There’re Always Paranoid Thoughts to Monopolize Me - CHAPTER 44.1

Early Saturday morning, Qin Ke was driven to the airport in Qian City by Huo Jun’s chauffeur.

After much effort last night, Qin Ke finally persuaded Huo Jun to agree to let her go to the provincial capital to participate in the show’s recording. As a result, by the time she finished packing her bag for the next day and took a shower, it was already midnight, leaving Qin Ke to embark on her journey with a slightly foggy mind.

The economy class ticket originally booked for Qin Ke by the show’s production team was insistently upgraded to first class by Huo Jun. Therefore, Qin Ke was able to go through security at the VIP exclusive area and board the plane through the first-class dedicated boarding gate.

Before the plane took off, Qin Ke received a message from Huo Jun, who had insisted on accompanying her but was refused. Looking at the brief message that said “Notify me when you land,” she helplessly replied “Okay” before switching to airplane mode.

After the plane took off, Qin Ke politely declined drinks from the very friendly flight attendant, only asking for a thin blanket. She then pulled down the window shade and fell into a peaceful sleep.

…

Perhaps due to the pilot’s excellent flying skills, Qin Ke didn’t feel any turbulence during the plane’s descent or landing—she was awakened by the gentle voice of the flight attendant.

Rubbing her head, which felt even more groggy after the nap rather than refreshed, Qin Ke slowly sat up straight.

She glanced at her phone, still in airplane mode.

—

Unbelievable but undeniable, she had really slept for three hours.

Qin Ke smiled wryly.

First class came with dedicated pickup and drop-off services. In Qian City, with Huo Jun present, pickup wasn’t necessary. In the provincial capital, although the show’s production team had originally arranged a car to pick up Qin Ke, due to Huo Jun’s “remote” arrangements, Qin Ke ended up obediently taking the airport’s special vehicle to the hotel pre-booked by the production team for the show’s guests.

After disembarking, Qin Ke notified her contact person from the production team and then called Huo Jun.

The call was just connected.

The young man’s breathing on the other end was slightly rapid. “Arrived?” The end of his voice still carried a hint of deep panting.

“…”

Remembering the husky “Qin Qin” in her ear last night, Qin Ke’s cheeks inexplicably flushed. She turned her head to look out the car window, watching the scenery quickly pass by and disappear in her peripheral vision. The girl gave a very soft “Mm” in response.

“Just arrived. What are you doing?”

“Combat training.”

As time passed, Huo Jun’s breathing on the other end of the phone gradually calmed down.

Qin Ke faintly heard him say “pause” to someone nearby, then he seemed to walk some distance before picking up a water bottle and taking a few sips.

Qin Ke was a bit surprised, “Why are you suddenly practicing this?”

“I’ve always been doing it, just avoiding it around you.”

“?”

“It’s not some pleasing and beautiful art form, you might not like it.”

“…”

Recalling the stunning sight of the boy in her previous life, glancing over with blood stains like plum blossoms on his white shirt in the school’s back alley, remembering that seemingly scorching temperature in the air, Qin Ke said in a low voice.

“Not true.”

“Hm?”

“I don’t dislike it.” The light in the girl’s eyes flickered gently. “It’s…quite cool actually.”

“…”

The other end was silent for a moment, then a pleased low chuckle sounded.

Embarrassed by the laughter coming through the phone, Qin Ke felt a slight annoyance rise in her heart. She didn’t know why she had lost control of her mouth and revealed her inner thoughts.

She found an excuse to hang up the phone, and it took her a long time to calm down that embarrassed feeling.

When she came back to her senses, she had already arrived at the hotel entrance.

Since the recording was only for two days, Qin Ke didn’t bring much extra luggage, just a travel backpack that reached her waist, packed with some change of clothes. She got out of the car alone.

Just as she reached the hotel entrance, she was stopped by a young woman who looked to be about 23 or 24 years old.

“You’re Qin Ke, right?”

“?”

Qin Ke instinctively paused, stopping in her tracks. “You are…?”

“I’m a staff member from the ‘Academic Genius Show’,” the young woman said, waving a photo in her hand while smiling, “I heard you didn’t want the show’s car to pick you up and came on your own, so I could only wait for you here with this.”

“Ah, I see…”

Seeing that Qin Ke still looked a bit confused, the young woman blinked, realizing something, and slapped her forehead. “Look at me, I forgot to introduce myself—I’m Qiao Nan, you can call me Sister Nan. The person who was in charge of contacting you before should have told you, right? You’re the only special pure amateur among the guests. The other guests all have managers or assistants to arrange and deal with various situations, so you only have me—throughout the entire season’s recording process, remember to notify me first if anything happens.”

