Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 35

Xia Niao’s daydream was rudely interrupted, but she didn’t mind much. After placing the items on the table, she called out to the two on the upper bunk to come down and eat.

 

“You two are really strange, you know? Tomorrow’s the performance, and we finally have a day off. Everyone else is either out having fun or eating, but you two are holed up in the dorm doing who knows what.”

 

Hearing this, Qiao Huihui felt a pang of guilt.

 

Although she and Shen Nanqing did have mutual feelings, they hadn’t officially gotten together yet. The other roommate had already noticed, and everyone was tacitly keeping it from Xia Niao.

 

Telling her outright didn’t seem right since they weren’t officially together yet. But not telling her and watching Xia Niao remain blissfully oblivious also made her feel a little guilty.

 

Looking at the unusually oblivious Xia Niao, Qiao Huihui decided to let her figure it out on her own.

 

Let nature take its course.

 

That was how things were between her and Shen Nanqing now too. Neither of them had brought up the topic of being together again, both content to let things develop naturally.

 

Qiao Huihui changed the subject loudly, “Save me two packs of spicy sticks and some chips! Oh, did you grab any cola?”

 

“Got it, got it!”

 

She scrambled down from the bed with her short legs, but just as she picked up a pack of spicy sticks from the table—

 

Shen Nanqing’s cool voice drifted over, “Junk food. Eat less.”

 

Qiao Huihui’s hand froze mid-air, suddenly feeling like the spicy sticks were burning her fingers.

 

Xia Niao noticed her hesitation and immediately widened her eyes in mockery.

 

“Seriously, boss? You’re gonna police this too?”

 

Shen Nanqing neither confirmed nor denied, “Just a reminder.”

 

Her tone wasn’t exactly gentle, and Xia Niao had always been a little afraid of her. She didn’t press further, instead turning her attention to Qiao Huihui.

 

“Huihui, you’re not actually going to listen to her, are you? She’s not your parent—why does she get to control you like this?”

 

Qiao Huihui suddenly felt her dignity challenged. Xia Niao was right—they weren’t even together yet, and Shen Nanqing was already trying to control her. If they did get together, wouldn’t she become a total henpecked partner?

 

She had to stand her ground. Today, she was eating this snack no matter what!

 

Struggling to tear open the packaging, she scoffed, “As if I’d listen!”

 

But before the spicy stick could reach her mouth, another light, airy remark came from the upper bunk: “If you don’t mind showing up on stage tomorrow with a face full of breakouts, then go ahead and eat.”

 

Qiao Huihui looked up and met Shen Nanqing’s icy gaze.

 

That domineering, alpha-idol version of her had reappeared.

 

As a devoted fan, Qiao Huihui’s hand trembled slightly. Slowly—very slowly—she set the spicy sticks back on the table, pausing before saying, “You’re right… tomorrow’s the performance. Bad skin would be terrible.”

 

As if she were genuinely concerned about the show.

 

She even turned to Xia Niao to advise her, “You shouldn’t eat either. Wait until after the performance.”

 

Xia Niao: ???

 

Disbelief colored her voice as she blurted, “Why do you listen to her so much?!”

 

Qiao Huihui stubbornly insisted, “I don’t! I’m just worried about my health.”

 

Xia Niao was exasperated. “I don’t buy it. She must be threatening you. How can you just—” Her words died when she accidentally caught Shen Nanqing’s frosty glare.

 

She gathered up all the snacks. “Fine, if you won’t eat them, I will. I’m not scared of her.”

 

Shen Nanqing smiled down at her from the bed. “If you’re not afraid of breakouts, that is.”

 

So, so scary. Smiling like a demon king.

 

Xia Niao shivered and silently turned her back to eat.

 

Qiao Huihui gave her a meaningful look. Oh… so this is what “not scared” looks like.

 

When she turned back, Shen Nanqing, who had just been exuding an intimidating aura, secretly winked at her.

 

Qiao Huihui facepalmed. The aloof and untouchable persona Shen Nanqing had built up was completely falling apart in front of her.

 

Give back that heartthrob idol who oozes charisma, damn it!

 

The filming set of The Dazzling You was extravagantly built, complete with facilities like swimming pools, gyms, supermarkets, and even a spacious back garden.

 

Surrounded by flowers and lush greenery, the garden was designed in the style of Jiangnan classical gardens. Some contestants, eager to craft their image, loved packing their lunches and eating here at noon.

 

Imagine it—a babbling brook, verdant grass, and clusters of flowers everywhere, with a beautiful girl enjoying her bento in the midst of it all. It was practically straight out of an idol drama.

 

Shu Bailian was a frequent visitor here, and today was no exception.

 

Jian Luobai carried their lunch in her hands, frowning in confusion. “Why go so far just to eat?”

 

Shu Bailian smiled gently at her. “Eating here has such a poetic atmosphere. A beautiful environment always whets the appetite.”

 

Jian Luobai hesitated at these words.

 

She didn’t voice her thought—I think the cafeteria is plenty appetizing too. She was well aware of her own hearty appetite, having been praised by her parents and relatives since childhood for being “blessed with good fortune.” Naturally, she never struggled with a lack of appetite.

 

Glancing at Shu Bailian’s slender frame and her delicate arms that couldn’t even twist open a bottle cap, Jian Luobai thought she really did seem like someone with a poor appetite.

 

A surge of pity for the weak rose in her heart, and she nodded. “This place really does help with appetite.” Helps with your appetite.

 

Shu Bailian smiled faintly, pressing her lips together.

