I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 32

Shi Xu closed her eyes, steeled her resolve, and buried her face in Jian Zhi’s chest.

A faint, soothing fragrance enveloped her, calming her frayed nerves and allowing her to completely relax.

Shi Xu did nothing but quietly lean against Jian Zhi, even her breathing was kept light and shallow, afraid of making Jian Zhi uncomfortable.

Jian Zhi had initially intended to push her away, but her hand froze halfway. After a dozen seconds, it settled on the back of Shi Xu’s head. With a silent sigh, she accepted her compromise.

No matter how many times this happened, she could never bring herself to completely reject the adorable, loyal little dog. Either she should have firmly refused her from the start, or… allowed her to draw near.

Pushing her away now would be too late.

Shi Xu could withdraw at any moment, but Jian Zhi was already too deeply entangled. It required immense self-control to resist the urge to pull her closer. Her vaunted willpower, which she prided herself on, proved to be nothing more than a fragile bubble in Shi Xu’s presence, easily shattered with the slightest touch.

For instance, right now, she was utterly helpless against the pouting little dog.

“Sister,” Shi Xu murmured.

Shi Xu’s voice was muffled, her breath tickling Jian Zhi’s chest as she spoke, the sensation seeping from her skin into her heart like a feather lightly brushing against it.

Jian Zhi’s chest felt itchy, her voice even more strained and hoarse than before. “What’s wrong?”

Shi Xu didn’t dare look at her, quietly tightening her grip on Jian Zhi’s sleeve. After taking several deep breaths, she finally said, “We agreed to be friends, didn’t we? Why did you change your mind?”

I don’t want us to drift apart, to end up as mere acquaintances who nod politely in passing. I want to stay close to you, to eat together, watch movies, hold hands, and even just talk under the covers. I’d do anything to keep that!

The roars and screams in her heart manifested outwardly only as a tighter grip on Jian Zhi’s sleeve. Shi Xu had never felt so cowardly before, never been reduced to such a state for anyone. Even she found it unbelievable, but what could she do? She loved Jian Zhi, and even being treated like a dog felt sweet.

Didn’t you pull away first? The words hovered on Jian Zhi’s tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them. She didn’t want to sound like a resentful woman, binding Shi Xu with an ambiguous relationship only to have her resent her later.

Perhaps this was for the best. Shi Xu wouldn’t be hounded by fans or emotionally drained by Jian Zhi. After the show, she would gain a new following and embark on a bright career. Jian Zhi would secretly support her, helping her ride the wave to success.

Jian Zhi’s lips parted to speak, but the puppy in her arms spoke first.

“Can’t we still be friends? Even just ordinary friends? I’ll be careful in front of the cameras, but don’t be so cold to me in private, like we’re strangers. You didn’t want me to withdraw from the competition, and we’re going to be living together for so long. Do we really have to endure this suffocating atmosphere every day?”

Jian Zhi was hurting too. Watching Shi Xu distance herself and grow closer to others was far more painful than she had imagined. She had already seen the CP edit video; the fans had done a great job, creating an atmosphere so intimate it felt real. Just as she was about to withdraw, she saw Shi Xu’s official account had liked it. With such a prominent verified badge, it was hard to doubt the account’s authenticity.

The emotions that surged through her at that moment were indescribable, but they made her understand the meaning of “jealousy.” It wasn’t that she had never experienced this emotion before; she had simply never encountered a situation that triggered it.

“Please, Sister,” Shi Xu said, nuzzling gently against Jian Zhi’s chest, her actions as innocent as a puppy’s affectionate gestures, devoid of any ulterior motives.

You trouble me constantly, Jian Zhi thought, pressing her lips together. Just thinking about you makes my heart race. I’m afraid you’ll come wagging your tail, but even more afraid you won’t, that someone else will become closer to you than I am. This conflicting turmoil leaves me paralyzed.

When Jian Zhi didn’t respond, Shi Xu tilted her head back from her embrace, pouting pitifully. “Just say yes, please? I’ll be good.”

Her glassy eyes brimmed with tears, her drooping brows and downturned mouth making her look like a rain-soaked puppy abandoned by its owner—so heartbreakingly vulnerable that words seemed unnecessary.

Jian Zhi saw her own reflection in those glistening pupils. Her heart quickened, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Okay.” By the time she realized what she’d said, the little puppy was already grinning and wagging her tail.

“I knew you were the best, Sister!”

Jian Zhi could almost see Shi Xu’s ears twitch and tail wagging. A strange warmth stirred within her as she instinctively reached out to stroke Shi Xu’s head. For a moment, both of them froze, caught in the unexpected intimacy of the gesture.

“Get up. The floor’s cold,” Jian Zhi said, pretending Shi Xu wasn’t even there.

“Oh, oh!” Shi Xu sprang to her feet, hastily pulling Jian Zhi up with her. She was only wearing a thin nightgown, and her skin felt alarmingly cold.

Jian Zhi straightened her clothes and stepped out first, Shi Xu trailing behind. Her gaze lingered on Jian Zhi’s faintly flushed butterfly bones before she impulsively wrapped her arms around her from behind.

Jian Zhi’s breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat. “What are you doing?”

“You’re freezing. I’m just warming you up,” Shi Xu said matter-of-factly, her tone utterly devoid of ulterior motives.

Jian Zhi couldn’t argue. She let Shi Xu hold her, sharing her body heat. If it weren’t for her heart gradually quickening, she might have thought time had frozen in that moment.

Shi Xu remained almost motionless behind her, likely genuinely just trying to warm her up, with no impure intentions.

When will this silly girl realize what she’s doing? Jian Zhi wondered, her thoughts swirling with complexity.

