Qiao Peipei could hardly wait to tell Nian Suian and Gu Zhijing about the other guests on this show. This time, Director Wu definitely went for the big names when choosing guests.
"First one! The award-winning actor Xiao Mo! You must know him, right?"
"Yes, yes, I've seen his dramas. He's quite handsome," Nian Suian replied.
"I know him too! Everyone must have seen Xiao Mo's dramas. I can't believe he's participating in this show. I need to get his autograph," Gu Zhijing thought to himself that being on a variety show with Xiao Mo would make everyone at school jealous.
"Just think, with Xiao Mo joining, he'll bring a huge wave of popularity. And I heard Xiao Mo is bringing his sister to the show, but this sister... she's not his biological sister!"
"What do you mean?" Nian Suian used to only watch dramas, and even if she occasionally saw some gossip news, she definitely didn't know as much as Qiao Peipei, who was an insider in the entertainment circle.
"The Xiao family's youngest daughter went missing when she was little. The parents were heartbroken and later adopted another child. Then last year, their biological daughter was found. Now that the biological daughter is back, they've grown attached to the adopted one after so many years, so they can't send her away. Anyway, the Xiao family is rich, they can afford to raise both. But the problem is..." Qiao Peipei paused here, deliberately creating suspense.
Nian Suian continued, "Don't tell me the whole family prefers the adopted child over the biological daughter." She thought to herself that this sounded like a plot from those 'fake princess' novels she had read plenty of.
Qiao Peipei nodded, then shook her head.
"Actually, the parents are fine. The Xiao parents never forgot about finding their biological daughter all these years. I heard they love her very much since she returned home, considering all those years of emotions plus guilt. But Xiao Mo is different. Rumor has it that he... likes his own sister! And for this show, he's bringing his adopted sister, not the biological one. However, I heard his parents, to show fairness, asked him to bring both sisters. I don't know who he'll end up bringing in the end. We'll have to wait and see."
"Whoa!" Unlike Nian Suian who was "worldly-wise," Gu Zhijing was truly shocked. "How can he like a sister he grew up with?"
"Why not? He always knew this sister wasn't biologically related. But I think if he likes her, he likes her. However, it seems he's not treating his biological sister well because of this."
"I need a moment to process this." Hearing such big celebrity gossip all at once left Gu Zhijing a bit stunned. Xiao Mo had been a child star, playing many classic roles from a young age. He had fans of all ages and genders, and Gu Zhijing quite liked him too.
"Don't be in a rush to process, there's a second one," Qiao Peipei was getting more excited as she spoke. She directly used her teacup as a gavel, tapping it on the table, taking on the pose of a storyteller.
"Let's talk about the second and third ones together. Yue Qingchi and Ren Man, they're both singers and dated for a while. They were considered a divine couple in the music world, even their fans approved of their idols' relationship. But a few years ago, for some unknown reason, they broke up."
"Ren Man! I love her so much." Gu Zhijing got even more excited, looking like he was about to take flight.
Nian Suian asked Qiao Peipei, "So the show is doing this on purpose, putting ex-lovers on the same show again. Just thinking about it is exciting."
"It's not just that!" Former lovers reuniting wasn't enough to be explosive.
"After they broke up, Ren Man disappeared for a year. When she came back, some people said she had a child during that year!"
Nian Suian was completely shocked. "Don't tell me the child is Yue Qingchi's..." This was too dramatic.
Before Qiao Peipei could respond, Gu Zhijing objected.
"Impossible!"
"What, you're not satisfied with Yue Qingchi as a potential 'brother-in-law'? He's a popular singer, you know," Qiao Peipei teased.
"I'm Ren Man's loyal fan!" Gu Zhijing declared firmly.
"This is too... How did the director manage to convince these two to appear on the same show? He really knows how to play the popularity game. The ratings are going to explode," Nian Suian suddenly felt that being part of this show wasn't bad at all. They'd get to see so much drama every day. "Weren't there supposed to be five celebrity families? Besides you, there should be one more. Who is it?"
"The last one is Pei Sheng, a young actor like me. You probably don't know him. He... I haven't heard any gossip about him, but I feel the director wouldn't choose him without reason. It means there must be something about him we don't know!" Qiao Peipei was certain that there must be something interesting about Pei Sheng. Knowing Director Wu's style, he wouldn't choose an ordinary new actor.
"Then why did he choose you? Do you have any gossip too?" Nian Suian asked curiously.
"Oh, because my family is the show's sponsor. I specifically told my manager I wanted to participate in this show. When I found out about this show and that Yue Qingchi and Ren Man were guests, I decided I had to be part of it. My manager said my popularity was too low to be invited. So I had my brother directly sponsor the show, becoming the show's financial backer, hehe."
This was indeed a simple yet perfectly reasonable explanation. Nian Suian gave Qiao Peipei a thumbs up.
"So, isn't this show exciting? I wouldn't invite you to participate in just any show."
"Exciting, it's super exciting."
"Peipei, what are you chatting about so happily?" The others had finished their meal and come out of the room. It was getting late, and everyone needed to head home.
"Brother Huaizhi, I was telling them about the show," Qiao Peipei replied.
Hearing this, Shen Huaizhi said with some resignation, "You like that show so much that you're going to participate for a whole week. I heard you'll have to work there. How can I not worry?"
"Enough, Shen Huaizhi," Qiao Yan couldn't stand it anymore. "I'm still here, I'm not dead. I'll take care of my own sister, so stop worrying, okay?" Seriously, Qiao Yan was almost annoyed to death. Shen Huaizhi was his friend, sure, but he was always thinking about how to pursue his little sister. It was infuriating.
Shen Huaizhi didn't say anything. He had stolen someone's sister, so being scolded was deserved.
"Well, we'll be heading back now. Mr. Qiao, Mr. Shen, let's get together again when we have time."
The Gu family's car left first, followed by the Qiao family's.
Today, Gu Zhijing had rushed to sit in the front passenger seat. He recently liked watching the driver, claiming he was learning in preparation for getting his license as soon as he turned eighteen. Nian Suian and Gu Junxing had no choice but to sit together in the back.
After getting in the car, Nian Suian quietly moved towards the window, away from Gu Junxing, and opened the window. She was prone to carsickness, and with Gu Junxing smelling of alcohol, she felt even worse. Seeing this, Gu Junxing opened his window too.
"I'm sorry, given the occasion today, I had to drink a few glasses."
"It's alright, it's alright. I just get a bit carsick. But are you allowed to drink now?" Nian Suian remembered Gu Junxing's previous surgery and casually asked.
Gu Junxing had been resting with his eyes closed, but hearing this, he opened them and glanced at Nian Suian.
Outside the window was a bustling world. The neon lights of the city at night slipped in through the car window, illuminating Nian Suian's face. As the car sped along, the light flickered on and off.
"Mm, I checked with the doctor. It's fine in moderation."
After speaking, he closed his eyes again. His vision returned to darkness, but a clear face appeared in his mind.