I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 26

Han Shutong saw Zhou Xi remain silent and didn’t press her with further questions.

Just then, the owner and several cameramen walked toward them.

The owner asked, “Are the two of you ready?”

Zhou Xi regained her composure. Hearing the owner’s question, she nodded and said, “We are.”

Owner: “Then, after I go over the safety rules, we can begin. The first rule is…”

Two minutes later, after the owner finished the safety briefing, he signaled that they could head to the track.

As Zhou Xi sat in the go-kart and put on her helmet, a sentence suddenly popped into her mind: Once the helmet is on, no one matters.

The annoyance brought on by Wu Yingran’s invitation vanished. At this moment, Zhou Xi just wanted to have fun.

Han Shutong put on her helmet, instinctively looking for Zhou Xi. She turned her head and found Zhou Xi looking at her, even giving her a thumbs-up.

Zhou Xi shouted to Han Shutong, “Let’s race! Whoever loses cooks dinner tonight!”

Han Shutong made an ‘OK’ sign with her fingers, nodding in agreement with Zhou Xi’s challenge.

As the instructor’s flag dropped at the starting line, the two cars shot forward, neck and neck the whole way, chasing each other. Just as they were approaching the finish line, Zhou Xi’s car suddenly drifted out of the track. Although she quickly corrected it, she fell behind by two meters.

The car stopped beside Han Shutong’s. Zhou Xi waved her hand at her. “You won!”

Han Shutong: “Pure luck.”

Han Shutong was telling the truth. If Zhou Xi hadn’t made that error, it would have been hard to say who would have reached the finish line first.

Han Shutong hadn’t expected Zhou Xi to be a good driver, so she was pleasantly surprised by her driving skills.

“I guess it’s my fate to never escape cooking dinner,” Zhou Xi said dramatically. Without waiting for Han Shutong to reply, she couldn’t contain her excitement and asked Han Shutong, “How about another round? This time, the loser does the dishes.”

Zhou Xi was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Han Shutong was delighted to see Zhou Xi like this, rather than the Zhou Xi who maintained distance, was always gentle and smiling, and only ever replied with “okay.”

She liked this version of Zhou Xi—the one who laughed freely and showed her authentic side in front of her.

Han Shutong’s lips curved under her helmet. She turned to look forward. “I’m not afraid of losing, we have a dishwasher.”

Zhou Xi laughed. “We definitely can’t use the dishwasher!”

Han Shutong: “I’m still not afraid.”

Zhou Xi won the second round.

Zhou Xi: “It seems like we accomplished nothing.”

Han Shutong turned to look at her.

Zhou Xi continued, “It’s just like normal, isn’t it?”

Indeed, it was just like normal: Zhou Xi cooks, Han Shutong does the dishes.

“Then…”

Han Shutong took off her helmet. A cascade of long black hair tumbled out. Combined with the head toss, her appearance could be described as bold and heroic. She brushed the strands away from her forehead. Han Shutong’s gaze settled on Zhou Xi. “Two more rounds?”

This suggestion was exactly what Zhou Xi wanted. “Let’s do it.”

An hour later, they had raced an unknown number of rounds. The activity only ended when Zhou Xi’s excitement finally subsided.

After finding a restaurant for dinner, they drove home.

Since today’s footage was enough for a whole episode of editing, the filming for the day concluded once they got home.

That night after dinner, Han Shutong came out of the kitchen after washing the dishes.

Zhou Xi was playing with Legos in the living room. Han Shutong walked toward her.

Zhou Xi caught Han Shutong in her peripheral vision and asked, “Finished washing up?”

“Mhm.” Han Shutong sat on the other sofa, picking up her cup and taking a sip of water.

Just as Zhou Xi put together a piece and was about to start on the next section, she heard Han Shutong ask, “Did you… agree to Wu Yingran’s invitation?”

Zhou Xi paused and looked up at Han Shutong. “What’s wrong?”

Han Shutong’s expression was calm. She hummed and said, “Nothing, I just saw you were struggling this morning, so I wanted to ask if you’d made a decision.”

But in reality…

…she was lying.

