SH – Chapter 43

In the escape room’s control room.

The staff member, Yuanyuan, was a loyal fan of Jian You. She had seen Director Jian’s works no less than a hundred times, and after learning that Jian You was gay, she had upgraded from a mere film enthusiast to a “girlfriend fan.” So when Jian You joined a dating show and was officially paired with Yun Chu for promotional purposes, she developed a strong dislike for Yun Chu.

Hmph, an 18th-tier nobody who popped up out of nowhere. Could she possibly have genuine feelings for Jian You? She must be after Jian You’s popularity, trying to leech off her fame and resources!

So, when she learned that Yun Chu and Wen Xi were coming here for a date this morning, she decisively swapped shifts with a colleague who had recently become obsessed with Yun Chu. She hid herself away in the control room, out of sight and out of mind, hoping to uncover Yun Chu’s true face when the cameras weren’t looking.

She had watched Little Tricks for Love, and she had to admit, Yun Chu’s performance on the show was indeed very likable.

But! The entertainment industry had no shortage of manufactured personas!

Cute and innocent?

An act!

Lively and carefree?

A performance!

Jian You fell for Yun Chu at first sight?

Written in the script!

Yuanyuan rubbed her hands together, ready to gather evidence and then go embellish it on the forums to make netizens see Yun Chu’s true colors. She waited and waited, and finally, the crew of Little Tricks for Love arrived at the venue.

What the hell? Yuanyuan stared at the entrance monitor. Why was Jian You here too?!

And not only was Jian You here, but the moment she arrived, her eyes were glued to Yun Chu. Even through the grainy monitor footage, the deep affection in her gaze was unmistakable! Yuanyuan comforted herself: according to fan analysis, Yun Chu was definitely Jian You’s scripted partner, so this was understandable. It was just professionalism. Jian You had always been professional!

While comforting herself, Yuanyuan snapped a picture of Jian You on the monitor and sent it to a friend who was also a fan. “You’d never guess! Our Director Jian is here too!”

Friend: ???

Friend: Didn’t you say it was Yun Chu and Wen Xi coming?

Friend: Why is Jian You there?

Friend: Can’t bear to be away from her wifey?

Yuanyuan: Are you trying to ship them right in my face?

Friend: Sorry, but I can’t help it.

Friend: kswl kswl

Friend: It means “I’m dying of thirst.”

Yuanyuan: If you’re thirsty, go drink some water.

Yuanyuan: It must be the production team’s arrangement! Hmph, their intention to lock down the Jia Jian Cheng Chu CP couldn’t be more obvious. So annoying.

Yuanyuan: Why aren’t you saying anything?

Friend: I’m trying to see if that’s Yun Chu standing next to Jian You in the picture you sent.

Yuanyuan: No! No! No!

Friend: Don’t get so worked up.

Yuanyuan: …

Yuanyuan thought to herself that the space inside the escape room was limited. For the sake of the game experience, the production team wouldn’t send in too many cameramen-one or two at most. There would definitely be blind spots. She would absolutely be able to find evidence that Jia Jian Cheng Chu was just a business CP!

Yuanyuan: I’m going to give you a live broadcast of a classic Jia Jian Cheng Chu moment. Are you ready to face the reality of who they are! [devil’s whisper.jpg]

Yuanyuan: They’re going in!

Yuanyuan: LMAO, they’re standing eight hundred meters apart, like they don’t even know each other.

Yuanyuan: Yep, they definitely don’t know each other.

Yuanyuan: Yun Chu and Wen Xi are killing me! If you’re not shipping them after this episode airs, I’ll take the blame, okay?

Yuanyuan: Zhu Wan’er is so brave, and Jian You is brave too. They’re a good match.

Her friend finally couldn’t take it anymore: So you can ship anyone except Jia Jian Cheng Chu?

Yuanyuan: I’m familiar with this scenario. It looks like it’s time for a solo mission. I saw their identity cards; it should be Jian You’s turn. Let Zhu Wan’er go with her. What a great opportunity to build their relationship!

