Fall In Love With A Substitute – The Movie Queen’s Little Fortune Butterfly, Chapter 32

Inside the airport VIP lounge.

Jian Yixin half-closed her eyes, not answering 09, but instead asked:

“What’s the progress of the current task?”

“‘Phoenix’ won important awards, progress increased by 3%. Overseas recognition has significantly increased, progress increased by 2%.”

“After the comprehensive routine, the task has progressed to 94%, close to completion.”

“Only 6% left.”

The voice of the host sounded as if she sighed lightly.

09 looked at the host’s appearance, always feeling that she should say something.

Just as she was in a hurry, she suddenly received a new notice from the Quick-Transmigration Bureau Evaluation Department. 09 suddenly became energetic:

“The birthday party is over, the reputation of the task target has increased, and the progress has increased by 1%. Currently, the task progress has reached 95%.”

“After the evaluation by the Quick-Transmigration Bureau, this world has reached a stable state and can activate the efficiency mode.”

The new notice from the Quick-Transmigration Bureau.

Jian Yixin, putting aside her thoughts, frowned: “Efficiency mode?”

Only then did 09 realize that the host was a zero experience player after losing her memory.

Because the host’s abilities are too outstanding and her posture is too skilled after entering the state, 09, dumbfounded, forgot to tell the host about this rule that only experienced hands know.

Now she’s busy making up for it:

“There are many task worlds, and in the final stage of the task, it needs to be pushed forward slowly for a long time, resulting in low work efficiency and the detrimental impact of the Quick-Transmigration Bureau’s manpower shortage.”

“Therefore, the Quick-Transmigration Bureau stipulates that when the task reaches 95%, a comprehensive evaluation of the world will be conducted. Host, your task performance is excellent, the task progress of this world is stable, and you can activate the efficiency mode to jump through the timeline.”

Jian Yixin roughly understood: “Does it mean that we no longer have to go through this time and can directly jump to the completion of the task?”

“Yes.”

Outside the window, the landing plane resembled white geese, gently descending to the horizon and continuously taxiing forward.

Jian Yixin’s gaze fell on the line left behind by it.

“If I’m not mistaken, the two current movies of Qinglu are what brought the task to a stable state.”

One is the post-production “Zhao Niang,” and the other is the one she’s currently shooting, “Tianlai.”

“Host, please wait, I’m receiving detailed information——”

“Yes, after the release of “Zhao Niang,” the task’s target appeal and influence will be enhanced among niche audiences.”

“Of course, the bigger impact comes from “Tianlai.” Tianlai will earn the task’s target, the Best Actress Award at the fourth international film festival, reaching 99.5%.”

“At the domestic premiere of “Tianlai,” it will reach 100%, and the task target will henceforth be smooth sailing.”

09’s tone was enthusiastic, like selling a product: “We can jump through timelines. The agents next door who have been enduring for ten years will envy us to tears. Host, let’s initiate the jump quickly!”

After speaking, seeing that the host did not show a happy mood, 09 felt puzzled for a moment, then belatedly remembered what happened before the notification from the Quick-Transmigration Bureau.

Suddenly feeling discouraged, 09 realized that the target of the mission, with this ambiguous situation, the host must be unwilling to initiate the jump.

As someone who could monitor the host’s heartbeat, 09 understood everything, perhaps even more clearly than the host herself.

09 silently covered its mouth, not wanting to influence the host’s judgment.

Jian Yixin didn’t notice 09’s last sentence.

Her mission had progressed so smoothly not only because she provided enough resources to Lin Qinglu and gave her Liu Han’s script but also because of Lin Qinglu’s dedication and efforts.

While chatting with Liu Lele, she occasionally took sneak peeks at the scripts full of annotations by Lin Qinglu, saying to herself:

“Sister Qinglu is reviewing scripts until midnight again. Look at all the abbreviations she’s come up with and the annotations, it’s like reading ancient texts.”

A smile played on Jian Yixin’s lips, perhaps even she didn’t realize it herself. She subconsciously scrolled through the chat history, revisiting the photos of the scripts representing the efforts of the mission target.

