Chapter 42: Gu Si vs. Wen Shijin – Giving Gu Si a Thigh Massage and His Reaction…

Thinking about how this life only required her to build some favorability, and after the variety show ends, she could live a carefree life counting money, Ning Qingyan couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing.

Oh, but before that, she still had to pacify Gu Si, who was fuming, and smooth the fur of this proud Persian cat.

He was easy to coax, or so Ning Qingyan thought.

She tidied herself up and got out of her bedroom. Originally planning to knock on Gu Si’s door, she spotted him lounging on the long sofa in the living room, legs crossed as he watched TV.

On the single sofa next to him sat Xu Ruanruan, looking somewhat uneasy.

When Xu Ruanruan came out earlier, she saw Gu Si sitting alone on the long sofa, seemingly unhappy. Feeling a bit reluctant, she thought Gu Si, now paired with someone as much of a liability as Sheng Mingzhu, might have a slightly better impression of her.

But when she tried to sit next to him, Gu Si casually stretched out his long legs onto the adjacent space, clearly claiming the whole sofa for himself. She had no choice but to sit on the single seat.

As soon as she sat down, Gu Si moved his legs back without so much as a glance at her.

Xu Ruanruan immediately felt uncomfortable, sitting there awkwardly. Just then, Ning Qingyan walked in.

Now, she felt even more out of place, almost like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. Flustered, she stammered:
“Qingyan-ge, what are you doing here all of a sudden?”

Gu Si’s previously lazy and relaxed demeanor changed the moment she spoke. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and his grip on the remote tightened. Though he didn’t look at Ning Qingyan, his ears were definitely perked up.

“Ah, I was bored in my room and came out to watch TV.” Ning Qingyan casually replied, sitting down next to Gu Si.

Xu Ruanruan forced a smile, her voice soft and sweet, “Qingyan-ge, I just got here. I haven’t even said a word to Gu Si-ge before you came.”

It was obviously an explanation.

After all, before she paired up with Ning Qingyan, Xu Ruanruan had been Gu Si’s partner and even scolded Ning Qingyan for Gu Si’s sake. Now she was likely afraid that Ning Qingyan might misunderstand.

“Ah, it’s fine. I get it,” Ning Qingyan said, oblivious to the tension in the room.

Gu Si, hearing this naive response, was frustrated and incredulous. Without looking away from the TV, he said in a lazy, somewhat teasing tone:
“Xu Ruanruan, if I use my force-pairing privilege before the next mission and choose you as my partner, would you be willing?”

The moment these words left his mouth, Ning Qingyan froze. Wait, wasn’t this a bit much? Trying to steal her partner right in front of her—was he really that mad?

Meanwhile, Xu Ruanruan’s heart started racing. On one hand, there was Ning Qingyan—a sweet, sunny boy who let her act however she wanted without facing any consequences. On the other, there was Gu Si—a future entertainment industry mogul and a living legend.

But agreeing to Gu Si’s suggestion might ruin her public image. People already disliked her enough. What would they think if she agreed to leave Ning Qingyan?

After a long pause, Xu Ruanruan carefully said:
“If it’s a forced pairing, I suppose I wouldn’t have a choice.”

She had managed to respond without offending either side, albeit awkwardly.

The room fell silent again. Xu Ruanruan, unable to bear the tension, found an excuse to leave.

Now only Ning Qingyan and Gu Si were left. Ning Qingyan shifted closer to Gu Si bit by bit. Gu Si, though annoyed, didn’t move away, secretly pleased but pretending to ignore her.

“Brother, are you really mad? I was just joking.” Ning Qingyan’s voice was soft, with a coaxing tone, making Gu Si’s ears tingle.

The “Green Tea System” pinged: [Gu Si’s Favorability +1]

Still, Gu Si maintained his icy silence, acting as if he was unmoved.

Ning Qingyan’s eyes darted mischievously before she suddenly grabbed his right thigh and pulled it onto her lap. “Wow, your thigh really is thicker! So much better to hold,” she said cheerfully.

Gu Si’s face turned bright red as his leg rested on her lap, while her hands started massaging it gently—kneading, pressing, and rubbing. Sparks seemed to fly wherever she touched, sending electric currents through his entire body.

The “Green Tea System” pinged again: [Gu Si’s Favorability +5]

Embarrassed and flustered, Gu Si quickly yanked his leg away. “I-I’m going to my room!” he stammered, fleeing upstairs without looking back.

Ning Qingyan: ?

Back in his room, Gu Si tried to convince himself it was just a fleeting moment. But the more he thought about it, the more conflicted he felt. After some failed attempts at seeking advice from friends and even online forums, he resolved to stay away from Ning Qingyan—just until he got over this… “phase.”

But deep down, he knew it wasn’t going to be that simple.