“…”

Qin Ke was amused by the other’s humorous tone and smiled, nodding in response:

“Then I’ll be troubling Sister Nan from now on.”

“Hey, it’s no trouble, this is my job after all.”

The two chatted as they entered the hotel.

After Qiao Nan helped Qin Ke check in, she led her directly to the room, briefing her on some points to note along the way.

Inside the room, just before parting, Qiao Nan suddenly held the door, “I almost forgot again.”

“…” Qin Ke, who had turned to put down her backpack, had to turn back to look at her seemingly forgetful handler, “What is it, Sister Nan?”

Qiao Nan: “Since all the guests this time are newcomers and don’t really know each other, the production team has arranged for you all to meet for lunch today, to get to know each other better—this way, it won’t be too awkward when you start recording in the afternoon.”

Qin Ke glanced at her wristwatch, “Today at noon?”

“Yes, you can rest for a bit more, and I’ll come up to get you when it’s time—if I really can’t make it, I’ll send the time and place to your phone.”

“Okay. Thank you, Sister Nan.”

“Don’t mention it, take advantage of the time you have left to rest a bit.”

“…”

After they finished talking, Qiao Nan turned and left the room.

Qin Ke originally wanted to take a quick shower, but realizing there might not be enough time, she had to give up the idea. She threw herself into the sofa chair and started to rest while rubbing her groggy temples.

After dozing for over half an hour, Qin Ke was startled awake by a knock on the door.

After regaining her senses, she quickly got up to open the door.

Standing outside was Qiao Nan.

“I just got a notification from the director’s team, asking you all to go to the private room in the downstairs restaurant. You…” Qiao Nan finally noticed Qin Ke’s bleary eyes and, after a pause, smiled and said, “Did you just wake up?”

Qin Ke felt a bit embarrassed.

“Sister Nan, please come in and sit for a moment. I’ll wash my face and be right out.”

“Mm, no need to rush.”

Qin Ke murmured a response and turned to enter the bathroom.

After washing her face with the hotel’s cool water and drying it with her own towel that she had hung up earlier, Qin Ke put down the towel and came out.

“I’m ready, Sister Nan. We can go now.”

“……”

Qiao Nan, who had just picked up her phone outside, was stunned. She stared at Qin Ke with wide eyes for several seconds before asking in shock, “You’re not going to put on makeup or apply some skincare?”

Qin Ke looked at her, more confused.

The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then Qin Ke shook her head.

Looking at the girl’s flawless, fair skin, Qiao Nan let out a long sigh.

“That’s right, I forgot. You’re just over sixteen according to your profile, right? Youth is so good…”

Qin Ke didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and didn’t know how to respond.

Qiao Nan led Qin Ke to the downstairs restaurant. She stopped at the door. “It’s just a simple meet-and-greet and lunch, don’t be nervous.” As she spoke, Qiao Nan looked back to see Qin Ke’s expression, but saw that the girl was calm and composed, her gaze quiet and docile, without any sign of nervousness.

Qiao Nan thought to herself that this recommended “pillar” was indeed different, with such psychological quality that didn’t seem like an amateur at all…

On the surface, she didn’t show anything, just smiled.

“I think you might be quite suited to our circle. Good luck with the recording.”

Sensing the other’s goodwill, Qin Ke nodded.

Qiao Nan added, “The director’s team has some other arrangements for us, so we won’t be able to accompany you for this lunch. There are only a few regular guests, you can get to know them one by one when you go in.”

“Mm.”

Saying goodbye to Qiao Nan once again, Qin Ke entered the private room of the restaurant.

There was only one person in the room at the moment, a girl with features that weren’t particularly delicate but pleasing to look at, with a high-class face and well-proportioned, attractive figure. She was sitting in a single sofa, head lowered, playing with her phone.

Hearing the sound, she looked up, but was stunned when she saw Qin Ke.

“Did you come to the wrong place or…?”

Qin Ke, who was about to greet the other person, was a bit surprised by this response. She blinked, “Isn’t this the place for the ‘Academic Genius Show’…”

“It is,” the girl interrupted her before she finished speaking, “Are you also a guest coming to record the show?”

“Mm.” Qin Ke nodded.

“Strange, I don’t remember seeing you on the list…” the other person muttered before asking directly, “Or are you a newcomer who just joined this week?”

“…”

Thinking that this explanation wasn’t wrong, Qin Ke nodded in agreement.

—

Her head was a bit foggy at the moment, and she really couldn’t muster the energy to explain the whole story to the other person.

