【Yan Qi and Zhou Shichen have been at work for two hours, so why is there still no sign of my wife? The internet is so boring!】
【Maybe your wife is sleeping in bed with her wife.】
【Piss off!】
【Chen Yuan is still in the dorm, okay? The Yan Zhi You Yi CP fans are making up fake moments again. Speechless!】
【Chen Yuan has a single room. She won’t disturb the little lovebirds.】
【If the Yan Zhi You Yi CP fans keep this up, I’m seriously going to lose it… Don’t underestimate the fighting power of a mother who can’t see her daughter… Sibal, Xu Shuyan, I’ll tear you to shreds!】
【Holy shit, a CP fan site just dropped new pictures!】
【I’m not going to look at pictures from a CP fan site. Damn, my girl looks so beautiful in this one! [Drooling]】
As the hegemon CP within the “Gu Group,” Yan Zhi You Yi had more fan sites than you could count on two hands. Whenever they were in the same frame, dozens of cameras would focus on them from different angles. Their visuals were so compatible that even unedited photos came out perfectly, each one wallpaper-worthy.
【My two little princesses, sniffle… Are you two showing off your love in matching outfits?】
【I’m totally obsessed with their dresses. I went to the official website to look them up, saw the price, and immediately gave up. I guess I’m just not worthy.】
【Take my blessing and go get married!!!】
Sweet Melon Entertainment rented two floors of a skyscraper in S City’s CBD. Though the space wasn’t huge, it had everything they needed: departments for trainees, idols, and film and television, and even a professional recording studio.
It was the weekend, and trainees had come from all over to practice. As soon as Lin Yi and the others stepped out of the elevator, they heard music pouring out of the various practice rooms, accompanied by pained shouts from physical training. The place was buzzing with activity.
A class must have just ended. The door to one of the practice rooms opened, and trainees scrambled out, only to quickly compose themselves upon seeing them. “Hello, Senior Lin Yi, Senior Xu Shuyan, Senior Chen Yuan!”
Lin Yi gave a slight nod. “Hello.”
Xu Shuyan grunted in acknowledgment.
Chen Yuan, however, smiled. “Class is over?”
“Yeah,” said the most popular trainee, a girl who was only fourteen but already quite independent. “We just finished dance class. We have vocal lessons next.”
Chen Yuan made a fist. “Keep it up!”
After parting ways with the trainees, she sighed softly. “I’m the one who needs to keep it up.”
Just as the rumors said, Sweet Melon Entertainment had never produced an idol group before. The boss’s daughter had gotten a whim to start a girl group, but it turned out the entire company couldn’t even scrape together two people suitable for it.
The only one was Chen Yuan, who was out of work and twiddling her thumbs at home due to a bad relationship with her manager at the time.
Seeing that she was idle and beautiful, the young boss requested her from the film and television department, saying that every girl group needed a “visual.” Whether she slacked off or worked hard, just having her stand there looking pretty would generate buzz.
Chen Yuan didn’t want to be just a visual. She tried hard, but the results weren’t very noticeable.
Only Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan saw her through an eight-hundred-layer-thick filter, desperate for any excuse to spend more time with her. They were endlessly patient while teaching her. Afterward, as they sat on the floor resting, Chen Yuan opened a bottle of water for each of them and handed them over with a gentle smile. “You two are so nice.”
Lin Yi & Xu Shuyan: “…”
Getting friend-zoned was not their intention.
“Yuanyuan, where are you headed later?” Lin Yi scooted next to Chen Yuan and unrolled her pant legs. “Is something going on at home? Are you still flying with us tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yeah, something came up at home, so I need to make a trip back. It was my birthday yesterday, after all.” Chen Yuan pulled out a tissue to wipe the sweat from Lin Yi’s forehead. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
During their comeback period, they had to appear on variety shows to promote their album. Tomorrow afternoon, they were flying to C City to film a nationally popular variety show.
Xu Shuyan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. “Aren’t you wrapping up your filming tomorrow?”
She was asking Lin Yi.
Lin Yi was currently filming a low-budget youth school drama. Since she was new to acting, she hadn’t dared to take a lead role, instead accepting a supporting role as a “wingwoman” character. Her part wasn’t large, but it was likable. After just half a month on set, she had filmed almost all her scenes. Tomorrow was her last one, and she had to go back to the film studio to finish it.
“Yeah.” Lin Yi clutched the tissue Chen Yuan had used to wipe her sweat, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered her courage. “Yuanyuan.”
“Hm?” Chen Yuan was looking down at her phone. She turned her face slightly toward Lin Yi, but her eyes remained glued to the screen.
As if she knew what Lin Yi was about to say, Xu Shuyan frowned, wanting to interrupt, but Lin Yi had already blurted it out. “I wrap up around eleven tomorrow. Do you want to come pick me up? People bring flowers, right? You should come bring me flowers!”