Compared to Jian Zhi’s inner turmoil, Shi Xu’s thoughts were much simpler. The sharp angles of Jian Zhi’s body pressed against her, and her heart ached with concern. How can I get her to gain some weight? She was still startled by Jian Zhi’s frailness, her heart aching with pity. She’s so thin, a gust of wind could knock her over, let alone fight off an illness.

Even for the sake of appearing on camera, Jian Zhi had become excessively thin. Whether it was something someone had said to her in the past or her own anxiety that had led to this result, Shi Xu couldn’t bear to stand by and do nothing now that she had noticed.

“Sister, let’s go out for dinner tonight. You like the food at Yanhai Restaurant, right?”

Jian Zhi’s mind was in turmoil, but she nodded without hesitation. Surprised by her immediate agreement, Shi Xu buried her face in Jian Zhi’s shoulder and nuzzled her affectionately.

I should mark this day as an anniversary, Shi Xu thought. Every year, I’ll take her to Yanhai Restaurant to commemorate this moment of shared excitement and celebrate our bond.

“That’s enough, don’t you think? I’m starting to feel warm now,” Jian Zhi said, unable to withstand Shi Xu’s excessive affection.

Shi Xu looked up at her, her eyes sparkling. “Just a little longer. Fifteen seconds? No, thirty seconds… or maybe a minute?”

Jian Zhi paused, then a faint smile curved her lips, a smile she herself didn’t even realize was there.

They continued to embrace for a while longer before Shi Xu reluctantly released her. The time had far exceeded a minute, but Jian Zhi didn’t protest. Only after Shi Xu let go did Jian Zhi stiffly walk away, her long, wavy hair falling to conceal the tips of her flushed ears.

Shi Xu watched her, stroking her chin. Did I make her angry again?

“Sister, it’s almost time. Should we change and head out?” Shi Xu asked tentatively in a low voice.

“Mm, it’s time to get ready,” Jian Zhi replied softly, showing no signs of anger.

Shi Xu breathed a sigh of relief and opened the closet, pulling out a trendy outfit she’d been saving for a special occasion. Without hesitation, she began undressing in front of Jian Zhi.

Jian Zhi immediately turned her back, saying, “Go change in the bathroom.”

Shi Xu ruffled her messy hair and retorted, “You’ve already seen everything there is to see. What’s the point in hiding anything now? You even know about the moles on my body, right?”

“I don’t!” Jian Zhi’s ears burned fiercely, her face flushing hot.

“Oh? Then let me tell you,” Shi Xu said, pulling on her clothes and stepping closer. “There’s one on my collarbone, another on my left br3ast—the one you bit the other night…”

“Stop!” Jian Zhi interrupted sharply, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched her clothes. Beneath her thick lashes, the corners of her eyes and cheeks were flushed crimson.

“Do you talk to your other friends like this?”

“Yeah, we’re pretty casual with each other. But they’ve never seen my body.”

Jian Zhi hurried into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. A deep smile bloomed in Shi Xu’s eyes, the corners of her lips slowly curving upward.

She picked up her phone and called the restaurant manager, giving a few instructions. The smile in her eyes turned sly.

Half an hour later, as they were about to leave, Xue Qing, her eyes swollen like walnuts, was squatting by the door. When she saw them get up, she pounded her stiff legs and declared, “I’m coming too!”

Shi Xu blocked her path, whispering, “We’re going on a date. What do you want to come for?”

“To be Steve,” Xue Qing replied with unwavering conviction.

“I don’t care if you’re Steve or whatever! Stay out of this!” Shi Xu snapped coldly.

Xue Qing sidestepped her, slipping into Shi Xu’s blind spot, and turned to Jian Zhi, whining, “Senior Sister, Shi Xu’s telling me to get lost!”

Shi Xu immediately spun around, forcing a smile. “I didn’t say that! Don’t twist my words and slander me!”

Before Jian Zhi could respond, Xue Qing seized the initiative, grabbing her arm and pleading in a tearful voice, “I just got dumped. If I’m alone, I’ll start overthinking things and feel like life has no meaning. If Senior Sister doesn’t look after me, I might as well go to the rooftop and catch a breeze.”

Shi Xu maintained her cheerful facade, inwardly cursing. She didn’t believe for a second that someone who could cry while stealing her snacks would ever consider ending it all. Besides, this building didn’t even have a rooftop!

Jian Zhi looked at her with pleading eyes, leaving Shi Xu no choice but to reluctantly agree. Rather than put Jian Zhi in the awkward position of being caught between them, it was better to bring this third wheel along, feed her, and send her on her way. If she still lacked the sense to leave after that, then Shi Xu could escalate things later.

Arriving at Yanhai Restaurant, Xue Qing let out a squeal of awe, clearly overwhelmed by the opulence. Though a rising star, she had never experienced such extravagance. Standing in the grand hall, her heartbreak seemed to vanish instantly.

As the elevator doors opened on the top floor, rose petals showered down. Several handsome waiters stood in a neat line, each holding a single rose. They stepped forward one by one to present the flowers to Jian Zhi.

“These were prepared by Miss Shi for you. We wish you a pleasant meal.”

Jian Zhi stood frozen, clutching the roses. Her expression shifted slightly at the words, a hint of shyness flickering in her eyes as a faint blush rose on her cheeks.

Xue Qing, ever the drama queen, rushed over to Shi Xu, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “Wow, Miss Shi, you’re so romantic~” she cooed loudly.

Shi Xu was mortified, unable to meet Jian Zhi’s gaze. Damn you, Steve! You’ve ruined my carefully planned candlelit dinner!