Because my husband dotes on me

[Hahahaha, three fucking years raising pigs? I'm dying.]

[Just came over from the trending pig-riding boy hashtag. What's going on now?]

[At the feast, Xu Chao sat with a lady who raises pigs. They exchanged pig-raising tips, and he ended up revealing he'd raised pigs for three years.]

[A celebrity raising pigs? At least make your lies believable. People really have no limits when it comes to chasing views these days.]

[Okay, but my dad's been raising pigs professionally for thirty years, and he says everything Xu Chao said was right!]

[I'm a grad student in animal husbandry. Xu Chao's pig-raising experience matches exactly what my practical training supervisor at the pig farm taught me. He really knows pigs!]

Fu Sichen's lashes were lowered, making his expression unreadable. Only his voice could be heard, pitched very low, as though it held towering fury. "When?"

For some reason, Xu Chao felt very uncomfortable when Fu Sichen asked. He answered vaguely, "While filming."

In his original world, after Xu Chao rejected several investors' offers to keep him, they joined forces against him and dumped him on a period drama set to raise pigs and wear down his spirit.

But Xu Chao stubbornly raised pigs for three years without giving in.

In the end, relying on his solid pig-raising skills, he starred in a hit period drama, fought his way out of the pigpen, and fought his way back into show business.

Just then, Shen Xinbai feigned ignorance and asked, "Besides the supply packs provided by the production team, are we allowed to bring anything else into the jungle?"

The director nodded readily. "Sure. If the villagers give you something, you can bring it."

Shen Xinbai looked expectantly at the villagers watching them.

"He's that deadbeat's lover. Two different sorts don't share a bed. He's probably a deadbeat too. I'm not giving my beef jerky to someone like that."

"Me neither. Me neither."

Being pointed at and criticized by a bunch of lowly villagers made Shen Xinbai grit his teeth with hatred. Yet in front of the cameras, he still had to smile magnanimously, though he couldn't help resenting Lou Jun too.

Why couldn't you have paid them back sooner? What kind of man is this stingy?

Lou Jun was even more annoyed. Why did you have to bring that up and get the villagers cursing me out?

After that fuss, everyone else received at least some local specialties from the villagers. Only Shen Xinbai and Lou Jun received nothing but abuse!

Chewing the fresh, spicy beef jerky, Lin Yang wagged his head. "I think everyone should give Shen Xinbai a banner of commendation."

A sudden sense of foreboding rose in Shen Xinbai's heart.

The next second, Lin Yang planted his hands on his hips and declared smugly, "He'd rather get cursed at himself than miss a chance to get us local specialties. How selfless! Give him a hand!"

Everyone: "..." Hahaha, how vicious!

Shen Xinbai shot Lin Yang a fierce glare and strode forward indignantly. Enjoy yourselves now. You'll be crying soon enough!

Although this jungle adventure episode billed itself as a dating reality show, it really was an actual adventure, and he had made extensive preparations beforehand. There would come a time when they begged him on their knees!

Shen Xinbai was furious. Catching sight of Lou Jun's cold expression behind him out of the corner of his eye, he hesitated for a moment, then still moved closer to coax him with sweet words.

Soon, the two were showing off their affection as though no one else existed.

Xu Chao had already been feeling uncomfortable because Fu Sichen beside him remained gloomy, his presence frightening and oppressive.

He wanted to have the good sense to move away and give the big shot some room to radiate his cold air. But the instant he moved, the man's expression grew even darker and more terrifying, and a large hand reached out and hauled him back!

Xu Chao's heart pounded. He was nervous and intimidated.

At a loss, he spotted Shen Xinbai and Lou Jun flaunting their affection up ahead, and suddenly understood!

Right! How could I forget? My current persona is Fu Sichen's little bootlicker!

Nothing else matters. If I suck up hard enough, I can stay alive!

Xu Chao immediately slipped into character, leaning close to Fu Sichen and asking with concern, "Honey, is the supply pack heavy? Let me carry it."

Fu Sichen turned his head to look at him. Because he was tall, his downward gaze somehow carried a hint of disdain.

Xu Chao rose onto his tiptoes, adding to his 175-centimeter height, and straightened his back to meet his gaze.

