Chapter 125: Feeding You Sugar
While Mi Hongdou was surveying the competition area, Ji Junxin, having just finished the sweet and savory pickled cucumbers, was thinking about the even more delectable Mi Hongdou…
“Do you think there will be cockroaches in the bathroom tonight?”
Ji Junxin’s soft voice was like a kitten’s paw gently scratching at Mi Hongdou’s heart.
Mi Hongdou, her heart racing, turned around, intending to tease Ji Junxin for her lack of focus, but she met Ji Junxin’s suggestive gaze.
Ahem… Mi Hongdou cleared her throat and gave in. “Don’t worry, if there are any, I’ll kill them for you.”
“Just like last night?” Ji Junxin’s eyes lit up, her lips curving into a smile, a captivating sight.
This expression reminded Mi Hongdou of their kiss in the bathroom.
Brief, exciting, addictive…
She now understood the meaning of “once you’ve tasted it, you can’t forget it.”
But! They were being filmed! Several cameras on them! Why were these people so oblivious! Was she the only one with any sense of propriety? And she wasn’t even an idol yet!
Mi Hongdou calmed herself down, suppressing the tingling in her heart, the heat in her body, the memories of last night. She had been careful with her breathing, hopefully, they hadn’t caught her earlier quickening breaths…
Ji Junxin tugged at her sleeve, her silence a subtle prompt.
…”You’re such a tease,” I want to say that so badly!
“Yes, just like last night,” Mi Hongdou said, surrendering to Ji Junxin’s silent pressure.
The viewers shipping them were swooning. It was a serious discussion about pest control, but why so sweet!
Ji Junxin’s hopeful tone, “Just like last night?”
Mi Hongdou’s blushing face, her hesitant “yes” after Ji Junxin tugged at her sleeve,
This sweet interaction, are you sure you’re talking about killing bugs?
No! We don’t believe it!
We need cameras in the bathroom!
The crew, reading the comments, thought, Please, don’t make us do that!
So, thanks to Ji Junxin’s one sentence, everyone, both on and off screen, was now anticipating the night.
Regardless of their individual agendas, the 9 AM team challenge began on time.
“Good morning! Did you sleep well? Enjoy your breakfast? If not, it doesn’t matter, the game that will change your destinies is about to begin!” The director’s voice, as always, was incredibly annoying.
The four teams stood by a two-meter-high wooden platform, facing forty or fifty haystacks. Mi Hongdou glanced at the band-aids on Ji Junxin’s fingers. Regardless of whether this game would change their destinies, Ji Junxin’s safety was her priority.
Fortunately, the director’s explanation of the rules reassured her.
“There are fifty-five haystacks, each with a wooden board on top. Fifty of the boards have matching pairs of images, the other five are unique. At the beginning of the game, you’ll have some time to memorize the images, then we’ll turn the boards face down. And then, it’s a test of your memory! Each team will draw lots to determine their turn order. Find a matching pair, earn one point. If you’re wrong, no points, and the board stays face down. The game ends when all fifty matching boards are face up. The team with the most points wins thirty coins, second place ten coins, third place two coins, and last place, nothing.”
“Isn’t this just a real-life version of Lianliankan(Puzzle Board Game )?” Yu Naihao, the gamer, nudged Lu Changhuai excitedly. “I’m good at this! I’m a diamond level player, just one step away from the highest level!”
Lu Changhuai: “…”
Yu Naihao’s excitement vanished. “Damn it! We’re not on the same team!”
“Ahem…” Lu Changhuai coughed, subtly warning him to be more restrained.
Yu Naihao shut up, but seeing Jiang Duo, couldn’t help but snort.
Jiang Duo felt a headache coming on… It was just a silly CP, she had broken them up, it wasn’t that big of a deal, did Yu Naihao have to be so dramatic! She had thought his earlier comment about keeping their earnings separate was just an angry outburst, after all, this was a live stream, and he still cared about his image.
But when he returned after a task and made his own breakfast, not even offering her any, Jiang Duo realized he was serious! She panicked. She hadn’t wanted to be on Zhang Zijing’s team because he was incompetent, and they were both terrible cooks. But now, with their earnings separate, how could she compete with Yu Naihao? And he definitely wouldn’t cook for her! She would be stuck with rice and pickled cucumbers! Why had she chosen him then!
She overheard Yu Naihao’s confident words about being good at Lianliankan. Regardless of his actual skill level, Jiang Duo decided to try her best. Proving her worth was one thing, but… the prize money was also a strong motivator!
