Ning Xiaoyu’s fans affectionately called her ‘Sleeping Beauty Xiaoyu’. At the same time, the song 《Wake Up》, which was meant to help children aged 3 to 6 get out of bed, suddenly became a hit.

The composer never expected that the song he had casually created would gain widespread recognition from netizens in such an unexpected way.

He felt both surprised and delighted.

After all, having one’s work acknowledged was always a gratifying experience.

This time, he had also benefited from the spotlight of the two trending individuals.

Without delay, he posted on Weibo, 【I wrote this song four years ago to coax my then-four-year-old son to get out of bed. Now, my son is already eight years old. Time flies. I’m thrilled that so many people enjoy this wake-up tune. PS: Movie King Lu’s rendition is incredible!】

【Key point: A song written to coax a four-year-old to wake up!】

【So, the movie king played this song to wake the sleeping beauty? Why does this feel oddly endearing?】

【I’m swooning. He’s treating Sleeping Beauty like a little kid.】

【This wake-up song alternates between lively and gentle melodies, with a rhythm full of affection. It’s a must-download!】

【Sob, sob, Sleeping Beauty looks so stunning when she’s asleep. Loving her even more!】

Of course, amidst these friendly comments, there were also some like, 【Don’t overthink it】, 【LOL, you guys are so imaginative. Why not write a script?】 or 【Are you mind-readers for the movie king?】 However, most netizens didn’t care.

As for Ning Xiaoyu, she had no idea about any of this. After all the performances were over, she went straight back to her room to rest, too lazy to even check the trending topics.

────ρя


After Lu Jingdu performed two songs, the remaining eight guests also showcased their unique talents.

Mu Jiajia performed several high-difficulty gymnastic moves, Shen Yueyue sang a gentle and delicate love song, Xu Cheng told a joke, and Xi Rui performed a dance, just like Ning Yuwei.

However, Ning Yuwei’s dance was ballet, while Xi Rui’s was a traditional folk dance. Since their dance styles were different, no comparisons were drawn by the audience.

The other guests also put great effort into their performances.

Unfortunately, following Ning Xiaoyu’s brilliant showcase, none of their acts were as eye-catching.

Ning Xiaoyu became the biggest winner of this friendship task. Not only did she make it onto the trending searches, but she also gained a lot of new fans and earned herself the nickname ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

After all, most netizens grew up with fairy tales and carried a certain romantic filter for fairy tale characters.

With the nickname Sleeping Beauty, the audience started to see Ning Xiaoyu herself through this fairytale lens.

────ρя


The next morning, while Ning Xiaoyu was having breakfast in the restaurant, Shen Yueyue sat down beside her with a bowl of vegetable salad, her face full of excitement.

Ning Xiaoyu glanced at what she was eating and remarked, “That’s all you’re eating this early in the morning?”

Shen Yueyue waved her hand dismissively. “I ate way too much greasy food yesterday, so today I’m keeping it light.” Then, she leaned closer with a gossipy expression and said, “Xiao Yu, have you heard? Director Gong seems to be here on vacation with his family.”

Director Gong.

Anyone even remotely involved in the entertainment industry had heard of that name.

The only male director in the country to have won an Oscar, brimming with talent. Most importantly, he was still young, with a future full of possibilities. Who knew? He might win another award soon.

“He’s currently preparing for his next film, and the lead roles haven’t been decided yet. You wouldn’t believe how many people in the industry are eager to get a chance.”

Ning Xiaoyu responded with a simple “Oh”. She was used to playing minor roles— sometimes as a palace maid, other times as an assistant. Such opportunities had always seemed irrelevant to her.

The only time she ever played a lead role was due to a punishment task from the love system.

In Ning Xiaoyu’s opinion, lead roles came with high pay and great perks, but they also carried significant pressure.

By comparison, she preferred playing minor characters with fewer lines, less stress, and fewer responsibilities. It suited her just fine.

Shen Yueyue, however, was full of ambition. “Since he’s staying here at the hot spring resort, if we can leave an impression on him, even if we don’t get the lead roles, landing a minor part in his film would be a great way to build experience. Either way, it wouldn’t hurt to try, right?”

