Forced Cohabitation After a Hit Romance Variety Show with My Rival Actress - Chapter 27

Oh my god, how old are they? Why are they still playing with ring candies?

No wonder their hands got stuck. These kids’ toys are designed to trap adults!

You know, when I was little, the corner store near my school sold tons of these candies. It really brings back childhood memories!

I didn’t just play with ring candies—I was obsessed with those cigarette candies too. I used to strut around with one in my mouth, feeling like a total badass, until my mom beat me into submission.

Hahaha, I’m imagining some cool background music playing, but then Mom shows up and ruins everything.

But look! They’re literally surrounded by pink bubbles! Both of them have double rings on their ring fingers—those are actual rings! What are you two trying to imply by wearing them on your ring fingers?

What else could it mean? You guys are just overthinking things.

I’m dying of laughter! It’s just a kid’s ring candy! Do you people see a ring and immediately jump to “forever” and all that cheesy stuff? Have you never seen a ring before, or is Chi Yu paying bots to hype this up?

This no-name, third-rate celebrity keeps buying trending topics to smear my sister. Sorry, but stand on your own two feet. Stop clinging to coattails.

Multiple trending topics every day, constantly misleading netizens. Yesterday I even saw a “random passerby” sending blessings. LOL, are you guys starting to pretend to be ordinary people now?

I swear, I’m done. That trending topic wasn’t bought at all—it’s full of real, active accounts discussing it. How can people be so malicious?!

Jin Hongjin slammed her keyboard down in frustration after typing.

She had been arguing with netizens online, but they were too relentless. So she decided to use her supernatural abilities.

Even after instructing her assistant to handle it, she remained agitated, pacing around her room. “Ugh, why are so many people so jealous? Why can’t they stand seeing others happy or finding sparks?”

“These toxic fans are so vile!”

“Your ‘sister’ is on a dating reality show, for crying out loud!”

Jin Hongjin paced like a caged lion, her anger palpable. Suddenly, her phone began to ring loudly.

A call came through.

Half her anger immediately dissipated.

“Ah! Sis.”

The screen displayed “Queen Beats People”—not “Queen,” but the literal “Queen Beats People.”

This wasn’t a typo. This “Queen” really did beat people.

“Sis… Eldest Sister…”

Unlike Chi Yu’s physicist sister, Chi You, Jin Hongjin’s older sister was a shrewd and ruthless businesswoman.

The kind of person who made Jin Hongjin want to stand at attention and salute. Her name was Jin Hongchen.

Jin Hongchen’s first words were a cold, emotionless question: “Did you use the company’s PR resources?”

Jin Hongjin shrank her neck, huddling like a quail even through the phone. “Y-yes… just borrowing them for a bit.”

Jin Hongchen: “Just to fuel some celebrity gossip? Since when did your bar’s business extend into the entertainment industry?”

“Um… I was just testing the waters, heh heh.”

“Stop grinning like an idiot,” Jin Hongchen interrupted coldly. “If you want to help a friend, hire an outside firm. Let professionals handle professional matters. Don’t leave loose ends for others to exploit. I’ve taught you this countless times. Why can’t you learn?”

Regret loomed large in Jin Hongjin’s heart. She’d acted impulsively in anger, never intending to alert her elder sister.

“I just thought our PR team was pretty capable…”

Jin Hongchen: “The PR team operates on a profit-and-loss basis. They’re not here for your whims and tantrums. When you start actively participating in the company’s management, then you can be this proactive.”

“Sis…” Jin Hongjin tried to soften her tone, adopting a cutesy voice. “Sister, I was just so angry! You’ve met Hao Hao—she was being slandered on the show! How could I stand by and watch? Sis, tell me honestly, how could I tolerate them spreading rumors about my friend?”

