"Teacher Song!"
Looking utterly aggrieved, Jiang Mingle walked up to Song Lan.
Song Lan looked completely indifferent and said nothing.
Jiang Mingle twisted his fingers together, his lips pouting as he hovered on the verge of tears. "Teacher Song, could you help me explain things to Xiaoxi?"
[...]
[Jiang Mingxi already pointed right in his face and absolutely tore into him. Why is he still doing this? I don't get it!]
[Lele is well brought up and polite. What's wrong with that? Does everyone have to be a clout-chasing bitch like Jiang Mingxi? Treating attention-seeking as a source of traffic?]
[But Tianli Group keeps saying Jiang Mingxi has terrible character and won't even acknowledge him as their real young master, while this fake young master is desperately trying to patch things up with him. Isn't that strange?]
[What's strange about it? Lele is just kindhearted!]
[But he's already starting to annoy me. A grown man crying every damn day. What a fucking downer!]
All sorts of comments flew across the screen.
Song Lan was different.
Song Lan said nothing.
Jiang Mingle bit his lip.
"I really didn't know before that I wasn't the Jiang family's child, and I didn't know Xiaoxi was their child. But whatever the truth is, Xiaoxi and I are filming this show together now.
"Teacher Song, could you help me persuade him not to be so hostile toward me?
"I didn't deliberately take his place.
"I wasn't the one who switched the babies.
"Why take it out on me? I've been wronged too."
As he spoke, he looked about to cry.
Song Lan frowned. "But you're not my son either."
With that, he walked away.
[Hahahahaha!]
[Song Lan's tongue is as venomous as ever. Either he says nothing or he poisons you to death!]
[But Lele already asked him for help, and he's still acting like that. Isn't that way too disrespectful?]
[You have to help just because someone asks? Then you're such a peerless saint I'd have to burn three sticks of incense in your honor!]
[Besides, Jiang Mingxi made it perfectly clear that he wanted him to leave him alone. Doesn't coming here to ask Song Lan for help count as pestering him too?]
[Damn, sis, you're thinking clearly! I knew something felt off!]
Jiang Mingle had never imagined Song Lan would embarrass him so bluntly.
Seeing Song Lan walk away, he acted at once.
With no time to worry about anything else, Jiang Mingle hurried after him, keeping beside him as he cautiously asked, "Teacher Song, are you angry with me?"
Song Lan ignored him.
Jiang Mingle felt uneasy and wanted to say more, but Song Lan's unapproachable air was so strong that he didn't dare draw closer again.
He merely lowered his head and followed beside Song Lan into the courtyard where the production team was.
"Teacher Song and Lele are here. Everyone's assembled, so we can announce the task!"
The director smiled as he saw Song Lan and Jiang Mingle come in together.
Jiang Mingxi was talking to Zhao Jiayuan. At those words, his head whipped around.
Sure enough, Song Lan and Jiang Mingle were walking in side by side.
Zhao Jiayuan gloated, "It's over, it's over! Someone's seduced your dream guy away!"
Jiang Mingxi looked at Song Lan, then at Jiang Mingle.
Seduced away?
If someone like Jiang Mingle could really seduce him away, he wouldn't deserve my affection anyway.
Not sure yet.
Let's wait and see.
As soon as Jiang Mingle entered the courtyard, he hurried to ease the awkwardness, asking the director with a smile, "What task?"
"On Survival Challenge, you all secured houses to stay in yesterday, along with a survival fund of one hundred yuan.
"Starting today, the production team will no longer provide your food, clothing, accommodation, or transportation. In other words, if you want to fill your stomachs, you'll have to spend your own money on ingredients.
"If you want money for ingredients, you'll have to earn it yourselves.
"There are five days left in this first installment. During those five days, the production team will provide no further assistance.
"Good luck, everyone!"
Zhao Jiayuan pointed at the shelves behind the director. "How much for a tub of pickled mustard greens and beef instant noodles?"
The director smiled like a weasel. "Fifty."
Zhao Jiayuan jumped up, dumbfounded. "Then how come Jiang Mingle got dinner for all of us for fifty yuan yesterday?"
Jiang Mingle: ...
The director: ...
The director bit the bullet and forcibly took control of the conversation. "So, everyone, get moving!"
[Hahahahaha, what a smooth conversation!]
[The production team is so greedy. Fifty yuan for one tub of instant noodles.]
[Looking at it this way, there's something fishy about Jiang Mingle. Not sure yet. Let's wait and see.]
[Are you sick? You ate Lele's food and now you're talking shit? Asshole!]
Jiang Mingle knew Jiang Ke had spoken to the production team yesterday, so he deliberately asked with a smile, "Can we go to the villagers' homes and get a meal?"
The director glanced at him.
Jiang Ke had already paid off one household.
Of course Jiang Mingle could go there for a meal.
As for the others...
The director cleared his throat. "You'll all have to rely on your own abilities!"
As soon as the director finished, Zhao Jiayuan bounced twice on the spot and asked Jiang Mingxi, "Do you have any ideas?"
Zhao Jiayuan was the same age as Jiang Mingxi, both twenty-two that year. In jeans and an oversized T-shirt, he looked full of youthful energy.
Jiang Mingxi fought down his impulse and didn't look toward Song Lan.
When you're pursuing someone~
You need a few little tricks. Know when to push and when to ease off.
Yesterday was a day of enthusiasm.
Today, I'll cool things down a little.
Hehe~
As he headed out, he smiled and told Zhao Jiayuan, "Let's ask the neighbors first and see if there's anything we can help with."
Zhao Jiayuan immediately said, "Then I'll go with you. Let's team up."
Jiang Mingxi turned to ask Chen Chong, "What about you, Brother Chong? Coming with us or looking around on your own?"
Before Chen Chong could speak, Zhao Jiayuan said disdainfully, "I don't want to team up with him!"
Chen Chong raised an eyebrow. "Then I'm definitely teaming up with Jiang Mingxi! If you don't like it, why don't you leave?"
Zhao Jiayuan glared at him in anger. "Are you sick or something? Why should I leave? You're the one who should go!"
Chen Chong sneered. "Well, my sexual function is normal, anyway."
[Hahahahaha, this joke is never going away!]
[Who knows if it's a joke? What if it's true!]
[Hahahahaha, watch out, Zhao Jiayuan might come assassinate you!]
Zhao Jiayuan: ...
He jumped up and started hitting him.
Afraid the livestream would get banned again, the production staff hurried over to break up the fight.
Jiang Mingxi-
Jiang Mingxi hurried out of the way to enjoy the show!
Amid cursing, shoving, and pushing, the three of them made a lively exit from the courtyard.
Song Lan was a little surprised.
Hm?
Standing beside Song Lan, Jiang Mingle mustered his courage and gave him a sweet smile. "Teacher Song, shall we team up, then?"
Song Lan ignored Jiang Mingle.
He turned and headed out.
[What's wrong with Song Lan? Lele is talking to him. Who's he giving that attitude to?]
[Maybe Song Lan's worried he'll ask him to explain things to Xiaoxi again~ And if he doesn't help, the fans will bitch at him.]
[Hahahahaha.]
As Song Lan turned and left, Jiang Mingle could no longer hide his embarrassment.
But remembering that Jiang Ke had already paid off a village household for him, Jiang Mingle took a deep breath and put on a brave, optimistic look.
He smiled at the livestream viewers. "I'm going to try my luck now and see if I can find a chance to earn some money.
"I'll work hard to complete today's task!"