Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 41

Shu Bailian took out her phone and immediately started taking photos, making sure to find the perfect angle first.

 

The others watched her in silence.

 

Only after snapping a few pictures did she notice their odd expressions. Frowning, she asked, “Why aren’t you guys taking any?”

 

In modern society, wasn’t the first thing to do when going out for a fancy meal with friends to take pictures and post them on social media?

 

Qiao Huihui offered a friendly reminder, “Just so you know, this is a secret outing. Even if you take photos, you can’t post them.”

 

Xia Niao nodded silently in agreement, her chopsticks already poised and ready—just waiting for everyone to say they could start eating.

 

Shu Bailian felt a little embarrassed after being called out, but then she glanced at Jian Luobai sitting beside her and gritted her teeth. “It’s fine, I’ll post it privately.”

 

She raised her phone, pretending to take a group photo, but the camera was clearly aimed at Jian Luobai. “Come on, come on! Let’s take a commemorative photo to celebrate our first gathering!”

 

Qiao Huihui and Shen Nanqing both knew exactly what she was up to, so they ignored her completely. Le Xingshan, sitting across the table, didn’t move either. Only Xia Niao, clueless as ever, leaned in with a bright, toothy grin. “Sure, let’s take one!”

 

Shu Bailian stared at the head that had just wedged itself between her and Jian Luobai: “…”

 

Her fingers itched—she wanted to crack that skull open.

 

Fortunately, the food on the table was far more enticing to Xia Niao, who only took one photo before diving back into the dishes.

 

Shu Bailian smiled sweetly and casually draped an arm around Jian Luobai’s neck, her breath warm against her ear. “Luobai, let’s take a few more, okay?”

 

Jian Luobai’s ear tingled slightly, and she tilted her head away from Shu Bailian’s lips.

 

Undeterred, Shu Bailian somehow managed to wiggle her way onto Jian Luobai’s lap, pouting. “Get a little closer, or the camera won’t catch us.”

 

Jian Luobai cooperated with a smile, one hand resting on Shu Bailian’s waist while the other calmly formed a peace sign.

 

Qiao Huihui quietly ate her food, watching the scene with a pained expression.

 

Why did this look exactly like those old TV dramas where a scholar encounters a fox spirit in a ruined temple at night? Despite the spirit’s relentless seduction, the scholar remains unmoved, reciting Confucian classics with righteous solemnity instead.

 

So difficult. Truly, so difficult.

 

Chasing a straight-as-an-arrow woman like this—she felt genuinely sorry for Shu Bailian.

 

Just as she was sighing inwardly, a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs suddenly appeared in her bowl. Following the hand that placed it there, she met Shen Nanqing’s eyes, brimming with amusement.

 

Qiao Huihui blinked. “What’s up? You seem happy.”

 

Shen Nanqing smirked, glancing meaningfully at Shu Bailian. “Seeing someone else struggle suddenly makes me feel like my own situation isn’t so bad.”

 

“Pfft—” Qiao Huihui instantly understood.

 

But she didn’t respond, instead lowering her head to poke at the ribs in her bowl.

 

Teacher Shen, Teacher Shen… You’re not even officially together yet, and you’re already this smug? Mocking others like this?

 

Are you forgetting you’re still single too?

 

Unaware that Qiao Huihui had mentally lumped her in with Shu Bailian as a fellow single, Shen Nanqing’s mood soared when she saw Qiao Huihui obediently eat the ribs she had given her.

 

She had discovered the joy of feeding someone.

 

She took out her phone and secretly snapped a photo of Qiao Huihui while she was eating, then logged into her alternate Weibo account to type a caption—”Her cheeks puff up when she eats, so adorable~ I just wanna pinch them!”

 

Considering the need for confidentiality when uploading the photo, she pixelated Qiao Huihui’s face, leaving only her mouth and puffy cheeks visible, and even added a strawberry sticker for a girly touch.

 

This alternate account was clearly newly registered, with very few posts—just a handful of tweets, all about Qiao Huihui.

 

For example: “She’s so cute, I wanna hug her!” “She’s so cute, I wanna kiss her!”

 

The account name was simply “Hamster Keeper.”

 

Since she had never revealed Qiao Huihui’s full face, there weren’t many comments.

 

But a few sharp-eyed fans noticed and asked below: “Is this your girlfriend? She’s so cute and pretty! Her profile even looks a bit like our Huihui. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness~”

 

Shen Nanqing moved her fingers and happily gave the comment a like.

 

Good taste.

 

Though she wasn’t her girlfriend yet, she would be sooner or later.

 

The poor fan had no idea of the cruel truth. Later, when her idol went public, she realized she had personally bestowed a blessing buff upon the enemy.

 

The group ate and drank to their hearts’ content—even Shu Bailian, who usually insisted on maintaining her figure, let loose, earning frequent approving glances from Jian Luobai.

 

As if to say: Good girl, not picky at all.

 

Xia Niao let out a tiny burp and slumped back into her chair.

 

“I can’t go on. I’m so full I can’t walk.”

 

Le Xingshan also set down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth. “That was satisfying. It’s been ages since I ate this much.”

 

As trainees, they had strict body management requirements—indulgence was self-sabotage—so they usually ate very little.

 

Except for exceptions like Xia Niao.

