I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 18

Since both had things on their minds, there wasn’t much conversation during dinner.

After they finished eating, the rain had stopped.

Although they didn’t have to follow the script exactly, they generally had to visit the places arranged by the production team.

So, the two drove around and explored for the entire afternoon, providing the production team with plenty of footage.

After they had dinner outside, the day’s filming concluded.

The next day, Zhou Xi slept until she woke up naturally, which was past ten o’clock.

Zhou Xi rolled over, picked up her phone, and opened Weibo.

The thirty thousand followers she gained after the last trending topic had dropped by a few thousand. She now only had two hundred thousand followers, which included the zombie accounts her former company bought for her.

She didn’t know who had given her a Weibo membership, but her pinned post popped up.

It was her very first post when she registered her account.

At that time, the trend was…

@ZhouXi: Hello everyone, I am Zhou Xi, please guide me.)

Consequently, the comment section for this post was filled with “hahahahas,” and many netizens who came from the trending topic introduced themselves using the same ‘Martian text.’

Zhou Xi initially wanted to delete it, but seeing that every netizen who visited her page seemed to enjoy it, she thought about it and left it up.

However, she did unpin it.

After unpinning it, Zhou Xi realized she hadn’t posted on Weibo in a long time. The most recent one was a Dragon Boat Festival greeting.

After much deliberation, Zhou Xi sat up, shook her messy hair, and took a selfie.

After reviewing the photo to make sure it was fine, she posted the selfie.

@ZhouXi: A beautiful day starts with sleeping in + [Image]

After posting, Zhou Xi exited Weibo and randomly searched for a movie to watch.

But just as the movie started playing, her screen exploded.

The pop-ups were all notifications about new messages on Weibo.

Because usually only a few loyal fans replied to her posts, Zhou Xi hadn’t turned off the notification settings.

But looking at the constantly popping-up notification bar now, Zhou Xi was startled.

She quickly opened the Weibo comments, and saw:

@CilantroIsBad: ??? Why is Han Shutong commenting on her post?

@CilantroIsGood: Han Shutong, please go back to your own Weibo! Don’t wander around in other people’s comment sections!

@HanHanIsSuperCute: Are the people asking who she is really Han Han’s fans? Han Han has always followed her on Weibo, okay? They’re university classmates.

@…

“?”

Zhou Xi turned off the notifications and clicked on the original post. The post, which usually received only fifty or so likes, now had over a thousand, and the number was still growing.

Flipping through the comments, the top comment was from a certain person.

@HanShutong: Get up and eat breakfast.

Zhou Xi didn’t overthink why Han Shutong would comment on her post. She simply thought Han Shutong was telling her to wake up and eat.

But when Luo Shuiqiu arrived, she said, “Not bad, Han Shutong. Now you’re even generating buzz for the show. Well done.”

Luo Shuiqiu continued, “Everyone is curious about your relationship with Zhou Xi now. By the looks of it, you’ve got the pre-broadcast buzz covered.”

Han Shutong shot Luo Shuiqiu a look. “Don’t overthink it.”

Then, she said to Zhou Xi, “I didn’t do it to generate buzz.”

Luo Shuiqiu instantly noticed Han Shutong’s unusual behavior—she cared.

She cared about Zhou Xi’s opinion on the matter.

Given Han Shutong’s personality, which wouldn’t even flinch if her company went bankrupt, she actually cared about Zhou Xi’s opinion?

Luo Shuiqiu’s mouth curved as if she had discovered something entertaining. “What’s wrong? Afraid Zhou Xi might misunderstand?”

Before Han Shutong could speak, Zhou Xi laughed. “It’s just a comment. What would I misunderstand?”

Luo Shuiqiu looked at Han Shutong. Han Shutong pressed her lips together and didn’t answer, her fingertip sliding along the rim of the cup.

Luo Shuiqiu cleared her throat. “You need to go to L City for an event tomorrow. Don’t forget.”

Han Shutong: “Mhm.”

Seeing Han Shutong’s flat reaction, Luo Shuiqiu turned to Zhou Xi. “Zhou Xi should go along too. L City has many fun places. Shutong can work, and you can go play and annoy her.”

Luo Shuiqiu then looked at Han Shutong, whose eyes met hers. Luo Shuiqiu quickly winked at her, displaying an expression that said, You’re welcome.

Zhou Xi didn’t immediately agree. Instead, she asked, “How many days?”

