I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 33

“Ahem, let’s go inside first. We shouldn’t interrupt their work.”

The blush on Jian Zhi’s face hadn’t faded, giving her skin a radiant, rosy glow that exuded a mature, alluring charm. She glanced past Shi Xu without making eye contact, afraid to meet her gaze.

Shi Xu glanced at Jian Zhi, her eyes darkening, and her face flushed crimson to the roots of her neck.

Xue Qing leaned in, exaggerating, “Roses, Miss Shi Xu…”

“One more word and I’ll have the manager throw you out!” Shi Xu snapped through gritted teeth.

The manager stepped forward, his eyes narrowing into slits as he flashed a perfect, professional smile, revealing eight pristine white teeth.

Xue Qing glanced at him before turning back to Shi Xu, her tone haughty. “Fine, I won’t say another word. But I’m going to tell Senior Sister all about this. Who even gives roses on dates anymore? So old-fashioned.”

She chuckled at her own words and skipped into the private room, swinging her arms like a penguin waddling toward Jian Zhi.

Shi Xu was momentarily stunned, taking several deep breaths before turning to the manager and fixing her with a piercing gaze. The manager maintained her smile, saying, “Everything was prepared according to your instructions: roses, candlelight, an elegant ambiance. Is there anything else you’re dissatisfied with?”

Shi Xu wanted to say so much, yet couldn’t utter a single word. It was my fault for not being clear enough, she thought. I shouldn’t make things difficult for the staff. Next time, I’ll spell out every detail of my requests, leaving no room for interpretation. I can’t afford to embarrass myself in front of Jian Zhi again.

“Do you have any further instructions, Third Miss?” the manager asked, her tone even more deferential than before.

Shi Xu waved her away. After lingering outside for a while, she finally reentered the room. Xue Qing, who had been chattering animatedly, fell silent at her arrival, though the mischievous grin on her face remained undiminished. It was clear she had been gossiping and teasing Shi Xu mercilessly.

Shi Xu sighed inwardly and sat down beside Jian Zhi, leaning so close she was practically draped over her.

Xue Qing’s curiosity was piqued, her mouth itching to speak. Shi Xu shot her a sharp glare and buried her face in Jian Zhi’s arm, muttering, “I want to throw this annoying lightbulb out. It’s too bright, it hurts my eyes.”

Xue Qing pouted, but even Shi Xu’s sarcastic remarks couldn’t deter her when food was involved. How many chances would she get to visit a place like this in her lifetime? Now that she had the opportunity, she was determined to savor every moment. Her pride was irrelevant; she’d even pocket it if necessary.

The dishes had been prepared in advance and were ready to be served upon their arrival. One after another, exquisite and tempting dishes graced the table, making Xue Qing’s mouth water uncontrollably. Yet the food was so beautifully arranged that she hesitated to disturb their perfect presentation with her chopsticks.

“Eat up,” Shi Xu said, noticing Xue Qing’s drool nearly reaching the door. She picked up a piece of fish for Jian Zhi before reaching for her own chopsticks, only to be stopped by Xue Qing.

“Wait! Let me take some photos first. I need to brag about this on Weibo!”

Xue Qing whipped out her phone and began snapping pictures from every angle, photographing each dish meticulously. Shi Xu grew impatient, about to tell her to hurry up when Jian Zhi intervened. “Just a moment longer,” she said gently. “She’s always loved documenting these things.”

Jian Zhi’s gentle voice instantly soothed Shi Xu’s impatience. Shi Xu slowly reached out and nudged Jian Zhi’s little finger with her index finger. “Aren’t you hungry?”

“Not really,” Jian Zhi replied. Her stomach had always been delicate; she often vomited after eating. Over time, she had lost her appetite, feeling indifferent about food. She could eat or not eat—it didn’t matter. Sometimes she’d realize she hadn’t eaten all day, but by evening, she’d be too lazy to bother and simply skip dinner.

For Jian Zhi, sleep was far more restorative than food. She spent most of her free time sleeping.

