Chapter 69: CH 69

Although Jin Man Wen was so angry it felt like her heart was about to burst, she still had to keep a slight smile on her face.

She didn’t expect it, Sang Wan Ci was actually someone like this.

She looked like she was a calm person with a heart that was like still water, but nobody could actually match up to her when she was being a green tea!

Sang Wan Ci had severely impacted her plan to get close to Lu Zhi Wei.

Yes, she liked Lu Zhi Wei.

She had liked her at first sight.

She remembered when it happened, it was when the pre-teaser for 《Phoenix》 had aired.

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t have many scenes, but none of them were extraneous.

Especially during the scene when she had worn the female lead’s costume and got her shoulder pierced by the spear, but her eyes were fearless and unyielding.

It couldn’t be said that she was incredibly pretty, but Jin Man Wen had to admit Lu Zhi Wei was truly attractive in that scene.

That sense of beauty of someone who wasn’t scared to die, it was like she was carrying a blood-red rose, beautiful and eye-catching.

It was at that moment that she had fallen for the still-unknown Lu Zhi Wei.

Then, she went to check out Lu Zhi Wei’s interviews and Weibo, realising that Lu Zhi Wei was someone who had an extremely warm heart.

Although she didn’t have many fans, but she had never given up or been dismayed. It was clear she was very optimistic from her replies to her fans, like a positive sun.

A person like this was naturally attractive to others.

Just like how every creature was naturally drawn to the sun, wanting to soak up every ray of sunlight.

Jin Man Wen had been moved, but she had thought that they might not have any chance to meet in this lifetime.

So she was both envious and jealous of Sang Wan Ci.

She wanted to stay by Lu Zhi Wei’s side like her and form a CP with Lu Zhi Wei, meeting Lu Zhi Wei whenever she wanted.

But she had never expected the chance to get to know Lu Zhi Wei came just like that.

They had been selected by the same director, and they had been invited onto the same variety show.

This was as if it was fated by heaven. How could she give up this chance and not try to woo Lu Zhi Wei?

The first step of chasing after someone was, of course, to first use something the other person likes to get close to them, then address them informally and get their number!

Only, she hadn’t expected Sang Wan Ci to be a hurdle.

And such a —— big hurdle!

Jin Man Wen looked at Sang Wan Ci, her mood could be summed up in a expression sticker: 【I didn’t think you were someone like this!.JPG】

She felt like Sang Wan Ci must have misunderstood.

She wanted to chase after Lu Zhi Wei, Sang Wan Ci could have misunderstood that she wanted to be best friends with Lu Zhi Wei, misunderstood that she was going to snatch Lu Zhi Wei away.

—— That could be possible.

Lu Zhi Wei and Sang Wan Ci’s relationship was too good. The only person who could fight with Sang Wan Ci right now would probably be Ying Xi Ze.

So to get Lu Zhi Wei, the only way was probably to disrupt their relationship then take advantage and win her over!

Besides, it wouldn’t be safe to have someone as pretty as Sang Wan Ci spending so much time with a girlfriend.

Her looks were too attractive to resist.

—— Aside from Jin Man Wen, her heart was already taken by Lu Zhi Wei, thank you.

Sang Wan Ci’s eyes stared at Jin Man Wen calmly as she slowly tightened her grip on Lu Zhi Wei’s hand.

She didn’t know what the person in front of her was thinking, or what her intentions were.

But no matter what, she wouldn’t let anybody have a chance to take Lu Zhi Wei away from her.

Caught in the middle, Lu Zhi Wei was confused, feeling it was strange.

What was going on with this sudden, hostile atmosphere?

Why did they both suddenly start wanting to fight?

Jin Man Wen’s manager called for her from far away.

The tense atmosphere immediately dissolved.

Jin Man Wen turned back and replied: “What is it?”

Her manager said: “Your friend is here, you need to go pick her up.”

Jin Man Wen: “Oh, okay, coming!”

