Dating My Drama Queen Girlfriend On A Slow-Paced Variety Show - Chapter 41

Pi Dajun drove the tricycle out of the shed, happily donning his straw hat. Settling into the driver’s seat, he shouted toward the courtyard, “Are you all ready? We’re heading out!”

Responses echoed back from the yard in small clusters.

Since they planned to have a barbecue in the creek valley, everyone began loading gear onto the vehicle. Fortunately, the meat had been marinated and stored in the fridge beforehand, saving them a lot of trouble.

Once the supplies were loaded, it was time for the people.

Pi Dajun looked at the young idols hesitating beside the truck bed and burst into laughter. “Don’t be shy, just hop on!”

Accustomed to luxury vans, the group looked at the tricycle in confusion. “Do we just… sit on the floor?”

Wu Xuezhen, who was putting on her sun-protection jacket, walked over with a smile. “No, that’ll rattle your bones apart. Here, two people can sit here.” She pulled down a bench seat near the front of the bed and patted it. “You two girls sit here. Xiao Pei, Xiao Xiao, go grab two folding stools from the yard, okay?”

Pei Dongxin and Li Xiao immediately agreed. You Shiyi hesitated, saying, “Let Teacher Luo and Teacher Li sit there.”

Wu Xuezhen laughed and helped her up. “Guests first. You guys take the seats; those two have their own spots!”

Min Xueren glanced at You Shiyi, pursed her lips, and leaned in. “Xuezhen-jie, I’m fine, you should sit!”

“It’s okay, I’m riding shotgun with Dajun. No need to be polite about small things. Speaking of which, why haven’t Da Li and Xiao Luo come out yet? Yueyue! Mingzi!” she raised her voice.

A head popped out of the second floor window, it was Luo Mingzi. She waved and shouted, “Coming right now!”

Faster than “right now” was Li Yue. She stepped out carrying a quilt. Glancing at the truck bed, she pushed the supplies at the rear toward the middle, carving out a small private nook.

Wu Xuezhen chuckled. “Leave it to you to find a way.”

Li Yue leaned two throw pillows against the side of the truck bed and said unhurriedly, “Teacher Luo is high-maintenance. It wasn’t easy raising her to this age; she needs proper care.”

“Who’s high-maintenance?!”

Luo Mingzi lunged forward, jumping onto Li Yue’s back. Her legs wrapped around Li Yue’s waist as she clung to her neck, eyes sparkling as she looked at the “nest” Li Yue had prepared. “That looks like it’ll be hot.”

“If you could liberate my hands, they would currently be laying down a cooling mat,” Li Yue replied. She gripped Luo Mingzi’s legs to keep her from falling, noticing she felt a bit heavier than usual. Luo Mingzi didn’t want to get down, whining piteously, “Think of something, Goddess Li. Changing clothes was so tiring; I have no strength left to climb into the truck.”

Goddess Li remained expressionless. She turned around and let go, unloading the “exhausted” Teacher Luo who apparently had plenty of strength to cling to people, directly into the nest of quilts.

“Ah! It’s so hot!”

Luo Mingzi lay flat on her back, her legs dangling and swaying against the side of the truck, her fair skin glowing in the sunlight. She had already changed into her swimwear, not an extravagant style, but a blue dress-like suit with straps tied behind her neck, highlighting her elegant collarbones. The bottom was a skirt-style short, revealing long, slender legs.

For sun protection, she wore a loose, long pink outer shirt over it, yet she continued to cry out about the heat from inside her quilt.

“If you’re hot, why aren’t you getting up?” Wu Xuezhen grabbed the outer shirt to cover Luo Mingzi’s legs, thinking to herself how “passionate and uninhibited” kids were these days.

To prove she was not just uninhibited but also honest, Luo Mingzi told her mother, “Mom, I’m too lazy to move. I’m waiting for Li Yue to come flip me over.”

Her mother unceremoniously slapped her leg. Luo Mingzi yelped in pain but remained perfectly still.

That, in itself, was a talent.

Wu Xuezhen said in wonder, “How did I give birth to a daughter like this?”

The four guests on the other side of the supplies laughed politely. Min Xueren glanced at the camera and said to Pei Dongxin, “Dongxin-ge, come sit on my side.”