The densely packed annotations, some so hastily written that they were barely recognizable, just looking at them made one feel like tears would well up just from seeing them.

Jian Yixin’s gaze softened involuntarily.

Her fingertips brushed across the screen, but suddenly paused on a patch of hastily written characters.

Carefully deciphering them, she realized that hidden within the few dozen characters were three or four “Pianxian.”

“Pianxian” was written between the lines.

Jian Yixin suddenly realized that Lin Qinglu’s affection for herself might also be one of the reasons for her hard work.

She took a gentle breath, a faint mist appearing in her usually calm and serene eyes.

Jian Yixin closed her phone, and lifted her head, her eyelashes fluttering like weightless butterfly wings as she gazed out of the window again.

On the plane that had just landed, passengers were already disembarking. In the vast starry night, they resembled a group of colorful ink dots, leaving without a backward glance.

A lone white goose stood still in the cold and indifferent winter night.

This couldn’t continue.

It was too unfair to Lin Qinglu.

She focused and asked, “What is the state of this world when we jump through time?”

“The residents of this world will not notice any anomalies. During the timeline jump, they will gradually forget their recognition of the agents. The traces of your existence will be erased or appropriately rationalized. Until the end of the mission, the complete forgetting of the agents will be achieved.”

“Including the mission target?” Jian Yixin confirmed.

If Lin Qinglu was not going to forget, the host would be even less likely to choose to jump.

09 sighed softly and replied truthfully, “Yes, including the mission target.”

Jian Yixin smiled gently.

There was some relief, some peace of mind.

“Then let’s prepare for the mission jump.”

“Huh?”

With the program implanted inside 09, it couldn’t understand this logic. It even cautiously asked again, “Are you sure?”

Jian Yixin’s gaze rested on the beautiful yet solitary white goose, her eyes containing a soft glimmer, along with a hint of gratitude.

Grateful that the Quick-Transmigration Bureau had such a regulation, which allowed her to regain everything.

It allowed Lin Qinglu to forget her inevitable departure, to lead a smooth and successful life without being troubled by the relationship that would end without reason.

“I’m sure.”

As if the joy and excitement of the birthday party continued into the next day, Lin Qinglu received the long-awaited email during breakfast.

The return gift she prepared for Song Pianxian was finally completed.

After communicating with the Graff store, they delivered the custom-made jewelry to Lin Qinglu’s luxury apartment.

The iconic animal series of the Graff brand was butterflies, and Lin Qinglu had commissioned their senior jewelry designer to create butterflies.

She purchased two extremely rare pure natural Padparadscha as the butterfly’s wings. The orange-pink Paparacha seemed to be filled with the sunset glow, emitting a unique gentleness and charm, with a dreamy fairy-like quality.

Around the two polished Paparacha droplets, sparkling diamonds surrounded two larger butterfly wings. The hollow design made the butterfly even lighter and more elegant. As the butterfly turned between her fingers, it was pure and beautiful, shining brightly.

This was a beautiful butterfly brooch.

Lin Qinglu was extremely satisfied, eager to deliver it to Song Pianxian that very day, asking her if she liked it.

But Song Pianxian had gone to M city, and she wouldn’t see her today.

The bling-bling jewelry undoubtedly had a strong appeal to women. Liu Lele’s eyes never left the brooch:

“Wuwuwu, sister, you’re too generous. Although Pianxian only gave you a Canada Goose, you’re returning with such an expensive gift.”

“What she gave me was not just a piece of clothing.” Lin Qinglu lifted her chin slightly, “What does Liu Lele, this kid, know? They are obviously—”

“Right, the domineering CEO also gave you a bunch of resources, spoiling the little actress to death.” Liu Lele pondered.

“Get lost,” Lin Qinglu chuckled, unable to hide a bit of pride and happiness in her eyes.

The light outside shone on her face, some of it reflecting off the sparkling and translucent butterfly between her fair fingers, casting a golden color on the sunset-like wings, particularly dazzling.

Lin Qinglu couldn’t help but imagine how Song Pianxian would look wearing it.

Would Song Pianxian like it?

She would, right?

