Wait, I Got in the Wrong Car (GL) - Chapter 28

Mate?

When Lou Anran first heard those words, which clearly did not belong to any known human language, and they appeared so frequently, she was unable to react immediately. After thinking it over, she began to suspect it might be a popular euphemism, similar to what people often used online to hint at casual hookups.

She lifted a golden curl of Mo Ying’s hair, which floated in the water and nearly blended with her beautiful mermaid tail. Twirling it around her fingertip, she asked, “Baby, do you think you are an unattractive mermaid?”

Mo Ying puffed out her cheeks in protest. “Lou Xiaohei, I am the most dazzling mermaid in the deep sea.”

Lou Anran loved seeing her so full of confidence. Whenever that treasure-grade pair of eyes shimmered, it was like the glow inside could light up the entire world. Her fingers slowly climbed up the girl’s bare shoulders, suggestively asking, “So, do you really believe I would not want to mate with you?”

Mo Ying felt troubled by the question. Her eyes darted around, avoiding Lou Anran’s gaze. She laid down in the bathtub with a distressed little murmur.

Knock. Knock. Knock knock.

Just as Lou Anran was about to lean in to catch what the girl was muttering, a sudden knock at the door interrupted them. Both froze and looked at each other, completely baffled about who could be knocking at this hour.

Yet the knocking continued.

Mo Ying’s eyes widened. “Lou Xiaohei, hide. Quick!”

Lou Anran stared at her. “What?”

Before she could protest, Mo Ying yanked her into the tub without mercy. Her movements were fluid and forceful. Lou Anran had no chance to react. In that instant, she felt like a duck being scooped up and tossed straight into the bathtub. She was soaked head to toe and even choked on a mouthful of water.

She grabbed the girl’s delicate wrist and complained, “Why do I need to hide?”

Mo Ying shook her head dramatically, the ocean-blue pendant in her hair swinging with her motion. She changed the subject. “Fourth Sister said we mustn’t. And… anyway, just hide.”

Yu Xuan?

Lou Anran considered this and gently scratched the girl’s wrist with her fingertip. “Go open the door.”

Mo Ying noticed she was drenched and went back to change. Only a few strands of her hair remained wet, sticking to her shoulders. When she opened the door, the bright corridor lights continued their vivid display. Outside, no one was there.

She shut the door with no hesitation, but a few seconds later, the knocking resumed with a rhythmic beat. This time, she peeked around the edge of the door as she opened it.

“Surprise!”

Wanqi Tianxin’s face nearly bumped into hers.

Mo Ying’s expression was blank. She had not been startled at all. Chen Ruiling and Wu Si appeared from the stairwell looking helpless. All four girls stared at each other. The silence was so awkward it felt like a flock of crows had just flown overhead.

Wanqi Tianxin had to break the ice. “Ahahaha, Xiao Yu’er, you’ve become braver.”

Wu Si rolled her eyes. “I told you not to keep scaring her. You clearly frightened her stiff.”

Chen Ruiling added, “Wanqi Tianxin was worried about you.”

Mo Ying blinked. “Worried about what?”

Wu Si boldly explained, “Of course, we were worried about you living alone in a villa. After comparing ratings, it turns out that almost everyone who has been evaluated is in Villa B. Those who have not yet been rated were sent to Villa C. The director arranged for you to stay alone in Villa A. We sneaked over here just to keep you company. Are we not welcome?”

Wanqi Tianxin glanced inside and gasped at the elegant decor. “Wow, the difference between Group B and C is already huge. Group A’s rooms must be even better.”

Chen Ruiling lifted two bags. “We were worried you might be hungry. Wanqi Tianxin brought her secret stash. Are you not going to invite us in for a look?”

This kind of friendly visit was a first for Mo Ying. Curious, she stepped aside to let them in, completely forgetting that Lou Anran was still soaking in the tub. Her sparkling eyes were fixed on the bags in Chen Ruiling’s hands. She even touched her belly thoughtfully. “I’m not very hungry.”

Chen Ruiling began unpacking cans of beer buried beneath chips and seeds. “Even if you’re not hungry, you can still try some. It’s all snacks. You didn’t eat much today either.”

Mo Ying puffed her cheeks. The feedback from the mentor earlier had made her a bit sad, and she forgot to put on a front. “I’ll help you.”

Wanqi Tianxin and Wu Si wandered around the villa, even checking the bathroom with water still pooled on the floor. They returned to the living room with envious expressions.

“The director definitely did this on purpose,” Wanqi Tianxin said. “To give us motivation. I really want to work hard and get a room like this next time.”

Wu Si flopped onto the plush carpet. “If I could live in a place like this for a year, I’d be so happy.”

