Chapter 12: Phone Numbers Can Collide

Rumors were flying all over the internet, but the island show continued with steady progress.

Qian Man opened the next question: “Everyone knows that our country has a large population, but there are only the numbers 0 to 9 that can form phone numbers. Kids, do you think our country could have repeated phone numbers?”

“Yes!” Yuan Jilin answered sharply and loudly.

“Oh? Let’s hear from Yuan Jilin.” Qian Man smiled and looked at him.

Jiang Xin quickly interjected, “Idiot, how could you not know this? There are no repeated numbers.”

Yuan Jilin insisted, “There are, definitely.”

Jiang Xin rolled her eyes, “There are no repeated numbers!”

Yuan Jilin raised his voice, “There are!”

Qian Man quickly intervened, “Alright, kids, stop arguing. Yuan Jilin, please explain why you think there are repeated numbers?”

Yuan Jilin puffed out his chest, realizing he was the center of attention, and his ears turned red.

“Last time, my dad called his girlfriend, but an uncle answered. The uncle said it was probably a repeated phone number. When my dad called again, it was an aunt who picked up!”

Yuan Jin had divorced long ago and had not remarried, so dating different girlfriends was normal for him.

However…

Qian Man’s smile froze on her face, and she almost lost her composure.

[Help, I hate when the air suddenly goes quiet!]

[What’s wrong with what he said? Our country has so many people, isn’t it normal for phone numbers to repeat?]

[Look at Yuan Jin’s face, I’m dying from laughter.]

Yuan Jin scratched his head and gave a silly smile.

“Didn’t expect my son to remember that. What a coincidence, phone numbers really can repeat.”

His words left everyone speechless, and it was hard to find the right response.

Yue Su casually plucked a wildflower from the roadside. “Yuan Laoshi, are you colorblind?”

Yuan Jin paused for a moment, “I don’t think so.”

Yi Xia asked, “Then what color is this?”

Yuan Jin replied, “White!”

Yue Su shook her head seriously, “This is green.”

Yuan Jin was shocked, arguing, “This is clearly white. I’m not blind.”

Jiang Wanting looked on with a complicated expression, “Yuan Laoshi, it really is green.”

Yuan Jin looked at Yi Xia, then nodded slowly. “It’s green.”

A look of fear appeared in his eyes. “Don’t scare me. Could it be that after all these years, I’ve just realized I’m colorblind?”

He snatched the wildflower from Yue Su’s hand and ran to Fu Xijin.

“Mr. Fu, what color is this flower?”

[HAHA, I can’t stop laughing! He’s seriously considering if he’s colorblind!]

[No help, Yue Su pretty much pointed it out already.]

[So, really no repeated phone numbers?]

Fu Xijin leaned back in his chair, his long legs stretched out.

The camera angle captured his profile perfectly, his sharp features handsomely defined.

[Sigh, this man is making me drool!]

[Another day to envy Jiang Wanting.]

[In my past life, I must have saved the Earth to sleep with Fu Xijin in this one.]

“White,” he said briefly.

Yuan Jin sighed in relief and grinned foolishly. “I told you I’m not colorblind.”

Fu Xijin pinched the center of his brow. “Your head is green.”

Yuan Jin: “…” The smile quickly disappeared from his face.

[HAHAHA, the smile didn’t disappear, it just moved from Yuan Jin’s face to mine.]

The Q&A session was full of jokes, and after everyone had their laughs, it was time for the spinning wheel.

Yuan Jilin suggested that Yao Yao should go first.

Shen Mijin disagreed.

“This is unfair. Why should she go first just because she’s the youngest?”

Jiang Xin pouted, “Exactly, why should she go first? I don’t agree.”

Qian Man proposed drawing lots to determine the order.

The result: Shen Mijin drew first, Chen Xingjun drew second, followed by Nao Nao, Yao Yao, Yuan Jilin, and Jiang Xin.

Although drawing lots is about luck, the further down you are, the fewer options are left.

As the others had already taken things, those left for later would be fewer.

Jiang Xin saw that she was last and started shouting to redraw.

“You must have cheated. How could I be last? I don’t want this!”

Qian Man smiled and tried to calm her down. “Xinxin, there’s no cheating. It’s all fair and square.”

Jiang Xin covered her ears. “I’m not listening. I want to redraw!”

[No wonder most celebrities are reluctant to do live variety shows.]

