Song Yushi’s cold hadn’t gotten better, and her voice was a bit more hoarse than usual, with a sickly quality. The ends of her words were languid, and if one listened closely, they could discern a hint of coquettishness.
A little more sweet, a little less bland—just right for whispering sweet nothings.
If bullet comments could appear above people’s heads, then everyone would see a certain section of the audience seats collectively spamming in their minds: No way, no way? Did I really stumble upon a real couple? There can’t still be people who don’t know Qi Yu is real, right!!!
The exclamation marks shot through the recording studio and up to the heavens, joining the screams of the CP fans cheering outside.
“Wow!” The host professionally filled the ten-second gap. “Our Yushi has finished her three sentences—two true, one false. Obviously, the last one was false. Now it’s Keke’s turn.”
“Keke, please say three sentences to Yushi, also two true and one false.”
Then, Xiao Nan, who was also backstage, saw Sister Ming—who had just anxiously squeezed her way next to the assistant director—sit back down with a Zen-like and calm expression. Xiao Nan was puzzled. “Sister Ming, why aren’t you reminding Teacher Qi to do her fan service?”
Sister Ming chuckled. “It’s fine as long as she follows her heart.”
That look, those actions, that unconscious leaning in—it looked more like fan service than actual fan service.
Xiao Nan was still dazed when she heard Qi Ke’s voice from the speakers. “I like to sing.”
Xiao Nan said, “Mmm, that’s true.”
“There’s a little rabbit on the moon.”
“You can tell that’s false just by hearing it.”
“I like you.”
“…”
Is it really okay to be so direct, Teacher Qi!!!
Xiao Nan looked shocked and quickly turned to Sister Ming. Sister Ming was pouring a cup of tea, its fragrance wafting up, and her entire being exuded an air of tranquil indifference. Meeting Xiao Nan’s surprised gaze, Sister Ming smiled faintly. “Calm down.”
Xiao Nan was immediately ashamed. No wonder she’s a manager. I’ve seen too little of the world!
Qi Ke’s direct confession sent the entire audience into an uproar. Even Song Yushi was stunned for a moment. After subconsciously avoiding Qi Ke’s fervent gaze, the tips of her ears turned completely red.
The host had seen it all before and knew the two were just doing fan service. While inwardly admiring Qi Ke’s professionalism, he quickly smoothed things over as if he were a fan enjoying the ship, effectively slamming the closet door shut.
Qi Ke maintained her smile.
Everything she said was from the heart, yet in everyone else’s eyes, it was just fan service. What kind of worldly suffering was this?
This segment ended. After a short mid-show break, the guests and host changed into more casual clothes for the next activity—
The guests and host were divided into two teams, and each team was further split into two groups. The two teams would each send one group to play a story relay game, while the remaining group made dumplings on the side.
Each story segment had to be at least thirty seconds long but no more than three minutes. The team telling the story was the one allowed to make dumplings. The team that couldn’t continue the story would fail their turn. The first team to make twenty dumplings would win.
Qi Ke said happily, “Captain, this is your strong suit!”
Song Yushi: “…”
She swore that this show had never had this kind of competition before. She seriously suspected that Qi Ke had bribed the director to force its inclusion.
It was too late to ask now, so Song Yushi didn’t. She obediently followed Qi Ke to a temporary table and sat down. On the table were a bag of flour and a basin of water. The filling was already chopped, which also prevented the fans from seeing the unseemly sight of Song Yushi, who always had a sweet image, wielding a knife to chop meat on stage.
At the thought of this possibility, Song Yushi couldn’t help but glare at Qi Ke.
But since the cameras were rolling, it was a glare with a smile. The result… was a look of feigned anger, like she was flirting. Qi Ke’s heart melted from the glare, and she reached out to cover Song Yushi’s eyes.
Song Yushi: “?”
