I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 2

Four pairs of eyes turned to stare at Shi Xu. Feigning composure, she said, “We have an early shoot tomorrow. Wouldn’t airing this footage reflect poorly on both of you?”

Jian Zhi remained silent.

Xue Qing, who already had one knee on the bed, looked puzzled and even made a move to pull back the covers. “But I used to sleep with Senior Sister all the time,” she protested.

Hearing this, a surge of jealousy shot through Shi Xu’s head. Blinded by envy, she lost all reason. She swiftly got out of bed, grabbed Xue Qing’s hand, pulled her to the middle of the bed, and pressed her down, tucking the covers around her with meticulous care.

Xue Qing, now only her eyes visible beneath the covers, stared in utter bewilderment: Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?

Jian Zhi also seemed puzzled by Shi Xu’s actions, her gaze probing. Shi Xu knew she had acted impulsively, but how could she tolerate someone sleeping with Jian Zhi right under her nose?

Even with Jian Zhi’s burning gaze on her back, Shi Xu didn’t regret her actions.

As she lay back down, the intense heat of Jian Zhi’s gaze seemed to diminish, whether from exhaustion or tempered by Xue Qing’s presence.

After a long while, Shi Xu stole a glance at Jian Zhi. The other woman lay flat on her back, eyes tightly closed, appearing to be asleep.

The room was dimly lit, yet even in such darkness, Jian Zhi’s sharp features and striking beauty remained unmistakable.

Last year, Jian Zhi won Best Actress at the film awards for her breakout hit, which was both a critical and commercial success. She also secured the Best Actress award at the mainstream television awards, catapulting her to A-list status. If not for pre-existing commitments, she likely wouldn’t have appeared on a show like this.

Before she knew it, Shi Xu found herself completely absorbed in watching Jian Zhi. Beyond the subtle flutter in her heart, she also felt a profound sense of loneliness emanating from the sleeping woman.

Even in her quiet slumber, Jian Zhi seemed enveloped by solitude, stirring an involuntary urge to offer her warmth.

I must be delirious from exhaustion, Shi Xu thought, dismissing the absurd notion. A celebrated actress showered with fame and fortune, surrounded by countless people—how could she possibly be lonely?

Xue Qing stirred in her sleep, mumbling something that snapped Shi Xu out of her reverie. Glancing at her phone, she realized it was already 3 a.m. She quickly adjusted her position to sleep, but before closing her eyes, she glanced at Jian Zhi again, the strange feeling lingering.

Once Shi Xu’s breathing settled into a steady rhythm, Jian Zhi opened her eyes in the darkness. She glanced at Shi Xu before rising and standing by the window for most of the night.

Shi Xu didn’t know when she had fallen asleep, but being woken up left her seething with irritation. She sat up groggily, ready to unleash her anger, only to see Jian Zhi emerge from the bathroom in a revealing nightgown. Her anger instantly evaporated.

She quickly glanced around, hoping to spot Xue Qing. This beautiful view shouldn’t be wasted on that woman.

Noticing her movements, Jian Zhi said calmly, “She’s already gone back. She won’t bother you.”

“Huh?” Is there some misunderstanding? Shi Xu opened her mouth to explain.

Jian Zhi’s gaze lingered briefly on a certain spot before darting away, as if avoiding something.

Seeing Jian Zhi’s slightly disgusted expression, Shi Xu’s explanation caught in her throat. She felt more wronged than Dou E herself.

After getting out of bed, she realized her neatly buttoned pajamas were now wide open, one sleeve slipped down to her elbow, revealing a generous expanse of skin. No wonder Jian Zhi had looked at her so strangely.

Does she think I did this on purpose? That’s why she looked so disgusted? Shi Xu’s mind raced as she entered the bathroom. There, she locked eyes with Jian Zhi, who was changing inside. The shock made Jian Zhi drop the dress she was holding, exposing her slender figure completely.

Shi Xu’s face flushed crimson. She quickly picked up the dress and handed it back, stammering, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!”

