Her Wild Rose - Chapter 28

Chapter 24: Lovers

As the time to leave Lü Teng approached, Li Xiang was already so anxious he was practically pulling his hair out.

He stared out the window at the snow still falling outside, and somehow, he saw it as taunting him. Frustrated, he took out a pen and began scribbling on a whiteboard, then handed a mission card to his assistant to deliver to the guests who were still eating.

“Today’s mission is to run a dumpling restaurant for a day?” Chi Yu, who happened to be the “lucky” one sitting at the edge of the table, received the card and began to read aloud: “Everyone needs to go to the local market to purchase the necessary ingredients, then head to the dumpling restaurant rented by the production team to make and sell dumplings. Today’s sales revenue will serve as the travel fund for everyone?”

“Make dumplings, huh…”

Lu Piaopiao, known for her clumsiness, hesitated for the first time. She shrugged and accepted her fate, “Then I probably won’t be much help. Eating is all I’m good at.”

Tangtang wasn’t particularly surprised by the task. She glanced at Su Qian, who was also from the north, and took the initiative to take the lead.

“It’s almost Little New Year, right? It’s definitely time for dumplings. How about Su Qian and I handle the wrapping? The two of us starting early should be enough.”

“Alright then. Xin Xin and I will take care of mixing drinks to add a bit of flair to the menu.”

Li Xinxin, the only one who hadn’t had any personal highlights in the show so far, was ready and eager to finally show her talents during this dumpling shop segment.

“Fine, it seems like you all have something you’re good at.” Chi Yu sighed, holding her forehead with a wry smile. “I guess I’ll be your driver today. Let’s go, let’s get in the car and head to the market.”

The Lü Teng market was located near the city outskirts, beside the river that guarded the city walls. As the liveliest place in the entire city, it was already packed with people by 9 a.m., even before the official New Year rush.

“Whoa, there are so many people here.”

Lu Piaopiao wore a white down jacket and looked at the crowd carrying bags of meat, fish, and eggs. She suddenly began to regret her decision.

“Yeah, this is nothing yet. It gets crazier after Little New Year. You have to fight to buy anything.”

Being a native of the north, Tangtang spoke knowledgeably about Lü Teng’s customs and traditions.

It wasn’t because she had researched ahead of time—it was because she grew up here, raised by her grandmother, and naturally became familiar with these customs.

“Wow, Tangtang’s so down-to-earth. It really feels like she knows a little bit about everything.”
“We’re both in our twenties—why am I still a mess debating what takeout to eat while Tangtang knows everything?”
“Wuwuwu, Tangtang knows more than I do, and I was born and raised in Lü Teng.”

Compliments flooded the screen, and Su Qian couldn’t help smiling as she watched viewers praise Tangtang.

She initially liked Tangtang because of her ridiculously cute looks, but once she got to know her name, talked with her, and interacted, Su Qian gradually realized—she had long since fallen, not for the face, but for Tangtang’s genuine and passionate soul.

She had never met someone like Tangtang—so sincere, so vibrant.

“Alright, let’s start the first item of our market tour—when in Rome!”

Honestly, if she didn’t become an actress, Tangtang could’ve made a great tour guide. She led everyone to a shop selling thick winter coats at the entrance of the market and began seriously supervising everyone’s choices.

“Hey, stop looking so disgusted! Northern winters can freeze your ears off—what’s wrong with dressing warmly? And Piaopiao, why are you looking at that red coat like it’s a monster? Red is the most festive color up here—it means good luck.”

Tangtang picked out a red coat for herself after much browsing. Then she looked at Su Qian, who hadn’t moved, sighed, and compromised by choosing a military coat for her.

“How about this one? It’s only for a day. Not that ugly, right?” Tangtang knew Su Qian was a movie queen and probably cared a lot about appearances. She avoided the cameras and quietly said, “Blend in with the locals, okay? That way the haters won’t come after you again.”

Blend in with the locals?

Su Qian facepalmed, took the coat, and tapped Tangtang’s forehead. “Do I really seem so difficult to you? Have I ever acted like a diva while filming or doing variety?”

Right—Su Qian was one of the most professional in the industry.

Tangtang blushed, realizing she’d been too concerned and had unfairly treated Su Qian like some pampered princess. Flustered, she shoved the coat into Su Qian’s hands and turned away, pretending to help Chi Yu pick out clothes.

