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Chapter 6: Just a Simp, Shaky Legs Saying “OK, No Problem”
The first time Ning Qingyan was treated gently by someone and called “big brother,” his whole body straightened, and his usually clear voice even stuttered slightly:
“No, no problem, just a small injury, really.”
As he spoke, he subconsciously moved his bandaged foot, propped up high, behind his uninjured one.
Wen Shijin, who had just finished bandaging the wound, and Gu Si, who had tidied up his room, walked out to see this amusing scene.
Green Tea System: “Wen Shijin favorability +1.”
Green Tea System: “Gu Si favorability +1.”
“Good to know you’re fine,” Xu Ruanruan said softly, her heart stirred by Ning Qingyan’s nervous demeanor. But when she noticed Wen Shijin and Gu Si upstairs, her voice turned calm again:
“Well, I’ll head up to organize my things.”
Ning Qingyan, the ever-dutiful tool: “…Alright.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Si lightly knocked on Ning Qingyan’s head from behind, his lazy voice laced with mockery:
“A simp always ends up with nothing, huh? Didn’t you say you’d learned your lesson? Hmm? Little simp?”
Ning Qingyan held his head and looked up at Gu Si’s disdainful expression, feeling as though a teacher had caught her making a mistake. She blinked and changed the subject:
“You’re all done tidying up?”
Meanwhile, Xu Ruanruan and Qiao Li had made their way upstairs. Their luggage, already carried to the second-floor women’s dormitory by Gu Si, just needed to be pushed into their rooms for sorting.
With the two leading male protagonists of the future in sight, Qiao Li kept a calm expression, though her eyes couldn’t help but sparkle.
Xu Ruanruan, having just regained her confidence, glanced at the gentle and refined Wen Shijin and the lazy Gu Si. Her heart stirred again, but before she could say anything, Qiao Li interrupted with a playful tone:
“It’s only the first day, and both of you are injured. What’s the story? I’m curious.”
Xu Ruanruan’s face turned awkward at once. She muttered, “I’ll go unpack,” and quickly wheeled her suitcase into the bedroom, fleeing the scene.
Ning Qingyan tilted her head and noticed Wen Shijin’s bandaged hand. Then she looked at her own bandaged foot and laughed:
“Does this make us brothers in misfortune? One with a hand injury, the other with a foot injury.”
Wen Shijin’s lips curved slightly as he nodded earnestly: “It does.”
Qiao Li’s curiosity shone through as she pressed further:
“So, did you two fight? Did you actually brawl on the first day over the female participants? Haha.”
Ning Qingyan scratched her chestnut-colored short hair awkwardly:
“Not at all. I just fell accidentally, and he was unlucky enough to get caught up in it.”
Green Tea System: “Wen Shijin favorability +1.”
Green Tea System: “Gu Si favorability +1.”
Knowing the truth, Wen Shijin saw Ning Qingyan’s reluctance to elaborate. His phoenix-like eyes softened, and his thin lips curved into a gentle smile:
“That’s exactly how it was.”
Wen Shijin’s already refined features, enhanced by his gentle smile, exuded a warm elegance. Combined with his melodious and gentle voice, it naturally drew admiration. Qiao Li, who usually prided herself on being straightforward and strong, found her lips pressing tightly together as her heart raced uncontrollably.
Gu Si, observing everything, nudged Ning Qingyan with his elbow and leaned in to whisper in a low tone:
“See how that girl looks at Wen Shijin? Watch and learn, kid. Life is full of lessons.”
Ning Qingyan put on an expression of serious attention, whispering back earnestly:
“Got it, got it.”
It was as if he had mentally jotted it down in a notebook.
Just then, the sound of the front door echoed in the living room, and two more girls walked in, pushing suitcases one after another.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Sheng Mingzhu,” said the girl in front, her cute and sweet appearance matched by her lively and cheerful voice.
“Lin Qingqing,” introduced the girl behind her. Her long hair reached her waist, exuding a classical beauty with a cool and elegant tone.
Live Broadcast Comments:
…
Amid the flood of comments, the participants introduced themselves again, and everyone became acquainted. The rooms were sorted, and the suitcases unpacked. Ning Qingyan’s foot had mostly healed, and she slipped back into her shoes.
Just then, the earpieces all the participants wore emitted their first instruction.
The program director’s voice rang out clearly, announcing the tasks:
“To rescue the princesses, the princes must face any challenge, no matter how dangerous.”
“While awaiting rescue, the princesses must use their intelligence and wit to solve puzzles and delay time.”
“Now, please form two separate teams—one for the male participants and one for the female participants—and follow the drones to your respective task locations.”
As the director’s voice concluded, the doors of the living room automatically opened. Two drones hovered outside, waiting to guide the participants.
Meanwhile, the live-stream comment section was buzzing:
Once the male and female participants had formed their respective teams, the drones led them in opposite directions. The male team quickly arrived at the first challenge: a steep cliffside covered with sharp, knife-like rock protrusions.
Gu Si’s phoenix-like eyes sparkled with curiosity as he joked:
“Wow, it really is a knife mountain, huh?”
He patted Ning Qingyan on the shoulder with a playful grin:
“This is your chance to shine! Show your boyfriend power and win their hearts!”
Ning Qingyan glanced up at the towering cliff, nodded calmly, and said in a steady voice:
“Okay, no problem.”
Gu Si burst out laughing, barely able to contain himself:
“You’ve got the guts to say that, but can you stop shaking your legs? I’m dying here!”
Standing silently nearby, Huo Qi instinctively glanced at Ning Qingyan’s trembling legs. His usually stoic face twitched slightly before returning to his usual calm.
Green Tea System:
Ning Qingyan stomped his feet, forcing a sheepish laugh:
“Just a leg cramp, it’ll pass.”
While they joked around, Wen Shijin had already examined the cliffside. He pressed against the metal footholds embedded in the rock wall and pulled on the safety harness dangling from the top.
“We’ll need to use these footholds and harnesses to climb up,” he explained.
“The metal footholds can support the weight of an adult male, but try to avoid having two people on the same foothold at once. Also, be cautious of the sharp rocks to prevent cuts.”
In the live-stream, the audience comments flew in:
The program director’s voice came through the earpieces again:
“The first male participant to reach the top will gain priority in rescuing a female participant and have the first pick of lunch ingredients. Beauty and a feast await at the summit!”
At the announcement, Ning Qingyan was already gearing up with enthusiasm, while the other three men showed varying levels of disinterest or calm.
“Could you have a little more composure?” Gu Si teased, knocking Ning Qingyan lightly on the head.
“Do you even understand the ultimate art of flirting?”
Ning Qingyan looked at him, his bright peach blossom eyes filled with seriousness:
“What is it?”
Caught off guard by the intensity of Ning Qingyan’s gaze, Gu Si faltered despite his earlier resolve. His voice turned sheepish as he cleared his throat:
“It’s the art of making them come to you willingly! No need to chase—use your boyfriend power to attract them. Let them make the first move. Got it?”
Ning Qingyan nodded in sudden realization.
“You’re right. Chasing after them too eagerly leads to nothing. Let them take the initiative.”
Gu Si grinned in satisfaction.
“Finally, you’re learning—”
Before he could finish, the program director gave the signal: “Start!”
Without hesitation, Ning Qingyan shot toward the cliff like an arrow, leaving the others momentarily stunned.