The game had already started, and the other group had begun to weave their story. The cameras were focused more on them, so hardly anyone in the audience was paying attention to Qi Ke and Song Yushi.
But Song Yushi’s fans, Qi Ke’s fans, and their CP fans were watching them the entire time.
Song Yushi’s solo stans: ??? What are you doing, Qi Ke? Let go of my daughter! If you’re going to draw a curtain before her eyes, you’d better remember to lift it!!
Qi Ke’s solo stans: So professional. Our baby is always so dedicated to her work. Sob, sob, making money is so hard. Wait for Mommy to earn money and buy you a big house!!!
Qi Yu CP fans: What are you two doing! This is too much!! You’re at work!!! Don’t carry on a romance at public expense, hahahahaha, ehehe, hahahahaha, continue, continue, give us more, we’re loving this.
The two on stage were completely oblivious to the angry, tearful, or excited gazes from the audience. The moment Qi Ke’s hand covered Song Yushi’s eyes, they both froze.
Song Yushi’s long, curled eyelashes brushed delicately against Qi Ke’s palm, a ticklish sensation that felt like a scratch on the very tip of her heart, making her blood surge hotly.
Blushing, heart pounding.
Qi Ke hastily withdrew her hand and cleared her throat. “Uh, why hasn’t our team started telling their story yet?”
Song Yushi distractedly shook her head.
Soon, two minutes passed, and it was their teammate Chen Sheng’s turn to continue the story. Because the opposing team’s story was completely nonsensical, illogical, and had convoluted character relationships, Chen Sheng was on the verge of a breakdown trying to continue it. He passed the mic as soon as the thirty-second mark was up.
Song Yushi, who had just poured the flour into the basin: “…?”
That’s it?
Qi Ke also: “?”
Are they even going to let us play happily?
Chen Sheng and Jiang Jing clearly had no intention of letting them play happily. Every time they continued the story, it went completely off the rails, and their turns never lasted longer than a minute. So, in the eyes of the audience, this is what Song Yushi and Qi Ke were doing—
Pour in flour—three minutes pass—add water to the flour—three minutes pass—knead the dough—three minutes pass—continue kneading—three minutes…
Qi Ke slammed the dough into the basin. “…”
Damn it!
The audience and the host were doubled over with laughter. The host roared, “Keke is over here like… ha-ha-ha, hmph! I’m done! Useless men! Hahahahahahaha!!! I feel for her, I feel for her so much, hahahaha!”
Qi Ke: “Haha.”
Host, you’re laughing so hard I can’t see a shred of sympathy!!!
Qi Ke turned her head to negotiate with Song Yushi. “Let’s not make these anymore. Let’s play something else.”
Song Yushi disagreed. “If we don’t make them, we’ll lose.”
Qi Ke asked, “Do we even have a chance of winning now?”
Song Yushi replied, “…A one percent chance, maybe.”
Qi Ke: “…” You don’t have to have that much faith in them! Look, the other team already has three dumplings on their plate! They’re ugly, sure, but at least they’re dumplings!
“Alright.” Song Yushi relented under Qi Ke’s visual assault and said sincerely, “We’re definitely going to lose.”
A very accurate assessment of reality.
Qi Ke was satisfied. “But it’s not good for us to just sit here doing nothing. Why don’t we…”
Backstage, Sister Ming, who had nearly achieved a state of Zen-like enlightenment, snapped her eyes open at these words. She slowly sat up straight, a bad feeling creeping over her.
Sure enough, in the next second, the scene on the screen changed.
Qi Ke and Song Yushi started playing rock-paper-scissors.
Sister Ming: “…???”
The audience: “???”
The host: “???”
Their teammates, still struggling to weave the story, didn’t notice what was happening. They only sensed a change in the opposing team’s gaze. Chen Sheng thought his story had amazed them and couldn’t help but puff out his chest.
Jiang Jing followed the other team’s gaze and looked over. “???”
Are they for real?