Although the top three teams would all receive rewards, the difference between first and second place was twenty coins. After yesterday’s hardships, the importance of coins was deeply ingrained. The four teams climbed onto the platform, all aiming for first place.
As they stood on the platform, the director yelled, “Game start!” and a group of crew members rushed out, flipping over the boards, revealing the images.
Silence. They all stared intently at the boards, trying to memorize the images and their locations.
But after just ten boards, their memories started to blur.
After all the boards were face up, the director announced, “Okay, you’ve all seen the images, you have eighty seconds to memorize them, starting now.”
Eighty seconds…
Mi Hongdou’s gaze quickly scanned the images: chicken legs, steak, instant noodles, dumplings, steamed buns, youtiao… While trying to memorize them, she couldn’t help but mentally complain about Qiao Rubai. A supposedly unscripted and impartial reality show, but a memory game with food images, wasn’t that a bit of a… bias towards her foodie friend? …
Well, that was a valid complaint.
During the eighty seconds, Mi Hongdou glanced at Ji Junxin, who was frowning, staring intently at the boards, her expression troubled.
Could it be… she ate too much for breakfast and doesn’t want to see any more food? Mi Hongdou felt a pang of sympathy for Qiao Rubai’s plan.
Eighty seconds passed quickly.
As the crew members rushed out and flipped the boards face down, everyone felt a little dizzy. Yu Naihao, the diamond-level Lianliankan player, tapped his hand rhythmically, muttering to himself.
“Okay, you’ve seen the boards. Now, for the next stage, each team can only send one player. You should know your teammates by now, so you have thirty seconds to discuss. Those not participating, please step down.”
The viewers had been amazed by the simple yet detailed drawings of food, even making them hungry despite having just had breakfast. And the show’s cruelty reached a new level. After all, the actors had been eating so poorly these past two days, and now a memory game with such tempting images, how cruel!
While the general public criticized the show’s lack of compassion, Ji Junxin’s fans, looking at the “Eating” skill on her profile, smiled knowingly.
Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin’s discussion was brief. Although Ji Junxin was hesitant at first, Mi Hongdou’s confidence reassured her, and she stayed on the platform, while Mi Hongdou stepped down.
Then Jiang Lingling also stepped down.
“You’re not participating?” Mi Hongdou was surprised. Jiang Lingling had a good memory for lines, after all, not everyone could handle Pan Xiang’s daily script revisions.
“She said it looked fun, so let her play. Winning or losing doesn’t matter,” Jiang Lingling said with a smile. “I can chop wood later.”
Mi Hongdou: “…”
I suddenly envy her strength! I also want to carry my team with wood-chopping!
Unlike the two harmonious teams, after a brief, silent standoff, Zhang Zijing and Lu Changhuai played rock-paper-scissors. Zhang Zijing lost and stepped down. And after a brief argument between Jiang Duo and Yu Naihao, imitating the other teams, they also played rock-paper-scissors, and Jiang Duo stepped down.
So, only Ji Junxin, Bao Yueqiao, Lu Changhuai, and Yu Naihao remained on the platform.
The viewers now understood that this game wasn’t just about memory, but also about teamwork and… choosing the right player.
And before the memory test, there was also… luck. The order of their turns, determined by drawing lots, would affect their performance. Those who went first had a slight advantage.
The order: Yu Naihao, Lu Changhuai, Bao Yueqiao, and Ji Junxin.
After the eighty seconds and the team discussions and the drawing of lots, their memories were hazy. But they all felt confident about the first round.
And indeed, in the first round, they all found matching pairs, eight boards flipped face up.
Ji Junxin was the last to go in the first round. She found a pair of eggs and, passing by Mi Hongdou on her way back to the platform, winked triumphantly.
Mi Hongdou gave her a thumbs-up. Ji Junxin pouted and went back to the platform.
Mi Hongdou: …What?
In the second round, although less confident, after some thought, the first three still managed to find matching pairs, six more boards flipped. When it was Ji Junxin’s turn, she unhesitatingly found the two boards with porridge.
So, while they were struggling, you were thinking about this? Mi Hongdou naturally understood the significance of porridge and eggs to them, Ji Junxin’s deliberate choice both amusing and heartwarming.
This time, when Ji Junxin passed by, Mi Hongdou didn’t give her a thumbs-up, just a look of fond exasperation.
Ji Junxin, satisfied, returned to the platform.
The “Sweet Red Bean Soup” fans were swooning. Can you guys please focus on the game? Even flipping boards, you’re feeding us sugar, how are we supposed to watch! We’ll all need to go to Bai Bai Dental Clinic!
