I Joined a Fake Variety Show (GL) - Chapter 42

Bai Mo glanced at Han Shutong and instinctively said, “Sister Zhou, Sister Tong has been inseparable from you these days. How could she not go with you?”

Han Shutong remained silent.

Zhou Xi laughed and said, “We’re inseparable because we’re filming the show.”

Bai Mo said “Oh,” then asked, “And when you’re not filming?”

Not filming?

Zhou Xi thought for a moment. “Shutong is usually busy with work, and we don’t talk much.”

Bai Mo said “Oh.” She looked at the silent Han Shutong, then back at Zhou Xi, and asked, “Sister Zhou, have you ever met Sister Tong’s mother?”

“Once,” Zhou Xi said. Then, “Why are you asking that?”

Bai Mo smiled. “Hehe, it’s nothing, really. I just wanted to tell Sister Zhou that Sister Tong’s mom is super beautiful!”

Zhou Xi nodded. “Auntie is very beautiful. I haven’t forgotten the last time I saw her.”

At this point, Han Shutong spoke up, her cool voice carrying a hint of confusion. “You… when did you see her?”

“Ah? Didn’t I tell you?” Zhou Xi asked, surprised.

Han Shutong pursed her lips. “I don’t recall.”

Han’s mother had only been to the school once, to discuss the property transfer with Han Shutong.

If Han Shutong remembered correctly, Zhou Xi had not met them then.

Zhou Xi: “It’s nothing much, really. Auntie just asked me for directions on campus, and since I was going that way, I walked with her. On the way, you called Auntie. Auntie answered on speakerphone, and I… knew.”

When Zhou Xi mentioned asking for directions, Han Shutong remembered.

Han’s mother had mentioned it, but only said a very pretty student had pointed the way for her.

She never expected… that person was Zhou Xi.

As they talked, the three of them approached the makeup room.

Given the crowds, the three tacitly dropped the subject and discussed matters related to the show instead.

Since this was Zhou Xi’s first recording session for the observation room, Han Shutong generally briefed her on the process and the basic personalities of the other participants. Zhou Xi listened attentively.

The recording for the fourth episode was completed in just two hours.

After the recording ended, Zhou Xi and Han Shutong returned home.

The next day, Zhou Xi woke up early and headed to the airport.

Han Shutong drove her.

Zhou Xi originally intended to refuse, but hearing Han Shutong say she was going to pick up her mother, she didn’t decline.

After arriving at the airport and meeting up with Bai Mo, it was almost time to board. Zhou Xi said goodbye to Han Shutong and left with Bai Mo.

Han Shutong, meanwhile, received a text message from her mother: [Babe, are you up? Mom has boarded the flight. I should arrive in about two hours.]

Han Shutong replied with a simple “Mhm.”

Just as she put her phone away, preparing to find a place to wait, Han Shutong received another message.

Zhou Xi: [Drive safe on your way back.]

Zhou Xi: [Bear Heart.jpg]

Han Shutong smiled slightly, replied with an “Mhm,” and then, after a thought, sent an emoji back, mimicking Zhou Xi’s style.

Two hours later, Zhou Xi and Bai Mo arrived in M City.

They took a taxi to the reserved hotel. Zhou Xi had booked the rooms in advance last night, so check-in was quick.

As they walked toward the rooms, Zhou Xi handed Bai Mo the key card. “Here. You’re next door to me. If anything happens, come find me anytime.”

“Sister Zhou, this feels like we’ve swapped roles.”

Bai Mo was a little embarrassed. She was supposed to be the assistant, but Zhou Xi had been taking care of her the entire trip.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help, but Zhou Xi had everything so well organized that Bai Mo had no chance to speak up.

Zhou Xi played along with Bai Mo’s joke. “Then the afternoon’s event is all up to you.”

“No, no, no,” Bai Mo quickly refused. “I was just kidding, Sister Zhou. Please don’t take me seriously.”

Zhou Xi chuckled softly. “Alright, hurry up and unpack, then we’ll have lunch and head to the venue.”

“Okay!”

The drama Dark City had been suppressed for so long that the director and producers didn’t want to make a huge fuss. They only felt relieved that it was finally airing. Therefore, they only held promotional events in M City and the neighboring N City.

This meant they had to rush to N City tomorrow after attending the M City promotion today.

Since the business trip was only for three days, Zhou Xi didn’t pack much luggage, only necessities.

After placing everything on the table, Zhou Xi took out a red dress from the clothing section and spread it on the bed.

Naturally, she had to dress well for such an event, so Zhou Xi had brought her red dress.

One could say she was quite thrifty.

Just then, Bai Mo’s voice sounded with a knock on the door. “Sister Zhou, it’s me.”