As if no one else was watching, Qi Ke clenched her hand from “paper” into a fist, muttering, “I’ll let you win, okay.” Then she presented her bright, beautiful face to Song Yushi, closed her eyes, and said, “Go ahead.”
Song Yushi stared at her face, examining it carefully and intently. She looked until Qi Ke’s face turned red, then slowly raised her hand. Her fingertip brushed across Qi Ke’s cheek, leaving a white streak of flour.
The excited CP fans in the audience: ??? I was ready for anything, and this is what you give me?
Song Yushi was completely absorbed in the game Qi Ke had improvised, having the time of her life. By the time the storytelling game ended and the cameras and all attention shifted to them, she and Qi Ke looked as if they had rolled around in a bag of flour.
The entire audience: Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
Song Yushi: “…”
A lifetime of prestige, ruined in a single day.
Qi Ke: “…” Being a comedian isn’t so bad, huh.
That night, after the recording ended, the fans in attendance were not allowed to post videos or photos, only text feedback. One CP fan passionately posted: Our Qi Yu is the classic example of an idiot couple!
Another CP fan disagreed: How can that be? In what way is our little Captain dumb?
All the CP fans who had been at the recording shook their heads and sighed: Young one, you’ve seen too little of the world. In this world, love makes people blind, and it makes them dumb.
Meanwhile, idiot couple member number one—no, that is, Song Yushi—had just washed the last of the flour off in her hotel room. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, watching the crystal-clear water droplets fall from her face.
Song Yushi closed her eyes. Every time, almost every single time she was with Qi Ke, her mind would get muddled. Had brain malfunction now become a person-to-person phenomenon?
The phone resting on the bathroom counter lit up.
The Sweet Day group chat was buzzing with activity.
Meng Ying: Captain Song Yushi, we’re joining the cast on the same day! I can’t believe someone with my billing gets to attend the opening ceremony?
Qi Ke: . I wasn’t invited to the opening ceremony.
Meng Ying: I’m not even your fan, and I know you’re flying to London for Fashion Week that day.
Qi Ke: ? Do you have a secret crush on me?
Meng Ying: …Captain, let me explain.
Song Yushi: “…” Sorry, I don’t really want to hear it.
Song Yushi’s lack of response didn’t stop them from chatting. A moment later, Chengzhi joined in. She was also filming in the same studio city as Song Yushi and was trying to make plans to eat with Meng Ying.
Meng Ying: A meal? I’m afraid my company won’t agree.
Chengzhi: ? The company controls that too?
Meng Ying: You don’t know! The top actress in my company is also in the cast, playing a villain. Ugh, I’m speechless. She’s so annoying, and she loves to snitch on me to get my salary docked!
Everyone had already processed the fact that Meng Ying had been screwed over after peacefully terminating her previous contract, but every time they heard about her miserable situation, it was still enough to make one’s heart ache.
The group chat fell silent for a moment before Qi Ke sent a voice message.
Meng Ying: Keke, you’re so sweet, you even sang to comfort me! But wait, do you have a cold? Did Yushi give it to you? swoon
Song Yushi: …
What kind of weird and vaguely suggestive shipping point was that!
Song Yushi dried her hands, unlocked her phone, and played Qi Ke’s voice message. It sounded like a sea breeze was whistling on the other end. Qi Ke’s voice was ethereal and faint as she sang.
A light piano, gusts of sea breeze, and a soft, gentle love song.
After listening to the song, Song Yushi replied: Announcement 【Singing is forbidden in this group. Violators will be kicked out.】
Qi Ke: ?
Meng Ying: ?
Meng Ying, also a lead singer and thus implicated: Not only was my ship just sunk, but my right to sing has also been revoked.
Song Yushi nodded with satisfaction. Much better.
As for the flour incident, she would just pretend it never happened.
