WWSEG – Chapter 19

“…Sorry to interrupt.”

Zhong Yi finally found her voice. She decisively entered the room and closed the door behind her without looking back.

Song Yushi had good psychological fortitude. After realizing what was happening, she calmly stood up and even smoothed out the wrinkles on her skirt. Only Qi Ke was left, half-leaning against the chair, cursing, “If you’re interrupting, shouldn’t you close the door from the outside?”

Zhong Yi was furious. “You two are like dry wood and a raging fire, and I’m here guarding the closet door. Was that easy for me? Why aren’t you getting up yet?”

Qi Ke sat on the floor, showing no intention of getting up.

Song Yushi hesitated for a moment and asked, “Are you okay?”

Qi Ke: “Of course I’m not okay! You just pounced on me like that, my back almost broke.”

Song Yushi’s brow furrowed slightly. “…Am I that heavy?”

Qi Ke: “…”

I didn’t mean you were heavy! I’m being dramatic! Don’t you get it when someone’s being dramatic?

Song Yushi obviously didn’t get it. After wrestling with it for a moment and mentally scheduling a diet plan, she extended a hand to Qi Ke. “I’ll pull you up.”

Qi Ke took Song Yushi’s hand, but instead of using it to get up, she pulled back. Caught off guard, Song Yushi stumbled a couple of steps and fell directly into Qi Ke’s arms.

Song Yushi: “Qi! Ke!”

Each syllable was enunciated, her impatience mixed with annoyance.

The Captain’s lingering authority was still there. Qi Ke’s heart trembled, but she held strong. She reached out and pushed Song Yushi, who was about to get up, back down. Her fingertips touched Song Yushi’s earring. “Don’t move, let me see your earring.”

Song Yushi remembered what happened before she fell, fell silent, and stopped moving.

Qi Ke’s lips curled in a triumphant smirk. With the aloof Captain being unprecedentedly compliant, she began to fiddle with her earring with serious concentration.

The earring was adorned with a diamond, sparkling brilliantly.

Zhong Yi: “…”

I’m still here!

I really can’t bear to look!

【Bold statement! Qi Ke and Song Yushi’s performance was the best of the night, no objections, right?】

【Their chemistry is perfect, and their harmony was exquisite. Who the hell said Song Yushi’s stage presence has declined? Her professional skills are top-tier in the domestic entertainment industry!】

【The backstage group interview is killing me with feels! Keke wasn’t spouting nonsense anymore. The whole time the Captain was speaking, Keke’s eyes never left her! Qi Ke, look at the camera! Is she that beautiful???】

【For some people, a group interview is a group interview. For others, a group interview is a publicly funded romance.】

【Zhong Yi: As a former teammate, I feel personally attacked.】

In the Rolls-Royce on the way to the airport, Zhong Yi, with a furious heart, trembling hands, and a condemning mouth, chattered on: “You two flaunt your affection, but drag your teammate down. Your teammate politely declines to be stepped on, while netizens are shipping you like crazy. Poor little Yi is just a tool, silently guarding the closet and hiding your glory.”

Qi Ke pointed out, “The last part doesn’t rhyme.”

Song Yushi: “…What is this nonsense.”

Zhong Yi: “Get lost!!”

Yes, that’s right. The three of them, having just attended the Lychee Fashion Gala, were once again in a car heading to the airport. Zhong Yi was flying to the Maldives for a magazine cover shoot. Qi Ke had a brand meet-and-greet the next morning, after which she would attend the script reading. As for Song Yushi…

Zhong Yi: “Captain, why are you in such a hurry to go back to Yunzhou City?”

Qi Ke: “To see her sister, of course.”

Her tone was sour, though it was unclear what she was jealous about.

Zhong Yi, unaware of Ruan Xiangmeng’s existence, was shocked. “Your sister?”

Qi Ke: “Why are you cursing?”

Zhong Yi: “…”

Song Yushi: “…”

Song Yushi glanced at Qi Ke and explained to Zhong Yi in an understated manner, “Yes, my sister. She’s been hospitalized. I’m about to join the film crew, so I have to go see her.”

