I Swear I Don’t Want to Be Everyone’s Favorite - Chapter 28

In the profound silence, the director remained stunned for a long while before confirming again, “It’s not against the rules, but are you sure?”

After Jiang Luoyue gave her affirmative reply and returned to the team, clutching that slip of paper, she suddenly felt a bit nervous she hadn’t chosen anyone, would she be criticized for it?

But when she looked up, the expressions of the four were unexpectedly calm.

Since none of them had been chosen, they couldn’t let the others get their way either. Jiang Luoyue’s choice could be said to have blocked everyone’s escape routes, leaving them all feeling a sense of loss while also showing a hint of satisfaction.

[The best way to balance things is to spill the water and treat everyone equally.]

[But why do I have a bad feeling about this.]

As if it were some kind of prophecy, the next person to claim an impression, Xiang Fan, also chose herself.

The second, the third. until everyone became a lone commander, each with their own territory. The bullet comments, which had been celebrating just moments before, were now dumbfounded.

[It’s not like you can’t survive without Jiang Luoyue! Why do you always have to make the game harder for yourselves? It’s fine to pair up in groups of two!]

[Just now it was a dating show, now it’s back to its true essence of mutual dislike.]

[Jiang Luoyue, I hate that you’re such a blockhead.]

Amid the lamentations in the bullet comments, Xiang Fan scoffed lightly, “Might as well have just reported me earlier.”

Everyone was neatly aligned no one was going to have it easy.

Fu Yunqing crossed her arms and said, “Reporting someone is a petty move. Having your rights stripped away and giving up your rights are two different things.”

In this harmonious yet almost eerie atmosphere, the three long-awaited guest stars were finally invited out.

Yu Qiu was a familiar face in the industry. As soon as she greeted the camera, many fans flooded the screen with praise.

Duan Man had appeared on a few variety shows before but was still a bit shy. She would say one sentence and then glance at the regular cast members, prompting the director to tease, “Is there a particular guest you really want to team up with?”

Duan Man replied honestly, “Yes, I want to team up with Sister Luoyue.”

“Why?”

“My agent told me to.” As she said this, Duan Man cautiously glanced off-camera. Yu Qing adjusted her sunglasses, looking as if she didn’t want to engage with her.

While the bullet comments were amused, Yu Jingtang was focused on something else. “She’s older than you.”

“Hmm?” Jiang Luoyue was staring intently into the distance, waiting for Jiang Lianyan to make her entrance, and only responded perfunctorily, “Seems like she’s a few years older. What about it?”

“If she’s older than you, why is she calling you ‘sister’?”

That one sentence instantly pulled Jiang Luoyue’s attention back. She chuckled lightly and said, “Isn’t that how it’s always been in the industry?”

Whoever entered the industry earlier was the “sister,” whoever won awards was “x Best Actress” or “x Best Actor.” Jiang Luoyue was used to it. She was a bit puzzled as to why Yu Jingtang would ask such a question, but then it occurred to her that Yu Jingtang probably had never really greeted anyone properly before.

With her personality, even if her agent introduced a senior to her, Yu Jingtang would likely only manage to say “hello.”

Imagining that scene, Jiang Luoyue’s eyes curved into a smile.

Yu Jingtang was still deep in thought when she noticed Jiang Luoyue’s overly radiant smile and was momentarily dazed. “Do I have to do that too?”

Jiang Luoyue didn’t catch it clearly. “Hmm?”

“Call you ‘sister,'” Yu Jingtang said. “You entered the industry before I did.”

Just as she tilted her ear, Fu Yunqing, who had inadvertently overheard such a scandalous matter, was utterly shocked: “What are you talking about! What do you mean ‘sister’? Since when did Jiang Luoyue become your sister? Can you stop trying to force a connection like that?”

Her words instantly drew countless gazes.

Jiang Lianyan, who had just been introduced by the director, stood before the divination tube with a smile on her face. But before she could even introduce herself, both the cameras and the two people beside her turned their attention to Jiang Luoyue, completely ignoring her.

Jiang Lianyan, who had never been treated so coldly before, was momentarily bewildered, her smile fading slightly. “I’m Jiang Lianyan.”

Almost at the same time, Jiang Luoyue explained, “Of course not Fu Yunqing, what are you eavesdropping for?”

Fu Yunqing, feeling both guilty and indignant, retorted, “If she dares to say it, why shouldn’t I listen? Why aren’t you blaming her?”

She was just acting as a messenger Jiang Luoyue was so biased!