Ning Xiaoyu offered her encouragement. “You’ve got this.”

Shen Yueyue slyly suggested, “Why don’t we wander around today? Who knows, we might just run into Director Gong?”

Shen Yueyue was always an action-taker, chasing after what she wanted with determination. Even if it was just a small part in Director Gong’s movie, she would give it her all.

Ning Xiaoyu, on the other hand, was different. Because of her father’s experiences, she had a deep-seated aversion to the word ‘effort’. She feared ending up like him, where all his hard work amounted to nothing.

She immediately rejected the suggestion without a second thought. Why waste time chasing someone? Aren’t there better things to do? Besides, what if they don’t even find him?

Ning Xiaoyu took a spoonful of her seafood congee and earnestly added, “Director Gong may only be twenty-six, but he’s been married for three years. If he’s here for a vacation, he’s probably with his wife and child. What if his wife misunderstands your intentions?”

Shen Yueyue paused, looking thoughtful.

Ning Xiaoyu had a point.

If someone was on vacation, they were probably trying to relax, not think about work. Pursuing him for work-related reasons might backfire.

Reluctantly, Shen Yueyue dropped the idea for now.

────ρя


In just half a day, the news of Director Gong vacationing at the resort spread throughout the entire hot spring retreat.

Aware of his allure to most actors, the afternoon’s friendship task announced by the production team conveniently revolved around acting.

The director cheerfully said, “What makes a friendship last? It’s when two people share common interests and hobbies.

At the same time, we must learn to spot the positive traits in others and appreciate them. Only by doing so can friendships endure.

Among the twelve guests on 《Hi, My Friend》, apart from Shi Chao, who is a director, and Ji Zhang, who is a model, the rest are all actors.

You should have plenty to talk about. You can also exchange experiences and insights about acting.

Today, we’ll assign two character roles. Each guest must portray the role based on their own interpretation of the character.”

Soon, each guest received a slip of paper detailing their role.

The paper slips handed to the female guests had the same content, and the ones given to the male guests were identical as well.

Fifteen minutes later, the director spoke, “Who wants to go first?”

Ning Xiaoyu lowered her gaze to the slip of paper in her hand.

「You are a superhuman with the ability to develop your brain’s potential. This means your intelligence far exceeds that of ordinary people. Please act out your daily life.」

No age, no occupation, no specific setting— just a broad prompt to perform daily life.

To put it another way, it required the guests to flesh out their own character settings.

It seemed simple at first glance, but on closer inspection, playing this role well was not easy.

If one wasn’t careful, creating an unlikable character could easily draw the audience’s ire.

The first to perform was Xi Rui.

As an experienced actress, she had her own interpretation of the role.

Wearing high heels that clicked sharply against the floor, her beautiful face was taut with seriousness. She held her right hand as though gripping an invisible phone and spoke with a solemn tone, “Deliver the X-energy liquid to my lab immediately. I want to see the previous data analysis report before I return to the experiment.”

【Got it. Xi Rui is portraying a high-IQ, research-focused female powerhouse!】

【No surprise there. Ruirui is so skilled! Her performance radiates professionalism and efficiency, exuding an elite aura.】

【With mentions of X-energy liquid, she’s even set up the world-building. This has to be either a futuristic or interstellar society.】

After Xi Rui finished, the other guests applauded her enthusiastically. Her performance was undeniably compelling and impressive.

Shen Yueyue immediately regretted her earlier decision. She should’ve gone first.

The character she had in mind coincidentally overlapped with Xi Rui’s! Since Xi Rui had already performed, she couldn’t use a similar concept anymore.

The second to perform was Mu Jiajia.

Sitting on a chair, she stared blankly into space, her fingers rapidly tapping in the air as though typing.

After a while, she turned her head with a dazed expression and mumbled, “Dinner? Oh.”

She mimicked the motion of adjusting her glasses, then carefully reached out her hands as if taking an invisible bowl.

After finishing her imaginary meal, her demeanor shifted completely as she spoke about her work. The timidity vanished, replaced by pure confidence, “I’ve already cracked their security lock and erased all traces of my activity.”

