Dating Show Side Character, Getting Rich by Roasting People

CHAPTER 39: A Dead Ex Is a Good Ex

　　Chu Ling suddenly understood.

　　This explained why Sheng Yi’s negative emotions were coming in tiny little bursts, yet nonstop. He had been in a constant state of tension.

　　But if it was worry now, then what about last night?

　　In the middle of the night, was Sheng Yi anxious or worried about her for some reason?

　　“So, what exactly did I do?”

　　Sheng Yi paused, then pressed on, “I don’t remember doing anything that shouldn’t be broadcast.”

　　He glanced at the cameraman and joked, “Should we CUT now? You can tell me secretly.”

　　The live audience went wild.

　　【No way!】

　　【I’m VIP! There’s nothing I can’t see!】

　　Some were laughing at the situation.

　　【He’s so bold, talking to Chu Ling like that!】

　　【Feels like he’s about to get roasted next second.】

　　【He hasn’t been scolded enough by Chu Ling yet. Too naive.】

　　“…Nothing.”

　　Unexpectedly, Chu Ling suddenly smiled.

　　It wasn’t sarcastic, not even a little mocking. It was a light, almost happy smile.

　　She smiled at this absurd system and also at herself for taking shortcuts and not trusting her own judgment. “You didn’t do anything. It’s my problem.”

　　The thought that she had assumed Sheng Yi secretly disliked her, when in reality he was worried that she might dislike him, struck her as hilarious.

　　Sheng Yi: “…”

　　Thinking Chu Ling was being stubborn or saying the opposite of what she meant, he hesitated, then said, “Then whatever made you unhappy, I’ll apologize first.”

　　Chu Ling: “No need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

　　Sheng Yi: “I did something wrong.”

　　Chu Ling rolled her eyes. “You really didn’t.”

　　Sheng Yi repeated, “I did something wrong.”

　　【…What’s going on now?】

　　【I don’t get it. Feels like a couple having a small fight.】

　　【Are they really not getting along? Their relationship seems kinda weird to me.】

　　【Feels like both of them could end up with a schemer. So what, my lady! No need to flatter!】

　　【This back-and-forth is so much like someone coaxing their girlfriend. Sheng Yi, be honest! Did you invite Chu Ling to the rooftop with selfish intentions or just to clear up a misunderstanding?!】

　　【This is getting me way too excited. Reconciliation, maybe? Children crying, werwer.】

　　“…Fine.”

　　Chu Ling paused and added, “Since you want me to say it, I’ll tell you.”

　　The system tensed up, worried she might leak something important.

　　“The reason is… you stole the pair of penguin ornaments I wanted this morning.”

　　Chu Ling said this with a completely serious face, making it sound absurd.

　　Sheng Yi: “?”

　　If he remembered correctly, Chu Ling had been the one to let go first, right?

　　He blinked, confused. “Just because of that?”

　　Chu Ling nodded confidently. “Yes, just because of that.”

　　Sheng Yi asked again, “Then what about the one you said was two-faced…?”

　　“Did I say it was you?” Chu Ling replied.

　　Sheng Yi: “…”

　　She didn’t say it was him, but—

　　“Then it wasn’t you.”

　　Chu Ling said firmly, “There are plenty of people here who seem nice but aren’t.”

　　Luckily, she had only been sarcastic and didn’t go full-on attack.

　　Otherwise, this mix-up could have gotten way out of hand.

　　Anyway, the other guests on the show were plenty of two-faced types. Let them take the hint for themselves.

　　【Is that it? Is that it? Is that it? Is that it?】

　　【Chu Ling is just… so random!】

　　【Does Chu Ling have some princess syndrome? This is way too much drama!】

　　Exactly.

　　Chu Ling waited for the viewers to roast her for being dramatic, happily collecting a wave of negative vibes, but instead heard Sheng Yi, like he’d just exhaled, laugh: “If you like it, I can just give it to you.”

　　【Wow, Sheng Yi, you…】

　　【Ah, so the drama exists because someone is willing to spoil her.】

　　【Adorable. A stubborn person needs a lover who won’t back off. I ship this so hard [heart]】

　　【I told you! Sheng Yi really didn’t disappoint me! I ship this! This bully drama queen is being indulged!】

　　【Wait, did I miss some gossip? So who’s the two-faced one again?】

　　【If it’s not Sheng Yi, then one of the other three male guests?】

　　【Chu Ling’s death-note list keeps growing… who pissed her off this time?】

　　Chu Ling glanced at the backend and saw that Sheng Yi’s negative vibes had actually stopped increasing.

