Chapter 9: The Big Glutton!

Jiang Wan and Jiang Qi emerged from the haunted house in a rather disheveled state.

Jiang Qi was tightly clutching the sleeve of Jiang Wan’s sun-protective jacket, almost yanking it right off her.

Jiang Wan rolled her eyes the entire way out.

She couldn’t help it—really couldn’t.

The moment they saw the light again…

Jiang Qi finally seemed to find his soul again. He released his grip on Jiang Wan’s sleeve and let out a long sigh of relief.

Song Yanyan, who had mentally prepared herself for the haunted house experience, saw this scene and her pretty little face immediately turned into a bitter gourd.

Shang Gubai comforted her: “Don’t worry. No matter what, you could never be more embarrassing than Jiang Qi.”

【LOL I really can’t with Shang Gubai’s mouth】

【He comforted Song Yanyan, but burned Jiang Qi at the same time】

【Backstabbing your bros for a girl is pretty standard—and they’re not even really bros】

Apparently, those words worked.

The nervousness on Song Yanyan’s face eased considerably.

Yes, Shang Gubai was right.

What she had been worried about was that if Jiang Wan and Shi Lan came out of the haunted house looking calm and composed, and she was the only girl crying in fear, it would be way too humiliating.

But now, looking at Jiang Qi…

Uh, no matter what, at least there’s someone worse off.

Then it’s all good.

Things weren’t nearly as bad as she’d feared.

Even though the haunted house was scary, Shang Gubai had at least displayed some gentlemanly behavior by shielding her the entire way.

After she cried out when a zombie popped up in her face, every time something gory and frightening appeared again, Shang Gubai would promptly remind her to close her eyes.

Almost squinting the whole time, Song Yanyan clutched the hem of his clothes and followed him through the haunted house.

Even the director was almost moved to tears watching them!

Sniff sniff! This was the romantic atmosphere he’d wanted from the beginning! What were those first two pairs even doing?!

The live chat was also gushing:

【It feels like pink love bubbles are floating in the air】

【Looking at it this way, Shang Gubai doesn’t seem that annoying. Sure, his mouth is savage, but he really did protect our Yanyan】

【After all, Yanyan is his crush on the show! Of course he treats her differently!】

【Watching this just reminded me—oh right, this is a dating show…】

【Will the sharp-tongued song king’s cold heart soften because of the tears of a delicate flower?】

…

All three teams had completed the haunted house challenge assigned by the production team. Based on how long they took, from shortest to longest, they were given 1000, 800, and 400 yuan respectively.

These funds were to be used to purchase daily necessities for that night’s accommodations.

Each guest had an empty room.

Everything from beds and desks to towels and toothbrushes had to be bought with their allotted funds.

All personal belongings—except for clothes—had been confiscated by the production team.

The fastest team was Jiang Wan and Xie Zhiyi. Naturally, the slowest was Jiang Qi and Shi Lan.

Each team split their funds evenly, and the same applied to Shi Lan. She handed 200 yuan to Jiang Qi.

But Jiang Qi, full of pride, refused, “No need, I was the one who held you back.”

Shi Lan was a straightforward person. “I don’t like trouble. Are you sure?”

The meaning was clear.

She wasn’t going to play those fake polite back-and-forth games.

Jiang Qi felt underestimated and was a bit speechless. “What are you thinking? Am I that kind of person?”

Shi Lan looked at him.

“How would I know? I don’t even know you that well.”

Jiang Qi: “?”

Shi Lan: “…?”

She slowly turned her head toward Jiang Wan, who had somehow snuck behind her, and asked, “Is it that obvious what I’m thinking?”

Jiang Wan nodded honestly. “Yes.”

【Shi Lan’s suspicious look is 90% hilarious, but Jiang Wan hiding behind her and doing voiceover is 100% funny】

【Shi Lan really does wear her thoughts on her face haha】

【That’s just our Lan-jie—always so refreshingly straightforward!】

The rest of the time…

Everyone exchanged their funds for supplies.

Jiang Wan hesitated a bit.

The production team had confiscated all her snacks, but among the available items, there was chocolate—which she really liked.

But the chocolate cost 100 points—outrageously expensive.

In the end…

Jiang Wan still put the chocolate back and bought things she thought were more necessary.

Once she got out of here, she was going to eat ten boxes of it!

Resolutely, Jiang Wan placed the chocolate back on the shelf.

Naturally, Jiang Qi had nothing at all, but his mindset was surprisingly good.

He was a real man! Since he had dragged his teammate down, he should bear the consequences.

At worst, he’d just sleep on the couch!

The director kindly reminded him: “Mr. Jiang, it might be a bit uncomfortable without a blanket…”

Jiang Qi didn’t get it. “It’s so hot. Who needs a blanket?”

The director replied, “It’s only the start of summer. The temperature drops at night.”

Jiang Qi waved his hand, still confident: “How cold can it get? I won’t freeze.”

Jiang Qi didn’t believe it.

But Jiang Qi believed it later.

Before midnight even hit, the temperature dropped sharply.

The windows were wide open, and the wind blew right in.

Jiang Qi shivered and instinctively looked toward the couch.

Clearly, he was wavering.

This was exactly the moment the production team had been waiting for.

Seeing Jiang Qi hesitate, they immediately offered: “We assume there are still items some of you wish you’d purchased earlier. So let’s play a little game—an individual challenge. The winner gets 100 yuan.”

100 yuan.

Coincidentally, the exact price of a bedding set provided by the show.

As soon as the director said this, Jiang Qi’s eyes lit up.

Even better, the mini-game was darts.

Jiang Qi had once trended online for hitting bulls-eyes repeatedly during a celebrity sports meet. The production team had pulled all the strings to give him the best shot at winning.

No kidding.

Jiang Qi might really be reckless enough to sleep on the couch all night, but the crew couldn’t risk it!

If this VIP guest got sick, his fans would tear the whole production apart!

If they weren’t worried about it being too obvious, they might’ve just covered him with a blanket themselves!

【Director: I’m losing sleep over this stubborn guest】

【Director: My dear star! Please just take the blanket already! Don’t catch a cold!!!】

Everyone could see what the production was trying to do, but no one minded—after all, no one else really needed that 100 yuan.

Except for Jiang Qi.

His eyes even lit up with the fire of victory—thinking this was his moment to shine.

So, in the dart competition that followed…

Jiang Qi hit two bullseyes out of three throws. Although one was slightly off, he still crushed the others with a landslide victory.

Everyone clapped and cheered along.

【Ahhhh that focused look when he aimed—deadly! He’s too handsome!】

【I get it, sis in front! I never watched his dramas, but I fell into the fandom just from those god-tier three seconds during the sports meet!!!】

【Let’s all congratulate Jiang Qi for winning his blanket!】

Jiang Wan yawned.

Finally done performing. She could go back to sleep now.

She turned off the room camera, took a shower, and went to bed.

The next morning…

A beautifully wrapped chocolate bar was lying at the door of Jiang Wan’s room.

“Achoo—!”

From downstairs came the sound of Jiang Qi sneezing.

The new day began, and the livestream resumed.

Some viewers were confused.

【???】

【Why is Jiang Qi lying on the couch covered in a pile of clothes? He looks so pitiful】

Even the fans were puzzled.

【We don’t get it either. He clearly won 100 points yesterday but didn’t exchange them for a blanket—instead, he got a chocolate bar】

【Because… chocolate generates heat when eaten?】

【Is food really your top priority right now? Jiang Qi! We didn’t think you were such a big glutton!!!】