Chapter 47
Chapter 47
The program team had rented a house for the wonders in advance, but the rent would be deducted from the funds.
It was a two-story villa with four bedrooms, all of them with large beds, which presented a problem.
Seven people had lived together before, so naturally, there was no embarrassment. Moreover, because they were in a foreign country, they preferred to have company rather than live alone.
It felt lonely.
And a bit scary.
The program team offered a solution: drawing lots.
It was the fairest way, but also the most nerve-wracking.
Zhuo Zhiwei pressed her lips into a straight line, her fingers trembling unconsciously at her side.
Actually, she didn’t mind the single room if she didn’t end up sharing a room with He Qingqi. If that happened, she would rather stay alone.
However, if she stayed alone, what about He Qingqi?
Someone else would sleep in He Qingqi’s bed.
Instead of her.
He Qingqi, noticing her discomfort, gently tugged at her sleeve and asked, “What’s wrong?”
As soon as she asked, He Qingqi realized it was a foolish question and felt slightly annoyed with herself.
She pursed her lips.
Although it seemed a bit narcissistic, she still asked, “Do you want to stay with me?”
Zhuo Zhiwei looked up at her and nodded slightly, her usually calm face showing a hint of sadness.
Love makes one foolish.
The little lion was utterly captivated by the stunning beauty and patted her chest, saying, “Leave it to me!”
The earlier threats and teasing were all for the show’s effect. He Qingqi believed she had some influence with Tong Ningze, which led her to approach the director.
Approaching Director Tong, she smiled ingratiatingly and asked, “Uncle Tong, can I ask for a favor?”
Addressing him as Director Tong when nothing was needed but Uncle Tong when asking for something was He Qingqi’s usual tactic.
Director Tong glanced at her, then discreetly signaled the cameraman to start filming.
The cameraman got the signal and began recording.
“What’s the matter? Who do you want to room with?”
He Qingqi pursed her lips, smiling a bit shyly. “With Zhiwei.”
Seizing the moment, she rubbed her hands together and said, “You know, Uncle Tong, we shared a dorm room during training and got along quite well. Could you consider it?”
Director Tong maintained a neutral expression, though inside he was thrilled. He had been worried about lacking material, and here He Qingqi delivered.
The “Qingwei CP” is currently very popular, consistently ranking in the top three of the super topics.
Especially after being photographed together at the mall a few days ago, which confirmed the rumors among their CP fans.
The two darlings are living together!
He imagined the frenzy the fans would go into once he aired this footage.
For the sake of ratings, Director Tong decided to go all out.
He smiled kindly. “I understand, Qingqi. You can go back and wait for the news.”
He Qingqi glanced suspiciously at the director, sensing something odd, but her excitement soon took over.
The next time Zhuo Zhiwei saw He Qingqi, her eyes were shining brightly.
Feeling her heart soften, Zhuo Zhiwei couldn’t help but smile gently and blink. “What’s the good news?”
He Qingqi’s eyes curled into crescents, and she whispered mysteriously, “When we draw lots, we get to pick first. I’ve talked to the director. We’ll both draw the one with the missing corner.”
During the draw, indeed, there were two lots with a missing corner.
He Qingqi, feeling proud, discreetly glanced at Director Tong.
Director Tong shared the sentiment but felt a bit guilty, hoping he wouldn’t get into trouble after the show aired.
Tao Jinghan, who was the team leader, drew the only single room without complaint. In fact, if it weren’t for the drawing, she might have asked for a room alone.
However…
Tao Jinghan walked into Zhuo Zhiwei and He Qingqi’s room, seeing them already tidying up. After hesitating for a moment, she kindly offered, “Zhiwei, are you comfortable sharing a bed with someone? If not, we can switch.”
Zhuo Zhiwei paused, looking at her expressionlessly and cautiously.
He Qingqi continued to make the bed, without even glancing at Tao Jinghan. She had worked hard to secure this cheating win.
“No need,” Zhuo Zhiwei said.
Her ears turned slightly red, and she continued helping with the bed, feeling overly vigilant.
Anyone approaching He Qingqi aroused her suspicion, even their mutual friend Tao Jinghan.
She pursed her lips.
Was this overstepping?
Or acting spoiled?
At first, when she actively sought out He Qingqi, she only hoped for a smile or a word from her.
How did it progress to this point?
“Zhiwei, are you still sleeping on the left side tonight?”
The little lion patted the bed and asked naively.
Tao Jinghan: “!!!”
“Still”?
Tao Jinghan’s eyes widened, wishing she could slap her past self. So, they had already been sharing a bed!
Serves you right for meddling!
No wonder Zhuo Zhiwei’s gaze felt so chilly earlier.
Tao Jinghan quickly excused herself and said, “I’ll head upstairs. If you need anything, just call.”
She fled the scene like the wind.
He Qingqi: “???”
“What’s with her?” She was puzzled.
Zhuo Zhiwei glanced at her with a hint of reproach but didn’t explain, merely noting the camera’s position and feeling it was fine.
Before arriving, Director Tong had told them to act as close as possible, which gave them an excuse for their intimacy.
