I Swear I Don’t Want to Be Everyone’s Favorite - Chapter 4

At this moment, the live stream of Hate Me? I Meant It! had already surpassed 100,000 concurrent viewers.

For a variety show that had zero promotion, with the live stream link and even the guest list only hastily announced right before broadcast , achieving such massive traffic within the first five minutes was unprecedented.

[We had no fate to begin with it’s all thanks to the sheer quality of the cast.]
[I recognize the other four, but who’s the new one?]
[Jiang Luoyue, the one who’s been all over the hot searches lately. Said she breached her contract with her agency.]
[How can an artist with no integrity even get on a show like this? Shouldn’t she be blacklisted?]

The barrage of comments heatedly debated, while others brought up the conflict between Fu Yunqing and Xiang Fan, it wasn’t anything major, just that Fu Yunqing had taken an immediate dislike to Xiang Fan’s outfit and casually made a few remarks. No one knew which of Xiang Fan’s responses had set her off, but the two quickly started arguing.

Yu Jingtang had initially tried to intervene, only to be snapped at by Xiang Fan instead. As tensions simmered, Ning Fuguang arrived.

And then, just as the viewers witnessed, the moment Ning Fuguang stepped in, she adopted an aggressive stance, one that made it seem like “even a passing dog would get slapped twice”and successfully made everyone hate her.

The live chat was a battlefield of factions, with fans of each artist clashing. But when Jiang Luoyue’s delicate, gentle face, tinged with a hint of nervousness appeared on screen, the hostility suddenly unified.

One commenter declared confidently: [Just watch, President Ning hates people who break contracts. Jiang Luoyue is definitely getting targeted this episode.]
[If Jiang Luoyue really stays as a permanent guest, I’m dropping this show and leaving a one-star review immediately.]
[LMAO, does she even know her place? Trying to shake hands like that, as if Ning Fuguang would even acknowledge her]

Before the commenter could finish typing, Ning Fuguang moved on screen.

She extended her left hand slender fingers, fair skin, a sleek black watch resting at her wrist.

“Miss Jiang, a pleasure.”

The handshake was brief, and Ning Fuguang’s tone was indifferent, but compared to the hostility she’d shown the others, her attitude toward Jiang Luoyue could almost be called polite.

Fu Yunqing frowned. “Now you’re not saying anything?”

“Wasn’t I waiting for you to speak?” Ning Fuguang countered with a faint smirk.

Clearly, this small exchange hadn’t softened her ‘animosity’ toward the group.

Fu Yunqing scoffed but didn’t press further, instead greeting Jiang Luoyue. Strip away the titles, and as long as no one provoked her, Fu Yunqing was actually quite easy to get along with.

Probably.

Yu Jingtang only spoke up after her assistant nudged her shoulder, murmuring her name so softly it was almost inaudible but Jiang Luoyue heard it.

Xiang Fan was terse. “Xiang Fan.”

After a pause, she added, “I’ve seen your work. Not bad.”

A polite compliment, something anyone could say. But when the praise came from Xiang Fan an internationally renowned director the live chat exploded.

[Forced flattery???]
[I’ve never seen Xiang Fan compliment an actor outside of a film set. Did Jiang Luoyue sign with her studio or something? How else do you explain this?]
[Blink twice if you’re being threatened]

Jiang Luoyue was equally stunned by the unexpected praise, but Xiang Fan clearly had no interest in further conversation. Flustered, Jiang Luoyue could only stammer out a quick thank-you.

Seeing the tension ease, the director hurriedly ushered everyone into the hotel, this was supposed to be the show’s first official segment, yet the group had dragged it out until now.

In the hotel lobby, two guest stars had been waiting for quite some time.

The short-haired woman, named Fang Yuan, was a talented young actress who had just collaborated with Xiang Fan on a drama last year. The moment she saw Xiang Fan, she immediately stood up: “Director Xiang.”

Finally seeing a familiar face, Xiang Fan’s expression brightened considerably: “Long time no see.”

Meanwhile, the other guest, a man with delicate, almost feminine features let his gaze shift toward his intended target, Ning Fuguang.

