In a Survival Variety Show, My Lookalike Rival and I Got a Happy Ending - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The two of them encountered a critical problem just as they came out of the hot spring.

The clothes Jiang Xunruo prepared to wear… had gotten wet.

Qin Sijing looked at Jiang Xunruo, who was only wrapped in a bathrobe; her mouth was half a beat faster than her brain. “Wear mine.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Xunruo put on Qin Sijing’s red jacket. The clothes were a bit large on her, the neckline hanging loosely and revealing her collarbone.

She tucked her loose hair behind her ear, and a cold, crisp fragrance enveloped her.

That was the scent on Qin Sijing’s clothes.

Qin Sijing naturally walked behind her to help flip her collar. As the distance closed, she smelled the scent belonging to her own clothes mixed with the coconut fragrance.

She leaned in closer, her nose almost touching Jiang Xunruo’s collar.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Xunruo’s body paused slightly.

“I’m smelling to see if there’s any scent.”

Actually, what she wanted to say was that she wanted to smell if the clothes she lent her had any strange odor.

But after saying it, both of them froze at the same time.

At this distance, Qin Sijing could even feel Jiang Xunruo’s heartbeat.

Her heart was beating very fast.

“I…” Qin Sijing opened her mouth, trying to find an excuse for her behavior.

“Teacher Qin,” Jiang Xunruo suddenly said softly, “if you keep smelling like that, I might…”

“Ahem! Teachers!”

Before she could finish, the PD’s voice came from outside, followed immediately by the lifting of the door curtain.

The PD’s gaze had just landed on Jiang Xunruo’s red jacket when she was blocked by Qin Sijing’s body.

The PD, whose view was obstructed: “???”

No, she just wanted to gossip a bit about why Jiang Xunruo was wearing Qin Sijing’s clothes!

“Um, I’m here to notify you that your one-hour hot spring experience is up.” The PD shook the timer in her hand.

It clearly said only 50 minutes had passed!

“So now, please return to the camp to rest. Tomorrow morning, we will start the Fan Wish mission on time.”

Her eyes swept back and forth between the two of them, adding with a smile: “Rest well tonight, teachers. Gird yourselves for tomorrow’s challenge.”

That last sentence was spoken with such meaningful undertones, twisting through a hundred turns.

Qin Sijing knew from that expression that nothing good was coming. “Got it.”

“Thank you for the reminder, PD.” Jiang Xunruo wore her usual gentle smile.

Early the next morning, the PD indeed woke everyone up on time and arrived at the assembly point.

“Good morning, teachers! I trust everyone has rested sufficiently! Now, immediately, we shall reveal today’s Fan Wish mission!”

“Today’s Fan Wish mission is—”

She intentionally dragged out the tone.

“The Best Partner Certification Challenge!”

Staff members quickly came forward and gave all five people a black smart wristband.

[????]

[How is this certified? Did the Civil Affairs Bureau move to the desert island?]

[A survival show transformed into a dating show?]

[Ahhhh don’t put strange things on my sister! Wicked production crew!]

“This wristband is very high-tech! Not only can it detect heart rate and emotional fluctuations in real-time, but it can also detect lies!”

“Next, the three pairs of partners will complete designated tasks. The system will automatically generate a score based on the data: Grade A, Grade B, or Grade C! The pair with the highest score gets a reward!”

[Wait, isn’t this just a lie detector?]

[No, what kind of wicked reward is it this time? Duo hot spring? Please let my sister go!]

[Can it detect who Sister Qin actually likes?]

[Even a lie detector is being used? Production crew, you’re playing this big?]

[Can the reward be a bit more practical? For example, reward Ruoruo with a single tent; quickly get away from a certain someone!]

[Exactly! Living together every day, I’m almost unable to tell their faces apart!]

[Fight! Fight! I want to see a river of blood!]

The mission rules were displayed in bold on the large screen.

[Stand back-to-back and answer questions about each other. If the answers match and emotions are stable, points are added. If answers match but show emotional fluctuations, it indicates someone is lying, and no points are added.]

“Come, the Qin-Jiang team first.”

