Romance Allergy [Book Transmigration] - Chapter 15

Given the production team’s usual antics, they certainly wouldn’t let the guests arrange something as potentially chaotic as the nightly room assignments themselves.

However, the director’s team hadn’t given the slightest hint of news yet, leaving plenty of room for imagination. Not only were the guests guessing how things would be handled, but the viewers were even more expectant and nervous.

Afternoon tea was a time specifically set aside by the show for everyone to get to know each other and develop some favorable impressions. Unexpectedly, instead of chatting about themselves or each other, everyone spent the time pondering the show’s upcoming arrangements.

Seeing that things weren’t very exciting this way, once everyone had nearly finished their coffee, the production team provided another activity.

[Tonight is everyone’s first night together. Why not have a barbecue in the yard to bring us all closer!]

Looking at the task posted by the team, Yu Xi was the first to frown. “Do we have to do the barbecue ourselves? I don’t know how to grill things.”

Finishing the last sip of coffee in her cup, Dou Anyao also frowned slightly at the activity sheet. For her, it was simple: in this hot weather, a barbecue? Unless someone else grilled it and handed it to her, she wasn’t interested.

“It looks like we’re on our own,” Wen Zhixin said, glancing at the staff in the corner who were focused solely on filming. She sighed inwardly.

There were only four of them right now. It wasn’t that four was a small number, but none of them looked particularly skilled in the culinary arts. Having them organize a barbecue felt like a tall order. Not to mention it was still raining outside, and the team had specified the location as the backyard.

On the other side, Chi Xueqing’s eyes flickered when she saw the word “backyard” on the activity sheet.

She was the first to stand up, her voice gentle as she spoke. “We’ve rested enough. Why don’t we go to the yard first? It’s still early, so we can see where the best spot for the barbecue is.”

This was the most practical suggestion. It wasn’t even 5:00 PM yet; having just finished afternoon tea, they wouldn’t be able to eat barbecue immediately anyway.

“Sure! I haven’t seen what the backyard looks like yet,” Yu Xi chimed in, standing up with an eager expression.

Since the other two had stood up, Wen Zhixin instinctively followed suit. Then, remembering something, she turned her gaze toward Dou Anyao, looking a bit worried.

She recalled that Chi Xueqing had invited Dou Anyao to visit the yard earlier when the rain let up, and Dou Anyao had refused, saying she didn’t want to smell the Actinomycetes. But now that everyone was going, if she stayed behind, she’d be isolated.

However, if she went along, it might be a bit awkward between her and Chi Xueqing.

Awkwardness was a small matter; the real fear was that the netizens would seize the opportunity to bash her. Wen Zhixin knew her step-sister’s online reputation was a mix of praise and notoriety—mostly “black-red” fame—but that didn’t stop her from wanting to protect her from more insults.

Dou Anyao wasn’t thinking about any of that.

There was a barbecue tonight, so what was the problem with going to check out the grilling spot with everyone else? Absolutely none. As for anything else, she hadn’t even remembered it.

Chi Xueqing had her own little schemes. She had been displeased that her earlier overture to Dou Anyao was ignored, but the production team had just handed her a convenient way out.

Didn’t Dou Anyao say the post-rain air felt “weird”? Well, let’s see if she actually shows up.

Just as she was thinking this, Chi Xueqing saw Dou Anyao stand up with everyone else quite naturally and turn to head toward the backyard.

Chi Xueqing: “…”

She had never seen someone so eager and natural about “slapping their own face.”

Watching Dou Anyao’s back as she walked ahead alone, Chi Xueqing suppressed the look in her eyes and followed in her usual calm manner. She could already guess that with her fans and Dou Anyao’s anti-fans watching, Dou Anyao was bound to be scolded for this, while she could use the opportunity to gain some popularity.

Dou Anyao and Chi Xueqing walked a bit ahead, while Yu Xi and Wen Zhixin trailed two steps behind.

Yu Xi studied their backs for a few seconds before choosing to flash a big smile at Wen Zhixin beside her.

“Sister Zhixin, what do you like to eat at a barbecue?” Yu Xi asked cheerfully. “I love grilled pork belly—grilled until it’s fragrant, with some cumin and chili powder. It’s the best!”

Wen Zhixin thought about it. “I prefer grilled corn, the kind that’s grilled until it’s slightly dry.”

“Grilled corn! I love that too!” Yu Xi said excitedly. “I wonder if there’s any in the house. If there is, we’ll make sure to have some later!”

Wen Zhixin nodded.

The villa sat on a large plot of land. Aside from the small front yard at the entrance, the yard behind the main house was practically a mini garden.

The lush green grass appeared even more vibrant under the overcast sky. Further off, there were several climbing vines and fruit trees on trellises. Along the edge of the wall were unknown wildflowers, slightly battered by the rain but appearing even more delicate.

In the middle of the yard, two adjacent trapezoidal camping tents had been set up. Barbecue grills were even placed in front of them. It seemed the production team had planned for them to do the grilling themselves all along.

The grills were positioned right under the tent awnings. They were slightly damp from the drifting rain, but it seemed that even if it poured while they were grilling, they could just sit a bit further inside to stay dry.

The rain was tapering off now, but it was still drizzling. As evening approached, the sky grew dimmer, the twilight casting a slight lethargy over everyone.

