Chapter 10: Le Xi gets off the car and gets back on. Unexpected, isn't it? Your partner is still me.

The system had gone haywire.
What a thrill.
Le Xi: Do you really think I can’t handle you?
#Just you wait, I’m going to bind with Gu Xiaomo right now—ahhh…
“What? Hey, System—”
Le Xi couldn’t call it back.
After her shower, she returned to the dormitory and lay on the lower bunk, observing Gu Xiaomo, who was on the upper bunk opposite. Gu Xiaomo had her back turned at first, but suddenly rolled over and looked at Le Xi with a triumphant grin—one far more smug than any award-winning actress who couldn’t act to save her life.
Le Xi returned the smile.
Gu Xiaomo was always chased and scolded by the top male idol’s fans because she was so obsessed with romance. If a handsome guy smiled at her, she’d assume he liked her, and she’d always be the first to make a move, pressing herself close. In the fans’ eyes, their beloved idol was an innocent boy, how could they let him be tainted by her?
That smile from Gu Xiaomo was a clear message to Le Xi: she had bound herself to the system.
Le Xi’s smile was a welcome to the ranks of those waiting to be bitten back.
It wasn’t human interference, but a cheat’s intervention. No matter how powerful Shen Xiaoman was, she couldn’t change Le Xi’s fate of being kicked off, could she?
So thought Le Xi.
Well, if this show doesn’t work out, there are always others. There were so many variety shows in the country—maybe they didn’t have this one’s popularity, but if the quality wasn’t there, she could always make up for it in quantity.
Every day, new dramas were being filmed. She could spend a day at each crew or show, and by the end of the year, she’d be on plenty.
When Le Xi woke up, she was alone in the room.
All the cameras in the room had been covered with towels. It seemed the others would rather reduce their own screen time than let her appear.
That wouldn’t do. This was a hugely popular reality show. Because of the criticism she’d received, she’d definitely brought in a lot of viewers. After all the flak she’d taken, she deserved to benefit from the attention.
Le Xi pulled all the towels off the cameras.
Then she strolled leisurely to the kitchen.
[Wow, Le Xi is still here. She’s headed to the kitchen? Is she planning to eat one last breakfast?]
[Shameless. If it were me, I’d have slipped away in the dead of night after being kicked out on the first day.]
“Huh? Where are my ribs?”
Le Xi had cooked a whole bunch of ribs specifically to have pork rib noodle soup for breakfast.
[Ha! Didn’t expect it, did you? Your rib soup was eaten by Huo Hongming.]
[Correction, it wasn’t “her” ribs. The ribs were supposed to be shared between her and Huo Hongming.]

“You can have corn. It’s sweet.”
Le Xi turned to see Wang Sisi, one hand holding a half-eaten corn cob, the other offering a fresh one.
“I didn’t eat your ribs,”
When Le Xi didn’t take it, Wang Sisi put the corn on the table and left.
To Le Xi, corn was just a snack. She wouldn’t be full without rice or noodles.
With no ribs, she decided to make noodles anyway.
Just then, the assistant director’s voice rang out:
“Sisi, why are you still in the dorm? Quick, quick, get up the mountain and make some money.”
As the footsteps drew closer, Le Xi spoke before he could:
“I know, I’ll go after I finish eating.”
“Where do you think you’re going? Up the mountain, that’s where.”
The director and assistant director hadn’t slept all night. Yesterday, they’d promised the investors that Le Xi would be removed. The investors had agreed at first, but then woke them up in the middle of the night to announce they were withdrawing their investment.
Before they could even dwell on their disappointment, a sudden call came: new investors were joining.
The new investor had only one condition—anyone could be removed, but not Le Xi. She must stay.
Le Xi’s eyes widened. Did this mean she would continue filming the show? She turned off the stove and faced the assistant director’s dark circles.
The bags under his eyes were startling, but his expression was even more so—he was actually smiling at her.
She’d never seen him smile, not even when she first joined. Yesterday, he’d acted as if she was a walking disaster.
Now, grinning slyly, he pointed at her:
“Le Xi, you’re really something. You don’t have to leave anymore. Get back on and continue your mission.”
[Is this exposing the entertainment industry’s dark side?]
[Explosive! Did Le Xi do something shameful to get to stay?]
“Hey, mind your words. I haven’t done anything. Don’t you dare try to pin something on me.”
Le Xi said,
“I, Le Xi, walk upright and live righteously.”
Only then did the assistant director notice the towels off the cameras and hurried to clarify:
“Our show is aboveboard, everyone. Don’t misunderstand. The reason Le Xi is staying is because our crew believes she has strong survival skills. The next episodes will get even tougher, and we need people who can handle it.”
[Assistant director, stop explaining—the more you say, the worse it sounds.]
[Great, Le Xi’s still here. Looks like my blood pressure won’t be coming down anytime soon.]
Le Xi thought: Looks like Shen Xiaoman really is something, managing to beat even the cheat.
Huo Hongming was running all over, sometimes to the host, sometimes to the director.

“When is my partner arriving? If not, maybe I shouldn’t join this round. It’s not fair without a partner.”
The director pressed the earpiece and replied,
“Your partner wants you to go to the sheep pen. She’ll join you soon.”
Gu Xiaomo and Gu Junhao were also in the sheep pen. Yesterday, Le Xi had slaughtered a sheep, which impressed her—so much so, she couldn’t stand Le Xi being better. She had to break that.
“But Xiaomo, I don’t know how,”
Gu Junhao said awkwardly, scratching his head.
“It’s fine, I know how. Actually, it was me who taught Xixi how to slaughter sheep.”
After all, Le Xi was supposed to be gone, and she had the system’s help now, so she might as well claim all the credit.
Gu Junhao asked,
“Then why didn’t you do it yesterday?”
Gu Xiaomo replied,
“I wanted to help a friend. Xixi is divorced, and her family doesn’t work—they rely solely on her. She needs popularity. I feel so bad for her. Oh, I’ve said too much.”
[Why doesn’t Le Xi’s family work?]
[If even Xiaomo is upset, it must be serious. I have to dig into Le Xi’s background.]
“Hongming, what are you doing here?”
Gu Xiaomo asked.
“What did the director say?”
Huo Hongming looked confused,
“They just said my partner wanted me to come to the sheep pen. I don’t even know who my partner is. Are you selling sheep again? Xiaomo, you’re so pretty—you should be selling flowers with Meiying. She made a lot selling flowers yesterday.”
Gu Xiaomo replied modestly,
“I’m not as pretty as Meiying. She can sell more alone. If I joined her, even if we sold less, I’d feel bad for taking her business.”
Huo Hongming shook his head,
“I’m not criticizing anyone, but you’re so kind. As for… well, we’re all friends, but the difference is just so obvious.”
“You say you’re not criticizing, but are you really complimenting?”
Le Xi made her dazzling entrance, stunning Gu Xiaomo, Huo Hongming, and Gu Junhao.
“Surprised? Your partner is still me. I’m still in the game. Not happy? If you’re not, go complain to the director. Don’t be less brave than a woman.”