After Being Hopeless at Singing and Dancing, I Exploded in Popularity Due to My Appetite - Chapter 47

Zhang Jingyue crumpled a brand-new luxury brand jacket, intending to put it in her suitcase. She seemed to suddenly realize that Tao Nian was anxious and flustered, and immediately thought of how Tao Nian looked when she first met her.

Having been together for two months, Zhang Jingyue had always been with Tao Nian on the show. Tao Nian didn’t know, but Zhang Jingyue had some idea about Tao Nian’s current popularity and buzz. From the attitudes of other contestants towards Tao Nian and their frequent attempts to get close and talk to her, Zhang Jingyue couldn’t help but suspect they were trying to get camera time.

Plus, Tao Nian seemed to have a good relationship with Lin Qianman, and had even known Lin Qianman beforehand. Zhang Jingyue felt that this “surrounded by stars” image was Tao Nian’s true self.

Now, thinking back to the beginning, a figure suddenly emerged from the depths of her memory.

At that time, Tao Nian was wearing old, ill-fitting clothes that looked like they’d been worn for ages, her face was smudged with dirt, and she ate contentedly by soaking her rice in free pork rib soup in the cafeteria.

Moreover, for these two months, she had never heard Tao Nian talk about her family. The most she mentioned was her “master” from some remote mountain corner. But this master seemed to have only taught Tao Nian some principles and now appeared to have lost contact.

Perhaps Tao Nian was even more miserable than she imagined.

Now, she was so worried. Did she have nowhere to stay?

Zhang Jingyue twirled her pinky finger around the jacket sleeve, generously telling Tao Nian: “You can…”

You can come back with me. My dad just gave me an apartment last month. It’s already renovated, we can live together.

Before she could finish, there was a knock on the door.

It was Fang Wen.

Fang Wen had just finished tidying up for Lin Qianman and came to call Tao Nian: “Let’s go.”

Perhaps it was just a feeling, but Zhang Jingyue thought Fang Wen’s tone had a tiny hint of coldness.

However, Zhang Jingyue didn’t pay attention, because she was equally cold.

How could I forget? Tao Nian has a very good relationship with Sister Lin. There’s no need to worry about accommodation at all. She can even live with Sister Lin, uwuwuwu, I’m so envious.

Fang Wen no longer wanted to say anything to her boss. As soon as the recording ended, she hastily called herself over to get Tao Nian.

Not to send Tao Nian back, but to bring Tao Nian home with her.

Go home together? That’s your house! You’re just taking her home without any regard for propriety? Why aren’t you thinking about the paparazzi who knew the show was ending today and have been waiting outside the building since yesterday?!

Tao Nian is an idol now! Idols can’t be in relationships!

But as frantic as she was, once she got to the dorm and saw Tao Nian standing in the middle of the room with bowls and basins, looking bewildered and wronged, Fang Wen couldn’t help but sigh: “I’ll do it. You don’t need these bowls and basins, the boss has them at home. You don’t need to bring them.”

Fang Wen worked efficiently, quickly discarding the daily necessities Tao Nian had bought with borrowed money, as well as the incredibly childish grass-green pillowcase and the 29.9-yuan T-shirt that was already pilling. Her belongings filled a small suitcase. She carried this small suitcase, greeted Zhang Jingyue, and then led Tao Nian from inside the building to the parking lot.

Lin Qianman was already in the minivan.

Having recorded the show for two months, constantly living under the camera’s gaze, Lin Qianman was actually not as relaxed as she appeared. Now that she was in her own space and didn’t have to face the camera, she had no pretense and was somewhat tiredly curled up in the large seat.

Tao Nian bent down to enter. Before she could sit properly, she saw Lin Qianman in this state.

Tao Nian used to dance poorly and would also be like this after being pulled aside by the teacher for intense extra practice.

Very tired, the kind where her body felt hollowed out.

Tao Nian understood, so she slowed her movements and sat down gently.

Fang Wen placed the suitcase properly, watched as the car carrying the luggage drove off, and then got into her own car, intending to follow it home.

However, just as Fang Wen opened the car door, she saw Tao Nian leaning close to Lin Qianman, cutely winking at her, and putting her index finger to her lips in a “be quiet” gesture.

Fang Wen glanced at her boss, who was merely resting her eyes, and didn’t expose Tao Nian. Instead, following Tao Nian’s instructions, she carefully got into the car and sat far away from Lin Qianman.

Tao Nian saw Fang Wen sitting so far away, leaned over again, and whispered to Fang Wen: “Where are the spicy sticks?”

Before, Lin Qianman’s room had a lot of snacks. Initially, they were meant to distract Tao Nian when she wanted to bite her, but later Tao Nian was very well-behaved and unlucky, so those snacks were used to comfort Tao Nian and give her extra meals.

