Chapter 2
1562 Words
Sigh! Whether you stick your neck out or withdraw it, you'll face trouble either way. “You’re not exempt from makeup? Well, let’s proceed.”
Alan gestured for Ivy to sit and handed her a hair tie. “Tie your hair up.”
She complied without objection, securing her shoulder-length, center-parted hair.
Then Alan, skilled and efficient, applied foundation, drew eyeliner, added eyeshadow, and applied lipstick. After about half an hour, the transformation was complete.
Sophia, reentering the room with a pair of boots, was taken aback.
Ivy, already striking in her natural state, now exuded an irresistible allure with blue eyeshadow and dark lipstick, her appearance charged with an enchanting charisma.
“Ivy, you look absolutely stunning!” Sophia exclaimed, her face aglow with admiration, reminiscent of her school days when she and her friend Xiaojie were captivated by Ivy, though her own interest was in Ah Han.
“Ahem...” Simon, following behind, cleared his throat. “I’d rather not hear my wife extolling someone else’s beauty to the utmost.”
Even if that person was Ivy.
“Ivy is not a stranger. There’s no reason for you to be jealous!” Sophia allowed Simon to embrace her from behind without resistance.
Simon forced a smile, gazing down at her. “I thought I was the most handsome in your eyes. Am I not?”
She corrected him, “The most beautiful.”
He gave her a mock scowl, his mood darkened, yet he was helpless. “No man enjoys being called beautiful. Why can’t you ever get it right?” His frustration was palpable.
She stuck out her tongue, feigning innocence. “I’m just speaking the truth.”
Knowing she spoke the truth only intensified his vexation. Xiaojie was surely sent by the heavens as his nemesis.
And he found himself willingly bewitched.
“By the way, these are Ivy’s boots.” Sophia handed over a paper bag. “Try them on and see if they fit.” Even with the same size, different brands can vary slightly, so trying them on was necessary.
Ivy accepted the bag and, taking out the boots, tried them on. After walking a few steps, she remarked, “They fit perfectly.”
The low-heeled boots accentuated Ivy’s already tall and elegant frame, while the splendid attire highlighted her striking beauty.
Since the death of Simon, the owner of Sad Hotel, Ivy’s admirers had surged, predominantly high school and college girls.
“Wow, Ivy’s outfit tonight will undoubtedly captivate every female patron in the PUB,” Sophia commented with her female perspective.
“Don’t joke,” Ivy replied dismissively.
Shawn elbowed Ivy with envy, “You’re the prince charming of every girl in the PUB!”
“Let it be for you,” she said, unable to handle it.
It wasn’t fun to be constantly confessed to by girls.
Shawn shook his head. “You’re truly oblivious to your fortune. Many men would envy your looks, but can’t attain them. You should be grateful.”
“Now’s not the time to discuss looks. We need to start practicing,” Alan said, emphasizing the urgency for the evening’s performance. “Let’s go.”
“Can I stay and watch?” Sophia asked, eager to see the action.
Before Alan could reply, Simon pulled her towards the door. “Today is exceptional; don’t disturb their practice.”
“But I want to watch…”
“You can see the official performance later.”
**
*On stage, Ivy, in her splendid attire, sang with fervor, moving from upbeat tracks to romantic ballads, and the atmosphere in the PUB reached a fever pitch.
All the female patrons surged towards the front of the stage, yearning to get closer to their ideal prince charming.
“Ivy!”
“Ivy, I love you!”
Suddenly, someone shouted from the crowd—“Count.”
Indeed, Ivy, dressed in opulent garments, resembled a noble from the annals of history, exuding an aura of grace that could eclipse even genuine nobility. The blue eyeshadow and dark lipstick only added to her alluring charm.
Soon, this title was unanimously adopted by the female audience.
“Count!”
“Count, Count!”
The women in the audience were utterly enraptured by Ivy.
“Wow—” Sophia stared in awe at Ivy, whose every movement on stage was filled with captivating allure. “Ivy will undoubtedly mesmerize a vast number of women!”
