Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 20

“Robbery?!”

The others were all shocked by this statement.

The amount of information in those words was staggering, but Le Xingshan was the first to react, asking with concern, “Were any of you hurt?”

“Close call, but we’re fine,” Qiao Huihui replied.

Xia Niao’s mouth fell open in surprise. “With so many of you, someone actually dared to rob you in broad daylight?”

Qiao Huihui laughed. “That’s why he didn’t succeed.”

When Shu Bailian, red-eyed, stepped out of the car and recounted the whole ordeal, everyone comforted her for the fright she’d endured.

Then, they surrounded Jian Luobai as if she were some rare specimen.

“Luobai, can you show us some martial arts moves?”

“Luobai, is training really tough?”

“Luobai, we should just call you ‘Heroine Jian’ from now on.”

The sudden surge of enthusiasm from the girls made Jian Luobai a little embarrassed. But being straightforward by nature, she answered every question, inadvertently neglecting Shu Bailian, who had been sticking close to her the whole time.

Seeing that Jian Luobai still hadn’t spared her a glance, Shu Bailian stomped her foot in frustration, shoved the door open with force, and stormed inside in a huff.

Dinner was prepared by Li Sheng and a few of the girls—a feast for the eyes and palate. Unfortunately, most of them were on diets, so no matter how delicious it was, they had to restrain themselves.

Yet, there was one exception at the table. While the others picked at half a bowl of rice for ages, Jian Luobai polished off several servings in no time.

By the end, everyone was staring at her in stunned silence.

Xiao Ninglu scoffed and muttered something under her breath. Qiao Huihui, sitting too far away, didn’t catch it, but Shu Bailian, seated across from her, suddenly bristled.

“Xiao-jie, how could you say that? Luobai’s just an innocent foodie—how can you call her a glutton?”

Her voice trembled as tears welled up. “I know you get full after just a few bites, but that doesn’t mean you can look down on Luobai for eating a lot without wasting food!”

She wiped her tears and turned to Jian Luobai beside her. “Luobai, I apologize on Xiao-jie’s behalf. She just speaks without thinking—she didn’t mean it.”

The sudden outburst left everyone momentarily speechless. Finally, Zhao Xining jumped in with a lighthearted chuckle.

“Ah, just a slip of the tongue! I’m sure Ninglu didn’t mean it like that.”

Soon, someone else steered the conversation elsewhere, and the incident was brushed aside amid the group’s chatter.

Qiao Huihui stole a glance at Xiao Ninglu, who sat under the warm yellow light, her face dark and silent.

The production team had planned for a cozy nighttime chat, but the earlier tension had killed the mood. After a few half-hearted exchanges, everyone washed up and went to bed.

It wasn’t until dawn that the courtyard stirred to life again.

“Good morning, Li-ge!”

“Good morning, Teacher Zhao.”

…

The girls’ task for the day was to help with sowing seeds. They had imagined painstakingly digging holes and burying seeds one by one, but upon arriving at the field in straw hats and carrying shovels, they were greeted by several tractors.

???

Could this show get any weirder?

Sending a group of delicate, pretty girls to operate tractors was just too surreal.

But since they’d signed up for this variety show, they had to see it through—even if it meant begging the instructors (a few elderly farmers) for help.

The show’s director shouted through a megaphone: “You must drive it yourselves. You can learn from others, but no one can drive for you.”

Several girls took turns attempting, but all ultimately failed with the tractor.

Shen Nanqing noticed the girl beside her whose eyes were inexplicably sparkling and had an idea: “Can you do it?”

Qiao Huihui nodded.

She whispered, “My grandfather taught me before.”

When the director called for the next volunteer, Qiao Huihui eagerly raised her small hand.

She ran to the tractor, stepped on the pedal to sit in the driver’s seat. Just as the instructor was about to teach her how to start the engine, the tractor in front of them suddenly roared to life.

