After Transmigrating Into a Book, I Was Played by the Black Lotus – Chapter 22

Don’t Be a Pervert.

“You can choose not to be a decent person, but you can’t be a pervert.”

Before she left, Father Lin took advantage of a moment when Bai Xiying wasn’t looking to quietly pull his daughter aside and give her a piece of advice.

Lin Xingzhu: “?”

Father Lin cleared his throat. “I can see that child, Xiao Ying, likes you a lot.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lin Xingzhu immediately beamed. “That’s why she’s my girlfriend.”

But what does that have to do with being a decent person?

Father Lin shot her a glare. “I’m not telling you to be proud of it. We are decent people. Don’t you go learning crooked ideas from others and doing perverted things.”

Regarding the recent incident with the Qiao family, Father Lin had heard whispers about Qiao Zijin’s hobbies, and he had been utterly shocked at the time.

This brief time spent together today had caused Father Lin’s impression of Bai Xiying to skyrocket; he liked everything about her, especially the fact that she was so genuine and sincere toward his daughter.

Father Lin genuinely hoped that Lin Xingzhu could maintain her steady and composed demeanor, but out of a guilty conscience and a vague sense of worry, he couldn’t help but quietly give her a warning.

Lin Xingzhu pushed down her own thoughts and replied, “Dad, don’t you worry. I’m not that kind of person.”

Father Lin nodded in satisfaction and urged, “Hurry up and go, don’t keep Xiao Ying waiting.”

Once in the car, Lin Xingzhu fastened her seatbelt. After starting the engine, she looked at Bai Xiying, who had been acting alongside her for the better part of the day, and said with admiration, “I didn’t expect your acting skills to be so good.”

Not only had her dad failed to see through the ruse, but he had also genuinely begun to see Bai Xiying as his future daughter-in-law.

Remembering Father Lin’s attitude toward her as she was leaving, Bai Xiying touched her smooth nose in embarrassment. “…It’s also because Uncle is so approachable.”

Lin Xingzhu: “In any case, we’ve passed today’s trial.”

Lin Xingzhu let out a sigh of relief. As for her father’s parting words, she didn’t bring them up.

It was all fake to begin with, so what future is there to even talk about?

Hearing this, Bai Xiying also gently exhaled.

Acting was already second nature to her, but when the target of her performance was filled with such goodwill, she felt a little uneasy.

Leaving the Lin family home, her tense nerves could finally relax a bit.

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Monday morning.

As Bai Xiying went to the office to submit a report, Mu Muqing called out to her.

Bai Xiying looked back, her eyes filled with confusion.

Mu Muqing hesitated for a moment, then waved her hand, signaling for her to leave.

Bai Xiying obediently turned, closed the door, and left.

Just as she returned to her workstation, a colleague’s voice floated over. “Xiying, are you planning to sign up for the ASHY Design Competition?”

Bai Xiying hesitantly pointed at herself, saying uncertainly, “Me? I don’t think I’m good enough…”

Her colleague smiled until her eyes narrowed. “Oh, come on, how are you not good enough? We all know what you’re capable of.” She pouted her lips, expressing her envy. “Ever since you came, we’ve learned that hard work is worthless in the face of talent.”

To be able to enter Hurricane Studio and work under Mu Muqing’s high demands and standards, who in the studio wasn’t genuinely skilled?

But ever since Bai Xiying’s arrival, the few skills she had revealed had truly been an eye-opener for everyone, filling them with utmost admiration.

If the artwork Bai Xiying had shown during her interview could be described as spiritually captivating but technically immature, allowing the seniors in the studio to still offer a word or two of guidance on brushwork, then her new works after joining were a different story. Although her style had changed drastically, her technique was exquisite, hardly resembling the work of a recent graduate.

What was even more astonishing was the rich, overwhelming emotion that poured from her paintings, making one feel as if they were right there in the scene, a truly extraordinary and shocking experience.

Thinking of this, Wang Xiaoxiao¹ sighed with genuine emotion. “I really feel like your talent is being wasted here.”

Sigh, a new generation of talent emerges in each era².

She secretly glanced at the boss’s office and leaned in closer to whisper, “Honestly, I think if your paintings were put up against Director Mu’s, it would be really hard to pick a winner.”

Bai Xiying’s expression changed, and she said helplessly, “Xiaoxiao-jie, that’s a compliment I dare not accept.”

Wang Xiaoxiao stopped, showing she understood.

However, what she didn’t say was that if Bai Xiying’s work were pitted against Director Mu’s, although it would be a close call, it wasn’t impossible for Bai Xiying to win.

But saying that out loud would be offensive, so Wang Xiaoxiao skirted the topic and continued, “The ASHY Design Competition is held once every three years. Putting aside the prize money for the champion, just the invisible benefits that come with this honor alone would be enough to let you walk through this industry as if on perfectly flat ground.”

“You also know, Director Mu once relied on this very title…” Wang Xiaoxiao didn’t finish, giving Bai Xiying a look that said, you know what I mean.

Bai Xiying unconsciously twirled the pen in her hand, clearly tempted by Wang Xiaoxiao’s words.

The ASHY Design Competition was an event named after the initials of a world-renowned painter from the last century. It was held triennially and selected only one champion, with no second or third-place awards.

It could be said that in this competition, you either won and became known to all, or you faded into obscurity; no one paid attention to any name other than the victor’s.

Because of the immense wealth and reputation behind the championship, its selection process was extremely authoritative and equitable, making it exceptionally fair.

Therefore, the ASHY competition could be considered the gold standard in the painting and design industry.

In her past life, Bai Xiying had also signed up for this competition.

