I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 24

When Yan Meng Nuo heard Han Shutong’s words, she chuckled and said, “Zhou Zhou Darling didn’t say anything, so for Miss Han to speak up… are you jealous?”

Feeling that Yan Meng Nuo was getting increasingly nonsensical, Zhou Xi pointed to the microphone on her body, reminding Han Shutong that they were recording, and motioned for Han Shutong to ignore Yan Meng Nuo. Then, she whispered to Han Shutong, “I’ll take the call in the room.”

Back in the room, Zhou Xi turned off her microphone and called out “President Yan” again.

Yan Meng Nuo had heard what Zhou Xi said to Han Shutong. Knowing that Han Shutong was no longer nearby, she returned to a professional demeanor.

Yan Meng Nuo hummed and said, “Actually, I called to tell you that if the drama becomes popular or generates buzz around the premiere, you might be invited to attend promotional events. Since you’re no longer an artist with my company, you’d better inform your current management about this, just in case they schedule work for you then.”

Although Zhou Xi had a new company, the contract for Dark City was signed with her former company, and everything still belonged to the former company.

Yan Meng Nuo added, “Of course, you won’t be attending the events for free; there will be corresponding compensation.”

Even without compensation, Zhou Xi would attend the promotion for Dark City because the drama held great significance for her. Since there would be payment, Zhou Xi certainly wouldn’t refuse.

Zhou Xi nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

Hearing this, Yan Meng Nuo chuckled. “Darling, you sound so unenthusiastic.”

Zhou Xi spoke plainly. “President Yan, is there anything else you wanted to discuss?”

If not, I can hang up.

Yan Meng Nuo: “Yes, I wanted to chat with Darling about your recent life.”

“President Yan,” Zhou Xi called out seriously.

Yan Meng Nuo: “Mhm?”

“It just occurred to me that as an employee, I don’t seem to have the authority to discuss my schedule with the management. Usually, the manager arranges it, and I execute it.” Zhou Xi paused for a second. “So, President Yan, why don’t you personally talk to our President Luo?”

“…”

There was silence on the other end for five seconds.

Then Yan Meng Nuo said, “Excuse me, Darling, the signal isn’t very good right now; I didn’t quite catch what you said.”

Zhou Xi said, “Oh. I don’t mind repeating it.”

Yan Meng Nuo’s voice sounded further away. “Huh? A meeting? I’m coming now.”

Then, Yan Meng Nuo quickly hung up the phone, citing an urgent meeting.

Looking at the black screen, Zhou Xi let out an uncharitable laugh.

The moment Yan Meng Nuo told her to discuss the matter with Luo Shuiqiu herself, Zhou Xi knew that Yan Meng Nuo wouldn’t dare to contact Luo Shuiqiu directly.

The title of “ex-girlfriend” was truly powerful, enough to make a free-spirited person avoid it at all costs.

Zhou Xi thought for a moment and immediately sent a message to Luo Shuiqiu, briefly explaining the situation.

Luo Shuiqiu quickly replied to Zhou Xi.

Luo Shuiqiu: [We’ll see the popularity of your drama after it airs. If it’s low, there’s no need to go. If it’s high, I’ll postpone your next filming schedule for a bit. It’s a good thing to promote your work, and you can earn some pocket money. I won’t disagree.]

Luo Shuiqiu: [However, for future matters like this, please have the management from your former company personally contact or send someone to communicate with our company.]

Luo Shuiqiu had half a sentence she didn’t send: Let her come; whether I agree or not is hard to say.

Zhou Xi: [Okay, I’ll pay attention next time.]

Having resolved the issue, and feeling overflowing joy about the drama’s upcoming premiere, Zhou Xi hummed a song as she walked out of the room.

The takeout had been delivered in the meantime, and as Zhou Xi left the room, she saw Han Shutong unpacking the containers.

After a simple breakfast, Zhou Xi and Han Shutong, finding nothing else to do, decided to do a major clean-up and organize their belongings today.

