Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 13

“Cough, cough, cough—Grandma, no, it’s not what you think!”

Lu Zhao’s face flushed deep red. Not daring to let Grandma Qi continue misunderstanding, she waved her hands frantically in explanation. “We’re acting! I’m just at work filming a scene. She and I aren’t in that kind of relationship!”

It was one thing to have such an absurd dream, but in reality, how would she ever dare to actually link herself with Ji Zhaoxi?

“Ah? You’re not a couple?”

The disappointment in her tone was palpable.

Lu Zhao: “…”

Looking at this, it seemed Grandma Qi thought quite highly of Ji Zhaoxi?

“My dear child, I think that girl is quite good. Looking at her features, she has a kind face—she’s someone blessed with good fortune. If you’re with her in the future, you’ll suffer much less hardship.”

Grandma Qi patted Lu Zhao’s hand, continuing, “I see you two are around the same age, so you’ll have things to talk about. You should take the initiative more. Only when you’re proactive can a story begin, right?”

Lu Zhao listened, dumbfounded. So, Grandma Qi was worrying about her love life? She wasn’t even that old!

“I’ve talked it over with the other grandmas, and we all agree that girl is excellent. My dear, you have to work hard at it, do you hear me?”

Lu Zhao: “…”

The other elderly ladies knew too? Did they know she was acting like a “simp”? Did they even know what “simp” meant?

Lu Zhao felt a bit melancholy, but seeing the expectant look in Grandma Qi’s eyes, she dropped the idea of explaining further. She nodded haphazardly, planning to just brush it off for now.

Grandma Qi immediately burst into a happy smile, urging her to stop talking and finish her breakfast.

As Lu Zhao ate, her heart was heavy with complicated feelings, yet she understood the grandmother’s kindness. She didn’t argue with the elderly woman’s words, simply going along with her wishes.

Anyway, the grandmother wouldn’t know what happened once she turned her back.

Just as she finished her egg and had half a carton of milk left, Sister Li arrived. Seeing Lu Zhao sitting beside the elderly woman and chatting, she couldn’t help but smile.

The reason she had taken such good care of Lu Zhao in the past, aside from her high hopes for that face, was Lu Zhao’s character.

The scene was so healing and beautiful; Lu Zhao sitting beside the grandmother looked exactly like a beloved granddaughter who had come home to visit.

She couldn’t resist taking out her phone to snap a photo. Just as she was about to take a second one, Lu Zhao happened to look up and spot her. Sister Li’s quick reflexes captured that accidental glance.

“Sister Li, what are you doing?” Lu Zhao was slightly dazed as she saw her tucking her phone away.

“Nothing, just took a picture.” Sister Li walked over naturally and squatted down, smiling at Grandma Qi. “Grandma, I’m here to take Lu Zhao to work. I’ll be borrowing her for a bit.”

Grandma Qi looked from Sister Li to Lu Zhao, finally patting the back of Lu Zhao’s hand with a smile. “Go on, work is important.”

“Mhm. Grandma, keep enjoying the sun. We’re heading out.” Lu Zhao gave her a brilliant smile and followed Sister Li out, clutching the rest of her milk.

Once back in the car, Lu Zhao didn’t forget to roll down the window and wave goodbye to Grandma Qi.

Sister Li glanced at her, then returned her gaze to the road ahead, asking casually, “Xu Miaomiao was photographed entering a hospital. Do you know why?”

“Huh?” Lu Zhao turned to Sister Li. Xu Miaomiao was in the news too?

“Paparazzi caught her going into the hospital. Now the internet is saying she’s pregnant,” Sister Li said.

“Hmph…” Lu Zhao sneered. “Sure enough, if you want to ruin a woman, you just have to manufacture these baseless rumors.”

“One moment Xu Miaomiao is on my Weibo asking how to chase someone she likes, and the next she’s pregnant and in the hospital? Does that even make sense?”

“You know how the entertainment industry’s ecosystem is right now. It’s harsher on actresses; they’re put under a thousand magnifying glasses,” Sister Li sighed.

