Chapter 22 – Foot Soak

The show “In the Depths of Peach Blossom Valley” was originally intended to promote the new drama.

With Gu Lan and Bai Xiaoxian as the male and female leads, if both of them got into trouble, it would seriously affect the new drama’s release.

Unfortunately, it was this very show that blew up because of Gu Lan’s scandal.

Of course, the investors didn’t want it to end at such a critical moment.

So the remaining three guests and Li Liqin were still waiting at the inn.

They were waiting for the showrunners and the rest of the guests to come up with a way to handle the situation and smooth things over.

After consulting with the assistant director, Ren Xuan decided that the show would only pause for one day and resume the next.

Li Liqin had just been getting ready to pack up and leave.

But the production team wanted to keep him for one more day, saying there were only a few guests left and they needed him to stay for the show.

So Li Liqin agreed.

By the third day of the show, Gu Lan had officially withdrawn, issued no statement on Weibo, and had turned off both private messages and comments.

Bai Xiaoxian’s studio released a statement saying that both he and Gu Lan were single and that their behavior had not crossed any moral or legal lines, asking everyone to be kind.

They were just two single people who clicked — who could blame them?

So he continued to participate in the show as usual.

If he quit now, wouldn’t everyone think he was guilty?

Li Fan: “He’s such scum. He’s married and even has a kid! Did it never occur to him how humiliated his wife and daughter must feel seeing this news?”

006: “If he actually cared, he wouldn’t have done this in the first place.”

As for Shen Yuwan and Liang Kang, what had started as a fleeting hookup now had to be played up as a real relationship because of Gu Lan’s scandal.

Shen Yuwan posted on Weibo, saying, “Falling in love is not easy, so let’s cherish it while it lasts.”

Even the netizens had to admit — rich heiresses really knew how to keep their cool.

With the spotlight so intense right now, there was no way Shen Yuwan would let this opportunity slip by.

Endure it for now, build up some hype with a fake couple act, and once she’s milked the traffic, break up — it’s a guaranteed win.

Li Fan clicked her tongue twice. Wow, she really had the patience of a saint.

Every guest had their own agenda, except for little “Spare Rib Fairy” Ruan Li, who was the most cooperative.

“Yuwan-jie, you two are so sweet together! Makes me want to fall in love, too!”

“When you guys first got here, your act was so convincing. I couldn’t tell at all that you were a couple.”

“Your families are so well-matched — truly a perfect match. Your families must totally support it, right?”

Naturally, Liang Kang had no problem playing along. He couldn’t wait to be Shen Yuwan’s devoted follower.

Even if it was a fake relationship, he was completely willing.

As for what the “Spare Rib Fairy” said, Shen Yuwan just nodded along with all of it.

“We were childhood sweethearts. We’ve known each other since we were little and grew up together. Our families are really close — of course they support us.”

Chen Ji was watching the livestream and sneered coldly.

“Fourth Master, the Shen family is digging their own grave. When Liang Kang’s scandal can’t be contained anymore, even if they survive, they’ll be flayed.”

The people scrambling to cozy up to the Liang family right now would be the ones hit the hardest later.

Han Xuzhou acted like he didn’t hear him and casually asked, “Did Madam send you a message?”

Chen Ji: “…Fourth Master, aren’t you a bit too concerned about her?”

If someone else had said that, it would’ve sounded completely different.

Chen Ji gave it some thought, stared at Han Xuzhou, and suddenly looked like he’d discovered a new continent.

Han Xuzhou’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Do I need to explain myself to you?”

Chen Ji instantly shut up and handed over his phone.

“Madam didn’t message me.” (He had deleted everything — his conscience was clear.)

Right after those words, a friend request popped up.

“FanFanNotAnnoying” wants to add you as a friend.

Han Xuzhou let out a faint chuckle. “Didn’t message you?”

He clicked the friend request and accepted it.

Li Fan’s message came instantly.

FanFanNotAnnoying: “Assistant Chen! You actually deleted me!”

FanFanNotAnnoying: “Was it that dog Han Xuzhou who told you to delete me? So tragic. When I’m rich, I’ll totally poach you to work for me!”

FanFanNotAnnoying: “Did you watch the livestream yesterday? Count how many times Gu Lan put green hats on your Fourth Master. He’s practically the Green King Toad now.”

Every message from Li Fan made Chen Ji’s heart tremble a little.

Please, no more…

Han Xuzhou pressed the voice button. “Mrs. Han, with all due respect, I doubt you can afford his salary.”

Li Fan nearly threw her phone. She immediately deleted Chen Ji.

But a second later, Han Xuzhou sent her a message.

Mr. Green Hat: “If you have something to say, send it here. Don’t bother Assistant Chen. 😊”

Li Fan ignored him at first, but after a moment, she thought of something and sent him a link.

[“Actress Gu Lan Exposed! Shocking Scandal Revealed!”]

FanFanNotAnnoying: “Mr. Han, Master Li says that kind of lifestyle is contagious. Shouldn’t you get checked?”

Mr. Green Hat: 💸💸💸

Mr. Green Hat: “Will you shut up now?”

FanFanNotAnnoying: [Thanks Boss.jpg]

After Shen Yuwan and Liang Kang finished flaunting their love, the show gradually got back on track.

Ren Xuan came out and said, “We won’t be doing pulse readings today. Our Master Li will give us a hands-on lesson in foot soaking wellness! Don’t underestimate foot soaking — there’s a lot of wisdom behind it.”

Soaking feet in the summer heat? Just hearing it made Li Fan feel like she was melting.

Then the production team brought out foot soak tubs filled with Chinese medicinal herbs.

Plug them in, and the water gradually heats up.

Since it was a hands-on lesson, of course Li Liqin joined in too.

While taking off his shoes, he said, “Foot soaks shouldn’t be too hot — it’s not the hotter the better. These tubs can control the temperature. It’s best to soak up to the calves. See this water level? Perfect.”

Li Fan took off her shoes and looked at the herbs floating in the water.

“Master Li, did you mix these herbs yourself?”

Li Liqin nodded. “Yes, I did. If you want the recipe later, I’ll give it to you so you can make your own.”

Li Fan thanked him with a smile.

Li Liqin’s gaze swept past Li Fan and landed on Gu Lanyi.

“You there…”

Li Fan covered her mouth, giggling. “Master Li, that’s Ms. Gu.”

Li Liqin nodded. “Oh. Xiao Gu, stop standing around. Take off your shoes — soak your feet.”

Gu Lanyi forced a stiff smile. “Thanks, Master Li, but I won’t soak today. I have a wound on my foot.”

Li Liqin walked straight over, serious-faced.

“Your face has a wound? What kind? And you wrapped it up like that in this heat? Careful you don’t get an infection! Take off your shoe and let me see. My herbal mix has anti-inflammatory properties — soaking will help.”

Gu Lanyi froze on the spot. Just yesterday she was laughing at Gu Lan, and now karma had come right back to her.

“No…”

“Ms. Gu, let Master Li take a look, just in case it gets infected,” Ruan Li chimed in.

She was sincere — not only did she talk, she also acted, going straight for Gu Lanyi’s shoe.

As a seasoned gossip-eater, how could Li Fan miss this historical moment?

She whipped out her phone at lightning speed, her fingers flying over the keyboard.

FanFanNotAnnoying: “Mr. Han! Watch the livestream! Look at your precious White Moonlight!”