The livestream barrage was already exploding across the screen, and Director Wang was smiling so hard his mouth could barely close.
Su An’an spoke softly, “Then President Gu and I will go boil some noodles — we can all eat together later.”
Bai Jin couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly.
Gu Zhan cooking noodles? Even if he really could cook, no one would dare eat it.
Anyone with eyes could see that Su An’an was simply using this as an excuse to spend more time alone with him.
But it made sense — they were already underground lovers, so of course she would seize every opportunity.
Ji Xiaoyun observed Bai Jin quietly, his curiosity deepening.
Even something so hidden could be seen through by Bai Jin — what didn’t she know?
Could they really be living inside some kind of fictional world?
Qi Dong also spoke up, “I’ll help too. The rest of you can eat what the program team prepared.”
Li Ming was reluctant but had no reason to refuse, so the two of them headed toward the cooking station with Su An’an and Gu Zhan.
Watching their “harmonious” backs, Bai Jin suddenly thought about Xie Yang and Wang Shu — what would they do next?
Thinking about the later plot in the book — when all the men realize they like Su An’an and enter a fierce competition… the ultimate shura field…
Bai Jin: Suddenly kind of looking forward to it.
At that moment, she keenly felt a cold gaze fall on her.
She followed her instincts and looked over — Ji Xiaoyun was staring at her sharply.
？！
Oops — cold sweat instantly formed on her forehead.
Right… Ji Xiaoyun could apparently hear her thoughts. That earlier inner rant must have been heard…
Whatever. It had nothing to do with her anyway. She wasn’t going to be a doormat like the original host.
【Su An’an really does have a heroine halo. I should just avoid trouble as much as possible.】
【As long as she doesn’t provoke me, she can walk her bright road and I’ll walk my single-plank bridge.】
Bai Jin glared back at Su An’an without hesitation.
In the next second, a tall figure stepped between them, blocking their line of sight.
It was Ji Xiaoyun.
He calmly placed a plate of sirloin steak on the table and sat down to eat slowly.
Barrage comments immediately flooded in:
“Even the program team dares to let Ji Xiaoyun eat this?”
“Eight people but only four meals — how are they supposed to split it?”
“The show definitely did this on purpose to make things difficult.”
Director Wang Ming was sweating bullets.
Originally, only two newly debuted artists were supposed to participate — but right before filming, he received calls from the assistants of both Gu Zhan and Ji Xiaoyun, saying they wanted to join.
It was too late to change the setup.
Wang Ming silently prayed that this mess wouldn’t get blamed on him.
“You’re really eating this?” Bai Jin asked, slightly surprised.
Ji Xiaoyun had grown up in luxury — how could he tolerate frozen steak?
His handsome, noble face looked completely out of place next to such food.
He lifted his eyelids lazily. “There’s nothing else left.”
Then he pushed another plate in front of Bai Jin.
“The ingredients aren’t great, but it’ll fill your stomach.”
He continued calmly, “The next segment will probably be very physically demanding. You should eat something.”
Bai Jin nodded immediately — she was already starving.
She didn’t hesitate and started eating in big bites.
【I didn’t expect Ji Xiaoyun’s cooking to be pretty good.】
Barrage exploded again:
“Ji Xiaoyun is too gentle!”
“Did Bai Jin save the galaxy in her last life?”
“Ship sailed — I’m officially a CP fan.”
#JiXiaoyunBaiJin immediately trended, and the show’s ratings skyrocketed.
“We can only snack on instant porridge…” Wang Shu sighed.
On the table, Wang Shu and Li Ming each had a can of eight-treasure porridge, plus a few slices of bread.
“Bread? You don’t want it?” Bai Jin asked.
“I was saving it for you,” Ji Xiaoyun said naturally.
Bai Jin froze slightly. She hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful.
So this is the devoted second male lead from the book…
Even if his devotion was originally meant for Su An’an, the current plot clearly wasn’t following the novel anymore.
Though Bai Jin couldn’t understand why, being cared for like this still felt warm.
Ji Xiaoyun glanced at her quietly.
Su An’an again? Why is this woman everywhere?
Was his entire life destined to follow some “script” Bai Jin claimed was written in a book? Why should his fate be arranged?
Thinking of this, his irritation toward Su An’an grew.
Just then — clink! — the quiet at the table was broken.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
“Sorry… I accidentally dropped my spoon.” Su An’an said, eyes slightly red as she carefully glanced at Gu Zhan.
But Gu Zhan wasn’t even looking at her.
Her grievance deepened.
She could clearly see that Ji Xiaoyun’s attitude toward Bai Jin was unusual — even Gu Zhan seemed distracted by her.
Since her debut, Su An’an had been the center of attention. In just half a year, she became a top actress.
Everyone revolved around her — except Gu Zhan.
But ever since Bai Jin appeared, everything changed.
Seeing Bai Jin and Ji Xiaoyun together made her furious.
Damn it — she actually lost to Bai Jin.
If Bai Jin latched onto Ji Xiaoyun, her future resources in the industry would skyrocket…
Bai Jin secretly smirked. Su An’an was probably boiling inside — but she couldn’t care less.
Ji Xiaoyun continued eating calmly.
Wang Shu was still wrestling with her porridge lid.
Because of her long nails, she couldn’t open it no matter how hard she tried — and her fingers were starting to hurt.
Just as she was about to exert all her strength, a slender hand reached over and took the can from her.
With one smooth motion, Bai Jin popped the lid open in under ten seconds — with a single hand — and handed it back.
Wang Shu stared at her in shock.
“Jin Jin, teach me that trick!” she exclaimed excitedly.
“You are the queen of one-handed bottle opening!”
Bai Jin shook her head helplessly. “Hurry up and eat — the second segment is about to start.”
Black fans originally wanted to criticize her, but after this moment, Bai Jin gained a wave of praise online.
Screenshots spread everywhere.
“I actually really like Bai Jin — she’s real, not fake.”
“Much better than some divas.”
“From today on, Bai Jin is my new bias.”
Ji Xiaoyun finished his steak and silently gave her extra points in his heart.