“I want to sleep with Zhong Yi. It’s hot, I need to hear some cold jokes to cool down.”
“You don’t need to find an excuse to sleep with me, it’s not like I’d refuse you.”
“Um…” Meng Ying hugged her pillow, looking pitiful. “I’m not here to break you up, I’m here to join you.”
Zhong Yi: “?”
Chengzhi: “??”
Zhong Yi lifted her chin, gesturing for Meng Ying to look at the captain and main vocalist two beds away. “Why don’t you go join the dog couple?”
Meng Ying said honestly, “Qiyu is real, Zhongcheng is fake.”
The dog couple: “???”
The Zhong-Cheng duo: “???”
No way, no way, it’s 2020. The Zhong-Cheng ship sailed eight hundred years ago, and someone is still trying to break up the CP?
Zhong Yi patted the spot to her right and opened her arms to Meng Ying. “Come on, baby. Tonight, let me experience the joy Qi Ke once had with a girl on each arm.”
Song Yushi turned her head and silently glanced at Qi Ke.
Qi Ke, who had been enjoying listening to her teammates roast each other: “???”
Why does Zhong Yi want her dead today?!
Qi Ke immediately said, “Don’t listen to her, she’s talking nonsense.”
“How am I?” Over there, having also laid down, Zhong Yi ran to turn off the lights, retorting as she walked back in the dark, “Weren’t you away that time on the group variety show, Captain? The time we went to Qinghai. To show our group spirit, the guesthouse we booked was too small, so we could only sleep on the floor in the living room.”
“Uh, I remember.” Meng Ying raised her hand. “Actually, there was a double bed in the bedroom. We fought fiercely for the right to use that bed.”
“Be more civilized.” Chengzhi chimed in. “We competed for the right to use the double bed through various methods like rock-paper-scissors, battles, spinning a Coke can, a cold joke competition, and a guess-the-song-from-the-melody contest. I won rock-paper-scissors, the Captain won the battle, the Coke can landed on Meng Ying, Zhong Yi won the cold jokes, and Qi Ke won guess-the-song. In the end—”
The five of them fell silent at the same time.
Finally, Song Yushi said faintly, “In the end, Sister Ming rushed into the guesthouse and gave us a lesson on group spirit.”
Qi Ke: “So, on the group variety show, the audience saw us being modest and yielding to each other, with no one willing to sleep on the double bed. In the end, we decided to all sleep on the floor together. After turning off the lights, we silently shed tears in the direction of the bedroom.”
Zhong Yi: “Chengzhi was lying on your left, and Meng Ying was on your right.”
Qi Ke: “…”
Haven’t we already successfully changed the subject!!!
“Captain…” Qi Ke hugged Song Yushi, rubbing her face against her chest and whining softly, “Don’t listen to Zhong Yi’s slander. It’s true we slept like that, but I was always mindful that I have a girlfriend. No matter how beautiful Meng Ying is, or how cute Chengzhi is, neither is as cute and beautiful as my Captain. I was only thinking of you!”
Zhong Yi: “…”
Captain, hold on! Don’t be seduced by her beauty!
Song Yushi: “Mm, I know.”
Zhong Yi: “…”
It seems she didn’t even last two seconds. Captain, you’re so fast (not).
Chengzhi and Meng Ying, who were inexplicably dragged into this and put down: “???”
Hey! We’re still here!!!
Five girls sleeping on the floor, they could chat until midnight just by talking. They talked about everything under the sun, but of course, what they talked about most was their time in the group.
Time had cast a hazy filter over that period. All the hardships, tears, and struggles had vanished into the long river of memory, leaving only laughter, cheers, and countless beautiful moments.
“When it’s our tenth anniversary, let’s hold a concert,” Chengzhi said softly in the end.
“Forget the tenth anniversary, let’s do it this year. I’m still waiting for the Captain to dance to 《Cherry》,” Zhong Yi said.
“Ah, this? Can I be in the audience? The kind that eats hotpot while clapping?” Meng Ying, who was about to fall asleep, was instantly wide awake upon hearing this. Are they even going to let a person retire from the industry in peace?
“Why isn’t the Captain saying anything?”
Song Yushi, with her eyes closed, leaned in Qi Ke’s arms and said calmly, “The Captain is asleep.”
All the teammates: “…………”
Asleep in her dreams!!