Zhou Xi was surprised for a moment. She put down what she was holding and went to open the door. The moment the door opened, she saw Bai Mo holding a hanger with a garment covered in a cloth bag.

Indicating the clothes inside were very valuable.

Zhou Xi asked, “What is this?”

Bai Mo smiled and handed the hanger to Zhou Xi. “Sister Zhou, you asked me what was in that big suitcase, remember? It’s this.”

Zhou Xi had packed light, but Bai Mo was carrying two suitcases, one large and one small.

Zhou Xi had casually asked about it at the airport luggage carousel, but Bai Mo had only smiled and said it was a secret, so Zhou Xi hadn’t pressed further.

Seeing Bai Mo hand the item to her, Zhou Xi instinctively took it.

Bai Mo said, “Sister Tong asked me to bring this for you.”

Zhou Xi looked up. “For me?”

Bai Mo nodded.

Zhou Xi was puzzled, wondering why Han Shutong would send her clothes. She didn’t rush to open the bag but asked Bai Mo why.

Bai Mo shook her head. “I’m not sure. Sister Tong just asked me to pick it up from the store and bring it to you. I did as I was told and didn’t ask her why.”

Zhou Xi decided to ask Han Shutong later.

“Sister Zhou, hurry up and open it to see what it looks like.”

Bai Mo had followed Han Shutong’s instructions to a store yesterday. When she pushed the door open, she was shocked by the decor. While waiting for the salesperson to retrieve the clothes, she noticed some displayed garments that many celebrities had worn.

When she received the clothes, Bai Mo asked and learned that those were the actual, authentic garments that celebrities had borrowed from the store.

If the borrowed clothes were that beautiful, what about a custom-made piece?

Ever since she picked up the clothes, Bai Mo had been incredibly curious about what the dress inside looked like.

She had managed to resist opening it, but now she really wanted Zhou Xi to open it so she could see.

Zhou Xi reached for the side of the bag. It was then she saw the brand name stitched on the side.

Her hand movements paused.

This brand… the lowest price starts at six figures.

Zhou Xi’s eyes deepened. Her fingers held the zipper. As Zhou Xi moved, the zipper slowly opened, and the garment hidden inside the bag was revealed.

It was a black V-neck mermaid dress. The neckline wasn’t too deep. Gold threads were embroidered around the collar, and a delicate ruching at the waist accentuated her figure.

Bai Mo gasped. “It’s beautiful!”

A hint of surprise also flashed in Zhou Xi’s eyes. The dress was truly striking, the kind of high-end design suitable for a runway show.

“Sister Zhou, you must wear this dress to the event. You’ll be the center of attention.” Bai Mo was eager to see Zhou Xi in the dress.

Zhou Xi shook her head. “I can’t wear this.”

Bai Mo pulled Zhou Xi’s wrist. “Sister Tong gave this to you today because she wants you to wear it to the event. Sister Tong will be very sad if you don’t wear it. Please, wear it~”

Zhou Xi had no choice but to change into the black dress.

Standing on the stage, Zhou Xi was truly the highlight.

The black dress accentuated her already fair complexion, making her skin look like snow. Her every gesture was captivating.

Inevitably, some photographers in the audience focused their lenses entirely on Zhou Xi.

Bai Mo, who was arranged to sit in the first row, also snapped a photo.

Back at home, Han Shutong heard her phone chime and picked it up.

Bai Mo: [Photo]

Bai Mo: [Sister Tong! The dress you bought suits Sister Zhou perfectly!!!]

Han Shutong tapped on the image.

The person on stage was holding a microphone and speaking, but her face was turned to the side, making it unclear.

Han Shutong: [Take another photo.]

Bai Mo was puzzled by the request, but she raised her phone and took another picture. As she pressed the button, Zhou Xi happened to look in Bai Mo’s direction.

This time, the photo sent to Han Shutong was a frontal shot.

The event ended, and the two returned to the hotel.

After exiting the elevator, Bai Mo asked, “Sister Zhou, should we order takeout or go out for dinner tonight?”

Zhou Xi: “What do you want to eat?”

Bai Mo laughed shyly. “Hehe, I heard there’s a really good restaurant in M City. I want to check it out.”

“Then let’s go out,” Zhou Xi said with a gentle smile. “I’ll change and rest for a bit, then we’ll go.”

Bai Mo made a victory sign with her fingers. “Okay!”

Opening the door and entering the room, Zhou Xi immediately saw the red dress still lying on the bed.

She walked over, spread her arms, and lay down beside the red dress.

She was a little tired.

After lying there with her eyes closed for a while, she heard the ringtone of a video call.

Zhou Xi searched her bag for her phone. It showed a call from Han Shutong.

