Chapter Eleven: Zhou Su — I Accidentally Twisted My Ankle~
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Yu Zhi always felt there was more to Zhou Su’s words, but the next moment he would revert to his shameless, playful self, leaving her no opportunity to ask further. At the dining table, Grandma Wang couldn’t stop praising Yu Zhi’s good fortune, saying that the more she looked at Zhou Su, the more she liked him, wishing she could treat him like her own little child.
“Xiao Zhou, when are you and Xiao Zhi getting married? Young people these days all like late marriage and late childbirth, but you two better not. Having children too late is bad for your health!” Grandma Wang, now elderly, enjoyed offering such heartfelt advice to the younger generation.
Yu Zhi had been through enough to accept these words gracefully. “Grandma, you misunderstood. Zhou Su and I aren’t dating! This is just a dating show, so we’re paired up to act together. Normally, I hardly see Zhou Su—he’s always busy!”
Zhou Su, a grown man, curled up on a small stool with a look of slight grievance. “Yu Zhi, you shouldn’t slander me when I’m right here! Be honest—who’s the one who hardly sees the other?”
Yu Zhi gave an awkward laugh, knowing she was at fault, and quietly picked at her food. The table was full of dishes, proof that Zhou Su had taken the time to learn cooking—far better than his earlier disastrous attempts.
[True couple goals, they’re so sweet together!]
[I’m curious—why can Yu Zhi chat so easily and warmly with Zhou Su, but with Shen Jiayu, she looks so awkward and uncomfortable?]
[A big part of Yu Zhi’s current online reputation is thanks to Shen Jiayu. Do you think she could stand him?]
[Shen Jiayu is such a scumbag.]
“Speak up, Zhi Zhi! You not talking—is that because you don’t want to?” Zhou Su, a master at egging her on, smiled mischievously and leaned close to whisper flirtatiously in Yu Zhi’s ear.
Yu Zhi’s hand tightened on her rice bowl as she glanced toward the camera, hating his inappropriate flirting at the wrong time. Making sure the camera couldn’t hear, she subtly moved her foot and stomped sharply.
The eight-centimeter heel pressed down on Zhou Su’s foot, and pain immediately contorted his face.
The bowl clattered onto the table. Grandma Wang looked puzzled. “Xiao Zhou, what’s wrong?”
Zhou Su took several deep breaths to compose himself. “It’s nothing, Grandma. I just twisted my ankle…”
“Pfft…”
Yu Zhi couldn’t help but laugh aloud, earning a reproachful look from Zhou Su.
[What twisted ankle? Don’t think I don’t know what little tricks you two are playing. Anyone who can read lips, analyze what Zhou Su just said!]
[Crazy! How can anyone like such a promiscuous woman?]
[Exactly! I’ve never liked her. She even bullies our Weiwei behind our backs. Can she just disappear or play dead?]
[Zhou Su truly is an award-winning actor. To be with a woman like her and still smile so happily—doesn’t he fear catching something?]
The staff managing Yu Zhi’s livestream immediately received word from the director: numerous trolls with unclear intentions had infiltrated the chat. They urged the guests to increase their interaction to distract the audience.
Cameraman: You mean more intimate shots?
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Stomp on foot shots!
You mean loving scenes?
Fake kissing poses!
Mission accomplished, the director’s instructions fulfilled, and the two quickly trended online.
#ZhouSuYuZhiReunionOnDatingShow#
#ZhouSuChasesLoveThousandsOfMiles#
...
Yu Zhi and Zhou Su tried every excuse but couldn’t refuse Grandma Wang’s offering of eggs. “Take these! If you don’t make much money tonight, two eggs will fill you up. Or just come eat at Grandma’s place—there’s plenty!”
Bound by the show’s regulations, Yu Zhi declined, soothing the concerned elder with a gentle tone. “Grandma, I’ll come again tomorrow. Please don’t mind me.”
Leaving Grandma Wang’s house, Yu Zhi seemed to leave her lightness behind there as well.
The long-unmaintained wooden doorframe, aged and nearly rotted, stood silent as the frail old woman watched them depart, loneliness and desolation washing over the scene.
Grandma Wang had one son who died suddenly of illness in middle age. Since then, she and Grandpa Wang had lived alone until last year. Now she relied on village support to get by.
Yu Zhi seemed to see many people’s shadows in her, which made her especially patient.
“Zhi Zhi, will you always stay by my side?” Zhou Su asked, unusually serious.
Yu Zhi looked at the willow branches swaying in the breeze by the roadside and answered without really addressing the question, “Of course, I will always be here.”
It wasn’t strange for Zhou Su to ask; since their last meeting, she had joined the team, and not long after, he had as well.
Strangely, the two had gone almost two years without seeing each other, despite so many shared industry events.
“Yu Zhi, you’re the least likely to lie.”
Leaving those words hanging, Zhou Su walked ahead without waiting for her reply.
Yu Zhi: …
What to do with a child throwing a tantrum? Just give him a good slap!
Yu Zhi gave a sharp smack, dispelling Zhou Su’s melancholy. “If your brain’s not big enough, don’t overthink. Go find your Fu Yuan brother and argue with him for a bit!”
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“Fu Yuan brother?”
A strange voice sounded behind them, halting Yu Zhi’s playful hand. She turned around to find Bai Fuyuan standing quietly behind them, though she had no idea how long he had been there.
“Sister Yu~ I like that name. Can you say it again?”
Pervert!
Yu Zhi played neutral, refusing to let anyone feel left out. So, Bai Fuyuan’s pristine white shoes soon bore a footprint.
Instantly, Bai Fuyuan’s feigned sickness vanished. He leaned against Yu Zhi like a weak willow branch, speaking in a carefree tone, “Sister Zhi, how about one on the other side too?”
[Oof! Brother Bai, you’re a bit perverted!]
[Zero distance = Yu Zhi’s kicking variety show.]
[Is Fu Yuan brother realizing the tea ceremony route is a dead end and trying to compete with Professor Li’s lane? I always knew Professor Li was a bit obsessive!]
[If Yu Zhi were smaller, this show would need a new name. But who told our Sister Zhi is tall with long legs and kicks hard? Crawl under Sister Zhi’s boots, everyone!]
“Get lost!”
Yu Zhi pushed him sharply, and Bai Fuyuan stumbled into Zhou Su’s arms. The two locked eyes, immediately standing up to straighten their clothes.
“Why aren’t you with Sister Hailing?”
“We waited for a while but didn’t see you guys. Sister Hailing told me to come and meet you.”
It was obvious where the production team’s gathering spot was—why the need for a pickup?
Zhou Su glared nakedly at Bai Fuyuan, who gave such a half-hearted excuse as if afraid no one knew he had some connection with Yu Zhi.
“Can you not be so obvious?”
Seeing Yu Zhi keep her distance, Bai Fuyuan straightened his clothes and lowered his voice. “You’re no different. Besides that idiot Shen Jiayu, who here isn’t obvious?”
Zhou Su clenched his fists at his sides, clearly irritated, but his expression remained flawless. “I’m obvious? I may act obvious, but at least I have status! What about you? Do you have a cold bed at night?”
The word “status” stabbed sharply at Bai Fuyuan’s heart. Embarrassed and angry, he played the rogue. “None of your business! I’ll do whatever I want!”
Zhou Su realized he had misspoken and softened his tone. “I was just anxious earlier. Don’t take it personally…”