I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 40

Jian Zhi was used to people treating her like a child. Besides, she only had a stomachache, not a broken arm.

“I can do it myself,” she said, reaching for the bowl of porridge.

Shi Xu deftly avoided her hand, lifting the bowl to a height Jian Zhi couldn’t reach.

“You don’t need to do anything. Just open your mouth.”

Shi Xu brought the spoon to Jian Zhi’s lips again, her eyes brimming with anticipation. The warm light softened the color of her glass-like pupils, but the intensity within them was impossible to ignore.

Jian Zhi couldn’t bear to disappoint her. She opened her mouth and swallowed the spoonful of porridge, though she still felt uncomfortable being fed like this.

“Do you really have to do this? My stomach doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Even if it doesn’t hurt, you’re still sick, Sister. You don’t realize how pale you look.”

Shi Xu scooped another spoonful of porridge, blew on it to cool it, and fed it to Jian Zhi. Jian Zhi instinctively opened her mouth and finished the entire bowl.

Shi Xu wiped Jian Zhi’s mouth with a napkin, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Good girl, Sister! You finished the whole bowl.”

Is that really something to praise me for? Jian Zhi wondered. Yet the feeling wasn’t unpleasant. Perhaps because she’d never been praised as a child, even being complimented by someone as young as Shi Xu made her feel a little happy.

Shi Xu gently laid Jian Zhi back on the bed, tucked her in, and leaned over the edge, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

“I’d forgotten what you like, so I made this for the first time. I tasted it and thought it was okay, but I don’t know your preferences.”

Jian Zhi was surprised. Seeing how skillfully Shi Xu cared for her, she’d assumed she’d taken such meticulous care of many people before. Not that she’d ever accuse Shi Xu of having multiple girlfriends—even if she had, Jian Zhi wouldn’t mind.

“It tastes amazing, even better than restaurant food.”

Shi Xu wagged her tail like a puppy, practically resting her chin on Jian Zhi’s hand and sticking out her tongue.

After hesitating, Jian Zhi couldn’t resist asking, “Have you never taken care of a girlfriend like this before?”

“Huh?” Shi Xu looked up, her clear, bright eyes flickering with confusion.

Jian Zhi felt like an idiot. Why had she brought that up? She always managed to ruin the mood.

“Hmm…” Shi Xu covered her mouth, thinking, her face slowly flushing red. “I’ve never had a girlfriend before. You’re my…” first love.

The mere thought made her blush. She sprang up, grabbed the bowl from the bedside table, and hurried toward the door.

“Sister, you should rest now. I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

Jian Zhi watched the door close, a momentary pang of disappointment in her heart. She lay on the bed, endlessly regretting asking such a question, so restless she couldn’t sleep.

After leaving the room, Shi Xu leaned against the door, taking deep breaths to calm herself. I still need more practice, she thought. My impulsiveness will definitely make Sister dislike me.

In front of someone older, she felt as awkward as a raw recruit.

But with the person she loved right before her, those feelings surged from her heart, racing to her lips. If her rationality hadn’t desperately restrained her, she might have caused irreparable damage.

Jian Zhi wanted to be friends, but Shi Xu longed for something more. If she revealed her true feelings, Jian Zhi would surely distance herself again. She couldn’t bear to relive that earlier pain.

I’ll just maintain the status quo, she resolved. As long as I stubbornly deny it, no one can see into my heart.

She lingered in the kitchen for a long time, waiting until she estimated Jian Zhi had fallen asleep before tiptoeing back into the room. As she closed the door and turned around, she found herself face-to-face with Jian Zhi. Time seemed to freeze, the air thick with awkward tension.

Jian Zhi was the first to break eye contact, turning her back to Shi Xu and feigning sleep.

“Come up and sleep. If you’d rather not share a bed with me, I can go out.”

Shi Xu darted forward, climbing into bed faster than she could breathe. “Nonsense! I’ll sleep with Sister.”

Jian Zhi struggled briefly before settling down. As she felt Shi Xu’s warmth, she gradually drifted off to sleep.

“I shouldn’t have said that earlier. Don’t take it to heart.”

Shi Xu knew Jian Zhi was overthinking again. Sensitive people were like that, endlessly chewing over small matters, tormenting themselves with repetition.

The girl in her arms was so thin she felt bony, seemingly strong but actually fragile, stirring Shi Xu’s protective instincts.

“Sister, turn around and look at me.”

Jian Zhi refused. “Just tell me like this.”

Shi Xu hugged her tighter, nuzzling her playfully. “I don’t mind you asking about my personal life at all. In fact, I’m happy you’re interested. Even though I’m twenty-three, I’ve never been in a relationship. The congee? I called my Second Sister earlier and asked her to teach me. I’ve never cooked before, not even once.”

Jian Zhi considered this. It made sense—after all, Shi Xu was a pampered young lady who had never lifted a finger. So why had she even brought up the question? And why did hearing this explanation now make her feel so relieved?

Jian Zhi felt like she was going crazy. Just because she had eaten a bowl of congee personally made by Shi Xu, she had completely forgotten her earlier, merciless rejection. This kind of fickleness was bound to make people dislike her.

Don’t let your heart be so easily moved, she warned herself inwardly. Her chest felt like it was weighed down by a stone, making it hard to breathe.

Shi Xu felt the person in her arms trembling again. She turned over and pressed Jian Zhi’s head against her chest.

“Don’t overthink things. You can say whatever you want without worrying about anyone else.”

Jian Zhi’s nose tingled with emotion, making her even more afraid to speak, lest her voice crack with tears.

“I… I’m just a little embarrassed to say it. I didn’t find your question abrupt at all, so… don’t think too much about it, okay?”

