"I want Tang Shiba utterly disgraced!"
That would be difficult. Tang Shiba's reputation was already bad, so how could they ruin her completely?
Zhao Tiantian spoke bluntly. "I thought your second brother was coming, so I brought the drugs I'd prepared."
Tang Xueqing's eyes lit up, but she still looked conflicted. "Wouldn't that be wrong? She is my sister, after all."
A vicious gleam flashed through Zhao Tiantian's eyes. "Don't worry. This has nothing to do with you. All you have to do is help me."
Tang Xueqing deliberately hesitated for a moment before nodding.
As long as Zhao Tiantian didn't drag her down with her, she couldn't wait to see Tang Shiba become utterly vile and disgraced.
It was her own fault for clinging to the man Tang Xueqing liked.
The two whispered together for a little longer before heading back.
That night, the scammers finally collected enough Bomb Fish. Delighted, they lay motionless on the ground.
The Fake Director cursed at them. "Useless fools! You've only stayed up a few nights."
His lackeys felt like crying. "Boss, we can't take it anymore. Let us sleep for a bit."
The Fake Director was exhausted too. "You don't need to make the memes. Take turns sleeping during the day. We've got big things to do later, so you'd all better stay sharp."
"Thanks, boss!"
Day five.
The moment Tang Shiba opened her eyes, she sensed something was wrong.
She bolted upright and stared hard at Si Wuyu, who was still asleep.
Wait, why was he sleeping beside me again?
Oh, crap! The sun's already high! I must've overslept. I'm doomed, doomed!
Fang Cheng's voice came from outside. "Tang Shiba, are you awake? I don't know where my brother's gone. Let's go find him."
Fang Cheng had no idea what his brother had gone off to do, and he was getting nervous.
"This island isn't safe at all. What if some wild beast dragged my brother away?"
Si Wuyu was already awake, his dark eyes fixed on Tang Shiba.
Hearing Fang Cheng's voice, he mentally thanked him for jinxing him.
Flustered, Tang Shiba looked away and made a show of rummaging through her bag.
"I came in to get my bag and change. Wait until I leave before coming out, or people will get the wrong idea."
Change in front of him? What nonsense...
Over the past few days, they had avoided spending time together in the same tent. Both knew to avoid suspicion.
Yet Emperor Si seemed determined to stir up dating rumors about her.
What's wrong with Emperor Si? Men and women need boundaries! I don't want your fans beating me up again.
Tang Shiba found her clothes and draped them straight over Si Wuyu's head. Her distinctive, sweet, fresh scent flooded his nose and mouth, making his body stiffen.
By the time he came to his senses, Tang Shiba had already stepped outside.
"Come on. Let's find your brother."
Only after the two had gone some distance did Si Wuyu sit up with the clothes in his hands. Then he stared blankly at them.
That sweet, fresh scent was actually quite pleasant.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Emperor Si lifted the clothes and took a deep sniff.
Realizing what he'd done, he tossed them aside as if throwing away trash, a flicker of irritation and a blush crossing his face.
What was wrong with him? How had he become a pervert?
He must have caught it from those Zhao Family siblings.
Si Wuyu opened the tent and stepped outside, only to run straight into Tang Xueqing.
Tang Xueqing looked at him in surprise. "Sir, why are you coming out of that tent? Didn't Tang Shiba...?"
Hadn't Tang Shiba just come out of there?
And now Si Wuyu was coming out too?
Had the two of them been alone together?
Tang Xueqing's expression suddenly darkened, and nausea churned in her stomach.
Tang Shiba disgusted her. She had finally found someone she liked, and Tang Shiba had actually gotten her hands on him.
Unforgivable. Absolutely unforgivable!
Si Wuyu offered no explanation. He didn't consider it worth explaining.
Seeing that no one was around because everyone had gone to the bathroom, Tang Xueqing approached Si Wuyu, biting her lips until they were bright red.
"Sir, I haven't had a chance to talk to you. Actually, I'm a fan of yours too."
A little sparkle shone in her eyes. She hoped this would bring her closer to Si Wuyu.
Everyone knew Si Wuyu had plenty of female fans, and that he treated his fans very well.
Sure enough, Si Wuyu glanced at her, his manner softening considerably.
"Then keep working hard." Was this woman the female lead Tang Shiba had mentioned? His future partner?
He studied her, wondering whether he would have to be blind or have his legs broken to fall for her.
Was Tang Shiba's information wrong too?
Having failed to find him, the other two returned to see them chatting and smiling together.
Tang Shiba froze for a moment. Had the male and female leads already hooked up?
She felt a little unhappy. What a waste, pairing such a good man with Tang Xueqing.
Once everyone had returned, the Director came over with another task card.
"Everyone, look over here."
In the livestream chat:
[Guess what today's task will be?]
[I bet today's task will fall apart again! One hundred percent!]
[Yesterday was an accident, today is true love, but I want to see an accident.]
The livestream viewers didn't want to watch them complete any tasks. They just wanted to see them tear into each other.
Before the Director could speak, Fang Cheng raised his hand. "Director, I have something to say."
Suppressing his temper, the Director said, "Go ahead!"
Fang Cheng happily shared his idea. "To stop them from fighting, I suggest setting up a punishment system. Whoever causes trouble gets punished. What do you think? Good idea, right?"
Good idea, my ass. What would be worth watching then? He wanted them tearing into each other, not filming a proper show.
The Director rejected it mercilessly. "That suggestion is invalid. Now I'll announce today's task."
Fang Cheng felt deflated. Even that wasn't allowed? Was this a normal variety show? Why did something always feel off?
"Today's task is hide-and-seek."
"One person seeks, and everyone else hides. The first person found will be the seeker in the next round."
"To be clear, the people hiding won't be on camera. Only the seeker will get screen time."
"Now play palms up, palms down. Whoever wins will be the seeker."
Only the winner would get screen time?
The livestream chat erupted in protests.
[We object! Why won't the others be on camera?]
[Ah!!! I want to see my idol! I get anxious when I can't see him!]
[The Production Team is stirring up trouble on purpose! We protest!]
Tang Xueqing and Zhao Tiantian exchanged a look, each understanding the other's intentions.
Their opportunity had arrived.
They all had objections, but they still followed the rules.
After they played palms up, palms down, Fang Cheng won!
Fang Cheng stared at his hand, his eyes widening in disbelief.
He'd finally made it! Since when had his luck been this good?
Then he raised his hand to show off to Tang Shiba. Look, I won! I get screen time! I've finally made it!
Tang Shiba beamed.
She was glad it was him.
Zhao Tiantian's about to cause trouble. You sweet, clueless fool, just focus on finding everyone.
Oh my, she's going to do this to me later, then that, and then that...
Si Wuyu's gaze darkened. This and that?
Did she mean what he thought she meant?
"All right, now that we've settled that, go cook and eat. We'll start after the meal."
"Oh, and the last person found gets the same reward as yesterday."
Everyone understood. Whoever stayed hidden until the end would be the winner.
Fang Cheng wasn't happy anymore.
He seemed to have won, yet somehow he hadn't.
One day of screen time versus three days topping the trending searches—when he did the math, he was still losing out.
Before you continue