Bao Ruanruan joins a new film set, meets with one of Yang Xueni's fan and manages to join Yang Xueni's fan roup
The most embarrassing trending topic was when it was revealed that a male celebrity had bought the topic in question, which went live right on schedule despite him having fallen out of favour with the public.
How ironic!
Initially, after watching the first episode, the audience's impression of Chen Kaiwei declined. However, they were still willing to give him one or two more episodes to see if he would continue to be a 'central air conditioner1'.
However, as soon as the two positive promotional topics about his charismatic boyfriend charm went up, everyone immediately saw through them.
[Capital is propping him up again.]
[All these tricks — do they think we viewers are fools?]
[These two trending topics are basically endorsing Bao Ruanruan's scumbag warning. It's too ironic.]
[Bao Ruanruan, niu beer2! She'll probably have a 100% prophet seat next week.]
[No wonder — Xiao Bao, who's been hurt before, truly has sharp eyes!]
Chen Kaiwei's public reputation plummeted.
But the ratings for Meet rose instead.
This was because of Bao Ruanruan's sharp remarks — first for possibly calling Lu Wenyao out and then identifying a playboy (Chen Kaiwei) as a scumbag — which sparked the interest of many passers-by, including Tang (Tang Yuxin) fans.
The variety show on Bilibili, which had previously been rather underwhelming, suddenly surpassed 40 million views.
It got to the point where the production team even considered throwing a celebration that very night.
"Xiao Bao, you... are this."
After the live broadcast ended, Director Zhong Zeyuan came over and gave Bao Ruanruan a thumbs-up.
"A brave warrior."
Not as brave as you, Shaolin Temple bronze man.
Bao Ruanruan returned the gesture. "It's all thanks to the director's guidance."
Zhong Zeyuan was briefly stunned, then burst into laughter.
She really was an interesting female entertainer.
The kind you'd want to work with again after just
one project together.
She even improved the director's mood.
"Your comments were very eye-catching. Keep it up next time — don't be afraid," said Zhong Zeyuan, who then added, "If you receive any negative comments online, your studio can contact me. I'll have the official programme account speak up to defend you."
She was even more real than hip-hop artists.
She dared to speak her mind.
If she ever got scolded until she could not be real anymore, Zhong Zeyuan would think that was a real shame.
"Oh, okay, thank you, Director."
Bao Ruanruan was grateful.
The Bronze Men Formation was indeed a strong and effective defence.
One she could trust.
However, she quickly stepped back respectfully, putting distance between herself and Zhong Zeyuan once more.
Zhong Zeyuan just smiled and went to chat with the other guests.
Then, Bao Ruanruan went to do something more important.
She took an A4 sheet out of her bag and slid it in front of Yang Xueni, who was still in the area, chatting with Zhou Minwen.
Qu Feifei had just been yawning in the corner, but now she was wide awake.
She hadn't left — she'd been waiting for this moment!
She instantly shot Yang Xueni a sympathetic look.
That kind of sympathetic expression — it was almost contagious.
Lu Wenhao had worn that same look when looking at her not long ago.
Now, Qu Feifei had inherited it from him.
The life-preserving sect was passing on the torch3!
"The timing was rushed, and I didn't prepare properly. That was my fault," said Bao Ruanruan, reflecting on the situation with some regret.
Yang Xueni lost a bet and had to agree to do one thing for her.
After so many years in the industry, of course, anything said on camera shouldn't be used to slap her in the face4, forcing her to eat her words5!
"What is this?"
Yang Xueni frowned as she picked up the A4 paper. Her charming little face changed dramatically when she saw what was written on it.
"A life-saving agreement?!"
Qu Feifei preemptively covered her forehead.
"To be exact," said Bao Ruanruan, extending a fair, delicate finger, "it's the Life-saving Agreement, Version 3."
Qu Feifei: "!"
It really had been upgraded!
The one Lu Wenhao had got before was still Version 2!
Though they were all still different from the special edition she had received.
Qu Feifei nearly broke into a smile at the thought, but quickly pinched her palm hard.
Cut it out!
Was she seriously proud to have got the strictest, most exploitative version?
"Because I wasn't fully prepared, I couldn't give you the special edition — that's my fault."
Bao Ruanruan looked at Yang Xueni with solemn sorrow and spoke regretfully.
She had calculated everything a thousand times over. Still, she never expected that, at their second meeting, the werewolf would take the initiative to bet with her.
Especially under the advantageous condition that she *could summon a divine beast on the spot.
If not now, then when?
Bao Ruanruan hadn't seen it coming, so the copy she had in her backpack was still the standard edition of the Life-saving Agreement.
It looks like, from now on, I really need to always keep the special edition ready for suspected werewolves.
"What is this thing?"
The smile faded from Yang Xueni's red lips.
She flipped the page over and nearly burst out laughing from sheer exasperation.
"1. Yang Xueni must help Bao Ruanruan once when she's in trouble. It won't count if she doesn't give her full effort, and she must continue helping until both Bao Ruanruan and all witnesses agree *that she has succeeded."
Yang Xueni: "……"
Bao Ruanruan really is shamelessly thick-skinned.
Bao Ruanruan's little face lit up as she continued reading dramatically:
"2. In any situation, including but not limited to show games, Yang Xueni may not target Bao Ruanruan.
If she violates this clause, she must publicly apologise on Weibo🔗, Douyin🔗, Xiaohongshu🔗, and all other business platforms. She must also say 'I love you' to Bao Ruanruan 100 times and write the Core Socialist Values🔗 ten times by hand."
