The group chat messages in the bottom-right corner of Running Lighthouse’s screen were exploding; opening it showed a flood of messages: “Group owner, what are you doing? Are you f*cking betraying us?”
Running Lighthouse’s eyelid twitched madly, hurriedly saying: “Betray? Impossible?!”
“Look at what you just sent!”
Running Lighthouse quickly distanced himself: “Ahhhh guys believe me, I just went to the bathroom, that was my cousin who sent it, nothing to do with me. He’s just a face-con, you understand.”
The group members relaxed a little, but were still a bit annoyed.
Something about that sounded weird.
Face-con?
Was that supposed to be an insult to Shen Fu or a compliment?
“How about this, go mock her in the barrage, then we’ll believe you.”
Ever since he became a fan of Chu Wei, Running Lighthouse had been hanging out in this group, mixing from Grade 10 to Grade 12 for a full three years, finally becoming a small boss in the fandom. He really didn’t want to be mistaken for some undercover hater just because of this small incident.
So he quickly sent a barrage stepping on Shen Fu: 【Don’t misunderstand me, of course she would win, she uses every possible means. Although the award-winning Film Empress lost because she was dumb, Shen Fu making her opponent lose face this badly also isn’t very nice.】
Zuo Mei’s fans: ?
Chu Wei’s fans in the group & Shen Fu haters: ?
Shen Fu’s fans: ?
Running Lighthouse: ……
D*mn, it seemed like he accidentally started a fire again.
The variety show barrage was noisy, but Shen Fu didn’t see any of it. Her first-person-view livestream was still harmonious. Many netizens, still unsatisfied, told her: “Shen Fu, you must pick a cat’s eye snail when foraging by the sea.”
Shen Fu checked the time, five or six minutes left, so she agreed to this viewer’s request: “Okay, I’ll look for one.”
She held a small trowel and started exploring, the barrage excitedly shouting nonstop: “Over there, over there, I see a bump over there!”
It was infuriating that they couldn’t send voice messages, otherwise they’d really want to stick their hand through the screen to point for Shen Fu.
Without the barrage’s guidance, Shen Fu had also noticed a footprint-like bump not far away on the sand.
On top of the bump were two crooked cross-shaped thin trenches, looking exactly like a place where a cat’s eye snail would appear.
Shen Fu walked over, bent down, brushed off the surface sand with the trowel, then swiftly gave a heavy scoop.
A palm-sized cat’s eye snail, still squirting water, appeared in the livestream.
The barrage got excited:【There really is a cat’s eye snail! Where exactly is this place the show is filming at aaahhh d*mn it, I want to play too.】
“Everyone look closely, once it’s out of the sand it’ll shrink in, later you’ll only be able to see the shell.”
Shen Fu, before taking off her gloves, held the cat’s eye snail close.
【What are you doing?】
The viewers thought she was about to repeat the crab trick, and quickly leaned back away from their screens.
But Shen Fu only faked a move and withdrew her hand.
Just as the viewers relaxed and looked back, Shen Fu suddenly squeezed the cat’s eye snail toward the camera.
“Biu”, a few thin jets of water sprayed at the lens like splashes.
【Holy sh*t!】
The viewers instantly felt as though their faces had been sprayed.
【Hahahahaha so funny, how many people instinctively wiped their face just now, but wiped nothing?】
Previously, many passersby had believed the negative comments, thinking Shen Fu not only acted badly but also had zero variety sense.
But now? Who said she had no variety sense?!
Someone couldn’t help posting: 【She’s so f*cking funny, Shen Fu when will you film a dedicated seaside-foraging variety show?】
Was today’s PK segment really four hours long?! Why did time pass so fast?
But Shen Fu said: “Time to wrap up. This cat’s eye snail is very plump, as the last seafood, it feels more ceremonial.”
The barrage burst into another wave of 【hahahahaha】.
Unfortunately it didn’t last long, staff came to remove Shen Fu’s GoPro, and they couldn’t watch the first-person view anymore.