Yuanyuan: ???

Friend: ?

Yuanyuan: Jian You asked Yun Chu to go with her………

Friend: !!!

Yuanyuan: I’m speechless. Yun Chu doesn’t look very brave either. Is she taking her along as dead weight? What a garbage script!

Yuanyuan: Wait a second?

Yuanyuan: …What did Jian You say to the cameraman?

Yuanyuan: The cameraman didn’t follow them.

Friend: Holy shit?

Friend: Now you’re talking. I’m wide awake now.

Friend: Please broadcast the Jia Jian Cheng Chu breakup scene to me immediately!!!

Yuanyuan: …………

Yuanyuan: What are they talking about? I can’t hear! This is killing me! Can you please respect the escape room! This is not a place for you to be romantic!

Yuanyuan: Why are they holding hands? Who allowed this? I’m asking, who allowed this?

Friend: Tell me more, this is very important to me [drooling]

Yuanyuan: I’m heartbroken. I’m not watching anymore.

Yuanyuan: Ahhhhhh is she going for a wall slam!

Friend: What what what?

Yuanyuan: Thank god, no wall slam.

Friend: [disappointed.jpg]

Yuanyuan: They’re kissing…………

Friend: Fuck?

---

In the corridor.

“Teacher Jian? Yun Chu?” Xiao Lan called from outside, her voice echoing. “Did you get it? Can you come out? Is everything okay?”

Yun Chu leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling dramatically. Jian You glanced at her, her eyes, which had just shared such intimacy, now tinged with desire. The look was so explicit it made Yun Chu pause, and she subconsciously crossed her arms over her chest.

“Coming,” Jian You said, grabbing her arm and slowly pulling it down. “What are you covering?”

It had been an instinctive gesture, one she regretted the moment she made it.

Yun Chu blushed. “N-Nothing.”

The moment they pushed the door open, Jian You let go of Yun Chu’s hand. During the pre-show briefing, the director had informed them that they couldn’t confirm a relationship during the filming of the dating show. They could only go on dates as ambiguous romantic interests. Keeping the CPs unfixed allowed for more possibilities.

So, even though they had just kissed, once they stepped out of that door, they were still just guests on a date with other people.

But things were different now.

Yun Chu’s fingers, hanging by her side, twitched slightly. She watched Jian You reading a letter with Zhu Wan’er by the light of a flashlight and thought, Things are different now. From now on, my relationship with Jian You is really, truly different.

“What are you thinking about?” Wen Xi nudged her shoulder. “You’re completely out of it. Was it that scary in there?”

Yun Chu mumbled an “Ah.”

Wen Xi huffed. “The NPC just told me my outfit was scarier than hers. You think I should just get a job here?”

“Don’t you already have a job?” Yun Chu asked.

“A voice actress, right?” Wen Xi’s lips pulled into a thin line. “The show’s introduction made it sound so glamorous, but really, I’m just a CV for audio dramas. And I only do yuri dramas, so I’m basically starving most of the time.”

“Why don’t you do other genres?”

“I don’t want to! I’m not willing! I won’t bow for a measly wage!” Wen Xi clenched her small fists, then deflated. “Okay, actually, it’s because I had a falling out with my old studio over some things, so I went solo.”

“You started your own studio?” Yun Chu’s interest was piqued. “How many people are in it?”

Wen Xi: “One, and only one: me.”

Yun Chu: “Well…”

Wen Xi: “Are you going to sponsor my studio?”

Yun Chu pondered, “It’s not out of the question. It’s just…”

Wen Xi: “What? What is it?”

Yun Chu: “Your voice is so good. Why don’t you do voice work for television series?”

Wen Xi: “I don’t have any connections.”

Yun Chu smiled at her. “Now that you have me, don’t you have a connection?”

Wen Xi’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Yun Chu’s hand, urging her to elaborate. She was halfway through her wheedling when she suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck. Footsteps approached from behind. “What are you two talking about?”

