The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 3

Just as the three of them were about to stand up, Director Wang Qiang let out an awkward laugh and shouted into his megaphone, “Uh, houses are something you need to complete tasks to earn. You don’t have one right now.”

The livestream chat immediately burst into laughter.

• “Hahahahaha, why is this so funny!”
• “Touring the house, but there is no house.”
• “Does this mean more awkward socializing?”

As if on cue, Wang Mo sat back down, speechless. After a moment of thought, she began chatting with Zhang Yunxi.

“Hehe, are you a non-celebrity guest?”

Zhang Yunxi nodded candidly. “Yes, I usually just take some photos.”

Wang Mo’s interest was piqued as she leaned forward. “Taking photos? I really love photography too! Of course, I’m just an amateur; I definitely can’t compare to a professional like you.”

Zhang Yunxi shook her head to reassure her. “Not at all, Sister Wang Mo’s photos must be very beautiful.”

Wang Mo was amused, and the atmosphere in the room began to flow more naturally. Wen Mian sat with her head down, reading a novel, without interrupting.

• “I didn’t expect Wen Mian to be so well-behaved, she didn’t even butt in.”
• “Yeah, she looks a little pitiful.”
• “It’s better if she doesn’t speak. Don’t be fooled by her current act.”

After a while, the remaining two guests trickled in. Su Shiqiu didn’t believe the industry rumors and was the first person to speak to Wen Mian.

“You like this song too?! I love it as well.”

Wen Mian gave a light smile. “Yeah, I think it sounds quite nice.” Her eyes were clear and gentle, neither humble nor arrogant.

Su Shiqiu sighed inwardly as expected, the rumors were just rumors. Feeling a sliver of pity, she continued, “I think it’s great too. Also, listen to this one…”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Song Xue. “Speaking of which, I’m quite curious, why did Sister Wen come to this show?”

Wen Mian turned to look at Song Xue. Song Xue looked expectant, but there was a faint, barely perceptible trace of malice in her eyes.

Wen Mian replied flatly, “I came because I wanted to.”

Song Xue choked on her words, the dark glint in her eyes intensifying, though she maintained a smile and nodded. “Oh, so that’s how it is. I almost thought Sister Wen came for Senior Gu.”

Wen Mian gave an “Oh.” “It wasn’t for her.”

While the original owner of the body had indeed come for Gu Man, who would know? It was up to her to say what she wanted.

Song Xue covered her mouth and laughed twice, speaking with hidden meaning, “Oh, so it wasn’t.”

A segment of the netizens immediately expressed their skepticism.

• “Even if she didn’t come for Gu Man, she’ll definitely cling to her later.”
• “Found the truth. I’ll just wait and see how long Wen Mian can keep up the act.”
• “Same here!”

The most important person, of course, appeared last. When the doorbell rang again, the four of them stood up immediately.

Wen Mian followed quietly behind. Through the gaps between the others, she saw the woman she had registered her marriage with.

Gu Man’s hair draped down in curls. She wore a white knit sweater paired with simple black trousers. She was tall and had a cool, elegant demeanor. She had changed her earrings, the white studs made her look even more cold and aloof.

The entertainment industry is a place that traditionally fawns over the powerful and tramples the weak. The moment Gu Man appeared, everyone spoke up, and the room suddenly became lively.

Song Xue smiled very tenderly. “Senior Gu, I’m Song Xue. You can just call me Xuexue.”

Gu Man turned to scan the room, nodded, and said, “Hello everyone. We’ll be spending the next few days together, so just call me by my name. No need to be too formal.”

Su Shiqiu, who knew Gu Man from before, stepped forward with a light tone. “I didn’t expect you to actually come.”

Gu Man glanced at her and shot back, “Didn’t you come too?”

They stood in silence, both seeing a hint of reluctance in each other’s eyes.

After greeting everyone, Wen Mian watched as Gu Man walked toward her. The fans in the livestream went wild.

• “Ahhh! Manman baby, Mama won’t allow you to say hello to her!”
• “My wife is so kind. If I had been harassed for that long, I definitely wouldn’t greet her.”
• “Our Manman is too good hearted, but Wife, I’m afraid you’ll get entangled again!”

Song Xue watched like she was enjoying a show, barely able to hold back a laugh.

To everyone’s surprise, Wen Mian’s expression didn’t change at all. She nodded plainly and replied, “Hello, Senior Gu.”

Gu Man raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of surprise in her eyes. “Mm, hello.”

The two of them were as calm as a light breeze, but the others were slack-jawed with shock.

• “Didn’t they say Wen Mian has always been clingy to Gu Man? I don’t see it at all.”
• “Exactly! They feel like complete strangers.”
• “True! Everyone, don’t be fooled by Wen Mian’s facade; she’s faking it right now!”
• “My feelings are suddenly so complicated. Although it’s correct for Wen Mian to call Manman ‘Senior’… why does it feel like she suddenly jumped up a generation?”
• “Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one. I remember they’re actually the same age.”
• “So what if they’re the same age? In the industry, it’s not about age. Anyway, Wen Mian better stay away.”

Wen Mian didn’t know what was being said online for the time being. After the greeting, she left the crowded living room and silently observed the surroundings of the house.

This season of Heartbeat of First Love was set in the rural countryside. It was nearly harvest season; looking out from the window, golden wheat fields stretched out in swaying waves.

