I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 23

After chatting with Zhou Simei for a few more minutes, Zhou Xi urged her to go do her homework. The conversation ended there.

Zhou Xi lay flat on the bed, spread-eagle. She had been exhausted from the night’s intermittent waking, but now she wasn’t sleepy at all.

Staring at the ceiling, Zhou Xi let her thoughts wander.

It was still a month until her father’s birthday, which meant she had one month before she would be set up on a blind date.

Over the past few years, Zhou Xi’s relationship with her father had been somewhat strained. If she outright refused the blind date, the father and daughter would inevitably end up in a big argument, resulting in an unhappy separation.

This was something Zhou Xi wanted to avoid.

In fact, besides the Chinese New Year, Zhou Xi rarely went home these past few years.

This time, she wanted to use her father’s birthday as an opportunity to return home and seek reconciliation.

As she grew older, Zhou Xi had matured and become more stable. She admitted that her actions back then were somewhat extreme and recognized the difficulty of being a parent.

But now, the thought of being introduced to a blind date at home suddenly made her feel like she could hold out a little longer—being a runaway might not be so bad after all. Alternatively, how could she subtly tell her parents that she didn’t want to date or get married?

Three minutes passed, and Zhou Xi, lying quietly on the bed, still hadn’t figured out a solution.

Just as she rolled over to find her phone, Zhou Simei’s suggestion flashed through her mind.

Find someone to pretend to be a partner?

The idea quickly passed, and Zhou Xi dismissed it instantly.

Leaving aside how cliché the method was, the key was that she couldn’t find anyone suitable to pretend to be her partner.

Her parents knew most of the people in Zhou Xi’s social circle. She hadn’t made any close friends since graduation, only acquaintances, so asking them to pretend was impossible.

Yawning, Zhou Xi decided to postpone worrying about this annoying problem. She would deal with it in a month.

Rolling out of bed, she opened the bedroom door, and a rich scent of traditional Chinese medicine wafted toward her.

Zhou Xi didn’t dislike the smell; she even found it quite pleasant.

After a few light sniffs, Zhou Xi walked up to the kitchen door. “Good morning.”

Han Shutong was stirring the herbal medicine. Hearing Zhou Xi’s voice, she turned and said, “You’re up?”

“Mhm.” Zhou Xi yawned again and asked, “What are we having for breakfast?”

Since Zhou Xi usually woke up late, Han Shutong was always in charge of breakfast, so Zhou Xi habitually asked.

Hearing Zhou Xi’s question, Han Shutong was about to say it was on the table, but she remembered that she had started preparing the Chinese medicine right after waking up. Since Zhou Xi had helped her brew it the previous times, this was Han Shutong’s first attempt. Fearing she might mess it up, she had concentrated entirely on the medicine and forgotten about breakfast.

Han Shutong frowned and said quietly, “…I forgot to order.”

Zhou Xi said, “Oh. That’s fine. I’ll order. I feel embarrassed eating the takeout you order every day anyway.”

Saying that, Zhou Xi opened the food delivery app. “Is it okay to get the same thing as yesterday? That flatbread was quite tasty.”

“That’s fine.”

Han Shutong wasn’t particular about food.

“What was the name of that shop again?” Zhou Xi searched based on her memory. As a result, three or four similar shops popped up, and she couldn’t distinguish which one it was.

“Just order again using my phone.” Han Shutong was busy checking the medicinal decoction and couldn’t spare a hand. “My phone is on the dining table. The passcode is 2273.”

“Got it!”

Zhou Xi readily agreed, but she didn’t plan to use Han Shutong’s phone to order; she just wanted to check the shop’s name.

Han Shutong’s phone was placed next to a tissue box.

Picking up the phone, the lock screen wallpaper was a full moon, with a few layers of mountains beneath it, creating a serene artistic landscape.

After entering the passcode, the home screen wallpaper made Zhou Xi freeze.

At this moment, Han Shutong walked out of the kitchen, talking. “Wait a minute, I—”

Seeing that Zhou Xi had already unlocked the phone, the words caught in Han Shutong’s throat.

When Zhou Xi looked at her, Han Shutong said quietly, “I just randomly picked a picture for the wallpaper.”

Although her tone was flat and calm, a subtle hint of panic could be detected if one listened closely.

Yes, Han Shutong’s wallpaper was a photo of her and Zhou Xi together.

It was the one Bai Mo had taken for them in City L.

Han Shutong had changed the wallpaper last night before going to sleep. Before last night, her wallpaper was the system default.

She didn’t expect to be found out as soon as she changed it.

Seeing Zhou Xi’s serious expression and slight frown, Han Shutong said, “I’ll change it to another photo then.”

Zhou Xi agreed. “You’re right, change it to another one.”

Hearing Zhou Xi’s words, Han Shutong felt a mix of emotions, leaving her temporarily speechless.

Han Shutong didn’t speak, nor did Zhou Xi. Instead, she looked at the photo and shook her head slightly.

She looked too dark in this photo, not pretty at all.

Han Shutong, on the other hand, looked incredibly beautiful.

Although Zhou Xi rarely focused on such details, since Han Shutong was using this photo as her wallpaper, shouldn’t Zhou Xi demand that she look good in it?

“Shutong, whiten me up a bit later, and then you can use it as your wallpaper.” As Zhou Xi spoke, she clicked on the food delivery app on Han Shutong’s phone.

The turn of events was unexpected for Han Shutong. Her eyes flickered. “You don’t mind?”

Mind?

“I mind very much,” Zhou Xi said, looking at the shop name, then picking up her own phone to search.

Hearing Zhou Xi’s reply, before Han Shutong could manage a wry smile, Zhou Xi continued, “It was taken from the same angle. How are you so much fairer than me?”