For two months, Tao Nian ate a lot, but Lin Qianman also kept replenishing them.

Now that the show was over, there was still a box of dried bean curd spicy sticks inside. When Fang Wen brought Tao Nian over just now, she told Tao Nian that Lin Qianman had already left and the things in the room had been packed and put into the car.

But they were put in that car, the one that had already left.

Tao Nian must have been looking for them in this car for quite a while.

Fang Wen also whispered back to her: “They’re in that car, they’ve already been taken home.”

Tao Nian then quietly sat still.

Beside Tao Nian, Lin Qianman slightly raised her eyelids and glanced at Tao Nian.

The stage lights really “ate” makeup. Today, Tao Nian’s stage makeup only looked good on stage and in photos; face-to-face, the makeup was too heavy. But Tao Nian thought her entire look today was very similar to the little figure on Lin Qianman’s birthday cake, very pink and tender, very cute.

So, for some inexplicable reason, when the makeup artist was removing her makeup, she asked if the makeup artist could draw it for her again.

The makeup artist casually drew it for her. There was no foundation, no concealer, no eyeliner, and no carefully drawn “wild” eyebrows, nor the glowing, bling-bling glitter of the stage. There was just a very cute pink blush on her cheeks, pink eyelids, and a vibrant orange-red lipstick on her lips. She was already delicate and clean-looking, and this simple makeup was just the icing on the cake, devastatingly beautiful.

Lin Qianman closed her eyes to rest. The car windows were curtained to block out the outside light. She looked just like the peach plushie in Lin Qianman’s dream: pink and tender, adorable, plump and soft, with very cute fuzz.

For some reason, Lin Qianman felt like she could also smell Tao Nian’s scent now.

The scent of peaches freshly picked from the tree in June. Not juicy peaches, but “Spring Snow” peaches, crisp and firm, but round and beautiful to look at. The taste was sweet, with a bitter hint of branches and leaves, very fresh, yet very clingy.

It was already evening when they arrived home.

The house had been tidied up and was clean. However, after two months of being empty, it felt a bit spacious.

Fang Wen was still busy outside checking Lin Qianman’s luggage, so Lin Qianman took Tao Nian upstairs: “You can stay here for now. Next week, the company will arrange housing for you, and you’ll live with your teammates. You can also buy your own house later when you have money.”

Tao Nian followed Lin Qianman to the door of a room and watched as Lin Qianman pushed it open.

Tao Nian’s eyes widened. “Wow!” she exclaimed.

Lin Qianman’s house wasn’t large, so the secondary bedroom wasn’t big either, only about ten square meters, smaller than her dorm room during the show.

But! The room only contained a large bed, two nightstands beside the bed, and a small wardrobe against the wall.

Other than that, it was completely filled with cardboard boxes! The boxes were all open, revealing that they were full of snacks!

Tao Nian looked at the contents of the room, then quickly turned to glance at Lin Qianman, her eyes filled with unspoken words.

Lin Qianman chuckled inwardly and motioned for Tao Nian to look around: “The guest room doesn’t have a bathroom. You need to go there,”

Lin Qianman pointed to the corner at the end of the hallway: “That’s the bathroom, for showering and using the toilet.”

Tao Nian nodded repeatedly, but her eyes remained fixed on the cardboard boxes, not even looking at the spot Lin Qianman pointed to: “Mhm, mhm.”

“Fang Wen bought you clothes for the wardrobe. Try them on to see if the size is right, and if not, tell her… Oh, the studio has already found an assistant for you. Fang Wen will bring him to meet you tomorrow. You can tell him too. If you’re not satisfied with this assistant, tell Fang Wen to replace him.”

Tao Nian nodded perfunctorily.

Lin Qianman had been in the car for so long and felt a little uncomfortable. Seeing Tao Nian’s indifferent expression, she rubbed her forehead helplessly: “Go play by yourself, I’m going to rest.”

Tao Nian was already squatting next to the cardboard boxes, looking at the snacks inside one by one. Hearing this, she glanced at Lin Qianman, then nodded repeatedly.

Lin Qianman: “…”

Fang Wen meticulously sorted and placed Lin Qianman’s clothes and various belongings that she brought from the show. After finishing, she went upstairs to the second floor, finding the living room empty and all the rooms closed.

Lin Qianman should be resting at this time.

Fang Wen pushed open the door to the second bedroom.

Tao Nian was sitting on the floor, surrounded by cardboard boxes, earnestly eating potato chips.

Fang Wen was also helpless. She squatted next to Tao Nian and reiterated the important things Tao Nian should pay attention to.

She had found a male assistant for her work; he would not only be an assistant but also a bodyguard, and most importantly, he was an excellent cook. He would be brought to meet Tao Nian tomorrow.

There was also a driver, whose phone number was [number]. She could call the driver whenever she wanted to go out.

The Wi-Fi was connected, so she could watch videos and play games.

