Chapter 7
Not jealous.
He wasn’t jealous at all.
Zhao Yue consoled himself that what mattered was screen time. He had answered 69 questions, which could be exchanged for 128 points, enough for a day’s basic living expenses.
However, Ji Wei had answered 375 questions, earning a whopping 750 points.
So, while he was gnawing on a steamed bun, he saw Ji Wei eating tomato and egg gravy noodles.
While he was drinking plain water, he saw Ji Wei drinking fruit juice.
When he finally managed to trade for some stir-fried vegetables, Ji Wei was already feasting on a wild game banquet.
Zhao Yue: …Damn it, my composure is cracking.
[Hahahahahahahahaha, I came over from Ji Wei’s live stream after hearing the news. This is too tragic, too tragic! I’m about to shed tears of sympathy.]
[Is this really the same show? I thought one was a reality show about hardship and the other was a food program.]
[I can’t, watching both live streams at the same time is making my stomach hurt from laughing. You guys have to go check out Ji Wei’s stream.]
After finishing their vastly different lunches, the group was notified by the production team to gather at the square. They returned to the village square.
But apart from the guests, there was no one else in the square.
As an experienced standalone game streamer, Ji Wei wasn’t flustered.
If you can’t find an NPC, you naturally have to explore the environment and look for dropped items.
So he walked around the square and finally, in a corner, discovered another slogan. It was also a very common phrase, written in flamboyant calligraphy with a writing brush.
—Knowledge changes destiny.
“The production team is just messing with us, aren’t they?” Zhao Yue was already in a bad mood, and seeing the empty square, his face grew even longer.
Du Ruosong was a seasoned professional; he knew what Zhao Yue was thinking just by looking at his expression. He quickly tried to smooth things over. “Hey, would a show about playing with a bunch of old men even be broadcastable? If it could, I wouldn’t mind sacrificing myself for the ratings…”
Everyone else: “…”
[I suspect Songsong is making a dirty joke and I have evidence!]
[Hahahahahahahahaha, Du Ruosong’s image in my mind has collapsed. I always thought he was a super serious news anchor.]
[Heavens, a man in his forties is actually talking about sacrificing himself. My eyes are tainted!]
[Hahahahahahaha, old Sir Ma Liqing looks completely baffled. He doesn’t quite understand the world of you young people.]
“The task should be related to the new slogan.”
Ji Wei walked back to the group, pointed in the direction of the slogan, and stated his hypothesis. “We can ask the villagers. They might know something.”
Du Ruosong was shocked. “You’ve found a breakthrough so quickly?!”
Zhao Yue subconsciously swallowed, remembering the terror of being dominated by Ji Wei that morning. Even Su Wen, who had been indifferent (and slacking off) the entire time, rarely looked up at Ji Wei.
The bullet comments were roaring with laughter.
[Songsong was happily making his dirty jokes, only to find that while he was doing that, the little brother had already figured out the key to the puzzle.]
[A certain host with the surname Du, aren’t you ashamed!]
[Ji Wei: I just used the time others spent making dirty jokes to find clues.]
To save time, everyone discussed and decided that searching for clues in groups would be more efficient. However, when it came to forming the groups, a small… problem arose.
Ji Wei felt four gazes from different directions firmly fixed on him. Then, another one was added.
He followed the gaze and saw that it was Zhao Yue, who had been giving him the cold shoulder ever since the show started.
Hmm… his body is quite honest, isn’t it?
[Hahahahahahahahaha I can’t. This morning Zhao Yue was calling him ‘non-celebrity’ this and that, and now he’s all ‘daddy, look at me’? Too late!]
[Zhao Yue: A man’s gotta eat.]
[Hahahahahahahahahahaha, oh my god, I’m rolling on my bed laughing. My roommate thought there was an earthquake.]
Lu Shenxing took in everyone’s expressions, tilted his head with a smile, and his long, narrow eyes squinted slightly in a thoughtful manner. “It seems everyone wants to be in a group with Ji Wei.”
No one dared to make a sound.
Swept by Lu Shenxing’s gaze, Du Ruosong suddenly felt a little flustered. He found it strange himself. He was clearly ten years older than Lu Shenxing, yet for some reason, he sometimes felt constrained in his presence, even feeling a faint sense of fear from the bottom of his heart.
Unexpectedly, Lu Shenxing added, “Why don’t we have a democratic vote?”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Du Ruosong was surprised but also relieved. He was afraid Film Emperor Lu would disagree. Since he had agreed, it would be a disservice to his profession as a host if he didn’t persuade Ji Wei to team up with him!
He put on his standard host’s kind smile and gazed at Ji Wei with earnest anticipation, suddenly feeling a little excited.
Old Sir Ma Liqing leaned on his cane and walked towards Ji Wei. He genuinely wanted to chat with this young man about traditional Chinese painting. After all, fewer and fewer people were willing to learn about traditional culture these days.
