Chapter 10: Tenth Day as a Salted Fish
Shooting starts as soon as next Monday?
Doesn’t the production team even need some time for planning and preparation?
Qin Jiaojiao lay in bed watching short web dramas for a bit before finally getting up to wash up. She had the servants place the freshly made pastries from the kitchen onto the living room table, continuing to watch dramas while she ate.
Suddenly, a real-time trending search popped up on her phone.
The hashtag #PopularStarletAndWealthyHusbandToJoinRomanticLovers# had a “HOT” label attached right behind it.
Qin Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow and clicked into the trending topic. The marketing copy from several well-known PR accounts was essentially the same, all reporting on the news that Shen Xiaoshan and her wealthy husband would be participating in a couples’ dating variety show.
A few days ago, news had just broken that Shen Xiaoshan had married into wealth, and that her husband was both handsome and rich. The entire internet was amazed that she had married into a wealthy family at such a young age, and fans and onlookers alike showered her with envious blessings and well-wishes.
Shen Xiaoshan had invited almost half of the entertainment industry to her wedding. Many popular stars attended to show face alongside the brands cooperating with Shen Xiaoshan, making it feel like a high-profile celebrity gathering and banquet filled with stars.
Shen Xiaoshan, who had originally possessed only average fame in the entertainment industry, skyrocketed to internet stardom that very night with multiple trending search topics. Because of this, she gained a million followers overnight and attracted a massive wave of internet traffic.
Now, the news that she would be participating in Romantic Lovers sparked even more heated online discussions.
[Is this news real?]
[Wow, Sister Shen is actually going to participate in Romantic Lovers with her wealthy husband. We finally have a CP to ship.]
[Aren’t there a bunch of jealous, bitter women online claiming that Sister Shen is just a servant in her wealthy household, washing her parents-in-law’s feet at night and living a miserable life? Once the show airs, Sister Shen is going to brutally slap them in the face.]
[Looking forward to seeing a glimpse of Sister Shen’s daily wealthy lifestyle.]
[The ultimate CP couple on Romantic Lovers this time is definitely going to be Sister Shen.]
[…]
The internet was abuzz with discussion. Most of them consisted of blessings from fans, while a portion of onlookers was drawn in to follow along. The web traffic was completely monopolized by Shen Xiaoshan.
Qin Jiaojiao closed the trending search page.
Sure enough, the plot hadn’t changed much. Just as described in the original novel, Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang participated in a dating variety show shortly after getting married, eager to proclaim to the entire world just how happy they were.
Qin Jiaojiao lowered her eyes in thought. If she and Zhou Shaoli participated in the dating show and intentionally avoided competing with Shen Xiaoshan, she wouldn’t make a fool of herself or become a comparison group.
The production team had set up a cash prize for the best CP couple; the most popular husband-and-wife duo would receive ten million. Although ten million was a decent sum to win as a popular CP, the guests cared far more about the traffic and exposure that popularity brought.
Shen Xiaoshan and Meng Zi’ang wanted the traffic and exposure to bring them commercial benefits, whereas the original owner had only wanted to win face in front of them and show off how happy she was after marrying into the Zhou family.
Unlike Meng Zi’ang, who was humorous and witty, Zhou Shaoli and Qin Jiaojiao had a contract marriage, and he had been forced into participating in the show. Because of this, while filming the variety show, he was always tight-lipped and busy with work, appearing very cold and aloof on camera. This made the original owner—who deliberately wanted to showcase a happy marriage to the audience—feel unbalanced, breeding even more jealousy and resentment toward Shen Xiaoshan.
She needed to break out of this vicious cycle.
Happiness wasn’t defined by a variety show. She and Zhou Shaoli had a cooperative marriage, and in order to secure her ten-billion-yuan breakup fee, she definitely wouldn’t stir up any trouble.
Her phone received a message from Zhou Shaoli, saying that he would pick her up after work tonight so they could head to the Old Master’s residence for dinner together.
Every month-end, the extended Zhou family held a family dinner at the Old Master’s residence. Unless there was an extremely important matter, every single member of the Zhou family was required to rush back.
Since she was heading to the Old Master’s residence tonight, what kind of outfit should she wear?