Zhong Yi said, “Ah. Which hospital is she in? I have a friend who owns a private hospital. Do you want me to help you get her transferred?”

Qi Ke, having been rejected before, saw how stubborn Zhong Yi was being and couldn’t help but kindly remind her, “Our Captain doesn’t like to owe people favors. You should just…”

Song Yushi: “…Okay.”

Qi Ke’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at Song Yushi in disbelief. “???”

Classic double standards!!!

Song Yushi seemed to find Qi Ke’s reaction amusing and couldn’t help but laugh.

Qi Ke: “?”

Before getting out of the car, after Song Yushi had already exited, Qi Ke grabbed Zhong Yi and questioned her in a low voice, “How come I didn’t know you have a friend who owns a private hospital? Which one? I’ll go buy it!”

Zhong Yi: “The friend I was talking about is you.”

Qi Ke: “…”

Zhong Yi patted her arm and said in a profound tone, “I saw it long ago. You still can’t forget the Captain, but she’s not interested, is she? But you’re so good at deceiving people, if you can do it once, you can do it twice. Let me tell you, if you don’t use your real feelings this time, you’ll really be letting my wing-manning go to waste.”

Qi Ke felt that something was off, and then she heard Zhong Yi say, “Hey, why aren’t you thanking me?”

Qi Ke: “? Thanks, sis.”

Zhong Yi cheerfully said, “You’re welcome,” and got out of the car. Qi Ke followed behind her, distractedly pondering what Zhong Yi had just said amidst the fans’ screams and camera clicks. It wasn’t until she was going through security that she suddenly came to her senses.

Where did Zhong Yi hear such fake gossip that she was the best at deceiving people? Who wasn’t using their real feelings!!?

Qi Ke wanted to find Zhong Yi and ask her to clarify, but Zhong Yi had already rushed off to catch her flight. In the VIP lounge, Sister Ming was talking to Song Yushi. When she saw Qi Ke enter, Sister Ming immediately fell silent.

Qi Ke was puzzled. “What are you talking about?”

Sister Ming gave a dry laugh. “Nothing. Why were you walking so slowly? Couldn’t bear to part with Zhong Yi?”

Song Yushi also looked over with interest.

Qi Ke, full of survival instinct, said, “We went our separate ways as soon as we got out of the car. She was rushing for her flight.”

Sister Ming said, “Oh. No wonder you were whispering in the car and didn’t want to get out.”

Qi Ke: “…?”

Why was Sister Ming so determined to see her dead today?!

Song Yushi slowly withdrew her gaze and said to Sister Ming, “…Thank you, Sister Ming. You’ve worked hard.”

Sister Ming seemed to think of something, looked at her with pity, sighed, and shook her head. “I can’t even help you, so don’t mention my hard work. You’re the one who’s really had it tough.”

Qi Ke, listening from the side, was completely confused. “What are you guys talking about?”

Sister Ming glanced at Song Yushi with some hesitation. Song Yushi smiled and said, “It’s nothing special. It’s fine to tell her.”

Qi Ke: “What is it exactly?” She felt a pang of panic, sat down next to Song Yushi, and grabbed her arm, her voice trembling. “You didn’t… you didn’t really get engaged to just anyone, did you?”

Sister Ming facepalmed. “What are you so anxious about?”

Qi Ke shouted, “How am I anxious?!”

Sister Ming: “?”

In the corner, Xiao Nan and Qi Ke’s assistant: “?”

Song Yushi: “…”

Only then did Qi Ke realize she had lost her composure. She touched her hair and tried to cover for herself, “Oh, I was just thinking that if Yushi announces a relationship, our CP won’t be marketable anymore, right?”

Sister Ming: “Get a grip! Your CP fans are shipping your friendship and sisterly bond!”

Qi Ke retorted in her heart, What friendship and sisterly bond? It’s fucking love! At least… it used to be love.

