Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 25

One of the unspoken rules in the entertainment industry: idols are not allowed to date.

 

Qiao Huihui was determined to be a responsible fan and staunchly uphold this ironclad rule!

 

Thus, Shen Nanqing noticed that ever since that day, Qiao Huihui seemed to be avoiding her.

 

She stopped attending the extra late-night practice sessions, they no longer bumped into each other in the cafeteria, and by the time Shen returned to the dorm at night, Qiao was already asleep.

 

Finally managing to corner her in the hallway, Shen watched as Qiao turned and bolted like she’d seen a ghost.

 

Pinning her against the wall with an unamused expression, Shen demanded, “Why are you avoiding me?”

 

Qiao blinked innocently. “I’m not. You’re overthinking it.”

 

“Then have lunch with me today?”

 

“Uh…” Qiao hesitated, unsure how to refuse. Spotting someone approaching from down the hall out of the corner of her eye, she pushed Shen away hastily. “Teacher Shen, I need to get back to practice. Bye!”

 

Gritting her teeth, Shen watched coldly as Qiao’s retreating figure disappeared.

 

That afternoon, Li Shan gathered all the trainees to film individual reflection videos for the show.

 

As the most talked-about contestant recently—first targeted by paid trolls, then gaining numerous fans after being vindicated, and now with rumors swirling about her terrible relationship with second-ranked Shen Nanqing—the production team naturally capitalized on Qiao’s popularity.

 

After answering standard questions about her experience so far, the host suddenly asked, “What are your thoughts on Shen Nanqing?”

 

Qiao’s heart skipped a beat. Had they been caught on camera before? But seeing the host’s neutral expression, she maintained composure and gave the most diplomatic response: “Teacher Shen is a very gentle person.”

 

This should be safe—when asked about fellow contestants, everyone just exchanged polite compliments.

 

Unexpectedly, the host followed up: “If you had to describe Shen Nanqing as an animal, what would it be?”

 

Qiao tensed further, afraid her guilty conscience might show. After feigning deep thought, she answered, “Teacher Shen is like a black cat.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because she gives off that same elegant, aloof vibe.”

 

When it was Shen’s turn, after routine questions, the host similarly brought up Qiao.

 

Thinking of recent events, Shen couldn’t help but let some frustration seep through. Her naturally intimidating cold expression twisted into what almost looked like a sneer.

 

“Qiao Huihui is… quite something.”

 

The host’s eyes widened. So bold! While Qiao had at least pretended to be polite, Shen wasn’t even hiding her displeasure.

 

Not that the host minded—this explosive tension was exactly what the show wanted. Harmonious competitions were boring; audiences craved drama.

 

Eagerly pressing further: “If you had to describe Qiao Huihui as an animal, what would it be?”

 

Shen frowned in thought. “A hamster, I suppose.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because her cheeks are always puffed up.” So cute.

 

That Saturday night, both clips aired together in Episode 3.

 

The footage showed Shen cornering Qiao in the hallway—no audio, just their body language.

 

Observant netizens immediately felt they’d uncovered the truth.

 

Oh my god, they’re definitely arguing! Shen Nanqing looks so fierce!

 

The little sister isn’t smiling anymore. Shen Nanqing must be intimidating her!

 

Look at the way Shen Nanqing is staring at her back—so eerie and terrifying. The more you think about it, the scarier it gets…

 

What nonsense are you all spouting? Why would my Shen-ge randomly pick a fight with Qiao Huihui? She must’ve provoked him first.

 

Didn’t you see Qiao Huihui’s expression wasn’t great either? She even shoved Shen-ge hard. Why aren’t you talking about that?

 

What did Qiao Huihui say? Was she cursing at Qingqing?

 

The fans from both sides grew angrier as they argued, clashing fiercely in the comments and leaving everyone with one clear impression—Qiao Huihui and Shen Nanqing hated each other.

 

When the final segment of the contestants’ personal interviews aired, the fans grew even more furious.

 

“Teacher Shen”? That’s way too formal and distant!

 

“Shen Nanqing is a gentle person”? Qiao Huihui is definitely being sarcastic, right?

 

She seemed pretty calm before, but the moment the host mentioned Shen Nanqing, her expression changed.

 

Oh my god, Shen Nanqing actually sneered and said, “Qiao Huihui is quite good”? Do these two have some deep-seated grudge?

 

Calling Qiao Huihui a hamster—is that an insult about her chubby face?

