I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 20

“Really?!”

Shi Xu nearly jumped up in excitement, her earlier dejection vanishing completely. She was like a puppy frolicking in a wide meadow, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Emotions come and go so quickly—she’s such a child, Jian Zhi thought with an inward sigh. “Alright, go take off your makeup and change. You’re not planning to sleep like that, are you?”

Shi Xu finally realized she was still in her live broadcast outfit since returning home. No wonder Jian Zhi had paused at the door—she must have been startled by Shi Xu’s dark makeup.

It’s been so long… my eyes must be smudged by now. Does that mean I look awful right now?!

“Aaaah!” She dashed into the bathroom.

Jian Zhi: “?”

Another sigh escaped her lips, followed by a helpless smile.

Her mood was strangely complex, a mix of numbness and an inexplicable itch.

Earlier, her spirits had plummeted. Communicating with those who couldn’t understand human language was no easy task.

But after Shi Xu’s outburst, those negative emotions seemed to have lessened considerably.

Perhaps… they really could be friends.

Jian Zhi gazed out the window, her eyes darker than the night itself.

After a thorough wash, Shi Xu changed into her pajamas and even spritzed on some perfume, hoping to salvage her image. But when she emerged, Jian Zhi was already in bed, asleep.

She didn’t even shower before sleeping? She must be exhausted.

Remembering the online backlash, Shi Xu felt guilty again. If only I’d kept my mouth shut, she thought. It’s all this damn mouth’s fault.

Jian Zhi liked to sleep curled up on her side, forming a small lump under the covers. It was a posture that betrayed a deep-seated insecurity. Shi Xu didn’t know why Jian Zhi felt so insecure, but if she could, she wanted to help her feel less alone.

The thought circled in her mind, and Shi Xu chuckled self-deprecatingly. She crouched beside Jian Zhi’s bed, gazing at her with eyes so tender they seemed to brim with tears.

“This is good enough for now,” she murmured.

After another half-minute, she got into bed, turned to face Jian Zhi, and whispered softly, “Good night~”

Only when Jian Zhi heard Shi Xu’s even breathing did she dare open her eyes.

The room was dimly lit by moonlight, making it hard to see Shi Xu’s face clearly. Instead, Jian Zhi saw a small dog-like Shi Xu with ears and a frantically wagging tail.

I must be going crazy, Jian Zhi thought. But no matter how she tried to reason with herself, those bright, glass-like eyes remained etched in her mind, impossible to shake off.

That strange emotion crept back, her heart feeling like it was being gnawed by insects—a tingling, itchy sensation.

Thank goodness the Second Public Performance is coming up soon, Jian Zhi thought. Once we have new teams, we won’t have to live together anymore. And with a new Sister, Shi Xu probably won’t insist on being my friend anymore.

Despite these thoughts, Jian Zhi didn’t feel the relief she’d expected.

You got what you wanted, shouldn’t you be relieved? Why do you feel so down?

Jian Zhi, what do you really want from her?

Turning her back to Shi Xu, Jian Zhi pulled the blanket over herself, hoping to clear her chaotic thoughts. But she accidentally brushed against her bitten n1pple, a sharp pain radiating from her chest, sending a tingling, numb sensation through her limbs.

Jian Zhi froze, her cheeks and earlobes flushing crimson. Her heart raced as she covered her face in shame.

That night, Shi Xu slept soundly, while Jian Zhi barely slept at all. Fortunately, Jian Zhi’s naturally good skin showed no signs of fatigue, even after a sleepless night.

Yet the weariness in her eyes was unmistakable. Seeing this, Shi Xu felt guilty and took the initiative to buy breakfast. She remained quiet during the drive to the recording studio, doing her best to make Jian Zhi feel relaxed and comfortable.

But to Jian Zhi, this considerate behavior felt like cold indifference.

She’s already drawing boundaries before we’ve even formed new teams. Was all that enthusiasm just a passing whim?

Jian Zhi glanced at Shi Xu, wondering if she should initiate a conversation.

As if sensing her gaze, Shi Xu turned her head. Her eyes lit up instantly when she saw Jian Zhi staring at her. She leaned closer, tilting her head. “Sister?”

“Hmm?” Jian Zhi, feeling guilty, averted her gaze and adjusted her posture.

People often act busy when they’re embarrassed. Shi Xu noticed this, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

“Do you have something to tell me?”

Jian Zhi, a woman of experience, quickly regained her composure and replied calmly, “No, you should get some more sleep.”

Shi Xu had only been pretending to sleep; otherwise, how could she have felt Jian Zhi’s gaze? It was Jian Zhi who needed to rest, not her.

