I Swear I Don’t Want to Be Everyone’s Favorite - Chapter 61

Unfortunately, Yu Jingtang’s moment of happiness didn’t last long. The production crew had already begun filing in with their equipment.

While the director arranged for cameras to be installed in each room, he awkwardly explained, “There was too much equipment, which caused some delays.”

This utterly slapdash scene finally snapped everyone back to reality.

Fu Yunqing remarked succinctly, “I’ve seen disorganized crews before, but never one this chaotic.”

The director sounded aggrieved: “The villa owner we originally arranged with suddenly backed out of the contract. Even after paying compensation, they refused to continue filming. We only signed the lease for this place this morning.”

Jiang Luoyue wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt the director kept glancing at Ning Fuguang as he spoke.

She felt as if she had stumbled upon some little secret.

But there was no time for further contemplation, the production team had a contract with the streaming platform, and delays would incur penalties.

Everyone immediately joined the effort to install the cameras. Jiang Luoyue didn’t even have time to return the handkerchief to Yu Jingtang. Folding it hastily and slipping it into her pocket, she said offhandedly, “I’ll wash it and give it back to you later.”

Watching Jiang Luoyue hurry after the director, Yu Jingtang blinked slowly, still savoring the sweetness of those words, when she heard a cold snort.

“Putting on an act,” Fu Yunqing remarked icily, their eyes meeting. “Do you think being that eager will make her like you?”

Everyone else had left, and the spacious living room was now empty and quiet, with only the two of them remaining.

Yet Yu Jingtang didn’t feel lonely. Instead, she opened the lip balm Jiang Luoyue had used right in front of Fu Yunqing.

She spread the strawberry-flavored balm thinly across her lips, coating every part of them. With each application, Yu Jingtang thought of Jiang Luoyue, as if she could taste the other’s lips through it.

The corners of her eyes crinkling slightly, Yu Jingtang finally put away the lip balm under Fu Yunqing’s stunned, almost speechless gaze.

She said nothing, but her actions spoke louder than words.

Only when the sound of footsteps faded away did Fu Yunqing, still glaring at her retreating figure, snap out of her daze,

She knew it! Aside from Jiang Luoyue, there wasn’t a single decent person on this godforsaken show!

–

Fu Yunqing’s helpless rage seeped into every aspect of her behavior.

Specifically, even when doing chores, she worked faster than anyone else, her progress equivalent to two people’s and if anyone suggested she take a break, she’d snap at them.

A crew member couldn’t help but marvel, “Truly a woman who has to be first in everything!”

Speaking of “being first,” this was a recent meme that fans dug up during an archival deep dive when Hate Me wasn’t airing Fu Yunqing had been top of her class since her student days, played lead roles as an actress, and even on variety shows, she was fiercely competitive, never ranking below second. It seemed nothing could slow her down.

Only in Jiang Luoyue’s presence would the fiery pepper cease her explosions, quieting down like a sunflower.

A video titled “Fu Yunqing Speaking Like a Normal Human in Front of Jiang Luoyue” had already garnered tens of millions of views, humorously dubbed “One of the Entertainment Industry’s Wonders” and visited daily by netizens paying their respects.

Fu Yunqing didn’t understand exactly what they were whispering about, but her proactive attitude this time wasn’t driven by her usual competitive streak.

The production team had a contract with the streaming platform. If they didn’t start broadcasting by the scheduled time, everyone would face pay deductions.

Fu Yunqing certainly didn’t care about that negligible amount of money, it wasn’t even enough to make a splash. But Jiang Luoyue had only recently started doing better and still seemed to be tightening her belt. Of course, Fu Yunqing didn’t want her to get dragged into it.

However, every time she installed a camera, the image of Yu Jingtang using lip balm flashed through her mind.

By the time she finished, a vein throbbed at Fu Yunqing’s temple.

She hadn’t even kissed Jiang Luoyue, how dare Yu Jingtang do that? Wasn’t that sexual harassment?

She wanted to complain to Jiang Luoyue but was afraid it would only draw her attention to Yu Jingtang. Fuming internally, she spent a long time agonizing over it, yet when she finally saw Jiang Luoyue, she couldn’t bring herself to say a single word.

Soon, with everyone pitching in, the sixth episode of Hate Me began streaming at the very last minute.

Almost the instant the livestream link went live, the screen flooded with comments demanding “Apologize!” and “Refund!” But as soon as viewers saw the broadcast, they unanimously typed: 【?】

In the spacious living room, a screen over a hundred inches wide was set up, displaying the livestream feed and its barrage of comments.

Just as one netizen exclaimed, 【This is truly throwing it in our faces!】, Xiang Fan casually read the comment aloud. Many viewers immediately quieted down, not even daring to spam their usual ship comments anymore.

Seeing the atmosphere suddenly turn “respectfully distant,” the director tentatively spoke up: “Hello, everyone?”

The comments instantly unified, once again flooding the screen with 【Refund!】.

