“Every day there will be tasks. If you fail a task, you’ll lose 1,000 USD. If the budget runs out before the tasks are complete, you’ll have to fend for yourselves in New York.”
Everyone: “…”
Zhou Yang: “Can I call the police?”
Director: “If you think it’s glorious to be sent back home, go ahead.”
[Hahaha, feeling sympathy for Yang for a second.]
[I used to think he was this cool guy after seeing his performance on stage, but turns out his real personality is so goofy?]

The production team handed them 6,000 USD in cash, wrapped in an envelope.
Zhong Yi was the first to take it and immediately started counting.
[Very meticulous, making sure the production team didn’t play any tricks or shortchange them.]
After confirming the amount was correct, Zhong Yi looked at the money, then glanced at everyone. “Should we put the money with someone, and if someone needs to use it, they can ask that person?”
“Or should we split it equally, and everyone shares the costs for things that need money?”

Fang Li thought that the person in charge of the money would probably get the most screen time since they would be interacting with other guests often. But she was the youngest, so the others might not trust her with something this important. She was still thinking about how to phrase her suggestion when Mu Wan spoke up.

“Let’s do it equally! But we should also set aside some public funds and reserve funds.”

Li Shuqin looked at her. “What do you mean?”
Mu Wan took out a notebook and a pen from her bag and began writing. “We have 6,000 USD in total. Let’s set aside 15%—900 USD—as reserve funds, because it’s winter in New York and we don’t want anyone getting sick and not being able to afford treatment.”
[This is really important; medical expenses are so high abroad.]
“Then the remaining 5,100 USD, we’ll take 40%—that’s 2,040 USD—for public funds, because on a trip like this, food, accommodation, and transportation are the main expenses. Since we’re all traveling together, splitting the costs individually would be troublesome, so it’s easier to just use the public funds.”
“The remaining money, we can divide equally, about 612 USD per person. Everyone can use it freely.”
“This way, we won’t have to ask others for money just to buy a sandwich or a bottle of water.”

Everyone nodded after hearing her explanation. They all agreed that this way of dividing the money made sense.
Zhou Yang: “I think this works. But who should hold the public funds and reserve funds?”
Fang Li quickly raised her hand. “I can do it! My dad’s an accountant, I can keep track of everything and make sure every penny is accounted for.”

Everyone looked at her, but no one spoke or nodded.
Zhong Yi seemed a bit hesitant, worried that the young girl might not be reliable and could lose the money, which would mean they’d have to survive on nothing. However, since she volunteered, he didn’t feel he could refuse.

【Hmm, that’s over half of the money. Is she sure she can keep it safe?】
【If she loses it, she’ll probably get scolded to death. Why would she take on such a hot potato?】
【Trying to steal the spotlight, huh.】
【Don’t speculate maliciously, she might just be being enthusiastic.】

Li Shuqin and Zhou Yang exchanged a glance. Neither of them wanted to take on the responsibility of managing the money, but looking at Fang Li’s overenthusiastic personality, they were both extremely worried. Just as Zhou Yang was about to speak up and make his distrust of Fang Li clear, Mu Wan spoke again.

“The reserve fund and public funds together make up half of the total amount.”
“Putting it all in one person’s hands doesn’t seem very safe.”
“How about this: Fang Li, you take the reserve fund, and Yi Ge, you take the public fund. You two are the oldest and youngest in the group—an old and young combo, definitely stable.”

Fang Li actually sensed the group’s distrust right away. She had thought Mu Wan was going to refute her, but to her surprise, Mu Wan was offering a suggestion. This eased her worries, and she accepted the suggestion. “Alright, if I had to take all the money, I’d feel a bit pressured.”

Everyone turned their attention to Zhong Yi, who, seeing their trusting eyes on him, could only nod.

“Alright! My spouse always says I’m not good at managing finances, so I’ll practice bargaining a bit, huh?”

Everyone immediately laughed, and the comments flooded in with joy.
【This atmosphere is nice. I thought they were going to have a falling out and give each other the cold shoulder over this.】
【Indeed, I was worried they might actually let Fang Li manage the money, and I’d be nervous the whole time.】
【Mu Wan’s suggestion is great. It gives Fang Li an out, and the money is in Zhong Yi’s hands, the oldest in the group. No one will have any objections.】
【Did you notice? With four celebrities present, it was actually Mu Wan, a non-celebrity, who took control of the situation.】
【Her mental fortitude is really impressive; she didn’t show any hesitation.】
【My main takeaway is her mental math. She just rattled off the amount each person gets! Her mental math is amazing!】
【I’m following her now.】

The flight to New York would take over ten hours. Mu Wan woke up early in the morning, yawned, and prepared to take a nap. But the others were discussing where to stay after they landed. Since there was internet, everyone could check accommodation options and prices online.

Li Shuqin noticed Mu Wan was feeling a bit tired and asked a flight attendant for a blanket.

“Sleep if you’re tired! We’ll take care of the accommodation.”

Mu Wan didn’t refuse, nodded, and said, “Thank you!” Then she immediately covered her head with the blanket and fell asleep. She was afraid she might fall asleep and make a fool of herself on the live broadcast.

【I like sleeping like that too, it feels safer.】
【I can’t see the beautiful girl’s sleeping face, so sad.】