 

Shen Nanqing is talking nonsense. Her own face is so thin it’s practically skeletal. She’s just jealous of our little sister’s adorable baby fat.

 

Hey, you there—get lost! Why don’t you say Qiao Huihui is as short as a dwarf?

 

As a neutral observer, both of them are pretty bold to publicly feud like this. Their conflict must be serious.

 

The fans from both sides grew increasingly heated, not satisfied with just fighting in the comments—they took their battle to Weibo and forums, pushing the hashtag #QiaoHuihuiShenNanqingFeud to the top of the trending list.

 

Seeing an opportunity to capitalize on the drama, gossip accounts quickly churned out all sorts of fabricated “insider information.”

 

#Shocking! Two contestants from “Shine On You” publicly feud—what happened between them?

 

#Shen Nanqing sneered while calling Qiao Huihui “quite good.”

 

#Qiao Huihui subtly mocks Shen Nanqing for being arrogant—come learn the art of passive-aggressive speech!

 

#Shen Nanqing actually said Qiao Huihui’s face was as chubby as a hamster’s!

 

The hired trolls Xiao Ninglu had enlisted last time, though unsuccessful, had been lying low. Now that Qiao Huihui was trending, they seized the chance to attack her relentlessly.

 

“Tsk tsk tsk, the sweet and innocent angel persona is crumbling?”

 

“Talking with such passive-aggression—definitely a master of shady remarks.”

 

“I heard she’s from the countryside. Rural folks really are crude with their words.”

 

……

 

Despite the online uproar, the contestants in the filming base, cut off from the internet, remained completely unaware.

 

In the practice room, Qiao Huihui wiped her sweat and clapped her hands to gather her teammates.

 

“Let’s decide the center positions today!”

 

Based on the song’s style, the choreographer had designed a dual-center performance—one representing an innocent girl, the other a fanatical yandere.

 

Essentially, the dance was structured like a mini-stage play, telling a story through movement.

 

The teammates sat in a circle as Qiao Huihui began, “Raise your hand if you want the girl center position.”

 

Five hands went up.

 

She nodded, then asked the rest, “Now, who wants the yandere center?”

 

She raised her own hand, but when she looked around, no one else followed.

 

“What’s going on? Is there something wrong with this center position?”

 

Xia Niao shook her head: “It’s not that I don’t want to, but my spirit is willing while the flesh is weak!”

 

Li Huixin also smiled and said, “Though it might not sound nice to say this, but I think only you can perfectly execute the moves for this role.”

 

“Eh?” Qiao Huihui thought about it—the dance moves the instructor had demonstrated for the “yandere” position were indeed quite complex.

 

She smiled sheepishly: “Then this position is mine, I guess.”

 

Who would have thought she’d gain an upper hand in the dance moves, winning without even a competition.

 

Not having to compete with others was naturally a good thing, as she wasn’t very confident to begin with. Though her movements were flawless, she still lacked in emotional expression.

 

The obsession and fervor of a yandere, along with the final descent into madness and sickness, were all extremely challenging.

 

She had been practicing with the instructor these past few days but always felt something was missing. At times like this, she couldn’t help but think of Shen Nanqing—if it were her teaching instead…

 

She stopped that train of thought and smiled again: “Then let’s stick to the usual rules—the ‘girl’ position is up for grabs.”

 

The few who had raised their hands earlier stepped forward, each performing their best dance segments.

 

In the end, a girl who had always been diligent was chosen. Her looks were somewhat alluring, but her personality was pure and innocent, and her dancing fit the character’s vibe perfectly.

 

While heading to dinner that evening, Xia Niao walked alongside her.

 

“Judging by appearances, you two should swap your center positions.”

 

Qiao Huihui: “You must have some misunderstanding about the power of makeup.”

 

Xia Niao realized she had a point—with the heavy stage makeup and matching costumes, who would even notice if someone’s looks didn’t quite fit the role?

 

She chuckled: “Then your fans are in for a shock—their sweet, soft little darling suddenly turning dark.”

 

Qiao Huihui pictured the scene and said with anticipation, “Hahaha, that does sound fun.”

 

But pride comes before a fall. The moment she stepped into the cafeteria, she bumped right into someone.

 

Xia Niao’s outstretched hand to pull her back hung midair.

 

Qiao Huihui rubbed her sore nose, eyes slightly teary from the impact.

