I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 15

Han Shutong looked down at the person squatting by the bed. From her angle, Zhou Xi was gripping the edge of the bed with one hand. The other hand, resting by Han Shutong’s leg, had not yet been withdrawn. Because she was looking up at Han Shutong, Zhou Xi’s eyes—peeking out from beneath her wispy bangs—were round, and her eyelashes were beautifully curved.

She had seen many sides of Zhou Xi—bold, gentle—but this time, she saw adorableness.

The charming look made Han Shutong’s heart momentarily skip a beat.

Afraid that Zhou Xi’s legs would go numb from squatting too long, Han Shutong patted the spot beside her, signaling for Zhou Xi to sit down. “What did you mean by bungee jumping?”

“It’s the script given by the production team.” Zhou Xi stood up as she spoke, but she did not sit on Han Shutong’s bed; instead, she remained standing where she was.

The hand that Han Shutong had used to pat the bed subtly retracted. She noticed Zhou Xi’s action, and a sense of bitterness unavoidably spread through her heart.

She knew clearly that a few thin layers still separated her and Zhou Xi, and if she didn’t proactively pierce those layers, they would remain there forever.

Han Shutong instantly reined in her emotions. She said softly, “The script is just a suggestion. We don’t have to follow it.”

“You seem to have said that before.” Zhou Xi found the phrase familiar. After a moment of thought, she remembered Han Shutong had said it the day before filming began.

Zhou Xi gave an awkward laugh. “Sorry, maybe I’m too rigid since it’s my first time on a variety show.”

Han Shutong quietly said it was nothing.

After a few seconds of silence, Zhou Xi pointed at Han Shutong’s abdomen and asked, “Do you feel better?”

“Mhm. Thanks to your medicine, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Then I’ll go out and let you rest.” Zhou Xi said, turning to leave.

Han Shutong’s hand tightened around the water cup. She blurted out, “Zhou Xi.”

“Hmm?” Zhou Xi turned to look at Han Shutong.

Han Shutong was momentarily stunned. Calling out to Zhou Xi was a case of her mouth moving faster than her brain. She herself didn’t know why she had called Zhou Xi’s name.

Meeting Zhou Xi’s questioning eyes, Han Shutong pressed her lips together and asked, “Are you…”

After a ten-second pause, Han Shutong said, “Hungry?”

Zhou Xi shook her head.

The words Han Shutong had intended to say got stuck in her throat, but the question was already out, and it was too late to take it back. She had to continue fabricating the reason. “I’m about to order takeout, and I wanted to ask if you’re hungry so I can order an extra portion.”

Zhou Xi slightly shook her head. “I just had some oatmeal. I’m not very hungry.”

Han Shutong said, “Oh,” and picked up her phone, intending to pretend to place an order and then act as if nothing happened once Zhou Xi left the bedroom.

But Zhou Xi saw that Han Shutong’s expression seemed a bit off. Thinking Han Shutong was embarrassed to ask for help, she said directly, “Are you too comfortable to get out of bed because of the stomach ache? It’s fine, you order. I’ll grab it for you in a bit.”

Zhou Xi finished speaking and walked out of the bedroom because she suddenly remembered she needed to call Uncle Wu, the doctor, to make an appointment for the next day.

As Zhou Xi closed the door, Han Shutong looked at the retreating figure through the gap and had no choice but to randomly order a meal.

Zhou Xi returned to her room and checked her contacts, only to realize she didn’t have Uncle Wu’s phone number.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhou Xi video-called her younger sister.

Her sister’s name was Zhou Simei, named so simply because their mother craved strawberries during the pregnancy—a literal and easily understood meaning.

Zhou Simei was surprised to see Zhou Xi calling. When she answered and saw Zhou Xi’s face, she was even more surprised. “Sis?”

“In your room?” Zhou Xi asked.

Zhou Simei: “Mhm. I went back to my room when I saw it was you calling.”

Zhou Xi confirmed it was safe and chuckled. “My dearest Little Sisi, you—”

“Sis, be normal,” Zhou Simei interrupted mercilessly.