Simon covered her eyes with his hand.
“What’s this for?” She curiously pushed his hand away.
“I don’t want you to be among them,” he whispered in her ear.
Sophia, momentarily puzzled, couldn’t discern what he meant. Her thoughts were consumed with Ivy, and everything she saw and heard related to her.
Ivy’s singing was exceptional, rivaling even some idol singers. It was a pity she wasn’t a star already.
Simon turned her to face him directly, urging her to focus. “The numerous women entranced by Ivy.”
“What?” She smiled affectionately, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Long ago, even before I knew Ivy was a girl, I decided that only you could enchant me.” His jealous demeanor was endearing.
Indeed, Ivy was a girl, undeniably so.
This revelation would undoubtedly break many hearts.
“You’ve been staring at Ivy all night,” he said, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
She glanced back once more. The audience below was wildly waving their hands, shouting—“Count!”
“Count!”
He turned her face back towards him.
“I’m contemplating whether to introduce Ivy to Nian He’s manager. With some training and promotion, Ivy could become a major star in time,” Sophia expressed her thoughts.
Ivy had singing talent and the qualities of an idol, despite initially working part-time as a waitress in the PUB, she had already captured the admiration of numerous girls.
Sad Hotel also had shares in Ivy.
“So that’s it.” He wasn’t surprised. “She won’t agree.” He knew Ivy well enough and was aware that she had already encountered talent scouts, multiple times, and no one had succeeded in persuading her.
“But trying won’t hurt,” she said, never one to give up without effort.
That’s why she won Simon’s love.
He had no intention of stopping her. “If you’re happy, so be it.”
Actually, Ivy wasn’t young anymore. She was like a sister to him, and though he never voiced it, he hoped she would find a good match.
Yet, Ivy looked so much like a boy, even more handsome than most men, and he doubted whether any man could truly appreciate her essence.
“Encore, encore!”
“Encore!”
The “Galaxy” band and “Count” Ivy concluded their final song, bringing the evening’s performance to a splendid end.
“Count, Count…” The chanting echoed throughout Sad Hotel.
**
*Ivy, breathless, returned to the backstage with the “Galaxy” members, took a swig from the mineral water handed to her by Shawn, and exhaled.
The encore continued outside.
Shawn, listening to the encore, remarked, “Impressive, Count, isn’t it?”
“Count?” Ivy furrowed her brow. The title sounded awkward to her. “Please just call me Ivy.”
Alan looked at her in disbelief. “Is this really your first time performing on stage before an audience?”
She nodded, admitting, “Even now, my heart is racing!” and her whole body felt hot.
“Your performance was flawless, impeccable.” The evidence was clear; he had to admit Ivy’s voice, stage presence, and talent surpassed many musicians, and her unique charisma made it seem as though she was born for this.
“Thank you.” Ivy took another sip of water to soothe her throat. “By the way, how do I remove this layer of makeup? Should I just wash it off with water?” She wasn’t accustomed to having a thick layer of makeup on her face and felt a bit suffocated.
“Water alone won’t do. You need to use makeup remover to clean it off…” Alan guided her to the mirror and instructed her on how to use the various products on the table.
“It’s such a hassle!” she grumbled.
After removing her makeup, she went to the bathroom to wash her face, the sound of running water filling the room.
“Ivy, I was thinking… since you did so well, could you temporarily take over the role of lead singer while AJ is recovering? It would be a perfect fit,” Sophia proposed.
“What, cough…” She almost choked on the water she was drinking.
“You wouldn’t refuse, would you?” At these words, all eyes turned to Ivy.
“I… you should find someone else more suitable,” she said, dabbing her face with a towel.
Alan was determined. “I believe you are the perfect choice. What do you all think?” He turned to consult the band members.
“I second that,” Max said with a smile at Ivy.
Shawn raised his hands in agreement.
“Democracy prevails,” Alan shrugged. “As for rehearsal times, it’s every Monday and Wednesday from six to ten in the evening.”
And thus, the matter was settled.
- Writer