As the older woman, Jian Zhi quickly regained her composure. She took the dress, held it in front of herself, and said coldly, “How much longer are you going to stand there staring?”

“Oh, oh!” Shi Xu retreated hastily, closing the door behind her, her entire body burning with embarrassment.

It took Jian Zhi a long time to emerge. Her white, fitted slip dress accentuated her figure and made her face glow like a peach blossom, enhancing her slender beauty.

Huh? Is she blushing?

Shi Xu felt like she had stumbled upon something significant. Just as she leaned in for a closer look, Jian Zhi deliberately skirted around her and left the room, leaving only a faint, lingering fragrance in the air.

Is she blushing from embarrassment or the bathroom steam? Shi Xu pondered this question until the recording session began.

The initial stage performance hadn’t aired yet. Today’s recording focused on song selection and team formation for the first episode. By the time Shi Xu arrived, the other contestants had already gathered in cliques, offering only perfunctory greetings. No one extended an olive branch to her.

Shi Xu wasn’t surprised. Given her reputation mired in scandal, who would risk associating with her?

Scanning the room, she walked over and sat beside Jian Zhi and Xue Qing, clearly signaling her intent to join their group.

Xue Qing blinked and asked, “Shi Xu-jie, do you want to team up with us?”

Shi Xu smiled. “Just call me Shi Xu. No need for formalities.”

“Oh.” Xue Qing’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly oblivious to the underlying meaning. “I just wanted to let you know that Senior Sister and I have already chosen our song.”

Shi Xu glanced at the tablet in Xue Qing’s hand, which displayed a duet song.

“……”

She peered past Xue Qing’s head to look at Jian Zhi, who was staring intently at the tablet she was using to select songs, completely ignoring her.

“Why don’t you ask someone else? Otherwise, we’ll have to form teams freely later.”

Shi Xu wasn’t afraid of forming teams freely, but she desperately wanted to be on a team with Jian Zhi. That way, they could practice together and essentially be inseparable.

But Xue Qing was clinging to Jian Zhi like an octopus, leaving Shi Xu no chance to even strike up a conversation, let alone form a team.

Growing increasingly frustrated, Shi Xu decided to take the initiative. She had just started to say “J-” when Jian Zhi stood up.

“Let’s go. It’s time to choose our song.”

Throughout the entire exchange, Jian Zhi didn’t even glance at Shi Xu, her deliberate disregard painfully obvious.

Shi Xu clenched her fists and followed, her eyes fixed on the pair. Fortunately, the goddess of fortune seemed to be on her side once again. The song they wanted had already been taken, forcing them to form a team of three or more.

Seizing the opportunity while Xue Qing was distracted by observing other teams’ strategies, Shi Xu claimed her spot and said to Jian Zhi, “Add me to your team. Otherwise, you’ll have to team up with even more people.”

It was clear Jian Zhi didn’t want to form a large group. She had been keeping to herself from the start, and if it weren’t for her junior sister Xue Qing, she might have performed solo.

Jian Zhi stared at Shi Xu for over ten seconds before asking, “There are so many talented people here. Why do you insist on joining our group?”

Because I like you! Shi Xu nearly blurted out, but she knew it wasn’t the right time. The words caught in her throat, twisting into a different shape before she swallowed them back down.

“We’re roommates, right? Practicing together would be much more convenient. Don’t you think?”

Jian Zhi remained unconvinced by her reasoning. However, the next round of song selection was about to begin. If they didn’t decide quickly, they’d have to team up with even more unfamiliar people—a scenario she dreaded even more.

As the host announced the start, Xue Qing pressed the “confirm” button for a trio song. These songs were notoriously difficult, demanding exceptional vocal skills. Shi Xu could already imagine the grueling practice sessions ahead.

Xue Qing had perfect pitch but a plain, untrained voice. Jian Zhi had a beautiful tone but lacked breath control. The only one capable of carrying the group was Shi Xu.

The thought of leading her idol through the competition, earning her recognition and praise, filled Shi Xu with excitement. She could hardly wait to take the stage and perform.