Han Shutong’s true inner thoughts were: Can you please not agree to her? I’m single too. If you’re not home on Qixi, I’ll be all alone, and I’ll be lonely too. So… can you refuse her and spend the day with me instead?

As calm as Han Shutong appeared on the surface, the vulnerability deep within her heart was running rampant.

“Oh, okay.” Hearing that Han Shutong was concerned about her, Zhou Xi thanked her and said, “I already refused.”

Zhou Xi had replied to Wu Yingran at the club, telling her she had other things to do on Qixi and wouldn’t have time for dinner, but she would treat her to a meal later when she was free.

“Mhm.”

That single “Mhm” was Han Shutong’s reaction to hearing Zhou Xi had refused Wu Yingran.

It sounded very flat.

But it was a pretense.

The subtle, irrepressible curve of her lips was the best evidence otherwise.

Zhou Xi continued her Lego work. She said, “I once read a line in a book that said: If you don’t like doing something, just refuse immediately; don’t hesitate. Otherwise, in the end, you’re the only one who suffers.”

“That’s true,” Han Shutong agreed.

Zhou Xi chuckled softly, then asked casually, “How about you?”

“Hmm?” Han Shutong didn’t understand what Zhou Xi meant.

“I mean, the person you like,” Zhou Xi asked. “Are you going to confess to them this Qixi Festival?”

The smile in Han Shutong’s eyes slowly faded. She lowered her head and remained silent.

Confess?

Han Shutong didn’t dare.

The air suddenly became quiet.

This made Zhou Xi realize something was wrong. She didn’t dare make any sudden movements, only glancing at Han Shutong from the corner of her eye. Seeing Han Shutong looking down and remaining silent, Zhou Xi thought about it and seemed to understand.

“Are you… afraid of being rejected?” Zhou Xi asked softly.

Han Shutong looked up and nodded.

Zhou Xi had only thrown out the question tentatively, and she thought it was a stupid question as soon as she asked it.

How could someone as outstanding and beautiful as Han Shutong be rejected?

But seeing Han Shutong nod, Zhou Xi was incredulous.

Zhou Xi raised an eyebrow. “Student Han, you have no idea how charming you are.”

Zhou Xi put down the Legos and tried to boost Han Shutong’s confidence. “You’re a major celebrity, with tens of millions, almost a hundred million, fans. Why would you be afraid of someone not liking you? Unless he’s your anti-fan, there’s no way he wouldn’t like you.”

“And what about you?” Han Shutong blurted out.

“Me?” Because Han Shutong’s words were flat, Zhou Xi didn’t hear anything unusual. Assuming Han Shutong was simply refuting her point, she said, “I like you very much too.”

Han Shutong’s eyes flickered.

But Zhou Xi continued, “Not just me; many people like you, like Xiao Mo and Sister Qiu. With so many people liking you, what are you afraid of?”

Han Shutong hid the bitterness at the corner of her mouth. “I’m just afraid she won’t accept me.”

As Han Shutong said this, she was stripped of her celebrity glamour—she was a woman, plain and ordinary, with no fan support.

This was the first time Zhou Xi had seen this side of Han Shutong.

She wanted to offer comfort, but relationship matters were difficult for outsiders to interfere with. Besides, she had said enough. If she said more, Han Shutong might find her annoying.

For a time, neither of them spoke again, only exchanging “goodnights” when they went to sleep.

After this filming session, the observation room segment was scheduled for three days later.

In addition, that day was the Qixi Festival and the premiere date of A Day’s Time.

Everything was piled up together, but none of it fazed Zhou Xi.

The observation room segment only involved Han Shutong, so Zhou Xi had the whole day free. As for the Qixi Festival, as long as she didn’t check social media, it was just like any other day.

The only thing that could make Zhou Xi emotional was the show’s premiere.

After all, it was her own show. No matter how calm and indifferent Zhou Xi was, she was very eager to see what she looked like after post-production editing.

However, Bai Mo advised her not to watch the show if possible, and if she absolutely had to, she should avoid the comments/bullet screen.

Because fans were still unaware that Han Shutong and Zhou Xi were roommates, if they suddenly saw someone else living with Han Shutong, there was no telling whether the reaction would be positive or negative.

To be safe, Bai Mo advised Zhou Xi not to look at the comments.

