Chapter 53: Worldly Evil Beast Part 1

By now, Mai Chen had outright refused to look at the real-time comments for Qiu Chao’s variety show anymore.

Yet her girlfriend, who was staying with her in the hospital, watched the live stream every single day right there in the ward.

Marina hadn’t been a variety show fan before, but these days, pretty much everyone had a basic idea of the format.

It just so happened that Qiu Siyuan was the director of one of the shows Marina had watched and loved in the past, so Mai Chen’s boycott was completely futile.

She was forced to tune in at the scheduled times every day, painfully explaining all sorts of things to her girlfriend.

Folklore, rural village life—anything they hadn’t encountered before.

Mai Chen had grown up in the city, as had her parents and even her grandparents. Her impression of mountain villages came solely from scenic photo shoots.

So her explanations came out halting and incomplete, relying heavily on the production team’s on-screen factoids for backup.

Marina had never met Yan Muyu before. Her sole impression of the name came from the time Mai Chen vented about taking care of a drunk Qiu Chao one year.

Her academic girlfriend had a terrifyingly good memory, remembering things Mai Chen had long forgotten. While watching the live stream, she offered a full rundown on Yan Muyu.

“Honey, you called her a scumbag? But she seems pretty nice to me.”

“Oh my god, she’s so handsome chopping that firewood!”

“This fish lamp is so cool. Can I get one? How do I buy it?”

…

And that was still the normal stuff.

Qiu Chao was the highest value-for-money artist Mai Chen had ever managed, mainly because she didn’t need hand-holding on anything else.

She kept her love life squeaky clean. Even on the rare lonely night when she sought company for just one evening, she always seemed dissatisfied afterward and preferred to stay solo.

On the career front, she was even more driven than Mai Chen herself, the epitome of “no man will slow my hustle.” No matter how handsome or wealthy the tycoons or even royalty who pursued her, none could sway Qiu Chao.

But Mai Chen never could have imagined that the woman who’d clicked with her so instantly back then was actually a full-blown pure-love maniac.

Marina’s Chinese was solid, and she could follow the live chat just fine, though Mai Chen occasionally had to unpack an inside joke or two.

Her impression of Easterners was that they were always so reserved.

The barrage of comments flooding the screen didn’t faze her at all. She even turned off the comment section, immersing herself fully in the show each day while keeping Mai Chen company.

Whenever Mai Chen was driven up the wall by Qiu Chao’s antics, Marina would soothe her just in time: “Don’t you think Qiu looks really happy right now?”

“Honey, does this little sister like Yan?”

Marina found Yan Muyu’s Chinese name a bit of a mouthful, but to Mai Chen’s ears, it sounded overly intimate.

It was like Marina was already treating Yan Muyu like family, while Mai Chen felt more like Qiu Chao’s actual relative.

But when Mai Chen spotted Xuan Zhelu, she figured the other woman’s manager must be suffering even more than she was.

After all, Xuan Zhelu’s enthusiasm had utterly demolished her previous persona.

What was with this pack of women? Was Yan Muyu some kind of magic elixir?!

Did it grant longevity or eternal youth? Were they seriously this fixated?

There were flowers everywhere—Yan Muyu wasn’t even top-tier spirit grass!!

Mai Chen replied offhandedly, “Seems like they dated.”

Marina knew domestic relations weren’t ready for going public yet. She let out a “Whoa”: “She’s so brave.”

Marina, several years older than her lover, might not seem as steady at first glance. Her fair skin and slender build gave her a uniquely fragile air.

And she was quick to get emotional, just like now—god knows how many romantic scenarios she’d imagined, tears already welling up.

Mai Chen couldn’t bear to watch the live footage anymore. No matter the angle, the editing was always biased toward Qiu Chao and Yan Muyu.

Even a pig could sense the undercurrents of this brewing love triangle.

Mai Chen took a deep breath, deciding ignorance was bliss.

She was in recovery mode anyway. What passed for relaxing entertainment for other patients was pure torment for her.

She was just about to say she needed rest when she heard Qiu Chao drop that bombshell in the live stream.

Mai Chen: …

Was “business before romance” not obvious enough for you?

Can you tone down that look you’re giving Yan Muyu?!

Does her total indifference not douse your flames?!

What do you mean “her and only her”?

Didn’t you say a one-night stand would do before? Now you want the person and the feelings?

Is fighting a junior for a woman something to brag about?!

And hadn’t Marina turned off the comments? So who the hell was spamming those rainbow-rolling “Qiu Chao Lunatic” messages?!

Marina found it all fascinating too. She tapped her tablet and went, “Oh, three thousand RMB per comment.”

