Chapter 230: The Photograph Under the Morning Sun

Xia Ling had maintained a good habit throughout these years.

That was, to wake up early every morning to practice her dancing and singing. She did not compromise on ensuring that her foundations were solid, be it rain or shine. As such, for all the time in these two lifetimes that she had been active in the entertainment scene, there had been talk about her temper, her status, and her health, but nobody said anything about her singing and dancing abilities. Her professionalism was enough to shut the critics up, whether they were a rival in her career or her love life.

Very few had her diligence and determination.

Even if she was staying in a hotel and there was no space for her to complete her usual routine, she still found the gym in the hotel and continued with her routine.

She had been going to the gym for several days diligently and practiced her dance in the empty yoga room for a while. After finishing her practice, she walked to the bistro on the way back to her room to have breakfast.

Since it was Valentine’s Day, the waiter gave every customer a small gift box of chocolates and wished everyone a “Happy Valentine’s Day” with a smile. When it was her turn, the waiter was stunned for a moment before putting the box of chocolates in her hands and saying, “Miss Ye, Happy Valentine’s Day! We have to discard the old for a new beginning, don’t be too sad!”

On a day like this, the only people that were more susceptible to being hurt than singles were those that had just fallen out of love.

Xia Ling looked down at the box of chocolates in her hands and gave a bitter smile. This was the disadvantage of being an artiste — the whole world was aware that she had just broken up. She had not even experienced one Valentine’s Day with Li Lei as they were not an item this time last year. And now, they had already broken up rather dramatically.

Her thoughts drifted off before she suddenly heard a voice. “Ye Xingling… Miss Ye?”

She turned her head and saw a lady dressed in a sleek shirt and casual pants standing in front of her. With her short bob, she had a handsome beauty about her.

The handsome beauty saw the confusion in her eyes and smiled. “You don’t recognize me? Right, right… we’ve never met before. Let me introduce myself… I’m Reporter Xu Fosheng from Star Entertainment Weekly and Sister Mai Na’s good friend.” She said as she stretched her hand toward Xia Ling for a handshake.

Xia Ling reached out and grasped her hand. She recalled Sister Mai Na mentioning this reporter friend that she had. During her public spat with Xia Yu, she had even written a report indicating her support for Xia Ling.

Xia Ling smiled amicably and said, “Miss Xu, it’s nice to meet you.”

“You’re Mai Na’s precious gem, feel free to call me Fosheng.” Xu Fosheng returned a bright smile before continuing. “I didn’t expect to meet you here. I’m recording a Valentine’s Day special program that requires us to do a real-time search. Would you be willing to let me take two photos of you?”

Xia Ling asked her what the program was about.

Xu Fosheng explained that they had selected venues that artistes enjoyed going to and were waiting to see whom they would run into to ask what they were doing for Valentine’s Day.

“It’s a real-time column that we are updating. The photos will immediately be posted online, and the traffic is very high.” Xu Fosheng said. “How about a few photos? It would be great in boosting your popularity!”

Why would she bother about boosting her popularity in her current out of love state? On such a day where there were pink bubbles of love everywhere, was she expecting her to be a representative for all the singletons out there? Xia Ling laughed self-deprecatingly and was about to decline Xu Fosheng’s suggestion when she heard her say —

“Don’t be too quick to decline, Xiao Ling. You have to know that there are many reporters out there staking out for the same reasons I am. Not everyone will be as nice as I am to let you pose for pictures. Many are going to snap random shots of you from behind the door or from the corner of a restaurant. You might end up with many ugly photos and outrageous headlines… it would be too late then to be crying over spilled milk… ” Xu Fosheng blinked winningly at Xia Ling. “Xiao Ling, we are all good friends of Sister Mai Na. I’m saying this sincerely for your good!”

“It’s difficult being a reporter these days, isn’t it? You even have to learn to be so eloquent.” Xia Ling commented.

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Xu Fosheng smiled. “You’re exactly right! Seeing that you have the strength to joke around you’ve probably recovered from your break up. Let me take a few photos of you looking radiant to tell everyone how well you are, and to show those that are waiting to laugh at you that you will not be all despondent and miserable from the breakup. That will show them all! What do you think?”

“Do they think I look miserable?” Xia Ling asked.

“Of course.” Xu Fosheng replied. “A small artiste being chased out of the house on New Year’s Eve, her dreams of marrying to the rich Big Boss crushed. Doesn’t that sound miserable to you? Xiao Ling, have you not been looking at the news? The rumors about you are horrendous, and if you don’t show yourself now to crush those rumors, tomorrow they might say that you are committing suicide from the heartbreak!”

Xia Ling was speechless.

Okay then, Xu Fosheng hit her right where it hurt. She, Xia Ling, hated to see those that were jealous of her feeling like they were right. What’s more, they were all waiting on the bylines to make a joke of her. She was someone who preferred to lick her wounds quietly by herself in the middle of the night. What about all those bystanders? Ha, she would definitely show them that she was not what they thought!

Did they all think that she was despondent?

Then, let them see how well she was doing and how radiant she looked!

Xia Ling agreed to Xu Fosheng’s suggestion and allowed her to take several photos.

Xu Fosheng’s photograph skills were stellar, choosing all the right angles and lightings to make her look great. Under the morning sun with the full-length windows as the background, she was quietly sitting in the bistro having coffee. The tablecloth before her was a pristine white, and there was a calm expression on her face. Her eyelashes were dark and smooth like crow’s feathers, and they cast a faint shadow beneath her eyes, giving her an added aura of elegance and mystery.

Xu Fosheng completed her work with satisfaction and sent the photos back to “Star Entertainment Weekly’s” official Weibo channel with the headline: “The romance is not lost when you’re alone on Valentine’s Day. For some women, they are the best scenery wherever they choose to be.”

Not long later, many netizens commented on the photos.

The fans that were reeling from all the news of the breakup appeared in full force. They expressed happiness to see their idol doing so well after the breakup incident, sharing this Weibo post again and again. Xia Ling’s peaceful photo was the perfect way to shut the critics up.

Look at our Xiao Ling… what is it to break up with just another man? Xiao Ling is looking great and is completely relaxed having breakfast by herself! Looking at how well she’s doing, who’s to say that she wasn’t the one to dump Boss Li?! Hmph!

There were countless blessings. Xiao Ling, you look great! Congrats to Xiao Ling for returning to singlehood! Xiao Ling, I support you!

The fans were all excited at seeing news of how she was doing.

On the other hand, some others were unhappy.

Gu Lin, who had been hiding at home reading entertainment news for several days, was feeling glad at seeing all the news pitying and criticizing Ye Xingling. However, what was happening today? On a day as important as Valentine’s Day when it was perfect timing to give Ye Xingling an additional whammy for the breakup, how was it that Ye Xingling was gaining so much positive attention?!

Looking at the photograph…

She looked resplendent!

Gu Lin did not know that it was all a misunderstanding and cover-up. Xia Ling had been looking frail and miserable these few days, but she tended to look better in the morning. What’s more, as she had just finished her morning exercise, the flush in her cheeks were perfectly normal. Moreover, being an artiste for two lifetimes, Xia Ling was keenly aware of how to best present herself in photos, not forgetting to mention the experience and skill of Xu Fosheng as the photographer…

In synthesis, regardless of how despondent Xia Ling was, she was going to look perfect in the photograph.

Gu Lin could not take it any longer.