Dating Show Side Character, Getting Rich by Roasting People

CHAPTER 73: Liking Chu Ling Was as Simple as Breathing

　　That night, inside the hotel.

　　After dinner, Chu Ling and Sheng Yi tidied up their room and got ready for the live stream coming up.

　　Since the production team wanted the couples to look more casual and at-home, Chu Ling even ordered two sets of matching loungewear from a nearby delivery spot, insisting that Sheng Yi change into them together.

　　They didn’t have time to be picky.

　　The result? Not only did the clothes not fit properly, the style was… well, something else entirely.

　　“I should have prepared these in advance.”

　　Sheng Yi couldn’t help but laugh when he changed.

　　He was a rock band guitarist and lead singer, yet now he was dressed in loungewear covered with cartoon characters. He looked ridiculous.

　　“…You think I wanted to wear this?”

　　Chu Ling glanced at her own loungewear, her eyes going wide at the oversized cartoon print. “Who would have thought the audience would vote us as the most popular couple?”

　　“Now you’re lacking confidence again?”

　　Sheng Yi teased. “Who was the one who said that even though we were the smallest in fame, we’d be the hottest?”

　　“I predicted a negative buzz! Who knew people would actually like us?

　　Chu Ling’s expression was one of utter disbelief. “When the host just announced us as number one, I almost thought he'd made a mistake.”

　　She had checked the backend page, and yes, they’d had plenty of hits that day. She assumed she was still disliked.

　　Plus, with the two regular guest couples subtly pushing her around today, and the tasks not going smoothly, she worried that her ‘everyone-hates-me’ aura might have affected Sheng Yi, turning him into a pariah along with her.

　　But to her surprise, they had actually won the most popular couple title for this episode.

　　This CP had truly turned from nothing into treasure.

　　Soon, the production crew and hosts arrived.

　　“Tonight’s live stream is mainly to give some perks to fans who’ve been voting for you.”

　　“You’ll show a bit of your usual daily life together, answer some questions from the fan comments. Finally, we'll pick three fans to call and fulfill their requests.”

　　The host reminded them, “Try to act a bit more intimate, since most viewers are CP fans.”　　

　　“How intimate?”

　　Chu Ling asked, referencing other couples' interactions, “Like Yuan Tiantian and Xia Yi? Constant hugging and kissing everywhere?”

　　The host fell silent.

　　Yes, that was exactly how those couples acted on live stream. Fans who liked them loved it.

　　But for Chu Ling and Sheng Yi…

　　The host suggested tactfully, “If you want, you can do that, but being natural is better.”

　　“Got it.”

　　They’d been moving together these past couple of days—entering and leaving together, eating together, and even sleeping in sync. They hadn’t shared a room, but they had developed a strong rhythm. Pretending to be a close couple for a short while would be easy.

　　By eight o’clock, the live stream officially began.

　　“Hello, and welcome to the ‘Love Is a Battle to Win’ evening couple live! Are you ready to see a couple’s daily life up close? Tonight, treating us to some sweet moments is this episode’s newly joined couple, ‘Overbearing CP’.”

　　The host added, “Say hello to the camera, you two.”

　　Sheng Yi and Chu Ling sat shoulder to shoulder, holding hands, and each waved at the camera.

　　【Oh my gosh, hahaha, is that really Chu Ling and Sheng Yi? They usually dress this cute?】

　　【One’s a flashy, high-profile actress and the other’s a punk rock band lead singer, and now they’re wearing cartoon dog pajamas at home… what a contrast!】

　　【I’m about to die from how adorable this couple is!】

　　“Just to clarify, this is his taste.”

　　Chu Ling tugged at her outfit and pointed at Sheng Yi. “He forced me to wear this with him.”

　　Sheng Yi: ?!

　　Wait, now she’s twisting the truth?

　　He shot back, “And you didn’t seem to mind at all, did you?”

　　【Exactly, she went along with it!】

　　【No need to explain, she totally loves it!】

　　【Who said the Overbearing CP is fake? This ship is perfect!】

　　The host smiled and said, “It’s clear that your usual way of interacting is a bit different than what people might expect. As a newly formed couple, you’re probably still in the honeymoon phase. But we all know you’re both busy with work, sometimes traveling to different cities. Have you thought about how to balance love and career?”

　　Sheng Yi answered quickly, “If you really want to be together, you can always find the time.”

