Chapter 7
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Chapter 7: Title
Their exchange electrified viewers:
[She dares roast the CEO?!]
[YAS Queen! Left him speechless!]
[Sister Song’s savage! New stan here!]
[New character arc: Ruthless Queen?]
Subsequent events validated their deductions. Zhong Yueli rendezvoused with Shen Xi at the clock tower. Liu Tian stumbled upon An Xin beneath the willow trees. After multiple missteps, Qin Yuanzhuo located Su Moying under the artificial cherry blossoms.
Gong Yu and Wei Yao weren’t as fortunate. Hours of misguided wandering culminated in a twilight reunion. They arrived at the restaurant just as the others were finishing their meals.
"How unfortunate," the director deadpanned. "Only our special ‘Hardship Meal’ remains—one cornbread each."
Assistants presented lopsided buns on elegant china, creating an absurd contrast.
[LMAO their faces!]
[So cruel! Those look nasty!]
[Poor Yao Yao! This is brutal!]
[They’ll starve! Where’s dinner?!]
Gong Yu maintained cheerful optimism: "Hardship builds character! Especially when shared with beauty. Right, Yao Yao?"
Wei Yao forced a smile, her aching feet in impractical heels compounding the dinner disaster. Any performative enthusiasm had long since evaporated.
"Yao Yao—" Gong Yu looked like he wanted to say more, but noticing Wei Yao’s lack of enthusiasm, he swallowed his words.
"Wei Yao, would you like to trade with me?" Song Yutian suddenly spoke up.
Wei Yao, who had been staring at the cornbread in front of her, looked up in surprise.
"My dinner is a steak and pasta set. I haven’t touched the pasta yet," Song Yutian explained.
Wei Yao’s face lit up with interest, but she hesitated. "Will you have enough to eat?"
Song Yutian nodded. "The steak filled me up. Your cornbread will be just the right addition."
"Then I won’t hold back—thank you!" Too exhausted and hungry to refuse, Wei Yao accepted readily.
"By the way," Wei Yao added with a brighter smile, "just call me Yao Yao!"
This smile held far more sincerity than the one she’d given Gong Yu earlier.
Live stream viewers reacted divisively to the exchange:
[Didn’t expect Song Yutian to be decent]
[Song’s so fake, putting on an act for the cameras]
[Yao Yao’s genuinely kind, staying gracious despite Sister Song’s antics]
[Wei Yao thanked her earnestly, yet some still spin malice]
Following Song Yutian’s lead, other contestants began offering their leftovers to Gong Yu and Wei Yao, lifting the atmosphere. The program group, aiming for entertainment rather than cruelty, didn’t interfere.
▂
After dinner, the program group conducted paired interviews.
Liu Tian and An Xin went first.
The director asked Liu Tian if he was satisfied with his partnership.
Liu Tian glanced theatrically at An Xin. "Honestly? I’m worried. We’re both a bit… unskilled. Hope we don’t end up last tomorrow."
An Xin shot him a challenging look. "I should be the worried one—I was the one who tracked you down today."
Liu Tian spread his hands. "You admitted you had no clue where to find teammates. Luck brought us together."
"Luck brought me to you," An Xin retorted, rolling her eyes. "Unlike someone who circled the same spot for an hour."
Liu Tian feigned innocence. "Can you blame me? I’ve got no sense of direction!"
Their banter flowed effortlessly, amusing the audience:
[LMAO they’re equally hopeless!]
[Pot calling the kettle black!]
[Two noobs roasting each other—gold!]
[This is literally me and my squad gaming]
▂
Next, Song Yutian and Gu Feng entered.
They settled side by side as the director asked: "Are you satisfied with today’s pairing?"
[They’re asking everyone the same bland question]
[Pointless—who’d admit dissatisfaction to their partner’s face?]
[Gu’s obviously unhappy—he wanted Su Moying]
[Bet nobody wants Sister Song as a partner anyway]
The microphone tilted toward Gu Feng first. He hesitated, then gestured for Song Yutian to speak—a transparent ploy to let her draw fire first.
Song Yutian’s internal eye-roll didn’t reach her smile. "It seems Mr. Gu wants me to voice his thoughts. I’ll oblige."
Before Gu Feng could object, she continued, "Clearly, Mr. Gu had preferable teammate options. I assume he’s dissatisfied."
She delivered this calmly, ignoring Gu Feng’s stiffening posture.
Thrilled by the drama, the director pushed: "Mr. Gu, do you agree?"
Gu Feng paused, choosing his words carefully. "Ahem. Regardless of partnerships, I’m confident we’ll dominate future challenges."
[CEO mindset right there]
[That’s just dodging the question!]
[Gu’s reply felt forced tbh]
[He handled it well—Song stans stay pressed]
Even though Gu Feng’s answer didn’t directly address the question, the program group had achieved their purpose and didn’t pursue further inquiries. Since Song Yutian had just "helped" Gu Feng respond, the director continued: "Mr. Gu, do you think Miss Song is satisfied with this grouping outcome?"
Having experienced many grand occasions, Gu Feng quickly recovered from his initial surprise. Regaining his confident smile, he replied, "I have faith in myself. I believe Miss Song also wishes to collaborate with competent contestants."
The program group obligingly redirected the microphone to Song Yutian. "Does Miss Song agree?"
Song Yutian nodded and acknowledged straightforwardly, "He’s correct."
Gu Feng’s first reaction was surprise, given Song Yutian’s uncharacteristic attitude toward him today. But he immediately reassured himself: Just as I remembered—this foolish woman. Her previous behavior was mere jealousy. With some appeasement, she’s willingly complying again.
However, before Gu Feng’s smile could linger for more than a second, Song Yutian continued: "I do appreciate capable teammates. So tomorrow, I hope Mr. Gu will show slight improvement compared to today."
Gu Feng’s smile froze.
