I Swear I Don’t Want to Be Everyone’s Favorite - Chapter 27

The filming location was set by the famous scenic lake in H Province, where a gentle breeze brushed against their faces, emerald waves rippled, and weeping willows were reflected in the water.

As soon as she got out of the car, Fu Yunqing commented to the camera, “Great mountains, great water, great scenery it’d be even better without those lightbulbs over there.”

The camera panned, and everyone caught sight of the cast of I Hate Me.

The lightbulb on the far left said coldly, “It’s early in the morning. Don’t make me curse at you.”

Fu Yunqing: “See? Even lightbulbs have tempers.”

[Hahahahaha]

[What little team camaraderie there was is being utterly squandered right now]

After bickering, Fu Yunqing didn’t choose to stand next to Xiang Fan. Instead, she took an unconventional approach and stood beside Yu Jingtang.

She was utterly confident. Three days in a survival camp would forge a lifetime of team camaraderie. Jiang Luoyue would definitely notice her first and choose her as a teammate. After all, she was so reliable, who else could measure up?

But the moment Fu Yunqing settled into place, Yu Jingtang noticeably shifted several meters to the right. Fu Yunqing’s eye twitched. “What do you mean by that”

So, when Jiang Luoyue stepped out of the car, what she saw was Fu Yunqing unilaterally interrogating Yu Jingtang, like an endless stream of firecrackers during New Year’s for every one word Yu Jingtang said, Fu Yunqing had ten.

Xiang Fan watched the two with great interest, even filming them on her phone, claiming it was a live recording of their argument and that any reporters could contact her anytime if they needed it.

Ning Fuguang stood in the center, particularly conspicuous, and was the first to notice Jiang Luoyue.

“Miss Jiang.”

She smiled warmly, greeting her naturally, which instantly made Fu Yunqing turn around. “Jiang Luoyue! Why are you so late ”

Afraid you’d ask me why I wasn’t talking.

Just then, Ning Fuguang stepped back a few paces. Jiang Luoyue hesitated for a moment before walking over.

Now, she had Yu Jingtang on her left and Ning Fuguang on her right.

“This feels familiar,” Jiang Luoyue said.

It was exactly like last time in the tent.

Yu Jingtang immediately nudged Jiang Luoyue’s arm. Her hair had grown longer, almost covering her eyes, and she was dressed entirely in black today, giving off an especially decadent, dispirited vibe.

Seeing her, Jiang Luoyue recalled that somewhat aggrieved question and acted as if nothing was wrong. “What is it?”

Yu Jingtang didn’t speak, just stared at her. Jiang Luoyue thought, somewhat helplessly, that Yu Jingtang didn’t usually post on Weibo, so how could she comment? Was she supposed to become an archaeologist and comment on old posts, only to get flamed by fans saying, ‘Stop clinging to fame, you nobody’?

But since many fans were watching the live stream, Jiang Luoyue held back. She tried to withstand Yu Jingtang’s gaze until a light, airy voice came from behind her ear: “Are you two acting?”

She turned her head. Xiang Fan said offhandedly, “Any closer and you could’ve kissed.”

Jiang Luoyue: “…”

Jiang Luoyue immediately put some distance between them, pretending nothing happened as she straightened her skirt. But Yu Jingtang pensively stared at her lips.

Just as Jiang Luoyue was starting to feel her scalp crawl under the scrutiny, the director finally stepped forward. After yesterday’s warm-up, she didn’t reiterate the rules, simply had someone bring out the box filled with impressions.

Seeing that no one had any questions, she silently wiped her sweat.

After all, to ensure Jiang Lianyan’s debut went smoothly, the Jiang family had put in considerable effort. The director had also been sternly instructed not to make any mistakes. Who would have thought that while she hadn’t slipped up, the Jiang family’s own marketing would provoke public outrage, leading to both Yu Jingtang and Fu Yunqing interfering.

The director silently prayed that Jiang Luoyue would definitely team up with Fu Yunqing. Otherwise, if such a dangerous person like Fu Yunqing were left unattended and coincidentally paired with Jiang Lianyan, she didn’t even dare imagine how chaotic the public opinion would become.

To prevent the guests from recognizing each other through handwriting, the production team required everyone to write with their left hand.