　　After all, his work wasn’t actually that busy. It's not like two top stars are in love.

　　The host asked, “And what about you, Chu Ling?”

　　Chu Ling thought: I don’t really need to balance anything right now. Because my main job now is to hype up the CP.

　　“First of all, thank you for asking both of us.”

　　She smiled, “Most people might try to choose between the two or find some sort of balance. For me, ‘balance’ feels like weighing pros and cons.”

　　She gave an answer that surprised everyone, “So I don’t balance.”

　　“When I want to focus on work, I focus on work. When I want to focus on love, I focus on love. I just follow what I want at the moment.”

　　“And I make sure I don’t regret my choices.”

　　Ideal life, the future, money, love—she didn’t set limits for herself. Her life philosophy was simple: enjoy the moment.

　　The system thought she could afford to live this way, considering the money in her account gave her the freedom to splurge however she wanted.

　　【Wow… what a carefree answer.】

　　【I thought she’d use this chance to make herself seem all wise and rational, but nope.】

　　【I mean, she’s probably the perfect candidate for that persona in the whole entertainment industry, hahaha.】

　　【But this answer is so her. She’s extreme with her emotions, very clear with love and hate, and just lives in the now, not worrying about the future.】

　　【Chu Ling, Chu Ling, we love you!】

　　【Chu Ling, Chu Ling, we love you!】

　　“Really?”

　　Chu Ling glanced at the comments and joked, “You all say you like me… you’re not lying, right?”

　　After living under the “universally disliked” buff for so many years, Chu Ling had long gotten used to being hated and despised. She never imagined a day like this would come, where so many people would flood in just to like her.

　　It felt almost like some curse had been broken. Seeing all the praise and affection pouring in, she was a little unaccustomed and even half-suspected it might be a joke.

　　【Really, really!】

　　【Do you know how hard it was to vote the Overbearing CP to first place? We worked for it, okay!】

　　Chu Ling pretended to be innocent, “Oh, I thought maybe you were just here to watch my love life turn into a joke.”

　　Sheng Yi teased, “What’s wrong? You don’t like being popular?”

　　“Of course I do.”

　　Chu Ling shook her head, “It’s just… suddenly seeing so many people like me feels kind of strange.”

　　“Is liking you wrong?”

　　Sheng Yi looked at her and smiled softly, “Then what about me?”

　　He said it while holding her hand, fingers interlaced, even hooking hers gently.

　　Chu Ling’s heart skipped a beat, and she only managed to reply, “…You have good taste, I guess?”

　　Sheng Yi: “......”

　　Chu Ling glanced at the comments and laughed, “Yes, yes, you all have good taste too. I just wonder why it took you so long?”

　　【We were blinded by misinformation back then!】

　　【Now we realize, liking Chu Ling is as simple as breathing.】

　　Sheng Yi read the comment aloud, “Liking Chu Ling is as simple as breathing.”

　　Then he nodded, letting out a soft chuckle, “I agree.”

　　The host noticed their warm interaction and said, “Now fans can post their questions in the chat, and Sheng Yi and Chu Ling will pick some to answer randomly.”

　　【Ahhh! So when did 11 realize they liked 00, and when did 00 start feeling for 11?!】

　　Chu Ling blinked, “Who likes who?”

　　【You don’t even realize you’re a Binary CP right now!】

　　【Sheng Yi is 11, Chu Ling is 00.】

　　“Sorry, I mostly read the negative comments before.”

　　Chu Ling said, “Suddenly seeing people call me cute, I just… can’t react fast enough.”

　　Her tone was so casual, as if she were talking about something completely ordinary.

　　But Sheng Yi felt a sudden tug at his heart. He gently patted Chu Ling’s head and smoothly diverted the topic, not letting her dwell on past negativity. “Wait, what was that question just now? Was it for me?”

　　“Oh… I’ve thought about this question myself too.”

　　“About liking someone…”

　　He lowered his head and smiled, “You know, sometimes it’s hard to figure out the exact starting point. By the time you realize it, it’s already too late.”

　　By the time he noticed, he was already hopelessly hooked.

　　Sheng Yi said, “If I had to pick, I guess it started at the amusement park.”

　　That was the first time he saw Chu Ling in her special, playful, lively side.

