Becoming Popular Through The “All Villains” Variety Show – Chapter 58 Part 2

Part 2 of Chapter 58

This chapter is brought to you by Celestialsiren, thanks for the ko-fi!  (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･

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Please Like Her 09 – Can’t get it started, don’t even think about it + Recording of episode nine

In the living room, Xu Ze, who had just changed his slippers and taken off his apron, looked at Shang Lu and used his eyes to ask her where to put the apron.

Shang Lu took the apron and hesitated, looking at Chi Yan’s back, not sure whether to give it to Chi Yan.

Chi Yan didn’t like using things that others had used before.

So, whether it was Ye Lu before or Xu Ze now, she hadn’t let them wear Chi Yan’s slippers.

But Chi Yan’s suit jacket was currently hanging on the coat rack by the door, and his white shirt seemed to be prone to stains.

So, Shang Lu still went in and asked him, “Will you still wear the apron?”

Shang Lu was prepared for Chi Yan’s refusal, thinking that she would buy him a new one next time she went to the supermarket. However, Chi Yan put down the knife, lowered his head slightly, and faced her.

Shang Lu was a bit stunned, somewhat surprised, but also understood the meaning of Chi Yan’s action, so she raised her hand to help him put on the apron.

Chi Yan turned around and continued to prepare the dishes.

Shang Lu stood behind Chi Yan, helped him tie the apron, and habitually tied a bow.

Chi Yan cleaned the salt-soaked spare ribs and said, “Go outside and wait. It’s smoky inside.”

“Okay,” Shang Lu replied, shifting her gaze away from the spare ribs, suddenly feeling somewhat helpless.

Shang Lu touched her own belly, comforting herself in her heart.

It’s fine, just two pots of corn and spare rib soup…

She can drink it, she definitely can. 😭

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Finally.

Looking at a pot of spare rib soup and a plate of braised spare ribs on the table, Shang Lu breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Chi Yan knew how to be flexible, so she didn’t have to actually drink two pots of spare rib soup, which was great—

Or not!

Whenever Shang Lu finished a piece of spare rib from the soup, Chi Yan would pick up a piece of braised spare rib and say, “Eat more.”

And when she finished a piece of braised spare rib, even more strangely, Xu Ze actually got up and voluntarily scooped a spoonful of spare rib soup for her, fishing out a spare rib.

She didn’t need them to do it themselves; from then on, Shang Lu was very self-conscious.

Every time she finished one, she would immediately make up for the other.

Shang Lu simply divided the plate with bones into two sides, with the bones from the braised spare ribs on the left and the bones from the spare rib soup on the right, ensuring that the number of bones was the same, striving for fairness, not letting down the kindness of either of them.

Chi Yan always had a smile on his face, but it was polite and distant, with some differences from usual.

Xu Ze, on the other hand, had no expression and was always quiet.

Shang Lu originally found it a bit strange, but—

She was just too hungry!

It had been so long since she had eaten a satisfying meal; Shang Lu couldn’t care less about these things. Apart from occasionally making sure that the number of ribs on both sides was the same and occasionally picking some vegetables for Xiao Mi, she buried herself in devouring the food. Soon, she finished and got up to serve herself a second bowl.

Chi Yan noticed the anomaly and asked, “Is your appetite this big recently? It’s the first time I’ve seen you get a second serving.”

Shang Lu couldn’t help but complain to him, “The takeout has been terrible recently. During the days when you weren’t here, my family hasn’t had a satisfying meal.”

Upon hearing this, the smile on Chi Yan’s face seemed more genuine, and he said, “Don’t worry, things are almost settled, and I won’t leave for such a long time again in the future. You and Xiao Mi can tell me in advance what you want to eat tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Shang Lu naturally agreed and added, “I’ll send you a message once I’ve decided tonight.”

Watching their conversation, Xu Ze finally understood the strange feeling that had been lurking in his heart all this time. Throughout, Chi Yan’s attitude toward him had always seemed very friendly, to the point where he hadn’t been able to pinpoint the issue.

Now he finally realized.

Chi Yan seemed to know too much about Shang Lu’s home, even knowing where items like disposable slippers were stored. Their relationship was very close; Chi Yan would accompany Shang Lu to the supermarket, and Shang Lu’s home was filled with dog snacks and toys. Now even Chi Yan’s dog would often come over.

When Chi Yan mentioned Xu Ze, he used the term ‘guest’ twice.