That group of viewers, still unsatisfied, immediately switched to the variety show’s main livestream.
【D*mn not only did I screen-record Shen Fu’s foraging, but now I really want to know who she’ll text in tonight’s mutual messaging segment. Sh*t, am I being hooked by this woman? I was mocking her just yesterday.】
【Hahaha the one above, you’ve fallen.】
Zuo Mei’s fans were extremely unhappy, but right now passersby were still excitedly discussing the cat’s eye snail. If they jumped out to curse Shen Fu now, not only would it seem unprovoked, it would also trigger reverse psychology in the viewers.
They could only endure for now.
Zuo Mei sat on a chair in the distance, the medical team treating the sting on her hand.
Originally, after the PK there was supposed to be a summary of results, but seeing Zuo Mei’s dark expression and her exploding temper telling the cameraman not to film her, the production team had to cancel the segment.
But even without counting results, it was obvious who had won completely.
In the barrage, Zuo Mei’s fans were still complaining why there were suddenly no shots of their idol, not knowing that every time a camera pointed toward her, Zuo Mei raised her hand and slapped it away.
The production team was unfairly saddled with the accusation of 【bullying the award-winning Film Empress】 and felt pretty upset.
By contrast, Shen Fu’s side was much easier.
The crew all let out a sigh of relief and handed her a bath towel: “Shen Fu, go take a shower and change clothes. Once you meet up with the male guests, we’re heading back.”
Shen Fu held her collected seafood tightly and didn’t plan to let go: “Then what about these?”
Not only was the barrage holding back laughter, even the staff were: “Don’t worry, yours and Ms. Zuo’s together, we’ll clean them up and serve them at your dinner.”
Only then did Shen Fu nod.
At the same time, the men’s segment had also wrapped up. As soon as Shen Fu and Zuo Mei came ashore, a huge wave of Super VIP viewers who had been watching Jiang Shu and Wen Zhenghan’s stream flooded into this broadcast. The comment section instantly became twice as lively.
【Aaaah! All us poor people who can’t switch camera feeds are here! We’ll have to wait for the replay later, but I can’t wait anymore, someone tell me who won???】
【D】
【Holy cr*p, holy cr*p? How did he win?】
The viewers returning from the men’s side were practically dying of laughter:
【Their challenge was digging holes, moving saplings, and planting trees, kind of like those tasks on Back to Field Life. Whoever planted the most trees within the time limit won.】
【Isn’t that basically a strength-based job?】
【Exactly, that’s what everyone in the comments thought at first.】The previous commenter slapped their thigh. 【So for the first two hours, D was obsessed with testing out the tractor. He couldn’t put it down. Everyone, including the Film Emperor, thought he’d given up on competing. You know he used to be a race car driver before taking over the family business, right? It’s normal for him to be interested in heavy machinery.】
【And then???】
【And then, d*mn it, we were all fooled. During the last half hour, he drove that tractor into the village and hired twenty young men. He paid each of them ten thousand yuan to plant five trees apiece. Then boom, one hundred trees planted instantly! The Film Emperor’s side spent four hours sweating buckets and only managed a little over ten trees. His face turned green.】
【Holy cr*p???】The comments on this side were filled with shock. 【That’s allowed?】
【Even the production crew was confused. But when they explained the rules, the Crown Prince kept repeatedly asking whether the only rules were the time limit and the number of trees planted. The crew said yes.】
【Hahahaha, holy cr*p, that’s amazing. What did the Crown Prince himself say?】
【He said, 】
“Money power isn’t power?” Jiang Shu leisurely drove the vehicle back and stopped in front of Shen Fu and the production crew.
The comments exploded:【I literally have no comeback to that!】
Wen Zhenghan’s vehicle followed behind. But unlike Jiang Shu’s flashy style, wearing sunglasses and driving with the window down, Wen Zhenghan’s hair, which he’d slicked back with gel that morning, was now slightly messy. He had taken off his suit jacket and rolled his shirt sleeves up to his elbows. Clearly, he was sweltering from the heat.
