Everyone's interest was piqued at the sight of these photos. The director decided to call everyone together to vote on the female lead's styling.
As it turned out, everyone had their own preferred look, and a decision couldn't be reached on the spot.
Standing off to the side, Shen Qi spoke up slowly, "Since we can't decide, why not leave it to the readers? Senior bought a web novel, which means this book has a dedicated readership. Just post these looks on Weibo and gather the readers' opinions. That way, we save on advertising costs and add some fun interaction with the readers."
Everyone's eyes lit up instantly!
What a great idea!
So, they all posted photos of each look on the official Weibo account, calling for votes and opinions.
Soon, readers of the book flooded the official Weibo, casting their votes and sharing their thoughts.
"Wow, this stylist is so unique. I feel like she's really talented." "I think I've found the female lead I've been imagining." "The production team is putting in real effort! I hope they don't ruin this drama. As a loyal fan, seeing their attitude is reassuring." "Can't wait! I'll definitely follow this drama! I'm in it just for these stunning looks!" ...
The comments nearly crashed the official Weibo.
While Shen Qi was working hard with the entire production team, He Yining returned to the He family mansion with Cui Yuelan.
The moment Cui Yuelan stepped into the He mansion, the greed in her eyes never stopped.
She had seen many buildings abroad, but pure garden-style luxury homes were truly a hallmark of Asia.
After all, the U.S. had only about two hundred years of history, and English estates, while grand, lacked the delicate refinement of Asian architecture.
Chinese gardens, in particular, were masterpieces of architectural aesthetics.
Japanese gardens, too, had been influenced by Chinese designs, but they only represented a certain era of China, not the full spectrum.
The garden style of the He mansion was distinctly modeled after Suzhou gardens—layered, lush, and exquisitely beautiful.
The sprawling complex of villas formed a grand garden that outshone most luxury residential developments in the world.
Living in such a place every day would be the ultimate indulgence for body and soul.
Cui Yuelan's resolve grew stronger.
She had to stay in the He family!
At twenty-one, if she couldn't marry He Yining, she would eventually have to marry someone else!
Once married to another man, she wouldn't be able to live in such a stunning home.
So, she had to win over He Yining's grandmother!
She had to drive Shen Qi away and become the mistress of the He household!
Luckily, she had leverage, a trump card.
He Yining wouldn't refuse her!
As long as Shen Qi left on her own, she would have her chance!
Housekeeper He came out to greet them as usual. When she saw that He Yining had returned with Cui Yuelan instead of Shen Qi, a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.
"Second Young Master, you're back," Housekeeper He said with a smile, bowing. "The老夫人 was delighted to hear of your return and added several extra dishes."
He Yining smiled lightly. "Thank you for your trouble."
Turning to Cui Yuelan, he said, "Lanlan, this is Housekeeper He."
"Hello, Auntie He," Cui Yuelan said, deliberately putting on a coy, girlish demeanor, acting spoiled. "I've heard you've worked at the He mansion for a long time and took care of Yining when he was little. Thank you so much."
Housekeeper He's eyes darkened.
She didn't like this girl at all.
Affected, rude, and lacking manners.
Compared to Shen Qi, she was leagues behind.
But as a servant, she couldn't interfere in the master's affairs, so she greeted her politely but distantly. "Miss Cui, please come in."
Cui Yuelan said nothing and strode ahead.
As she passed Housekeeper He, she couldn't help but glance sideways at her.
In Cui Yuelan's eyes, servants were just servants.
Her earlier words were merely a formality.
He Yining noticed Cui Yuelan's behavior, and a chill flickered in his eyes.
The Cui Yuelan of childhood wasn't like this.
When had she changed so much?
Cui Yuelan, too absorbed in greedily taking in the scenery, didn't notice that He Yining hadn't followed.
In her mind, this was where she would live in the future, so of course, she had to take a good look!
He Yining couldn't help but dial an overseas call. "Mom, why has Lanlan changed so much?"
On the other end, Mrs. He sighed. "I know what you mean. Your father and I are always away, either training or on missions. Lanlan was raised by nannies and went to Europe for school in her teens. She might have picked up some bad habits. Please be patient with her."
He Yining's phoenix eyes narrowed. "But with a personality like this, how can Grandma ever like her?"
Mrs. He hesitated on the other end, as if holding something back.
He Yining sensed it keenly. "Mom, is there something you haven't told me?"
Mrs. He quickly replied, "No, of course not! Alright, son, Lanlan is in your hands now. I have to go lead a training session! Just remember, her parents died saving your father, and your father promised them he'd take care of her. So be patient."
With that, she hung up.
He Yining sighed.