“Sis? Wake up.” Liu Lele answered a phone call, then turned back to Lin Qinglu, “The CEO’s office called us to the company to see the birthday gift prepared by the domineering CEO for you.”

“I got it.”

Lin Qinglu carefully placed the butterfly brooch into the jewelry box and put it in the drawer of the jewelry cabinet.

Another gift was received.

Another gift to give to Song Pianxian.

Lin Qinglu hadn’t received the gift yet, but she was already thinking about what to give Ms. Song in return.

When Jian Yixin received Lin Qinglu’s call, she wasn’t surprised at all. It could be said that she was waiting for Lin Qinglu’s call.

Lin Qinglu’s voice was no longer lazy, showing a hint of cold elegance and hoarseness:

“Why did you give me Moonlight’s shares?”

“This is a personal birthday gift from me,” Jian Yixin said warmly.

“I don’t need—”

“Yes, this is just icing on the cake for you.” Yet, if she could become a major shareholder, hardly anyone could restrict Lin Qinglu institutionally anymore.

At least until she left, she didn’t need to care about anyone’s opinion after breaking away from Moonlight and establishing her own studio.

“Take it, it’s just my intention.”

What intention?

Jian Yixin’s voice was too gentle, with comfort and an indescribable feeling.

Like a pet owner too weak to take care of their pet, giving it away to someone else, with that last touch of tenderness at parting.

On the other end of the phone, Lin Qinglu sensed something, yet couldn’t grasp anything, her eyes showing confusion for the first time.

But when she saw this birthday gift, she almost immediately called Jian Yixin.

At this moment, there was still a director and Jian Yixin’s lawyer sitting opposite her, watching her movements intently.

In front of these people, she couldn’t say anything.

“When are you coming back from M city?” Lin Qinglu suppressed her anxious emotions, even with a hint of panic in her voice, which became hoarser, “Let’s talk when we meet.”

A slight chuckle came from the other end, “Don’t you trust me?”

“Could you sign first, please?”

Lin Qinglu was willing to listen to her, but this time she didn’t want to.

However, gifting shares was far from being solved by just signing a document. There were other procedures to handle. Just signing didn’t necessarily mean accepting this gift.

“Okay,” Lin Qinglu glanced at the documents, lips pursed.

She emphasized again, not even knowing the meaning of her emphasis:

“I’ve signed, you must come back.”

Jian Yixin didn’t respond, she said, “Go ahead.”

Lin Qinglu didn’t hang up the phone, and there was the sound of pages flipping on the other end.

As if stubbornly stating that she had signed, so Jian Yixin needed to fulfill her promise to return to see her as soon as possible.

The two of them confronted each other in this strange manner for a moment.

Others seemed to sense that something was wrong, whether it was Li Dong beside Jian Yixin or Liu Lele, who was always talkative on Lin Qinglu’s side, no one spoke up.

In the unusually quiet atmosphere, Jian Yixin thought for a while, unable to find a suitable farewell phrase, unexpectedly at a loss for words.

Since she couldn’t say anything, she decided not to say anything at all.

She softly said “goodbye” into the phone, drowned out by the sound of pages turning.

By the time Lin Qinglu noticed her phone again, the screen had already gone dark.

The person on the other end of the call had vanished without a trace.

After receiving confirmation from her lawyer, Jian Yixin felt relieved.

The subsequent procedures could be perfectly handled by the Song family’s capabilities, and she no longer had any worries.

A faint smile played on her lips. “09, you can initiate the time jump now.”

With 09’s programming, it couldn’t understand the complex emotions behind that smile.

09 hesitated. “Are you really not going to meet the target once? The Quick-Transmigration Bureau isn’t in a hurry.”

Jian Yixin shook her head slowly and firmly.

It’s better not to meet.

“Okay. Initiating efficiency mode for you—”

“Tianlai” won the awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actress at the film festival, returning with praise and flowers.

Before its release, the buzz had already filled the country, and finally, tonight, the premiere was about to be held.

When the Moonlight event organizer came to find Lin Qinglu with a list of candidate theaters, Lin Qinglu, without hesitation, arranged for the theater closest to her apartment for personal reasons.

Much more convenient.

