Chapter Twenty-One: So It's Not You Who's Embarrassed!

"Round two is over! No one completed the task—one dish will be deducted!"

As the guests reviewed their performances, Zhao Liheng announced the results of the first round.

Yu Zhi could barely hide her annoyance. If Shen Jiayu hadn't gotten in her way earlier, she would have completed the task and put an end to this infuriating storyline.

Unbelievable. What a bunch of neurotic human-stacking fanatics!

Why were the others so obsessed with this segment? Did they really enjoy being tossed around like ragdolls?

[I’m actually looking forward to seeing Bai Fuyuan whimpering again?]
[If their acting wasn't so genuinely good, I’d have quit watching and gone to sleep by now.]
[Director, are you even capable? Do you know how to film this at all?]

After two rounds of friction, everyone had a better grasp of each other’s tasks. However, competitors remained competitors; no one was interested in doing anyone else any favors.

Thus, the third round promised to be exceptionally intense. Yu Zhi pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, stared at the common weeds swaying outside the window, and delivered the classic line: "Stop crying. Remember, you were the one who walked into my room..."

Bai Fuyuan: "..."

"Whimper, whimper. Whatever mistake my brother made, what does it have to do with me?"

She scoffed, "Didn't you run over here to sleep with me?"

...

In a heartbeat, Yu Zhi had devised a strategy. She waited only for everyone to arrive before putting it into action. If it meant offending people, so be it; if they kept dragging this out, there would be no time left to eat or sleep.

At the end of the day, this was a battle between the guests and the production team. If the guests won, they would enjoy a feast together; if the production team won, they would all be left out in the cold.

"Sister... you're disheveled in my brother's bed..."

"Ah!!!"

Gu Qing’s eyes were filled with shock. How dare Yu Zhi?

Hearing the commotion, the others rushed toward the room, only to be grabbed by Yu Zhi one by one and tossed onto the bed.

Xia Shuang: "Yu Zhi, what are you doing!"

Shi Hailing: "Zhizhi, what is all this?"

Yu Zhi didn't answer, simply hauling people over and stacking them until—

"Yu Zhi has completed the task and won the grand feast prepared by the production team!"

[Forgive my bluntness, but while Yu Zhi's actions were a bit unethical, they were logical.]
[I’m dying of laughter. Did Yu Zhi suddenly realize she couldn't conquer the world with her acting, so she switched to physical force?]
[Everyone heard Gu Qing’s command and rushed into the room, and then—they started a human pyramid one by one. Hahahaha!]
[Goodnight, friends. Today’s pre-sleep activities conclude here. Hahahaha!]

The director announced the end of the recording. Yu Zhi stepped forward to help the piled-up group stand, offering apologies as she did so.

Once Shen Jiayu got up, he immediately pulled Xia Shuang toward him, checking her over for a long time. Once he was sure she was unharmed, he demanded sharply, "Yu Zhi, was that necessary? It’s just a game. What does it matter if you lose?"

Bai Fuyuan, having finally managed to stand up and shake out his wrists, heard Shen Jiayu’s words and let out a sharp, mocking laugh. He raised a foot and kicked Shen Jiayu in the back of the knee.

"Where did that barking dog come from? Sister Yu~ Fuyuan is scared~"

Xia Shuang scrambled to steady Shen Jiayu, keeping him from collapsing to the floor.

"Yu Zhi! Keep your dog on a leash and stop letting him out to bite people!"

Yu Zhi tightened her grip on Gu Qing’s arm, pulled her up firmly, and cautioned her, "You've been in the industry for so long, why have you forgotten how to speak properly? Don't pick up such brainless habits in the future; it tarnishes your own reputation."

Bai Fuyuan leaned weakly against Yu Zhi. "Only Sister truly cares for me~"

Shen Jiayu: "..."

Catching a glimpse of the director packing up the equipment, Shen Jiayu’s pent-up rage finally found an outlet. He straightened up, shoved Xia Shuang aside, and lashed out with a kick toward Bai Fuyuan.

"You reek of being a 'green tea' manipulator, why don't you just choke on it?"

Bai Fuyuan’s expression didn't change; his smile merely turned playful, projecting the attitude of, *what can you do to me besides get angry?*

"Shen Jiayu, is that all you've got?"

The remaining staff on set stared at Shen Jiayu in astonishment. The director hurriedly called for people to intervene before the two could escalate the physical conflict.

The incident from last night, where Zhou Su beat someone up, was still trending high on social media. If he added another one to the list, the show would be finished. The guests were all showing signs of violent tendencies.

Who would dare come here to date or flirt if they were just waiting for domestic violence after marriage?

Shen Jiayu shook off Zhou Su, who had come to pull him away, and looked at Bai Fuyuan with disdain. "You're good at putting on a show, but has she ever actually taken your actions to heart? You're nothing but a clown..."

Zhou Su snorted coldly, having no interest in the drama between these two. He reached out to pull Yu Zhi away. "Zhibao, let's go eat. Don't waste time with idiots."

The "idiots" Bai Fuyuan and Shen Jiayu: "..."

While the sentiment was sound, the delivery was a bit too blunt...

Yu Zhi had originally intended to join the fray, but Zhou Su’s interruption left her feeling only amused, and she followed him away obediently.

Director Zhao Liheng let out a sigh of relief. With Yu Zhi’s physical strength, any fight would inevitably end in a hospital trip. Shen Jiayu really lacked perspective; he already owed Yu Zhi, and since he was in the wrong, these petty antics were only meant to attract attention.

He would have to increase the intensity of their training tomorrow. They weren't tired enough today, which was why they had the energy to fight at night. Fortunately, he had made sure the cameramen turned off the live stream early.

"Zhizhi, you really are a femme fatale!" Shi Hailing teased with a smirk.

Yu Zhi crossed her legs and tapped her fingers absentmindedly on the table. "Sister, you’re no slouch yourself. I still remember when you and..."

Shi Hailing hurriedly placed a piece of food into Yu Zhi’s bowl. "Let’s skip this topic. Eat!"

For once, Xia Shuang didn't cling to Shen Jiayu, instead pulling Gu Qing aside to chat.

The production staff had already been dismissed by the director, terrified that they would witness something else they shouldn't.

Yu Zhi retrieved her phone from the director. "Yu Zhi, your manager has been calling you nonstop. You should call him back."

The phone slid neatly into her pocket. "Got it!"

Shi Hailing had a deep impression of Yu Zhi’s manager. "Have you been busy lately?"

Usually, once an artist began working, a manager’s focus would shift elsewhere. But Jiang Weicheng was an exception; he had to watch Yu Zhi every second to keep up with every scandal she stirred up.

"I’m out of work. My manager is probably about to quit."

Shi Hailing’s response died in her throat. That mother-hen of a man, quitting? She didn't believe it.

Especially given Yu Zhi’s previous comment, which was news in itself. She lowered her eyes in thought for a moment before extending an invitation: "No work? Why don't you join me?"

"Sure, as long as you’re willing to share some resources, Sister Ling!"

"Cheeky! I’m sure half the jobs you’ve lost were pushed away by that mouth of yours!"

As the two chatted, Jiang Weicheng’s call came through again. The moment she answered, he launched into a tirade: "Yu Zhi, what are you stirring up now? It’s not like you’re the one losing face—why are you playing the hero?"