It was only then that Han Shutong realized the reason for Zhou Xi’s frown.

She picked up the phone Zhou Xi had placed back on the table, glanced at the wallpaper, and put the phone in her pocket. She said, “I was blocking the light that was supposed to shine on you.”

“Student Han,” Zhou Xi said, looking up at Han Shutong. Meeting her gaze, she continued, “I always thought you were aloof and bad at conversation, but now I realize I was wrong.”

Zhou Xi said admiringly, “You’re incredibly good at chatting.”

Han Shutong: “…”

Although she was complimented, she wasn’t sure if she should be happy.

While waiting for the takeout, Zhou Xi sat idly at the dining table and opened Weibo, starting to surf the internet.

Zhou Xi wasn’t heavily addicted to the internet; she only checked Weibo when she was bored.

The entertainment industry was quiet recently; there wasn’t much gossip to be found. Even the marketing accounts were only posting trivial things or reminiscing about past scandals.

Even the trending searches were boring—mostly about who wore what outfit or who posted what on Weibo, very lackluster.

Just as Zhou Xi was about to close Weibo and check on the delivery driver, her eyes fixed on the bottom of the trending list and couldn’t move away.

#Drama: Dark City#

Zhou Xi’s gaze lingered on the last two words for a full minute, her eyes filled with disbelief. Finally, she clicked on the topic with a doubtful mind.

@TheBestGossipEater: The drama “Dark City” is expected to be launched in August. The director is a high-scorer, and the main cast includes Zhou Xi and Cheng Lin. The drama was filmed in 2018 but has been suppressed due to its sensitive theme. It can finally be released now.

Zhou Xi bit her lip, the light in her eyes intensifying.

Dark City was the first drama she ever filmed, her official debut work. Just as the marketing account said, the show had been suppressed, and seeing that it could finally appear before the public, Zhou Xi would be lying if she said she wasn’t excited.

Scrolling down, Zhou Xi looked for more news about Dark City, but instead, she saw many comments posted by netizens:

@MiMiMi: I know the director, but who are these two actors?

@RejectHanShutong100Times: Don’t know them +1

@AHeartPounding: Seriously, these two actors look quite good. Are they new actors?

@SaltedFishItself: The female actor looks somewhat familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen her.

Seeing the words “new actors,” a surge of melancholy washed over her. Who would have thought that three years ago she was a newbie, and three years later she was still a ‘newbie’?

However, this melancholy was quickly washed away. Nothing could make Zhou Xi happier right now than the news that Dark City was about to premiere.

Just as Zhou Xi was filled with joy and didn’t know where to vent or share it, Han Shutong walked out of the kitchen.

“Teacher Zhou, can you help me check if…”

…the medicine is ready?

Han Shutong’s words were left unfinished because Zhou Xi rushed over and hugged her.

Zhou Xi’s arms were wrapped around Han Shutong’s neck. The warmth from her embrace transferred to Han Shutong, and the softness of her chest pressed tightly against Han Shutong’s.

Zhou Xi’s unique fragrance once again wafted into Han Shutong’s nose, making Han Shutong mistakenly think that she, too, carried this scent.

Han Shutong looked down and saw a pair of eyes filled with laughter looking at her. The smile on Zhou Xi’s face was extremely infectious.

Just as Han Shutong was hesitating whether to hug Zhou Xi back, Zhou Xi let go.

When Zhou Xi hugged Han Shutong, she realized she had lost her composure. She rarely lost her composure like this, but today was an exception.

Zhou Xi, having pulled away, didn’t notice that the person she had hugged stood motionless, with the hand that was hanging by her side now raised.

“Shutong, I’m so happy!”

Han Shutong retracted her hand, which was halfway in the air. Infected by the smile on Zhou Xi’s face, she smiled and asked, “What happened?”

“The drama I filmed when I debuted is about to air!” Zhou Xi said. “It’s been suppressed for three whole years, and it’s finally going to air!”

Hearing this, Han Shutong’s voice gained another emotion: joy.

“Congratulations.”

“Wait a minute, let me show you our poster.”

Zhou Xi walked to Han Shutong’s side, held up her phone between the two of them, and was about to click on the trending topic on Weibo.

Just then, Zhou Xi received a WeChat message from Yan Meng Nuo.

Yan Meng Nuo: [Darling, the good news I told you about last time is trending. Did you see it?]

When the message popped up, both women, who were looking at the phone, saw it.

Darling?

Seeing Yan Meng Nuo’s form of address, the smile in Han Shutong’s eyes froze but quickly returned to normal.

Zhou Xi was stunned by the content.

Good news that’s trending?

Could it be…

Zhou Xi: [Are you talking about Dark City?]

Yan Meng Nuo: [Looks like you saw it. Is it convenient to talk on the phone?]

After the last time Zhou Xi snapped at Yan Meng Nuo, and Yan Meng Nuo actively hung up and didn’t contact her again, Zhou Xi’s impression of Yan Meng Nuo wasn’t as bad as before.

Putting that aside, Zhou Xi was very eager to know about Dark City.

Zhou Xi proactively dialed the number.

The call connected quickly, and a familiar voice came through: “Darling~”

Since she was about to talk to Han Shutong about Dark City, Zhou Xi had turned on the speakerphone when making the call.

Yan Meng Nuo’s voice was transmitted clearly to both of them.

“President Yan.”

After Zhou Xi greeted her, she remembered that Han Shutong and Yan Meng Nuo knew each other. She held the phone up in front of Han Shutong, motioning for her to say hello as well.

Han Shutong first glanced at Zhou Xi, then let out a low laugh. “President Yan still hasn’t changed her habit of calling everyone ‘Darling.’”

Although she said it with a smile, the coldness in her tone was very obvious.