Including the plate of braised pork ribs, Chi Yan made concessions because Xu Ze arrived first, but even then, Chi Yan still wanted Shang Lu to ‘treat him fairly.’

Almost inexplicably, Xu Ze had also engaged in ‘competition’ with Chi Yan.

And Shang Lu’s interaction with Chi Yan was marked by a relaxation that she might not have even noticed, perhaps even a… dependency.

It was a different state of being with other people.

Xu Ze lowered his eyelashes but still didn’t say anything.

They finished their meal.

Shang Lu was stuffed and rummaged through her belongings at home, finally finding some digestive pills. She couldn’t resist the temptation of her first proper meal in days.

Xu Ze had left early, saying he would be available if there were any issues with sending Xiao Mi to school.

Xiao Mi resisted the puppy’s antics and obediently returned to her room to study.

Chi Yan and Shang Lu were sitting side by side on the enormous couch Lin Yanyan had bought. He reached out and grabbed her dress.

Struggling to turn her head, Shang Lu asked, “What’s wrong?”

Chi Yan got straight to the point, “I want a new apron.”

Shang Lu replied, somewhat taken aback, “…?”

Although she knew something like this would come up sooner or later, it seemed a bit sudden.

But looking at Chi Yan’s serious eyes, Shang Lu placed her hand on her stomach and thought for a moment before asking, “Do you want to go to the supermarket now?”

She happened to need to let her stomach digest.

Chi Yan nodded in satisfaction.

The two of them quickly arrived at the nearest large chain supermarket and grabbed a shopping cart before heading inside.

Shang Lu used a strange look to gaze at Chi Yan and said, “Weren’t we here to buy aprons?”

Why did you choose the largest shopping cart?

Chi Yan replied, “Since we’re already here, let’s buy tomorrow’s groceries as well.”

Shang Lu : “…”

That makes sense.

The two of them first went to the food section, picked up some dishes that Shang Lu liked, and finalized the menu for tomorrow.

Then, they went to buy aprons.

Shang Lu picked up a white apron that looked fancy but impractical and couldn’t help but say, “There are little bears on it, so cute.”

Chi Yan didn’t mind and said, “Let’s go with this one then.”

Shang Lu picked up one black and one white apron and put them in the shopping cart, saying, “You take one, and I’ll take one.”

After all, they were both for Chi Yan, and she didn’t know how to cook.

Shang Lu then pulled her mask down a bit, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.

Chi Yan reached out and waved his hand in front of her, asking, “What are you smelling?”

Shang Lu opened her eyes and looked at Chi Yan very seriously, saying, “Report! If I’m not mistaken, it should be the limited edition cherry cake that’s available only once a week, and it’s just out of the oven.”

Chi Yan played along with Shang Lu’s act, nodded solemnly, and turned the shopping cart in a different direction, saying, “Let’s go.”

When they arrived at the cake section, they were lucky enough to buy the last small cake.

The supermarket’s dessert section was special because the items there could be paid for separately without going to the main checkout counter.

Shang Lu got the small cake, and after paying for it, she couldn’t wait to open it. However, she felt a bit full in her stomach. So, she handed the cake to Chi Yan and said, “Try it. It’s delicious. Last week, I managed to grab three pieces, but you weren’t there. I gave one to Xiao Mi, and I ate the remaining two.”

Chi Yan lowered his head slightly, took a bite of the cake from Shang Lu’s hand.

This wasn’t the first time.

Whenever Shang Lu visited Chi Yan’s home, he would cut up fruits for her, and since Shang Lu was naturally inclined to share, she always habitually offered him the first piece of fruit.

After putting the fork away and placing the cake back in the shopping cart, Shang Lu raised her head, intending to head to the snack section next. However, she noticed a smear of cream on Chi Yan’s lips.

So, Shang Lu took out a paper napkin pack and tore one off, raising her hand to help Chi Yan wipe.

Chi Yan also realized and bent down slightly to cooperate.

Just at this moment.

“Mommy!”

A child’s voice suddenly sounded from the side of the counter, crying and shouting.

Because this voice was too close, Shang Lu’s hand was still in the air, just wiping the cream off Chi Yan’s lips, she couldn’t help but turn her head to look, and she saw the child running forward with closed eyes, directly crashing into her.

And Shang Lu didn’t stand firm, her waist bumped into a nearby shopping cart.

D*mn.

Her waist was going to break!

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