“What nonsense are you talking about?” Gu Hao looked up at Qiao Shang’er, “Gu Ting has a girlfriend.”
“Ah?” Qiao Shang’er was stunned for a moment.
Because Gu Ting never really got close to her from a young age, Gu Hao usually didn’t talk to her about Gu Ting. They hadn’t been in contact for a long time, and for a moment, Qiao Shang’er forgot that Gu Ting had a girlfriend.
“My apologies,” Qiao Shang’er apologized quietly.
“It’s okay.”
Gu Ting glanced at his stepmother. Qiao Shang’er married Gu Hao in the fourth year after his mother passed away. At that time, Gu Ting was just entering his rebellious middle school phase. Actually, they didn’t do anything wrong, but he still resented the home, hated his father and stepmother.
In his previous life, after his father passed away in an accident, Qiao Shang’er never remarried. Perhaps the overwhelming sadness took a toll on her, and not long after, she passed away too.
Having gone through all that, Gu Ting’s mindset had changed. He no longer rejected Qiao Shang’er like he did when he was younger.
After finishing dinner, Gu Ting returned directly to the show’s set. Conveniently, his home and the set were both in City A and were not very far apart.
When Gu Ting arrived at the set building, Wen Ke’an was still training in the training room.
It was already 9 PM. Normally, she would be resting in her dormitory by now.
Gu Ting stood outside the door for a while. Noticing him, Wen Ke’an quickly ran out. Despite it being winter, the building was well-heated, and she only wore a thin training outfit.
Wen Ke’an usually didn’t sweat in winter, but her forehead was now sweaty, clearly indicating a long training session without rest.
Gu Ting reached out to tuck the wet strands of hair behind her ear, “Why are you still training?”
“Even though I don’t want to debut, one must still show respect towards the stage,” Wen Ke’an said earnestly.
She had just found out that people online were trying to uncover her secret identity.
Since “Lemon’s” identity had been revealed, she couldn’t disgrace the name and had to display the attitude of a dancer.
“If you’re tired, rest a bit,” Gu Ting said, concerned.
“It’s okay, I’m not tired at all,” Wen Ke’an looked up at him, smiling.
The girls on her team were all very cute, and getting along well made training less exhausting.
“Are you hungry?” Gu Ting asked softly.
She had trained for so long today and barely ate in the afternoon, so she’d certainly be hungry by now.
Wen Ke’an nodded silently, “Hungry.”
Gu Ting smiled, “What do you want to eat?”
Wen Ke’an thought for a moment and then looked up at him with sparkling eyes, “Fried chicken, cola, French fries!”
“………”
Gu Ting usually didn’t like her eating those things, but Wen Ke’an hadn’t had them in ages and craved them.
Seeing Gu Ting silent, Wen Ke’an asked softly, “Can I?”
Gu Ting looked down and saw her pleading eyes, and deliberately said, “No.”
Wen Ke’an clung to his hand, acting cute, “Please, please.”
“………”
“Where did An’an go?”
In the practice room, someone finally noticed Wen Ke’an was missing.
“She was here just now. Did she go to the bathroom?”
As soon as these words were said, a small head peeked through the door.
There were cameras in the practice room. Wen Ke’an looked at her teammates from the doorway and whispered, “Come out for a bit.”
The teammates were stunned when they went out.
“Wow, a whole bucket meal!”
“Ahhhhh, cola! My favorite!!!”
Next to Wen Ke’an was a large bag full of fried chicken, fries, burgers, and sodas—things not available in the canteen.
Knowing her teammates would want some too, Wen Ke’an had Gu Ting buy plenty.
“How did you manage this, An’an?” The teammates were both shocked and curious.
“Who else could it be? An’an’s boyfriend, of course,” one teammate whispered with a smile.
Wen Ke’an and Gu Ting were open about their relationship, so nearly all the trainees knew Wen Ke’an’s boyfriend worked with the show.
Everyone happily ate the fried chicken. One teammate glanced at Wen Ke’an and silently gave a thumbs up, “An’an, your boyfriend is really amazing.”
Wen Ke’an certainly hadn’t forgotten about Chu Han. She even saved some to bring back to the dorm for her.
“An’an, did you know you’re trending online?” Chu Han asked while eating the fried chicken Wen Ke’an brought. “Everyone knows your secret identity now.”
“I know.” Gu Ting had already told her.
But it didn’t matter much. Wen Ke’an had known this day would come.
After finishing the food, the dorm lights went out. Chu Han slept on the bunk above Wen Ke’an.
“An’an, are you asleep?” whispered Chu Han.
“No, not yet.”
