Aromatic Flesh

The reckless pursuit of love, akin to fireflies drawn to the flame, often meets a tragic fate. Xue HeZe’s short-lived existence came to a close on the path of elopement with Qian YunSheng.

As Xue HeZe stepped into the balcony of the Summer Harmony Film Theater, Gu MingYue was transported to this mission world.

As Qian YunSheng took the stage, Gu MingYue, seated high above, could sense the piercing gaze emanating from him, even though the distance obscured their faces.

In the presence of Qian YunSheng, the affluent young Miss Xue was always by his side. After being pursued by the well-born lady for two years, it was about time for him, a man who was as cold as a block of ice, to finally thaw a little and hopefully reciprocate her feelings.

Although Gu Mingyue was well-versed in the story plot, she remained uncertain about the depth of Qian YunSheng’s feelings for Xue HeZe. As a renowned opera artist, Qian YunSheng’s willingness to leave everything behind and elope with Xue HeZe might have stemmed from a desire to escape from that person, the man who had propelled his fame…

“This cloud of emotions follows the rain’s rhythm, just stirring an inexplicable itch in my heart. Who has disturbed the sleeping Mandarin ducks? The rolling crimson waves bring joy in haste, filling me with delight. Lingering fragrance on the pillow, lingering fragrance on the handkerchief, the taste of ecstasy, just savoured in the dream.”

As the melodious lyrics filled the air, Gu MingYue rose from her seat and adjusted her attire. With just two more scenes remaining in this act, she gathered her belongings and made her way towards the backstage.

Gu MingYue was uncertain about the expression she should show when she saw Qian YunSheng and how to approach him to persuade him to elope with her. Her mind was filled with uncertainty, and her heart raced with anxiety like never before.

Two years of acquaintance may not be long, but it was enough for Qian YunSheng to understand Xue HeZe’s personality.

Mastering the role of a somewhat feisty and whimsical, yet endearing young lady with a not-so-hidden infatuation for Qian YunSheng, without raising any eyebrows, posed a significant challenge for Gu MingYue, who was not truly part of the present society. This mission demands exceptional acting skills.

As Gu MingYue approached the dressing room exclusively reserved for Qian YunSheng, her anxiety grew. Her mouth felt parched, her heartbeat quickened, and her fingertips turned slightly cold. The staff members bustling in the corridor had predictable reactions when they saw Gu MingYue, their faces displaying a knowing look. One man, whom she recognized, cast a sidelong glance at Qian YunSheng’s dressing room and then playfully raised an eyebrow at her, wearing a mischievous smile on his lips.

She recognized him as the other talented actor from ShangHai XianNi Society. He was well known for his impeccable appearance, graceful movements, and exceptional singing. However, despite his talents, he always finds himself being overshadowed by Qian YunSheng due to unfortunate circumstances.

If his singing was truly inferior to Qian YunSheng, then he would willingly resign himself to his fate. But it was clear that Qian YunSheng was being propelled forward by someone behind the scenes. This caused Wen ChuanXi to fall short in every aspect and was continuously overshadowed by that annoying Qian YunSheng.

Miss Xue was a devoted fan of Qian YunSheng, and it was widely known that she had long harboured a secret crush on him. She would always attend his performances in order to win his favour, and occasionally she would present him with valuable gifts. If she had discovered the true relationship between Qian YunSheng and the person behind the scenes, it would have surely resulted in a remarkable spectacle. It would have been an unparalleled drama, and the anticipation would have been truly overwhelming.

Feigning confusion at Wen ChuanXi’s actions, Gu MingYue flashed him a smile and grasped the doorknob of the dressing room. For a brief moment, her hand paused slightly before she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, steadying her nerves. With renewed determination, she boldly swung open the door.

There was someone inside the dressing room, and Gu MingYue was well aware of the significance of that person’s presence and their relationship with Qian YunSheng.

In the original plot, Qian YunSheng met with Xue HeZe after the performance had ended, hence missing the opportunity for them to meet. This time, Gu MingYue intentionally arrived early at the dressing room, eager to meet this person.

“It’s you?”

“Why, was it such a surprise to meet your fiancée here?”

Seated in the dressing room, the man reclined in the chair with his legs crossed, exuding an air of ease. He was clad in an exquisite white silk suit, while his polished leather shoes radiated a brilliant shine. The suit jacket rested nonchalantly on the back of the chair, revealing a lightly patterned grey waistcoat and a crisp white shirt. The top buttons of the shirt were casually undone, allowing a tantalizing glimpse of his subtly protruding collarbones.

The man sitting in front of her appeared completely at ease, as if he belonged there. His hair was neatly parted down the middle, not styled with the trendy wet look, but instead had a natural and voluminous quality. His facial features were sharply defined, yet not overly harsh, with well-groomed eyebrows above bright, attentive eyes, a straight and proportionate nose, and lips that formed a subtle, upward curve. His hands, casually resting on his knees, spread open in a welcoming gesture as he greeted her, “Not at all, in fact, I was actually expecting to see you here.”

Implied in the statement was the fact that within ShangHai’s social circles, it was widely known that Xue HeZe harboured feelings for Qian YunSheng, and would often discard her reserved demeanour to pursue the man relentlessly.

The strong undertone of resentment in Tang YingShao’s words indicated his dissatisfaction with the marriage arrangement between Xue HeZe and himself.

New arc! I’ve personally not read this arc before, so I’ll be reading it as I translate. Please do let me know if there were some mistakes/mismatches in the story plot as it is also my first time reading the raws.

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