She seemed a little hesitant, but finally suggested seriously, "You mentioned sleeping on the floor just now, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Ms. Chapman has trouble sleeping, and she wouldn’t want you to sleep on the floor either. Right, you could sleep on the sofa in the living room—anything’s better than the floor."
Zara Chapman fixed her gaze on Wendy Aldridge, not saying a word, but the hint in her eyes was unmistakable.
Wendy actually wanted to refuse, but she’d already said she’d sleep on the floor if needed. Now if she says she doesn’t want the sofa, isn’t that just two-faced?
Wendy was so frustrated she could grind her teeth, but didn’t dare delay and said, "I know Ms. Chapman has sleep issues. I was planning to sleep on the sofa anyway, so she could get a good night’s rest."
She smiled brightly as she helped Zara carry her luggage into the room.
Zara had quite a bit of luggage; big bags, small bags, both hands full.
Her movements were struggling, but there was a free-spirited flair to her, as if she knew the production team would definitely give her a close-up.
After all, when she joined the show, her company had already reached a consensus with the producers—they’d help her craft her "setup."
Her setup was to be the little sunshine of truth, kindness, and beauty—someone who lights up and warms everyone.
The company said this setup was hard to build, but if she pulled it off, she’d absolutely blow up.
For this setup to stick, just acting on script wasn’t enough—she needed a newcomer in the industry with similar conditions to act as a foil, to be her "seesaw." Renee Morgan was the perfect candidate.
Wendy Aldridge was well-prepared and not worried at all.
After setting down the luggage, she went to the lounge in the living room to brew coffee.
One pot of coffee could pour four small cups—just enough for everyone to have one.
Wendy took Zara’s cup into her room first. Once she made sure the camera caught everything, she carried the other two cups and knocked on Renee Morgan and Lynn Miller’s door.
Lynn Miller opened the door, looking confused: "What’s up?"
Wendy held the coffee with a slight smile: "Mind if I come in and sit for a bit?"
Lynn glanced at her coffee, then at the camera behind her, nodded, and stepped aside to let her in.
Wendy carried the coffee inside.
Renee had finished unpacking and was showered, now in loungewear, long hair draped over her shoulders, sitting enchantingly in the rocking chair.
Seeing Renee’s face, Wendy felt a momentary twist in her heart; she almost couldn’t keep her smile in place.
She set down the two cups of coffee on the table, one for each.
Wendy’s smile warmed: "Ms. Miller, Renee, try this, I made it myself. The beans are top-notch civet coffee—don’t know if you’ll like the taste?"
Lynn was straightforward, and seeing Wendy put in so much effort, immediately picked up her cup and gulped it down. Her eyes lit up as she looked at Renee: "Hey, this coffee’s really good, Morgan, try it, smells amazing."
Renee was wary of Wendy, but she couldn’t really refuse, so she lifted her coffee cup, took a breath to smell the aroma, and smiled, "It does smell really lovely."
Her gaze was secretly watching Wendy’s expression for any changes.
In the dream, she joined the show and suddenly had an allergic reaction—her whole body got swollen and red, even causing mild asthma, forcing her to rest and stop filming for treatment.
Wendy’s smile was cheerful and dazzling.
Renee couldn’t tell if there was anything wrong with the coffee yet, but it didn’t stop her from digging a pit for Wendy. Whether or not the coffee had something in it, she’d know soon.
After saying it smelled lovely, Renee’s face turned bitter and guilty: "Such fragrant coffee, but it’s a shame I can’t drink it..."
She made to put the coffee down.
Wendy couldn’t help but raise her voice: "Why can’t you drink it? Renee, are you just refusing to try my coffee? Or is it because I spoke up for Ms. Chapman earlier and you have a problem with me?"
Renee looked at her in surprise: "Why would you think that? I honestly can’t drink it, I’m worried it’ll keep me up tonight and we still have to film tomorrow..."
"What’s there to worry about? My coffee isn’t like the stuff outside, not inferior. This is top-grade civet coffee," Wendy said, displeased.
She was flustered; someone who was usually meticulous was now desperate just to make Renee drink her coffee.
If Renee couldn’t shoot tomorrow, Wendy would have her chance to blow up.
Otherwise, with that face just sitting there, Wendy had little chance to stand out.
The screen was already flooded with comments, showing a clear polarization.
Viewers who thought Wendy was aggressive: [Aldridge Girl, why brew civet coffee? She should make green tea—she’s got that tea-bitch vibe, and now forcing Morgan to drink coffee. Morgan said coffee keeps her up, didn’t you hear?]
Viewers who thought Renee was pretentious: [Coffee is energizing, but a few sips won’t matter. She just doesn’t want to drink Wendy’s coffee. If you ask me, Wendy’s too nice; she makes coffee and gets blamed. If it were me, drink it or don’t, but I’d throw it in her face and wake her up.]
Some random viewers chimed in: [Chill, some people really can’t drink stuff that keeps them up at night or they can’t sleep. My whole family loves kung fu tea except my grandma—she says one cup means no sleep all night, so she never touches it.]
A lot of people quickly agreed.
"..."
Renee was now pretty sure there was something off about the coffee.
She remembered the stuff from the dream—even though there was no "Wendy brewing coffee" bit, she still had an allergic reaction, so maybe Wendy went about drugging her some other way. One way or another, if she refused this coffee, Wendy would never let it go. Might as well drink it right in front of her to put her at ease.
Renee kept a polite smile: "Top-grade civet coffee, and made by Wendy herself—I’ll try it, even if it means risking insomnia."
Wendy finally relaxed. To others, it just looked like she’d worked hard brewing coffee and was happy to see the other guests willing to drink it.
Renee quickly finished her coffee, smiling: "It’s delicious, Wendy, your skills are amazing."
Wendy was good at keeping up appearances, and when she saw Renee finish her coffee, she reached out for the cup: "Coach Miller and Renee, rest up well. We’re heading into the boot camp tomorrow. Hand me your cups."
After saying goodnight, Wendy took the two empty cups out and cleaned them in front of the live cameras, her face never losing that gentle, sunlit smile.
The audience was genuinely moved; who doesn’t like a girl who gives quietly, warm and sunny?
Just half a day into the broadcast, Wendy had already gained a batch of fans and earned her "sweet girl" nickname.
Renee, after coming home yesterday, went back to the hospital and prepared allergy meds in advance. But she wasn’t sure how effective the preventive meds would be. Once Wendy left the room, she immediately went to the bathroom, turned on all the faucets, and stuck her finger down her throat over the toilet, forcing herself to throw up all the coffee she’d drunk.