But when the director nervously glanced at Jiang Luoyue, and Jiang Luoyue smoothly took over the conversation, the comments seemed to gain a life of their own, erupting in a tidal wave of praise.

Director: “…” Wasn’t this favoritism a bit too obvious?

She closed her eyes sadly, but before she could wallow in melancholy for long, the comments urged her to explain the day’s rules,

“As you can all see, this episode’s theme is ‘One-Day Couples.’”

Jiang Luoyue had already heard the rules from the photographer in the car and thought she understood them.

But when she clearly heard the theme’s name, the smile on her face stiffened. Instinctively, she looked up and met Ning Fuguang’s gaze beside her.

Apart from her, the other three also turned their attention to Jiang Luoyue, but Ning Fuguang had beaten them to it.

Jiang Luoyue could only look at Ning Fuguang.

“The guests will draw lots to form teams, complete tasks assigned by the program, and identify the mole by the end of the day.”

“The mission lasts for three days and two nights. If the mole is eliminated, the game ends immediately. Conversely, if the mole survives until the end, they will receive a mysterious gift.”

As the director elaborated on the rules, it was visibly clear that the smile in Ning Fuguang’s eyes deepened.

Jiang Luoyue took a deep breath and instantly realized that from the moment the director mentioned the mole rule, Ning Fuguang had already guessed.

She had guessed the truth that Jiang Luoyue was the ‘mole.’

According to the rules, if the mole was eliminated, the recording would end. In other words, as long as the most popular guest, the one everyone wanted to be ‘one-day couples’ with was the mole, the livestream would continue until the very end.

In the past, Jiang Luoyue wouldn’t have thought she was that popular. But after noticing those subtle hints of ambiguity, alarm bells rang in her mind.

In the few seconds Jiang Luoyue was lost in thought, the comments exploded.

【One-day couples? Only one day? Can’t you make it real?】

【I knew this trash program wouldn’t give up on the massive traffic from shipping! All Tang Army members, raise your hands and lend your luck to Xiao Tang!】

【But how will the five of them split into teams? Another “three-person group”?】

【I’d love to watch, but can this actually be aired? O.o】

Bullet comments filled with strong sexual undertones lurked in the corner, but the sharp-eyed director noticed and responded selectively: “On the first day, we’ll divide into three teams. The solo guest will enjoy a day tour of S City, accompanied by the production crew.”

【TD】

【Instantly lost all interest.】

【You don’t actually think this is a reward, do you?】

Whether the director thought so or not, Jiang Luoyue didn’t know, but she genuinely believed a day of sightseeing was a real reward.

So, when the lottery tube was brought forward, she took the rare initiative: “Can I draw first?”

Before her, Fu Yunqing, who never missed a chance to be the center of attention had already stepped up.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Luoyue blinked. In her eyes, Fu Yunqing was her only safe friend, so she didn’t mind saying something nice: “Yunqing? Is that okay?”

Just the word “Yunqing” was enough to soften Fu Yunqing’s ears. She stared at Jiang Luoyue’s lips, glossy with lip balm, which indeed looked plump and dewy. Up close, she could even catch a faint strawberry scent.

“Go ahead and draw if you want.” Fu Yunqing stepped aside, her words reluctant, but inwardly she was smug. She shot Yu Jingtang a triumphant glare.

She could make Jiang Luoyue ask “Is that okay?” in front of everyone, could Yu Jingtang do that? Was she even worthy!

Unaware of the undercurrents behind her, Jiang Luoyue focused entirely on drawing the “solo” card. She took a deep breath before reaching in,

【Drink a glass of lemon juice】

Jiang Luoyue stared blankly for a few seconds before holding the card up to the camera.

The next moment, a staff member handed her a glass of pale yellow, almost transparent juice. The sour scent spread through the small area, and just the smell made Jiang Luoyue’s teeth ache.

Before she could speak, Xiang Fan frowned: “There’s a punishment for team assignments now?”

This was a new addition to the show.

The director guiltily rubbed his nose: “How can you see a rainbow without weathering the storm? How can you appreciate the value of fate without enduring hardship?”

“Of course.”

Afraid the guests might take offense, the director tried to add more, but Ning Fuguang abruptly cut in: “Let me drink it?”

She reached out, took the cup from the staff, and smiled gently: “I’m used to it doesn’t bother me.”

“No need”

Jiang Luoyue’s refusal had barely left her lips when Ning Fuguang started drinking the lemon juice. She truly seemed accustomed to the taste, her expression unchanged, still wearing that gentle smile. It was as if she were drinking plain water, not something sour and bitter.

If not for the subtly clenched fist hidden under her other sleeve, Jiang Luoyue might have actually believed the lie about being “used to the taste.”

“The rules never said punishments couldn’t be taken on someone else’s behalf, right?” After finishing, Ning Fuguang shook the empty cup and looked at the director.

