Not being a third wheel is a virtue

While Lu Jiaoyue went to change, Lu Xiaoxiao finally had time to sit down and scroll through her phone.

The moment she opened Weibo, she spotted a familiar name on the trending list.

#Lu Shiyan's latest schedule: reality show#

#Lu Shiyan reveals he'll bring a non-celebrity on a variety show#

#Lu Shiyan comes from a wealthy family#

Seeing that three of the top ten trending topics involved her second brother, Lu Xiaoxiao's curiosity was immediately piqued. After a quick look, she learned that he had signed on for a reality show called Desert Island Survival, sparking heated discussion among his fans.

As far as Lu Xiaoxiao knew, Lu Shiyan had insisted on entering the entertainment industry because he loved acting. He had spent years steadily honing his craft, and this was his first time agreeing to appear on a variety show. Apparently, he had only said yes because he was close friends with the director. No wonder his fans were so excited.

As for the topic about his wealthy background, there were no actual revelations, just guesses from fans who had analyzed details in his everyday photos. Most of the discussion beneath it was baseless joking around, too.

When Lu Shiyan first entered the industry, he had not received the Lu Family's support, so he had always concealed his connection to them. He really had clawed his way up from the bottom to his current standing through his own ability.

For now, netizens were more focused on his new variety show.

[Aaaaaah, are we finally going to see what hubby is like in everyday life? I'm so excited!]

[Not a fan, just a passerby. I think all you Sea Salts had better not celebrate too soon. Didn't he say he was bringing a non-celebrity on the show? Maybe he's dating someone and wants to pave the way for her. Your hubby might have a girlfriend soon~]

[Why is the person above pretending to be a passerby? You're obviously a hater. You sure know how to spread rumors!]

[I don't buy it. Who takes their girlfriend on Desert Island Survival? Surely they'd pick a dating show! I'm leaning toward the non-celebrity being someone else...]

[What's there to argue about? We'll find out when the time comes! Besides, our Shiyan is an actor, not an idol. He works so hard on his career that I'd support him even if he really were dating. Can some people stop acting like celebrities aren't allowed to date?]

[Waaaaah, but I'm a girlfriend fan. If he really announces a relationship, I probably still won't be able to accept it...]

[Keeping an open mind and waiting for the show to air!]

Lu Xiaoxiao read plenty of comments, thoroughly enjoying the gossip.

Unlike those netizens, she knew exactly what was really going on.

In the original novel, the opportunity to appear on the show had initially been hers. But after one of the original owner's attempts to frame Lu Jiaoyue was exposed, a disappointed Lu Shiyan had decided to take Lu Jiaoyue instead.

It was also after this show aired that Lu Jiaoyue entered the public eye. Her adorably clueless personality won her countless fans, made her an internet sensation, and earned her the title of "Nation's Little Sister."

Thinking it over, filming was not all that far off.

But it ultimately had nothing to do with her anyway, and she and this second brother were still practically strangers. After a few cursory glances, Lu Xiaoxiao could not be bothered to look into the details.

As luck would have it, the system popped up right then to issue a task. "Host, hurry up and ditch the female lead."

Lu Xiaoxiao said, "Why should I run off?"

The system said, "You're the malicious supporting female character. The female lead isn't familiar with this area, either. Abandoning her here while she's trying on clothes would be very malicious of you. What a perfectly reasonable plot development."

Lu Xiaoxiao said, "Bullshit. What a lousy plot."

The system automatically ignored Lu Xiaoxiao's profanity and continued, "Also, I've detected that the male lead is nearby. You no longer need to facilitate their meeting, but if you don't leave now, it'll be too late to avoid him."

Lu Xiaoxiao said, "Wonderful. So why should I avoid him?"

The system said, "Not being a third wheel is a virtue."

Lu Xiaoxiao said, "..."

Lu Xiaoxiao sneered, then briskly stood up, gathered her things, and left.

If the system had not given her the second reason, she would never have agreed to follow this plot. But if the leads failed to develop feelings for each other, there would be serious problems later.

Yet by the time she reached the mall entrance, she was starting to change her mind.

Lu Xiaoxiao began bargaining with the system. "Can I stay without showing myself and just watch from nearby? I'm still a little worried."

The system said, "With all due respect, what you're describing sounds a little shady."

Lu Xiaoxiao said, "So what? Just tell me whether I can."

"..."

The system fell silent.

Lu Xiaoxiao said, "Quit playing mute. I haven't spent a single point from that show of dominance last time. I'll use them now."

When Lu Jiaoyue emerged from the fitting room after changing out of the last outfit, she looked around but could not find Lu Xiaoxiao anywhere.

At a loss, she asked a nearby sales assistant whether she had seen her older sister. The assistant shook her head, saying she did not know, and only told her that the dresses had already been paid for.

It never occurred to Lu Jiaoyue that she had been abandoned. She assumed Lu Xiaoxiao had gotten bored waiting and gone ahead to browse other stores.

She took out her phone to call her sister, but only after opening her contacts did she realize she did not have Lu Xiaoxiao's contact information at all. She had to give up.

After some thought, she headed out carrying a huge pile of packed shopping bags, planning to look around nearby and see if she could find Lu Xiaoxiao.

But Lu Jiaoyue was unfamiliar with the mall, and all around her were brands she did not recognize. After wandering around for ages, she managed to thoroughly confuse herself.

Eager to reunite with her sister, Lu Jiaoyue hurried along and bumped into someone in a moment of inattention.

With a soft little cry, she dropped the bags all over the floor and hastily crouched down to pick them up.

Halfway through, she suddenly remembered she had yet to apologize to the person she had bumped into. She looked up in embarrassment and met a pair of indifferent eyes.

Standing before Lu Jiaoyue was a tall man in a well-tailored suit whose workmanship and fabric were clearly expensive.

Looking farther up, she saw his handsome, sharply defined features.

The man had deep-set eyes and a high, straight nose, looks that would have stood out even in the entertainment industry. At that moment, his thin lips were pressed together slightly, his eyelids lowered impatiently, and displeasure radiated from him.

His downward stare felt intensely aggressive and oppressive. Even someone as slow on the uptake as Lu Jiaoyue immediately realized that he was probably no ordinary person.

Of course, nobody who could afford to shop at this mall came from an ordinary family.

Still, Lu Jiaoyue had only ever felt an aura like this in front of her father, Lu Yuan, and the man before her made her even more nervous than her father did.

To be precise, the Lu Family already ranked among the top tier of wealthy families in the Imperial Capital. Above them, however, stood even more elite families, with businesses and influence so intricately intertwined that a mere stamp of their feet could shake the entire capital.

The man Lu Jiaoyue had bumped into was Gu Sipei, the second son of the Gu Family, one of those elite families. According to the original novel's timeline, he would topple his older brother a year later and become the true head of the Gu Family.

Although Lu Jiaoyue knew none of this yet, she instinctively felt that she could not afford to offend him.

"I'm sorry, sir." She picked up her things and gathered them back into her arms, then hastily bowed to the man, her apology utterly sincere.

"I was walking too fast and didn't see anyone. I didn't mean to offend you!"