Jin Hongjin rattled off a litany of grievances. After a two-second pause, Jin Hongchen finally spoke: “I’ve only met your friend a few times. Our group doesn’t have much business with the Chi Family, but we do have dealings with the Gu Family. That’s why I’m calling to warn you: don’t meddle, don’t get involved, and definitely don’t jeopardize the family’s business.”

“……”

Her sister truly prioritized money over family. Hongjin muttered under her breath, “What harm could Gu Yuan and Chi Yu stirring up a fake romance possibly do to the family’s business?”

“Maybe Gu Yuan would even be happy about it.”

Jin Hongchen: “I don’t know Gu Yuan personally. Our business with the Gu Family is limited to their other commercial divisions.”

“Besides, I heard they used to be ex-girlfriends. Who would want to fake a romance with their ex? Wait a minute…”

Jin Hongchen trailed off mid-sentence. Someone seemed to have entered the room, and Hongjin could faintly hear snippets of conversation about an urgent PR matter, “major deal,” and “media collaboration.” After a brief pause, Jin Hongchen picked up the phone again and took a deep breath. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe someone would want to fake a romance with their ex.”

“Suddenly, this sounds quite interesting.”

“I’ve never encountered anything so intriguing before.”

“……”

At the same time, the live broadcast of “Love’s Heartbeat” was underway in a park in B Country.

Lush bushes surrounded the park, and joggers pounded along the rubber track. Families picnicked on blankets, while pensive visitors sat on wooden benches, lost in thought.

The neatly trimmed lawn was dotted with tiny white flowers, resembling a scattering of stars. Butterflies fluttered among the blossoms, trailing colorful bubbles blown by children at play.

Gu Yuan and Chi Yu stood before their stall, gazing at the tools laid out before them. For a long moment, neither spoke.

Having never run a stall before, they were both initially bewildered. They picked up the tools the owner had given them, examining the small shovels and twirling the specially designed thin-rod scrapers.

It was as if their bodies were present, but their minds had already ascended, leaving them in a strange state where tutorial slides still played before their eyes.

Lu Wenrui, munching on her “prize”—a ring-shaped lollipop—snatched the scraper from Chi Yu’s hand. “Hey, this is fun! It’s like a bamboo dragonfly!”

As she spoke, Lu Wenrui kept the candy ring in her mouth, twirling the wooden scraper between her hands.

“Bamboo dragonfly, activate! Take me flying, take me flying~”

“Aiya, stop playing with the tools!” Ruan Feiyu scolded, snatching the scraper from Lu Wenrui’s hand. “Confiscated!”

She immediately turned and handed the scraper back to Chi Yu. “Here, Hao Hao, take it.”

Her tone shifted instantly, transforming from stern to gentle and soft, like a pool of spring water.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Wenrui protested, hands on her hips. “Why are you being like this? Can’t I even play with it?”

Ruan Feiyu retorted sharply, “Play? You don’t even know how to use it.”

Lu Wenrui was about to retort when Chi Yu spoke first. “Funny, I don’t know how to use it either.”

“……”

“Huh?!”

“You don’t know how?”

“Are you kidding us?”

Under the intense gazes, Chi Yu glanced at the candy ring and subconsciously rubbed the base of her ring finger with her thumb, feeling the faint, lonely mark left by a ring.

She smiled and nodded. “No, I really don’t know how.”

The ring that had been stuck moments ago was now cut off by Gu Yuan using a pair of scissors.

Their clasped hands parted naturally.

On her ring finger remained only the red mark left by the rough plastic ring.

“……”

A two-second pause.

“Aaaah! Don’t do this! You’re the hope of our entire village, young lady!” Lu Wenrui’s wail brought Lin Yihan and Li Tianyin rushing over.

“What don’t you know how to do?”

Lu Wenrui reached out to hug Li Tianyin’s arm, but her eyes darted to Lin Yihan, and she awkwardly retracted her hand. “Hao Hao, she can’t make Jianbing!”

“Our startup is doomed before it even begins!”

“This means Feifei will starve!”