The makeup artist came to her house with a team to do her makeup, and Ji Liu, as a guest actress, also had to attend the premiere.

Ji Liu truly lived up to her reputation as Lin Qinglu’s good sister. Although their personalities were vastly different, they were both very easygoing. Ji Liu rushed over from the film set at the film and television base. Upon hearing that her sister had called for a makeup team to come over, she immediately delivered herself to the door, taking advantage of her sister’s apartment and team for makeup.

She came in carrying a bag, with light snow fluttering outside. Even though she had an umbrella, some snow still landed on her, melting into chilly snow water.

Fortunately, there was heating in the room. Ji Liu took off her coat, leaned in behind Lin Qinglu, who was having her hair done, and peeked:

“Oh, watching Zhao Niang dance again?”

“You’re too narcissistic. Watching the movie you starred in every day. I see you ten times, and eight times you make time to watch this scene. Isn’t it awkward?”

“Not me.” Lin Qinglu held her phone, her eyes still fixed on the graceful dance, her voice lazy. “This is the dance double. I don’t know how to dance.”

“If it’s the double, you should understand even less. Do you like her? Should I ask the director for her contact information for you?”

“He doesn’t know.”

Ji Liu took two seconds to react. “Wait… You really want to?”

“You’re Lin Qinglu! The only one in Hua Guo—no, the whole world—who has won all four major Best Actress awards. Is that all you’re capable of?”

Lin Qinglu scratched her ear. “You’re so noisy.”

“… Where are the things you brought?”

“Please don’t talk like an underground party member about a bag of desserts.” Ji Liu threw the bag into Lin Qinglu’s arms. “I don’t understand. Why did you fall in love with the Butterfly Pastry from the film and television base?”

“Don’t other famous pastry shops’ Butterfly Pastries smell good?”

Lin Qinglu untied the bag, took out a Butterfly Pastry, and took a bite, enjoying the sweet taste. After satisfying her craving with one bite, she chuckled and said:

“I don’t know, maybe I’ve become picky.”

“Huh, even after being picky for a year or two, you still haven’t lost your sharp edges from life.” Ji Liu muttered to herself and started to tidy up on her own.

The makeup artist doing Lin Qinglu’s hair deliberately praised her, saying:

“Teacher Lin, at such a young age, with such great achievements, is still a major director at Moonlight. Of course, you can have whatever you want. Unlike us ordinary people, who still need to be tempered by life.”

Under the makeup artist’s expectation, Lin Qinglu didn’t respond with polite words but instead nodded towards the dance clip that was playing repeatedly on her phone, almost brainwashing:

“Do you know her?”

The makeup artist looked closely. “I don’t know her… But this is a popular clip of Zhao Niang. I remember when Zhao Niang’s movie was released, it was all over the internet. Everyone wanted to find this dancer, and many people imitated her dance…”

“She dances really well.” In the end, the makeup artist became fascinated and sincerely exclaimed.

Indeed, she danced really well.

Astounding talent, mesmerizing charm.

But why does nobody recognize her?

Why can’t even she remember herself?

The whole world has forgotten her, and her memory has forgotten her too, leaving only that deep-seated feeling— or rather, soul, more appropriate— searching for her.

Lin Qinglu has searched for others like this too.

Every time she returned to Moonlight, she would casually walk around, seemingly unintentionally, asking Moonlight employees, “Doesn’t Moonlight have a CEO?”

Everyone told her that Moonlight only has one president.

Asking so much, rumors spread that Lin Qinglu wanted to join the executive team. Some even asked her if she wanted to be Moonlight’s first CEO.

Lin Qinglu subconsciously denied it.

The feeling of denial in her heart grew heavier. What first CEO? Moonlight already has one, and he’s outstanding in ability and leadership.

Later, Lin Qinglu stopped asking and didn’t like going to Moonlight anymore.

The more she went, the more she thought, but she couldn’t find an answer.

She never thought it was wrong for the world to forget them, nor did she think it was wrong for only her to remember their existence.

That understanding was rooted deeply in her life, in her soul.

Lin Qinglu looked at the figure on the screen affectionately, even greedily.

