Chapter 155: Chapter One-Hundred and Fifty-Five: Surprise
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
That was the only possible answer. All of them had handed in their cell phones.
Ever since they went on the show, the participants had relied on their respective managers, assistants, and the show’s production team to pass on information; these were the only contacts they had with the outside world. This was to ensure that the participants wouldn’t be affected by the outside world—by the online comments. No one had thought to keep another phone on hand because those were the rules.
Shi Xiu suddenly smiled and said, “Master, I’ll carve another vase. I want to give one to everyone—”
Mai Fen interrupted her. “Shi Xiu, there’s no need to change the topic.” She then told Yun Liu indifferently, “It’s your own business if you don’t abide by the rules. I have no obligation to discipline you. However, you’ve gone too far. As your senior, I feel compelled to reprimand you.”
“Putting aside whether or not you knocked Shi Xiu’s vase off on purpose, let’s just talk about what you said after the incident. You said there are fans already saying that you were bullying and targeting Shi Xiu, and you want me to be your witness. You were actually trying to make me think that Shi Xiu was bullying you, and you’re powerless against her because you can’t afford to offend her, weren’t you?”
Mai Fen’s expression was harsh as she continued, “You saw that I didn’t fall for your trick; you wanted to convince me, so you tried to use your tears to gain my sympathy. But your plan backfired when everyone unexpectedly showed up and saw you crying. They thought I was bullying you; you ended up pushing me away instead of winning me over. You’re quite upset about that, aren’t you?”
Yun Liu could only cry softly and put on a pitiful look of helplessness as she bitterly kept silent. Since Si Kun and Xiao Zhao—the two people best at mediating—weren’t present, Shi Xiu, as the ‘accused party,’ couldn’t say anything else.
Hai Hua put a cup of tea before Mai Fen and lightly stated, “The lesson is over. Have some tea; it’ll help moisten your throat.” She placed a hand on Mai Fen’s shoulder and squeezed slightly.
Mai Fen finally picked up the teacup and took a sip before saying, “Thank you.” Then, she spoke to Yun Liu, “I see myself as your senior, so I might have said more than I should have; I hope you don’t mind. Now, dry your tears and go about your business.”
Yun Liu nodded reluctantly, covered her mouth, and ran away crying. She acted like she’d just suffered the world’s greatest injustice, and everyone present felt depressed as they watched her receding figure. They looked at each other but couldn’t say anything.
Activity at the front door broke the awkward situation. Xiao Zhao’s excited voice rang out. “We have guests!”
They all looked towards the door. “Ah!” Shi Xiu exclaimed and rushed over. She hugged Yun Nan and jumped up and down in delight. “Yun Nan! Yun Nan! Why are you here?”
Yun Nan laughed and patted her head. “I’m here to see if you’ve been naughty.”
Shi Xiu smiled and said in honeyed tones. “I have absolutely not been naughty!
I promised I wouldn’t embarrass you guys, hehe!”
Someone suddenly tugged her hair, and Shi Nian’s voice sounded above her. “Don’t ignore me, you brat!” Shi Nian had been waiting for Shi Xiu’s delighted hug. He didn’t expect the girl to only have eyes for her sister-in-law, so he could only tug at her hair to remind her of his presence.
Shi Xiu still leaned against Yun Nan as she rescued her hair from Shi Nian’s grasp and pulled a face at her brother. She then pulled Yun Nan along, eager to introduce her to everyone else.
As the oldest resident of Wu Wei Residence, Si Kun was the first to welcome their guests. Xiao Zhao’s childhood friend, Le Chao, had also come along with Shi Nian and Yun Nan. He was a famous musician and artist and was also friends with Yan Tang.
They all introduced themselves to each other and exchanged pleasantries. Yun Nan respected Si Kun and Mai Fen very much; she treated them as her seniors and was extremely courteous and respectful towards them, making them feel a little embarrassed but also quite happy.
Xiao Zhao was all geared up and announced that he would prepare lunch to welcome their guests. However, they were given instructions by the production team; some of the vegetables in their garden were ripe and needed picking. There wasn’t enough manpower with just the residents, so they recruited the newly joined guests as well.
Yun Nan volunteered to cook. Xiao Zhao was momentarily surprised at her choice before he concluded, ‘She’s the wife ofa chairman and a famous director, so we can’t make her do menial work. However, if we let her cook.. Everyone would be forced to go hungry after working hard for halfa day if she’s not as good a cook as she fancies herself to be.’
With that in mind, Xiao Zhao suggested to Mai Fen, “Why don’t you cook together with Director Yun?” He trusted Mai Fen; she was staid, so at least there wouldn’t be any mistakes with her around.
Yun Nan could read Xiao Zhao’s thoughts and didn’t expose them. She went along with the suggestion and remarked, “Then, why don’t we work together and cook them a meal this time, Mai Fen?”
Due to the unpleasant scene with Yun Liu just now, Mai Fen didn’t want to go out with the others, so she readily agreed. Only then did Xiao Zhao realize that Yun Liu wasn’t around and hurriedly asked, “Hey, where’s Yun Liu?”
No one responded. Yan Tang coughed lightly and glanced at Xiao Zhao. After the show’s director explained to Xiao Zhao what had happened that morning through his in-ear monitors, Xiao Zhao said a little frustratedly, “Alright, let’s go distribute the tools and invite the young miss out for a walk while we’re at
it..”