Afternoon, Friendship Cottage, living room.
The nine guests had either settled into seats or remained standing, as the atmosphere gradually grew livelier. The four resident celebrities and several newcomers, each from different backgrounds, were actively searching for common ground, attempting to establish their first impressions of friendship under the watchful lenses of the live broadcast.
Among them, Qiao Xi was undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching presences.
Dressed in a vibrant pink tracksuit, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, she wore a sweet, unassuming smile as she enthusiastically handed out the snacks she had brought.
"Come on, try these! They're super delicious low-calorie biscuits!"
She flitted between the guests, effortlessly steering conversations and solidifying her image as the warm, energetic, and kind-hearted sweetheart. The live cameras were glued to her, and the barrage of comments overflowed with praises like "XiXi, our little angel!" and "XiXi is so sweet!"
Meanwhile, in a corner by the window, Su Qianqian sat alone on a single wicker chair.
She wore a loose, comfortable light green dress that accentuated her snow-white complexion. Her long hair was loosely tied back with a matching ribbon, a few soft strands framing her cheeks. Head slightly bowed, she cradled a plush off-white pillow in her arms, quiet as a painting—a stark contrast to the lively bustle on the other side of the room.
Naturally, Qiao Xi wouldn’t miss the chance to extend her care to the seemingly introverted newcomer.
Holding a freshly brewed cup of floral tea, she approached Su Qianqian with her signature bright smile, her steps light and cheerful.
"Qianqian~" Qiao Xi’s voice was sugary and bright.
"Why are you sitting here all alone? Feeling a little nervous?"
"Here, have something warm! It’ll soothe your throat—I just made this tea, it’s really good for you!"
As she spoke, she pressed the cup into Su Qianqian’s hands, her movements so natural and intimate it was as if they were long-time friends.
The live cameras immediately zoomed in, focusing on Su Qianqian’s face.
Su Qianqian lifted her head, her almond-shaped eyes filled with unmistakable bewilderment, as if caught off guard by the sudden warmth. She glanced at the cup being offered, then back at Qiao Xi’s beaming face, her lips parting slightly but no sound escaping.
Qiao Xi maintained her smile, patiently waiting, her gaze encouraging.
Finally, Su Qianqian reacted.
She gave a small shake of her head, shrinking back slightly to avoid the cup of tea. Then, lifting her other hand, she lightly touched her throat with delicate fingers, her rosy lips parting just enough to whisper in a faint, breathy voice:
"Thank you… but my throat’s a little inflamed right now, and it still hurts… I can’t drink anything hot…"
As soon as she finished speaking, she lowered her head again, her cheeks dusted with a soft pink blush, her shyness so endearing it could melt hearts.
Qiao Xi’s smile faltered for a split second.
Her original plan had been to "accidentally" spill the lukewarm tea when Su Qianqian reached for it, pretending to get hurt—but who knew Su Qianqian would completely defy expectations?
In an instant, Qiao Xi’s smile returned, brimming with understanding and concern.
"Oh! Your throat’s bothering you?"
"That’s all the more reason to drink something warm!"
"It’s just warm, not hot—it’ll actually help soothe your throat!"
She pushed the cup forward again, leaning in closer, her posture radiating care.
But Su Qianqian seemed startled by her approach, shrinking even further back, nearly disappearing into the wicker chair. She tightened her grip on the pillow, shaking her head again, her voice even softer now, tinged with resistance.
"...No, thank you, XiXi-jie."
With that, she buried half her face into the pillow, leaving only her clear, almond-shaped eyes visible—eyes that unmistakably pleaded, "I’m just shy."
[Whoa! Who’s that ethereal beauty in the corner?!]
[Three minutes—I need all her info!!]
[AHHHH she’s stunning! That profile! That aura! Is she even real?!]
[She’s so shy! Like a startled little bunny! I wanna pet her!]
[XiXi is so sweet, looking out for the new girl!]
[Uhh… but the fairy seems like she really doesn’t want to be bothered? She seems skittish.]
[Her voice sounds so hoarse, poor thing! My heart aches!]
[Is this level of beauty even possible?! Screenshotting! New wallpaper!]
[Is XiXi being a bit too pushy? The fairy clearly isn’t comfortable…]
[Don’t stir drama! XiXi’s just being nice! The new girl’s just super shy!]
[Our celestial maiden has descended! Even silent, she’s breathtaking!]
[What’s her name? Su Qianqian? Noted—my new obsession!]
The comments exploded.
Su Qianqian’s "shy fairy" persona, combined with her otherworldly beauty and Qiao Xi’s slightly overbearing kindness, created a perfect storm of dramatic contrast and adorable awkwardness.
The audience’s hearts were instantly stolen by the quiet, fragile, almost surreal girl in the corner. The screen flooded with awe, sympathy, and curiosity about her—along with heated debates over whether Qiao Xi was being too intense.
Qiao Xi watched as Su Qianqian fully retreated into her pillow, then flicked a glance at the blinking red light of the nearby camera. Internally, she cursed the girl’s lack of cooperation—but her smile never wavered.
She withdrew the cup, her voice still honeyed.
"Alright then, just let me know if you change your mind!"
"Make yourself at home, okay?"
She gave Su Qianqian’s shoulder a pat—Su Qianqian visibly tensed—before turning away to rejoin the others, as if checking off a task.
On the other side of the living room, the musician casually strummed chords on his guitar, the sporty guy chatted with the academic-type newcomer about meal prep, and the model-turned-guest sipped her coffee with practiced elegance.
Everyone was putting their best foot forward for the cameras.
Only Su Qianqian remained curled up in her corner, silent and still.
Like a fairy who’d stumbled into the mortal world, she stood apart from the carefully crafted atmosphere of camaraderie.
Yet it was precisely her pure, detached aura that ensnared the audience’s attention.
And so, thanks to the presence of this "silent fairy," the livestream’s popularity quietly soared to new heights.
