However… luckily, she had Su Ze by her side. At that thought, Cha Susu’s cheeks flushed faintly. It was all thanks to the man she liked staying so faithfully by her side—and showing up right when she needed help the most. (As if. Hadn’t he been dumped by Miss Lu and wandered off not knowing where to go? Cha Susu, you’re just the fallback guy.)
The two of them were in high spirits. Just as Su Ze moved to sit next to Bai Zhen, Liang Sheng shot to her feet with a whoosh, shoved him aside, and plopped down beside Bai Zhen instead.
Embarrassment bloomed across Cha Susu and Su Ze’s faces, though Bai Zhen felt nothing of the sort in her heart.
“Mmm…” Liang Sheng hugged Bai Zhen’s arm in a coquettish pout, giving it a few playful shakes. “Sister Bai Zhen~ I wanna sit with you~ I super like Sister Bai Zhen, hehe~”
“Ding~” Favorability rising.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 55”
“Sister likes you too, you know.” Bai Zhen reached up and ruffled Liang Sheng’s hair. It was the who-knows-how-manyth time a beautiful girl had petted her since arriving in this world. What a winner in life she was.
Things were all harmonious on one side of the table, utterly awkward on the other.
“Splash~” Favorability dropping.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Su Ze: 163”
Grass? Already over one hundred? Liang Sheng went on instant alert.
Su Ze was still so skilled at charming girls, she had to admit with a loud sigh.
Though Cha Susu felt a twinge of discomfort deep down, she ultimately said nothing. After all, she still needed something from him.
To preserve his image in front of Bai Zhen, Su Ze gritted his teeth and swallowed his frustration.
The food arrived, but the four of them just stared at it, none of them willing to be the first to pick up their chopsticks.
Liang Sheng gulped, unable to hold back any longer. She snatched up her chopsticks first, beaming as she said, “Everyone, dig in! Aren’t you all hungry?”
With that, she clipped a piece of meat and popped it into her mouth.
One person starting was all it took—the others followed suit.
Everyone except Bai Zhen had ulterior motives, especially Cha Susu, who kept sneaking glances at the green-haired and yellow-haired guys sitting across from her. She wanted to say something but felt too shy to speak up.
Opportunity! Su Ze caught the scent like a hound. He glanced at the three girls, pondering for a moment.
“Sister Bai Zhen, you’ve been blowing up all over the internet lately. Congrats!” He looked every bit the eager toady.
“Splash~” Favorability dropping.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Su Ze: 26”
Ha! Liang Sheng burst out laughing, nearly spitting out her food. Big Pig Hoof Su Ze had gone and flattered the horse right on its hoof, hadn’t he? Served him right.
Sure enough, Bai Zhen’s expression darkened. She didn’t explode, but her tone turned ice-cold.
“There’s nothing to congratulate. I’d rather not have fame like this. You couldn’t pay me a million to care.”
Clang! Her chopsticks slammed against the plate. Bai Zhen tossed them down, gave up on eating, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes to rest—waiting for Liang Sheng to finish so they could leave.
Liang Sheng eyed Bai Zhen’s plate, still piled high with meat. She couldn’t eat it herself and hated to see food go to waste, so she boldly turned to Bai Zhen. “Sister Bai Zhen, don’t waste it. Come on, eat up.”
After a thought, she quickly added, “Besides, you’re too skinny! Don’t go getting sick from it~”
“Ding~” Favorability rising.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 59”
The gloom vanished in an instant. Bai Zhen looked at Liang Sheng with the fond, approving gaze of a big sister watching her little sibling do something right. She even reached out to stroke her hair. “Our Liang Sheng is such a sensible girl~”
Bai Zhen sat up straight and resumed eating.
The atmosphere at the table grew excruciatingly awkward. Apart from Bai Zhen, no one dared even breathe too loudly.
Su Ze clenched his fists. If only Akino Wakako weren’t dormant… Tsk. No matter—she’d wake up in just two more days. Su Ze had always relied on the mighty power of the Heartthrob Value System. Without Wakako’s help from the system, he was nothing.
Cha Susu felt a flicker of dissatisfaction toward Su Ze as well. Offending these two big shots would cut off one of her paths forward. But then she saw Liang Sheng coax Bai Zhen right out of her anger, and Cha Susu relaxed. It was time for her to step in.
“Sister Bai.” Cha Susu flashed a fawning smile. “I’ve watched all those movies and dramas where you made guest appearances. Your acting blew me away!”
Bai Zhen offered a polite smile and cut straight to it without mincing words. “Out with it.”
Cha Susu’s smile froze for a second, but she recovered quickly. “Sister Bai’s straightforward, bold personality is right up my alley.”
Bai Zhen started frowning in irritation again.
True to her reputation as the novel’s top Little Green Tea, Cha Susu had a knack for reading the room. She caught those signs of impatience in a heartbeat and hurried on. “So, Sister Bai, any interest in playing the female lead in another web drama?”
Heh, so the real motive was out. Bai Zhen scoffed dismissively. “Sorry, but I’m not that into web dramas.”
Liang Sheng blinked in surprise and asked her, “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s this web drama called, Susu?”
“Ding~” Favorability rising.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 21”
Cha Susu assumed Liang Sheng was helping her cause and felt waves of gratitude.
The sudden favorability bump left Liang Sheng baffled. Well, what could she do? She was a heartthrob, after all—beloved by all, blooming wherever she went (self-absorbed much?).
Seizing the opening, Cha Susu pressed on. “It’s a single-character title: Eerie. What do you think, Sister Bai? Interested in taking a look at the script? It’s a horror web drama, and the director’s my dad.”
Liang Sheng smiled to herself. The book did mention Cha Susu and Bai Zhen filming a drama together. And Bai Zhen had broken into the industry through it. In the end, Bai Zhen’s father would push her to audition for this web drama’s crew anyway, landing her the female lead role.
Now, with Bai Zhen looking so reluctant, why not give it a little nudge and do her a favor?
Having thought it through, Liang Sheng opened her mouth to speak.
“Sister Bai Zhen, why not take a look at the script first?” Su Ze beat her to it, shooting Liang Sheng a provocative glance. “I guarantee you’ll love it.”
Tch, what an old dog—always up to no good. Liang Sheng shot Su Ze a fierce glare, but there was nothing she could do.
“Splash~” Favorability dropping.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Su Ze: 23”
“Daddy connections, huh?” Bai Zhen sneered. She despised actors who leaned on family ties and connections. “Not interested. I won’t even glance at the script. Filming with certain people would just be a waste of my time.”
