Chapter 468: Chapter 468: The Divine Visage of the Idol
An unconventional performance paired with stunning looks—this combination quickly attracted a huge crowd. The seven performers were surrounded so tightly by curious tourists that not even a drop of water could get through.
Sang Ning saw that the timing was just right and gestured for the performers to stop playing their instruments. She pulled out her secret weapon, which she had borrowed from a street vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes: a megaphone.
She held the megaphone up to her mask and shouted loudly, "Ice sculptures are free and fun for everyone, but ice sculptures taught by male models? Now that’s value you can’t beat! We offer top-tier male models to teach you how to carve ice sculptures, accompanied by live music from a royal art troupe. Not for 1,888, not even 998, but for just 288! You’ll not only enjoy premium male model service but also receive a handmade ice sculpture to take home! Spots are limited to seven, and if you miss it, you’re missing a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Why wait? Act now and join us!"
When you’re outside, your identity is whatever you make it. Sang Ning figured she wasn’t exaggerating. Lu Yujing was a world-class dancer, and Song Shiye was a top-tier rising star. This wasn’t false advertising at all.
Though the cold wind was blowing harshly, Sang Ning’s passionate pitch sparked excitement among the tourists. Someone even decided to pay up based on Qin Feng and Song Shiye’s looks alone. "Can you guarantee it’ll be genuine hands-on teaching?" one asked.
Sang Ning nodded firmly. "Of course! Fair and honest service, guaranteed!"
Reassured, a stylish young woman tugged her friend forward. "I’ll take two spots. I couldn’t care less about the male models—I just want to cheer up my friend, who got dumped by her cheating ex."
Sang Ning gave her a thumbs-up. "You’re truly a model best friend! Your friend is lucky to have you!"
But the friend didn’t seem very interested, wearing a gloomy expression as she tugged on her companion’s sleeve. "Forget it, Xiao Yu. It’s a waste of money, and I couldn’t care less about guys right now. Unless you managed to bring Song Shiye himself, that might work." She glanced at the revamped Song Shiye nearby and shook her head with a deep sigh. "This guy vaguely resembles Song Shiye, but compared to Xiao Song, he’s still miles away."
Song Shiye: "..." I’m here, right in front of you. Revamped, even more handsome than before, yet you’re saying I don’t measure up?
Sang Ning raised an eyebrow, suppressing her laughter. She picked up the megaphone again and shouted, "How about this: Everyone who purchases the male model package will get a chance to take an exclusive photo with Song Shiye himself. If that’s not enough, we’ll even throw in a bonus photo with another talented idol."
Qin Feng was deeply wounded by this comment. As the "free sample" tacked onto the offer, he was momentarily dejected. But his spirits quickly recovered, fueled by determination. One day, he vowed, he’d carve out his place in the entertainment industry.
"Are you serious?" Xiao Yu’s friend asked, suspicion still lingering in her eyes, though there was now a glimmer of hope.
"If you’re not convinced, feel free to record me saying this. If I don’t deliver, you can sue me," Sang Ning declared firmly. Some tourists indeed raised their phones to record, and Sang Ning repeated her promise, posing happily for their videos.
Among the crowd were many Song Shiye fans. Normally, even the cheapest tickets for his concerts cost far more than 288. The chance for a real-life photo op at this price was a steal!
The seven allotted spots filled up quickly. Some tourists, still hesitating, found themselves regretting their indecision once the spots were gone. Consoling themselves, they muttered, "Don’t trust that moose-headed girl too easily. She doesn’t even dare show her face. What’s the point of recording? It’s all just marketing hype. Xiao Song’s a top-tier star; could she really book him with a moose costume on?"
With the signup complete, the crowd began to disperse. Sang Ning had already rented a designated ice sculpture activity area in the name of the program crew. She led the seven recruits to the private venue.
Qin Feng and Song Shiye displayed exceptional service spirit, patiently guiding the young women on ice sculpting. Their sweet talk was relentless, calling each one "Dear Princess" and "Beautiful Princess" in voices so warm and magnetic that it left the girls utterly captivated.
Xiao Yu’s friend, who had declared herself uninterested in men, found her ears turning red as Qin Feng and Song Shiye flanked her, meticulously instructing her. Embarrassed, she glanced up at Song Shiye, avoiding direct eye contact. "Brother, why does your voice sound so much like Song Shiye’s? Though... it’s not quite as good as Xiao Song’s."
Song Shiye was left speechless, unsure whether she was a genuine fan or just trolling.
Some tourists who missed out on spots couldn’t bear to leave and watched from afar, discreetly filming Qin Feng and Song Shiye with their phones.
Sang Ning, meanwhile, focused on delivering emotional value. Whether or not the handmade ice sculptures sold was becoming irrelevant. Staying true to her promise, she continued promoting the ice sculptures per the program crew’s requirements.
Thanks to leveraging Qin Feng’s and Song Shiye’s charm, the emotional value for the seven tourists had peaked. The ice sculptures were an afterthought, and even the live music accompaniment wasn’t needed anymore.
Sang Ning’s sales pitch fell flat, leaving her to sit with Lu Yujing and the others on the sidelines, watching Qin Feng and Song Shiye perform.
The seven women were so engrossed in the activity that they didn’t want it to end. Sang Ning realized she’d forgotten to set a time limit for the experience. Growing bored, she adjusted her moose headgear to alleviate her discomfort and prepared to remove it for a moment.
As the headpiece came off, she inhaled a gulp of cold air. Just as she was about to put it back on, she suddenly locked eyes with a startled gaze.
Oh no, Xiao Yu’s friend had walked over!
Sang Ning hurriedly put the moose headpiece back on, but the next moment, an unexpected scream pierced the air.
Xiao Yu’s friend clamped her hand over her mouth, overwhelmed with excitement. She’d only intended to ask how long the experience would last but ended up spotting Sang Ning! And she was a die-hard Sang Ning fan.
Through the moose costume, Sang Ning motioned for silence with a "shh." Xiao Yu’s friend suddenly remembered that Sang Ning and Song Shiye were filming a new variety show. Unable to control her joy, she motioned toward where Song Shiye was standing and stammered, "Song... Song..."
"Yes, yes, that’s Song Shiye—the revamped version," Sang Ning replied, addressing the girl’s unspoken question. "We’re still completing scenes in the park today. Could I ask you to keep this a secret for now?"
The friend nodded enthusiastically, now feeling a mix of delight and embarrassment for failing to recognize her idol earlier.
She was giddy with happiness, her heartbreak over her ex completely gone. Who cared about that cheating loser? Her idol’s stunning presence was all she needed to mend her wounded heart.
