CHAPTER 397: CHAPTER 278: THE CONFESSION, AN UNEXPECTED REACTION

Seeing Xu Qingqiu’s surprised expression, Chu Tian felt a twinge of sympathy.

"Hmm... Actually, if you think it’s too rushed, we can start later." He looked at Xu Qingqiu, waiting for her decision.

Xu Qingqiu considered it seriously for a moment before replying, "No, that’s alright. Let’s stick to your plan."

"What’s wrong?"

Seeing her sudden change of mind, Chu Tian’s heart skipped a beat. Was I too hasty? I don’t want her to feel compelled to do something she dislikes just because of my request.

However, Xu Qingqiu shook her head, and her words moved him deeply. "It’s nothing. I just feel that writing songs isn’t easy for you. There’s really no need to rush. Besides, you just finished dealing with those newcomers, and now you have to start working on my new album..."

At this, Xu Qingqiu looked at Chu Tian with deep affection, her eyes filled with heartfelt concern. Others might not know, but how could I not? I know perfectly well how lazy Chu Tian can be. For someone who previously couldn’t even be bothered to go to work and was always slacking off to suddenly be this busy... Although she didn’t say it aloud, Xu Qingqiu had been feeling guilty for a long time.

"Hey, I thought..." Chu Tian started to say, but the words caught in his throat. I thought she was unwilling. After all, recording an album is exhausting, so I figured she might be too tired. I never imagined she was only thinking of me.

He silently swallowed the rest of his words, reached out, and gently pulled Xu Qingqiu into his embrace, nuzzling her hair with his chin. Countless unspoken words melted into a silent embrace.

"Well, well, look at you two cuddling!"

Just as the two were enjoying this rare moment of tenderness, an inopportune voice rang out. Who is this killjoy?

Chu Tian frowned, looking over with an exasperated expression. He saw the variety show’s cast members all standing to one side, grinning as they watched.

Xu Qingqiu, who had also looked up, was momentarily stunned by the sight. A blush rapidly spread across her face, and she quickly lowered her head, too embarrassed to speak.

"Ahem, sorry about that. We didn’t mean to interrupt," one of the cast members said sheepishly, observing their expressions. "It’s just that recording is about to start, so we came to give you a heads-up."

"Huh? We’re still recording?" Chu Tian blurted out, not quite grasping the situation.

The moment he spoke, the cast members’ expressions stiffened, and they looked so awkward their toes could have been digging into the floor.

Realizing his gaffe, Chu Tian quickly apologized. "Sorry, I didn’t mean that."

Just as he was about to explain, an older-looking cast member quickly stepped forward. "It’s alright, it’s alright, we all get it. It doesn’t really involve us anyway. You’re considered an industry insider too, so enough said, right?" With that, he gave Chu Tian a knowing glance and explained, "The director didn’t have much choice. Originally, they planned to change the segment, but luckily, a suitable person happened to be available. They’ll arrive in about half an hour, so that’s why we came to let you know to prepare."

Chu Tian nodded in understanding. Of course, I wouldn’t ask something silly like how they’d recognize someone they’ve never met. This is a variety show; how much of it is truly genuine? Guests who ’surprisingly’ appear after ’such a long time’ might have been eating hotpot and singing karaoke together just the night before. It’s all for show. I’m not surprised in the slightest.

"Alright then, you guys go on ahead," Chu Tian said, glancing at Xu Qingqiu and meeting her gaze.

Since they weren’t very familiar with Chu Tian, the cast members, though finding the couple’s public display of affection somewhat amusing, felt too awkward to tease them and merely stood by, chuckling.

Xu Qingqiu couldn’t bear the scrutiny. She hurriedly thrust what she was holding into Chu Tian’s arms and quickly followed the others away.

Only then did Chu Tian have a moment to look around and take in the scene. The police cars and ambulance were long gone, and even the two individuals involved in the earlier incident had vanished. The onlookers had either been dispersed or ushered away for damage control, leaving the area suddenly much emptier, save for the bustling crew members.

Soon after, with the arrival of the new guest, the recording process finally continued smoothly. They remained busy filming until well past midnight before the recording finally wrapped up.

Later that night, back at the hotel, Chu Tian managed to buy some dinner and brought it back. As he handed Xu Qingqiu a napkin, he asked, "Do you have any activities scheduled for tomorrow?"

"No, I can head back tomorrow. I’ve already made plans to have dinner with Ruyan tomorrow night," Xu Qingqiu replied, her mouth full of fried chicken.

Ever since Chu Tian had given her the Fitness Pill, her stamina had improved significantly. She no longer needed to worry about dieting, so she ate without any restraint. Watching her eat made Chu Tian hungry as well, and he instinctively reached for a chicken leg and began to eat.

"You two already set a time? When tomorrow evening?"

"Why? Do you want to go?"

Chu Tian, nibbling on his chicken leg, felt a wave of uncertainty. Part of me doesn’t want to go... but it’s a ’sisters’ tell-all.’ I’m genuinely curious what that would be like. But then again, what if they start fighting? Even if they don’t, what if I get caught in the crossfire? If Xu Qingqiu finds out I hid this from her, my poor sides would definitely get pinched black and blue! And if she throws a fit, coaxing her back to a good mood would be absolutely exhausting.