I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 38

Jian Zhi listened with a bewildered expression, completely unaware of what Shi Xu was imagining. Shi Xu’s tears streamed down her face like rain on pear blossoms, her fox-like eyes wide and glistening as each drop rolled down, her beauty almost overwhelming.

Jian Zhi knew this wasn’t the time to admire her beauty, but she couldn’t help staring at Shi Xu for over ten seconds. The longer she remained silent, the more frightened Shi Xu became, clutching Jian Zhi’s hand and gazing up at her with a pitiful, rain-soaked puppy-like expression.

The tension in Jian Zhi’s heart instantly eased by more than half. She pursed her lips, about to reach out and wipe Shi Xu’s tears, when a sudden exclamation rang out from nearby.

“OMG! Did I just hear what I think I heard?!”

Both women turned to see a stylishly dressed, strikingly beautiful woman standing beside them, two massive suitcases at her side. Her gaze swept across their faces before settling into a knowing, mischievous smile.

“Please stop imagining things immediately,” Jian Zhi said. “It’s not what you think.”

Su Yin threw her hands up in mock surrender. “You’re denying it before you even know what I’m thinking? How eager, Zhizhi!”

Zhizhi? Is that Jian Zhi’s nickname? How adorable! But I don’t know anything about her, so I can only shamelessly call her “Sister.” No wonder she thinks someone younger is useless. Waaah…

The little puppy, who had barely stopped crying, started sobbing again. Jian Zhi shot her a pained glance and said softly, “Shut up. If you keep crying, I’ll leave you here.”

“No, waah…” Shi Xu sniffled, clutching Jian Zhi’s sleeve tightly in her hand.

She carefully pinched a corner of the fabric between two fingers, stealing glances at Jian Zhi’s expression, terrified of being rejected. This only made her look even more pitiful, a miserable, windblown mess.

“Then stop crying.” Jian Zhi felt like she was coaxing a child, but instead of being annoyed, she felt a strange sweetness. Realizing this, she sighed softly and gently tugged her sleeve free from Shi Xu’s grasp.

Shi Xu pouted, looking small, pitiful, and wronged.

Jian Zhi said calmly, “Go back now. I’ll come back to stay.”

“It’s too dangerous at night. Let me protect you,” Shi Xu said earnestly, blinking her eyes.

In truth, she feared that if Jian Zhi went out with this woman, he wouldn’t return. She worried he’d realize that experienced women were indeed better and kick her to the curb. The mere thought of it made her chest ache, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

“No need. We have things to discuss, and it would be inconvenient to bring you along,” Jian Zhi said, glancing at Su Yin, who was watching the scene with amusement. He signaled her to refuse Shi Xu.

A sly glint flashed across Su Yin’s eyes. “Then let’s all go together,” she suggested. “You don’t mind having three people, do you, sweetie?”

Shi Xu recoiled, glaring at Su Yin with disgust as she quietly pressed closer to Jian Zhi. “Do we really have to go with her? She doesn’t seem like a good person.”

Three people together? How dare she treat my precious Jian Zhi like this? She’s utter trash! Shi Xu cursed inwardly, her fox-like eyes flashing with a cold, sharp light that startled Su Yin.

Oh-oh! I thought she was just a naive puppy, but she’s actually a fox that bites! No wonder Jian Zhi is completely under her spell.

How interesting, truly fascinating! It seems I won’t be bored anytime soon.

“Even if she’s not a good person, she wouldn’t harm me. Let’s not waste any more time arguing.”

“That’s right, little one. Staying up late will stunt your growth,” Su Yin said, draping her arm casually over Jian Zhi’s shoulder and smiling at Shi Xu with a hint of provocation in her eyes.

Shi Xu glared at their touching shoulders, a surge of inexplicable anger rising within her. She yanked Jian Zhi into her arms, hugging her tightly. “Don’t even think about getting Sister involved in your nonsense,” she snapped coldly. “Leave now. She won’t go out with you.”

