Chapter 26

Oh ho, oh ho.

Ruan Xizhi forgot that this wasn’t a professional shooting gun but a toy gun.

She had accidentally used too much force just now and ended up hitting someone else’s target.

This was a major embarrassment.

Ruan Miaorui was delighted. She had always believed that there was no way Ruan Xizhi could master such a sophisticated sport as shooting.

She had been uncoordinated since childhood—shooting? What a joke.

Even though she hadn’t outperformed the villagers in the competition, based on the current situation, the spokesperson role was undoubtedly hers.

Her opponent, an old man, was a very serious competitor. He hadn’t gone easy on the kids, so he definitely wouldn’t go easy on the adults.

“Bang—”

“9.3 rings, 4 points.”

It was Ruan Xizhi’s turn again. Xing Xiaochi, on the verge of tears, sobbed, “You promised me you would win. Adults aren’t supposed to lie to kids!”

Ruan Xizhi hadn’t been particularly competitive before, but seeing Xing Xiaochi like this, her heart softened.

“Got it, I won’t embarrass you.”

Xing Xiaochi acted fearless and mischievous, but in reality, he lacked confidence.

This was all due to the negligence of the adults around him—when he did something well, he never received praise in time.

To rebuild his confidence, he needed to regain it step by step.

Ruan Xizhi weighed the gun in her hands and adjusted her stance.

She aimed at the target, narrowing her eyes.

Steady grip, perfect aim.

She pulled the trigger.

“Bang—”

The red and black target quivered slightly from the impact.

A crisp sound echoed in the surroundings.

“8.5 rings, 2 points,” the referee announced.

The online viewers had already lost faith in her shooting skills. If Ruan Xizhi was truly good, she would have gained fame long ago instead of being a controversial figure.

Now that she had actually hit the target, they would rather believe it was pure luck than real skill.

[Oh wow, I could hit 8.6 rings with my eyes closed.]

[Ugh, just copy Xing Xiaochi’s stance, and you wouldn’t be scoring so low.]

[Xing Xiaochi, get up there and teach your mom a lesson.]

[Please, just step down already. Give Xing Xiaochi a chance to save some dignity—there’s still a sliver of hope for a win.]

Ruan Xizhi was completely unaware of the teasing comments on the live chat.

She flexed her fingers—her sense of touch was finally coming back.

The viewers were too caught up in making fun of her, busy typing comments, and had momentarily stopped watching the screen.

Then, suddenly, a series of sharp, crisp gunshots echoed through their headsets.

When they looked up again, they were all stunned.

[!!!]

[Referee, are you here to officiate the match or just poke holes in the target for Ruan Xizhi?]

[Wait… is this still just luck? (Asking hesitantly)]

[If this is pure luck, I suggest Ruan Xizhi buy a lottery ticket.]

[I swear, I saw it with my own eyes! Bang, bang, bang! In just a few moves, she turned the target into a sieve.]

[I’m a video streamer, and I recorded everything. If you don’t believe me, check the playback! [Video link]]

[Damn, girls! It looks like Ruan Xizhi is actually skilled!]

Behind a screen, internet users are like wolves in sheep’s clothing—they can change their opinions in an instant.

The camera zoomed in on Ruan Xizhi’s face. Her fair complexion remained calm and composed, as if she hadn’t just riddled the target with holes.

She even nonchalantly muttered, “Still a little off.”

The viewers: “…”

They could practically smell the humblebragging.

But when the referee announced the final score, the audience erupted in cheers.

“Ruan Xizhi scored 98 points with 12 consecutive shots hitting above 9.5 rings!”

“Wang Dashu scored 82 points with 8 shots above 9.5 rings!”

Director Wang Mingdong snapped out of his shock and clapped enthusiastically, announcing, “Congratulations to Teacher Ruan’s team for winning first place! And congratulations to the investors who placed their bets on Teacher Ruan, successfully securing the ‘Desolate Village’ project.”

The director warmly stepped forward to shake Ruan Xizhi’s hand. “Also, congratulations to Teacher Ruan for becoming the spokesperson for ‘Desolate Village’!”

Ruan Xizhi wasn’t particularly interested in being a spokesperson, but when she caught sight of Xing Xiaochi from the corner of her eye, an idea suddenly struck her.

“He played a big part in this too,” she publicly praised Xing Xiaochi. “Without him, we might not have won today.”

Being praised made Xing Xiaochi’s lips curl up in a smile. He even felt a little shy, with the tips of his ears turning red.

“So, for this endorsement,” Ruan Xizhi continued, “I want him to do it.”

This should be enough to get Xing Peixuan to notice Xing Xiaochi, right?

Xing Xiaochi was ecstatic when he heard this, bouncing with excitement.

“I’d love to! I like grandpas and grandmas the most! I want to be their spokesperson!”

The director looked troubled. This wasn’t something they could decide on their own. “We’ll have to discuss this with the investors.”

At that moment, Su Tongtong tugged on Xing Xiaochi’s hand, pouting. “I want to be the spokesperson for the grandpas and grandmas too! Can I?”

Gu Chengcheng raised his hand. “Me too! I want to do it too!”

The three little ones turned their hopeful gazes to Ruan Xizhi.

Ruan Xizhi understood immediately. “Alright, I’ll talk to them.”

【OMG, Ruan Xizhi is such an angel!】

【Who just became a fan of this adorable woman? Me!】

【Praying that the investor daddy has a kind heart and fulfills the three little ones’ wishes.】

Before the director could even make the call, the investor reached out first.

After listening to the other end of the call, the director glanced at Ruan Xizhi and handed her the phone.

Ruan Xizhi put the phone to her ear. Seeing the director’s expression, she cautiously asked, “Is this the investor?”

A low, indifferent voice responded, “Mm.”

The livestream chat exploded.

【HOLY SH*T! That voice is dangerously sexy!】

【One “Mm” and I’m dead. It’s over for me.】

【I can already picture him—CEO vibes, gold-rimmed glasses, cool-toned skin, double eyelids—AHHH! nosebleed】

【Please, just say more!】

Ruan Xizhi raised an eyebrow. The voice was indeed attractive, and for some reason, it felt oddly familiar.

But securing this endorsement for the kids was her priority. Understanding human nature well, she decided to start with the positives.

“So, we won the competition and secured the ‘Desolate Village’ project for you. However, we have a small request,” she said smoothly.

Xing Peixuan watched Ruan Xizhi on the livestream and responded in a neutral tone, “Go on.”

“We’d like to change the spokesperson for ‘Desolate Village’ to the children from the show. What do you think?”

Ruan Xizhi strongly recommended, “They’re absolutely adorable. They single-handedly managed to sell thousands of tons of fruit! What do you think?”

Silence.

But for some reason, Ruan Xizhi had a gut feeling that he wouldn’t refuse.

Don’t ask why. Just instincts.

Sure enough, a deep voice came through the receiver.

“Okay.”

That simple word sent a tingly sensation to Ruan Xizhi’s ears.

Just then, Xing Xiaochi suddenly turned his little head and tugged at Ruan Xizhi’s clothes. Instinctively, she bent down, and he grabbed her hand. Then, he called out toward the phone—

“Daddy! It’s you, isn’t it?!”

Ruan Xizhi: “!!!”

She immediately clapped a hand over Xing Xiaochi’s mouth. Even if they wanted the endorsement, they couldn’t just go around calling people “Daddy”!

Was he so desperate for a father that he was calling everyone “Daddy” now?!

But in the next second, a deep, low voice came through the phone—

“Mm.”