The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 33

As Wen Mian moved, the paddleboard wobbled slightly before quickly stabilizing.

Having completed the pose, Wen Mian felt the stretch in her spine and let out a comfortable sigh of satisfaction.

Zhang Yunxi looked over regretfully, her hands itching to fly back to the room and grab her camera. She sighed with disappointment and silently refocused on the next movement.

Mu Ya had the best balance. Within a few seconds, she had perfected the pose, offering Zhang Yunxi a gentle smile: “Do you want me to give you a hand?”

Zhang Yunxi couldn’t help but look up in confusion at Mu Ya, who was standing tall. Why was her mood so erratic? Was this what someone looked like when they were in love?

She nodded, took the hand, and gave a hearty smile. “Thanks a lot!”

Looking at the group held in their poses, the instructor nodded with satisfaction. “Yes, exactly like that. Hold it for five minutes, and then we’ll move to the next one.”

Wen Mian straightened her arms and lightly closed her eyes, enjoying the brush of the breeze and the warmth of the sun.

When all the poses were finished, everyone returned to the shore.

Wang Mo relaxed her body comfortably. “It’s finally over. So tiring!”

Wen Mian let out a giggle, her eyes curving like crescents. “Finally, we can eat! I’m starving!”

Wang Mo nodded repeatedly, as if she had found a soulmate. “Mianmian, you truly understand me!”

Gu Man frowned slightly. “We can head to lunch now.”

Wang Mo made a “zipper” gesture across her lips, indicating she received the message.

Since they were in Yunjiang, they couldn’t miss the famous hotpot, especially since the rain from two days ago had caused fresh mushrooms to sprout.

Getting out of the car, Wen Mian and Gu Man stayed in the back. Watching the excited Zhang Yunxi and the others, Wen Mian’s eyes crinkled with anticipation.

As they entered, the young shop owner tried to act calm, but her eyes kept darting toward Wen Mian and Gu Man, one hand tightly gripping the hem of her shirt.

“You’re here! Everyone, please take a seat. I’ll start bringing the hotpot out for you,” she greeted them hurriedly.

Feeling the owner’s constant gaze, Wen Mian felt quite helpless. Did the owner really think she was hiding it well?

The viewers in the livestream saw it too.

【Haha, a fellow fan! The owner sister is so cute!】

【Isn’t this exactly my reaction when I see a celebrity I like? This sister is being too real!】

【With my sharp eyes, I’m certain, the owner’s favorites are Wen Mian and Gu Man!】

【Plus one to that! Who wouldn’t love our salted fish Mianmian and our goddess Manman!】

Once everyone was seated, the owner looked and looked, reluctant to leave for the kitchen. She ordered the chef to start preparing the dishes while she sat at a table nearby, watching the group.

Gu Man didn’t seem to care. She lowered her eyes and meticulously rinsed the tableware with boiling water before pushing the set over to Wen Mian and then doing her own.

Wang Mo, who was looking around bored, caught sight of this and slapped her forehead in frustration. Why hadn’t she thought of that!

It wasn’t surprising, she didn’t usually scald her own dishes, so the thought naturally didn’t occur to her.

The owner, watching from afar, covered her mouth tightly to keep from screaming. I knew my ship was real! Ahhh!!!

Chatting with Zhang Yunxi, Wen Mian didn’t realize what had happened and continued talking happily.

Mu Ya’s expression was dark, her eyes dull. She turned and stared straight at Wen Mian. “Mianmian…”

Wen Mian paused and looked back, tilting her head in confusion. “What is it?”

Mu Ya stared at her for two seconds, as if realizing something, then shook her head. “Nothing. I just think your name is quite pretty. Does it have a special meaning?”

The figure of the orphanage director flashed through Wen Mian’s mind, the person shrouded in dim light, their rough, cracked palm stroking her head, even feeling her hair catch in the cracks of the skin.

As a child, Wen Mian had looked up, unable to see the director’s expression, only seeing her lips move: “Our Mianmian’s name was carefully chosen by Mom. It’s…”

Returning to the present, the corners of Wen Mian’s eyes turned slightly red. She feigned a relaxed tone. “It comes from the line. ‘The spring water is bluer than the sky; in a painted boat, one listens to the rain while sleeping (mian)’.”

Mu Ya realized. “It is indeed a beautiful meaning.”

She didn’t speak further, lowering her head in deep thought.