When the camera followed him, he didn’t even lower his window.
One look at the situation and Shen Fu knew Jiang Shu had won the competition segment as well. That meant he had already accumulated three points.
Thirty million.
A full thirty million!
Outwardly, Shen Fu remained calm, but inwardly she was practically drooling.
Then she suddenly remembered that the point Jiang Shu had earned might not necessarily be shared with her. Even the ten million from successfully becoming a matched couple would have to be split evenly. She immediately calmed down.
Looking at it that way, to be conservative, she’d only earn fifteen million.
Jiang Shu noticed Shen Fu staring at him, her expression gradually becoming disappointed.
Jiang Shu: ???
What? Was she unhappy that Wen Zhenghan had lost to him?
Zuo Mei got into Wen Zhenghan’s car. Seeing the look on his face, she smiled. “It’s nothing important. We were just playing around with the younger generation. After we debuted, we’ve been busy filming movies and hardly ever appeared on variety shows. Of course we can’t beat them at games.”
Wen Zhenghan didn’t respond. He simply started the engine.
What man didn’t care about his pride?
If he’d lost to some veteran director, that would be one thing. But he had lost to this arrogant brat who thought a little money made him invincible.
Shen Fu really had chosen the right person. She had successfully awakened his competitive spirit.
Seeing that Wen Zhenghan remained silent for a long time while a cameraman was still filming from the back seat, Zuo Mei could only swallow her thoughts about the hidden mission for the moment.
Meanwhile, Shen Fu glanced at Jiang Shu’s sunglass-clad profile and was also thinking about the hidden mission.
It felt almost certain she’d hit a wall, but if she didn’t even try, she’d never be satisfied.
After all, it was a whole ten million.
After careful consideration, Shen Fu spoke: “We both won today. Congratulations.”
Jiang Shu glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Why do I feel like that congratulations was pretty reluctant?”
Shen Fu asked, “Under what circumstances would you fulfill a whole bunch of requests from a girl?”
Jiang Shu thought for a moment. “The conditions required are kind of complicated.”
Shen Fu said, “Let’s hear them.”
Jiang Shu replied, “First, she’d have to think I’m handsome, but still keep provoking me. Then I’d end up paying attention to her. While complaining she’s a pain and saying one thing while meaning another, I’d still protect and look after her.”
Shen Fu: “…”
Expressionless, she said, “It’s been years since we last met, and your peacock tail has only gotten bigger. It’s squeezing the air out of my lungs. Mr. Jiang, rein it in.”
Jiang Shu: “…”
【Hahahaha, what is this?】The viewers were cracking up. 【Didn’t these two have some sort of grudge before? Why are they like this when they’re together in private?】
Unable to bear seeing Jiang Shu roasted by the comments any longer, Shen Fu awkwardly changed the subject. “Aren’t you hungry? Don’t you want something to eat?”
Jiang Shu switched to driving one-handed and stretched his other hand toward the back seat, feeling around.
The cameraman quickly handed him the snacks stored there.
Without even turning around, Jiang Shu accepted them and casually tossed them into Shen Fu’s lap.
“If you’re hungry, eat. I brought some food in advance. I still have at least this much gentlemanly grace.”
How could he not understand what she meant?!
Was she asking for food?!
Shen Fu desperately tried to hint at it: “I’m not hungry! I’m asking if you’re hungry?!”
Only then did Jiang Shu turn his head and look at her from behind his sunglasses. “A miracle happened today?”
Shen Fu: “?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Shu turned his gaze back to the road. “We’re almost back at the villa. Someone’s making dinner tonight. Even if I’m hungry, I can hold out.”
Shen Fu: “…”
“No, what I’m asking is whether you want, to eat, the glutinous rice cakes downtown, the pancakes at the Marriott Tower, or the cold noodles on the west side of the city.”
Staring at Jiang Shu, Shen Fu deliberately enunciated each word clearly, pausing after every syllable. She rattled off all the items the production team had specified in one breath, like pouring beans from a basket.