 

Her naturally slim physique was the envy of everyone.

 

Qiao Huihui wiped her mouth with a tissue. “Let’s do this again next time.”

 

This gathering wasn’t entirely spontaneous. Aside from being friends, they were also celebrating their recent achievements.

 

There were six debut spots, and they had just ranked in the top six, meaning they had a real chance to debut together.

 

Naturally, they were all thrilled. After all, working with friends versus working with strangers—any sensible person would know which to choose.

 

Qiao Huihui patted Xia Niao beside her. “You ranked sixth this time. Make sure you hold your ground next time—don’t get pushed out.”

 

Xia Niao patted her full belly, making a thump thump sound. “Don’t worry, just watch my skills.Qiao Huihui’s expression turned subtle.

 

Honestly, if Xia Niao’s fans saw her like this in private, would all their fantasies shatter?

 

“Everyone full? I’ll go settle the bill.” Shen Nanqing stood up.

 

The group nodded, and Shen Nanqing picked up her phone to head out. Suddenly, Qiao Huihui tugged her sleeve. “I’ll go with you!”

 

“Okay.”

 

Qiao Huihui stood and walked out side by side with Shen Nanqing.

 

Just in case, they put on their masks.

 

At the counter, Qiao Huihui pressed Shen Nanqing’s hand down and said to the server, “Put it on my card.”

 

She had almost forgotten that Teacher Shen had been suppressed by the company for so many years—how could she possibly have any money? Qiao Huihui was afraid the other woman might not be able to afford meals after paying for them, which was why she had followed her out.

 

Shen Nanqing frowned, caught her hand, then let go upon seeing the worry in her eyes. Smiling, she ruffled Qiao Huihui’s head.

 

“What’s on your mind?”

 

She scanned the QR code, entered the password with practiced ease, and completed the payment.

 

Then, Qiao Huihui heard the loud announcement from the front desk machine: Alipay payment received—five hundred yuan.

 

Shen Nanqing turned to look at the slightly stunned Qiao Huihui, a rare teasing glint in her eyes. “I can still afford five hundred yuan.”

 

Amid the waiter’s cheerful “Welcome back next time,” she led the still-dazed girl back.

 

Qiao Huihui was mortified. She muttered, “Only five hundred…?”

 

That whole table of dishes—only five hundred?!

 

Shen Nanqing chuckled. “Did you think we were dining on some rare delicacies today?”

 

Qiao Huihui’s face flushed red. Whenever she had gone out to eat with her brother before, the bills had always been… well, quite expensive.

 

Now she realized she hadn’t considered things properly—she had unconsciously applied her usual spending habits to someone else.

 

Stealing a glance at Shen Nanqing’s profile, Qiao Huihui’s heart pounded nervously.

 

Would the other woman feel like her pride had been hurt? She really hadn’t meant it.

 

When they reached a quiet corner, Shen Nanqing suddenly stopped. Caught off guard, Qiao Huihui bumped right into her arms.

 

Dazed, she looked up, confused. “What’s wrong?”

 

Shen Nanqing removed her mask and met her gaze. “I noticed you were worried about me?”

 

Qiao Huihui bit her lip, uneasy. “…Do you not like it?”

 

Shen Nanqing laughed softly. “Of course not. I like it very much.”

 

She paused, her tone meaningful. “After all… you only worry about someone you like.”

 

Qiao Huihui was embarrassed by the bluntness and stubbornly retorted, “I worry about my friends too!”

 

Shen Nanqing narrowed her eyes, leaning in until their noses almost touched. “Oh? How many friends do you worry about this much?”

 

Her lips were thin but beautifully shaped, their color faint, like soft jelly—what would they taste like?

 

Qiao Huihui stared blankly as those lips moved.

 

After speaking for a while, Shen Nanqing realized Qiao Huihui wasn’t listening at all, instead staring dumbly at her mouth like a little fool. Amused and exasperated, she asked, “What are you thinking about now?”

 

Qiao Huihui blurted out, “Teacher Shen, your lips are so pretty. I want to take a bite and see how they taste.”

 

Boom.

 

The words exploded in Shen Nanqing’s mind, her pupils instantly contracting, ears burning hot. The woman who had been effortlessly teasing just moments ago was now completely flustered.

 

“Ahem—” A light cough sounded from the side. Both of them startled and turned.

 

Le Xingshan stood silhouetted against the light, her expression a mix of shock and awkwardness. “Uh… I didn’t mean to. I just came to use the restroom.”

 

Seeing them both frozen speechless, their innocent reactions so sweet and amusing, she couldn’t resist teasing them. “Ah, to witness my former idol’s fan switching sides right before my eyes—lured away by sheer beauty. How the mighty have fallen!”

 

After saying that and seeing the two still hadn’t reacted, she quickly dropped another line before making her escape: “Just kidding! Wishing you a happy union for a hundred years! Bye!”

 

She certainly made a clean getaway.

 

Only the two of them were left behind, their faces burning red, turning their heads away, not daring to look at each other.

 

Qiao Huihui’s mind was in absolute turmoil—she wanted to chase after Le Xingshan and explain.

 

They really weren’t together!

 

This was so hard—before even dating, everyone already seemed to know. If they really did get together… would the whole world find out?