“We still have a long drive to the filming location, Sister. You should get some sleep too.”

Jian Zhi nodded once, saying nothing more.

The rest of the journey passed in silence. Xue Qing had arrived at the recording studio before them and rushed over to Jian Zhi the moment she saw her, clinging to her while shooting glares at Shi Xu.

Shi Xu: …

She racked her brain, but couldn’t figure out what she had done to offend this woman again.

Shi Xu’s name was still trending on social media, pushing her “black-red” status to its extreme. Her popularity had surged, but her reputation had collapsed, leaving her teetering on the brink of being universally hated online.

Since the scandal erupted last night, Shi Xu’s agency hadn’t taken down the trending topics, clearly opting for a cold-shoulder approach. This made others even more reluctant to associate with her.

After all, everyone was here to make money. If they could use this opportunity to climb higher or stage a comeback, great. If not, no harm done.

Getting too close to Shi Xu and being implicated would defeat the purpose of joining the show—a net loss.

Everyone maintained a tacit agreement, preserving a facade of peace. Yet when it came time to form teams, no one chose her. Only Shu Yueyao expressed interest in partnering with her, but due to her low popularity, she could only be chosen, not choose.

Shi Xu remained utterly unconcerned about being selected or not, sitting as calmly as an old dog. She even secretly showed off two small cakes and slipped a salted plum candy to Jian Zhi.

Jian Zhi mechanically ate the candy, hissing at the sourness. The others heard the sound and glanced at them, their expressions subtle. Those who were close exchanged meaningful glances, their unspoken intentions clear.

Ignoring the stares, Shi Xu asked Jian Zhi, “Hungry? Want a small cake?”

Jian Zhi shook her head, waiting for the second question.

Noticing the camera filming, Shi Xu suppressed her smile and shifted slightly away. She really wanted to ask Jian Zhi if she would choose her later, but after a moment’s thought, she decided against it.

Given the current situation, it might be better to stay apart.

Reason told her not to implicate Jian Zhi, but as she watched her take her place in the selection area, a tiny flicker of hope still stirred in her heart.

It was another song with a performance aspect, but this time, the fans had chosen it. Jian Zhi’s fans knew their idol well, selecting songs that fell squarely within her comfort zone.

Shi Xu hummed a few lines from the song’s chorus, realizing her voice would suit it perfectly.

After much deliberation, Xue Qing was chosen by another team leader. She made a sour face at Jian Zhi before turning to embrace her new teammates, chatting animatedly.

Jian Zhi smiled and withdrew her gaze from Xue Qing, only to catch sight of Shi Xu in the corner. Her breath hitched. Though she appeared indifferent, being isolated by the others must have been painful.

After the events of the previous night, Jian Zhi had gained a wave of sympathy fans, catapulting her popularity to the top spot—by a landslide. Many wanted to team up with her, and she had successfully selected three talented members. Only one spot remained, and she was taking her time deciding.

In the end, only Shi Xu and a few bottom-ranked contestants remained unchosen.

These remaining contestants would be assigned to teams that hadn’t yet filled their rosters, with no right to refuse. Shi Xu glanced at Jian Zhi, whose eyes were lowered in thought, likely having already made her decision.

During the reverse selection round, Jian Zhi asked who wanted to join her team. Everyone stood up except Shi Xu. Jian Zhi glanced at Shi Xu and, citing her own indecision, skipped this round of selections.

As the other team leaders made their choices, Shu Yueyao somehow persuaded her team’s captain to let her quietly slip over to Shi Xu and whisper, “I’ll definitely pick you next round.”

By the second round, only three contestants remained. The team leaders could now choose their desired members without regard to ranking, allowing for mutual selection.

Shi Xu thought to herself, If I stubbornly refuse to choose, the show will definitely stir up drama. That would make my already precarious reputation collapse even faster.

In this situation, the fact that any team is willing to take me in is already a miracle. What more could I ask for?

During the second round of free team formation, the captain of Shu Yueyao’s team held up his selection card and asked, “Shi Xu, would you like to join my team?”

Shi Xu stood up, about to answer, when Jian Zhi stepped forward with her own card.

“Shi Xu, come to my team.”

Shi Xu froze, stunned by this sudden stroke of good fortune. She lost her expression and voice.

The captain of Shu Yueyao’s team chuckled, “Teacher Jian, are you trying to steal my pick?”

“My apologies,” Jian Zhi said with a nod before turning to Shi Xu. “I have absolute selection rights. You cannot refuse me.”