Yang Xueni: "??"
"3. If Yang Xueni discovers that her friends or family are targeting Bao Ruanruan, she must stop them immediately.
Each violation will result in the same penalties as Clause 2."
"4. If multiple violations occur, the number of 'I love yous' and hand-copied Core Socialist Values will be multiplied accordingly, with no upper limit."
"The final right of interpretation belongs to Bao Ruanruan."
Bao Ruanruan repeated it once.
Her enunciation was clear.
She actually remembered every single word.
"Pfft—"
Singer Xiao Qi was unaware of Bao Ruanruan's history with life-saving documents.
When he first heard about them, he burst out laughing on the spot.
Yang Xueni's face had gone ashen with fury.
What kind of clause is this? As if I were some kind of wicked villain!
Multiple offences will lead to unlimited punishment... as if I'm constantly thinking about harming her... how many hands does she think I even have?!
Am I some kind of tentacle monster? I have to face unlimited punishment!
And that punishment… saying 'I love you'? Sorry, but that's honestly nauseating.
"Sis, I believe you're not the type to break a promise. After all…"
Bao Ruanruan pulled out her phone, squinting against the radiation glare as she checked Weibo, "…you've got 39.6 million followers."
Yang Xueni: "!"
She was trembling with rage.
"What does Clause 2 even mean?!"
This was blatantly aimed at her!
Friends and family? Her bestie, Tang Yuxin, was the one Bao Ruanruan had hurt!
If Yuxin wanted to get revenge, she would support her wholeheartedly.
Why on earth should she stop her?
Bao Ruanruan blinked innocently. "This is already one of the more lenient versions."
It was just the standard V3 version of the Life-saving Agreement.
It was even more relaxed than Qu Feifei's special version, which required her to inform her fans.
And yet, Yang Xueni still found it harsh.
Truly worthy of being a werewolf.
Always thinking about taking someone away when the 'Close your eyes when night falls' part came.
"Sis, if you saw everyone else's clauses, you'd realise just how lucky you are."
Yang Xueni: "?"
"Hahaha!" Zhou Minwen couldn't hold it this time — he laughed on the spot.
Clearly, he knew about the situation between Bao Ruanruan and Tang Yuxin.
In an attempt to smooth things over, he advised, "Xiao Yang, just sign it. What Xiao Bao wrote really fits our current vibe."
Yang Xueni: "?"
Zhou Minwen snuck a wink at Bao Ruanruan. "We're all artists with a good number of fans. Because of that, we should promote positive energy and the right values to them. It doesn't matter if we're enemies or villains in the show — we still get along harmoniously in real life.'
"Respect each other. I actually think Xiao Bao's little agreement is great."
"Xiao Yang, which part do you think is problematic?"
"Surely your friends and family aren't people who would break social morals or the law, are they?"
Yang Xueni: "……"
Thanks so much for that glowing endorsement!
Having such a smooth-talking senior is really infuriating!
Yang Xueni clenched her teeth and glanced around.
Although the live stream was over, the staff hadn't left yet, and several cameras were still rolling.
The cameramen were clearly still filming behind-the-scenes footage.
If she refused now, there would definitely be viewers who'd say that she couldn't take a loss!
If you can't handle losing, then don't open your mouth to make a bet!
But she was the one who had suggested the bet in the first place. When Bao Ruanruan had initially declined, she had insisted and *even questioned whether it was Bao Ruanruan who couldn't take a loss!
Now… it had all boomeranged back on her.
Yang The-One-Who-Can-Take-A-Loss Xueni clenched her teeth, grabbed the pen from the table, and was just about to sign.
However, Bao Ruanruan gently interrupted her. "Please use a gel or fountain pen—it's more formal. Also, kindly sign with the exact signature you have on file with your bank to ensure legal validity."
Yang The-One-Who-Can-Take-A-Loss Xueni: "!"
This was even more infuriating than nearly tripping on the red carpet last time!
She finished signing and was about to leave. Still, when she glanced down and saw that Bao Ruanruan was wearing a pair of pearlescent designer shoes from Brand M, she felt her blood rush to her throat again!
"In the next episode, I hope your talk about being a wild beast doesn't get disproven."
"Sister, do you still want to bet—I mean, play games with me?"
Bao Ruanruan's eyes sparkled instantly.
Even her hands, which were mid-folding the 'Life-saving Agreement', paused.
Next time, she'd be ready with the special Werewolf Edition!
Yang Xueni: "!!"
She was so angry that it felt like her skull might fly off.
But she couldn't lower her status by arguing on camera!
Yang Xueni stormed off in her red-soled high heels, which clicked sharply as she went.
Having finished watching the drama unfold, Zhou Minwen and Xiao Qi also said their goodbyes and left.
Bao Ruanruan slowly packed up her 'Life-Saving Agreement' and her thermos.
Soon, a soft shadow, carrying a hint of girlish sweetness, fell across her forehead.
She lifted her clear, watery eyes and saw Qu Feifei's face—slightly shy, slightly blushing.
"You don't have to answer… but I still want to ask: weren't you afraid of losing just now?"
Qu Feifei really couldn't see through Bao Ruanruan anymore.
She didn't want to get close, yet she was still curious.
"How were you so sure he'd definitely get three messages? What if just one female guest didn't text him?"
To what terrifying extent has this person's analysis of others' psychology reached?
Qu Feifei used to be a 'Tang fan' and had swallowed quite a few brainwashing packages6—that Bao Ruanruan was ignorant, unskilled, and not smart.
