Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 43

Shen Nanqing pushed open the door to find the dorm in complete chaos.

 

Xia Niao was balancing on one hand with her legs propped against the wall, a basin of hot water placed directly beneath her head. Meanwhile, Qiao Huihui was acting as a phone stand, holding the camera steady to film Xia Niao.

 

“Ready, Huihui?”

 

Qiao Huihui glanced at the barrage-filled livestream and nodded. “People are already coming in.”

 

Judging by the scene, they had just started.

 

Shen Nanqing paused mid-step, then pretended not to notice as she walked past them and took a seat at her own desk.

 

Qiao Huihui also knew better than to draw attention to their strained relationship, making no move to speak to her. Given how things stood between them publicly, it was best not to stir up drama during the livestream.

 

Xia Niao had tweeted half an hour earlier announcing the exact time she’d go live to complete a challenge, so the moment the stream started, eager fans flooded in.

 

Qiao Huihui watched the viewer count climb with curiosity—this was her first time experiencing a livestream.

 

“Did we just hit a hundred thousand?”

 

Her soft, sweet voice cut through the noise, and the barrage of “LOLs” paused briefly before shifting direction.

 

Was that Huihui’s voice? Huihui, is that you?

 

Ahhh! It’s our little sister! Helping her friend hold the phone? So cute!

 

Their friendship is so wholesome…

 

Never thought I’d get to be held in Huihui’s hands one day. My life is complete! dog emoji

 

Xia Niao, however, couldn’t wait any longer. The moment she heard the viewer count was decent, she eagerly shouted, “Thanks for tuning in, folks! Today, your girl’s gonna show you a one-handed handstand while washing her hair! Drop those ‘you got this’ in the chat!”

 

This was the opening line she’d spent half an hour rehearsing.

 

But the fans’ reactions…

 

I mean… you don’t have to go this hard.

 

OMG this is so cringe and try-hard. Give me back my silly little bird!

 

As a humble fan, let me just say—don’t judge the fandom by the idol. Feel free to roast Xia Xiaoniao, but don’t question our taste.

 

Yeah, longtime fans can confirm—she wasn’t like this before!

 

LMAO she’s really going full streamer mode, huh?

 

Meanwhile, Xia Niao had already begun washing her hair in her clumsy, upside-down position, asking mid-scrub, “So? Are they all saying how cool I look?”

 

She was pretty proud of herself—one-handed handstands weren’t something just anyone could pull off.

 

“Uh…” Qiao Huihui blinked and read from the chat. “Some fans said you’re too much of a dork and they’re unstanning.”

 

“WHAT?!”

 

Xia Niao yanked her hair in shock, instantly wincing in pain.

 

“No way, no way! I’m suffering here, and these people are kicking me while I’m down? Do you all have no heart? Are you just antis in disguise?”

 

Used to her banter, the fans showed no mercy, flooding the chat with laughter and even more teasing replies.

 

Qiao Huihui dutifully relayed each one:

 

“They say this bird is beyond saving—might as well toss her in a stew.”

 

“Someone else asked if having an idol this dumb would lower the fans’ collective IQ.”

 

“And… oh, one person noticed your hairline looks a bit high from this angle. They’re worried your impending baldness is contagious, so they’re unstanning.”

 

Xia Niao was so angry she kept slapping the water, but separated by the internet, all she could do was rage impotently: “How dare you attack me personally! I curse you all to gain twenty pounds this week!”

 

She shook her head in the water to rinse the shampoo from her hair, then flipped upright and stood up.

 

Taking the phone from Qiao Huihui’s hand, she muttered, “I don’t believe it. With so many comments, they can’t all be insults. I need to find my true fans.”

 

But seconds later, she fell silent.

 

The barrage of comments was plentiful, but fell into only three categories.

 

Some called her stupid, some commented on her receding hairline, and the rest were all variations of “hahaha.”

 

Indignant, she cried, “I have a million followers, yet not a single true fan who cares about me? I’m going dark side now!”

 

This only made the “hahas” in the comments multiply.

 

Xia Niao shouted in frustration, “I’m revoking your fan status! You must all be anti-fans!”

 

With a decisive “snap,” she ended the live stream abruptly.

 

Leaving her bewildered fans staring at a black screen.

 

When they recovered, far from feeling remorseful or guilty, they became even more brazen, flooding Xia Niao’s Weibo with memes.

 

Specifically, screenshots from her recent upside-down hair washing stream.

 

Impotent Rage.jpg

 

Revoking Your Fan Card.jpg

 

Aren’t I Dashing, Eyebrow Raise.jpg

 

The absurdity, combined with fans openly mocking their idol, quickly drew a crowd, rocketing Xia Niao to the top of trending searches.

 

Though… it’s probably not the kind of trending she wanted.

 

“Huihui.”

 

“Hmm?” Qiao Huihui, who had been squatting and scrolling through her phone, looked up at the sound.

 

Shen Nanqing sat by the window, the strong sunlight outside casting her face in shadow, making her expression unreadable.

 

“Let’s record the dance today. I’m going to the film set tomorrow.”

 

“Eh?” Qiao Huihui immediately latched onto the word “film set,” asking excitedly, “Did someone offer you a role?”

 

Shen Nanqing nodded.

 

Qiao Huihui jumped up and ran over. “What kind of role? What’s it about?”

 

“Just a small supporting part, not many scenes,” Shen Nanqing said vaguely.