“Then I’ll see you later, bye bye.” Jin Man Wen smiled sweetly at Lu Zhi Wei.

Lu Zhi Wei wasn’t very familiar with her, replying politely: “Okay, see you later Miss Jin.”

Jin Man Wen didn’t like that she was being so formal with her, but thinking about it, they had only met twice now and they still weren’t familiar with each other. If Lu Zhi Wei acted very close to her now, it would appear frivolous.

Forget it, there was time anyway, she could take it slow.

Jin Man Wen left, ending this interlude.

Wen Yao said she had to speak to the production crew about something, so she left first, leaving the two of them there.

Sang Wan Ci hadn’t let go of Lu Zhi Wei’s hand yet.

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t try to take her hand back either.

The two of them stood next to each other, hand in hand, as if they were a couple who were about to leave for a vacation.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Zhi Wei looked at Sang Wan Ci, her eyes and heart filled only with the other woman.

“It feels like she wants to snatch you away,” Sang Wan Ci said honestly. “I don’t like it.”

It was different from Ying Xi Ze who purely treated Lu Zhi Wei as a friend and as a jiejie. Jin Man Wen’s gaze was heated, making her feel threatened.

But her Zhi Wei wasn’t very smart or intuitive when it came to feelings, so she couldn’t feel it.

Hearing her say that, Lu Zhi Wei was actually very happy.

She knew Sang Wan Ci treated her as a friend, but this was going beyond normal friends, putting her in an important position.

A position where she would get jealous at even the slightest bit of covetousness from someone else.

Jealousy wasn’t patented by love.

And looking at it, the two of them…… might still be possible?

Maybe one day, Sang Wan Ci would like her too?

She rejoiced in her heart, looking at Sang Wan Ci’s face with her eyes shining brightly, hiding her careful hope.

Then, her eyes curved into crescents.

“Don’t worry, she can’t snatch me away.” Lu Zhi Wei’s voice was gentle, as if she was coaxing Sang Wan Ci. “You’re different from her.”

Sang Wan Ci’s eyelashes fluttered as she turned to look at Lu Zhi Wei: “Where’s the difference?”

Tell me, Zhi Wei.

Please tell me how important I am to you.

“Everything’s different.

“You’re the first person who showed me kindness, you’re my first friend, you’re the first person to accompany me over the new year, and you’re the first person to wish me happy birthday……

“So Teacher Meng is a ray of light to me, but you’re also a ray of light to me.

“A very, very warm light.”

One of them had changed the trajectory of her life.

One of them had given her warmth that she had never thought she would be able to get.

To her, they were different, yet alike.

So if Sang Wan Ci was so special, how could someone else easily compare?

Sang Wan Ci immediately felt better.

No matter what sort of emotion it was, there was a system of first-come first-served.

Just based on these, Jin Man Wen, who had come later, wasn’t her opponent.

She was Lu Zhi Wei’s “right time, right place, right person”.

The two of them turned and walked towards the production crew, chatting as they went.

“Next time, don’t let Jin Man Wen hug you. Being like this when you two aren’t close, she’s not too polite.”

“I got it, I got it —— Ah, I suddenly thought of something. I don’t think you’re my first friend, it’s Xiao Ying.”

“……?”

“But you’re my best friend, the first and the last!”

“Then that’s good.”

Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t help but laugh at this person who was so easy to coax.

—— Sang Wan Ci, too adorable.

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After bidding farewell to their managers, the three pairs of guests each got into their own rented car and the filming officially started.

There were a few cards in the car, the guests could answer the questions on them during the ride and finish the filming.

After that, this portion would be cut out as the trailer to attract viewers.

There were three questions: Name three of your friend’s good points, what’s the biggest reward of being friends with the other party, what’s the other party’s flaw.

The production crew wanted to use these few questions to show how the guests got along with each other, and help the audience understand them at the same time.

There was no time limit on answering, as long as all the questions were answered by the time they reached the destination.

Lu Zhi Wei and Sang Wan Ci were both looking at each other with 800 layers of filters, so of course all they could see were good points.