Su Yin raised an eyebrow at Jian Zhi, her eyes brimming with amusement and mockery. She struggled to suppress her laughter, her lips twitching into a wavy line.

Jian Zhi glanced sideways at Shi Xu and saw her glaring fiercely at Su Yin, her eyes still red from crying, teardrops clinging to her lashes. She looked like a child trying to act grown-up, bravely standing before an adult to protect her.

Jian Zhi’s expression softened. “Let’s all go together,” she relented. “We don’t have time to waste.”

Shi Xu’s face lit up instantly. She lowered her head and asked eagerly, “Really, Sister? You’ll let me protect you?”

Jian Zhi was trapped in Shi Xu’s embrace. With only a few centimeters separating their heights, Shi Xu’s lowered head brought her forehead brushing against Jian Zhi’s. As she spoke, her lips grazed Jian Zhi’s temple, her warm breath tickling her cheek and eye. Whether Shi Xu was genuinely oblivious or deliberately teasing, Jian Zhi couldn’t tell.

“Really, without your protection, I can’t even take a step. Let’s go.”

Jian Zhi shook off Su Yin’s hand and moved to help push her suitcase. Shi Xu stepped forward, wedging herself between the two women and taking the handle from Jian Zhi.

“I’ll do it. Don’t tire yourself out, Sister.” She grinned at Jian Zhi, her fox-like eyes narrowing into crescent moons, her expression radiating harmlessness.

As if you haven’t exhausted me enough, Jian Zhi thought. The lingering sense of foreignness hadn’t faded, and the bite marks covering her body were impossible to conceal, even with a high-collared shirt. She had plastered her neck with medicinal patches.

Fortunately, dance practice often resulted in injuries, so her appearance didn’t seem too out of place. Still, it had earned her a lot of concern, with people urging her to see a doctor for such severe marks.

What she needed wasn’t a doctor, but a sudden thought. Vague memories flickered through her mind—had she bought a bite guard during her last shopping trip? If so…

Her gaze drifted to Shi Xu, who was already watching her, grinning like a puppy who had just gotten into the cookie jar. When their eyes met, Jian Zhi abruptly looked away.

What improper thoughts are you having? Do you want to continue this… this illicit physical relationship with Shi Xu? Coveting a young woman’s body is despicable, and her ambiguous attitude is tormenting me. My heart is in turmoil, and she stirs nearly every emotion within me—something that would have been unthinkable before.

Jian Zhi couldn’t help but wonder: Am I still the same Jian Zhi I used to be? Her mind swam with confusion, unable to find an answer.

Shi Xu, ever perceptive to emotions, sensed Jian Zhi’s unease and subtly shifted her attention.

“?”

An alarm blared in Shi Xu’s mind. She nudged Jian Zhi closer, creating more distance between them and Su Yin. What kind of respectable person would meet at a hotel in the middle of the night? I must protect Sister from her groping hands.

Su Yin surveyed the wide space between them, bursting into unrestrained laughter. “Zhizhi,” she chuckled, “the little dog you’ve raised is so amusing.”

Jian Zhi: “……”

Shi Xu’s ears twitched, catching the key phrase. She pressed herself even closer to Jian Zhi, grinning like a goofy puppy.

“I’m Sister’s little dog, heh heh.”

Jian Zhi was speechless with exasperation. She quickened her pace, unable to endure these two childish fools any longer.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the receptionist immediately recognized Shi Xu. Shi Xu made a shushing gesture, and the receptionist understood instantly, leading them to their pre-booked suite.

Inside the room, an expensive bottle of red wine awaited on the dining table by the floor-to-ceiling windows, the dim candlelight creating a deliberately intimate atmosphere. Shi Xu pretended to admire the room, walked over to the table, and casually blew out the candles. In the process, she “accidentally” knocked over the vase of roses, sending both flowers and candles tumbling to the floor.

