Chapter 21: Sister, I Beg You, Let Me Eat

The celestial broadcast continued:

[The balance countdown has ended. The "Blacklist Team" saved all 40 people, earning a 2x point bonus for a total of 8 points this round, along with 10,000 in recommendation value.]

[The "Top-Tier Team" had their balance tipped by the 30 people on it, successfully saving only 10 people, earning 1 point this round.]

[The current score between the two teams is 9:1. The Blacklist Team has a cumulative recommendation value of 20,000, while the Top-Tier Team has a cumulative 40,000.]

Qiao Le said indignantly, "It’s so unfair! Even if they didn't win a single game, they’re only 6 points behind us. With this round giving 8 points, if the production crew plays favorites again next round and grants 10 points, there’s no way we can stop them."

The idea of resisting the production crew or mounting a counter-attack seemed like a pipe dream. How could the four of them possibly pull it off? Besides, they had no chance of winning the live stream votes—that was a built-in buff the production crew had assigned to the Top-Tier Team.

Bai Qiuya bowed her head, agreeing with Qiao Le, while Ji Beishu opened his mouth but found nothing to refute.

"Then we’ll just have to win every single game," Shen Li scanned the three of them earnestly. "The process of fighting back is destined to be difficult and long. We need to trust each other."

Bai Qiuya hung her head even lower. She had recognized Lin Yu in the woods earlier, but she hadn’t had the courage to speak up. She turned to Shen Li and bowed. "I'm sorry."

The sudden gesture caught Shen Li off guard. Bai Qiuya stared at the floor. "I actually recognized Lin Yu, but... I didn’t tell anyone. I was scared... I’m sorry."

Once the words were out, Qiao Le, feeling ashamed and awkward, turned away, unable to face Shen Li. Even though she knew her emotional outburst had been due to her own temper, she had indeed misunderstood Shen Li.

Ji Beishu pursed his lips and turned his head away stiffly. "I take back what I said earlier. I’m sorry."

Shen Li smiled, looking at them as if they were her own children. "Oh, it’s fine. Everyone makes mistakes. If you have to blame someone, blame me for not standing up for my own rights sooner and letting everyone misunderstand me for so long."

She looked at Bai Qiuya. "Others don't necessarily have to understand who we are, but we must protect our own reputation."

Bai Qiuya looked up slowly, her gaze meeting Shen Li's. She didn't know why, but she felt as if Shen Li's last words were meant specifically for her. But how could Shen Li possibly know what she had been through?

Jiang Fuya stared at the Blacklist Team as they chatted and laughed, her heart filled with anger and hatred. It was all Shen Li’s fault. If it weren't for Shen Li, she would have completed Pei Wenxuan’s task and obtained the top-tier fashion endorsement resources. Now, because of Shen Li, it had all gone down the drain.

Just wait. She would plan carefully for the next game; she would definitely defeat Shen Li!

Lu Ziwei, who was always protecting her from behind, shared the same sentiment.

The live broadcast of the second game ended. The production crew announced that no dinner would be provided that night, and the guests would have to cook using the fish they had caught themselves.

As soon as the cameras were turned off, the Blacklist Team headed to the kitchen together, while Jiang Fuya went to find the director.

"Where is our food?" Jiang Fuya dropped her charming, camera-ready persona, her tone sharp and shrill. The director shook his head. "You’ll have to figure it out yourselves. If I give you food now and it gets leaked, the show will be criticized even more harshly."

Seeing Jiang Fuya look unconvinced and on the verge of an outburst, he quickly added, "This is Mr. Pei’s decision. You know that Mr. Pei doesn't want the reputation of this program ruined. He told me to tell you to consider the bigger picture."

With that said, no matter how angry Jiang Fuya was, she had no choice but to swallow it and relay the news to the rest of her team.

Lan Ting clutched her growling stomach. "What do we do now? We don't have ingredients, and no one knows how to cook." She glanced at her team’s empty stove, then at the lively scene at the stove next door, and felt a chill in her heart.

