“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 158”
The organizers knew full well that dragging out the emotional moments too long would wear on the audience’s patience. After the two went on a bit more, the host cut in with a smile. “Alright, alright, Susu, wipe those tears away. Look at you, crying like that.”
Liang Sheng seized the chance to pull back. She fished a tissue from her pocket and gently dabbed at the tears on Little Green Tea’s cheeks beside her. “Yeah, you’ve gone full Little Flower Cat. Aren’t you embarrassed in front of all these people?”
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 159”
Cha Susu gave the Green-haired Girl’s shoulder a playful little punch, then leaned into her. “Hey, stop it… I didn’t cry that much.”
Their sweet interplay was pure orange-scented sweetness!
After those two wrapped up, it was someone else’s turn.
All in all, they’d wrung plenty of tears from the crowd this round.
With that segment over, it was time for the guests and influencers to show off their talents.
Liang Sheng, hopeless when it came to performing, could only sit in the audience and watch. Beside her sat Cha Susu, fresh off her stage moment.
Liang Sheng leaned in close to Cha Susu’s ear and whispered, “After the show wraps, wanna grab dinner together?”
Cha Susu smiled, lips curving as she gave a soft nod.
“Hey~ My treat~ Let’s hit up Haidilao! And… I happen to know that the day after tomorrow is your birthday.” Liang Sheng waggled her eyebrows at Cha Susu.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 165”
“Huh?!” Cha Susu lit up with genuine surprise. She’d never mentioned her birthday to Liang Sheng. “Shengsheng, how did you know?”
Liang Sheng grinned and raised her hand to give her a quick flick on the forehead. “Silly! You’re a big star~ A quick search online turns it right up.”
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 167”
“Hee hee~” Cha Susu beamed and hooked her arm through the Green-haired Girl’s.
Liang Sheng went on, “Mmm~ Consider this an early birthday celebration. You’ll probably be slammed with work on the actual day anyway, so we might not get to see each other.”
Cha Susu nodded, a touch of regret in her eyes. “Then let’s head to Haidilao after this~”
The two hadn’t noticed a camera trained right on them. It captured no audio, but every gesture and expression was recorded crystal clear.
“That scary one of yours… uh, I mean, your manager—isn’t she gonna stop you?” Liang Sheng asked, a hint of worry creeping in.
Cha Susu thought it over, no real confidence in her voice. “I’ll talk to her later. Should be fine, right? It’s just an early birthday thing.”
They were so wrapped up in their hushed conversation that they barely glanced at the performances onstage.
Just as they settled the plan, the acts up there wrapped up too.
Wuhu~ Time for the next phase of the strategy!
Liang Sheng sprang to her feet, grabbed Cha Susu’s hand, and bounded back onto the stage.
Spotting them, the host teased, “I can tell you two are really close.”
Cha Susu’s heart fluttered sweetly. She knew it was praise for their friendship, but to her ears—tainted by her ulterior motives toward the Green-haired Girl—it took on a whole different flavor.
Everyone took a group bow, and the event wrapped.
“Susu, that friend of yours seems pretty great.”
As Cha Susu led Liang Sheng to her dressing room to remove her makeup, a female celebrity stepped into their path.
Cha Susu shot the woman—a few years her senior—a glance laced with hostility, then switched to an innocent smile, all traces of animosity vanishing from her eyes. “Sister, of course my friend’s amazing~ Thanks for the compliment!”
Well now, a Shura Field in the making in the entertainment world—this promised some drama. Liang Sheng leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Of course, she worried about getting caught in the crossfire.
“Ahem~” The female celebrity plastered on her professional fake smile but didn’t budge, blocking the dressing room entrance. “So, when’s she joining our agency?”
This time, Cha Susu dropped the patience, her words laced with barbs and mockery. “What are you talking about, Sister? Shengsheng’s family has plenty of money~ She doesn’t need our pocket change.”
The line carried a smug edge of bragging too.
“Tch…” The female celebrity’s face turned green, her smile cracking. She stepped aside. “Haha~ Just kidding around. Why take it so seriously? Go on in and get that makeup off. Won’t keep you two besties from your reunion.”
With that, she stormed off in her high heels, fuming.
“Ah, what a weird one.” Liang Sheng watched her retreating back and muttered to Little Green Tea beside her.
Cha Susu pushed Liang Sheng into the dressing room. “Pfft, Shengsheng, don’t mind her. She’s just jealous you’re so pretty and scared you’ll enter the industry and steal her spotlight.”
“Haha~” Liang Sheng rubbed the back of her head, looking a bit dopey. “No way, my singing’s off-key, and I’ve got zero acting chops. She’s overthinking it big time—and anyway, I’m not interested in showbiz.”
Cha Susu pouted. “Then she’s just jealous that our Shengsheng is gorgeous and loaded!”
Liang Sheng loved hearing that. She threw an arm around Cha Susu’s shoulders, and the two tumbled onto the sofa together. “Hee hee~ Our Susu’s got such a sweet mouth!”
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 170”
The pair was horsing around on the sofa when Sister Jin and the makeup artist walked in together, freezing at the sight.
“Ahem!” Sister Jin cleared her throat a few times. “Susu, come over here and get that makeup off.”
Caught like this by outsiders, Cha Susu flushed a little. “Sister Jin, you didn’t knock…”
Sister Jin closed her eyes and adjusted her glasses. “I’ll remember next time. You watch yourself too.”
Cha Susu settled into the makeup chair as the artist worked. She seized the moment to pitch to her manager. “Sister Jin, I’ve got nothing after today. Can I go grab dinner with Shengsheng later?”
Sister Jin paused, then shot back, “What are you eating?”
That was her concern?
“Uh… uh, Hai-Haidilao…” Cha Susu’s voice lacked conviction as she said it.
“No way!” Sister Jin shut it down flat.
“Ah…!” Cha Susu wailed. “I haven’t touched seafood in forever!!”
“You might not have, but you’ve still packed on two pounds lately.” Sister Jin was unrelenting, leaving even Liang Sheng—who’d been about to plead her case—speechless.
No choice against such a hardliner. Cha Susu played the emotional card. “Sister Jin~ My dear Sister Jin~ Do you know what day it is the day after tomorrow?”