《Awakening of Insects》 was a romance drama that transitioned from a campus to a city setting, full of satisfyingly sweet and melodramatic tropes. Although the title didn’t sound particularly prestigious, the screenwriter was imaginative, the script was good, and the main characters were very likable. Song Yushi agreed to take the role the same day she read the script.
Before the Lantern Festival, filming for 《Awakening of Insects》 began. Song Yushi and Meng Ying joined the cast right away.
Just as Meng Ying had said, Zhou Er also had a moderately sized role in the drama. She didn’t have many scenes each day, so she would just sit on set and watch the others film. From time to time, she would taunt Meng Ying, making her teary-eyed on several occasions. Then, she would grumpily order dessert for Meng Ying and threaten that if she cried again, she could forget about eating for the rest of her life.
Wiping her tears, Meng Ying complained to Song Yushi, “Who even wants it! Hiccup!“
Song Yushi: “…” It would be more convincing if you ate less of it.
Since they had all come from the same group, Song Yushi couldn’t bear to see Meng Ying being bullied like this. She secretly asked Sister Ming how much it would cost for Meng Ying to terminate her contract. Sister Ming said she would look into it, but before she got an answer, a call came from Qi Ke instead.
Song Yushi stared at the caller ID for a moment before finally swiping to answer.
“…”
“…”
Silence.
Ever since they finished recording 《Happy Star Show》, Song Yushi had joined her new cast, while Qi Ke had flown to London for Fashion Week and then to a recording studio to work on music. In the blink of an eye, spring had arrived. The Qi Yu CP fans, starved of any new sweet moments for days, were crying out for content in their Super Topic, forced to frantically dig through old material.
“They’ve already figured out that the ruby necklace you wore at your graduation concert was a gift from me. Are they detectives? How did they even discover that?” Qi Ke started with an irrelevant topic. “We should hurry up and give them some content. It’s not good to have them dig until we have no secrets left.”
“If you have something to say, just say it.” Song Yushi had a scene coming up and had no time for her nonsense.
Qi Ke faltered for a moment. She let out a long “um” before saying, “Alright, I heard from Sister Ming that you want to help Meng Ying terminate her contract. I advise you not to.”
Song Yushi was concise. “I have money.”
“I know.” Qi Ke seemed unsure how to explain, pacing anxiously. Before she could choose her words, she heard Song Yushi say, “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” She quickly cut in, “Hey—wait!”
Song Yushi paused.
Qi Ke anxiously ran a hand through her hair, the long strands messily covering half her face. She made up her mind. “Fine, I’ll lay my cards on the table.”
Song Yushi: “?”
Qi Ke said, “Can’t you tell? Where’s your gaydar?”
Song Yushi: “…What-dar?”
“Oh, right.” Qi Ke continued, as if talking to herself, “You weren’t born gay; I turned you. You’ve only ever liked one girl—me. Hmm, well, maybe not. Maybe you never liked me at all.”
Song Yushi: “…”
Qi Ke’s talent for talking to herself was getting more and more impressive.
Song Yushi said, “If you don’t get to the point, I’m hanging up.”
Qi Ke blurted out, “Zhou Er likes Meng Ying!!!”
Song Yushi: “???”
Qi Ke said, “Isn’t it obvious? You don’t know Zhou Er. I grew up with her. She has even more of a spoiled ‘young miss’ temper than I do. She never wanted to be in the entertainment industry. That company Meng Ying said screwed her over? Zhou Er opened it specifically for her.”
Song Yushi: “…”
That was too much information for her to process.
“Then the resources…?” Song Yushi finally pinpointed what didn’t add up.
Qi Ke said sheepishly, “Well, after tricking her into coming back, possessiveness took over… uh, you know how it is. Zhou Er! She’s crazy! I strongly disagree with her methods!”
Song Yushi: “…”
Qi Ke continued, “But it’s her first time liking someone. She has no experience, and she’s proud. She’s afraid Meng Ying will run away, and she’s also afraid Meng Ying will find out. That’s how things ended up like this. If you really want to help Meng Ying terminate her contract, I can be the one to handle it.”