But clearly, that was not true!
Qu Feifei, swallowing her embarrassment, forced herself to ask:
"If you don't want to answer, that's fine!"
But when she looked down, she saw Bao Ruanruan's almond eyes. They were so clear and pure that they seemed to reflect her own. She looked delicate, like a bird seeking shelter, with an innate sense of vulnerability.
Just one glance stirred a deep protective instinct.
Qu Feifei, trained in martial arts since childhood, had always been taught by her family to protect the weak… and that one glance almost broke her resolve.
Bao Ruanruan's vulnerable eyes shimmered like ripples on a lake, layer upon layer, carrying a hint of trust and security towards her.
This made Qu Feifei not want to let her down.
But then—
"Feifei, isn't it because you're here?"
Qu Feifei: "?"
Bao Ruanruan patted her schoolbag and said, "With you here, I feel completely at ease."
Qu Feifei was instantly snapped out of her reverie.
—So if she loses, does that mean I have to carry the bag7 for her?!
Qu Feifei's eyes widened, and her blood seemed to surge backwards momentarily.
"Bao, Ruan, Ruan!"
Let the world burn!
To hell with protecting the weak!
She was going home right then to destroy her martial arts skills!
*
After the show's filming, Bao Ruanruan went home that same day to pack her things for her next schedule.
Chen Feng personally escorted her to her door, running up and down the stairs several times to carry all the emergency medication, heat packs, and down jackets and coats sponsored by Pengmai.
"You're heading to Minlin Mountain—take everything. The temperature difference between day and night is huge, and you will be shooting continuously for two weeks. This isn't a joke."
Minlin Mountain had officially started filming.
The schedules of the entire cast, shooting times and scene assignments had all been finalised.
Bao Ruanruan would live in the mountains with the crew for two weeks this time.
Chen Feng: "I've arranged for you to take a leave of absence from your regular variety shows. Just focus on filming."
"What a pity."
For the first time, Bao Ruanruan actually felt regretful about missing out on her regular shows.
Lately, she had slowly begun to enjoy them.
"Oh? You're starting to enjoy work?" Chen Feng was excited.
Bao Ruanruan blinked. "It's the growing sense of safety that comes with being protected. I'm really happy."
Chen Feng: "......"
He swallowed hard.
The third young master of the Chen family in Nancheng—Chen Kaiwei...
Now that he's been taken care of, you are indeed safe.
Who told her to already have the protection of the top family in Nancheng, the Qian family, and the leading family in Yanjing, the Xue family!
Qian Xuezhou had publicly rejected Chen Kaiwei's advances!
And the Xue family had never been afraid of the Chen family!
There were even rumours in the industry that Chen Kaiwei had once tried to harass Xue Jing's younger sister while drunk — and got beaten up by Xue Jing for it!🦊
That protective charm that can infuriate Chen Kaiwei yet leave him too scared to retaliate—Xiao Baozi has it wrapped around her finger~
Chen Feng thought to himself, sneaking a glance at Xue Jing.
As expected.
Following behind him, Xue Jing — who had come especially to remind his little artist about things on the set — gave a rare soft laugh, his whole being blooming like a flower.
Xue Jing was in an excellent mood.
In his eyes, the girl's snowy, fair little face looked even more radiant and dewy, with a soft pink blush.
She was indescribably… obedient.
She was nothing like those other girls who were swayed by looks or worldly wealth.
Chen Kaiwei's handsome face and status as a CEO—none of it could move her.
It was no wonder she was the girl he had his eye on.🦊
Xue Jing lowered his peach-blossom eyes, the corners lifting slightly.
"You did well."
He deeply admired the girl's sharp eye for seeing through Chen Kaiwei's facade and her steadfastness in not being tempted by the allure of a tall, rich, handsome man.
He couldn't help but want to give her more good things.
All his doting on her hadn't been in vain.
Even the cordyceps and snow lotus he had given her to eat hadn't been wasted.
"The new batch of blood bird's nest will arrive soon. I've asked someone to mail it to Minlin Mountain for you."
"Also, Chen Feng got you two SIM cards from different carriers. There's a poor signal in the mountains, so try switching between them."
After Bao Ruanruan chatted with Chen Feng, she suddenly found herself captivated by Xue Jing's warm and magnetic voice.
No matter how many times she heard it, she couldn't help but sink into it.
...And there was more blood bird's nest?
Bao Ruanruan was instantly overwhelmed.
If this was what it meant to live in hedonistic bliss, then so be it—she would gladly lose herself in a paradise of blood birds' nest and never wake up.
But as lovely as the blood bird's nest was, she quickly returned to her senses.
Beaming with delight, she looked up at Xue Jing, following along with what he'd said.
In the very next second, however, she froze.
As Xue Jing spoke, his not-too-thick, not-too-thin, perfectly shaped lips moved ever so rhythmically…
"Kissing burns fat, improves blood circulation… makes skin smoother… prevents cavities… boosts immunity...!"
The exact words from The Love Manual sprang into Bao Ruanruan's mind, one by one, clear as day.
Bao Ruanruan stared at the man's lips and couldn't help but swallow hard.
"If you can't reach us in an emergency, just tell the director—"
Xue Jing paused mid-sentence, his gaze halting.
He realised that the girl in front of him was staring at him with the same drooling look she'd had when looking at that photo of the Wild Ginseng King last time.
Xue Jing: "......"
Bao Ruanruan bit her lip, instantly turning it a rich, deep red.
It was glossy, like a ripe peach.
Xue Jing suddenly forgot what he was about to say.
