Chapter 13: She Makes a Scene, He Just Smiles

Jiang Wan didn’t catch the underlying sarcasm in Jiang Qi’s smile.

With Song Yanyan echoing beside him, she really thought the two of them were genuinely complimenting her.

She quickly responded to Song Yanyan with polite modesty, saying things like, “Not at all,” “Just average,” “Really looking forward to your performance,” totally missing the fact that Jiang Qi’s expression was turning darker by the second.

When Jiang Wan strolled back to her room, Shang Gubai greeted her proudly, “I’ve already memorized all my lines.”

Jiang Wan was surprised. “Already?”

She hadn’t even started!

Granted, she wrote the script herself, and she could probably memorize it after reading it twice. And even if she couldn’t, improvising on the spot wouldn’t be a big deal.

Seeing her surprised expression, Shang Gubai grew even more smug. “I’m a creative singer-songwriter, you know. I have an extreme sensitivity to words. My speed in reading and memorizing isn’t something ordinary people can compare with.”

Jiang Wan clapped with exaggerated enthusiasm, mocking, “Waaah! You’re amazing! An absolute! Little! Ge! Nius!”

Praising him a bit and now he’s all puffed up?

Ugh. She hated memorizing things back in school! She really hated it!!!

Why was he showing off to her? If he’s so good, then go perform solo!

Jiang Wan looked totally unimpressed.

And since she knew there weren’t any cameras around, she even rolled her eyes straight at Shang Gubai.

Considering how aloof and proud he usually was, being mocked like that should’ve made him explode with rage—

Uh… he laughed.

Jiang Wan was shocked.

She didn’t even have time to feel jealous anymore.

Her instincts made her take two steps back, trying to put some distance between them.

She didn’t get it. Not one bit.

Earlier she could still explain his reaction as him being too deep in character, but what about this?

Was he secretly an M or something?

Isn’t there a saying—when you go out of your way to prepare surprises or gifts for your friends, deep down it’s because you hope someone will do the same for you?

So maybe Shang Gubai goes around mocking people all the time because subconsciously, he just wants someone to talk back to him? And no one ever understood that?

Could that be it?

Jiang Wan’s entire expression screamed suspicion.

She didn’t dare be sarcastic toward Shang Gubai anymore. She was worried he might… enjoy it.

【………………】

【Host, I think you’re seriously overthinking this.】

Jiang Wan retorted in her mind: You’re just a string of code. Of course you don’t understand the complexity of human nature.

Noticing how she backed away, Shang Gubai raised an eyebrow, also a little surprised. “Why are you backing away?”

Jiang Wan shot back, “Why are you laughing?”

“I just think you’re very…”

Shang Gubai paused for two seconds, as if he was seriously considering his words, then finally chose two: “…genuine.”

Jiang Wan tilted her head slightly.

She didn’t understand.

Shang Gubai was from a wealthy family too.

As a child, he had hated fake flattery and pretentiousness—people who acted overly cautious around him just to win favor with his parents, and by extension, with him.

Privately, they couldn’t stand him and even organized classmates to isolate him.

Yet they still pretended to be best friends on the surface.

Shang Gubai hated that kind of fake “friendship.” So after he turned eighteen, he decisively left home, refused to rely on his family’s power, and tried to make it in the entertainment industry on his own. He never expected—

That he’d actually become famous.

The entertainment industry was full of social climbers and flatterers.

Even if people were so mad at him they couldn’t sleep and would pay for smear campaigns behind his back, when they saw him in person, they’d still smile and say, “Missed you so much! Long time no see!”

Because he was famous.

So in the end, nothing had really changed. People still wouldn’t dare offend him.

Shang Gubai had gotten used to using his toxic attitude to keep others at arm’s length.

Anyone who tried to suck up to him would usually just end up humiliated and back off quickly.

Faced with Jiang Wan’s puzzled look,

Shang Gubai didn’t explain further. He just urged, “Time’s running out. Now that you’ve memorized your lines, it’s time to rehearse. Don’t slow me down.”

Jiang Wan’s attention immediately shifted.

She bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean? Who’s the real professional here?”

