I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 28

Zhou Xi couldn’t help but laugh out loud after seeing the comment.

The laughter reached Han Shutong’s ears. Han Shutong didn’t know what the joke was, but she wanted to understand Zhou Xi’s humor.

Han Shutong asked in a low voice, “What is it?”

Zhou Xi pointed to the comment that had already scrolled past. “The comments are quite funny.”

Because Han Shutong had already seen the edited episode once, her attention hadn’t been fully on the show, and certainly not on the comments. She hadn’t seen the “quite funny” comment.

Han Shutong followed the direction of Zhou Xi’s finger.

[Left-behind child hahahaha that’s too mean!]

[If Han Shutong is the left-behind child, then Zhou Xi must be…]

[The MOM!]

[Mom is acceptable hahahahahaha]

[Is it just my imagination? Is it? Why does Han Shutong look like a little puppy waiting for its owner to return after Zhou Xi leaves? Head drooping (not calling Han Shutong a dog, just using a metaphor, will delete if inappropriate)]

[I get that feeling too!]

Han Shutong’s eyes deepened.

So, was she a child or a puppy?

Zhou Xi hadn’t seen these comments, as the screen had already cut to the scene where they were buying groceries and she was telling Han Shutong what to buy.

[Whose benefit is that lecturing tone for? Does Han Shutong not know that you have to ask for the price before buying things?]

[Seriously, does she think she knows everything about living?]

[Zhou Xi is just looking out for Han Shutong. Can you please stop being so nasty? Can you not cause trouble for Han Shutong?]

[Are people not allowed to speak the truth anymore?]

The comments were devolving into an argument.

Bai Mo’s prediction had come true.

One side felt Zhou Xi was arrogant, assuming Han Shutong was incompetent. The other side argued that Zhou Xi was merely being careful and had no ill intentions.

Zhou Xi truly had no ill intentions. She had even forgotten this scene being played and what she had said to Han Shutong.

The smile in Zhou Xi’s eyes slowly vanished. She pressed her lips together, watching silently.

Han Shutong also saw the arguments and the comments criticizing Zhou Xi.

Han Shutong frowned and reported the comments one by one.

Catching Han Shutong’s actions in her peripheral vision, Zhou Xi knew Han Shutong had seen them too. She sighed softly, then comforted her in a gentle voice. “It’s nothing. Xiao Mo already told me this might happen, and I was mentally prepared.”

Han Shutong’s expression was grave. She pressed the pause button, and as she slowly lowered her hand, she said to Zhou Xi, “I’m sorry.”

Han Shutong paused and then asked, “Are you… okay?”

“A little unaccustomed.”

Zhou Xi winked at Han Shutong. “I haven’t experienced this before. They say with fame comes trouble. Does this mean I’m going to be famous?”

Han Shutong looked at Zhou Xi. Zhou Xi was the one being wronged, yet she was comforting Han Shutong instead.

“…In my heart, you’ve always been famous,” Han Shutong said, looking directly into Zhou Xi’s eyes.

Zhou Xi was momentarily taken aback by Han Shutong’s gaze, but quickly laughed. “Your consolation is too fake. Do you even believe that yourself?”

Yes.

“…”

Before Han Shutong could speak, Zhou Xi straightened up, put the computer back on the table, and pressed play.

“Alright, let’s keep watching the show.”

Han Shutong leaned forward and raised her hand, intending to turn off the comments.

“Don’t turn them off,” Zhou Xi stopped Han Shutong’s hand. Looking at Han Shutong, she said, “Actually, what they’re saying is somewhat true. My tone back then could easily be misunderstood. By watching the comments now, I can see my shortcomings. Maybe I can change these habits.”

“…Okay.”

“But some comments, you can just ignore. They’re all irrelevant.”

“I know what I’m doing,” Zhou Xi said.

Han Shutong hummed and withdrew her hand. However, this time, Han Shutong didn’t let her mind wander again. Her eyes stayed glued to the screen, watching the quickly scrolling comments.

The grocery shopping was done; it was time to cook. However, the scene playing was the one where Han Shutong learned to cook the next day. The segment of Zhou Xi cooking the day before had been edited out.

[???]

[What did I just see?]

[Grandma! The celebrity you love is in the kitchen!]

[Kitchen: Please don’t come over!!]

[Zhou Xi is so gentle!]

