I Don't Want To Fall In Love With The Heroine [Quick Wear] - Chapter 10

Bai Qian had zero interest in fulfilling that request.

Fortunately, she had watched enough period dramas to manage a response. After a quick thought, she followed the cue: “Lady Jiang, until the day I take you as my bride, I could never commit such a reckless and ungentlemanly act. The hour grows late; I shall come for you again tomorrow.”

As she uttered the final word, her sleepiness had mostly vanished. Seeing no reaction from the other side, she assumed Shao Zizhi was still drifting within the scene. Bai Qian gently removed the hand draped over her waist and stood up, leaving the bed without a hint of hesitation. She wasn’t stopped again until she made it out of the room.

The next morning, at the dining table.

Bai Qian pretended to bring up the script casually. “Tell me more about your drama?”

The little girl had clearly snapped out of character. There wasn’t a trace of the agonizing “Empress Jiang” from last night in her expression. She looked up, curious. “What’s wrong? You’re suddenly interested? Whenever I wanted to talk about it before, you didn’t seem to like listening.”

After last night’s ordeal, forget the drama—Bai Qian practically had PTSD from the name “Dugu Han.”

“Not really. I’m just bored, so I figured I’d listen to you talk.”

The little princess, with her perfect table manners, shook her head disapprovingly. “But we are eating right now. Bai Qian, you should be like me—no speaking while eating or sleeping.”

Bai Qian let out a silent, cold laugh. This little brat really had the nerve to say that. No speaking while eating? She’d never seen the girl this quiet before; wasn’t every meal filled with her constant chatter?

“Don’t look at me like that, Bai Qian. Fine, fine, if you want to hear it, I’ll tell you. What do you want to know?”

“Forget it. Eat first.”

Shao Zizhi pouted. “Bai Qian, are you mad at me? Just because I wouldn’t tell you the script? How can you be so petty!”

Bai Qian: ? Women are terrifying. Especially the women of the Shao family—exceptionally terrifying!

“Are you really going to ignore me? How can you be like this? It’s not that I won’t tell you, I said if you want—mmph.”

Bai Qian successfully stuffed a shrimp dumpling into the girl’s mouth. Meeting her innocent, wide-eyed gaze, she said, “Can you shut up now? If you don’t stay quiet, I really will be angry.”

Shao Zizhi shut her mouth, albeit reluctantly.

Bai Qian didn’t end up hearing the script because as soon as they finished eating, she had to rush off to film. When she left, the little girl’s face was still puffed out in a sulk; she wouldn’t even give a standard “goodbye.”

Amused by the expression, Bai Qian reached out and ruffled the girl’s head with a sigh. “I don’t know who you learned this temper from. A kitten is easier to coax than you.”

“Hmph! You’re clearly the one in the wrong this time, yet you say I have a temper. Bai Qian, your temper is bad too!”

“Yes, yes, it’s my fault. I apologize, little girl. Is that enough?”

Shao Zizhi had intended to denounce the woman’s dismissive attitude, but when she looked up and met those smiling, doting eyes, the words caught in her throat. Her heart fluttered, and she hurriedly lowered her head, refusing to speak again.

“I’m leaving then. What do you want for dinner? I’m off tomorrow, so I can make whatever you like.”

Shao Zizhi immediately looked up, her eyes sparkling. “Sweet and sour fish! Spicy chicken! And I want a strawberry cake from the shop on Guan Street. Bai Qian, bring one back for me!”

“Got it. Wait for me at home. I should finish around four. I’ll call you beforehand so we can go buy it together.”

“Okay!”

The little brat had a temper, but she really was easy to coax.

After the last scene of the day, Bai Qian called the bakery to pre-order Shao Zizhi’s cake. As she was leaving, Zhao Tong, who had changed into her street clothes, stopped her.

“Bai Qian, I need to talk to you. If you aren’t in a hurry, shall we grab a coffee?”

The cake was for an hour from now. Accounting for the bus, it would take half an hour at most to get there. Bai Qian estimated the time and nodded. “Sure.”

