You Can't Eat Me!

The cameras broadcast the entire conversation between the three of them. In less than a minute, a large number of new accounts flooded into the livestream and began spamming comments to control the narrative.

[So Xie Chen is admitting it by default, right? He was the one who had someone send out those WeChat screenshots? The internet isn't outside the law—spreading rumors and defamation carry legal liability!]

[No matter how bad Xie Group is, it's still one of the country's top ten publicly listed companies. Would it really personally commit a crime over an adopted son?! And he's just some obscure little entertainer!]

[Isn't this blatant smearing?! Anyone can Photoshop a WeChat screenshot! Do they seriously think netizens these days are idiots?! Even if the screenshot is real, someone could have impersonated a company secretary to stir things up. That still needs further verification!]

[I really don't know what you people are thinking, treating bad manners as being genuine. I seriously can't stand Xie Chen snapping at people anytime, anywhere!]

Comments like these kept flooding the screen, and the fans who had only just begun to like Xie Chen finally couldn't take it anymore.

[Where did all these freaks come from?! Newly hired trolls?! I'll say it again: watch if you want, get lost if you don't! Didn't you read the show's synopsis before coming?! This is All Villains! If they want to roast someone, they roast them—roast them to death for all I care!]

[It was obviously the two brothers from the Xie Family who kept starting trouble, showing up every day begging to be scolded. And now you're saying Xie Chen has no manners?! Do you have any shame?!]

[Didn't they already confirm that the WeChat screenshots showed no signs of editing? And the bank records were exposed too—it was Xie Group that transferred the hundred thousand yuan! Even if you want to spin it back around, at least check the trending searches first, okay?! This is hilarious!]

The livestream was in an uproar, but things at the filming site temporarily became more harmonious.

The stewed chicken with mushrooms was about to come out of the pot, and Xie Chen couldn't be bothered to talk to the two Xie brothers anymore. He swung his large ladle. "Stay back. I'm not responsible if you get burned! And don't bother trying to fake an injury—the livestream cameras are right here!"

"You—" Xie Jinran's face darkened with anger. "Who wants to fake an injury?!"

He grabbed Xie Ran's hand. "Let's go! This guy won't listen to reason. There's no point wasting words on him!"

Originally, their eldest brother had intended to use harsher means to force Xie Chen to take down the Weibo post. But Xie Jinran still cared about their old bond and had volunteered to persuade him instead, only to hit a wall.

Since that was the case, there was no need to go easy on him anymore.

Maybe after suffering a little, he'd finally learn his place!

Xie Jinran pulled Xie Ran by the hand and strode angrily over the kitchen threshold.

Luo Mingyu was coming straight toward them.

His stomach was growling with hunger, and he had followed the scent over. When he spotted the two Xie brothers, his gaze naturally dropped to their clasped hands. He immediately looked disgusted. "I know Xie Ran's your precious treasure, but do you have to cling to each other and flaunt it everywhere?! It's kind of eye-searing!"

Xie Jinran instinctively released Xie Ran's hand. "What nonsense are you talking about?! Who's flaunting anything?! We're biological brothers. Can't we hold hands?!"

"Sure, sure." Luo Mingyu shrugged indifferently. "You two could kiss right here if you wanted!"

After tossing that out, he slipped into the kitchen.

Xie Jinran's face flushed red with fury. He turned to argue, but Luo Mingyu had already vanished through the doorway.

[Hahahahaha, the moment sharp-tongued Luo shows up, the comedy level maxes out! Why didn't I notice he had this talent before?! He always seemed drunk in front of the cameras—he's never roasted anyone this clearly before!]

[Honestly, I think these two brothers are weird too. What grown men hold hands like that?! It looks like they're dating! Let me make this clear, I don't discriminate against gay people—I even kind of like incest pairings—but these two just look awkward no matter how I see it!]

[Director Li should choose the guest stars more carefully next time, or give the observers more screentime. Brother Ye barely gets any screen time, doesn't he?! I still want to stare at his face!]

[+10086 to the comment above!]

When Luo Mingyu entered, he saw Xie Chen serving chicken into bowls and couldn't help swallowing. "Is there any for me?"

Xie Chen didn't turn around. "Pay up, and there is!"

Luo Mingyu pouted. "With the relationship we have, why do you keep bringing up money?!"

Xie Chen turned around with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You're the young master of the Luo family, and I'm an invisible flop. We couldn't be less related."

Luo Mingyu, "..."

Was he really that heartless?!

After all, he'd spared no effort in getting in extra digs at the two Xie brothers!

And he couldn't even get a bite of chicken?!

He really wanted to cry!

The camera zoomed in on his face, capturing every trace of disappointment, resentment, and despair.

[Sharp-tongued Luo is so adorable. He's pouring every ounce of emotion into getting a bite to eat?!]

[Hahahahaha, why don't you just pay? Xie Chen's cooking is worth it!]

Xie Chen walked to the doorway. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luo Mingyu still standing there blankly, so he cleared his throat. "Ahem. If you want to eat, why aren't you carrying the dishes? Are you waiting for the chef to feed you?!"

"????" Luo Mingyu spun around in delight. "I can eat if I carry the dishes?! Then I'm coming!"

He rushed over to Xie Chen, snatched away the stewed chicken with mushrooms, and charged toward the guesthouse cafeteria.

Li Sifan, who had witnessed the entire thing from the courtyard, sneered. "Look at you. Have you never seen food before?!"

The cameraman following him asked, "Are you planning to handle dinner yourself?"

"Of course!" Li Sifan lifted his head proudly.

And so, half an hour later—

"Are you sick?! Why did you steal my drumstick?!" Luo Mingyu glared furiously.

Li Sifan curled his lip. "I stole it, so what? Take it back if you can!"

After saying that, he stuffed the fragrant drumstick directly into his mouth, chewed it up, and deliberately showed Luo Mingyu. "Want some? Come take it out of my mouth!"

"Damn it, are you disgusting or what?!" Luo Mingyu was so angry smoke practically rose from his head.

Li Jingfei ate as she sighed in admiration. "Xie Chen, you really made this?! It's so tasty! The flavor soaked right in! It tastes just like something I had in Northeast China. Oh wow, I really miss the crew meals from when I was filming there!"

"Mm, mm, mm, it's delicious!" Wei Mingqi chimed in, his chopsticks constantly picking up meat as though he were afraid someone would snatch it first.

It really wasn't some rare delicacy, nor was it as refined as food from a Michelin restaurant.

But after a full day of farm work, with their bodies aching from exhaustion, being able to eat a bite of hot country-style food at night truly made them feel happy and content.

For the first time, the villain guests who had all grown up privileged personally experienced the hardships of farmers and how hard-won food truly was.

Especially when they saw the village chief burst into tears of joy because the water shortage had been resolved...

They had never imagined that things they could obtain so easily would be priceless treasures to others.

While Xie Chen felt gratified, he also frowned and stood up to snatch food with his chopsticks. "Hey, hey, hey! There's only one pot! Leave some for me!"

"Damn, it's already almost gone?!"

"Have you people never seen food before?!"

Before he could finish roaring, he suddenly felt a tall figure loom over him from behind.

Xie Chen instinctively turned around and saw Huo Wenye's sharply defined face, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Can I sit down and eat?"

That magnetic voice, carrying a faint hint of intimacy, threw Xie Chen into a fluster. "Y-you can't eat me!"