I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 1

The air conditioning on the bus provided little relief against the intense summer heat and the suffocating crush of the crowded passengers.

The carriage was so muggy it was irritating. Everyone avoided communication, heads bent over their phones.

After a dozen minutes, as the bus neared the terminal and the passengers thinned out, the aisle became spacious. A cool breeze finally offered a moment of respite to the remaining riders.

Once relaxed, people shifted their attention from their phones to observe their surroundings.

Moving their gaze from the scenery outside the window, their eyes caught sight of a woman—a person whose whole demeanor seemed completely out of place on a public bus.

Why was she out of place?

Because from every angle, she looked like one of those untouchably proud, wealthy individuals who belonged in a luxury car.

The woman had short, curly brown hair that fell just past her shoulders. The hair on her right side was casually tucked behind her ear, revealing a graceful swan neck and a white rhinestone earring on her lobe.

She had cool, fair skin, so white that the brilliant red of her dress seemed to glow in contrast. A tiny mole on her right collarbone added a touch of sexiness.

The hem of her dress stopped just below the knee, and her lower legs, from calf to ankle, were slender and long. Cream-white block heels contrasted sharply with the passionate red of her outfit.

Suddenly, the person gripping the pole turned around. The instant she turned her head, the people watching her were struck by her stunning appearance.

Delicate features, clear eyes, fair skin, and red lips.

Her gaze was soft, but the slight curve of her lips was so cold and reserved that no one dared to approach her, only silently gazing from a distance.

Zhou Xi glanced around, her eyes landing on an empty corner by the window at the back of the bus.

Seeing the empty spot, Zhou Xi released the pole, stepped forward, and headed toward the location she’d just spotted.

With every step Zhou Xi took, the eyes watching her followed, inching toward the back of the bus. It wasn’t until Zhou Xi sat down and briefly glanced their way that the onlooker withdrew their gaze.

Settling into the seat, Zhou Xi didn’t look at her phone or stare blankly at the fleeting scenery outside. Instead, she leaned against the window, closing her eyes for a light nap.

The window next to the front seat was slightly open. A gentle breeze pushed through the gap, softly landing on Zhou Xi’s face.

The wisps of hair on her forehead fluttered and danced with the touch of the wind.

The wind seemed to be kissing her.

Zhou Xi felt it. She opened her eyes slightly, looked at the gap in the window, and then closed them again.

As someone who had been working in the entertainment industry for three years, Zhou Xi felt deeply ashamed: not only did no one recognize her on the bus or subway, and she hadn’t achieved any fame, but she also had to get up early to rush to an audition for a tertiary female role.

Of course, as long as she could earn money, she had absolutely no complaints.

She was just so tired.

Her eyelids felt heavy as a thousand pounds. Once closed, it was hard to open them again.

She didn’t know how much time had passed. While Zhou Xi was half-dreaming, the bus hit a bump, and her head, leaning against the window, knocked against the glass with a thud.

The minor pain was nothing to Zhou Xi. She slightly raised her eyes to look at the LED screen at the front of the bus, noted there were still a few stops to go, and then leaned back into her previous position.

The moment her upper and lower eyelashes touched, the phone in her hand vibrated.

Zhou Xi sighed. It looked like she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

She looked down at the caller ID—it was her manager.

Her manager, Qi Jie, was a college graduate who had just finished his two-month internship.

A three-year veteran of the company was assigned to an intern.

When she heard the news, it would be a lie to say she had no emotional reaction, but fortunately, Zhou Xi didn’t care much, and it hadn’t caused her any significant trouble.

In the three years since her debut, Zhou Xi had remained lukewarm… or rather, she had never been popular.

In her first year, the company was optimistic about her, securing two decent scripts, and she approached both projects with her best effort.

She had expected them to air in the second year, but due to certain issues, the dramas were shelved and haven’t been released even now.

Without the dramas airing, she naturally had no chance to become famous. But she was beautiful; how could she not have work? The company didn’t give up and signed her for a web drama.

That was the only show she filmed in her second year, but due to post-production, it hadn’t aired yet.

In her third year, the only roles she could get were a few tertiary female roles.

And yet, all of those were edited out.

Fate seemed to be playing a joke on Zhou Xi.

In half a month, it would be her fourth anniversary in the industry, marking the final days of her contract with the company.

Given the current situation, this company certainly wouldn’t renew her contract, so she had to find a new one.

In fact, besides going to the audition today, she had also interviewed with several talent agencies.

Aside from a bit of bad luck, Zhou Xi was impeccable. The interview processes went well; a few companies had already extended offers and were just waiting for her contract to expire.

But…

What if she signed with a new company and still failed to achieve success?

Pausing at the thought, Zhou Xi answered the phone, “Jie Jie.”

Qi Jie greeted her politely, “Sister Zhou.”

Zhou Xi hummed in response.

“I’m sorry, Sister Zhou, I really couldn’t spare the time to go to the audition with you today.”

Aside from Zhou Xi, Qi Jie also managed a newcomer and had been busy taking her to various events recently.

Zhou Xi switched the phone to her other hand and whispered, “You’ve done well enough.”

Zhou Xi’s words made Qi Jie feel a bit embarrassed. He gave a dry laugh and then asked, “How do you think your audition went, Sister?”

Zhou Xi was calm: “Just keep your phone on.”

Hearing this, Qi Jie knew she must have passed. After a moment of surprise, he praised, “My Sister Zhou is just amazing.”