His peach-blossom eyes grew more intense.
"What are you thinking about, Xiao Baozi?" Chen Feng waved his hand in front of her face.
"Ah." Bao Ruanruan snapped back to reality, blushing slightly. "Nothing really, just stuff about boosting immunity."
Xue Jing: "..."
He'd raised an ungrateful little white-eyed wolf9.
Chen Feng burst out laughing.
"Xiao Baozi, it's one thing to joke around with us, but be careful at Minlin Mountain. That Director Wu is known to be super strict. I've heard he doesn't tolerate any goofing off on set. Whatever you do, don't be the one cracking jokes."
"I never joke around."
Chen Feng: "...!"
Yeah, right. Like I will believe your nonsense!
You're practically Haha's mom who would open the door for Haha whenever Haha gets home10.
After the two left, Bao Ruanruan slowly closed the door.
She wanted to touch the corner of her lips but stopped herself — remembering that she hadn't washed her hands.
But she had just joined a dating show — how could she have forgotten everything in The Love Manual?
"Looks like I haven't really mastered the material yet."
Thanks to Xue Jing and Chen Feng's constant reminders, Bao Ruanruan spent four hours carefully packing and finally finished.
Minlin Mountain had a distinct northwestern flavour.
After arriving at the airport, Bao Ruanruan switched to the off-road vehicle sent to pick her up.
As they drove, rocky cliffs, towering mountains and expanses of yellow sand filled the scenery.
The closer she got to the filming crew, the drier her skin felt.
Memories of Bao Ruanruan's survival adventure game in the Great Northwest flooded back into her mind.
Although thirsty, she only moistened her lips with a bit of water, saving her precious survival supplies for real emergencies.
Despite feeling hot, she didn't remove the bright yellow scarf tightly wrapped around her face and neck — she had even tucked all her black hair in underneath it.
So when the off-road car arrived at the crew's shooting base and its door opened...
A sticky rice dumpling with egg yolk and pork📹 rolled out from inside the vehicle.
Bao Ruanruan was wearing a Pengmai-brand outdoor jacket the colour of sticky rice, paired with cargo pants in matching tones.
The three front and four back pockets were bulged with supplies, completely obscuring her legs' long, slender lines.
And with that egg-yolk-coloured scarf on top...
This sticky rice dumpling with egg yolk and pork lookalike practically blended right into the sand-coloured hills behind the set.
The crew members were stunned at first glance.
Fortunately, Bao Ruanruan had her staff badge right in her jacket pocket and was able to show it quickly — or they might have stopped her.
"That's the super good-looking Bao Ruanruan?"
"Can't tell at all."
"She has zero celebrity attitude!"
Exactly!
She didn't even show a single strand of hair.
You couldn't even tell if she was male or female, let alone expect any diva behaviour!
The whole crew was stunned.
After demonstrating her credentials, Bao Ruanruan finally arrived at the building the crew used as a temporary rest area.
"Teacher Bao, you don't have any scenes scheduled today, so feel free to rest here. The director and the lead actors have gone to the nearby mountains to shoot on location."
Bao Ruanruan nodded.
She had arrived a day early on purpose.
As usual, she started by familiarising herself with the surroundings.
After putting her luggage down, Bao Ruanruan clasped her hands behind her back and began inspecting the temporary rest house inside and out.
She noted the terrain elevation, emergency escape routes, any safety hazards... fire risks, electrical wiring...
After completing her inspection, she turned a corner on the second floor of the three-storey concrete house. She unexpectedly caught the scent of delicious, cumin-flavoured grilled meat.
It was nearly noon — could someone actually be barbecuing inside the crew's rest house?
That would be a serious fire hazard.
Bao Ruanruan frowned, intending to go over and check whether they were using charcoal or firewood.
But just as she took a step—
"That Bao Ruanruan... sigh!"
A bright male voice rang out.
The tall, skinny man barbecuing in the room had his back to her and let out a frustrated sigh.
Bao Ruanruan: "..."
Had she met an old friend in a foreign land?
"How could she get Sister Xueni to sign such an unfair agreement?"
Bao Ruanruan blinked.
Her luck was incredible.
In the vast sea of people, she had encountered a one-in-thirty-million chance.
That was to meet a fan of Yang Xueni?
Bao Ruanruan stood behind them, pricking up her ears in secret.
"I know, I'm in Sister Xueni's fan group. Sigh, everyone's really conflicted."
Another slightly rough-sounding male voice spoke up.
That person is in Yang Xueni's fan group?
Bao Ruanruan raised her eyebrows.
"Sigh, honestly, whether it's Sister Xueni or Sister Yuxin, they wouldn't go after Bao Ruanruan at all! If they really wanted revenge, they could have acted three months ago — there was no need to wait until now!"
The tall, skinny young man declared with conviction.
Oh, child, you know nothing about werewolves.
They only strike at night.
Bao Ruanruan clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"But what can you do? Sister Xueni takes her promises seriously — she'll just have to swallow the loss this time."
The rough-voiced man sighed.
"Besides, Bao Ruanruan won't dare ask Sister Xueni for anything too unreasonable. Otherwise, the fan group mods have already said they won't let it slide! They will reach out to her. If one person doesn't work, then everyone will leave messages together."
Everyone…?
They even organised it as a group?
Bao Ruanruan became increasingly engrossed as she stepped forward and gripped the scarf covering her face.
The tall, skinny guy turned around to grab the basting brush and suddenly exclaimed, "Whoa! You scared me!"