In their drama, she and Pei Dongxin played lovers, so they had to play up the “CP” (couple) angle off-camera. Min Xueren had been so focused on Li Yue that she had almost forgotten about Pei Dongxin.

The staff handed a handheld camera to each of the two “compartments.”

Li Yue returned after closing the gate to find Luo Mingzi lying peacefully on the quilt, eyes closed, hands folded over her stomach, very serene.

“Luo Mingzi.” Li Yue called her name softly, pulling out the handheld camera wedged between Luo Mingzi’s arm and body. Glancing at the feet dangling outside the truck, she said calmly, “If your slippers fall out halfway, I’m not picking them up for you.”

Luo Mingzi slowly retracted her legs.

The electric tricycle carried the group onto the road. As the sun began to dip, the sky turned a pleasant overcast, and a cool breeze picked up as the vehicle moved.

Li Yue wore sunglasses, watching Luo Mingzi sit cross-legged opposite her. Luo Mingzi was hugging a backpack that looked larger than she was, the very source of the extra weight from earlier. She was pouting so hard the word “aggrieved” might as well have been taped to her forehead.

Li Yue tilted her head. Speak.

Luo Mingzi immediately unzipped the bag. First, she pulled out a blue outer shirt identical to her own. “I brought clothes for you,” she huffed.

Then came a large water bottle. “And water.”

“Sunscreen, a comb.”

“I even brought a hairdryer to dry your hair, in case it gets wet in the water!” Luo Mingzi protested. And yet, Li Yue actually said she wouldn’t pick up her shoes! So cold, so heartless.

Though she had no idea where they’d find a power outlet in a creek valley to use a hairdryer, Li Yue immediately repented. “Throw your shoes out right now,” she offered.

“Too late!” Luo Mingzi lifted her chin arrogantly. “It will be very hard to earn my forgiveness now!”

Is that so? Li Yue cupped her own face with her hands, elbows on her thighs, and curled her lips into a smile.

Luo Mingzi looked at her, suppressed a smile, and turned her head away, indicating it was still a “no.”

If that’s the case… Li Yue pulled Luo Mingzi toward the center. Mimicking Luo Mingzi’s earlier pose, she rested her legs against the side of the truck, watching the retreating clouds and mountains. She leaned into Luo Mingzi’s ear and sang very softly: “Please forgive me, my baby. Today the flowers are bright and the water is sweet, time shouldn’t be wasted. I want to go to the mountains with you to taste the clear spring water, and open our hearts when the stars and moon come out…”

“Pfft.” Luo Mingzi covered her face, unable to help herself. “Such cheesy lyrics.”

Li Yue arched an eyebrow, her smile widening. “As long as it works.”

“Hmph.” Luo Mingzi folded her arms and turned away, but couldn’t hold it for even two seconds before turning back with a rub of her face. “Hehe.”

In the front section, separated by the grill and stacked boxes, the four guests watched their backs in total bewilderment.

What are they saying?

Behind the tricycle, the directors and editors in the follow car were equally baffled. What are Teacher Luo and Teacher Li talking about? Why did they turn off their mics? And where did the camera we gave them go?

Upon arriving at the valley, a camera assistant searched the tricycle and found the powered-off camera wedged between the quilt and the truck wall. He patted the camera’s lens. I know. It’s not your fault.

The moment they entered the valley, the temperature dropped significantly, prompting sighs of relief.

This was Li Yue’s first time at the Wanxiang Creek Valley. It was nestled between two mountains with gurgling streams, lush greenery, chirping birds, and the constant hum of cicadas.

“The water is so clean!” You Shiyi said happily. “I just saw a black fish swim by!”

Li Xiao asked worriedly, “I’ve seen the show, aren’t there crabs and lobsters in here? Will they pinch me?”

“No, they get scared off by movement. Don’t worry,” You Shiyi encouraged.

Min Xueren laughed loudly. “As expected of ‘Little Squid,’ you know all about this! Xiao-ge, just jump in! Shiyi, hurry up and call your friends and tell them not to bully Xiao-ge!”

You Shiyi smiled but said nothing. Since she hadn’t followed Min Xueren’s hints about room selection at noon, Min Xueren had been making snide, sarcastic remarks. You Shiyi simply acted as if she didn’t understand.

Li Xiao, wanting to please everyone, said, “As long as it’s safe! I’m going in to cool off!”