【A socially anxious, self-neglecting hacker genius?】

【Hmm, Mu Jiajia’s acting is decent, but her character isn’t as compelling as the high-IQ researcher from earlier.】

【Also, she set her character to wear glasses? Honestly, she doesn’t suit that look.】

The third to take the stage was Ning Yuwei.

She stood upright with her fingers clasped as though gripping a microphone.

Her bright eyes shimmered with tears, and an excited yet radiant smile adorned her exquisite face.

“It’s an honor to grow up on this land. This time, I was fortunate enough to receive this highly prestigious technological award. This isn’t just my personal achievement but also the glory of our entire team.

In the days to come, I will stay true to my original aspirations, remember my mission, and dedicate myself fully to the pursuit of scientific advancement.

I will pour every drop of my sweat into this land and remain steadfast until the very end of my life.

I love this land deeply. Finally, thank you, everyone!”

【Got it. Weiwei is portraying a scientist accepting an award.】

【Ahhh, Weiwei is so moving. I’m almost in tears.】

【Who doesn’t love this land? If my superpower were brain development, I’d dedicate myself to it too!】

That said, while Ning Yuwei’s acting was average, her approach was clever.

However, there was a flaw in her performance. The prompt required them to act out daily life.

In real life, a scientist couldn’t possibly make accepting awards part of their daily routine.

No matter how accomplished a researcher, they couldn’t be receiving awards every day— it wasn’t realistic.

Shen Yueyue, resting her chin on her hand, whispered to Ning Xiaoyu, “She’s pandering to the audience, fishing for attention.”

At this point, only three female guests hadn’t performed yet.

Shen Yueyue, whose original idea clashed with Xi Rui’s, still hadn’t come up with a better concept. Another actress, Yao Lian, didn’t seem inclined to step forward either.

Left with no choice, Ning Xiaoyu decided to go next.

She reclined on the sofa with her eyes closed, her hands resting on the armrests.

A few seconds later, she opened her mouth and mimed swallowing, as if drinking something delicious.

After finishing, she sighed contentedly. “That was amazing.”

Then she spoke again. “Robot Number Three, wash my hair. Number Four, clean the house. Number Five, I want durian pizza. Oh, and make me a mille-feuille cake too. Number Six, come chat with me for a while.”

【Whoa, whoa, whoa!】

【Not gonna lie, I dreamed about a setup like this when I was a kid.】

【The robots handled everything, leaving her free to just lie down and enjoy life. That’s exactly how I imagine the perfect life to be.】

【So the superpower of brain development is just used to create robots and improve quality of life?】

【While the concept isn’t exactly grand or lofty, it somehow aligns perfectly with my dreams……】

【My goodness, I mean really, her house has that many robots, all serving her alone. I have a question. Is there a robot specifically for serving adults? Ahem, you know, ‘that’ kind……】

【Even a robot for washing hair exists, so how could ‘that’ kind not exist? Dog Head.jpg】

【Still, this invention does contribute to society. Liberating the workforce and letting people enjoy life more!】

After Ning Xiaoyu finished her performance, Shen Yueyue looked at her with admiration. “How did you come up with that idea?”

The concept was unique and resonated well with most of the audience.

Who hadn’t fantasized about a highly advanced technological society where robots handled everything, allowing humans to enjoy a life of leisure? Even Shen Yueyue had dreamed about it before. If robots could do all the work, who would willingly toil away?

Ning Xiaoyu shrugged. “I think about it often. It just happened to fit today, so I went with it.”

Shen Yueyue: “……” Sister, you didn’t need to be so honest.

After Ning Xiaoyu’s performance, Shen Yueyue and Yao Lian’s acts were rather ordinary, failing to create much of a stir. When Shen Yueyue stepped off the stage, she regretted not being the first to perform.

Ning Xiaoyu consoled her. “There will be other opportunities.”

When it was the male guests’ turn to perform, the director suddenly announced, “It’s dinnertime now. The male guests will perform at the same time tomorrow.”

Ning Xiaoyu glanced at the clock and realized it was already time for dinner, which explained why her stomach was growling.

The guests’ dinner consisted of a seafood buffet.

The hot spring resort offered an abundance of fresh seafood. Ning Xiaoyu walked past table after table, loaded with lobsters, scallops, and other seafood, as well as a variety of staple foods to satisfy any appetite.

