Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 38.2

The scorching sun hung high. Vast stretches of yellow-green rice swayed in the occasional breeze, heavy heads of grain bowing low, waiting for the harvest.

Ji Zhaoxi worked seriously, her brow furrowed. Sweat dripped down her cheeks, and her breathing grew heavy.

Lu Zhao kept a constant eye on her. Seeing her gritting her teeth and persevering, she said, “Don’t keep your back bent for too long. Stand up and relax.”

Ji Zhaoxi listened and straightened her back. Her eyebrows immediately knotted into a ball; she was speechless from the strain.

Lu Zhao knew the situation immediately. she stepped forward and carefully massaged Ji Zhaoxi’s lower back. “Yesterday you said my waist was no good and needed training. Look at you now.”

Lu Zhao teased her mercilessly, trying to make her see reality.

Ji Zhaoxi let her massage her back, her lips pressed into a sullen line. She looked at the small pile of rice she had cut versus the much larger pile Lu Zhao had. It felt like she had barely scratched the surface.

Ji Zhaoxi gripped the sickle and muttered, “Don’t they have harvesting machines now? Why not use them?”

Lu Zhao looked at her in surprise, not expecting her to know about such things.

“Buying a harvester for a private household is too expensive for the amount of land they have. It’s not worth it. And renting one costs two or three hundred a day, which they think is a waste of money.”

Ji Zhaoxi: “…”

She silently pushed Lu Zhao’s hand away and bent back down to continue her battle with the rice!

Lu Zhao laughed silently at her quiet determination. She pointed toward the camera and then at Ji Zhaoxi, making a gesture. This person was truly a “tsundere.”

—Hahaha dead. How can President Ji be this cute! —Daytime Ji: ‘Why no machines?’ Nighttime Ji: ‘I’m going to die.’ —Suddenly President Ji doesn’t seem so cold and distant.

After that, Lu Zhao began harvesting seriously, trying to channel the mindset of a peasant character for her acting.

As noon approached, the sun became punishing. Even Lu Zhao was starting to struggle. She stood up to look at Ji Zhaoxi; the back of her deep blue shirt was completely soaked, clinging to her skin.

Normally, when would Ji Zhaoxi ever have a moment like this?

Lu Zhao walked over, took the sickle from her hand, and said, “That’s enough. You’ve had the experience. Go buy us some water; it’s hot and I’m thirsty.”

Seeing Lu Zhao’s flushed face and the way she was hiding the sickle behind her back to keep working, Ji Zhaoxi finally nodded.

Ji Zhaoxi returned quickly. She was sitting in the back of a motorized farm tricycle. A plump auntie was driving with a wide smile, shouting things loudly over the engine. Ji Zhaoxi would respond from the back, but if her voice was too low, the auntie would yell the question again.

The long-limbed Ji Zhaoxi was squeezed into the back of the tricycle, sitting on a tiny low stool. The vehicle was packed with ice water and popsicles.

Lu Zhao was absolutely dumbfounded. She never expected Ji Zhaoxi to make such an entrance.

She wasn’t the only one; the viewers in the livestream were just as blindsided. Seeing President Ji in such a setting was unexpectedly hilarious.

Ji Zhaoxi stepped off the tricycle with a stiff expression. Seeing Lu Zhao’s stunned face, her own cheeks flushed slightly. She retrieved the ice water and popsicles she had set aside and handed them to Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao took them in a daze.

Ji Zhaoxi then asked two crew members to unload the rest of the supplies. They distributed items to the village aunties first, then gave the remainder to the production staff. After all, the crew had been filming under the scorching sun all morning and were likely exhausted.

“Oh dear, no, no, this is too much,” an auntie said, running over with her share. “These are expensive; you should keep them for yourselves.”

Ji Zhaoxi pursed her lips, clearly uncomfortable with social small talk, and took a half-step back to let Lu Zhao handle it.

Lu Zhao naturally spoke up for her. “Auntie, we should be thanking you for not minding our meddling. It’s just some water on a hot day; it doesn’t cost much. Have some to cool down. If you don’t eat the popsicles now, they’ll melt and go to waste anyway.”

