I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 37

They were too far apart, and Shi Xu deliberately avoided speaking into her mic. All anyone could see was the two women whispering, but no one could hear what they were saying.

This decisive choice, combined with the trending CP searches over the past few days, had everyone eager for drama. Regardless of their true feelings, they all wore “shipping” expressions whenever the cameras panned their way. Even the host refrained from rushing to the next segment, instead leaning back to watch the drama unfold.

Only Jian Zhi remained impassive, though her usual composure hid a subtle shift: her gaze was noticeably colder than usual.

After Shi Xu spoke, Shu Yueyao froze for a moment before lowering her head, her cheeks and ears flushing crimson. She avoided Shi Xu’s gaze. This scene was captured by multiple cameras, and the others continued to tease relentlessly. It was impossible to predict how the Fruit Channel’s editors would frame the footage, but given their reputation for sensationalism, they would undoubtedly milk the moment for all it was worth.

Even if nothing romantic existed between the two women, the narrative would inevitably be twisted into a full-blown CP under the influence of certain commentators. Worse still, this could solidify the rumor that Shi Xu had joined the show solely to pursue her love interest.

During a leisurely afternoon, Jian Zhi glanced at Weibo and happened to see the trending topic about Shi Xu and Zhu Ying. Clicking on the link, she found the post had already been deleted, but traces of its existence remained. Fans had taken screenshots, filled with analyses of their interactions and shared screen time. If it weren’t for the fact that they were filming a show together, Jian Zhi might have believed the rumors herself.

If I’m being led by the nose like this, what chance do the fans have?

She recalled how Shi Xu had frantically tried to explain herself yesterday. Yet today, she stood boldly before her rumored partner, a smile playing on her lips as she looked down at Zhu Ying, providing the production team with another juicy clip.

Leaning in slightly, Shi Xu whispered something before striding over to another group. Addressing a senior artist with far more experience, she said, “You have excellent taste, so I’ve decided to give you a chance.”

Zhu Ying rolled her eyes and retorted bluntly, “Don’t get too excited. You’re just here to fill a quota.”

Both women laughed, seemingly unbothered by the other’s words. They didn’t act like they had only met on the show.

Everyone was mildly surprised by Shi Xu’s actions, but then they realized it made perfect sense. She was a master at capitalizing on buzz. First, she “cozied up” with Shu Yueyao to stir up the CP hype, then joined the senior artist’s team to ensure her survival. She even ditched her former teammates and roommate, Jian Zhi, in the process—a triple-win strategy.

No wonder she’s been trending non-stop since the show started. These young people really know how to play the game.

After the team selection, each group headed to their practice rooms. Shi Xu’s eyes lit up when she saw Jian Zhi, but just as she was about to catch up, Jian Zhi averted her gaze, offering only a cold, distant back view.

“……” Ah, what’s with this again? She really doesn’t remember last night, does she? Sigh!

“Aiyo, Shi Xu, what’s wrong? Is our little Shi Xu finally lovesick?” Zhu Ying teased, leaning in and draping an arm over Shi Xu’s shoulder, exaggerating her tone for effect.

Shi Xu shot her a sidelong glance, removed Zhu Ying’s arm, and pressed down on her shoulder to make her stand straight. Her eyes flicked to the top of Zhu Ying’s head, and she clicked her tongue.

“You’re so old now, and you’re still this short.”

That one sentence was a critical hit. Zhu Ying took a deep breath, trying to maintain her goddess-like composure, but the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She couldn’t resist retaliating.

“What’s the point of being so tall if you’re just going to be someone’s lapdog?”

Now it was Shi Xu’s turn to gasp for air. She opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. She could withstand physical attacks, but this kind of raw, magical damage left her utterly defenseless.

Being someone’s lapdog—what a pathetic description. So, that’s how others saw her relationship with Jian Zhi.

As they talked, they arrived at the Practice Room. Jian Zhi’s group was in the large dance studio, visible through the glass. Zhu Ying followed Shi Xu’s gaze and mimicked her, clicking her tongue twice. Shi Xu glanced at her and pushed open the door, saying, “Senior, please go ahead.”

“The little lapdog’s quite polite,” Zhu Ying said with a hearty laugh.

Shi Xu trailed behind her, whispering, “Ignore her. She just loves being a woman’s dog.”

“Loves being a woman’s dog, or just someone’s dog? You know the answer in your heart,” Zhu Ying teased, poking Shi Xu’s chest with a knowing smirk.

Due to their height difference, Shi Xu had to bend down to speak to Zhu Ying, bringing them uncomfortably close. Jian Zhi, watching their reflection in the glass, felt a sudden pang of unease and twisted her ankle.

“Senior Sister, are you alright?” Xue Qing exclaimed, immediately supporting Jian Zhi by the waist.

Shi Xu rushed over, asking, “What happened?”

Xue Qing glared at her fiercely. “We don’t need your concern, you traitor!”

Xue Qing had only joined Jian Zhi’s group to help out. She had initially approached the show with a casual attitude, eager to try out various musical genres and team up with as many people as possible, just to have fun with everyone. But when Shi Xu betrayed their Senior Sister, Xue Qing felt compelled to join this group. She couldn’t bear to see her Senior Sister left isolated and helpless.

Shi Xu, focused solely on Jian Zhi, had no time for petty arguments. She reached out to offer support, but Jian Zhi subtly evaded her touch.

“It’s nothing,” Jian Zhi said coldly, her voice as icy as her gaze.

Shi Xu forced a bitter smile. “Sister, have you forgotten about last night already?”

