Chapter 1499: Great to Have You (59)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Long Xiaoxi got closer to her in the next few days, and they would have all their meals together.
Two days later, the second round of elimination began. Two out of five hundred contestants would be eliminated.
Fortunately, three of the contestants in Long Xiaoxi’s room were advanced to the next round.
The three contestants were Long Xiaoxi, Li Xiaoxiao, and Wang Hulu.
The modeling contest managed to garner the attention of the public and was widely received amongst the viewers. It became a hot topic for discussion on the internet. Many fans had also shown their support for the contestants.
Unfortunately, only those beautiful and handsome contestants had fans.
After a few rounds of elimination, it boiled down to fifty remaining contestants who were ranked accordingly.
Li Xiaoxiao and Long Xiaoxi were close in rank. Long Xiaoxi was in 32nd place while Li Xiaoxiao was in 38th place.
Wang Hulu managed to survive the elimination by a close shave and was ranked 49th place.
Long Xiaoxi had paid lots of attention to Wen Yuechan.
She was as gorgeous as she used to be as a child.
She was also ranked several places before Long Xiaoxi, coming in at 11th place.
At this juncture, Long Xiaoxi still did not want to rely on her family’s connections. However, Mei Yangyang told her that it was true that the rankings and positions had already been determined beforehand and that the voting system was just a sham and a facade. Long Xiaoxi snapped the moment she heard that it would be impossible for her to make it into the top thirty contestants.
Why can’t it be a fair contest?
Is this a competition of who has the best family background?
She found out from Mei Yangyang who the top thirty contestants were.
Mei Yangyang sent her a name list.
Wen Yuechan was set to be the second runner-up.
To her astonishment, Wang Hulu would emerge as champion! The first runner-up was unsurprisingly the daughter of a tycoon.
Just like she had expected, Li Xiaoxiao and herself were not in the name list.
At this moment, Long Xiaoxi realized that Wang Hulu definitely had a powerful backer. However, she felt that Wang Hulu’s name was rather distasteful and thus deduced that the latter’s parents must have been uncultured. Hence, she requested Mei Yangyang to help her look into Wang Hulu’s profile.
The day before the next round of elimination, Mei Yangyang informed her that Wang Hulu was the daughter of the organizer of the modeling contest.
Her actual name was Wang Xizhen, and she had changed her name to Wang Hulu because of the contest.
It had never crossed Long Xiaoxi’s mind that the plain and average-looking Wang Hulu would be the greatest winner.
Long Xiaoxi finally requested Mei Yangyang to help her and Li Xiaoxiao pull some strings using her connections.
Despite feeling exasperated, she did not confront Wang Hulu.
After much consideration, she decided to have a talk with Li Xiaoxiao.
She asked, “What do you think Wang Hulu’s family background is like?”
“She’s dressed in cheap clothes from head to toe and she doesn’t put on any makeup either. She doesn’t seem to be from a wealthy family.”
“We won’t make it to the top thirty this time.”
“Huh? How did you know?” Li Xiaoxiao asked.
Gazing at Li Xiaoxiao, she answered, “I have a list of names that have already been determined beforehand. Wang Hulu would be the champion, followed by a tycoon’s daughter, and, thirdly, Wen Yuechan.”
“Wang Hulu? Are you kidding me? How could she be first place?”
“Her real name is Wang Xizhen and she changed her name right before the contest. She’s the daughter of the contest organizer.”
Li Xiaoxiao was shocked speechless. She exclaimed in astonishment, “What!?! That’s so unexpected. How could she have the cheek to say that her parents had given her that name. Such great acting chops she’s got. However, this is supposedly top secret. Xuan Yin, how did you know about this?”
Not wishing to hide it from her any longer, Long Xiaoxi decided to come clean. “My real name is Long Xiaoxi. You might not know who my father is, but you definitely know who my godparents are. My godmother is An Xiaoning.”
Covering her mouth in shock, Li Xiaoxiao asked, “Really?”
“Yes, I initially wanted to depend on my own abilities to make it to the end of the contest. However, I found out that I would not make it to the top thirty after my mother obtained the name list. Since then, I realized that everyone in this contest is just pulling strings using their connections. In that case, why can’t I use my connections too? Xiaoxiao, don’t worry, I told my mother to help you advance to the next round too.”
Li Xiaoxiao hugged her agitatedly and said, “Thank you, Xuan Yin. I was so disappointed when I heard that the results were determined beforehand, and my heart was shattered. Did the organizer organize this contest just to let his daughter debut? Are we just there to complement her?”
“I reckon so.”
“Xuan Yin, your real identity will be revealed sooner or later. You have no idea how well-connected those netizens are. However, you’d better lie low before they find out about your identity.”
“I’ve always kept a low profile. I only wanted to tell you because we’re friends and I don’t wish to hide anything from you.”
Upon hearing her words, Li Xiaoxiao patted her chest and said, “I knew I was good at judging people. Xuan Yin, thank you for being my friend. I won’t let you down or betray your trust.”
Long Xiaoxi smiled and said, “I’m planning to go home for tonight, but you must remember not to let Wang Hulu find out that you already know her identity.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep it a secret until the contest is over.”
Li Xiaoxiao walked her out to the entrance. Shortly after, a luxury car pulled over in front of them and Jin Rongyan alighted.
Li Xiaoxiao was stunned beyond words the moment she saw his face. “Is he your boyfriend?”
“No.”
“That’s it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m in love with him.”
“…”
Amused by her words, Long Xiaoxi asked, “Are you sure? Have you met him before?”
“No, it’s my first time seeing him. I’ve never felt like this before, but my heart is beating rapidly. Xuan Yin, does he have a girlfriend?”
“Not that I know of.”
Staring at Long Xiaoxi with wide eyes and tugging her arm, Li Xiaoxiao asked, “Really? You’re not lying to me?”
“I’m not. He doesn’t have a girlfriend right now.”
“I’m going to court him, then.”
“You… are so proactive.” Long Xiaoxi then walked toward Jin Rongyan and said, “Rongyan, this is my friend, Li Xiaoxiao.”
Jin Rongyan frowned the instant he saw Li Xiaoxiao, who had an afro, heavy makeup, and green eyeshadow. She seemed like a freak to him. “Hello,” he said coldly.
Li Xiaoxiao immediately held his hand and said, “Hello, hello, what’s your mobile number?”
“…”
Jin Rongyan retracted his hand with a look of disdain. He did not have a good impression of her at all. He then opened the door and said to Long Xiaoxi, “Everyone’s waiting for you, hop on.”
Li Xiaoxiao waved Li Xiaoxiao goodbye and said, “I’ll get going now.”
“Alright.”
After driving away, Jin Rongyan asked, “Why would you even be friends with her?”
“Xiaoxiao is a nice person.”
“She’s just like a female gangster.”
Long Xiaoxi protested, “She’s not. She just likes dressing that way.”