 

That had been quite a hard collision.

 

She looked up, about to apologize, but the words died on her lips.

 

Xia Niao exclaimed, “Oh, it’s Qingqing!”

 

Qiao Huihui met those ice-cold eyes that always seemed to linger in her mind and awkwardly averted her gaze.

 

Ah, what complicated feelings.

 

Lately, she had been dreading running into Shen Nanqing—embarrassed and afraid others might notice her discomfort. It had been exhausting.

 

And just this morning, Shen Nanqing had come looking for her, suggesting they have dinner together. But Qiao Huihui had conveniently “forgotten” about it, only to bump into her now at the cafeteria entrance.

 

Qiao Huihui: Awkward. Just plain awkward.

 

To her surprise, Shen Nanqing showed no intention of engaging with her, merely glancing at her indifferently before walking away.

 

Just… walked away?

 

Xia Niao found it odd too. She nudged Qiao Huihui with her elbow: “What’s going on between you two lately? Did you fight?”

 

Qiao Huihui watched Shen Nanqing’s retreating figure and forced a smile: “No, we didn’t fight.”

 

Her heart now felt like it had been dunked in ice water—all those messy thoughts gone.

 

This was exactly what she had wanted—to keep a distance between them, leaving no room for gossip. But now that Shen Nanqing was actually doing it, she felt inexplicably hollow inside.

 

However, the thought that Shen Nanqing had struggled in the entertainment industry for so many years made her realize how important this opportunity was for him. She absolutely couldn’t ruin his dreams.

 

Once she understood this, she felt slightly better about his earlier attitude.

 

Still, an indescribable sourness lingered in her heart.

 

She picked at her meal listlessly. Xia Niao, noticing her mood, grew worried but didn’t dare ask directly, so she probed indirectly instead.

 

“How’s your dance preparation going?”

 

“Alright…” Qiao Huihui poked at the food on her plate, answering weakly.

 

Her demeanor only alarmed Xia Niao further. “Are you feeling unwell lately?”

 

“I’m fine. Perfectly healthy.” Qiao Huihui gave her a puzzled look.

 

Seeing she couldn’t get an answer, Xia Niao gritted her teeth and blurted out, “Then why have you been so absent-minded recently?”

 

Glancing at the cameras around them, she leaned in and whispered, “You look exactly like my heartbroken cousin. If I didn’t see you every day, I’d think you were going through a breakup.”

 

Qiao Huihui jolted in shock.

 

Had it really become that obvious? Was she being so transparent?

 

She quickly shook her head, mentally scolding herself—this wasn’t a breakup. She hadn’t even started a relationship yet, so how could she be heartbroken?

 

Sigh. She was just… simply infatuated with someone’s looks.

 

And maybe, just maybe, that person might feel something for her too.

 

But now was absolutely not the time to entertain such thoughts. One of an idol’s professional ethics was to avoid romantic relationships—otherwise, fans would leave in droves, and many might even turn against them.

 

Even if Shen Nanqing hadn’t debuted yet, getting involved romantically could deal a severe blow to his career. As a fan, she would never want her idol to face such consequences!

 

Since their feelings weren’t deep yet, she needed to cut ties cleanly.

 

But while her mind reasoned this way, her heart refused to let go. The thought of him liking someone else in the future made her ache.

 

So she had been avoiding the issue, trying not to dwell on it.

 

Her pained, sorrowful expression thoroughly alarmed Xia Niao.

 

“Huihui, what’s wrong?” Xia Niao asked, horrified.

 

Snapped out of her thoughts, Qiao Huihui scrambled for an excuse.

 

After a moment of contemplation, she frowned. “I’m worried about my college entrance exam results.”

 

“You know, I just finished the exams, and the scores are coming out soon. I’m afraid I didn’t do well.”

 

Xia Niao exhaled in relief and patted her shoulder. “You scared me! I thought something serious had happened.”

 

She then reassured her, “It’s fine, even if you didn’t do well. The entertainment industry doesn’t care about diplomas.”

 

Just then, Xiao Ninglu appeared out of nowhere. Unusually, she wore a faint smile as she said to Xia Niao, “Ah, only someone who barely graduated high school would say something like that.”

 

Clearly, she had overheard their conversation.

 

Turning to Qiao Huihui, Xiao Ninglu added, “I attend Nan Cheng University. Though it’s unlikely, I hope you can make it there too.”