Ji Zhaoxi nodded in agreement from the side.

The auntie looked at them with approval. “Then I’ll say thank you on behalf of everyone.”

Once the auntie left, Lu Zhao turned to Ji Zhaoxi. “Baby, you’re so smart.”

She had the foresight to hire someone to drive the supplies over; otherwise, the popsicles would have been soup by the time she walked back in this heat.

Ji Zhaoxi remained stoic but looked at the items in Lu Zhao’s hands. “Eat quickly before it melts.”

Lu Zhao nodded and sat down casually on the ridge of the field. She took a long, satisfying gulp of water and let out a deep sigh, feeling like she had finally come back to life.

“Jinhua, I’m heading back now!” the woman driving the tricycle shouted.

Ji Zhaoxi nodded. “Drive safely, Auntie.”

She had run into the woman on her way back. Seeing Ji Zhaoxi struggling with so many bags, the woman had offered to drive her.

Ji Zhaoxi sat down next to Lu Zhao, holding her own bottle of water. She stared blankly at the field of bare stalks they had just harvested.

“Aren’t you eating a popsicle?” Lu Zhao asked.

Ji Zhaoxi turned to look at her, her eyes drifting to the popsicle box in Lu Zhao’s hand. “I want to, but I can’t finish a whole one, so I didn’t get one for myself.”

Lu Zhao blinked. Ji Zhaoxi kept looking at her.

Lu Zhao looked down at her popsicle. She happened to be the type who ate from one side to the other; the right side was completely untouched and clean.

She asked tentatively, “Then… do you want to share this one? Do you mind?”

As soon as she said it, Lu Zhao felt a pang of regret. Given Ji Zhaoxi’s germophobic tendencies, would she really accept sharing food?

To her surprise…

“Okay.”

Lu Zhao’s eyes widened. Ji Zhaoxi frowned and asked, “Do you mind?”

“No, not at all!” Lu Zhao blurted out. Normally, she wouldn’t share food with anyone either, but if it was Ji Zhaoxi, she found she didn’t mind in the slightest.

She turned the popsicle around, scooped a spoonful, and fed it directly to Ji Zhaoxi.

Ji Zhaoxi lowered her eyes and took the bite. The sweet flavor melted in her mouth, and her expression softened noticeably.

For the next few minutes, they took turns feeding each other. The cameramen and the livestream audience were completely stunned by this interaction.

—I need to know, are they together or not?! —Is this the kind of treatment a “pursuer” gets? —Normal female friends rarely do this unless they’re a couple, right?

Speculation about their relationship status exploded online. The debates about who was the “Top” (Gong) or “Bottom” (Shou) evolved into a massive discussion, with someone even starting a poll.

The result was a landslide: Ji Zhaoxi’s votes far exceeded Lu Zhao’s.

According to netizens, Ji Zhaoxi’s face screamed “Top” energy—the kind of woman people would willingly swoon for. Plus, she played the piano; her hands were long, slender, and powerful with neatly trimmed nails. To not have her as the dominant one would be a waste of natural resources!

Of course, there were dissenting voices. Someone brought up a military drama Lu Zhao had done, where she wore a tight sports bra during training. Her lean, powerful waist and visible mermaid lines were enough to make anyone droon. These fans insisted Lu Zhao’s physical stamina was definitely better, and the idea of a “cold beauty” like Ji Zhaoxi being pinned down was much more exciting.

The two finished the popsicle and threw the wrapper into a trash bag. Lu Zhao sat back down and began carefully observing the workers around them.

Ji Zhaoxi sat with knitted brows, discreetly rubbing her waist. Recalling her bold words from the night before, she felt a wave of embarrassment. Some things really shouldn’t be said too early—her back was likely going to hurt worse than Lu Zhao’s did yesterday.

Lu Zhao didn’t intend to work anymore. She sat and observed, occasionally asking the locals about farming. Soon, it was time to head back to the courtyard for lunch.