【Half an hour after Qi Ke started her shift at the recording studio, Song Yushi also started her shift at the recording studio.】
【This really confirms a collaboration, right? Fans, stop trying to clarify. Aren’t you afraid of asking for proof and getting it? I just love it when the pretty ladies sing a duet, preferably a love song for me!】
【I want to hear a sweet love song, not a sad one. This old person can’t handle angst.】
【I want to tell the whole world my CP met again!!!】
【Solo stans, fight a little harder. The harder the solo stans fight, the more real the CP is!】
【What’s all the fighting about? We are gathered here today… I forgot the middle part… may you rot and stink!】
【Looking forward to Qi Ke’s album press conference.】
Song Yushi was about to join a new film crew, so her schedule was even tighter for recording the last song on Qi Ke’s new album. After the recording was completely finished, there wasn’t even time for a tender moment; she went straight to the airport by car.
Two days later, at five in the morning, Qi Ke posted on Weibo: The MV, song mixing, and mastering for the album 《Her》 are all complete! Looking forward to seeing you all!
【Ahhhh I saw the MV teaser! My baby is so beautiful!!!】
【Husband!!!】
【Sister!! See you at the press conference!!!】
【My wallet is ready!】
One week later.
In a conference hall of a five-star hotel in Yunzhou City, reporters from major media outlets and independent media, as well as fans who had come from all over, entered and took their seats one by one with their invitations to the album press conference.
A deliberately suppressed buzzing of voices filled the air.
The host tapped the microphone, and a piercing electronic screech echoed through the venue, instantly silencing it. The host smiled apologetically and delivered a cliché opening speech, so boring it made people antsy. When the host finally said, “Please welcome Qi Ke!”, the entire venue once again fell silent.
Only two seconds passed before cheers nearly blew the roof off.
Qi Ke walked onto the stage, waving to the fans below. In her other hand, she held a custom microphone, raising her index finger to her lips: “Shhh—”
The commotion gradually subsided.
A small portion of the fans covered their mouths, whimpering her name softly.
“Hello everyone, I’m Qi Ke.” After speaking, Qi Ke took a deep bow. The hem of her long dress touched the floor, a beautiful expanse of light purple on the stage. She straightened up, brought the microphone to her lips, and her pleasant voice was amplified by the speakers: “Thank you all for coming as promised every year to attend my new album press conference. Before we begin, there’s a little interlude.”
She turned sideways to look at the host standing beside her.
The rundown had been cued in advance, so the host knew what Qi Ke wanted to do. She immediately continued, “That’s right. In the past, we’ve always saved the VCR of friends’ well-wishes for the end to give Keke a surprise. Who knew that Keke accidentally saw it yesterday? After watching it, she immediately decided to move it to the very beginning, so as not to let down her friends’ blessings.”
In the audience, Sister Ming crossed her arms and sneered: What causal relationship is there between those two things? Host, don’t you feel awkward writing a transition like that? Be bolder! Is it so hard to say that Qi Ke saw Song Yushi among those sending well-wishes and couldn’t wait to show her off?
Qi Ke’s assistant: Sister Ming, why are there tears in your eyes?
We haven’t even gotten to the touching part yet…
Sister Ming wiped away a tear: “Because I love Qi Ke with a deep and profound love.”
Qi Ke’s assistant: “…”
She muttered under her breath, “Don’t let Teacher Song hear you.”
Sister Ming: “…”
Get lost!
While Sister Ming was lamenting her inability to keep the closet door shut, the VCR on the big screen had already reached Sweet Day. Arranged in alphabetical order, it was now playing the end of Meng Ying’s segment.
Meng Ying leaned against a wall, forming a large heart over her head: “May the album be a huge success, love you—oh no, don’t love, don’t love. No, that’s not right, it’s not that I don’t love you, it’s…”
She frowned in annoyance and waved her hand: “Anyway, you get it.”
The camera cut.
Song Yushi.
Song Yushi must have recorded this during a break on set. In the background, people occasionally hurried past, but the post-production was well done. The background noise was blown away by the wind, leaving only Song Yushi’s voice clear.
“Qi Ke, this is your third solo album. I bought your previous albums too, and every one was great. I’ve also heard this one in advance, and I especially love it. I wish you great success with the album.”
Sister Ming nodded in satisfaction.
Not bad. Song Yushi is the Captain, after all. With such official-sounding words, she refused to believe the CP fans could still find anything to ship—
“Love you, love you forever.”
