See a Golden Toad, Strike It Rich!

Shen Ting and Yan Yi played games in their room all afternoon, only coming out when the director called them for dinner.

Everyone gathered in the courtyard, where a long table stood in the middle, covered in all kinds of delicious food, including plenty of local village specialties.

Si Chen and Su Yu looked a little tired. They had gone to look at the fields and gotten lost, walking for almost the entire afternoon before some villagers led them out.

Meng Yun and Bai Yuanyuan had also only returned just before dinner. The two had had a wonderful time.

Shen Ting stared fixedly at Meng Yun.

Meng Yun felt uncomfortable under Shen Ting's gaze and checked his outfit in confusion. Nothing was wrong. If there were, wouldn't someone have said something that morning?

"What are you looking at?" Meng Yun waved a hand at Shen Ting.

"I'm looking at ladybugs," Shen Ting answered obediently.

"What ladies? Isn't Bai Yuanyuan the only woman here?" Meng Yun turned around in confusion.

Shen Ting said nothing, merely pointing at his shoulder.

Meng Yun instinctively turned his head and raised his shoulder, only to see three tiny ladybugs crawling over it.

Meng Yun stared, the corners of his mouth trembling uncontrollably.

"Aaaaah! Bugs!!!" Meng Yun leaped up once again, jumping straight into Bai Yuanyuan's arms.

Bai Yuanyuan had been enjoying his misfortune, only to suddenly get dragged into it herself.

Looking at the grown man clinging tightly to her neck, Bai Yuanyuan was so angry her eyes reddened, but that was nothing compared to the bugs about to crawl onto her.

"Aaaah, get off! Get off!" Bai Yuanyuan wanted to let go, but the man in her arms was holding on too tightly. Frightened into unleashing every last ounce of strength, she ran around the courtyard with him in her arms.

Watching them, Shen Ting couldn't help remarking, "That's someone who's sung and danced since childhood for you. She can actually run while carrying Meng Yun."

"Maybe she's gotten used to it," Yan Yi said, shaking his head.

[I'm dying. Yan Yi's so savage. "She's gotten used to it."]

[Bai before picking him up: hehe. After picking him up: no more hehe.]

[Ladybug bites really hurt. I just got bitten this morning. Sobbing (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)]

Only after all three bugs flew away did the two slump onto the ground.

Once Bai Yuanyuan recovered, she couldn't resist sticking out her foot and kicking Meng Yun in front of her. "Could you be any more of a coward? Being scared of ghosts is one thing, but bugs too?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Meng Yun obediently took the kicks. "Fear is something you're born with. It's not like I can control it."

The two slowly walked back.

This time, Shen Ting's gaze was no longer on Meng Yun, but in Su Yu's direction instead.

Now afraid of Shen Ting's gaze, Meng Yun hid behind Bai Yuanyuan and cautiously raised his head. Thank goodness, thank goodness. It's not me this time.

Su Yu looked nervously at Shen Ting. What is this lunatic going to do now? Does he have something on me?

Si Chen also watched Shen Ting closely, seemingly afraid he might do something bad.

Shen Ting walked up to Su Yu, lowered his head, and pressed his palms together in front of his chest.

Su Yu watched in bewilderment. Is he apologizing to me?

At the thought of that possibility, Su Yu couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising.

The livestream chat was in chaos too, with Su Yu's fans the happiest of all.

[Shen Ting's apologizing to Su Yu, right?]

[He looks pretty sincere. Our baby Su Yu is so nice, he'll definitely forgive him.]

[Su Yu's the best!!! Shen Ting, get out of showbiz!]

[What does Shen Ting have to apologize for? Shouldn't Su Yu be apologizing?]

[Exactly. I don't get it, but I believe Shen Ting would never apologize.]

Su Yu was just about to reach out to support Shen Ting when a strange sound suddenly reached his ears.

"Croak~"

At the sound, Shen Ting's expression and gestures grew even more sincere.

"Money loves me, and I love money. Strike it rich. I'm going to strike it rich."

May the Golden Toad bless me! May my big brother lose every last one of his simp tendencies.

Shen Ting's voice rang out clearly in the quiet courtyard.

Hearing those words, Yan Yi seemed to think of something. He followed the direction of Shen Ting's lowered gaze, and a smile crossed his face.

A Golden Toad was crouched right beside Su Yu's feet, his cheeks puffing out nonstop.

The others seemed to notice this too and looked down.

Meng Yun's and Bai Yuanyuan's legs went weak at the sight.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Su Yu lowered his head in confusion and looked beside his feet.

"Croak, croak~~" The Golden Toad hopped forward.

Seeing the Golden Toad about to hop onto his shoe, Su Yu's legs gave out, and he slumped against Si Chen.

Only after watching the Golden Toad hop into a small pond nearby did Shen Ting raise his head in satisfaction. With me working on both the mystical and practical fronts, it's bound to work, right? Shen Corporation will definitely keep doing better and better. I'm getting closer and closer to my goal of eating and lazing my life away.

"What's wrong?" Shen Ting turned his head happily, seemingly only just noticing the limp Su Yu beside him, his face full of confusion.

"Nothing. Probably hasn't had enough exercise." Yan Yi pulled Shen Ting back.

[Hahaha, I was wondering why Shen Ting looked so sincere. Turns out he'd spotted a Golden Toad.]

[See a Golden Toad, strike it rich!!!]

[Are a certain someone's fans' cheeks hurting? That slap was so loud I heard it through the screen.]

[Why aren't any of them coming out now? Weren't they full of things to say just a moment ago?]

[Yan Yi sure has a way with words. He walked all afternoon, yet "hasn't had enough exercise." Haha.]

Shen Ting didn't dwell on Su Yu any further. He went over to the table, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and started eating.

Perhaps frightened by the Golden Toad, Su Yu looked especially pale.

Only once everyone had finished eating did the director come over to make a few announcements.

"Now that you've all eaten, I have a few things to tell you. Two new guests will be joining us tomorrow, and there'll be someone you're familiar with. Also, starting today, we're adding a new evening segment to the show: Heart-Throbbing Text. Every evening, each of you must choose one other guest to send a Heart-Throbbing Text to. No more than one, and no fewer." The director stressed that final sentence, emphasizing it.

Shen Ting nodded casually. Worst comes to worst, if I really can't find anyone to send it to, I'll just send it to my big brother.

"Of course, Shen Ting and Shen Rui, and Su Yu and Su Weiwang, aren't allowed to send them to each other." Watching Shen Ting turn to him in shock, the director curled his lips into a smug smile. I knew exactly what you were thinking, kid. I successfully anticipated your anticipation. Fear me! Mwahahaha!

Shen Ting looked utterly heartbroken. The director really was getting worse and worse.