As they walked back, Lu Zhao noticed Ji Zhaoxi moving slowly. She leaned in with a mischievous grin. “Baby, I guarantee you won’t have any ‘desires’ tonight!”

With this much physical exertion, she’d surely sleep like a log. If she still had the energy to seduce anyone, Lu Zhao would truly be impressed by her stamina.

Ji Zhaoxi gave her a sideways glance, choosing not to dignify the comment with a response.

Back at the courtyard, only Xu Miaomiao and Zhou Jiayan were there. Xu Miaomiao was still yapping at the camera, introducing every dish the crew served as if she were a professional livestreamer.

Zhou Jiayan, meanwhile, sat calmly with her laptop, her fingers flying across the keys, seemingly immune to the noise.

“What’s going on?” Lu Zhao asked.

Xu Miaomiao’s eyes lit up. “Sister, come over! Let me introduce you to my fans!”

Lu Zhao approached with a face full of confusion, only to see the monitor held by the staff. It was the show’s official livestream! Xu Miaomiao had effectively hijacked the show to host her own solo broadcast.

Looking at the engagement numbers, Lu Zhao realized Xu Miaomiao had basically carried the show’s popularity all morning.

“Sister, you’re amazing,” Lu Zhao marveled. She was a true “social terrorist.” Her non-stop chatting made her look less like an actress and more like a top-tier e-commerce host.

“Of course! Look who you’re talking to,” Xu Miaomiao said proudly.

Lu Zhao didn’t join the fray; she knew she didn’t have Xu Miaomiao’s gift of gab. She looked around and noticed only four sets of cutlery. “Where are Qiao Yang and the others?”

“Oh, out drowning their sorrows,” Xu Miaomiao answered while reading the chat.

Lu Zhao shut her mouth guiltily.

—Hahaha look at her feeling guilty! —Come over and chat! Tell us your love story with President Ji!

Seeing the comments, Xu Miaomiao turned to Lu Zhao. “The audience wants to hear about your love story with President Ji. Want to share?”

Across the table, Ji Zhaoxi, who was sitting opposite Zhou Jiayan, looked up briefly before looking away.

Lu Zhao rolled her eyes. “It’s time to eat. What is there to chat about?”

She was starving after the morning’s work. She just wanted to eat meat and rice, forgetting all about the “self-cultivation of an actress.”

“Oh~” Xu Miaomiao pouted. “Babies in the livestream, that’s all for today. Chat later!”

—Nooo! I’ll let you eat while you chat! —Don’t make me get on my knees and beg! —How can a couple not want to show off their love?! —Upstairs, what if they aren’t a couple yet? —I don’t believe it! They shared a popsicle and sleep in the same room! If that’s not a couple, what is!

Despite the cries of the audience, Lu Zhao sat down next to Ji Zhaoxi. A bowl of soup had already been placed in front of her.

Lu Zhao turned to Ji Zhaoxi with a sweet smile. “I love you so much, babe~”

Ji Zhaoxi kept a straight face and gave a lukewarm hum in response.

Zhou Jiayan looked up at them, then quietly went back to her soup. Some people might look calm on the surface, but were probably jumping for joy inside.

The mushroom soup was delicious—fresh and savory. Lu Zhao finished her first bowl quickly. As she set it down, Ji Zhaoxi reached out to take it. Their fingertips brushed, and a sudden spark of “electricity” seemed to ripple through them.

Lu Zhao froze for a second, glancing at Ji Zhaoxi. Seeing her unruffled expression, Lu Zhao scolded herself for being overly sensitive. It was just a touch.

Ji Zhaoxi naturally took the bowl and refilled it, setting it aside to cool. “It’s hot. Let it cool a bit so it’s easier to drink.”

“Mm-hmm, you’re so thoughtful.” Lu Zhao regained her composure and gave her a bright smile.

Ji Zhaoxi didn’t answer and took a graceful sip of her own soup.

