I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 22

Jian Zhi couldn’t speak. Her heart was racing uncontrollably, making it impossible to respond to Shi Xu.

Shi Xu didn’t press her, patiently waiting for Jian Zhi’s breathing to steady. The pounding of Jian Zhi’s heart against her eardrums only further muddled her thoughts.

Why is Jian Zhi’s heart beating so fast? Shi Xu wondered. Probably because we’re too close. She must not like it.

Yet even though Jian Zhi disliked it, Shi Xu still wanted to linger a little longer, reluctant to part so soon.

As she thought this, her own heart began to race, intertwining with Jian Zhi’s until it was impossible to tell whose pulse was quickening.

It wasn’t just their heartbeats that were entangled. Their breaths, too hot and heavy, soon made Jian Zhi turn her face away, trying to create some distance.

Shi Xu was also struggling, gritting her teeth to maintain control.

After their two intimate encounters, she had grown familiar with Jian Zhi’s body. Whenever Jian Zhi pressed close, Shi Xu couldn’t resist the urge to do something—to cup her face and kiss her, to caress her slender waist, to hold her head and tangle their lips together, even to indulge in bolder desires.

Shi Xu knew she should suppress these indecent thoughts. But with her warm, soft sister pressed against her, sharing not only warmth and breath but also a scent that seemed to intoxicate her, her mind grew hazy and her emotions surged.

The hand around Jian Zhi’s waist tightened, and the person on top of her visibly stiffened, glancing down with flushed, peach-blossom eyes.

Shi Xu’s strength seemed to drain away under that gaze. Only a sudden surge of excitement made her breath quicken and her body temperature rise.

What kind of eyes are those?!

Three parts reproach, seven parts shyness, their pupils veiled in a watery mist, making them appear both hazy and luminous. The dark depths of her eyes resembled a surging ocean, beckoning one to explore their depths.

Seeming embarrassed by the intense scrutiny, Jian Zhi’s gaze flickered away. “Stop staring,” she murmured. “Turn your face away.”

Shi Xu obediently lowered her head, her eyes falling on Jian Zhi’s lowered collar, revealing the rosy pink mark where she had bitten her.

Alarm bells rang in her mind, but she hadn’t meant to look—it was truly just a fleeting, accidental glance. After a few seconds, she remembered something and quietly apologized to Jian Zhi.

Her voice was too muffled, and both women were preoccupied with their own thoughts. Naturally, Jian Zhi didn’t hear her. She leaned closer, asking, “What did you say?”

She tilted her head slightly, as if listening intently, her thick, long lashes casting shadows beneath her eyelids. Her high nose and full, rosy lips framed a perfect profile, its allure no less potent than her full-face view.

Shi Xu gazed at Jian Zhi’s fair, smooth face, deeply understanding the meaning of natural beauty. Even at nearly thirty, her skin retained the softness of a baby’s, with even the fine downy hairs tinted pink—a complexion that Shi Xu, barely in her twenties, could only dream of.

When no response came, Jian Zhi turned to look at her. Shi Xu, as if waking from a dream, quickly averted her gaze and said awkwardly, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Does it hurt?”

Jian Zhi had no idea what Shi Xu was apologizing for. If it was about their current situation, it wasn’t entirely her fault. Shi Xu was the one being pinned down; she could have remembered at any time, but had merely used the “slippery hands” excuse to indulge her own desires.

“What’s there to apologize for? You’re the one who fell.”

Shi Xu bit her lip. “Not that. I meant your chest…”

Jian Zhi paused for a few seconds before looking down. As expected, her collar was wide open, her br3asts pressed together, revealing a hint of crimson. It was the wound Shi Xu had bitten open, now scabbed over.

When Jian Zhi looked up again, her face flushed crimson, as if stained by the evening sunset. She lost the composure she had been desperately maintaining, revealing a flustered and embarrassed expression in front of someone eight years younger.