 

The two walked to the brook, where Shu Bailian magically produced a floral-patterned tablecloth, spreading it over the grass and busily arranging the food on top.

 

While eating, Shu Bailian occasionally tossed half-eaten bites onto Jian Luobai’s plate.

 

“This is so gross~”

 

“Mmm… I don’t like this!”

 

Seeing Jian Luobai obediently eat everything, a glint of satisfaction flashed in Shu Bailian’s eyes.

 

This was one of the little tricks she had learned over the years—sharing food to create the illusion of an indirect kiss, fostering a romantic and ambiguous atmosphere.

 

The fact that Jian Luobai accepted it all meant that, subconsciously, she liked her too.

 

If someone didn’t like you, they’d definitely be disgusted by this kind of behavior.

 

A smirk curled on Shu Bailian’s lips. The prey will eventually step right into the hunter’s palm, one step at a time.

 

She was utterly confident in herself.

 

However, Jian Luobai kept her head down, focused on eating, barely interacting with her. Shu Bailian frowned—this wouldn’t do.

 

Deliberately, she dropped her chopsticks on the ground, right next to Jian Luobai’s legs. With a small gasp, she quickly bent down to pick them up, her hand intentionally brushing against Jian Luobai’s thigh as her upper body accidentally bumped into her.

 

Looking at the dirt-stained chopsticks, Shu Bailian’s eyes reddened slightly, her voice pitiful. “I’m so clumsy. I can’t even hold chopsticks properly.”

 

Her gaze flickered to Jian Luobai. Originally, she had planned to suggest, Why don’t we share a pair? That way, she could get the other girl to feed her without realizing it.

 

To everyone’s surprise, Jian Luobai responded with utmost sincerity, “No problem, I’ll share half of mine with you.”

 

With a forceful twist of her hands, the chopsticks in her grasp snapped into two, and she handed the longer half to Shu Bailian.

 

Shu Bailian: “…”

 

She stiffly accepted the chopstick but couldn’t bring herself to use it.

 

Damn it! How could a beauty possibly eat with such a chopstick?!?!?!

 

Despite her internal rage, when met with Jian Luobai’s puzzled gaze, she maintained her flawless “green tea” persona: “Thank you, Luobai! You’re so amazing—I really admire you!”

 

Jian Luobai scratched her head sheepishly. “No need to thank me. Hurry up and eat.”

 

Then she lowered her head again, diving back into her meal.

 

Shu Bailian waited and waited, but Jian Luobai never once looked up.

 

Damn it, am I not more beautiful than that plate of food?! At least look up and admire my beauty!

 

Her inner monologue raged on. By the time she reached her 103rd mental curse, Jian Luobai finally finished eating. She wiped her mouth and looked up.

 

Noticing the untouched rice in Shu Bailian’s bowl, she asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”

 

Shu Bailian quickly switched gears, pouting pitifully. “Everything tastes so bad~”

 

Jian Luobai’s eyes filled with disapproval. Rarely taking the initiative, she picked up some food with her chopsticks and placed it into Shu Bailian’s bowl.

 

Just as Shu Bailian was flattered by the gesture, she heard Jian Luobai say, “Don’t be so picky—it’s bad for your health. Look how thin you are, a gust of wind could blow you away. You should eat more.”

 

Truth be told, Jian Luobai had wanted to say this for a while. Shu Bailian seemed to dislike everything, taking only one bite of each dish before pushing it away. At least she had the decency to place the leftovers in Jian Luobai’s bowl to avoid waste, but this habit wasn’t sustainable.

 

“Being picky leads to nutritional imbalances. Your skin will dull, your hair will turn brittle, and you might even develop anemia. You should—”

 

She rambled on and on, while Shu Bailian wished she could just die.

 

Was this what growing up in a temple did to a person?

 

Though she hadn’t actually become a nun, her lecturing sounded like an old monk chanting scriptures.

 

When silent, her boyfriend energy was off the charts—but the moment she opened her mouth, the illusion shattered.

 

Jian Luobai was perfect in every way… except for her mouth.

 

Shu Bailian’s delighted smile froze the instant Jian Luobai started speaking.

 

When she looked down and saw the food in her bowl, her smile vanished completely.

 

Garlic… garlic eggplant?!

 

How could a beauty possibly eat garlic?! What if it gave her bad breath?!

 

She attempted to sweet-talk her way out of it. “I don’t wanna eat it~”

 

Jian Luobai frowned and piled another large helping into her bowl.

 

Then she stared her down. “Eat. You’re finishing all of this today.”

 

Shu Bailian looked down and nearly fainted—it was another dish she absolutely despised: stir-fried carrots with meat.

 

Are you the devil sent from heaven?!?!

 

She shot Jian Luobai a resentful glare, but the other woman remained unmoved.

 

For once, Jian Luobai was being firm with her… just not in the way she wanted.

 

After a five-minute standoff, Shu Bailian realized there was no way out. Swallowing her pride, she picked up a single strand of carrot and slowly chewed.

 

Jian Luobai watched approvingly, convinced her anti-picky-eating strategy was working.

 

When Shu Bailian finally finished the entire bowl of rice, Jian Luobai clapped encouragingly. “Good job, Xiao Lian!”

 

Shu Bailian: What a fucking idiot!

 

Though she was dying to curse, she could only respond with a shy smile to maintain her image.

 

Watching Jian Luobai, dazzlingly handsome under the sunlight, a fierce desire to conquer surged within her.

 

Once again, she silently repeated those words in her heart—prey could never escape the hunter’s grasp in the end.