Song Yushi thought, …The way these rich people show affection is so strange.
Song Yushi rubbed the bridge of her nose, a headache coming on. “I understand.”
Qi Ke breathed a sigh of relief.
But then she heard Song Yushi say, “Then please tell Zhou Er that I’m giving her one week. She can either lay her cards on the table and let Meng Ying choose, or she can change her way of showing affection. Otherwise, even if the termination fee is astronomical, I will take Meng Ying away.”
Qi Ke started, “Captain…”
But the Captain had already hung up.
“Knock, knock, knock.” The door to her dressing room opened, and Xiao Nan poked her head in. “Boss, it’s time to get ready.”
Song Yushi answered, “Coming.”
Half a world away, Qi Ke sat dazedly in a chair by the window, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her phone. The room was dark, and the scattered lights of the city skyline outside the floor-to-ceiling window slanted in, mingling with the moonlight.
A while ago, her schedule had overlapped with Zhong Yi’s during London Fashion Week, and the two had managed a brief get-together amidst their busy itineraries.
Zhong Yi had asked her, “I’ve been meaning to ask, since you still like the Captain, why don’t you just pursue her? You’re so awkward all the time, showing no intention of getting back together. Are you just expecting the Captain to figure it out on her own?”
At the time, Qi Ke had been silent for a long while.
Of course, she had her reasons, but they sounded pretentious when said aloud. She was too thin-skinned and didn’t want to say them.
Zhong Yi said, “Shut up, you are not thin-skinned.”
Qi Ke: “…” As expected, trying to act cool in front of someone who knows you well is just asking for trouble.
“Fine.” Qi Ke took a swig of her Coke.
She pursed her lips and looked up, the corners of her eyes turning a faint, alluring scarlet with grievance—a beauty that could break the heart of even a straight girl like Zhong Yi.
Zhong Yi said, “Just say what you need to say. Stop trying to kill me with your looks.”
“She never once said she liked me.”
“…What?”
“Not even once.” Qi Ke’s nose tingled and her throat ached. “Actually, when we first got together, I wasn’t sure if she liked me or was just curious. But I liked her, so I figured we could just be together for as long as it lasted. We dragged on like that until the group disbanded. I didn’t want to drag it out any longer, so I suggested we break up. And she agreed without a second thought. It was as if she didn’t care at all.”
“Wait, if you didn’t want to drag it on, why didn’t you just ask her directly?”
“…I was afraid.”
It sounded ridiculous, but she was afraid of the answer—the negative one.
“You didn’t ask her directly, so you just broke up? Are you crazy?” Zhong Yi yelled.
“She was straight to begin with. I was the one who turned her. I figured it was better to give her freedom when the group disbanded. What was the point in asking if she liked me or not?”
Zhong Yi: “…”
For her, who had been single since birth, this emotional entanglement was way beyond her comprehension.
In the end, she just sighed. “The Captain was never one to express her feelings. If you don’t ask, she’ll just let it fester inside. If you had asked, she definitely would have answered. Based on my years as her teammate, if she didn’t like you, you would have died an early death the moment you dared to lay a finger on her.”
Qi Ke: “…” That may be true, but did you have to be so graphic?
Zhong Yi asked, “And you did more than just lay a finger on her, right?”
Qi Ke paused for a moment, then said, “I was the one who moved my own finger.”
Zhong Yi: “…”
Stop! No need to feed me any more of your lovey-dovey crap, thanks!
A sports car sped brazenly down the road, pulling Qi Ke from her thoughts. She unlocked her phone and made another call. “Sister Ming? Help me book the next flight back home.”
“What for?”
“To ask my little Captain if she likes me.”
“…”
“Sister Ming? Are you still there, Sister Ming?”
“I’m dead.”
“…”
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