He turned around and finally spotted a tightly wrapped figure that resembled a sticky rice dumpling with egg yolk and pork.
And that figure had been standing silently behind them!
The way she was wrapped from head to toe was downright creepy.
Who knew how long she'd been standing there? And how had she managed to walk behind them without making a sound?
"Are you staff from the logistics department?"
The tall, skinny boy frowned.
Bao Ruanruan silently glanced at him. He was tall and skinny, with a naturally gloomy air about him, as if everyone in the world owed him three million11. He was... pretty distinctive.
She then glanced at the makeshift grill in front of him.
They were using charcoal.
She frowned. "Burning charcoal indoors..."
The two guys panicked instantly.
The crew had strict rules. Fearing they would burn the props, they had been secretly grilling indoors.
The gloomy guy immediately softened his tone.
"Sis, can you cut us some slack? We'll be done really soon!"
However, Bao Ruanruan didn't leave, making them even more nervous.
The gloomy guy quickly forced a smile and stuffed a freshly grilled chicken wing into her hand.
"Teacher, try my cooking."
"Please don't tell the director—we'll be super careful."
Bao Ruanruan lowered her gaze and examined it sternly.
The chicken wing no longer looked like a chicken wing at all.
A 'three-no product12'.
No known shelf life, no listed manufacturer, no proof of food safety certification.
She shook her head.
Zhu He wiped away the cold sweat on his brow. "Teacher, just let us finish this meal — we promise, no more charcoal next time!"
The director of this production was known for being a person who always said one and not two13.
He took the rules very seriously.
Anyone who dared to violate his rules would likely be scolded in front of everyone and, in serious cases, even sent home from the set.
Zhu He was panicking.
But the woman in front of him — the sticky rice dumpling with egg yolk and pork lookalike — paused in thought.
"I won't tell the director… but can you answer one question for me?"
Her voice was gentle and even a little sweet.
Zhu He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Of course! Ask away!"
"Which Xueni fan group did you mention earlier?"
Zhu He suddenly snapped to attention.
"Teacher, are you a fan of Sister Xueni too?"
He hadn't expected to meet another Xueni fan — a 'Snowman14' — on the set.
And she was a crew member!
Sister Xueni really was amazing.
Zhu He's heart swelled with excitement — being a Sister Xueni fan suddenly felt like an accomplishment again.
But the sticky rice dumpling with egg yolk and pork in front of him waved her hand.
"I'm not her fan."
"But I really want to join that fan group you mentioned.
It sounds like the members have excellent cohesion and a real team spirit—the admins give the call, and the members strike wherever they're told, right?"
Bao Ruanruan's eyes flickered continuously behind her sunglasses.
This kind of group needed to be kept under close surveillance.
They were highly effective in combat.
They were very unified and followed orders.
Once thirty million Weibo fans rallied together and decided to target someone weak like her, the destructive force would be massive.
"Teacher, you really know how to flatter." Zhu He, a member of the fan group in question, immediately blushed.
But it was true.
Of all the top-tier and up-and-coming female celebrities in the industry, Sister Xueni's fanbase had the strongest combat power.
It was something the 'Snowmen' were very proud of.
Zhu He looked at this female staff member and instantly decided that she had a lovely voice and great taste. She must also be beautiful and kind.
"So I get it now — you must be a casual fan of Sister Xueni, right?"
You paid such close attention to our conversation just now.
And you even want to join the group."
Zhu He's eyes lit up.
Many casual fans only need a little encouragement to become devoted followers.
For example, if they felt their idol needed protection, they'd join the fan ranks immediately to stand united.
"Teacher, do you know what happened to Sister Xueni recently?"
"I know."
Of course, Bao Ruanruan knew.
Not only did she lay out the full story from the live stream and episodes of the dating show, but she also included behind-the-scenes details on the spot.
She even mentioned footage that hadn't been broadcast!
"Teacher, I didn't expect you to care so much about Sister Xueni and have such good connections, too!"
Zhu He was visibly excited.
Absolutely!
Wasn't sitting at the same table with Yang Xueni herself basically the strongest connection of all?
Without the slightest hesitation, Bao Ruanruan tapped her own cheek and asked,
"So, can I have the group number?"
"Oh, of course! You're more than welcome in the Snowman group!" Zhu He replied as he quickly pulled out his phone.
He was so excited that he even forgot about his barbecue!
While giving Bao Ruanruan the group number, he couldn't help himself and spilt his entire fan journey to her.
He was Xueni's junior from the same school.
He had just graduated from the acting department this year. His father was a photographer.
Having been in front of the camera since childhood, he had developed a natural talent for acting but also grown to hate it.
He had been forced into acting school and resented it deeply.
But then, in Palace Maidens, Yang Xueni played a concubine who was forced into the palace.
The sorrowful beauty of her tearful eyes and pained expressions on screen shone a ray of light into Zhu He's heart.
—So there were others who suffered just like him.
Zhu He couldn't tell whether he liked the concubine's character or Yang Xueni herself for a while.
However, as time passed, every time he watched Yang Xueni perform, his emotional pain would ease.
Zhu He began to realise that, just like Sister Xueni did, portraying a character could redeem others through expression and dialogue.
Someone who had once hated acting had now found a direction worth striving for.
From that moment on, he became a fan of Yang Xueni.
And improving his acting skills became his most important goal.
"I came to film this drama because I want to follow in Sister Xueni's footsteps.
Even though I'm just a minor, unimportant character for now,
I believe that if I keep working hard, one day I'll catch up with her and create a role that will win over the audience, too."
Zhu He continued talking.