On the bank, a staff member shouted through a megaphone, “Teachers, please be careful. Do not walk barefoot, watch out for the stones.”

Li Yue switched to a waterproof microphone and scanned the valley. Luo Mingzi, draped in a towel, was crouching by the stream, poking the surface with her finger. Finding the water warmed by the sun, she nodded with satisfaction.

She looked like a professional “creek valley connoisseur.”

A hint of a smile touched Li Yue’s eyes. She walked over, picked Luo Mingzi up by the armpits, and waded unceremoniously into the water.

“In we go!”

“Ah!” Luo Mingzi gasped as she was gently dropped into the water.

Of all the people there, only Li Yue would dare do such a thing. Luo Mingzi sat in the water and yelled, “It’s cold!” then immediately splashed Li Yue.

“A water fight? We’re in!” Min Xueren chimed in. She looked for Pei Dongxin, only to see him and Li Xiao already swimming in the deeper area. She clicked her tongue internally. These people… give them a chance and they can’t even take it!

On the bank, Pi Dajun was excitedly setting up for the barbecue while Wu Xuezhen helped. As the guests swam and played, the director checked the light and moved the schedule along.

“Teachers, we will be having a water volleyball match shortly. Please look over there,” Director Liu pointed to a net stretched across the stream.

“I was wondering why there was a net here,” Pei Dongxin said, standing up from the water to gauge the height. The water reached his waist, the net was slightly taller than him.

“Ah…” Luo Mingzi let out a long sigh. “Exercise? I can’t. I’m already tired.” She leaned against Li Yue, making exhausted noises.

Pi Dajun put down his things and laughed. “Great! I was the lead spiker on my school team. I’ve never tried water volleyball!” Wu Xuezhen hesitated. “Dajun, that was thirty years ago.”

Director Liu announced, “The rules: four people per team, first to eight points wins, best of three sets. Considering the difficulty of moving in water, female players are allowed to use their hands to scoop the ball.”

Luo Mingzi muttered, “Sounds exhausting. I choose to forfeit.”

Li Yue asked curiously, “Is there a penalty for losing?”

Director Liu: “The losing team is responsible for cleaning up after dinner and washing the dishes, including the grill.”

“Oh,” Li Yue said nonchalantly. “Let’s forfeit.”

Luo Mingzi immediately raised her hand for a high-five.

“Don’t be like that, Da Li-jie! It sounds fun, let’s play! Even if we lose, I’ll help you wash dishes!” Min Xueren interjected quickly, flashing a brilliant smile at Li Yue. “Teacher Luo too.”

Luo Mingzi rubbed her ear and asked, “How are the teams divided? I want to be on Li Yue’s team!”

“How about ‘Team Wanxiang’ vs ‘Team Moonlit Breeze’?” Min Xueren suggested eagerly.

“That might not be fair, we have two men on our side,” Pei Dongxin noted.

Min Xueren followed up, “True. How about you, me, Da Li-jie, and Mingzi-jie on one team? Shiyi, what do you think?”

Li Yue reached out and wiped a stray water droplet from Luo Mingzi’s neck. She heard Luo Mingzi complain, “But if we divide it like that and lose, you won’t be able to help us wash dishes! I was thinking Li Yue and I would be on a team with two others and just forfeit, that way five people would be cleaning!”

Li Yue’s lips curled. “Clever.”

Right?! Luo Mingzi gave Li Yue an affirming look.

Director Liu shouted through the megaphone, “We are playing volleyball today.” Otherwise, there’s no footage of the guests!

Sigh.

Luo Mingzi nudged Li Yue’s arm and whispered, “I’m counting on you!” She caught the stiff smile on Min Xueren’s face, shrugged, and said, “Fine, let’s do Team Wanxiang vs Team Moonlit Breeze as Teacher Min suggested!”

“How do the other teachers feel?” Director Liu asked.

Wu Xuezhen and Pi Dajun were fine with it, and You Shiyi and Li Xiao agreed as well. The teams played Rock..Paper..Scissors to choose sides and who would serve.

Luo Mingzi, holding up “Paper” for the win, happily took the ball and handed it to Li Yue.

“Go for it!” Luo Mingzi cheered, watching as Li Yue waded toward the back.

Behind the net, the four guest stars raised their hands and shouted, “Team Moonlit Breeze, fighting!”