Chu Han suddenly remembered something and leaned over the bed. “Did you know? They say there’s a big fight among Xia Xiangwan’s group. Honestly, I think our group has a good chance of winning.”
“Mhm.” Wen Ke’an smiled and said, “Let’s rest well tonight. Tomorrow is our performance.”
For the second performance, Wen Ke’an got up early and did her makeup properly this time, having a makeup artist do it.
The artist was shocked. During daily training, most trainees wore makeup, but Wen Ke’an always went bare-faced.
Now, with makeup, she looked even more stunning.
“Oh my god, is she a fairy?” The teammates were amazed when Wen Ke’an emerged from the makeup room.
“An’an looks absolutely gorgeous!”
All participants had to wait backstage. Wen Ke’an’s group was among the last to arrive; many others were already seated.
Wen Ke’an noticed Xia Xiangwan staring at her. Xia Xiangwan hadn’t been resting well and looked visibly worn out.
Perhaps the showrunners were stirring the pot, as they made Wen Ke’an and Xia Xiangwan’s groups compete last.
Wen Ke’an waited a long time before finally getting to perform.
Her dance was quite traditional and challenging, but luckily, her teammates worked hard and performed well.
On stage, under the dazzling lights, Wen Ke’an’s eyes quickly found Gu Ting in the audience.
When the performance ended, many cameras captured a moment.
Wen Ke’an looked offstage, her eyes sparkling with blue glitter, smiling sweetly.
[Live comments]: “Ahhh, An’an’s smile! I’m dead!”“Too sweet! Too sweet!”
“Is An’an looking at her boyfriend?”
Despite Xia Xiangwan’s group’s strong abilities, their poor cooperation led them to lose in the first round of voting.
Wen Ke’an had just returned to the preparation room when Xia Xiangwan cornered her.
“What do you want?” Wen Ke’an’s teammates immediately tried to shield her.
Xia Xiangwan ignored them, focusing coldly on Wen Ke’an, “Are you Lemon?”
Wen Ke’an paused, then asked, “Did you bring a phone?”
“…”
After a long while, Xia Xiangwan murmured, “Why are you a lemon?”
Xia Xiangwan was in a very odd state now, her eyes were red, and she seemed completely out of sorts.
Wen Ke’an’s teammate beside them frowned and said, “Why can’t An’an be a lemon?”
Wen Ke’an also looked at Xia Xiangwan for a while. She finally asked a question she had been very curious about: “Did I offend you before? Xia Liang.”
Xia Xiangwan had been in the spotlight lately, and some of her childhood photos had been dug up by netizens. Everyone already knew she had undergone plastic surgery.
Upon hearing the name Xia Liang, Xia Xiangwan suddenly lifted her gaze and looked at Wen Ke’an with hatred.
Quickly, she suddenly laughed like a madwoman, “Did you offend me? Hahahahaha!”
Seeing that Xia Xiangwan was not quite right, many trainees crowded around to grab her.
“Xia Xiangwan, calm down.”
Xia Xiangwan was evidently not in a good state now; she looked at Wen Ke’an with hatred and said, “Wen Ke’an, I’ve never liked you since we were kids. I hate you! Why are some people born with talent, good looks? Is it my fault to be born without these? I just want to win! But why has everyone been against me since I was little?”
“I hate you!! I despise you!!!”
There were live cameras in the waiting room that were still on, so this entire scene was broadcast live.
[Comments]: Is this girl mentally ill? [Comments]: What’s wrong with Xia Xiangwan? Is she under a lot of pressure and having psychological issues? [Comments]: Wow, she looks so scary like this! [Comments]: It’s just a loss in a competition, is this necessary??In the end, Xia Xiangwan was taken away by the staff, and the place gradually returned to calm.
After the second performance concluded, the second round of voting was about to begin.
There was a tumultuous storm online, aside from Wen Ke’an and Chu Han’s fans happily shipping them as a couple.
Wen Ke’an’s fans were quite sensible; since their fav didn’t like the competition, they decided not to vote. Anyway, Wen Ke’an could still post videos in the future.
Online, fans were mysteriously divided into two camps shipping different pairs: one shipping Wen Ke’an with a sponsor, and the other shipping her with “Little Black.”
The “Little Black” was a staff member always dressed in black clothes, black hat, and black mask, so netizens affectionately called him “Little Black.”
[Comments]: Honestly, that staff member isn’t good enough for our An’an!【Cheering for the benefactor!!!】
【Didn’t An’an and the benefactor break up long ago? An’an’s interaction with Xiao Hei is so sweet. Can’t you see it?】
【The benefactor’s account still follows An’an and previously even supported her! They must still be together!】
【Maybe they broke up, but the benefactor still has feelings for An’an??】
【Ahhhhh, An’an and Xiao Hei are the sweetest couple!!!】
Online, the arguments were endless, but Wen Ke’an finally felt free as she packed her things to go home.
