Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 94

Because at this moment, Si Xiaoxiao was not entirely…

Due to the starkly different interview styles of Li Ting and Si Xiaoxiao, the production team—who had originally planned to air Si Xiaoxiao’s interview first—decided to swap the order. They planned to release a “mega-episode” on Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day).

Consequently, the first to air was actually the interview Li Ting had recorded later.

On screen, Li Ting exhibited her characteristically high EQ and IQ as always. Her responses were appropriate, her words cautious, and every answer was meticulously polished; she demonstrated professional poise while skillfully maintaining her personal boundaries.

However, in today’s public opinion landscape—which craves “raw personality” and “viral moments”—this level of perfect control actually appeared somewhat “boring.” Although her follower count increased slightly, the growth was indeed marginal.

Meanwhile, the latest episodes of the acting variety show and the singing competition didn’t feature any major “stunts.” Perhaps having learned from the overly theatrical nature of the previous spin-off episodes, both programs coincidentally chose a “slow and steady” strategy. They returned to conventional formats, focusing on pure competitions of acting skills and vocal prowess without deliberately manufacturing hype or conflict.

Both Si Xiaoxiao and Li Ting needed to participate in the resurrection rounds, challenging other celebrities to earn the right to stay in the competition.

Though they were in different recording studios, the filming began simultaneously—just as it had at the very beginning when the story first started. It felt like a cycle, yet also like a brand-new starting point.

During the preparation period, Li Ting’s guidance to Si Xiaoxiao could be described as “giving her everything.”

She selected a song for Si Xiaoxiao that had a beautiful melody, relatively direct emotional expression, and moderate difficulty. Word by word, she patiently taught her how to use her breath, how to master the rhythm, and how to inject just the right amount of emotion into the performance.

Surprisingly, Si Xiaoxiao’s performance in this competition was exceptionally stable. Relying on the techniques Li Ting taught her, her own burgeoning musical intuition, and that unique, unadorned sincerity, she successfully moved the judges and the audience, advancing smoothly.

As for Li Ting, she had, after all, spent time back on a film set and received guidance from a professional director once again. Her advancement this time was a foregone conclusion.

It is worth mentioning that Sally’s magazine finally went on sale. When a top-tier artist takes action, every single shot is indeed a masterpiece—a blunt manifestation of desire and love.

The magazine cover, with its bold and sophisticated aesthetic, directly showcased the intersection of lust and love.

In the images, Si Xiaoxiao’s gaze was either blurred or provocative, and her body language was rich with narrative. She was beautiful in a way that was fiercely aggressive, blending a casi-seductive charm with an air of purity.

Of course, among this set of photos, the one that attracted the most attention and was most talked about by fans and passersby alike remained that close-up of her neck. There, ambiguous “hickies”—resembling rose petals—were faintly visible against her fair skin, injecting explosive sexual tension into the entire shoot.

It immediately went viral, and sales went wild.

The volume was high enough to compete directly with the sales figures of “Ultra-A-list” starlets.

Even more rare and incredible was that, beyond the sales, it even received recognition from mainstream domestic media. It was a rare instance where public taste and artistic aesthetics reached an unprecedented unity.

Si Xiaoxiao’s manager, Yan Guan, called early in the morning, excitedly telling Si Xiaoxiao to buy whatever dress she liked—she was preparing for a massive “tier jump” in her career. She mentioned that several top-tier magazines had already begun reaching out to them.

After a rapid-fire delivery of information, Yan Guan hung up before Si Xiaoxiao could even respond. It was clear she was extremely busy.

During this period, compared to the “bustle” on Si Xiaoxiao’s end, things were much quieter for Li Ting. After all, she had spent most of her energy on Si Xiaoxiao.

Li Ting’s interview received a mediocre response and didn’t create much of a splash; she herself was quite “zen” about it and didn’t mind.

Since it was a reshoot, all the processes moved quickly. Director Wu’s film also passed censorship rapidly and had already entered the promotion phase.

The production team originally wanted to invite Li Ting and the female lead, Jia Wen, to a Qixi special program together. They were trying to capitalize on the “Xiao-Ting CP” (Si Xiaoxiao & Li Ting) hype or perhaps create a new “on-screen CP.” After all, for a star to get famous, they can’t do without “CP marketing,” regardless of gender.

Their logic was: since the Li Ting and Si Xiaoxiao pairing was so popular, other pairings could serve as “substitutes.” If they hit the audience’s sweet spot, they might even become more popular than the original.

Jia Wen was a currently popular young starlet with decent acting skills and a good reputation with the general public. She had starred in hit dramas before. Although she hadn’t spent much time with Li Ting on set, they had mostly treated each other with courtesy.

However, in this circle, it was common practice to “praise the high and trample the low.” People who seem sweet and close to you on the surface often stab you in the back. Naturally, Li Ting would never reveal her heart to her, let alone agree to a “fake” CP marketing scheme. She refused outright.

Not long after, Jia Wen called her.

That day, Si Xiaoxiao and Li Ting happened to be at home, curled up on the sofa watching a movie.

Li Ting didn’t consider herself close to Jia Wen, so she didn’t step away and answered the call right there in the living room.