His companion had already finished eating the grilled skewers and left, but he didn't even notice.
His whole face lit up when he talked about his dreams.
As she listened, Bao Ruanruan started marching on the spot and doing exercises at the same time.
He was a really spirited young man. She hadn't even asked that question yet—What's your dream?
And yet, he just couldn't stop talking.
But she had more or less figured out the situation.
Bao Ruanruan's eyes sparkled.
In her mind, pages of outline-like memories began to resurface.
Zhu He.
Inspired by Yang Xueni, he gained the drive to chase after his idol and ultimately rose from minor actor to big-screen star.
At 25, he starred in his first art film, playing a depressed boy.
His performance resonated with many viewers facing similar struggles. He won the Best Actor Award at the Hibiscus Film Festival that year.
The film was also submitted to international festivals the same year, earning Zhu He invitations from world-renowned directors. However, he turned them all down, including offers from leading domestic filmmakers.
He never appeared in another film after that.
When interviewed by reporters, he said he felt he had already surpassed his idol Yang Xueni in acting and had fulfilled his dream by creating a healing role.
For him, therefore, acting had already reached its peak.
From then on, he became just another commercial pitchman15, much to the disappointment of his fans.
He rose to fame because of Yang Xueni and fell from fame because of her, too.
He won the Best Actor award at a young age but also faded from the spotlight faster than anyone else.
Bao Ruanruan: "..."
So he's not a bronze player after all.
He's a future retired king.ℹ️
According to the book's plot, Zhu He's father was a renowned photographer in China.
So, by his early twenties, Zhu He already knew how to present himself in front of a camera.
A king with a great dad.
A house of kings.
Bao Ruanruan couldn't help but take him a bit more seriously.
"Clap, clap, clap——" She applauded heartily.
Zhu He blushed instantly. "Sis, come on, don't suddenly start clapping like that…"
"People with grit usually have good character," said Bao Ruanruan, trusting him implicitly.
"Then I'll take the liberty of calling you Little Brother from now on."
"Huh? Sis, how did you know that… Wait, have you been following my Weibo?" Zhu He asked in surprise.
Bao Ruanruan waved her hand.
No, I just have a cheat-like superpower, that's all.
Zhu He laughed immediately.
Still won't admit it, huh?
How would she know that he logged in every day to practise his acting skills if she didn't follow him on Weibo?
He had logged in for 762 days in a row now.
"Then I'll call you Sis from now on."
"Hey, Little Brother."
Bao Ruanruan agreed without hesitation.
Then she lowered her head to look at her phone.
She wouldn't let herself be bewitched by the future Best Actor.
Instead, she refocused her attention on the main operation—the Snowman chat group.
The best way to fight an enemy was to join them.
—I'm not here to defeat you guys. I'm just here to join the family.
Before she came, Xue Jing had given her two new SIM cards in case the signal was poor.
They were about to come in handy.
She quickly registered an alt QQ account and searched for the Snowman fan groups.
A whole list popped up, ranging from Group 1 to Group 16… It couldn't even fit on one screen!
"I'm in Group 3, Sis."
Bao Ruanruan nodded.
But she ignored him.
She clicked on Group 1.
If you're going to join the family, of course, you have to start with the ancestor group17 where the head of the household18 is.
You can't let yourself be the grandson of the family19.
Just by hearing the words 'Group 3' — it clearly wasn't as important as Group 1.
But when Bao Ruanruan saw the group's entry requirements, she was dumbfounded.
—Verification question: Please provide your Weibo ID.
"Oh, we have to verify fan identities. Sis, if you're just a casual fan, have you signed in on Sis Xueni's Super Topic? What's your Super Topic level?"
"If you have checked in for more than 100 days and reached Level 12 in the Super Topic, you can apply."
Bao Ruanruan: "……"
She had only checked into the Health and Wellness Super Topic.
She was quite diligent, checking in every night after completing her health routine.
Can checking into Yang Xueni's Super Topic extend your lifespan?
Nope.
She had never signed in once, so her Super Topic level was 0.
And she never would.
"Looks like I'll have to give up," she said, her voice betraying a hint of quiet sorrow.
"Huh?" Zhu He panicked a little when he heard that.
Having another industry connection in the crew meant that there was another way forward for Sis Xueni!
However, if crew members were found to be using their main accounts to check in for celebrities, they could be doxxed20, which would affect their jobs.
"Don't worry, Sis," Zhu He quickly added. "There's another way—if you've bought any of Sis Xueni's endorsed products worth more than 2,000 yuan, you can get into a regular fan group."
A regular fan group?
Bao Ruanruan wasn't interested.
She wanted to be the granddad21 of the fan family.
"Is there a price for a more core-level group?"
"Ah… well, that would be more expensive. Core groups don't have many spots left.
But if you've spent over 10,000 yuan on endorsements and can write a heartfelt analysis of Sis Xueni's acting, then maybe you'll get in."
Bao Ruanruan: "??"
Goodbye.
Wouldn't 10,000 yuan be better saved for a deposit on a safe apartment?!
"Or, if you've got any industry gossip, that works too, Sister. Like that dating show—do you have any insider info?"
Bao Ruanruan's eyes lit up. "I do!"
"Oh?"
"I know everything about the dating show, including upcoming episodes. Oh, except this week's."
She hadn't been involved in this week's shoot but had been in the previous ones.
Zhu He: "!"
"Sis, I'll add you to the group right now!"
"No, I want to join the one closer to her."
Zhu He's melancholy eyes froze for a second.
Then they turned to admiration.
