You Cannot Eat Me!

The cameras broadcasted the conversation between the three of them in its entirety. In less than a minute, a large number of new accounts flooded into the live stream, beginning to spam bullet comments to control the narrative:

[Xie Chen is basically admitting it, right? He was the one who had someone leak the WeChat screenshot, wasn't he? The internet is not outside the law, and rumor-mongering and defamation carry legal consequences!]

[No matter how down on its luck the Xie Group is, it's still among the top ten listed companies in the country. Is there any need to personally commit a crime over an adopted son?! Please, he's just a D-list celebrity in the entertainment industry!]

[Isn't this blatant smearing?! Who can't photoshop a WeChat screenshot? Do you really take us viewers for fools?! Even if the screenshot is real, could someone have impersonated a group secretary to make trouble? That remains to be further verified!]

[I really don't know what's wrong with you people, treating lack of basic manners as genuine character. I simply can't stand Xie Chen picking fights everywhere!]

Comments like these scrolled past incessantly. Fans who had just started developing a good impression of Xie Chen finally lost their last shred of patience:

[Where did this bunch of freaks and demons come from?! Newly hired water army?! Let me say this again: if you like it, watch; if you don't, get lost?! Didn't you read the variety show's synopsis before coming?! This is fucking All Villains, if you want to fight, fight, and scrap till you drop!]

[It's obviously the two Xie brothers who keep stirring up trouble, running over every single day just to beg for a tongue-lashing, and now you're saying Xie Chen lacks basic manners?! Have you no shame?!]

[Didn't the WeChat screenshot already get confirmed to have no trace of digital manipulation? Plus, the bank transaction history was even leaked—it was ten thousand yuan sent by the Xie Group! Even if you try to spin this back, you should at least check the trending searches first?! It's honestly hilarious!]

The live stream chat was arguing fiercely, but the filming location was temporarily somewhat harmonious.

Because the stewed chicken with mushrooms was about to be finished, Xie Chen couldn't be bothered to converse with the two Xie brothers any longer. He swung a large ladle directly, "Stand further back, I take no responsibility if you get scalded! Playing the victim won't work either, the live broadcast camera is right here!"

"You—" Xie Jinran's face darkened with anger, "Who's trying to play the victim?!"

He grabbed Xie Ran's hand, "Let's go! This guy is completely impervious to reason, no need to waste words with him!"

Originally, the eldest brother wanted to use harsher methods to force Xie Chen to take down the Weibo post, but Xie Jinran, mindful of their lingering bond, had volunteered to come and try to persuade him, only to get a faceful of rejection.

Since that was the case, there was nothing left to feel softhearted about.

Perhaps after being taught a lesson, he would finally realize his own weight!

Xie Jinran gripped Xie Ran's hand, stepping angrily across the kitchen threshold.

Coming straight toward them was Luo Mingyu.

His stomach was growling with hunger, and having followed the scent, he happened to spot the two Xie brothers. His gaze dropped down accordingly, and an expression of disgust immediately appeared on his face, "I know you treasure Xie Ran, but you don't need to hold hands and flaunt it everywhere, do you?! It's a bit of an eyesore!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinran instinctively released Xie Ran's hand, "What are you talking about?! Who's flaunting anything?! We're biological brothers, is it really forbidden to even hold hands?!"

"Fine, fine, fine," Luo Mingyu shrugged indifferently, "The two of you can kiss right here on the spot for all I care!"

Dropping those words, he barged into the kitchen.

Xie Jinran's face flushed red with anger, and he turned back wanting to argue, but the figure had already vanished into the doorway.

[Hahahahaha, as soon as Chatty Little Luo steps onto the scene, the comedic effect maxes out completely! Why didn't anyone notice this talent of his before?! It seemed like every time he was in front of the camera he was half-drunk; he's never been this sharp-witted when talking back!]

[To be honest, I don't think these two brothers are normal either. What adult men hold hands?! It gives off total gay vibes! Let me state in advance, I don't discriminate against homosexuality and even kind of like slash fiction, but as for these two, no matter how you look at it, it's just awkward!]

