Chapter 11
[Bro, you’re really kind of explosive]
[She’s really… I’m crying]
[LMAO, can any Ning Xi fans tell me if she’s always like this? I actually find her acting all wild and random so cute]
[Ning Xi fan for four years here, I can only say she really does have this kind of relaxed vibe, like she could leave the entertainment industry at any time]
[Low EQ: wild and random; High EQ: relaxed vibe as if she’s not in the entertainment industry]
[By the way, who did everyone else check on Moments? Now I’m curious whose Moments Fu Zhi will look at, hahaha]
The Fu Zhi that Netizens were curious about was holding his phone the whole time, not making a move.
Until a message from the Program Team completely disrupted the calm atmosphere in the villa.
“Your friend did not view your Moments.”
Fu Zhi received this message: ?
What the hell is this show doing?
Did they think he couldn’t guess that Ning Xi wouldn’t check his Moments? Did he really need a reminder?
[Whoa, whoa, this is intense, the Program Team really knows how to play!]
This time, Fu Zhi didn’t hesitate at all and added “Cause Trouble to Society” as a friend.
No doubt about it, the only person who could piss him off with just a few words, making his heart, liver, spleen, and stomach ache, was Ning Xi.
He wanted to see who was unlucky enough to get a Moments post from Ning Xi.
Then he saw what Ning Xi posted tonight:
“Let me give everyone a little science lesson on berry types: strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, and did you miss me today-berry?”
The picture was of the berry tarts they had at dinner together.
Fu Zhi commented: “Looks like you’ve gone moldy.”
Ning Xi saw the comment and snorted.
Because this was a phone provided by the Program Team and she couldn’t just block people, Ning Xi simply deleted Fu Zhi’s comment.
But after a while, she noticed that Fu Zhi stubbornly commented again:
“Looks like you’ve gone moldy.”
And attached a news link titled: “Is deleting comments a sign of a guilty conscience?”
Ning Xi: .
[Who gets it? I really love watching this elementary school level bickering]
[These two are going to make me die laughing]
Ning Xi ignored Fu Zhi and, following the Program Team’s instructions, headed to the third floor to pick a room.
The other two pairs had also finished checking each other’s Moments.
Ning Mingyue and Shen Yibai had both posted for each other and viewed each other’s Moments.
Jiang Sheshe and Wei Xuan also checked each other’s Moments, but what Wei Xuan posted didn’t seem to be for Jiang Sheshe.
He took a photo of a crescent moon and captioned it:
“Some things are far away from you, but they don’t have to do anything to get your full attention. Good night.”
Netizens quickly sensed something was up.
[Wei Xuan is acting like someone who’s got a crush]
[He posted a picture of the moon, could it be Ning Mingyue?]
[Impossible! If he liked Ning Mingyue, why would he check Jiang Sheshe’s Moments? He’s probably just being sentimental. After all, it’s only the first day of the show, everyone’s not that familiar yet. How could anyone catch feelings so soon?]
Netizens kept analyzing in the barrage.
The Director watched the rising popularity and grinned from ear to ear.
Even though this variety show had three female celebrities, it wasn’t a traditional dating show, so no one was really sure how it would go.
But on the very first day of airing, “You Are My Blessing” had already trended over a dozen times! Online views had also surpassed 100 million!
No doubt about it, it was a hit!
As long as the live broadcasts in the next few days kept up today’s level, the popularity would only go up…
“Director! President Ning is calling!” The Assistant Director looked troubled, hinting that the call was about accountability.
President Ning was Ning Bochuan, CEO of Ning Corporation, Ning Mingyue’s father, and one of the investors of “You Are My Blessing.”
The Director took the call, not sure what was being said on the other end, but replied several times:
“President Ning, don’t worry, we’ll definitely edit your daughter’s footage well and make sure she gets plenty of screen time!
You’re saying Ning Xi has too much screen time? Well, it’s only the first day of filming, and Ning Xi is the most popular and well-known in the country, so naturally, we need her to attract viewers.
Once Miss Mingyue’s popularity rises, the camera will naturally focus on her!”
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries.
After the Director hung up, the Assistant Director asked worriedly, “Director, are we really not going to give Ning Xi any more screen time? She was the most popular during today’s live broadcast!”
“Not just the most popular! She’s got the strongest variety sense too. She alone took up more than half the trending topics today, and every time she was on camera, the viewership spiked!
And her fans are more protective than anyone. Any negative comments about Ning Xi get reported and deleted immediately!” the Director said, exasperated.
“Then why did you tell President Ning that all the screen time would go to Ning Mingyue later…” The Assistant Director was baffled.