It was Jian You’s voice.

Though her tone was devoid of emotion, Wen Xi detected a hint of hostility. Her nimble eyes darted from Yun Chu to Jian You, then back to Yun Chu, and she had a sudden realization.

They didn’t let the cameraman follow them, and when they came out, Yun Chu was blushing furiously while Jian You was silent. Did they get into a fight in there?

What kind of grudge is this!

“Nothing,” Yun Chu said.

Oh my god! Yun Chu’s voice is trembling! She’s so small and cute, she definitely couldn’t win against Jian You! Did they fight because Jian You was jealous of me?

“This letter is from the owner of the mansion. The clue leads down the path to the left. Let’s keep going.” Jian You glanced at the hand Wen Xi was using to hold Yun Chu’s. Wen Xi immediately felt Yun Chu flinch and quickly let go.

“Let’s go,” Yun Chu said.

“Oh, okay, let’s go. I’ll bring up the rear!” Wen Xi said.

Unable to contain herself, she brought up the rear while tapping open her chat with Meng Zhaozhao, quickly recounting what had just happened. Meng Zhaozhao was also excited: Something definitely happened in there!

Wen Xi: She got jealous of me! They fought!

Meng Zhaozhao: ?

Wen Xi: What should I do?

Meng Zhaozhao: Don’t think you’re that important.

Wen Xi: Piss off, piss off, piss off!

---

After the escape room, the two groups of guests separated again, heading to locations arranged by the production team. Only the cameras were left, giving the two dating guests plenty of space to talk alone.

Yun Chu’s mind was entirely on Jian You, leaving her with no interest in flirting with Wen Xi.

Wen Xi, meanwhile, was busy arguing with Meng Zhaozhao that she was, in fact, very charming and perfectly capable of making Jian You feel threatened. Otherwise, Jian You wouldn’t have glared at her when she led Yun Chu away at the escape room entrance.

“Bullshit!” Meng Zhaozhao retorted. “Teacher Jian would never glare at someone!”

“You need to take off your rose-colored glasses! Just wait until this episode airs, and you’ll see how she glared at me! If you still dare to talk to me like this then, I’ll delete you!”

“Go ahead. I’m used to it.”

“Yun Chu is acting weird. Go away!”

Wen Xi put down her phone and spoke cautiously. “Yun Chu? Why are you smiling foolishly at a cup? It’s kind of…”

Kind of creepy!

“Huh?” Yun Chu snapped back to reality, remembering she was still being filmed. She cleared her throat and made up a random lie. “The pattern on this cup is nice. I’ll buy a set when I get back.”

“Oh,” Wen Xi said. “That’s true.”

She looked around and said, “The production team wants us to talk about our feelings for each other. Uh, I think… I actually think we get along really well.”

Yun Chu agreed. “I think so too.”

Wen Xi: “Then why don’t we become?”

Yun Chu: “Okay!”

The director’s team: ? Fuck! They’re a couple already???

Wen Xi: “Good sisters!”

Yun Chu: “Good sisters!”

The director’s team: …………

This is a dating show! If you’re not going to love, please don’t hurt us!

Amidst their silent complaints, the promotional team for Little Tricks for Love had already come up with the trending topic for when the episode aired: “Yun Chu and Wen Xi become good sisters on a dating show [Hot].” The tagline: “Everyone has a bright future.”

After a full day of filming, not a single one of the three pairs had sparked any real chemistry; in fact, it had been rather dull. Once the guests had all returned to the small courtyard to rest, the show’s planning team immediately convened an emergency meeting to reflect on their planning issues.

Meanwhile, the courtyard was quiet.

The temperature was still below zero, and even the chickens were hiding in their coop. The string of star-shaped lights in the yard glowed with a warm yellow light, stretching all the way to the living room door. Inside, Meng Zhaozhao and Wen Xi were watching a variety show together.

Both were wearing face masks, making their speech muffled, yet they somehow understood each other perfectly.