Han Shutong: “Two days.”

Zhou Xi nodded. “Okay.”

Luo Shuiqiu’s main purpose for the visit today was to check on how Han Shutong and Zhou Xi were getting along and if the filming was going smoothly. She unexpectedly finished her work inspection and discovered a certain person’s secret.

Luo Shuiqiu stayed for a while and then prepared to leave. Han Shutong walked her downstairs.

“I wondered why you would invite an old classmate to live with you and even pay her to record a show. So, that’s it…” Luo Shuiqiu bumped Han Shutong’s shoulder.

Han Shutong said calmly, “Don’t tell anyone yet.”

Luo Shuiqiu’s eyes widened. “No way? You’re admitting it already? I thought you were going to deny it and tell me I was mistaken.”

Han Shutong’s clear voice rang out. “Why hide it if I like her?”

“…” Seeing the person speak such words so casually, Luo Shuiqiu was speechless for a few seconds before asking, “Then why are you telling me not to say anything yet?”

Han Shutong: “Mhm, I don’t know how to bring it up yet.”

“If you ask me, you should go for seduction,” Luo Shuiqiu said, not thinking it was a terrible idea at all, and even seriously scanned Han Shutong’s figure up and down.

Hearing Luo Shuiqiu’s words, Han Shutong’s face darkened. “You can see yourself out.”

As they spoke, they had already reached the parking lot.

“Fine, I’ll see myself out. Sis wishes you a speedy exit from the single-dog club~”

Han Shutong smiled. “Thank you.”

Seeing Han Shutong being so polite, Luo Shuiqiu called Bai Mo after getting into her car. “Xiao Bai, have you booked the hotel for tomorrow?”

Bai Mo thought Luo Shuiqiu was calling about something important. Upon hearing it was about booking rooms, she happily said, “Yes, I’ve booked it. I got a business suite for Sister Tong and a standard room for myself.”

“Mhm, well done…” Luo Shuiqiu said a couple more things before hanging up.

Then, looking at her reflection in the rear-view mirror, Luo Shuiqiu chuckled. “This is the best I can do for you, Sis.”

Han Shutong returned home to find Zhou Xi fully dressed and changing into sneakers by the entryway.

Upon seeing this scene after opening the door, Han Shutong was the first to speak. “Teacher Zhou.”

“Shutong, I suddenly have something urgent to go out for. I’ll be back tonight,” Zhou Xi said. She had already changed her shoes and hurriedly ran past Han Shutong and out the door.

In the brief moment they brushed past, Han Shutong wanted to reach out and grab Zhou Xi, but her hand only grasped air. She didn’t even touch the edge of Zhou Xi’s clothing.

Han Shutong watched Zhou Xi leave, yet she couldn’t even manage to ask where she was going.

Han Shutong’s face was turned away from the camera. When she turned around, her expression was blank.

The director behind the camera frowned. A hunch told him they had missed something.

But it was only a hunch.

The few staff members behind the director felt a sense of foreboding when they saw Zhou Xi leave the house.

And they were right.

After Zhou Xi left, Han Shutong immediately retreated to a corner and began to study the script motionlessly, just like last time.

Han Shutong only moved again when Zhou Xi returned.

“I figured you hadn’t eaten. I brought you dinner,” Zhou Xi placed the items in her hand on the dining table.

Han Shutong glanced at the name written on the plastic bag—it was the small restaurant downstairs.

“No, thank you.” Han Shutong refused, unsure why.

Zhou Xi paused while opening the box. “Huh?”

Han Shutong smiled slightly. “I’m on a diet recently. I don’t eat at night.”

“…Okay.”

Just as Zhou Xi put the food into the refrigerator, she turned around to see Han Shutong dressed in sportswear and running shoes, her hair tied up high, wearing a black baseball cap.

Zhou Xi asked, “Going for a run again?”

Han Shutong nodded. “Mhm.”

I feel stifled. Going for a run might help.

Zhou Xi looked into the distance. Just as Han Shutong wondered what she was looking at, she heard Zhou Xi ask, “Then you need to shower, right?”

“Why shower before running—” Han Shutong paused, then nodded. “Shower.”

She had forgotten that she had told Zhou Xi last time that she liked to shower before a night run.

Thankfully, she reacted quickly.

“Wait for me. I need to use the restroom first.”

