Long Qi is an art student who switched from oil painting to traditional Chinese painting. Her classmates laughed at her for narrowing her options, saying there was no future in traditional Chinese painting.
She ignored them and focused on improving her art. Someone suggested that experiencing different kinds of life would help her express emotions in her paintings, so she signed with her uncle's talent agency and planned to work as an actress for a few years.
Classmates: So traditional Chinese painting was too obscure for her, and now she's quitting!
Her uncle promptly packed her off to compete on a girl-group survival show.
Mentor: Why did you sign up for the competition?
Long Qi: My boss says I have no formal training and no following, so I can't get acting roles. She told me to come and get my face out there first.
Audience: Another ungrateful traitor! She doesn't care about performing at all! She's using the show as a stepping stone! Get her off the program!
During the preliminary evaluation, Long Qi stunned everyone with a rhythmically intense rap brimming with authentic hip-hop style.
Long Qi: Sorry. I played around with hip-hop with some friends for a few days during my rebellious phase. I'm rusty now.
Audience: What a humblebrag! She's beautiful, has a great figure, and is talented! I'm a fan of the strong, and I'm all in!
Long Qi: I really just want to get my face out there!
While everyone else filmed personal vlogs, practically showing off every one of their eighteen skills,
Long Qi made a photography vlog. Her teammates were the stars, while only her voice appeared throughout. She did the makeup and styling for her ordinary-looking teammates, combining Eastern subtlety with Western boldness. The blend of East and West gave them an elegant look, and viewers said it was the first time they'd really noticed those teammates!
No wonder she's an art prodigy! @Show, hand over the original footage!
A popular actress even tagged her: Could you do a photo shoot for me when you're done?
Their group was suppressed by the show's favored contestants and given bizarre outfits. Long Qi built on the original designs by adding traditional Chinese painting-inspired face paint to her teammates and altering their clothes to create something new. Their group's styling went viral after the performance.
Fans: Don't forget to pay the stylist's fee, show!
A certain award-winning actress: Our studio has a styling project we'd like to discuss with you.
Long Qi consistently secured a debut spot in every round of performances. Then, during her semifinal speech, she suddenly said, "I'll take the finale experience pass, but my boss says my schedule is already full. I don't have time to debut, so please don't pick me."
Fans: ...
After the show ended, Long Qi, who hadn't debuted, was even busier than the contestants who had.
She took photos for popular actresses, styled award-winning actresses, and landed acting roles of her own.
You can always trust Long Qi's taste.
Her talent for blending Eastern and Western aesthetics quickly made Long Qi a sought-after figure in fashion. She was the biggest winner at every fashion gala. The best outfits were either her own or ones she'd styled for someone else, and her fashion sense became a sensation.
Haters: Hmph, another pretty vase with no work to her name.
Before long, Long Qi's drama aired. She played a minor character, but held her own opposite veteran actors. Her ability to empathize with her character made the audience cry.
Netizens: What kind of goddess is this? She's got a great figure, a pretty face, impeccable taste, and damn, she can act!
Classmates who used to mock her: Is your team hiring?
Long Qi won that year's Best Newcomer Award for Acting for the role.
An international luxury brand immediately announced Long Qi as its brand ambassador.
Fashion industry: The next top-tier star in fashion has arrived!
Long Qi's inner thoughts: Everything I did was to experience life and improve my painting. How did I accidentally become a top-tier star?
(Blurb written on August 30, 2021, and screenshot archived.)
Theme: Love life