The Day Before Qixi.

Han Shutong asked, “Aren’t you coming with me tomorrow?”

Zhou Xi hummed. “Too lazy to move.”

Then Zhou Xi added, “When you come back tomorrow, we can watch the show together.”

The show aired at ten in the evening. Since the fourth episode (filmed three days ago) hadn’t been edited yet, Han Shutong only needed to watch the third episode’s video tomorrow.

This meant she would be back a little earlier.

“Okay,” Han Shutong replied.

Qixi Festival.

The show’s recording started at three in the afternoon.

On the way to the observation room, Bai Mo suddenly remembered she had forgotten to bring Han Shutong’s thermal flask. She told Han Shutong to go ahead while she went back to the lounge to get it.

Han Shutong had only walked a couple of steps when she ran into Wu Yingran around a corner.

Wu Yingran was also alone. Seeing Han Shutong, she was first surprised, then smiled. “Shutong.”

Han Shutong narrowed her eyes. A flash of light crossed her gaze, and she simply nodded calmly.

Wu Yingran debuted in a girl group and was 22 years old.

But standing next to her, Han Shutong didn’t look three years older at all. In fact, Han Shutong’s skin looked even better than Wu Yingran’s.

“Long time no see. How have you been recently?” Wu Yingran was still smiling.

Han Shutong said nothing, glancing at Wu Yingran and preparing to walk past.

But before her high heels moved five centimeters, an arm blocked her path.

“The last time Xixi took me home, she left this with me. I was going to return it to her when we had dinner today, but…”

Wu Yingran smiled and said, “I thought about giving it to her next time, but I’m afraid Xixi might need it urgently, so could I trouble you to give it to her?”

Han Shutong looked to the side, but saw nothing.

Wu Yingran followed Han Shutong’s gaze, then exclaimed in surprise, “Ah, I apologize. I forgot to take it off.”

Take what off?

Han Shutong shifted her gaze upward. She saw a hair tie on Wu Yingran’s fair wrist—three black threads with a small carrot charm attached.

It was definitely Zhou Xi’s; Han Shutong had seen it before.

But… why would a hair tie be needed so urgently?

Clearly, the gesture was more important than the object.

Han Shutong looked at Wu Yingran without saying a word, waiting to see what game she was playing.

Wu Yingran removed the hair tie and held it out in her palm for Han Shutong. “Thank you in advance, Shutong.”

Han Shutong blinked. She reached out to take it, but just as her hand was hovering over Wu Yingran’s palm, she heard the woman say, “By the way, Shutong, do you know what men wear on their wrists now in relationships?”

Without waiting for Han Shutong to reply, Wu Yingran smiled and said goodbye.

Looking at Wu Yingran’s retreating back, Han Shutong was expressionless.

Han Shutong genuinely didn’t know what men wore on their wrists. After looking it up, Han Shutong pressed her lips together, then let out a laugh. Even she, who rarely swore, couldn’t help but whisper, “Idiot.”

Did she think such a petty trick would make her steer clear of Zhou Xi? Or did she genuinely believe that a few words would make her think Zhou Xi had given her this hair tie?

She has chosen a poor path.

Given Han Shutong’s position, what kind of tricks hadn’t she seen?

Aside from Zhou Xi making her flustered, confused, and unable to face her with composure, there was no one who could truly threaten her.

Bai Mo walked over with the water, hearing Han Shutong speak but not catching what she said. “Sister Tong, what did you say?”

Han Shutong: “Nothing.”

Bai Mo immediately saw the hair tie in Han Shutong’s hand. “Sister Tong, when did you get this hair tie?”

“Throw this away for me,” Han Shutong didn’t answer Bai Mo’s question, just ordered. “Then, buy me an identical one.”

“Why?” Bai Mo didn’t understand.

Han Shutong said plainly, “It’s dirty.”

Bai Mo understood. She nodded. “Okay, I’ll go buy the hair tie. Can Sister Tong go to the studio alone?”

“Mhm.”

Han Shutong replied, said goodbye to Bai Mo, turned around, and walked toward the studio.

Bai Mo, meanwhile, headed out to buy the hair tie for Han Shutong.