Her Wild Rose - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Little Brother, Who Are You?

It wasn’t a rejection—it was just that she hadn’t agreed yet.

Su Qian keenly noticed the change in Tang Tang’s wording. The stern expression on her face melted into a smile as she started picking through the stall again, grabbing every accessory that looked halfway decent and stuffing them into a plastic bag. “I’ll take them all. Name your price.”

The shop owner blinked in a daze and quoted a number. Su Qian, to Tang Tang’s near-shocked gaze, casually took out her phone and scanned to pay—so practiced it was hard to believe she spent more than half the year in the deep mountains, away from the world, as a film queen.

“Um… you two young ladies aren’t here to restock for a shop, are you?”

The vendor, a rare kind of honest middle-aged woman, looked them over suspiciously. Finally, as if coming to some resolution, she offered kindly, “If you’re resupplying, you should head to the market all the way in the back. That’s where we all get our stock…”

Her cautious tone transmitted directly into Tang Tang’s and the audience’s ears—and instantly had everyone cracking up.

“Legend has it that in ancient times King You lit beacons just to make his beauty laugh, and today Su Qian nearly bought out an entire accessory stall just to get Tang Tang to accept her confession.”
“Tang Tang clearly said she “hasn’t agreed” yet—not that she’s “unwilling.” Big difference!”
“Exactly! That’s basically a roundabout way of saying yes.”
“Strong suspicion: Su Qian bought out the whole stall for this reason!”
“Anyone from Green Vine City recognize this stall? We need the location, seriously want to go take pics.”
“Yes yes! Drop the pin, the stall owner is so sweet!”

…

“We’re really just tourists,” Tang Tang said, half-laughing and half-exasperated. She tugged at Su Qian, who seemed ready to argue, and smiled as she explained to the shop owner, “My sister just really likes these little trinkets. Every time she visits, she has to bring a bunch home.”

She finished speaking and turned toward Su Qian with a teasing smile. Before Su Qian could react, Tang Tang tilted her head and added sweetly, “Right, big sister?”

The way she said “sister” so sweetly made Su Qian’s body jolt—she nearly dropped the bag in her hand.

The word itself was innocent enough, but its meaning changed depending on who was listening.

To the vendor, it just sounded like they had a close relationship. But to Su Qian, who already harbored feelings for Tang Tang, the word made her bl00d rush.

“What did you just call me?”

Su Qian forced herself to stay calm. She was doing everything in her power not to scoop up Tang Tang and carry her home right then and there.

“Sister,” Tang Tang blinked innocently. “Why, you don’t like it? You’re older than me and debuted earlier—what else should I call you? Auntie? Or maybe…”

Before Tang Tang could finish, Su Qian, now flushed red, clapped her hand over Tang Tang’s mouth.

She was terrified of this girl—how could someone speak such maddening words with such an angelic expression?

“Please, ancestor, spare me. Let me live a little longer.”

Su Qian leaned in close to her ear, voice full of restraint. “If I do anything to you right now, the whole livestream audience is watching.”

Tang Tang pursed her lips and stopped talking, unusually obedient. She’d just discovered something new—apparently, even the usually stern-faced Su Qian was this easy to tease.

It was honestly kind of fun regaining the upper hand. Tang Tang grinned and made a mental note to try provoking her again sometime soon.

…

Elsewhere, Lu Piaopiao and Gu Shuangran were arguably the most relaxed pair of all the cast members.

Lu Piaopiao had been following Gu Shuangran through the crowd, but eventually stopped in a huff in the middle of an open area.

“Gu Shuangran, are you trying to annoy me on purpose?”

She yanked her hand out of Gu Shuangran’s, her cheerful face now visibly upset. She stomped her foot and puffed her cheeks. “I’m done walking! We’re not going anymore. It’s not like the bag will suddenly appear just because we keep shopping!”

Her childlike tantrum made Gu Shuangran frown slightly, but she composed herself almost immediately.

“What’s wrong? Too many people? Or do you think your outfit’s ugly?”

