In a Survival Variety Show, My Lookalike Rival and I Got a Happy Ending - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“Good morning, teachers!”

PD held up a megaphone, announcing today’s mission.

“Today, we will be conducting survival point exchanges and resource stockpiling to prepare for crossing the strait!”

Qin Sijing wore a red windbreaker, her hair tied back tightly. Standing at the very front, she held the supply list issued by the production team.

[Sister Qin really has that captain aura now ahhhh] [Sister Qin is so ‘A’ today!] (T/N: Alpha/Cool) [Waiting for Sister Qin to carry the whole team!] [You could fit an entire production crew between Bai and Song hahahaha]

Jiang Xunruo, in a white windbreaker, stood quietly beside her. The morning sun cast a soft glow over her hair. Qin Sijing moved the list toward Jiang Xunruo, her expression serious.

“Our team has a total of 48 points. We need to exchange them for waterproof tarps, a compass, medicine, and eight days’ worth of dry rations.” She looked up at the other four. “Everyone, say what you want to get, and we’ll see if the remaining points cover it.”

Ximen Ling raised her hand. “I think multi-purpose tools will come in handy.”

“Okay.” Qin Sijing looked at Bai Qi and Song Yitong, questioning them with her eyes.

Bai Qi: “Clean water, I suppose.”

Song Yitong smiled at Qin Sijing. “Everyone has already spoken; I’ll follow the group.”

Qin Sijing turned her gaze to Jiang Xunruo. “Teacher Jiang, what about you?”

Jiang Xunruo looked up, giving her a gentle smile. “I’ll follow Captain Qin’s arrangements.”

Qin Sijing: “…”

This person… It was the first time someone had called her “Captain Qin”; it felt strangely embarrassing. Qin Sijing went silent for a few seconds before responding. “…Alright.”

After confirming everyone’s needs, Qin Sijing stared at Jiang Xunruo for two seconds. “You have a wound on your back. Today, you’ll be responsible for counting and managing the supplies. We’ll handle the rest.”

The PD immediately zoomed in the camera for a wicked close-up of the two.

[Captain Qin, why are you playing favorites??] [Wait, she’s already making special arrangements?] [Qin Sijing, wake up! That’s your rival! Your arch-rival!!!] [Sister Qin is just being a good captain; she’d look out for anyone like that! (Qin fans: click here)]

The PD looked from Jiang Xunruo to Qin Sijing, grinning with gossip. “Great! Now, Captain Qin, please lead your members to exchange the supplies!”

While Jiang Xunruo held the list, Qin Sijing led Bai Qi and the other two to move the goods. The screen split to show all five. Ximen Ling was huffing and puffing while moving boxes; Qin Sijing was hauling ropes, sweat beading on her forehead.

Bai Qi and Song Yitong were paired up to check the water purification equipment. Bai Qi looked down at the gear while Song Yitong silently organized the tarps with zero communication.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xunruo wandered around with the list, looking quite leisurely compared to the others. The comments started turning sour.

[Is she that relaxed just because of a back injury?] [Just a passerby here, but is this sister on vacation?] [She just loves being lazy!] [Ruo’s back really is injured, okay? Don’t be so harsh. If it were your idol, would you feel better?] [Confirmed dead weight…] [Ugh, seeing her act weak is so annoying!]

Just then, Jiang Xunruo looked up and saw the screen, but her expression didn’t change. As a senior who had been in the industry for years, this kind of online chatter meant nothing to her.

However, she turned and saw Qin Sijing staring at the camera, her face growing darker and darker. …She saw it too?

Qin Sijing stared at the fast-scrolling comments, feeling a surge of annoyance. Was it because her arrangement was inappropriate that Jiang Xunruo was getting criticized? Her intention wasn’t like that at all. These people hadn’t seen the wound on Jiang Xunruo’s back with their own eyes. How could they understand?

Unable to hold back, Qin Sijing decided to speak up. Whether as the Captain or just as herself, she had to explain.