[The Jiang Xin here is a completely different person from the one in the videos.]

[This is the most real version of her, no editing, no acting.]

[She’s only seven, why are people expecting so much from a kid?]

[The other kids are also around seven or eight, and Yao Yao is just three.]

Jiang Wanting, too, felt embarrassed, and spoke up, “Xinxin, you shouldn’t behave like this. The drawing is random.”

Jiang Xin looked at her resentfully. “But I don’t want to be last. They must have cheated.”

Jiang Wanting sighed, holding back her anger.

“I’ll say it again, no one cheated.”

Jiang Xin, upset, threw the slip of paper in her hand.

But it didn’t fall to the ground. Instead, it bounced back and hit Yao Yao on the corner of her eye.

Yao Yao was startled and stepped back, covering the painful spot on her eye, and stumbled to the ground.

Yue Su instinctively stood up, but Yi Xia pressed her back down.

“Don’t rush, just watch.”

Nao Nao, being the protective type, immediately pushed Jiang Xin.

“You hurt Yao Yao!”

Nao Nao’s push was strong, and Jiang Xin was knocked to the ground, landing hard on her butt, her eyes watering from the pain.

But everyone was gathered around Yao Yao, and no one paid attention to her, which made her feel wronged and she burst into tears.

“You’re bullying me!”

She cried, getting up and running into Fu Xijin’s arms, the closest to her.

Jiang Wanting remained silent for a moment, wanting to see which side Fu Xijin would take.

Nao Nao helped Yao Yao up and noticed a terrible scratch on her eye, which had already swollen.

Yao Yao’s pale face made the scratch stand out even more.

[I’m not a fan of anyone, but I can’t stand Jiang Xin.]

[She hurt Yao Yao, and instead of apologizing right away, she tries to find someone to back her up?]

[She’s just turning everything around, I really can’t stand her.]

[But Nao Nao pushed her too. She’s already been taught a lesson, so why keep being harsh on a child?]

Jiang Xin hid in Fu Xijin’s arms, feeling like she’d been wronged.

She was closer to Shi Yin, but he was siding with outsiders.

At this moment, Fu Xijin spoke.

“Nao Nao, come here.”

Nao Nao was very intimidated by him.

Everyone at home called her a little demon, and to her, Uncle Fu was the big demon.

When he gave her that look, her heart began pounding.

She pouted and tried to justify herself, “I didn’t do anything wrong, she hurt Yao Yao.”

“Come here,” he repeated.

Yao Yao took Nao Nao’s hand and gently said, “Sister, I’ll go with you.”

Nao Nao silently cheered herself up and proudly said, “Since you said so, I’ll go, but it’s because I’m worried you’ll be scared.”

Yao Yao nodded, “Okay, I get it.”

Nao Nao stood tall in front of Fu Xijin, as if she were standing at attention.

Fu Xijin gave her a faint look, “Apologize!”

Nao Nao immediately lost her strength, her eyes reddening.

“I won’t apologize. She was the one who made a mistake!”

She knew Uncle Fu would always side with Jiang Xin.

For some reason, although the words weren’t directed at her, Yao Yao felt wronged and wanted to cry.

Her lips pouted, and her eyes turned red, but she tried hard not to cry, looking at Fu Xijin with pleading eyes.

Especially with that scratch on her eye, she looked like a helpless little puppy.

[Someone comfort her! Please comfort her!]

[Ah, I’m breaking inside, don’t cry, little girl!]

Yao Yao couldn’t hold back her tears anymore, and they fell down.

When she cried, it wasn’t loud or exaggerated, but quiet sobs that broke people’s hearts.

Yue Su felt heartbroken, but Yi Xia persuaded her to stay calm.

“Sometimes, kids have to solve their own problems.”

Who doesn’t feel sorry for the kids? But we can’t always be by their side, stepping in for them.

Fu Xijin’s eyes met Yao Yao’s, and for a moment, he paused, gazing into her eyes.

Seeing the tears hanging from her cheeks, his heart tightened, as if vines were squeezing it.

The pain spread through his limbs in an instant, as if a knife were twisting inside his bones.

At that moment, Jiang Xin had already pulled herself together.

She raised her chin and wore a proud look.

“Shi Yin, Uncle said you have to apologize. You’re wrong.”

Yao Yao blinked her eyes, looking at Fu Xijin with wide eyes.

Fu Xijin was silent for a long time before he gently spoke, “Apologize.”