 

Her words sounded like a blessing, but her expression said otherwise.

 

Qiao Huihui twitched her lips and replied politely, “Yeah, it’s pretty unlikely. But thanks for the encouragement.”

 

Xiao Ninglu nodded with an air of superiority, strutting away like a victorious rooster, thoroughly pleased with herself.

 

Xia Niao’s expression darkened. She muttered under her breath, “Always flaunting that lousy school of hers.”

 

Nancheng University was a prestigious 211 institution in the country, with an admission score high enough that those who got in were considered top students in their own right.

 

And in an entertainment industry where the average education level barely reached high school, Xiao Ninglu stood out like a golden phoenix rising from a small village—a rare and dazzling exception.

 

Add to that her background as a wealthy heiress, and she effortlessly embodied the perfect “elite scholar from a rich family” persona.

 

Her fans praised her to the skies, constantly boasting, “Our Lulu got into a 211 university!” “Lulu is rich AND hardworking!” “Lulu outshines everyone else!”

 

Xia Niao, on the other hand, didn’t have much to show academically. She had become a trainee at a young age, aiming straight for the entertainment industry, so she hadn’t put much effort into her studies. After graduating high school, she hadn’t pursued further education, making her an easy target for Xiao Ninglu’s fans to mock.

 

And the worst part? She couldn’t even argue back. It was infuriating.

 

Turning around, she noticed Qiao Huihui’s expressionless face and assumed she was upset by Xiao Ninglu’s remarks. Hurriedly, she comforted her, “Don’t take it personally. She’s used her academic background to belittle half the entertainment industry.”

 

Qiao Huihui asked curiously, “Hasn’t she made enemies doing that?”

 

After all, the last time Qiao Huihui had been falsely accused by online trolls, fans from multiple fandoms had believed the rumors and attacked her.

 

Xia Niao’s expression turned complicated. “She’s a rich kid. Her dad’s loaded.”

 

Qiao Huihui instantly understood.

 

The power of capital.

 

Xia Niao reassured her, “Don’t let it get to you. What I said earlier is true—the entertainment industry hardly cares about academic qualifications, so don’t stress over grades.”

 

She assumed Qiao Huihui was an underachiever, a hopeless student.

 

Qiao Huihui gave her a strange smile, signaling that she understood.

 

What Xia Niao didn’t know was that academic prodigies, when it came to discussing grades, would always feign modesty no matter what. Later, when Xia Niao learned the truth, she pitied her past self for trying to comfort Qiao Huihui.

 

In the dead of night, a furtive figure slipped out of the dormitory and crept into a dimly lit corner.

 

The pale moonlight revealed the face of Xiao Ninglu, brimming with excitement.

 

Soon, another figure emerged from the shadows and stood before her.

 

“Young Miss, what do you need from me?”

 

Xiao Ninglu smiled, her eyes glinting with malice. “Uncle He, contact the troll army for me. This time, focus on exposing Qiao Huihui’s college entrance exam scores.”

 

“Understood.”

 

The man was no stranger to such tasks. He showed no surprise, immediately grasping her intent. With a calm nod, he vanished into the darkness.

 

Left alone, Xiao Ninglu stood there, unable to suppress her glee.

 

The Dazzling You enforced strict lockdown measures—not only were phones confiscated, but signal jammers surrounded the training base, cutting off all external communication.

 

Fortunately, her father had arranged for someone to assist her behind the scenes, ensuring she could still manipulate the online narrative.

 

Xiao Ninglu’s eyes burned with resentment. The last time, Qiao Huihui had narrowly escaped her schemes, leaving her deeply unsatisfied. Never in her life had she encountered such a stubborn obstacle.

 

This time, she would make sure Qiao Huihui never rose again.

 

A gust of wind swept by, and dark clouds swallowed the already faint moonlight. By the early hours of the morning, a light drizzle had begun to fall.

 

Qiao Huihui turned over in bed and woke up to the sight of a beautiful, sleeping face.

 

She stared blankly for a long moment before realizing that Shen Nanqing hadn’t left early today.

 

For the past few days, whenever she woke up, the other girl was already gone from the dorm, sparing them both from awkward interactions.

 

Her thoughts were still drifting when the person in front of her abruptly opened her eyes.

 

!!!

 

Qiao Huihui quickly turned her head away and burrowed under the covers.

 

Her heart pounded wildly from the shock early in the morning.