As Ning Xiaoyu was picking up a bit of everything, Shen Yueyue suddenly whispered in her ear, “Something feels off.”

“Off how?” Ning Xiaoyu asked, startled.

“On some shows, it’s common for guests to record for eight or nine hours straight. But today, the female guests only performed for a little over three hours, and now the director’s letting us eat?”

Ning Xiaoyu didn’t think too much about it. She didn’t feel like overanalyzing the production team’s intentions. After all, guessing wouldn’t change anything. Whatever the production team had in mind would eventually come to light.

She casually replied, “Every variety show director is different. Isn’t it nice that this one lets us eat on time? Skipping meals is bad for your health.”

Shen Yueyue opened her mouth as if to argue but ultimately kept her thoughts to herself. Suppressing a certain suspicion, she smiled and said, “You’re right. Letting us eat on time is a good thing.”

Ning Xiaoyu, holding two plates filled to the brim, was about to find a seat with Shen Yueyue when the urgent voice of the love system suddenly rang in her ears.

Whenever the love system used this tone, it never meant anything good.

And sure enough, Ning Xiaoyu’s instincts were spot on.

The next moment, the system spoke rapidly, 〖Girl, the socialite whose love confession to the movie king failed has become increasingly obsessed and secretly snuck into the kitchen. While the staff were distracted, she spiked a bottle of wine with a certain ‘enhancing’ substance.

She’s now carrying the wine bottle, blocking the movie king’s path and inviting him to toast with her.

The socialite has harbored a secret love for the movie king for years. This time, she’s determined— either success or bust. She added a hefty dose to the drink and had already consumed a lot of alcohol herself beforehand to muster courage. Right now, emboldened by the alcohol, she’s leveraging her identity as the movie king’s childhood friend’s younger sister to try to get him to drink it.

Alert! Alert! Alert!

To protect the movie king’s innocence, you can:

A. Rush over, snatch the wine glass, and chug it yourself! （Don’t worry, Girl. Aside from feeling a bit uncomfortable, there are no other side effects）

B. Rush over and coyly assert dominance, “My brother doesn’t drink much.”

C. Use your quick wit to perfectly resolve this trouble for the movie king!〗

Faced with these options, Ning Xiaoyu fell into deep thought.

She finally voiced a question she’d been wondering about for a long time.

“Why does the movie king always end up in so much trouble?”

If she weren’t bound to the system, what would happen to the movie king?

Or…… could it be that all these incidents were orchestrated by the love system itself?

If that were true, then the movie king had it rough.

If the love system could hear Ning Xiaoyu’s thoughts, it would’ve cried out in injustice. It didn’t have the ability to create so much drama on its own! If it did, it wouldn’t be stuck as a mere romance-obsessed love system, constantly stumbling upon bizarre love stories. Would it still need to be this desperate?

When it heard Ning Xiaoyu’s question, the love system suddenly transmitted a series of images to her.

The images were numerous and chaotic.

However, it didn’t take Ning Xiaoyu long to process them.

When she came back to her senses, she blinked blankly.

“So, I’m a cannon fodder character in a novel? Because I couldn’t pay for my father’s hospital bills, I ended up destitute, wandering the streets with him, and finally met a tragic end? And the movie king should’ve been injured by that obsessive fan, suffered a lifelong disability, withdrawn early from 《Hi, My Friend》, and eventually faded out of the entertainment industry?”

〖Love System: Correct!〗

Ning Xiaoyu sat up abruptly, like a salted fish suddenly flipping over, and temporarily gathered her resolve. “Screw it! I may have never played a leading role, but I am the main character of my own life. Who’s calling me a cannon fodder character? This is my life, and I refuse to be a supporting role in someone else’s!”

〖Love System: Girl, this ambition to fight for the female lead role is fantastic! Go for it! Be filled with determination, rescue the movie king, win his affection, and enjoy the thrill of overnight fame. You can do it!〗

Ning Xiaoyu: “……” Wow, ‘thank’ you so much. You’re always nagging me about completing missions! Even Zhou the exploiter^[1]an archetypal character from 《The Cock Crows at Midnight 》 wouldn’t be as diligent as you!