“……”

Ruan Feiyu, suddenly singled out, frowned and glared sideways at the chaotic Lu Wenrui. “Why would I be the one starving?”

Lu Wenrui’s round eyes shone with self-assurance as she sucked on her ring candy. “All you ever think about is food, food, food. I just feel sorry for you.”

The sweet aroma of malt candy filled the air, easily detectable from a meter away.

But Chi Yu’s gaze kept drifting to the severed ring setting.

The two circular bands had been violently broken apart and could no longer be called a ring. Now, they were being consumed by Lu Wenrui, giving off their final burst of sweetness.

Lu Wenrui smacked her lips, savoring the candy’s flavor.

“Hmm, a bit too sweet. I’m quite particular about food quality, but Feifei probably wouldn’t mind. All she cares about is eating.”

Ruan Feiyu’s gentle tone vanished as she crossed her arms. “What do you mean I only think about food? You’re making things up!”

Lu Wenrui stuck out her tongue and made a face. “I’m not making it up! You do! Your brain is just full of food, food, food!”

“Nyah-nyah! If you’re so tough, come catch me!”

“Fine, just you wait.”

The two girls circled a park bench, chasing each other with laughter and playful shrieks. Even facing a survival crisis, their carefree spirits managed to lighten the mood.

The live chat was thoroughly amused:

Good grief, these two are so childish!

They’re actually kind of cute, chasing each other like that. I’ve noticed Ruan Feiyu is always gentle and polite to everyone, especially Chi Yu—she’s practically dripping with tenderness around her. But she only speaks sharply to Lu Wenrui.

Oh wow, you’re right!

Suddenly I’m thinking… maybe I should start shipping them?

Amidst the playful commotion, Gu Yuan’s slender fingers whisked golden eggs in a bowl.

Chi Yu studied the tools and stove before her, mentally reviewing the boss’s instructions. Finally, she declared, “I’ll give it a try.”

The two still chasing each other paid no attention, but Lin Yihan and Li Tianyin gathered around.

“Need any help?” Lin Yihan offered.

Li Tianyin earnestly rolled up her sleeves. “Yeah, I can help too! My family used to run a small noodle shop—nothing fancy, just a little place. I used to help my mom there all the time, so just let me know if you need anything.”

Lin Yihan glanced at her slender, pale forearm and raised his hand. “Let me take over. You should rest for a bit.”

Li Tianyin instinctively recoiled from his outstretched hand, her brow furrowing slightly. She looked up at Chi Yu but replied to Lin Yihan, “No need. I don’t need to rest.”

A subtle tension hung between the two, but Chi Yu was too preoccupied to notice. She had already gathered her tools and was about to start.

Two attentive observers watched her every move: Lin Yihan and Li Tianyin.

Feeling the weight of their gazes, Chi Yu steadied herself. She scooped a spoonful of batter and poured it onto the heated griddle. Then, using the scraper she had been playing with like a bamboo dragonfly, she twisted her wrist to spread the batter into a thin pancake.

Although Chi Yu had learned some basic cooking skills to feed herself, her expertise was limited to simple, home-style dishes that wouldn’t let her starve. She had no experience with these street snacks that required finesse and technique.

As expected, the adorable bamboo dragonfly scraper proved utterly unwieldy in her hands. The spoonful of batter solidified instantly on the hot griddle, forming a pancake of uneven thickness. Before she could even finish spreading it, the pancake had already taken shape—a crescent moon, puffed up in the middle.

Chi Yu: “……”

Gu Yuan: “……”

Li Tianyin and Lin Yihan: “……”

Chi Yu expressionlessly scraped off the failed attempt and started over.

But the second one came out too thick and wouldn’t cook through.

The third one tore a huge hole while flipping, and after patching it with batter, it looked like the uneven surface of the moon.

Chi Yu clicked her tongue and tossed the “bamboo dragonfly” into the water bowl.