Lu Zhao curled her lip. That was true; people were much more lenient toward male stars.

“It’s not for any of those messy reasons. She just missed a step while going downstairs and rolled down, breaking her leg,” Lu Zhao explained.

“I figured. With Xu Miaomiao’s previous schedule, she was busy to death; when would she have time to get pregnant?”

Lu Zhao stopped talking and took out her phone. Xu Miaomiao hadn’t messaged her yet, which made her a bit curious. Did nothing happen last night? Staying quiet really didn’t fit her personality.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhao sent Xu Miaomiao a “You there?” emoji.

The reply from the other side was as fast as ever.

Xu Miaomiao: [Image: Lying down flat.jpg]

Lu Zhao: “???”

What happened to this girl? She seemed so despondent, which was unlike her!

Lu Zhao: What’s wrong? Did your “little darling” not go see you last night?

Xu Miaomiao: She came, but she didn’t.

Lu Zhao: Huh? What does that mean?

Lu Zhao was confused.

Xu Miaomiao: She came! But she didn’t enter the ward! She just stayed outside on guard. I talked to her, and she wouldn’t even acknowledge me! How can she be like that?!

Xu Miaomiao: [Angry.jpg] [Wanting to cry.jpg]

Lu Zhao was confused once more, and she sensitively noticed that Xu Miaomiao was in a very bad mood.

But it was understandable. Having the person you long for treat you like that would make anyone feel miserable.

But why was that foster sister of hers doing this? If she came all that way, why didn’t she go inside?

Lu Zhao: Sister, stay steady for now. Maybe she still has concerns. Don’t be too quick to be heartbroken.

Actually, if Lu Zhao were in Xu Miaomiao’s shoes, she’d be dying of heartbreak! Right now, she was purely advising from an outsider’s perspective.

Xu Miaomiao: Sister, I really can’t stay steady… wailing…

Lu Zhao sighed. Ah, love is indeed a grueling thing.

Lu Zhao: The most important thing for you right now is to recover. Once your injury is healed, we can plan further!

Xu Miaomiao sent an emoji of a ball crying pitifully, then didn’t send anything else.

Lu Zhao sighed and sent a message saying she was on her way to an audition and wouldn’t be able to check her phone for a while before putting it away.

“Who are you chatting with? You’re sighing one after another.” Sister Li glanced at her during a gap in driving.

Lu Zhao turned to look at the bustling traffic outside. The pedestrians on the street were polarized: the young people walked briskly with tense expressions, while the elderly, limited by their bodies, had to walk slowly.

“With Xu Miaomiao. Just asking how her leg is doing.” Lu Zhao didn’t tell the whole truth.

Hearing Xu Miaomiao’s name, Sister Li asked again, “You guys have each other’s contact info now. How’s the person she likes? Who is it?”

“Sister Li~ you’re being too gossipy.” Lu Zhao looked at her helplessly, finally huffing. “I am a listener with professional ethics. I won’t just expose someone else’s relationship status!”

Sister Li: “…Fine, fine, you’re the most professional.”

About an hour later, the two arrived at a skyscraper in the Innovation District. The audition was scheduled here.

When Lu Zhao and the others arrived, many actors were already waiting. After receiving her number tag, Lu Zhao sat to the side and waited quietly.

“Don’t be nervous. Just show them your usual state!” Sister Li, fearing she was anxious, began to give her a pep talk.

“I’m not nervous. You’re the one who should stop being nervous,” Lu Zhao teased.

The other people waiting recognized Lu Zhao, but no one had come over to greet her yet.

They all mingled in the same circle, yet Lu Zhao had suddenly become popular—and in such a specific way. Even if they weren’t jealous, it at least made them feel a bit uncomfortable.

Lu Zhao knew her own situation, so she didn’t proactively approach anyone. As the numbers were called one by one, it was finally Lu Zhao’s turn.

However, the moment Lu Zhao opened the door, her movements froze.

In her heart, she felt like she’d seen a ghost.

Could someone tell her why one of her former pursuers was sitting inside?!

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