It was all for show.
Zhuo Zhiwei’s ears turned pink.
She had a habit of drinking water at night, something He Qingqi knew well after living together for nearly four months.
Having pursued someone before, He Qingqi knew how to take care of a girl.
She took out an electric kettle from her suitcase, filled it with water in the kitchen, plugged it in, boiled it, and then carefully poured it into a thermos, bringing it along with a cup back to the bedroom.
Placing it on Zhuo Zhiwei’s bedside table, she gave her a unique fawning smile: “Zhiwei, I’ve boiled the water for you. You can drink it if you wake up at night.”
Zhuo Zhiwei stared at her momentarily, taken aback. Her eyes glistened like gentle spring water.
She smiled softly and said, “Thank you.”
The little lion’s eyes curled into crescents. “You’re welcome.”
Unable to resist, Zhuo Zhiwei peered at her again.
She seemed to have developed a fondness for fluffy things.
She always liked furry, soft animals, especially the little lion in front of her, who would roar cutely.
The little lion scratched her head. Petting her made her feel good and loved, but she was concerned about hair loss due to excessive petting.
Her big eyes drooped in frustration, lips pursed, wanting to say something but holding back.
But when she looked up at Zhuo Zhiwei’s soft smile, she felt dizzy.
…
From St. Paul’s Cathedral to the Tower of London, though tired, the girls were satisfied.
They even encountered a creative combination of beatboxing, rapping, and hula hooping. Tao Jinghan, feeling inspired, joined in a battle, earning applause and making a little money.
Tao Jinghan enthusiastically asked, “What do you want to eat tonight? My treat!”
He Qingqi winced, recalling the dreadful lunch and her stomach churning.
The other girls had similar reactions.
He Qingqi, while watching Tao Jinghan, had an idea and began to signal frantically.
Zhuo Zhiwei observed everything, pursing her lips, her expression unreadable, and quietly clenching her fists.
Tao Jinghan, scratching her nose, tentatively suggested, “How about… we buy ingredients and I cook for you?”
“Yay!”
“Long live the captain!”
He Qingqi, who was taller, enthusiastically hugged Tao Jinghan.
More praise followed.
Tao Jinghan, flattered by the five girls, felt quite proud.
Recalling the happy nights during training, He Qingqi licked her lips, eagerly suggesting, “Captain, can you make spicy chicken for me?”
Tao Jinghan raised an eyebrow and said, “Say ‘chicken’ properly; be civilized.”
He Qingqi: “…”
Zhuo Zhiwei: “…”
Everyone else: “…”
He Qingqi couldn’t help but laugh, waving at the camera, “Hey, cut this part.”
Tao Jinghan blushed deeply, wishing she could disappear.
Not wanting to burn bridges, He Qingqi gave the cook an out: “There’s a supermarket near our dorm.”
“Everyone, think about what you want for dinner; let the captain cook for us!”
Excitement rose again.
The villa had an oven, so He Qingqi also bought sweet potatoes, planning to have them as a midnight snack.
Wang Qiyu eyed her disdainfully, thinking no one else would dare to eat at night.
Silently, she noted He Qingqi’s weight gain since joining, feeling schadenfreude.
She is tall and eats a lot; she must weigh over a hundred pounds now.
Just wait.
After the show, her agent would probably order her to diet.
She wouldn’t admit she was jealous of He Qingqi’s height.
Wang Qiyu’s teeth itched with hatred as he remembered the taunts from Zhang Xiaoyu and He Qingqi during training.
Come evening.
“Smells great! Qingqi, let me have a bite!” Wang Qiyu, forgetting her earlier malice, clung to He Qingqi, eyeing the sweet potato.
Drooling.
He Qingqi raised an eyebrow, her slender arm muscles showing as she held Wang Qiyu back.
“Just one bite! Just one!” Wang Qiyu begged, stomping, “Qingqi!”
Looking pitiful.
He Qingqi, unfeeling, said, “Dream on.” Switching hands as it was too hot.
She didn’t understand why Wang Qiyu insisted on her sweet potato among dozens or why she refused to share.
Maybe for the show’s effect.
Tao Jinghan, watching with a few black lines on her forehead, opened a bag on the table and said, “There are more here.”
Wang Qiyu froze. “!!!”
I glanced at He Qingqi.
Cheng Yi waved kindly and said, “Mine is ready too; Qiyu can have mine!”
Wang Qiyu ran over and glared at He Qingqi again.
He Qingqi was puzzled.
Wasn’t it for the show?
She shrugged it off, peeling another sweet potato and offering it to Zhuo Zhiwei while rubbing her earlobe.
“So hot!” The little lion exclaimed, her scarred brow softening her fierce look.
“Hurry, take it.”
He Qingqi reminded herself, “It was for the show.”
Zhuo Zhiwei hesitated but took it, sighing softly and warming her indifferent eyes with a faint smile.
Watching He Qingqi peel another, occasionally wincing from the heat.
She helplessly smiled.
She seemed to enjoy herself more today.
However, the little lion was very protective. Though she wanted to pursue her, she had no chance.
What to do?
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