After Joining a Friendship-Mending Variety Show with My Childhood Friend

(The story is complete. Thank you for reading! My other novel, Drops on Water, is currently updating. Please add it to your collection~)

Huai Ning, the slow-witted, timid little turtle × Ke Sui, the cold but scheming rabbit

Huai Ning is the kind of minor actress in the entertainment industry people overlook most easily: no tragic backstory, few fans; no knack for stirring up drama, so nobody hates on her; no star power, but she does have one fairly well-known role to her name.

Ke Sui made his name early. His debut role was his stepping stone, and he became an overnight sensation. He went on to become a rising star in the film industry, winning two Best Actor awards in quick succession a few years later.

The two had almost no connection in the industry, yet they appeared together on a friendship-repair variety show called Friends Who Missed Their Chance, thanks to their childhood friendship.

Backstage at an awards ceremony, Ke Sui's eyelids were half lowered as he said coolly, "I owe Director Wang a favor. The show wants two guests who aren't very close, preferably distant, who haven't seen each other in a long time or sat down for a proper talk. We fit the bill."

By then, they had gone a long time without speaking to each other.

Huai Ning's eyelashes fluttered. She agreed.

Unexpectedly, the day after filming began, a fan forum for the two of them as a couple sprang up.

That move was so natural. I'm taking a bite.

That's just how childhood friends are.

Someone tell Ke Sui his eyes are practically glued to Huai Ning.

Wow, they're doing an open romance on a friendship show.

I told you. Everyone in the world can see it, except Huai Ning.

Ke Sui had never had a single romance rumor since his debut. Huai Ning felt this wasn't appropriate, so during a livestream for two, when their childhood memories came up, she tried to explain: "Ke Sui and I have known each other since we were little. We're really good friends..."

Halfway through, Ke Sui, sitting beside her with a stern expression, cut in. "We don't have to be."

In a corner beyond the camera's view, their shadows entwined.

"I waited for you outside the school gates until night," the man said in a low, husky voice. He held her as if it took all his strength. "When you left me behind back then, did you ever regret it?"

On the day the show ended, Huai Ning finally learned the truth at the wrap party.

She had thought Ke Sui had taken the show out of obligation, and that it was merely luck that had allowed them to resume normal contact after all these years.

But the truth was that Ke Sui had asked to be on the show and hoped the crew would invite her.

Ever since the day Huai Ning had left without saying goodbye, Ke Sui had been preparing for the day they would meet again.

He had always been making his way toward her. They would never miss each other, only meet again.

[ Drops on Water: A story about growing up and a girl's secret crush~ Currently updating. You're welcome to add it to your collection and read~ ]

At sixteen, Jiang Ji moved to a new city with her parents and met Zhou Tiao on a rainy day.

She didn't know the way home. Just as she hesitated, troubled, a boy with a cool, delicate profile spoke the name of the same street in a clear voice through the phone's speaker.

So she quietly followed in his footsteps all the way home.

Jiang Ji could never have guessed then that she would watch him like this many times, following behind him.

*

Jiang Ji often heard news about Zhou Tiao from the school rankings and conversations with others.

He was a perennial fixture at the top of the noticeboard, a bona fide campus celebrity, a carefree darling of the heavens.

When they talked about him, her friend described him as an autumn rain, distant yet gentle. No wonder so many girls liked him.

"But having a crush on him would be pointless."

Because he never returned anyone's feelings.

Jiang Ji lowered her head. Her dark hair curled, hiding her expression.

She understood that all too well. During the first stretch of time they were in the same class, she kept avoiding Zhou Tiao so she wouldn't let herself yearn for something impossible.

But a secret crush means getting hurt a little, again and again. You look unharmed on the outside, yet inside you're covered in wounds.

That night should have been a consolation gift from heaven to Jiang Ji.

Zhou Tiao walked her home. On the way, she worked up the courage to ask whether he wanted to study abroad because he really liked the university there.

Zhou Tiao thought for a long time before finally answering lazily that it was all right. "But there's no one or anything keeping me here for now."

As he spoke, his eyes lowered, so he naturally didn't see the unmistakable sadness and disappointment on Jiang Ji's face.

Because of those words, the gift turned into a bitter melon wrapped in sugar.

Nine years after they parted, Jiang Ji met Zhou Tiao again. He was still the most eye-catching person in the crowd, but he was the first to say, "Long time no see."

They barely had time to catch up before he had to leave.

She thought that was the end of it, but two weeks later, they met again at a class reunion. Zhou Tiao took the initiative to scan her business card. "When are you going back? I'll take you."

One time, while chatting, they talked about how he'd played badminton in high school, which had drawn quite a few people to watch.

Zhou Tiao then invited her to play together next time.

Jiang Ji kept to herself the fact that she'd once practiced in secret for his sake, and only smiled. "People online say you shouldn't play against someone who's much better than you. Otherwise, if the gap's too big, you'll end up falling out after a single match."

"That won't happen," Zhou Tiao replied without hesitation. One sentence swept her into a whirlpool. "Besides, you're different."

Later, Jiang Ji returned home as usual. Before she could go upstairs, someone pulled her into a dark corner.

In the flickering light, Zhou Tiao's eyes were gloomy, his thin lips pressed together.

He'd heard she had a boyfriend and had rushed back from New York overnight to see her. His voice was low and husky. "Jiang Ji, look at me too. Make it up to me."

Theme: We all need to become better versions of ourselves.