Chapter 30: Artificial Sisterhood

[So does this mean the director truly loves Lexi? Otherwise, why would he invite Duan Mucheng—not to pair him with Cui Meiying, not with Gu Xiaomo, not with Wang Sisi, but to partner with Lexi? He clearly thinks highly of Duan Mucheng’s reputation and wants to help clear Lexi’s name.]
[I’m speechless. As a fan of Duan Mucheng, I’m really worried. Lexi’s bad reputation might affect him. Sigh, I don’t know what he’s thinking, why he would come to this show without a word.]
Not only do netizens not know, not only do Duan Mucheng’s fans not know, even the director himself is clueless.
Suddenly, the investor said the show was dull and wanted to add new participants, and one of them turned out to be Duan Mucheng.
The director was stunned, but happiness overcame confusion.
“You—”
That day, the female guests, including Huo Hongming, were all in a frenzy upon seeing Duan Mucheng.
Before bed that night, they all searched his name in the restroom.
Duan Mucheng debuted just two years ago—not long, but he made history by winning Best Actor for his very first film.
His debut swept every major award for leading actor.
Many endorsements, variety shows, films, and dramas approached him with staggering offers,
but he turned them all down.
Lexi suddenly smiled.
Lexi perhaps understood why Duan Mucheng declined blockbuster films and prestigious variety shows, yet kept returning to this program.
[Lexi, your drool is showing. Wipe it off.]
[You’re so happy, anyone who saw this would admire you.]
[Am I seeing things? Why does Duan Mucheng look at Lexi with such affection?]
[Don’t misunderstand. Our Best Actor has charming eyes—whether Lexi is in front of him, or a pig, or a dog, or a cat, he always looks at them tenderly.]
“What are you smiling about?”
Duan Mucheng could read Lexi’s gaze when she smiled—it wasn’t simply joy.
Lexi leaned closer, afraid that if she spoke, his fans would attack her.
She also worried this younger Best Actor might be thin-skinned, especially since everyone said he was an introvert.
[Oh my god, Lexi, what are you doing? Shut your mouth.]
[Lexi, don’t touch our Mucheng.]
[Ah, I’m going crazy.]
“Are you a weirdo?”
Lexi:
“Otherwise, why would you choose this for your first variety show?”
Duan Mucheng smiled faintly,
“Mm.”
Lexi knew her guess was right.
At that moment, everyone’s earpieces sounded—

“Congratulations, Lexi and Huo Hongming have successfully found their new partner arranged by the production team and won second place.”
Huo Hongming was gripping someone’s collar, shocked,
“What did she do? She just found them?”
Gu Xiaomo was instantly annoyed—how could Lexi find her partner so quickly?
Gu Xiaomo glanced at Cui Meiying in the distance, who was equally displeased. She couldn’t let netizens praise Lexi for too long; she had to steal the spotlight.
“Meiying, you haven’t found your partner yet, right? Let me help you, I have experience.”
Cui Meiying looked grateful,
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Xiaomo.”
“We’re good friends. Look how hot you are. Go buy a bottle of water and rest. Leave the partner-finding to me.”
Lexi also went to help Wang Sisi,
Lexi knew her previous two analyses were correct, so she followed the same logic and quickly helped Wang Sisi and Wang Zhuorui find their partners.
“Congratulations, Wang Sisi and Wang Zhuorui have successfully found their new partners arranged by the production team and won third place. Cui Meiying and Deng Jiachao need to work harder. Our task has a restriction: if the first three groups succeed, but the last group doesn’t find a new partner within ten minutes, the original living expenses will be halved.”
Cui Meiying had just taken a sip of water and immediately spat it out,
Silently cursing in her heart,
What does Gu Xiaomo mean—she was so fast for herself, but so slow for me?
Deng Jiachao patted Cui Meiying’s back,
“Careful, don’t choke.”
Cui Meiying:
“I didn’t choke at all. Let’s go, better rely on myself.”
On the other side, Gu Xiaomo’s face was red with urgency,
Gu Xiaomo hadn’t expected that at the crucial moment, the system wouldn’t respond.
Thinking of her earlier bravado,
She knew the barrage would roast her alive.
[Gu Xiaomo found her own partner so fast, but took forever with Cui Meiying. Aren’t they good friends? Did something happen between them?]
[This is what you call a fake friendship. If Gu Xiaomo hadn’t been first, or hadn’t sent Cui Meiying off to rest, I wouldn’t say anything. But she’s first, and lets her ‘good friend’ finish last. She just can’t stand seeing her friend do well.]
“Countdown,”
The staff’s voice sounded again in the earpieces.
Gu Xiaomo was about to cry: Damn system, curse you.
“Ten minutes are up. If you haven’t found your partner, stop searching. Everyone gather in VIP room 1.”
“Meiying, I’m really sorry,”
On the way to the gathering, Gu Xiaomo met Cui Meiying, apologizing with tears streaming down her face.
Cui Meiying now thought Gu Xiaomo’s tears were nothing but crocodile tears.

“Forget it, actually it’s my fault. It was my task to begin with; I shouldn’t have really gone to rest. I got lazy.”
Gu Junhao chimed in,
“Meiying, Xiaomo really tried hard. She was seriously searching.”
Cui Meiying shot Gu Junhao a glare,
“I already said it’s my fault, is there a need for you to say all this?”
[Gu Junhao is too much. Meiying’s already annoyed, yet he still defends Gu Xiaomo. If it were me, I’d want to hit him.]
[Why cry? If you can’t deliver, don’t brag.]
Gu Xiaomo grabbed Cui Meiying’s arm, continuing to apologize,
“Meiying, I really feel bad. How about this—since I’m first place, I’ll share some of my funds with you.”
[Gu Xiaomo is too much. She’s still emphasizing her first place now—showing off for what?]
[Meiying, shake her off. Ignore her, such a fake friend.]
Cui Meiying:
“Keep it for yourself. It’s what you earned as first place.”
Huo Hongming was stunned when he saw Duan Mucheng, stammering,
“H-he-he…”
Lexi ignored him, and Duan Mucheng said nothing, following behind Lexi.
The host:
“Now let me introduce everyone’s new partners.”
Gu Xiaomo, Cui Meiying, and Wang Sisi were dumbfounded when they saw Duan Mucheng,
“You’re here too? Who are you paired with?”
Cui Meiying was the first to step forward, thinking perhaps coming in last had its perks—the new partner might be a trump card.
Huo Hongming was proud,
“Meiying, Mucheng is my partner.”
Gu Xiaomo was thunderstruck—Huo Hongming’s partner was Lexi’s partner. Gu Xiaomo dug her nails into her palm, desperate to pinch her own flesh.
Why is Lexi’s luck so good?
Gu Xiaomo asked the host,
“Really? Why? How did you arrange this? I’m first place!”
[No more pretending, Gu Xiaomo dropped the act.]
[Looks like no one can keep up appearances in front of Duan Mucheng. Look at Wang Sisi—she and Lexi get along well, but even she can’t smile.]