Then the tractor moved forward smoothly under her control—unlike the others who either drove bumpily or stalled immediately—it was remarkably steady.

Qiao Huihui, tiny and serious in the driver’s seat, created an adorable contrast.

“Director, does this count as passing?”

The director was stunned. This wasn’t part of his original plan. He had expected no one to know how to drive it, forcing them to resort to traditional ox-plowing—even the ox was already prepared. But now, someone could drive it? And so well at that?

Thinking of his plan, the director felt a bit deflated.

However, their variety show wasn’t heavily scripted, so unexpected situations were manageable. He waved for the ox to be taken away and replied through the megaphone, “Passed, passed!”

The others were thrilled. What was supposed to be backbreaking sowing became a breeze—they just had to cheer Qiao Huihui on from the sidelines as she drove the tractor with a seeder attached, chugging along and planting several acres effortlessly.

But while some were relieved, others felt Qiao Huihui had stolen their spotlight.

With limited screen time to begin with, and over ten people vying for it, Qiao Huihui’s performance would undoubtedly hog the focus.

Xiao Ninglu clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms, though she seemed oblivious to the pain. She loathed Qiao Huihui to the core.

It felt like they were natural enemies. Wherever she went, Xiao Ninglu was always the adored young lady, but now she was repeatedly overshadowed by an amateur—one she despised as a lowly country bumpkin.

Yet, recalling the phone call she made to her father last night, her heart settled into an eerie calm. Soon… very soon, this annoying person would disappear.

They spent three days in the small mountain village, during which Qiao Huihui showcased plenty of skills from her rural upbringing, even prompting Zhao Xining to joke about keeping her as a permanent guest.

Not only was she adept at catching fish in the water, but when faced with a siege of aggressive geese, she remained unfazed, grabbing them one by one until the entire gang of village troublemakers became her loyal followers, trailing behind her like little lackeys.

Sun Ling groaned, “I can’t even compare to a little girl. These geese chase and bite me every time—I’ve already ruined several pairs of pants.”

Qiao Huihui smiled faintly. “Brother Sun Ling, you act too timid. These geese love bullying those weaker than them. If you stand your ground and fight them once, they won’t dare bother you again.”

Sun Ling, upon hearing this, wanted to assert his dominance. However, the moment he glared at one of the geese, the entire flock squawked and charged at him, forcing him to turn tail and run.

“Ahhhh—I can’t do this!”

“Hahahahaha—” Everyone mercilessly laughed at him.

The joyful days passed quickly, and soon it was time to part. A heavy atmosphere filled the air as the little girls reluctantly bid farewell to their teachers and left the picturesque mountain village.

“Hey, brother?”

Qiao Huihui felt a twinge of guilt when she answered Qiao Guangzong’s call.

“Huihui, I think I just saw you on TV.”

That single sentence was enough to reveal Qiao Guangzong’s inner turmoil.

Frowning, he said, “How about I talk to the director and have you withdraw from the competition?”

“No, brother—” Qiao Huihui tensed up before speaking earnestly, “Brother, even though it started as an accident, I want to stay.”

Qiao Guangzong fell silent for a moment before sighing. “Fine.”

He had always doted on his little sister and couldn’t bear to refuse her wishes. Though the entertainment industry was indeed chaotic, fortunately, his influence was enough to keep her safe.

“Then I’ll have a word with the director to make sure no one bullies you.”

“Thanks, brother, but this time I want to rely on myself.”

“You…” Qiao Guangzong didn’t know what else to say. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he spoke gravely, “You can join the show, but no early dating!”

Qiao Huihui was stunned. “What are you talking about, brother? Besides, I’m already eighteen—even if I did date someone, it wouldn’t count as early dating.”

Qiao Guangzong coughed a few times. “Anyway, you can’t get too close to that Le Xingshan.”

He had seen the clips circulating online—how dare that guy try to charm his sister away?

What kind of idol was he? Just a disgrace to the title.