Chapter Twelve: Xie Chacha

“Now, we will provide ingredients to the winning teams, with priority based on their ranking.”

“After evaluating the performance of all four teams, the production crew has determined a ranking for how well everyone completed the tasks.”

“First place, Yu Tang’s team; second place, Xiao Yufei’s team; third place, Chen Cheng’s team.”

The announcement of the first three teams went smoothly. When the director reached this point, his voice paused as he glanced carefully at Zhou Ziheng’s darkened expression before proceeding cautiously, “Fourth place, Xiang Youran’s team.”

Everyone still remembered what the director had said earlier—last place would have to eat plain rice soaked in boiling water.

As his words fell, everyone looked over at the two, their gazes tinged with sympathy.

[Are they really going to make them eat rice with just hot water?]

[Impossible! If my brother has to eat that, I’ll be the first to object!]

[But they have to follow the rules, right? They should’ve tried harder.]

[Yu Tang helped every team; why not just do a good deed to the end?]

Many viewers on the barrage worried for them, but Xiang Youran remained unhurried, showing no sign of anxiety over coming in last.

It had been the same in her previous life—they ended up in last place, yet they still ate well in the end.

This time would surely be no different.

After all, they were here to promote their drama, and to put it bluntly, they were the leads. If the production crew made things too difficult, it wouldn’t bode well for them.

The others weren’t as relaxed as Xiang Youran. Shen Tianshi, simple-minded and straightforward, was visibly overjoyed: “Then let’s go pick our meal! I’m determined to eat well this afternoon!”

The director, hearing this, smiled brightly at Shen Tianshi: “This afternoon, we’ll only provide the ingredients. What you end up eating depends entirely on what you’re able to cook.”

Shen Tianshi’s excitement halted abruptly.

“What?!”

He was on the verge of collapse—was this a romance show or a survival show?

Seeing Shen Tianshi’s reaction, the director chuckled, pleased; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

“The requirement is for male and female teammates to collaborate and prepare a heartfelt lunch together.”

“Each person must cook at least one dish. Of course, except for the last team.” The ingredients for the last team were barely enough for a single dish.

The director left the latter part unsaid.

He still wanted to preserve some dignity for them; perhaps the earlier teams would leave them some soup.

Yu Tang, after listening to everything, finally realized how valuable Michelin three-star culinary skills truly were.

At least their lunch was secured.

Yu Tang’s eyes brimmed with tears of gratitude.

Beside her, Xie Yi and Xiao Yufei exchanged glances.

Xiao Yufei’s eyes sparkled, “Can you cook?”

She knew Xie Yi could—he’d cooked on previous shows—so she asked only out of formality.

Xie Yi’s lips curled in a gentle smile, “I can, Yufei. Don’t worry. Just do something simple for show.”

Xiao Yufei nearly soared with happiness, “Yes! That’s perfect! You’re a lifesaver, little brother!”

Xie Yi wore a smile that seemed resigned to fate, his eyelids drooping, long lashes fluttering. Though he smiled, he looked a bit forlorn.

“It’s nothing. It’s what I should do,” his voice soft.

He turned his gaze to Shen Tianshi, who was boasting nearby, his clear eyes sincere, “What about you, Tianshi? Are you going to have Yu Tang cook today?”

“Yu Tang has already worked hard all day outside. If I were her teammate, I wouldn’t let her cook lunch too. That’d be exhausting.”

As soon as Xie Yi finished speaking, everyone except Chen Cheng, who was still distracted, turned their eyes to him, their gazes meaningful.

Xie Yi used to be so obedient—when did he become so sly?

Xiao Yufei’s pupils widened; she sensed Xie Yi wanted to fly over to Yu Tang’s side.

Yu Tang’s eyes flickered as she heard this, then her lips curled into a clear smile, “Xie Yi really is considerate.”

Shen Tianshi was stunned by Xie Yi’s words, staring in disbelief until he finished.

Then Shen Tianshi jumped to his feet, pointing at Xie Yi, “What are you trying to pull?! Always up to those underhanded tricks!”

Yu Tang stepped forward, interrupting righteously, “Enough! I can tell if he’s being sly or not!”

“If I say he isn’t, then he isn’t!”

Xie Yi obediently stood behind Yu Tang, his tall frame looking utterly well-behaved.

[I’m dying of laughter, Shen Tianshi is so flustered.]

[Xie ‘Tea Tea’ is adorable. Who wouldn’t love such a sweet brother?]

[Does Xie Yi really think no one understands what he’s implying?]

Shen Tianshi was utterly shocked, furious at Yu Tang, eyes shut as he shouted, “Yu Xiaotang! Are you trying to kill me?!”

Yu Tang shielded Xie Yi behind her, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Shen Tianshi glared at them both, storming to the sofa and sitting down, unwilling to engage further.

Xiang Youran, witnessing the scene, her eyes flickered as she walked over, “Mr. Shen, please don’t be upset. I’m sure Ms. Yu didn’t mean it. She just wants to protect Xie Yi, since he’s still young.”

Shen Tianshi, hugging a cushion and still angry, didn’t even bother to mask his displeasure at Xiang Youran’s words.

“Who asked you? Why do you think you get to talk? So shameless!”

“Stay away from me, you smell like chicken droppings. It’s disgusting.”

Shen Tianshi was always quick to retort, regardless of the situation.

Xiang Youran had only heard about it before; today she experienced it firsthand. Her face alternated between pale and flushed as she retreated with an awkward smile.

Zhou Ziheng, seeing Xiang Youran rebuffed, grew displeased and rolled up his sleeves to intervene.

“You too, get lost. You stink as well.”

Shen Tianshi attacked everyone indiscriminately.

[Shen Tianshi is so rude.]

[But they brought it on themselves, provoking Shen Tianshi first—serves them right.]

[Agreed, and for some reason, Xiang Youran’s words felt insincere.]

[Those two are cut from the same cloth—lock them together.]

Zhou Ziheng’s face stiffened, about to speak when the director interrupted.

Seeing everyone on the verge of quarreling, the director was anxious. As Zhou Ziheng prepared to say something, he hastily interjected, “Alright, enough! No more fighting—it was our oversight.”

“Since Zhou Ziheng’s team finished last, let’s have Zhou Ziheng and Xiang Youran take a shower first. When they’re done, they can choose their ingredients.”

The crew made a concession, and everyone agreed.

Whether they smelled or not, no one wanted to endure the odor from Zhou Ziheng and Xiang Youran.

Yu Tang waved, “Hurry up and go!”

“Shen Tianshi, get over here and choose your ingredients!”

Not seeing Shen Tianshi, Yu Tang turned and shouted.

Shen Tianshi threw his cushion onto the sofa with a grumble, full of resentment, “Alright, coming!”