Song Qingchi’s smile froze slightly as he listened to the two “systems” in his mind fiercely debating whether he was “up to the task” or not.
Cannon Fodder System 999 shrieked, “Ridiculous! This is utterly ridiculous! How could our male lead possibly be impotent? Host, stop spreading rumors!”
Ji Xingzhu argued confidently, “In the book, he falls for every woman he meets, with bedroom scenes every few chapters. But look at reality! Not only are there no women around him, there aren’t even any female mosquitoes! He has zero interest in flirting with girls. If that’s not impotence, what is?”
The Cannon Fodder System’s resolve weakened a bit but it still argued on principle, “Maybe the male lead simply changed his mind. He… he doesn’t want a harem anymore. He wants to be a devoted man!”
Ji Xingzhu sneered disdainfully, “Devoted? You wish! Little Nine, let me tell you, men only become faithful when they’re black-and-white photos hanging on the wall. Expecting a harem protagonist to reform? Don’t be naive!”
“Host, I now reasonably suspect that having a scumbag father in both lives has caused you to develop prejudice against the broad male demographic. May I provide psychological counseling…”
“Get lost, get lost, get lost!” Ji Xingzhu felt deeply vexed. “Men are inherently no good. You call that prejudice? That’s a fact!”
“Host, the so-called facts you mentioned lack solid evidence. I cannot agree. Moreover, the male lead is definitely not impotent!”
Ji Xingzhu yelled, “Prove the male lead isn’t impotent then! Do you have evidence?!”
“Do you have evidence that the male lead is impotent? Do you?!”
Song Qingchi: “…”
Song Qingchi took a deep breath and raised a hand to rub his temples. He felt his mind was completely occupied by the term “impotent,” and his expression became somewhat complex for a moment.
No man would be happy being suspected of impotence. For the first time, Song Qingchi doubted himself—was his decision to hide the fact that he could hear the two systems’ conversation really the right choice?
If only those two knew he could hear them, they wouldn’t dare discuss it so brazenly as if no one else was listening…
Song Qingchi sighed faintly and spoke nonchalantly, interrupting the increasingly off-track discussion in his mind, “System.”
Ji Xingzhu’s voice halted. She immediately abandoned 999 and addressed the male lead, “What?”
“Earlier, you meant you wanted me to help the female guests with their luggage to win their favor?” Song Qingchi asked calmly.
“Yes!” Ji Xingzhu thought Song Qingchi might be a bit persuaded and hurried to urge him, “Such beautiful women, don’t you like them? And the audience will praise your gentlemanly manners too!”
Song Qingchi nodded thoughtfully, smiling as he said, “You have a point. I’ve decided to do as you say.”
Ji Xingzhu was taken aback, then said triumphantly, “Know what’s good for you! Let me tell you, you should have obediently listened to me long ago!”
Song Qingchi smiled without replying. Taking long strides, he proactively walked towards the female guests. His posture was upright, his steps unhurried. His movement immediately attracted everyone’s attention.
However, Song Qingchi didn’t go to find Cen Xuan or Bai Zhiyi as Ji Xingzhu had said, nor did he pay any attention to Wen Yajun. He walked straight towards Ji Xingzhu.
Because this young lady had such a terrible temper, everyone avoided her for fear of provoking her. So, there was no one around her; she stood alone, wearing sunglasses, head held high, chest out, completely motionless.
“Miss Ji.” Song Qingchi stopped in front of her, his smile sincere and warm, his manner polite. “Let me help you with your luggage.”
In the next second, Song Qingchi heard the panicked mechanical voice in his mind, “Ahhhhh! Is the male lead crazy? I told him to be attentive to the female guests, but that doesn’t include me, the vicious fiancée!”
Song Qingchi’s smile deepened, even revealing his white teeth. He looked very pleased.
Before going offline, Ji Xingzhu said disdainfully again, “Little Nine, didn’t I tell you this male lead is a glutton for punishment? I’ve never given him a pleasant look, yet he eagerly comes up to me now and smiles so happily. So spineless.”
Song Qingchi: “…”
Song Qingchi instantly suppressed his smile. He covered his mouth with a fist, coughing lightly as if to hide it.
The next second, the person before Song Qingchi seemed to suddenly “come alive,” finally reacting to his words.
As soon as Ji Xingzhu’s consciousness returned to her body, she hurriedly turned to deal with Song Qingchi. She coldly adjusted her sunglasses and said irritably, “I don’t need your help. Go find someone else.”
Ji Xingzhu emphasized the words “someone else,” her tone somewhat gritted.
