Chapter 36 Falling into a Pit

"Huh? He's started running too, looks like he's going to chase you!" The system suddenly raised its volume as a warning.

What? !

Upon hearing this, Ling Wei instantly switched from a light jog to a full sprint.

If he had shouted earlier, she might have been able to stop before she put on her headphones.

But now the other party has actually caught up with her. If they are caught up and their eyes meet, the scene will be just like a scene from a Qiong Yao drama. Just imagining it makes her want to dig her toes into the ground.

Go away! Contact me via message in a bottle if you need anything!!

Qu Mingyuan had just picked up speed and taken two steps when he saw the figure in front of him suddenly accelerate like a startled antelope. With such agile movements, it would be a shame if he didn't train in hurdles.

Qu Mingyuan: "......"

Ling Wei ran until she was breathless and felt like her lungs were about to explode before she asked in her mind, "Commander, did you shake him off?"

The system reported the result: "No, rather, the distance has become closer."

Damn it!!

This guy isn't an idol, he doesn't need to sing and dance on stage, how come he has such good stamina?!

But she really couldn't run anymore. She couldn't even imagine how her thighs and calves would ache tomorrow if she kept running.

Forced by reality, Ling Wei had no choice but to slam on the brakes, abruptly stop, and turn around.

She braced herself on her knees, panting heavily, her chest heaving. Her eyes, brightened by running and anger, glared at the man who had also slowed his pace, and she snapped angrily:

"You...you need cough syrup?! Why are you chasing me?!"

Qu Mingyuan's breathing was relatively steady, but he was also adjusting his breathing. He gazed at her and asked softly, "I want to hear your true thoughts."

A sea breeze swept between the two of them. Ling Wei pursed her lips and looked away: "What are the boss's true thoughts? We are very satisfied with the program arrangements."

"It wasn't part of the program." He took a half step forward, his voice lowering slightly. "It was me. Did I do something to upset you?"

"No!" Ling Wei immediately put on a professional fake smile. "With the boss being so kind, how could I feel uncomfortable?"

"I'm sorry. I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable."

What kind of apology is this, so abrupt and nonsensical? Is it just a perfunctory attempt to appease someone, or a condescending act of charity?

Ling Wei suddenly couldn't take it anymore.

"Are you ever going to stop? I already said I'm not feeling unwell, so why are you apologizing?"

Her voice continued to rise: "I really don't understand you. We're not related at all, why do you care whether I'm comfortable or not? Don't you think you're overstepping your bounds? Are you like this to everyone? Do you have to be a central air conditioner that makes everyone feel comfortable?"

Ling Wei snorted coldly, "Why do you insist on making me tell the truth? Are the leaders responsible for the mental health of the contestants?"

Or are you giving me a taste of what you don't have?

Don't you want to hear the truth?

Listen up, I think you're incredibly hypocritical.

The unfair treatment we contestants have suffered is real. In the idol industry, the golden period when fans are most likely to become fans is the initial contact window.

Now they've abruptly cut off the momentum we've painstakingly built up, handing over our advantages to others.

You clearly know that our only demand is to restore the live stream, yet you still choose to ignore it.

"You still care whether I'm happy or not? What kind of twisted sense of humor is that?"

"Oh, I see." Ling Wei raised an eyebrow as if suddenly enlightened. "You came to me to put out the fire because the fans flooded the official website, right? Too bad you've come to the wrong person. The person willing to cooperate with your PR team is in Group B. She's currently enjoying high popularity. Why don't you ask her for a joint promotion?"

She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth, but seeing the other person's calm expression only fueled her anger.

This perpetually calm man made all her emotions feel like punches hitting cotton.

If an official doesn't serve the people, he might as well go home and grow sweet potatoes.

She recalled Shan Huai's private complaints and couldn't help but add angrily, "Corrupt official!"

This straight shot clearly exceeded Qu Mingyuan's expectations. The man, who had maintained a calm expression, had his pupils slightly contract, revealing a look of astonishment for the first time.

After finishing her rant, Ling Wei didn't intend to linger and turned to walk past him.

Just as they were passing each other, her arm was suddenly grabbed; Qu Mingyuan's palm was warm and strong.

Hey, do you really think she's made of dough and has no temper?

Ling Wei turned around and swung her arm forcefully. She was incredibly strong. Did they not want her to leave? She was determined to go!

A dull thud came from behind me. Ah, a real woman never looks back at an explosion.

etc.

Ling Wei suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Something's not right.

She quickly turned her head; they were now in a deserted observation area behind the lighthouse, where the ground was uneven due to the constant exposure to wind and sun.

The sea was calm, with only the rustling of the sea breeze through the bushes.

Where are they?

She made him so angry he just teleported away?!

The system emitted a piercing shriek: "No!! He fell into the pit!!"

ah?

Ling Wei was bewildered, "Are there any potholes around here?"

System: "Yes, just five steps behind where he was standing, there is a steep pit that is partially covered by bushes."

There was indeed a dense thicket of bushes behind him.

Oh my god!!

If something goes wrong, she might end up as the lark who's the prison boss all over again!

Ling Wei hurried over. Five steps, right? Then she'd have to be careful when she got to the fourth step.

One, two, three, four...

System: "Hey! It looks like he stepped on something! Three steps! There's a hole in just three steps!! You're so small..."

Ling Wei's feet suddenly lost their footing, and she felt a sudden sensation of weightlessness.

"You piece of trash!!" She lost her balance and fell to the side.

Just as she thought she was about to tumble down in a sorry state, a strong arm suddenly reached out from below and grabbed her waist precisely, pulling her tightly into a cool and refreshing embrace.

The man absorbed the force of her fall, rolling down with her in his arms, using his back to block most of the impact.

"Hmm!"

Amidst the chaotic tumbling, Ling Wei clearly heard a teeth-grinding "crack" sound, followed by a suppressed groan from above her head.

After rolling around for an unknown amount of time, the two finally landed on a pile of soft, dry leaves at the bottom of the pit.

After stopping, Ling Wei immediately checked herself over: Hmm, I'm fine!

She breathed a sigh of relief. Great, it won't affect the game.

Only then did she notice Qu Mingyuan beneath her; he was breathing slightly heavily, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Ling Wei propped herself up and was shocked to find that his left arm was bent at an unnatural angle.

"Your arm...is broken?"

Qu Mingyuan did not answer. He gripped the top of his left elbow with his right hand, his thin lips pressed tightly together, and with a slight popping sound, the joint was forcibly dislocated.

The whole process was so fast that it only took one breath to finish; he even suppressed his groans in his throat.

It turned out to be a dislocated shoulder.

"It's good that you're alright." Ling Wei subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

System: "His arm is fine now..."

Ling Wei looked down and, good heavens, his right ankle had swelled up rapidly, looking quite alarming.