“Teacher Jiang has an injury on her back. I believe the viewers watching the stream are aware of this. As Captain, I must assign tasks according to the physical condition of the members. Checking supplies requires meticulousness, and I think Teacher Jiang is doing an excellent job at it.”

[Wait, Sister Qin, this doesn’t fit your persona!] [Jiang Xunruo, what are you smiling at while looking down! I saw that!] [Ahhh Qin-Jiang is so good together!!!] [Sister Qin is truly a good person; the contrast with certain ‘fake’ people is huge!]

Ximen Ling heard the commotion and leaned in. “Exactly! Teacher Jiang is indeed injured. None of us have an issue with the Captain’s arrangement. We hope everyone can be more understanding of Teacher Jiang and Teacher Qin’s decisions. Thank you!”

The PD, seeing the viewership numbers skyrocket, rushed over to manage the scene. “Cough, yes, we hope everyone can be considerate and enjoy the show!”

…

After stockpiling resources for the crossing, the five had to complete a shelter for everyone before dark. Qin Sijing and Ximen Ling built the frame, Bai Qi and Song Yitong gathered covering materials, and Jiang Xunruo helped as an assistant.

The division of labor was clear, but a strange, silent tension arose again. Bai Qi and Song Yitong stayed so far apart that the viewfinder could barely keep them in the same frame, as if there were an invisible barrier.

Bai Qi’s heart was far from calm. As long as Song Yitong was in front of her, she couldn’t help but remember. Backstage at their anniversary performance, she had checked every detail repeatedly, wanting to present a perfect stage with Song Yitong. But what she received was a message saying Song Yitong was flaking out. Was Song Yitong distancing herself from musicals just to distance herself from her?

Qin Sijing, while building the frame, glanced at the two from the corner of her eye. As Captain, she had to ensure the task was finished without the atmosphere becoming too stiff. She walked over to them.

“Teachers, I know you might have some… differences in personal style.” She didn’t consider herself a high-EQ person, but for the sake of team harmony, she went for it.

Bai Qi and Song Yitong both looked up in confusion.

“How about this,” she said decisively. “The leaves Teacher Bai chose are large and cover quickly; the ones Teacher Song chose are thick and cover densely. Let’s not separate them so strictly use them all together for a ‘strongest alliance.’ Is that okay?”

Song Yitong looked apologetic. “That’s fine, Captain.” Bai Qi hummed in agreement.

Ximen Ling poked her head out and scratched her scalp. “Captain, your method sounds a bit like a kindergarten teacher coaxing kids to share toys.”

Everyone stifled a laugh, and the tension finally eased.

[(‘Differences in personal style’) Hahaha Captain Qin, you’re so good with words!] [Look at how this show has forced Sister Qin to become a kindergarten teacher!]

The shelter was finished quickly. Tonight, the five would stay there to build chemistry before air-dropping onto Moon Island the next day. Though the exterior looked like abstract art, it felt warm under the sunset. Jiang Xunruo thoughtfully prepared water for everyone.

The ubiquitous live cameras had been removed for the night. They sat by the campfire, light dancing on their faces. Qin Sijing cleared her throat to speak.

“Ahem. I know everyone here has a different reason for joining this show. Some are for the challenge, some for exposure, and some might be like me their manager signed the contract with a ‘slip of the hand.'”

Everyone looked at her, and Ximen couldn’t help but snort.

“I also know our five personalities are different, our experiences are different, and there might even be a few… historical leftover issues.”

Jiang Xunruo paused at this, looking thoughtful.

“But!” Qin Sijing raised her voice. “Since we’ve become a team in this show, we will face many challenges together over the next seventy-plus days. I hope we can unite and help each other. We’ll share the food, share the rain, and if there’s a ‘pot’ to carry (blame)… uh, I’ll take it!”

The campfire crackled, the warm light reflecting in Qin Sijing’s earnest face. Jiang Xunruo nodded thoughtfully, then smiled and led the applause. “Well said, Captain Qin.”

Ximen Ling followed immediately. “Right! We’ll listen to the Captain!”

Bai Qi and Song Yitong went silent for a second, then nodded in unison.