She leaned listlessly against Lu Xiaomi, her carefully made-up face unable to hide her haggard appearance.
"If you can't eat, have some soup."
Lu Xiaomi brought over a soup bowl, scooped a spoonful of soup, and gently handed it over after it cooled down.
She used to feed Chen Fu medicine frequently, and her secretaries and assistants were all aware of her relationship with Chen Fu, so everyone was used to it.
But the people at the table didn't understand their relationship...
Aside from Lu Xiaomi and Chen Fu, there are four other participants in this variety show: two actors, one singer, and one recently popular livestreaming influencer.
The internet celebrity's name is Qin Niannian. She is only 21 years old this year. She is a top streamer in her own company. She has always been unrestrained in her speech and actions. In the words of her fans, she is straightforward, simple and unpretentious.
So when Qin Niannian saw Lu Xiaomi's affectionate actions, she immediately laughed.
By this time, the production team had mostly finished filming and the cameras were almost off. The production team deliberately left some time for the guests to have private conversations.
"What's your relationship with those two? Why do you need someone to feed you?"
Qin Niannian's unintentional remark instantly turned the harmonious atmosphere awkward. The assistant sitting behind her nudged Qin Niannian's arm and whispered to her about the relationship between Lu Xiaomi and Chen Fu. She said that Lu Yu was a high-ranking executive at Xihe Film and Television, and asked her what she was talking about and whether she wanted to continue her career in the entertainment industry.
Qin Niannian was young and didn't expect to hit a landmine right off the bat. She stammered for a long time but couldn't come up with a coherent answer. This incident, however, attracted the attention of the others. The other guests, who were originally looking down at their phones, all looked up, and the pressure immediately shifted to Lu Xiaomi.
Her relationship with Chen Fu was known only to close friends and acquaintances. The relationship had a significant impact on the careers of celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry, and she never intended to make their relationship public.
Lu Xiaomi paused for a moment, preparing to make an excuse by saying that the two of them were friends.
"Lovers."
Amidst the stunned expressions of the crowd, Chen Fu calmly uttered those two words.
"I've said we're lovers, do you still have any questions now?"
--------------------
Author's Note:
Guest: Stunned
Lu Zong: Vomiting three liters of blood
--------------------
Chapter 34 CP34
Three days later, Chen Fu and Lu Xiaomi arrived at their first destination, Orus, having traveled tens of thousands of kilometers to the other side of the world. Such an experience should have quickly warmed their relationship, but the reality was quite the opposite; a strange, cold war atmosphere remained between them.
This cold war was started unilaterally by Lu Xiaomi. She was angry that Chen Fu had made their relationship public that day, and she felt that Chen Fu had no respect for her career. Qin Niannian's question could have been easily resolved, but before Lu Xiaomi could even offer an excuse, things were made even worse by Chen Fu's statement, "We are lovers."
Aside from Qin Niannian, all the guests on this show had been in the industry for several years, and they were all well aware of the ins and outs of the entertainment circle. However, Chen Fu's candidness was unprecedented, and her words drew everyone's attention, making the two of them the center of attention. Lu Xiaomi looked at Chen Fu in shock; the woman seemed completely oblivious, even looking at her with a hopeful gaze.
It was as if she desperately wanted Lu Xiaomi to acknowledge their relationship.
The pressure immediately fell on Lu Xiaomi. Celebrities' relationships and sexual orientations are supposed to be closely guarded secrets. Chen Fu is currently in the prime of her career, and Lu Xiaomi is her nominal boss. Openly discussing their relationship could lead to much speculation and have a very negative impact on the artist's image. Thinking about all the possible consequences, Lu Xiaomi was so angry that she almost couldn't catch her breath.
She wanted to refuse, to abandon Chen Fu and turn away, to embarrass the person in front of her. But seeing the cautious, tentative expectation in Chen Fu's eyes, Lu Xiaomi simply couldn't bear to refuse.
Not only that, she didn't even have the courage to make excuses.
She realized she was afraid of Chen Fu. She was afraid that her vague answer would cause Chen Fu to have an excessive emotional reaction, afraid that Chen Fu's beautiful eyes would be filled with sadness, and afraid that Chen Fu would say in a cold and harsh tone, "You really don't love me."
Too many bad things have happened between them during this time, and Lu Xiaomi doesn't want to add any more.
So, amidst the gossipy gazes of everyone, she could only sigh and, in a fit of despair, admit that yes, we were indeed lovers.
There's no doubt that she loves Chen Fu, but love can eventually be worn down by time. Ever since Chen Fu became emotionally unstable, Lu Xiaomi has taken meticulous care of her and been incredibly accommodating to her. But over time, this kind of excessive indulgence in a lover can become tiresome.
Thinking of this, Lu Xiaomi's expression darkened.
The long flight left her utterly exhausted. She threw away the SIM card she used for work and deleted all her social media accounts. She had to abandon a project she'd been working on, and her business partners openly and subtly mocked her lack of sincerity and patience. She also didn't have the energy to deal with Xihe's situation; rumors were circulating within the company that she was about to step down and leave. She had paid too high a price to please Chen Fu. After learning all this, Lu Yu's father sent her a text message with only four words: "Take care of yourself."
