Are You Trying to Disgust Me on Purpose?

Xie Chen strode out of the hotel with swagger, completely failing to notice the changes in the expressions and thoughts of the people behind him.

Or perhaps he simply didn't care.

He had spent too long playing the obedient little darling in his previous life. Xie Chen wanted to live differently.

So what if he was a villain?

Having traveled through dozens of worlds and ruthlessly farmed points, calling him the founding father of villains would not have been an exaggeration. He could nail that image and temperament with ease.

Xie Chen had no intention of continuing to restrain himself because of the Xie Family. Those scumbags were best at pushing their luck.

If he didn't show them some color, ending the adoption relationship would not be so easy.

Sure enough, as soon as Xie Chen boarded the bus and sat down, his phone began to ring.

He lowered his eyes, letting his gaze lazily fall on the screen as the corner of his mouth curved up slightly.

It was his second brother, Xie Yuchen, who currently oversaw the Xie Family's entertainment operations. Xie Ran had been promoted by him single-handedly.

But clearly, it had not worked out very well.

Xie Ran's own potential was limited. White-lotus tactics alone would not make him popular, especially since today's netizens hated celebrities who were fake to the core...

With a disdainful look, Xie Chen swiped to answer and got straight to the point. "Say what you need to say. Or fart and get it over with."

The person on the other end choked, then his tone darkened. "Xie Chen, have your wings grown hard now?! Have you forgotten who took you out of the orphanage and gave you food to eat?!"

Xie Chen had heard enough of this PUA-style nonsense. He sneered. "If you're not going to fart, then I'm hanging up."

"Wait!" Xie Yuchen suppressed his anger. "You know Xie Ran joined Freaks, Go Farm! too, right? Remember your place. Do everything you can to take care of him. If necessary, smear yourself to serve as his contrast. Don't start causing trouble again, or else—"

"The Xie Family's doors will never open to you again!"

Although Xie Chen had repeatedly threatened to cut ties with the Xie Family, Xie Yuchen did not believe him at all.

Those little tantrums were merely tricks to compete with Xie Ran for affection.

How far could an orphan raised in dependence on a family really take things?

Just wait. Before long, reality would teach him a lesson.

In the end, Xie Chen would still obediently admit his mistakes.

Xie Yuchen believed this without a doubt. He unconsciously raised his voice for that final threat, only to hear a snort from the other end the next second. "Heh, do everything I can to take care of Xie Ran?"

"What the hell are you smoking?!"

"Don't worry. Smearing myself is something I can manage."

"If he dares join a variety show, then he shouldn't blame me for doing everything I can to kill him!"

After saying that, Xie Chen hung up directly.

Murder was illegal. He knew that perfectly well.

But talking big... felt damn good!

The guests were getting on the bus one after another. Xie Ran came in near the end of the line and, as he passed Xie Chen, cautiously asked, "Brother Xie Chen, did Second Brother call you?"

"Whose second brother?" Xie Chen raised an eyebrow, as though only just realizing. "Oh, that scumbag? Yeah, he called. Told me to take good care of you."

Xie Ran breathed a sigh of relief, but when he carefully studied Xie Chen's expression, he sensed an intense killing intent.

His heart gave a small jolt, but he quickly reassured himself.

This show was livestreamed. Xie Chen would not dare do anything.

Besides, he had been so timid and obedient before. To stay with the Xie Family, he would surely use every trick he had to curry favor with them. How could he possibly ruin his submissive, long-suffering persona?

At that thought, a sly curve appeared on Xie Ran's lips. When he turned toward the other guests, however, his expression returned to normal.

Xie Chen naturally noticed that tiny movement, but he could not be bothered with him. He folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes to rest.

Not long after, the bus began to leave the city.

--

The first season of the variety show was called Freaks, Go Farm!, with the central idea of using labor to reshape and temper the guests' personalities.

After several hours of travel, the bus carried the production crew into a remote mountainous area.

Amid the jolting ride, one of the guests began to complain.

"Are there even any living people in this place? Are they trying to traffic us?" Luo Mingyu irritably raised a hand and pointed at the camera. "Did you get that on camera? The netizens are all watching!"

The cameraman had been drowsing off. Hearing that, he jolted upright. "Who—who called me?!"

"This is the standard of the show?! What kind of people did you hire?! We're livestreaming, and you're sleeping your ass off?!" Luo Mingyu snapped without any concern for his already terrible reputation.

Xie Ran, seated in the front row, cautiously turned around. "Brother Luo, it's been a long time. The cameraman has it hard too. Could you not blame him?"

Wasn't he saying that just to establish a considerate, kind persona in front of the cameras?

Luo Mingyu saw through his little scheme at a glance and said bluntly, "If I'm not blaming him, should I blame you? Put away that act. No one's buying it!"

"You—" Xie Ran had not expected this spoiled rich kid to show the Xie Family no respect at all. He was left red-faced by the retort.

Just as he was about to say more, the bus came to a stop. A staff member seated at the front stood up. "We've arrived at our destination. Please get off in an orderly manner."

"After getting off, please line up voluntarily at the village entrance. Director Li will personally announce the rules for the first season."

Luo Mingyu stood up, grumbling, "Finally, we're here."

He looked out the window with an expression of disgust. "In this godforsaken place."

Then he cast a meaningful glance at Xie Ran. "And there's even some idiot putting on an act. Fucking bad luck!"

Xie Ran's face turned even uglier. Li Jingfei, seated behind him, was also heading out, so he shot her a pleading look for help.

But she merely waved him away. "Don't talk to me. I don't have time to act with you!"

Xie Ran, "..."

That exchange naturally reached Xie Chen's ears, and the corners of his lips silently lifted.

The reason he had insisted on joining this variety show was because he already knew the kind of behavior these guests would display on the program, as well as the effect it would create.

Their undisguised malice gave netizens an unprecedented sense of novelty. Soon, people began taking screenshots and spreading them everywhere, dominating the trending searches. It not only made the show that year's traffic champion, but also sent its guests onto far broader stages.

Take Li Jingfei alone. After joining the show, she received countless offers to play vicious supporting female characters. By the end of the year, she would win the Best Supporting Actress award and claim the Best Actress crown once again...

By the time they got off the bus, the sky was completely dark.

A row of villagers stood before the village, their expressions blank and innocent, as though they were there to watch the excitement. Their faces wore simple, foolish smiles.

Spotlights illuminated the crude village. The plaster on many of the low houses had already peeled away, exposing red bricks...

Its poverty was obvious at a glance.

After Director Li shook hands and spoke with the village chief, he returned to the guests and shouted through a megaphone, "Tonight, you'll stay in the shared dormitory. Tomorrow, accommodations will be arranged based on your performance."

The moment he finished speaking, Xie Ran moved close to Xie Chen and asked with apparent innocence, "Brother Xie Chen, can I stay with you?"

Xie Chen immediately put distance between them, blatant disgust appearing on his beautiful face.

"Are you trying to gross me out?"