Yes, Cui Yuelan had become an orphan because her parents died saving his father.
Whether or not she won Grandma's favor, he would treat her like a sister.
When she married in the future, he, as her brother, would give her a generous dowry.
He Yining caught up with Cui Yuelan. Watching her face light up with excitement, he found himself missing Shen Qi even more.
He remembered how Shen Qi had acted when she first came to the He mansion—nervous but never lacking in propriety. Grandma seemed to have a good impression of her too.
He heard she had joined the production team...
He wondered how she was doing over there.
Entering the house, He Yining saw Cui Yuelan already cozying up to his grandmother, trying to please her.
The old lady's expression was neutral, unreadable.
"Grandma," He Yining approached. "I heard there's good food at home, so I came back."
Only then did the old lady crack a faint smile. "You and your sweet tongue. I heard Xiao Qi joined the production team?"
He Yining nodded.
He hadn't expected Grandma to be so well-informed.
"Xiao Qi is an ambitious child. That's good," the old lady said approvingly. "I heard she's learned a lot from Mr. Charles. The He family has many businesses, but we've never dabbled in entertainment. Now that the industry is thriving, it wouldn't hurt to play around a bit."
He Yining looked at her in surprise.
He understood what Grandma meant.
She was telling him she preferred Shen Qi!
Of course, the old lady preferred Shen Qi!
In a wealthy family, the mistress wasn't judged by her looks but by her character!
Xu Ziqi married into a wealthy family not because she was beautiful, but because she was fluent in several languages, held a master's degree, and was poised and gentle.
Guo Jingjing married into wealth not for her figure, but because she was a national treasure, a diving queen, an Olympic champion!
Neither relied on their looks; they relied on their strength!
The He family was no different.
They valued the mistress's character and spirit.
Though Cui Yuelan's parents had once saved He Guoxiang, to the old lady, so what?
She could offer them money as compensation.
But she would never choose her as a wife for her grandson!
He Yiqi and He Yining were different!
He Yiqi was an adopted son and wouldn't inherit the family.
But He Yining was set to inherit the entire He clan, making the choice of his wife critically important.
Compared to Cui Yuelan's overly familiar attempts to ingratiate herself, the old lady preferred Shen Qi's composed restraint.
As the first lady of the He family, she had seen plenty of people trying to flatter her.
If she were the type to be swayed by a few sweet words, the He family would have collapsed long ago.
No wonder the old lady was angry with her son.
Look at what He Guoxiang had done!
In his youth, instead of inheriting the family business, he ran off to gallivant around the world, leaving the entire burden on the old lady and the late patriarch.
No matter how much the He family called him back, He Guoxiang refused to return.
In a fit of rage, the patriarch and old lady announced to the world that He Guoxiang was no longer welcome home!
Later, during the patriarch's birthday, He Guoxiang came to pay respects but was barred at the door.
The old lady, feeling for her son, persuaded the patriarch to allow him entry on the condition that he produce an heir for the He family. Still, he wasn't allowed to return home.
And He Guoxiang delivered, soon presenting a healthy baby boy to his parents.
Just as the old lady softened and prepared to call her son back, his daughter-in-law took off again, gallivanting around the world as an assassin.
The old lady nearly had a heart attack from anger and, in a fury, forbade them from returning again.
Without the old lady's restraint, He Guoxiang continued to cause trouble.
He directly adopted a comrade's child and sent him to the He family to grow up alongside He Yining as an adopted son.
Fine, the old lady let it slide.
Raising an adopted grandson was no big deal.
But a few years later, the unreliable He Guoxiang wanted to adopt a daughter.
This time, the old lady put her foot down, flatly refusing to add another granddaughter to the He family.
So He Guoxiang had no choice but to keep Cui Yuelan by his side.
That was the difference.
Under the He family's guidance, He Yiqi grew into a fine, upright young man.
Meanwhile, He Guoxiang and his wife, constantly gallivanting on battlefields, had no time to discipline Cui Yuelan, and she grew up twisted.
Now, feeling her age, the old lady had let go of past grievances, agreeing to let her son and daughter-in-law return only if Shen Qi became pregnant.
But unexpectedly, He Guoxiang had sent his adopted daughter back instead.
The old lady had already guessed their intentions.
Compared to Shen Qi, whom he had never met, He Guoxiang naturally favored Cui Yuelan. This was his roundabout way of breaking up Shen Qi and He Yining to pave the way for Cui Yuelan.
But the old lady was no fool—she was the sharpest of the sharp.
With one sentence, she dismissed it, hinting for He Yining to invest in the production team and spend time with Shen Qi to build their relationship.
After all, the He family had money to spare.