I Have Everything They Like - Chapter 5

Listening to Doctor Fu’s “clean” remarks, You Tao, with her bright, deer-like eyes, gently reminded him, “But if you wash the rice too thoroughly, you’ll lose the vitamins on the surface.”

Idiot #3 is actually discussing rice washing with Doctor Fu.

You mock #3 for being out of touch, but #3 mocks you for being a simpering dog. Doesn’t anyone notice how popular #3 is right now? It’s like everyone’s unconsciously drawn to her.

Fu Jin Yan paused his rice-rinsing. After a moment, he decided against adding more water. Instead, he dried the outside of the inner pot, placed it in the rice cooker, plugged it in, and pressed the “cook” button.

Meanwhile, Shen Mingrui, having secured You Tao’s permission, departed like a triumphant victor. Having previously declared herself a “kitchen killer” a fact supported by clips of her disastrous cooking attempts from past variety shows, she left the kitchen to the remaining two.

After finishing his task, Fu Jin Yan stood quietly to the side, observing You Tao’s busy movements. Noticing her repeatedly pausing to brush stray strands of hair from her face with her arm, he suddenly turned and walked out of the kitchen.

When Fu Jin Yan returned, he held a rubber band in his hand. As he stepped forward to tie You Tao’s hair, the heated ice silk glove on his hand brushed against the back of her neck, startling her.

“Doctor Fu, you… Hey? When did you go out?”

You Tao watched as Fu Jin Yan stretched the black rubber band with his slender fingers, recognizing it as the cheapest pack she’d bought at the supermarket that afternoon, plain and unadorned. Yet, wrapped around the white ice silk glove that concealed her delicate skin, only revealing its general outline, it created a striking contrast between black and white.

Fu Jin Yan didn’t answer her question. Instead, he swiftly tied her hair into a bun with such light and skillful movements that not a single strand pulled.

Who’s shipping them! Me!

Don’t be fooled by their icy exteriors, some of these guys are better at braiding hair than anyone!

So skillful, huh? He could probably make Tao Tao squirm to death on the boat with just a casual touch, couldn’t he?

Now free from stray hairs, You Tao happily thanked Fu Jin Yan. As she began stir-frying, he timed his movements perfectly to hand her the seasonings she needed. They didn’t exchange another word in the kitchen, yet the atmosphere between them remained exceptionally harmonious and warm.

As dinner was about to be served, Jing Sinian arrived early in the kitchen, wanting to help You Tao and Fu Jin Yan carry the dishes to the dining table. But the moment she reached for a plate, Huo Lang stepped forward and took over her task, even guiding her to her seat at the table first.

“You sit down. I’ll handle it.”

The second-generation rich woman had shed her usual airs, acting as an exceptionally attentive server for her crush. She even produced a bottle of Romanée-Conti from somewhere, ready to open it, but Jing Sinian gently raised her hand to stop her. “I won’t drink. My tolerance is low, and I’m covering for our homeroom teacher. If any students need me tonight, it’ll be a problem.”

“Then I won’t drink either.”

Huo Lang casually placed the multi-ten-thousand-dollar bottle on a side table and sat down next to Jing Sinian. Without waiting for the others to take their seats, she helped herself to a piece of squirrel-shaped mandarin fish and offered it to Jing Sinian. “You’re a local, so your palate is probably more refined. You can tell us if Little Peach’s dish is authentic enough.”

Just then, You Tao removed her apron, about to call Shen Mingrui to join them for dinner. She barely noticed the scene at the table. Only Fu Jin Yan quietly pulled out a chair opposite Jing Sinian and sat down, but he didn’t pick up his chopsticks.

Teacher Jing withdrew his gaze from the distance and focused on the glistening rice in the bowl before him, specifically on the piece of mandarin fish, its vibrant color and tender, pearly flesh. Remembering the flippant nickname Huo Lang had given her, his smile remained as warm as ever, but he replied softly, “Her cooking is indeed excellent.”

“You haven’t even tasted it yet, so how can you say that?” Huo Lang shook her head with a laugh. “I think you’re just too soft-hearted to point out anyone’s flaws.”

I can’t help but feel… Teacher Jing is really protective of Tao Tao.

I thought accepting gifts from the second-generation rich would heat up their relationship quickly, but why does it feel like they’re not progressing as fast as I expected? Did the show’s scriptwriters learn to subvert expectations?

Meanwhile.

When Shen Mingrui’s door was knocked on, she still had her AirPods in. When she saw You Tao cautiously open the door and peek her head in, she glanced in that direction. The voice that reached her ears overlapped with the voice currently flowing through her headphones, separated by the frequency of the current:

“Dinner time~”

She froze for a moment, removed one earbud, and asked, “What did you say?”

Yet You Tao’s voice remained sweet and soft, bearing no resemblance to the female narrator in the story she was playing. The light in Shen Mingrui’s eyes dimmed for a fleeting moment. After You Tao finished repeating herself, Shen Mingrui took off her headphones, got out of bed, and padded over in her slippers.

“Coming right up! Thanks for waiting, Tao Tao. Let’s go together.” Shedding her sheer sun-protective jacket, Shen Mingrui approached You Tao and linked arms with her like a close sister, instantly closing the distance between them.

