Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 29

Several people went to eat together, with Shu Bailian acting like a young lady the entire time, sitting at the table to save seats for them while Jian Luobai ran around doing the errands.

 

By the time Jian Luobai brought the last dish, beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.

 

Shu Bailian quickly pulled out a tissue and gently wiped it for her, smiling softly, “Thank you, Luobai.”

 

Jian Luobai, however, showed little reaction. She shook her head and said, “It’s fine. You’re not in good health—it’s only right that I help you.”

 

Xia Niao’s eyes widened at these words. She was about to say something but met Shu Bailian’s threatening gaze, causing her to shrink back and obediently focus on her meal.

 

The others didn’t know the truth behind this, but Qiao Huihui understood it perfectly.

 

Simply put, if there was one person who couldn’t be described as “not in good health,” it was Shu Bailian. She had often beaten Xia Niao until she yelped in their dorm, yet outside, she put on the delicate, fragile demeanor of a Lin Daiyu.

 

“I don’t like carrots—they’re disgusting!”

 

“Luobai, I want your sweet and sour ribs.”

 

“Let me have a sip of your soup!”

 

The others seemed to adhere to the rule of “no talking during meals,” leaving Shu Bailian as the only one at the table bossing Jian Luobai around. And from the looks of it, the two were already very accustomed to this dynamic.

 

Qiao Huihui found it a little strange. She observed the atmosphere between them more closely, sensing something off.

 

Perhaps because she had been staring for too long, Jian Luobai suddenly looked up, her gaze clear and normal, tinged with a hint of confusion as if wondering what Qiao Huihui wanted.

 

Qiao Huihui shook her head—maybe she was overthinking it. Perhaps this was just how close friends interacted.

 

After the meal, Qiao Huihui and Xia Niao went to return their trays. Halfway there, Qiao Huihui suddenly spotted Shen Nanqing sitting alone in a corner. She froze, falling a few steps behind.

 

Shen Nanqing was eating with her head lowered, her profile barely visible amid the constant flow of people. There wasn’t a single person beside her, exuding a deep sense of loneliness that coiled around Qiao Huihui’s heart like a venomous snake.

 

A pang of heartache surged within her.

 

Xia Niao, who had walked ahead, noticed something was wrong and backtracked. “Huihui, why’d you stop?”

 

Receiving no response, she curiously followed Qiao Huihui’s gaze.

 

Then, realization dawned on her face. “You and Shen Nanqing are in a cold war lately, right?”

 

Qiao Huihui withdrew her gaze and murmured, “Does she… not have any other friends?”

 

Shen Nanqing had been a loner before, but Qiao Huihui had also seen her talking to others, so she had never imagined she might revert to being solitary again.

 

Xia Niao made a strange face. “Actually, no. I’ve only ever seen you getting along with her.”

 

Shen Nanqing carried an icy aura, radiating an air of keeping everyone at arm’s length. She never took the initiative to interact with others, making her an unpopular personality.

 

Qiao Huihui frowned. “Aren’t you in the same dorm? Haven’t you spoken to her at all these days?”

 

Xia Niao hesitated. “I think we exchanged one sentence.”

 

“But really, just one. And it was her asking where you were. We hardly ever see her around.”

 

Lowering her voice, Xia Niao muttered, “It’s like she’s the one isolating everyone else.”

 

Thinking about how she had essentially left without a word, Qiao Huihui felt as if an arrow had pierced her chest—guilt and bitterness twisting inside her.

 

Moreover, she knew very well that she was in the wrong. She was fully aware that Shen Nanqing had feelings for her, yet she had suddenly retreated out of fear, giving him a cold shoulder.

 

Imagine if two people had been getting along just fine, and then one suddenly turned distant and evasive—how would the other person feel?

 

Her actions were no different from stabbing a sword straight into his chest.

 

“Huihui?” Xia Niao called hesitantly.

 

Seeing Qiao Huihui’s pale face, she asked worriedly, “Are you okay?”

 

Qiao Huihui snapped out of her guilt and shook her head.

 

When she looked back at the spot where he had been, the seat was already empty.

 

Shen Nanqing had left at some point without her noticing.

 

She pressed her lips together, set down her utensils, and left the cafeteria with Xia Niao.

 

Perhaps because something weighed on her mind, Qiao Huihui remained subdued all afternoon, making frequent mistakes during practice, which made Yu Xiaoman watch her with a hesitant expression.

 

After accidentally stepping on Yu Xiaoman’s foot yet again, Yu Xiaoman finally couldn’t hold back. “Huihui, are you alright?”

 

Qiao Huihui apologized and forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

 

But she clearly didn’t look fine. Qiao Huihui wasn’t much of an actress—her emotions were always written plainly on her face. Her absent-mindedness all afternoon naturally made Yu Xiaoman concerned.

 

Yu Xiaoman studied her for a moment before finally saying, understandingly, “You’re not in the right state right now. Take a break for a while.”

 

Qiao Huihui nodded, rubbing her temples in frustration.

 

She sat down in a corner, took a few sips of water, and then just stared blankly at the plastic bottle in her hand.

