Fake Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 8

Ge Jiang was a low-key person, but she took her tasks seriously.

Standing at the vegetable-washing station, she meticulously separated the leaves of the greens one by one and rinsed them under running water.

Her looks weren’t strikingly beautiful—more on the handsome side, with sharp, clean-cut features in profile.

When she smiled, it gave off a sunny, comforting vibe.

Zhu Ningyue watched her for a long while before finally mustering the courage to walk over and stand beside her. “Let me help you wash these.”

Ge Jiang glanced at her sideways but didn’t refuse, making room for her at the sink.

Zhu Ningyue mimicked her, picking up a bunch of greens, separating the leaves, and holding them under the faucet.

Ge Jiang noticed she was wearing long sleeves today and reminded her, “Roll up your sleeves a bit—be careful not to get them wet.”

“Huh?” Zhu Ningyue froze for a second before realizing. “Oh, right.”

Holding the half-washed greens, she hesitated, unsure where to put them.

Seeing this, Ge Jiang wiped her hands with a towel. “Here, let me help.”

Without waiting, she reached out, lifting Zhu Ningyue’s wrist, and carefully rolled up her sleeve bit by bit.

Zhu Ningyue’s sleeve material was thin and soft, so Ge Jiang rolled it up a little higher to keep it from slipping down.

Her fingers inevitably brushed against Zhu Ningyue’s wrist and then grazed the skin of her arm.

Zhu Ningyue’s face flushed slightly. Once Ge Jiang let go, she murmured a barely audible “Thank you.”

Ge Jiang didn’t catch it. “What did you say?”

Zhu Ningyue had to repeat herself, a little louder this time. “I said, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It was nothing.” Ge Jiang picked up the greens again.

Zhu Ningyue stole another glance at her profile, and along with the usual fondness in her heart, a new thread of sweetness wove its way in.

Ge Jiang noticed her gaze. “Is there something on my face?”

“Nothing,” Zhu Ningyue replied, startled at being caught. She quickly lowered her head and resumed rinsing the greens in her hands.

The live-stream audience, however, caught a whiff of something unusual:

Hey, hey—did you guys see that? Did Zhu Ningyue just sneak a peek at Ge Jiang?

Why would she be peeking at Ge Jiang? You’re seeing things.

Seriously, this dating show just started. You think she’s already fallen for her?

I think I saw it too.

But since it was just a fleeting moment, those who noticed couldn’t be sure what Zhu Ningyue’s look meant—maybe it was just a coincidence.

The cool water ran over her palms, and it took Zhu Ningyue a while for the heat in her face to fade.

She placed the washed greens into the basket and picked up another bunch to clean.

Ge Jiang glanced at what she’d washed and noticed a few leaves weren’t fully cleaned. She had to take them out of the basket and rinse them again.

Seeing Zhu Ningyue about to add more, she gently stopped her. “Let me handle the rest. Why don’t you see if anyone else needs help?”

“Okay.” Zhu Ningyue didn’t pick up on anything amiss. After drying her hands, she went to check on the others.

Qiu Qing’an was plating the ready-made dishes Ge Jiang and the others had bought, then prepping the semi-finished ingredients for cooking.

Situ Yuan stood by the stove, frying chicken wings in a pan. The raw meat sizzled as it hit the hot oil.

Meanwhile, Yu Qianxue was chopping on the cutting board with rhythmic thuds.

After surveying the scene, Zhu Ningyue realized there wasn’t a single task she could handle.

So she returned to Ge Jiang’s side. “I don’t think they need my help. I’ll just keep helping you wash the vegetables.”

Ge Jiang sped up her movements: “I’m almost done washing up here. You can go sit and rest with Nanxuan first.”

Zhu Ningyue was a bit disappointed: “Alright then.”

In the living room, Gu Nanxuan saw her return and asked, “Why did you come out?”

Zhu Ningyue sat down beside her: “Jiangjiang said she’s almost done and doesn’t need me.”