The lady sitting in the front passenger seat was responsible for hosting the segment on the road and she couldn’t take it anymore.

She raised her hand and complained: “We clearly only asked for three, I feel like the amount now has greatly limited your progress. Let’s stop here and move on to the next question!

“Please tell us what the biggest reward of being friends with the other person is.

“Mm…… Zhi Wei first?”

Lu Zhi Wei looked at Sang Wan Ci and smiled: “The biggest reward is definitely having gotten a super good-looking friend.”

Host: “This is also considered?”

Lu Zhi Wei asked her to look at Sang Wan Ci: “Please look at our Teacher Sang’s face, if this isn’t considered a reason, then what can be considered a reason?”

The host looked at Sang Wan Ci, then said: “…… It’s pretty reasonable.”

Sang Wan Ci chuckled.

Lu Zhi Wei loved to praise her looks, but Sang Wan Ci didn’t expect that she would be the same even in front of the cameras.

The host then turned the question to Sang Wan Ci: “Then what’s our Wan Ci’s biggest reward?”

Sang Wan Ci didn’t need to think: “Dumplings.”

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

Host: “?”

Sister, your answer is even more outrageous!

Lu Zhi Wei was amused: “Being friends with me, the biggest reward is dumplings?”

Sang Wan Ci looked at her: “Mm, your dumplings are delicious. Any filling you put in is delicious.”

Lu Zhi Wei was helpless, reaching out to rub her head.

Seeing their actions, the host said: “It feels like you two are more like a pair of jiejie and meimei.”

Sang Wan Ci looked mature, pretty and aloof, but when it came to Lu Zhi Wei, she had a hint of obedience in her actions.

Although Lu Zhi Wei looked young, but her bearing was mature and she looked at ease being Sang Wan Ci’s jiejie.

Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “But we are?”

The host laughed too, moving on to the next question: “What’s the other person’s flaw?”

Then she emphasised: “You can’t say there’s no flaw. Think about it seriously, it’s to let the audience get to know you two better.”

After that was said, it would be too disappointing to say there was no flaw.

The worst thing to do on a variety show was to be disappointing.

The two of them immediately bit back the “there’s no flaw” that was on the tip of their tongues.

Thinking about it, Lu Zhi Wei went first: “She doesn’t know how good she is.”

Sang Wan Ci turned around to look at her doubtfully.

Lu Zhi Wei looked calmly at the host in the front seat: “Because she can’t see how excellent she is, she feels like she’s ordinary, so she lacks confidence sometimes.”

Hearing that, the host was surprised.

From Sang Wan Ci’s debut until now, her professional capability had always been very strong, as if she had been born with this excellence. “Lacks confidence” was a term that didn’t seem to have anything to do with her at all.

Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “Actually, everybody lacks confidence sometimes, it’s pretty normal.”

She turned to look into Sang Wan Ci’s eyes, her tone serious: “But I hope you can continue to see your own excellence, and throw this “lack of confidence” away so you can shine like a star from now on.”

She patted Sang Wan Ci’s hand, her eyes curving in a smile as her tone lightened: “Our Wan Ci is already very awesome and incredible, you can be more arrogant!”

The host asked Sang Wan Ci the same question.

Sang Wan Ci’s eyes stayed on Lu Zhi Wei, not moving away.

A flaw……

Did Lu Zhi Wei have a flaw?

She did.

Lu Zhi Wei wasn’t very confident either.

And she would neglect herself to take care of others.

She would endure hardships and grievances but not say anything……

But those weren’t problems anymore.

With her around, Lu Zhi Wei was changing and starting to open up.

So what she wanted to say was another flaw……

She stared at Lu Zhi Wei, her red lips parting as she said: “Lu Zhi Wei, isn’t very smart.”

If you were smart, how would you have gone so long without figuring out how much I like you?

Lu Zhi Wei was so dumb.

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

How was she not smart!