Watching from across the table, Xu Miaomiao was full of envy. She glanced at Zhou Jiayan’s nearly full bowl, realizing she didn’t have an excuse to refill it. A missed opportunity for contact!

Suddenly, Ji Zhaoxi’s chopsticks fell. The crisp sound echoed across the silent table. They landed right between her and Lu Zhao.

Ji Zhaoxi’s expression tensed slightly.

Lu Zhao naturally leaned down to pick them up. Because they were sitting so close, her head inevitably brushed against Ji Zhaoxi’s thigh. Her hair spilled over Ji Zhaoxi’s lap, tickling her skin as Lu Zhao moved.

It was a subtle sensation, but in that moment, it felt incredibly loud.

Ji Zhaoxi sat perfectly still, trying to hide any reaction. Lu Zhao quickly retrieved the chopsticks and went to the kitchen to get a clean pair.

When she returned, she saw that Xu Miaomiao’s chopsticks had also fallen. She was currently bent over picking them up, her face almost pressed against Zhou Jiayan’s leg.

Lu Zhao: “???”

What is going on? Is dropping chopsticks the new trend?

She silently turned back to the kitchen to get another pair for Xu Miaomiao.

While Xu Miaomiao was down there, Zhou Jiayan looked at Ji Zhaoxi with a look of utter exasperation and slight reproach. She blamed Ji Zhaoxi for being a bad influence on Xu Miaomiao.

I really shouldn’t let Miaomiao hang out with these two! They don’t teach anything good, just these “crooked” tricks!

Ji Zhaoxi kept a blank face, acting as if nothing happened, waiting for Lu Zhao to bring her chopsticks.

Xu Miaomiao emerged with a flushed face. She stole a glance at Zhou Jiayan and was about to get up when Lu Zhao handed her a new pair.

Xu Miaomiao took them and winked at Lu Zhao.

“?”

Lu Zhao didn’t understand the wink at first, but once she sat down, it clicked. Was she copying me? Did she drop them on purpose to create “accidental” physical contact?!

Lu Zhao: “…”

Wow, she’s a great student. She knows how to apply what she learns and find inspiration from her surroundings. As expected of a Best Actress—her ability to find “material” was top-tier!

Lu Zhao sat back down. She hadn’t actually planned the chopstick drop like Xu Miaomiao thought; she had been focused on picking them up and hadn’t realized she touched Ji Zhaoxi.

However… the scent of oranges was even sweeter when her head was that close to her…

Lu Zhao cursed herself. Is my heart finally starting to flutter too?

The four of them finished lunch in silence and were then called to the lounge by the director.

Director: “We have a new mission. President Ji and Assistant Zhou need to reenact a scene from characters previously played by Lu Zhao and Miaomiao. Lu Zhao and Miaomiao will act as your scene partners. The performances will be scored, and the winners will receive a romantic one-day trip to the Ancient City funded by the program!”

Lu Zhao was stunned. Ji Zhaoxi had to play one of her characters?

Most of her characters either died early or weren’t exactly “role models”!

Xu Miaomiao was also briefly stunned, but she quickly grew excited, her eyes shining as she looked at Zhou Jiayan. She got to see Zhou Jiayan act out her roles, and she would be her partner!

The production crew would definitely choose a high-impact, provocative scene to boost ratings. Did that mean she’d have even more chances to get close to Zhou Jiayan?! She felt like cheering for the director!

While Xu Miaomiao was thrilled, Lu Zhao was worried. She mentally scrolled through her past roles and couldn’t find a single one that suited Ji Zhaoxi!

There were some good, positive roles, but those were from when she was a child actor. They were too young and likely wouldn’t be considered.

Before she could speak, the big screen began scrolling through Lu Zhao’s past roles.

Finally, the image froze: a woman in a red dress, wearing seductive makeup and… two fox ears on her head.

Lu Zhao: “…”

Her eyes widened. This character was the polar opposite of Ji Zhaoxi!

And she remembered… the most famous, eye-catching scene for this fox character… was a bed scene!

Me and Ji Zhaoxi… in a bed scene?

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