Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 6

Huo Shu stepped forward. “Su Yu-jie…”

“Mm?”

“You’re so pretty.”

The young girl spoke with sincere admiration, without a trace of pretense.

Su Yu was momentarily startled, then reached out to pinch her cheek, smiling warmly. “You’re very pretty too.”

Huo Shu herself was a naturally delicate and pure beauty. Even without makeup, she resembled a rain-drenched white magnolia—elegant and graceful, deeply moving.

The tips of Huo Shu’s ears turned red.

Su Yu-jie had complimented her.

“Are all the teachers ready?”

A crew member came over to usher Su Yu and the others out.

The opening ceremony was, as always, tedious. After the rites were completed, the reporters on the sidelines swarmed in like bees.

“Miss Huo Shu, may I ask why you’re appearing in this production?”

“Miss Su Yu, there were rumors online last time about discord between you and Huo Shu. Now that you’re both appearing in the same production, is there some hidden story here?”

“Director Wang, it’s said you’re quite demanding with actors. In your opinion, how is Miss Su Yu’s acting?”

Microphones were thrust forward one after another, each question sharp and loaded. A single misstep could send them tumbling into the reporters’ traps.

Huo Shu clenched her hands and responded coolly, “I already said it last time: there is no conflict between Su Yu-jie and me, nor any discord. I hope the reporters stop speculating.”

“As for why I’m appearing in this production, it’s naturally because I love this character.”

A few reporters were still unwilling to give up and turned their microphones toward Su Yu. “Miss Su Yu, people say your acting skills don’t match the standard of this production. How do you respond to that?”

“Rumors stop with the wise.”

Su Yu’s tone was nonchalant. Then she changed the subject: “Today is the launch ceremony. Let’s not focus on these minor things. Please give more attention to our new drama, thank you.”

A group of reporters were dumbfounded.

This… was this still Su Yu?

She had always been the worst at handling press—whatever she said instantly became a trending topic. But today? What in the world?

Director Wang’s expression turned slightly stern. He said in a deep voice, “Just as Su Yu said, I hope everyone will focus on our new drama instead of wasting time on gossip.”

Only then did the reporters start asking about the new project. Director Wang’s expression softened a little and he answered their questions one by one.

At 5 PM, filming for the day wrapped up.

Su Yu returned to the hotel. Just as she stepped through the door, a young girl followed behind her.

Su Yu stopped and raised an eyebrow at Huo Shu. “Hmm?”

Huo Shu blushed and gathered her courage to look up. “Su Yu-jie, can I stay with you?”

“Didn’t Director Wang already arrange rooms?”

“I’m naturally timid… I’m afraid of staying alone, so…”

Huo Shu lowered her head, her slender fingers clenched, looking a bit embarrassed.

Su Yu pressed her brow. “Iron Hammer, does Huo Shu really have this problem?”

【Uh… maybe.】

“I need a clear answer, not some vague one.”

【Probably. Who would notice something like that?】

“Aren’t you a system?”

Iron Hammer got annoyed instantly.

【So being a system means I have to notice that? Systems don’t get to rest? Systems—】

“All right, all right…”

Su Yu quickly surrendered.

Iron Hammer had changed lately—you couldn’t even say a word against it anymore.

Su Yu didn’t reply for a while, and the light in Huo Shu’s eyes dimmed. She spoke softly, “Su Yu-jie, did my request trouble you a lot?”

“If it’s not okay, then—”

Su Yu interrupted her. “Come in.”

The room was big enough. Two people sharing it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Really?”

Huo Shu looked up sharply. Once she saw Su Yu nod, she cheered with joy, ran to the corner of the hallway, and wheeled over her suitcase.

Su Yu glanced at the obedient girl dragging her suitcase, rubbed her forehead, and had a strange feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

Oh well.

She didn’t think much of it and inserted the key to open the door.

The room layout came into view. It was large, clean, and tidy—but… there was only one bed.

Su Yu turned around.

This time, they couldn’t say she was deliberately trying to kick the girl out, right?

Huo Shu rushed ahead, gripping the suitcase handle and said timidly, “I-I can sleep on the sofa.”

Su Yu looked at her slim frame and scoffed, “Forget it. Sleep on the bed.”

Blushing, Huo Shu leaned forward with a sweet smile. “Thank you, Su Yu-jie.”

The young girl had soft, gentle features, her cheeks tinged with red—she was extremely adorable.

“No need.”

Su Yu casually tossed her bag aside and headed for the bathroom. “I’ll shower first. Let’s go down to eat later.”

Huo Shu nodded, set down her suitcase, and sat cautiously on the sofa.

Whew… I’m living with Su Yu-jie now.

She covered her mouth and chuckled, her delicate eyes curving into crescents.

Splash splash…

The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Huo Shu froze and couldn’t help looking in that direction.

But after just a second, she blushed, slapped her own cheek, and lowered her head to focus on her phone.

“…Huo Shu?”

A lazy and alluring voice called out from the bathroom after a while.

Huo Shu looked up. “Su Yu-jie, what’s wrong?”

“Can you bring me a pajama set? I forgot to take one in.”

Huo Shu froze for a moment and replied, “Ah, sure!”

“It’s in the suitcase. Just grab anything.”

“O-okay…”

Taking a small breath, Huo Shu carefully opened Su Yu’s suitcase.

She didn’t dare look too closely, and randomly grabbed a thin, bright red nightgown, then ran over and knocked on the bathroom door. “Su Yu-jie, y-your pajamas.”

The door opened a crack. A pair of delicate, fair hands reached out. The woman inside was smiling with half-lidded eyes, her black hair hanging loose, droplets trickling from the ends. Water slid down her long white neck… dangerously tempting.

Huo Shu’s face flushed bright red.

“Su Yu-jie, h-here.”

She lowered her head, flustered, and handed over the pajamas.

Their fingertips brushed—warm and soft. Startled, Huo Shu instinctively poked the hand.

Su Yu caught her wrist and asked teasingly, “Little girl, you dare take advantage of your big sister?”

Huo Shu looked up, cheeks aflame. When she realized where she’d touched, even her ears turned red.

“I-I didn’t mean to…”

She was both embarrassed and flustered.

Su Yu didn’t tease her further. She flicked her forehead. “Alright, go on.”

Still red-faced, Huo Shu shoved the clothes into her arms and fled.

Only after sitting back on the sofa did she let out a breath—though her ears were still burning.

Why… why doesn’t Su Yu-jie avoid me at all?

She blushed at the thought, then looked down at her phone again.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t concentrate. Her mind kept drifting back to that stunning image.

Su Yu’s skin was flawless and fair, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, her features stunning and seductive. Two extremes of beauty fused into one, like a ghostly enchantress crawling out of water—dangerous, yet impossible to resist.

Recalling the feeling of her skin, Huo Shu’s ears turned red again, and a sudden warmth crept into her nose.