Professional Substitute

Chapter 1 : Sky-high Breakup Fee

"Miss Xia, the agreement is terminated early."

With a blank expression, Assistant Huo slowly pushed a check with the beautiful stamp of Sheng Group across the coffee table towards Mo Qinglan. The five million on that check seemed to carry a decisive power.

"Wow!" Mo Qinglan's eyes sparkled as she picked up the check and meticulously counted the zeros in the Arabic numerals twice. Only then did she lift her beautiful fox-like eyes and respond flatteringly, "Please convey my thanks to Mr. Sheng through Assistant Huo for his generosity over the past two and a half years, which helped me step into the middle class early. I will remember his kindness."

The imagined scene of crying, clinging, and begging did not occur at all. Just five million, and she was easily dismissed. Huo Cheng stared dumbfounded at the girl before him, his mouth slightly opening and closing, his lips drooping, yet there wasn’t a trace of sadness in her eyes.

"You know what to do in the future, right?" he reminded her, both as a friendly hint and a threat.

"From now on, bridges will remain bridges, roads will remain roads; I will not cling to him. The past will be buried deep in my heart. If we happen to meet, I will certainly take a detour to avoid embarrassing Mr. Sheng." Look, this is the self-discipline of a professional stand-in, complete with after-sales service. Mo Qinglan spoke as if she were performing a monologue, clear and logical, with her intelligence fully intact. She was completely different from the former soft and gentle stand-in who loved Mr. Sheng deeply. Are women really natural performers, wearing different masks and changing faces at will?

"Mr. Sheng also mentioned that you haven't graduated yet and have a bright future ahead. You shouldn't always think about taking shortcuts. After all, youth doesn’t last forever." This was something Sheng Yunzhou specifically mentioned before Huo Cheng came, and although he thought it might be unnecessary, he had to carry out the boss's orders. Mo Qinglan didn't care about the implied meaning in his words and maintained her professional composure without a hint of a smile.

"What Mr. Sheng said is absolutely right. However, these days, money is hard to earn, hardships are hard to endure, big companies are laying off employees, and graduating means unemployment. If there's a chance to enjoy the benefits of youth, why not seize it?" Moreover, in Mo Qinglan's view, selling one's looks and selling one's brains are no different. After all, both are parts of one's body. Speaking of which, Mo Qinglan was able to take on Sheng Yunzhou's offer and become his stand-in for his "white moonlight" largely thanks to her face, which served as a key.

Two and a half years ago, Mo Qinglan went through the darkest moment of her life. How dark was it? Like falling from the clouds into the Mariana Trench. Just after getting into college, the news of her family's bankruptcy came. Her father was imprisoned, and her mother, along with her autistic brother, faced creditors every day with tears. Desperate for money, Mo Qinglan took a part-time job as a car model at an auto show. The auto show was crowded with people and beautiful women, but Mo Qinglan was undoubtedly the most outstanding. To showcase the car's features, she danced and explained as per the organizer's requirements. Splits, vertical splits, and spins... This vibrant scene caught Sheng Yunzhou's eye. Because Mo Qinglan bore a resemblance to Sheng Yunzhou's departed "white moonlight," he had the idea of keeping her hidden away, ready to "date her, flirt with her, and drown her in money."

Mo Qinglan still clearly remembers the situation back then. After the exhibition cleared out and the curtains fell, she saw Sheng Yunzhou inside the car. Indeed, looks are a universal currency; his unparalleled handsomeness made him a darling of creation. His features were distinct, his jawline sharp like a sculpture, and his phoenix eyes shone like cold stars. His skin was as white as the finest porcelain, with bone structure refined by fire, exuding an extraordinary aura. He wore a custom black suit and a starry sky watch with obsidian on his wrist. Just a few details told Mo Qinglan that this was a person at the top of the food chain.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Sheng Yunzhou's lips parted, his voice as deep and moving as a cello. Mo Qinglan took only a breath to recover from her shock, thinking this might be an opportunity to change her fate. She blinked, her thick eyelashes trembling as if a butterfly could land on them, and softly said no.

"Play my girlfriend, and you can name your terms." Mo Qinglan caught his wording keenly—it wasn't "be my girlfriend" or a pursuit, but "play." She accurately grasped the key. "A stand-in for your 'white moonlight'?" Sheng Yunzhou was slightly taken aback but didn't deny this fresh term.

"Different durations, different contents, and any special requirements will all affect the final service fee." Sheng Yunzhou's phoenix eyes turned into a subtle fan-shaped chart, with three parts surprise, three parts incredulity, and four parts nonchalance. With just a few words, Mo Qinglan handed him a "white moonlight stand-in" package. Sheng Yunzhou was completely bewildered. So... open? No act of feigned reluctance? The two hit it off immediately. She provided the face and the "white moonlight" mimicry, while he enjoyed the fake tender haven she carefully crafted. From then on, Mo Qinglan seemed to cut off her wings, abandoning all bottom lines and self-respect, willingly becoming the obedient canary in his cage. And it was the kind that "didn't involve the heart, only the soul." Mo Qinglan appeared to be emotionally involved, while Sheng Yunzhou was not involved at all.

This underground relationship continued until Sheng Yunzhou's "white moonlight" returned. The media coverage was overwhelming, making it impossible for Mo Qinglan to pretend she didn't know. Before the contract ended, Mo Qinglan was "optimized" by Mr. Sheng. Yet she wasn't upset at all. She hated freeloaders more than anything. As long as the money was in place, everything was negotiable. What job could allow her to earn five million in one go? It was like taking a shortcut that leapfrogged ten years!

After explaining her "Mo's Theory," Huo Cheng found himself somewhat convinced, unable to refute. But her bright smile left him feeling uneasy. He automatically took Sheng Yunzhou's side, feeling indignant for his boss. After all, Sheng was the heir to the top financial conglomerate in Cloud City, the unattainable flower on the cliff. Countless women threw themselves at him, climbing into his bed, spreading rumors. Yet this Mo Qinglan remained so clear-headed, indifferent, and devoid of emotion. Truly, she lived up to her name.

"Miss Mo, if I may ask, did you ever... like Mr. Sheng?" Mo Qinglan had already put away the check, feeling it lacked a sense of ceremony. In the age of electronic payments, transactions were marked by a simple "ding," with a mechanical voice announcing "payment received." If it were cash or gold, piled like a small mountain, she would surely roll around on it with glee.

"Like him? I equally like every god who brings me income."

"Mr. Sheng probably doesn't even know how dashing he looks when he pulls out his wallet." Mo Qinglan waved her hand behind her, leaving without a backward glance, not taking a single cloud away. Silence enveloped the café today. Huo Cheng watched her leave. Frankly, having handled countless emotional PR crises for his boss, he had never encountered someone as agreeable and intelligent as Mo Qinglan. He initially worried that a young girl might be naive and end up genuinely falling for the act. Unexpectedly, this one had a heart as hard as steel. Every microexpression seemed rehearsed. What kind of experiences could lead someone to only offer emotional value to others while remaining as calm as an abyss, without any personal turmoil? He didn't understand. Perhaps Mr. Sheng did.

As Mo Qinglan walked into the dessert shop to reward herself, she hadn't even settled into her seat when she spotted another potential benefactor: 28 years old, a young film emperor, box office poison, deeply self-doubting. Her eyes gleamed with a hint of shrewdness, as if she was already calculating her next role.