　　【I knew it! That amusement park episode was so good to ship! If you haven’t watched it yet, go catch up!】

　　【So it’s a love story that started while teaming up against Uncle Qin!】

　　【I remember! 11, honestly, when you gave her the little bear at the amusement park, wasn’t that when you started feeling for her?】

　　【Oh yes! The little bear! Is that your official couple token?】

　　A little bear?

　　Chu Ling only remembered after a fan comment reminded her that it was the little bear Sheng Yi gave her after winning the game.

　　At the time, she had been a little confused, thinking it was some kind of gift to curry favor, like he wanted her to help him with Wen Shu’s gift.

　　But she quickly realized that wasn’t the case.

　　So why did Sheng Yi give her that bear?

　　Chu Ling seemed to have completely forgotten to reconsider the question.

　　Was it just to play it safe?

　　But that didn’t really match his personality.

　　Then she heard Sheng Yi say, “Yeah.”

　　He rubbed the tip of his nose a little shyly, then added, “I just said Chu Ling was cute, but no one believed me back then.”

　　【We believe!】

　　【00 is the type who just gets even cuter the more you understand her!】

　　Chu Ling looked at him and almost couldn’t tell whether he was telling the truth or just pretending.

　　He acted so naturally.

　　It made her recall the little bear from that day and almost believe Sheng Yi’s explanation. The hand he held hers with even felt a little warm, and her heart thumped.

　　【Speaking of the amusement park, did you two go back there for a private date that day?!】

　　【I saw it online! Since it’s confirmed now that it wasn’t Qin-Wen, it must be you two!!】

　　Sheng Yi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chu Ling, his expression saying, “Can I really say this?”

　　“……”

　　Chu Ling blinked and said, “The Heartbeat Lab show has already aired, so I guess it’s fine?”

　　Their back-and-forth said nothing, yet said everything.

　　The fans immediately went wild.

　　【I knew I’d dug up the real story!!】

　　【You two sneaking around behind the cameras?!】

　　【See, there’s so much we don’t know!】

　　“What do you mean sneaking around?”

　　Chu Ling banged the table, “We were perfectly open about it, thank you very much!”

　　Sheng Yi nodded in agreement, “Exactly. We’re a legitimate couple, don’t spread rumors.”

　　Their playful back-and-forth quickly livened up the livestream.

　　After a few more questions, the host glanced at the time. “Alright, it’s time for the final segment of tonight’s livestream. We’ll pick three fans to call. Let’s see who the lucky viewers are.”

　　He handed a phone to Chu Ling and Sheng Yi. “Take a screenshot, and we’ll pick the fan whose comment appears at the top of the page.” 　　

　　Chu Ling quickly took a screenshot and handed it back to the host.

　　The host said, “Congratulations to the lucky viewer with the ID: ‘The Domesticated Fierce Dog of Overbearing CP.’ You’ve been selected. Our team will contact you shortly, so please be ready.”

　　Chu Ling paused. “……”

　　What kind of name is that?

　　Soon, The Domesticated Fierce Dog of Overbearing CP was connected on the call. “Hello hello, Chu Ling and Sheng Yi! Hi! I’ve been a fan of your CP since Heartbeat Lab, and I can’t believe it actually became real!”

　　“My wish is… um, could you sing a duet for us? I think both of you have really nice voices.”　　

　　That was easy enough.

　　Chu Ling had expected some mischievous fan to demand a kiss right off the bat.

　　“You're really good at judging people,” Chu Ling gave her a thumbs up, then said, “Is there a specific song you want us to sing? I’ll see if we can do it.”

　　The Domesticated Fierce Dog fan exclaimed, “Can you do ‘Xiao Ban’?”

　　Chu Ling couldn’t help but smile. “You pick a song like that for a couple in love. Why not something sweeter?”

　　“Eh—mainly because I think your voices just fit this song so well,” the fan hurried to explain. “If it doesn’t suit you, I can pick another.”

　　“Let’s go with this one,” Sheng Yi said. “Perfect timing, I brought my guitar, so I can play the accompaniment.”

　　He went over, pulled the guitar from his bag, and cradled it before lowering his head to tune the strings.

　　While Chu Ling was still looking up the lyrics, Sheng Yi strummed and softly sang the first line: “Don’t dare to look back / Glancing left and right, secretly liking someone awkwardly.”

　　Chu Ling looked up and met his gaze.

　　For just a second, then quickly looked away, lowering her eyes back to the guitar.

　　Just like the line he was singing.

　　

 

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