Inside the cafe.

Zhao Tong’s slender fingers, tipped with crimson nails, gently stirred the liquid in her cup as a sugar cube dissolved.

“Bai Qian, we’ve worked together for quite some time now. Though we aren’t exactly close, it should be enough to call each other ‘friends,’ right?”

Zhao Tong’s cool voice was a sharp contrast to her glamorous, sultry appearance; she was more like a brisk winter spring. She spoke unhurriedly, with an air of noble detachment.

“Just say what’s on your mind. I ordered a cake and have to pick it up soon.”

Zhao Tong’s stiff posture relaxed a bit at the bluntness. She chuckled, looking like someone who had taken off a cold mask to reveal a harmless soul underneath.

“Fine, I won’t waste your time. According to the schedule, this drama should wrap by late November. I hope that before then, our relationship can appear… more intimate than it actually is.”

Bai Qian understood immediately. “You want us to ship a CP (Couple) during the promotion?”

Nowadays, almost no romantic drama survives without the leads “working” their CP for the fans. Shipping creates hype, generates topics, and allows fans to do the marketing for free. Bai Qian knew the game, but she was surprised Zhao Tong was the one suggesting it.

She didn’t hold back. “Why?”

Zhao Tong’s visuals were top-tier among actresses her age. A candid photo of her looking back under a black umbrella on a rainy night had once gone viral for being too stunning, becoming a wallpaper for countless strangers. Fans loved her looks but lamented her acting. She studied hard and attended every class, but once in front of the camera, she either overacted or turned into a wooden board. Consequently, none of the dozen dramas she had starred in had truly taken off.

Despite having worked with many male actors, Zhao Tong had never shipped a CP. She filmed her scenes and maintained zero interaction off-camera, ruthlessly killing any “sweetness” the fans hoped for. Her refusal to play the game was the second reason her shows never got popular.

Who wants to watch a drama where the leads are sweet on screen but act like strangers off screen?

In truth, the original Bai Qian had been very similar to her in this regard. The difference was that Zhao Tong had Shao Liangrong backing her. The girl was willing to pour money into her career, finding her resources even if the project lost money. The daughter of the Shao Corporation had plenty of cash to keep going. The original host, however, was just a bottom-tier actress who couldn’t afford to miss her few opportunities.

For Zhao Tong—who usually kept a five-meter safety distance from her co-stars—to suggest this was a huge shock to Bai Qian.

“Because it’s you, so Shao Liangrong is willing,” Zhao Tong explained without reservation. “You probably don’t know, but she’s quite a jealous one.”

Bai Qian looked at her, not missing the flicker of bashfulness in her expression when she mentioned “jealousy,” before she returned to her cool, detached self.

“Then why am I the exception?”

Zhao Tong gave her a look that said, We both know the truth, why make me say it out loud?

Bai Qian: “…” How did the Shao family’s wild imagination infect the Zhao family too?!

Seeing her not responding, Zhao Tong had to add, “Shao Liangrong isn’t childish enough to be jealous of her older cousin’s girlfriend.”

“I’ll say it one more time: I have absolutely no such relationship with Shao Zizhi.”

Zhao Tong nodded gracefully. “Right. Is that how you want me to answer?”

“…”

Returning to the topic at hand: “So, what do you think of my request?”

“I assume there won’t be any ‘staged’ kissing or anything like that?”

Zhao Tong nearly dropped her spoon. Her calm expression wavered. “You seem to have a deep misunderstanding of our character dynamic in this drama.”

“Hmm?”

“The CP I want to ship with you is a ‘Friendship CP,’ not a romantic one.”

Bai Qian: “Then why make such a serious deal about it? Isn’t shipping a friendship easy?”

Zhao Tong: “In web dramas these days, ‘yuri’ (GL) vibes are what sell. Do you understand?”

Seeing Bai Qian’s confusion, the woman explained patiently, “We market it as a ‘Sisterhood,’ but in reality, we need to let the fans see a subtle ‘lavender’ atmosphere between us. Do you get it now?”

