I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 14

The next day, the filming for the first episode successfully concluded, and the filming for the next one was scheduled in three days.

During these three days, Han Shutong’s schedule was packed. She left early and returned late. Only the familiar breakfast on the table after she woke up told Zhou Xi that Han Shutong had been back.

Apart from that, Zhou Xi’s audition was successful; she was now officially a contracted artist with Han Shutong’s company.

Luo Shuiqiu only watched three minutes of the video before deciding to sign Zhou Xi.

And when Zhou Xi arrived at the company, before Zhou Xi could even perform anything, Luo Shuiqiu slammed her hand on the desk. “Sign her!”

If watching the video was for her acting skills, then seeing Zhou Xi in person captivated Luo Shuiqiu completely.

She was beautiful yet not vulgar, and her demeanor and speech were more graceful than some popular artists.

Since Zhou Xi had just signed, Luo Shuiqiu intended to wait until she finished recording the variety show before finding roles for her. She planned to use this time to select suitable scripts and characters for Zhou Xi.

So, while Han Shutong was busy for three days, Zhou Xi had been idle for three days.

Lying on the bed, Zhou Xi felt that the day she became a ‘salted fish’ (a person without ambition) was not far off.

Tomorrow was the day for the second episode’s filming, and the production team had given them the script for the second episode today.

Whether Zhou Xi had successfully predicted it or the production team was inspired by her words, this time, they wanted the pair to try bungee jumping.

Seeing the words “bungee jumping,” Zhou Xi immediately felt unwell.

She wanted to discuss this with Han Shutong but was afraid of disturbing her work. Zhou Xi decided to wait until Han Shutong returned that evening.

The sound of a door opening and closing came from outside. It must be Han Shutong returning.

Zhou Xi turned off her phone and got out of bed. When she left the bedroom, she didn’t see Han Shutong.

Zhou Xi took two steps out, peeking toward Han Shutong’s bedroom. The door was ajar, but it was pitch black inside with no lights on.

“Shutong?” Zhou Xi called softly, starting to doubt if she had misheard the sound just now.

The room was completely silent.

Zhou Xi walked to the edge of Han Shutong’s bedroom door, gently tapped twice, and quietly asked, “Shutong, are you in there?”

There was no response.

Just as Zhou Xi was about to turn and leave, Han Shutong’s voice came from inside the bedroom.

“…Mhm.”

Han Shutong’s voice was very low, very weak. It was a reply, but it sounded more like a moan.

Zhou Xi sensed something was wrong. She slowly pushed the door open, saying, “I’m coming in.”

The lights weren’t on inside, and only a sliver of light from the living room shone onto the floor beneath the bed, forming a bright triangle.

Since Zhou Xi couldn’t immediately find the light switch on the wall, she could only use this beam of light to observe the situation inside.

Looking up from the light, the first thing she saw was a pair of high heels placed next to the bed. Because of this, Zhou Xi noticed a distinct bulge on the dark bed. Her hand found the light switch button just then.

With a ‘click’, the room light turned on.

Zhou Xi clearly saw Han Shutong hunched over, the 170cm-tall woman curled up into a small ball at the foot of the bed.

She looked pitiful.

What… happened?

Zhou Xi softened her steps and slowly walked to the bedside, asking, “Shutong? What… what’s wrong?”

Han Shutong’s long hair was scattered messily on the bed, and her face was buried in the blanket, only showing a vague profile.

Zhou Xi pulled her gaze away from Han Shutong’s face and noticed that both of Han Shutong’s arms were clamped tightly over her abdomen.

What day is it today?

Zhou Xi quickly pulled out her phone to check the date, only to see a message from Bai Mo.

Bai Mo: [Sister Zhou, Sister Tong is feeling unwell today, but I can’t leave here. Could you please help look after her?]

Reading the message confirmed her guess was correct.

Han Shutong was on her period.