“They’ve got spirit, but we can’t lose. Let’s go!” Wu Xuezhen pumped her fist.

“Go!”

Li Yue held the volleyball and looked across. Among the four guests, Pei Dongxin and Li Xiao stood at the front. Pei Dongxin looked confident and eager, while Li Xiao looked nervous, the two girls behind them looked much the same.

Understood.

Li Yue tossed the ball without hesitation, leaped lightly, and slammed her palm down toward the back row.

Thwack!

The white ball streaked down like a meteor. Pei Dongxin lunged back to save it, hissing as the ball stung his arms. He shouted for Min Xueren, who was closest. Min Xueren instinctively reached out and… caught the ball in her arms.

Pei Dongxin: “…”

“Yay!” Luo Mingzi clapped, high-fiving her teammates from across the court. “Baby, you’re amazing!”

Li Yue smiled.

“It’s okay, we just weren’t ready! Come on!” Pei Dongxin rallied his team. His confidence, however, quickly crumbled under Li Yue’s targeted serves. The other side focused entirely on the other three players, out of the four, Pei Dongxin was the only one actually playing.

Conversely, Team Wanxiang was perfectly coordinated in serving, blocking, and passing. Luo Mingzi, idle in her corner, only had to clap and cheer. Pei Dongxin wanted to target Luo Mingzi, but there was always a certain slender figure shielding her.

Pei Dongxin: “…”

Min Xueren’s scream pierced his ears again as the ball splashed into the water. The drenched woman on the other side landed in the water, wiped the wet hair from her face, and smiled politely at him across the net.

Pei Dongxin couldn’t find it in him to smile back; he sat down in the water, panting.

The staff hadn’t expected such a one-sided slaughter, but Director Liu was satisfied. This was great footage.

“Great job, everyone! Congratulations to Team Wanxiang on the victory!”

“Hahaha!” Pi Dajun laughed, hugging Wu Xuezhen. “See that? The old blades haven’t dulled!”

“Impressive. All those years on the school team weren’t for nothing.”

Luo Mingzi, who had been idle for two sets, was the most relaxed person on the field. She waded over to wipe the water from Li Yue’s face. Li Yue rested her hands on her knees, her chest heaving as she caught her breath.

Across the water, Min Xueren, still in disbelief, grumbled, “I thought you guys didn’t want to win?”

“Who said that? We said we’d forfeit if we didn’t have to play,” Luo Mingzi said with a grin. “But since we’re playing, we might as well try.” She squeezed Li Yue’s shoulder.

Li Xiao splashed water on his face, exhausted. Looking at the still-standing Pi Dajun and Wu Xuezhen, he gasped, “How are you two in such good shape?”

Wu Xuezhen replied with a smile, “Dajun and I exercise every morning. Theater is physical work, you can’t perform without stamina. You youngsters need to practice more.” She looked pityingly at the three idols’ thin limbs, then turned her gaze toward Luo Mingzi.

Luo Mingzi immediately pretended not to see her, grabbing Li Yue’s hand to play in the water.

Pei Dongxin, at least, felt that while he lost the game, the experience was worth it.

After volleyball, everyone was hungry. They went ashore to clean up and prepare for the evening shoot. Luo Mingzi took Li Yue to change. When Li Yue stepped off the van, she was finally wearing the blue outer shirt Luo Mingzi had insisted on.

The light blue fabric draped elegantly, looking like a piece of the sky. Luo Mingzi was very pleased.

Li Yue cupped her face and made her look at the sunset.

“It just looks good!” Luo Mingzi said. “I have great taste.” In both senses of the word.

“Thank you for the compliment, Teacher Luo,” Li Yue said softly. She draped an arm over Luo Mingzi’s shoulder as they walked toward the filming site. Passing a van, they heard a loud thud as a door was kicked. Min Xueren jumped out, clutching her phone with a face full of fury. She looked up and saw the two of them watching her. Her fury instantly turned to panic.

“Teacher Luo… Teacher Li, how long have you been there?” she asked awkwardly.

Li Yue looked away, uninterested. She glanced at the smoke rising from the site, guessing Dajun was using his “fire-starting gadget.” Luo Mingzi curled her lips and said gently to Min Xueren, “Don’t be in such a hurry.”

She let out a soft laugh. “A lot of things are useless to rush.”

“It’s better to stay in your place.”