Inside, the room was a mess. Items from the desk had tumbled to the floor, yet the blanket was neatly folded, and the bed was empty.

The rural house wasn’t very big. One glance was enough to take in the entire space.

Yan An was not in the room.

【She’s not in the room? Where did Yan An go?】

【Ugh, this girl is so messy. Did she tear the place apart last night?】

【Wait a second… Why do I see… feathers on the floor?】

【I see them too! And by the way, has anyone seen that rooster downstairs?】

【Now that you mention it… No, I didn’t see it. Don’t tell me Yan An actually brought the rooster into her room?!】

Qi Yan paused for a moment before noticing the small lemon and bitter gourd on the floor.

He pushed the door open fully and stepped inside, crouching down in front of them.

Yan Mengmeng and Yan Kuku were terrified, trying their hardest to stay still. But the more they tried to suppress their instincts, the more they wanted to move. Yet, strangely enough, under this man’s presence, they found themselves utterly incapable of doing so, as if they were being absolutely dominated.

To be honest, they felt wronged.

After their mom had taken the rooster away, she never came back. She had probably gone off somewhere to have fun and completely forgotten about them.

In the past three years, things like this had happened so many times that they had long since gotten used to it.

So, after sleeping for a bit, they woke up ten minutes ago, folded the blanket, tidied up the bed, and were about to clean up the mess on the floor when they suddenly heard movement outside. In a panic, they immediately reverted to their original forms.

And now, of all people, it had to be this bad uncle again!

With their mother absent, were they about to be thrown to the wolves once more?!

Despairing, they could only watch helplessly as Qi Yan effortlessly picked them up.

He studied the noticeably smaller-than-average lemon and bitter gourd in his hands and shook his head lightly.

Yesterday, they seemed to matter so much to her. But after bringing them back, she just tossed them on the ground like this?

Glancing around the room one last time, he placed the lemon and bitter gourd on the table and left.

Downstairs, as soon as Qi Yan reappeared, the people at the dining table instinctively stood up.

“Teacher Qi, is Yan An awake?” someone asked.

“She’s not in her room,” Qi Yan replied.

Jiang Tian frowned. “Where could she have gone this early in the morning?”

Wen Yang smiled, her expression filled with concern. “That’s right. Why would she leave so early without telling anyone? It made us all worry.”

Her words quickly gained the support of many netizens.

【Exactly! The more I learn about Yan An, the more I feel like she’s not as simple as she seems. It’s only been one day, and she’s already got Qi Yan completely wrapped around her finger, making him go wake her up!】

【She’s totally an attention seeker. She probably planned this from the start, just so everyone would talk about her!】

【Ugh, she’s so fake. I bet she has some powerful connections. Otherwise, how did a complete nobody land a spot on such a high-profile variety show?】

Ji Lan suddenly spoke up. “Oh, she probably went out carrying the rooster.”

Everyone turned to look at her, except Qi Yan.

Ji Lan’s expression was slightly annoyed.

“Didn’t you hear it? The rooster was crowing in her room at five this morning. Who knows what she was up to?”

Wen Yang gently picked up her chopsticks and said with a soft smile, “No wonder I couldn’t find the rooster earlier. I was just about to feed it.”

Jiang Tian looked bewildered. 

“Why did Yan An take the rooster to her room?”

Qi Yan swept his gaze over the group, his tone calm as he stated matter-of-factly, 

“She’s afraid of sleeping alone.”

Everyone: “???”

【WTF, this Yan An is such a drama queen! Always pulling stunts and disturbing sister Lan’s sleep. Can she just leave already?!】

【Wait… how does Qi Yan know she’s afraid of sleeping alone? Someone said before that she entered this show through connection. Don’t tell me her backer is actually Film Emperor Yan? Is she his secret lover? Did he join the show just for her?!】

【Who the hell is making up these rumors? Get the f*** out of here with that nonsense! Film Emperor Yan is single, does not have a girlfriend, so stop spreading baseless lies!】

【I think I heard some gossip a long time ago… something about Film Emperor Yan having an ex-wife.】

【EX-WIFE MY ASS! Qi Yan hasn’t even had a girlfriend, let alone a wife. Thanks.】

The comment section erupted into chaos, a complete mess of arguments.

