Oops! I Became a Fan of My Rival Idol! - Chapter 58

Unlike the nervous Qiao Huihui, Shen Nanqing broke into a smile the moment she saw the homepage recommendation and clicked on it without hesitation.

 

NanQiaoSupreme: Aaaaaah the real! deal! is! here!

 

WillowGreens: So excited, so excited! Could the ship I stan actually be real?

 

PepperSausage: I already have a 100,000-word novel outline in my head—two equally brilliant girls meet on stage, initially seeing each other as their strongest rivals, pretending to disdain one another on the surface while secretly keeping tabs, then slowly becoming drawn to each other…

 

LostDeer: Aaaaaah sister upstairs, where can I buy your book?

 

ProfoundMystery: Same! Writers, please feed us, we’re starving out here!

 

In stark contrast to the solo stans, the shippers were overjoyed, as if celebrating the New Year.

 

Shen Nanqing liked every comment one by one, her smile never fading.

 

What thrilled her even more was discovering that someone had actually edited a shipping video of her and Qiao Huihui!

 

Glancing cautiously at Qiao Huihui, who was fast asleep against the seatback, Shen Nanqing quietly took out her earphones, put them on, and hit play.

 

The video’s creator had put in great effort. Though the clips were seemingly unrelated, they flowed seamlessly when edited together, making the video feel incredibly natural.

 

Most importantly, there was even a bed scene at the end!!!

 

Though the creator used an abstract approach, it was enough to make Shen Nanqing’s heart race and her face flush.

 

“Qingqing? Qingqing? Shen Nanqing!”

 

Li Bin’s loud shout snapped Shen Nanqing out of her trance. She looked up at him, still slightly dazed.

 

Li Bin stared at her with a strange expression. “What were you watching so intently just now? I called you several times and you didn’t hear me.”

 

And that… borderline creepy smile?

 

Shen Nanqing reflexively flipped her phone screen-down to hide it.

 

With the acting skills she’d honed over the years, she gave Li Bin a masterclass in “instant poker face.”

 

“I just watched a hamster video. It was too adorable.”

 

Li Bin nodded skeptically. That explanation wasn’t entirely implausible—getting flustered over cute animals did seem like something that could happen.

 

Still, he was surprised. “You actually like that kind of cutesy stuff?”

 

Shen Nanqing’s aloof demeanor made it hard to imagine she had such a girly side.

 

Without batting an eye, Shen Nanqing nodded. “Yeah, I love them.”

 

Then she added, “But they never seem to like me. I’ve tried keeping a few as pets and almost killed them, so now I just admire them online.”

 

Li Bin’s lips twitched. It made sense—someone with such a cold, unapproachable aura would naturally struggle to win over small animals.

 

He chuckled awkwardly, opting not to comment further, then opened the car door. “We’re at the studio. Wake Huihui up.”

 

Shen Nanqing gave a soft “Mm,” then nudged Qiao Huihui beside her.

 

“…We’re here?” Qiao Huihui opened her bleary eyes and yawned.

 

She looked utterly adorable just waking up, her whole body soft and limp. A few teardrops from yawning clung to her long lashes, and without thinking, Shen Nanqing reached out to wipe them away.

 

After bidding farewell to Li Bin, the two shouldered their bags and got off the car.

 

They walked all the way to the dormitory building, and only upon pushing open the door of Room 401 did they realize someone seemed to be inside.

 

When their eyes met, Qiao Huihui asked in surprise, “You guys didn’t go to practice?”

 

Shu Bailian lay on the bed, weakly replying, “I’m sick. I took leave to rest in the dorm.”

 

Jian Luobai also nodded at them and said, “I took leave to take care of her.”

 

Qiao Huihui asked worriedly, “What’s wrong? Is it serious?”

 

Shu Bailian sniffled, her voice hoarse, “It’s nothing, just a slight cold.”

 

Jian Luobai brought over a glass of water, helped Shu Bailian sit up, and fed her the water. Then she glanced at the two standing by the door and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. You two should hurry to practice.”

 

Qiao Huihui nodded and placed the food and fruits she was carrying on the table. “Alright then. Call us if you need anything. We’ll head out now.”

 

Having already missed two days of classes, the two didn’t dare delay further. After a few more words of concern, they left.

 

Standing at the entrance of the practice room, Qiao Huihui looked at the teammates practicing vigorously inside and called out brightly, “Reporting in!”

 

The young man at the front turned to look at them.

 

He paused for a moment, then said, “Come in.”

 

The two walked in and stood before the young man, addressing him in unison, “Mentor Fan!”

 

Fan Wei gave a slight nod and led them to a corner of the practice room.

 

“You’ve missed two days. First, I’ll explain the performance song the team has chosen, then you’ll follow me to learn the choreography we’ve prepared.”

 

“‘Daydream Rhapsody’—have you heard it before?”

 

Qiao Huihui nodded. “Yes, it’s Teacher Zhao Qing’s signature song. The style is gorgeous and dreamy.”

 

A hint of approval flashed in Fan Wei’s eyes. “Mm, that’s the one we chose. Yesterday, we worked on the choreography together.”

 

Qiao Huihui and Shen Nanqing indicated their understanding.

 

“Good. For now, just follow along with the practice. Qiao Huihui, as the center, your responsibilities will be heavier. I hope you both can give it your all!”

