Chapter 17 I was wrong, Xuanxuan
The reason Yu Shuling was put on this variety show was twofold: first, to generate some buzz for the group, and second, to make a small profit, which was also at the company's behest.
Lyra was a group that barely made a splash when they first debuted, and the company planned to shelve them. As their manager, Kang Joo naturally wanted to make a killing off them.
Of course, if these girls are obedient enough, they can still get some resources before the group disbands, but it will be worth the effort for him to fight for them if he has to pay the corresponding price.
Jiang Zhou originally planned to use Yu Shuling to generate buzz after the dating reality show ended. He also thought that Yu Shuling would be very tempted by the high salary she received, and would likely come to him after the breakup, allowing him to keep her under his control.
Jiang Zhou had a well-thought-out plan, but he didn't expect that Yu Shuling's commercial value would rise along with the popularity. If this got back to the company, the group's future might even change, and it would no longer be a bargaining chip he could easily manipulate.
How do I do it?
**
Zhao Xiaoyuan is a variety show reaction blogger and also a fan of Chen Qiyang. She was live-streaming the first episode of "Heartbeat Start Project". At first, like many others, Zhao Xiaoyuan was frustrated and anxious about Chen Qiyang's unrequited love, but later she simply became happily obsessed with shipping the two.
The three children were mischievous and noisy, but it was all within acceptable limits. The group treated it as taking care of their younger siblings for a day and had a great time strolling around the market.
Prices were low here, and Yu Shuling had received a lot of money, so the group decided to have lunch at the best restaurant in town. They also bought some snacks for the children before taking them back, and even then, they still had some money left over. Chen Qiyang initially didn't seem to like the three children much, but he got to know them better later and taught them darts and pitch-pot.
Tan Xiu also bought Lu Lingling her favorite fried stinky tofu and other snacks to bring back. The group chatted and laughed, but the moment they pushed open the courtyard gate, a suppressed sob entered their ears.
The laughter and chatter stopped abruptly, and Du Xuan's sobs were particularly clear in the silence. Hearing the commotion, Du Xuan abruptly raised her head, stopped crying, and looked at them with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Du Xuan wasn't very familiar with them, and her relationship with Yu Shuling had even been a little tense because of Zhao Cheng. Now, being caught in such an awkward situation, her face flushed instantly. She turned around to leave but was stopped by her shoulder.
A clean tissue was handed to her by the girl, and Yu Shuling naturally put her arm around her shoulder, while also pushing the cameraman who was taking close-up shots a little further away:
"It's a bit chilly outside, let's go inside and talk."
Lu Lingling and Zhang Deqi had just returned a dozen minutes earlier when the villagers called them out, saying they were invited to dinner and that they couldn't refuse their hospitality.
Zhu Tu and Huang Dingyu were exhausted and covered in sweat, so they went back to their rooms to take a shower. Only Zhao Cheng was sitting in the living room watching TV. When he looked up and saw the group returning, Zhao Cheng's gaze subconsciously fell on Yu Shuling. Although he quickly looked away, Zhao Xiaoyuan could still sense a strong sense of tension from him.
It's like someone offended him.
Where are the children?
Under Zhao Cheng's scrutinizing gaze, Du Xuan dodged Yu Shuling's hand that was on her shoulder, but the next moment, as if afraid that Yu Shuling would misunderstand, she gently squeezed Yu Shuling's wrist to express her gratitude.
The woman's voice still had a slightly nasal tone, suggesting she had been crying for a long time. However, the first thing she did upon entering was to ask for help.
"Here you are."
The children assigned to their group were only one year old, still quite naive, and usually needed to be held by their parents. Zhao Cheng didn't like children, so he put the child on the sofa while Du Xuan was out.
Du Xuan took the child from his arms, hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but retort:
“I have never thought that raising children should be a woman’s responsibility alone. If you find children troublesome and can’t be a good father, then there’s no point in having children in the future.”
After saying that, she picked up the child and walked out the door. It was almost time for everyone to finish their farming work and return the child to its rightful owner. Zhao Cheng's face stiffened at her words, but he couldn't argue with her. He simply put down the TV remote and went upstairs.
"Damn it!" Zhao Xiaoyuan couldn't help but curse when she saw this, and posted a comment criticizing him, "What kind of person is he? What's wrong with taking care of a child? You don't know until you see it. People's details are reflected in every aspect. No wonder Yu Shuling didn't like him before. Xuanxuan should get rid of this scumbag as soon as possible!"
[What's going on? I just entered the live stream, what's wrong with the young master?]
While still angry, Zhao Xiaoyuan saw a comment that she didn't understand and immediately typed a reply:
[The group Zhao Cheng and Du Xuan chose had children. Zhao Cheng didn't like children, so he left them with Du Xuan alone. At first, he tried to persuade her gently, but gradually he became impatient. Du Xuan said, "You should help take care of them too," to which he replied, "What kind of man stays home taking care of children?" Later, when it was lunchtime and the production team had no food, Du Xuan said, "You take care of the child while I cook," but he still complained that Du Xuan wasn't doing a good job. While taking care of the child, he would just scroll through his phone and occasionally glance at him, at most patting the child when he cried.]
Yes! At first, I had a good impression of Zhao Cheng; he seemed like the stereotypical straight man and spoiled rich kid. But I never expected him to be such a chauvinist! His ideas that only women take care of children at home are outdated and outdated. What era are we living in? He still has such outdated ideas from the grave!