At that moment, an inappropriate thought flashed through her mind: Could they mistake me for an undercover cop?

At this rate, she might not sell a single jianbing. The B Country locals who had been casually passing by the stall had already cast more than a few glances and were now whispering among themselves.

“Why aren’t they open yet?”

Finally, a woman with a child couldn’t contain her impatience and stepped forward to ask.

“We always come here for a Chinese burger. Why aren’t they open today? My child is really craving one.”

Her child bounced excitedly beside her, pointing at Chi Yu and Gu Yuan. “These pretty wives are going to make me a jianbing!”

“……”

Live Chat: Hahahaha, what did I tell you? The people’s eyes are always sharp.

Children never lie! This couple is definitely my OTP!

Innocent little one, tell us more! We’re all ears!

Chi Yu, dabbing her fingertips with a tissue, looked up in surprise at the sound of the child’s voice.

Even beside the homely cooking stove, the faint, ethereal fragrance of jasmine remained distinctly present.

Gu Yuan smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Chi Yu turned to the little girl, her smile sweet and gentle. “Sweetheart, what did you say just now?”

The girl, wearing children’s glasses, grinned, revealing a few gaps in her teeth from losing baby teeth.

Clapping her hands and laughing, she exclaimed loudly, “Pretty sisters, are you and the other pretty sister next to you Eastern princesses?”

“No, we’re not.”

“But why would princesses be making jianbing?”

“You’re both so beautiful, you must be princesses! Were you cursed by a dark wizard who secretly hid your princess gowns? So, the wife-wife Eastern princesses are making jianbing… Are you doing this to feed your little baby, princesses?”

“……”

The child was too innocent, judging the “poor princesses'” tragic story solely by their appearances.

And she remained convinced that Gu Yuan and Chi Yu were a married couple.

Even though Lin Yihan and Li Tianyin were standing right next to Chi Yu, the little girl had already decided they were a pair of down-on-their-luck princesses.

The Live Chat was in stitches, praising the girl for being so clever, sensible, and already shipping couples.

“…”

“Not yet,” Chi Yu said with a tilt of her head and a smile. “We don’t have our own little baby yet.”

The girl, bold as ever, offered her opinion directly: “You should have a baby soon! Wives together are for having babies, right? And a princess having a princess… um…”

Her words were cut short as her mother ruthlessly covered her mouth.

The mother apologized with a smile, “Sorry about that. She’s been reading princess picture books lately. But… you really don’t plan on having a baby?”

Like mother, like daughter, Lin Yihan thought, pinching the bridge of his nose. He endured the awkwardness for a moment before asking, “So, you came here to buy jianbing?”

“Oh, yes! We always get one when we bring her to the park. She loves it. When do you start selling?”

“We all love your Eastern burgers,” the woman said.

The little girl immediately corrected her, “It’s jianbing! Delicious jianbing with meat and eggs!”

Now people were genuinely excited. Several passersby who had been pretending to stroll by multiple times gathered around.

“Oh! Are the jianbing ready to sell today?”

It seemed the owner’s business was already thriving, and he was willing to provide the ingredients for free and even sell them at a discount. He was truly generous and bold.

But one had to admit, he was being a bit too carefree.

Teaching them the recipe and then leaving them to it, without worrying about their skill level ruining his business.

Chi Yu frowned slightly, considering how to phrase her concerns politely.

But Gu Yuan spoke first, “They’ll be ready soon. Please wait a little longer.”

The crowd beamed and moved to wait nearby.

……

For the first time in her life, Chi Yu felt such high expectations placed on her cooking.

Feeling the pressure, she turned to Gu Yuan.

Though she said nothing, her eyes clearly asked, “You just agreed like that?”

Gu Yuan smiled faintly, her expression refreshing and gentle in the sunlight.

“Why don’t I give it a try?”

Chi Yu handed over the tools hesitantly. “You know how to do this?”

