Chapter 57
The pitiful assistant director gave a pitiful smile, “Not hard at all, not hard at all.”
After being rewarded with two big slaps for breaking up a fight last night, he had learned his lesson—recording this show required protective gear.
“The fishing boat will arrive in half an hour. This is the final time limit, so please hurry up, everyone.”
Director Niu’s warm reminder came through the mic.
Hearing this, everyone picked up the pace.
Maomao trotted happily over to crowd around Xie Mi, “Sister Xie! How’s it going on your side—holy duck, that much already?!”
The small bucket was already half full. Though they were only little fish and crabs, it was more than enough for two people.
“Sister Xie, you’re amazing!”
“I’ve got experience.”
“You’ve gone clam-digging before?”
“No, I’ve played Fishing Master.”
[So it was online experience.]
[I’m dead hahahahahaha—of course it’s her!]
[The other group hasn’t caught a thing, I’m suffocating watching them. But looking at Sister Xie’s side, my chest is literally unclogging, so satisfying!]
From a distance, Xu Shuangrong watched and pursed her lips, casually mentioning to Xiao Jingxi, “That Teacher Maomao seems to be Teacher Xie’s assistant, right? Very thoughtful—he’s even helping her catch fish.”
Already irritable from failing to find razor clams, Xiao Jingxi frowned immediately and looked over.
He saw the three of them crouching around the bucket, chatting.
“Teacher Maomao!”
He stood up at once, face dark, and said unhappily, “I understand that as Xie Mi’s assistant, you want her to eat well at lunch. But since we’re filming a show, fairness matters. Otherwise, she’ll get criticized. That won’t do her any good.”
“Huh?” Maomao didn’t understand his roundabout way of speaking.
But Xie Mi and the others did.
He meant Maomao had been catching fish for her.
“What?!”
Qiu Chengye shot up, but not daring to lash out at Xie Mi, he turned on Xiao Jingxi instead.
“This isn’t fair!!”
Meanwhile, in the other livestream rooms where viewers hadn’t seen Xie Mi’s actual process, Xiao Jingxi’s words misled them.
[Cheating ruins the fun. Next time don’t invite “helpers” who are personally connected to the guests.]
[This Maomao looked honest, but turns out not so much.]
[So that’s why Xie Mi was so calm—she had a trick up her sleeve.]
Xie Mi didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she squinted her eyes and beckoned to Xiao Jingxi, “Come here.”
He hesitated, then walked over, “I’m not targeting you. I just worry you’ll get scolded because of this. After all, I’m more expe—”
Before he could finish saying experienced, Xie Mi suddenly kicked him straight into the sea.
“Glub-glub-glub—”
Struggling to prop himself up, he accidentally opened his eyes underwater. What he saw shocked him—seaweed drifting everywhere in the shallows, schools of tiny fish darting through it.
One small fish swam right up in front of him.
Snap!
The crab tongs jabbed down, perfectly clipping the fish—nearly slicing his nose off in the process.
Xiao Jingxi trembled violently with fright, and had to be hauled up by Xu Shuangrong.
Breaking the surface, he met Xie Mi’s half-smiling gaze, “See clearly? If not, I can demonstrate again.”
Xiao Jingxi shuddered and instinctively took two steps back.
Viewers in the other livestreams, having witnessed her sharp, swift move, fell silent.
[I admit I spoke too loudly just now.]
[Brother Xiao, you’ll have to shoulder this one. No way to drag her down—it just won’t stick.]
[Xie Mi’s actually got skills…]
Meanwhile, Xie Mi’s own fans who had hopped to other rooms saw the accusations and burst into ridicule.
[No way, no way—people really doubted her just from one person’s words without proof?]
[Sister Xie, you’re so popular now, even haters are multiplying. But don’t mind them—just blow them up!!!]
[A pure-cut version of Sister Xie’s fish-catching moment is already up on Weibo. Netizens with Wi-Fi, go watch; those without, leech from your neighbors.]
[HAHAHAHA a bunch of clowns.]
Other fans didn’t dare talk back, since they were indeed in the wrong.
But the Xie-bros’ mouths…
Were just as “欠” (asking for a beating) as Xie Mi’s herself.
No wonder they were ranked number one for following their idol’s example.
Half an hour later, everyone boarded the fishing boat as daylight fully broke.
Checking the teams’ results:
Xie Mi & Shen Yanqing’s team: half a bucket of small fish and crabs.
Qiu Chengye & Liu Woxing’s team: one beached starfish picked up on the shore.
Xu Shuangrong, Xiao Jingxi & Lai Bingxuan’s team: two razor clams the size of a pinky.
“Looks like some of you are going hungry again at lunch,” Director Niu sighed after glancing at the haul.
But Xiao Jingxi remained calm, “Isn’t there still the diving and spearfishing round? Compared to clam-digging, which depends more on luck, I’m better at that.”
No sooner had he spoken than the sound of stifled snickering came from the side.
Turning his head, he saw Xie Mi and Shen Yanqing huddled together, giggling sneakily.
“This guy’s putting on airs again.”
“Good thing—we won’t need bowls at lunch.”
“Yeah, since he’s already full of hot air.”
“HAHAHAHA…”
Xiao Jingxi: “…”
Couldn’t they at least remember he was still standing right there?!
[I know mocking someone behind their back is wrong but… hahahahaha]
[Or maybe, hear me out—they’re mocking him to his face.]
[I’m dying, these two never quit hahahahaha]
Not just Xie Mi and Shen Yanqing’s fans—other fandoms laughed along too.
Xiao Jingxi’s fans, usually arrogant and aggressive, were now suffocating.
One, they couldn’t out-argue the Xie-bros.
Two, their idol was kind of pretentious…
In the end, it was all Xie Mi’s fault for derailing the show. With jokesters dominating the audience, Xiao Jingxi’s fans couldn’t use their usual fan-circle tactics—they could only bottle it up.
“Once you’ve put on your protective gear and oxygen tanks, get ready to dive. Our diving coach will teach you on the spot!”
After changing into wetsuits, the guests entered the sea one by one, following the coach down.
Self-proclaimed diving enthusiast Xiao Jingxi shot ahead immediately, leading the way.
Seeing this, Qiu Chengye panicked and dove with all his strength too.
This was their last chance to secure lunch—if they failed again, they’d really have nothing to eat.
Xie Mi, however, was calm, following the coach step by step.
But over on Xu Shuangrong and Lai Bingxuan’s side, constant problems cropped up, forcing the coach to guide them hand-in-hand, which wasted quite a bit of time.
Just as Xie Mi was waiting patiently, her hand was suddenly taken.
Turning, she saw Shen Yanqing’s smiling eyes in the water. He held her hand and led her slowly downward.
Their two figures glided through the deep blue sea, beams of light slicing through the surface, painting the ocean floor with shadows. The sight was breathtaking.
Director Niu, dutifully filming underwater, nearly sucked his oxygen tank dry from excitement.
A love reality show!
This—this was the romance content he’d been waiting for!
