The Film Queen Is Cold and Ruthless, Only Sends Money - Chapter 23.1

Naturally, neither of them had any objections. Su Xue looked at Jing Chaochao and said, “I’m sorry, I won’t speak like that again in the future.”

Jing Chaochao ruffled her hair gently. “I was at fault too. It’s fine, let’s both make sure to rest properly and not stay up late from now on.”

After apologizing to everyone, they finally settled down at the table to eat breakfast.

Outside, the rain pattered softly, splashing against the ground, painting He Rong County in a completely different light. The drizzle draped the distant mountains and forests in a misty veil, as if lifting the dark green curtains of nature, imprinting the scenery like an ink-wash painting. The babbling streams ran crystal clear, their surfaces blooming with silver ripples where raindrops struck.

“If there weren’t any tasks today, I’d be happy to stay here forever!” Lin Yan sighed as she gazed at the rain-soaked scenery.

“Agreed!” Su Xue chimed in. “These past few days have given me so much inspiration, I even feel like extending my stay!”

[Such a breathtaking view! I had no idea the difference between rainy and sunny days could be so striking in some places!]

[No wonder they want to stay longer! Ugh, I want to too!]

[Lin Yan specifically mentioned “no tasks” as a prerequisite, haha! The production team should really reflect on that!]

But as if summoned by their words, the director “timely” appeared to shatter Lin Yan’s unrealistic fantasy. “Let me announce today’s task.”

However, before revealing the task, the director abruptly changed the subject, turning to Liu Yangran and Ye Ying. “How would you rate the living conditions of the fourth room?”

Liu Yangran and Ye Ying: “…”

They were baffled. Was this even a question?

During the room selection, the production team should have known better than anyone.

Ye Ying smiled with deadly calm. “I think it’s quite livable. If you’re curious, Director, you’re welcome to experience it yourself.”

At night, when everything quieted down, the chorus of cicadas and birds outside wove into a harmonious melody, drifting through their uniquely crafted wooden door.

If not for the hard plank bed beneath them, it might have even felt like a charming camping trip.

Pretending not to catch the sarcasm in Ye Ying’s tone, the director cheerfully raised his megaphone. “It seems our arrangements have left every guest satisfied. I’m sure the others just heard firsthand accounts from those who’ve experienced it themselves.”

“Therefore, our upcoming tasks will also determine the rooms our guests will stay in for the next few days.”

Jiang Zhi was the first to react. “A room swap?”

Liu Yangran and Ye Ying, who had suffered the most these past few days, suddenly perked up, their gloom instantly replaced by excitement. “Really?”

The director nodded. “To ensure our guests have a richer experience, today’s and tomorrow’s tasks will involve a reassignment of rooms.”

With that settled, Liu Yangran and Ye Ying remained the calmest among the group though even they couldn’t hide their anticipation.

After all, the worst outcome for them would be staying in the fourth room again. Any other option would be an improvement.

Liu Yangran spoke up. “You haven’t stayed there yet, so there’s no need to worry too much. Once you actually move in.”

Su Xue turned to her. “What happens once we move in?”

Ye Ying deadpanned, “Once you move in, you’ll realize just how terrible the fourth room really is.”

Everyone: “…”

[“Ye Ying, why are you going for deadpan humor now, hahaha!!”]

[“I thought she’d at least list a few advantages of the fourth room!”]

[“Upstairs, I think it’s not that they don’t want to say, it’s that there really aren’t any pros, haha! The only upside is ‘being close to nature’!”]

[“Though the show’s trick is mean, who wouldn’t want a nice room? Not to mention how big the mental gap would be moving from a good room to a bad one!”]

Liu Yangran comforted everyone, “Don’t be too scared. After all, we installed the door together, so you’ve already formed a bond with this room.”

Honestly, after living here for a few days, if the director hadn’t mentioned it, they might have gradually gotten used to it.

Realizing what she was thinking, Liu Yangran quickly shook her head, how could she let herself get accustomed to this?!

“I just hope I don’t have any more ‘bonds’ with the fourth room,” Lin Yan muttered weakly, her earlier sentiment completely gone.

Seeing the guests like this, the director’s goal was more or less achieved.

Yesterday’s doubts about her career vanished without a trace.

But as she observed Su Yun and Jiang Zhi’s unchanged expressions, it seemed the two were taking the news quite well.

The director couldn’t help but ask, “Su Yun and Jiang Zhi, any thoughts on switching rooms?”

“After all, you two are currently in the best rooms. I’m sure the other guests are eyeing them covetously.”

At her words, everyone else turned their gazes toward Su Yun and Jiang Zhi.

Right while there was the risk of landing in the fourth room, there was also the chance of getting the first! The director’s reminder had worked!

Meeting everyone’s expectant looks, Su Yun raised a brow. Just moments ago, she had been the “impartial judge,” and now they wanted to take her room?

But she always played by the show’s rules. Blinking innocently, she said, “If you can win, the room is yours.”

Lin Yan: “Why does that sound so ominous?”

Xu Zhi chimed in, “Those two have never lost a single task or game so far.”

Everyone else: Oh! Right.

What exactly had they been celebrating earlier?

[“Hahahaha! Is this Su Yun’s most low-key moment yet? She didn’t even say anything, and the guests just shifted topics on their own!”]

[“Upstairs, you’re right! Since the show started, Su Yun and Jiang Zhi have never once said they’d win yet they always come in first!”]

[“I get it! Su Yun’s confidence is rubbing off on me. At this point, I just assume they’ll never lose.”]

