I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 21.2

It was Zuo Yuan.

She was one of the hosts signed by the minor company.

“Shutong, long time no see.” Zuo Yuan walked up to Han Shutong with a smile, raising her hand as if to hug Han Shutong, but she was preempted by Han Shutong’s outstretched hand, which stopped her.

When Zuo Yuan extended her hand, Han Shutong retracted hers just as their fingertips touched.

“Long time no see,” Han Shutong said expressionlessly.

The other guests in the observation room then came over to greet Han Shutong. Han Shutong walked forward a couple of steps, no longer paying attention to Zuo Yuan.

Zuo Yuan’s smile froze on her face after Han Shutong left.

A few lesser-known hosts watching the situation from a distance covered their mouths and snickered.

Before Han Shutong arrived, Zuo Yuan had been bragging about how close she and Han Shutong were as old classmates. But now, it seemed their relationship was only mediocre, or perhaps even worse.

Zuo Yuan saw their mockery, and her gaze involuntarily settled on Han Shutong. Ever since Han Shutong left the group chat last time, her assistant had been the one replying to Zuo Yuan’s messages.

Zuo Yuan didn’t know why Han Shutong’s attitude towards her had suddenly changed like this. It looks like I’ll have to ask her during the show filming.

There were four groups of guests, and only Wu Yingran hadn’t arrived yet.

After greeting the others, Han Shutong sat down in her assigned spot.

Three minutes later, a woman entered through the door.

Wu Yingran had long, straight hair, but today, her hair was curled and styled into two braids resting on her shoulders. Coupled with an all-denim outfit, she looked full of youthful energy and very girlish.

Wu Yingran saw everyone seated and quickly bowed, saying, “Apologies, apologies, I’m late. The traffic was simply terrible on the way.”

Cheng Yongyuan stood up to greet Wu Yingran as she entered. Seeing Wu Yingran continuously bowing, he quickly walked over and helped her up. “It’s fine. It’s only three minutes; it’s not a big deal. Hurry up and say hello to everyone.”

Wu Yingran stood up, went around the table shaking hands with everyone. Bai Lu’s seat was on the right side of the center of the round table. When Wu Yingran reached her, Bai Lu put out her hand and said, “Instead of taking the time to shake hands, why don’t you sit down.”

Although Bai Lu’s status in the industry wasn’t the highest, she was a veteran, and no one dared to provoke her.

Wu Yingran laughed upon hearing this. “Teacher Bai is right.”

She then sat down in her seat.

She was seated next to Han Shutong and greeted her upon sitting down.

Han Shutong looked at Wu Yingran and suddenly remembered that Zhou Xi had filmed a drama with her. She responded in a friendly manner.

“Alright, now that everyone is here, let’s get ready to start filming.” With the director’s command, the recording began.

The first segment played was about Su Jingxing. Next came Wu Yingran and the couple Bai Lu and Pei He.

Han Shutong’s segment was played last.

The first shot was of Han Shutong waking up, washing up, and then sitting on the sofa to order takeout.

Host Cheng Yongyuan initiated the conversation, looking at Han Shutong and asking, “Shutong, can you cook?”

Han Shutong: “I couldn’t when we filmed this segment, but I can now.”

Cheng Yongyuan sounded surprised. “Oh? Did you learn to cook?” he asked with interest.

Han Shutong nodded.

Wu Yingran, who was sitting next to her, asked, “Sister Shutong, did you teach yourself?”

“A teacher taught me,” Han Shutong’s tone softened instantly when she mentioned the word “teacher.”

Cheng Yongyuan heard this and said, “I bet there will be a segment of you learning to cook later. That’s quite something to look forward to.”

Following Cheng Yongyuan’s remark, the video, which had been paused, started playing again.

The camera immediately cut to Han Shutong carrying the takeout to the table, sitting down, and then flipping through her script for a while.

A graphic appeared on the screen: [Why isn’t she eating the takeout?]

Su Jingxing also asked the same question curiously. Before Han Shutong could answer, the camera showed Han Shutong putting down the script and walking to another door, knocking and asking if the person inside was awake.

The people present immediately became alert, their gossip instincts exposed: Someone else is living in Han Shutong’s house? They wonder if it’s a man. If it is…

Han Shutong will definitely be the top trending search this week.

As the door opened and a woman emerged, everyone’s gossiping eased.

But Zuo Yuan and Wu Yingran were visibly surprised when they saw the woman’s face, and their eyes involuntarily shifted to Han Shutong.