Qin Jiaojiao walked into the walk-in closet and deliberated for a long time before finally choosing an elegant and poised little suit. The short skirt hugged her hips, revealing her long, fair, and straight legs.
To prevent any traffic jams on the way to the Old Master’s residence, Zhou Shaoli arrived home early to pick her up. Qin Jiaojiao stepped out of the courtyard villa in her stiletto heels, and Zhou Shaoli stepped out of the car to open the back door for her.
Qin Jiaojiao slid into the car, and Zhou Shaoli climbed in from the other side.
Inside the air of the car’s backseat, she caught that captivating scent of ebony agarwood once again.
The faint, noble fragrance lingered around the tip of her nose. Unable to help herself, she turned her head and raised her eyes to look at Zhou Shaoli. He was holding his phone, his slender fingers tapping against the screen as if reviewing documents.
Qin Jiaojiao withdrew her gaze, looked out the car window instead, and stayed silent.
The atmosphere inside the car felt somewhat subdued.
After a while, seeing through the reflection of the window that Zhou Shaoli had put away his phone, she turned her head and said, “My manager says the variety show starts filming next Monday, and the production team will send cameramen to the house then.”
Hearing this, Zhou Shaoli turned his head, his light brown eyes fixing on her from behind his gold-rimmed glasses. “Alright.”
Qin Jiaojiao had already sent the important documents, such as the variety show contract and filming schedule, to Han Xiao today. As Zhou Shaoli’s assistant, Han Xiao must have already informed him, but there were some things she needed to discuss with Zhou Shaoli in person.
“Um…” Qin Jiaojiao bit her lower lip, hesitating. She wasn’t sure if Zhou Shaoli would find it somewhat intrusive. “To better observe a married couple’s daily life, the production team is going to install cameras in the house.”
To capture more material, the production team would definitely install filming cameras around the house before selecting and editing the footage.
“Go ahead.” Zhou Shaoli was as tight-lipped as ever.
Qin Jiaojiao softly said, “During the filming of the variety show, we need to sleep in the same room.”
Zhou Shaoli fell silent for a few seconds. Since he had agreed to film the variety show, he wouldn’t go back on his word. He nodded and said, “Sure. Tonight, have the housekeeper move my things into your room.”1
Qin Jiaojiao was stunned. She meant that during the variety show filming, which wouldn’t start until next Monday—she hadn’t expected to share the exact same bed with Zhou Shaoli quite this soon.
Zhou Shaoli looked at her. “Anything else?”
“Not for now.” Qin Jiaojiao shook her head.
The driver quickly drove the car to the eastern suburb’s Old Master’s residence. The two got out of the car. Standing in an area where every inch of land was worth gold, Qin Jiaojiao felt a bit nervous at the thought of meeting the Zhou family relatives, especially Zhou Shaoli’s parents.
She stepped forward and linked her arm through Zhou Shaoli’s.
Zhou Shaoli lowered his gaze to look at Qin Jiaojiao. She had truly changed a lot; in the past, Qin Jiaojiao used to be extremely resistant to visiting the Old Master’s residence, let alone taking the initiative to link arms with him and put on the act of a loving couple.
Today, Qin Jiaojiao was wearing a white high-society suit, her black hair pinned up with a jade hairpin, and her face touched up with light makeup—she looked the absolute picture of an obedient, wealthy young lady.
The two walked side by side in front, while Driver Old Li followed closely behind carrying gifts.
When they reached the entrance of the Old Master’s residence, the on-duty security guard opened the gate and saluted Zhou Shaoli with utmost respect, “Second Young Master, Second Young Mistress.”
This kind of pomp and grandeur was incomparable to an ordinary wealthy family.
Qin Jiaojiao couldn’t help tightening her grip on Zhou Shaoli’s arm as she followed him inside. When they reached the magnificent, palatial living room, she saw a cluster of people gathered together laughing and chatting, while servants were busy setting up dinner in the adjacent dining room.
The scene looked just like a centuries-old wealthy family gathering straight out of a television drama. The men and women were all exceptionally good-looking, dressed in luxurious clothes, and exuding an aristocratic aura from head to toe.
Zhou Shaoli lowered his head and murmured near her ear, “Let’s go say hello to Grandfather and Grandmother.”
