Chapter 54: Shengzai: Ma Jianai, Be My Girlfriend!

Shengzai had already heard about Ma Jianai’s current situation.

She, known as a “fallen child star,” had seemingly had no work since her popularity plummeted.

As her friend, and since Ma Jianai had once helped him, this was the perfect chance to repay her kindness.

Though in terms of popularity, Ma Jianai fell far short of Shizumi Mari, and in terms of figure, she was practically “barren” beside Hisami.

But pairing Shengzai with Ma Jianai would still be highly marketable—they’re childhood friends who debuted as child stars!

“Current Love” is a reality dating show built on promoting couples; a childhood-love romance is inherently romantic, especially when both are former child stars—it would surely generate buzz for the program.

Once the show’s popularity rises, Ma Jianai, paired with Shengzai, would inevitably gain attention too, perhaps even reclaiming her fame—this would be a win-win.

Thinking of this two-for-one opportunity, Shengzai didn’t hesitate; after returning home, he immediately picked up his phone and dialed the number he’d saved that day.

On the other side, Ma Jianai, just out of the shower and wrapped in a towel, sat on her bed, staring at her phone with a look of hesitation.

She was debating whether to message Shengzai and explain why she’d deliberately avoided him two years ago.

Ten years had passed; Ma Jianai had seen through the coldness of human relationships. Once naive in social dealings, she had gradually become more polished and accommodating.

But sadly, she had awakened too late—her former glory was gone, and even her mother, who once took pride in her, had returned to her hometown.

Ma Jianai had assumed Shengzai, like everyone else, would grow distant from her.

After all, the current Shengzai was no longer the same as before; to her, facing him was like a Ugly Duckling encountering a swan.

Yet their reunion after two years had shown her, through his actions, that Wen Shengzai had never changed.

Seeing that he still remembered her, still treated her as a friend, Ma Jianai was deeply moved.

Even her mother had abandoned her, but her childhood friend had not—he still treated her as he always had.

Ma Jianai didn’t know if Shengzai harbored any resentment over what happened two years ago, so she’d been hesitating whether to send him a message.

But every time she opened his LINE, she hesitated again, worried he might be busy with work or already asleep.

After all, the current Shengzai was a popular actor—his schedule must be packed, unlike her, a complete idle.

“Maybe I should just send a message? Maybe he’s free right now?”

“Ding ding ding ding ding~”

Just as Ma Jianai finally made up her mind, finished composing her message, and was about to send it, Shengzai’s call suddenly came through.

Seeing the avatar and name on her screen, Ma Jianai, who had been bracing herself for so long, was startled—her body jolted upright, and the towel around her slipped off.

Of course, since she was alone in her room, she didn’t mind much; instead, she pressed the answer button with a mix of nervousness and delight.

“Hello, Shengzai? It’s so late—what’s up?”

Though Ma Jianai’s tone was calm, her heart was thrumming with joy.

After all, she hadn’t expected that while she was still hesitating whether to message him, he’d already called her first!

“Uh… Jianai, there’s something I want to ask you—could you be my girlfriend…?”

Ma Jianai: (///▽///)!!! Is happiness really coming this suddenly? But is this confession a bit too hasty?

Without doubt, at Shengzai’s words, Ma Jianai’s mind instantly froze.

Though she was completely naked, her face flushed red at a visible speed, and steam instantly rose from her head.

Hearing the silence on the other end, Shengzai, belatedly realizing he might have phrased it wrong, was about to explain—when suddenly, a loud “BANG!” echoed as Yuki kicked his door open with a single kick!

Yuki: “No! I don’t approve of this relationship!”

Ako: “That’s right—teenage romance is forbidden. Shengzai, you’re too young; believe me, you can’t handle it.”

Seeing Yuki and Ako burst in, Shengzai was utterly stunned.

On the other end of the line, Ma Jianai, now a full-blown “Steam Girl,” had just regained her composure after her mental shutdown, her face burning red, ready to speak—

When she heard Shengzai’s voice again: “Uh, Jianai, something’s come up here—I’ll call you back later…beep beep beep beep…”

Ma Jianai: (_；

As the dial tone rang in her ear, Ma Jianai stood frozen.

First, Shengzai’s sudden confession—then, just as she finally mustered the courage to reply, he vanished…

In Shengzai’s room at the Wen residence, Shengzai stood with arms crossed, glaring at his adoptive mother sisters: “What the hell are you two up to now?”

Wait—how did you even get in? I clearly locked the door… Ah, so that’s why my collectibles kept disappearing—I knew it!

Yuki, don’t you have anything to say about this?”

Facing Shengzai’s accusation, Yuki knew she was caught—she and Ako had rushed in without thinking, using the spare key.

But they couldn’t help being anxious—Shengzai had just proposed to a girl!

The pig they’d raised since childhood was being stolen by someone else’s cabbage—who could bear it?

“Hmph, all that cult-themed nonsense deserves to be destroyed. What’s so great about otaku fantasies and lolicon anyway…

And you know, Shengzai, I’m a doujin artist—I took those works only to… borrow inspiration. Yes, just for inspiration!”

Even though she was exposed, Yuki still refused to back down.

Meanwhile, Ako cut straight to the point—being the older sister, she leaned against Shengzai, standing on the moral high ground, glaring at her sister: “Yes, Yuki, how could you do this?

I know you got the spare key to help clean Shengzai’s room, but you can’t just throw away his things!”

Yuki: (▽｀), Sister, I never knew you were this good at tea art!

Ako: Sorry, sister—I’d rather you die alone than both of us perish together!

(End of Chapter)