Shi Xu gazed at Jian Zhi’s slender, bony fingers and looked up at her. “Then you should eat a lot later, as compensation for me.”

Jian Zhi’s eyes flickered slightly, and she nodded lightly.

She wanted to ask: Shouldn’t compensation be for the person directly involved? Why would her eating more compensate Shi Xu? Whether she ate or not wouldn’t benefit Shi Xu at all, would it?

The answer seemed to already be in her heart, but Jian Zhi was afraid to delve deeper. Their current relationship was already a burden; getting any closer might make her want to run away again. It was better to maintain this distance and let their “friendship” last a little longer.

Xue Qing finally finished filming, completely absorbed in her appreciation of the delicious food. The conversation between the other two went in one ear and out the other, leaving no impression on her mind.

“What were you two talking about just now? I think I heard my name.”

Jian Zhi withdrew her hand, leaving Shi Xu’s hand resting on the table. Shi Xu felt a sudden emptiness in her heart and glared at Xue Qing. “Just eat,” she said. “And hurry up and leave when you’re done.”

“Hmph, I’d leave even if you didn’t tell me to,” Xue Qing retorted, pouting. Her chopsticks were already moving, devouring the food with gusto.

Shi Xu had been raised in a relaxed household where strict etiquette wasn’t enforced. Even so, witnessing Xue Qing’s ravenous eating style was still quite a shock.

She had always assumed that all girls ate like Jian Zhi—gracefully, softly, barely making a sound. She never imagined she’d encounter such a heavyweight today.

This girl is even more ferocious than me! Whose subordinate is she?

“Sister, stop eating! Wait—”

Jian Zhi turned to look at her.

Shi Xu: “?”

If Shi Xu remembered correctly, Jian Zhi hadn’t even touched her chopsticks, only eating a piece of fish, two crab legs, and a tiny bit of lobster.

Is that all she’s eaten?

“Even a bird’s stomach isn’t this small. Eat a little more. If you don’t want to bother, I’ll peel it for you.”

Shi Xu took the lobster that Xue Qing hadn’t ravaged, divided it into small pieces, and offered them to Jian Zhi. Jian Zhi looked at the food with a pained expression and shook her head.

“I really can’t eat any more. My stomach is already full.”

Shi Xu knew Jian Zhi’s stomach wasn’t strong, and forcing her to eat would only make her uncomfortable. But if she only ate this little every time, when would she ever gain weight?

After a moment’s thought, Shi Xu called the waiter and ordered a plate of seasonal vegetables and the restaurant’s signature nourishing soup, emphasizing repeatedly that the soup must be made light and mild.

“The soup needs to simmer for a while. By the time it’s ready, the food in your stomach should have digested.”

Xue Qing’s head snapped up, her eyes gleaming. “What, what?! I want some too!”

Shi Xu pushed the remaining lobster toward her, saying dryly, “Go ahead, it’s all yours.”

Xue Qing ate until her stomach was round and taut, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied burp, her expression dazed.

“If I could eat like this every day, I’d gladly become a hundred-billion-dollar Best Actress,” Xue Qing declared.

Shi Xu shot her a disdainful glance. “Daydreaming, are we? Wanting to eat and take everything too.”

“What do you know? What’s the difference between a person without dreams and a salted fish?” Xue Qing retorted, then clung to Jian Zhi’s arm to complain, “Senior Sister, look at her! She’s always picking on me, seizing every chance to scold me. Waaah!”

Seeing Xue Qing so close to Jian Zhi, Shi Xu felt a surge of inexplicable anger. She leaned down, pushed Xue Qing’s head, and tore her away from Jian Zhi, pulling the beauty into her own arms.

“You’ve eaten and drunk your fill. Can’t you read the room?”

Xue Qing pouted and slumped back into her seat, suddenly falling silent.

Jian Zhi, caught off guard by Shi Xu’s embrace, felt a pang of sympathy for Xue Qing. “Don’t be so harsh,” she said softly. “She’s just heartbroken. Can’t we cut her some slack?”

She looked up at Shi Xu, her dark peach blossom eyes warm and gentle. Like a refreshing breeze, her gaze swept away all negativity and gloom.