　　He actually meant what he said!

　　“I don’t want it now.”

　　Seeing that the viewers weren’t sending negative vibes anymore, Chu Ling immediately started up again. “I like that little shark even more now.”

　　System: “…”

　　Missed a word there, didn’t you?

　　“In short, I don’t want it anymore, and I’m not mad at you either.”

　　After finishing her drama, Chu Ling asked Sheng Yi, “Alright, do you have anything else to say?”

　　Sheng Yi: “…”

　　Nothing at all.

　　He knew that all their interactions were being filmed, so he rarely showed his true feelings on camera. The only reason he had insisted on inviting Chu Ling over was that this was his only chance.

　　Of course, even though she had given a reason, he instinctively felt it wasn’t really that.

　　She wasn’t the kind of person to be so petty.

　　Still, even though Chu Ling hadn’t revealed the real reason, she now seemed neither upset nor ignoring him.

　　Sheng Yi relaxed a little and then said, “Even though you don’t want that pair of penguins anymore, since it made you unhappy, I should make it up to you. Let me think… is there anything else I can do to make you happy?”

　　Chu Ling thought for a moment, resting her cheek on her hand. “Why don’t… you sing me a song now?”

　　Soft moonlight poured down, landing on Chu Ling’s eyelashes.

　　She propped her face up with one hand, her elbow resting on her knee, and turned her head to look at Sheng Yi, blinking gently.

　　【Oh my god, this atmosphere!】

　　【If she just used her face and stayed quiet, she’d automatically have a romance drama buff.】

　　【Chu Ling’s mouth is sharp, but her face is way too beautiful. Forget it, let her be dramatic a little, I’ll indulge her!】

　　【That line got me, is Chu Ling really single? I think she’s actually pretty good at this.】

　　【Just look at how she treats the other male guests, and you’ll see why her single-mother vibe isn’t undeserved!】

　　【So Sheng Yi is the special one! Shipping this pair is just natural!】

　　The real reason Chu Ling wanted Sheng Yi to sing was simple.

　　What a perfect opportunity!

　　You can promote your song now!

　　Chu Ling felt a little embarrassed about causing this misunderstanding, but she couldn’t just say it. There was still some time, so why not take advantage of the moment, with everyone watching, to give Sheng Yi a chance to push his music?

　　Sheng Yi was momentarily stunned.

　　The atmosphere was so perfect that he almost didn’t react.

　　After a few seconds, he seemed to understand Chu Ling’s intention and laughed, “Alright, wait here. I’ll go get the guitar.”

　　Soon, Sheng Yi carried the guitar from his room up to the rooftop.

　　In the sky, the moon had shifted a few steps, and the moonlight landed perfectly between them.

　　The rooftop chairs were low folding stools. This time, no need for stage or audience separation. Chu Ling sat right beside Sheng Yi, resting her face on her hand as she listened to him sing.

　　Sheng Yi had performed on many small stages—some with no audience, some with a handful of fans, and some at music festivals with thousands of people.

　　But having the girl he liked right there, listening to him sing, this was the first and only time.

　　He glanced into Chu Ling’s eyes, plucked the strings a couple of times, and began to sing.

　　Chu Ling had been expecting a rock-style song.

　　But when Sheng Yi started, she froze for a second.

　　This song was different from the one that had moved her before. It wasn’t as aggressive or intense, instead much softer, though it still carried the unique and recognizable style of his band.

　　If the previous song was the kind to make a first impression of their band, this ballad was the type that could reach a wider audience.

　　Chu Ling had thought Sheng Yi could only handle that previous style.

　　She hadn’t expected his voice to bring a new flavor to a ballad.

　　It was really beautiful.

　　When he finished, Chu Ling dutifully applauded, “Is this a new song?”

　　“Sort of,” Sheng Yi said. “I wrote it before, but it hasn’t been released yet.”

　　Chu Ling blinked.

　　Wouldn’t that make it useless for promoting his music?

　　Sheng Yi smiled. “I just thought it fit the mood right now, so I sang it.”

　　Strictly speaking, there were still some parts he hadn’t perfected and didn’t feel satisfied with.

　　But tonight, with the moon just right and the person beside him just right, he even managed to improve it a bit on the spot.

　　He asked Chu Ling, “Can you accept this as an apology gift?”

　　Chu Ling smiled. “Of course.”

　　She thought for a moment and then realized something.