When Zhou Xi was first assigned to him, he immediately looked through her profile.

She graduated from the Beijing Film Academy, was consistently top of her class, and was even classmates with Han Shutong, the mega-star of recent years.

Her acting was good, too.

It was just a shame… she hadn’t had the chance to become famous.

Zhou Xi didn’t know what Qi Jie was thinking. She smiled softly and asked, “Anything else?”

Qi Jie’s thoughts were interrupted. He mumbled, “Not for now.”

Zhou Xi acknowledged him, saying, “I’m hanging up.”

After ending the call, Zhou Xi intended to settle back into her previous position, but after trying a few angles, the feeling was gone.

Just then, her phone vibrated again.

She looked down—this time it was the landlady.

Her back instantly straightened. Zhou Xi pursed her lips, hesitated for a few seconds, and was about to pretend she hadn’t seen it.

But just as she was about to put the phone in her bag, she accidentally swiped the answer button.

Seeing what happened, Zhou Xi coughed twice to clear her throat, exhaled, put the phone to her ear, and softly called out, “Sister Ping.”

“Oh, you finally answered the phone?”

Sister Ping was a woman in her forties with a loud, somewhat shrill voice that made Zhou Xi slightly move the phone away.

After a few seconds, Zhou Xi replied with a smiling voice, “Look at you, Sister, when have I ever not answered your call?”

Sister Ping sneered, bringing up past grievances, “I called you three times this morning. Which one did you answer?”

Because my hand didn’t slip this morning.

Zhou Xi said awkwardly, “Sister, I was in an audition then.”

“Audition?”

Sister Ping scoffed at Zhou Xi’s words. “What role did you audition for this time? Zhou Xi, I have to say, I watched all those TV shows you filmed carefully. But the total screen time for all your roles combined isn’t even an hour. What’s the point of filming that stuff?”

Zhou Xi defended herself: “Those were all edited. My parts were actually quite extensive; they were just cut out.”

“If they were cut out, can you still earn money?” Sister Ping’s tone was full of disdain. “Let me tell you—”

Here it comes.

Zhou Xi knew that Sister Ping was about to bring up the rent.

Before Sister Ping could speak, Zhou Xi proactively said, “Sister, don’t worry. Once I get my salary this month, I’ll immediately pay the rent I owe you.”

To her surprise, the other end said, “No need.”

Zhou Xi thought she was hearing things. “Huh?”

The person on the other end coughed and then said, “You owe me two months’ rent, and your lease expires in one month. I know things are tough for you, so I thought of a solution.”

“…Are you going to introduce me to a job, Sister?” Zhou Xi guessed.

“Not exactly.”

Sister Ping chuckled. “I figured you could move out today. Then, the two months’ rent you owe me can be covered by your security deposit. What do you think?”

“Move out?” Zhou Xi thought Sister Ping was joking. “And today?”

“Yes.”

“No, Sister. Why so sudden?” Zhou Xi was speechless. “The contract says the rent is due next month. Why are you making me move out today?”

Sister Ping also felt she was being a bit excessive, and her tone softened. “That’s why I’m discussing it with you.”

“Then you should at least give me some time to pack my bags, Sister.”

“Just this afternoon. My new tenant is moving in tomorrow…” Sister Ping caught herself mid-sentence, realizing she had let slip a detail, and immediately stopped talking.

Zhou Xi’s lips twitched. “You mean you’ve found a new tenant?”

“Aiya,” Sister Ping let out a dry laugh. “At least they paid me a year’s rent up front, so I don’t have to worry about them defaulting on the rent. I didn’t want to do this, but they need to rent the place within the next couple of days, and all my other properties were just rented out; only yours is nearly expired. And I’m not feeling guilty? I even waived a month’s rent for you, didn’t I?”

Zhou Xi was left speechless.

“We have arrived at Heping Station. Passengers wishing to alight—”

The bus announcement sounded, and Zhou Xi stood up when she heard it.

“However, I haven’t signed the contract yet. If you pay the rent you owe me today, you can stay until next month as per the contract.”

Sister Ping’s words made Zhou Xi freeze instantly.

Sister Ping had an unspoken second half to her offer: Or you move out, and your deposit covers the two months’ rent.

Two months’ rent… she didn’t have the money.

Zhou Xi clenched and unclenched her hand, finally whispering, “I’ll move out.”

Seeing Zhou Xi agree readily, Sister Ping laughed heartily. “Alright, take a photo when you’re done packing, and just tape the key beneath the ‘Fu’ character on the door.”

“…Okay.”

Zhou Xi had lived there for a year, accumulating a lot of miscellaneous items like pots, pans, and bowls. Moving everything out in one afternoon felt like it was killing her.

It wasn’t until around 5:30 PM that Zhou Xi finally finished packing.

During the process, she had also arranged for tonight’s accommodation.

It was a small motel a few hundred meters away—60 Yuan a night, with a 15 Yuan discount for long-term rentals.

Zhou Xi rented it for a week, hoping to find another apartment during that time.

Now, all she had to do was carry the large boxes in her room one by one to the small motel.

Looking at the mountain of boxes piled up in the living room, Zhou Xi put her hands on her hips and took a long, deep breath.

After slowly exhaling the air, Zhou Xi bent down, hugged a box, and started walking downstairs.

Stepping out of the unit door, Zhou Xi merely glanced to the side. The result was that she stopped dead in her tracks, a spark flashing in her eyes for a few seconds—as if she had just seen a savior.