Just then, Yan An suddenly dashed into the frame.

She had been running so fast that, despite the summer heat, she was drenched in sweat. Her hair was a tangled mess, her clothes stained with dirt and leaves, making her look utterly disheveled.

Panting, she braced herself against the doorframe, glanced at the people seated around the dining table, and gasped out an apology. 

“Sorry! I lost track of time!”

She had accidentally overslept. Napping in the lake was just too comfortable.

Even as the morning sun rose and the temperature increased, the cool water beneath her made for the perfect resting spot. If the sunlight hadn’t been so blinding, she might still be asleep!

Beds might be the grave of youth, but lakes… lakes were her biggest obstacle to making money!

Wen Yang’s lips curved slightly as she asked, feigning concern, “Where did you go to end up like this?”

Yan An blinked. “I let the rooster out and wandered around for a bit. I lost track of time…really, I’m so sorry!”

As she spoke, she pressed her palms together in apology, her bright, lively eyes full of sincerity.

Many viewers watching the livestream couldn’t help but be captivated.

Even though Yan An was just a newcomer, her natural screen presence was undeniable. Compared to the two established actresses, she was actually even more eye-catching.

With that fresh, natural face and those clear, expressive eyes, it was hard for anyone to dislike her.

Though the comment section remained a battlefield of fans and haters, many neutral viewers had already begun to warm up to her.

Wen Yang tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. 

“Really? You must have wandered for quite a while. Come and eat, we’ve been waiting for you.”

On the surface, her words seemed warm and welcoming, but every single one carried an underlying meaning, deliberately said for the audience to hear.

Sure enough, the comment section erupted again with criticism.

Yan An, oblivious to the online drama, was in a great mood. Cheerfully, she walked over to the table. “Okay! Thanks.”

Qi Yan glanced at her messy hair, her sweat-soaked self, and the way her slightly damp clothes clung to her.

He swirled the water in his glass, watching the ripples as he casually remarked, “Go change first.”

Yan An paused mid-step, reaching up to touch her hair. “Oh.”

After hearing out Yan Mengmeng and Yan Kuku’s grievances, she changed her clothes and went downstairs. By then, Liang Baiyu had also arrived.

The six of them ate breakfast and started the day’s filming. Farm work, preparing lunch, a nap, afternoon game challenges, and then dinner prep.

By the time they wrapped up at 9 PM, everyone was exhausted.

Yan An had just returned to her room when she received a message from Liang Baiyu.

Gugu: Just a heads-up…Don’t search yourself online for now.

AnAn Wants Money: Why?

Gugu: Congrats, you’re getting dragged.

AnAn Wants Money: !!! Why are they cursing at me?

Gugu: Do netizens ever need a reason to curse someone?

AnAn Wants Money: Oh… But doesn’t this mean I’m about to get popular? You told me before that when celebrities get hate, it usually means they’re gaining traction. [Spinning.gif]

Gugu: More or less.

AnAn Wants Money: ! Then let them curse away! [Puffs Up Chest.gif]

Gugu: …Are you seriously willing to trade your reputation for money?

AnAn Wants Money: Do I have a choice? If I don’t make money, how will my kids sprout?

Gugu: Fair point.

Just as Yan An was about to reply, another message popped up.

Y: Stay off the internet for now.

AnAn Wants Money: Oh, okay. Is it because people are cursing at me?

Y: Did you check?

AnAn Wants Money: No, a friend told me.

Y: Don’t look.

AnAn Wants Money: Got it, I won’t. [Blank Stare.gif]

An hour later, just before 11 PM, Yan An was about to sneak off to the lake mansion with her lemon and bitter gourd when her phone buzzed again.

Y: You can check now.

She was confused and was about to ask why when another message arrived from Liang Baiyu.

Gugu: Bro, all the negative comments about you suddenly disappeared.