　　With the dating show trending right now, releasing an unreleased song this way, letting everyone anticipate the source later, was actually a clever way to boost hype.

　　Not bad, Sheng Yi. No wonder you’re in the entertainment world.

　　“That’s good,” Sheng Yi said, surprisingly straightforward, just looking at her as he smiled. “I’m glad you’re not upset.”

　　……

　　When Chu Ling and Sheng Yi left the rooftop, she checked the backend again.

　　Sure enough, ever since they had cleared the misunderstanding, Sheng Yi’s negative emotion hadn’t increased at all.

　　Just as she had guessed, Sheng Yi hadn’t secretly disliked her. It had all been a misunderstanding.

　　For some reason, Chu Ling felt an unexpected sense of relief, and her mood suddenly lifted.

　　She had originally thought she didn’t care. One more or one less person disliking her didn’t matter, and she could even earn a little more money, so why not?

　　But Sheng Yi wasn’t that kind of person, and somehow that made her feel much more at ease.

　　The next person invited to the rooftop was Wen Shu.

　　The invitation naturally came from Qin Shuo.

　　Qin Shuo really loved this segment.

　　In the previous rounds, whether it was a four-person date, a cruise date, or even a camping trip far away, Chu Ling had stubbornly followed them everywhere.

　　This time, the production finally set up a 1v1 private heart-to-heart segment.

　　Without Chu Ling’s interference, he could finally have a proper conversation with Wen Shu.

　　He could tell Wen Shu was a little nervous, even touching her ears several times in a row.

　　She was shy.

　　As expected, Wen Shu returned to the familiar version of herself when she was alone.

　　Qin Shuo said, “It’s been a while since we talked one-on-one. Don’t be nervous.”

　　He asked, “Do you want a little drink?”

　　The idea was that a little alcohol might make her more willing to open up.

　　But Wen Shu shook her head cautiously. “No thanks, I don’t really like drinking.”

　　She asked, “What did you want to ask me?”

　　With one hand, she touched her hair, hiding the earphones tucked underneath.

　　Five minutes earlier.

　　After returning to her room, Chu Ling found Wen Shu squatting there and nearly jumped in surprise.

　　Wen Shu looked pitiful and begged Chu Ling.

　　She had already received Qin Shuo’s invitation to the rooftop. Although it was expected, she still found it troublesome.

　　So she wanted to ask Chu Ling, since Chu Ling could watch their interaction live from her room, could she give a few subtle hints?

　　Chu Ling raised an eyebrow and joked, “Me? Is this considered being a remote third wheel?”　　

　　“Don’t joke around.”

　　Wen Shu frowned and said, “I know this isn’t right. I shouldn’t always bother you to help me.”

　　But she still had a hard time accepting the one-on-one moments with Qin Shuo.

　　She thought that without Chu Ling, she might have already repeated the same mistakes over and over in the past few dates.

　　Chu Ling always managed to wake her up at the most crucial moments.

　　So she hoped Chu Ling could help her from afar this time too.

　　Wen Shu said, “Also, you can see the live comments. If I do something wrong, you can remind me. If I say something inappropriate, you can stop me right away.”

　　Chu Ling had agreed to this readily.

　　So now, she was watching the show while getting ready to be Wen Shu’s strategist.

　　“Alright.”

　　Qin Shuo didn’t push either and just said, “Don’t be nervous. Just treat this like a casual chat. I can ask you questions, you can ask me questions. We can share some secrets we haven’t shared in front of others and get to know each other. Isn’t that nice?”

　　Chu Ling chuckled quietly in her mind.

　　Share secrets with each other—and tens of thousands of viewers are watching. Do you think I’m buying it?

　　Wen Shu said, “Go ahead, ask.”

　　“What's your attitude toward exes?”

　　Qin Shuo looked into her eyes and said, “In other words, is there anything you still want to say to your ex?”

　　【? Why suddenly bring up an ex out of nowhere?】

　　【He probably want to analyze her views on relationships based on her attitude toward her ex.】

　　【Right, maybe even get a hint about her ideal type.】

　　【Although everyone is pessimistic about Qin Wen, I think there’s still hope. Qin Shuo is rarely this proactive, so let’s see if this little one-on-one interaction can develop further.】

　　Wen Shu didn’t expect him to ask this.

　　The person in front of her was her real ex, and she was suddenly a bit flustered. “Uh—”

　　Chu Ling whispered through her earphones, “The attitude is, a dead ex is the only good ex.”

　　Wen Shu: “?”

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