[Waaaaah, everyone's criticizing Zhao Cheng, am I the only one who thinks Lingling is so sweet? She accompanied Xuanxuan to return the child and comforted her on the way.]
[I want to say the same thing! And Du Xuan didn't like Yu Shuling before! She's finally seen things clearly this time!]
...
"Thank you." On the way back after returning the child to their home, Zhao Cheng still didn't chase after her, clearly still upset by her words. Du Xuan's heart ached. At the same time, she looked at Yu Shuling, who was walking silently beside her, her eyes filled with warm gratitude, "Lingling."
"You're welcome. I just wanted to take a walk after dinner and didn't want to be alone."
Yu Shuling could sense Du Xuan's inner struggle, and she didn't like getting bogged down in these kinds of things either, so she quickly changed the subject.
Compared to Zhao Cheng, that arrogant rich second-generation, Yu Shuling was much gentler towards the naive young girl who had previously misjudged people.
Zhao Cheng is a low-level scumbag who can't hide his true colors. She doesn't want any girl to be harmed by such a man, so naturally, she won't speak ill of Zhao Cheng directly. There are examples of them arguing one minute and making up the next, so Yu Shuling will stop there.
"I think the show's segment was well-designed, like experiencing married life in advance. However, I think it's better not to have children at all than to be tricked into single-parenting by sweet words. What do you think?"
"I think..."
Du Xuan felt like she had a mouthful of bitter herbs, especially after the two of them returned to the compound and saw Zhang Deqi and Lu Lingling's group come back, and those who went up to take a shower came down. Everyone was chatting and laughing about the novel experiences of the day, which made her feel even worse.
Although she could afford a nanny or a maternity nurse, she longed for a marriage based on mutual respect and love, and absolutely did not want the father of her child to exist only in name on the household registration.
Zhao Cheng had calmed down by now. When he saw her come in, he went around to her side and comforted her for a few words, and apologized. His handsome face was full of shame for his previous attitude, but he showed no remorse whatsoever.
Du Xuan suddenly felt very tired. She was only moved by Zhao Cheng's gentle and polite manner towards girls before. But if he was such a gentleman, why should she still be so persistent?
"Xuanxuan?"
Zhao Cheng didn't expect Du Xuan to be really angry with him. Mainly, he wasn't used to this environment, and the one-year-old child was indeed very annoying. In a fit of temper, he couldn't help but say a few harsh words to Du Xuan.
But in reality, he still had a good impression of Du Xuan, a gentle and shy woman. Recalling how Du Xuan had left her sleeping child on the sofa with her head down and rushed out, probably crying, Zhao Cheng felt a little uncomfortable and his tone softened considerably.
"It was my fault. I didn't consider your feelings at the time. Please forgive me this time."
In the past, Du Xuan might have been appeased by his words and blamed all her dissatisfaction on Zhao Cheng being a "straight man" who didn't understand girls' feelings.
But can the term "straight man" really be used as a shield for all of a man's inappropriate behavior?
She and Zhao Cheng had known each other before. Although he was a rich second-generation, he was always polite and accommodating to girls. After hearing that Zhao Cheng was going to participate in this dating reality show, Du Xuan even turned down a gig and asked her agent to let her come. Now she has indeed gotten her wish, but she still feels uncomfortable.
Yu Shuling's words lingered in her mind like a thorn, but she didn't think the other party was deliberately trying to provoke her. As a normal adult, Du Xuan had her own considerations.
"Xuanxuan?"
Faced with Zhao Cheng's softened tone, Du Xuan surprisingly did not respond and went upstairs directly.
Zhao Cheng looked embarrassed for a moment, stood there blankly for a while, then realized he couldn't fit into the lively conversation and quickly left. The others were playing Werewolf and didn't pay much attention, but Zhu Tu watched Zhao Cheng's departing figure thoughtfully.
After taking a shower and tidying up, Du Xuan joined in, and the group played until 11 or 12 at night.
Before parting, Chen Qiyang softly said goodnight to Yu Shuling, and shyly tugged at her sleeve, begging her to choose him the next day. His adorable appearance melted the hearts of the audience in front of the screen, and many people sent comments asking Yu Shuling to say yes quickly.
In two more days, the recording of the first episode will be completed, and only after the relationship is officially confirmed will participants be able to participate in the second episode.
Because it was a live broadcast, the production team only gave them a general overview of the process without a detailed script. After all, without post-production editing, it would be difficult for non-professionals to hide their every move from the public eye during a live broadcast.
Yu Shuling had no intention of participating in the second season of the dating reality show, and she did not give a definite answer to Chen Qiyang's request.
To keep viewers in suspense, today's live stream will end here, leaving viewers eagerly speculating about what will happen next.
Their phones were returned by the production team. Yu Shuling leisurely returned to her room, and was in a good mood because she would soon be free from the dating show. She had just turned on her phone when she saw the latest message from Jiang Zhou.
[Jiang Zhou]: I've already signed you up for the next season of the dating reality show. Whether you find Chen Qiyang or someone else, you have to be paired with a CP for me.
[Jiang Zhou]: You still owe 50,000 yuan this month, right? The appearance fee is enough to pay it off and there's still some left over. I'm helping you now, so don't be ungrateful, Yu Shuling.
A note from the author:
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Five more favorites overnight! God, is this even possible?! Thank you!
I'm really motivated! I'll be updating more in a few days.
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