Chapter Eighteen: Xie Yi's Imaginings

The plate of vibrant green beans ultimately ended up in Zhou Ziheng’s stomach. Even Xiang Youran, who was already full, managed to stuff quite a bit more into her belly thanks to Zhou Ziheng’s enthusiastic encouragement.

The production team watched as the guests finished their meal and settled onto the sofa. Without delay, they hurried forward to announce the next task. The assistant director, holding the task card and grinning with excitement, could barely contain his amusement at what he was about to do.

“Now it’s time for the next task,” he announced.

“No way, Director! Can’t we rest for a bit? We just finished eating!” Shen Tianshi slumped onto the sofa, barely mustering the energy to speak.

The assistant director chuckled, “The production team knows you all worked hard this morning, so this afternoon, we’ve prepared rooms for the guests to rest in.”

“However, each room differs in quality, and which room you get depends on how well you perform in the upcoming challenge.”

At these words, a chorus of exclamations erupted. Even Yu Tang, clutching her full belly and leaning tiredly against her chair, felt like a child bullied for her frailty by the village’s younger crowd.

“What exactly are you planning?” she groaned.

[This is hilarious, playing games right after a meal. The production team really knows how to have fun. (Likes, likes, likes)]

[Yu Tang’s expression be like: My weakness became my downfall~]

[Baby tummy rumbling~]

[No worries, playing games right after eating means Teacher Zhou and Sister Youran have a big advantage—since I bet neither of them got full, hahaha.]

[Exactly, if you can’t eat well, at least sleep well. If they don’t win, just pretend I never said anything.]

The assistant director held up the task card.

“A post-meal mini-game: riddles.”

“A staff member will pose a riddle. Each team selects one person to answer, and the other to operate the buzzer.”

“If you buzz in first and answer correctly, your team gets a point. If you buzz in first but answer incorrectly, you lose a point. If you don’t buzz or answer, you get nothing.”

In other words, not buzzing or answering is the safest bet.

Yu Tang’s lips curled into a triumphant smile. She knew the system’s rewards wouldn’t be useless, and sure enough, here was her chance.

Leaning back, she squinted contentedly, then beckoned Xie Yi over with a sly finger.

Obediently, Xie Yi leaned closer.

Yu Tang tilted her head and whispered, “I can handle the answers. You just focus on pressing the buzzer.”

Her warm breath brushed Xie Yi’s ear, making it tingle and turn red. He replied softly, “Alright,” then added, “I’ll do whatever you say, Sister.”

Yu Tang laughed, delighted by his response.

Xiao Yufei eyed Shen Tianshi skeptically. “Are you up for this?”

Shen Tianshi straightened his back, chest puffed out. “A man never admits defeat!”

Xiao Yufei crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “If you’re so confident, you answer the questions and I’ll handle the buzzer. If not, I’ll answer myself.”

Shen Tianshi thumped his chest and flashed an OK sign. “Trust me, I’ve got this. No problem at all.”

Xiao Yufei snorted. She hadn’t forgotten Shen Tianshi’s disastrous performance in previous episodes. If she were better at riddles, she wouldn’t have handed this over.

The remaining two teams quickly settled their roles. Chen Cheng’s team had Chen Cheng on the buzzer, while Xiang Youran’s team had Zhou Ziheng.

[Because you’re always a beat behind on variety shows, everyone considers you a liability. No matter who you team up with, you’re always resented, and this becomes a reason for your future transformation.]

[Task: In the buzzer round, defeat your opponents and win the challenge.]

[Reward: Gas mask.]

Gas mask? Yu Tang’s lashes drooped as she pondered its purpose. Would the variety show switch to a real-life CS game? Was that right?

Before Yu Tang could reason it out, the director placed the buzzers before each team. The atmosphere grew tense.

“We’re ready to begin,” the director announced.

Yu Tang felt a surge of nerves, gripping Xie Yi’s arm.

The moment she squeezed, Yu Tang realized something was off—his arm was solid.

She instinctively squeezed again.

Xie Yi’s face flushed crimson. Leaning in, he whispered, embarrassed, “Sister Yu Tang, could you let go? I’m a bit nervous.”

His voice was soft and tentative.

Yu Tang released his arm immediately, scratched her head, and pretended nothing happened. “Ahaha, nice muscles.”

She hadn’t expected Xie Yi to be so deceptively fit.

Shen Tianshi, always keeping an eye on Yu Tang, seized the moment. He grabbed Xiao Yufei’s hand and placed it on himself.

“Muscles? Who doesn’t have them?” he said, eyeing Xie Yi provocatively. Xie Yi merely lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

Xiao Yufei felt a pang of pity for him. What was wrong with Shen Tianshi? Why did he always pick on Xie Yi?

Feeling the touch, Xiao Yufei recoiled in disgust, even giving Shen Tianshi a slap.

“Ugh, boiled chicken.”

Shen Tianshi couldn’t hold back.

“What’s your problem, Xiao Yufei?!”

[What’s your problem, Xiao Yufei~ (loopy’s sarcastic meme)]

[This is killing me, hahaha, now our Young Master Shen’s confidence is shattered.]

[I’m really curious—does Xie Yi actually have muscles?]

[To the commenter above: Yes, absolutely!]

[How is Shen Tianshi now disliked by everyone, even the dogs?]

Shen Tianshi’s reaction caused an uproar of laughter.

The director cleared his throat.

“Alright, let’s begin.”

“First question, listen carefully.”

“A little lamb had its wool shorn and could never sleep again. Why?”

A flurry of red lights flashed simultaneously.

But upon closer inspection, Xie Yi was the first to press.

“Because it—lost sleep!” Yu Tang answered instantly as the buzzer lit up.

“Correct!”

“Yu Tang’s team, one point!”

“Whoo-hoo!” Yu Tang jumped excitedly, holding out both hands expectantly toward Xie Yi.

Xie Yi shyly pressed his lips together. Was she asking to hold hands…?

But there were more answers ahead.

However, Yu Tang’s eyes sparkled so brightly that refusal seemed impossible…

Just as Xie Yi was about to muster his courage and settle for linking one hand, Yu Tang withdrew her hands and casually touched her nose.

She eased the awkwardness by saying, “Ah, boys these days—so bashful, even for a high-five.”

Xie Yi froze. A high-five?

Not what he’d imagined?

Realizing his thoughts, Xie Yi’s face burned even redder, wishing he could bury his head beneath the table.

[I bet Xie Yi wasn’t thinking about a high-five.]

[This is hilarious—who gets shy over a high-five?]

[Is Xie Yi really that easily embarrassed?]

[Xie Yi’s reaction speed is amazing. Speaking of reactions…]