 

She pricked up her ears, listening for movement outside, and only slowly emerged from the blankets when Xia Niao called her from the bedside.

 

A glance confirmed that the space beside her was empty.

 

The blankets were neatly folded, and the sheets bore not a single wrinkle.

 

She felt a pang of despondency—it seemed the other girl was perfectly composed, as if she alone was making a big deal out of this.

 

Xia Niao nudged her. “Huihui, what’s wrong? You’re up so late today.”

 

Qiao Huihui sat up and feigned a yawn. “It’s nothing. I just overslept.”

 

After washing up, the group left the dormitory. Outside, the rain was still drizzling, and only then did Qiao Huihui realize—Shen Nanqing hadn’t gotten up early to practice because of the rain.

 

When they arrived at the practice room, Yu Xiaoman approached hesitantly, her face tinged pink. “Captain, let’s practice the duo part.”

 

Qiao Huihui bent down to tie her shoelaces and agreed readily.

 

The dance had many interactions between the two centers, and since she had mostly mastered her solo parts these past few days, it was time to work on the duo section.

 

The two moved to an open space, turned on the music, and began dancing.

 

The climax of the routine was a waltz—but this waltz was meant to depict forced love, so Qiao Huihui’s expression had to be fervent, while Yu Xiaoman’s was one of helpless resistance.

 

Though Qiao Huihui couldn’t convey deeper emotions, she could mimic about seventy to eighty percent of the dance teacher’s expressions, which was convincing enough at first glance.

 

As they danced, Qiao Huihui’s hand rested on Yu Xiaoman’s waist, pulling her along, making it seem as though she was controlling her partner’s movements. This waltz wasn’t meant to evoke romance but rather an eerie, unsettling sensation.

 

A woman with a sickly sweet smile… a girl with an expression of torment… spinning rapidly in circles.

 

The interplay between them resembled a crime scene, sending chills down the spines of the onlookers.

 

When they finished, Xia Niao was the first to give a thumbs-up. “Amazing!”

 

Li Huixin added, “My confidence is through the roof—our team is too good.”

 

For those ranked higher, Qiao Huihui’s strong performance might steal their spotlight, but for her, a powerful team could only elevate her.

 

As long as she didn’t make major mistakes during the performance, her ranking was bound to rise.

 

While her teammates showered her with praise, Qiao Huihui instead looked worriedly at the flushed girl in front of her. “Your face is so red—are you too hot?”

 

Yu Xiaoman lowered her head in a fluster and mumbled, “Mhm.”

 

Qiao Huihui couldn’t help but laugh. The girl had a bewitching appearance, but her personality was as timid as a little rabbit—it was rather amusing.

 

“You should rest if you’re feeling hot,” she said.

 

The weather was cool from the rain, so the practice room’s air conditioning hadn’t been turned on. But with the team dancing nonstop, they were bound to feel warm—she had overlooked that.

 

Qiao Huihui turned to turn on the air conditioner, completely missing the look Yu Xiaoman gave her.

 

Li Shan knocked on the door, successfully drawing the attention of all the girls in the room.

 

She smiled kindly and then pointed at Qiao Huihui, saying, “I need to speak with your team leader.”

 

Qiao Huihui turned around in confusion, “Sister Shan, what’s up?”

 

There was no reason to hide it, so Li Shan replied directly, “Your brother called to say your college entrance exam results are out. The production team has granted you special leave to fill out your college applications.”

 

At this, everyone except Qiao Huihui erupted in surprise.

 

“College entrance exam results? The team leader is a high school student?”

 

“I knew it! The team leader looks underage…”

 

Qiao Huihui blushed and quickly interjected, “I’m an adult! I’m already eighteen years and two months old!”

 

Everyone burst into good-natured laughter.

 

Qiao Huihui fled the scene, dragging Li Shan along with her.

 

The production team gave her two days off. With little to pack, Qiao Huihui simply grabbed her suitcase and left the filming set.

 

The entrance was guarded by security, keeping unauthorized personnel out, so it remained as quiet as before.

 

But after just a few steps, she heard someone calling her name.

 

Qiao Huihui stopped and looked around suspiciously—there was no one in sight.

 

“Huihui! Huihui! —Ah— Mommy’s here!!!”

 

The voice was shouting hoarsely. Qiao Huihui finally pinpointed the direction—it was coming from a window in the residential building across the street.

 

However, it was too far to make out the face, so she simply smiled warmly in that direction.

