I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 19

The livestream had ended, but the barrage of insults continued unabated.

While some of the vitriol was undoubtedly fueled by paid trolls from rival companies trying to muddy the waters, Shi Xu had indeed left herself open to criticism, giving her detractors ample ammunition to revel in their attacks.

When Shi Mu returned from her business trip and saw the trending topics and clips from the livestream, she felt like the sky was falling.

Her calls to Shi Xu went unanswered, driving her to storm into the company. To her surprise, she found her sister there first.

“Sister, what are you doing here?”

Shi Chao was sitting at her desk, her voice soft. “What? Am I not allowed to visit?”

Shi Mu smiled and walked over, pulling a gift from her bag. “Don’t be silly, of course you’re allowed! I just didn’t expect you to come. You’re always so busy, I’m thrilled you’re here.”

Shi Chao glanced at the box in her hand, then at the necklace around Shi Mu’s neck. The corners of her lips lifted by a mere two pixels.

“The long flight must have been exhausting.”

Shi Mu’s eyes crinkled into a warm, endearing smile. “It wasn’t too bad. I was planning to go home first, but something happened with Xiao Xu…”

Her expression froze, as if she had suddenly remembered something urgent.

“Oh dear, I need to get Xiao Xu here right away…”

Before she could finish, Shi Chao grabbed her arm and pulled her into a tight embrace, resting her chin on Shi Mu’s shoulder. Her voice was low and wistful. “We haven’t seen each other in so long, and the first thing you do is fuss over Xiao Xu? Don’t you miss me at all?”

The warm breath brushed Shi Mu’s face, making the back of her ear itch. She instinctively recoiled slightly, and Shi Chao’s eyes darkened as she buried her face completely in the crook of Shi Mu’s neck.

“I finally managed to carve out some time to see you. Just let me stay like this and recharge.”

“But Xiao Xu…”

Shi Chao lifted her head to look at Shi Mu, her glass-like eyes seeming cold and brooding. Shi Mu fell silent, blinking her large eyes. Shi Chao pressed her face back into Shi Mu’s shoulder, accidentally brushing against her.

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything more.”

Her voice was soft and gentle, like coaxing a stubborn child. Shi Chao nuzzled back against her, gradually relaxing.

Shi Xu hurried back to the dorm, but Jian Zhi wasn’t there. Xue Qing couldn’t find her either. When they asked the staff, they learned that both had returned to the company.

Why would they go back to the company? Could it be that they think their artists have been wronged and want them to withdraw from the competition?

That’s unlikely. The breach of contract penalty is substantial. Besides, even if they did withdraw, why would both of them go together?

But if it were me, caught in the eye of the media storm, Second Sister would definitely make me withdraw to protect me. And while the penalty is high, given Jian Zhi’s commercial value, it would be a mere drop in the bucket.

Shi Xu wanted to find Jian Zhi, but she didn’t know what to say if they met. The two conflicting thoughts battled fiercely until reason finally triumphed over emotion.

Jian Zhi clearly disliked her and wanted to distance herself. If Shi Xu persisted in pursuing her, it would be harassment.

Her feelings for Jian Zhi were her own affair, and she shouldn’t impose her desires on the other woman. She had already made one mistake; she couldn’t repeat it.

She sat there from daybreak until nightfall. When she finally snapped out of her daze, the dormitory was pitch-black. Shi Xu’s heart felt numb, as if her bl00d had frozen, leaving her devoid of emotional fluctuations.

Jian Zhi probably won’t be back, she thought.

She rose and groped for the light switch in the dark. Just as her hand touched the switch, the door clicked open. Both Shi Xu and Jian Zhi’s hands landed on the switch simultaneously. With a click, warm light flooded the room. Shi Xu stared at Jian Zhi in stunned silence, while Jian Zhi returned her gaze with a slightly stiff expression.

Shi Xu couldn’t quite articulate her feelings in that moment. It felt as if a tender sprout had sprung from her heart, each fleeting second capable of reshaping her world.

All things bloom in spring; I bloom with Jian Zhi.

Jian Zhi withdrew her hand, clenching her trembling fingertips. “Why didn’t you turn on the light?”

Shi Xu hadn’t expected Jian Zhi to initiate conversation. Her heart skipped a beat, and the bitter thoughts that had been swirling in her mind dissolved with those simple words. The overhead light transformed into warm sunlight, bathing her in a comforting glow.

“I forgot,” she mumbled.

How could she forget? Jian Zhi could tell from Shi Xu’s expression exactly why she was isolating herself here.

Jian Zhi stepped inside and closed the door, changing her shoes as she spoke. “Thank you for the livestream and for promoting the magazine.”

“But…” Shi Xu hesitated, her voice trailing off.

Jian Zhi looked up, offering a gentle smile. “Actually, I quite like the photos. But you can’t please everyone. The fans might not think they suit me. Don’t take those online comments to heart.”

Shi Xu wouldn’t pay attention to the attacks anyway. As long as Jian Zhi didn’t misunderstand her, she didn’t care what others said.

And now it seemed Jian Zhi not only didn’t misunderstand her, but had even broken the ice because of it. How could this not be a blessing in disguise?

A little criticism is nothing, she thought.

Jian Zhi moved further into the room, and Shi Xu followed closely behind, like a well-behaved puppy waiting for its owner’s attention.

Jian Zhi glanced at the full-length mirror by the wall. It reflected Shi Xu’s tall, slender figure, along with the non-existent ears and tail she imagined.

Should I touch her? But after saying all that, I shouldn’t cross any lines.

Jian Zhi shook off the jumbled thoughts in her head, grabbed her clothes, and went into the bathroom. Shi Xu curled up on the sofa to wait for her. Only after relaxing did she realize how utterly exhausted she was; her eyelids began to droop almost immediately.

She wanted to wait for Jian Zhi to come out and tell her they should get along better in the future, but the soothing sound of the shower was hypnotic, like the gentle patter of rain—perfect for falling asleep.

When Jian Zhi emerged from the bathroom, she found Shi Xu fast asleep, her large frame curled up in the beanbag chair, her hands resting under her chin. She looked exactly like a sleeping puppy.

Jian Zhi tiptoed closer, gazing down at her for a moment. That unfamiliar emotion stirred within her again. Compelled by some inexplicable impulse, she crouched down and gently poked Shi Xu’s nose, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear. A tenderness she hadn’t realized she possessed softened her features.

Shi Xu murmured softly, shattering the tender moment. Realizing what she was doing, Jian Zhi abruptly stood up, her heart pounding with guilt, and avoided looking at Shi Xu.

She turned to leave, but her hem was tugged. Glancing back, she saw Shi Xu staring at her sleepily, her eyes veiled in a watery mist, the glassy amber irises particularly striking.

Jian Zhi’s heart pounded harder and harder against her chest, the thumping so loud she wondered if Shi Xu could hear it.

Shi Xu released her hem and sat up, her gaze remaining fixed on Jian Zhi. Her eyes gradually cleared, the emotions in them becoming increasingly evident.

“Can I still call you ‘Sister’ from now on?”

Jian Zhi pressed her lips together, silent.

Shi Xu’s heart sank, but she refused to give up. In a small voice, she said, “I know you don’t like people clinging to you. I won’t mention that incident again. Can’t we just interact like seniors and juniors?”

Before Jian Zhi could reply, Shi Xu rushed on, “Just as ordinary friends. I won’t do anything you don’t like, okay?”

Her eyes were red-rimmed, the corners drooping, making her look so pitiful that Jian Zhi couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“Okay,” Jian Zhi relented.