Song Qingchi replied calmly, “The other guests aren’t really on the same route as us.”
As he spoke, Song Qingchi had already very naturally placed his hand on the handle of Ji Xingzhu’s suitcase. He gave a faint smile, “Don’t stand on ceremony, Miss Ji. It’s what a gentleman should do.”
He meaningfully emphasized the word “gentleman,” using the very words Ji Xingzhu had tried to fool him with to shut her down.
Ji Xingzhu snatched off her sunglasses and glared at him fiercely, her peach-blossom eyes practically spitting fire, her voice harsh as she said, “I don’t need you. Get lost!”
Ji Xingzhu picked up her own luggage, turned, and walked away, disdainfully leaving Song Qingchi behind.
She vowed confidently to 999, “I’d rather die of exhaustion than accept his help! A villainess must be irreconcilably opposed to the male lead!”
The Cannon Fodder System let out a dry chuckle, “Heh, alright, host. Do your best.”
However, Ji Xingzhu had overestimated herself. She wasn’t usually so weak that she couldn’t pull a suitcase, but they were in the countryside now, and the roads weren’t great. They were all rural dirt paths scattered with hard stones.
After pulling for a while, Ji Xingzhu felt her palms tingling from the vibration. Frowning, she stopped and looked around for her bodyguards, wanting them to help pull the luggage.
But Lu Xuguang had someone block the two bodyguards, adamantly refusing to let them appear on camera or come forward to help.
Ji Xingzhu glared angrily at Lu Xuguang. He hunched his shoulders but resolutely refused to budge.
Just then, a helpless sigh sounded above Ji Xingzhu’s head. Song Qingchi walked up to her. He didn’t mention her earlier stubbornness, just silently took the suitcase handle again and said with a gentle smile, “Let’s go.”
Ji Xingzhu somewhat awkwardly adjusted her sunglasses, her expression inscrutable. After quite a while, she raised her sharp chin slightly and silently followed behind Song Qingchi.
She didn’t forget to save face with 999, “It was the male lead who insisted on helping me with the luggage! I’m just reluctantly giving him some face.”
Cannon Fodder System: “…Fine. Whatever you say.”
[Young lady, your stubbornness is so funny, hahaha!]
[Who exactly is dating a gentle and considerate man like Song Qingchi! Envy! Distortion! I’m crawling on the ground in jealousy!]
[Shipping it again! Today’s sugar intake is too high!]
After a while, the groups of guests finally arrived at their chosen accommodations under the crew’s guidance. They would stay here for four days and three nights, enjoying the local customs and scenery before departing for the next filming location.
Ji Xingzhu looked around inside her small Western-style house. It definitely couldn’t compare to her own home, but it was still delicate and clean, and she was somewhat satisfied.
Song Qingchi fully demonstrated his gentlemanly spirit by carrying her luggage up to the bedroom on the second floor and giving her the largest and best bedroom.
Ji Xingzhu simply took all this for granted. Without even saying a “thank you,” she directly shut the door in Song Qingchi’s face.
Song Qingchi’s expression remained composed. He stared at Ji Xingzhu’s door for a moment, shook his head with a light smile, and soon turned to return to his own bedroom.
Inside the room, 999 complained, “Host, you’re so rude. The male lead helped you so much; how could you not even say thank you?!”
Ji Xingzhu chuckled, “Heh, that’s just how we villainesses are.”
Cannon Fodder System: “…”
After returning to her room, Ji Xingzhu first lay down on the bed for a while—this trip had really worn her out. The crew was considerate of the guests and had already turned off the live stream, giving everyone some time to adjust.
While lying on the bed, Ji Xingzhu suddenly said to 999, “Why did Song Qingchi choose me as the object of his attentiveness? He won’t keep doing this later, will he?”
“I don’t know either. How about… you go sound him out?”
“Let’s go. Going online!”
After the familiar feeling of weightlessness, the scenery before Ji Xingzhu’s eyes changed. She knew this was probably Song Qingchi’s room.
But she soon sensed something was wrong. The space before her was very narrow, and mist filled the air, blurring her vision.
Before Ji Xingzhu could react, she instinctively observed her surroundings, and then she was shocked.
Ji Xingzhu screamed in horror, “Ah—why aren’t you wearing any clothes?!”
Song Qingchi’s body stiffened, seemingly not expecting her to appear at this time either. He wiped the water droplets from his face. His voice was very low, inexplicably carrying a hint of gritted teeth.
“I’m taking a shower.”