She almost had “This is a hidden task” written on her face.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Shu looked at her for no reason: “So you want to eat it, will you buy it for me?”
Shen Fu: “……”
【Hahaha I’m laughing so hard I can barely breathe, D, how can you not get Shen Fu’s meaning no matter what ahhhh.】
【wtmxs feels like Little Shen has three black lines on her forehead.】
At this time, multiple places in the villa were livestreaming simultaneously. Xu Tiaotiao and Xiang Lingyun had gone to the haunted house and were now on the way back, so the barrage was more scattered.
The production team’s main camera focused on Zuo Mei and Wen Zhenghan’s pair. The shots of Shen Fu and Jiang Shu were almost all seen by super members interested in them.
Therefore, most were laughing, relatively harmonious.
But there were also some mocking comments: 【Speechless, these two have zero tacit understanding. How could Shen Fu’s fans yesterday be so bold to blindly praise the young master for liking your Shen Fu? He wouldn’t even buy some food for her.】
【Shen Fu’s losing, the Film Empress has already diverted to buy glutinous rice cakes, everyone go see that pair, it’s sweet enough to get diabetes.】
Of course, Shen Fu’s fans were stronger now, and the seaside collecting had also gained her some goodwill from onlookers.
These mocking comments were quickly scrolled away.
Shen Fu held her bag and snacks, turned to enjoy the scenery, simply not wanting to deal with Jiang Shu anymore.
She knew that with this young master, the hidden task was 100% going to fail.
Luckily, she already had fifteen million in hand, so today wasn’t a loss.
Jiang Shu glanced at her from the rearview mirror, unable to help but lift the corner of his mouth slightly.
Zuo Mei’s side went relatively smoothly, though not completely.
When she suggested detouring to the city center to buy glutinous rice cakes, Wen Zhenghan was considerate. He didn’t ask any questions, and when he heard she wanted them, he changed course to buy them.
While queuing to buy, Zuo Mei stayed in the car. Wen Zhenghan and the production crew got out, causing a commotion among onlookers on the roadside. It was like they were fleeing, returning to the car, and one button of Wen Zhenghan’s shirt popped off.
After getting the glutinous rice cakes, Zuo Mei didn’t eat them but suggested trying the pancakes from the Marriott Tower.
By the time she suggested this, they were almost at the villa, so going to the Marriott Tower meant turning back.
Wen Zhenghan was a bit impatient, but mindful of the production crew still filming, he agreed gently and drove back to the Marriott Tower.
By the time they queued and bought the pancakes, the barrage was nearly dying from sweetness: 【Wuwuwu, the Film Emperor really spoils her.】
This round trip took almost an hour. Zuo Mei herself felt that if she kept asking Wen Zhenghan to buy more, she might lose face on the spot.
She didn’t care about the ten million at all, only that Shen Fu was being outdone.
But Mr. Jiang’s temper, sharp as a sword when seeing Shen Fu, how could he go buy something for her?
In other words, even completing two-sevenths of the hidden task would let her win over Shen Fu.
So Zuo Mei saw the chance and stopped, holding the two items Wen Zhenghan bought with a smile, saying nothing more.
The barrage was even more hyped: 【See that everyone, the Film Empress doesn’t want the Film Emperor to work hard, directly giving up the hidden task! What kind of perfect love is this! We’re shipping it for real ahhh】
Without this detour episode, Shen Fu’s group returned to the villa at 6:30.
Xiang Lingyun and Xu Tiaotiao were preparing dinner. Their haunted house project seemed to have gone relatively smoothly, chatting while cooking in the kitchen, looking much more familiar with each other.
After Jiang Shu sent Shen Fu back to the villa, he said: “I’m going out for a bit.”
Shen Fu was worried her hidden task had failed before even starting, feeling a bit resentful.
Free money from a foolish, wealthy investor, if you don’t take it, you’re crazy. Ten million would take her months of night shoots to earn back.
So she just perfunctorily nodded at Jiang Shu and turned to the elevator.