Why do I remember that advertisement so clearly…
After two rounds, sixteen boards were flipped, and the images they could still remember were either already matched or taken by others, the difficulty increasing.
Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao successfully completed the third round, but when it was Bao Yueqiao’s turn, the first mistake of the game occurred.
After she flipped two boards, the director declared it a mismatch, no points.
Bao Yueqiao was stunned. “I flipped two dumplings, how is that wrong?!”
Ji Junxin gently pulled Bao Yueqiao, who was about to jump off the platform, and said, “Ahem… one is pan-fried, the other is steamed. Look closely, the one on the right has a crispy bottom, that’s the pan-fried one. The one on the left has no crispy bottom, but those lines suggest it was steamed…”
Bao Yueqiao, pulled back by Ji Junxin, stepped away from the edge. But Ji Junxin’s explanation made her want to scream… those two identical dumplings, they had to look at the bottoms? During those eighty seconds, they barely had time to look at the images, what was Ji Junxin even looking at?!
Bao Yueqiao stared at Ji Junxin, then carefully examined the two dumplings on the boards.
“Yes, Ji Junxin is right, you have to pay attention to the details. And there are other boards with similar details,” the director said.
So it’s really like that! There are such details! How are we supposed to play this game! Bao Yueqiao’s confidence crumbled.
Even the gaming expert Yu Naihao and the usually calm Lu Changhuai were stunned!
Who would look at the bottom of a dumpling in a memory game! Such minute details!
Well… someone would.
The three of them looked at Ji Junxin, their gazes a mix of admiration and disbelief.
Whenever the four teams were together, the main cameras would be broadcast on the live stream’s main page. The viewers were laughing, the comments filled with demands to add “foodie” to Ji Junxin’s “Eating” skill. A simple “Eating” wasn’t enough for someone who could distinguish between steamed and pan-fried dumplings!
Meanwhile, a viewer who had been watching Bao Yueqiao’s individual live stream captured the two dumplings and, after some editing, created an image called “Find the Imposter,” with one pan-fried dumpling hidden among thirty steamed ones. The image, along with Ji Junxin’s earlier explanation, quickly spread online.
Initially, Ji Junxin’s fans had protested the “foodie” label. But now, with the image and the video, a new wave of “foodie fans” emerged. Seeing their idol’s popularity increasing, the old fans gave up. And they also wanted to see Ji Junxin’s reaction when she saw the new label… (￣▽￣)~*
Ji Junxin’s success led to the fourth round. Twenty-two boards were flipped.
In the fourth round, Lu Changhuai succeeded, while Yu Naihao made a mistake similar to Bao Yueqiao’s, flipping two bowls of noodles, one with straight noodles, one with curly noodles.
This mistake, after Bao Yueqiao’s dumpling incident, wasn’t surprising. But Yu Naihao, the diamond-level player, was still a little discouraged, especially with Lu Changhuai and Ji Junxin’s perfect scores.
Lu Changhuai looked at Yu Naihao meaningfully.
Bao Yueqiao, returning for her turn, was now lacking in confidence. She had already forgotten some of the images, and after her earlier mistake, her mind was blank, she could only rely on luck.
Passing by the other four, she looked at Jiang Lingling with a worried expression.
“Don’t worry, just have fun! Winning or losing doesn’t matter! We can chop wood later!” Jiang Lingling cheered her on, pumping her fist.
Bao Yueqiao’s frown eased slightly.
Whatever Bao Yueqiao felt from Jiang Lingling’s words, the online viewers felt a surge of… something. So protective! So boyfriend-like!
Don’t worry, I’m here! Just have fun!
Rich lady… do you need a girlfriend… the kind who can distinguish between steamed and pan-fried dumplings? (￣w￣=)
Bao Yueqiao, entering the haystack maze, successfully found two matching rice cakes!
Passing by Jiang Lingling on her way back, she smiled sweetly, and Jiang Lingling smiled back.
Next, it was Ji Junxin’s turn.
Ji Junxin ran down the platform, her pace slowing as she approached the other four, almost stopping in front of them.
“Tired?” Mi Hongdou asked, concerned.
Ji Junxin’s face darkened slightly. She shook her head, glancing at Mi Hongdou repeatedly, lingering as if drawn to her.
Jiang Lingling looked at Ji Junxin, then at Mi Hongdou, they’re so silly!, she wanted to laugh.
To prevent herself from bursting out laughing, she nudged Mi Hongdou and then said to Ji Junxin, “Good luck!”
Then she looked at Mi Hongdou meaningfully.