As expected of Sister.
So dominant!
Just like her 'sticky rice dumpling with egg yolk and pork' looks.
Bao Ruanruan smiled as she said goodbye.
Though he couldn't see her smile.
She quietly returned to her own resting room, took off her mask, and then went to find the crew's site manager to report Zhu He and another person for illegally barbecuing in an enclosed space.
Little Brother, for your safety, Sister has really tried her best.
One reckless act might seem fun at the time. But it could pose an unimaginable risk to life and property and endanger the lives of dozens of others in the building.
Sis kept her word—she promised not to tell the director.
So she told the crew's site manager instead.
Ten minutes later, Zhu He got caught while packing up the grill.
"???"
"Was it a staff member who reported me?!"
"No, it was a cast. But I can't tell you that person's name."
Zhu He let out a deep breath of relief.
However, he quickly became frustrated again.
Who was it?!
If I'd known, I would've just closed the door while barbecuing!
After returning to her room, Bao Ruanruan thought for a moment, then swiftly sent a DM (Direct Message) to the main admin of the #1 Snowman Group, sharing some bits of gossip about Yang Xueni from the dating show.
—[She was worried about her uneven shoulders and even asked Bao Ruanruan what to do about it.]
—[Bao Ruanruan really wanted to help, but she could do nothing. This kind of issue requires long-term training to balance the muscles on both sides. In fact, Bao Ruanruan suspected it was likely physiological scoliosis and a skeletal issue requiring professional medical advice.]
Admin: "!!"
Admin: "Do you have any work credentials to prove you were involved in filming the show?"
Bao Ruanruan: [Yes.]
She immediately took a photo.
Admin: "! Did Sis Xueni really ask Bao Ruanruan that? I thought she hated her?"
Bao Ruanruan replied:
—[She really did ask. It happened in public, and all the staff who were present knew about it.]
—[Does she hate Bao Ruanruan? I can't say for sure—after all, that's a matter of her personal feelings. I can only stick to the facts and describe what I saw. As for what it means, you'll have to judge for yourself.]
Admin: "!!!"
Since we're already asking such personal questions anyway, what's the point in saying '*judge for yourself'?
Do Sis Yueni and Bao Ruanruan actually have a decent relationship in private?
Aren't they supposed to dislike each other?
And what about the uneven shoulders issue — is it that difficult to fix?
Many of her fans did notice Sis Xueni's posture problem when watching her films.
But nobody dared to mention it!
Admin: "So some people online said that Sis Xueni sat in the centre seat and that Zhou Minwen was initially stuck at the end. They said she was arrogant and refused to give up the seat. Do you know anything about that?"
Bao Ruanruan knew the answer to this one, too.
—[She did sit at the centre of the long table when she arrived, and no, she didn't say anything about giving the seat to Teacher Zhou.]
Admin: "!! Then how did Teacher Zhou end up sitting in the centre seat opposite her?"
Bao Ruanruan thought for a moment:
—[At first, Bao Ruanruan swapped places with him, but Teacher Zhou didn't want to take *that seat. Later, Qu Feifei moved him over.]
Admin: "! Sis, is everything you're saying true?"
After hearing all this, everyone else seemed kind and good-natured...
Only their Sis Xueni...
"Could it be that our Sis Xueni had her own reasons?"
—[I'm not sure about that — you'll have to judge for yourself.]
—[I can only offer the facts.]
Within a second, Bao Ruanruan discovered that she had been added to the group — #Snowman Core Group No.1#
[Group Owner: Let's all welcome @IAmSnowmanGrandpa — she's a young lady who knows the inside scoop about the variety show industry. If you're curious about anything, feel free to ask her.]
In an instant, the fan group exploded with activity.
[CarrotSnowman: Wow, deep bows! Welcome, insider sister! Your username is so fierce!]
[CucumberSnowman: Formation, salute!]
[SpinachSnowman: Formation, salute!]
So polite.
Bao Ruanruan felt a little embarrassed and quickly typed a message:
[IAmSnowmanGrandpa: Hello, everyone. Does anyone have any plans lately? I heard you guys were planning to go after Bao Ruanruan?]
[SpinachSnowman: Wow, sis, you're really well-informed!]
But she could only post this one message.
Because it was then that the group owner jumped in to put a stop to it.
[Group Admin @all: I've just received some insider information — Xueni may actually have a good private relationship with Bao Ruanruan.]
[Spinach Snowman: !]
[Carrot Snowman: !]
[Group Admin @all: Everyone, don't act impulsively — don't accidentally attack our allies! Xueni even asked Bao Ruanruan privately… about her health.]
The entire group was stunned.
A flurry of exclamation marks and question marks flew across the screen.
Bao Ruanruan glanced at the chat and nodded with satisfaction.
As expected, the fastest and safest strategy was to join the family!
The crisis was temporarily averted.
She set up a keyword alert for 'Bao Ruanruan' in the fan group.
This meant that she would receive a notification whenever her name was mentioned.
That way, she didn't need to constantly monitor the fan group and absorb phone radiation.
Perfect!
The next day, Bao Ruanruan energetically welcomed the film crew's shooting.
She arrived early at the make-up room, was the first to finish putting on make-up, and changed into her costume.
Then, she bumped into the 'melancholy prince' Zhu He, who had been reported for indoor barbecuing yesterday and reprimanded by the director again that morning.
"Bao...?"
"Bao Ruanruan, hello, pleased to work with you," Bao Ruanruan greeted him politely, standing at a safe distance of one metre.