How is Zhou Xi living with her?

The focus of everyone else was on Zhou Xi’s face.

She looked sleepy, her bare face was tranquil, and she was a beauty.

Cheng Yongyuan was surprised. “And this is…”

Han Shutong looked at Zhou Xi and said softly, “My roommate, Zhou Xi.”

Before Cheng Yongyuan could ask further, Wu Yingran next to her spoke up. “I can’t believe Teacher Han and Xi Xi are roommates.”

Xi Xi?

Han Shutong’s gaze snapped to Wu Yingran. The other woman was smiling as she looked at Zhou Xi on the screen, saying, “I never heard Xi Xi mention it.”

Han Shutong’s eyes narrowed.

Cheng Yongyuan looked at Wu Yingran. “Yingran, you know her too?”

When Wu Yingran looked at Cheng Yongyuan, her eyes briefly met Han Shutong’s. She smiled and said, “Of course. Xi Xi and I are good friends. We met while filming. I didn’t realize Xi Xi had such a good relationship with Teacher Han too.”

At this point, Zuo Yuan, sitting at the end of the round table, chuckled and said, “We’re college classmates. Naturally, our relationship is very good.”

“Oh, right. I forgot Sister Yuan and Teacher Han are college classmates. If Sister Yuan hadn’t said anything, people probably wouldn’t remember.” A small host on the other side spoke up.

It was hard for those present not to pick up on the hidden meaning. Such small digs didn’t even register in the eyes of most of the main guests.

Cheng Yongyuan shot a look at the person, then smiled and interjected, “Next time, we’ll invite Zhou Xi, and it will be a college classmate reunion.”

After Cheng Yongyuan spoke, he signaled the production team to continue playing the video.

The next segment was of Han Shutong sitting motionless on the sofa for a day.

Bai Lu turned and asked Han Shutong, “Shutong, don’t you get bored?”

Han Shutong hummed in response. “I don’t get bored. When I’m engrossed in reading the script, I don’t notice how much time has passed.”

As Han Shutong finished speaking, the scene of Zhou Xi entering the door appeared in the video. Pei He nudged Bai Lu, who was still talking to Han Shutong. “The other person is back.”

He meant for Bai Lu to focus on the video.

When Bai Lu turned her attention to the screen, she saw the person who had been motionless on the sofa suddenly move.

For some reason, the people present found this scene incredibly amusing and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

The only exceptions were the people directly involved and Zuo Yuan and Wu Yingran.

Wu Yingran merely smiled faintly and then glanced at Han Shutong from the corner of her eye. Their eyes met precisely.

Meeting Han Shutong’s gaze and seeing the expression she revealed, Wu Yingran seemed to understand something. She smiled again before looking away.

About ten minutes later, the video finished playing. After a thirty-minute break, the second episode’s video began. Once the second episode was done, the day’s filming concluded.

When the on-set director announced the end, everyone stood up and bid each other farewell. Cheng Yongyuan then suggested, “Since this was our first recording, why don’t we all go out for dinner together?”

The couple Pei He and Bai Lu immediately agreed. Cheng Yongyuan then looked at the others, who also had no issues with the plan.

When Cheng Yongyuan’s gaze fell on Han Shutong, she could only nod and agree.

When she returned to the waiting room to gather her things, Han Shutong opened her chat with Zhou Xi.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Han Shutong typed: [Work dinner. I’ll be back a little late tonight.]

After sending the message, Han Shutong stared intently at her phone, waiting for Zhou Xi’s reply.

When Zhou Xi received Han Shutong’s message, she was cooking in the kitchen. She took a photo of the dish in the wok and sent it to Han Shutong.

Zhou Xi: [It says it’s sad.]

When this message came in, Han Shutong was chatting with Bai Lu, who had come over to find her. Hearing Han Shutong’s phone ring, Bai Lu signaled for her to reply first.

Seeing the content Zhou Xi sent, Han Shutong couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

Sitting nearby, Bai Lu looked at Han Shutong in surprise when she heard the laughter.

She had worked with Han Shutong and naturally understood her personality.

A person who can make Han Shutong laugh just by chatting…

Han Shutong: [Please apologize to it for me.]

After sending the message, Han Shutong remembered Bai Lu was in the room. She put her phone away, ready to continue her conversation with Bai Lu.

