Being the Diva’s Rumored Girlfriend [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 9

Early in the morning, the crew of the reality show “Truth” was already preparing for the day’s shoot.

The director and others had risen early, as some didn’t live on-site—the villa was only rented for filming and guest accommodations, while the staff stayed in the neighboring residential area.

After setting up the equipment, the director went upstairs to wake the esteemed celebrities for breakfast.

In her drowsy state, Mi Man faintly heard voices outside. Though soft, they were quite clear in the not-so-soundproof room.

“Yunshu, you’re awake? Come down for breakfast—filming will start soon.”

“Even the morning routine is being filmed?”

“Hah, originally, yes. But this season has more female guests, so there might be resistance. For now, we’re only planning to shoot the breakfast scene.”

“Alright, I’ll get ready and come down.”

“No rush, I’ll go wake the others.”

Hearing the door close, Mi Man slowly opened her eyes.

For some reason, despite having slept well through the night, she still felt unusually awful upon waking.

Her vision was blank, and though she lay in bed, a dizzying sensation made her nauseous.

Knock knock knock—

Someone rapped on the door, followed by Mu Yunshu’s voice: “Manman, are you awake? Time to come down for work.”

Since they’d agreed on the plane to always use nicknames, Mi Man didn’t resist the term. She just clutched her head and sat up.

Her mind remained foggy.

Instead of white light, floating specks of visual static drifted across her vision.

So awful…

Leaning against the wall, Mu Yunshu knocked again with her knuckle. “Time to get up.”

Was this little sleepyhead still out cold?

Recalling how Mi Man had nearly dozed off standing the previous morning, Yunshu grew concerned.

After hearing movement inside—someone getting out of bed—it took a long while before the door finally opened.

“Good morning,” Yunshu said with a faint smile, but it vanished the moment she saw Mi Man’s face.

Clutching the doorknob, Mi Man looked ghastly pale with a sickly yellow tinge—clearly unwell.

Frowning, Yunshu reached out to feel her forehead. No fever, but her complexion was terrible.

“What’s wrong?” Yunshu asked worriedly. “Are you feeling sick?”

Mi Man stared dazedly at her. Despite her discomfort, she couldn’t help but marvel—

Even if it was just acting, Yunshu was so good at it…

That concerned expression—if Mi Man weren’t so firm in her stance, she might actually believe they were a couple.

“I—I don’t feel well,” Mi Man mumbled, covering her mouth. “My stomach hurts… and I think I’m going to throw up.”

No sooner had she spoken than her stomach churned violently. Unable to hold back, she spun around and rushed to the bathroom, retching!

The other guests and crew, emerging from their rooms, all turned to stare at Yunshu standing frozen in the doorway.

What the hell? She’s vomiting after just one night?

That was fast.

Yunshu blinked, then scratched her cheek awkwardly under their gazes. “It’s… not what you’re thinking.”

Finally, everyone learned that Mi Man was suffering from some travel sickness.

The crew had temporarily borrowed a doctor and nurse from a local hospital. After examining Mi Man, they prescribed some medication.

The doctor mentioned that if Mi Man experienced diarrhea along with vomiting, she would need to be hospitalized for observation.

But filming was currently underway, and unless absolutely necessary, she couldn’t just drop out.

“Can you keep going?” the director asked worriedly, looking at Mi Man. “Today’s schedule is already set. If we can’t film now, we’ll have to push your scenes to later episodes.”

The implication was clear—even though Mi Man was unwell, the production schedule was inflexible. If she couldn’t participate, they would simply film the show without her.

How could that be?!

This was Mi Man’s first time appearing on a variety show. If she got pushed to later episodes before even making her debut, she might never recover her standing.

“I can manage,” Mi Man said, suppressing her discomfort as she looked at the director. “The medicine has already helped a lot.”

The director, accustomed to such situations, replied calmly, “Alright, let us know if it gets too much. Everyone, grab your gear—we’re heading out!”

Mi Man watched as the others filed out the door before rising from her chair.

Muyun Shu stood beside her, eyeing Mi Man’s still-pale face with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

If she was already struggling with travel sickness on the first day, how would she handle the rest of the shoot?

Mi Man shook her head. “I’ll be fine. Thanks for your concern.”

A few people walking behind them overheard Mi Man’s deferential tone and turned to glance at the pair.

Muyun Shu didn’t seem to mind. She simply reached out and touched Mi Man’s forehead. “Don’t push yourself too hard. If it’s really too much, we can let others film the first episode.”

Mi Man knew Muyun Shu didn’t lack opportunities, but she wasn’t in the same position.

If not for being at the right place at the right time, she wouldn’t even have gotten this chance. How could she give up such a precious opportunity just because of minor discomfort?

Seeing that Mi Man had no intention of backing out, Muyun Shu could only nod in agreement.

“Stay close to me, alright?”

“Mm.”

