Who was this little bastard trying to seduce?

"Oh, yes." Lu Jiaoyue froze for a moment, then returned the young man's friendly smile. "Did you need something?"

The young man answered with a bright smile, "Well... let me introduce myself first! My name is Qin Zixuan, and I go by Xuanxuanzi online. I'm a somewhat well-known gaming streamer, and I'd like to get to know you~"

Lu Jiaoyue didn't usually play games or watch gaming streams, so she had no idea who he was. She nodded without quite understanding. "I see. Hello, my name is Lu Jiaoyue."

"Mm-hmm, I know your name is Lu Jiaoyue." As Qin Zixuan spoke, he stepped forward, moving a little closer to her, then lowered his voice. "How about forming an alliance with me, sis?"

"...An alliance?"

Lu Jiaoyue repeated the words blankly, not quite understanding what Qin Zixuan meant. "Why would we need an alliance?"

With the young man's approach, they were now standing much closer than was socially appropriate for two people meeting for the first time. However, Lu Jiaoyue was naturally oblivious to such things and noticed nothing amiss.

She showed no instinctive urge to step back, looking straight into Qin Zixuan's eyes without averting her gaze. Her eyes held genuine confusion.

Qin Zixuan's gaze swept over Lu Jiaoyue's face, as though judging whether her lack of understanding was an act. A few seconds later, his already radiant smile grew even brighter.

The young man leaned back slightly, putting a little more distance between them, then spread his hands helplessly and sighed. "You're so innocent, sis."

"With so many of us here, where's the entertainment in everyone working together to survive on a deserted island? I guarantee the director will split us into competing teams to make the show more interesting."

"I saw you standing here alone for ages. You must not know any of the others, right? In that case, how about we form an alliance in advance?"

"Surviving on a deserted island isn't easy. Some of the dirty, exhausting work just isn't suited to a girl like you. If we team up, I can do it for you, sis~"

After finishing his pitch, Qin Zixuan even winked at Lu Jiaoyue, his eyes full of anticipation.

Lu Jiaoyue stared at him for quite some time, her expression suggesting she had listened very carefully. Yet the moment she spoke, she missed the point entirely. "Huh? Are you calling me sis?"

Qin Zixuan paused, then explained with smiling eyes, "Yep, I'm only nineteen, a year younger than you~"

"I watched the livestream of the Lu Family's reunion banquet very carefully, you know. Of course I know how old you are."

"Huh? You're that young?"

Lu Jiaoyue was a little surprised. After all, the young man before her looked and carried himself much more maturely than Lu Yubai, and he was tall, too. She had assumed he was older than her.

"Ah! Are you looking down on me, sis? That's so hurtful!" Qin Zixuan clutched his chest with both hands, putting on an exaggerated expression of being wounded by her words.

Seeing him like that, Lu Jiaoyue thought he really was upset. She was just about to comfort him when his expression switched back to a cheerful grin.

"Just kidding! I don't get upset that easily."

"I may be young, but don't worry. I'm still a grown man, and I'm very dependable when something happens! Really!"

Qin Zixuan raised his right hand as though taking an oath, his tone solemn and his eyes shining as he looked at Lu Jiaoyue.

"So? What do you think? Have you decided? Want to consider teaming up with me?"

Hearing his coaxing words, Lu Jiaoyue looked hesitant.

She thought Qin Zixuan's guess about competing teams sounded reasonable. If she really had come on the show alone, he probably would have persuaded her to agree to an alliance right away.

But right now... my second brother and my sister are both here!

If we really do split into teams, I can't possibly take the opposing side, can I?

Lu Jiaoyue couldn't make a hasty decision. After only a moment's hesitation, she firmly shook her head at Qin Zixuan. "Thank you for inviting me, but everything you just said is only speculation. I'd rather wait until the show starts before deciding!"

"Ah, all right, then. It was only a suggestion." Despite being turned down, Qin Zixuan's smile remained unchanged, though a hint of regret appeared in his eyes.

"But if you change your mind later, you can come tell me anytime."

He took two steps back, restoring a more appropriate distance, and gave Lu Jiaoyue a meaningful look. "I feel like you and I... have a special connection, sis. Just say the word, and you'll definitely be my first choice for a teammate."

"Mm-hmm." Lu Jiaoyue had a good impression of Qin Zixuan and didn't want to get on bad terms with him. "If we really do need to split into teams, I'll give you priority, too."

"Great! Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Everyone's pretty tired after getting to the island today, so get some rest~"

After saying goodbye to Lu Jiaoyue, Qin Zixuan didn't linger any longer. He turned and headed toward his tent.

Lu Jiaoyue watched the young man stretch one arm overhead as he walked, faint cracks coming from his body as he loosened his joints. A thoughtful look crossed her face.

Hmm... once nobody's around, I'll tell my sister about my conversation with Qin Zixuan!

Because Bai Xinyan's diva behavior had disrupted the director's plans, the scheduled introductions had simply fallen by the wayside.

But Lu Xiaoxiao already knew something about each of the guests, so she didn't care whether they introduced themselves.

That evening, each guest was given a tent of their own, equipped with a high-quality sleeping bag that felt quite comfortable to lie in.

Once tomorrow came, they would no longer get such good treatment.

Lu Xiaoxiao bundled herself up comfortably and closed her eyes.

But only a few seconds later, she remembered what Lu Jiaoyue had told her before bed about Qin Zixuan's speculation, and her eyes snapped open again.

Wait a minute! That little bastard was clearly trying to seduce Lu Jiaoyue, wasn't he?

She suddenly remembered that, in the Original Novel, Qin Zixuan and Lu Jiaoyue had been the subject of dating rumors for a while.

Qin Zixuan had no powerful background. His chance to appear on this variety show had come purely by coincidence.

If Lu Xiaoxiao remembered correctly, the guy hadn't come for the show's publicity or the hefty paycheck at all. His goal throughout had been obvious-he wanted to latch onto a rich woman!

All that talk about alliances and cooperation was just an excuse! He was after Lu Jiaoyue solely because she was the Lu Family's heiress!

Earlier, everyone had been busy unpacking and pitching tents, and she had almost failed to catch on after hearing the story.

Now that I think about it, that bastard was trying to steal her away right under my nose!

Lu Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes, murderous intent rising within her.

Just as she began imagining a hundred and eight ways for Qin Zixuan to die, the system in her mind spoke without warning:

"Host, my superiors have sent me a new message. Do you have time to hear it now?"