Chapter 547 - 29: After Divorce, the Cannon Fodder Joins a Romance Variety Show

Zhou Luo shook his head instinctively to deny it.

"What a joke, we’re just regular classmates. Didn’t she say she couldn’t recognize me because of the big change?"

Jiang Lai nodded along.

"Yeah, right, we’re just regular classmates. After all, you all know I’ve always been the school belle. Lots of people have chased me, so I wouldn’t spend so much effort remembering unfamiliar faces."

As soon as she said that, the smile on Zhou Luo’s face vanished.

[Something’s off, something’s off]

[The way Zhou Luo looked at Jiang Lai was definitely more than innocent; they must have a history]

[The parties involved have denied it, so stop spreading rumors. Maybe focus more on Aluo’s work]

[Jiang Lai is so narcissistic, really doesn’t understand manners]

[Hahaha I get it, the school belle is so busy, no time to notice so many people]

Gao Yanwei could tell something was definitely going on between those two and wanted to ask more, but Zhou Luo interrupted her.

"Everyone should hurry and prepare for tonight’s performance; there’s not much time left."

Everyone seemed busy with their own tasks, appearing uninterested in the matter between Jiang Lai and Zhou Luo.

Gao Yanwei dropped her head dejectedly and continued humming through the lyrics in her hands.

Most of those present were actors, except for Hu Peiyuan and Coco, one a professional singer and the other a professional model.

The two planned to collaborate, mimicking the style of an international Victoria’s Secret show, one singing and the other modeling.

As time was almost up, Qing Rao finally finished tidying up and came out.

Holding back a belly full of anger, she even heard the notice of her Heartbeat Value dropping, almost leading her into depression, which even showed in her sour face while washing dishes.

Thinking about how everyone was training while she was stuck doing dishes, with no one offering to help, Qing Rao simply rinsed the plates and laid them on the rack.

The countertop was dripping water, and there were still some dirty streaks of seasoning in the pots, and the floor was covered in dust footprints from outside.

Qing Rao couldn’t bother with all that.

Points were deducted just now, and due to insufficient balance, her public approval rating was directly affected.

Thinking of this, she hurriedly wanted to boost her Heartbeat Value with tonight’s performance.

She had been confident that she could stand out among the female guests, but now, as the Heartbeat Value kept dropping, Qing Rao was increasingly anxious.

[If you don’t want to do it, just don’t. It’s even worse now with water everywhere in the kitchen]

[Clean freaks would lose it seeing this; if these water stains dry, it’ll be a mess]

[Everyone’s outside chatting and laughing, leaving Qingqing alone with the dishes. I’d have quit long ago, and the fact that she’s held on this long is impressive]

[If you don’t want to do it, why jump in in the first place? Can’t everyone see she’s trying to push Jiang Lai out to get close to Liang Qizhou? Now she’s digging her own grave, so who’s to blame?]

The barrage was chaotic.

The hired bots responsible for creating positive commentary for Shang Qingrao saw the situation and started working.

[Qingqing doing dishes all by herself, really hardworking and impressive]

[She’s an actress, do you know how important an actress’s hands are?]

[Qingqing don’t cry, let’s take our little unlucky star away]

[Aren’t these comments embarrassing to see? First time seeing an actress hire bots so blatantly, turning fan to hater]

[Lol, trying to spam? Too bad no one’s buying it]

Qing Rao wasn’t worried that the viewers would change their opinion of her; as long as she regained Heartbeat Value, she could exchange points for public appeal, and then the general public would naturally become her fans.

So she needed to start rehearsing immediately.

Aiming for a stunning opening effect.

The performance stage was set up on the beach, with a simple awning hung with dried coconuts and twinkling lights.

The stage wasn’t large but had everything it needed.

The eight guests sat ready; after a quick and simple rehearsal, the performance began.

Zhou Luo doubled as the host, livening the atmosphere.

Below the stage, it was packed with crew and cameras.

Tonight’s material was important, being the ending show of the second episode, so everyone was attentive.

Before going on stage, Zhou Luo was practicing his lines when someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder.

Turning around, it was indeed Shang Qingrao.

"What’s up?"

Shang Qingrao wore very light and delicate makeup, her features under soft lighting had a misty look.

First impressions matter, and Shang Qingrao was waiting for Zhou Luo’s Heartbeat Value.

But after waiting a long time, the expected notification didn’t appear.

Her heart sank, and she immediately gave him a smile.

"You look really nervous."

Zhou Luo took a deep breath and shook his head.

"A bit, yeah, it’s my first time hosting."

"I have a method to help you calm your nerves. Want me to teach you?"

Zhou Luo looked at her, feeling her smile was strange. Her enthusiasm felt excessive, leaving him puzzled.

But out of some fondness for her, Zhou Luo nodded to show respect.

"Sure, what’s the method?"

"Hold out your hand."

Zhou Luo hesitantly extended a hand, and Shang Qingrao grabbed it right away.

"Like this, use your thumb to gently press the hegu acupoint, then slowly massage, slowly massage, it really helps with nerves. Trust me, I’ve tried it, it’s effective."

With his hand in her grasp, slowly being massaged, Zhou Luo watched Shang Qingrao, feeling his back tense up.

It was just too odd.

Why was she being so attentive all of a sudden?

Also, wasn’t she already half-public with Murong Yan? Holding his hand now, was that really appropriate?

The tighter he felt, the more likely things would go wrong.

Looking up, Zhou Luo suddenly saw Murong Yan standing behind Shang Qingrao, seemingly out of nowhere.

He instinctively pulled his hand back and smiled awkwardly.

"Alright, I got it, thanks for teaching me how to calm my nerves."

The part of his hand that was massaged felt rather uncomfortable.

Sensing Zhou Luo’s discomfort, Shang Qingrao wanted to say more, but suddenly a voice from behind chimed in with a cold tone.

"What nerve-calming method is that? Teach me too, won’t you?"

Zhou Luo wisely made a quick exit, wiping off the residual feeling on his hand as he turned away.

Too weird.

Just too weird.

What’s Shang Qingrao’s deal? Wasn’t she seemingly inseparable from Murong Yan, what did she mean by those actions towards him just now?

Two-timing?

With this thought, Zhou Luo somehow felt that Shang Qingrao had ulterior motives, unlike before when he liked her for her straightforward and clean demeanor, free of any hidden agendas and possessing a purely beautiful smile.

But now, recalling her recent smile.

Still beautiful, but it was like molten syrup slowly pouring over, overly sticky, making him feel completely uneasy.