I Turned a Competitive Variety Show into a Dating Show - Chapter 6

Neither of them spoke, as if time had frozen in that moment.

But as her heartbeat grew more frantic, Shi Xu had to break the charged silence.

“Sister, could you… maybe get up a little?”

Jian Zhi’s eyes flickered at the words. When she lifted her head from Shi Xu’s embrace, a flash of shyness crossed her face. She tried to pull away, but found a hand clamped tightly around her waist, showing no sign of letting go.

She looked at Shi Xu, her eyes questioning.

Shi Xu gave an awkward smile and released her. Only when Jian Zhi had moved back did she fully take in Shi Xu’s outfit. She’d assumed it was just the makeup that had changed, but the clothes…

Shi Xu had a stunning figure: a long, graceful neck and straight shoulders. The tight-fitting top perfectly showcased her toned arms and abs, while the thigh ring accentuated the curve of her leg, adding a touch of sensual allure. Her entire presence radiated raw sexual tension.

Even with the dramatic, dark makeup, it couldn’t mask the overwhelming sensuality that emanated from her.

Shi Xu, flustered by the intense gaze, whispered, “Is it… really that bad?”

Jian Zhi realized she had been staring too long. She casually averted her gaze, skirted around Shi Xu, and headed toward the dressing room, muttering, “It’s… alright.”

Shi Xu, who had braced herself for no response, found those two words like heavenly music. Everyone knew Jian Zhi’s attitude toward her was cold. Since she hadn’t directly called it ugly, the makeup and styling must have been a success.

Shi Xu felt her confidence surge back.

“Sister, what are you going to do?” Shi Xu asked softly, clinging to the door.

Jian Zhi didn’t even glance at her. “What else would I do in a dressing room?” she retorted.

Shi Xu looked puzzled. “But you didn’t bring any clothes.”

Jian Zhi paused, then turned to her. “Just go out when you’re done changing.”

Shi Xu obediently complied, not only closing the door but also standing guard outside. Once inside the cubicle, Jian Zhi removed her coat, unhooked her bra, and gently massaged the red marks left by the tight straps, letting out a long sigh of relief.

The stage costume she had prepared was too small. To squeeze into it, she had to skip meals and even bind her chest. By the end of the day, her entire ribcage ached.

After sitting inside for a long time, breathing freely until she felt sufficiently refreshed, Jian Zhi rehooked her bra, dressed properly, and emerged from the cubicle.

The moment Jian Zhi opened the door, Shi Xu, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up, her eyes lighting up. For some reason, Jian Zhi felt like she was a little dog waiting for its owner, wagging its tail frantically at the sight of them, practically ready to jump up and nuzzle them.

A strange emotion flickered through Jian Zhi’s heart. She asked calmly, “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you,” Shi Xu replied, then paused before adding, “You know… we still need to rehearse again as a group, right? Let’s go together?”

Seeing Shi Xu’s hopeful expression, Jian Zhi felt that if she refused, the younger woman would droop her ears and cry.

Sighing inwardly, she said, “Let’s go.”

Jian Zhi preferred solitude and avoided socializing whenever possible. Yet she found herself repeatedly compromising with Shi Xu. It seemed participating in the show was indeed forcing her to grow.

Shi Xu had only entered the industry two years ago, debuting in a major film by a renowned director as the second female lead—a role nearly as substantial as the protagonist’s. She had been constantly criticized as a “resource hire,” but her acting skills were undeniable, earning her the audience’s respect. Without that, her reputation would likely have been far worse.

Jian Zhi had climbed to her current position step by step, enduring hardships known only to herself. She had even experienced having her scenes stolen by “resource-backed” actors. While she didn’t despise such people, she had always kept her distance. She couldn’t explain why she was being so lenient with Shi Xu.

It was just that… Shi Xu didn’t seem as terrible as the internet made her out to be.

The other groups had already left, but their group was still rehearsing. The stage design and lighting were adjusted repeatedly. Xue Qing was so exhausted she fell asleep, stumbling onto the stage half-asleep and singing terribly.

Xia Li’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot as he watched from the audience. After the rehearsal, he took Xue Qing aside for a private dressing-down. Shi Xu watched Xue Qing’s meek and apologetic demeanor, feeling a pang of sympathy for her.

As Jian Zhi gathered her things to leave, Shi Xu asked, “Shouldn’t we wait for Xue Qing? She…” Seeing Xia Li’s expression, she knew Xue Qing wouldn’t be having an easy time.

