After Getting Involved In A Love Triangle With My Mortal Enemy From A Past Life, All I Want To Do Is Lie Down And Relax - Chapter 9

“Today’s task is the Slip Challenge.”

The eight guests sat on the sofa, facing a black cardboard box. The host introduced the rules: “Everyone gets one chance to draw, but you also have one opportunity to initiate an exchange. An exchange is proposed by one party, and the other party cannot refuse. Furthermore, no one is allowed to reveal the content of their slip beforehand.”

The host’s face beamed with a smile that seemed laced with schadenfreude. “You cannot refuse the task on the slip, and the slips can be exchanged multiple times. This means if Person B proposes an exchange with Person A, Person A cannot refuse. However, if Person A still retains their own opportunity to initiate an exchange, they can then trade with someone else.”

Upon hearing the rules, someone immediately asked, “Does that mean the tasks are only finalized at the very end?”

“That is correct. Good luck, everyone,” the host said before making a graceful exit.

The guests looked at one another and eventually each selected a slip. The production team captured everyone’s initial reactions, making it clear who had drawn well and who had not. The most obvious reaction came from Liu Zhiya; her frustration was visible to the naked eye. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and proposed an exchange with Huo Xun.

Huo Xun remained composed. His cold gaze swept past the camera as he said indifferently, “Think carefully. This might not suit you.”

Liu Zhiya looked at the task on her current slip and thought, Could anything be less suitable than this? She smiled, revealing a dimple on one side. “The one I have is not very suitable either. Let us exchange.”

“Fine.” Huo Xun did not waste words and directly swapped slips with her.

When Liu Zhiya saw the content of her new slip, her face instantly turned ashen. The production crew heartlessly provided a close-up, showing the text in her hand: ‘Run three laps around the villa.’

The slip in Huo Xun’s hand read: ‘Do twenty push-ups.’

This was a massive blow to Liu Zhiya, who now desperately wished she had never exchanged. The villa was quite large, and running three laps under the harsh sun, even if it was not peak summer heat, was a daunting prospect. She felt a surge of resentment, wondering if the production team had prepared such terrible tasks on purpose.

Then, she spotted Sang Luo and suddenly had an idea. “Little brother, do you want to exchange?”

The contents of the slips were public once the exchange was made, so Sang Luo already knew what she held. He frowned with a hint of disgust; her perfume was far too strong. Compared to the scent on Huo Xun, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Sang Luo glanced at her briefly and said, “No.”

Liu Zhiya grew anxious. “You are a man; a few laps are nothing to you. It is inconvenient for me in these shoes.”

“You can change your shoes,” Sang Luo replied, unmoved and showing no intention of compromising.

“I won’t let you do it for nothing. If you ever need help, just ask me. I will definitely assist you,” Liu Zhiya said, blinking. “Just think of it as helping your older sister, okay?”

“I apologize, but I do not wish to exchange.” Sang Luo’s voice was calm, like ice that would never melt.

After several attempts, Liu Zhiya’s expression turned sour. “If you won’t exchange, then forget it. You are a bit stingy, little brother.”

A layer of frost seemed to form in Sang Luo’s eyes. His voice was sharp and carried a hint of danger. “Why should I exchange with you?”

At that moment, Sang Luo’s gaze was dark and predatory, like a hawk staring down its prey, sending a chill down one’s spine. Liu Zhiya was terrified; she opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. No one else understood her fear—the sensation of her very soul trembling, as if she were being hunted.

“I”

Liu Zhiya instinctively looked toward Huo Xun for help. To her surprise, Huo Xun’s eyes were filled with a latent hostility, and his expression was cold. His gaze was like a sharp blade directed at her.

The living room fell into a heavy silence. The air felt frozen and suffocating. Finally, Bai Chen stepped in to break the tension. “Shall I exchange with you?”

Liu Zhiya felt as though she had found a lifeline and quickly replied, “Yes! Thank you.”

Bai Chen’s tone shifted. “However, mine is not very suitable for you either. It is actually worse than yours. Are you sure? You can still choose not to exchange.”

A flash of coldness in his eyes went almost unnoticed. Anyone seeing his gentle smile would never guess his true nature.

“It is fine, it is fine! What could be worse than running three laps?” Liu Zhiya agreed hastily. Seeing Bai Chen hesitate, she gave an understanding smile. “It is really okay.”

“Very well.”

The next moment, Liu Zhiya’s face turned bright red. The slip now read: ‘Run five laps around the villa.’

Bai Chen sighed softly. “I only stepped in to liven up the atmosphere. I warned you, yet you insisted on the exchange.” He shrugged helplessly, looking quite apologetic.

Liu Zhiya kept her head down, her emotions unreadable. “It is fine. It was my choice.”

Ultimately, the assignments were finalized, and no one else exchanged with Sang Luo. His task was to perform a talent for the viewers in the live stream. It was arguably the easiest task. The others had various duties: Qin Yibing was to plant flowers, Number Two was to cook lunch, and Number Six was to water the garden.

As everyone began their tasks, Sang Luo looked at the word “talent” with a thoughtful expression. When the production staff asked what he required, he requested a guqin and a flute without hesitation.

A short while later, the instruments were ready. Sang Luo lightly brushed the guqin, a faint smile crossing his face. He tested the strings, and once satisfied, he began to play. His technique was exceptionally skilled. His plucking and sliding were precise. He kept his head lowered, his bound black hair falling beside his ears. His downcast eyelashes looked like the wings of a butterfly, delicate and agile.

Though Sang Luo wore a simple long-sleeved shirt and trousers, he appeared like an ancient aristocrat. Every movement exuded an air of elegance and detachment. The melody was enchanting, and Sang Luo played exquisitely. His striking looks combined with his focused demeanor caused the fans in the live stream to swoon.

[I am officially a fan! A handsome and talented guy? I love him.]

[Me too! Is he really a civilian? Does he not have a social media account?]

[So beautiful. I am declaring him my new wife!]

The audience was not the only one captivated; the guests outside the villa felt the same. Liu Zhiya looked as though she wanted to grind her teeth to dust. She was filled with hatred that this person had managed to steal all the limelight again.

When the others finished their tasks and entered the villa, they heard the sound of Sang Luo’s flute. The melody was somewhat sorrowful, particularly the lingering notes at the end. The young man at the center of their vision was dazzling. His lowered eyes hid his emotions, yet one could guess at his underlying sadness.

When the piece ended, Sang Luo set the flute down. He gave a cold, faint smile to the camera. In that moment, he looked like melting snow—startingly beautiful.

“Well played,” Bai Chen said, clapping with a slight smile. “I liked it very much.”

Huo Xun glanced at Bai Chen before moving the instruments aside. “Do your hands hurt?” He had noticed the slight redness on Sang Luo’s palms, and his eyes were full of concern.

“Thank you for your concern.” Sang Luo withdrew his hand and poured himself a glass of water.

Huo Xun closed his eyes briefly, appearing calm again when he opened them.

“Lunch is ready,” announced a shy young man named An Yushu. He looked a bit embarrassed as he addressed the group. “I just heated up last night’s food. I truly do not know how to cook, so I barely managed to make some rice. I hope you do not mind.”

“It is no problem.”

The others did not complain. After all, even if An Yushu had wanted to make something else, there were no ingredients left to use.

[THE END]