Qin Ke walked over and sat down on the sofa next to the high-class face.

Qin Ke had no desire to talk, but this seemingly cold high-class face had a talkative nature completely different from her appearance.

Almost as soon as Qin Ke sat down, she extended her long-fingered hand towards Qin Ke.

“I’m Ling Shuang, and you are?”

“Qin Ke.” Qin Ke politely touched the other’s fingertips lightly and smiled.

“Oh, you really are a very new newcomer. I haven’t even heard your name before,” said Ling Shuang with her high-class face. “Being pushed in at the last week, your company’s efficiency isn’t great.”

“…”

Qin Ke paused, realizing that the other person had mistaken her for a newcomer in the industry.

Qin Ke originally wanted to explain. But her two seconds of silence made Ling Shuang think she had hit a sore spot. She frowned at Qin Ke, “I’m sorry, I tend to speak quite directly. Don’t mind me.”

Qin Ke replied helplessly, “It’s fine.”

“Since you’re a newcomer, does that mean you don’t know anything?”

“…Um, not really.” Qin Ke shook her head honestly.

“Then as an apology for what I said earlier, let me give you a heads up,” Ling Shuang leaned towards Qin Ke slightly, lowering her voice, “Among our guests, there’s someone called Qi Tian. Have you heard of her?”

“…”

Qin Ke continued to shake her head honestly.

Ling Shuang looked at Qin Ke with what seemed to be a pitying gaze, “My manager says people like me in this circle are already silly enough, but how are you even sillier than me?”

Qin Ke: “……”

Fortunately, Ling Shuang didn’t let this awkward silence continue. She skipped over this topic and said, “She’s the one you can’t afford to offend in the show. She has powerful backing.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

After maintaining eye contact for a long time, Ling Shuang finally couldn’t keep up her expressionless high-class face. She looked dejected, “Why aren’t you asking follow-up questions?”

Qin Ke expressed genuine confusion. “Ask what?”

Ling Shuang: “……”

Ling Shuang wiped her face and looked at Qin Ke with an “I give up” expression, then continued softly, “Do you know why?”

This time, without giving Qin Ke a chance to respond, Ling Shuang continued, “Because her sugar daddy is the investor of our show, and the only investor—he’s from the capital, Song Qingzhuo, the second young master of the Song family, one of the biggest patrons in the industry.”

Qin Ke: “.”

She seemed to have some impression of this name from her previous life…

“In other words, this show is basically just a plaything that Second Young Master Song threw money at to promote his little bird—she’s the main character, we’re all just supporting roles.”

After saying this, Ling Shuang straightened up, resuming her indifferent high-class face.

…This didn’t look like the expression of a supporting role at all.

She seemed more like the main character than the actual main character.

Qin Ke looked for two seconds, marveling inwardly.

Indeed, faces were always highly deceptive things.

About ten minutes later, the other guests from the show arrived one after another.

Including Qin Ke, there were five guests in total, three women and two men. Among the men, one was called Gu Yuncheng, with a very masculine appearance and build, quiet and reserved. As the third person to enter the room, he hadn’t spoken more than three sentences even by the time everyone had gathered. The other male had an English name, July, with a smile as bright and eye-catching as the sunshine in July, a baby face like the boy next door, and a small canine tooth at the corner of his mouth.

As for the women, there was no need to mention the high-class face Ling Shuang. The last to make a grand entrance was Qi Tian—and she was at least ten minutes later than everyone else.

Enough to highlight her “main character” status.

However, after entering, Qi Tian put on a beautiful smile, softly apologizing to everyone, with big eyes and an innocent, fresh look.

This expression paused momentarily when her gaze swept over Qin Ke, almost breaking character.

—

Similar to everyone else’s reaction.

Obviously, Qin Ke, as a non-celebrity, was added later, and the production team, whether intentionally or unintentionally, hadn’t informed the four celebrity newcomers.

But just as Qin Ke finished this thought, she heard Qi Tian chuckle softly.

“I see, you must be the real academic genius that the show recruited from that key high school in Qian City, right?”

As soon as she said this, everyone, including Qin Ke, was stunned for a moment.

The others, of course, had originally thought Qin Ke was a celebrity newcomer, and were now surprised to hear that she was just a non-celebrity.

As for Qin Ke, this was the second time she witnessed the other’s privileges after her late arrival: information that the other three guests didn’t know, Qi Tian could recite like the back of her hand.

Indeed, in this circle, the power of resources was truly formidable.

“This… the director’s team really arranged for a high school student?” Ling Shuang, always straightforward, was the first to express her astonishment.