“I think we should aim for second place instead,” Su Xue said, still shaken by her earlier reverence for the “Impartial Judge.”

Hearing Xu Zhi’s words, she immediately changed her mind and started strategizing with Jing Zhaozhao.

“Good point,” Liu Yangran nodded, turning to Ye Ying to plan how to let Lin Yan and Xu Zhi “enjoy” the comforts of the fourth room.

Lin Yan and Xu Zhi: You’re discussing this a bit too loudly. We can hear you.

The director, who had hoped to motivate everyone to fight for first place and pressure Su Yun and Jiang Zhi: …

The director looked at the guests who retreated at the first sign of difficulty and began fabricating on the spot: “Although this is a travel variety show, every guest in the past two seasons embodied the spirit of ‘knowing there are tigers in the mountain, yet heading straight for it’! Everyone, work hard maybe the first room will be yours!”

[The director will stop at nothing to stir up drama LOL!]

[If I hadn’t watched the past two seasons, I might’ve actually believed this [dog head jpg]. The director’s words are pure deception!]

[Guests: Sometimes the first room isn’t all that great, we’ll think it over [dog head]]

Unfortunately, while the director’s rousing speech over the loudspeaker was inspiring, the guests only selectively absorbed it.

Ye Ying said solemnly, “Director, sometimes giving up is also a choice.”

“Profound!” Su Xue nodded in agreement. “What we excel at is retreating in the face of adversity.”

Seeing the director sinking into self-doubt, Su Yun felt she ought to lend a hand.

Su Yun: “Director, do you know why your words didn’t motivate anyone? Because there’s a logical flaw in them.”

The moment she spoke, curious gazes turned her way. The director perked up his ears, ready to take notes. “Which part has a logical flaw?”

Only Jiang Zhi silently prayed for the director, hoping Su Yun wouldn’t say anything too shocking.

Su Yun: “The part about ‘knowing there are tigers in the mountain, yet heading straight for it.’ A more reasonable approach would be: ‘knowing there are tigers in the mountain, so don’t go to that mountain.'”

It’s just common sense.

The director closed his eyes in silence: …

Where’s my chocolate bar? I need one! No, two!

[Director: Sometimes I really want to call the police!]

[“Knowing there are tigers in the mountain, so don’t go to that mountain” got it! Adding this to my life motto!]

[Am I the only one thinking that while past seasons had guests quitting over task demands, this season might see the director quitting because of the guests? Doge.]

[But even if that happens, isn’t Su Yun the perfect replacement director? She can take over!]

[HAHAHAHAHA!! Su Yun, the woman who keeps everyone on their toes!]

–

After a few chocolate bars’ worth of time, the director wiped away his metaphorical tears and regained his composure.

Lin Yan was laughing so hard at Su Yun’s remark that she had to lean on the table. She asked proactively, “Director, you mentioned earlier that today’s and tomorrow’s tasks will determine room assignments. Does that mean the two days’ tasks are connected?”

Director: “Yes. Today’s tasks are mainly indoors. You can accumulate resources by completing various challenges, and these resources will help you with tomorrow’s tasks.

Today, we have three mini-games. Your rankings will determine the tools and seeds you receive, which will prepare you for tomorrow’s farming.

The first game will award different land-clearing tools.

The second game will award different irrigation tools.

The third game will award different farming outfits.”

Half of He Rong County’s economy relies on local agricultural produce, making farming especially vital to daily life there. This is why the show designed this segment.

In an era of rapid technological advancement and societal progress, we hope everyone remembers the importance of this foundation.

In some places, there are still people who toil under the sun, their faces to the earth and backs to the sky.

This mission is also designed to give the guests a firsthand experience of the lives of laborers, encouraging more people to cherish food and respect the working class.

After the director finished his heartfelt introduction, the guests applauded the show’s positive message.

Then, Liu Yangran looked at the items brought out by the crew and asked, “Are these the farming tools we’ll be competing for in the first segment?”

From left to right, there was a hoe, a shovel, a half-cut water pipe, and a magic wand.

To be precise, the one on the far right was a toy magic wand that shimmered with dazzling rainbow lights.

The live audience, who had just been moved to tears, completely lost it when the camera panned to the toy magic wand.

[Show crew, tell me honestly, did you laugh when you prepared the magic wand?]

[One second we’re talking about traditional farming, and the next we’re in a fantasy era?]

[Imagine a guest holding a magic wand while farming, chanting spells: “Oo-la-la, energy burst, dig a hole and plant the seed”?]

Lin Yan didn’t even care about the half-cut water pipe anymore. Pointing at the magic wand, she asked the director, “Did the staff bring the wrong item?”

The director denied it: “No mistake. This is indeed the fourth-place reward.”

“So whoever gets the magic wand doesn’t have to participate in the next games?” Jing Zhaozhao asked.

What she really wanted to say was, how is this a reward?!

It’s clearly a punishment for the last-place team!

After all, if you’re farming, and you don’t even have proper tools in the first round, how could you possibly win? Might as well pack up early and move into the fourth room.

“Of course not. The three game segments we’ve designed will each have four corresponding auxiliary tools,” the director said, pressing the magic wand’s switch. Instantly, children’s music floated through the air, surrounding everyone.

“If you give up in the first round, isn’t that too soon? And who says the tools we provide are useless?” The director waved the magic wand. “It even plays music to cheer you on!”

At this point, they understood the director’s implication.

Whether it was land-clearing tools, watering tools, or the farming outfits they’d need in the third segment, judging by the props provided in this round, the show might throw in some bizarre items each time.

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