In a Survival Variety Show, My Lookalike Rival and I Got a Happy Ending - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The livestream accident threw the production crew of 90 Days of Wilderness Survival! into unprecedented chaos.

The PR team scrambled to take down trending topics, announcing that the entire cast would take a rest day with no livestreaming, asking fans to look forward to tomorrow.

Well, although I can’t see the sisters, I hope they get some good rest.Recorded clips are fine too!! Please record more warm daily moments [Expectant].

Without the omnipresent livestream cameras, everyone on the show felt much more at ease.

While the bleeding on Jiang Xunruo’s back looked terrifying, fortunately, it hadn’t hit bone or tendon. The medical team had treated it, but she needed to avoid strenuous movement.

The PD tucked away his gloomy face and forced a professional smile: “The originally planned ‘Deserted Island Mystery’ is suspended for a day. Today is a rest day!”

Ximen Ling showed her two little tiger teeth. “Yay!”

Finally, a chance to breathe. Excited, she immediately stood up to help the crew organize supplies. Bai Qi and Song Yitong still couldn’t meet each other’s eyes; they silently walked in opposite directions to help the crew process the remaining wild vegetables.

The one who felt most out of place was Qin Sijing.

She stood frozen at a distance not too close, yet not too far from Jiang Xunruo’s bed, her gaze drifting occasionally toward the figure lying on her side.

On the deserted island, their beds were rudimentary: moisture-proof mats that were “good enough” for sleeping.

“What is the real you actually like?”

The question from last night circled in Qin Sijing’s mind again. As she was lost in thought, Jiang Xunruo rolled over on the bed, looked at her, and called out.

“Teacher Qin.”

Qin Sijing lifted her eyes.

“Could you… help me pour a glass of warm water?” Jiang Xunruo was still smiling gently, her face looking as if it were under a soft-focus filter. “I’m a bit thirsty, but it’s not very convenient for me to move.”

“Okay.”

Qin Sijing brought the water cup to the bedside, but since Jiang was lying on her side, how was she supposed to drink? After a moment of hesitation, she mimicked what she’d seen on TV, carefully propping up Jiang Xunruo’s shoulder.

The distance was too close, close enough to see the slight furrow in Jiang Xunruo’s brow and her crystal-clear eyes.

“Thank you,” she heard Jiang Xunruo say.

“No need for thanks. You… you saved me, and that’s why…”

Jiang Xunruo smiled frankly. “I would have done it for anyone.” She added, “Besides, didn’t Teacher Qin give me a mask and medicated oil before?”

At that moment, Ximen Ling returned with a pile of clean banana leaves. Seeing Jiang Xunruo, she started to feel shy. “Teacher Jiang, use these as padding.”

“Thanks, Ximen, that’s so thoughtful~” Jiang Xunruo smiled warmly. Those clear, sincere eyes looked at everyone that way gently, with a soothing tone, the same for everyone.

Perhaps she wasn’t what Qin had imagined at all.

“Jiang Xunruo, that ‘blank slip of paper’ you mentioned… I think I understand it now.”

Jiang Xunruo startled slightly, a flash of anticipation crossing her eyes. “Really?”

“I used to think you were… well, but now I’ve realized you’re different from what I thought. You’re very resilient.”

Jiang Xunruo looked at her, and that spark of anticipation completely vanished. She had thought…

Never mind. She let out a soft sigh in her heart.

Jiang Xunruo’s face resumed its perfect, gentle smile. “Thank you. Teacher Qin is also different from what I imagined.”

…

Moonlight and Melodies

In the evening, to help Jiang Xunruo alleviate her boredom, the production crew brought out a portable piano covered with a waterproof tarp.

Qin Sijing tried a few notes. Her long fingers fell on the keys, playing a soothing classical piece. In this moment, she had shed her sharp edges; with her head slightly bowed, her profile was sharply defined under the moonlight.

Jiang Xunruo stared blankly for two seconds before turning to the PD: “Can I play the violin?”

“Yes! Of course!” The PD would satisfy Teacher Jiang’s requests unconditionally!