“So in Tangtang’s eyes, Su Qian really is a little princess.”
“Confirmed—Tangtang totally likes Su Qian. Love is blind, after all.”
“Did you see Chi Yu’s look just now? Her entire body screamed “Don’t mess with me.””
“LMAO, okay but this is hilarious.”
“Su Qian’s ears are red and her gaze is drifting. Who said Tangtang was the one with a one-sided crush?”
“You’ve got it backwards—it’s Su Qian who’s had the one-sided thing going on!”
“Su Qian: I disapprove of all your theories equally.”

…

After a round of picking, the guests were finally all dressed in Lü Teng’s traditional military coats. Tangtang proudly looked at her army of “locals” and finally felt like she was leading a senior citizens’ tour group.

“Next up, we happily go grab New Year supplies!”

Before anyone could react, Tangtang pulled Su Qian and dashed into the crowd. She turned back and made a funny face at the stunned guests. “Remember, you’re buying your own stuff! We’ll divide the money based on who sells more later.”

“This Tangtang really plays dirty.” Chi Yu sighed. She turned to the unpaired Chen Zhi and accepted her as her temporary partner. “Alright, let’s go too.”

Tangtang and Su Qian broke away from the others and gleefully picked through accessories at a booth.

“Aren’t we supposed to be buying ingredients for dumplings?” Su Qian, proud and competitive as ever, couldn’t help but question her. She had just seen Li Xinxin bargaining at a stall earlier.

“What’s the rush?”

Tangtang smugly pulled out her phone and showed her chat history. “Who even buys meat and veggies in person anymore? A quick message and poof—everything’s probably already in the trunk of our car.”

Back in the car, Li Xiang shed a single, tragic noodle tear. He regretted everything. He never should’ve invited Tangtang onto this show.

“So what now?”

Su Qian was impressed by Tangtang’s cleverness. She instinctively shielded Tangtang from the surrounding crowd, keeping her safe at her side. She leaned in and whispered, “I still have some private money. Buy whatever you want.”

“Wait… did I hear that right?”
“Private money?? LMAO suddenly reminded me of Shen Jia’s stream—didn’t she say someone from Lü Teng tricked her out of cash recently?”
“LOL, haven’t even started dating and already handing over the wallet. Su Qian is such a wife.”
“I get it now. I’m dumping my boyfriend immediately.”

…

“You have private money?” Tangtang picked out a few decorative lanterns and looked at Su Qian curiously. She had always thought of her as reserved and serious—private money seemed so out of character.

“I tricked it out of Shen Jia. I told her if she didn’t split it 50-50 with me, I’d rat her out to the boss.”

Su Qian said it sweetly while resting her head on Tangtang’s shoulder. She blocked Tangtang’s payment QR code and held out her own phone. “Use mine. Save yours to buy a house.”

A strange, unfamiliar feeling surged in Tangtang. She turned to look at Su Qian, who was nestled against her and seriously paying the bill, and her heart skipped another beat.

She just said “buy a house.”
Does that mean… she wants to build a home with me?

Tangtang didn’t dare think about it too much. Instinctively, she buried herself like an ostrich in what she thought was a safe little dirt mound.

“You two are really close—are you sisters?” the shop owner, a friendly middle-aged woman, asked while tossing some fresh chili peppers into their bag. “Here, take some red peppers. They bring good luck for the New Year.”

“LMAO the shop owner is savage—sisters, really?”
“The most savage curse of all: “May lovers become sisters.””
“I’m dying. Su Qian’s gonna snap in the next second.”
“Lowkey, Su Qian saying “buy a house” was insanely attractive. I’m falling.”
“Honestly, ever since Chi Yu showed up, Su Qian’s glow-up has been rocket-level.”
“Thank you, Chi Yu.”
“Thank you Chi Yu + your ID number.”

…

“Thank you, happy New Year.”

After days of shooting, the cast was emotionally drained. Walking along familiar streets and hearing familiar dialects, Tangtang finally relaxed. She happily took the chili peppers and started mentally planning where to hang them tonight.

But beside her, Su Qian suddenly stopped moving.

“Auntie, we’re not sisters.” Wrapped in a bulky military coat, Su Qian’s stunning face looked serious as she corrected the misunderstanding.

“Not sisters? But you both look so good, and you’re holding hands—if you’re not sisters, what are you then?”

The shopkeeper was stubborn and earnestly argued with her. “You even paid for her just now. How can you not be sisters?”

“Auntie, we’re lovers.”

Something must’ve short-circuited in Su Qian’s brain as she seriously explained, locking fingers with Tangtang. “We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together—the kind that lasts forever.”

People nearby began turning their heads curiously toward them. Tangtang quickly lowered her head, her ears turning bright red. She didn’t pull her hand away but grumbled in a small voice, “Lovers? I haven’t even said yes yet…”