[Zhouzhou is a gem!]

[I’m making green pepper and potato right now!]

Zhou Xi saw a comment posted from the perspective of the kitchen and asked Han Shutong curiously, “Do your fans know you can’t cook?”

“Mhm,” Han Shutong nodded. “I once blew up a pot.”

“No wonder.”

“Your fans know you well.”

“Mhm.”

[The way she shields Zhou Xi is so cool! Only Han Shutong could do that! Husband!!!]

[I’ve had that burnt dish before I died.]

[Sister Zhou, are you sure it tastes good? I saw you frown!]

[Zhou Xi, blink if you’re being kidnapped or threatened! I’ll call and save you!]

The segment featuring the two of them lasted only 30 minutes, and it quickly finished playing.

[It’s over? Production team, do you dare release the raw footage?]

[Ahhhhhh! Zhou Xi!]

[Han Shutong, I apologize to you for one minute. Zhou Xi, my wife, I love you!]

[Watching variety shows, finding new wives anytime, anywhere!]

[Their friendship is truly amazing! I hope you two stay best friends forever!]

[Another day of crying over someone else’s friendship.]

[See you next episode!]

The first episode concluded.

Zhou Xi closed the video. As she stood up from the sofa, she stretched lazily.

Her loose nightgown suddenly clung to her body, subtly highlighting Zhou Xi’s figure.

But it was only visible for a few seconds before Zhou Xi quickly lowered her hands.

Han Shutong shifted her gaze the moment Zhou Xi lowered her hands. She asked in a deep voice, “Are you going to sleep?”

Zhou Xi nodded, then shook her head. “I want to sleep, but I’m a little hungry.”

“What do you want to eat?” Han Shutong picked up her phone, ready to order takeout.

Zhou Xi smiled. “Ice cream.”

Zhou Xi smiled and walked toward the refrigerator, but Han Shutong grabbed her arm just as she took a step.

Zhou Xi looked at the hand on her wrist in confusion.

Han Shutong countered, “Aren’t you on your period?”

“How did you know?”

Zhou Xi’s heart tightened. She thought she might have had a leak onto her pants, but looking back, she found nothing amiss. She checked the sofa she had been sitting on; no stains either.

Han Shutong noticed Zhou Xi’s actions. “Don’t worry, you haven’t leaked.”

She had seen Zhou Xi take a sanitary napkin into the bathroom after returning from her morning run.

Since her own period was usually only a few days off from Zhou Xi’s, after checking the dates, she knew Zhou Xi was on her period.

“A little bit won’t hurt,” Zhou Xi said, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of coquetry.

Han Shutong was unmoved by Zhou Xi’s attempt to persuade her. She was firm. “Doctor Wu told me you used to have painful periods. Even though it’s better now, it’s best to be careful.”

Zhou Xi was surprised. “Uncle Wu told you even that?”

Han Shutong nodded.

Remembering that Uncle Wu was indeed a bit of a talker, Zhou Xi asked with slight tension, “Did Uncle Wu tell you anything else?”

Han Shutong shook her head. “He didn’t say anything else, only that you had also soaked in water for filming before.”

Zhou Xi breathed a sigh of relief. She raised her hand and patted the hand that was gripping her wrist. She said softly, “Alright, alright. I won’t eat it. You can let go, Student Han.”

Han Shutong let go and offered thoughtfully, “I’ll cook you some noodles.”

Zhou Xi shook her head. “No, eating noodles makes me gain weight easily. It’s better if I just endure it.”

Then Zhou Xi smiled awkwardly. “It seems… eating ice cream makes you gain weight easily too.”

The last “too” was significant.

“Are you going to eat?”

“Yes!”

After eating, the two chatted for a bit, said goodnight, and went back to their rooms.

Since she had been watching the show, Zhou Xi had left her phone on the bed. Picking it up, she saw several unread WeChat messages:

Qi Jie: [Sister Zhou! I saw you on the trending search!!! You’re actually living with Han Shutong! And you filmed a variety show together! Sister Zhou, you are awesome! Shedding tears of envy/cry, but congratulations, Sister Zhou!]

Zhou Xi replied: [Thank you.]

After replying to Qi Jie’s message, Zhou Xi replied to a few others, until she saw a familiar name and her desire to reply wasn’t very strong.

