I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 44

After confirming dinner plans with her Second Sister, Shi Xu texted Jian Zhi to let her know she wouldn’t be back for a while. The message remained unread and unanswered, likely because Jian Zhi was engrossed in practice.

Midway through their meal, Shi Chao called to ask where they were. Shi Mu told her, and fifteen minutes later, she arrived.

Seeing her Eldest Sister’s stoic expression, Shi Xu took a sip of water to calm her nerves, inwardly groaning. The relaxed and pleasant atmosphere had vanished.

“How’s the filming going?” Shi Chao asked, pulling up a chair beside Shi Mu and casually draping an arm over the back of her chair.

“Filming for today is finished,” Shi Mu replied. “We just need to shoot a few more dormitory scenes tonight.”

Shi Chao remained noncommittal, saying coolly, “You haven’t forgotten what you said about the ‘backdoor’ when you first joined, have you?”

Shi Xu pursed her lips. “What’s with all this talk about backdoors on our own show? It’s not like I was originally cast. I was just a last-minute replacement when the original actress couldn’t make it.”

Shi Chao tilted her head slightly toward Shi Mu, who promptly peeled a shrimp and fed it to her with a natural, intimate gesture. Shi Xu, watching from across the table, froze, sensing something was off.

“You sure know how to spin things to make yourself look good,” Shi Chao said. “Do you realize how many people would kill for a spot on this show? For every one who can’t make it, there are a thousand more eager to take their place.”

That was true, but did a perfectly good meal have to turn into a lecture again? Shi Xu turned to her Second Sister for help. Shi Mu, sensing her distress, picked up another piece of meat and placed it in Shi Chao’s bowl.

“Aiya, we finally managed to find time for a proper meal. Are you going to ruin the mood again? Let’s stop talking about work and discuss something lighter.”

Shi Chao paused, then sighed. “Sorry, it’s just a habit.”

She loosened her tie, leaned her head against Shi Mu’s shoulder, and pinched the bridge of her nose. The exhaustion on her face was impossible to hide.

“It’s fine, Xiao Xu and I are used to it, right, Xiao Xu?” Shi Mu smiled warmly at Shi Xu.

Shi Xu quickly chimed in, “Exactly! I’d be more surprised if you didn’t speak in that formal, formulaic way.”

Shi Chao glanced at her, her eyes heavy with resignation. “Just… be mindful of your boundaries. Don’t keep making your Second Sister clean up your messes.”

Shi Xu nodded obediently.

She desperately wanted to argue, but she couldn’t. Ever since she’d entered the industry, she’d indeed caused her Second Sister a lot of trouble. She’d initially scoffed at her Eldest Sister’s description of her as a “problem child,” but now, after careful reflection, she realized it wasn’t an exaggeration at all.

Shi Xu: My heart is bitter XX*

Shi Mu placed a piece of fish in each of their bowls, saying, “Actually, I’m quite enjoying myself. After resigning from my teaching job, I was lost for a long time, unsure of what to do next. Then Xiao Xu returned home and decided to enter the entertainment industry, so I took over the family’s entertainment company. While I haven’t managed it exceptionally well these past two years, I’d say I’ve done a decent job. I owe it all to Xiao Xu for helping me find something I love doing and giving me a clearer vision for the future.”

Deeply moved, Shi Xu was about to express her gratitude when Shi Chao suddenly straightened her posture.

Two icy gazes pierced through Shi Xu, sending a chill down her spine. She swallowed her words, glancing timidly at her eldest sister, only to find her staring back with an expressionless face.

Those same glass-like eyes, usually vibrant, were now three shades paler, lending her an aura of cold, brooding intensity that was strangely intimidating.

What did I do wrong this time? Shi Xu wondered.

“Sister, aren’t you going to eat?” Shi Mu interjected, tactfully defusing the tension.

Shi Chao turned to her, the coldness in her eyes melting away. Her expression softened into a warm, jade-like tenderness, softening the sharp edges of her usually severe features. This transformation highlighted her striking beauty, leaving anyone who beheld her to marvel at such rare loveliness.

Shi Mu, captivated by her face, asked, “Do you want me to feed you?”

Shi Chao nodded slightly, leaned closer, and opened her mouth, her eyelids drooping as she gazed at Shi Mu, her thick lashes concealing any hint of her true thoughts.

Something was off—very, very off. Shi Xu stroked her chin thoughtfully, deep in thought. Just as she was about to figure it out, her phone rang. It was Jian Zhi calling, and her face immediately lit up.

“Sister, have you thought about it?”

“I just saw your message. I thought it was too late to reply by text, so I called you instead.”

Jian Zhi paused, then asked, “When are you coming back?”

She still misses me, doesn’t she? Why else would she ask when I’m coming home? Shi Xu thought smugly, needing no further validation.

“About another hour. When do you finish? Have you eaten? If not, I’ll bring you some takeout. The food here is pretty good.”

“I’ll be done in about an hour too. I’m not hungry yet.”

Shi Xu’s smile stretched as wide as the sun’s rays. The table’s floral arrangement, once vibrant and beautiful, now lay crumpled and wilted. Shi Mu watched her with a doting aunt’s smile, until Shi Chao pinched her chin, forcing her gaze back to herself.

“I’ll pack you some to take home, Jian Zhi. It’s really delicious—you’ll get your appetite back as soon as you taste it.”

Jian Zhi spoke casually, and Shi Xu reluctantly put away her phone, meeting the probing and teasing gazes of her two sisters.