The PD flipped open the answer card, her smile gradually becoming wicked: “Question one: What is the other person’s most hated food?”

Qin Sijing and Jiang Xunruo glanced at each other. “She’s not a picky eater.”

[? They even know this.]

[It must be hype!]

[Tch, what does this count for? Even ordinary colleagues would know, right?]

[This question is too simple, bring on something more stimulating!]

The wristband data was also projected in real-time.

PD: “Wow! The answers match! Truly the best partners. Question two: If the other person encounters danger, what is your first reaction?”

Qin Sijing: “Save her.”

Jiang Xunruo: “Protect her.”

The wristband system issued a prompt: [Answers match, emotions stable, no lie reaction detected. Points added.]

[Ahhhhh these two are so ship-able just standing together woo woo.]

[…What’s wrong with teammates protecting each other? Isn’t that how it should be?]

[It’s just acting.]

“Next is the practical segment.” The PD began the next phase. “Partners must separate to opposite sides of the jungle and can only communicate via walkie-talkie to find each other and regroup.”

Qin Sijing and Jiang Xunruo took the walkie-talkies from the staff and separated.

Jiang Xunruo’s gentle voice came through the walkie-talkie. “Teacher Qin, can you hear me?”

“I hear you. I’m coming to find you.”

Actually, her leg was almost fully healed; she could nearly walk without a crutch.

“Your leg is inconvenient, I’ll come find you.”

“I’m coming over. Wait for me.”

[Ahhhhh Sister Qin is so Alpha.]

[But won’t Ruoruo be even more worried about her leg?]

[Are you two dating in broad daylight?]

[If you really can’t help it, just go public, don’t hold back :)]

[This is what a good relationship looks like.]

[Wake up, don’t be a ‘love-brain,’ Sister Qin just has a sense of captain’s responsibility!]

Three minutes later, a short, sharp cry from Jiang Xunruo came through the walkie-talkie.

Then came the muffled thud of a heavy object hitting the ground and the hurried voices of staff: “Teacher Jiang! Careful!”

“Jiang Xunruo?!” Qin Sijing shouted her full name in panic. “What’s wrong?”

But there was no response from the walkie-talkie for a long time, only the harsh sound of static.

The PD stared at the wildly fluctuating emotional data on Qin Sijing’s wristband on the large screen, slapping her thigh in excitement. “Close-up! Quick!”

Qin Sijing directly threw away her crutch and ran toward the jungle side, stumbling.

Actually, she knew there would be many staff members on Jiang Xunruo’s side and they certainly wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

However, knowing it didn’t mean she wasn’t worried or anxious.

After sprinting to the other side of the jungle and being stopped by two staff members, Qin Sijing finally came to her senses.

“Teacher Qin, this was for the show’s effect…” The staff members actually felt embarrassed.

Qin Sijing panted heavily, her chest heaving violently.

Only then did Jiang Xunruo’s apologetic voice come through the walkie-talkie. “Teacher Qin, I’m fine. That was just a test just now, you…”

“As long as you’re okay.”

She looked down at the wildly fluctuating data on the screen and closed her eyes in self-abandonment.

[?????]

[?? Wait, what kind of medical miracle is this?]

[For her wife, she doesn’t even want her crutch anymore!]

[Sister Qin is just concerned about her teammate! Just a teammate!]

[She loves her so much, she really loves her so much…]

[That was just a reflex from Sister Qin; she’d be like that for anyone!]

The two regrouped.

Jiang Xunruo saw Qin Sijing’s pale face at a glance. She was very afraid she was having another somatization reaction. “Did I scare you?”

“…No.”

Jiang Xunruo directly reached out and grabbed her slightly trembling hand.

The wristband data was then projected on the large screen.

[Danger situation test ended.]

[Data analysis: Teacher Qin’s reaction speed and emotional intensity regarding Teacher Jiang encountering danger have reached the ‘Best Partner’ threshold. Judgment: Best Partner Grade A!]

Those four words were even bolded and displayed on the public screen.

[The official is leading the shipping again…]

[Even the wristband can’t stand it anymore; it’s practically going public for you!]

