Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 93.2

As the live chat erupted, the actual filming site was enveloped in silence.

Qu Qing was the first to realize their blunder. She wanted to come up with an excuse to cover for Song Yingshi and Huai Xu, but when she opened her mouth, no words came out. After all, what if she misspoke and gave the audience even more leverage?

Damn it, I never thought they'd be so daring as to… Young people certainly have endless energy, Qu Qing thought, her eyes carrying a mix of apology, helplessness, and even admiration as she gazed at Song Yingshi.

Song Yingshi was momentarily confused when she saw the variety of emotions in Qu Qing's eyes. However, she quickly reigned in her thoughts as she had more pressing matters to deal with.

Meanwhile, in a spot hidden from the crew members and cameras, Huai Xu gently scratched Song Yingshi's back. Her touch was light and unhurried, seemingly encouraging Song Yingshi to begin her performance.

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi silently gnashed her teeth. Maintaining a composed look, she said to Qu Qing calmly, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

At this time, the host of the show, standing behind the camera, finally collected herself and asked the question that was flooding the live chat, "Good morning, Little Shi. May we know who's in the room?"

Song Yingshi casually glanced behind her, her tone indifferent as she answered, "Oh, it's Huai Xu."

[!!!]

[CP fans may now pass on with no regrets.]

[#SnowKissedRoseComesOutOfTheClosetOnMyLifesJourney#]

[? Are you guys serious? It's not like any concrete evidence was caught on camera. If there is, please enlighten me. I, too, hope to see beautiful girls cuddling.]

"I came to wake Huai Xu up. Just as I woke her up, you guys arrived. What a coincidence, right? Anyways, why do you all look so surprised? Surely no one actually thinks we slept together, right?" Song Yingshi said as she walked out of the room.

[Little Shi's tone sounds so natural. Did I really overthink this? QAQ Nooo…]

My Life's Journey's host was known for her bold and engaging style. Immediately, she responded, "I know, right? It's perfectly normal for good friends to sleep and chat together."

By now, Song Yingshi had already led the camera to her bedroom. After subtly allowing the camera to capture the bed she had ruffled last night, she then offered her excuse without batting an eye, "We share the same dorm at the White Tower every day, so we decided to sleep separately now that we're outside."

[I get it, I get it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.]

[Looking at the bed, it seems they really didn't sleep together. How disappointing.]

[Maybe they slept too much in the White Tower and needed a break. After all, when the cameras are off in the White Tower… Hehe, hehehe…]

…

On the other side, the other cameraman visited Huai Xu.

Huai Xu, who Song Yingshi had supposedly awakened, had already changed into her casual clothes and was removing unnecessary items from her suitcase.

"Huai Xu, why did you decide to depart with Little Shi?" the host asked.

This question was part of the script they had discussed yesterday.

Huai Xu leisurely glanced at the camera and replied, "Because the audience wants to see it, I suppose."

[Big Sister's glance pierced my heart, ahhh!!]

[Snow-Kissed Rose truly knows how to spoil their fans!!!]

"We're able to be on this show all thanks to everyone's support. Everyone must also hope to see unity and friendship among us trainees. Since Little Shi and I are both in S City, departing together perfectly aligns with everyone's expectations."

Huai Xu offered her complete justification on screen. Unfortunately, Snow-Kissed Rose fans were biased. Despite scrutinizing and extrapolating every word she said in her first sentence, they refused to believe even a single syllable she said in her subsequent sentences, thoroughly immersing themselves in a world of sweetness.

In the control room, the directors of My Life's Journey were astonished as they watched the rapid increase in viewership and real-time comments. At this time, there were already 5,000 people watching the stream, and the numbers still showed no sign of stopping.

It isn't even 3.30 AM yet! Do you CP fans not need sleep?! Are you surviving solely on Snow-Kissed Rose's content?!

The live stream didn't linger on Song Yingshi and Huai Xu. Soon, the focus shifted to Kou Lengyu, followed by Chen Wan, Li Taoran, and the other celebrity guests for this season.

Due to Star of Spring's trainees occupying five slots, only three guest celebrities were invited onto the show this time, much fewer than in previous seasons.

