Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 52

Li Ting’s detour, Si Xiaoxiao’s sliding interception, and that childish yet very Si Xiaoxiao-esque “Super Header”…

Wen Xiuzhen was thoroughly entertained.

The couple on the confrontation road is the best to ship!

Naturally, there were just as many people in the group chat who were obsessed with the pairing.

When Li Ting supported the panda’s shoulder and said, “The panda that’s committing insurance fraud should be sent to the animal protection agency,” Wen Xiuzhen could even imagine Si Xiaoxiao bristling inside the mascot head.

And the subsequent “clinging to the waist and throwing a tantrum” made Wen Xiuzhen unable to stop smiling.

So close, love to see it!

This kind of natural interaction clearly wasn’t a script arranged by the show.

Si Xiaoxiao’s determination to get her way, combined with the mascot suit, was simply cuteness overload.

And Li Ting’s rather “mom-like” intimidating flick to the forehead, and her mischievous twist of the mascot head…

Wen Xiuzhen took a sip of wine. The mellow liquid slid down her throat, her eyes filled with a relaxed smile.

However, the relaxed atmosphere came to an abrupt halt the moment Si Xiaoxiao fell.

The camera captured Si Xiaoxiao’s clumsy fall backward, the shameful tumble of the panda head, and finally, her painful expression—sitting sprawled on the crushed coral, mouth open but unable to make a sound.

The sweat-soaked cotton T-shirt outlined the curves of her body. The sun shone directly on her wet nape, and that sense of embarrassment and vulnerability struck a chord through the high-definition screen.

Wen Xiuzhen’s heart sank a little, and her fingers tightened around the wine glass.

The messages in the group chat were instantly flooded with worry:

[Shipped Today?]: Xiaoxiao!!!

[Ship a Little of Everything]: She fell so hard! Did she twist her ankle?!

[Babies I Love You]: Production team, come here and take a beating! What kind of terrible setup is this! You just love your broken mascots, and now look, there’s an accident!!

Immediately after, the camera shook violently, and the scene became chaotic as the camera was tossed aside.

Although Wen Xiuzhen was worried, she wasn’t panicking. Since the production team dared to air this segment, the issue must have been resolved. Moreover, after weighing all factors, they must have felt that the subsequent storyline needed this segment as a build-up, which is why it wasn’t cut.

It was then that Li Ting’s figure appeared, silhouetted against the light, casting a shadow over Si Xiaoxiao.

She wasn’t smiling. Her expression was serious, a look Wen Xiuzhen had never seen on camera before, and even carried a trace of hard-to-miss… nervousness?

Her clear, cool voice said, “Don’t move,” with an undeniable authority.

Wen Xiuzhen held her breath.

She saw Li Ting squat down, calmly directing the crew member and methodically treating Si Xiaoxiao’s injury. Everything was faithfully recorded by the nearby camera.

This segment was definitely a huge fan-magnet. Li Ting usually kept a low profile. Her previous exposure mainly came from her work, and the public’s deepest impression of her was basically the “fake person” Si Xiaoxiao spoke of, and then the Copper Sparrow Underground seven years ago.

The production team’s calculated missteps, showcasing their unprofessional side, could indeed help the guests garner sympathy and solidify their fan base, while also increasing the likelihood of trending on hot searches.

Sure enough, when Wen Xiuzhen checked her phone, several trending topics related to this spin-off variety show were steadily climbing.

Next, the production team showed an even more unprofessional side.

When Si Xiaoxiao asked to change clothes, the production team was actually reluctant, claiming that the tide would soon rise and they had to finish filming quickly.

Are you kidding me! Making a delicate, face-value actress who lives off her looks continue filming a variety show in such a mess with her arch-rival?

It felt like Xiaoxiao was about to throw a fit.

While she could understand Xiaoxiao’s request, throwing a fit would surely invite another wave of attacks from anti-fans, who would criticize Xiaoxiao for being “spoiled.”

Wen Xiuzhen was genuinely worried in her heart.

“Wear mine.”

This sentence ended the farce.

???

The group chat, which had been furiously cursing the production team for deliberately messing with Xiaoxiao, fell into an eerie silence for a moment. Immediately after, a new wave of screen-filling messages erupted.

[Just Ship It!]: G-I-R-L-F-R-I-E-N-D! S-H-I-R-T! Our Xiating couple is finally getting some good content!!

[Ship a Little of Everything]: I kind of suspect the production team is setting a trap on purpose. Otherwise, how could my Xiaoxiao easily wear her rival’s clothes, hahaha, this is the legendary broken window theory!!

[Ting Mama Loves You So Much]: Sister Ting’s words were so domineering!

[Can’t Stop Shipping Xiating]: Is this even allowed to be broadcast? ( ω )

When Si Xiaoxiao awkwardly walked out of the RV wearing Li Ting’s clothes, which were clearly ill-fitting and of a contrasting style, the camera gave her a full-body close-up.

The loose, oversized creamy white linen shirt was unbuttoned at the neck, exposing her collarbone. Deep gray wide-leg pants bunched around her injured ankle. Her vibrant, striking features were forcefully contained within a cool, detached color palette, yet strangely colliding to create a decadent and seductive contradiction. Her damp, golden hair was messily draped, adding a touch of fragile charm.

