Chapter 165: Sitting on the Sink

“The cooking competition has ended, and now it’s lunchtime. The production team has prepared meals and warmly invites all the villagers to join us for lunch!” the director announced, gesturing behind him.

In the distance, on the small square, several temporary large cauldrons were set up, with smoke rising from them. A breeze carried the delicious aroma, tempting everyone’s senses.

Everyone instinctively turned to look at Jiang Mi and Gu Chuan.

There was no helping it.

The stoves and iron pots over there were identical to the ones Jiang Mi and Gu Chuan had been using, so it was clear they had something to do with it!

The village chief was moved, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Jiang Mi and Gu Chuan. “You’re both too generous, thank you so much!”

The reality show filming in their village was a win-win situation. Not only could it boost rural tourism through the show’s massive reach, but it also helped promote their village’s live-streaming sales.

It was like a gift from the heavens, and now the production team was even treating the entire village to lunch! It should be the villagers treating the production team instead!

The director waved it off, saying casually, “Don’t thank me, if anyone deserves thanks, it’s our sponsors, or should I say, our sponsor ‘mom’ and ‘dad’…”

As soon as he said that, he locked eyes with Jiang Mi, who was giving him a half-smile.

The director’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly corrected himself with a cough, “I mean, sponsor ‘sister,’ thank our sponsor sister for the generous support!”

Jiang Mi rolled her eyes. Why did her boyfriend get to be a “sponsor dad” while she got demoted to a “sponsor sister?”

The director, having slipped up, hurried to redirect everyone’s focus, urging the staff to guide the villagers to the meal before anyone could dwell too long on the whole “sponsor” issue.

Many villagers turned to Jiang Mi and Gu Chuan to thank them.

“Turns out there were bonus points we didn’t know about, director,” Bai Ruoruo said in a passive-aggressive tone.

The director was confused. “Bonus points? What bonus points? There aren’t any.”

Bai Ruoruo sneered and lifted her chin toward Jiang Mi and Gu Chuan, who were surrounded by grateful villagers. “Jiang Mi treated the whole village to lunch, and of course, the villagers would be too grateful not to vote all their oranges for her.”

Lu Yu was fed up. “Bai Ruoruo, are you deaf or blind? The cooking competition is already over. Stop accusing others of cheating! Why do your thoughts have to be so dirty?”

Bai Ruoruo retorted, “The production team only let Jiang Mi and Gu Chuan treat the villagers, giving them a chance to build up their reputation. Where does that leave the rest of us?”

The director, now angry, shot back, “Nonsense! Treating the villagers to lunch wasn’t the production team’s idea. It was Miss Jiang and President Gu’s suggestion.”

Bai Ruoruo froze. “How is that possible?”

“Hmph, just because you didn’t think of it doesn’t mean others can’t.”

Earlier, the director had only planned for the villagers to taste the dishes the guests made and serve as judges. But it was Jiang Mi who pointed out that gathering everyone at lunchtime just to have them sample a few bites wasn’t appropriate. She suggested preparing a full meal at a separate location, so it wouldn’t disrupt the live broadcast and would strengthen their bond with the villagers.

After the director explained this, he sternly added, “When Miss Jiang and President Gu approached me with the idea, there were no cameras around. Neither the audience nor the villagers knew about it, so the fairness of the competition wasn’t compromised. Stop spreading rumors.”

Bai Ruoruo, unwilling to give in, rolled her eyes. She wanted to argue further but, seeing the director’s stern gaze, shut her mouth.

However, her eyes still shot daggers at Jiang Mi, filled with resentment. “Fake, pretentious!” she thought.

Jiang Mi naturally noticed Bai Ruoruo’s attitude and glanced at her.

In the past, even if Bai Ruoruo wanted to cause trouble, she would do it subtly. But now, flipping her eyes in front of so many people? Was she just ready to give up and act out?

Jiang Mi didn’t bother paying attention to Bai Ruoruo’s tantrum. She, Gu Chuan, Lu Yu, and Cheng Lin all went to have lunch together.

“She’s just taking advantage of the show’s platform to win the villagers’ hearts, so fake,” Bai Ruoruo whispered to Mr. Fu, too afraid to speak loudly but still badmouthing Jiang Mi.

Bai Ruoruo’s biggest fear now was that Mr. Fu might fall for Jiang Mi.

Mr. Fu glanced at her and replied coolly, “You’re much better at being fake than Miss Jiang.”

Bai Ruoruo was stunned. What did he mean by that?

【Hahaha, I’m dying! Is Mr. Fu just a blunt guy, or is he doing this on purpose?】

【I heard Mr. Fu invested 500 million to keep Bai Ruoruo on the show. Is it to let her keep getting roasted and embarrassed? LOL.】

The guests of the reality show and the villagers shared a delicious and joyous lunch together.

After the meal, the villagers went home for their midday rest, and the production team also gave the guests a break.

Before that, however, the results of the real-time online poll would be announced to determine the new pairings, followed by room assignments based on the cooking competition rankings.

The voting results were both surprising and predictable.

Gu Mi (Gu Chuan and Jiang Mi) were leading by a large margin. So far, no other CP (couple pairing) could catch up with them.

The “Capture” CP (Fu Li and Lu Yu) were also gaining rapidly in votes. Since there were only two episodes left, viewers were eager to see the “big bad wolf” finally catch the “little bunny.” They were determined to create opportunities for the two to spend time together!

Next up were Cheng Lin and Yang Yang. They didn’t have a particularly strong CP following, but viewers had noticed them cooking together and casually voted for them.

Qin Ling and Chen Wanruo were in a similar situation.

At the bottom of the poll were Mr. Fu and Bai Ruoruo. The two had few fans as a pair, and most viewers were simply fed up with Bai Ruoruo. They didn’t want to see her bothering any other male guest, so they just threw Mr. Fu and Bai Ruoruo together since he was a replacement for Shen Mingxuan.

The director, rubbing his full belly and feeling sleepy, sighed, “The ancients were right—after a full meal, sleepiness kicks in.”

He spoke briefly, “As per your earlier agreement, Bai Ruoruo came in last, so she’ll pick her room last. Jiang Mi, you get to choose first.”

Jiang Mi immediately picked the best room, so quickly that the director hadn’t even finished speaking. “You’ve only seen the best two-story house so far, but not the others. Gu Chuan, Miss Jiang, don’t you want to check out the other options before deciding?”

Gu Chuan’s deep voice cut in, “No need.”

Jiang Mi looked over at him upon hearing his voice. His side profile was sharp and cold—was he upset?

Before she could figure it out, Gu Chuan had already led her into the house. “Wash your hands,” he said suddenly, his words seemingly random.

Yet Jiang Mi seemed to understand. Her eyes sparkled as she obediently followed him.

Inside the house, for filming purposes, cameras were installed everywhere.

Except for the bathroom.

As soon as they entered, Jiang Mi pressed Gu Chuan against the door, her beautiful eyes gazing at him as she asked, “Why are you upset?”

“I’m not,” Gu Chuan replied in a low voice.

Jiang Mi was about to say she didn’t believe him—he was upset.

But before she could, Gu Chuan placed his hands on her waist and lifted her onto the sink.