The scenery was charming, and Wen Mian’s mood brightened accordingly. She closed her eyes slightly to enjoy this moment of tranquility. The setting sun cast a slanted light on her, draping her in a warm, soft halo. Her hair was stirred by the breeze, shimmering with flecks of gold.

The viewers in the livestream couldn’t help but hold their breath, as if afraid to disturb this beautiful scene. It took a long time before someone posted a comment.

• “I never noticed before, but when Wen Mian isn’t being annoying, she’s actually… quite pretty.”
• “I’ve suddenly realized Wen Mian’s level of beauty.”
• “Damn it, wasn’t I here to keep an eye on her? Why are my eyes glued to her now?”
• “Haha, keeping an eye on her or being glued to her, what’s the difference?”
• “You guys are so pathetic. Where is she pretty? She’s clearly very average!”

Where there is love, there is hate. Someone who couldn’t stand it wrote that indignant comment, only to be immediately rebuked.

• “We might not know her character, but attacking her looks is just wrong.”
• “Exactly! I can only say every girl has her own beauty. There are only types you don’t ‘get,’ not people who aren’t good-looking!”

A “click” sound interrupted Wen Mian’s thoughts. She opened her eyes slightly, and her vision cleared.

Zhang Yunxi shook her phone and said apologetically, “Professional habit, professional habit. If you don’t like it, I can delete it.”

Wen Mian walked over to her and looked down. In the photo, a woman was bathed in sunlight, with the wheat fields merging into the sunset in the background. It was sacred and aesthetic.

Wen Mian almost didn’t recognize herself. She gave a thumbs up. “Hehe, with this skill, you could go enter a competition.”

Zhang Yunxi lowered her eyes shyly, a pink flush creeping onto her face. “I have entered before.”

Wen Mian was surprised. “You have?”

Zhang Yunxi nodded and said softly, “I won an award.”

Wen Mian went silent for a second and gave a second thumbs up. It seemed that even for the non-celebrity guests, the production team had found top-tier talent.

She took out her phone. “In that case, let’s add each other? Can you send the photo to me?”

Zhang Yunxi happily agreed and quickly took out her phone. After adding her, Wen Mian saved the photo. Remembering Xu Qing’s advice to maintain her social media presence, she decided to post it on her personal platform.

Just as she posted it, Director Wang Qiang, belly protruding, called out, “Since everyone is now familiar with each other, let’s begin the first task.”

Wen Mian and Zhang Yunxi quickly returned to the living room and sat down.

Wang Qiang: “As I said earlier, you don’t have fixed rooms. If you want to live comfortably, you need to complete various tasks. The person with the highest task points can choose their room and their dishes.”

“So, what is our first task?”

Wang Qiang paused for two seconds, firmly gripping the audience’s suspense.

“That is to work together to make the first meal of Heartbeat of First Love. Ingredients must be obtained from the farmers. We will split into three pairs, decided by drawing lots! How about it? Isn’t everyone excited?”

Whether the guests were excited was unknown, but the audience was in an uproar.

• “Drawing lots? Is there an inside deal?”
• “I hope our Manman doesn’t draw Wen Mian, please!”
• “Plus one, plus one! Production team, don’t play tricks on me!”

Clearly, Wang Qiang understood the audience’s psychology. He wrote three slips of paper on the spot and let Wen Mian and the others draw. He first placed the box in front of Wen Mian.

Wen Mian helplessly reached in and pinched a slip of paper. Everyone’s attention was concentrated on her movements. Seeing Wen Mian’s eyes light up, they couldn’t help but gasp, no way?

Wen Mian smiled and shook the slip. “I drew Shiqiu. I’ll have to trouble Shiqiu to be with me.”

Su Shiqiu nodded. “It’s no trouble, it’s a task for both of us anyway.” She tactfully defused the tension.

After the draw, it ended up being Zhang Yunxi with Gu Man, and Song Xue with Wang Mo.

Wen Mian and Su Shiqiu’s task was to obtain vegetables from a grandmother living alone. Gu Man and Zhang Yunxi’s task was to catch chickens. Song Xue and Wang Mo’s task was to obtain seasonings.

Wen Mian and Su Shiqiu were both the type who liked to get things done early to relax later, so the moment they got their task, they disappeared. Even the cameraman barely reacted in time.

The afterglow of the sunset splashed across the sky like a palette of spilled, multicolored ink.

Su Shiqiu’s tone was full of surprise. “Our luck is pretty good! To encounter such a beautiful sunset… the countryside scenery really is better.”

Wen Mian agreed. “It is indeed nice, and the temperature is just right.”

Seeing Su Shiqiu’s reaction, the viewers clamored to see the sunset. The cameraman didn’t disappoint, shifting the lens toward the horizon. Fiery red clouds drifted slightly, and the wheat fields stretched as far as the eye could see.

Chatting as they walked, they soon reached the home of the elderly woman living alone. The old house and low threshold brought them abruptly from a dreamlike environment back to reality.

Wen Mian stepped forward and knocked, calling out loudly, “Grandmother, are you there?”

A muffled cough came from inside, followed by an impatient voice, “Not here, not here! Go borrow from another house!”

Wen Mian feigned a wronged expression. “Grandmother, it’s so late now, and we’re just two girls who can’t find anyone else. Please help us.”

The door was pulled open. Standing before them was a hunched elderly woman. The moment she saw Wen Mian, a flicker of light appeared in her eyes, but it quickly turned fierce again. “Help? What help? This old lady doesn’t help strangers.”