Materially, he would try his best to meet Jiang Xin’s needs.

But that didn’t mean he would indulge her unconditionally.

Jiang Xin sobbed, glaring at Yaoyao with resentment.

“Sorry!”

Yaoyao glanced at her but ignored her.

Shen Mijin, standing nearby, reminded, “She already apologized. You should say it’s fine.”

Yaoyao raised her eyes to look at him. “Why do I have to say it’s fine just because she apologized?”

Shen Mijin: “She apologized. What else do you want?”

Yaoyao puffed up her cheeks, glaring at him with a red nose.

“I’m the one who got hurt, what do you expect me to do?”

Shen Mijin: “…”

Fine, if she didn’t want to say it, then let it be. It had nothing to do with him anyway.

Jiang Xin had apologized, and Yaoyao stopped being stubborn.

“I apologize, I shouldn’t have pushed you. But if you bully Yaoyao again, I will still hit you.”

Yaoyao clenched her fists and swung them in front of her.

Jiang Xin snorted and angrily returned to Jiang Wanti’s side.

Jiang Wanti smiled helplessly. “I’m really sorry. Xin Xin is like that, too competitive, and quick-tempered. Yaoyao, I apologize for her, can you forgive her?”

Yaoyao thought for a moment. “Okay, I forgive her.”

Jiang Wanti gently said, “Let’s forgive and forget. You two are still good friends, okay?”

Yaoyao shook her head, feeling something was wrong with her words.

“We’re not good friends.”

Jiang Wanti’s eyes showed disappointment. “So you still haven’t forgiven Xin Xin? That’s why you don’t want to be her friend.”

Yaoyao furrowed her brows. She didn’t quite understand. Does forgiving someone mean they have to be good friends?

She had to turn to Yue Su for help. “Mom, can I not be good friends with her?”

Yue Su smiled. “Of course you can. You can choose your friends, as long as you like them.”

Jiang Xin raised her head and made a face.

“I don’t want to be your friend. You even wanted to steal Uncle Fu from me and make him your dad. You think you’re a frog dreaming of eating swan meat? Ridiculous!”

Jiang Xin never forgot about Yaoyao wanting to make Fu Xijin her dad.

She had asked Jiang Wanti, and it seemed that Fu Xijin was rich, and many people wanted to flatter him.

Yaoyao got angry, her little face puffing up as she glared at her, her eyes turning red.

“I don’t want him to be my dad!”

Saying that, she turned and rushed into Yue Su’s arms.

Yue Su didn’t need to look to know that Yaoyao was holding back tears.

[Maybe Yue Su has spoiled her too much.]

[Yaoyao was hurt, and one apology can cover her mistakes?]

[Moreover, Jiang Xin’s apology was insincere; she didn’t mean it at all.]

[Yaoyao is too generous. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t forgive.]

Yue Su comforted her for a while. “Hey, if you keep crying, you’re going to miss the lottery. I want to see what good stuff we can get. We’re definitely going to have the best luck!”

Yaoyao finally stopped crying, her nose red and her big eyes sparkling.

“Mom, I’m so lucky! I’ll get something good!”

“Mm, I believe in you. Go ahead!”

Yaoyao puffed out her chest, almost marching.

When she passed Fu Xijin, she rolled her eyes, wrinkling her nose and snorting.

“I don’t care.”

Fu Xijin: “…”

Yi Xia spoke up, “Let the activity continue.”

Qian Man nodded and quickly got the kids back to their seats.

The spinning order remained unchanged, but Jiang Xin was replaced by Yuan Chenbi, who didn’t mind going last.

Shen Mijin spun first and got a bottle of pure water and two bags of bread.

He immediately ran back to show off to Shen Junzai, hoping for praise from his dad.

Chen Xingjun got a tent, a lighter, and a bag of bread.

Yaoyao got a short knife, a backpack, and a bottle of pure water.

This backpack contained items—some daily necessities, which were relatively rare and valuable.

The first three people either got water or food, which were ideal results.

In a survival situation, food and water were essential. Once you were full, you’d have the strength to explore.

However, when it was Yaoyao’s turn, she didn’t draw water or bread.

She got the only two tarps and a fishing rod.

Yue Su wasn’t disappointed, instead giving Yaoyao a thumbs-up.

“Great!”

Yaoyao beamed, like a little sun, giving her mother a heart with her hands above her head.