“I wouldn’t say that. What if Ning Bochuan withdraws his investment? It’s only the first day-who knows how Ning Xi will perform later? If she crashes and burns, they’ll definitely use her popularity to sacrifice for Ning Mingyue! Anyway, her company doesn’t care about her anymore!”
But if Ning Xi doesn’t crash, and her popularity keeps rising, bringing endless buzz to the Program Team…
The Director stroked his beard.
Then, of course, he would have to change his strategy.
After all, the hidden profits from creating a national hit variety show far exceed the money Ning Bochuan invested!
Thinking of this, the Director couldn’t help but look at Ning Xi’s livestream room:
Ning Xi, will you become someone else’s stepping stone to the top, or will your career advance further and secure your spot as a top star? It all depends on your performance from here on out!
*
The Ning Xi, whom the Director pinned his hopes on, was now dragging her suitcase, standing on the third floor face-to-face with Ning Mingyue and Jiang Sheshe.
A sign hung on the third floor:
“Female Guests stay on the third floor. There are double rooms and single rooms. The three Female Guests can discuss among themselves whether to take the single or double rooms.”
Seriously, with so many rooms on this floor, they just had to make things difficult for them, huh?
“I want a single room! I have too much stuff!” Jiang Sheshe declared first.
“I like staying up late, and I’d disturb others in a double room,” Ning Xi said as well.
Ning Mingyue glanced at the two for a second. “Since everyone wants a single room, why don’t we draw lots?”
Ning Xi had no objections. Jiang Sheshe pouted but said nothing.
So Ning Mingyue made three paper balls.
“When you open the paper, a blank one means double room, the one with writing means single room.”
Jiang Sheshe grabbed a paper ball first. It was blank.
She immediately looked at Ning Mingyue. “Mingyue, open yours! If I have to share a double room, I’d rather be with you.”
But Ning Mingyue smiled and looked at Ning Xi. “Xiao Xi, you pick first.”
Ning Xi casually picked one.
She’d always had good luck, but who knew if it would hold up against Ning Mingyue’s halo-
“Blank.”
Ning Xi unfolded the paper ball.
Jiang Sheshe’s face instantly fell.
Ning Mingyue comfortingly squeezed Jiang Sheshe’s hand and coaxed, “Since you and Xiao Xi both picked double rooms, it’s fate. So let’s not get upset, okay?”
Jiang Sheshe was reluctant but mumbled, “Got it.”
Ning Mingyue then looked at Ning Xi.
Ning Xi nodded, “Jiang Sheshe said she got it.”
Jiang Sheshe: “? Ning Xi, what do you mean!”
Ning Xi shrugged.
Jiang Sheshe wasn’t happy, but Ning Xi was?
Partnering with Fu Zhi, the drama king, during the day, and sharing a room with princess-disease Jiang Sheshe at night.
She’s really here for tribulation, isn’t she?
[I’m dying laughing, won’t the villa be turned upside down by these two?]
[Fans of double-strong, forced, marriage-first-love-later tropes are in luck! 😊]
[So funny, either one sharing a room with Ning Mingyue would be harmonious, but it just had to be these two together.]
Ning Mingyue watched as Ning Xi and Jiang Sheshe entered their room, then returned to her own single room.
Avoiding the camera, she opened the paper ball she’d been clutching tightly.
It was blank.
Yes, all three paper balls were blank.
But as long as Ning Xi and Jiang Sheshe picked first, those two would end up sharing a room.
This way… there would be plenty of drama to watch.
In the double room, the space was huge-big enough to play badminton.
But Jiang Sheshe kept grumbling, “This room is way too small…”
Ning Xi simply tidied up, then started stretching while interacting with the chat.
[Puppy Ning: Ning Xi, do you still remember me? Do you recall when you played at your house and I played at mine, and we didn’t know each other?]
Ning Xi: “Babe, you’re different from everyone else. Don’t waste your time on studying.”
[No Hidden Agenda: Ning Xi, do you have enough money from the show? If you do, send me some.]
Ning Xi: “Babe, you’re scaring me. How do your thirty-something-degree fingers type such cold words? I really want to reach into your wallet and warm up.”
[Dog Trainer Ning Xi: Quick question, which one has no blood relation to you: mom, grandma, or wife?]
Ning Xi saw this comment and chuckled.
Then she slowly leaned closer to the camera, her clean, light-colored eyes curving like a deer:
“Wife~”
This highly impactful moment made the chat explode after a second of silence.
[Ahhhhhhhhhhh!]
[I fainted from the rush of blood to my brain-Ning Xi, goddess of beauty from ancient Greece!]
[Puppy Ning, you’re such a tease!]
[Getting played by Ning Xi was my plan all along, because I love spinning in circles. Don’t mind me!]
[Master, please command your Daji [flirty]]