Mai Chen glanced at the ID: Worldly Evil Beast Yan Muyu.

What the heck? Did Yan Muyu have haters?

She wasn’t even a celebrity—where would the antis come from?

Mai Chen didn’t dare check Weibo anymore. She could already imagine the earthquake from such blatant hints.

The studio was under Whale Entertainment’s control now anyway. They could handle the mess—she was taking a vacation.

But she hadn’t been lying down long when Marina said, “Yuan Yuan’s on the phone. She wants you to check Weibo.”

Night had fallen. The city lights blazed outside S City Hospital, while the mountain village in the live stream lay hushed and still.

The guests had returned from town to their lodgings. Liu Song was dead tired and planned to crash with Xi Xi.

Xuan Zhelu tagged along with Qiu Chao and Yan Muyu up to Boss Wu’s place on the hill.

Ding Yingxue hadn’t planned to go at first, but she really wanted to see the puppy and pestered Pei Wan to join her.

The last car pulled away.

It had rained for three straight days, with overcast skies that morning and sun breaking through that afternoon.

They left the workshop right at dusk. In the car, Xuan Zhelu asked Yan Muyu curiously, “What’s a cooperative store? Like a convenience store?”

Yan Muyu replied, “Sort of.”

The town was a ways from that village, so the crew had provided a van, which Yan Muyu was driving.

Her hand wasn’t fully healed yet, but the nail hadn’t gone in too deep. It barely hurt now; she’d just bandaged it casually.

Pei Wan had been set to drive originally, but after day one, Yan Muyu knew better than to trust her friend’s empty words. She preferred taking the wheel herself.

What surprised Pei Wan was that Qiu Chao didn’t claim shotgun.

The van was rigged with cameras and mics. Constant live exposure could make anyone tense, but most of them had adjusted by now.

Ding Yingxue leaned on Pei Wan’s shoulder, gazing at the sunset outside.

An aerial shot swept over the van, then panned to the guests’ faces, the fading sunlight gilding them all in soft orange halos.

Pei Wan, sandwiched in the middle row, asked Qiu Chao beside her, “Why didn’t you sit up front?”

She didn’t stand out much on the show, yet analysts had noted that without Pei Wan, everyone’s quality of life might plummet.

Ding Yingxue would feel it first.

She looked every bit the classic manager—doubling as assistant, camera op, and more, even warming up Ding Yingxue’s voice and running lines daily.

Pei Wan wore glasses, her scholarly vibe leaping off the screen. Even if she didn’t shine on the variety show, she drew eyes anyway.

Her question wasn’t loud—at least Yan Muyu up front and inquisitive Xuan Zhelu didn’t catch it.

The audience did.

【I’m still reeling from the shock of potentially shipping real aunt-niece vibes.】

【That wasn’t a hint from Qiu Chao. That was straight-up confirmation.】

【My friend is over the moon. Wasn’t planning to follow, but regrets it now. With Yan Muyu around, she’ll blind binge… super high yuri vibes.】

【What do I do? I was just casually shipping, but if it’s real, it’s kinda scary.】

【Qiu Chao’s got that cocky “I can win Yan Muyu” energy… even if it’s subtle.】

【She’s so steady. Never seen Qiu Chao all bubbly and cute—kinda jarring when I think about it.】

Qiu Chao: “Plenty of chances later.”

She said it while checking her phone.

It was a chat with Wu Xiaoqing. Boss Lady had sent a video of the puppy; its little whines drew Ding Yingxue over to peek.

Pei Wan raised an eyebrow. Unexpectedly, Qiu Chao was the one holding the reins here.

Up front, Yan Muyu drove with lazy nonchalance, answering Xuan Zhelu’s questions in fits and starts.

Stuff like dogs chasing people around—silly anecdotes.

Sounded dull, but that was the show’s vibe.

Qiu Siyuan had a knack for visuals too, making it easy to unwind with the mountain breeze.

Yan Muyu: “You’ve watched the previous streams. How do you have so many questions?”

Xuan Zhelu: “I want to hear it from you directly. I’m leaving tomorrow—you might block me again.”

Yan Muyu chuckled: “Just stop messaging me all the time.”

From the back, Ding Yingxue muttered softly, “She’s so cold.”

Pei Wan ruffled her hair.

Qiu Chao hummed in agreement. “That’s just how she is.”

Xuan Zhelu: “Can’t I send normal messages?”

【What kind of messages—normal or not?】

【Dying of curiosity here.】

Yan Muyu: “Sure, as long as you don’t ramble. Actually looking forward to your wedding invite.”

She was nudging the marriage talk again, indirectly.