As she was about to ask, Sang Wan Ci suddenly leaned in a little, her eyes clear as she asked: “Is this considered arrogant?”

It was irresistible.

Lu Zhi Wei paused, then laughed.

Host: “?”

Your arrogance is calling her by her full name?

Lu Zhi Wei smiled helplessly while sighing, lifting a hand to pinch her face.

“This kid, you’re really……”

Sang Wan Ci asked curiously: “Really what?”

Lu Zhi Wei was honest: “Cute, super duper cute. Baby Sang[1].”

“You too,” Sang Wan Ci copied her. “Baby Lu.”

Host: “……”

Can I ask, what sort of romance scene am I watching now?

Why do I feel so much like paying after watching?

Are we a friendship variety or a girlfriend variety?

Forget it, as long as there’s material and she can hand in her work tonight!

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It was already 6pm when they got to the town.

When everybody had arrived, the production crew gave each group a card.

“On it is a drawing of where you guys are going to be staying for the next few days, please follow the route drawn to find it.” The assistant director said.

Every team’s route was different, it was meant to separate and limit communication between teams.

Aside from leaving them the map and a videographer, the production crew didn’t give them anything else.

Basically, they had a lot of freedom.

As long as there was material to film and it didn’t break the rules of the program, they could do whatever they wanted.

Lu Zhi Wei placed the violin on top of her luggage and looked at the map with Sang Wan Ci.

The route clearly showed that they had to cut through the town, and the town had everything.

So they planned a little, deciding to eat in the town before they continued searching for the house.

“Let’s go.”

Lu Zhi Wei smoothly and habitually held Sang Wan Ci’s hand, as if she was afraid Sang Wan Ci would get lost.

It was an old tradition to pull your luggage and look for your house on 《Me and My Friend》, as someone who had watched the show before, Lu Zhi Wei was familiar with it.

Jin Man Wen watched as Lu Zhi Wei walked away, holding onto Sang Wan Ci’s hand.

Envious, jealous, sour.

—— She wanted to have Lu Zhi Wei hold her hand too!

The days were long in summer, with the sky still bright even at 6pm.

Walking towards the town, one could see the river meandering into town from afar. There were a few boats floating on the surface, with blue tiles and white walls, making it feel like an ancient town.

“What does Wan Ci want to eat?”

“Anything, whatever’s fine, you can decide.”

“That line again, okay, then I’ll decide.”

Lu Zhi Wei found a fish porridge restaurant that looked good, bringing Sang Wan Ci in.

The shop hadn’t gotten busy yet, so the fish porridge came quickly.

Sang Wan Ci didn’t forget to instruct Lu Zhi Wei, who was scared of pain: “Watch out, it’s hot, eat after letting it cool down.”

Lu Zhi Wei obediently dished some out to a small bowl to let it cool: “I know.”

Because the daughter of the store owner was a fan of Sang Wan Ci, they gave two plates of side dishes for free after Sang Wan Ci gave her an autograph.

Lu Zhi Wei habitually pushed all the dishes closer to Sang Wan Ci.

“It looks like the three groups won’t be living in the same area this time.”

《Me and My Friend》’s director was surnamed Mu[2], but his personality totally didn’t match her surname.

His variety shows would always have unexpected elements, like this 《Me and My Friend》.

When Lu Zhi Wei was following it, there were times when the groups would all stay in an area together and there were other times when they would be separated. There was no fixed rule.

This time, with three routes, it was most likely they wouldn’t be in the same area.

Sang Wan Ci felt this was good.

This way, Jin Man Wen wouldn’t have a chance to disturb her Zhi Wei.

They would then have more time to be alone.

—— Even though there were cameras.

She asked Lu Zhi Wei how her practice with the violin was coming along.

Lu Zhi Wei reported her progress honestly.

Sang Wan Ci nodded as she listened: “Mm, we can continue progressing.”

Lu Zhi Wei poured a cup of tea and handed it over: “Teacher has worked hard.”