Jiang Luoyue: “…” Eavesdropping was one thing, but why did she have to shout it out? Couldn’t she have kept her voice down? Was it something to be proud of?

She realized that every trivial matter, once amplified by Fu Yunqing’s bizarre analogies, would inevitably escalate. Fu Yunqing was like a little pig stirring up trouble where there was none, annoying Jiang Luoyue so much that three out of every five sentences made her want to cover Fu Yunqing’s mouth.

Their exchange once again drowned out Jiang Lianyan’s self-introduction.

After watching them for a few seconds, Jiang Lianyan still smiled at the screen, but anyone could see the strain in her expression.

[I sensed something was off during the team division earlier. So they’re deliberately isolating the new guest?]

[What did Jiang Lianyan even do to deserve this treatment? Her self-introduction keeps getting interrupted. Is it so hard to learn to respect others?]

[They’ve been bickering nonstop for ages now. Do we really need to make such a big deal out of it.]

Xiang Fan said coldly, “Enough. Don’t push your luck. You know exactly whose fault this is.”

Ning Fuguang glanced at Jiang Lianyan, curled his lips, and spoke nonchalantly, “Aren’t you ashamed of constantly interrupting someone’s self-introduction?”

Jiang Luoyue looked up and indeed saw Jiang Lianyan. Dressed in a long gown, she exuded an air of elegance. Perhaps because Ning Fuguang had just spoken up for her, her face was flushed, making her look particularly radiant. She smiled and said, “It’s fine. I know Miss Fu didn’t mean it.”

It was a familiar demeanor, but Jiang Luoyue had never heard her speak in such a submissive tone before.

While she was still lost in thought, Fu Yunqing had already retorted mercilessly, “No need for you to know. I really didn’t mean it anyway.”

As she gazed at Jiang Lianyan, Jiang Luoyue suddenly realized that the inexplicable anxiety she had been feeling had vanished.

Before meeting her, she had been extremely afraid, worried that she would appear timid in front of Jiang Lianyan, afraid that the other would look down on her, afraid of being humiliated again, afraid that nothing had changed.

Until this moment.

Her prolonged stare finally caught Jiang Lianyan’s attention. In those beautiful eyes, there was a faint, almost imperceptible hostility. Yet Jiang Luoyue smiled, like a victor holding all the cards.

Was Jiang Luoyue provoking her?

Unconsciously, Jiang Lianyan’s fingers, hidden beneath her sleeves, clenched into fists. Shocked and disbelieving, she glanced around and found the person she was most familiar with: “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong, President Ning.”

In an instant, numerous gazes fell upon Ning Fuguang’s face. Even Jiang Luoyue was stunned by whom Jiang Lianyan had turned to for help, curious about how Ning Fuguang would react.

Ning Fuguang’s figure stiffened slightly: “Jiang”

She instinctively turned her face, meeting Jiang Luoyue’s gaze, but Jiang Lianyan spoke again: “We met not long ago. My sister said you left quite an impression on me.”

“Miss Jiang.” In an instant, Fu Yunqing mimicked Ning Fuguang’s usual tone, dripping with sarcasm, “Why so quiet now?”

“Good.” Yu Jingtang was uncharacteristically concise, surprisingly supporting someone other than Jiang Luoyue.

Xiang Fan added expressionlessly, “Hilarious. Love to stir things up, huh?”

As the words fell, all three turned their eyes to Jiang Luoyue. To keep up with the trend and avoid being ostracized, Jiang Luoyue said earnestly, “Sounds like you two are quite close.”

Ning Fuguang: “…”

【Stop, I feel like Ning Fuguang is about to shatter.】

【If they were really that close, why wouldn’t Jiang Lianyan hype up her connection with Ning Fuguang? Clearly, they’re not close at all.】

【Even Xiao Tang is gloating now. How despairing! The entertainment industry really is a melting pot of corruption!】

Jiang Luoyue’s single sentence shattered Ning Fuguang’s defenses completely.

“Jiang Lianyan.” Under the gaze of all, she nearly gritted her teeth as she uttered Jiang Lianyan’s full name, “Your matters with Fu Yunqing are none of my concern. Secondly, you only barged into the meeting room while Jiang Yu and I were discussing business, disrupting the proceedings, and we happened to cross paths that’s all.”

Close? If not for seeing the trending topic, Ning Fuguang would have almost forgotten that name.