Su Wen also moved her lips, preparing to say something.
But before anyone could speak, they heard Lu Shenxing’s deep voice. “I’m with Ji Wei. Does anyone have any objections?”
A dead silence fell.
[Damn, so democratic.]
[Hahahahahahaha, who would dare? Even Heavenly Queen Su Wen has shut down.]
[I feel bad for old Sir Ma. He had already taken two steps forward with his cane only to be blocked. Film Emperor Lu, where’s your shame?]
[Lu-style democracy, hahahahahahahahahahaha.]
“It seems no one has any objections,” Lu Shenxing said gently, a slight curve on his lips. “Then it’s decided.”
Su Wen: “…”
Du Ruosong: “…”
Zhao Yue: “…”
Through a very “democratic” election process, Ji Wei remained in a group with Lu Shenxing, and the other groups also remained unchanged.
Ji Wei and Lu Shenxing were responsible for the right side of the village. They knocked on the door of the first villager’s house.
Creak. The door opened.
A cute-looking child with a robust head peeked out. “Can I help you?”
“I’d like to talk to an adult in your house to learn about the history of your village.”
Ji Wei smiled.
When he streamed games, he was used to first understanding the game’s background. For example, when playing the Crusader Kings series, without a certain amount of background knowledge, looking at the complicated family trees would only cause headaches and diminish much of the fun.
A simple and honest-looking middle-aged man received them and poured them two glasses of plain water. “Our village, ah, is called Luoshui Village.”
Ji Wei wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but this uncle seemed particularly enthusiastic towards him and Lu Shenxing, his gaze constantly shifting between the two of them.
“That’s a rather special name,”
Lu Shenxing commented, his eyes lowered.
Ji Wei also found it unusual. “Uncle, what then?”
The simple-looking middle-aged uncle pulled out something like a lottery box from under the table and placed it on top. “If you want information, you have to compete with me in authenticating calligraphy and paintings. The loser accepts a punishment.”
[I was just praising you for being an honest man, but I didn’t expect an honest man to have so many tricks up his sleeve.]
[Oh, you can authenticate calligraphy and paintings?]
[Isn’t this the same box Zhao Yue and the others used for their wish-fulfillment tasks? Hahahahahahahahaha, they didn’t even change the box!]
Ji Wei suddenly became curious about what was inside the box. “Can I draw first?”
“You may.”
The middle-aged uncle pushed the box towards Ji Wei.
Ji Wei guessed in his mind that, based on Zhao Yue and the others’ experiences, the punishments were most likely farm chores like feeding animals or picking fruit. It sounded like it would be quite tough.
He reached his hand into the lottery box and felt a slip of paper.
He opened it and looked.
Ji Wei’s expression became indescribable.
—Hug your teammate intimately for one minute.
Hmm… something feels off here.
“Which one of you will compete against me?”
the middle-aged uncle asked.
“I’ll do it.”
Lu Shenxing said softly.
[Sob sob sob sob sob sob sob, I’m so moved. Film Emperor Lu is finally not slacking off. This is worth celebrating!]
[Is Film Emperor Lu’s slacking off really slacking off? That’s called giving the newcomer a chance to shine.]
[I remember Film Emperor Lu mentioned in an interview that his uncle is a cultural relics appraisal expert at the Palace Museum. He’s been interested in artifacts since he was a child. At the age of five, he was already playing with Qing dynasty blue and white porcelain. He must have a family background in it.]
[Family background aside, am I the only one who noticed he was playing with blue and white porcelain at the age of five… What kind of rich family is this? When I was five, I could only play with mud.]
[Eh? I thought everyone knew that although Film Emperor Lu is very rich, his family… is even richer.]
Ji Wei looked at Lu Shenxing with anticipation.
His idol didn’t talk much during interviews, but whenever the topic turned to epigraphy, calligraphy, and painting, he would speak endlessly.
A professor from his department happened to watch one of Lu Shenxing’s interviews once and also admired him, lamenting that a family without a deep cultural foundation couldn’t produce such insight. It was an eye for detail that was clearly honed by being surrounded by antiques.
Lu Shenxing was about to speak, but his gaze fell on the slip of paper and paused for a few seconds. After seeing the contents of the paper, he lazily said, “I lose.”
The man’s voice was pleasant, and his answer was crisp and decisive. There was no hint of embarrassment on his handsome face; in fact, his eyes held a faint, playful smile.
The audience in the live stream room was shocked.
[Holy crap???? Is this allowed? I suspect I’m watching a romance reality show.]
[What kind of move is this???!!]
[Film Emperor Lu: Completing the task doesn’t matter, I just want the little brother to hug me.]
[Sob sob sob sob sob sob sob, person above, don’t you leave! Please write a fanfiction on the spot!!]