A gentle breeze lifted strands of dark hair near Gu Yuan’s temples. She looked up, meeting Chi Yu’s gaze.

“We have to try, right?”

Lin Yihan and Li Tianyin, who had been watching the spectacle for some time, finally chimed in. “Actually, we could try too.”

Gu Yuan waved them off, a faint smile playing on her lips. She picked up the ladle and spread the batter evenly across the griddle.

With a flick of the delicate “bamboo dragonfly” legs, a perfect crepe emerged smoothly under the deft hands of her long, slender fingers.

The three onlookers froze for a moment. Chi Yu was the first to react, quickly retrieving eggs and meat to assist in making the jianbing.

The savory aroma filled the park as the crepe slowly crisped on the hot griddle.

The thin crepe gradually peeled away from the griddle’s edge on its own.

After spreading on a special sauce, adding grilled meat, and garnishing with fresh vegetables, a richly layered jianbing was transformed into a culinary masterpiece.

The three women fell silent. Chi Yu couldn’t resist breaking the silence first. “When did you learn to make jianbing?”

Gu Yuan carefully placed the finished jianbing into its packaging, arranging it neatly with a gentle expression.

Just like tending to flowers, she worked with focused precision and quiet grace.

“I learned while preparing for a film role. I studied with a street vendor, learning how to ride a tricycle and make jianbing.”

“I just picked it up casually. I’m not a professional.”

Gu Yuan was known for her dedication to her roles. It was clear she had studied diligently back then, as she could still effortlessly recreate the dish now.

“But it’s already amazing!” Li Tianyin couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Sister Gu Yuan, how did you learn to cook? Even just chopping vegetables is a challenge for me!”

Gu Yuan lowered her head, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She sidestepped Chi Yu to grab disposable gloves.

In the cramped space of the food cart, their lips brushed Chi Yu’s ear in the brief moment of passing. Then, shielded by Chi Yu’s head, Gu Yuan whispered softly, her words meant for Chi Yu alone.

“Just be a heartbreaker.”

“……”

Just be a heartbreaker… and that’s okay?

Who are you calling a heartbreaker?

Chi Yu raised an eyebrow but maintained her composure, keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead.

No one else noticed, not even the cameras, but Chi Yu could sense that Gu Yuan was still angry.

Gu Yuan’s disguise was flawless. Apart from Chi Yu, no one detected a hint of her true feelings. To everyone else, she appeared gentle, dignified, and poised.

But why was she angry?

Was it because of the girl who had flirted with her earlier?

What does that have to do with me?

Chi Yu straightened her back, instinctively tilting her chin upward to accentuate the graceful line of her swan-like neck.

Her deer-like eyes curved into a sweet smile as she turned to Li Tianyin, who had asked the question. “Sister’s jianbing is so good for a reason,” she said, tilting her head slightly.

It was a meaningless remark, but the live chat erupted with knowing comments:

I know, I know!

Gu Yuan is amazing! Her jianbing is so perfect! But why? What do you guys know?

The person above must not be a fan. Let me explain. Sister Gu Yuan’s film about a working-class woman fighting for her daughter’s life swept all the major awards that year. She trained specifically for the role!

Serious people are truly captivating. Even when making Jianbing, Sister Gu Yuan is so meticulous and earnest. This could easily be a heartwarming commercial!

Why is Sister Gu Yuan so gentle with a Jianbing, yet so aloof with people? For years, she’s turned away every suitor with a cold expression, as if she has no love for humanity.

Ah, but that’s changed now, right? She’s so kind to Chi Yu. Their eyes spark with electricity!

But why does Sister Gu Yuan still call Chi Yu “Xiao Chi”? Everyone else calls her “Hao Hao.”

I don’t get it! I’m going to analyze the replay frame by frame now.

Gu Yuan carefully wrapped the Jianbing and handed it to the little girl waiting nearby.

“Here you go,” she said. “You’re the first customer, so this one’s on the house.”