[Script! The crew already arranged the script!]

[Exactly, how could it be so coincidental that the wristband announces the result? This must be a script!]

[Is it that hard to admit they just really care about each other?]

[Data doesn’t lie, but the mouths of solo fans do.]

“Next, please get ready, Xi-Song team!”

The PD glanced at the lonely Bai Qi. “Teacher Bai will be the observer, responsible for counting their mistakes!”

Bai Qi: “???”

Ximen Ling and Song Yitong were arranged to complete a duo balance beam. As the observer, Bai Qi needed to record the number of mistakes by their side.

When Song Yitong was wobbling, Ximen Ling grabbed her hand in a carefree manner. “Don’t be afraid, Teacher Song!”

Bai Qi lowered her head to record, her face as cold as a block of ice.

[Bai Qi: Currently nursing a grudge.]

[Ximen, can you really not read the room?]

[Sister Bai is dying to blow up the whole production crew on the spot.]

[I feel like Sister Bai is radiating murderous intent.]

[Ximen, can you really not feel the death stare behind you?]

[Bai Qi is just embarrassed. Can you guys not distinguish between embarrassment and jealousy?]

The PD, never one to miss a chance to watch the world burn, cut the camera to the three of them, smiling wickedly. “Teacher Bai, as the observer, please rate the chemistry of the two teachers.”

“Zero points.”

Song Yitong: “?”

PD: “?”

Ximen Ling let out an “Ah?” “Why?!”

Bai Qi said expressionlessly, “Because true chemistry doesn’t require that much physical contact.”

[…???]

[Sister Bai, you might as well write ‘My most hated CP is Xi-Song’ on your face.]

[Translation: Don’t hold my ex-wife’s hand!]

The final ratings were announced.

Qin-Jiang Team: Grade A. Chemistry off the charts. Best partners. Suggest permanent binding.

Xi-Song Team: Grade B. Physical contact rate too high. Suggest strengthening verbal communication.

Bai Qi: Grade B. Emotional stability needs improvement. Suggest participating in team collaboration to learn expression and acceptance of diverse emotions.

[Hahahaha what kind of wicked remarks are these ahhhh.]

[The wristband doesn’t have an ID card; its words are so tough.]

[Permanent binding ahhhhhh!]

[It’s all data pre-adjusted by the crew! All a script!]

[Sister Bai’s comment is the most wicked hahahahaha.]

“Congratulations to Teacher Qin and Teacher Jiang for obtaining this Best Partner Certification! Each adds 2 survival points and obtains the qualification of permanently bound partners until the end of this episode,” the PD announced excitedly.

“Of course, I sincerely hope this binding can last much longer~”

Qin Sijing and Jiang Xunruo looked at each other.

[??????]

[What kind of crappy reward is this?]

[Do you want this reward for yourself, PD?]

[Otherwise, just quit the show now. I can’t take it, I can’t stand it. I beg my sister to quit!]

[Ahhhh permanent binding. PD, are you leading the shipping for Qin-Jiang?]

After receiving the reward, Qin Sijing and Jiang Xunruo returned to the tent.

As soon as Qin Sijing entered, she sat down, staring in a daze at the wristband she hadn’t yet taken off.

All those emotions she wanted to hide the duplicitous emotions the wristband had said them all for her.

She was just… incredibly bothered.

Jiang Xunruo sat down beside her. The night light in the tent cast their shadows onto the canvas, overlapping.

“Jiang Xunruo.”

“Mm?”

Qin Sijing stared at the data on her wrist, her heartbeat out of order.

“I heard a sound from your side today, and I couldn’t quite control myself. I was bothered. I really… I was bothered.”

Jiang Xunruo looked at her. “What if I said… I was the same?”

Qin Sijing’s eyelashes fluttered. “Same… what?”

“Bothered by you in the same way.”

Jiang Xunruo was much more candid, saying the words directly.

The light in the tent was very dim, making her gaze appear exceptionally deep.

“I’m saying… it’s not the kind of concern between partners. It’s a concern that exceeds that.”

“I was saying that, too.”