I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 16

Jian Zhi flinched at Xue Qing’s voice, her expression suddenly clearing. She cast a seemingly casual glance at Shi Xu before tugging her collar higher.

Xue Qing sensed the awkward tension between the two women and leaned in for a closer look, only to have Jian Zhi flick her forehead.

“Ouch!” Xue Qing cried, clutching her forehead as she stumbled back. Jian Zhi seized the opportunity to get out of bed, slip into her slippers, and head for the bathroom.

“Did you need something?” Jian Zhi asked.

Xue Qing was notoriously sleepy, capable of sleeping all day when she had no work commitments. Her early visit today clearly meant she wasn’t just bored.

“I did want to talk to you about something… Oh, you hit me so hard I forgot! Go use the bathroom first, we’ll talk when you come out.”

Jian Zhi stepped into the bathroom. Her expression froze when she saw her neck in the mirror—a crimson expanse of hickeys, interspersed with bluish tooth marks. It was obvious what had happened.

She quickly averted her gaze, the tips of her ears flushing pink. A flicker of embarrassment crossed her eyes, and her already weak legs felt even more unsteady.

Her eyes burned, her mouth and tongue stung, and her inner thighs ached and felt numb. Even her lower abdomen…

Jian Zhi gripped the edge of the sink, her hazy mind gradually clearing as memories flooded back. No longer fragmented images, but complete scenes.

Not only had they slept together, but they had also…

The thought of Shi Xu watching her with that excited look, licking away the water droplets at the corner of her lips, made her feel dizzy and desperate to throw herself out the window.

Yet the sensation lingered within her. When she recalled the scene, her abdomen twitched twice without warning, and a tingling numbness spread through her core. Jian Zhi’s face stiffened, her breathing growing rapid.

Half of it was due to her body’s reaction, half from her own frustration.

I’m not some naive girl experiencing her first crush anymore. How could I succumb to such a simple temptation?

Reason told her to forget it, but the lingering marks on her body served as a stark reminder of the night’s absurdity.

Overwhelmed, Jian Zhi splashed cold water on her face and lingered in the bathroom for a long time before finally emerging.

Shi Xu and Xue Qing were locked in a tense standoff, neither knowing what had sparked the conflict. If Jian Zhi hadn’t stepped out at that moment, they might have come to blows.

Hearing the commotion, both women turned to Jian Zhi simultaneously. Shi Xu’s gaze flickered, betraying her guilt. Xue Qing glared at her before rushing to Jian Zhi and looping her arm through hers.

“Senior Sister, if anyone bullies you, tell me! I’ll help you get revenge!”

Jian Zhi likely understood what had happened. She glanced sideways at Shi Xu before replying, “No one’s bullying me. Let’s talk about your situation first.”

“Oh! Right!” Xue Qing released Jian Zhi’s arm, her eyes blinking expectantly.

Jian Zhi: “?”

Whenever Xue Qing wore that expression, she was about to have a sudden, foolish idea. Jian Zhi felt a pang of dread.

“You’re streaming tonight, right? I’ll do your makeup!”

Jian Zhi swayed slightly, her mind clearing of all other thoughts. She took two steps back, waving her hands frantically.

“No, no, I have a makeup artist.”

Xue Qing protested, “Can a makeup artist do it better than me?”

Jian Zhi fell silent, pondering how to answer without hurting the child’s feelings.

Xue Qing pouted, her small face scrunching up in a frown. “We’re sisters, best friends, and you don’t trust my skills?”

Jian Zhi mentally reviewed Xue Qing’s heroic exploits since they’d met, and she really couldn’t bring herself to compliment her “skills.”

Seeing Xue Qing’s persistence, Jian Zhi shifted her gaze to Shi Xu. Caught off guard, Shi Xu froze for a moment before hastily lowering her head, looking as flustered as a child caught doing something wrong.

Jian Zhi’s emotions were mixed as she said softly, “I’m not even sure if I’ll be live-streaming yet, so there’s no rush for makeup. Why don’t you go back and get some rest? I need to talk to Shi Xu.”

Hearing this, Xue Qing became even less sleepy, standing beside Jian Zhi with shared indignation.

“No way! The enemy is too strong. I need to stay here and protect you.”

Jian Zhi chuckled and patted Xue Qing’s head. “Even if the enemy is strong, I’m not weak either. Go back and rest.”

What use would Xue Qing, who was half a head shorter than them, be in a real fight? She’d only risk getting hurt.

Xue Qing reluctantly mumbled an “okay,” but before leaving, she shot Shi Xu a warning glare. Shi Xu, however, was completely focused on Jian Zhi, not even sparing her a glance.

After Xue Qing left, the dormitory fell into a deathly silence. Shi Xu, desperate to minimize her presence, barely dared to breathe.

Jian Zhi stared at her for a long moment before stepping toward her.

Each footstep landed like a blow to Shi Xu’s heart, tightening her chest, stiffening her body, and shattering her composure.

Jian Zhi stopped at the foot of Shi Xu’s bed, silent. Shi Xu waited anxiously, unable to resist looking up at her.

Their eyes met. Jian Zhi’s peach blossom eyes, their corners tinged crimson, were indifferent and icy, as if she were looking at a stranger. A sharp pang pierced Shi Xu’s heart, and her spirits plummeted.

Just last night, we were entangled in such passionate embrace. Now she’s acting like she doesn’t even know me.

Shi Xu bit her lower lip, taking the initiative. “Last night…”

“What?” Jian Zhi interrupted, her expression growing even colder. “Did something happen last night?”

Shi Xu’s mouth hung open, unable to speak. Jian Zhi turned away indifferently, her voice colder than her gaze.

“I was drunk and remember nothing. You’d better forget it too.”