Chapter 10 If You Don't Understand, Just Ask—Is This the Kind of Young Lady Who Can't Even Open a Bottle Cap?

Lin Yu gazed outside.

There were still three suitcases left, all the largest kind…

Ji Ya had certainly noticed as well, but she remained unmoved.

She stood to the side, watching the stubborn Bai Yichu, who furrowed her brows in deep annoyance as she dragged each suitcase into the villa.

Though Lin Yu considered himself a gentleman, he had no intention of helping when his assistance was refused. Seeing Ji Ya enter the villa, with no one minding him, he returned to enjoying his pig’s feet.

He brewed another pot of tea, sat in the pavilion, and let the lake breeze wash over him. If nothing else, this, he mused, was the pinnacle of life’s pleasures…

If only the show could continue in such a relaxed manner. After all, being able to do nothing and still receive the three hundred thousand salary Ji Ya had mentioned at the outset—well, that wouldn’t be bad at all…

This must be what people call earning money lying down.

Inside the villa, Bai Yichu, aware of the ever-present camera trailing her, dared not reveal any sign of displeasure. She gritted her teeth and hauled all the luggage up to the second-floor room without a hint of relaxation in her tightly drawn brows.

Ji Ya, already resting in the living room, watched the scene unfold, her mouth forming an O of surprise.

Since when had her artist become so formidable? And Bai Yichu was a top female star! If today’s performance aired, surely many male celebrities in the industry would be left feeling inadequate.

Nowadays, so many men are so delicate that even a nicked finger has them wailing for their mothers.

The awkwardness almost bursts from the screen—the type where, if they delayed getting to the hospital, the wound would heal on its own.

Bai Yichu, tall and slender, seemed the fragile sort at first glance, yet here she was, displaying a strength that would put many men to shame.

As the camera shifted toward Ji Ya, she put on her impeccable official smile, though inwardly she speculated: were Bai Yichu’s enormous suitcases actually empty?

After all, the program provided for the cast’s basic needs, and some items were product placements. But when she went upstairs and saw Bai Yichu open a suitcase, revealing it packed to the brim, Ji Ya was struck silent.

Well… this woman hides her depths well.

From the room’s mirror, Bai Yichu saw Ji Ya’s reflection at the doorway, rose, and looked at her. “Boss, is there something you need?”

Ji Ya awkwardly turned her face away and made up a lie on the spot. “Oh, I was just passing by. Where did the crew say my room was again?”

Bai Yichu didn’t expose her lie, merely replied with a simple “oh,” then continued tidying her things.

…

“Oh my god, Yichu is so cool! She carried all her luggage by herself. My poor goddess, she’s so thin and yet bears so much!”

“Seriously, this variety show is the best. I actually got to see a female star’s luggage—hehehe, it’s pink!”

“To the commenter above, I suggest you gouge your eyes out! Don’t use up all my tissues tonight!”

“After tonight’s broadcast, I bet every supermarket owner will be stocking up on tissues overnight…”

“Girls’ suitcases are actually really heavy, don’t doubt it! When my girlfriend traveled with me last time, she nearly broke my car’s suspension…”

“Anyway, the show’s crew is so mean, making our goddess Yichu suffer like this without helping her, boohoo!”

…

At that moment, Lin Yu, dozing in the pavilion, was awakened by the crew.

“Mr. Li, the director requests all guests gather in the main hall.”

Lin Yu rubbed his eyes, rising slowly, his expression still drowsy as he followed the staff into the villa.

Upon reaching the hall, he noticed Ji Ya sitting alone, sipping tea on the sofa, while Bai Yichu, freshly showered and dressed in casual clothes, was descending the spiral staircase.

Her hair, still damp, clung to her delicate face, lending her a touch of languid charm.

Lin Yu couldn’t help but wonder: were only the three of them participating in this show?

One man, two women—a trio with an indescribable dynamic.

This dating show surely knew how to create drama! Though, it did feel a bit like they were setting him up for disaster.

One top female celebrity, and one the dream girl of countless young men.

Was the crew really planning to drown him in the flood of fans’ outrage?

Yet the pressing question remained: how were three people supposed to shoot a dating show?

He recalled that the invitation from the production team had listed several other top celebrities and newcomers.

Moreover, as with all such shows, if there weren’t a few contestants to be eliminated, how could the popularity of certain stars be highlighted and traffic drawn in?

In his previous life, despite the supposed “one-on-one” mentorship theme, in reality, any newcomer lacking a strong background or financial backing was destined for elimination.

By the show’s midpoint, nearly eighty percent of the newcomers would be gone, while those surviving—and gaining popularity—were almost always the ones the crew had already decided to cultivate.

As for Lin Yu? Although he had the support of Ji Fei’s agency and the boss herself, he still had to prove his own worth, or else he’d become just a supporting character.

In an industry as fiercely competitive as entertainment, he understood well that no matter how strong your backing, without personal effort, you’d never rise to the top.

Luckily,

He was reborn, and already knew all the songs and resources that would become hits later on in the industry.

It would all depend on how he made use of them.

If he wanted to survive—and stand at the summit—in this perilous circle, he needed to show his uniqueness, and… extraordinary talent.

“Dear guests, welcome to the show.”

“Now, I, the director, will announce the elimination rules for this program.”

“We’ve invited dozens of guests this season; the others will arrive by ten tonight.”

Lin Yu saw Ji Ya applauding and quickly joined in.

Though he was reborn, he didn’t yet fully grasp the industry’s unspoken rules, so he followed the lead of the female CEO in everything.

He couldn’t let anyone realize he was just a songwriter clueless about the proper etiquette—such ignorance would only invite elimination.

And the show’s director had considerable influence in the business; to offend him would mean trouble ahead.

“The rules of this dating show are similar to others: through daily life—cooking, gardening, and so on—artists interact and communicate.”

“Because the show is set in a remote location, some daily necessities, if needed, can be procured by applying to the crew for a ride to the market ten kilometers away, but guests must complete tasks to earn the funds for such purchases.”