Ch 167: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Mu Xing didn’t really like people seeing his private space, but this room didn’t really count as private. All his things were stored in the closet, and the host wouldn’t be so clueless as to rummage through the guests’ belongings.

When he finished washing up and came out, he looked much more refreshed, the tuft of hair sticking up on his head now pressed down.

The young man looked clean and clear all over. He asked Ji Youyou, “Is there anything else?”

Ji Youyou snapped out of her daze and smiled, asking, “That’s all you’re doing to get ready? If you’re done, let’s go downstairs and prepare breakfast together.”

Mu Xing nodded. “Let’s go.”

When they went downstairs, everyone else was already sitting in the living room.

Mu Xing walked over and sat down.

Fu Chen widened his eyes the moment he saw him. “You came down like that?”

Mu Xing asked, “Like what?”

Fu Chen touched his own face, looking a little pale. “The production said six o’clock wake-up, but my manager called me at five to get me up. He rushed me to change clothes, fix my hair, even put on foundation. He said since it’s a livestream, I absolutely have to mind my image.”

Mu Xing: “…”

[Hahahaha we all understand the logic, but babe, could you not be so blunt about it?]

[A treasure boy, Fu Chen. Love him, love him.]

Mu Xing answered, “I don’t have many fans. No need to worry about image.”

Fu Chen was surprised, not expecting Mu Xing to just say that directly on livestream.

But the next thing he said surprised him even more.

Mu Xing said, “Besides, I’m naturally good-looking. I look fine without makeup.”

Now it was Fu Chen’s turn to be speechless: “…”

He stared at Mu Xing’s face for a while, then finally forced out, “…You’re right.”

[HAHAHAHA I laughed so hard I woke my parents. My mom knocked on the door asking if I’d lost my mind.]

[Interesting, both Fu Chen and Mu Xing are kind of cute.]

[Mu Xing’s EQ seems a bit low. Everyone else are seniors, and they’re all wearing makeup. For him to say that out loud—totally thoughtless.]

[What the hell, Mu Xing is way too narcissistic. Isn’t that basically shading the other guests?]

[Feels like he’s desperate to get famous. Is this some new angle, playing the blunt persona?]

[That said, I think he’s right. Personally, I think even barefaced, among this group, he’s the one who shines the brightest.]

[Am I the only one curious about his relationship with Qin Song? You can practically see the chill between them.]

[Don’t tie them together. They’re just strangers.]

[Some Qin fans need to quit. Always picking fights. No matter how you deny it, Mu Xing and Qin Song did officially marry. Who are you to play the bitter mother-in-law?]

[I didn’t know much about Mu Xing before, just saw gossip that he was a clingy pushover with Qin Song. But now he doesn’t seem so bad. He’s well-educated, good-looking, and carries himself openly. Doesn’t seem that pathetic.]

…

The Qin Song now being discussed by the audience really did feel a little sour.

Since yesterday, he had sharply noticed that Mu Xing had changed.

Before, whenever they were together, no matter the distance, he could always feel that persistent gaze sticking to him. He knew Mu Xing was watching him, trying to be discreet, but in reality, anyone could tell he couldn’t hide his feelings.

But that gaze had vanished since yesterday.

From then on, Mu Xing was cold and distant. Even greetings were nothing more than a passing glance, not willing to linger for even a second.

As if they truly were strangers.

Ji Youyou hadn’t expected Mu Xing to have such strong variety sense. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Early that morning, the director had secretly reminded her to take extra care of him.

She didn’t know what had happened, but all she had to do was follow instructions.

So she smiled and said, “You really are good-looking. When I knocked earlier and saw you, I was stunned. I thought, how can someone look so striking even without makeup?”

Gu Jiani added enviously, “So nice. My skin’s bad—I wouldn’t dare show a bare face, or I’d definitely lose fans on the spot. Mu Xing, what’s your secret for keeping up your skin?”

In an instant, Mu Xing became the focus of everyone in the room—and the cameras.

Mu Xing spoke the truth: “Born this way.”

Gu Jiani: “…”

[HAHAHAHA some people laugh till they cry.]

[Gu Jiani is definitely rolling her eyes inside. Too much.]

[Before watching this, I never imagined Mu Xing was like this.]

[Kind of interesting. Why doesn’t Qin Song like him?]

Early that morning, skipping his morning exercise, Mu Jiangtao sat in front of the livestream and snorted disdainfully. “This is nothing yet. My Mu Xing’s strengths haven’t even been shown. As for that Qin Song—completely blind.”

Aunt Chen chuckled along, nodding. “Young master is the most considerate. He’s always been so well-behaved at home. I used to worry he’d be bullied, but now that I see he’s got a bit of temper, he won’t suffer. That’s good.”