Qin Jiaojiao followed his pace to the sofa and called out to the two elders sitting there, “Grandfather, Grandmother!”
Grandfather Zhou and Grandmother Zhou had personally chosen this granddaughter-in-law, so naturally, they were filled with fondness for her. Hearing her sweet and obedient greeting, Grandmother Zhou warmly chimed in, “Jiaojiao is here! Come over to Grandmother’s side quickly and let Grandmother see if you’ve lost weight.”
Qin Jiaojiao looked up at Zhou Shaoli, and he gave her hand a gentle pat. “Go ahead.”
Seeing the interaction between the two, the family members wore various expressions. Grandmother Zhou’s eyes curved into smiling crescents. “These newlyweds can’t bear to be apart even for a second.”
A wave of chuckles echoed through the living room.
Qin Jiaojiao’s face instantly flushed red; she had never experienced a scenario like this in her past life.
“Second Auntie is blushing like a shy face.” A little girl of about three years old made a funny face at her.
Qin Jiaojiao hurriedly hurried over to sit by Grandmother Zhou’s side. The old lady held her hand and said, “The kitchen made your favorite braised shark fin tonight, make sure to eat a lot later.”
“Okay, I’ll eat plenty,” Qin Jiaojiao obediently replied.
Qin Jiaojiao glanced sideways at Grandfather Zhou, noticing his lean figure and somewhat listless expression. Remembering the clause in their marriage contract stating that once Grandfather Zhou passed away, both parties could dissolve the marriage, a heavy feeling settled in her chest.
“Grandfather, it’s been a while. How has your health been lately?” she asked with concern.
“Your old grandfather here is as healthy as a horse,” Grandfather Zhou chuckled as he looked at her. “Jiaojiao, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight since last time. If Zhou Shaoli bullies you, just tell Grandfather and Grandfather will scold him for you…”
“No, he hasn’t.” Qin Jiaojiao shook her head quickly and added, “He treats me very well.”
Qin Jiaojiao was exceptionally skilled at acting cute and ingratiating herself in front of elders, which was why the two Zhou elders liked her so much in the first place—leading them to lock her in as Zhou Shaoli’s wife right from the start.
Zhou Shaoli had grown up under strict discipline; he was smart and obedient since childhood, except… his personality in front of family members was cold and detached. Whether the elders teased him or scolded him, he maintained an indifferent, nonchalant attitude—in short, he was emotionally unattached.
From his school days all the way to graduation, Zhou Shaoli had never dated once. As he grew older, he remained entirely single, keeping a sense of aloof detachment from everyone.
Grandfather Zhou’s biggest worry was this grandson of his, leaving him no choice but to use his failing health to force Zhou Shaoli into marriage. The Zhou family had searched high and low in Beijing for several outstanding daughters of elite families, but Zhou Shaoli didn’t fancy a single one of them, claiming he would let the family arrange it.
As it happened, Qin Jiaojiao was on his list of potential wives, and since she was the girl who best pleased the elders, Zhou Shaoli chose her to be his contract-marriage wife.
Qin Jiaojiao chatted with the elders for a while. Before the banquet started, she went to look for Zhou Shaoli and found him in the backyard by the rockery and artificial pond, feeding the koi fish with fish food in his hand.
Under the bright moonlight, he stood tall and straight, the moonlight casting a cool, detached radiance over him as if he were completely isolated from the rest of the world.
Hearing footsteps, the man turned his head.
She felt as if she had accidentally strayed into his world and startled him.
Hesitating for a second, Qin Jiaojiao walked over. “Are you feeding the fish?”
“Do you want to feed them?” Zhou Shaoli handed the fish food in his hand over to her.
Qin Jiaojiao cast her gaze toward the koi in the pond, and upon seeing the fish that were plump as balls, she blurted out, “These fish are so fat.”
She fancied she heard Zhou Shaoli give a light chuckle as he said, “My little niece feeds them.”
“They eat way too much, to actually grow this big.” Qin Jiaojiao tossed the fish food into the pond water, and the koi swarmed over to snatch it up.
Translator’s note:
Translator’s note
- Zhou Shaoli misinterprets that she wants to move into his room, or vice versa depending on context, but here he tells her to move things to his room ↩︎
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