His name was Zhao Mei, a resource-backed actor pushed into the show by his agency. Before arriving, Zhao Mei had paid little attention to this variety show. It wasn’t until he got on-site that he realized just how big the names of the other guests were.

Any scraps of resources these people might casually drop would be enough to sustain Zhao Mei for three to five years. Determined to latch onto someone influential, he quickly assessed his options. Fu Yunqing was too temperamental, Yu Jingtang was quiet and reserved, and Xiang Fan was notoriously hard to approach. The only one who seemed approachable was Ning Fuguang.

As soon as Ning Fuguang drew near, Zhao Mei sprang to his feet, pulling out a large bouquet of roses from behind his back and thrusting it forward. “President Ning, I’ve long admired your work. I heard you like roses, so I specially prepared these for you ”

Ning Fuguang’s eyes flashed with distaste.

The others instinctively turned to look. Fu Yunqing smirked. “You haven’t been watching the livestream, have you?”

“No,” Zhao Mei shook his head, bewildered.

Jiang Luoyue blinked.

In her past life, Zhao Mei had only appeared in the third episode of the show. Back then, he had also presented Ning Fuguang with roses the moment he stepped into the frame, his sycophantic intentions glaringly obvious. After being rejected, Zhao Mei had tried to cling to her, only to be swiftly removed by the production team, becoming a widely mocked joke.

What about this time?

Curious about Ning Fuguang’s reaction, she glanced sideways, only to find Ning Fuguang already looking at her. Their eyes met unexpectedly, and Ning Fuguang paused before asking, “Do you like roses?”

Zhao Mei, assuming the question was directed at him, eagerly replied, “I learned about it from your interview ”

Jiang Luoyue also misunderstood and hesitated to answer. But then, without warning, Ning Fuguang reached out and plucked six stems from the bouquet.

Then, right in front of everyone, she carefully inspected them before handing the one with the fullest bloom to Jiang Luoyue.

Jiang Luoyue was momentarily stunned, unsure of the gesture’s meaning.

Ning Fuguang arched a brow. “Weren’t you staring at the flowers just now?”

So, Ning Fuguang had been asking her?

This was something Jiang Luoyue hadn’t anticipated at all. But explaining now would only embarrass Ning Fuguang, so she simply accepted the rose with a soft, polite thanks. “Thank you, President Ning.”

She mimicked Zhao Mei’s form of address, but Ning Fuguang showed no displeasure.

Even Zhao Mei, dense as he was, realized things weren’t going as planned.

“President Ning?” he ventured cautiously.

Ning Fuguang ignored him, instead distributing the remaining roses one by one to the others. Only when her hands were empty did she finally turn back to Zhao Mei. “How much were the flowers? After we wrap up, I’ll have the production team reimburse you.”

Zhao Mei opened his mouth to explain, but before he could, the director cut in, calling an end to their conversation. “Time to announce the mission.”

Reluctantly, Zhao Mei fell silent.

“Everyone will pair up into teams of two. Your task is to find NPCs, complete their challenges to earn points, and exchange them for tools. The first team to complete five challenges will advance to the final recording location to tackle the ultimate mission.”

“The first team to finish the ultimate mission will receive a 30-point bonus. After filming concludes, the production team will donate the points at a 1:100,000 ratio to welfare organizations in the guests’ names.”

The moment the rule of donating money based on points was announced, the barrage instantly became much friendlier. It could be said that, stripped of all its gimmicks, Hate Me? was essentially just a charity variety show at its core.

However, problems quickly arose.

The rules stated that participants should pair up in teams of two, but there were clearly seven people present. Seven people, how would they divide?

The first to voice this question was Zhao Mei. He had no interest in charity whatsoever, caring only about immediate gains, and asked urgently, “Is pairing voluntary? Or do we have to complete a task?”

“As long as the guest you invite agrees, you’ll automatically form a team.”

Xiang Fan and Fang Yuan were the first to pair up.

When the director pressed her for a reason, Xiang Fan glanced around, lingering on Ning Fuguang for a few seconds before answering nonchalantly, “Out of everyone here, only Fang Yuan and Jiang Luoyue are remotely normal, and I happen to be more familiar with Fang Yuan.”