“Wait a moment, I’ll get you a cup of hot water.”

When Zhou Xi returned with the hot water, Han Shutong was still in the same position, completely motionless.

Frowning, Zhou Xi quickly walked to Han Shutong’s side and asked softly, “Where are the painkillers?”

At this moment, the pain in Han Shutong’s abdomen eased slightly. Hearing Zhou Xi’s voice, she opened her eyes and slowly looked toward the sound.

While being tormented by pain, Han Shutong vaguely thought she heard Zhou Xi’s voice and weakly replied. Then, the pain surged again. She hadn’t realized when Zhou Xi had appeared by her side.

“I took the last one.”

She had taken the last pill at noon. She had intended to buy a new pack, but she forgot once she started working in the afternoon.

As soon as she got out of the elevator, the familiar pain returned, and she could only rush home first.

Zhou Xi helped Han Shutong sit up and handed the water glass from the floor to Han Shutong’s hand. “You drink some water to feel better. I’ll go downstairs and buy you some medicine.”

The water was slightly hot, but Han Shutong’s hands only felt warmth when placed on the cup. “Thank you.”

Zhou Xi put on a jacket. The weather this afternoon wasn’t very good, and the night was much cooler than usual.

There was a pharmacy right across the street from the complex. Zhou Xi left the complex and waited at the intersection for the traffic light.

Zhou Xi had never experienced period pain, so when people online claimed period pain was excruciating, Zhou Xi had never truly understood how much it hurt.

Until she met Han Shutong.

It was the first time Zhou Xi realized that menstrual pain could truly make a person feel like they were ‘dying’.

It was after the military training of their freshman year. The school gave them three days off. When Zhou Xi returned to school from home, she pushed open the dorm room door to find the room dark.

Zhou Xi initially thought no one was there, but when she turned on the light, she saw someone lying on one of the beds. The person looked up and met her gaze as Zhou Xi looked over.

Because they hadn’t exchanged more than a few words during military training, Zhou Xi didn’t remember Han Shutong’s full name, only that this aloof classmate’s surname was Han.

“Student Han, you’re here too? The dorm was dark, so I thought no one was in.”

The other person didn’t reply.

Seeing this, Zhou Xi didn’t say anything more and began unpacking the luggage she brought from home.

When Zhou Xi finished tidying up and sat on her bed, she unintentionally heard a quiet, heavy groan. Looking up, she saw that the Student Han on the bed seemed to be trembling.

Zhou Xi quickly walked to Han Shutong’s bed and saw Han Shutong covered in cold sweat at her temples, her lips pale—a frightening sight.

Zhou Xi hastily asked, “Student Han? Are you okay?”

Just then, the other two roommates returned.

Hearing Zhou Xi’s question, Zuo Yuan said, “It’s nothing. She’s just on her period. It’ll be fine after a little while.”

At this time, Zhou Xi and Zuo Yuan hadn’t had any conflict, and Zhou Xi was still polite to Zuo Yuan.

Zhou Xi didn’t agree with Zuo Yuan. Seeing Han Shutong trembling violently, she patted Han Shutong’s shoulder. “Classmate, why don’t you try to get up? I’ll take you to the school clinic.”

“…No need,” Han Shutong said, enduring the pain.

“Then you are…”

Han Shutong pursed her lips. “Could you trouble you to buy some medicine for me?”

“Painkillers?” Zhou Xi asked. Her eyes glanced at the medicine box by Han Shutong’s pillow. Zhou Xi picked it up. It was empty.

“Is it this one?”

Han Shutong: “…Mhm.”

“Okay, wait for a bit, classmate.” After speaking, Zhou Xi took the medicine box and walked out of the dorm in her slippers.

Back to the present.

The store clerk scanned the medicine box Zhou Xi handed over. “30.”

Taking the medicine from the clerk, Zhou Xi mused to herself: I can’t believe that after all these years, I’m still buying medicine for Han Shutong.