On the other end, Jia Wen’s voice was as sweet and friendly as ever. She first asked about Li Ting’s recent well-being, chatted about the weather and skincare, and after circling around, finally pivoted to the main point as if casually: “Sister Ting, I heard the production team wanted us to do a Qixi special, but you turned it down? What a great opportunity.”

Li Ting replied decisively: “I happen to have something going on that day, and since it’s a holiday, I want to get some rest.”

“Sister Ting, sometimes opportunities are fleeting; it’ll be too late for regrets.” Her voice dropped lower, carrying a tone of “confiding” in her: “Actually, I think the two of us make a great pair. We have chemistry and the audience likes us. It’s better than… better than being tied to someone willful and arrogant who doesn’t know how to cooperate, don’t you think?”

Si Xiaoxiao was sitting right next to Li Ting. She had sharp ears and heard everything clearly. Because of her amnesia, she didn’t realize Jia Wen was insulting her through “innuendo,” but she felt an instinctive discomfort, as if a cat were scratching at the door of her heart.

Li Ting, however, understood perfectly. She held the phone, the smile on her face fading slightly, though her tone remained gentle: “Wenwen, thank you for your kind intentions. It’s mainly that I have private arrangements for Qixi that were set long ago. It’s not convenient to change them.”

She deflected the comment effortlessly, refusing to take the bait regarding Jia Wen’s jab at Si Xiaoxiao.

On the other end of the line, Jia Wen didn’t seem ready to give up. Perhaps seeing the massive traffic generated by selling “girls’ love” subtext, she wanted a piece of the action. Her tone shifted, taking on a hint of deliberate coquetry and probing: “Sister Ting, I’m truly sincere toward you. I grew up watching your films; you are the entire reason I became an actress, you know.”

Si Xiaoxiao’s brows instantly furrowed, and her face puffed up in a pout. She began restlessly flipping through the magazines on the table like a small animal whose territory had been invaded.

Listening to this somewhat hyperbolic “confession,” Li Ting felt no internal ripples; she actually found it a bit laughable. She could only offer a standard professional reply: “Thank you for the affection. In that case, you must have grown up watching Xiaoxiao’s work too. I’ll ask her to sign something for you later along with me.”

Finding herself countered by this “soft blade,” Jia Wen let out a laugh, trying to close the distance between them with a half-joking tone: “Sister Ting, you’re different from her. I just love girls like you. If I were a boy, I would definitely marry you.”

Li Ting, however, was well aware of Jia Wen’s underground romance with a certain male star. She knew perfectly well that the other woman was merely using “lesbianism” as a fashion accessory to chase clout. Naturally, she felt no heart-fluttering attraction. Just as she was preparing to brush it off with her usual social platitudes, Si Xiaoxiao beside her completely lost her temper.

She couldn’t hold it back any longer! No one was allowed to steal her Sister from her!

Because she had so little contact with the outside world, Si Xiaoxiao’s entire universe was comprised of Li Ting. Her possessiveness over Li Ting had expanded to its absolute limit; no one could take this away from her—

Like a small lit firecracker, she suddenly bolted upright from the sofa and snatched the phone from Li Ting’s hand. Facing the microphone, with obvious fury and an unquestionable, firm resolve, she almost shouted:

“I’ve liked Sister since I was little too! I liked her earlier than you did! And I like her more! Even if I’m not a boy, I’m definitely going to marry her! So just give up on that idea!”

The young girl’s voice was clear and bright, carrying an unpolished directness and a desperate sort of courage. It rang out in the quiet living room, echoing with finality.

The other end of the line instantly fell into a deathly silence.

A few seconds later, Jia Wen’s panicked, incoherent voice came through, her volume rising several notches: “I—I’m so sorry, Sister Li! I didn’t know you two were in… in that kind of relationship! I—I’m purely straight! I was just joking! Please don’t misunderstand! Truly sorry! Sorry for disturbing you!”

As expected, those who usually keep “I’m a lesbian” on their lips as a trendy label are the quickest to clear their names the moment they fear being “entangled” by an actual lesbian.

Without Li Ting even needing to speak, Jia Wen hung up the phone in a frantic hurry as if she were being chased, failing even to say “goodbye.”

Listening to the busy “beep-beep” signal from the phone, a strange silence fell over the living room.

Si Xiaoxiao was still in her phone-snatching posture, her chest heaving slightly from agitation. Her cheeks were flushed, and her beautiful eyes shimmered with a mixture of anger, grievance, and a trace of… trepidation after having claimed her sovereignty.

She looked at Li Ting like a puppy that had done something wrong but felt it was in the right, waiting for its owner’s reaction.

Li Ting was completely stunned at first, but then she broke into a smile.

Looking at the “sharp-clawed” Si Xiaoxiao before her who was so fiercely defending her, Li Ting felt as though her heart had been struck by something. A sudden, scorching current of warmth surged through her entire body.

Shock, helplessness, amusement… and an indescribable throb of emotion brought on by such a direct and passionate defense and “confession.” All these feelings intertwined, crashing against her heart’s defenses.

Only, a moment later, she was enveloped by a profound sadness.

Because at this moment, this Si Xiaoxiao was not the whole Si Xiaoxiao.

Support