I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 13

If a person with absolutely no kitchen experience attempts to cook, it means there is a risk of either the pot exploding or the person getting injured. – Zhou Xi

The moment the vegetables were dumped into the pan, the oil seemed like fish just pulled from the river—flapping and leaping, trying to escape the pot.

“Watch out!”

Zhou Xi, standing next to her and giving instructions, instinctively grabbed Han Shutong’s arm and pulled her away from the stove.

Then, Zhou Xi took the spatula from Han Shutong’s hand, intending to quickly stir-fry the vegetables to stop the oil from splattering.

But at that moment, a large oil spot splattered out of the pan, aimed right at Zhou Xi’s arm.

Zhou Xi only felt herself being pulled backward from behind. Her vision instantly went dark, and her head hit something solid. When she looked up again, Zhou Xi realized she had knocked her head against Han Shutong’s shoulder.

Their personal scents—the faint, refreshing cool of mint and the lazy sweetness of candy—intertwined around their noses.

Zhou Xi’s heart momentarily stopped when her head hit Han Shutong’s shoulder, but it quickly returned to normal as she looked up.

“Are you okay?” Han Shutong’s voice was filled with unconcealed tension. She had just seen the oil spot fly toward Zhou Xi’s arm.

“I’m fine,” Zhou Xi stepped out of Han Shutong’s embrace, turned to look at the burning smell emanating from the pot, and whispered, “But I think the food is not.”

Han Shutong followed Zhou Xi’s gaze. The faint fragrance in her nose was replaced by the smell of burning food.

Han Shutong let go of Zhou Xi’s hand, subtly turned off the heat, and checked whether the vegetables in the pan were salvageable. Thankfully, only the bottom layer was burnt; she only needed to remove the charred parts.

Seeing what Han Shutong was doing, and knowing she intended to continue cooking, Zhou Xi said, “Wait a moment.”

She picked up an empty plastic bag and handed it to Han Shutong. “Put this on to prevent hot oil from splashing.”

Zhou Xi had just remembered that beginners are very easily splattered by oil. It was thoughtless of her to forget to prepare oil-splatter protection for Han Shutong.

Han Shutong looked at the plastic bag. Although she didn’t really want to wear it on her hand, she compromised, thinking of what had just happened.

“…Okay.”

After that, Han Shutong successfully stirred and fried the vegetables, while Zhou Xi cleaned the plates that would hold the finished dish.

Completely focused on their tasks, neither of them noticed the domestic warmth that filled the air between them at that moment.

But soon, a phone call broke the tranquility.

It was Zhou Xi’s phone ringing.

Zhou Xi’s hands were wet, so after pressing the answer button, she put it on speakerphone and placed the phone on the windowsill.

Qi Jie’s voice sounded the next second. “Sister Zhou!”

“Why the sudden call?”

The background noise on Qi Jie’s end was a little chaotic. Afraid Zhou Xi wouldn’t hear clearly, he shouted, “I just suddenly remembered that I hadn’t congratulated you on being a free agent!”

Although Qi Jie regretted that he and Zhou Xi could no longer work together, the thought of Zhou Xi having a better future turned his regret into a blessing.

Zhou Xi smiled slightly. “Thank you.”

“So, Sister Zhou, have you found a new job? Have you found a place? Just let me know if you need any help, okay?” Qi Jie asked again.

Zhou Xi looked at Han Shutong. Han Shutong had already taken care of everything Qi Jie was asking about.

Zhou Xi was full of gratitude toward Han Shutong.

She smiled at Han Shutong, her voice gentle in a way she didn’t notice. “I’ve found everything already.”

Qi Jie didn’t ask further, just happily said, “That’s great! I’ve been worried about you!”

Just as he was speaking, someone suddenly called out to Qi Jie. He acknowledged them and told Zhou Xi, “Sister Zhou, I have to go to work now. Let’s talk later when we have time.”

Zhou Xi agreed, and Qi Jie hung up.

Han Shutong, who had been quietly stirring the vegetables on the side, paused for a few seconds and then asked, “What did he mean by ‘free agent’?”

“Don’t misunderstand! That was my former manager,” Zhou Xi explained, afraid Han Shutong would get the wrong idea. “My contract with the company expired, but I didn’t renew. ‘Free agent’ just means I’m no longer bound by a contract.”

Han Shutong paused upon hearing that. “When did that happen?”

“The day before yesterday,” Zhou Xi thought for a moment and replied.

As they spoke, Han Shutong’s dish was finished.

While plating the dish, Han Shutong asked, “Which company are you planning to sign with?”

“Actually…” Zhou Xi cleared her throat. “I’m not planning to continue in this industry.”

Han Shutong instantly looked up at Zhou Xi, her eyes filled with disbelief. But she saw Zhou Xi’s calm expression, as if the news she delivered was not very important.

However, Han Shutong knew how much Zhou Xi yearned to be an actress and to act during their university days.

Zhou Xi smiled. “I haven’t achieved much these past few years, so I thought I’d try a different job.”

Han Shutong lowered her eyes, her voice clear. “Why not try a different company?”

Zhou Xi mumbled, “I did go to a few interviews, but I didn’t hear back from them in the end.”

Zhou Xi avoided mentioning Yan Meng Nuo, attributing the failure to get hired to herself.

