Chapter Twelve: The Battle for Points!

It is said that while a normal romance is important, a twisted love story is truly captivating.

Yu Zhi was speechless, unsure of which nerve in her brain had misfired. Along the way, she had run into Li Ze and Gu Qing, and amid Gu Qing’s few words of praise, she agreed to team up with the two of them.

And now, the situation was awkward.

The babbling brook beside them sounded like an unfamiliar melody in Yu Zhi’s ears. More than once, she silently berated herself for having a brain full of nonsense.

The formation of six people was even more cloying than a sandwich cookie—and she was the filling.

Had she known it would come to this, acting alone wouldn’t necessarily have been impossible.

“What tasks did you complete this morning?” Yu Zhi’s attempt to start a conversation was neither skillful nor particularly clever.

“A bunch of bizarre tasks. We finished three in succession: weeding, fetching medicine, and feeding pigs,” Shi Hailing replied, a trace of weariness in his voice.

Breaking the ice successfully, Gu Qing followed suit and outlined their morning’s tasks.

“Our group cooked meals and built a doghouse. Thanks to Professor Li’s competence—without him, I doubt we would have completed a single task,” Gu Qing said, cleverly praising Professor Li. The harsh criticism from her manager the night before still felt fresh in her mind.

She could not betray the original purpose of appearing on the show. It would be a great loss to sacrifice the big picture for the sake of Yu Zhi.

Popularity without work to show for it was utterly wasted.

Having served as a mentor on a few dating shows, she refused to believe these people wouldn’t be drawn to her. A carefully crafted smile appeared on her face, flawless and unyielding.

[Is this really a dating show? Or is it some kind of survival farming program?]

[Upstairs, I have to admit you might be onto something. The director specializes in survival shows!]

[How can these delicate stars withstand Zhao Liheng’s torment? I’m looking forward to day three when they beg for mercy.]

It seemed their group completed the fewest tasks and earned the least points. It was uncertain if they could catch up in the afternoon.

At that moment, the fixed loudspeaker in the village began broadcasting the next phase. Yu Zhi even had reason to suspect the director was improvising the show’s schedule on the spot.

“Attention, guests! Attention, guests! A breaking announcement of a new rule: all points earned through completed tasks may be tricked away by others before the evening meal. Please remain vigilant of those around you.”

Though she kept a straight face, Yu Zhi felt a sudden gratitude that the director was so unpredictable. Suppressing the urge to laugh, she calmly suggested, “Since there’s a new rule, our group is too large for efficient action. Why don’t we split up?”

Li Ze clenched his teeth in frustration, unwilling to meet Yu Zhi’s gaze. Only after Gu Qing’s subtle hint did he reluctantly depart.

Shi Hailing, with Bai Fuyuan, quickly confirmed their direction.

---

[Suddenly introducing a new rule, and at this time? Isn’t that a bit rushed for them?]

[Wonder what kind of people will be grabbing the points? The director of this show wouldn’t let anything ugly appear on camera, right?]

[Yu Zhi and Zhou Su are in big trouble…]

Zhao Liheng trembled as he set down the machine connected to the outdoor broadcast, nervously looking at the people appearing in the studio.

Who could tell him what trouble he had stirred up requiring a face-to-face meeting with the CEO?

This small temple could not hide such a great Buddha. Thinking of the new rule he himself had insisted on adding, Zhao Liheng suddenly had a moment of enlightenment. Could it be that the CEO wanted to guide the direction of the show’s management?

But usually, such matters were handled by Assistant Fang...

“Remember, don’t let Yu Zhi and Li Ze end up in the same group.”

Zhao Liheng: ???

Again with Yu Zhi! What surprise could this woman possibly have in store for him?

After Yu Zhi and her group left, they sat down on the ground.

“Zhou Su, we only have three points now. The remaining tasks are tough. What do you think we should do?”

Zhou Su blinked and immediately understood what Yu Zhi was implying.

“You mean we directly steal from the other guests?”

The idea was instantly agreed upon, and Yu Zhi nodded with satisfaction.

However, just a few minutes into their departure, Zhou Su asked, “Yu Zhi, we don’t even know how to steal… Grandma Wang only mentioned we have three points verbally. Do the others really have points? If so, how should we steal them?”

Yu Zhi was glad Zhou Su asked, because she didn’t know either.

“Let’s just go do the tasks first! Maybe someone will take pity on us and bring us the secret manual?”

Dropping a stone she had picked up, Yu Zhi flipped through the task cards in her hand. The more she looked, the more she suspected Zhou Su must have bribed the director when he arrived today.

[Yu Zhi squinted her eyes: Zhou Su, I have a bold idea!]

[Zhou Su: Let’s go!]

[Awww, starry-eyed puppy! Yu Zhi’s scolding was so good! Sister, can you start a live stream? I’m not hating on you, but can you teach me how to win over a handsome man?]

“Zhi Zhi, I’m noticing you’re becoming more straightforward!”

Zhou Su’s comment was strange. Yu Zhi chose not to respond, but he didn’t seem to care whether she answered. He added, “You’re doing great. You’ve done what you once said you would.”

“Crazy person, why do you sound like you’re giving a farewell speech today?” Yu Zhi flung her sleeve and shot Zhou Su a glare.

---

Irreverent people suddenly becoming serious was just as unbelievable as serious people suddenly becoming irreverent.

They talked as they walked, and when passing the Hengxi Bridge, a villager bumped into them.

Yu Zhi nearly fell, but Zhou Su, right beside her, quickly grabbed her arm. With a sudden tug, Yu Zhi spun around and slipped into Zhou Su’s embrace.

The people involved, the onlookers, and the viewers online: …

[What a coincidence! That spin would take years of dance training to pull off.]

[Is this professional actor’s quality? Nearing a fall, spin to save yourself—I thought the director made it up, but it’s real!]

Snapping back to reality, Yu Zhi hurriedly stood and cupped her hands in thanks.

“Thanks, if you hadn’t reacted in time, I might have not only been disfigured but also scarred!”

“Zhi Jie, why are you blushing? Did you suddenly realize I’m naturally beautiful and got mesmerized by me?”

“Bah, don’t flatter yourself. Who do you think you are?”

Before their banter could conclude, the broadcast crackled to life, interrupting them.

“Yu Zhi and Zhou Su’s team, points reset to zero—”

Yu Zhi: !!!

Zhou Su: !!!

They exchanged looks, both reading disbelief in each other’s eyes. Points vanished into thin air?

“How… how is this possible? We didn’t do anything just now. Did the director call the wrong names?”

[Laughing so hard, that expression alone is enough to show off for a whole year! Mom, the couple you ship finally has some sweet moments!]

[Please enjoy Yu Zhi’s face change—red warmth to pale shock—JPG. Hahahahaha!]

Yu Zhi’s scattered mind suddenly took a turn.

“Where did the person who bumped into us just now go?”