Chapter 34 Can This Wreck Even Run?

"I've made an agreement with Mengbai. While they're competing, you stay on the sidelines and do not come within half a meter," Ji Ya said, fixing her gaze on Lin Yu. As long as he didn't cause trouble, Mengbai's management would strike a deal with her. Even though her own studio was new, in the entertainment industry, it was always better to have an extra friend than an extra enemy, wasn't it? Besides, Ji Ya had her eye on a few promising newcomers from their agency—potential stars, if only their company would give them a chance. Letting all that talent go to waste would be a crime.

Lin Yu drew out his reply with an exaggerated "oh," glancing at Mengbai with a half-smile, half-smirk. He rose slightly, as if preparing to do something, scaring Mengbai so much that her face turned pale. Before the competition began, she couldn't hold it in any longer and hurried over to confirm something.

"Can you just not mess with me?"

"Hmm?"

"I think I've made myself clear. Can't you just not mess with me?"

"I have no intention of messing with you~"

"..."

Why did this conversation sound stranger the longer it went on? Ji Ya was barely able to keep a straight face at the side, wondering if Mengbai had only just caught on.

Fortunately, Lin Yu seemed to agree, and Ji Ya was finally at ease. Lin Yu sat obediently on the couch, looking for all the world like he had no intention of getting involved any further. Mengbai finally relaxed completely and returned to her seat, oblivious to the strange looks she received from the people around her as she walked back from Lin Yu's side. Everyone was asking themselves: What kind of luck did this guy have? It seemed every girl wanted to circle around him.

Once Mengbai sat down, she looked across at Qiu Shishang. With her current status, she couldn't afford to offend a movie king. Otherwise, she might find herself inexplicably oppressed.

"The last group, get ready to start."

"Wow, why am I suddenly so jealous of Gou Yu? How does he have so many girls interested in him?!"

"Man, come on! My two goddesses, can I have just one of them?"

"Wait, isn't this guy still a rookie? Why is everyone trying to ride his popularity?"

"Ride his popularity? Please, it's the two goddesses practically feeding him!"

...

Qiu Shishang was prepared, secretly debating whether he should go easy on the female artist opposite him. Despite the difference in their status, as a man, if he let a woman lose, wouldn't that upend his usual refined, gentlemanly image? Lin Yu had no intention of making trouble; instead, it was Wang Fei who began to scheme. He dared not provoke Qiu Shishang—after all, he was a movie king. As for Mengbai? She was a newly debuted singer-dancer; perhaps she could be teased a little.

"Guys, does anyone remember that viral video from a while back?"

"There was a segment about the embarrassing moments celebrities wish they could forget. If I’m not mistaken, Mengbai had one—she shot an introductory video before debuting as a trainee..."

"Hmm?"

Everyone looked at Wang Fei curiously, wondering what he was on about. Mengbai suddenly recalled a mortifying scene and glared at Wang Fei. What was he up to?

Wang Fei beamed, meeting Mengbai's murderous gaze without the slightest hint of guilt, and raised his voice.

"That video, tsk tsk, it's hilarious just thinking about it. Mengbai had just become a trainee and intended to pursue acting, but at a live audition, she performed an earth-shattering, utterly dramatic scene. Crying, face contorted, she wailed at the instructors, 'Second Uncle! Second Uncle!'"

"But the instructors were completely baffled, because the assignment for the show was to perform at the mistress’s funeral."

"Mengbai quickly recovered, changed her words to 'Mistress,' but still... Hahaha!"

By the time he finished, many of the guests were doubled over with laughter. That video had gone viral online not long ago and had people everywhere in stitches. The mortifying memory was fully reactivated in Mengbai's mind. Remembering her own embarrassment, even she couldn't help but laugh out loud, though she quickly raised a hand to cover her mouth—after all, spraying flour on her teammates and losing the game was one thing, but offending the movie king Qiu Shishang would be a much bigger problem.

Qiu Shishang glanced calmly at Mengbai, a trace of puzzlement in his eyes. He didn't keep up with online gossip, but if this story was really about Mengbai, it was... genuinely interesting.

A dazzling, fiery girl with a black mark in her past—a ridiculous, mistaken grave performance. The stark contrast struck him as oddly endearing.

Unable to contain the strange feeling in his chest, Qiu Shishang finally burst out laughing. He completely forgot about the flour in front of him; even as he caught himself a second later, restraining his laughter, some of the flour still flew onto Mengbai's face.

The game was over.

"Fifty seconds."

Lin Yu and Ji Ya won the game and became the champions. Meanwhile, Si Shaozhe and Lin Yunyue finished last with the fastest time in the round, which meant they not only had to accept a penalty but also take responsibility for cultivating the vegetable garden in the yard.

"Lin Yu, Ji Ya, have you two decided on your side job yet?"

Lin Yu looked at Ji Ya. Although he hadn't fully respected the female CEO's wishes throughout the game, at this final decision point, he couldn't avoid deferring to her. After all, she was the boss—he had to give her some face.

"Planting, hunting, and fishing—three options for side jobs," Lin Jia helpfully reminded them, her words clearly directed at Ji Ya.

After a moment's thought, Ji Ya made her choice. "Let's go with fishing."

The other two options sounded far too exhausting, especially hunting. How could a girl be expected to do something so bloody and violent? It sounded terrifying.

Lin Jia smiled meaningfully, as if she had some plan in mind—though, of course, she wasn't about to share it with the guests. She turned to the other two teams.

"And you? What will you choose?"

The expressions on the faces of the other teams were complicated. All things considered, planting was clearly easier than hunting.

Lin Yu took the lead, observing the rule of ladies first, so the others had no choice but to follow suit. He lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, enjoying the spectacle. Ji Ya noticed that Bai Yichu and Mengbai were both hesitating and was about to call Bai Yichu over when Lin Yu cut her off directly.

"Everyone must be tired after a round of games. How about some coffee to perk up?"

The other guests hadn't caught on to Lin Yu's intentions and looked at him blankly.