But before starting the clean-up, Zhou Xi popped into Han Shutong’s room for a look, only to realize that only she herself needed to organize anything.

Han Shutong’s clothes and other items were meticulously and neatly placed.

Looking at her own room, although her clothes weren’t haphazardly scattered, they weren’t folded by color and style like Han Shutong’s, and the closet looked messy when opened.

Since there was no camera in Zhou Xi’s room, the production crew had sent a cameraman into the room.

Just as the cameraman was about to film the inside of the closet, Zhou Xi closed the door.

Han Shutong, standing behind Zhou Xi, asked, “Need help organizing?”

“No, no, I can do it myself.” As Zhou Xi spoke, she pushed Han Shutong’s back, and the two walked out one after the other.

But after taking two steps, Zhou Xi felt something snap in the area where her palm was pressing on Han Shutong’s back.

Both of them stopped in unison. Zhou Xi glanced at the cameraman behind her, leaned slowly toward Han Shutong, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “To the bathroom.”

However, Zhou Xi forgot that she still had her microphone on, so everyone in the production crew heard those three words.

Except for the cameraman following the two women.

So, when he saw Zhou Xi pushing Han Shutong, and the two silently walking into the bathroom, the cameraman was confused.

Do good friends go to the… bathroom together now?

In the Bathroom.

After closing the door, Zhou Xi slowly removed her hand from Han Shutong’s back. She quickly turned off both of their microphones, then awkwardly licked her lip. “Shutong, I didn’t mean to.”

Who would have thought that the item would snap just because she was gently holding her back?

“It’s fine. It’s my bra’s fault.”

This bra was new and had been washed, but when she put it on today, she felt it was a little small.

It was only slightly small, and it didn’t bother her, so Han Shutong hadn’t changed it. After all, she couldn’t have predicted that this decision would lead to her and Zhou Xi standing together in the bathroom.

“Then fasten it back up first.”

“Mhm.”

Han Shutong tried to fasten the clasp behind her back, but the moment her hand folded back, the two words “Darling” that Yan Meng Nuo had called Zhou Xi suddenly rushed into Han Shutong’s mind.

The hand that had just reached the bra strap let go and retreated to the center of her back.

“Cough.”

Seeing that Zhou Xi was looking down, Han Shutong made a sound to get Zhou Xi’s attention.

Han Shutong’s plan was successful; Zhou Xi looked at her when she heard the cough.

“Done?” Zhou Xi asked.

Han Shutong shook her head, her lips parting slightly. “Can’t reach it.”

Zhou Xi’s first reaction was to leave so Han Shutong could take off her shirt and fasten it herself in the bathroom.

But the next second, she heard Han Shutong say:

“You help me fasten it.”

Before Zhou Xi could reply, she saw Han Shutong slowly turn around, facing away from her.

Zhou Xi raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Are you sure?”

This kind of thing was common between women, but coming from Han Shutong, it was a little surprising.

Zhou Xi knew Han Shutong’s personality: keep strangers away, keep acquaintances away too.

Han Shutong: “Mhm.”

Zhou Xi stepped closer to Han Shutong.

As the saying goes, people change.

It seemed that the post-graduation Han Shutong had changed enough to allow acquaintances to approach her.

Han Shutong was wearing a light-colored short-sleeved shirt. Zhou Xi walked behind Han Shutong and slipped her hand under the bottom of the shirt.

Zhou Xi’s fingers were at normal body temperature. As her hand moved closer to the bra, it accidentally brushed against Han Shutong’s back, revealing that Han Shutong’s back was slightly cool.

The warmth and the coolness pressed together. Although only for a few short seconds, it still caused a certain person to involuntarily tremble.

Zhou Xi noticed Han Shutong’s slight movement. She raised her hand away from Han Shutong’s back and gently asked, “Did I tickle you?”

“No,” Han Shutong said hoarsely. “Continue.”

“Okay.”