Shi Xu nodded unconsciously, her eyes fixed intently on Jian Zhi’s face, staring without blinking.

Jian Zhi, flustered by the intense gaze, averted her eyes. “Let go of me first… let me get up.”

Shi Xu was holding Jian Zhi from behind, trapping most of her body in her arms. Jian Zhi struggled to move, unable to muster any strength.

Shi Xu’s hands tightened around Jian Zhi’s waist as she effortlessly lifted her onto a chair, demonstrating her point. “This is what happens when you don’t eat properly. We’re about the same height, yet you don’t even have half my strength. Sister, you need to eat more and gain some weight.”

The last sentence was laced with exasperation and affection, as if she were coaxing a child. Jian Zhi’s heart clenched, and she averted her gaze, giving a barely perceptible nod.

Shi Xu’s lips curved into a smile as she began planning how to nourish Jian Zhi properly. First, she needed to tackle the stomach issues—if dietary changes didn’t work, they’d go to the hospital. There had to be a solution.

“Damn it!” Xue Qing suddenly shot to her feet, startling both Shi Xu and Jian Zhi.

Shi Xu: What the hell? You’re the one who deserves to be damned, you crazy woman!

Xue Qing stood in angry silence for a moment before grabbing her phone and jacket and storming out. “You two enjoy your alone time. I’m going to duel with that b1tch!”

“Another duel?” Shi Xu asked, bewildered and utterly shocked.

With Xue Qing’s frail frame, who does she think she can beat? This is just going to be a one-sided beatdown!

Jian Zhi was also worried and was about to stand up to stop Xue Qing when Shi Xu pulled her back, her hand naturally settling around Jian Zhi’s waist.

“A real duel? Want me to help you, Sis?”

“I’m the older sister here!” Xue Qing retorted angrily, then added suspiciously, “How would you even help? Come with me to tear that scumbag woman apart?”

“Dream on. I’m not going to embarrass myself with you,” Shi Xu said lazily, resting her chin on Jian Zhi’s shoulder. “Go find that manager from earlier and have him assign you some strong bodyguards. Even if things escalate, the other party won’t dare touch you.”

After a moment’s thought, Xue Qing blurted out, “That’s perfect, Sis! You’re the only sister I’ll ever need!”

Xue Qing strode out, her 1.6-meter frame radiating the aura of someone 1.8 meters tall.

Seeing this, Shi Xu quickly warned, “Don’t kill anyone! It’ll be a mess to clean up. And if this gets reported, say you hired the bodyguards yourself. Don’t drag me into it!”

“Relax, I know my limits,” Xue Qing replied before disappearing behind the door, leaving the room in sudden silence.

Shi Xu nuzzled Jian Zhi’s cheek. “Finally some peace and quiet,” she murmured. “It’s been quite a day.”

Jian Zhi actually wished Xue Qing hadn’t left. With a third person present, the atmosphere wouldn’t have been so tense. Being alone with Shi Xu always made her inexplicably nervous, her heart racing uncontrollably—a dangerous situation.

So close, she feared Shi Xu might hear her heartbeat. She quickly straightened up, subtly brushing away the arm around her waist.

Shi Xu didn’t mind. They were supposed to be acting as friends, so being pushed away was perfectly reasonable. Even the brief physical contact felt like a small victory. Moreover, she had noticed something during that moment:

Sister doesn’t seem as resistant to me as before.

Could this be the reward for her persistent efforts these past few days?

As she pondered this, the soup and dishes arrived, personally served by the manager. In addition to the main courses, there was an elaborate fruit platter, each piece sculpted into a different shape—a chef’s showpiece.

Will this make it taste better? No, it’ll just make it more expensive.

Shi Xu coaxed Jian Zhi into drinking half a bowl of soup and eating some vegetables and fruit before suggesting a walk.

“It’s getting late,” Jian Zhi replied. “We should head back to rest.”

Shi Xu’s mind froze, her words coming out as if she’d suffered a stroke.

“It’s already this late… What if the dormitory doors are locked?”