However, as the five notes were displayed one by one on the big screen, one note with exceptionally elegant handwriting caught everyone’s attention.

It bore an extremely ambiguous line of poetry:

[“I made you as vast as my loneliness.”]

Fu Yunqing immediately grew wary: “Who’s left-handed?”

No one answered, and even the live chat’s focus was on the other impressions.

[“You have a beautiful smile?? Has anyone on this show not smiled?”]

[“‘The flowers that day bloomed as beautifully as your arrival.’ This must be Yu Jingtang! When she teamed up with Jiang Luoyue, flowers had just bloomed at the street corner that photo got shared a lot.”]

[“‘You can’t recognize my handwriting? I don’t believe it. Even writing with my left hand, my style is still very distinctive.’ If this isn’t Fu Yunqing, then who is it”]

[“I can tolerate the others, but can someone tell me why there’s even a cheesy joke here”]

At the same time, Xiang Fan also noticed that particularly unconventional impression.

“Do you know why the sea is blue? Because when fish blow bubbles, they go ‘bloop bloop’, What does this have to do with an impression?”

Her voice was cold, reciting the cheesy joke as if chanting a sutra. The extreme contrast sent shivers down many people’s spines.

“Who wrote this?” Fu Yunqing immediately voiced her stance, “Don’t team up with me, so gross”

But before she could finish saying “gross,” she suddenly noticed Jiang Luoyue curling her lips into a clear smile at that moment.

Could it be Jiang Luoyue who wrote it? Fu Yunqing’s internal alarms blared, and she forcibly retracted her spreading malice: “On second thought, it’s actually kind of funny. Teaming up with me is fine too.”

Yu Jingtang, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly remarked, “So fake.”

Fu Yunqing’s smile froze: “This is my genuine reaction. If you don’t get it, just shut up.”To even push Yu Jingtang into a complaining role, Fu Yunqing, you”

“Don’t provoke her, or she’ll start screaming again later.””]

Jiang Luoyue noticed this exchange but didn’t realize it was because of her. Her reason for laughing was actually quite simple.

She had guessed who wrote that particular impression.

While the two beside her were still arguing, she glanced to her right. Ning Fuguang remained as composed as ever. For the sake of convenience during tasks, she was dressed more casually today, yet her fashion sense was still impeccable.

After staring for a few seconds, Ning Fuguang met her gaze openly.

Jiang Luoyue whispered, “A little sheep couldn’t sleep after being sheared. Why?”

Ning Fuguang looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected Jiang Luoyue to speak to her. It wasn’t until Jiang Luoyue grew impatient with her poor acting and was about to look away that she replied seriously, “Because it lost sheep.”

Jiang Luoyue: “…” It really is you!

When they parted yesterday, Ning Fuguang had deliberately mentioned “a joke.” Jiang Luoyue hadn’t paid it much mind at the time, but when a uniquely terrible pun appeared among the impressions, the word “joke” suddenly seemed particularly suggestive.

With just a little probing, Ning Fuguang couldn’t resist.

“Was my writing creative?” Ning Fuguang asked with a smile.

“So cringe,” Jiang Luoyue replied honestly. “I almost thought I was still in the rainforest.”

“It’s fine.” Ning Fuguang’s smile visibly stiffened for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “As long as it serves its purpose.”

Jiang Luoyue sighed and was about to tease her when Ning Fuguang interjected, “I guessed yours.”

“Pick me later,” Ning Fuguang said earnestly, her tone tinged with a hint of grievance. “It’s been three rounds, and I’m the only one who hasn’t teamed up with you yet. Do you find it amusing to watch Fu Yunqing mock me all the time?”

Jiang Luoyue: “…”

This reasoning didn’t convince Jiang Luoyue, but it effectively painted Ning Fuguang as the victim. Recalling how often Fu Yunqing had picked on her, Jiang Luoyue hesitated.

Hesitation is the beginning of love.

Just as Ning Fuguang was about to press her advantage, Xiang Fan suddenly spoke up, “Ning Fuguang has been talking to Jiang Luoyue nonstop. Is she leaking impressions? Director, you should disqualify her from team selection.”

Ning Fuguang turned her head to see Xiang Fan standing with her arms crossed, looking utterly righteous.