“Oh.” Gu Nanxuan knew she had a crush on Ge Jiang. “Even if she’s done, you could’ve stayed to watch. Why come out?”

“You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that?” Hearing this, Zhu Ningyue immediately regretted her decision.

But it was too late to go back now, so she could only gaze longingly toward the kitchen.

Gu Nanxuan gave her a sidelong glance: “Never realized you could be this dense before.”

Zhu Ningyue wasn’t in the mood to bicker, her face sullen and gloomy.

Gu Nanxuan shrugged helplessly and turned her attention back to her own actress.

Suddenly, she noticed something and abruptly stood up, striding toward the kitchen.

Si Kongyuan was holding a wet wipe, about to help Qiu Qing’an clean the oil off her hands, but before she could even touch her, someone blocked her.

Gu Nanxuan snatched the wet wipe from her hand: “I’ll do it.”

With that, she took Qiu Qing’an’s hand and meticulously wiped it clean, bit by bit.

Once done, she tossed the dirty wipe into the trash and returned to the living room.

Si Kongyuan stood there in a daze, as if unable to comprehend why this person had suddenly appeared and vanished just as quickly.

The live-stream audience was equally baffled:

Why did Gu Nanxuan stop Si Kongyuan from helping Qiu Qing’an clean her hands?

No idea.

“The chicken wings probably need flipping,” Qiu Qing’an gently reminded from the side.

Si Kongyuan snapped back to reality: “Huh? Oh, right.”

“Damn, they might be a bit overcooked.” She glanced at the slightly charred edges of the wings in the pan and hurriedly flipped them with the spatula.

For a moment, she was flustered, her earlier grace and composure gone, with no mind left for the cameras.

Qiu Qing’an also returned to her own task, this time being much more careful.

Earlier, while pouring something out, she had accidentally spilled a bit, getting oil all over her hands.

Her intention had been to ask Si Kongyuan to pass her a kitchen wipe, but Si Kongyuan had immediately tried to clean her hands herself.

She knew Gu Nanxuan’s jealous tendencies—if she saw Qiu Qing’an not avoiding such contact, she’d probably have to spend half the night coaxing her later.

But she didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.

Given their level of intimacy, if she saw someone else touching Gu Nanxuan with ulterior motives, she’d feel jealous too.

Around six in the evening, the prepared dishes were brought to the table.

Si Kongyuan placed the two dishes she had made in the most prominent spots.

The elegant plating and carefully coordinated colors made the food look incredibly appetizing.

The live-stream chat was flooded with praise:

Si Kongyuan’s cooking looks like it’s at a five-star chef’s level!

Our Yuanyuan is so amazing!

Of course, there were also skeptical voices:

Looking good doesn’t mean it tastes good.

“Nanxuan, Ningyue, come eat,” Yu Qianxue called out to the two sitting on the sofa.

Ge Jiang brought out bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen and set them on the table.

Gu Nanxuan stood up and moved to the dining table with Zhu Ningyue.

Qiu Qing’an sat beside Gu Nanxuan.

Ge Jiang took the seat across from Qiu Qing’an.

The dining table was rectangular, with only enough space for three people on each side.

Seeing this, Zhu Ningyue quickly stood up and sat across from Gu Nanxuan, next to Ge Jiang.

Ge Jiang glanced at her but didn’t say anything more.

Yu Qianxue walked over and sat down beside Zhu Ningyue.

Si Kongyuan looked at the remaining seats—only the spot next to Gu Nanxuan was left for her.

Softening her tone, she negotiated with Gu Nanxuan, “Nanxuan, could we switch seats?”

Gu Nanxuan didn’t even look up. “No.”

Si Kongyuan hadn’t expected to be refused and was momentarily embarrassed, reluctantly sitting down beside Gu Nanxuan.

The live-stream audience, seeing Gu Nanxuan’s attitude, began hurling insults again:

Does Gu Nanxuan really think she sponsored this show? Even Zhu Ningyue isn’t this arrogant.