 

Before long, Xia Niao came over as well.

 

Looking worried, she said, “You don’t seem too well. Are you sick?”

 

Qiao Huihui knew her own condition—there was nothing physically wrong, but she did have something weighing on her heart. Still, she couldn’t just blurt it out, so she made up an excuse. “Maybe it’s the heat. I feel a little dizzy.”

 

Xia Niao was alarmed. “Could it be heatstroke? Should I take you to the infirmary?”

 

Qiao Huihui quickly refused. “I’ll just go wash my face in the restroom.”

 

“Alright, go ahead.”

 

As Qiao Huihui stepped out of the practice room, the music faded, and the quiet did clear her mind a little, easing some of her restlessness.

 

Alone in the empty hallway, she couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. What a mess this was!

 

After standing there silently for a while, she decided to go wash her face.

 

She needed to clear her head first.

 

But as soon as she entered the restroom, she ran into someone unexpected.

 

Shen Nanqing was just leaving and froze when he saw her.

 

Qiao Huihui stood rooted in place, unsure whether to step aside, her mind in turmoil.

 

The two of them stood facing each other for several seconds. Just as Qiao Huihui was about to move aside, a strong hand grabbed her and pulled her into the nearest stall.

 

Shen Nanqing pinned her against the door, looking down at her.

 

His amber eyes darkened, his expression unreadable. Qiao Huihui couldn’t tell if he was angry. She tried to break free from his grip.

 

Sensing her movement, Shen Nanqing tightened his hold, his gaze growing even more intense.

 

Qiao Huihui felt scorched by that look and turned her face away.

 

“Why?” Shen Nanqing’s voice carried a chill, like the breath of winter.

 

Though her question seemed abrupt, both of them understood the meaning behind it.

 

Qiao Huihui sighed, the words on the tip of her tongue but unsure how to explain.

 

Her silence made Shen Nanqing assume she didn’t want to bother, and a trace of loneliness flickered across her face.

 

“Do you really like Le Xingshan that much?”

 

At those words, Qiao Huihui’s head snapped up so violently she nearly slammed it against the door behind her.

 

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

 

Utterly bewildered, she wondered if she had misheard.

 

Qiao Huihui’s shock didn’t seem feigned, and even Shen Nanqing—whose heart had been aching, her eyes filled with pain—paused in surprise.

 

Her expression wavered between doubt and hope.

 

Qiao Huihui rubbed her temples, trying to explain. “I don’t like Le Xingshan in that way. It’s admiration—the kind a fan has for their idol.”

 

A light slowly kindled in Shen Nanqing’s eyes.

 

“Then you—”

 

Qiao Huihui cut straight to an apology. “I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have treated you like that.”

 

Shen Nanqing looked as if she’d just won the lottery, her entire being radiating joy.

 

Eager to confess, she blurted, “You know how I—”

 

Mid-sentence, Qiao Huihui covered her mouth. “I know, but…” Her face scrunched up like a bun, torn as she said, “Can we both take some time to think things through?”

 

Qiao Huihui was certain she felt something for Shen Nanqing, but she wasn’t sure how deep those feelings ran. Maybe it was just a fleeting attraction, something that would fade soon. This wasn’t a small matter—it shouldn’t be decided rashly.

 

She wanted both of them to calm down and think clearly before considering anything else.

 

Her hand was still pressed over Shen Nanqing’s mouth when she felt a sudden, warm wetness against her palm.

 

Qiao Huihui yanked her hand back in shock, staring at the other girl.

 

Shen Nanqing’s expression was unreadable, showing no sign of disappointment from having her passion doused.

 

Instead, she was smiling brighter than ever, her eyes sparkling with a brilliance that left Qiao Huihui momentarily dazed.

 

“I’ll listen to you.”

 

So easily, yet so earnestly, she agreed to Qiao Huihui’s suggestion.

 

Qiao Huihui’s cheeks flushed slightly.

 

“Can we still act like before, then?”

 

After a moment’s thought, Qiao Huihui realized that if they did end up together, their current public “conflict” could serve as a shield.

 

“In private. We shouldn’t get too close openly.”

 

Though a little dejected, Shen Nanqing wasn’t unreasonable. She understood the stakes and nodded in agreement.

 

“Huihui, Huihui, are you there?” Yu Xiaoman’s voice suddenly called out.

 

Qiao Huihui startled, instinctively grabbing Shen Nanqing’s hand.

 

Both held their breath, barely making a sound.

 

Yu Xiaoman called a few more times before footsteps faded into the distance, leaving silence behind.

 

To be safe, they waited a little longer, ears straining to confirm no one was outside before finally relaxing.

 

Qiao Huihui nudged Shen Nanqing, signaling her to let go.

 

Only then did Shen Nanqing rub her nose and straighten up, no longer pinning her against the door.

 

Qiao Huihui shot her a reproachful glare, then suddenly froze.

 

She stammered, “There… there wasn’t anyone in here before, right?”

 

The thought that someone else might be hiding here, having overheard everything they’d just said, made Qiao Huihui feel dizzy.