Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Looking back on those years of idol-chasing, Pei Chuzhi thought two words were enough to summarize them.

Low-key and extravagant.

Low-key because she didn’t interact with fellow fans, nor did she cheer for Xie Yiqian online; she just secretly liked him alone, leaving no trace that could be searched.

As for extravagant, it was simple.

When Xie Yiqian had a movie released, that month’s employee benefit at her father’s company was booking out a theater to watch it. When he endorsed products, she would bring them home by the carload, then use them as raffle prizes at the company’s annual meeting at year’s end.

To put it bluntly, back then she was a model fan who focused on spending money and never fought online.

However…

Pei Chuzhi raised her head and looked at Tang Dong sitting opposite, who was about to crush the cup in his hand: “During my freshman year’s school anniversary, Teacher Xie came back to our school for an event. I… confessed to him in person.”

Tang Dong closed his eyes, nearly dying on the spot.

He had come today to explain the variety show recording matters. Who knew that as soon as he entered, Pei Chuzhi would give him such a huge shock.

And he couldn’t even say much.

After all, it was he who, thinking Xing Ye and Song Shiqing had come to question them, impulsively labeled Pei Chuzhi as a fan.

In the end, he was the root of all evil.

The culprit calmed himself for half a minute, thumping his chest: “What did you say to him back then?”

Pei Chuzhi thought for a moment: “I was completely dazed, so I probably just said I’d liked him for many years. But that day a lot of girls confessed to him. He probably doesn’t remember me.”

Her tone carried faint sadness at the end.

After hearing her, Tang Dong finally relaxed.

Back when Xie Yiqian was at his peak, his popularity was comparable to Xing Ye now; countless fans lined up to confess every day.

Not to mention now he definitely wouldn’t remember Pei Chuzhi—even five years ago, he might’ve forgotten her the moment he left backstage.

After sorting it out, Tang Dong’s stiff face, like an Easter Island statue, finally formed a smile: “It’s fine. Just restrain yourself when recording. Don’t glance at Xie Yiqian, remember to interact more with Xing Ye, spark some love, understand?”

Pei Chuzhi nodded solemnly, feeling the upcoming work difficulty was hell-level.

She had to do her job well, stir CP with Xing Ye, and on top of that pretend she didn’t like Xie Yiqian.

Really, too hard.

·

The recording time for the new season arrived in the blink of an eye.

The production team kept the process fully confidential, only announcing that filming wouldn’t be in-studio but would use on-location shooting.

As for the exact location, the variety show plot, each guest’s role—none were explained in advance, seemingly to leave the suspense until the last moment.

Since the artists’ schedules and cities differed, the production team didn’t arrange for them to depart together from Yan City.

Wednesday afternoon, Pei Chuzhi took a plane alone to the filming city.

Not long after landing, staff took her to the airport lounge.

As soon as she entered, she saw Xing Ye sitting alone on the sofa playing with his phone.

She tensed slightly, and only when she reached him did she ask, “Are you the earliest to arrive?”

Hearing her voice, Xing Ye put his phone back in his pocket and looked up: “I had work here this morning.”

“Oh.”

Pei Chuzhi nodded, hesitated a few seconds, then sat beside him.

Probably due to a guilty conscience, after seeing Xing Ye today, Pei Chuzhi felt somewhat uneasy.

She first silently gripped the hem of her skirt, then felt the motion was too stiff. When she tried to get up to fetch a bottle of water, she stumbled slightly on the lounge carpet.

The most miserable part was that when she came back with the water, she couldn’t twist open the bottle cap no matter what.

Xing Ye silently watched her struggling with the bottle, finally couldn’t stand it, took it, opened it for her, handed it back, and suddenly asked in a low voice, “You’re very nervous today?”

Pei Chuzhi was glad she hadn’t started drinking yet, otherwise she would definitely have choked. She didn’t even dare raise her eyes, looking at the carpet pattern as she replied, “A little.”

How could she not be nervous?

Xie Yiqian would arrive soon, and she didn’t know whether her acting skills could pass smoothly.

But Xing Ye misunderstood her meaning. He thought for a moment, then comforted her, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

“……”

Pei Chuzhi didn’t have the nerve to say that it was precisely because you’re here that I’m especially nervous.

Afterward, the others arrived at the lounge one after another.

It was Pei Chuzhi’s first time meeting everyone else, so she listened very attentively during introductions.

Aside from Xing Ye, the other celebrity guest today was Ji Yingshan. She had acted in many well-known costume dramas, and her own temperament was very classical and gentle.

The other female artist was Tong Yang, who had just turned eighteen this year. She was lively, calling everyone brother and sister nonstop, her voice crisp and sweet, quite a likable little sister.

These two were close to their on-screen images, so Pei Chuzhi accepted them easily. The only surprising one was the host Ding Yang, who was always joking on TV.

After entering, he simply said, “Hello everyone, I’m Ding Yang,” and while everyone waited for more, he sat in the farthest corner.

After sitting down, he even raised his chin toward Xing Ye from afar as greeting.

Only now did Pei Chuzhi realize Ding Yang was the friend Xing Ye mentioned who would join this season of “Who Is the Murderer.”