She wanted to find her.

But she didn’t know if she could find her in this lifetime.

Liu Lele rushed in energetically and said, “Sis, there’s a missing necklace from the jewelry provided by the brand. It’s too late to get a replacement now. Should we borrow from another company or…?”

“No need, just use my own.” Lin Qinglu stretched lazily, her long arms stretching out like swan wings. “Always borrowing from brands. I’ve had my own for years, and I haven’t had a chance to wear them.”

“Alright.”

Lin Qinglu’s long curls were done, she tidied up her hair and, holding her skirt, went to the dressing room, where her jewelry cabinet stood at the center.

She was busy with work and was rarely at home. Sometimes when she came back, she just slept and left the next day. Fortunately, there was someone to clean. The jewelry cabinet remained dust-free, and through the glass, various colorful jewelry could be seen, pleasing to the eye.

But Lin Qinglu knew her habits. What appeared on the surface were just ordinary accessories; the real good stuff was kept in the small drawer of her cabinet.

She pulled open the drawer, and on the black velvet lay a set of jewelry obtained from the auction house, sparkling brilliantly. Various top-designer jewelry designs were understated and restrained. With a sweep of her eyes, she was drawn to a pure white, low-key jewelry box in the corner.

Almost uncontrollably, she reached out to it.

“Sis, if you have any treasures, let the poor borrow two to wear,” Liu Lele joked as she approached after changing into her formal dress. However, she saw her sister holding an open jewelry box in her hand, looking dazed. Her lips trembled a few times before she managed to speak:

“Song Pianxian.”

Even her voice seemed trembling.

Liu Lele suddenly dared not speak loudly anymore.

She always felt that Lin Qinglu, who used to be indifferent to everything, now seemed vulnerable, as if struck by sudden pain, her spine fragile, her figure lost.

Efficiency mode was a strange thing. It claimed to be time jumping, but Jian Yixin felt as if she were alone in a space filled with linearity. Time rushed forward like visible light, and she walked slowly within it.

After just two steps, her consciousness sank into endless slumber until awakened by the system.

“Task progress at 99.5%, deviation detected in the world, host needed to correct.”

“Efficiency mode deactivated.”

There was urgency in 09’s voice, and before Jian Yixin could react, she was thrown out of this alternate space by a gentle force.

In the blink of an eye, she appeared on a street bustling with activity, neon lights flickering, reflecting the snowlight everywhere, as if it were some commercial street.

Soft snowflakes continued to fall from the sky, luckily Jian Yixin was dressed for winter too, otherwise, it would have been quite odd.

“Is this… winter two years later?” Jian Yixin reached out to catch the snow, speculating.

“Yes,” 09 responded, “A cognitive bug appeared with the task target. For unknown reasons, the task target discovered traces of your existence, and her cognition is gradually recovering.”

“Therefore, at the end of the task, you need to appear in front of her and tell her everything.”

“Tell her?” Jian Yixin frowned. “And then what? Won’t she be in a lot of pain? Can’t we just erase her memory directly?”

On the snowy night, 09’s voice seemed to carry an extra layer of coldness:

“Telling her is to complete her memory. After completion, a second deletion will be carried out.”

“If directly erased, it may affect her own memory.”

Jian Yixin exhaled a warm white breath and said, “I understand.”

She looked around and effortlessly saw the crowd flocking to the brightly lit cinema.

09 added timely, “The task target is there.”

The premiere was in progress, and Lin Qinglu, after participating in the activities, temporarily returned to the second floor to rest while interacting with Liu Lele.

On her knees lay the Canada Goose jacket she had worn for two years. Liu Lele knew she had a strange fondness for that jacket, but she had never seen Qinglu touch it so affectionately as if she were touching a girlfriend:

“Sis, is there anything different about this down jacket today?” Liu Lele couldn’t help asking.

Lin Qinglu’s gaze fell, seeming a little disinterested. “No.”

The difference was her.

So the dance double and the CEO were the same person. She was looking for Song Pianxian. So—as long as Song Pianxian wanted to disappear, she would forget her as she wished.

