Baihe Fan

Chapter 9: Variety Show

The scene became momentarily very quiet, so much so that even the sound of Mr. and Mrs. Xia excitedly slapping their thighs under the table could be heard clearly.

“Ahem, let’s eat first,” Xia Yangxuan broke the awkward silence.

Xia Linxia finally snapped out of her shock. She couldn’t yell at Ji Fengxue in front of her family, so she glared at her with resentment and then buried her head in her food.

“Come, Xiao Xue, eat more,” Mrs. Xia warmly invited, piling food onto Ji Fengxue’s bowl until it was a small mountain.

Ji Fengxue sincerely smiled and said, “Thank you, Auntie. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Such a good girl,” Mrs. Xia was deeply moved. “I have two children, and neither of them is as obedient as you.”

“That’s why she’s someone else’s kid,” Xia Linxia said. She picked up a slice of beef, ready to eat it, but got a warning look from her mother. Puzzled, she put the meat in Ji Fengxue’s bowl instead, and only then did her mother nod approvingly.

Xia Linxia: “…” Losing favor happens in an instant.

She decided to find an ally and immediately locked eyes with Xia Yangxuan for help.

Xia Yangxuan elegantly raised his head and asked, “Why are you winking? Trying to copy homework again?”

She always had this look when copying her classmates’ homework.

“No!” Xia Linxia was too lazy to argue.

Only then did Xia Yangxuan look seriously at Ji Fengxue. After a few seconds, he asked, “Is Linxia giving you trouble?”

“No, no, she’s very nice.”

“You don’t have to speak for her. We know exactly what she’s like.” Xia Yangxuan said leisurely, “If she doesn’t behave, you can tickle her. She’ll immediately surrender.”

“Bro!” Xia Linxia shouted, “Stop talking nonsense! I’m not ticklish!”

“Got it, thank you.” Ji Fengxue smiled; her lips pressed together.

“And…” Xia Yangxuan looked at her, hesitating.

Ji Fengxue was puzzled, “Hmm? What?”

“Uh… can I get a signed photo? The last one only had a signature…”

“Sure.” Ji Fengxue smiled. It was quite amusing how serious and expressionless he was while asking for an autograph.

What was with these Xia siblings? One was calm and restrained, while the other wore her heart on her sleeve. Quite interesting.

Xia Linxia asked, “Bro, don’t you want my autograph? I can give you the latest signed poster, exclusive release!”

“No.”

“Heartless!” Xia Linxia pouted. She suddenly reached out and blocked her mother’s hand from putting food in Ji Fengxue’s bowl. “What’s this?”

Mrs. Xia said, “Onion rings.”

“She doesn’t eat these.”

“Really? Sorry, Xiao Xue. I didn’t ask in advance what you like to eat.” Mrs. Xia changed direction and put the food in Xia Linxia’s bowl instead.

Xia Linxia chewed a couple of bites, suddenly sensing an ambiguous gaze. She turned and saw Ji Fengxue quietly watching her with a hint of amusement.

She coughed and said firmly, “I’m not concerned about you.”

She was just afraid something might go wrong while eating at her house, affecting her parents’ mood, that’s all.

“Yes, I know.” Ji Fengxue smiled, picked up a piece of untried catfish from her bowl, and put it in Xia Linxia’s. “I don’t like this either, remember that.”

Xia Linxia: “…”

With her family around, she had to hold back. Killing was wrong!

After the meal, Xia Yangxuan returned to the company. Xia Linxia also claimed she had a schedule and left with Ji Fengxue after saying goodbye to her parents. She didn’t want Ji Fengxue to stay any longer, or else the Xia family’s daughter might get swapped.

They sat in the car, each receiving calls from their managers, and headed straight to the company.

After getting out of the car, Xia Linxia suddenly called Ji Fengxue and took a bracelet out of her pocket, handing it to her without even a box. She said disdainfully, “My mom insisted on giving you this, consider it a thank-you for the jade.”