Shang Gubai replied, “But judging by this scene, my part is obviously simpler than yours, right?”

Jiang Wan smiled sweetly, “Then let’s give you a crying scene.”

Shang Gubai shut up instantly.

Yeah, no thanks.

—

Time for the performance.

In a small auditorium packed with an audience, the guests had done minimal makeup backstage.

Amid the cheers, Xie Yiyi and Shi Lan opened the show, setting a decent example for everyone.

It was Shi Lan’s first time acting, and her scene partner was none other than Xie Yiyi—a top-tier actor. Naturally, she was nervous. Luckily, Xie Yiyi helped smooth things over, and overall, the performance was passable.

Jiang Wan rested her chin on one hand, amazed by Xie Yiyi’s absolute control throughout the scene. Deep down, she thought how great it would be if she ever had a chance to work with him.

After stepping offstage,

Shi Lan felt a bit guilty and apologized to Xie Yiyi, “Sorry, I dragged you down.”

Xie Yiyi responded, “Mm.”

Everyone around: “!!!”

Bullet comments: “???”

【Xie Yiyi, are you serious?! That’s how you respond?!】

【This man is not single without reason!!!】

【No vague romantic undertones here… just pure disapproval of acting skills】

【Honestly, I thought Shi Lan did quite well. Her emotions were on point. Other than a bit of nervousness, nothing major.】

【+1 to the comment above. She’s better than some professional actors, can we say that?】

【But to someone like Xie Yiyi, her level obviously doesn’t cut it…】

Xie Yiyi’s completely emotionless response made everyone feel awkward.

After spending just a short time around him, Shi Lan had more or less figured out his personality.

He barely made small talk. No—he barely talked at all.

Because he was socially anxious.

Shi Lan didn’t like small talk either. She was a bit cold and didn’t like trouble.

In a way, the two of them were similar. So far, Xie Yiyi was the male guest Shi Lan had the best impression of on this show.

Of course,

Being directly called out as “dragging someone down” was still a little embarrassing.

But rather than sugar-coating things, Shi Lan would rather face the awkwardness alone.

Just as she was silently digesting the awkwardness, someone gently tapped her wrist.

She turned—and met a pair of sparkling eyes.

Jiang Wan had leaned in and asked, “In your group, are you in charge of vocals or rap?”

Shi Lan didn’t understand why she was asking, but still gave a straightforward answer, “Rap.”

“I knew it! Your articulation’s super clear. If it were me saying that whole segment, I’d be tripping over my tongue by now. The rap part definitely has to go to you!”

Jiang Wan turned around, deliberately shot a mocking glance at Shang Gubai not far away, and said, “You couldn’t even guess that? And you call yourself a singer? Just go home already!”

Shang Gubai, facing her provocation, calmly explained to Shi Lan, “I saw your group’s performance at a previous gala. You have a great voice—I remembered it.”

The two of them casually bantered, and the atmosphere—both in person and on the bullet comments—lightened significantly.

Surrounded by people,

Shi Lan’s usually indifferent expression finally softened a little. The earlier awkwardness vanished completely.

Her gaze subconsciously landed on Jiang Wan.

She realized that Jiang Wan had said those things just now to help her out of a tough spot.

And just now, Jiang Wan had impulsively tried to recreate one of Shi Lan’s iconic stage moves… but cracked her voice in the middle of it, and was now awkwardly pretending to be busy.

Shi Lan’s lips curled into a small smile.

This lively, chaotic feeling…

She didn’t actually dislike it.

The bullet comments were also filled with amusement:

【Hahaha, Jiang Wan’s little outburst was so random but so funny】

【Whose tea kettle is boiling? Where’s that foghorn voice coming from?】

【Shang Gubai’s look of secondhand embarrassment was hilarious】

【She’s clowning around and he’s smiling… kinda shippable, not gonna lie】

【Wait, Shang Gubai didn’t even roast Jiang Wan’s singing? That’s his specialty! He really spoils her (not me projecting)】

【We’re shipping this CP with zero evidence!】

【Tbh… Shang Gubai was about to roast her, but Jiang Wan moved too fast and shut him up with a death glare】

【Jiang Wan: Do I have a problem? Shut up, would you!】