Xu Shuyan tried to sabotage the plan. “You’d have to go all the way to the film studio. It’s not exactly close. Isn’t that a hassle?”
Lin Yi went limp like she had no bones, collapsing onto the floor and resting her head on Chen Yuan’s knee. She whined coquettishly, “Please come~ I want a good friend to bring me flowers when I finish filming, too~~~”
Xu Shuyan retorted, “Are you the living embodiment of a tilde?”
Lin Yi gave her a light kick. “Mind your own business!”
“Alright~” Chen Yuan patted Lin Yi’s cheek. “What kind of flowers do you want?”
Lin Yi, with the appetite of a lion, demanded, “Roses!”
“Who gives roses for wrapping a shoot?” Xu Shuyan grabbed Lin Yi’s ankle, gave it a surprise squeeze, and forced the words through her teeth. “Lily of the valley and enchanted blue roses are more than enough.”
Chen Yuan nodded. “That works.”
The roses she’d almost had were gone. Lin Yi was in a foul mood. After Chen Yuan went home, she didn’t say a single word to Xu Shuyan for the rest of the afternoon’s practice. Her expression only softened slightly when the cameraman came in to film their daily routine.
“Alright, ladies, time to hit those KPIs!” The cameraman was assigned to the group and was an expert in the subtle art of girl group fan service. They were scheduled to release a practice compilation in the next couple of days, and he was determined to boost performance, fearing the CP fans wouldn’t have enough to feast on. He set up his camera in the corner and clapped his hands. “Teacher Lin, Teacher Xu, shall we begin?”
Lin Yi: “…Money is hard to earn, and shit is hard to eat. Doing fan service with Xu Shuyan is worse than death!”
The cameraman added, “Oh, right. Sister Fang told you two to check your phones.”
Fang Yi was her and Xu Shuyan’s manager, in charge of their individual and duo activities. She was also the biggest shipper for Yan Zhi You Yi, single-handedly creating countless sweet moments for the fans. She was currently out of town negotiating a duo magazine cover.
Group chat name: Yan Zhi You Yi and the Third Wheel
Fang Yi: What happened with you two the night before last? Meeting up secretly is one thing, but you got photographed. I thought it was a fan who happened to run into you, but it was paparazzi?
Fang Yi: The few pictures the paparazzi released only prove that you two met.
Fang Yi: Now they’re contacting me, saying they have proof that you two are secretly dating and kissing within the group. They’re asking if I want to buy it. If I don’t, they’ll expose it.
Fang Yi: @Lin Yi, @Xu Shuyan, one of you get on here and explain this to me right now!
Fang Yi: You two aren’t actually dating behind my back, are you?
Fang Yi: Do you have any professional ethics? Falling for your fan service partner is completely unprofessional! Explain yourselves!
Xu Shuyan: .
Lin Yi: Nothing happened.
Xu Shuyan: Send the photos. Let me see.
Fang Yi: [Image] [Image] [Image]
Fang Yi: Please tell me you two were huddled so close because you were looking at a new glow-in-the-dark watch.
Xu Shuyan: …
In the photos Fang Yi sent, Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan were sitting in a pavilion, their heads pressed close together. Xu Shuyan’s hood completely obscured the camera’s view, creating an intimate scene that looked like they were sharing a long kiss.
Lin Yi: [Vomiting.jpg]
Xu Shuyan: [Pukinguplastnight’sdinner.jpg]
Fang Yi: So what were you doing?
Lin Yi: Talking.
Fang Yi: That close?
Xu Shuyan: We didn’t want anyone to overhear.
Lin Yi: Just ignore the paparazzi. Let them post it. It’ll help with our fan service anyway. Besides, isn’t it common knowledge that the domestic entertainment industry doesn’t expose same-sex relationships? He’s not afraid of getting flamed?
Xu Shuyan: Who’s in a same-sex relationship with you…
Lin Yi: Don’t be so sensitive. You think I want to be with you?
Fang Yi: Should I change your couple dynamic? Instead of “Only Love My Wife” and “Childhood Sweethearts,” how about “Bickering Lovers” and “Flirty Banter”?
Xu Shuyan: If there’s nothing else, I’m logging off.
Lin Yi: My phone is down to ninety-nine percent battery. Can’t talk, bye.
They put down their phones and looked at each other.
The cameraman asked, “Can we start?”
After a three-second countdown, the recording began. Lin Yi threw herself into Xu Shuyan’s arms, hugging her waist and whispering, “I don’t want to practice anymore. I’m so tired. What are we having for dinner?”
“We haven’t even had lunch, and you’re already thinking about dinner?” Xu Shuyan also switched modes in a second, playing with Lin Yi’s hair, her tone doting. “Come on, get up. Let’s run through it one more time.”