The barrage was dying of curiosity: 【Why is D allowed to drive out and the production team didn’t stop him? So unfair.】
【Hahahaha who can stop the young master with money-power?】
【Where is he going? By the way, #to this day we still don’t know what’s in Young Master Jiang’s kraft paper bag#】
【F*ck the person above, don’t mention this. Mentioning this will make me toss and turn tonight. Please, in post-interviews, make sure all these questions are answered!!】
Jiang Shu’s camera was off, and Shen Fu, carrying her bag, just wanted to hurry back to her room to take a shower.
Passing the kitchen, Xu Tiaotiao was laughing, having Xiang Lingyun help tie her scarf.
Xiang Lingyun originally planned to ignore Xu Tiaotiao’s hint, but just happened to see Shen Fu walk in.
He calmly glanced at Shen Fu and suddenly changed his mind, tying it for Xu Tiaotiao in front of her.
Shen Fu: “……”
She quickened her pace to escape.
The barrage was still hyping Xiang Lingyun and Xu Tiaotiao’s CP, not noticing this subtle moment.
They just thought Xiang Lingyun heard a sound by the entrance and glanced at Shen Fu instinctively.
Passing Chu Wei’s room, hearing footsteps about to open the door, Shen Fu quickened her pace again.
She rushed back to her room.
【Why is Shen Fu in such a hurry to get back to her room?】
【Probably wants to shower quickly, the seawater is uncomfortable.】
Chu Wei’s fans had been a bit frustrated during Shen Fu’s flower shop selection segment, behaving all day.
Now they wanted to pop up and mock a little.
But Shen Fu came straight back to her room, not encountering Chu Wei at all. How could they find anything to mock?
【D*mn it, is Xu Tiaotiao really going to stick to Ling Ge all the time? My Ge wanted to give a cake but had no chance, pacing around the room for half a day.】
Shen Fu removed the camera in her room, showered, put on a bathrobe, came out, and stayed by the window sipping lemon tea and reading a magazine. Half an hour had passed.
By now, Zuo Mei and Wen Zhenghan returned.
Chu Wei came out holding the cake, hesitatingly glancing at Shen Fu’s room door with his peripheral vision.
Knock on the door?
But the memory of almost getting his foot caught yesterday when the door was shut right in his face was still vivid.
Worried he’d run into another wall, he took the cake to the living room first and put it in the fridge.
He’d wait until Shen Fu came out.
After a whole day of chaos, the guests in the living room were now fully aware of the competitiveness of this show, and the atmosphere had changed drastically compared to the tentative mood on the first day.
Two people preparing dinner for eight, of course they’d be scrambling a bit.
Shen Fu figured they probably wouldn’t be able to eat until eight or nine, so she decided not to go out early and get involved in the battlefield, and stayed in her room the whole time.
When the sky outside gradually darkened, her door was suddenly knocked twice.
? Dinner is ready already?
Her stomach was already growling.
Shen Fu put down her magazine and walked over to open the door.
Standing outside was Jiang Shu.
【What is the Young Master doing looking for Shen Fu? The one-day date is already over.】
Jiang Shu was holding a big box in each hand. Even though anyone doing this takeout-delivery pose would hardly look cool, he somehow still did, he hadn’t taken off his sunglasses, the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and doing something like this actually gave him a kind of travel-worn handsomeness.
“What?” Shen Fu thought he came to call her for dinner and craned her head toward the dining area for a look.
Jiang Shu freed one hand and pressed her forehead back.
He stacked the two boxes together in a simple, rough motion and shoved them into her arms, looking exactly like “I’m so f*cking nonchalant, I just bought this casually, don’t fall in love with me”: “Eat it secretly, don’t let the other guests see.”
Shen Fu lowered her head, and only then realized, wasn’t the box supposed to have the glutinous rice cakes he mentioned this afternoon? What was this?
Shen Fu: ?
Did this man buy two portions just to show he was rich?
The barrage was already screaming in shock: 【WTF??? What is happening??】