 

Qiao Huihui frowned briefly before smiling again. “That’s still great! We’ll start from the bottom and work our way up.”

 

Knowing Shen Nanqing’s long-held dreams and aspirations, she was genuinely happy for her friend.

 

Even if it was just a minor role this time, she believed in Shen Nanqing’s talent. Maybe next time would bring something better.

 

“Mm.” Seeing Qiao Huihui’s smile, Shen Nanqing smiled too. “I’ll do my best.”

 

“I’m leaving tomorrow, so we need to film the dance today. Is that okay?”

 

“Of course! Let’s go to the practice room now!” Qiao Huihui put down her things and bustled about, changing clothes to prepare.

 

Watching her cheerful figure, some of the shadows finally lifted from Shen Nanqing’s eyes.

 

As the two diligently practiced their routine, something related to Qiao Huihui happened online.

 

Her commercial had finally aired!

 

Dressed in blue, the girl leaped from a car, landing in a clean half-kneel. The moment she looked up, the sharpness in her eyes seemed capable of piercing straight through hearts.

 

This clip was captured by countless people and repeatedly uploaded online.

 

Qiao Huihui’s fans were left speechless, completely reduced to screaming chickens who could only utter “Ahhhh!”

 

Why is my Hui so cool? The makeup artist is amazing!

 

No, to the previous commenter, while the makeup artist can alter appearances, the main reason is still our baby’s natural good looks. Try putting this on an average person—it definitely wouldn’t have the same effect.

 

Ahhhh, so alpha! Mommy wants to be your bride tonight!

 

Pfft—am I the only one who noticed the elephant in the room? Doesn’t anyone think Hui’s heels are really high?

 

Everyone saying Hui wears elevator shoes, shut up! This is slander. Our Hui is 180 cm tall—officially certified! Doge.jpg

 

These special effects are tear-jerking. When will so-called domestic blockbusters reach this level?

 

Wait, am I the only one who looked up the price of this tractor? Is this the luxury model for the rich?

 

As soon as the ad aired, it first became a visual feast. Qiao Huihui’s styling and the special effects used sparked heated discussions. Then, after a curious netizen searched the official website for the price, everyone was stunned.

 

Soon, skeptical and opposing voices grew louder.

 

At this price, even if the tractor could transform, it wouldn’t be worth it!

 

Aren’t tractors supposed to be for farming? What’s the point of all this flashy stuff if it’s not practical?

 

Exactly! What’s the use of something like this transforming? Even if it could fly, no one would buy it, right?

 

Qiao Huihui is cashing in on shady money. Coming from a rural background yet scamming farmers.

 

…

 

“What’s wrong? You seem distracted,” Qiao Huihui asked curiously after Shen Nanqing accidentally messed up a dance move.

 

Shen Nanqing lowered her eyes, her tone indifferent. “It’s been too long since I last acted. I’m just thinking about joining the crew.”

 

Her words carried an inexplicable sadness. Qiao Huihui stopped dancing and earnestly cheered her on. “You’ll be fine! I know you can do it!”

 

Shen Nanqing pursed her lips, her fair skin looking fragile and almost translucent under the sunlight. Hesitantly, she asked, “Huihui, can I hug you?”

 

Qiao Huihui was taken aback but quickly replied, “Of course.”

 

This side of Shen Nanqing was rare, stirring a pang of protectiveness in Qiao Huihui, making it impossible to refuse.

 

Shen Nanqing slowly opened her arms, and Qiao Huihui threw herself into the embrace.

 

She patted Shen Nanqing’s back gently before wrapping her arms around her softly.

 

“Teacher Shen, don’t be afraid. In my heart, you’ll always be the best!”

 

Qiao Huihui felt Shen Nanqing’s hands tighten around her back, pulling her closer as if trying to meld her into her very bones.

 

It suddenly dawned on her that Shen Nanqing was, in fact, a delicate girl too. Despite her cold and tough exterior, there were moments when she felt afraid and insecure.

 

Qiao Huihui obediently hugged her tighter, lending her strength in her own way.

 

After a long while, a sigh sounded above her head. Shen Nanqing whispered, “Thank you, Huihui…”

 

After that one hug in the practice room, Shen Nanqing seemed to return to normal. She spent the entire afternoon rehearsing the dance with Qiao Huihui repeatedly, and the final take turned out quite well.

 

The only catch was that, to maintain their “not getting along” personas, both of them kept cold, expressionless faces the entire time.

 

After recording, they uploaded the videos online.

 

Qiao Huihui V (1.8m tall): Dancing with Teacher Shen! Video

 

Shen Nanqing V: Mission accomplished. Video

 

As soon as these two videos were posted, fans from both sides quickly swarmed the comment section. Without even watching the content, they started arguing with each other first.

 

Pfft, Qiao can stop being so passive-aggressive. What’s with calling someone “Teacher” when they’re both contestants?

 

It’s just our Huihui showing respect since your idol is old and needs it.

 

Our queen is still as straightforward as ever—no fake politeness for people she doesn’t like.

 

LMAO the other side is calling this a “collab,” but our queen doesn’t even care. “Mission accomplished” sounds so relieved, hahaha!

 

Hey, wasn’t Qiao Huihui exposed for her original name being Qiao Yaozu in that ad? Let’s just call her by her real name from now on.

 

Pfft hahaha, Qiao Yaozu? What era is that name from? So tacky, Qiao Yaozu—no surprise she’s a country bumpkin.