“Oh, the snow outside is getting heavier. I don’t know if the highway will be closed. We still have to leave tonight…” Liu Lele muttered as she opened the curtains.

Lin Qinglu also glanced at the snow.

Just one glance, amidst the colorful neon lights on both sides of the street, amidst the vast goose feather snow, amidst the boundless and yet radiant night, she saw a figure.

Her soul was clamoring—it was her.

It was Song Pianxian.

Lin Qinglu suddenly lifted her long skirt and rushed out.

“Sis, Qinglu???” Liu Lele was dumbfounded, and took a few quick steps to catch up, but was stopped by the door slammed shut by Lin Qinglu.

It was Song Pianxian.

Indeed, it was her. In these two years, she had never mistaken any figure for her.

What is this?

Is she a person living in her own consciousness? Is she the person she imagined by herself?

Why did she silently leave two years ago, and everyone’s memory of her also left with her?

Liu Lele didn’t recognize her dancing double sister, and there was one less person in her birthday party video. The ridiculous CP rankings online no longer had the two words that made her heart beat faster—

And why, when she finally, finally managed to remember her, did she appear?

She appeared. She came back—

The high heels under her feet stepped on the soft snow on the cinema steps, splashing starlight onto Lin Qinglu’s beautiful and slender haute couture dress.

It seemed as if something had swept through here. Although it was a bustling commercial street, at this moment, only neon lights were flashing in the sky, and snow covered the whole world.

She saw Song Pianxian in a black coat, with long hair flowing behind her, quietly standing there, looking at her from a distance of four or five meters.

“Long time no see,” Song Pianxian said.

The face was Song Pianxian’s, and the voice was also Song Pianxian’s. It was Song Pianxian.

Lin Qinglu gasped for breath, her chest heaving incessantly.

She stepped down the steps, and there was more snow on the ground as if this street had been deserted for some time.

The snow was pure white and soft, emitting an icy light.

She stepped on the snow, making a crunching sound, and walked towards Song Pianxian step by step.

Her dress was sleeveless, and snowflakes fell on her exposed skin. The cold wind was raging, but her body was boiling, hot and boiling.

It seemed like even her breath was hot.

Song Pianxian.

Song Pianxian walked towards her, her brows slightly furrowed, her voice helpless yet gentle:

“Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”

That Canada Goose jacket?

Lin Qinglu didn’t speak. She dared not wait for Song Pianxian to come over. She was still struggling to walk, pulling her high heels out of the snow.

The snow had already covered her bare feet and ankles, but she dared not wait for Song Pianxian to come over.

Last time, when Song Pianxian said she would come, she didn’t. Lin Qinglu couldn’t wait for her.

“I was about to come find you.”

Look, Song Pianxian said so.

I don’t believe it, Lin Qinglu said to herself.

But she still asked, “Where did you go? In these two years.”

After a while, probably the time it took for dozens of snowflakes to fall, Song Pianxian said:

“I’m still in this world.”

Lin Qinglu keenly sensed the implication:

“Will you still be here in the future?”

Song Pianxian was silent, like the snowflakes, silently falling, becoming even colder with silence.

At this moment, the snow fell even more densely.

The cinema flashed with light, but there was no one. The neon lights were lonely and mottled, and two figures stood facing each other on the street. The snow on the ground was bright white, and the snowflakes in the sky were soft and affectionate.

Snow fell on Lin Qinglu’s face, frost clinging to her eyelashes, and there were traces of water on her face.

As if breathing in too much cold air, and as if there was a chill rising from within her, her throat froze, her voice hoarse.

“Do you know that I like you?”

“I know.”

Jian Yixin said.

And this, after Lin Qinglu’s second forgetting, would become a secret known only to herself.

She walked up silently, opened her arms, and embraced Lin Qinglu.

“Thank you.”

During the embrace, Jian Yixin said, her voice lighter than when the snowflakes fell.

Before the snow water on their coats could melt between them, and before Lin Qinglu could react and respond to the embrace, Jian Yixin let go of her and walked away.

She stepped into the thick night, and trod on the thin snow, her coat fluttering like butterfly wings, her slender figure obscured by the vast snow.

She left.

Gentle yet resolute.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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