So much time had passed that if Wang Xiaoxiao hadn’t reminded her, she would have almost forgotten about this year’s registration period.

So, that hesitant moment from Mu Muqing in the office just now… was it also because of this?

Bai Xiying thought absently.

Wang Xiaoxiao was still egging her on, “Just go sign up and give it a try. If it doesn’t work out, it’s all about the experience anyway.”

Besides, since no one cared about anyone but the champion, there was no shame in it at all.

Bai Xiying bit her lip, stopped twirling her pen, and quietly asked her, “Is Director Mu participating this year?”

The ASHY competition did not prohibit past champions from participating, so Mu Muqing was eligible to register.

Wang Xiaoxiao’s eyes flickered with doubt as she said uncertainly, “Probably not?”

“Why not?” Bai Xiying was surprised. “I remember Director Mu participated last time, didn’t she?”

Mu Muqing had competed twice and had taken the top prize both times, which had made her famous in the industry and thoroughly established her honor and career.

After all, a single championship could be easily won, as success often involved not just formidable skill but also a touch of luck.

But to compete twice and win twice was an undeniable demonstration of one’s formidable strength. Her reputation was well-deserved.

Wang Xiaoxiao glanced left and right. Seeing that everyone was focused on their work and that Bai Xiying was looking at her with an expression full of curiosity, the self-proclaimed office veteran figured it wasn’t much of a secret and spilled the beans without any psychological burden.

“Because I’ve noticed that Director Mu hasn’t really done much creative work herself these past few years,” Wang Xiaoxiao said. “In the past, for the projects we took on, the core parts were sometimes personally handled by Director Mu. That was a signature feature of Hurricane. But it seems to have disappeared in recent years.”

Wang Xiaoxiao shrugged and speculated, “It’s also possible that Director Mu feels she’s trained us enough, so as the big boss, it’s not strange that she doesn’t want to do the work herself anymore.”

After all, who wouldn’t want to make money while just lying down?

However, something like painting is like practicing the piano. If you miss a day, it’s no big deal, but if you don’t practice for ten days or half a month, you’ll know you’ve gotten rusty, let alone a year or two.

But it couldn’t be ruled out that Director Mu had never stopped creating in private.

With Director Mu’s level of skill and fame, she could have easily pursued the path of a pure artist. Choosing to start a business truly enriched herself while also benefiting the public’s aesthetic sense.

Wang Xiaoxiao grumbled inwardly.

But then again, this line of work probably brings in more money, right?

She looked at Bai Xiying, who was full of collagen, beautiful, and talented. Perhaps her future achievements would be extraordinary as well.

She shed envious tears like wide noodles³.

Bai Xiying said thoughtfully, “So that’s how it is.”

She looked at Wang Xiaoxiao. “Thank you, Xiaoxiao-jie, for telling me all this. If I do sign up, I’ll definitely come to you for advice.”

Wang Xiaoxiao said magnanimously, “Feel free to ask anytime!”

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Lin Xingzhu knocked on Sun Li’s⁴ door, holding a project report. She only entered after getting a response.

After closing the door behind her, the sound startled Sun Li, who was engrossed in her work at her desk.

Sun Li looked up, and upon seeing who it was, she smiled. “Have you made a decision?”

Lin Xingzhu grunted in affirmation. “We’ve gone through several rounds of discussions. These are the two tentative choices for now. I’ve brought them for you to look over first.”

Sun Li nodded, took the file, and flipped through a few pages before looking up. “Zhu Mei⁵ and Hurricane?”

Lin Xingzhu nodded and, at Sun Li’s gesture, sat down in the chair opposite her. “After our extensive investigation and evaluation, we found that these two studios are the best fit for our project’s requirements.”

After a pause, she quickly added, “The risk of failure is also the lowest.”

Hearing her say this, Sun Li lowered her head again and examined the documents carefully for a while longer.

Lin Xingzhu sat opposite her, waiting patiently for her to finish.

Fortunately, the other woman was a fast reader and soon closed the file.

Sun Li didn’t comment on the file. Instead, she brought up an unrelated topic. “Young Director Lin’s fiery defense of her lady love⁶ has become quite the story.”

Her tone was clearly one of good-natured, elder-like teasing. Lin Xingzhu, her hands clasped, rubbed her index fingers together and said in a gentle voice, “You flatter me.”

Sun Li shook her head, looking at the composed person before her. “Flatter you? Everyone is very impressed. I’ve already heard many people praising you in private.”

Lin Xingzhu already sensed what the other party was about to say.

Sure enough, Sun Li’s tone shifted as she said urbanely, “Why don’t we just decide on Hurricane?”

Lin Xingzhu pondered for a moment before replying gently, “Director Sun, if you are aware of something, please don’t mind my personal relationships. The company’s needs should always come first.”

She guessed that Sun Li must have found out from somewhere that her “girlfriend,” Bai Xiying, was employed at Hurricane Studio and was trying to do her a favor.

Lin Xingzhu wasn’t averse to such unspoken rules⁷, but she preferred to prioritize the work itself.

Sun Li glanced at her. Seeing that Lin Xingzhu wasn’t just saying it for show, she considered for a moment, then slowly smiled. “Actually, my personal inclination is also toward Hurricane Studio. After all, besides fitting our needs, its reputation is quite significant, isn’t it?”

A strong alliance can maximize benefits.

For both Hurricane and Xingyuan, this was a win-win situation.

Seeing this, Lin Xingzhu said no more.

And so, the plan for Xingyuan Yinheng’s latest game project was set. After negotiating the contract with Hurricane, the art department would be fully handed over to them for collaboration.

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