And his personality was actually a bit shy, not particularly talkative.

While surprised at this new discovery, she noticed one person was still missing.

A staff member came in: “Sorry everyone, Teacher Xie’s flight is delayed. Please wait a bit longer. Once Teacher Xie arrives, we’ll depart.”

Pei Chuzhi looked at the wall clock and felt the moving second hand was her countdown to death.

More than ten minutes later, the lounge door opened.

Everyone, including Xing Ye, politely stood up.

Xie Yiqian was obviously more sensitive to cold; he wore a slightly thick turtleneck sweater. After entering he paused, then smiled faintly: “Sorry, I’m late.”

His voice was clear, like mountain spring water flowing past the ears.

Pei Chuzhi froze for a moment.

After four years of recuperation, Xie Yiqian was slimmer, but his unique refined aura remained, no different from the noble and handsome figure in her memory.

She subconsciously trembled her eyelashes, then reluctantly shifted her gaze away.

So she didn’t see the moment of confusion when Xie Yiqian’s eyes fell on her face.

·

With everyone present, the production team arranged for them to take a business van to the filming location.

As the familiar city scenery gradually faded, the youngest Tong Yang became uneasy first: “They’re not taking us to explore a cave, right? I’m super afraid of the dark.”

Pei Chuzhi turned to comfort her: “No. Environments that are too dark don’t record well. And this is a detective show, so the most likely thing is that when we arrive, we’ll find a ‘dead person’ there.”

Tong Yang stuck out her tongue: “Zhizhi-jie, that sounds even scarier.”

Pei Chuzhi blinked and smiled at her, but her gaze accidentally glanced at Xie Yiqian sitting beside her.

Alarm bells rang in her head. Remembering Tang Dong’s repeated reminders, she quickly straightened up, pretending to look at the scenery outside.

But as soon as she tilted her head, she saw Xing Ye by the window staring at her motionlessly.

“W-what’s wrong?”

Xing Ye frowned, confused: “You’re very strange today.”

He leaned a bit closer and lowered his voice, “Did something happen?”

“…No.”

“Really?” Xing Ye clearly didn’t believe it, suspicion deepening in his eyes. “If something’s wrong, you can tell me.”

Pei Chuzhi bit her lip, suddenly not daring to meet his gaze.

She heard the concern in Xing Ye’s words, which made her even more guilty.

These days, she had also wondered why Xing Ye cared so much about her, this contract girlfriend. Setting aside the publicity reasons, it should more or less be related to her “fan” identity.

But she wasn’t at all.

Her real idol was sitting in the row behind them.

While they were whispering, the other four’s topic somehow shifted to which university Tong Yang would apply to next year.

“I’m interested in both the Film Academy and the Drama Academy, but I don’t know which suits me better.”

As Tong Yang spoke, she remembered there were seniors from both schools in the car. She turned to Xie Yiqian beside her and asked, “Teacher Xie graduated from the Film Academy, right?”

Xie Yiqian’s voice was soft: “Yes.”

Tong Yang smiled: “That’s perfect then. Teacher Xing is from the Drama Academy. I heard your two schools don’t get along. Is that true?”

“Who told you that.” Xie Yiqian smiled, raised his voice slightly, and looked toward Xing Ye. “Let Xing Ye-gege tell you—did anything like that happen when he was studying?”

Xing Ye lifted his eyes: “Not really.”

He didn’t know where the idle thought came from; he casually pointed at Pei Chuzhi, who was trying to minimize her presence. “She only graduated from the Film Academy last year. Do you see me not getting along with her?”

Pei Chuzhi wanted to pounce over and cover his mouth.

Xie Yiqian, however, froze, then suddenly seemed to recall something and sighed with a smile: “So Miss Pei is my schoolmate? No wonder when I saw you today, I kept feeling I’d seen you somewhere.”

Before he finished, Pei Chuzhi’s nerves tightened.

She subconsciously sat up straight. A thought she couldn’t even fully understand made her want to block Xing Ye’s eyes, as if that would stop him from knowing the truth.

Xing Ye lowered his gaze, watching her in confusion.

But the next second, Xie Yiqian’s voice sounded again: “I remember now. Five years ago, I saw you when I returned to the school for the anniversary. At that time you said you were my fan, and that you chose the Film Academy because of me, right?”

“……”

Pei Chuzhi wished she could travel back five years and knock unconscious her past self who stopped Xie Yiqian backstage and passionately confessed.

She didn’t dare look at Xing Ye’s expression, and could only awkwardly turn to nod at Xie Yiqian.

Then her mind was left with only one thought…

Today, she was probably finished here.

Author’s note: I kept forgetting to say the past few days, the Coconut Juice CP name was given by the cute reader TiTi, thanks to TiTi for the authorization!

Thanks to the little angels who threw overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution between 2019-12-01 21:08:51~2019-12-02 21:43:50~

Thanks to the little angel who threw a landmine: Lala 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Cute Duo Cheap Sale 8 bottles; Just Call Me Ears 2 bottles;

Thank you very much for everyone’s support, I will continue to work hard!