With four or five days left until the New Year, red lanterns adorned the street lights, creating a festive atmosphere.
“Finally home,” Wen Ke’an said joyfully as she got off the car.
“Come, put on your scarf.”
The outside temperature was very low, and not dressing warmly enough could easily lead to a cold.
“Coming, coming,” Wen Ke’an hopped to his side like a little rabbit and obediently lowered her head.
Meeting his father-in-law, Gu Ting, came prepared with lots of gifts and sweet-talked Wen Qiangguo, making him very happy.
Now, Wen Qiangguo was increasingly satisfied with this son-in-law.
Since their relationship was exposed, Wen Ke’an had become more carefree. She ran up and down the stairs and even if she didn’t come home to sleep at night, her parents wouldn’t say anything.
One day, Wen Ke’an woke up at Gu Ting’s home and went back to her place in her pajamas to get some things.
Walking in, she was surprised to find guests at home.
It was a finely dressed woman who looked particularly wealthy.
“An’an, this is your Aunt Qiao, Uncle Gu’s wife,” introduced Liu Qing.
As a big fan of Wen Ke’an, Qiao Shang’er knew she had come home and couldn’t resist paying a visit.
“Aunt Qiao,” Wen Ke’an hesitated for a moment, then greeted politely.
Seeing Wen Ke’an, Qiao Shang’er was both nervous and excited, “An’an, h-hello.”
With guests at home, Wen Ke’an quickly went back to her room and changed into something more appropriate.
After chatting for a while, Qiao Shang’er couldn’t resist asking softly, “An’an, I’ve been around here these days. Can we hang out together sometime?”
“Of course, you can,” Wen Ke’an said with a smile.
Seeing Wen Ke’an’s smile, Qiao Shang’er felt her heart melt. “An’an, you’re so cute.”
Since Qiao Shang’er had nothing to do at home, she invited Wen Ke’an out to play the next day.
Qiao Shang’er, who was more than ten years older than Wen Ke’an, still had a very young mindset and was like a big sister.
Although she appeared elegant and aloof, making her seem unapproachable, she was actually quite talkative and very cute. Wen Ke’an also liked her personality.
Qiao Shang’er took Wen Ke’an to the mall and spent extravagantly, buying a lot of things. It wasn’t until their purchases nearly couldn’t be carried that Qiao Shang’er stopped.
Qiao Shang’er glanced at Wen Ke’an for a moment, then slowly said with a smile, “You’re so adorable. I wish I had a daughter as cute as you.”
Hearing this, Wen Ke’an was momentarily stunned and asked, “You don’t have any children?”
“No,” Qiao Shang’er replied, “and I don’t plan to have any.”
“Why not?” Wen Ke’an was a bit confused.
Qiao Shang’er was still very young and at an age where having children wouldn’t be a problem.
“We have Gu Ting and that’s enough,” Qiao Shang’er paused, then added, “Although Gu Ting doesn’t quite like me, haha.”
Wen Ke’an knew that Qiao Shang’er was Gu Ting’s stepmother but wasn’t very clear about their relationship, so she didn’t know what to say.
“Our Gu Ting is very handsome and capable,” Qiao Shang’er said, her tone a bit prideful. “Gu Ting is very smart; he helped his father a lot. Otherwise, the company might not be under the Gu name now.”
“I used to think it would be nice if you could be with Gu Ting. But unfortunately, you both have people you like,” Qiao Shang’er continued.
“I even heard his dad say that Gu Ting is so smitten with his girlfriend that he doesn’t even want to come home,” Qiao Shang’er laughed. “I’m really curious about what Gu Ting’s girlfriend looks like.”
Qiao Shang’er drove Wen Ke’an back to her place in her sports car.
“You can’t carry all these things yourself; I’ll help you bring them up,” Qiao Shang’er said.
With the amount of stuff they bought, the two were organizing the items from the trunk when Gu Ting arrived.
He looked down, glancing at the pile. “Why did you buy so much?”
“Aunt Qiao bought it, and she even got some clothes for you,” Wen Ke’an naturally replied.
While they were chatting naturally, Qiao Shang’er froze in place.
After a moment, Qiao Shang’er recovered and asked softly, “Gu Ting, why are you here? Do you know each other?”
Gu Ting paused and introduced, “We’re acquainted. She’s my girlfriend.”
Qiao Shang’er: “?”
Author’s note: Qiao Shang’er: The surprise came too suddenly.
Gu Ting’s dad: Great, now I’m the only one kept in the dark. 🙂
