Is He Here to Cause Trouble?

Xie Ran spotted Xie Jinran too. He jumped to his feet in delight and waved vigorously. "Third Brother, I'm over here!"

His voice was bright and lively, completely different from the exhausted look he had worn moments ago. The cameraman rolled his eyes at the sight before turning the camera toward the newcomer.

A handsome, elegant man approached, looking as though artistry flowed from every inch of him.

He wore a custom-made white suit and gleaming leather shoes. His refined yet unruly air was utterly out of place in the marketplace—so much so that he looked downright conspicuous.

[Holy shit, is that really Xie Jinran?! The split-screen camera was too blurry before, but now it's confirmed!]

[He came back to China for a variety show not long after winning an award? No more competitions coming up? Is he entering the entertainment industry now?]

[He's obviously here to protect Xie Ran! Xie Ran got bullied so badly right after filming started—the Xie family would definitely feel sorry for him!]

[God—he dressed like that for a variety show? Why do I feel like he's more dressed for a stage performance?!]

[What someone wears is their own business. If you've got the skills, go bring honor to the country too instead of whining about other people's clothes.]

[...]

The livestream comments were overwhelmingly on one side. Quite a few music fans had rushed in after hearing the news, all hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol.

"Ranran, why are you sitting here?" Xie Jinran's eyes were full of concern as he raised a hand to wipe the fine sweat from Xie Ran's forehead. "It's so hot!"

"I didn't finish the task." With his support suddenly appearing, Xie Ran almost failed to keep his expression under control and nearly laughed out loud in triumph.

He still wore a miserable expression, looking as though he wanted to speak but could not bring himself to. "It's my fault. I'm just not capable enough..."

"Ranran, this isn't your fault. I already watched the livestream before coming here." Xie Jinran seemed to think of someone, and the gentleness vanished from his eyes. His voice turned cold. "I know Xie Chen was deliberately making things difficult for you. Don't worry. With Third Brother here, he won't succeed again!"

Before joining the variety show, he had already spoken with his father, eldest brother, and second brother, and he had also learned quite a bit from Weibo.

Because the family favored the younger brother who had been trafficked, Xie Chen had felt resentful. He had repeatedly made things difficult for and hurt Xie Ran. Once he was caught, he flew into a rage out of humiliation and declared that he would cut ties with the Xie family.

What a joke. Did he think he could draw everyone's attention by making such a spectacle of himself?!

Absolutely impossible!

Besides, Xie Ran had suffered for so long. What was wrong with favoring him a little more?!

He was already an adult. He did not understand something so simple, yet he still wanted to compete for affection?!

He had really been spoiled rotten!

After a pause, Xie Jinran continued, "I've already found a buyer. She'll be here soon. Go find somewhere shady to rest first. Once we sell the rice, we'll go back together."

Seeing the disgust in Xie Jinran's eyes, Xie Ran nodded obediently, feeling even more secure.

Heh, weren't they all joining forces with the other guests to exclude me?!

Now that Third Brother was here, let's see whether you'll show your true colors!

Thinking of this, he curled his lips smugly and turned to walk beneath a large tree.

As he brushed past the camera, he did not forget to make a snide remark. "Since you're so tired, why don't you come rest with me? There's split-screen filming anyway. They should be better at enduring hardship than you."

The cameraman was speechless. Heh heh heh, idiot!

When Xie Jinran had decided to join the show, he had contacted staff members through various channels and gathered quite a bit of inside information. That was how he had learned in advance about the buyer Director Li had arranged.

Sure enough, before long, he spotted the female grain dealer whose appearance matched the photo in his phone album exactly.

Xie Jinran walked over confidently and proposed selling the rice to her, but the woman said, "I can only take part of it, not all of it."

"What do you mean?!" Xie Jinran frowned.

All the family's businesses were managed by his eldest brother, and he knew nothing about business. Hearing what the woman said, he bluntly replied, "Even if you don't buy all of it, you still have to pay a high price."

The woman's expression darkened slightly. "How much do you want to sell it for?"

Xie Jinran recalled the price Xie Chen had offered during the livestream, then doubled it without a second thought.

"What did you say?!" The woman looked at him as though he were an idiot. "Why don't you just rob someone?! Do you think you're selling golden rice?!"

After saying that, she turned and left.

Although she had already negotiated a contract with the production team, wasn't this outrageous asking price just toying with her?!

Farmers certainly had it hard, but small grain buyers like her did not have it easy either.

What was she supposed to do after buying it at such a high price?

Who was she supposed to sell it to?!

"Hey, why are you leaving? You haven't bought the rice yet!"

The female grain dealer must have coordinated with the production team, so how could she just refuse to keep filming?!

Xie Jinran was clearly displeased, but he did not raise his voice for the sake of appearances.

Director Li and the guests watched the entire scene from in front of the monitor and could not help exchanging looks.

What kind of move was that?!

Was he deliberately refusing to complete the task?!

"Idiot."

Xie Chen sneered, breaking the awkward silence. Then, with both hands in his pockets, he headed toward the watermelon he had not finished eating.

Although the adjective was not particularly refined, everyone else in front of the monitor instinctively agreed with it.

He really was a fucking idiot!

Director Li was so furious his teeth itched. He apologized to the female grain dealer while viciously cursing in his heart.

The newly arrived guest had single-handedly offended a grain buyer who could have worked with Bright Village in the future, yet he still looked completely unconcerned.

Was he fucking here to cause trouble?!

When Xie Ran returned empty-handed and saw Director Li's dark expression, he quietly asked Xie Jinran, "Third Brother, the director looks really angry. What should we do?"

Xie Jinran patted his hand. "Don't be afraid. Xie Group is an investor in this variety show. The director won't dare do anything."

"That's good." Xie Ran felt somewhat reassured, though he was still a little confused.

Since Xie Group was an investor, why did everyone on the production team favor Xie Chen?!

Didn't they know I was the real young master?!

When Director Li returned to the guests, his tone was far from pleasant. "As everyone can see, our show has a new guest joining us—famous pianist, composer, and singer Xie Jinran. Please give him a round of applause."

Though the introduction made him sound impressive, every word was dripping with perfunctoriness.

That made Xie Jinran very unhappy. Especially after Xie Chen had acted as though he did not exist, he felt a knot of anger building in his chest. But with the livestream camera right in front of him, he could only suppress it for now.

Director Li waited several seconds. Seeing that no one had any intention of welcoming him, he continued, "Most of the guests completed the morning task very well. As a reward, there is a lavish lunch prepared for everyone. You may go enjoy it now."

"Not bad, not bad." Xie Chen had already caught the scent of the home-style dishes and immediately headed toward the dining hall.

The other guests followed behind him.

Xie Jinran naturally started walking too, only to be stopped by Director Li's icy voice. "Sorry, but the two guest participants don't have lunch."

"Why?!" Xie Jinran turned back in confusion.

Director Li gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Because you didn't complete the task!"

And you fucking ruined a business deal, too!