The winding notes of the piano intertwined with the clear melody of the violin, sounding exceptionally beautiful. Qin Sijing looked up in surprise.

Since arriving on the island, everyone had focused on being “real”with no time for makeup, wearing only the convenient T-shirts or windbreakers provided by the crew.

Yet, Qin Sijing felt that Jiang Xunruo standing there with a bare face, playing the violin—was exceptionally charming.

Yes, charming.

She wore no makeup, just a simple white T-shirt that revealed her snow-white neck. In the hazy moonlight, her skin looked almost translucent. The sea breeze gently blew through her hair as she stood there with lowered eyes, looking as if she were glowing.

She is so beautiful.

Qin Sijing somehow arrived at this conclusion again. Under the moon, she was pure, focused, and serene. Qin Sijing’s heart lost its steady rhythm.

As the piece ended, Jiang Xunruo gave everyone that signature gentle smile.

Qin Sijing wasn’t usually a very observant person, but in this moment, she suddenly remembered many details she had deliberately ignored. Jiang would respond to everyone with a gentle smile, chime in when conversations turned awkward, and endure pain in silence without a word. She was even understanding toward the “troublemaking” production crew.

She was like this to everyone. Including the version of Qin who had held strong hostility toward her.

This realization made Qin Sijing’s heart skip a beat.

Am I crazy? Was she seriously analyzing how likable this woman was? If her studio found out, they’d probably think she was possessed and try to exorcise her on the spot—or shake her head violently to see if they could shake the water out of her brain.

Qin Sijing pulled back her thoughts. Her fingers paused, and the music stopped. The violin followed suit.

Jiang Xunruo turned her head, meeting Qin Sijing’s somewhat dazed eyes. “I’m not very good at the violin, I hope I didn’t make a fool of myself.”

“…It was quite good.” Qin Sijing hurriedly withdrew her gaze.

…

The Gift

After the performance and dinner, everyone returned to their respective camps. Back at her camp, Qin Sijing dug through her suitcase under the bed and pulled out a small teddy bear plushie.

As if possessed, she walked over to Jiang Xunruo’s camp with the plushie.

“Teacher Qin?” Jiang Xunruo was about to sleep and looked at her with confusion.

“This is for you.” Qin Sijing handed her the plushie, explaining pointedly: “Uh, this is new. Don’t worry, I haven’t slept with it.”

“If you sleep on your side, you might press on your wound. Holding this or using it as a cushion might make it more comfortable.”

Their beds were built for simplicity, not comfort. The banana leaves Ximen Ling laid out today didn’t look comfortable either. Since Jiang was injured because of her, Qin had to take responsibility!

Speaking of which…

“Making you get hurt… I’m really… very sorry.”

She wondered if money was enough? Or resources?

“So, as compensation, how much money do you need? What resources do you want? As long as it compensates you, I can do it.”

Jiang Xunruo listened quietly to this list of compensation plans without answering immediately. She simply watched Qin Sijing’s serious “name your price” expression, a hint of mischievous, dark humor flickering in her eyes.

“Anything?”

Qin Sijing was stunned by the question. Of course if she could make up for it, she would. She didn’t want to owe a favor. “Of course.”

Jiang Xunruo burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling.

“Teacher Qin, you don’t have to be like this.”

“I caught you not because I wanted you to repay me with something. In that situation, no matter who was beside me, I would have done the same.”

She paused, staring intently at Qin Sijing.

“Besides, we aren’t negotiating a business deal; we are surviving on a deserted island. Here, resources and money are actually the least important things, aren’t they?”

“The fact that both you and I can sit here safely is the outcome I hoped for most.”

Qin Sijing was completely flooded.

Huh? What?

Jiang Xunruo hugged the teddy bear and smiled at the stunned Qin Sijing to lighten the mood. “Thank you for the bear. I like it very much.”

“…”

Looking at that sincere smile, Qin Sijing felt her heart thumping wildly again. Her mind was a mess, and she could only squeeze out one sentence:

“I hope you get a good night’s sleep, Jiang Xunruo.”