After the guest stars packed their luggage, they headed to the nearest airport and flew to G City from various locations. As they arrived sequentially at around 8 AM, the number of people watching the livestream had already exceeded 100,000.

Compared to the guests, the audience had a bird's-eye view. They got to see all of today's guests through the switching cameras. However, as the audience bases for My Life's Journey and Star of Spring didn't completely overlap, different voices started to appear in the live comments.

[Who are these girls? Can someone enlighten me?]

[So pretty. Five eye candies, though? Isn't that too much?]

[MLJ, do you want this to be your final season? Past guests, if not top-tier, were at least watchable. I can let it slide if you stuff only one or two obscure idols, but five debuted trainees? I can already tell this season's going to be the worst-performing one.]

[??? Did you just get access to the internet? Are you telling me you've never heard of Star of Spring?]

[If you're so smart, why don't you be the director?]

Comments of all colors erupted. Although some viewers, drawn by the trainees' appearances, patiently awaited their performance, many fans of My Life's Journey questioned the trainees' qualifications to be on the show.

This situation not only angered the fans of Song Yingshi and the other trainees but also deeply displeased the audience who came from Star of Spring.

Influenced by Star of Spring's friendlier format this season, the various fan bases had essentially become one big family, just like their idols. While they might squabble with one another sometimes, should any of their idols be bullied, they would instantly unite and fight back.

For a time, the usually laid-back fandoms of Star of Spring and My Life's Journey began to clash fiercely in the comment section. This, in turn, resulted in the celebrity guests, who should have garnered more attention after their initial dazzling appearances, having little presence in the comments.

…

Meanwhile, Song Yingshi and Huai Xu, along with the popular female actress Zhou Chun—whom they met at S City's airport—were the last to arrive at the villa rented by the production crew.

Each season, My Life's Journey would rent a local villa to use as the guests' base. The villa chosen in G City was painted entirely white and nestled among lush bamboo and green trees. It was exceptionally elegant, and rather than urban noise, the sound of cicadas surrounded it.

As soon as Song Yingshi stepped out of the car and saw the villa, she was reminded of the White Tower, which was also white.

When Zhou Chun saw the villa, she said, "Looks good."

Zhou Chun rose to fame by playing sweet characters in contemporary idol dramas, consistently landing roles over the past two years. On the way here, Zhou Chun rarely spoke, and it wasn't until she was in front of the camera that she became more talkative.

As Song Yingshi, Huai Xu, and Zhou Chun walked down the small path leading to the villa's entrance, Kou Lengyu, who stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows near the entrance, was the first to spot them. Immediately, she opened the door and waved at them, "You're finally here! Wow, Zhou Chun?!"

"Hello. You must be Kou Lengyu, right? I've watched your show; I remember you," Zhou Chun greeted.

"I almost thought our flight would be delayed. You all arrived so early!" Song Yingshi chuckled.

Meanwhile, Huai Xu surveyed her surroundings and stepped into the villa. Then, she turned around and indicated for Song Yingshi to follow.

Song Yingshi followed Huai Xu inside, and after everyone set their luggage aside, they walked further into the house, where they saw the other guests in the living room.

Song Yingshi wasn't surprised to see Chen Wan and Li Taoran in the living room. Who she didn't expect to see was Hu Feng, Hu Wan's mother, looking ageless as she sat on a sofa.

Song Yingshi blinked, then slapped herself on her forehead, laughed, and said, "No wonder Huhu said she was going to watch the live stream no matter what. It turns out she had a big surprise for us! Hello, Instructor Hu. I'm Huhu's teammate in the second public performance, Song Yingshi. You can just call me Little Shi."

After saying so, Song Yingshi pointed at Huai Xu and introduced, "This is Huhu's opponent in the second public performance. She's also—"

"She's also the trainee I voted for," Hu Wan interjected, showing no surprise at meeting her daughter's former teammate and rival. Evidently, she had learned about My Life's Journey's guest lineup beforehand. Looking at Huai Xu, she continued, "I've been voting for you for over a month now, so I guess you can consider me a true fan?"

Facing her senior in the entertainment industry, Huai Xu toned down her expression and said humbly, "Thank you for supporting me, Instructor Hu."