A story? Xue Qing’s gossip radar immediately flared to life, her ears perking up as she waited for the juicy details.

Surrounded by people, Jian Zhi frowned and snapped, “What are you talking about?”

The expected response, yet despite her mental preparation, Jian Zhi’s heart still sank, all her energy draining away as if someone had stolen her soul.

Knowing further conversation would lead nowhere, Jian Zhi wisely ended the exchange and turned to walk back to her team.

“Hey, where are you going? Leaving Senior Sister to fend for herself?”

Jian Zhi bit her lower lip and said softly, “Let’s practice, Little Qing. Don’t waste your time on insignificant people.”

The word “insignificant” pierced Shi Xu’s ears, draining her of all strength and resolve. She slumped onto the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“Did the little lapdog get rejected again?” Zhu Ying tossed her an energy drink. “Stop acting like a lovesick fool and get up and practice. If you dare hold me back, I’ll have Big Sister send you packing.”

Shi Xu looked up at her, her voice weak. “That’s hurtful. Don’t say that again.”

“Then get up and practice. I don’t care if you’re a lapdog or a backup plan—just don’t let your personal drama interfere with training. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting tough.”

Shi Xu stood up, still looking lifeless. The dance moves were as easy as drinking water for her, but she moved listlessly, her movements soft and weak. They appeared sloppy, yet no one could find fault with them.

Zhu Ying couldn’t hold back any longer. She walked over and said coldly, “No wonder she doesn’t want anything to do with you. With your muscle weakness, who would want to sacrifice their body for you?”

Shi Xu: ?!

Zhu Ying’s words truly stung Shi Xu. Glancing at her own slender, well-defined hands, she thought she must have left a lasting impression on Jian Zhi. Even if Jian Zhi had been drunk and hazy, surely her body would retain some memory of the night. Yet the truth was, Jian Zhi remembered nothing.

Could it really be as Zhu Ying said? That Jian Zhi felt nothing at all? Was all that crying and shouting just acting? Shi Xu’s thoughts spiraled, her mind buzzing, all reason abandoned.

“Teacher, let’s do it again!”

This time, she threw herself into every movement with full force, stomping the floor with thunderous thuds. Everyone stopped to watch her dance. Xue Qing remarked bluntly, “All that pent-up energy with nowhere to go.”

Shi Xu glanced over and caught Jian Zhi’s complex expression. Her heart sank, and her movements slowed. Does she agree with Xue Qing? So those performances really were terrible—that’s why she can’t remember them.

Shi Xu: Even a person made of iron can be hurt (TT)*

Zhu Ying, watching Shi Xu’s miserable face, couldn’t contain her laughter. She secretly snapped a photo and sent it to Shi Chao. From then on, whenever Shi Xu slowed down, Zhu Ying would materialize like a ghost, offering her signature brand of “loving encouragement”:

“No one likes weak muscles.”

Shi Xu lay in bed, the phrase echoing in her mind. Frustrated, she buried her head under the covers, letting out a sharp, muffled scream. Jian Zhi startled at the sudden noise, staring at the bulging lump under the blanket. She repeatedly opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but the words wouldn’t come. Finally, she lifted the covers, climbed into bed, and turned her back to Shi Xu.

Just last night, they had been intimately intertwined, their bodies pressed tightly together. Now, they were like strangers sharing a room, barely exchanging a word. Though their relationship hadn’t yet begun, Jian Zhi already understood the meaning of “sleeping in the same bed, dreaming different dreams.”

This awkwardness persisted for days. Shi Xu pretended to be asleep every morning, waking up to find Jian Zhi already gone. She couldn’t bring herself to ask Jian Zhi if she was truly incapable. The memory of her boastful promise to “serve her well” filled her with shame and embarrassment, making it impossible to even meet Jian Zhi’s gaze.

Jian Zhi remained as diligent as ever, always the last to leave the practice room. Shi Xu would wait for her, even if she did nothing else, lingering in her group’s practice room until she heard the door across the hall close.

She followed Jian Zhi at a distance, neither speaking nor approaching, like a shy puppy keeping a safe distance.

Instead of returning to the dormitory, Jian Zhi took a phone call and waited by the roadside. Shi Xu watched as Jian Zhi’s expression softened, a smile gracing her face as she spoke. Curiosity about the person on the other end of the line grew within her.

“Sister, are you coming back tonight?”

The smile slowly faded from Jian Zhi’s face. “No, I’m not.”

“Then… are you going home?”

“No.”

Shi Xu’s anger froze into a cold, stiff silence. She could almost feel the chill in the wind blowing from Jian Zhi’s direction.

After a long pause, she asked, “Do you have a date? Isn’t it getting late? I don’t mean anything by it, I just think it’s not safe to go out at this hour.”

Jian Zhi shot her a sidelong glance. “What’s it to you?”

The question stopped Shi Xu cold. She stared blankly for a long moment before finally saying, “You’re right… what is it to me? You made it clear long ago, yet I still clung to those few moments of intimacy as if they were promises. I… sob…”

Jian Zhi startled, her carefully constructed facade of indifference crumbling instantly. She desperately wanted to comfort Shi Xu, but her outstretched hand froze in mid-air before Shi Xu grabbed it.

“Even if I’m not good enough, please don’t go to someone else. I’ll learn, I promise! Whatever positions, whatever depth you like, I’ll do it. And if that’s not enough, there’s my mouth. I’ll go to the gym every day. I learn quickly—just give me time, and I’ll make you satisfied. Please don’t go out with anyone else, okay?”