Leaving the pharmacy, Zhou Xi was afraid Han Shutong had waited too long. She quickened her pace, turning her fast walk into a short run.

When she returned home and handed the medicine to Han Shutong, a thin layer of sweat coated Zhou Xi’s forehead.

“Here, take it quickly.”

Han Shutong leaned against the headboard. The water in the cup she held was nearly empty, just enough for one pill.

She tilted her head back and swallowed the medicine. Zhou Xi took the empty cup from her hand. Zhou Xi said, “I’ll go pour you another cup.”

As Zhou Xi bent down, Han Shutong noticed the sweat on her forehead.

Han Shutong froze.

It was like seeing the girl from years ago, standing by her bed after buying the medicine, panting heavily with a sweaty face.

That day, after Zhou Xi left and the dorm door closed.

Han Shutong heard Zuo Yuan’s voice: “She’s putting on a show.”

It was very quiet, but Han Shutong heard it.

Han Shutong didn’t experience such severe pain every time she had her period; it only happened occasionally, making her unable to stand up. Usually, it was just a mild ache, painful but manageable.

And whenever the pain intensified, Han Shutong would lose contact with the outside world. She couldn’t hear or notice anything around her. Only after a slight recovery could she regain awareness of her surroundings.

But for some reason that day, Han Shutong clearly heard what Zuo Yuan said.

Han Shutong wanted to say something, but the pain in her abdomen made her unable to speak. She could only close her eyes and shut everything out.

When she opened her eyes again, Han Shutong saw Zhou Xi holding a cup and medicine, calling out to her.

She called, “Student Han, hurry up and take the medicine.”

After Han Shutong took the medicine and the analgesic started to take effect, she softly called Zhou Xi’s name. When Zhou Xi looked up, she said, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s the first time I’ve encountered such a severe reaction to a period. Have you seen a doctor?”

“Yes, it didn’t help.”

Zhou Xi said, “Oh.” “You’re really strong.”

Zhou Xi thought Han Shutong was very strong for not making a sound despite being in so much pain.

Han Shutong was stunned by Zhou Xi’s sudden compliment. When she came back to her senses, she heard Zhou Xi say, “If you need any help, just say so. Don’t be shy.”

Han Shutong: “Mhm.”

The next day, Han Shutong woke up and accidentally woke up the sleeping Zhou Xi while tidying up. Just as Han Shutong was about to apologize, she heard Zhou Xi ask sleepily, “Student Han, are you still hurting?”

Student Han.

The three simple words went straight into Han Shutong’s heart, raising a ripple that refused to subside.

Even now, a surging wave, triggered by those words, rolled within Han Shutong’s heart.

It never ends.

Zhou Xi brought the water in and saw Han Shutong staring at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Thank you,” Han Shutong collected her memories, smiling.

“What’s there to thank me for?” Zhou Xi handed the water to Han Shutong. “You, on the other hand, why haven’t your symptoms gotten better after all these years?”

Han Shutong took a sip of water. “It’s much better than before.”

Zhou Xi placed a hand on her hip. “How about I take you to see a Chinese medicine doctor tomorrow? It’s run by a friend of my dad’s. He’s very skilled and trustworthy.”

Han Shutong shook her head slightly. “No.”

Zhou Xi, however, crouched beside the bed, poking Han Shutong’s thigh with her finger. “Go on, go on.”

Han Shutong froze. Was this… pleading?

A certain person couldn’t resist.

Her answer immediately changed from before.

“…Okay.”

Seeing this, Zhou Xi smiled and said to Han Shutong, “Great. That way, we won’t have to go bungee jumping.”

“Bungee jumping?” Han Shutong murmured, repeating the word.

“Uh…” Zhou Xi coughed dryly, looking into Han Shutong’s eyes. “Please believe me, I still care about you. I’m not taking you to the TCM clinic just to avoid bungee jumping.”