Mi Hongdou seemed to understand.
“Good work, I’ll make you something delicious later,” she said, instinctively using the words she often used to coax Ji Junxin during “Imperial Secrets.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it. They had zero coins… what delicious food? …
But Ji Junxin, seemingly not noticing the logical fallacy, lingered for a moment, then happily skipped away.
Even the die-hard “Sweet Red Bean Soup” fans were now covering their faces. They had seen fans begging for sugar, but this was the first time they saw one of the CPs asking for it. And not just the sugar itself, but the act of asking, it was too sweet!
Finally, I can change my signature from “My heart is so bitter…” to “My mouth is so sweet…” But Xinxin, are you sure this is okay… you seem… a bit… neko-ish!
And then, Bai Bai Dental Clinic’s trolls reappeared, as expected, whenever there was sugar. And for some reason, the CP fans found a strange sense of… genuine care in the advertisement.
Ji Junxin successfully completed the fourth round, maintaining her perfect score, along with Lu Changhuai. Yu Naihao and Bao Yueqiao each had one mistake. Twenty-eight boards were flipped.
Perhaps because of the earlier encouragement from Jiang Lingling and Mi Hongdou, when Lu Changhuai passed them, Zhang Zijing, striking a pose he thought was cool, said sincerely, “Good luck, don’t feel pressured.”
Since forcing Lu Changhuai onto his team, Lu Changhuai had become cold and distant. Although he hadn’t explicitly said they would keep their earnings separate like Yu Naihao, Zhang Zijing could sense his disapproval.
So, he hadn’t expected a response to his encouragement. He was just trying to appear friendly and supportive in front of the cameras. Lu Changhuai’s silence would only highlight his own kindness and make people forget about his earlier forceful team change.
But Lu Changhuai didn’t follow his script. When Zhang Zijing offered his encouragement, Lu Changhuai stopped, smiled genuinely, and said, “I’ve already flipped all the ones I remember, so, thanks to your words, I can relax now.”
Zhang Zijing suddenly had a bad feeling.
As expected, in the fifth round, Lu Changhuai made his first mistake.
And after four perfect rounds, starting from the fifth, he was like someone whose brain had been replaced, one mistake after another, his score plummeting.
Four perfect rounds, then four rounds of complete failure. Compared to Lu Changhuai’s sudden decline, Ji Junxin’s performance was incredibly stable, maintaining her perfect score despite some hesitation in the later rounds.
By the end of the eighth round: Lu Changhuai, four points. Yu Naihao, seven points. Bao Yueqiao, four points. Ji Junxin, eight points. Forty-six boards were flipped, two pairs remaining.
And after eight rounds, they were all tired. This game, initially a test of memory, had now become a test of endurance, running back and forth between the haystacks. Bao Yueqiao and Ji Junxin’s legs were aching. Fortunately, the game would soon be over.
In the ninth round, Lu Changhuai, after some hesitation, chose the wrong pair. Yu Naihao then successfully found a match, earning his eighth point, tied with Ji Junxin. Now, with only one pair left, Bao Yueqiao’s choice was crucial.
Bao Yueqiao chose wrong… and almost cried in frustration.
Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao were nervous. If Ji Junxin made a mistake, there would be a tenth round, and Yu Naihao still had a chance. If she was right, the game would end.
After a moment, Ji Junxin, her legs aching, flipped the two boards with fried rice, ending the game. Ji Junxin won, with a perfect score of nine, followed by Yu Naihao with eight. They received thirty and ten coins respectively. Lu Changhuai and Bao Yueqiao were tied with four points, so after their consent, the show split the third-place prize, giving them one coin each.
Ji Junxin, clutching her small, bulging pouch, happily ran down the platform towards Mi Hongdou, “Money for groceries…” she said, then, her legs giving way, she stumbled and fell to her knees, just two steps away from Mi Hongdou.
The viewers, who had been praising Ji Junxin’s amazing memory, now clutched their own knees in sympathy, it looked like a painful fall…
It was, and Ji Junxin’s eyes filled with tears.
Just two steps away, unable to catch her in time, Mi Hongdou felt a pang of regret. She rushed to Ji Junxin, carefully helping her up, her voice full of concern. “It’s okay, it’s okay, I’ll rub it for you…”
Ji Junxin brushed her hand away, tears streaming down her face. “I think I scraped my knees, help me back to the bathroom.”
Mi Hongdou’s hand froze, and she looked at Ji Junxin’s teary eyes, her own feelings complicated.
Please don’t let it be… what I think it is… Mi Hongdou thought, worried.
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