Zuo Yuan: [Zhou Xi, you were the one who incited Han Shutong to leave the group chat, right? I never would have thought you would do something like that.]

Leave the group chat?

Zhou Xi’s eyelid twitched. The only group they shared was the dorm group chat.

She knew nothing about Han Shutong leaving the group chat, and she didn’t know what Zuo Yuan was talking about.

Zhou Xi: [What kind of thing?]

Zuo Yuan: [Do you even have the nerve to message me? I’m talking about you deliberately driving a wedge between me and Han Shutong.]

Zhou Xi: […]

Zhou Xi: [First, replying to you is polite. Second, does your relationship with Shutong need me to drive a wedge?]

Zhou Xi: [Did you… overestimate your position in Shutong’s heart?]

Zuo Yuan: [Don’t think that just because you’re on a show with Han Shutong, you’ll become famous. I’m on the show too. It’s still up in the air who will be the famous one.]

Zhou Xi: […You’re in the show? I didn’t see you.]

Zhou Xi genuinely meant this.

She truly hadn’t seen Zuo Yuan.

Zuo Yuan was furious. She was a major cast member, yet the production team only gave her one brief shot, which was fleeting.

Zuo Yuan: [Don’t let me catch you making a mistake.]

Having known Zuo Yuan for so long, Zhou Xi was immune to her foolishness.

She didn’t reply to Zuo Yuan.

Exiting the chat with Zuo Yuan, Zhou Xi opened her sister’s message box.

Zhou Simei had sent a voice message, her tone excited: [Sis, your roommate is actually Han Shutong?! Can you please get me a few signed photos?]

Zhou Xi: [Do you want my signed photo?]

The message was sent, and Zhou Simei quickly replied: [Good sister, please, please, please.]

Zhou Xi: [What do you want Shutong’s signed photo for?]

Zhou Simei immediately called.

“Seriously, Sis, you don’t even know which celebrity your sister likes?”

Zhou Xi rolled over. “I always thought it was me.”

Zhou Simei: “Of course not…” it is.

Remembering she needed Zhou Xi’s help for the signed photos, Zhou Simei quickly changed her tone. “Of course it is! Sister is number one, Shutong is number two.”

Zhou Xi was pleased by her sister’s flattery. “How many do you want?”

Zhou Simei immediately said, “Three!”

Then she added, “By the way, Sis, when you ask Shutong for the signed photos, if she’s unwilling or doesn’t want to sign them, don’t press her. Don’t make it difficult.”

Sleepiness washed over Zhou Xi. She couldn’t help but yawn, too tired to speak, and replied with just one word: “Okay.”

“Goodnight, Sister! Sleep early, Sister!”

After hanging up, Zhou Xi turned over and fell into a deep sleep.

After the show aired last night, Zhou Xi successfully—and very successfully—entered the public eye.

#HanShutong’sRoommate#

#ZhouXi#

#…#

Several trending topics about Zhou Xi popped up, and Zhou Xi’s fan count gradually increased.

But Zhou Xi didn’t get to worry about any of this because when she woke up, she remembered what she had promised her sister last night.

She needed to ask Han Shutong for… signed photos.

This is a simple matter, Zhou Xi thought.

Zhou Xi walked out of the bedroom. As expected, Han Shutong was sitting in the living room.

Han Shutong saw Zhou Xi come out, greeted her, and then lowered her head to continue reading the book on her lap.

Zhou Xi nodded. “Morning.”

Then there was silence. Neither of them spoke.

Zhou Xi walked toward the sofa, speaking as she went, “My sister watched the show yesterday.”

Han Shutong looked at the book and replied with a hum.

Zhou Xi cleared her throat. “She’s your fan.”

Han Shutong looked up from the book, her eyes smiling at Zhou Xi.

For some reason, meeting Han Shutong’s smiling eyes, the words caught in Zhou Xi’s throat.

Zhou Xi always avoided bothering others. She never told people about her difficulties or other needs.

Because of her nature, Zhou Xi had never asked anyone for anything.

Asking for signed photos was not a simple matter.

Just as Zhou Xi was about to say it was fine and not bring up the signed photos, Han Shutong closed the book on her lap, stood up, walked to Zhou Xi, and asked:

“Does my sister want signed photos? Or posters and magazines?”

Author’s Note:

Did she just start calling her “my sister”?!