I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 22

Han Shutong instinctively grabbed Zhou Xi.

Sensing the grip, Zhou Xi turned to look at Han Shutong.

Although Han Shutong’s face was expressionless, Zhou Xi noticed the panic flashing in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Xi asked softly.

Han Shutong lowered her gaze, hiding the emotions in her eyes. She shook her head and said, “Nothing.”

With that, she let go of Zhou Xi’s arm.

Han Shutong didn’t look like nothing was wrong, but since she wasn’t saying anything, and they were in a public place with many people around, Zhou Xi didn’t press her. Instead, she said gently, “Okay, then I’ll go talk to the director first and come back for you afterward.”

Han Shutong nodded. “Mhm.”

Zhou Xi got up and walked toward the director. Even though the director had said “OK,” Zhou Xi still wanted to ask if there were any areas where her performance hadn’t been fully realized.

The director hadn’t initially been kind to Zhou Xi. Besides her interrupting his scolding earlier, in his mind, Zhou Xi was merely an irrelevant eighteenth-tier celebrity who was recording the variety show to piggyback on Han Shutong’s fame.

But after filming Zhou Xi’s segment, the director’s attitude changed within minutes of the camera rolling.

Though not famous, her acting was good—everything was good.

When Zhou Xi walked up to the director and asked about the filming’s effectiveness, the director, in a complete reversal of his usual irritable temper, patiently answered Zhou Xi’s questions.

As Han Shutong walked over, she happened to hear the director say to Zhou Xi, “Leave your contact information. I have a role in my new drama that suits you well. It hasn’t been cast yet. You can come for an audition in a few days.”

The director had filmed several hit dramas. The number of celebrities wanting to act in his shows was considerable, and he was currently preparing for a new drama. The only reason he was shooting an advertisement for the variety show was because he owed someone a favor and was roped in to help.

Han Shutong looked at Zhou Xi, who winked at her, then pulled out her phone and opened a QR code. “Thank you for the opportunity, Director.”

After successfully adding Zhou Xi as a friend, the director turned to Han Shutong. Since he was familiar with Han Shutong, he half-jokingly said, “Do you want to come and make a cameo?”

Han Shutong declined. “I’ll be joining a crew right after the variety show filming is over. I probably won’t have time.”

The director lamented, “What a shame. I saw you two working so well together just now. I was thinking of arranging a scene for you both.”

Han Shutong glanced at Zhou Xi. As she looked away, she suddenly said, “I have a few days off. Maybe I can act in it.”

The speed of her change of heart stunned both Zhou Xi and the director.

The director couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, I’ll notify both of you then. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t keep chatting with you two. Everything that needed to be filmed is done, so you can leave now.”

After saying goodbye to the director, Zhou Xi and Han Shutong headed to the makeup room together.

Bai Mo was already waiting for them in the makeup room.

After changing clothes, the two took the car home.

While making dinner, Zhou Xi chatted with Han Shutong. “I heard from the staff today that the show will air on the Qixi Festival.”

Han Shutong, who had just found out as well, paused for a few seconds. “It’s a very good day to choose.”

“It is. Very romantic.” Zhou Xi pondered for a moment. “But people will be on dates on the Qixi Festival, right? Will anyone watch our show?”

Someone once said Zhou Xi worried too much, and Zhou Xi had refuted her. But if someone said that now, Zhou Xi definitely wouldn’t argue. As she got older, Zhou Xi realized she really did overthink things.

Otherwise, which celebrity would worry about the show’s ratings for no reason?

Han Shutong said softly, “There are also people who don’t have dates.”

“Mhm.” Zhou Xi thought Han Shutong made a good point. She nodded and pointed back and forth between the two of them. “Like us, for example.”

Han Shutong was helping Zhou Xi by washing vegetables. Hearing Zhou Xi’s words, the tomato in Han Shutong’s hand suddenly slipped and fell into the sink.

After picking up the tomato, Han Shutong mumbled, “Mhm.”

Mentioning romantic life suddenly piqued Zhou Xi’s curiosity. She looked up at the camera, then signaled for Han Shutong to turn off the microphone.

After Han Shutong turned off the mic, a rare gossipy expression appeared on her face. She asked in a low voice, “Shutong, have you dated anyone since graduation?”

Presumably, every girl has experienced late-night dorm chats. Zhou Xi and her roommates had theirs on the third day of military training. It had rained that day, so they didn’t have evening training and went to bed early.

Forgetting who started the topic, Zuo Yuan and a few others mentioned how many people they had dated that night. When asked, Zhou Xi and Han Shutong both answered “none.”

Zuo Yuan didn’t believe it at the time, thinking that with their looks, they must have either dated or liked someone.

When Zuo Yuan asked if they had ever liked anyone, the answer was still “none.”

Whether others believed it or not, no meant no. Knowing she was telling the truth, Zhou Xi also believed Han Shutong was telling the truth.

During college, Han Shutong didn’t seem to have a boyfriend, but now that three years had passed since graduation, maybe she had found someone she liked.

It felt like she was back in that night of military training six years ago. After asking, Zhou Xi continued, “I’ve been single up until now. How about you?”

Han Shutong thought Zhou Xi had discovered something. Her heart started beating faster. She gripped the item in her hand and asked, “Why are you asking that?”

Han Shutong’s tone was flat, making it sound like she was angry. Zhou Xi licked her lips, feeling a little awkward. “Sorry, I was just suddenly curious. Don’t say anything if you don’t want to. It was too sudden of a question.”