Song Yushi said, “I’m not engaged to anyone.”

Qi Ke breathed a sigh of relief.

Song Yushi: “It’s about what happened tonight.”

“Let me explain.” Sister Ming knew Song Yushi didn’t like to talk much and naturally took over. “The incident during the livestream tonight had a pretty big impact, so I went to discuss marketing with Yushi’s manager, Sister Fei.” Sister Ming took a sip of coffee and said, “Sister Fei isn’t cooperating.”

“Not cooperating? Why?”

“She said it’s unnecessary. Fan wars between CPs can purify the fanbase. Yushi is the victim in this matter, so stirring up conflict will generate buzz. There’s no need to guide the fans to act all peaceful and harmonious.”

“…” Qi Ke turned to Song Yushi and said sincerely, “Listen to that. Is that something a human would say?”

Song Yushi smiled faintly.

“You’re still smiling?” Qi Ke was so angry she laughed too. “Sasaengs aren’t fans, it’s too easy to revoke their fan status. Besides, I was the one who blocked for you, so my fans won’t be at a disadvantage. You’re the one who’s going to get blamed.”

Song Yushi nodded. “Mm. I know.”

Sister Fei knew too.

After graduating from the girl group, Song Yushi focused on acting. While she achieved success in the acting world, her own traffic was also declining. A decline in traffic meant a decrease in commercial value. Sister Fei couldn’t control her dedication to acting, but she did require her to cooperate with marketing in other aspects.

“Sister Fei’s exact words were: ‘The truth isn’t important, sincerity isn’t important, seizing the current buzz is the most important thing.’” Sister Ming sighed. She added, “I don’t want to let her have her way. Although I know fandoms can never coexist peacefully, fighting too fiercely will only do more harm than good.”

Qi Ke nodded in agreement. She pursed her lips, looked at Song Yushi again, and said in a low voice, “I don’t want you to be blamed by my fans.”

Song Yushi: “You get used to it…”

“Don’t you dare get used to it.” Qi Ke grabbed her hand, interrupting her, and said seriously, “You shouldn’t have to get used to it.”

Song Yushi looked at Qi Ke helplessly.

Qi Ke always wants to protect me, Song Yushi thought. Clearly, Qi Ke is the younger one, the well-protected, delicate young lady, but she always wants to protect me.

Her fingertips twitched, and she pulled her hand out of Qi Ke’s palm.

Qi Ke’s flight was earlier, so she had to leave first.

Sister Ming was urging her from the doorway. She sat up. On the sofa next to her, Song Yushi was resting with her eyes closed, her long eyelashes like butterfly wings, casting a faint shadow on her face. She hesitated for a moment, then said, “I’m leaving.”

The eyelashes trembled slightly.

She heard Song Yushi give a soft “mm.”

Qi Ke pulled at the corners of her mouth. She walked to the door but felt unwilling to leave it at that. She stopped and turned back. “I’ll miss you.”

Xiao Nan, playing on her phone on the other side: …

Should she pretend she’s not here right now?

Qi Ke stared at Song Yushi.

Sure enough, after a moment, Song Yushi slowly opened her eyes. A trace of confusion flickered in her clear eyes. She tilted her head. “Miss me?”

Qi Ke was struck by her cuteness. Her heart fluttered, and she nodded.

The confusion in Song Yushi’s eyes deepened. She slowly asked back, “…We’re seeing each other tomorrow, what’s there to miss?”

Qi Ke: “…” So hard to flirt with.

Xiao Nan: “…”

Boss, I hate that you’re a block of wood!

Song Yushi: “?”

Her lips moved, her tone a little uncertain. “Isn’t the script reading tomorrow?”

Qi Ke answered with a non-sequitur, “Captain, did you know?”

Song Yushi: “What?”

Qi Ke looked at Song Yushi quietly, gazing into the depths of her eyes. Her voice was low. “Back during the concert tour, when I had my solo stage, I couldn’t see you.”

“For the duration of that one song, I was thinking of you, too.”

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