But as soon as she looked up, she saw Bai Lu looking at her with a knowing smile. “Shutong, when did you start dating? Why didn’t you tell your sister?”

“Dating?”

“Look at you! Are you still trying to hide it from me?” Bai Lu pointed to the phone. “Wasn’t that person you were chatting with your significant other?”

Han Shutong followed Bai Lu’s pointed finger to her phone, momentarily speechless. She shook her head. “Sister Lu, you’ve misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood? Seeing how happily you were just smiling, how could I have misunderstood?”

Han Shutong pursed her lips. “It was Zhou Xi.”

“Zhou Xi?” The name was somewhat unfamiliar. Bai Lu took a moment to recall. “Oh, was that your roommate from earlier?”

Bai Lu realized her mistake and said sheepishly, “Seriously, I thought you were dating.”

Han Shutong remained silent.

Bai Lu then asked, “You must be twenty-five by now, right? When are you planning to settle down? I know quite a few single people—they are all young and promising. Should I introduce you to a few?”

A few?

Bai Mo, who was nearby, was inwardly shocked. What does she take her Sister Tong for?

Han Shutong spoke up. “No, thank you.”

Just then, her phone rang a few more times. Han Shutong no longer talked to Bai Lu.

Zhou Xi: [I asked it for you. It said it will forgive you if you bring back some ice cream when you return.]

Zhou Xi then sent a red envelope.

Zhou Xi: [Please and thank you.]

Han Shutong smiled. Bai Lu, watching her smile, sighed inwardly: If I didn’t know the person on the other end was a girl, who wouldn’t suspect this was a romantic relationship?

The dinner lasted two hours. After eating, someone suggested going to karaoke, but Han Shutong declined, citing work.

Before heading home, Han Shutong stopped by her company. By the time she got back, it was nine o’clock in the evening, but Zhou Xi wasn’t home.

As Han Shutong put the groceries in the refrigerator, she turned around and saw the dishes still sitting on the dining table, completely untouched.

Just then, Han Shutong received a call from Zhou Xi.

“Shutong, are you home already?”

Han Shutong’s eyes softened upon hearing Zhou Xi’s voice. “Mhm.”

“I thought you were with Yingran.”

Zhou Xi’s words instantly dropped the temperature in Han Shutong’s eyes. “Yingran?”

Han Shutong repeated the name.

Zhou Xi said, “Yes, Yingran called to say she drank too much, and her assistant wasn’t around, so she wanted me to take her home. I came to pick her up, didn’t see you, and wondered if you were already home.”

Drank too much?

Han Shutong frowned. At the dinner, Wu Yingran said she wasn’t drinking at all to protect her voice. Why would she drink again at the karaoke session?

“Where are you now?”

Han Shutong was about to say she would come to pick up Zhou Xi when Wu Yingran’s voice was heard on the other end of the phone. “Xi Xi, who are you talking to?”

Zhou Xi briefly replied to Wu Yingran, then told Han Shutong, “We’re almost at Yingran’s place. Gotta go.”

With a sudden beep, the call ended.

Han Shutong sat on the chair, lost in thought.

When Zhou Xi returned an hour later, Han Shutong had already showered and was sitting on the sofa writing.

Seeing Zhou Xi, Han Shutong stood up and walked to her, taking the bag she took off. She said softly, “You must be hungry, right? I’ve already reheated the food.”

“Really? I thought I’d have to eat cold food when I got back.”

Zhou Xi washed her hands and walked to the dining table. The dishes had already been placed on the table by Han Shutong.

“Do you want to eat a little too?” Zhou Xi asked.

“No,” Han Shutong shook her head.

Zhou Xi picked up her chopsticks. “Then I’ll start.”

Han Shutong hummed and sat next to her, watching Zhou Xi eat.

By Zhou Xi’s third bite of rice, Han Shutong couldn’t hold back. She asked, “Wu Yingran…”

“Oh, she’s fine. She just drank too much,” Zhou Xi thought Han Shutong was asking about Wu Yingran’s condition, so she spoke before Han Shutong could finish.

But what Han Shutong cared about wasn’t that; it was…

“Are you two close?”

Zhou Xi picked up a piece of vegetable with her chopsticks. “It’s alright. We met while filming before. We’re not very close, but we’re not strangers either.”

Having received the desired answer, Han Shutong nodded casually, as if the question wasn’t deliberate but just a passing comment.

Zhou Xi didn’t notice this, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have thought much of it.