“Is that so?” Ning Fuguang retorted swiftly. “Then what about Fu Yunqing and Yu Jingtang exchanging words? Are they sharing information too? Including when she spoke to you right after getting out of the car did you leak something secretly as well?”

Her counterattack was sharp and effective, instantly flooding the live chat with waves of laughter.

[Sweating bullets now, huh, Xiang Fan!]

Xiang Fan, however, seemed unfazed and casually replied, “Really? That might be possible. Maybe the director should just disqualify everyone from team selection.”

Fu Yunqing, who had been about to agree, stammered, “Right. Wait, no”

If everyone was disqualified, she wouldn’t be able to team up with Jiang Luoyue either.

What had they even been arguing about all this time?

Xiang Fan maintained her righteous expression, as if she were merely reporting a breach of rules. But deep down, she knew the current situation: all four contestants’ impressions were tied to Jiang Luoyue.

Since she held no advantage in the competition, why not muddy the waters and have everyone lose their team selection rights?

Her plan was simple, but the first to object was the director, who was nearly gasping for air in frustration. “Please note, contestants, even if everyone loses team selection rights, the three guest participants will still be randomly assigned to teams with you.”

Jiang Luoyue visibly paused, and the smile on Xiang Fan’s face faded slightly.

Having only teamed up with Jiang Luoyue once before and having no personal connection with her, Xiang Fan had been entirely overlooked during Jiang Lianyan’s smear campaign against Jiang Luoyue. Nevertheless, she saw through Jiang Lianyan’s tactics to undermine Jiang Luoyue.

If they were assigned to the same team, Jiang Luoyue would undoubtedly be maliciously edited and subjected to another wave of slander.

After a moment of silence, Xiang Fan relented, “Forget it, maybe I was mistaken.”

This was the first time she had ever backed down, and the director quickly seized the opportunity. “Then let’s have Fu Yunqing step up first to guess the impressions.”

Fu Yunqing stepped forward reluctantly.

Staring at the slips of paper, she tried to glean a hint from Jiang Luoyue’s eyes but only received a helpless, apologetic smile.

She pointed at the slip with the phrase “Looks beautiful when smiling” and said, “I think this one is Jiang Luoyue’s.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jiang Luoyue breathe a sigh of relief, and the director smiled faintly.

Fu Yunqing relaxed instantly, thinking she had guessed correctly. She was about to walk back triumphantly when the director casually announced, “Congratulations, you guessed wrong. Next, Yu Jingtang, please step forward and continue guessing”

Fu Yunqing: ?

Were they messing with her?!

But the rules were the rules. She had no choice but to return to her spot and watch as Yu Jingtang pointed to the slip with the pun and said, “Jiang Luoyue.”

“Congratulations”

Wrong again.

When Jiang Luoyue stepped forward, her back felt nearly pierced by two intense gazes.

She maintained a nonchalant demeanor while scanning the notes with her eyes.

In fact, each person had distinct characteristics in their note-writing. The one confident her handwriting would be recognized was Fu Yunqing. The one who wrote about blooming flowers was Yu Jingtang. Though “smiling beautifully” wasn’t particularly distinctive, through process of elimination, it could be identified as Xiang Fan’s.

She called out each name one by one, with the camera promptly capturing their reactions. Fu Yunqing nodded with proud dignity, Yu Jingtang curved her lips slightly as she fondly reminisced, while Xiang Fan, who had written about “beautiful smiles” showed no particular expression on her face.

But soon, Xiang Fan realized something: “The bubble-blowing was you?”

Ning Fuguang: “Jiang Luoyue can say that, but you? Forget it.”

Xiang Fan: “What do you mean?”

Ning Fuguang: “Hearing you use reduplicated words is just disgusting.”

After Jiang Luoyue matched all the guests with their respective impressions, the director breathed a sigh of relief and confirmed she was correct. The first person to guess all the guests’ corresponding impressions could actively invite one guest to form a team.

This rule favored those who went later, but it also depended on whether the invited guest would agree,

Yet, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Jiang Luoyue picked up the note that read “loneliness.” She smiled faintly: “After thinking it over, I’d still prefer to team up with myself.”

Only after saying this did Jiang Luoyue remember the rules. She tentatively asked: “Director, this doesn’t violate the rules, does it?”