Gu Shuangran knew Piaopiao was often emotionally driven, but still took the time to explain patiently. “Piaopiao, the production team assigned tasks to all four groups. If we leave early, the other teams will have to pick up the slack, right?”

“…It’s your fault, you look good in anything.”

Lu Piaopiao stared at Gu Shuangran with those round eyes, her voice full of grievance. “We’ve only been filming for half an hour, and already five girls and eight guys have secretly been eyeing you…”

“Wait, that’s the reason?!”
“LOL, Gu Shuangran’s bizarre way of going viral is top-tier.”
“I mean come on, even jealous cuties are adorable.”
“I’m shipping RanPiao hard—this show is supposed to be travel-based, but it’s basically a romance variety show now.”
“Wishing all the lovers out there become besties, LOL.”

…

Seriously, that’s it?

Gu Shuangran looked momentarily stunned. Normally composed and calculating, this was the first time she seemed genuinely confused.

Right now, she really wished she had her tarot cards—left behind at the villa—so she could figure out what she was supposed to do next.

“…How about I remove my makeup?”

She thought for a bit, then bent slightly to look into the eyes of the girl half a head shorter than her. “Or I could just draw on something uglier. Would that make you feel better?”

It had to be said—Gu Shuangran was perfect teacher material. Faced with Lu Piaopiao’s sulking, she was coaxing and patient, the two of them radiating pure “student-teacher harmony” vibes.

“No way,” Lu Piaopiao thought seriously for a moment before answering sullenly, “If you looked ugly, I’d be sad too.”

Yep—just like before, still easy to coax.

Gu Shuangran gently patted her head, adopting a soft tone like one would use with a little kid.

“Should I take off my makeup, then?” she asked, pulling out a packet of makeup wipes from her pocket—clearly prepared in advance.

Lu Piaopiao might be easygoing in most ways, but she was wildly possessive. Gu Shuangran had long figured her out, which was why she never forgot to bring things like masks, sunglasses, or makeup wipes—anything that could quickly soothe her partner’s jealousy.

“No…” Lu Piaopiao’s voice softened. Suddenly, she remembered they were being filmed, and her face flushed. “You’re so pretty—even without makeup, people would still stare.”

That possessive jealousy—paired with the lack of anything to anchor Gu Shuangran down—was what made Lu Piaopiao so uneasy about others’ gazes.

“No matter how many people like me, I only care about you.”

Gu Shuangran smiled, ruffled Lu Piaopiao’s hair, and tried to reassure her. Then she ducked down to block the camera’s view…

And planted a gentle kiss on the corner of Lu Piaopiao’s lips—carrying the scent of jasmine she loved most. Lu Piaopiao reflexively parted her lips, chasing the kiss, and the stronger floral notes spread across her mouth, followed by a hint of creamy candy sweetness.

Gu Shuangran’s kiss left her weak-kneed. Lu Piaopiao, flustered like a kitten, tried to push her away.

“!!! Wait—is this content even VIP-accessible?!”
“PLEASE! Cameraman, be braver! Just zoom in!”
“YES! We need a second-angle close-up—I’d pay extra!”

…

It took a while before Lu Piaopiao finally escaped Gu Shuangran’s arms, gasping softly. She instinctively stepped back.

This beast! She thought it was just a kiss—she didn’t know she’d get nibbled too…

“Gu Shuangran!” she shouted, fuming. She pointed toward a nearby stall, eyes flashing with righteous rage. “I’ve decided. We’re making chive and egg dumplings. Go buy the stuff—I’m staying here to rest!”

…

The whole morning was spent shopping. Except for Tang Tang’s group, who’d prepared in advance, the rest returned with bags overflowing.

“Next stop—the dumpling shop we rented.”

Li Xiang looked at the packed trunk and couldn’t help smiling. The relationship lines among the cast were clearly developing, and that meant more viewership.

The dumpling shop he arranged was located in Green Vine City’s resort district. It preserved traditional northern architecture—red bricks, green tiles, the whole alley exuded charm and elegance.

They followed him to the deepest end of the alley and stopped in front of a shop.

Tang Tang looked the place over, amazed. “This place has a courtyard and flowers—is this really a dumpling place? Feels more like an old-school theater!”