“Vaguely. So, what exactly do I do?”

“When we are together, maintain an ambiguous vibe—more than friends, but less than lovers. Have some subtle eye contact. When we are apart, mention each other casually in the right settings. Just remember: ‘Flowers seen through a mist are always the most beautiful.'”

“Doesn’t sound too hard. But we’re still in the filming stage; do we really need to think about things so far ahead?”

Zhao Tong smiled. “Fans love digging for ‘crumbs.’ Especially when they discover that besides current sweetness, there’s ‘old sugar’ from the past. The double stimulation often brings unexpected surprises.”

The partnership was agreed upon smoothly. Bai Qian followed Zhao Tong out and saw Shao Liangrong’s car parked at the curb. The girl poked her head out the window with a grin. “Finally finished? Bai Qian, where are you going? Want a lift?”

Bai Qian wasn’t one to argue with her wallet. She climbed in without any hesitation.

“Where to? Send me the location on WeChat.”

Shao Liangrong opened the app, and her eyebrows shot up when she saw the address. “A bakery? Is it your birthday?”

“Your sister wants cake. I’m picking one up on the way.”

The car let out a sharp screech as Shao Liangrong slammed on the brakes. “You and my sister are COHABITING?!”

Bai Qian rubbed her ears. “She’s letting me stay there temporarily. It’s not cohabiting. Why are you so shocked? She didn’t tell you?”

“My sister has two faces! One for you and another for me. She knows everything about my life, but I’m always the last to know anything about hers. By the way, Bai Qian, do my uncle and aunt know about you two dating?”

“…”

“Oh, come on! You’re about to ship a CP with my Zhao Tong; our relationship is different now. Besides, my lips are sealed. If you don’t want me to tell, I won’t tell anyone.”

Bai Qian scoffed. “And yet, who was it that told me everything about her relationship with Zhao Tong the very first day we met?”

“I— Ow! Tongtong, why are you pinching me? I’m driving, you’ll cause an accident!”

Zhao Tong sneered. “I thought Shao Zizhi was the one who told Bai Qian, but it was you, you idiot. Tell me now, who else have you blabbed to?”

“No one! I swear, just Bai Qian! Waaa, I didn’t mean it, it was a total brain fart! It won’t happen again!”

Bai Qian quietly rolled down the window. The warm evening breeze blew against her face, but she felt stuffed from all the “dog food” (public displays of affection) she was being forced to eat.

When they reached the destination, Zhao Tong got out as well to buy a pre-made cake. As she bid Bai Qian farewell, she gave one last instruction: “Don’t forget to post on Weibo at 6:00 PM. No need to @ me. Find a good angle for the photo, and make sure to show the bakery’s logo.”

“I got it. Is ‘business’ always this exhausting?”

Zhao Tong looked like an expert. “You have to get into the role yourself before the audience can. Think of this as a rehearsal. When we interact more later, that’s when the real performance begins.”

Shao Liangrong chimed in, “Honey, that was so deep. But why do you forget all that the moment you’re actually filming?”

The talkative Shao Liangrong was promptly given another pinch. She was dragged back to the car by her ear, wincing as she waved to Bai Qian. “Bai Qian, I’ll keep your cohabitation a secret! Since I’m being so sincere, let me know if anything happens with my sister, okay? By the way, I called for a surprise for you. Don’t mention it!”

Bai Qian was confused. She hadn’t walked far along the sidewalk when a horn blared beside her. Startled again, she turned, expecting to ask Shao Liangrong why she was back, but instead met Shao Zizhi’s smiling eyes.

The “surprise” Shao Liangrong called for had arrived.

“I thought I told you I’d call when I was almost home. Why are you out so early?”

Shao Zizhi looked thoughtful. “I just felt like Shao Liangrong was right about one thing.”

“She told you to come pick me up?”

The girl shook her head, her smile brilliant. “She said a proper partner shouldn’t let her girlfriend take the bus home.”

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