Xuan Zhelu: “I want to see our fish lamp lit up too.”

That one was sincere, at least. Unfortunately, these four days were all she’d fought for.

Even as Teng Huang New Star’s acknowledged princess, Xuan Zhelu’s freedom had limits.

Limits she knew all too well—even her wildest antics wouldn’t win her anything.

Like turning Yan Muyu around.

She wasn’t clueless. She knew Yan Muyu wasn’t worth throwing herself at.

But people were masochists like that—knowing the outcome and still harboring a sliver of hope.

Even if Yan Muyu’s refusal had been thorough enough.

“Then you’ll come next week?” Yan Muyu asked.

She smiled as she spoke, her tone light and casual. The camera panned across her just as the sunset’s glow bathed her face, turning her eyelashes to gold-dusted filigree. Paired with that radiant smile, it was enough to leave Xuan Zhelu feeling both wronged and furious. “How can you be like this?!”

Yan Muyu didn’t get angry at the inexplicable outburst. “It’s not like I’m stopping you from coming.”

【I get why Xuan Zhelu snapped.】

【Is no one noticing Qiu Chao laughing?】

【Yan Muyu did what she could, but feelings…】

【Lu-mei, let it go. Plenty of good women out there, and great tops aren’t just Yan Muyu.】

Xuan Zhelu huffed. “Will you see me off tomorrow?”

Yan Muyu glanced at the rearview mirror. “Aren’t we swapping jobs again tomorrow?”

Pei Wan hummed in agreement.

Qiu Chao said, “You’ll herd ducks while I herd cows.”

Xuan Zhelu huffed even louder. She could tell now—Qiu Chao didn’t give her the time of day.

Yan Muyu let out an “Oh.” “Then Liu Song will have to teach me how to use the duck whistle.”

Qiu Chao shot back, “With a mouth like yours, do you really need lessons?”

Xuan Zhelu choked on her own saliva.

Pei Wan: …

It wasn’t anything scandalous, so no need to overthink it. But it was hard not to.

Ding Yingxue could only pretend to admire the scenery.

【Qiu Chao, what are you even saying?!】

【Is she just leaning into that lustful persona they slapped on her before? Broken vase, broken smash?】

Yan Muyu took a deep breath. The road ahead was smooth, so she rolled down the window. Her hair whipped wildly in the wind.

【I bet Yan Muyu’s about to lose it too.】

【These girls together, and Ding Yingxue’s always the one eating the melon.】

“Because you’re terrible at it,” Yan Muyu said.

Qiu Chao chuckled. “As long as you’re good, that’s enough.”

The two of them traded barbs back and forth until they got out of the car.

Xuan Zhelu could only trail behind Ding Yingxue and Pei Wan, who walked ahead.

Yan Muyu lowered her voice. “Can’t you tone it down a bit? Do you think coming out as a celebrity is that simple?”

She looked genuinely worried. “Your agent, Miss Mai, is probably gonna kill you for this.”

The sun had set, its last rays lingering beyond the mountains.

They stood under a tree as cooking smoke rose from the village chimneys, the aroma of dinner wafting through the air.

The production crew’s cameras kept their distance with wide shots, unable to pick up their conversation.

From afar, it looked like two people standing together under the tree—not too close, not too far. One with her head down, the other looking up.

The vibe seemed almost pleasant at a glance.

But Qiu Chao wasn’t playing along.

She stared at Yan Muyu with an intensity that made Yan Muyu want to bolt.

“She knows,” Qiu Chao said. “I set that expectation before I even came here.”

Yan Muyu pressed, “You really don’t care? What if everyone starts hating on you later? What if no one wants to cast you?”

Qiu Chao replied, “With the Yan Family backing me, would anyone really turn down my projects?”

Yan Muyu countered, “The Yan Family has pull, but there are corners even they can’t reach.”

Her gaze was earnest, no trace of joking.

There were plenty of openly gay celebrities in the industry, but none dared to flaunt it on variety shows.

Most hype was “U-straight”—half-true, half-fake, impossible to pin down.

Fans chased the dream; idols cashed in on the buzz.

Real relationships weren’t meant for public display.

“Can’t you protect me?” Qiu Chao asked.

The question came out of nowhere, almost aggressively tender.

Yan Muyu instinctively took half a step back, but Qiu Chao advanced half a step.

One wore simple athletic sneakers; the other, supple leather shoes.

And it was the one in leather who was the boldest.

“It’s not me,” Yan Muyu said. “It’s Whale—the company. They can’t control everything.”

There was a hint of regret in her tone. “Truth is, you got the short end signing with Whale. Not much in the way of good resources.”