As the last sentence faded, the camera cut again, this time to Zhong Yi with her hair in an apple hairstyle.
The fans present: “!!!”
Sister Ming: “…………”
When she watched it yesterday, that line definitely wasn’t there!!!
And at this moment, the CP fans at the event had already started posting on Weibo—【Fuck fuck fuck! My hands are still shaking! The video might not be clear, just listen to the audio!】
【Love you, love you forever. She really loves her so much!】
【Fuck! I’m going crazy! I never dreamed my CP would say ‘I love you’ so openly.】
【I think the best part to ship is how Meng Ying said ‘love you’ earlier, then immediately took it back as if she was afraid someone would get jealous, and even said ‘you get it.’ Those who get it, get it. Anyway, I get it.】
【Shipping a CP is thrilling for a moment, but shipping it forever is forever thrilling!】
【Thrilled, thanks for the meal.】
【I’m really not going to block this closet door anymore. Just make it official.】
Qi Ke achieved her goal of showing off, smiling on stage like a 200-jin fool. While the CP fans were shipping them to death, that evening, a well-known independent media outlet released an interview Qi Ke did to promote her new album.
Interviews with independent media are mostly not that serious; they ask interesting questions and play little games. One of these is a must-play—calling a friend in the industry to test your relationship.
The task Qi Ke drew this time was to call a friend in the industry and ask to borrow 500,000 to reserve a cherry tree. If the other person agreed, the challenge was a success.
Under Sister Ming’s murderous gaze from behind the camera, Qi Ke chose to call Zhong Yi.
“Beep—beep—”
Qi Ke said softly, “Pick up, pick up.”
—If you dare to pick up, I’ll send someone to assassinate you.
No one answered, and the call automatically disconnected.
Qi Ke looked regretful: “She’s probably busy. Our Zhong Yi, our group’s Zhong Yi, has such a full schedule. Then I’ll call—uh, I’ll call Meng Ying.”
Qi Ke quickly sent a message to Zhou Er: “Are you with Meng Ying?”
Zhou Er: “Yeah.”
Qi Ke: “Hide her phone. Don’t ask why.”
Zhou Er: “…”
With a nervous heart, Qi Ke dialed Meng Ying’s number. Again, there was only the cold ringing tone. Qi Ke feigned heartbreak: “What’s going on? None of my teammates are answering my calls. It makes me look like I have no friends! You’re not allowed to edit this part in!”
A bubble popped up on the screen, and a cute mechanical voice said: Impossible.
Finally, Qi Ke extended her demonic claws toward Song Yushi: “Since no one is answering, I’ll just try them one by one. I’ll try calling the Captain. The Captain is very busy, she might not—”
Song Yushi picked up instantly.
Qi Ke: shocked.jpg
“Qi Ke?” Song Yushi sounded like she had been woken from sleep. Her voice was lazy, a little nasal, and low, traveling from the ear straight to the heart, making one’s heart melt. “…What’s wrong?”
“Were you sleeping?” For a moment, Qi Ke forgot about the task.
Song Yushi hummed in agreement. She rolled over, burying her face in the soft pillow. “I have to get up in a little while anyway.”
The host reminded Qi Ke of the task.
Qi Ke let out an “ah” and said, “I called you today because I wanted to ask you a question.”
“Loved before,” Song Yushi blurted out.
Qi Ke’s heart skipped a beat. She was stunned for a moment before belatedly uttering a single syllable: “Huh?”
“You don’t surf the internet?” Song Yushi laughed, feeling smug that she surfed the web more than Qi Ke. “Alright, get to the point.”
Qi Ke came back to her senses. “It’s like this, I want to reserve a cherry tree, and it costs 500,000. But I’m out of money. Can you lend it to me?”
Song Yushi: “No.”
Qi Ke: “?”
Where’s the love!
Song Yushi added, “Just take it.”
Qi Ke: Sob sob sob, she loves me so much.
Host: Sob sob sob, she loves her so much.
Sister Ming: Sob sob sob, she wants me dead.
Qi Ke was reluctant to hang up. Thinking it would be edited out anyway, she couldn’t help but be lovey-dovey for a bit. But after just a few words, Song Yushi suddenly said something.
Song Yushi: “Alright—bleep—bleep—”
The screen went black, and then a cute and playful sentence popped up: “Unlock the secret message easter egg when this video reaches ten million views!”
The CP fans who saw the interview: “???”
Fucking hell!
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