Yuan Jilin drew an axe, a stove, and a set of seasonings.

Yuan Chenbi got a bag of bread, a cast-iron pot, and a fishing net.

Jiang Xin pouted. “We didn’t get water. If I had gone, I would’ve drawn better than you.”

Yuan Chenbi couldn’t be bothered to reply.

Jiang Wanti patted her head. “Bread is already really good.”

Yuan Jin laughed. “Better than ours. We have no water or food.”

They had a stove and seasonings, but without a pot or food, what was the point?

Shen Junzai laughed. “I have bread and water. You’re all welcome to come buy or trade.”

Jiang Wanti winked. “I’ll definitely buy some water from you, Mr. Shen. Please give me a good deal.”

Shen Junzai pointed to the price board outside the island supermarket.

“One bottle of water is one dollar. I’ll give you a 50% discount.”

Two bottles for one dollar was a fair price.

Jiang Wanti, Yuan Jin, and Yi Xia all bought two bottles each.

Now, only Yue Su and Yaoyao were left without water.

Jiang Wanti gently reminded, “Yue Su, you should buy two bottles of water too. You can’t go without water.”

Yue Su looked over, and their eyes met. She saw him smiling provocatively.

Shen Junzai placed the remaining six bottles of water down, curling his lips into a sly smile.

“Sorry, I don’t have many left. You’ll have to go to the supermarket.”

Just as he finished speaking, Qian Man announced, “The island supermarket won’t open until after midnight. Starting tonight, we’ll have to stay on the island. Please hurry up and build shelters and prepare dinner.”

That meant the starting funds couldn’t be used until tonight.

Even if they had money, they couldn’t spend it now.

[Doesn’t anyone think Shen Junzai is being a bit too petty?]

[This is a survival game. No one is obligated to help others, right?]

[50% off pure water, isn’t that good enough?]

[I don’t think he has a problem. He just doesn’t like Yue Su.]

[Everyone should check out Lu Ying’s Weibo. Yue Su is the real troublemaker.]

At this moment, Yaoyao walked over.

“Yaoyao’s not afraid, I have water.”

Jiang Xin was always watching Yaoyao and became unhappy again when she heard this.

“That’s Uncle Fu’s water! You can’t give it to others!”

Yaoyao stuck out her tongue and made a face. “I asked my uncle, and he’s fine with it.”

Jiang Xin wanted to say more but was scolded by Jiang Wanti. “Jiang Xin, be quiet!”

Yue Su didn’t reject Yaoyao’s kindness but had no intention of taking advantage of her and Fu Xijin.

“We have a fishing rod. Can we trade fish for water?”

On the island, fish were the easiest to get.

Even if they had water, they still lacked food.

Yue Su wanted to save money for the supermarket later and didn’t want to spend it now.

If she didn’t spend money, she had to trade items.

However, the two tarps in her hands probably weren’t something anyone would want.

Yaoyao, upon hearing about fishing, became very interested.

“Can I come with you?”

Yue Su smiled slightly, pinching her little face.

“Of course. Let me tell you a secret—we have great luck, we’ll definitely catch a big fish.”

Shen Junzai scoffed without restraint. “Based on the results of the lottery just now, your luck doesn’t seem that good.”

Jiang Wanti glanced at the time—it was already 4 PM.

Summer sunsets were later, and there were still about three hours until dark.

“Yue Su, let’s make do with what we have for now. Building shelters is more important. Fishing is time-consuming, and you might not catch anything. We still need to spend the night here.”

Yue Su knew she was trying to be helpful, so she didn’t reject her advice.

“Thank you, but building shelters isn’t hard. We should have enough time.”

Jiang Wanti furrowed her brows slightly.

“Yaoyao, you shouldn’t go. Auntie has bread, and you won’t go hungry tonight.”

Yaoyao shook her head seriously.

“Aunt Jiang, we can’t take advantage of you.”

Jiang Wanti laughed. “How could you be taking advantage? This is something I want to give you.”

Yaoyao still refused, saying, “But these things aren’t just yours. Yuan Chenbi and Jiang Xin should have a share. You should ask them first. I also asked my uncle. He’s fine with it, and that’s why I’m giving the water to Yaoyao.”

Jiang Wanti’s face froze as she looked at Fu Xijin.

“Did you really ask your uncle?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Wanti’s heart tightened. She felt like she was getting more confused by Fu Xijin.