Jian Zhi hummed softly and wrapped her arms around Shi Xu’s waist. She felt a little ashamed being comforted by someone so much younger, but her heart was also filled with warmth. The missing piece felt partially restored, and the cold wind that had been blowing through her heart seemed to have lessened.

Shi Xu’s body temperature was high, and soon both of them were drenched in sweat. Shi Xu would rather lower the air conditioning than let go of Jian Zhi, and Jian Zhi felt the same way. Though it was a bit hot, her heart felt grounded, and drowsiness quickly set in.

Shi Xu slept soundly until dawn. When she woke, Jian Zhi was gone. Touching the now-cold sheets, she felt a pang of disappointment, but then she caught the aroma of cooking.

Could it be…?

She ran barefoot into the kitchen, where Jian Zhi, wearing Shi Xu’s clothes, was busy at work. The simple casual outfit looked tailor-made on Jian Zhi, accentuating her tall, graceful figure. Her wavy hair was loosely pinned up, with a few playful strands framing her forehead, adding a touch of liveliness to the scene. Sunlight streamed in from the side, bathing Jian Zhi’s face in a warm, gentle glow, making her beauty breathtaking.

Shi Xu stood frozen, afraid to approach and shatter the perfect moment.

Sensing her gaze, Jian Zhi looked up, a faint smile curving her lips. “I used your kitchen and some ingredients from the fridge. I hope you don’t mind.”

Mind? I’d let you use them for a lifetime! No, wait—I should be the one cooking for you, Sister! I’ll hire a team of chefs to prepare every dish from the Eight Great Cuisines!

“Stop daydreaming and go wash up. Breakfast is ready.”

“Oh, right!” Shi Xu turned and hurried back, her steps light and eager.

Watching her retreating figure, Jian Zhi’s smile widened. She placed the finished sandwiches on the table, waiting for Shi Xu to join her.

For the next three or four days, there were no recordings scheduled, meaning they could spend all their time together if they had no other commitments. Unfortunately, Shi Xu had an advertisement shoot in the middle of the week, and Jian Zhi had plans for the following two days. After that, they would be back to intense practice.

Though they had cleared the air, their communication hadn’t increased. This was typical for members of the same team; they spent their days refining their teamwork and returned home exhausted.

Their routine settled into exchanging morning greetings, occasionally sharing breakfast, and walking home together at night. Jian Zhi was forced to eat stomach-friendly foods before they retired to their separate rooms.

After five days without any physical affection, Jian Zhi felt like she was withering away. Her temper was worse than a ghost’s, snapping at anyone and everyone indiscriminately.

Zhu Ying practiced a single move ten times, but still couldn’t get it right, delaying Shi Xu’s departure to see Jian Zhi. Shi Xu stormed over, grabbed Zhu Ying, and forced her into a backbend, ignoring her pained cries.

“Your waist is stiffer than my grandmother’s cane,” Shi Xu said. “You’ve got to give in sometime.”

Zhu Ying’s face twisted in frustration, but with Shi Xu’s hand on her waist, she had no choice but to swallow her anger.

Shi Xu pressed down again, her voice sincere. “Promise me you won’t choose dance tracks you can’t handle next time.”

Her teammates chuckled nearby, but a single glance from Shi Xu sent them back to practicing, terrified of suffering the same merciless treatment.

The cameras were rolling, but Shi Xu showed no restraint. After venting her frustrations, she felt refreshed and resumed critiquing her teammates’ movements until two or three in the morning before finally heading home.

She assumed Jian Zhi would be asleep, but found her sitting on the bed reading. When Shi Xu returned, Jian Zhi set the book aside and lay down.

“There’s chicken soup from your favorite place on the table,” Jian Zhi said. “It might be a little cold. If you won’t enjoy it, don’t bother.”

Shi Xu, who had been suppressing her emotions for days, couldn’t resist Jian Zhi’s unexpected gesture. Her carefully maintained composure crumbled in an instant. She threw down her bag and rushed to bury her face in Jian Zhi’s arms, whining, “My teammates are so difficult to manage! I’m so tired, Sister.”

Jian Zhi had actually heard Shi Xu’s voice earlier when passing by their practice room. At the time, she had sounded full of energy, scolding her teammates with fiery intensity. Yet now she was acting like this—just wanting to be pampered.

“So tired, huh? Then go wash up and get some rest,” Jian Zhi said, patting her head.

Shi Xu looked up from Jian Zhi’s embrace, her eyes sparkling. “If I asked to sleep with you tonight, would you say yes?”

Before Jian Zhi could respond, Shi Xu immediately added in a plaintive tone, “Not only is my body ravaged, but my heart is also deeply wounded. I feel like I’m withering away.”

The corners of Jian Zhi’s lips twitched upward by two pixels. “And what’s wrong with your heart?”

“Sister only cares about practicing every day and barely talks to me. My heart hurts so much~”

“Then how can I make it stop hurting?”

Shi Xu couldn’t help the corners of her mouth from curving upward. She whispered, “If Sister holds me while I sleep, I’ll definitely be fully recovered by tomorrow.”

At this point, Jian Zhi finally understood. Whether she agreed or not, Shi Xu would cling to her and pester her until she relented. Sharing a bed was simply a matter of time.

“Alright, go drink your chicken soup first, then take a bath and come back up.”

“Okay!”

Shi Xu darted to the table, drained the chicken soup in one gulp, and rushed into the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, she emerged, still damp from her shower.

She smelled of bath gel, and her breath carried the scent of peaches. Jian Zhi unconsciously asked, “Did you brush your teeth?”

Shi Xu leaned closer and said, “Yes, I used the new toothpaste. Want to try it, Sister?”