“Go on a date with me tomorrow?” Wen Xi was lounging on the sofa, poking Meng Zhaozhao’s waist with her toes. Watching the people on TV acting silly, she whispered, “The restaurant I went to with Yun Chu today was so good, just a little expensive. But the show paid for it.”

When she didn’t hear Meng Zhaozhao agree, she poked harder. “Are you going or not?”

Meng Zhaozhao, tickled by the poking, glanced at the now-turned-off camera, then grabbed Wen Xi’s ankle. “Fine, fine, I’ll go,” she said, pulling her closer. Before she could do anything else, Jian You’s door suddenly opened.

Meng Zhaozhao and Wen Xi immediately sat up straight.

The air was silent for two seconds.

“Good evening, Teacher Jian!” Wen Xi raised a hand in greeting. “Where are you headed?”

Jian You had already changed into her pajamas. The dark red silk set made her skin look as white as snow, and without makeup, she was clean and beautiful. Her mind was clearly not on Meng Zhaozhao and Wen Xi. She simply said, “Going upstairs to look at the stars,” and started walking up the stairs.

Her footsteps faded away upstairs.

Wen Xi and Meng Zhaozhao exchanged a look.

Wen Xi: “Isn’t she cold, dressed like that?”

Meng Zhaozhao: “Are there even any stars tonight?”

Jian You didn’t know if there were stars tonight, but she wasn’t going to see them anyway. Or rather, she wasn’t going to see the stars in the sky, but the star in her heart.

She tried to remain calm, slowing her steps as she reached Yun Chu’s door. Before she could knock, it was pulled open.

Yun Chu stood in the doorway, her big eyes blinking. “Teacher Jian.”

Jian You grunted noncommittally. “Is the camera in your room off?”

Yun Chu nodded. “It’s off.”

Jian You didn’t rush inside. She asked, “Still not sleeping?”

“I can’t sleep…” Yun Chu grew nervous under her gaze. As her heart raced, she blushed and reached for Jian You’s hand. “You’re not asleep either, are you?”

She caught it.

Jian You’s fingertips were a little cool. As Yun Chu enclosed them in her palm, she couldn’t help but feel a small sense of triumph.

Jian You lowered her eyes. “I can’t sleep either.”

“Why can’t you sleep?” Yun Chu was no longer in a hurry to let her in. She leaned against the doorframe, her eyes curving into crescents as she looked at Jian You, swinging their joined hands. “Were you thinking about me?”

“Yes, I was thinking about you,” Jian You said.

The words were so direct and ardent that they caught Yun Chu off guard. She froze for a second, then smiled again. “I was thinking about you too.”

“Really?” Jian You asked.

Yun Chu nodded emphatically.

“What were you thinking about me?” Jian You asked softly.

“I was thinking…” Yun Chu’s grip on her hand tightened. She suddenly pulled, yanking Jian You into the room. The door closed behind Jian You. Leaning against it, before her eyes could adjust to the darkness, Yun Chu’s lips were captured.

“I was thinking about kissing you,” Yun Chu said.

Kissing Jian You was like magic. The moment their lips touched, she was flung into the cosmos, floating head over heels, with Jian You’s lips as her only source of gravity.

Jian You quietly let her kiss her, parting her lips and teeth to let her in, their tongues tangling. Saliva was exchanged amidst the wet sounds of their kiss, then swallowed. Her heart was pressed against Jian You’s, being kneaded and molded by their shared rhythm.

Her kissing technique was terrible. In her haste, her teeth bumped against the corner of Jian You’s mouth. She heard Jian You hiss softly and quickly licked the spot apologetically, as carefully as a small animal licking a wound. With each gentle lick, she stoked the fire inside Jian You, bit by bit, until Jian You grabbed her wrist and took the lead.

“What a coincidence,” Jian You’s nose brushed against hers. Their lips met again, and her voice was muffled by the kiss. “I was thinking about kissing you, too.”