[I suggest Director Li carefully vets the guest stars next time, or give the observers more screen time. Brother Ye's appearance rate is way too low, isn't it?! I still want to drool over my screen!]

[+10086 to the above!]

Luo Mingyu, having entered the door, caught sight of Xie Chen dishing chicken into a bowl and couldn't help swallowing as he asked, "Is there a portion for me?"

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

Luo Mingyu pouted, "With our relationship, why keep bringing up money?!"

Xie Chen turned around, wearing a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "You're the young master of the Luo family, and I'm a transparent, utterly D-list celebrity. We have a relationship that's eight poles apart."

Luo Mingyu, "..."

Was he really this cold and heartless?!

And after he had spared no effort in helping put the final nail in the coffin for the two Xie brothers, too?!

He wouldn't even give him a mouthful of chicken?!

He felt like crying!

The camera poked right up to his face, capturing every single trace of his disappointment, grievance, and despair.

[Chatty Little Luo is so cute, exhausting all his emotional energy just for a bite to eat?!]

[Hahahahaha, why don't you just fork over the cash? Xie Chen's cooking is worth it!]

Xie Chen walked to the door and, out of the corner of his eye, saw Luo Mingyu still standing dazedly in place. 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?!"

"????ক্সি" Luo Mingyu turned around in pleasant surprise, "I can eat if I carry the dishes?! Then I'm coming!"

He sprinted over to Xie Chen, snatched the stewed chicken with mushrooms, and bolted toward the guesthouse cafeteria.

Li Sifan, who had stood in the courtyard witnessing the entire process, sneered, "Such low ambitions?! Never seen food before?"

The accompanying cameraman asked him from the side, "Planning to handle dinner yourself?"

"Of course!" Li Sifan lifted his arrogant chin.

And so, half an hour later.

"Are you out of your mind?! Why are you snatching my chicken drumstick?!" Luo Mingyu's eyes split with rage.

Li Sifan curled the corner of his lip, "I snatched it, so what? You got the guts, snatch it back!"

With that, he shoved the fragrant chicken drumstick directly into his mouth, chewed it up, and flashed it for Luo Mingyu to see, "You want it? Want to snatch it out of my mouth?"

"What the hell, are you disgusting or what?!" Luo Mingyu was so angry the top of his head was practically smoking.

Nearby, Li Jingfei ate as she sighed, "Xie Chen, did you really make this?! It's so insanely good!! It's got such a kick of flavor! It tastes exactly like the stuff I ate in Northeast China. Oh, how I miss the crew meals from when I was filming back then!"

"Mhm mhm mhm, delicious!" Wei Mingqi echoed along, his chopsticks continuously picking up meat for fear someone else would snatch it first.

In truth, it really wasn't any exotic delicacy, nor was it as exquisite as a Michelin restaurant.

Yet, after doing farm work all day long with a whole-body ache of exhaustion, being able to eat such a hot, home-style meal in the evening genuinely made one feel deeply happy and content.

For the first time, several villain guests born to privilege experienced firsthand the hardship of farmers and how hard-earned every grain of food truly was.

Especially seeing the village chief shedding tears of joy because the water source problem had been resolved...

They had never imagined that things they could obtain so easily were viewed by others as exceedingly precious.

While feeling a sense of gratification, Xie Chen also furrowed his brow, stepping directly forward to reach out with his chopsticks and snatch some back, "Hey, hey, hey, there's only this one pot left, you guys leave me some!"

"Holy crap, it's already scraped bottom?!"

"Did you fucking people never see food before?!"

Before he could finish his roar, he suddenly felt a tall, slender figure cast a shadow over him from behind.

Xie Chen instinctively turned his head, only to find Huo Wenye's sharp-featured, darkly brooding face, "May I sit down and eat?"

The magnetic, slightly ambiguous tone sent Xie Chen's heart into a flustered panic, "Y-you cannot eat me!"