The group chat was in a frenzy again.

The next game was “Princess Carry Watermelon Smash.” The couple worked together flawlessly and easily won. The production team then upgraded the rules, adding a blindfold condition.

The younger sister had a mischievous idea and deliberately commanded the older sister to bump into obstacles. Although the older sister saw through the trick, she cooperated and bumped into them anyway.

It was simply a textbook example of a couple on the confrontation road.

The production team then announced the end of the game, and the two won a luxurious hotel room. Then the scene shifted, and the time jumped to the next morning.

Didn’t the blindfolded princess carry watermelon smash game just have one round? Did it end that quickly?

Wen Xiuzhen felt that the production team had used manipulative editing to cut out something. She then dragged the progress bar and found there was still a large section left. She didn’t dwell on it, thinking the subsequent segments might be more exciting, so they edited some parts out.

In the coffee shop, the production team announced the rules for the second round of the game.

[Sisters Sleep Together]: Ahhh! Becoming each other’s teacher!! It’s Teacher-Student PLAY!!! This show gets it.

[Wine Vessel]: I feel like the production team is good at creating drama. I can’t imagine the day Xiaoxiao will teach someone how to act!

[Study Hard Study Harder]: Ting acts so well. The first question was a passionate ex-wife, and the second turned into a charming femme fatale. Can Xiaoxiao handle this?

[Motorcycle to Bicycle]: The four-hands piano moment was so shippable too! The older sister taught the younger sister so seriously.

This unusual game round kept Wen Xiuzhen thoroughly entertained, and its conclusion made her even more excited about the subsequent content.

Unexpectedly, the next shot was taken with a handheld phone camera.

In the center of the frame was a magnificent aquarium.

Behind the huge curved glass wall was a deep, dark blue ocean world. Colorful tropical fish swam like flowing brocade through the coral reefs, and various jellyfish gracefully stretched their dreamy tentacles under the lights. Occasionally, a massive shark body slowly patrolled by with a sense of oppression.

In the center of the picture was Si Xiaoxiao. She had changed into comfortable casual clothes, smiling brightly and earnestly, like an elf leaping against the azure background.

Wen Xiuzhen raised an eyebrow slightly.

What kind of filming technique is this?

A Vlog-style segment suddenly inserted into the main variety show episode?

Was the production team running low on funds, trying out a new gimmick, or… did it have a special purpose?

She quietly considered whether she should invest a few more zeros into this “stingy” production team to ensure her couple got higher quality content.

This was the first on-screen performance of the Xiating couple after their hiatus!

The camera gently swayed as Si Xiaoxiao walked, full of life and immediacy. She occasionally leaned against the glass, exclaiming at the strange creatures inside, or chased after swimming fish like a curious child.

Sunlight filtered through the water and glass, casting dappled, flickering shadows on her face. Her pure happiness was extremely contagious; all her emotions were conveyed through the video.

It’s said that the camera is the eyes of the person filming, and love cannot be hidden in the lens. The person behind the camera seemed to be in sync with Xiaoxiao, able to keenly capture all of Xiaoxiao’s emotional details, whether she was happy or excited.

Suddenly, Si Xiaoxiao jogged towards the camera. Her exquisite face instantly magnified, filling the entire screen, with even her curled eyelashes clearly visible.

So close, so close!!! Her daughter’s beautiful face is attacking her!!

Just based on this fan-service girlfriend’s view, she’d be a “wife fan” for today!!

Si Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and her red lips slightly parted. Looking directly into the phone camera, she was so close it was heart-stirring, like a noble kitten: “Li Ting—!”

!! The person filming is Li Ting?!!!

It really is a girlfriend’s view!!!

666, this show knows how to film a dating show!

The camera seemed startled by the sudden proximity and shook for a moment before stabilizing.

At the edge of the frame, a slender, well-defined hand came into view, gently steadying the phone. It seemed the person filming, Li Ting, was stabilizing the device.

“Mhm?” Li Ting’s voice came from outside the frame, low and gentle, carrying a unique, almost imperceptible doting tone typical of an older person.

Si Xiaoxiao winked cunningly. Her red lips were slightly parted. Close enough to touch the phone screen, she was captivating, like a precious cat: “What’s your favorite marine creature?”

A few seconds of silence followed, during which only the rushing sound of the circulating water in the aquarium and the muffled chatter of distant tourists could be heard.

But Si Xiaoxiao was patient, maintaining her position close to the camera, waiting, a mischievous smile lingering at the corner of her mouth.

Finally, Li Ting’s voice spoke again, coming through the phone’s microphone with a strange, almost sighing tenderness: “Jellyfish.”

“Okay, I’ll take you to see them!”

Si Xiaoxiao took the camera and pointed it towards the nearby jellyfish exhibit.

Countless transparent or faintly pink-blue, purple jellyfish floated slowly and silently in the dark blue light.

They had no bones, no true hearts or brains. Their forms varied, and their tentacles elegantly stretched and contracted in the water, like ghosts in the deep sea, beautiful yet fragile, carrying a sense of isolation from the world.

Their conversation was heard as background sound.

“Li Ting, Li Ting, why do you like jellyfish?”

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