Their rooms were more like hotel doubles. Comfortable, but nothing like Mo Ying’s spacious suite.

Wanqi Tianxin patted the sofa and pulled over a pillow. “Still, our rooms are fine. Better than those poor girls in Room F. It’s basically a storage closet.”

Without comparison, there would be no pain.

The girls gathered around the coffee table. Mo Ying obediently sat on the sofa and tried a few cucumber chips. The refreshing flavor won her over immediately. She crunched away like a satisfied little hamster. Wanqi Tianxin and Wu Si sat on the carpet, tearing open snack bags and placing a beer in front of each person.

“I didn’t expect Sing for the Song to invite someone like Su Bai,” said Wu Si. “I thought it would be someone more like Qi Jia. But starting with a love song? Isn’t that stealing the spotlight?”

“Mentor Zhuang didn’t respond much today,” Chen Ruiling noted.

Wu Si tossed a peanut into her mouth. “No matter how famous he is, he’s not more famous than Yu Meiren. If the director ever invites Yu Xuan, I will be truly impressed.”

“Yu Xuan is too famous. She won’t come,” Chen Ruiling replied.

Wanqi Tianxin agreed. “Yeah, if the director could pull that off, last season wouldn’t have had six people crammed into one dorm.”

Hearing her Fourth Sister’s name, Mo Ying paused mid-crunch, then quickly finished her chips. “Fourth… Yu Xuan sings really well.”

Wu Si beamed at the shared admiration and patted Mo Ying’s shoulder. “You have great taste, Xiao Yu’er. I love her voice too. That explosive high note of hers… actually, you should try her songs. Your voice is similar.”

With a shared interest, the two scooted closer. Mo Ying pouted. “But Fourth… she doesn’t sing love songs.”

If the preliminaries had not focused on love songs, Mo Ying never would have picked Su Bai’s track. She had only chosen it based on popularity.

Wu Si looked shocked. “She has several love songs. You didn’t know?”

Mo Ying was stunned.

She instinctively touched her phone. She had wanted to play the ‘evidence’ her Fourth Sister had sent, but then hesitated. Just because she could sing love songs didn’t mean she was dating. Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Her heart swayed before she leaned in to ask Wu Si softly, “Has she ever been in a relationship?”

Wanqi Tianxin leaned closer too, then burst out laughing. “Xiao Yu’er, do you seriously think Yu Meiren has never dated? Her ex-girlfriends could line up from here to the Yangtze River.”

Mo Ying imagined the distance and gasped.

She had never known her Fourth Sister had so many admirers.

Wu Si, seeing her shock, sipped her beer and smacked her thigh. “Come, come. Let me tell you all about Yu Meiren’s love history. It’s long enough to fill a thick book.”

Mo Ying was speechless.

Seeing her dazed expression, Wu Si gave her a sympathetic pat. “I get it. You’re a loyal fan. I was, too. At first, I wanted to beat up every little vixen who tried to seduce Yu Meiren. But eventually, I realized that as long as she’s happy, I’m happy. Luckily, none of them lasted long. A month at most.”

Mo Ying said in awe, “Wow. She’s so experienced.”

All three girls burst out laughing at her blunt remark. Wu Si added, “Isn’t she? She’s talented, charming, and her physique draws all kinds of unwanted attention. Of course, the more popular you are, the more gossip you attract.”

Wanqi Tianxin added, “Isn’t there a rumor going around right now? Some say it’s confirmed.”

Mo Ying looked uncertain.

Chen Ruiling noticed she had not touched her beer. “Want to try?” Mo Ying blinked up at her. Chen Ruiling opened the bottle and handed it over. “Just a sip. It’s not very strong. You won’t get drunk.”

Mo Ying sniffed it, then took small sips. The bitter taste spread across her tongue.

Wu Si pulled up some photos from online. “I think Yu Meiren and she make a perfect pair. Height, aura… everything matches.”

“Every time something comes up, they deny it,” Wanqi Tianxin said. “And didn’t someone dig up dirt saying they actually can’t stand each other? They could never be together. You’re dreaming.”

Mo Ying finished her beer in one gulp and set the bottle down on the table. It took her a moment to register the aftertaste. “It’s not tasty.”

Wu Si waved her over. “Xiao Yu’er, come settle this. Don’t they look good together?”

A zoomed-in photo filled the screen. The background was familiar. Mo Ying stared and soon recognized it. That was the seaside villa she often visited.

The people in the photo were even more familiar. One was her Fourth Sister. The other was her ‘Mama Fish.’

The two were embracing each other tightly, so close they could not be separated.

Mo Ying gave a small hiccup.