Li Chu had no idea that the original male and female leads from the book were about to clash. Under the camera’s gaze, she smiled, posed, and walked the red carpet for the evening gala.
Many celebrities attended the event, from newly popular idols to veterans of the entertainment industry. It was a dazzling sight. Li Chu greeted those she knew and those she didn’t, then found her seat.
“Where’s Sister Ning? Why didn’t she come?”
Perhaps due to the organizers’ arrangement, Zhao Zhichun was seated next to Li Chu. He looked around, asking Li Chu with some confusion.
“Teacher Ning has been very busy lately.”
Li Chu had only found out about the gala that afternoon because the organizers’ invitation came late. Li Chu figured Ning Manqing hadn’t agreed to attend or had declined; otherwise, she would have mentioned it to her in the afternoon.
“I see. I heard you two are filming a romance drama recently. Not bad.”
Zhao Zhichun winked at Li Chu, his teasing implication that they were dating at public expense perfectly clear.
Li Chu smiled and agreed, “It is indeed quite nice.”
Since Zhao Zhichun was in the know, there was no need for riddles between them.
“I just don’t get it. It’s not like you two were particularly subtle before, so why does everyone else think nothing’s going on?”
Zhao Zhichun whispered conspiratorially to Li Chu, bringing up something that had baffled him.
Li Chu became alert and asked, “What ‘everyone else’?”
Zhao Zhichun: “Director Ji! We had drinks together a couple of days ago, and he was the one who told me you two were filming a romance drama together. He said it could be considered fulfilling the regrets from our drama, and also mentioned that you two actually look quite compatible, but that it’s just impossible for anything to happen between you.”
“I really held back from telling him. I’m genuinely confused, even feeling the loneliness of ‘the whole world is drunk, only I am sober.’ No one else possesses the same insightful eyes and a heart capable of perceiving the truth as I do.”
Zhao Zhichun shook his head slightly, sighing dramatically.
Li Chu was momentarily speechless. Actually, Zhao Zhichun wasn’t the only one confused; she felt the same way. Tang Congnan was also convinced nothing was going on between her and Ning Manqing, and she didn’t know why either.
“Maybe Teacher Ning and I are too open about it? It’s fine if people don’t see it. But as for fulfilling the regrets of 《Die at Dawn and Dusk》, Director Ji might be disappointed.”
Although the adjacent seat was still empty, someone would likely arrive soon. Li Chu changed the subject, not wanting to discuss her and Ning Manqing further.
Zhao Zhichun asked curiously, “What do you mean? Isn’t it?”
“You’ll know when it airs.”
Li Chu replied with a smile. When it came to ratings, tricking one more person was always good.
In the conventional sense, 《Model Couple》 was indeed sweet and fulfilling. But if one thought deeper, there might inevitably be some regrets. However, such regrets varied from person to person. After all, different people pursue different things, so the same ending would appear different in their eyes.
“Little Li Zi is actually keeping secrets now. I really miss how innocent you looked when I first met you, so respectful and cute. You’ve changed!”
Zhao Zhichun pretended to lament, then burst out laughing at his own words.
“It’s probably because your silliness, Brother Zhao, has left such a deep impression. If you don’t believe me, search online. Everyone agrees you played the naive character perfectly, advising Director Ji not to let you just play yourself anymore.”
In 《Die at Dawn and Dusk》, Zhao Zhichun’s male lead character, Li Rui, was manipulated by the female lead, Qin Mu, running around everywhere. Fans affectionately called him the “miserable simpleton.”
“If you bring that up, I’m leaving! Then tomorrow, we’ll definitely be on the hot search: ‘Former Co-stars Have Falling Out at Event, Part Ways Unhappily – What’s the Reason? Hahahahaha.'”
The more Zhao Zhichun spoke, the funnier he found it, laughing until he couldn’t control his facial expression.
Li Chu: …He looks even more like a fool now.