The little girl jumped up and down excitedly. “Oh my gosh! The Eastern Princess made a Jianbing for me with her own hands! It’s a princess Jianbing!”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Gu Yuan’s face glowed in the sunlight, her fair skin almost luminous.

She waved goodbye to the little girl and her mother.

The little girl turned back every few steps, clutching the fragrant jianbing in her hands as if it were a precious treasure. She waved repeatedly, calling out, “Goodbye, Eastern Princess! I hope you have a little princess baby soon!”

Chi Yu’s lips curved into a smile. She raised an eyebrow and waved back at the mother and daughter.

Standing side by side in the dappled sunlight beneath the shade of lush green trees, their eyes seemed particularly gentle.

This scene was captured by the production crew’s cameras and broadcast live.

The live chat erupted with excited comments:

Aww, Gu Yuan and Chi Yu standing together! They look so perfect together!

They really give off that couple vibe! No wonder people misunderstand—we’re all shipping them like crazy!

Eastern Princess and Eastern Princess behind a jianbing stall? My mind immediately conjured up images of Jianbing Xishi and her wife running a stall together after marriage, earning a living!

Seriously? Jianbing Xishi? But… it actually fits them perfectly!

The mother and daughter walked away happily, the aroma of jianbing lingering in the air. The customers who had been lingering nearby returned to form a queue.

Seeing the stall about to get busy, Lin Yihan and Li Tianyin stepped forward. “Let us help out with something too.”

Gu Yuan looked up from her work. “How about we handwrite some 20% off coupons and distribute them in the park? That way, we can finish up faster.”

“Good idea,” Lin Yihan agreed.

Lin Yihan and Li Tianyin went to borrow paper and pens from the owner. As they passed Lu Wenrui and Ruan Feiyu, who were chasing each other, they each grabbed one of them.

“Let’s go, time for some labor!”

Lu Wenrui protested with a series of “Hey! Hey! Hey!” while Ruan Feiyu remained silent. Both were hauled away in unison.

The live chat erupted with laughter:

“Are you sure they’re going to work? Or is this labor camp?”

“Pretty much the same thing. These two need some labor reform.”

“Everyone else is working hard, and they’re just goofing around. Time for them to earn their keep!”

“I never thought Sister Ruan Feiyu would team up with goofy Ruirui! This combo has a unique flavor.”

Seeing everyone else busy with their tasks, Chi Yu stood beside Gu Yuan, watching her meticulously prepare each small jianbing. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “Is there anything I can help with?”

Gu Yuan lowered her long lashes, her slender, jade-like fingers already gloved.

She smiled at a young woman in line.

Her long, thick lashes framed slightly elongated eyes that curved into crescents when she smiled, accentuating the beauty of her eye shape.

“Your Jianbing,” Gu Yuan said, handing the crepe over with both hands before finally looking up.

“Actually, there’s something I need your help with.”

“Could you tie my apron?”

With that, she turned slightly, exposing her back to Chi Yu.

Chi Yu’s gaze fell on the smooth expanse of skin. The hair swept to one side revealed the entirety of Gu Yuan’s back.

Her delicate butterfly bones defined the graceful curve of her spine, half-covered, half-exposed by the sleeveless, thin-strapped dress.

The skin stretched thinly over her shoulder blades, catching the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and giving it a luminous, almost ethereal glow that was visually stunning.

Chi Yu’s eyes remained fixed on that spot, her hands frozen in place.

Finally, Gu Yuan glanced back, her striking profile sharply defined.

“Hmm?” she murmured. “What’s wrong?”

Chi Yu didn’t know what was wrong. Her throat felt dry, her chest tight.

The question blurted out before she could stop herself: “How do you tie the apron?”

“……”

Though the question seemed absurd, Chi Yu genuinely needed an answer.

Gu Yuan showed no reaction. She slowly extended her arms, turning her slender waist toward Chi Yu.

“The apron, of course, ties around the waist.”