The dish was plated, and Zhou Xi carried it out of the kitchen.

Han Shutong stood still, staring at the pot, her attention wandering.

“Shutong, do you have a dream?”

“Me? I just want to be an actress after graduation and act well.”

Zhou Xi’s words from the past echoed in Han Shutong’s mind.

As Zhou Xi entered the kitchen to get tableware, Han Shutong lowered her head, her voice more hoarse than ever before. She said, “Why don’t you… consider my company?”

“Huh?” Zhou Xi hadn’t heard clearly.

Han Shutong turned to face Zhou Xi, meeting her eyes, and said clearly, word by word, “Why don’t you come to my company and give it another try?”

Zhou Xi was surprised. “Your company?”

Zhou Xi: “Are you saying that the agency you are currently with, you started it?”

Han Shutong nodded. “Sister Qiu and I started it together.”

This was also the reason why Han Shutong’s name was on the “Party A” line of the contract last time.

“Sister Qiu?”

“Luo Shuiqiu,” Han Shutong explained. “The person who called you last time.”

Zhou Xi remembered. She had found that moment very touching. “I remember.”

“But this makes me feel like I’m getting in through the back door,” Zhou Xi joked.

“You’re not. Sister Qiu handles all the recruitment. I’m only introducing you to her, but the final decision to hire you is hers.”

Han Shutong knew Zhou Xi was sensitive and wouldn’t accept getting in through the “back door.” Han Shutong respected this; aside from introducing Zhou Xi to Luo Shuiqiu, she wouldn’t interfere.

Han Shutong: “I’ll send you her WeChat contact.”

Seeing this, Zhou Xi quickly spoke up. “Wait, I—”

Han Shutong looked up at Zhou Xi. “What’s wrong?”

Zhou Xi wanted to refuse.

But just as she was about to speak, the words of the little girl surfaced again.

Shine brightly, become radiant.

Although only a few seconds had passed, for Zhou Xi, the struggle in those few seconds felt like years.

Finally, Zhou Xi let out a long breath, a slight smile on her lips, and her mouth moved. “Okay.”

Let her try one more time.

One last time.

Zhou Xi carried the tableware to the dining table, looking at the two plates of stir-fry Han Shutong had made. Her heart was filled with anticipation.

She was anticipating not just the taste of the food but also the future she had decided to restart.

A knock sounded on the door. After opening it, a staff member walked in.

He said to Han Shutong and Zhou Xi, “Miss Han, your microphones were turned off and not turned back on.”

Zhou Xi had turned off her mic when Qi Jie called, and Han Shutong had followed suit.

Zhou Xi acknowledged the staff member, and the two turned their mics back on.

Luo Shuiqiu accepted Zhou Xi’s friend request in the evening. Before Zhou Xi could say hello, Luo Shuiqiu proactively sent a message.

Luo Shuiqiu: [Hello, Zhou Xi.]

Zhou Xi: [Hello, President Luo.]

The two exchanged polite but distant greetings.

Luo Shuiqiu: [Shutong has told me everything. Although you are Shutong’s friend, I am always fair and just, so you will need to go through an interview to join our company.]

Zhou Xi: [Of course, I never thought of relying on Shutong to enter the company.]

Luo Shuiqiu: [Good. In that case, please send me a clip of a video you’ve previously acted in so I can take a look first. If I think you’re suitable, you can then come to the company for an interview.]

When Zhou Xi saw Luo Shuiqiu ask for a video, her first thought was: Help, I’d rather act live for you! I’m terrible at editing videos.

Just as Zhou Xi was frowning, unsure where to start, she remembered the video she had watched on Bilibili.

Zhou Xi: [Please wait a moment.]

Zhou Xi opened Bilibili and found the UP master from her following list. It was easy to find because she only followed that one person.

Seeing that the creator hadn’t specified whether the video could be shared elsewhere, Zhou Xi decided to send a private message.

Zhou: [Hi friend, may I please repost your video on another platform? I’d like to share it with my WeChat contact, if that’s okay.]

Zhou Xi thought it would take a long time to get a reply, but to her surprise, the other party replied instantly after the message was sent.

SimpleLove: [If you like Zhou Xi, then yes.]

Zhou: [Of course! I really like her.]

SimpleLove: [Why do you like her?]

Zhou: [She works hard, she has a good personality, and she’s quite good-looking.]

Zhou Xi cheekily typed out the text.

The other party simply replied with two words: [Me too.]

Pleased to be told she was liked, Zhou Xi secretly rejoiced and then said: [Thank you~]

After that, the other party didn’t reply again, and Zhou Xi shared the video with Luo Shuiqiu.

Luo Shuiqiu: [Okay, received. I’ll have time to watch the video tomorrow, so I can only give you an answer then.]

Zhou Xi was about to reply when another message popped up on the screen.

Luo Shuiqiu: [Your last company was Ruiwen?]

Zhou Xi: [Yes.]

Luo Shuiqiu: [I heard a person named Yan recently joined?]

Zhou Xi paused: [Does President Luo know Yan Meng Nuo?]

Luo Shuiqiu: [Never heard of her!]

Luo Shuiqiu: [Busy now, talk later.]

Looking at the first sentence Luo Shuiqiu sent, Zhou Xi: “…”

But you were the one who brought her up!