She shouldn’t eat too many snacks at night, or she would get pimples, swell up, and not look good.

Tao Nian was already eating, so she took these words a little more to heart and remembered them.

Fang Wen looked at Tao Nian’s innocent expression, her exquisite features under the warm yellow light, her clean and clear makeup, and her innocent eyes. After much hesitation, she stammered to Tao Nian: “The second-floor bathroom is at the end of the hallway. You’ll definitely pass the master bedroom to get there from your room. Be careful. Go when the master bedroom door is closed. Always wear proper clothes after showering; don’t come out undressed. What if Lin Qianman sees you? If you didn’t bring clothes, or if your clothes are wet, there are towels and bathrobes in the bathroom cabinet. The white one is Lin Qianman’s; the pink one is new. Wear the pink one. Don’t ask Lin Qianman to bring you clothes. Before showering, make sure to run the water first to check if the water heater and showerhead are working properly. Only take off your clothes once they’re working. Even if they don’t work, don’t call Lin Qianman. Lin Qianman can’t fix things! And it could be very dangerous!”

Fang Wen felt incredibly anxious just thinking about it.

At that time, when Lin Qianman asked Fang Wen to add some of Tao Nian’s clothes to her home, Fang Wen thought Lin Qianman was just being shrewd and preparing in advance, planning to bring Tao Nian back once their feelings were mutual.

She never expected her to bring Tao Nian back now, when things hadn’t even started. And to let Tao Nian stay in such a subtly located room!

Looking at Tao Nian’s silly expression, doesn’t she just not know anything?

Although she didn’t want to believe her boss was that kind of person, what if??

What if she’s just a dirty old woman who keeps her door open every day to watch Tao Nian go and come from showering?

A fragrant, sweet, pink, and tender peach, freshly washed, exuding her scent, and then exposing a bit of “peach flesh” while undressed.

If she thought even darker, would she break the water heater to make Tao Nian shower in her room?

Fang Wen’s thoughts had gone from shipping her CP all the way to a crime show.

Finally, she sighed and told Tao Nian: “Be careful, you’ll be able to start working soon.”

Tao Nian blinked and nodded: “Okay!”

Fang Wen looked at the very naive Tao Nian and left, full of worry.

The next day, she arrived at 8:30 AM to bring breakfast, along with the assistant she had found for Tao Nian.

Lin Qianman had rested very early yesterday and was now awake, looking at the walnut trees in the courtyard.

Against the back wall, six walnut trees were planted in a row.

Lin Qianman felt very satisfied, believing that what she saw was not just walnut trees, but also her wonderful future.

Hearing the main gate open, she turned to look.

Upon seeing the person behind Fang Wen, she couldn’t help but smile: “Why are you here?”

Fang Wen thought she was talking to her and replied: “I brought Tao Nian’s assistant!”

She turned around and realized that Lin Qianman was talking to Tao Nian’s new assistant.

Xiao Nan smiled and nodded at Lin Qianman: “Elder Lin.”

He had been taking care of the little Taotie before, and just a few days ago, he learned that Tao Nian needed an assistant. He was also curious about life down the mountain, so he decided to come down.

After fierce competition, he finally got this job opportunity.

Fang Wen looked suspicious: “You two know each other?”

Lin Qianman nodded: “Yes. Tao Nian should like this assistant very much.”

Fang Wen: “…Where’s Tao Nian?”

Lin Qianman fell into a strange silence for a moment, then said: “She woke up for breakfast, and the auntie didn’t know how much she eats, so she made too little. She didn’t eat enough, and now she’s upstairs being angry.”

Fang Wen went to the kitchen and saw that the auntie was indeed still cooking.

She went upstairs to call Tao Nian. Tao Nian was extremely happy to find out her assistant was Xiao Nan. She kept pulling him, asking him this and that, constantly leaning towards Xiao Nan, then making a pained expression, and pulling back the distance.

In Lin Qianman’s house, she was expressing her fervor for someone.

Fang Wen glanced at Lin Qianman with some concern, but couldn’t discern anything from Lin Qianman’s expression. She could only clear her throat and act nonchalant: “Um, Xiao Nan said he could cook when he applied, Tao Nian, you’ll definitely like him. It’s lunchtime now, and Tao Nian hasn’t eaten enough, Xiao Nan, why don’t you make something to eat?”

Xiao Nan still looked docile, showing a confident expression.

Fang Wen then led him to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator full of food that the auntie had packed, and let him choose his ingredients.

Xiao Nan, having just come down the mountain for the first time, stood next to the induction cooker and gas stove, his expression gradually shifting from confident to curious.

He poked the obsidian-like induction cooker, watched the auntie place a pot on it, and showed a puzzled expression.

Finally, his expression solidified: “What is this?”

Author’s Note:

Fang Wen: “…”