But what happened next made Li Chu suspect he wasn’t truly foolish, but rather a prophet. Otherwise, why could Zhao Zhichun always predict things so accurately?
Last time, when Li Chu and Ning Manqing were on a date at the skating rink, they ran into Zhao Zhichun. He had said eating with them could provide cover, so if they were photographed, he could act as a shield. And indeed, they were photographed.
This time was similar. After attending the gala, Li Chu went back. The next morning, as she was getting ready for work, Qian Duoduo showed her her phone, informing her she had made the hot search.
“Me and Brother Zhao? People actually believe this crap?”
Li Chu was so shocked she almost messed up her eyeliner. Looking at the posted pictures, her mouth twitched.
The pictures showed Li Chu and Zhao Zhichun at the gala. Zhao Zhichun was whispering in her ear, they looked close, and Zhao Zhichun was laughing heartily while she wore a smile.
Reading the caption made Li Chu even more speechless. What ‘Li Chu’s relationship possibly exposed’? What ‘Li Chu and Zhao Zhichun suspected to be passionately in love’?
The marketing account that first posted this even claimed they left together after the gala and analyzed past events, specifically the dinner incident, suspecting that she and Zhao Zhichun had been dating since then, with Ning Manqing merely being their shield.
When Li Chu saw that line, her eyes nearly popped out. Good grief, if Ning Manqing saw this, wouldn’t she come after them with a knife that very night?
What Li Chu found most outrageous was that people actually believed it? People actually believed this crap???
@UnknownMelonEater: Honestly, I think the possibility is about 80%. Falling in love due to acting together is just too common. Plus, one is an Alpha and the other is an Omega, mutual attraction makes sense. Anyway, neither actor is an idol, so dating isn’t really a big deal, right? They look quite compatible.
@ThirtyThirdLoveLetter: Although I’m a drama fan, tbh, they really do have CP chemistry when they’re close together. A fairy and her husky, hehe.
@ICantEatAnymore: Quick report! Someone just dug up more details. The jacket Sister Li wore during the spring event was from V brand, and Brother Zhichun has the same one!
Although some people believed it, Li Chu’s fans certainly didn’t, and they refused to acknowledge some of the details.
@SweetLi ZiIsTheBest: Bullshit. Can the gossip accounts stop writing false reports with their feet? Those deep dives are just based on imagination, right? My sister isn’t the only one with that V brand jacket, okay? Forcing a couple connection like this? I’m speechless.
@LiLiWalkTheFlowerRoad: My sister is beautiful on her own, pls. Isn’t this just a normal scene of friends talking? Stop speculating, please.
@LiLiInMyHeart: Can I just say damn yxh, does anyone object?
Compared to Li Chu’s fans, Zhao Zhichun’s fans were much more chill.
@SillyZhaoErha: Seeing this news made me weep with joy. I thought my Cub Chun finally managed to hook up with a beautiful younger sister, but clicking in, it’s just this?
@CupOfBuzhichunTea: Cub Chun is a goofy, silly A. His greatest loves in life are skating, eating heartily, and playing video games. Omegas will only slow down his sword-drawing speed. Everyone disperse.
@WhenWillZhaoZhichunTakeAJob: Well, well, didn’t expect my brother to get this much attention upon his return. When he first got popular, he said in an interview that he wanted to pursue further studies, and also that if he started dating, he would definitely announce it openly. He did the first thing right away, and I believe he’ll definitely do the second thing too. Don’t let yourselves be manipulated, they’re probably just good friends.
Suddenly being mentioned by the marketing accounts, Ning Manqing’s fans had varied reactions.
@OnlyQingQingWinsMyHeart: Don’t mention Sister Ning. You’re the tool, your whole family are tools.
@HumanSpringBreezeSisterNing: Ah, this… if this is true, being a tool is too miserable for Sister.