 

Though not much older, he always wore a stern, no-nonsense expression, which made Qiao Huihui straighten up solemnly as well.

 

“Understood! Thank you for your hard work, Mentor!”

 

Fan Wei didn’t stay in the practice room the entire time. After teaching them the moves, he was very pleased with Qiao Huihui’s performance. “You’re quite talented. Your movements are already very precise. Later, you’ll be responsible for teaching Shen Nanqing.”

 

With that, he left.

 

Qiao Huihui turned to Shen Nanqing with a smile. “Come on, Teacher Shen. This time, it’s your turn to call me ‘Teacher.’”

 

Shen Nanqing curled her lips and obliged smoothly. “Teacher Qiao.”

 

The dance as a whole had a dreamy quality, giving off a fairy-tale-like vibe. The moves involved a lot of spins and jumps, mixed with street dance elements, making it seem challenging at first glance.

 

But for Qiao Huihui, it was no trouble at all. Before long, she could perfectly replicate Fan Wei’s choreography.

 

Shen Nanqing, however, struggled to keep up and needed more diligent practice.

 

Standing behind Shen Nanqing, Qiao Huihui adjusted the angle of her raised arm.

 

“Teacher Shen, do you like dancing?”

 

Shen Nanqing shook her head.

 

Qiao Huihui asked again, “Then what do you like… Never mind, no need to ask. You must love acting the most, right?”

 

Shen Nanqing shook her head once more.

 

This time, Qiao Huihui was surprised. Could it be that Shen Nanqing had some unknown hobby?

 

Just as she was about to continue questioning, Shen Nanqing answered voluntarily, “I like you the most.”

 

Qiao Huihui: “…”

 

Well, that was kind of awkward.

 

It seemed Teacher Shen’s sweet talk skills needed some improvement.

 

After a long silence without getting the response she’d imagined, Shen Nanqing turned to look at the quiet Qiao Huihui.

 

Qiao Huihui: “Hahaha, I like you the most too!”

 

She figured she should protect Teacher Shen’s self-esteem and pretend to be charmed.

 

Shen Nanqing frowned, sensing something was off.

 

While they were affectionately practicing together, they shocked the other teammates in the practice room.

 

Just look at what they were seeing—

 

Qiao Huihui teaching Shen Nanqing how to dance!

 

Qiao Huihui and Shen Nanqing chatting and laughing together!

 

Qiao Huihui and Shen Nanqing actually not fighting over the center position!

 

Their discord was well-known to everyone. The fact that they’d only been one vote apart in the last ranking seemed to have made their rivalry even more intense. Ever since it was revealed they’d chosen the same group, some had speculated whether they’d end up fighting over the center position.

 

After all, the show’s rule was that the highest-ranked member in the group automatically became the center.

 

With Shen Nanqing only one vote behind Qiao Huihui, it was hard to believe she was truly okay with it.

 

They might have even fought on the first day of practice.

 

But who could explain what was happening right now?

 

The crowd waiting for drama was dumbfounded.

 

Yu Xiaoman didn’t join in the hushed gossip of the other teammates. As she practiced, she couldn’t help but glance toward the pair.

 

Watching Qiao Huihui patiently and gently instruct Shen Nanqing, her eyes filled with envy.

 

When it seemed the two had finished their lesson and were leaning against the wall chatting, she finally couldn’t hold back. Blushing, she approached them and said softly, “Huihui, there’s a move I don’t quite understand. Could you teach me?”

 

Qiao Huihui looked up and smiled brightly. “Of course!”

 

A flicker of excitement crossed Yu Xiaoman’s face, but it vanished so quickly one might wonder if it had been a trick of the eye.

 

She glanced apologetically at Shen Nanqing. “Sorry to interrupt.”

 

Shen Nanqing didn’t think much of it and shook her head. “It’s fine.”

 

Then Qiao Huihui followed her to the other side of the practice room while Shen Nanqing sat by the wall to rest. Taking a sip of water, her gaze lingered on Qiao Huihui.

 

Suddenly, her eyes froze.

 

Was she seeing things? Why did the other girl’s expression when facing Qiao Huihui seem so familiar?

 

Blushing, shy, avoiding eye contact…

 

Wasn’t this exactly how she herself had acted around Qiao Huihui before?

 

Shen Nanqing abruptly stood up, sensing the gravity of the situation.

 

But watching Qiao Huihui diligently teaching, she hesitated, unsure whether to bring it up.

 

Qiao Huihui clearly had a good impression of Yu Xiaoman and didn’t yet know about her feelings. If she found out… would she start paying more attention to her and then develop feelings? Wasn’t there a saying that “love begins with excessive attention”?

 

Even though she knew Qiao Huihui wasn’t that kind of person, Shen Nanqing couldn’t help but feel insecure, her mind spiraling with wild thoughts.

 

…

 

“Hey!” Qiao Huihui suddenly startled her from the side, then asked with a smile after seeing her regain composure: “What were you thinking about just now?”

 

Shen Nanqing didn’t know how to answer. She pulled Qiao Huihui into a corner and asked seriously: “If… just if, someone had a crush on me, what would you do?”

 

Qiao Huihui pondered for a moment before replying: “Hmm… I’d probably do some intimate gestures to declare my claim? That way the other person would understand when they see it.”

 

Shen Nanqing’s gaze deepened as it rested on her face.

 

Declare my claim…