Chapter Eighteen: I’m Done Playing; My Mom’s Calling Me Home for Dinner

Half an hour later.

Meng Ziyi returned wearing a fresh T-shirt and denim shorts, not afraid of getting drenched this time.

But as soon as she came back, she pointed at Xu Xiu’s nose and said, “You! I almost forgot just now, it was you who caused me to end up like that, and as a result…”

Xu Xiu put down her hoe and looked up at Meng Ziyi.

“So what? Did you realize you’re a silly goose?”

“Pfft—hahaha…”

“Wahaha!”

Wang Chuanjun’s laughter was loud and boisterous.

“You’re too much! How could you treat me like that? I’m a girl, and a pretty one at that!”

“Ah, right, right, right. Taohuawu, you’re the most beautiful, okay? Got anything else to say? If not, come help us work, or we’ll end up sunburned and greasy.” Xu Xiu smirked.

From all that, Meng Ziyi only caught the phrase “Taohuawu, you’re the most beautiful.”

“Hehe~ I’m coming, I’m coming. Why are you rushing me?”

This time, Sister Meng watered with much more care, probably having learned her lesson just now. She was afraid of watering Xu Xiu again, but in the end, Xu Xiu still managed to mess it up.

The onlookers all sighed and covered their foreheads at Sister Meng’s antics.

“Man, Sister Meng, I’m really worried about your future. You’re not seriously going to get fooled, are you?”

“So adorable, Sister Meng. Forget it, I’m taking her away first, you guys keep chatting.”

“Sister Meng, open your eyes! Xu Xiu is totally playing you! Don’t be fooled!”

“Oh no, oh no, I have a really bad feeling about this, and it’s very strong.”

“Not just strong—I’m getting a headache. Xu Xiu’s just a blondie, after all!”

At that moment,

The four of them in the vegetable garden worked more and more smoothly together, finishing planting the entire plot in just over ten minutes.

This gave them all a strong sense of happiness—this was the satisfaction that comes from honest labor.

The working people are the most beautiful!

“Shall we take a walk by the sea? We haven’t even gone to see the ocean since we got here,” Dong Xuan suggested.

Wang Chuanjun agreed, even strongly recommended it.

“Just so you know, I’m not really that interested—I’m only going to keep you two company,” Xu Xiu emphasized.

The four followed the path and soon arrived at the seaside.

“Splash~ splash~ splash~”

The waves constantly crashed against the rocks, while seagulls circled overhead.

If it weren’t for Xu Xiu recklessly rushing out, this scene would have been truly beautiful.

***

“Hehe~ Master! Master! Look, I, Old Sun, have come out!”

Xu Xiu said as she hopped around, looking exactly like Sun Wukong from Journey to the West.

If the show crew were sensible, they would have played the iconic background music right then.

Meng Ziyi cupped her hands like a megaphone and shouted at Xu Xiu, “Childish! You’re way too childish!”

“What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”

“I said you’re a big fool!”

“Huh? You said I’m a big handsome guy? Well, that’s true then!”

“…”

Wang Chuanjun and Dong Xuan shook their heads. Shouting from so far apart, it was no wonder they couldn’t hear each other clearly.

The three soon caught up with Xu Xiu’s pace.

The four walked side by side along the beach. The waves lapped at their feet, seagulls circled above, their sharp cries seeming to sing a joyful tune for their company.

Their faces were bathed in golden-red sunlight; their eyes reflected the endless sea and the vast evening glow. Their shadows stretched longer and longer along the sand...

Voices and laughter mingled with the crashing waves, caressing their bodies as if trying to freeze this perfect moment in time.

***

All of the above was just an illusion!

In reality, Xu Xiu splashed seawater onto Wang Chuanjun’s face. Wang Chuanjun immediately splashed back. Xu Xiu dodged with a flick, and the water hit Dong Xuan instead.

“Wait! Sister Xuan, let me explain!” Wang Chuanjun quickly raised his hands in a pleading gesture.

But it was useless. Dong Xuan splashed him back right away.

The scene instantly descended into chaos. The four no longer cared who started it and began splashing each other wildly.

“Ah! My hair!”

“Ah! My face!”

“Help! I can’t splash back, and they’re even stepping on my feet!”

“Cut it out, cut it out! Don’t gang up on me, I’m just a baby of over two hundred months.” Xu Xiu held her hands in front of her face.

This almost gave the other three a mental meltdown.

After a moment’s thought, they realized that two hundred months meant just over twenty years old.

Are you kidding me?

“Are you a giant baby? Two hundred months? I almost got lost there.”

“Pfft! Shameless!”

“No matter what you say today, you’re dead meat!”

“Come on, the three of us will splash you together!”

“Wait! You guys go ahead. My mom’s calling me home for dinner!” Xu Xiu said seriously, pouting.

***

“…”

“…”

“…”

[Ding! Host’s abstract behavior detected, exposure gained: Singing +0.0069, Acting +0.0069, Cooking +0.0069, Constitution +0.0069…]

Naturally, the three wouldn’t let Xu Xiu off so easily—this was a rare chance for revenge.

Meng Ziyi splashed the most enthusiastically; Xu Xiu took note silently.

You, Meng Ziyi! I didn’t expect you to hold grudges like this. Just wait.

You’re such a pain!

On the way back, Xu Xiu looked like a water spirit, with seawater continuously dripping down, leaving wet footprints all along the path.

The sea breeze sure is salty!

When they returned to the house, many people were already seated in the dining area.

They started interviews at six fifty.

No wonder this was Taohuawu’s most popular show—everyone was scrambling to be interviewed.

Wu Dajing was especially obsessed, not only actively participating but also organizing and disrupting others’ interviews.

As an Olympic champion, his competitiveness was truly fierce.

Xu Xiu had no time to watch their antics; if he didn’t shower soon, he’d probably catch a cold.

After showering and changing clothes, Xu Xiu came out and saw that the interviews were still ongoing.

He wasn’t interested, but as he arrogantly passed by, Li Xueqin called out to him.

Li Xueqin whispered to Wang Sulong, “Director, this one is perfect. He doesn’t even glance at us. People like that are perfect for us.”

“Sis, isn’t this a bit torturous for us?”

“Don’t care, let’s just recruit him first!”

At that moment, Dong Xuan raised her hand.

“I see the truth now—you all have connections at this radio station!”

“Hey? Don’t say that lightly. We’re a legit station, don’t compare us to others,” Wang Sulong waved his hand dismissively.

“Wang Tai, what do you mean by ‘others’? Please elaborate,” Wang Chuanjun, never one to avoid trouble, pressed.

Wang Sulong nearly broke out in a sweat.

“Director, this guy clearly isn’t fit to work at our station. Let’s eliminate him right away.”

“Eliminate! Definitely eliminate! If we let people like this in, they’ll be the first to turn on us. I’m scared,” Wang Sulong wiped his nonexistent sweat.

Then he reached out to stop Xu Xiu.

“Young man, please wait. I see something extraordinary in you. You have the potential to become our station’s next DJ!”