Chapter 4

Everyone: “…”

After the director finished speaking, the guests’ expressions were very complex.

Qiao Chuchu: 【Throwing supplies into the mud pit—who came up with this idea? Isn’t this just a way to mess with people? Looks like being an entertainer isn’t easy either.】

Director: “…”

It was their team’s idea, but he couldn’t argue with that, because, in the end, this was a prank task designed to generate traffic and buzz.

After hearing Qiao Chuchu’s voice, everyone nodded in agreement. This task would definitely ruin their image.

After agreeing, the two later-arriving groups of guests finally realized that no one had spoken just now. How did they suddenly hear a voice?

The four of them looked at each other, all seeing confusion and lack of understanding in each other’s eyes, while everyone else’s expressions seemed perfectly normal, as if nothing had happened.

So, whose voice was that?

Qiao Cen spoke up, “Director, are you sure the supplies are in the mud pit? You guys really know how to play.”

Director: “Thank you for the compliment.”

These were just methods for creating traffic and generating discussion.

Host Tian Ka asked, “Director, I’d like to ask, what kind of supplies are in the mud pit?”

The director grinned mischievously, “Heh, if you want to know, go down and fish them out.”

Tian Ka: “…”

What should she do? Just slap him?

Top celebrity Tong Zhichen asked, “Director, do both guests from each team have to go down, or is it just one person?”

Hitting the nail on the head, the director straightened up and said, “Let me explain the rules of the game.”

“Each team selects one guest to go down into the mud pit to grab the supplies. The other guest needs to put the supplies their teammate collects into the bucket beside them. Only then will the supplies be considered successfully collected. The team that collects the most supplies within the time limit will have the privilege of choosing a house first.”

This task was a bit too ridiculous, Qiao Chuchu complained.

Qiao Chuchu: 【I thought going on a variety show would just be for fun, but I didn’t expect to have to do these troublesome tasks. The annoying production team—now I don’t even have time to eat melon.】

As soon as the director heard this, his interest piqued. There was melon? If she had mentioned that earlier, he could have adjusted the rules, but now that the rules were set, it was too late to change them.

What a pity!

Qiao Cen was also interested, but only Si Xiang and Bei Yun looked uneasy when they heard about the melon.

The other two groups, after hearing the voice again, still couldn’t figure out where it was coming from, and they were also puzzled about what “melon” meant.

What melon? Watermelon?

The staff brought out eight sets of jumpsuits and protective gear for the four groups of guests to choose from.

Qiao Chuchu: 【Qiao Cen looks fragile and is afraid of getting dirty, maybe I should go…】

Qiao Cen immediately raised a chair next to him with one hand and swung it around to prove his strength.

“Sis! I work out two hours a day! I’m really strong! I’m not afraid of getting dirty! I’m not afraid of being tired! Let me handle this physical work, you take care of the most important part—putting the supplies in the bucket!”

He really wasn’t fragile. He was really strong! He just looked a bit too innocent. Sigh.

Qiao Chuchu was surprised. This was different from what she had read about Qiao Cen in books, but he was quite cute. She liked this kind of younger brother.

“Mm, I believe you’re strong. Thank you for your hard work.”

Qiao Cen hurriedly shook his head. “It’s not hard, it’s not hard. You’re the one working hard, Sis.”

The fans were once again envious.

【Brother Qiao is so good to his sister! I want a brother like him, so handsome and cute!】

【The sibling bond between them is so sweet. My brother only makes me angry. Just now, he snatched my remote control, and I kicked him, now he’s crying. Hmph.】

【Sisters are amazing! My brother just ate all my snacks, and I can’t even hit him! So frustrating!】

【What sibling love? I don’t see it. Qiao Cen is just pretending for the traffic. Let’s see how long he can keep this up.】

【I don’t see it either. I only see him showing off for the cameras. It’s so annoying. He’s just living off his pretty face. How dare he claim to be strong?】

【Haha, does he really think lifting a chair with one hand proves he’s strong? Haha, ridiculous, just wait for him to mess up.】

—

The other three groups also selected their members to go into the mud pit. For Si Xiang and Bei Yun, because of the recent tension, Si Xiang volunteered to go into the mud pit to grab the supplies.

Normally, Bei Yun would have stopped her and gone into the pit herself, but now, she simply said, “Okay, be careful.”

A seed of doubt had been planted in her mind. Every time she looked at Si Xiang, the words from before kept coming back, making it hard for her to face Si Xiang directly.

Si Xiang forced a smile, “I will, Yunyun, you be careful too.”

For the duo of Tian Ka and Ye Yu, Tian Ka volunteered to go into the mud pit.

The top-tier celebrity, Tong Zhichen, and his friend Lin Lin’s team—Tong Zhichen volunteered to go into the mud pit.