“Oops, my hand slipped,” she said, her eyes fixed on Su Yin, raising an eyebrow in mock innocence. “I’m sure this auntie won’t mind, right?”

Su Yin turned away to unpack, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. How could such an amusing child exist? she thought. Just a little teasing and she bristles like a cat, unable to maintain her composure for even a moment.

Still, this fiery temperament seemed perfectly suited for Jian Zhi.

Jian Zhi had always been mature and reserved, carefully observing others’ expressions and living with cautious restraint. Such a delicate, meticulous creature needed someone like Shi Xu—a boundless, vivacious, and openly cheerful “puppy” to bring out her true spirit.

“Zhizhi, why don’t you sleep with me tonight? It’s been ages since we shared a bed.”

Jian Zhi knew Su Yin was teasing, but she didn’t mind sharing a bed. When she was little, she used to stay at her aunt’s house. On countless stormy nights, her aunt would open her bedroom door, take her into her arms, and lull her to sleep.

She understood the situation, but the little puppy didn’t.

Hearing Su Yin’s words, Shi Xu darted forward, grabbed Jian Zhi’s hand, and pulled her toward the door.

“This suite is nothing special—not even a tenth as good as the penthouse. Let’s go to the top floor. Whether you want to eat or drink, I’ll arrange the best of everything for you.”

“Stop fooling around. You should head back soon,” Jian Zhi said, shaking off Shi Xu’s hand and walking to the window to admire the night view.

Su Yin glanced at her and immediately understood her meaning, adding fuel to the fire: “Didn’t you come here because you agreed to my proposal? Why are you always trying to take Zhizhi away? Such possessiveness isn’t healthy, you know. Zhizhi isn’t yours.”

“It’s mine!” Shi Xu clenched her fists in anger, accidentally blurting out her true feelings.

Su Yin’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Oh? How so? As far as I know, Jian Zhi hasn’t been in a relationship with anyone. Aren’t you being a bit presumptuous?”

“How would you know if she’s been dating someone? Who are you to her? Why would she tell you her private affairs?” Shi Xu retorted, verbally sparring with Su Yin while subtly inching closer to Jian Zhi.

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but since you insist on asking, I’ll tell you.” Su Yin moved first, wrapping her arm around Jian Zhi’s slender waist.

No! No! Shi Xu screamed inwardly. Sister, get your hands off her! Punch her! Hurry!

Shi Xu transformed into a shrieking chicken, her teeth grinding so hard they nearly cracked.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as she’d hoped.

Though Jian Zhi’s expression remained cold, she made no move to push Su Yin away. She gazed at Shi Xu, her face shadowed by the backlight, making it impossible to read the emotions in her eyes.

Shi Xu’s heart sank slowly. The two women standing together exuded an uncanny harmony, even their appearances were strikingly similar—coldly beautiful and dazzling like sculpted works of art when silent, radiating a mature allure that Shi Xu could only dream of.

Seeing their slightly similar faces, Shi Xu froze in her tracks, her thoughts a tangled mess. She felt there was no place for her there, yet she couldn’t bear to hand Jian Zhi over to another woman.

But Jian Zhi hadn’t rejected Su Yin’s suggestion, meaning she didn’t mind the idea of a threesome. Shi Xu couldn’t possibly watch the person she loved writhe in pleasure beneath another woman, no matter what.

Maybe I should just leave, she thought. Out of sight, out of mind. But her feet felt like they were cast in lead, unable to move an inch. She stared fixedly at Jian Zhi, her eyes rimmed with red, the effort to hold back tears making her look a hundred times more vulnerable than before.

Jian Zhi’s heart clenched. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to be cruel. She pried Su Yin’s arm from her waist and strode toward Shi Xu.

“You’re too old to be crying,” she said. “Don’t make a fool of yourself.”

Shi Xu sniffled, staring at her blankly.

Jian Zhi beckoned with a crooked finger. “Come here.”