 

The next moment, flashes erupted from every window. She realized then that each window had a camera set up, capturing every angle of the filming set’s entrance without missing a single shot.

 

Qiao Huihui took two steps back, pulled up her mask, and bolted with her suitcase.

 

Luckily, the car her brother had sent to pick her up was parked nearby.

 

Once inside, she finally caught her breath.

 

The entertainment industry was terrifying. She wasn’t even that famous yet, and already she had to face such invasive scrutiny.

 

Qiao Guangzong was busy with work and couldn’t pick her up himself, but he had the driver relay that he’d be home by evening.

 

Qiao Huihui pulled out her long-unused phone, checked the date to confirm the results would be released at midnight, then leaned back comfortably and started scrolling through Weibo.

 

Opening the private messages on her alt account, she noticed fewer regular fans checking in. But that was understandable—they followed her for her artwork, and since she’d been inactive lately, they naturally moved on.

 

Looking at the quieter comment section, she hesitated but couldn’t resist the urge to post the portrait she’d drawn of Shen Nanqing.

 

QiaoQiao Who Loves Art V: “Jade bones, icy skin, a beauty’s frown, a crimson mole swaying to stir hearts.” Image

 

Twinkling Stars: “Grandma! The artist you followed finally updated!”

 

Twinkling Stars: “Wait! I rushed here to grab a front-row seat, but what am I seeing???”

 

Swinging on Sister’s Eyelashes: “Was the account hacked?”

 

Little Xun’er from the Le Family: “OMG! A big fan openly switching sides?”

 

Faced with the flood of question marks in the comments, Qiao Huihui bit her lower lip and replied uniformly—”Not switching sides, not hacked. From now on, I’m a fan of both.”

 

Dawn’s Chill: “Hmm… as we all know, the next step after dual-fandom is…”

 

As more fans questioned her, Qiao Huihui guiltily flipped her phone over, refusing to look further—out of sight, out of mind.

 

But unexpectedly, among the many angry Xing fans, there were occasional comments from a couple of Pumpkin fans mixed in.

 

Qingqing’s handsomeness makes my legs weak: Holy crap, our Shen Ge has such a seductive side too?

 

A Little Pumpkin: Love the blogger’s drawing skills~

 

Qingqingqingqingqing: Already stole the pic, hoping to see even more tempting ones next time wink wink.

 

Since Qiao Huihui’s side account had quite a few followers and was previously considered a die-hard fan of Le Xingshan—even recognized as one of the major Xing fans—this sudden switch was like poking a hornet’s nest. She was immediately called out by countless Xing fans and denounced as a traitor.

 

Yet, they couldn’t bring themselves to revoke her fan status. After all, Qiao Huihui was truly a treasure of a blogger. Her hand-drawn portraits of Le Xingshan had been saved by practically every Xing fan. Losing such a talented fan would actually be a loss for the Xing fanbase.

 

So now, the Xing fans were caught in a whirlwind of love and hate.

 

The fan circles of The Dazzling You contestants were small, and as soon as they heard there was drama in Le Xingshan’s fandom, they swarmed over, tagging the Pumpkin fans along the way.

 

By the time the Pumpkin fans arrived, the comments section was already flooded with: “Screencap saved~” “You’re so talented, sis!” “Can you draw another one of Cold and Aloof Qing?” “Pumpkin fans warmly welcome you to join us!”

 

Back at home, Qiao Huihui’s class group chat was buzzing nonstop, mostly discussing college entrance exam scores. Everyone was feeling a mix of nerves and excitement, waiting for the results of the most important exam of their lives.

 

Many even tagged her, asking the top scorer what her estimated score was.

 

After some thought, Qiao Huihui posted a conservative estimate of 700 points.

 

This earned her a flood of adoring praise from her juniors.

 

Amidst all the score discussions, a different kind of message suddenly popped up.

 

Ai Jia: Huihui, did you join a talent show?

 

Huang Wenjie: What talent show?

 

Ai Jia: How do you not know? The Dazzling You—the hottest variety show this summer.

 

Qiao Huihui: Yeah, I joined.

 

Her response caused an uproar among her classmates.

 

Celebrities were usually hard to come by in everyday life, but now one of their own classmates had become one. It gave everyone a sense of pride.

 

Yang Xiaoxiao: I’m gonna go support Huihui!

 

Huang Wenjie: Me too, me too! Where do we vote?