She then offered a small compliment to the old employer: “Shows that young master isn’t completely without temper. At home, he’s gentle and kind because everyone here are the people who love him most. How could outsiders ever compare?”

That flattery hit Mu Jiangtao right in the heart. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t hide the upward curl of his lips.

Jiang Shengyu saw everyone gathered around talking to Mu Xing, lowered his eyes, and rubbed his stomach.

Qin Song naturally noticed right away and asked, “What’s wrong, is your stomach uncomfortable?”

Jiang Shengyu smiled. “A little hungry.”

Ji Youyou quickly clapped her hands. “Perfect timing, the outdoor kitchen’s already set up. Let’s go check out today’s breakfast.”

The camera followed the group out of the villa.

The villa had a large fenced courtyard, full of blooming flowers, with swings, hanging chairs, and a small pavilion—obviously carefully designed.

At the open space nearby, staff had already set up an outdoor kitchen.

A wood-burning stove with an iron pot, a chopping board on the side, seasonings neatly arranged.

On Dream Pastoral, the guests had to cook for themselves this entire week, self-sufficient.

It had been the same in previous seasons—guest cooking mishaps were always one of the highlights.

But those were recorded shows, edited for only the funny parts. If really impossible, staff could secretly help.

With the livestream, the guests had to rely entirely on themselves.

Hearing they had to cook, the group looked at each other.

Fu Chen scratched his head awkwardly. “I don’t know how to cook.”

Aside from Gu Jiani, who said she could make fried rice and noodles, not a single other person claimed they could cook.

Everyone turned to look at Mu Xing.

Last night’s bowl of noodles from him, they had all seen.

Jiang Shengyu smiled, eyes narrowing. “Luckily, this season we’ve got a chef. Otherwise, we’d all go hungry.”

Mu Xing had been curiously studying the retro-style stove. At that, he turned his head toward Jiang Shengyu and asked, “So what you mean is, for the next week, all the cooking automatically falls to me?”

Now he was certain Jiang Shengyu had hostility toward him.

Though Mu Xing found that hostility baffling—because no matter how you looked at it, in the original plot between Qin Song and Jiang Shengyu, the one who lost and got hurt was the original him.

Qin Song had found a substitute who adored him, Jiang Shengyu was the untouched white moonlight who was loved.

Only the original him, blind and loving the wrong person, wasted half a year of youth and endured half a year of online abuse.

He hadn’t hated Jiang Shengyu—so why did Jiang Shengyu hate him?

Jiang Shengyu hadn’t expected Mu Xing to clap back so directly, without caring that this was a livestream.

The fans were all watching.

He hurriedly explained, “I didn’t mean that. I just thought you’re the only one here who can cook, so I said it without thinking. Don’t take it to heart.”

Mu Xing said, “Mm, actually I’m just surprised. This show’s had so many seasons—viewers all know guests have to cook. And yet not one of you thought to learn?”

The others’ faces instantly looked awkward.

[Oh wow, one against five]

[It’s early in the morning and I’m already excited—fight fight fight!]

[Whoa Mu Xing is bold, I saw Jiang Shengyu’s face change.]

[Hahaha this is live, I love it. Gotta send this to my girlfriends right now.]

[Mu Xing isn’t wrong. Guest cooking is part of Dream Pastoral. You get paid to be on the show, at least put in some effort.]

[Seriously, so rude, and the comments are praising him?]

[Yeah, these are all seniors. Doesn’t Mu Xing know the meaning of respect?]

[He can cook, what’s wrong with making food for everyone? Jiang Shengyu didn’t say he wouldn’t help.]

On camera, the atmosphere turned a little tense.

Gu Jiani stepped in to smooth things over. She pulled out her phone, pitifully. “I did try to learn, even downloaded an app, but I really can’t figure it out!”

Qin Song said, “Xiao Xing, Shengyu was just speaking casually. No need to be so serious. Meeting here on the show is fate, why nitpick?”

Mu Xing flinched at the nickname Xiao Xing.

He gave Qin Song a complicated look. “Don’t call me that. Back when we weren’t divorced yet, you always used my full name. Why start calling me something so mushy now?”

Qin Song: “…”

The others: “…”

[What the—!]

[Ballsy!]

[This isn’t what I expected at all! Wasn’t Mu Xing supposed to be the clingy one chasing Qin Song?]

[I’m wide awake now, even jumped out of bed to stare at my phone.]

[I thought since yesterday they were acting like strangers, avoiding the topic. But… he just said it straight out?]

[LOL I saw Gu Jiani and Fu Chen’s eyes light up.]

[The other guests: eating melon live, what a show!]

Not just the casual viewers—even Qin Song’s fans were stunned.

For a moment, none of them knew what to say.

They had been working so hard to detach their idol from Mu Xing, to make sure Qin Song shone alone.