Dou Anyao stood by the back door of the main house, feeling the warmth radiating from outside while the cold of the indoor air conditioning still lingered on her back. Watching the clouds churning in the distance, she let out a yawn.

What a perfect time to be tucked under a quilt in an air-conditioned room, she lamented internally.

The Pure Advocacy System: “…” This unmotivated host!

“Why aren’t you going over?”

When Chi Xueqing walked up beside Dou Anyao, she asked in a calm, soft voice.

Actually, she really wanted to ask: Didn’t you say you didn’t want to come to the yard? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to smell the Actinomycetes spores? Why are you here then?

But that clearly didn’t fit her persona, and being petty didn’t suit the occasion.

Photographers were already in position in the yard. As soon as the two appeared at the back door, their faces were presented from a new angle in the livestream. Seeing them standing side-by-side at the narrow doorway and hearing Chi Xueqing’s question, the comments flooded in even more fiercely than when Dou Anyao had first stood up to follow them.

[Xueqing, I’m literally crying for her. She’s too good, truly too kind.] [Aaaaah, my Qingqing, you don’t need to be this friendly to DAY.] [Seriously, if DAY dares to give Xueqing a cold face again, I’ll bash her to death.] [Xueqing didn’t take what happened earlier to heart at all; she’s even asking DAY so gently. I love her.]

The rain was still falling, but it was light, and the tents weren’t far. A few quick steps would get them there. It wasn’t as if the rain was too heavy to move, so Chi Xueqing’s question was perfectly reasonable.

Hearing the question, Dou Anyao turned her head to look at her, then looked down.

Chi Xueqing followed her lead. Both looked down simultaneously, their gazes landing on their feet.

The little green crocodile on Dou Anyao’s slippers was still holding its bread. She hadn’t painted her toenails; her ten toes were rounded, pink, and plump—neat and cute.

Chi Xueqing’s eyes darkened slightly, her mind wavering for a moment, when she heard Dou Anyao speak in that characteristically emotionless, flat voice: “I’m wearing slippers. I’m afraid of falling flat on my face.”

Chi Xueqing: “…”

Rain, grass, slippers—it was indeed a combination that made tripping very likely. Plus, these were indoor slippers; if they wore them out now, wouldn’t they just track dirt all over the main house when they came back?

Chi Xueqing’s expression stiffened visibly. “You’re right. I didn’t think it through.”

In the livestream, the comments that were bashing Dou Anyao suddenly fell silent. It wasn’t that they ran out of energy; they just didn’t know what words to use to insult her anymore. This person seemed completely impervious to social pressure.

[Is this something a star can say?] […] [Actually… that kind of makes sense.] [Can female celebrities have a little more self-awareness about their image?]

Wen Zhixin and Yu Xi, standing behind them, also heard the exchange. For a moment, even the villa fell silent.

Wen Zhixin thought inexplicably: I have a feeling this barbecue isn’t going to be easy to eat.

“Hello? Is anyone home?”

While the four were standing at the back door like gate gods, a woman’s voice suddenly called out from inside. Yu Xi’s eyes lit up, and she nearly jumped. “A new guest is here!”

With that, she hurriedly ran back. Even Chi Xueqing couldn’t help but turn and look back.

Thinking about the rain outside and the shoe issue, Chi Xueqing dropped a quick “I’ll go see the new guest” and turned back into the house.

This left Dou Anyao leaning by the door and Wen Zhixin about four or five steps away. Wen Zhixin stared at Dou Anyao’s back, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Dou Anyao, sensing the hesitant gaze, turned around and gave her a reassuring smile. “Let’s go. We should welcome the new guest too.”

Wen Zhixin nodded vigorously, and the two returned to the main house one after the other.

the newcomer was wearing a linen-colored camisole maxi dress with her long hair loose. She wore flat woven sandals—a perfect casual vacation look—and was currently greeting Chi Xueqing and Yu Xi at the entrance.

Seeing Dou Anyao and Wen Zhixin come out, she looked up with a smile that remained unchanged. “Hello everyone! Sorry I’m a bit late. The rain delayed my flight. I’m really sorry.”

The woman’s voice was sweet, but not the “cute” sweet of Yu Xi; it was a refreshing sweetness, like a spring breeze.

Wen Zhixin quickly smiled and told her it was no trouble, followed by the usual introductions.

The newcomer smiled somewhat shyly. “My name is Jiang Yafu. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

Yu Xi was the ultimate hype-girl, holding her fists to her cheeks in excitement. “It’s Fufu! I know you! I like you so much; I’ve listened to many of the songs you’ve written. They’re so good!”

Chi Xueqing, however, was quite reserved. Her career didn’t overlap much with the newcomer’s; at most, the name sounded familiar. She acknowledged Jiang Yafu somewhat neutrally, and then it was Wen Zhixin’s turn.

Finally, it was Dou Anyao.

When Jiang Yafu looked at Dou Anyao, her gaze was pure, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.

Dou Anyao, who had been slightly worried about the other person bringing up the original host’s messy history, was instantly relieved. It seemed this person didn’t even know who she was. She had worried for nothing.

Dou Anyao gave a nod as a greeting. “Hello, I’m Dou Anyao.”

“Hello, Yaoyao.”

Jiang Yafu replied with her smile unchanged.

As soon as Jiang Yafu spoke, the expressions of the other four became strange instantly.

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