The people stationed at the shore to receive the supplies were Qiao Chuchu, Bei Yun, Ye Yu, and Lin Lin, each standing at one of the four corners, facing in different directions.

The four people entering the mud pit were also cautiously trying to step into the water. The mud pit was quite large, with the water reaching up to their calves and knees. The soil was soft and slippery, making every step feel like an immense struggle.

Tian Ka struggled to take each step in the pit, “Oh my God, it feels like I’m a radish planted in a mud pit. I have to pull really hard to get out.”

His description was quite fitting. Standing next to him, Tong Zhichen said, “Yeah, I feel the same way.”

They could also feel something moving in the mud beneath them, as it brushed against their legs.

Si Xiang cautiously reached her hand into the pit, and ended up touching something long, thick, and soft, with no bones. She quickly pulled it up and screamed, “Ah!” throwing it away in a panic.

Unfortunately, the object she threw hit Qiao Cen in the back. He immediately turned around, “Who hit me?”

Si Xiang apologetically said, “Sorry! I didn’t mean to. It was just that the thing I touched was too scary.”

Meanwhile, the trolls online were already preparing their fingers on the keyboard.

【Here it comes, here it comes! Qiao Cen is about to lose it. Will he punch first, kick, or start cursing?】

【I guess he’ll start with cursing, then punch, then finally kick! He’s got to build up to it!】

【I think he’ll punch first. Doesn’t he like solving problems with his fists?】

—

Qiao Chuchu had no idea about the mocking comments online. She looked at Si Xiang with an expression of confusion.

【Can changing gender really change a person’s character? How can a grown man like Si Xiang be so terrified by a yellow eel, trembling like that?】

Hearing the commotion, everyone turned to look at Si Xiang, who had been scared into throwing the yellow eel.

Si Xiang: Damn it!!!

She gritted her teeth, but didn’t dare have any ill intentions. The sensation of choking earlier had been too suffocating, and she didn’t want to experience it again.

Qiao Chuchu: 【The yellow eel is so cute and delicious, a rare delicacy.】

【I prefer the braised flavor. Heat the oil, add the yellow eel, and fry until both sides are golden. Then take it out, add ginger and garlic for seasoning, and cook until fragrant. Add rock sugar to color the eel, pour in some cooking wine to get rid of the fishy smell, and finally add various seasonings. Cover and simmer for five minutes. When you open the lid, the entire room smells amazing. It’s so delicious!】

Qiao Cen licked his lips. What should he do? It actually sounded really good.

He’d never had it before, but since his sister wanted to eat it, he’d be the one to sacrifice himself for the cause!

Well, actually, he kind of wanted to try it too.

Everyone else was just as eager. She had made them all crave a bite now.

Qiao Chuchu: 【Sigh, I wonder if Qiao Cen dares to grab this? I really want to eat a bite, oh my…】

After being hit earlier, Qiao Cen, who had remained still, suddenly moved. He quickly reached down and grabbed the yellow eel next to his feet, laughing as he said, “Sis, look! I caught a yellow eel!”

Qiao Chuchu: 【This little brother is impressive! So reliable! We’re having yellow eel for lunch!】

Qiao Cen waved his hand, “Sis, move aside, I’m throwing it up now! If you’re too scared to take it, I’ll get it after I climb up!”

Qiao Chuchu: 【What’s there to be scared of? I used to catch them and play with them all the time when I was younger. I’m not like Si Xiang, who would scream in fear.】

Si Xiang: “…”

So angry!

Qiao Chuchu grabbed the yellow eel that Qiao Cen had thrown onto the shore and neatly placed it into the bucket, not wasting a single second.

It was so smooth.

Everyone was stunned. She was incredible!

Qiao Chuchu casually said, “It’s in, now focus on getting the supplies. Leave the rest to me.”

Qiao Cen looked at his sister with admiration. “Got it, sis. I’ll do my best!”

From then on, Qiao Cen worked diligently, like a tireless machine, constantly searching for items in the mud pit. He threw everything—useful or not—onto the shore. Before long, Qiao Chuchu had the large bucket completely filled.

His efforts amazed those around him. Qiao Cen was so impressive! Was he going to make them look bad?

The designated time for collecting items from the mud pit was thirty minutes. Before the time was even up, Qiao Cen and his sister had already filled their bucket to the brim, with some items even spilling out.

And Qiao Cen was still in the mud pit, digging tirelessly as though he never got tired.

The other three teams had only gathered a small amount of supplies—some moved too slowly, others were concerned about their image, and some couldn’t fully commit to the task.

At this rate, they were sure to lose.

Apart from Qiao Cen’s efforts, there wasn’t much to watch from the other teams.

This wouldn’t do. The director was getting anxious. In order to make the game more exciting, he and the crew quickly thought of a twist.

“During the last five minutes of the designated time, all guests can steal supplies from each other. As long as the supplies make it into your own bucket, they belong to you.”