Then she ordered a bowl of porridge for the videographer, warmly saying: “Put the camera on the tripod and put it by the side, eat something first, it’s my treat.”

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After finishing the porridge, the two of them strolled along looking for it, not worried that they wouldn’t be able to find the house.

As long as they weren’t road idiots, they would definitely be able to find their house as long as they followed the route.

“If Jiao Jiao was the one who came, she would probably only be able to sleep in the park tonight.” Lu Zhi Wei said as she pulled her luggage.

“Why?”

“Because she’s a bit of a road idiot.”

“…… I see.”

“But it’s fine, she’s cute.”

“How is that related?”

“It’s not, I just feel she’s cute haha.”

As Lu Zhi Wei talked, she also felt she was being too ridiculous and she couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing it, Sang Wan Ci chuckled too: “You’re cute too.

“Baby Lu.”

She raised her hand, wanting to touch Lu Zhi Wei’s face.

But halfway, she recalled there was still a videographer following them, so she stuck out a finger——

And poked Lu Zhi Wei’s face.

It was smooth and bouncy, feeling nice to pinch.

“Very soft.” She objectively reviewed.

Seeing her like this, Lu Zhi Wei suddenly felt a little embarrassed, grabbing her hand and saying: “Naughty.”

Then she led Sang Wan Ci away.

…

The production crew was arranging the interview material that the hosts brought back from the three groups.

They decided to cut the teasers from the interviews and slowly release them, attracting more viewers to watch 《Me and My Friend》.

Director Mu was in relaxed clothes and held onto a cup of milk tea as he watched Wei Shi Bu Wan’s interview.

This interview has plenty of contrast, warmth and cuteness.

Who would have thought that Sang Wan Ci could also be so cute and obedient?

It would definitely be very attractive once it was released.

At this point, the assistant director came over holding a phone: “Director Mu, Sang Wan Ci and Lu Zhi Wei are on the hot search again!”

Director Mu bit the straw: “?”

He quickly took the phone and took a look. They had been walking in town and a tourist who had passed by had recognised them, taken a photo and posted it online, resulting in them getting on the hot search.

The netizens were commenting below.

[@Check Now]: Are they filming 《My Friend》?

[@Authentic Sand Sculpture, Standing Proudly]: Where did this couple come from, why do they need to hold hands and be all couple-y [dog head] I like seeing it, give me more

[@Stars In Your Eyes]: What’s on Lu Lu’s luggage? A violin case? Is she going to perform the violin on the show? Damn it, I suddenly want to watch the actual show!

[@This must be a big, unfeeling knife]: @Me and My Friend Hurry up, post the show tomorrow, I want to watch them date (no)

Director Mu: “……”

Was this the natural hot search physique, it was too much.

But we just started filming, where’s the content going to come from!

You guys are making it difficult for the show!

He viciously sucked up a mouthful of bubble tea and decided: “Release their teaser first, we’ll have to work hard first and edit it as soon as possible.

“It would be best if it can be released tomorrow.”

It would be a waste if they didn’t take advantage of this free popularity!

… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Sang Wan Ci’s mood suddenly wasn’t very good.

Because she saw Jin Man Wen.

Right beside them.

She was happily waving towards Lu Zhi Wei.

Sang Wan Ci: “……”

Since they were all staying side by side, why did they have to draw three routes?

Looking at the route of the map in her hand, then at the three houses side by side, she suddenly felt speechless.

Director Mu, you truly are the person with the most tricks.

After politely greeting the people to the left and right, the two of them entered the room and started to unpack.

Before entering, Jin Man Wen even enthusiastically said to Lu Zhi Wei: “You can call for me anytime you need me!”

Sang Wan Ci led Lu Zhi Wei into the house and placed her hand on the doorknob, looking blandly at Jin Man Wen: “Thanks.”

The door closed.

With a trace of refusal.

Jin Man Wen: “……”

Damn it, this “thanks” was too piercing!

Because the violin almost fell from the top of the luggage, Lu Zhi Wei didn’t notice this exchange between them.