Zhou Xi sat up on the bed. When she answered the call, only a forehead was visible on the screen.

Zhou Xi: “Shutong?”

Hearing Zhou Xi’s voice, Han Shutong held the phone upright and asked, “How do you… braise spare ribs?”

Zhou Xi laughed. “Why the sudden craving for spare ribs?”

“My mom wants to eat it.”

Han’s mother saw her daughter cooking on the show. When she came home, she said she wanted to sample Han Shutong’s cooking.

And she ordered three dishes.

“I see,” Zhou Xi chuckled softly. “First, quickly blanch the meat, and then…”

Zhou Xi explained step-by-step, and Han Shutong followed each step Zhou Xi described.

Fifteen minutes later.

“Good. Now, cover the pot and let it simmer. But you need to keep an eye on the heat and the water level in the pot so it doesn’t burn.”

“Mhm,” Han Shutong covered the pot, listening to Zhou Xi. “When are you coming back?”

“In two days, probably.”

“I,” Han Shutong’s gaze shifted from Zhou Xi’s face to the desktop. She added, “I can’t do without you.”

Zhou Xi replied, “It’s fine. Just call me again if you run into something you don’t know how to cook next time.”

Han Shutong nodded. “Okay.”

Zhou Xi then thought of the clothes she was wearing. Her eyes curved into a smile. “Thank you for the dress you sent me. It’s beautiful.”

Han Shutong said calmly, “I’m glad you like it.”

“But why did you give me such an expensive gift?”

Why?

Because Dark City was very important to Zhou Xi.

And the memory of Zhou Xi’s beaming smile when she hugged Han Shutong to share the news that Dark City was about to premiere was still vivid in Han Shutong’s mind.

Zhou Xi’s height and weight were similar to Han Shutong’s. Han Shutong found an excuse to buy clothes. While measuring herself with a tape measure, she subtly glanced at Zhou Xi, then conveniently took Zhou Xi’s measurements as well.

That night, she sent the measurements to the store.

She had initially planned to give it to her later, but when the store notified her that the dress was ready, Han Shutong remembered Zhou Xi was going to attend an event, so she gave the gift in advance.

This way, Han Shutong also participated in Zhou Xi’s joy.

Han Shutong paused, then naturally changed the subject. “Can I see what you look like wearing it?”

“Sure, I haven’t changed yet.”

Zhou Xi found something to prop the phone against, resting it on the bed. Then she stepped back a few steps. The moment the hem of the dress was visible, Zhou Xi said, “Can you see it?”

The video was more vivid than the photo Bai Mo sent.

Elegant, like a black swan.

Han Shutong smiled. “I see it. It suits you very well.”

Zhou Xi heard Han Shutong had seen it and began walking back toward the phone. Just then, a woman’s voice sounded behind Han Shutong.

“Babe, who are you talking to?”

Han Shutong turned to her mother. “Zhou Xi.”

Han’s mother was Xue Yun.

Hearing Zhou Xi’s name, Xue Yun’s eyes lit up. She quickly walked up next to Han Shutong. “Is it? Can Mom say hello to her?”

Xue Yun liked Zhou Xi very much.

She had a deep impression of Zhou Xi from the time at the school—humble and polite.

After watching the show, she liked her even more.

Not only was she beautiful, but she was also kind to her daughter.

“Mhm.”

Han Shutong acknowledged her, turning to Zhou Xi. “My mom…”

Before Han Shutong could finish, Xue Yun leaned in next to Han Shutong. Looking at the person on the video call, she greeted her. “Hello, Zhou Xi. I’m Xiao Tong’s mother. We’ve met before.”

Zhou Xi first politely called her Auntie, then added, “I remember. Auntie is even more beautiful than before.”

Xue Yun’s smile widened. “You look much prettier too. When I was watching the show, I couldn’t place you at first. It took me a while to remember it was you. And I found out on TV that you’re living with Xiao Tong. This girl didn’t even tell me.”

“It’s not Shutong’s fault. Shutong didn’t know we’d met.”

“I’m not blaming her,” Xue Yun took the phone from Han Shutong’s hand and continued. “Xiao Tong told me you’re away on business. When are you coming back?”

“I should be back the afternoon after tomorrow. Auntie, if you want to eat anything, you can tell me. I’ll cook it for you when I get back.”

“Aiya, speaking of which, thank you for teaching Xiao Tong how to cook. She’s so grown up and couldn’t cook before. I was so worried. She was always eating out. How can outside food be as comforting as home-cooked meals?”

After saying this, Xue Yun told Han Shutong, “I’m going to chat with Xiao Xi for a bit. You go cook.”

Without waiting for Han Shutong to speak, she left the kitchen with the phone.

Han Shutong: “…”