 

Li Xiang: If the genius becomes famous, can I sell her old exam papers for money?

 

Seeing her excited classmates, Qiao Huihui couldn’t help but laugh.

 

It actually made her nostalgic for her warm class. Too bad they were all about to go their separate ways and embark on different paths.

 

Ai Jia: So, are you coming to the graduation party tomorrow?

 

Wang Xiaoxiao: Isn’t Huihui still filming? Probably can’t make it, right?

 

Qiao Huihui: I’ll be there. The production team gave me a few days off.

 

…

 

Before dinner, Qiao Guangzong rushed home. Seeing her brother after so long, Qiao Huihui excitedly gave him a hug.

 

Qiao Guangzong caught her nervously. “Did someone bully you? Tell your brother…”

 

“No, no,” Qiao Huihui quickly cut him off. “I just missed you.”

 

Their parents were always busy with work, spending less than a month at home each year, so she had practically been raised by her brother. This was the first time they’d been apart for so long.

 

Qiao Guangzong smiled gently and patted her back. “I missed you too, Huihui.”

 

The siblings chatted for a while and after finishing their meal, they sat in the living room waiting for the results.

 

Qiao Huihui was confident in herself, so she wasn’t too nervous. Since there was nothing else to do, she turned on the TV to watch The Dazzling You.

 

Come to think of it, she hadn’t actually seen the final product released by the production team.

 

The show started off quite harmonious, but the more she watched, the more something felt off. Eventually, she frowned tightly.

 

There was nothing wrong with the show itself—the problem lay with the barrage comments.

 

Who were these two groups of fans arguing fiercely?

 

Since when had her fans and Shen Nanqing’s fans become rivals?

 

How had things escalated to this point? Even her casual praise of the other could be interpreted by fans as sarcastic mockery?

 

What was even more infuriating was when Qiao Guangzong suddenly remarked, “This Shen Nanqing—are the two of you not getting along?”

 

Qiao Huihui was baffled.

 

“Brother, why would you think we’re not getting along?”

 

Qiao Guangzong: “Isn’t it obvious? The whole internet can see it.”

 

As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes: “Huihui, if you really don’t like this Shen Nanqing, I can just have her withdraw from the competition.”

 

“No, no, absolutely not.”

 

Qiao Huihui sighed helplessly. “We get along really well. Everything online is nonsense. Please don’t interfere with the show.”

 

Qiao Guangzong eyed her skeptically. “Really?”

 

His disbelief was practically written all over his face.

 

Qiao Huihui pressed her lips together and decided to investigate online.

 

She wanted to see exactly what had led everyone to believe they were at odds.

 

A quick search on Weibo flooded her screen with sensationalist posts.

 

#Exposing the Reason Behind the Shen-Qiao Feud#

 

#Qiao Huihui Followed All Contestants on Weibo—Except Her#

 

#The Dazzling You Contestants Qiao Huihui and Shen Nanqing Openly Clash#

 

#Four Steps to Avoid Looking Like Qiao Huihui’s Hamster Twin#

 

Qiao Huihui was stunned.

 

People actually believed this fabricated nonsense? And worst of all, her own fans were among them.

 

She scrolled through one sensationalist post where her fans and Shen Nanqing’s fans were clearly engaged in a heated battle, trading insults across hundreds of replies.

 

The more she read, the more despairing she became. In just a few short days, public opinion had shifted to portray her and Shen Nanqing as mortal enemies, with their fans locked in bitter rivalry.

 

She poked Qiao Guangzong beside her and asked, “Brother, is there any way to clarify things in this situation?”

 

Qiao Guangzong glanced at her phone and said earnestly, “It’s very difficult.”

 

With a groan, Qiao Huihui tossed her phone aside and flopped onto the sofa, utterly defeated.

 

She was done for—completely and utterly done for.

 

First, she was accused of lusting after an idol’s body, and now she’d become that idol’s biggest rival. If she admitted now that she was actually Shen Nanqing’s fan, would she get beaten up?

 

Amused by her distress, Qiao Guangzong handed her a glass of orange juice. “Don’t look so gloomy. This is just how the entertainment industry is—truth is often buried beneath rumors. As long as the two of you don’t let it bother you, you can still get along privately even if the world thinks you’re rivals.”

 

“Sigh…” Qiao Huihui exhaled mournfully.

 

Thinking of Shen Nanqing’s perpetually icy expression, she muttered resignedly, “I hope so.”