She stared intently at Shi Xu, whose heart fluttered wildly, her thoughts spiraling into chaos. She nearly kissed those dark, luminous eyes.

Fortunately, a sliver of rationality held her back. Otherwise, she would have done something Shi Xu would hate. No matter what, she didn’t want to return to the awkwardness of their first meeting.

Jian Zhi’s face was flushed crimson, whether from anger or something else, Shi Xu couldn’t tell. She didn’t dare ask, only waiting anxiously for Jian Zhi to speak.

Seeing Shi Xu’s downcast, dejected expression, Jian Zhi’s heart softened inexplicably. She’s still just a child, she thought. It’s natural for her thoughts to stray occasionally. She just needs proper guidance.

“Shi Xu,” she called softly.

Shi Xu immediately looked up, her eyes shining brightly. Within her glass-like pupils, there was unease, but also a glimmer of anticipation.

If this isn’t a puppy, what is? Jian Zhi thought.

“Isn’t this matter already settled? We agreed to move past it.”

Shi Xu’s heart clenched at those words, and the light in her eyes gradually dimmed. Yes, they were just ordinary friends now, not close enough to discuss such personal matters.

Perhaps in Jian Zhi’s mind, she wasn’t even a friend, merely a colleague she had to interact with. After all, there was such a significant age gap. The older woman was mature, experienced, and had her own social circles—circles Shi Xu couldn’t even touch the edges of.

“I understand,” Shi Xu replied in a barely audible voice.

Her expression barely changed, but Jian Zhi knew she was unhappy. Children’s emotions were always so easy to read.

Looking into those dimmed, glass-like eyes, Jian Zhi longed to pat Shi Xu’s head, but she couldn’t. If people clung to her even without encouragement, what would happen if she showed affection? Since she intended to draw a clear line, she shouldn’t leave any lingering ties.

It wouldn’t be fair to Shi Xu.

After a moment of internal turmoil, Jian Zhi’s heartbeat returned to normal. She stood up decisively, smoothed out her wrinkled clothes, grabbed her water cup and towel, and left.

Shi Xu scrambled to her feet, gathered her things, and hurried after Jian Zhi, like a newborn chick trailing its mother.

She didn’t know where Jian Zhi was going, but as long as Jian Zhi kept moving, she would follow.

Finally, at a spot where they didn’t usually catch the bus, Jian Zhi stopped and turned to look at her. Shi Xu felt caught red-handed and scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“Do you want to come home with me?”

Shi Xu’s face lit up. “Really?! Can I?!”

Jian Zhi: “……”

Sometimes she really couldn’t tell if Shi Xu was being deliberately obtuse or genuinely unable to discern tone. Was she even aware that she sounded like she was inviting herself?

Shi Xu pouted, her voice tinged with disappointment. “Then I’ll head back. Be careful on your way home.”

Jian Zhi nodded, watching Shi Xu reluctantly turn and walk away. Despite her height, the way she walked with her head bowed was almost endearing.

Is this what they mean by contrast? Jian Zhi wondered, surprised. She strode toward the parking lot.

I really need to clear my head, she thought. How could I find someone taller than me cute? Have I ever paid this much attention to anyone before?

The answer was no.

Shi Xu was the first.

Jian Zhi’s expression shifted rapidly as she quickened her pace, nearly breaking into a run. Her mind was a tangled mess of conflicting emotions, a suffocating weight in her chest.

This bright, cheerful girl, just starting her life, might face minor setbacks now, but she was destined for greatness. Her future was radiant, filled with flowers and applause. She shouldn’t be entangled with someone like Jian Zhi.

Jian Zhi gasped, the icy air searing her lungs. She coughed violently, each spasm emptying her lungs further. She had to stop, leaning against a roadside tree to catch her breath.

A faint tremor ran through her palm, the rough bark scraping against her skin with a dull ache.

Why is the tree shaking?

Puzzled, Jian Zhi looked down and realized it was her own hand trembling.