“Which ‘Sister’ are you talking about, calling her so affectionately? We’re getting jealous!” Shi Chao pinched Shi Xu’s ear and said, “We’re not jealous, but you…”

“I know, I know—compete quietly and don’t cause trouble for Second Sister. You’ve been saying that since the show started filming.”

“Just remember that,” Shi Chao said flatly, her tone unreadable.

Shi Xu was eager to leave, unable to stay another second. Shi Mu, sensing her restlessness, said, “Alright, alright, look at you fidgeting like we’re holding you prisoner.”

“Thank you, Second Sister! This meal’s on me!” Shi Xu immediately stood up, her smile radiant. “Let’s gather again when Xiao Jiu gets back. Goodbye, Eldest Sister! Goodbye, Second Sister!”

Before her words had even finished, she had already yanked open the private room door and rushed out.

Shi Mu shook her head with a smile. “Looks like this child has completely fallen in love. I thought she was just joking, but she’s serious.”

“Mumu,” Shi Chao called out.

Shi Mu turned to the person beside her, tilting her head to ask, “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you think you’ve been neglecting me too much? You’ve focused all your attention on Xiao Xu all night. Do you really like her that much?”

Knowing her sister’s possessiveness was flaring up again, Shi Mu leaned closer. “Xiao Xu grew up with us, so naturally our feelings for her are different. But you’re still the one I love most, Sister.”

“Then I’m staying with you tonight,” Shi Chao said, her gaze fixed intently on Shi Mu.

Shi Mu’s cheeks flushed. “But you have a business trip tomorrow,” she murmured. “You should get some rest.”

“I can only sleep well when I’m holding you,” Shi Chao replied, resting her head on Shi Mu’s shoulder and closing her eyes. “Mumu, don’t take your eyes off me. Otherwise, I might not be able to resist…”

Lost in her own thoughts, Shi Mu barely registered the last part of her sister’s words. While closeness between sisters was natural, Shi Chao had recently become dissatisfied with just cuddling to sleep. Was this really okay?

Shi Xu returned to the dormitory with food just as Jian Zhi emerged from the shower. Jian Zhi was wearing a silk nightgown so sheer it was practically translucent. Shi Xu froze for three seconds before averting her gaze and stepping inside. After placing the bag on the table, she asked softly, “Sister, would you like… to change?”

Jian Zhi was equally embarrassed. She had grabbed the wrong nightgown, intending to change after coming out, but Shi Xu had returned at that exact moment. Seeing Shi Xu’s flustered reaction, Jian Zhi suddenly felt a mischievous urge to tease her.

Wasn’t she always so composed and in control before? Why is she suddenly so shy now? Jian Zhi thought, recalling Shi Xu’s past actions. This is the perfect opportunity for revenge.

She leaned closer to Shi Xu, whose ears were flushed crimson and eyes darting nervously. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Don’t you like this nightgown?”

“N-no, it’s very nice, but…” Shi Xu stammered, leaning back as Jian Zhi approached, her upper body nearly forming a right angle with the floor.

“If it’s so good, why do you want to change? Hmm?” Jian Zhi braced her hands on the table behind Shi Xu, trapping her in her arms. The tip of her nose was barely half a centimeter from Shi Xu’s chin.

The warm breath tickled Shi Xu’s chin and neck, making her heart flutter. She cautiously glanced up at Jian Zhi, noticing the mischievous glint in her eyes—she was clearly teasing her.

Jian Zhi’s hair was still damp, a few strands clinging to her forehead and soaking her thin pajamas. Tiny droplets of water clung to the tip of her nose, highlighting the small mole on its left side, which looked unusually alluring.

Shi Xu’s gaze fixed on Jian Zhi’s moist lips, her heart racing. Her mouth went dry, her thoughts in disarray.

Sensing she’d gone far enough, Jian Zhi slowly pulled back, taking a step away. Just as she was about to leave, Shi Xu grabbed her wrist. In a swift reversal, Jian Zhi found herself pinned against the table.

Shi Xu wrapped her arms around Jian Zhi, resting her chin on her shoulder. After a long pause, she murmured, “Sister, are you doing this on purpose?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re too hot. Let go of me.”

“I can’t help it. It’s because of you that I’m so hot. You should take responsibility.” Shi Xu tilted her head and kissed Jian Zhi’s ear, deliberately blowing into it.

“Hey, don’t mess around!” Jian Zhi said urgently, pushing her away with force.

Shi Xu grabbed her wrist and bit down on her fingertips, then kissed the inner wrist all the way up to her shoulder and neck, her lips landing on the prominent collarbone in light, dragonfly-like pecks.

“Weren’t you the one who seduced me? Have you worn this outfit before? Who else has seen you like this?”

Jian Zhi swallowed twice, her breathing quickening. She turned her head away from Shi Xu’s breath, whispering, “Aren’t you going to let go? I’m getting angry.”

Her evasiveness only confirmed Shi Xu’s suspicions. The thought that others might have seen her like this drove her mad with jealousy, making her want to lock Jian Zhi away and keep her all to herself.

“So Sister is allowed to tease me, but I can’t retaliate? You’re being awfully possessive.”

She bit down on the shapely collarbone, leaving teeth marks and a kiss.

Jian Zhi gasped, trying to maintain her composure. “Is that enough now?”

Shi Xu looked up at her, her voice hoarse. “No, not nearly enough. You have no idea how hard I’ve been holding back these past few weeks.”