She picked up the violin case and her attention was completely caught by a large object in the living room.

She couldn’t help but exclaim: “There’s actually a piano here……”

As if it was a fated encounter, catching her off guard.

She turned to look at Sang Wan Ci, whose gaze landed for a second on the piano before moving away.

Lu Zhi Wei asked: “Are you okay? Should we switch houses, we can discuss with Jin Man Wen?”

Hearing that name, Sang Wan Ci said “no need”.

She didn’t hate the piano that much, what she hated more was the love rival that was trying her hardest to get close to Lu Zhi Wei.

“Is there really no need?”

“It’s alright, go bathe, it’s tiring after sitting in the car for the whole day.”

“Okay, wait for me to familiarise myself with the environment!”

“Mm, okay.”

After taking a bath, the two of them couldn’t sleep early because of the program, so Sang Wan Ci started teaching Lu Zhi Wei the violin again.

Considering the fact it was at night, Lu Zhi Wei didn’t play the violin.

Then after that, she was pulled by Sang Wan Ci to the sofa with a tablet in her hand.

Sang Wan Ci sat with her legs crossed as she jerked her chin at the tablet: “Teacher Meng’s lesson.”

Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t help but laugh: “You really want to watch it?”

Sang Wan Ci calmly replied: “Let’s watch it.”

Her aunt’s lesson, what could Jin Man Wen see that she couldn’t?

Lu Zhi Wei could only look for Meng Lian Yu’s lesson.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t really considered a lesson. It was just Meng Lian Yu talking about her experience with some juniors and expressing her views on acting while she was a guest on a variety show.

After that, someone had cut the footage and uploaded it onto a site for everybody to watch.

Lu Zhi Wei opened the video and placed her tablet on the coffee table.

The angle was a bit low.

She took a few books from the shelf and placed it under, so she could watch the video comfortably with Sang Wan Ci.

As they watched, her phone rang with a notification.

Jin Man Wen had come again.

She asked what Lu Zhi Wei was doing, and even sent a lot of cute expressions on WeChat.

Discovering some new expression packs, Lu Zhi Wei added them to her collection.

Teacher Sang, who didn’t frequently send expressions to Lu Zhi Wei: “……”

She opened her own WeChat and looked at her pitiful expression pack collection: “……”

She hated love rivals who had a lot of expression packs.

More to the point, she hated love rivals!

And Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t tell that Jin Man Wen liked her.

—— Forget it, Lu Zhi Wei couldn’t even tell that Sang Wan Ci liked her, she wasn’t smart at all.

She decided to attack her love rival first.

Lu Zhi Wei still hasn’t fallen for her yet, a love rival now was a threat.

Lu Zhi Wei took a photo of the tablet, sending it over.

Then she heard Sang Wan Ci say: “Not enough.”

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“Zhi Wei, pass me the phone.”

Lu Zhi Wei blurrily passed the phone over.

Sang Wan Ci took it, getting closer to her purposefully and hugging her waist, lifting up the phone to take a photo that looked as if they were very intimate.

Lu Zhi Wei blinked, and the photo was sent out the next second.

Sang Wan Ci returned the phone to her: “This way, she won’t misunderstand that you’re watching videos alone.”

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

She clearly was fighting against Jin Man Wen, how could she speak so uprighteously?

She looked at Sang Wan Ci blankly.

A vague, indeterminable feeling suddenly rose in her heart.

The person in front of her seemed to really care about her…… More than the amount of care that normal friends would have.

…

Jin Man Wen immediately unlocked her phone the instant she received a reply.

She received two photos.

The first was of Meng Lian Yu’s video.

The second…… Was a selfie of Sang Wan Ci hugging Lu Zhi Wei.

Jin Man Wen: “……”

The extra photo at the back didn’t need to be sent, thank you.

[1] 桑宝宝 – So this isn’t a romantic endearment, more of a cute one.

[2] 木 – This character means wood, so for the next part of the sentence, it basically means that he’s not wooden/boring.