You Tao noticed the gesture but didn’t pull away or even glance at her, allowing Shen Mingrui to hold her hand as they walked down the corridor and into the elevator.

Inside the elevator, Shen Mingrui leaned closer, her face almost touching You Tao’s as she pointed to their reflection in the mirror.

“We’re the same height, aren’t we?”

What are you trying to imply? That we’re a good match?

You Tao’s eyes flickered slightly. Compared to Shen Mingrui’s radiant, flawless smile—perfect for the camera at all times—her own expression seemed a bit vacant, like a small animal caught off guard.

She caught the scent of Shen Mingrui’s perfume—a unique blend of harmoniously layered base notes from multiple fragrances. If Fu Jin Yan’s preferred scent of disinfectant and alcohol evoked mechanical indifference, and Teacher Jing’s warm, spring-like fragrance was as gentle as a breeze, then Big Star Shen was an explosion of flowers.

Just one whiff was enough to detect the extravagance and opulence of the entertainment industry’s elite.

Shen Mingrui seemed shy and unsure how to continue, but her excitement kept the conversation flowing. As they rode the elevator to the first-floor restaurant, she eagerly shared stories about her magazine shoot that day, praising the editor-in-chief of the top-tier publication. But as the restaurant came into view, she suddenly asked in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear,

“Tao Tao, do you want to go? If you do, I’ll be shooting for another day tomorrow, and I can take you with me.”

Everyone at the table heard her.

Huo Lang, who had been leaning back impatiently in her chair while waiting for Teacher Jing and the others, causing her food to grow cold, suddenly tilted forward. Her chair leg lifted off the floor, dangling in mid-air, before slamming back down with a thud.

She glared at You Tao again and snapped, “You’re taking forever! By the time I wait for you, the day will be over.”

She added, “What’s so interesting about a magazine office? It’s cramped and stuffy.”

Boss Huo really has no idea what it’s like for the rest of us.

Others didn’t know, but Huo Lang was well aware that traffic stars like Shen Mingrui relied entirely on their companies to secure resources. They had no real connections of their own. The so-called “take You Tao to see the office” was likely just about getting her a staff pass to wander around, or maybe even having her work as an assistant.

What was the point of that?

Better to have her run errands for her. At least if You Tao could help her win Jing Sinian over, Huo Lang might consider introducing her to some project opportunities in the future… For actors, solid work was the only real achievement that mattered.

Boss Huo didn’t realize how many in the industry would kill for such a chance. You Tao didn’t bother explaining. She just smiled and said, “Let’s eat first. The food will get cold if we keep talking.”

As if they had been chatting so harmoniously before.

You Tao sat alone at one end of the long table, with Fu Jin Yan and Jing Sinian on either side. The only remaining seat was opposite Boss Huo, next to Doctor Fu.

The meal passed harmoniously, without any overt rivalries or hidden tensions.

Jing Sinian had already offered to wash the dishes, and when she stepped forward to clear the table, Boss Huo could only frown and awkwardly roll up his sleeves. He glared at the floral pattern on the dishwashing sleeve as if it were his sworn enemy.

Fu Jin Yan returned to his room after finishing his meal. You Tao, who had wanted to help, was pulled away by Big Star Shen. “I was going to help too, but I didn’t want to be a third wheel. It’s not even eight yet, Tao Tao, would you be willing to ‘guide’ me early?”

“Stop using that word ‘guide.’ If you keep saying that, I won’t be able to study the script with you,” You Tao protested softly, her voice low. Shen Mingrui’s gaze deepened, and she finally relented, deciding to let her off the hook for now.

In the dimly lit media room, the ceiling was bathed in the projected starry sky.

They stood beneath the celestial canopy, some sitting, some standing, their eyes fixed solely on each other.

Shen Mingrui settled onto the viewing sofa, watching You Tao stand there flipping through the script on her phone. Her usually bold and expressive features softened. When You Tao indicated she was ready, Shen Mingrui’s lips curved into a sly smile. “This drama has a lot of intimate scenes. I’ve never tried this type of role before, and I’m worried I won’t be able to get into character. Tao Tao, can you share some of your experience with me?”

– What are you teaching me? Just kiss me already!

– What’s off-limits for the emperors in my livestream? The show’s rules don’t apply!

You Tao didn’t overthink it. She earnestly explained to Shen Mingrui how film crews typically guide actors into a state of emotional connection. This included things like spending time together, imagining each other as a couple, or filming slow-burn scenes of them getting acquainted to gradually ease them into a state of passionate love.

In short, as long as they honed their acting skills, they didn’t need to worry too much about anything else.

As she spoke, You Tao leaned closer, as if concerned Shen Mingrui might not hear her. But at the end, she felt Shen Mingrui hook her little finger with hers and ask with a playful smile, “So… would you be willing to rehearse this state with me?”

While speaking, Shen Mingrui glanced casually in the direction of the livestream camera, her gaze meaningful. “We’d just use camera tricks, of course. Do you dare?” What camera tricks?! I don’t approve!

Holy shit… I never expected the traffic-chasing celebrity who came here just for the money to be the one taking the romance scenes so seriously in this variety show…

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