Three days later, it was time for the fourth round of filming, which covered the content of the third episode.

That day, after Zhou Xi woke up, a staff member told her, “Teacher Zhou, there is a task you and Teacher Han need to complete today.”

Zhou Xi was still slightly groggy after waking up. She asked, “What task?”

Staff member: “To shoot a promotional commercial for the platform.”

“Shoot now? Doesn’t that usually happen closer to when the show airs?”

“That’s right. Our show is tentatively scheduled to premiere in half a month.”

“Half a month… mid-August?”

“Yes, on the day of the Qixi Festival.”

Zhou Xi said “Oh” and nodded. “Okay.”

After rubbing her head, Zhou Xi suddenly remembered why the staff member hadn’t told Han Shutong. After calling Han Shutong’s name a couple of times without a response, Zhou Xi asked, “Is Shutong not home?”

Staff member: “Yes, Teacher Han went for her morning run.”

No wonder.

Zhou Xi nodded. “I see. I’ll tell her when she gets back.”

When Zhou Xi finished washing up and came out of the bedroom in fresh clothes, she met Han Shutong, who had just returned from her run.

Zhou Xi asked casually, “How long were you running?”

Han Shutong calculated the time. “An hour and a half.”

Zhou Xi checked the clock. It was nine o’clock.

That means Han Shutong went out before 7:30 a.m.?

That’s impressive.

“What a comparison. I feel like a pig next to you,” Zhou Xi said, making a pig snout at Han Shutong.

Han Shutong saw this and did the same gesture. “Now I am too.”

Zhou Xi was surprised that Han Shutong responded this way, finding it amusing.

“As a pig, the next thing we should do is eat.”

“Good.”

Han Shutong had already bought breakfast and placed it on the table.

During the meal, Zhou Xi told Han Shutong about the commercial shoot, pointing to the script the staff member gave her. “We’re shooting according to what they wrote.”

Seeing Han Shutong look over, Zhou Xi said, “I haven’t read the script yet. I don’t know what the plot is. Let’s study it together after we finish eating.”

Han Shutong took a sip of soy milk. “We can do that.”

After eating, and once Zhou Xi had tidied up the takeout containers, the two sat on the sofa and opened the script.

The script was essentially a short segment centered around the variety show’s title, One Day’s Time.

It started with Zhou Xi tidying the house or working at the desk, while Han Shutong was constantly acting on a film set—showing their regular lives. It ended with the two returning home and cuddling on the sofa to watch TV.

The background shifts from sunrise to moonrise, metaphorically showing what they did over the course of a day.

This segment needed to be filmed on a set prepared by the production team. The two packed up and took the crew’s car to the studio.

Upon arrival, they briefly greeted the director and prepared to start shooting.

Since Zhou Xi’s scene was related to work, the director team prepared a professional office suit: a blazer, a shirt, and a pencil skirt.

However, due to a staff error, the clothes were two sizes too large.

The skirt was manageable; they could tighten the waist with black clips. But the blazer was far too big. Zhou Xi looked too bulky in it, lacking the sharp, professional look the director wanted.

Just as the director was scolding the staff member, Zhou Xi spoke up to stop him. Before Zhou Xi could say anything, Han Shutong walked over, took Zhou Xi’s hand, and smiled at the director. “If the blazer doesn’t work, she can just wear the shirt. It can still show that she’s working.”

However, the shirt was also two sizes too large. Fortunately, Han Shutong was wearing a shirt today as well. While it wasn’t a professional work shirt, the important thing was that it fit her snugly.

“Let’s switch.”

Han Shutong told the director to wait, then pulled Zhou Xi toward the changing room.

The changing room was big enough for two people. For the two slender women, it wasn’t crowded at all; there was even some space left over.

After closing the door, Han Shutong unbuttoned her shirt, saying, “The director has a bit of a temper. You don’t need to pay attention to him.”

“The way you say that, it sounds like I was about to start arguing with the director.”

Han Shutong looked at Zhou Xi. “I never thought that.”

She was just afraid that Zhou Xi would be wronged.

Zhou Xi paused, then laughed. “Actually, when I called him to stop, I was also going to suggest that we could film without the jacket.”

“Mhm,” Han Shutong responded. At this point, she had already taken off her shirt and was handing it to Zhou Xi.

Zhou Xi hadn’t immediately realized they were swapping shirts when they entered the changing room. She only remembered now, seeing Han Shutong hand her the shirt.