Our Yuanyuan spoke to her so politely, and she responds like this? How outrageous!

Gu Nanxuan, get out of the show!

Countless verbal attacks scrolled across the screen, but none of it affected Gu Nanxuan’s mood.

Qiu Qing’an, seeing everyone seated, spoke up, “Don’t just sit there—let’s eat.”

Si Kongyuan quickly adjusted, regaining her earlier enthusiasm. “Try what I made! These two dishes are my specialties!”

Ge Jiang obliged by picking up a chicken wing and taking a bite.

Si Kongyuan watched her eagerly. “How is it?”

Ge Jiang set the half-eaten wing back in her bowl and nodded. “Not bad.”

Hearing this, Zhu Ningyue also took a piece.

After one bite, she was slightly disappointed.

It wasn’t as good as her family’s chef’s cooking, though it wasn’t terrible either.

“This is delicious! Did Qing’an make this?” Yu Qianxue was sampling Qiu Qing’an’s dish. “Ningyue, do you want to try it too?”

Zhu Ningyue often dropped by Gu Nanxuan and Qiu Qing’an’s place for meals, so she already knew Qiu Qing’an’s cooking was excellent.

She chimed in with praise, “Qing’an’s cooking really is amazing.”

Yu Qianxue asked curiously, “Ningyue, haven’t you tried it yet?”

Zhu Ningyue caught herself and quickly took a bite, adding, “I meant, it looks delicious, so it must taste great too.”

Yu Qianxue gave an “oh” and continued eating other dishes. Every time she found something tasty, she’d urge Zhu Ningyue to try it—her ulterior motives couldn’t have been more obvious.

But Zhu Ningyue’s attention was entirely on Ge Jiang, completely oblivious to this.

Gu Nanxuan, sitting across from them, noticed something and studied Yu Qianxue.

Her conclusion: It didn’t seem like affection—more like flattery.

Considering Zhu Ningyue’s status, it wasn’t hard to guess Yu Qianxue’s motives.

After the meal, while the others were clearing the table, Si Kongyuan suddenly suggested, “Nanxuan, why don’t you do the dishes today?”

During cooking, the other four had been busy in the kitchen, and even Zhu Ningyue had pitched in.

Only Gu Nanxuan had sat on the sofa the entire time without lifting a finger.

So the suggestion wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

Gu Nanxuan had no objections and got up to head to the kitchen.

Ge Jiang brought the dirty plates in and placed them in the sink. “Thanks for this. Want me to help?”

Gu Nanxuan disliked crowding, so she refused outright. “No need.”

Ge Jiang didn’t insist and went back to join the others in the living room.

“Once you’re done washing, I’ll dry them.” Qiu Qing’an had appeared at some point.

She took out kitchen paper from the rack and set it nearby.

Gu Nanxuan didn’t respond but silently accepted the arrangement.

One person was responsible for washing the dishes clean, while the other took charge of drying them and putting them back in the cupboard.

Their coordination was so seamless, it was as if they had done this countless times before.

Viewers in the live stream:

What’s happening? Why do I suddenly feel like these two have some chemistry?

Hey, if you don’t need your brain, you can donate it. Out of all people, you’re shipping Gu Nanxuan?

Well, actually… Gu Nanxuan and Zhu Ningyue do have a certain appeal together.

Hands off our award-winning actress! We don’t want her tied to that awful Gu Nanxuan.

The barrage of comments was relentless, but in the kitchen, the sound of running water suddenly stopped.

Gu Nanxuan dried her hands and walked back to the living room with Qiu Qing’an.

The host, who had been absent for nearly half a day, finally reappeared before the group.

Seeing the two emerge, she smiled and said, “Thank you for your hard work, Qing’an and Nanxuan. Please take a seat and rest for now. Later, there’s a mysterious activity waiting for your participation~”

The others in the living room didn’t seem surprised, clearly having been given some hints about what was coming.