Stunned by her decisive action, the director nodded reflexively.

With his confirmation, Ning Fuguang smiled at Jiang Luoyue: “Go ahead and draw again.”

Jiang Luoyue fell silent.

The bullet comments exploded with screams and phrases like “so doting,” but Jiang Luoyue only felt helpless, once again struck by the powerlessness of words.

Ning Fuguang always seemed to be like this, unyielding in her gentleness, executing everything flawlessly, yet never allowing anyone to object.

Parting her lips, Jiang Luoyue wanted to speak, but in the end, she only sighed and reached into the tube again.

Perhaps it was fate this time, the card she drew bore Ning Fuguang’s name.

The three onlookers twitched at the corners of their eyes.

They could have taken the punishment too, but Ning Fuguang had beaten them to it by mere seconds.

And now, Jiang Luoyue had drawn Ning Fuguang’s name, what was this if not rigged?

But each guest only had two chances to draw a card. If Ning Fuguang also drew Jiang Luoyue, the two would automatically form a pair.

To prevent that from happening, the only way was for them to draw Jiang Luoyue first.

With that in mind, they didn’t bother mocking Ning Fuguang any further. Fu Yunqing reached into the box and drew ‘Yu Jingtang.’

Immediately after, Yu Jingtang drew ‘Fu Yunqing.’

“Congratulations, you two! You’re today’s one-day couple!”

Before either could protest, the director raised his megaphone in celebration. Confetti cannons filled with petals were set off, scattering colorful bits over everyone’s hair and clothes.

Fu Yunqing glared fiercely at the director, disbelief written all over her face.

For the first time, Yu Jingtang also looked utterly panicked and distraught, repeatedly glancing at Jiang Luoyue as if to prove her unwavering devotion.

Jiang Luoyue struggled to keep herself from laughing out loud.

“Maybe this means you two are fated,” she said, barely containing her amusement. “It’s a good thing.”

“Who wants that kind of fate?!” Fu Yunqing snapped. “Why can’t we switch? Who made these rules?”

As she lashed out, Xiang Fan remarked calmly, “Fu Yunqing didn’t mean to imply that Yu Jingtang’s fans are ghosts.”

Jiang Luoyue: “…” Guide Xiang, you’re not letting her off either!

She held back as long as she could, but eventually burst out laughing, earning a sharp glare from Fu Yunqing before she quickly covered her mouth.

Fu Yunqing laughed bitterly in her fury. “Is it really that funny? Anyway, there’s no way I’m teaming up with her.”

Yu Jingtang said coldly, “Hn.”

Though it was just one syllable, her shattered expression made her resolve perfectly clear.

As the three parties descended into an epic free-for-all over the issue, Ning Fuguang casually approached the drawing box. But before she could touch it, Xiang Fan spoke up, “Let me go first. How about it?”

Ning Fuguang paused, glancing sideways at Xiang Fan. The other woman was wearing glasses today, which made her look considerably more refined. But what came to Ning Fuguang’s mind was how, earlier when they were installing cameras upstairs, Jiang Luoyue’s gaze had kept drifting toward Xiang Fan’s face.

Did she like glasses, or did she find this look particularly artistic?

Ning Fuguang didn’t understand, this was something that had been bothering her lately. She never seemed to grasp Jiang Luoyue’s preferences in time. The girl was still so young, her tastes changing from one day to the next.

Generation gap, huh.

Thinking this, Ning Fuguang’s smile didn’t falter. “Why?”

“My luck is average,” Xiang Fan said, checking her watch. “Right now is when my luck peaks, so I’d like to draw first.”

What a load of nonsense.

Ning Fuguang scoffed and was about to refuse when Xiang Fan added, “Can we move up the mole vote? After all, the director’s so easily swayed, anyone can change the rules with a few words.”

“Rather than watch Luoyue pair up with you, they might prefer to vote her out altogether.”

Ning Fuguang’s smile remained, but she stepped aside.

She knew what those words really meant. It wasn’t that the three would actually vote Jiang Luoyue out, it was a warning to Ning Fuguang that they could join forces at any moment and use their three votes to eliminate ‘Ning Fuguang.’

As Xiang Fan reached into the box, Ning Fuguang said coolly, “You can try.”

Xiang Fan grabbed the card and turned to look at her. Both of them saw the lemon juice punishment written on it.

“After all, opportunities often come only once or twice.”

“It’s already ten o’clock.” Ning Fuguang mimicked Xiang Fan’s earlier gesture of checking her watch and said with a faint smile, “Your luckiest time has passed. Do you still want to draw again?”

Xiang Fan let out a derisive laugh. “You think such a cheap attempt at provocation will make me leave?”

She reached out once more, and this time, the card still read ‘lemon juice.’

Ning Fuguang raised an eyebrow and drew her own card amidst Xiang Fan’s suddenly darkened expression.

【Jiang Luoyue】

“It seems this time, I’m still the one destined to be with Luoyue.”