Shen Li was at the center, deftly stir-frying a large pot of vegetables with a spatula, while fish steamed in another pot. Ji Beishu was squatting by the stove tending the fire, and the other two girls were doing prep work. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

She stole a glance at Jiang Fuya and Lu Ziwei. "Should we... go ask to share theirs?"

"No way!" Lu Ziwei jumped up. "I’d rather starve than beg for food. If you want to go, go yourself." Jiang Fuya looked at the steaming pot, licked her lips, and sighed reluctantly, "I don't want to go either."

Since they were united in their stance, Lan Ting couldn't insist.

"Then I’m going." Jiang Nian shoved his hands into his pockets and walked straight into the Blacklist Team's kitchen without looking back. He stood calmly by the prep area. "Shen Li, is there anything else I can help with? You can ask me."

The others stared at Jiang Nian as if they had seen a ghost. Through the swirling steam, Shen Li poked her head out. "Oh ho, the little puppy is here to mooch a meal?"

Hearing the nickname, Jiang Nian’s ears turned red instantly. "I... my name is Jiang Nian. I have a name."

"Oh, you’re so cute, little puppy." Shen Li teased him on purpose, finding it amusing to see him unable to decide whether to leave or stay, looking as if he wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.

The three teammates watched, their mouths agape, eager for the drama.

Qiao Le: "Did they know each other before?"

Ji Beishu: "Probably not, but they might be very close in the future."

Qiao Le: "Agreed, even though marriage is the graveyard of women."

Ji Beishu: "There are still good men, like me."

Qiao Le and Bai Qiuya: "Huh?"

Ji Beishu: ...

Seeing that Jiang Nian wasn't leaving, Shen Li continued to tease him. "Didn't you catch a few fish? Even if they're dead, you can still gut and eat them." Jiang Nian’s expression was one of disgust and forced patience. "No, I can't. They don't know how to cook, and neither do I."

"So you just come here to mooch?" Shen Li blinked her bright, deer-like eyes. Jiang Nian was stunned for a long moment before regaining his senses. "What do you want me to do to let me eat?"

As Shen Li scooped the food out of the pot, she said cheekily, "How about this? Act cute and beg. If my teammates and I are satisfied, we'll let you eat."

Qiao Le was instantly energized. She pulled Bai Qiuya to the best viewing spot, leaving the soot-covered Ji Beishu behind, her eyes wide as saucers. Even though she had given up on marriage and men, that didn't conflict with her love for watching handsome guys.

Jiang Nian was so embarrassed he wanted to run away immediately. He clenched his fists in his pockets, took a deep breath after much mental preparation, looking like a soldier about to head into battle.

He stepped back and stood with a righteous air. "I'm ready."

Four pairs of eyes stared in anticipation.

Jiang Nian put his clenched hands in front of his chest, acting as coquettish as a big puppy, and spoke in a soft, sweet voice: "Sister, please, let me eat." As soon as he finished, he bolted out of the kitchen.

Shen Li clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably. "Hahahaha, I can't take it, hahahaha." Knowing Jiang Nian was hiding just outside the door, she shouted, "Sister is satisfied! Wash your hands and come in to eat, little brother!"

Qiao Le also shouted, "Sister is satisfied too!"

Bai Qiuya blushed and didn't have the nerve to join in.

Ji Beishu, who was tending the fire, had his jaw drop to the floor until Qiao Le pushed it back up. "Your drool is everywhere. Pull yourself together, you look pathetic."

Outside, the other three members of the Top-Tier Team looked at Jiang Nian strangely. Lan Ting whispered, "Is this the Jiang Nian we know?"

Jiang Fuya ground her teeth, clenching her fists until her long nails dug into her palms.

Why was Shen Li able to boss Jiang Nian around!

Anything Shen Li could do, she could do just as easily!

She looked at the blushing Jiang Nian, and a plan began to form in her mind...