9 – Plауing thе Grееn Теa, Who Саn’t?
Тhе dirеctor revеаled a misсhievous smilе. Еvеrуоnе wantеd tо shiр thе male аnd female cеlеbrities аs а соuрle, but оnlу еnjoying swееt momеnts—how could thаt cоmpare tо the fun оf watсhing thе couрle pairings sрlit uр аnd сompеtе аgаinst eaсh othеr?
Threе women аnd four men—just thinking аbout it was alrеаdу sensаtiоnal.
So, the dirеctоr first tоok out fоur woodеn sticks.
Не dеliberаtely сlearеd his thrоаt. “Since there are four malе guеsts, one of them must fоrm а solo grouр. Тhe male guest who ends up alone will have to complete tasks independently. As for who will be left out, that decision will be left to our female guests. Every day, we will draw lots to determine who the teammates are. Today is the first day, so now, the fate of the male guests is in the hands of the female guests.”
He placed the four wooden sticks in front of the female guests.
There were only three female guests: He Juan, Jiang Ning, and Jiang Zhi.
“Who wants to go first?” the director asked with a grin.
Before Jiang Ning and He Juan could speak, Jiang Zhi suggested, “Why don’t we let Sister Jiang Ning go first?”
Jiang Ning had the highest popularity and achievements here, so it would normally make sense for her to draw first. However, among the three, one was a veteran actress—meaning, a senior in the industry.
If Jiang Ning really went first, even if it wasn’t her suggestion, marketing accounts would take her actions out of context, editing videos to claim she didn’t respect her seniors.
Jiang Ning had dealt with Jiang Zhi countless times and knew she was the darling of this world—far from being simple-minded. This world revolved around her consciousness.
Every time before, Jiang Zhi had said the same thing, and Jiang Ning had been relentlessly attacked by countless marketing accounts.
Back then, due to the cheating scandal, even more people had criticized her.
Jiang Ning glanced at Jiang Zhi, her eyes carrying a hint of a smile. “Sister He is the senior here, so she should go first.”
He Juan’s status couldn’t compare to Jiang Ning’s, so she had no issue with Jiang Ning going first. But with Jiang Ning saying this, He Juan felt respected and immediately formed an excellent impression of her.
She said cheerfully, “Alright, then I’ll go first.”
Jiang Zhi still wore an innocent, naive smile.
Jiang Ning stood beside her, her every movement exuding charm and allure.
Jiang Zhi was the pure, lily-like type—innocent, cute, pretty, and clean.
But compared to the stunning beauty Jiang Ning, she seemed far too plain.
It was like comparing a simple, fresh wild daisy to a meticulously crafted, vibrant red rose—the daisy instantly paled in comparison.
Moreover, Jiang Ning had a fiery figure and porcelain-white skin, which made Jiang Zhi’s slightly pale complexion appear several shades darker in contrast.
While the female guests were drawing lots, the male guests’ gazes were fixed on them.
He Ziyu and Gu Chi, needless to say, naturally had their eyes on Jiang Ning.
As for Ye Chen…
He looked at the innocent and adorable Jiang Zhi, then glanced at the elegant and beautiful Jiang Ning, suddenly realizing that Jiang Zhi wasn’t even half as dazzling as Jiang Ning.
His eyes darkened slightly as he told himself that Jiang Ning was nothing more than a template of a socialite—all looks and no soul.
Jiang Zhi was the one who truly delighted his heart.
If even Ye Chen could notice this, the fans certainly didn’t miss it.
“No comparison, no harm—suddenly Jiang Zhi seems pitiful.”
“My goddess is the number one beauty in the entertainment industry—any objections?”
“So this is the legendary truth: cuteness is worthless in the face of sexiness. Damn, I actually experienced it in my lifetime.”
Meanwhile, He Juan waved her hand and drew one of the sticks.
Jiang Ning, familiar with the plot, knew that He Juan would draw her husband, while Jiang Zhi, due to her irresistible fate with the male lead, would end up with Ye Chen.Sure enough, when He Juan opened her slip and saw it was her husband, she jumped for joy like a child. “Honey, I picked you, yay!”