Han Shutong was wearing a white bandeau top underneath—the kind of style that was acceptable to wear out in public.

But Zhou Xi was different. She was wearing a T-shirt today, with only a bra underneath.

“Wait a moment. I’ll take this one off for you.”

With that, Zhou Xi started unbuttoning her shirt: one, two…

As the third button was undone, the gentle curve and the edge of her pink bra were visible. Han Shutong, who had turned her back as soon as Zhou Xi started undressing, caught this glimpse in the mirror.

Fair skin, collarbone, curve, pink.

To a normal person, this was simply A Person Changing Clothes, but to Han Shutong, it was Fatal Temptation.

Han Shutong immediately lowered her head, fixing her gaze on her toes.

Zhou Xi finished unbuttoning her shirt. Just as she was about to take it off, she happened to look up and see this scene. She called out, “Shutong?”

Han Shutong’s muffled voice sounded. “Mhm.”

“What are you doing?”

Han Shutong didn’t answer but asked, “Are you changed?”

“Not yet. Take mine first.”

Hearing this, Han Shutong slowly raised her head, but her gaze didn’t dare fix forward. She turned sideways, took the shirt Zhou Xi handed her, and handed her own shirt to Zhou Xi.

Zhou Xi put on the shirt first. After adjusting it in the mirror, she said, “I’ll go out first.”

Zhou Xi was focused on the filming. After speaking, she squeezed out through a crack in the door.

Meanwhile, in the changing room, Han Shutong was holding the shirt Zhou Xi had handed her. Even though the shirt had only been on Zhou Xi for a short time, it retained Zhou Xi’s unique clean fragrance.

After a moment of hesitation, Han Shutong slipped the shirt on.

The scent became more intense. Even after Han Shutong changed into the costume for her filming segment, some of that fragrance still lingered on her.

Han Shutong changed into an ancient costume. By the time Zhou Xi’s segment was finished, Han Shutong was still having her hair and makeup done.

Zhou Xi changed into the outfit for the next scene and sat aside to watch Han Shutong film.

Han Shutong was playing a female martial arts heroine—courageous, generous, and devoted to helping the injured and dying.

As Han Shutong performed, everyone present was drawn in by her emotion. It felt as if they were truly in a rustling bamboo forest, and they were the people being rescued by the heroine.

Unsurprisingly, Han Shutong’s filming was completed smoothly. Next was the segment where the two sat on the sofa watching TV together.

The two changed clothes and sat on the sofa. The director instructed them on their positions:

“Teacher Han, get a little closer to Miss Zhou. Ideally, one person’s head should rest on the other person’s shoulder to show intimacy.”

Zhou Xi moved closer to Han Shutong first. Hearing the director’s words, Zhou Xi leaned her head onto Han Shutong’s shoulder.

The moment her head rested on the shoulder, Han Shutong’s body stiffened.

Although the contact was light, there was still some weight resting on Han Shutong’s shoulder.

But Han Shutong didn’t feel it was heavy.

“Good, a little closer.”

Zhou Xi obediently scooted closer again.

This time, Han Shutong’s nostrils were filled with Zhou Xi’s faint fragrance. The scent was more intense than the one on the white shirt earlier.

“Good, just like that. Stay still. Once we start rolling, just follow the script.” After the director said this, the clapperboard snapped out of frame, and the camera started rolling.

Han Shutong picked up the snack bag resting on her lap. She shook it and then tore open a small opening.

The snack was cucumber-flavored potato chips. The cucumber aroma wafted out as the bag was opened.

Zhou Xi smelled the scent and instinctively glanced at it. Han Shutong, who had opened the bag, immediately fed the first chip she picked up to Zhou Xi, even though her eyes were fixed on the TV.

This moment was in the script, and the two acted it out naturally.

But the softness of Zhou Xi’s lips and the crunch of the chips as she chewed were not in the script.

Han Shutong’s little finger twitched, but she quickly regained her composure.

She continued watching the TV.

A few seconds later, Zhou Xi reached out, hooked a chip, and held it to Han Shutong’s mouth. Then, tilting her head, she looked into Han Shutong’s eyes and whispered, “It’s quite tasty. You try some.”

Zhou Xi’s eyes were curved in a smile, her bright eyes full of mirth.

Han Shutong subconsciously opened her mouth. The moment she bit into the chip, the director called out, “OK, perfect!”

Zhou Xi withdrew her hand.