As Muyun Shu took her hand, Mi Man suddenly felt as if the two of them were really in a relationship.

So, this was what it felt like to be treated with such gentleness?

It was something Mi Man had never experienced before…

For their first shoot, the production team took the six of them to a giant panda breeding base.

The more lively half of the newlywed couple, You An, was the first to step out of the car. At the sight of the breeding center, she gasped in excitement. “Oh my god, are we seeing pandas today?”

The cameras were already rolling, capturing her every expression.

“You An, don’t run off,” her partner said calmly, wrapping an arm around her waist. “We’re not here just to see pandas, are we?”

You An, the shorter of the two, had debuted as a singer before transitioning to acting in a couple of TV dramas. While the shows themselves were mediocre, their opening and ending themes, sung by her, became nationwide hits.

Eventually, You An realized she was better off as a singer and never acted again.

Her partner, Shi Qinglan, had always been a film and TV actor, starting out in supporting roles. After years of hard work, she finally landed her first major role—a minor part that unexpectedly became a dark horse, earning her the Best Supporting Actress award.

Although both were top-tier celebrities, dressed in simple clothes standing at the entrance of the breeding base, they looked no different from any ordinary loving couple.

Next to arrive were the middle-aged couple—the husband, Qi Ye, and his wife, Jian Mo, both from scholarly families. It was said they had been childhood sweethearts. Now in his fifties, Qi Ye was a veteran superstar in the industry. After weathering countless storms over the years, he had ultimately chosen to spend the rest of his days in quiet companionship with his wife.

As seasoned figures in the entertainment world, they had been everywhere and seen everything—yet visiting a panda breeding base was a first for them.

Despite being in his fifties, Qi Ye looked no older than someone in their thirties or forties. He and his wife found the panda statue at the entrance rather amusing.

“If I’d brought my grandson along, he’d be over the moon,” Qi Ye mused aloud, drawing knowing smiles from everyone.

The director, having just finished coordinating with the facility staff, announced, “Today isn’t just about sightseeing.”

You An gave him a puzzled look. “Don’t tell me we’re bathing pandas?”

“Not quite that extreme,” the director chuckled. “The staff will explain everything later.”

His mysterious tone piqued everyone’s curiosity, even perking up Mi Man, who had been feeling unwell earlier.

Guided by the staff, the group toured the facility, observing numerous pandas before learning that this year’s newborn cubs were preparing for their debut. Their visit was partly to help the cubs acclimate to strangers.

Beyond that, they would also assist with feeding, weighing, and documenting the cubs’ progress.

All six guests were thrilled—after all, getting to ‘play’ with soft, tiny pandas made the first episode’s filming remarkably lighthearted.

Mi Man was assigned two cubs, which seemed to sense her vulnerability, flailing their limbs and refusing to cooperate, leaving her drenched in sweat.

The keeper couldn’t help but laugh, explaining that the cubs could read people and advising her not to be too soft-hearted.

Mi Man sighed helplessly—it wasn’t her heart that was soft, but her hands.

Watching the squirming, scratching cub in her arms, she exhaled deeply.

Parenting is hard…

“Let me.”

Mu Yunshu sidled over, glancing at the panda in Mi Man’s grasp. Without even touching it, the cub began wailing pitifully.

Blushing slightly, Mi Man apologized for her incompetence.

“Shh—”

While the others were preoccupied with their own cubs, Mu Yunshu leaned in and whispered by Mi Man’s ear, “I told you not to be so tense. What if someone notices?”

“…Mhm.”

The warmth against her neck left Mi Man’s limbs weak and unresponsive.

This woman… was way too charming.

It almost felt like they were secretly… well… you know.

After completing the tasks of feeding, cleaning, and exercising the cubs, the day was nearly over. Before leaving, the group was given the privilege of naming the newborns.

On the way back, Mi Man’s condition seemed to take a turn for the worse again.

“Sorry, could we send Mi Man to the hospital first?” Mu Yunshu said worriedly, holding the person beside her as she spoke to the production crew. “She hasn’t been feeling well since this afternoon.”

Mi Man had lost her appetite and barely touched the bamboo rice at lunch. By the time filming was nearly done in the afternoon, she was drenched in cold sweat, clearly having pushed herself to the limit.

“Oh, of course. Let’s go right away,” the director responded without hesitation, postponing their return to first send Mi Man to the hospital.

As they watched Mu Yunshu support Mi Man into the emergency room, Shi Qinglan, still sitting in the car, couldn’t help but ask her partner curiously, “Was Yunshu always this considerate before?”

“You An replied with interest, “Not at all. She rarely even smiled before. Maybe she’s found true love?”

Both of them were quite familiar with Mu Yunshu, having even collaborated with her before, but this was truly the first time they’d seen her look so genuinely happy.

Shi Qinglan shrugged and said, “Yunshu and her girlfriend seem really sweet together.”

“Mmm, who could argue with that~”