Before Song Yingshi and Huai Xu had arrived, the comments had been criticizing Kou Lengyu, Chen Wan, and Li Taoran, saying that while they were beautiful, their screen presence paled in comparison to genuine actresses like Hu Feng, and they seemed timid and too fearful to do anything. These commenters even went as far as to say that Kou Lengyu's group was wasting precious resources by "practicing" on My Life's Journey.

As the criticisms made were valid, Star of Spring's fans couldn't fight back, even if they wanted to. All they could do was try to lessen the blow by saying that it was normal for trainees to be unaccustomed when participating in their first variety show.

However, the moment Song Yingshi and Huai Xu arrived, the audience noticed that the trio seemed to have found their backbone.

Kou Lengyu, who had been awkwardly standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows admiring the view outside, had been enthusiastically chattering away ever since she led Song Yingshi and Huai Xu into the living room. Yet, despite the noise she made, her unique temperament prevented anyone from finding her annoying.

Chen Wan, who had been pacing around the island counter, approached Huai Xu and handed her a piece of paper. When the camera zoomed in, the audience finally realized she had been listening to Hu Feng's suggestion of cooking dinner together, tallying what was available in the kitchen and what they were missing.

As for Li Taoran, she darted in from off-camera, pulled up a stool, and sat by Huai Xu's side, occasionally interjecting and joining the conversation between Song Yingshi, Huai Xu, and Hu Feng.

The atmosphere in the living room seemed to have come alive all at once.

Hu Feng felt this change most deeply, even more than the audience. In her eyes, Song Yingshi and Huai Xu weren't just unfazed by the new variety show and its unfamiliar content; they were even taking control of its rhythm. Upon realizing this, she couldn't help but be amazed by her two juniors.

After Song Yingshi and the others talked a little about their journey here, Zhu Zi, one of the show's male guests, returned from outside carrying a watermelon.

"Ah, I'm melting! Let's cut up and share this watermelon!" Zhu Zi exclaimed.

Besides Hu Feng, everyone else got up to greet Zhu Zi, while Li Taoran volunteered to help.

After a slight pause, Huai Xu asked, "Is this everyone?"

Huai Xu found it strange that there was only one male guest, which didn't fit the show's usual format.

In response, Hu Feng pointed upstairs and said, "There's one more upstairs. Care to guess who it is?"

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

A tall figure appeared at the top of the stairs, his face strikingly handsome—the kind of look that could provoke screams at first glance.

"Ah!"

A small gasp echoed from off-camera.

[That must be from one of the trainees, right? Hah.]

[Newcomers in the entertainment industry always act like this when they see a film emperor.]

[Embararassing.jpg]

[How toxic are you guys!? What's wrong with gasping when you see a handsome guy???]

However, as if to shame the critical commenters, the camera panned toward the sofa, showing Zhou Chun covering her mouth while wearing an astonished look.

As for the trainees, although their expressions varied, they all looked normal in general.

[Are your faces hurting? I bet they do.]

[They're deliberately acting calm, unlike Zhou Chun, who's more frank with her expressions.]

Star of Spring's audience seethed at the double standards of My Life's Journey's audience.

Just then, Fu Shu, under Zhou Chun's gaze, walked down the stairs and scanned the people in the living room, his gaze eventually settling on Song Yingshi.

Fu Shu's behavior seemed normal at first glance as Song Yingshi sat at the very edge of the living room. However, immediately afterward, he curved his lips and said, "We meet again."

Fu Shu didn't name anyone, but his gaze never left Song Yingshi.

[???]

[?????]

[????????]

Amidst the flurry of question marks in the live comments, Song Yingshi seemed oblivious that Fu Shu's remark was directed at her. She rose from her seat with everyone else and professionally greeted him with a simple "Hello, Instructor Fu," her expression a standard, businesslike smile.

[LOL, all you hypocrites, look closely! My little trainee doesn't even care about your beloved film emperor!]

TL Notes:
It's kinda late to mention this, but in the Chinese entertainment industry, those working in the industry typically address celebrities with the title of "Instructor/Teacher + surname" as a sign of respect. Though, there was one instance a few chapters ago where I used "Miss" instead of "Instructor" since it felt awkward for a director to be addressing a trainee as "Instructor."