When Zhou Xi came out of the restroom, she saw Han Shutong waiting by the door with a bath towel.

She had also taken off the baseball cap.

Han Shutong only took a quick rinse, opening the bathroom door after about ten minutes.

Han Shutong had already changed her clothes in the bathroom, and the bath towel was on the rack. Seeing that Zhou Xi was not in the living room, Han Shutong turned to leave.

But as she rounded the corner, she saw Zhou Xi, also dressed in sportswear, squatting on the floor, changing into running shoes.

Han Shutong was momentarily speechless. “You…”

“I didn’t keep you company this afternoon, so I’ll join you for a run tonight.”

Zhou Xi could sense Han Shutong’s unhappiness.

She ate dinner last night, so why is she suddenly on a diet today?

Zhou Xi couldn’t figure out why Han Shutong wouldn’t eat, so she planned to ask during the run.

Hearing Zhou Xi’s words, Han Shutong’s ears felt slightly warm.

I’m not a child.

Zhou Xi’s ideals were rich, but reality was… even richer.

After the night run, Zhou Xi dragged Han Shutong toward the food street they had just passed.

She completely forgot to ask why Han Shutong was unhappy.

“Boss, give me ten skewers of this one, no chili,” Zhou Xi said, then turned to ask Han Shutong, “What do you want to eat? Order anything, it’s my treat.”

Han Shutong slowly shook her head.

“Alright, then you’ll just have to watch me eat.” Zhou Xi’s tone was sympathetic, but her eyes were full of smiles.

Zhou Xi’s short hair was tied back with a hairband, but the hair at the front was too short, so strands were loose on both sides.

Seeing that the skewer was about to brush against Zhou Xi’s hair, Han Shutong instinctively raised her hand to tuck the strands behind Zhou Xi’s ear, saying, “Watch out for your hair.”

Zhou Xi hummed in acknowledgment. Without pausing to chew the food in her mouth, she managed to say, “Thank you,” to Han Shutong.

“Beautiful lady, your fried skewers are ready.”

Zhou Xi’s hands were full with the skewers she had just bought, so Han Shutong proactively took the order, saying thank you to the vendor.

At this moment, Zhou Xi swallowed the food in her mouth. She told Han Shutong, “Give these to the two big brothers.”

Since they were filming the show, the directors followed them out for the night run.

Even though they were following them on electric scooters and weren’t tired, they still had to share the delicious food.

Han Shutong nodded, finding nothing wrong with the request. The two accompanying directors, however, were taken aback. They had thought the skewers were all for Zhou Xi and had silently scoffed at her good appetite.

Now, hearing Zhou Xi say they were for them, the two men felt a little awkward and embarrassed.

Truthfully, when they first heard that Han Shutong had a roommate, who was also in the industry, they hadn’t paid any attention to this person named Zhou Xi. Later, when they heard Zhou Xi signed with Han Shutong’s company, they assumed she was trying to ride Han Shutong’s coattails for her debut and didn’t take Zhou Xi seriously at all.

Whenever they saw Zhou Xi talking and laughing with Han Shutong, their inner monologue was: They are acting, they are acting.

So, the production team usually only spoke to Han Shutong and never asked for Zhou Xi’s opinion.

But over the past few days, the directors had noticed a pattern: they would ask Han Shutong for her opinion, and Han Shutong would immediately turn around and ask Zhou Xi for hers.

So, the team leader had told them today, “Just ask Zhou Xi directly from now on.”

Getting back to the main topic, the two men took the skewers. They chuckled awkwardly and said to Zhou Xi, “Thank you, Teacher Zhou.”

“Is that enough? I can order more if it’s not,” Zhou Xi asked.

The two men nodded, saying it was enough, and thanked “Teacher Zhou” again.

Han Shutong frowned. “Why do you call her ‘Teacher Zhou’?”

The staff members saw Han Shutong’s displeasure and weren’t sure what they had done to upset her. They cautiously replied, “We heard Miss Han call her that, so it just became a habit.”

Zhou Xi had gone to throw away the trash and didn’t hear the conversation. When she returned, she told Han Shutong, “Let’s go. Time to go home.”

The last two words immediately lifted Han Shutong’s sullen mood from the entire afternoon.

She also stopped dwelling on the staff members’ choice of address.

At this moment, Han Shutong was like a child instantly soothed by a piece of candy. She smiled softly and repeated, “Mhm, going home.”