“Why did you confirm already? I hadn’t decided yet!”

Jian Zhi’s words were like a bucket of cold water dumped over Shi Xu’s head, instantly sobering her up. She glanced at Jian Zhi and lowered her head like a dejected puppy.

So, she doesn’t want to team up with me at all. If it weren’t for Xue Qing’s naive kindness, I wouldn’t even be here.

Does that mean I should thank Xue Qing?

Her gaze shifted to Xue Qing, who asked, “Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Shi Xu replied stiffly, “No.”

Forget it. This is impossible.

After several more rounds of fierce competition, the teams were mostly finalized. During a brief window for roster changes, Shu Yueyao extended an invitation to Shi Xu. Before Shi Xu could decline, Xue Qing grabbed her arm.

“You’re going to abandon us?”

Shi Xu didn’t respond, turning instead to Jian Zhi, hoping she might say something. But Jian Zhi merely gave her a cold glance before telling Xue Qing, “Qing’er, don’t pull on her like that. Let Miss Shi decide for herself.”

Shi Xu’s heart sank again. She mumbled a refusal to Shu Yueyao and sat silently until the song selection process concluded.

Perhaps because her gaze kept following Jian Zhi, their eyes met several times during the session. But each time, Jian Zhi immediately looked away, as if she had only glanced at Shi Xu casually.

Like a butterfly tired from flight, she lingered briefly on his branches before fluttering off to another flower.

Lost in thought, Shi Xu touched her face. Among the crowd, she felt her looks were no worse than anyone else’s. Why couldn’t he linger on her a little longer?

The next part of the shoot took place in the practice room, where disagreements erupted again during the lyric division. Xue Qing wanted something easy, but the simple lyrics had dance moves, while the lyrics without dance moves were too difficult to sing. She lay sprawled on the floor, a salted fish who had lost her dreams.

“Qing’er, get up already. What kind of behavior is this?” Jian Zhi said, her voice laced with exasperation. It was clear this wasn’t the first time Xue Qing had acted like this.

Xue Qing pouted, her voice dripping with self-pity. “It’s so hard! I wish I hadn’t come.”

Shi Xu smirked wickedly, leaned down, and whispered, “This angle is so unflattering. If your fans saw you like this, they’d probably unsubscribe and start dragging you.”

Xue Qing shot upright, frantically touching her neck to check for a double chin.

Shi Xu showed no sympathy. “Get up and finalize the lyrics. We’re already short on time. How much longer are you going to waste? If we get eliminated because of you, can you take responsibility for that?”

Xue Qing scrambled to her feet, tearfully swapping lyrics with Jian Zhi.

This meant Shi Xu would have to dance a duet with Jian Zhi. Originally, they were supposed to perform solo dances, but the production team, eager to create a romantic buzz, deliberately added this ambiguous, tantalizing segment.

Jian Zhi showed no particular reaction, but Shi Xu was the first to crack.

When Jian Zhi’s hand settled on her shoulder, Shi Xu froze, her steps faltering. When Jian Zhi’s other hand circled her waist, Shi Xu’s breath hitched, her heart racing uncontrollably.

The face she had only ever seen through a screen was now inches away. Shi Xu couldn’t control her racing heart. To hide her panic, she stiffened her neck and leaned back, desperately trying to maintain distance.

To onlookers, this appeared as silent rejection, and Jian Zhi interpreted it the same way.

Jian Zhi’s already cool features grew even colder. After enduring Shi Xu’s chaotic steps for a few moments, she released her hands.

“If you really don’t want to dance with me, we can switch to Xue Qing.”

With teams already formed, swapping members was impractical. Jian Zhi was simply trying to resolve the situation with minimal disruption. In this regard, she was a reliable senior.

Hearing this, Shi Xu panicked even more. She tripped over her own feet, dragging Jian Zhi down with her. Jian Zhi landed on top of her, her lips pressing against Shi Xu’s neck, her breath burning against her skin.