Gu Man, who had just finished scalding the dishes, keenly glanced over. The first thing she saw was the redness in Wen Mian’s eyes. Her fingers curled slightly. After a thought, she spoke gently: “Wenwen…”

Wen Mian turned in confusion. “Hmm?” Her eyes were full of silent inquiry.

Gu Man rubbed the rim of her cup with her fingertip and said slowly, “Do you want to know the meaning of my name?”

Wen Mian’s eyes widened with curiosity. She tried to recall the novel, but the plot had become blurry, let alone such a small detail.

She didn’t care about the plot anymore, putting all her focus on Gu Man. She nodded repeatedly, asking urgently, “I really do! What is it?”

Her eyes were bright, shining like diamonds.

Gu Man curled the corner of her mouth and replied in a soft, low voice: “It’s ‘The auspicious clouds are brilliant, twisting and turning in boundless beauty (man-man)’.”

Wen Mian repeated it silently in her heart. “It sounds lovely! I really like that line of poetry.”

As soon as she said this, Gu Man’s entire neck and ears turned red. Because of the activity earlier, her hair wasn’t down, making it very obvious.

Even though her shy eyelashes were trembling, Gu Man insisted on not looking away, observing Wen Mian’s expression.

Witnessing Gu Man’s cool white skin turn red, Wen Mian immediately realized what was happening. She hurriedly turned to face Zhang Yunxi, feeling frustrated in her heart. Why had she been saying such misleading things lately?!

It was all Gu Man’s fault; she must have caught it from her!

But strangely, her mood lightened.

Zhang Yunxi curled her lip and hummed. She knew they were showing off their affection, ignoring their best friend. Those who prioritized romance over friendship really couldn’t be relied on!

Thinking this, she suddenly leaned close to Wen Mian, speaking almost in a whisper: “How does it feel?” Her gossipy heart was on full display.

Wen Mian felt both embarrassed and helpless, pressing her fingertip against Zhang Yunxi’s forehead. “What do you mean, how does it feel?”

Likely due to a guilty conscience, her voice was very low.

Zhang Yunxi pouted and glanced toward Gu Man, exposing Wen Mian’s feigned ignorance without mercy. “Asking when you already know. I sacrificed myself to create this opportunity for you.”

Wen Mian’s face reddened too. She pushed Zhang Yunxi’s head away forcefully, pleading, “We’ll talk when we get back, talk when we get back!”

Only then did Zhang Yunxi nod in satisfaction.

Wen Mian, meanwhile, was praying to every deity. Please, please add another activity, preferably something that will make her forget about this.

The two were speaking softly, but their movements were not small. The livestream audience was naturally drawn in, their curiosity itching.

【What did they say?! I’m dying to know!】

【Argh! The program team should have put the audio equipment back on as soon as they landed. Unprofessional! One star review!】

【Is there a lip-reading expert here to decipher this for me?】

【I don’t understand, but I feel like it has to do with Manman.】

【Sister, you get me! I feel the same way!】

Before they had to wait too long, a lip-reading expert actually appeared to decipher the exchange between Wen Mian and Zhang Yunxi.

【I’ve deciphered it, check my profile!】

The comment caused a massive stir. Viewers flocked to the profile, and after watching the video, they burst into laughter.

【Isn’t this exactly how my bestie and I gossip?】

【Too bad they stopped talking. I really want to know Mianmian’s opinion of Manman.】

【Plus one! Our ‘GuMian’ ship is definitely real!】

During the discussion, the food was served.

Wen Mian blanched a piece of beef, dipped it in the sauce, and ate it, nodding her head happily. “So delicious!”

Everyone’s energy had been depleted during the morning, and they all nodded in agreement.

Gu Man took a graceful bite, not forgetting to use public chopsticks to serve food to Wen Mian.

Wen Mian accepted it all. Feeling a bit dry, she made a small gesture, tugging at the hem of Gu Man’s shirt at her waist.

Gu Man tilted her head slightly and gave a soft “Hmm.”

“I want some soup.” Wen Mian pointed to her throat, staring directly at the mushroom broth.

The corners of Gu Man’s eyes lifted. Holding the bowl, her slender arm reached out to help serve the soup, placing it to Wen Mian’s right.

Then she whispered a reminder: “It’s a bit hot right now, wait a moment before drinking.”

Wen Mian, her head buried over her bowl, nodded to show she understood.

