laborer. She doesn’t look intimidating at all; she’ll probably make people burst out laughing.’

An Yingying grew increasingly furious, itching to confront her. However, seeing her surrounded by Magical Girls in their cheongsams, she hesitated.

‘If this little girl is connected to the Magical Girls, then this situation isn’t so strange after all… But what exactly makes her so appealing? I really want to rip off that ugly headpiece and see what kind of face is hidden beneath.’

As their gazes met, surprisingly, the black-haired girl shrouded in cardboard seemed even more astonished. As if she had encountered some kind of monster, she repeatedly rubbed her eyes and stared intently, making An Yingying feel somewhat uneasy.

After a moment, once the Magical Girls had entered the dressing room, the small figure quietly emerged and walked directly toward An Yingying.

An Yingying raised an eyebrow, about to question her, but Ye Qing spoke first, her tone accusatory.

“I knew you, you wicked woman, weren’t honest! Saying you’d use your hideous leather suit to trick me, were you trying to make a fool of me?”

An Yingying was bewildered by the barrage of questions, her initial indignation slowly replaced by confusion.

“Are you sure you have the right person? I don’t think we know each other… though I’d certainly like to get to know you.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing let out an exasperated laugh. Staring at the purple-haired woman whom she was ninety percent certain was An Yueying, she unhesitatingly removed her headpiece.

Revealing her pretty and captivating face, she pointed at her own feline features and spoke, “Still pretending? If you don’t recognize me, perhaps I can help you recall.”

The black-haired girl’s inexplicable assertiveness momentarily rendered An Yingying speechless, a seed of doubt sprouting in her heart.

‘Did I truly forget? Come to think of it, she is indeed quite adorable…’

Just then, a familiar, light chuckle emanated from behind Ye Qing, causing her to instantly stiffen and turn around.

It was a rather unremarkable woman, dressed in a dark work uniform, with long, ink-blue hair. Her face was unfamiliar, yet the teasing smile playing on her lips was strikingly familiar.

“How saddening. After finally finding a chance to meet again, you mistake me for someone else… I wouldn’t be foolish enough to seek you out in my original form.”

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