Lu Xiaomi stared blankly at the screen for a long time, only to find that her heart was ice-cold.
There was some distance from the airport to the rented guesthouse, and the car arranged by the production team hadn't arrived yet, so Sister Zhou suggested that everyone rest at a nearby restaurant while waiting and discussing tomorrow's itinerary. Sister Zhou was the oldest in the group, and in her youth, she was an absolute beauty with a high status in the entertainment industry.
Lu Xiaomi nodded in agreement with the crowd, and when she got up, she helped Chen Fu pull over her suitcase.
Unlike Lu Xiaomi's deliberate cold war, Chen Fu's mental state is much better now than it was in China. Perhaps it's because Lu Xiaomi publicly acknowledged their relationship that day, causing Chen Fu's attitude towards her to change drastically. Unlike the deliberate flattery she showed when they first met, Chen Fu's attitude now reveals a gentleness that only comes with genuine affection.
This wonderful feeling made Chen Fu look like she was in good condition. There was no sign of fatigue on her face. The night breeze of Orus made her cheeks very red, and her eyes and brows were also tinged with a soft blush.
Seeing Chen Fu like this inexplicably softened Lu Xiaomi's heart. She sat in the corner of the restaurant, quietly observing Chen Fu, wondering blankly what she loved about her.
Before meeting Chen Fu, the answer to this question seemed quite clear. Her admiration and attraction to Chen Fu began with Chen Fu's beautiful face. Later, after learning about Chen Fu's experiences, she realized that most people admire strength, and Lu Xiaomi felt a deep sense of respect for Chen Fu. These complex emotions blended together to form the word "love." She loved Chen Fu's aloof demeanor and her courage to not easily compromise.
But after falling ill, Chen Fu seemed to have lost both.
She has now turned down all work; her dreams have become insignificant in the face of illness, and she has lost all motivation to persevere. Emotionally, she is far from the carefree person she was at the beginning. She will capriciously wears down Lu Xiaomi's patience with her, acting like a child experiencing love for the first time, making a fuss over nothing. The seemingly innate aloofness she once possessed has also disappeared. She is now too emotionally unstable, living a life devoid of self, and seems unable to continue living without Lu Xiaomi.
Would I still love Chen Fu after seeing this?
Qin Niannian's scream brought Lu Xiaomi back to reality. Chen Fu was slowly drinking an iced drink in her line of sight. Lu Xiaomi wanted to go over and stop her. Chen Fu had a bad stomach, and the weather in Orus was cold and damp all year round. If she finished this drink, Chen Fu would definitely have a stomachache tonight.
"Aurus is actually a coastal city."
Qin Niannian, clutching a travel guide, exclaimed in surprise. Sister Zhou glanced over and said kindly, "That's right, Orus is actually the real home of the mermaids."
"In an era when technology was not advanced, the inhabitants of Orus made a living by fishing. Legend has it that someone once caught a monster with a human body and a fish tail in a fishing net. This monster could neither speak nor walk, and after being caught, it cried every day."
Sister Zhou's words silenced the previously lively atmosphere. Qin Niannian pretended to wipe away tears from the corners of her eyes and whispered, "What a tragic story." Her affected behavior sent a chill down Lu Xiaomi's spine. Sure enough, the camera shoved Qin Niannian into focus.
Lu Xiaomi cursed inwardly, thinking that this was some third-rate writer who made up this bizarre little story to attract tourists. It was incoherent and illogical. But when she turned around, she found Chen Fu had pushed away her iced drink and was silently lost in thought.
It’s over!
Lu Xiaomi inwardly cried out in alarm. She thought, what a coincidence! Orus just happens to be a coastal city, and to make matters worse, it's the hometown of mermaids. Zhou Jie's words reminded Lu Xiaomi of the beginning of this whole mess. That day, Chen Fu and she went to the amusement park. They shared a sweet kiss on the Ferris wheel when it reached its highest point, and then they encountered a Little Mermaid fountain statue. Chen Fu suddenly broke down emotionally.
Seeing Chen Fu's thoughtful face, Lu Xiaomi knew she couldn't let history repeat itself. She struggled to get up from her cramped spot, accidentally kicking the chair and making a screeching sound on the floor. The people chatting at the table stopped and turned to look at Lu Xiaomi with a puzzled expression.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward. The singer who was standing between Chen Fu and Lu Xiaomi was stunned for a while, and then, as if suddenly realizing something, she very consciously moved aside.
Lu Xiaomi: ...There's no need to be so self-aware.
*
During dinner, everyone finalized the itinerary for tomorrow's activities, and the production crew's car was waiting outside on time. After the little incident during dinner, everyone seemed to remember the relationship between Chen Fu and Lu Xiaomi, so they consciously avoided traveling with the two of them while in the car.