Ji Fengxue was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, “Thank you. Could you help me put it on?”

“Tsk, so troublesome.” Though she complained, Xia Linxia obediently helped her put on the bracelet, since it was a gift from her mother and seeing Ji Fengxue wear it would be satisfying.

“Alright, don’t lose it.” Xia Linxia touched the bracelet to ensure it was secure before looking up and meeting Ji Fengxue’s deep, ocean-like eyes. “You…”

“Xue jie,” a voice interrupted them. Xu Xiaoxuan stood a short distance away, watching them, and it was unclear how long she had been there.

Xia Linxia instinctively stood straight and frowned, “Finished your audition?”

“Yes.” Xu Xiaoxuan ignored her, smiling at Ji Fengxue. “Xue jie, I got the part. Can I ask you for advice on acting in films?”

“Lead or supporting?” Xia Linxia stubbornly asked.

Xu Xiaoxuan immediately held her head high, “Lead. I got the role myself. What, are you unhappy you didn’t get it? Director Zhao said you weren’t right for the part.”

Xia Linxia took a deep breath and said expressionlessly, “Idiot.”

“You!”

“I’m going up.” Xia Linxia walked ahead.

“Wait.” Ji Fengxue caught up and grabbed her wrist.

Xia Linxia turned back, looking at her puzzled.

“Let’s go together,” Ji Fengxue said. As they passed Xu Xiaoxuan, she nodded politely.

Xu Xiaoxuan watched them leave together, biting her lip in anger.

Why? Why could Xia Linxia easily get things others wanted and live authentically in this circle?

She hated Xia Linxia. Since their days as trainees, she noticed the general manager paying special attention to Xia Linxia, letting someone who had only been in the company for a month join their group of trainees who had been practicing for two or three years in competitions.

In the talent show, Xia Linxia effortlessly captured the audience’s attention, whether through her outstanding appearance and skills or her controversial personality. She was always in the spotlight.

Xu Xiaoxuan felt like a weed, hiding in the shadows, burning with jealousy. So, she actively befriended Xiao Yuran and led the exclusion of Xia Linxia. The effect was noticeable; at least she could share Xiao Yuran’s camera and topics and had some fair-weather friends who acted close in public.

After the group disbanded, she only occasionally kept in touch with Xiao Yuran.

Upstairs in the office, Ji Fengxue and Xia Linxia sat facing each other, with their managers on either side.

Chen Nian solemnly said, “The hottest live-streaming dating show ‘This Little Thing Called Love’ has invited you two. The company accepted the job. This show has a great reputation. The first season’s ratings and discussion were consistently high. You are the only same-sex couple among the invited guests, so there will be a lot of attention. If you perform well, you’ll attract a lot of fans.”

Ji Fengxue, who rarely watched variety shows, asked, “What is the main content of the show?”

“It just livestreams the daily lives of several celebrity couples, focusing on a slow pace, lots of sweet moments, and genuinely loving relationships.”

Xia Linxia said, “Doesn’t that mean we’ll have to act in front of the cameras all the time?”

“That’s the idea.” Xiang Huaimeng glanced at her, knowing she wanted to refuse. He subtly used reverse psychology, “This kind of acting challenge is no problem for Teacher Ji, but for you…”

“What do you mean? You think I can’t do it?” Xia Linxia was displeased.

“So, are you going?” Xiang Huaimeng asked.

“I’ll go! Anyone who doesn’t is a coward!” Xia Linxia provocatively looked at Ji Fengxue.

Ji Fengxue stood up, walked over to her, bent down, held her hand, and gently squeezed her palm. In her surprised gaze, she whispered, “There might be intimate scenes like this. Are you really okay with it?”

Xia Linxia looked into her eyes, lost for a few seconds, then quickly pulled her hand back and turned her head away. “Why not? I’ve even done kiss scenes.”

“Good, then I’m relieved,” Ji Fengxue said with a smile.