“Whose part should we run?”
“How about Shichen and the Captain’s part?”
The choreography for this sweet little song included a duet for Zhou Shichen and Yan Qi. It was cheerful and cute, with the two vibrant young girls holding hands, giving off a strong campus romance vibe.
“Sure!” Lin Yi sat up. “Their part is super cute. I’ve been secretly learning it.”
“Let’s do it!”
And so, on that spring afternoon in late March, Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan skipped lunch and happily danced their teammates’ part, providing the Yan Zhi You Yi granary with enough food to last a lifetime, all captured by the camera.
After dancing that part, they watched the practice video together. Only then did the cameraman turn off the camera. “That’s a wrap, Teachers!”
The moment he finished speaking, Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan instantly separated. The smiles vanished from their lips. Lin Yi looked at Xu Shuyan’s cold expression and tutted. “And the acting coach said your skills were lacking. I think your acting is on par with an award-winning actress!”
Xu Shuyan put on her headphones. “Right back at you.”
Lin Yi took her final scene very seriously. That night, she put on a face mask and went to bed early, not even noticing when Xu Shuyan came back.
She woke up bright and early the next day and was dragged into the car by her assistant before she was fully awake. As they neared the film studio, she suddenly remembered something and frantically sent Xu Shuyan three exclamation points.
She typed: “The company is filming a wake-up segment today. Remember to push our beds together and make my bed for me.”
Xu Shuyan only replied after she was done with her makeup: “Payment.”
Lin Yi: ?
Annoying Person: There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and no kind love rival is going to make your bed for free.
Lin Yi: You win.
Lin Yi: What do you want?
Annoying Person: When we travel this time, we’re sharing a hotel room.
Lin Yi: Are you trying to get me in the same room so you can murder me?
Annoying Person: …
Annoying Person: I’m going to keep an eye on you so you don’t sneak into Yuanyuan’s room at night.
Lin Yi: You knew?
Annoying Person: Heh. Last time we went to film a variety show, you snuck into Yuanyuan’s room in the middle of the night and posted about it on your Moments. It’d be hard for me not to see it.
Lin Yi: Great.
Lin Yi: It was a Moments post visible only to you. I was worried you might miss it.
Annoying Person: …
Annoying You: We’re sharing a room this time.
Lin Yi: Fine.
Lin Yi: Send me a picture after you make the bed.
Annoying Person: [Image]
Annoying Person: See you in a bit.
Lin Yi: What do you mean?
But Xu Shuyan didn’t reply. Lin Yi couldn’t be bothered with her anymore. Just then, the stage manager called her to the set. She handed her phone to her assistant and walked on.
Her final scene was also on the school campus. Dressed in a blue and white school uniform, she was teasing the male and female leads, while her own on-screen love interest watched her and smiled from a secluded spot.
The April weather was surprisingly beautiful; everything looked fresh and bright. The thought that Chen Yuan would be arriving soon with flowers made Lin Yi’s smile even more radiant.
Finally, the director stood up and yelled, “Cut!” And with that, Lin Yi’s first acting role was officially a wrap.
As Lin Yi bowed, the crowd surged forward, then, as if sensing something, they tacitly parted to form a path. Lin Yi’s eyes lit up. It must be Chen Yuan, here to give me flowers, she thought, her heart filled with joy as she looked over-
Xu Shuyan was walking toward her, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Lin Yi: “???”
The smile was still on her lips, which, to the countless cameras, looked like she was overwhelmed with a pleasant surprise.
Lin Yi couldn’t help but curse inwardly, but by the time Xu Shuyan reached her side, she had already switched into fan service mode. She accepted the flowers and, at the same time, Xu Shuyan’s hug.
Xu Shuyan held her in her arms. They had hugged thousands of times for fan service, so the motion was perfectly natural for both of them. Lin Yi smiled and leaned on Xu Shuyan’s shoulder, forcing the words through her teeth. “What are you doing here?”
Xu Shuyan lowered her head, her lips brushing against Lin Yi’s neck, hiding her true expression. Her tone was cold. “Yuanyuan had something to do. She asked me to come.”
Lin Yi was still confused. “She could have asked anyone. Why you?”
Xu Shuyan gave a cold laugh. “Because we’re ‘so close,’ I guess.”
Lin Yi: “…”
So annoying. Who said she and Xu Shuyan were close?
When she looked up again, everyone-from the staff to the fan site masters standing beyond the set-was watching them with knowing, aunt-like smiles. It was as if they weren’t celebrating her wrapping the show, but Xu Shuyan’s successful marriage proposal.
She didn’t even have to guess. Right now, only one phrase was running through their minds: Yan Zhi You Yi is killing me!!!
Lin Yi: “…”
Even more speechless!