They walked along cobbled paths lined with greenery, turned a few corners lit only by decorative lanterns, and finally reached a shop with red trim and delicate details. Tang Tang pushed the door open first—and was once again stunned.

“Wow, there’s actually a whole hidden space inside!”

Tang Tang suddenly seemed like an excited kid—touching the flower-carved pavilion, crouching to play with koi swimming nearby—her eyes sparkled.

“Alright, we’ve arrived. Time to get ready.”

Among the cast, aside from Tang Tang, who had solid life experience, the most practical was Chi Yu, the eldest and a veteran of variety shows. She glanced at the groceries and asked curiously, “So what fillings did you all pick?”

“Chive and egg, obviously,” Lu Piaopiao smiled at Gu Shuangran. “The first time I met her, I was eating these at a food stall. Then my dad dragged her over to catch me and make me study. I got so scared I ran around the whole neighborhood and didn’t even finish my dumplings!”

Everyone chuckled politely, except Tang Tang—who turned away just in time to see Lu Piaopiao and Gu Shuangran holding hands.

Just for a second, a twinge of envy bloomed in her heart.

“I’m making pickled cabbage and pork,” Tang Tang said, her voice now cooler. “Northerners love that—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.”

“What about me?” Su Qian asked, a little put out. “I’m from the south. What do I eat?”

“That’s why I secretly bought a corn cob—for pork and corn dumplings. Just for you.”

“I also bought some local alcohol and mixers,” bartender Li Xinxin said, unpacking her finds. “We’ll experiment with cocktails—maybe add a drink menu for tonight.”

Everyone sprang into action at the thought of their upcoming dinner service.

Tang Tang helped Su Qian hang red decorations and trinkets around the pavilion. Once everything was perfectly arranged, she clapped her hands in satisfaction.

“Ah, now it feels like New Year’s. With all this red, customers will love it.”

Unlike Tang Tang, who was raised by elders in the north and loved lively holidays, Su Qian’s memories of Lunar New Year were vague—just red envelopes as a child, and later, phone calls from her parents overseas.

But now, somehow, Tang Tang had made her feel the warmth of New Year again.

“Tang Tang, do you like noisy, lively lives?” Su Qian asked tentatively.

She herself preferred quiet and was a little stiff, but if Tang Tang liked it, she could put up lanterns, decorate her cookie-cutter home, even try to be more cheerful.

“I do,” Tang Tang said without hesitation—then quickly added, “But if you prefer quiet, we can live that way too.”

As they chatted, the dumpling shop owner came over to help—bringing along a clean-cut young man, about twenty years old, her son.

He was supposedly a student at Liao’an University—Su Qian’s direct junior in her department.

“Senior Su, you’re folding the dumpling wrong. You have to press it like this with your index finger.”

Maybe because they were from the same program, the boy hadn’t taken his eyes off Su Qian since he arrived. Now, he stood behind her, pressing his hands over hers to show her how to fold.

Tang Tang, watching from the side, slammed her spoon onto the table—metal hitting metal with a sharp clang.

What the hell? Su Qian just confessed to her—how was she still not setting boundaries?!

Tang Tang glared at their intertwined hands, her brows scrunched so tightly they could catch a fly. Seeing Su Qian not pull away, she gritted her teeth and focused furiously on stuffing dumplings.

“I think I’ve seen that guy—he’s the heartthrob from the Chinese lit department at Liao’an, right? He’s always said publicly he’s Su Qian’s fanboy.”
“Su Qian, come on! Tang Tang’s mad! Say something!”
“That little fox is totally flirting with Su Qian on purpose—he’s killing me!”

…

Tang Tang’s gaze was practically on fire as she watched the two whisper and laugh together. She slammed down her dumpling and made up her mind.

If this little punk thought he could steal someone from her, he’d clearly forgotten who ruled the school back in the day.

She walked over, smiling sweetly, and casually wedged herself between the two of them. Then she wiped Su Qian’s perfectly dry forehead with her sleeve and put on her most virtuous smile.

“Big sister, who is this little brother of yours?”