Zhou Xi replied and completely slid her hand under Han Shutong’s shirt. Because she raised her hand too high, half of Han Shutong’s waist, which was usually hidden under her clothes, was exposed.

A slender, willow-like waist, small enough to be grasped with one hand.

However, Zhou Xi didn’t see it. Her eyes were fixed on the back of Han Shutong’s neck, and her hand found the two bra straps, ready to fasten the clasp for Han Shutong.

“Which row of hooks?” Zhou Xi asked.

Because she was pulling on the straps, Zhou Xi’s knuckles were inadvertently brushing against Han Shutong’s back, and this kind of unintentional touch was the most alluring.

Han Shutong realized she was bringing this suffering upon herself. She swallowed, her voice a little husky. “Two.”

After fastening it for Han Shutong, Zhou Xi withdrew her hand from under her shirt. Her hair had somehow fallen onto her face. As Zhou Xi subconsciously brushed her hair away, her hand passed her cheek, and her nose caught the scent on her fingers.

It was the scent she had picked up from Han Shutong.

Whether it was laundry detergent or Han Shutong’s natural scent, it was quite pleasant.

“Let’s go, out now.” Saying that, Zhou Xi twisted the bathroom door handle and walked out first.

The cameraman outside was no longer there; he must have been called back by the director’s team.

Zhou Xi looked at Han Shutong, who had just emerged from the bathroom. “I’ll go clean my room first, and then come out to tidy the living room.”

“I can tidy it.”

Knowing Han Shutong had mild mysophobia, and that she was staying in someone else’s home, Zhou Xi usually paid close attention to keeping things tidy, so she didn’t leave things scattered.

Therefore, the living room wasn’t very messy and could be tidied in under three minutes.

When Zhou Xi emerged from her bedroom with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, she saw Han Shutong tidying up the kitchen alone.

Checking the time, it was about time to prepare lunch.

After lunch, the two relaxed on the sofa and chatted.

They had already gathered plenty of footage from the advertisement shoot yesterday, so the director’s team wrapped up early in the afternoon.

That night before bed, the two received a notification from Luo Shuiqiu saying that because Wu Yingran’s schedule clashed with the recording, the fourth session of recording would be pushed back by a few days.

Although they could have filmed the other participants without Wu Yingran, after hearing the news, Su Jingxing and Bai Lu also arranged work for themselves.

Seeing this, the director had no choice but to postpone the recording.

The postponement lasted for ten days. Han Shutong took this opportunity to schedule the work she had previously postponed for the show.

Han Shutong was out early and back late, and Zhou Xi was busy, too.

Although Han Shutong didn’t know what Zhou Xi was busy with, there were a few times when Zhou Xi left even earlier than her.

It wasn’t until ten days later, when the director’s team announced the resumption of recording, that the two finally had some downtime.

This was the fifth recording session, filming the content for the fourth episode.

Since the show’s premiere was five days away, the production team had Han Shutong record a countdown video today to be played on Douyin and other short video apps to drive traffic to the show.

Because it was a short video, Han Shutong was filming herself, and Zhou Xi naturally took on the task of holding the phone.

Just as Zhou Xi was about to start recording, Han Shutong spoke. “Come here, let’s record it together.”

Then she looked at the staff member nearby. “Could you please help us?”

Just as the staff member was about to speak to stop Han Shutong, Zhou Xi spoke first. “No need, the production team didn’t ask me to film.”

Han Shutong’s video was for traffic, but her video wouldn’t serve any purpose.

The staff member nodded and said, “Yes, Teacher Han, how about you film a solo clip first, and then the two of you can film one together?”

Although he said that, in the end, they would only use Han Shutong’s solo video.

Han Shutong ignored the staff member, keeping her gaze on Zhou Xi. She said softly, “We are roommates, aren’t we?”

Author’s Note:

The show is about to premiere!

(Someone asked who is on the cover; it’s Zhou Zhou, did everyone guess correctly?)

Also, Sister Tong is so domineering!