【Why did you have to provoke her?】

【Ning Fuguang has finally realized that sarcasm is useless, some people pretend to be foolish, while others genuinely are.】

【Fu Yunqing: Who are you insulting? What do you mean by that?】

Ning Fuguang’s response was firm and decisive, almost entirely refuting everything Jiang Lianyan had said. Jiang Lianyan’s expression finally turned pale, her lips trembling as she looked helplessly at the director: “Director Chu.”

The director braced himself and said, “Even if you’re not close, you’re all old acquaintances. Next, let the three resident guests draw their teammates. Do any of you have someone you’d like to team up with?”

Duan Man’s answer remained unchanged: “Jiang Luoyue.”

When the microphone was passed to Yu Qiu, the woman thoughtfully glanced at Jiang Lianyan a few times before smiling and saying, “Me? Of course, I’d like to team up with Jiang Luoyue too. After all, we just wrapped up ‘Calling Souls’ a few days ago. She should remember me, right?”

Jiang Luoyue: “Miss Yu.”

Yu Qiu smiled faintly, suddenly understanding why Fu Yunqing enjoyed teasing Jiang Luoyue so much.

Watching her helpless expression was truly amusing.

When it was Jiang Lianyan’s turn to answer, she hesitated, lifting her eyes several times before saying, “Anyone is fine.”

She had initially wanted to say Ning Fuguang but feared the other would lash out at her again, just as she had earlier.

【Is Yu Qiu standing up for Jiang Luoyue?】

【Yu Qiu loves bullying on set, Jiang Luoyue loves bullying on variety shows, two bullies naturally flock together.】

【Normal social interactions are considered bullying now? I could say Jiang Lianyan’s casual mention of her sister negotiating contracts overseas bullied my ears! Pay up!】

Duan Man was the first to draw a slip. As she unfolded the paper, she was visibly nervous.

But upon seeing the name written on it, she instantly breathed a sigh of relief, radiating a sense of “we’ve got this in the bag” happiness.

“Congratulations to Jiang Luoyue for gaining her first teammate today”

Duan Man quickly scurried over to Jiang Luoyue’s side, adding sheepishly, “Shouldn’t the congratulations be for me?”

Jiang Luoyue chuckled, her focus shifting to another matter. “There can be a second teammate?”

The director confirmed after all, they had prepared three slips for each guest. If luck was on their side, it wasn’t impossible for all three guests to end up on Jiang Luoyue’s team.

Yu Qiu thoughtfully looked at the drawing tube, mimicking Duan Man by putting her hand in without much hesitation. She pulled out a slip with ‘Jiang Luoyue’ written on it.

“What does this mean?” Before Yu Qiu could speak, Fu Yunqing exploded. “Why can you be with her? It’s unfair redraw!”

“Luck is also a form of skill,” Yu Qiu replied, tucking the slip away cheerfully before walking over to Jiang Luoyue’s side. In the next moment, she lowered her voice and asked proactively, “She won’t end up with us too, will she?”

‘She’ naturally referred to Jiang Lianyan.

Catching the unfriendliness in her tone, Jiang Luoyue joked, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have four people together?”

Yu Qiu: “…”

Seeing her flustered expression, Jiang Luoyue smiled gently and reassured her, “She won’t.”

Even if Jiang Lianyan drew Jiang Luoyue’s name, she would most likely request a redraw.

And even if she didn’t, Jiang Luoyue would bring it up herself. Though she no longer felt the same ‘fear’ toward the other, she still had no desire to team up with her, pretending to be friendly and harmonious for the show, acting like fake friends.

That thought disgusted Jiang Luoyue.

She watched Jiang Lianyan’s movements as the latter shook the drawing tube before reaching in, ensuring the slips were thoroughly mixed.

[Ning Fuguang]

Jiang Lianyan unfolded the slip, and the moment she saw the name, she bit her lip, clearly unhappy with the result.

In contrast, Ning Fuguang remained calm.

Fu Yunqing tried to console her, “Life is full of surprises; you have to get used to them and accept them. It’s just that you wanted Jiang Luoyue to pick you and got rejected it’s normal.”

But by the end, she couldn’t resist a gloating tone. “Now you two can really get along well in private. Does Jiang Luoyue have prophetic powers? Next time, I’ll ask her to predict something for me too wait, Ning Fuguang, I’m talking to you, why aren’t you saying anything!”

“Leave her alone. She looks fine, but she checked out a while ago,” Xiang Fan remarked, unusually kind but with a sharper tongue than Ning Fuguang. She sincerely advised, “Don’t bully the deceased.”

Ning Fuguang: “…”