So Lu Xiaomi had to share a small car with Chen Fu. After the photographer helped them put their luggage in the trunk, he very consciously sat in the front passenger seat, leaving Chen Fu and Lu Xiaomi to sit in the back seat alone. The night in Orus was silent amidst a dazzling array of lights and neon signs. The flashing neon lights shone through the frosty glass windows onto Chen Fu's face, casting a hazy, pale blush on her profile.
Chen Fu sat by the car window, gazing thoughtfully out the window.
After adjusting his seat, the photographer turned around with his camera, but neither Lu Xiaomi nor Chen Fu seemed inclined to speak first. The photography club awkwardly asked a few questions, and Lu Xiaomi gave a few perfunctory answers. Finally, in a tacit silence, the photographer awkwardly turned off the camera.
Seeing that the photographer had packed up his equipment, Lu Xiaomi simply closed her eyes to rest. She didn't have any expectations for this trip; she was just there to help Chen Fu relax. The entire season of the variety show would take at least two or three months to film, so she specifically sent 0413 to the pet center.
The fox cub looked unhappy before it was sent away. Lu Xiaomi tried to coax it for a long time, saying that if all else failed, they could send 0413 to Dr. Lu's house, since Dr. Lu has always liked small animals.
Unexpectedly, this suggestion was completely rejected by 0413, and the fox cub never uttered a single word of "no" again.
Lu Xiaomi hadn't slept well for the past few days, and felt sleepy as soon as she closed her eyes.
She was enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, but then she felt a slight itch on her lips.
Lu Xiaomi opened her eyes in a daze.
Chen Fu leaned close to her and was carefully kissing her.
*
"You're crazy."
Lu Xiaomi's cheeks flushed crimson instantly. Their actions could be clearly seen in the rearview mirror. She frantically tried to push Chen Fu away, but before she could utter those three words, Chen Fu tightly covered her mouth. The person who was forcibly kissing her was incredibly strong. Chen Fu gripped Lu Xiaomi's wrists, preventing her from struggling. Then, she released her hands from Lu Xiaomi's lips and, amidst the panicked expression on the person in front of her, slowly embraced and kissed her.
The heat spread from their lips to every part of their bodies as Chen Fu pressed Lu Xiaomi tightly against the glass, their bodies hidden behind the driver's seat. The cramped space brought them very close, and Lu Xiaomi wanted to end the kiss hastily, but Chen Fu held her tightly, refusing to let go.
The awkward situation made Lu Xiaomi suddenly feel like she was having an affair. The cameraman idly fiddled with the equipment, and as he listened to the slight friction sound from the cab, Lu Xiaomi became increasingly nervous and impatient.
The sudden kiss left Lu Xiaomi completely exhausted.
Chen Fu rubbed her cheeks and mouthed something pitifully to her.
"Don't be angry anymore, okay?"
--------------------
Author's Note:
Fufu did not peel.
Humbly asking for a few comments.jpg
Chapter 35 CP35
The rooms the production team found were ordinary star-rated hotels. After a simple group activity, Chen Fu and Lu Xiaomi were "coincidentally" assigned to the same room.
Seeing the ambiguous looks in the eyes of those around her, Lu Xiaomi snorted coldly in her heart.
It's just a trick by the production team to generate buzz.
Ever since Chen Fu's unprecedented statement at the dinner party, "We're lovers," the entire production team has tacitly accepted their relationship. Perhaps finding the boss x idol pairing appealing, the show's producers have been subtly and overtly creating opportunities for Lu Xiaomi and Chen Fu to be alone together. Chen Fu hasn't reacted to these tactics, but Lu Xiaomi has suffered instead. She had originally resolved to give Chen Fu the cold shoulder, but now the production team is forcing her to share a room with Chen Fu.
The lingering sensation of being forcefully kissed still echoed in her mind. To be honest, since that kiss ended, Lu Xiaomi's resentment had been dispelled by Chen Fu's kiss, but she still felt a bit down. She resignedly discovered that she was easy to coax; Chen Fu only needed to be slightly weak and show some goodwill, and she could only let the resentment in her heart slowly disappear.
Seeing that the person in front of her didn't offer any explanation, Lu Xiaomi suppressed her many questions and maintained her usual low mood. The guests who participated in the show parted ways on the first floor of the hotel, and Lu Xiaomi waved goodbye to the others perfunctorily.
Once everyone had left, Lu Xiaomi's gentle demeanor could no longer hold. She grabbed Chen Fu by the collar and, after returning to her room, blocked her in the entryway.
The person pressed against the entryway resembled a frightened little animal, their upturned eyes wide with shock, seemingly completely unaware of the excessive behavior they had just committed.
"Chen Fu".
When she opened her mouth, she realized that her voice was terribly hoarse, so Lu Xiaomi cleared her throat.
What's wrong with you lately?
After saying those few words, Lu Xiaomi had exhausted all her strength. Because of Chen Fu, she had indeed been feeling extremely tired lately. This public inquiry was a last resort after she had run out of options. She had tried everything, but she couldn't find the answer to the question no matter what she tried.
What's wrong with Chen Fu lately...?
The person pressed against the entrance did not intend to answer. Chen Fu skillfully freed herself from Lu Xiaomi's grasp. The hotel suite was well-heated, and she took off her coat.