Fu Sichen's lips curved slightly. "No need," he said evenly.

With his first attempt to fawn over him unsuccessful, Xu Chao's eyes darted, and he tried again. "Thirsty? Here, have some fresh, sweet mineral water."

Fu Sichen glanced at it and gave a hum of assent.

Xu Chao immediately moved to hand him the bottle, but Fu Sichen showed no intention of raising his hand. Does he want me to give it to him?

Although one grown man holding up water for another grown man to drink felt strange, a professional actor never backed down.

Xu Chao simply raised the bottle to the man's lips.

Fu Sichen drank two mouthfuls from his hand, his prominent Adam's apple bobbing, somehow leaving the onlooker's mouth dry. Xu Chao casually took a couple of mouthfuls too.

The instant the cool, sweet mineral water slipped down his throat, much of his exhaustion and heat dissipated.

But the next second, he abruptly realized that Fu Sichen had just drunk that water, and now he had too. Didn't that count as an indirect kiss?

His whole body stiff, Xu Chao turned to look at Fu Sichen, meeting the man's ink-black eyes head-on.

Xu Chao's heart thudded twice, and he abruptly backed away. But they were in the jungle, and his footing slipped, sending him toppling backward.

Fu Sichen reached out a long arm and caught him again.

Xu Chao's little heart pounded with fright. "That scared me. Thanks."

"Be careful," Fu Sichen said evenly.

With that, he naturally took his hand.

Their palms pressed together, warm and tingling.

Xu Chao paused, instinctively wanting to pull away.

But Fu Sichen gave him no chance, striding forward.

Xu Chao let out a startled sound, gripped the man's large hand, and stumbled after him.

Then everyone saw Fu Sichen carrying the supply pack on his back and holding the little beauty's hand, while the little beauty bounced along, still remembering to pop a strip of beef jerky into his mouth now and then.

Relaxed and carefree, they looked like a young couple out on an autumn excursion.

Meanwhile, the rest of them were carrying supply packs and exhausted as dogs!

Shen Xinbai couldn't stand seeing Xu Chao have it so easy. "Chaochao, why don't you help Young Master Fu carry some of the supplies? Don't you care about him at all?"

"Of course I do." Xu Chao answered, immediately putting on a bashful expression as he said sweetly, "But my husband dotes on me. He can't bear to let me carry it. My husband's the best."

Xu Chao's acting through his eyes was spot-on. As he finished speaking, he looked at Fu Sichen with a shy, timid glance.

Fu Sichen was instantly hooked, the corners of his mouth turning up.

[Aaah, baby Chao is so good at making someone feel appreciated.]

[Even the aloof CEO's been hooked into smiling. Girls, what are you waiting for? Take notes!]

Watching this, Shen Xinbai was overwhelmed with jealousy.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a nearby bush, its branches lush with green leaves and dotted with bright red wild berries. His eyes lit up.

He had a way to thoroughly outshine Xu Chao.

Shen Xinbai cleared his throat and said gently and considerately, "I did some research before coming. These are wild raspberries. The fruit has a high water content and tastes deliciously sweet and tart. We've all been walking so long, we must be tired and thirsty. Let's have some wild berries and take a break."

Cheng Yu exclaimed in delight, "Xinbai, you're amazing!"

"I just hope I can help everyone a little more," Shen Xinbai said modestly.

As he spoke, Shen Xinbai jogged over to pick the berries.

Xu Chao walked over too, bent down to study the bright red fruit, and said, "Something's off about these berries. They don't look like raspberries. They look more like..."

Before he could finish, Lou Jun cut him off coldly. "Xinbai stayed up late doing lots of research before coming. If he says they're wild raspberries, then they're wild raspberries. Stop pretending you know when you don't."

His former bootlicker had stopped fawning over him and gone off to fawn over someone else!

Lou Jun had long been so furious he could explode. Now that he had caught an opening, he immediately lashed out.

Xu Chao didn't hold back either. "Fine, fine, we know you two are in love. If he said it was shit, you'd still love eating it."

Lou Jun's face twisted with anger. "You!"

Xu Chao couldn't be bothered with him. He studied the vivid red wild berries a little longer, then said, "These berries are probably poisonous. Eat them at your own risk. Hehe."