Director:

Barrage:

Fu Yunqing let out a cold scoff, though it was unclear whether it was in agreement or disagreement. Still, she walked up to Jiang Luoyue and nodded. “Jiang Luoyue, team up with me.”

As if realizing how much that sounded like an order, she softened her tone. “The production team gave me some hints before coming. If you team up with me, we’ll win.”

Jiang Luoyue, who had received absolutely no hints: Miss, is this really something you can say on a live broadcast?

Sure enough, the live chat exploded, with no shortage of accusations of rigging.

Strangely, among all the guests present, aside from Jiang Luoyue, everyone else remained completely calm, if anything, they even looked somewhat indifferent.

“Who didn’t get them?” Xiang Fan retorted mockingly. Fu Yunqing immediately frowned. “You did? If you did, then show us”

Before she could finish, Yu Jingtang, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly pulled out a small booklet. The cover read in bold letters: Hate Me? I Did It on Purpose! First Episode Q&A Guide.

Fu Yunqing fell silent.

She had the same book in fact, she had even memorized a few questions on her way here.

If even Yu Jingtang had it, the others surely did too.

If they weren’t still filming, Jiang Luoyue had no doubt Fu Yunqing would have cursed out the production team on the spot.

She found it somewhat amusing, but when Fu Yunqing looked at her again, still trying to extend the invitation, Jiang Luoyue shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, but I’d rather team up with someone else.”

That rejection was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly wiping the defeated look off Fu Yunqing’s face.

“You want to team up with someone else?” Fu Yunqing pointed at herself, as if unable to believe it, and repeated, “Instead of me?”

[Jiang Luoyue, how dare you reject Fu Yunqing? Do you even know who you’re rejecting? You’re rejecting the 2034 Best Popular Actress, the undisputed top short-drama actress in history, the only artist with a billion views on IQ Shorts, the all-around entertainer and perfect goddess Fu Yunqing! Are you rejecting Fu Yunqing? No, you’re rejecting the love of a deity!]

[Too long, didn’t read. Unsubscribe!]

[One goddess rejected who’s next?]

[Wait, didn’t I come here to laugh at Jiang Luoyue? Why am I now wondering who she’ll team up with?]

[Ning Fuguang came and cursed, I came and shipped it, beauties sticking together is delicious and I love it forced sweetness is explosively sweet!!!]

The barrage exploded, doubling in volume as everyone speculated about who Jiang Luoyue wanted as her teammate.

But before the much-anticipated Jiang Luoyue could respond, Ning Fuguang let out a light scoff, “Why should she go with you? She has the right to make her own choice.”

As he spoke, he idly twirled the rose in his hand.

[I get it Ning Fuguang is hinting to Jiang Luoyue that since she’s already accepted his flower, she should take the initiative to invite him to be her partner.]

Noticing that Jiang Luoyue seemed to pick up on this detail, Ning Fuguang’s lips curved slightly. “Miss Jiang?”

Was it her imagination, or did Jiang Luoyue actually detect a hint of, expectation in Ning Fuguang’s eyes? She hesitated briefly but didn’t dwell on it, instead following her original intention and turning her gaze toward,

Yu Jingtang, who had somehow retreated to a corner again.

“Miss Yu, would you be willing to become my teammate?”

When Jiang Luoyue extended the invitation, even Yu Jingtang’s assistant looked stunned. Yu Jingtang herself was utterly bewildered, taking a long moment before she snapped back to reality.

She didn’t understand why Jiang Luoyue had chosen her, but she felt no resistance to the idea.

More importantly.

The moment Jiang Luoyue made the invitation, Ning Fuguang’s sharp gaze locked onto her, filled with unmistakable hostility.

For the first time, Yu Jingtang sensed such intense animosity emanating from Ning Fuguang.

An inexplicable sense of triumph surged within her. Under his dark stare, Yu Jingtang nodded. “Alright.”

The instant the director announced their successful pairing, a soft snap sounded from behind.

Yu Jingtang glanced over indifferently, only to see the rose lying broken on the ground.

It was the sound of Ning Fuguang snapping it in half.