“Oh, right.” Zhou Xi instantly returned to seriousness, cleared her throat, and said, “Do me a favor and ask Dad for Uncle Wu’s number.”

“What’s wrong with you? Are you not feeling well?” Hearing Zhou Xi ask for Uncle Wu’s number, Zhou Simei immediately tensed up.

Her sister never liked seeing a doctor when sick, preferring to tough it out. The only times she voluntarily went to the hospital were when she felt it was serious and couldn’t avoid it.

Could she have contracted some illness while struggling out there these past few years?

Zhou Simei anxiously said, “I’m coming to you right now.”

Zhou Xi quickly stopped her. “No, I’m taking a friend.”

Zhou Simei: “Really?”

“Mhm.”

“Oh, then that’s fine.” Hearing that Zhou Xi wasn’t sick, Zhou Simei relaxed.

But Zhou Simei then remembered something else. Anyone Zhou Xi would ask for a number for must be important. “Your friend? Who is it?”

Zhou Xi was speechless. “Are you a thousand questions?”

“Aiya, your little sister is just worried about you! You haven’t been home for so long. I miss you.”

Zhou Xi didn’t believe her. “Out of pocket money?”

“You’re offering to give me some? Absolutely not,” Zhou Simei said. “Mom and Dad saw that hot search about you collecting scrap metal last time. If I hadn’t asked you why and taken the effort to explain it to them, they really would have thought you went into scrap collecting.”

“…What does that have to do with me giving you pocket money?”

“Although I’m in on it, the impression you left on me was truly shocking. If I take your money, I can only picture you picking up bottles, Sis. I really can’t go through with it.” Zhou Simei was distraught, wrinkling her face at Zhou Xi.

“Stop joking and go quickly.” Zhou Xi couldn’t tolerate Zhou Simei’s clumsy acting anymore. After she spoke, she added, “Don’t let Dad know I asked for the number.”

Zhou Simei gave a salute gesture. “Understood.”

Three minutes later, Zhou Xi successfully got Uncle Wu’s phone number and scheduled an appointment for a consultation with him.

Hanging up the phone, Zhou Xi prepared to inform Han Shutong. But just as she walked toward the living room, she heard the doorbell ring.

Han Shutong’s takeout had arrived.

“Hello, is this for Miss Han?”

Zhou Xi: “Yes.”

“Why weren’t you answering the phone? I had to hitch a ride in someone else’s elevator to get in.” The delivery guy complained a little, then handed the order to Zhou Xi. “Here’s your takeout.”

Didn’t answer the phone?

Zhou Xi closed the door and walked toward Han Shutong’s bedroom with the takeout bag.

The door was still ajar. This time, Zhou Xi didn’t knock. As she pushed the door open, she said, “Shutong, your take… out is here.”

Zhou Xi paused mid-sentence, the last three words whispered very softly.

Han Shutong was asleep.

Han Shutong was lying on her side, facing the door, so Zhou Xi saw her sleeping the moment she opened the door. In her sleep, Han Shutong’s face had an added layer of serenity, making her look less unapproachable than usual.

Thinking about Han Shutong’s hard work these past few days, Zhou Xi looked down at the takeout in her hand and decided not to wake her. Instead, she entered the bedroom and gently covered Han Shutong with the corner of a blanket.

Suddenly, Han Shutong’s body moved, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Zhou Xi thought she had woken Han Shutong up. When she turned to look at her, she noticed that although her brow was slightly furrowed, there was no sign of her waking up.

Zhou Xi sighed in relief. She habitually patted the blanket lightly where she had covered her, then left the room with the takeout.

The door closed. The person who had just been sleeping slowly opened her eyes.

Han Shutong had woken up because of the menstrual pain, but upon sensing Zhou Xi was in her room, for some reason, Han Shutong chose to feign sleep.

But when a weight was placed on her legs, Han Shutong felt like she understood why her first choice was to feign sleep.

Her hand lightly smoothed the blanket before moving to her abdomen. Han Shutong curled up into a shrimp shape again.

However, before the pain surged, a smile was playing on her lips.