Gu Man glanced at the food in Wen Mian’s bowl again and continued her “feeding mission.”

After about a minute, Gu Man lightly touched the wall of the bowl. Feeling it was no longer scalding, she said, “You can drink it now.”

Wen Mian looked up immediately and gulped down half the bowl, narrowing her eyes in satisfaction. She thanked her softly, “Thanks~”

Gu Man froze for a few seconds before turning away, responding in a very low voice. Her face was flushed, though it was unclear if it was from the heat or shyness.

The owner, watching from the side, let out a huge smile, her fingernails digging into the wooden chair. So sweet! I’m going to die from the sweetness!

After eating, Wen Mian immediately slumped into her chair, feeling so comfortable she almost wanted to sleep.

The program team settled the bill and waited for them to rest for a while before saying, “Everyone, it’s time to head back.”

Wen Mian stretched her arms, let out a yawn, and nodded. “Okay!”

Everyone stood up to leave. The owner followed, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Wen Mian lagged a few steps behind to walk alongside her, taking the initiative to ask: “Do you want an autograph?”

The owner’s eyes lit up. She nodded repeatedly and pulled out a photo from behind her back.

Wen Mian took it and glanced down. The photo seemed to have been taken by Zhang Yunxi, a group photo of the five of them from the end of the last recording.

Perhaps fearing Wen Mian would misunderstand, the owner explained hurriedly, “I like group shots, so…”

As she finished, she lowered her head and nervously fidgeted with her fingers.

Wen Mian nodded and spoke easily, “I know. I just think you have quite good taste. This is a great photo choice~” subtly dissolving the owner’s awkwardness.

The owner looked up instantly, nodding with excitement. “Hee-Hee really took a great photo!”

Wen Mian smiled and called out: “Hee-Hee, someone’s praising you!”

Zhang Yunxi immediately stepped back a few paces, asking excitedly, “Who? Who has such good taste!”

Wen Mian handed her the photo. “Look, she specifically chose the one you took.”

Zhang Yunxi took it and looked at it, admiring it for a good while before nodding in satisfaction. “Well, this photo I took is indeed beautiful.”

Wang Mo burst out laughing. “How can you praise yourself like that?”

Zhang Yunxi clenched her fist in a mock threat. “What’s wrong? You want a taste of this ‘sandbag’ (fist)?”

Wang Mo immediately shut her mouth, clasping her hands in a gesture of surrender. “Alright, alright, it was my lack of insight. You’re the best, you’re the best!”

Though her words were nice, they felt a bit strange, insincere and slightly dismissive.

Zhang Yunxi almost rolled her eyes. Fortunately, she remembered she was on a livestream and didn’t start a “battle of the century” with Wang Mo.

“You want an autograph, right?”

The owner nodded sheepishly. “Yes, just sign at the bottom.”

Zhang Yunxi signed her name grandly and couldn’t help but feel proud. “Who would’ve thought? I, Zhang Yunxi, would one day be asked for an autograph. I’ve finally made it!”

After signing, she handed the photo to Su Shiqiu. “Your turn.”

Su Shiqiu also signed quickly, followed by Wang Mo and Gu Man. Finally, it returned to Wen Mian’s hand. She signed seriously and handed it back to the owner.

“Is there anything else to do?”

The owner nodded shyly. “Would a photo be okay?”

Wen Mian exchanged glances with the others and nodded readily. “Of course! The owner is so beautiful; we’d love to take a photo with you.”

Her sweet words immediately made everyone laugh, and the cameraman quickly captured the moment.

As they gathered together, Wen Mian noticed Mu Ya watching silently from the side. Sighing inwardly with helplessness, she decisively pulled Mu Ya closer. “What are you dazing for? Come and take the photo!”

Mu Ya was startled and wanted to look at Wen Mian, but seeing the photographer already starting the countdown, she curled her lips into a smile.

After the group photo, the photographer handed two copies to Wen Mian.

Wen Mian looked down and placed the second one in front of Mu Ya.

Mu Ya was confused. “What is this for?”

“For your autograph! Do you really want to be left out of the group?” Wen Mian countered.

Mu Ya froze for a few seconds, then lowered her eyes to the photo and took it.

Wen Mian handed her a black pen and watched as Mu Ya finished signing.

She smiled at the owner. “Bye-bye! This time we really have to go.”

The owner held the photos tightly, her eyes red with emotion as she nodded. “Mmm! Bye-bye.”