@ManmanChangqing: Believe the gossip accounts if you want. They were saying Sister and Little Sister Li were dating not long ago, and now they’ve changed their tune already, quite impressive. They’re all good friends from the same drama set. Instead of calling Sister Ning a tool, why not help promote her new drama? 《Behold Me, Ling Shan》 wraps up in August and will probably be released next year. Please support it.
@ManmanAndChangqing: Don’t know why, but if this is true, I feel like my sister would be a bit sad.
Besides these various stances, the topics among some of Li Chu’s fans and curious onlookers were even more spectacular.
@LiChusNonCelebGirlfriend: Seeing this hot search reach fifth place left me confused. Although my Li Zi is versatile and has chemistry with everyone, even giving off delicate wife vibes with Sister Ming Zhi, pairing her with Zhao Zhichun is a no-go. Who could possibly think Qin Mu and Li Rui had a thing? Even though I’m not a CP shipper, I still have to say, she has less chemistry with him than with Ning XX.
@DundunSleepEarly: Seeing the comment above, this omnivorous shipper can’t help but agree. Although I ship QingLi and Zhishi Taotao, Liwei Buzhichun really feels weird?
@MilkTeaAddict: Suddenly off-topic? I don’t think Liwei Buzhichun (Li Zi Flavor Doesn’t Know Spring) is impossible. Are there any milk tea shops making this flavor? I’d definitely go try it.
@ILikeWeirdCrackShips: Sipping my Zhishi Buzhichun (Cheese Doesn’t Know Spring) and paused for a moment. Suddenly feel like another weird crack ship can be born.
@IHaveAQingLiTree: Anyway, I don’t believe it. QingLi is number one in the world!
Li Chu handed the phone back to Qian Duoduo, noticing that the disbelievers still outnumbered the believers.
“What did Brother Nan say?”
Qian Duoduo: “Brother Nan said not to deal with it. False things don’t deserve any attention.”
“Okay, got it.”
Li Chu redid her eyeliner and saw the kowtowing emoji Zhao Zhichun had sent her in her social app.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Tell Sister Ning not to hunt me down. I’ve already carried the train station away overnight.
【Li Chu】: Who told you to laugh so arrogantly? I really didn’t expect I’d end up in dating rumors with you.
【Zhao Zhichun】: What’s wrong with being linked with me! I’m a big fierce Alpha!
【Zhao Zhichun】: Damn, Sister Ning replied to me. She asked if I was laughing so happily because I was very carefree. Asked if I wanted to go to Africa to dig for oil for her?
【Zhao Zhichun】: I’m carrying the train across the ocean to dig for oil now, 886.
Li Chu almost cracked up laughing at this goofy Zhao Zhichun, but her laughter died in her throat.
She almost forgot she was the other party in the scandal. Her schadenfreude was a bit premature.
【Ning Manqing】: Cat fake smile.jpg
Through this emoji, Li Chu seemed to actually see the fake smile on Ning Manqing’s face, sending a shiver down her spine.
She wondered if it was too late to go dig for oil with Zhao Zhichun.
【Xiao Chu】: This has nothing to do with me! It’s Brother Zhao’s low and weird sense of humor!
Li Chu immediately shifted the blame. Zhao Zhichun going alone was enough, don’t drag her into it, 886.
Ning Manqing was genuinely troubled. Just the night before, she had issued an expulsion order to someone with designs on Xiao Chu, only to wake up and find rumors of her girlfriend supposedly dating someone else trending, with herself speculated to be a cover for their relationship.
In the car heading to the set, Ning Manqing’s personal assistant, Kexin, watched with trepidation as her boss snapped the pen in her hand.
“Are there any upcoming projects filming in Africa? Send them to Zhao Zhichun’s agent.”
Kexin, not understanding the situation, nodded, “Okay, I’ll look into it right away.”
If you’d like to read ahead and support me, you can request extra chapters or get the full novel as an EPUB.
Girl wants him gone badly 😭🤣