She happily rushed into Jiang Yunhai’s arms, and the camera captured this heartwarming moment.
Next, the director intended to let Jiang Ning continue drawing.
Although Jiang Ning wasn’t controlled by the World Consciousness, she deliberately followed the same path as every previous time. She crouched down to adjust the strap of her high heels. “Sorry, let Xiao Zhi draw first. I need to fix my shoes.”
The director didn’t suspect anything and handed the remaining three sticks to Jiang Zhi.
Only after Jiang Zhi drew her slip did Jiang Ning slowly stand up.
When Jiang Zhi opened her slip and saw Ye Chen’s name written on it, she was overjoyed and forgot to hide her excitement, letting out an “Ah!” of delight.
“Oh, so happy? Who did you pick?” Jiang Yunhai and his wife asked with a smile.
Only then did Jiang Zhi snap back to reality. She glanced nervously at Ye Chen, and the production crew perfectly captured this moment.
Fans immediately started teasing.
“Woo-hoo, our girl drew her idol! She’s so happy but also a little scared—too adorable!”
While Jiang Zhi’s fans were celebrating, Jiang Ning’s fans were displeased. However, since this was the show’s arrangement, no one blamed Jiang Zhi. Instead, they angrily criticized the director for breaking up their favorite pairing and being unreasonable.
Jiang Zhi reacted quickly. She immediately said, “I drew my idol.”
The term “idol” instantly justified her earlier burst of excitement.
After all, it’s perfectly normal for a fan to be happy about being grouped with their idol.
Jiang Ning sneered inwardly. Indeed, an idol—one who calls every day to say goodnight and goes on dates together.
All the insults Jiang Ning had endured before would now be repaid to Jiang Zhi and Ye Chen, one by one.
Pretending not to be close now, are they?
Perfect. That way, when the truth comes out, they won’t be able to refute it.
Jiang Zhi looked apologetically at Jiang Ning. “Sister Ning, should I swap with you?”
Jiang Ning didn’t speak, waiting for the director to object.
Sure enough, the director said slyly, “No, whoever you draw is who you get. No changes allowed.”
Fans watching the livestream were furious, but Jiang Zhi’s actions earned her a lot of goodwill from casual viewers.
Everyone thought she was genuinely kind—clearly thrilled to be grouped with her idol but principled enough not to get too close to someone else’s fiancé.
In her previous life, Jiang Zhi had also gained favor this way, making fans criticize Jiang Ning even more harshly, saying she didn’t deserve Jiang Zhi’s kindness since she had already cheated.
This time, Jiang Ning would never give Jiang Zhi that opportunity.
As soon as the director said no, Jiang Ning instinctively looked at Ye Chen. She bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes filled with reluctance. To outsiders, it seemed she truly loved Ye Chen deeply!
Ye Chen also felt this way and felt a bit sorry for her, but more than anything, he was happy to be grouped with the one he loved.
“It’s okay. If it doesn’t work out this time, there’s always next time. We shouldn’t break the show’s rules just for me,” Jiang Ning said in a low, dejected tone.
Who doesn’t know how to play the innocent victim?
Sure enough, as soon as Jiang Ning said this, fans immediately felt sorry for their goddess. Jiang Zhi’s kindness was quickly forgotten.
Although Jiang Ning couldn’t see it, everyone comforted her in the comments.
“Wuwu, don’t cry, sweetie. It’s just one missed pairing—there will be more chances. Don’t worry, Actor Ye will always be yours.”
“Oh no, it’s our girl’s first variety show. She must have really wanted Actor Ye to be with her.””My wife looks so obedient and pitiful, ahhh, it’s all the director’s fault, so annoying.”
Gu Chi remained silent throughout. When she saw Jiang Ning instinctively glance at Ye Chen, her thick eyelashes suddenly lowered, a flicker of gloom passing through her eyes.
Does she still like Ye Chen?
After Jiang Zhi and He Juan drew their lots, it was finally Jiang Ning’s turn.