Zhu He's melancholic eyes twitched slightly.
Last night, he had been wondering if the newly arrived Bao Ruanruan was the one who had reported him.
But when he lowered his gloomy gaze, he saw a pale, fresh-looking girl with skin like congealed cream.
Her eyes were crystal clear, like transparent quartz — there was no trace of impurity.
Even when standing face to face, she exuded vulnerability, a quality that couldn't be hidden by her retro-looking blouse.
— She really didn't seem like a bad person.
Without the barrier of a screen, Zhu He realised that Bao Ruanruan seemed kind of... well-behaved?
And as she spoke, a faint herbal scent, like the healthful smell of ginseng tea, drifted into his nose.
Not only was it pleasant, but it reminded him of the insider gossip he'd heard yesterday in Group 1 — that Sister Xueni had asked Bao Ruanruan for health advice.
Zhu He: "!"
It fits!
Bao Ruanruan did smell like a health and wellness guru with that ginseng tea scent!
But… why did her voice sound so familiar?
"Everyone, gather around. I'll go over today's three scenes: the teacher's home visit, the landslide, and taking the child back to school. All three are extremely important — and as per usual, anyone who underperforms will have to read their lines out loud in front of the entire crew!"
Author's Note:
Ruanruan: From today onwards, I finally have a family. Its name is 'Snowmen~'
Yang Xueni: ......
Footnotes Full List
- "中央空调 (zhōngyāng kōngtiáo)" literally means "central air conditioning," but in Chinese internet slang, it refers to someone who is overly warm/flirty to everyone (like an air conditioner blowing warmth everywhere), implying they are insincere or play with people's emotions.
- This is a direct phonetic substitute for "牛逼" (niúbī), which is a very common and strong slang term meaning "awesome," "badass," "amazing," or "incredible." It's a compliment expressing strong admiration. Chinese internet users also present these words through emoticons: 🐂🍺 (niú: ox + beer.)
- 薪火传承 (xīnhuǒ chuánchéng) – "pass on the torch" (figuratively, to carry forward a tradition or legacy)
- 打脸 (dǎliǎn): This is a common idiom meaning to be proven wrong, to contradict oneself, to be humiliated publicly by one's own previous words or actions, or to have one's credibility undermined.
- 食言 (shíyán): This is an idiom meaning to break a promise, to go back on one's word, or to fail to keep one's commitment.
- 洗脑包 (xǐnǎo bāo): "Brainwashing package" (slang for biased, manipulative, or false information spread online to influence opinions, similar to propaganda or a smear campaign)
- 自己顶包 (zìjǐ dǐng bāo) – "take the blame herself" (literally: "carry the bag herself," where "顶包" is a slang term meaning to take the fall for someone else). This phrase can either be taken literally or metaphorically.
- Oh, I never knew Xue Jing had a younger sister! 🤔
- 白眼狼 (báiyǎnláng) – a metaphor for an ungrateful person
- The literal English translation of the Chinese phrase "每天都哈哈它妈给哈哈开门，哈哈到家了 (měitiān dōu hāhā tā mā gěi hāhā kāimén， hāhā dào jiā le)。" is: "Every day, haha's mom opens the door for haha, haha is home." This is a playful internet slang phrase implying something is extremely funny ("haha is home" = "the laughter has reached its peak"). The structure is humorous because it anthropomorphises laughter ("haha") as a person whose mom lets it in, suggesting the joke is so funny that laughter has fully arrived.
- 好像人人欠了他三百万 (hǎoxiàng rénrén qiàn le tā sānbǎiwàn): Literally "like everyone owed him 3 million yuan" — a sarcastic metaphor for someone who constantly looks sad, bitter, or world-weary for no good reason. Very popular online in Chinese fandom slang.
- 三无产品 (sānwú chǎnpǐn): "Three-no product" — slang in China for sketchy or unregulated goods with no identifiable production information or safety guarantee. Used here ironically to describe a badly made, probably unsafe chicken wing.
- The idiom 说一不二 (shuō yī bù èr) means that someone stands by their word, is true to their promise, or is decisive and doesn't tolerate disobedience or changes once a decision is made. They mean what they say and don't equivocate or go back on their word. In the context of a director, it implies they are very authoritative, and their decisions are final.
- 雪人 (xuěrén): Literally 'Snowman', a fan nickname for Xueni's fandom — a play on her name "雪 Xue" (snow).
- 广告咖 (guǎnggào kā) is a slang term for someone (usually a celebrity, influencer, or public figure) who primarily, or very frequently, appears in advertisements or endorses products. It can sometimes carry a slightly dismissive or critical tone, implying that their main job or contribution is just doing commercials rather than focusing on their primary profession (e.g., acting, singing, etc.).
- Bao Ruanruan was referring to the Honour of Kings rank.
- "祖宗群 (zǔzōng qún)": "Ancestor group" — jokingly refers to the first and original fan group where the earliest and most hardcore fans gather.
- "一家之主 (yījiāzhīzhǔ)": "Head of the family" — metaphor for the core leadership of a group (here, the primary/official fan group).
- "家里的孙子 (jiālǐ de sūnzi)": "The family's grandson" — a metaphor for someone who joined late and is of lower status. Used humorously to reflect online hierarchy within fandoms.
- "扒身份 (bā shēnfèn)": Internet slang for "doxxing" — revealing someone's real identity or personal information.
- "做爷爷 (zuò yéye)": "Be the grandpa" — humorous way to say she wants to enter at the top of the hierarchy, not as a newbie or junior member. It's satirical self-aggrandisement.
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