 

This wasn’t something that could be resolved overnight. Worrying about it now was pointless—she’d have to figure out a solution later.

 

Just as she sat up, Qiao Guangzong announced, “It’s midnight.”

 

Then she deftly turned on the computer, clicked the link, and entered her exam admission number.

 

Qiao Huihui froze for a moment, glancing at the slightly tense posture of the person before her. A thought popped into her mind—was her brother nervous?

 

Back when he checked his own exam results, he hadn’t been nervous at all. Yet now, checking hers, he was actually tense.

 

She walked over with a smile, reassuring him, “Relax, brother. I estimated my score—it’s definitely above 700.”

 

Qiao Guangzong’s hand trembled slightly on the mouse, but his tone remained as calm as ever.

 

“Seeing the actual results would be more reassuring.”

 

Seeing that she couldn’t persuade him, Qiao Huihui let him be.

 

A dozen minutes later, Qiao Guangzong frowned. “Did you enter the wrong admission number? Why is the page blank?”

 

Qiao Huihui replied, “Probably just lagging. There must be tons of people checking scores right now. Maybe we should try again tomorrow.”

 

Just then, their mother’s video call came through.

 

As soon as the call connected, her parents’ faces appeared on the screen, smiling at her. “Huihui, having fun at home?”

 

“Yep!”

 

“What’s your brother up to?” From her mother’s angle, only Qiao Guangzong’s back was visible.

 

“Brother’s checking my college entrance exam results, but it’s too slow right now—the page won’t load.”

 

Sure enough, her mother frowned, reacting exactly like Qiao Huihui had.

 

She called out, “Guangzong, stop checking. We can look tomorrow—you know how capable Huihui is!”

 

Qiao Guangzong turned around with a helpless expression.

 

Her father chimed in, “It’s so late already—hurry up and take your sister to bed soon!”

 

Her father didn’t drink or smoke, but he was obsessed with health and wellness. The sight of anyone staying up late would prompt a lecture from him—completely defying the stereotypical image of a nouveau riche.

 

A faint smile tugged at Qiao Guangzong’s lips. “Alright, we’ll go to bed soon.”

 

As the family chatted happily, Qiao Huihui’s phone suddenly rang.

 

She answered, and her homeroom teacher’s excited voice burst through the speaker: “Huihui! You—you’re this year’s top science student! Seven hundred and thirty-one points!”

 

Her phone was on speaker, so everyone heard it at once.

 

Qiao Guangzong’s reaction was restrained—he merely pressed his lips together in a faint smile. But her father was another story.

 

On the other end of the call, he abruptly stood up. “What? Top science student?”

 

“HAHAHA! The Qiao family’s honor!”

 

Her father came from a rural background, and nothing mattered more to him than his children’s success—

 

The family still placed great importance on academics. He had always known his daughter was a good student, but he never expected her to bring home the title of top scorer.

 

Qiao Huihui was also quite happy. She told her homeroom teacher, “We were just checking the results earlier, but the page was completely blank—nothing showed up.”

 

The homeroom teacher laughed heartily. “Top provincial rankings are temporarily hidden—completely normal, completely normal.”

 

…

 

Wenhua Newspaper Office.

 

The editor-in-chief paced excitedly with his phone in hand, his small eyes gleaming with unrestrained enthusiasm.

 

“Xiao Xu, any updates from the Education Bureau yet?”

 

Xu Jiahao adjusted his glasses, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on the computer screen. Without turning his head, he replied, “Not yet. We’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

 

College entrance exam results were always a major news highlight every year. Countless media outlets were currently eyeing this information. The fact that they had connections to secure an early copy of the results from the Education Bureau already gave them a head start.

 

Another colleague teased, “Chief, maybe you should sit down for a while. Looks like we’ll be waiting a while longer.”

 

The editor-in-chief waved his hand. “No, no, I just want to move around.”

 

Just then, Xu Jiahao’s chair screeched as he nearly toppled over in excitement. “It’s out!” he exclaimed.

 

A large spreadsheet appeared on the computer screen.

 

At the very top of the science division’s top scorers was a single name—Qiao Huihui.

 

The editor-in-chief hurried over to look. Xu Jiahao, however, froze for a moment as he stared at the girl’s exam ID photo on the screen. A sudden realization flashed through his mind—wasn’t this the girl he had photographed at the entrance of No. 1 High School that day?