Though she didn’t particularly like Xue Qing, they had practiced together for so long. Waiting a little longer wouldn’t hurt.

“No need to wait. Xia Li will handle it,” Jian Zhi said coolly, striding out with long strides. Shi Xu nodded and hurried to catch up.

The next day, Shi Xu didn’t see Xue Qing before they set off. When she finally spotted her backstage, Xue Qing’s eyes were red and swollen. Shi Xu figured Xia Li must have scolded her until she cried, so she bought her a coffee as a gesture of comfort.

“Are you trying to comfort me?” Xue Qing asked weakly.

“Hah!” Shi Xu scoffed coldly. “You’re overthinking things. I just don’t want your moping to ruin the stage performance.”

Xue Qing glared at her and took a large gulp of coffee. “I’ll give the performance of my life!” she declared loudly. “You’ll all be amazed!”

As it turned out, Xue Qing wasn’t just boasting. When she finally took the stage, her singing was flawless, her expressions perfectly nuanced. During the final pose, a single tear slid down her cheek at just the right moment, ensuring she wasn’t overshadowed by Shi Xu and Jian Zhi’s roles in the melodramatic love story.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause, and their score surpassed all previous groups. When the host asked them to appeal for votes, Xue Qing burst into tears before she even got the microphone. She sniffled and hid behind Jian Zhi, drawing gasps from the crowd.

The two had already gained a significant following as a couple, and this moment only fueled the shippers’ fervor. As Shi Xu listened to their cheers, she subtly leaned closer to Jian Zhi, maintaining her composure.

After all the performances were finished, Shi Xu’s group had the second-highest firepower score. The three of them were completely surprised by this result, as their rehearsals had been far from smooth. Though unspoken, they had all secretly believed they would end up at the bottom.

Xue Qing hugged Shi Xu and burst into tears. Shi Xu, feeling utterly resigned, played the role of a human tool, only saying, “Don’t wipe your snot on my clothes.”

Xue Qing sobbed, “Then I’ll go cry to Senior Sister.”

“No way!” Shi Xu grabbed her, sacrificing her tens of thousands of yuan worth of clothes.

Since the show was being filmed and broadcast simultaneously, there would be no filming for the next week. Everyone would wait for the online voting results to come in. The top ten most popular contestants would participate in a live broadcast to campaign for votes, earning extra firepower points for their teams in the next round.

With everyone having scheduled work, the dorm emptied out by more than half. Shi Xu assumed Xue Qing had left too, but late that night, Xue Qing appeared at the dorm entrance like a ghost, holding a bottle of wine.

Shi Xu blocked the doorway, refusing to let her in. Xue Qing immediately sought support from Jian Zhi.

“Senior Sister, look at her~”

Jian Zhi got out of bed, two strands of her bangs sticking up, her eyes still half-closed and unfocused, making her look soft and cuddly.

“Didn’t you go home?” she said, getting up to turn on the light and glancing at Shi Xu.

Shi Xu immediately understood and reluctantly let Xue Qing in. Xue Qing placed two bottles of wine on the table, pulled up a sofa, and settled in as comfortably as if she were in her own living room.

“Stop standing there like a statue! Come sit down and let’s kick off a fabulous night!”

Shi Xu pouted, her face full of exasperation. “Fabulous night? Have you even checked the time?”

“Who cares about the time!” Xue Qing retorted, turning to Jian Zhi with a pleading look. “Senior Sister, you’ll keep me company, right?”

Jian Zhi nodded and was about to sit beside Xue Qing when Shi Xu darted over and claimed the spot first, forcing Jian Zhi to sit next to her instead.

Xue Qing muttered under her breath, “Some people are so sneaky.”

Shi Xu shot back, “Pot calling the kettle black. Some people barging in to disturb my sleep in the middle of the night are even worse.”

The back-and-forth left neither side with the upper hand. Xue Qing, the wine fiend, had secretly mixed white liquor into the red wine. By the time Shi Xu and Jian Zhi realized it, she was already drunk.

Xue Qing glared at them mockingly. “What’s wrong with you two? You haven’t even had a sip and you’re already—” Her words slurred off as she collapsed face-first onto the table.

Shi Xu glanced at her before kneeling in front of Jian Zhi. “Sister, let’s go to bed,” she said softly.

Jian Zhi opened her eyes and looked at Shi Xu, her red lips parting slightly. “Is that my little puppy?”

“Huh?” Shi Xu blinked in confusion.

Jian Zhi stroked Shi Xu’s hair, her voice teasing. “If I don’t do as you say, will you cry?”