Zhou Xi finished speaking, and since Han Shutong didn’t reply, she didn’t speak again but continued chopping vegetables.

Han Shutong, meanwhile, continued washing the tomato, which she had already rinsed several times, her mind preoccupied with unknown thoughts.

The air suddenly went quiet, becoming eerily silent.

Zhou Xi felt bad, realizing she had asked the wrong question. She knew celebrities were most sensitive about such matters, but she hadn’t considered the consequences before asking.

Zhou Xi was thinking about what to say to break the ice and ease the atmosphere. Just as she cleared her throat, preparing to speak, her mind wandered, and the knife accidentally cut her hand.

“Hiss.”

Zhou Xi gasped.

As a bead of blood began to well up from the wound, Han Shutong grabbed Zhou Xi’s hand.

Before Zhou Xi could react, the wound had been rinsed with water, and Han Shutong was pulling Zhou Xi into her room.

Taking out the first-aid kit, Han Shutong gently raised Zhou Xi’s hand in front of her and, with delicate movements, wrapped a band-aid around the cut.

Han Shutong didn’t say a word throughout the entire process.

Zhou Xi, who believed she had said the wrong thing and angered Han Shutong, also remained silent.

The wound on her finger stung a little when the band-aid was being wrapped, causing Zhou Xi to subconsciously pull her hand back. But Han Shutong immediately pulled it back toward her. Han Shutong glanced at the hand and asked, “Any other injuries?”

Zhou Xi stared at the top of Han Shutong’s head and slowly replied, “No.”

Han Shutong put down Zhou Xi’s hand and began tidying the first-aid kit, which she had messed up while looking for the band-aid.

Looking at the treated wound, Zhou Xi took a step closer to Han Shutong and said in a pleading voice, “Student Han, I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”

Han Shutong’s hand, which was tidying the items, froze. She slowly lowered her head, her gaze falling to the ground, and whispered, “I’m not mad.”

It was just different from the result she had imagined, and she didn’t know how to answer right away.

Zhou Xi bent down, looking up at Han Shutong’s lowered face. “Really?”

Han Shutong looked at Zhou Xi, then awkwardly raised her head. Regardless of whether the first-aid kit was organized or not, she hurriedly closed the lid and stuffed it into the cabinet.

“Mhm.”

Zhou Xi swept her hair back and smiled. “It’s good that you’re not mad. If you were, I wouldn’t know how to coax you.”

She didn’t know what Han Shutong liked. If she were truly angry, Zhou Xi genuinely wouldn’t know how to make amends.

After saying that, Zhou Xi remembered she hadn’t finished chopping the vegetables. “Then I’ll go continue cooking.”

The next second, just as the door was about to be opened, Han Shutong’s voice rang out behind her. She said, “I haven’t dated anyone.”

And just as Zhou Xi was about to respond, she heard Han Shutong say, “But I have someone I like.”

This was unexpected for Zhou Xi.

Hearing Han Shutong say she had someone she liked, the person who was just telling herself not to ask such personal questions immediately turned and walked back to Han Shutong. Her mouth was slightly ajar in surprise.

“He—”

Zhou Xi wanted to ask who it was, as she could hardly imagine what kind of person Han Shutong would like. But just as the words were about to leave her mouth, Zhou Xi remembered the awkwardness from before and immediately clamped her mouth shut.

Since Zhou Xi had already returned to Han Shutong’s side, it felt strange not to say anything. She patted Han Shutong’s shoulder and said, “That’s good.”

With that, Zhou Xi quickly walked out of Han Shutong’s bedroom, leaving Han Shutong standing alone, silent.

It is good.

It gives life something to look forward to.

But it also adds a lot of unspeakable bitterness.

Zhou Xi woke up early the next morning.

Although she went to sleep early the night before, she hadn’t slept well, having dreamt all night and waking up several times in a fright.

She took out her phone to check the time, thinking she might try to catch a little more sleep if it was still early.

But picking up her phone, she saw a message from Zhou Simei.

Zhou Simei: [Sis, are you coming back for Dad’s birthday?]

Zhou Xi was instantly wide awake. She opened WeChat, looked at the message, and pondered for a moment.

Zhou Xi: [Yes.]

The message was sent, and Zhou Simei replied immediately.

Zhou Simei: [Sis, you woke up so early today.]

Zhou Simei: [It’s good that you’re coming back, but there’s one thing you need to be aware of.]

Zhou Xi: [What?]

Zhou Simei: [I heard they want to set you up with someone when you come back.]

Zhou Xi sat bolt upright.

Zhou Xi: [?]

Zhou Xi: [Who told you that?]

Zhou Simei: [Mom and Dad. I overheard them chatting yesterday. I heard the guy studied abroad.]

Zhou Simei: [Sis, why don’t you find a friend to pretend to be your boyfriend to trick Mom and Dad?]

Zhou Xi frowned when she saw the suggestion. [Who taught you that?]

Zhou Simei: [That’s what they do on TV. You don’t have a boyfriend, so if you don’t find someone to pretend to be him, you’ll be forced into a blind date.]

Zhou Xi sighed and lectured Zhou Simei not to watch those messy TV dramas.

Zhou Simei: [But the dramas I watch are all the ones you starred in, Sis.]

Zhou Simei: [I’m just supporting you, Sis. Otherwise, who watches dramas with such old tropes these days?]

Old tropes?

Zhou Xi’s heart immediately clenched.

Author’s Note:

Zhou Xi: A touching display of sisterly love