Ch 170: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

A variety show, a celebrity, plus the words “promoting education”—there was no denying this combination was eye-catching.

The official account clipped the conversation between Mu Xing and Zhao Song, added some editing, and uploaded it.

Plenty of bored passersby clicked in, expecting a typical celebrity interview where this Mu Xing fellow would spout some generic “study hard” lines.

But when they opened it, it was nothing like that.

In the video, a handsome young boy sat on a little stool, seriously discussing the importance of studying with a child who looked no more than ten.

He didn’t use lofty slogans. Instead, he spoke softly, like an older friend, explaining to Zhao Song how important studying was for him, for his parents, and for his family’s future.

Many netizens had never heard of Mu Xing, and had no idea what Dream Pastoral even was.

The usually laid-back fans of Mu Xing suddenly perked up.

Proudly, they replied under the post, introducing him: this star’s name was Mu Xing, he was a super top student, his teaching style was fun, and he could even weave delicate little grass animals.

They made their own fan edits, compiling Mu Xing’s highlights from the show:

• Proposing to Zhang Tiantian’s grandma that he’d tutor in exchange for vegetables.
• Bargaining back and forth with Zhao Song like he was really in the fourth grade.
• Explaining homework in a humorous, engaging way.
• His nimble fingers weaving a green spider, then making it vanish from his palm on camera…

Even Mu Xing’s fans were surprised while editing: wow, in just one day, he’d already given them so many “highlight moments.”

Truly a hidden gem.

Many passersby became fans after seeing those clips. Then, learning Dream Pastoral was a full-time livestream show, they grew even more curious.

Downloads of the Fruit app skyrocketed.

The biggest surprise for the production team was that state media also weighed in.

They reposted the official clip, adding commentary:

Essentially, that celebrities, as public figures and role models for young people, should promote positive, uplifting values.

Though they didn’t name anyone, everyone knew it was praising Mu Xing.

“Good kid!” Mu Jiangtao had been sitting in the living room for nearly three hours now.

Mu Xing’s performance in the program had far exceeded his expectations.

Not in a bad way—in fact, it was even better than he imagined.

Watching his son on the livestream, he couldn’t connect this poised boy with the prickly “hedgehog” who had just come home months ago.

But now he finally understood what his ex-wife had once said:

“Xingxing is a gentle, well-behaved child, nothing like you.”

Of course, Mu Jiangtao refused to believe he was at fault. He dumped all the blame on Qin Song.

It had to be that man who corrupted his son!

If not for his son’s foolish crush on that man, how else would he have acted so strangely these past six months?

Still, now that the two had split, things were better.

Look at how decisively Mu Xing said on the show: they were divorced, they would go their separate ways, no need to even remain friends.

Mu Jiangtao nearly wanted to make a new account just to support his son and give him a thumbs-up.

Breaking completely with that scum, without a trace of hesitation—that was indeed his son!

*

Meanwhile, the other two guest teams had no idea what was happening on Mu Xing’s side.

Qin Song and Jiang Shengyu had been trudging under the blazing sun, herding an ox all morning.

Gu Jiani and Zhou Qiongyu were scrubbing crayfish until they nearly cried.

By the time they finally arrived at the village entrance around 10:30 with their hard-earned meat and seafood, they saw Mu Xing and Fu Chen carrying a large bag brimming with fresh vegetables.

The vegetable-stall auntie even stuffed a white plastic bag into Mu Xing’s hands—inside were golden-smoked cured fish and bacon.

“Huh? Isn’t meat handled by Grandpa over there?” Jiang Shengyu blurted instinctively.

Fu Chen glanced at him, and for some reason replied in a tone of mysterious pride: “Yeah, but this was from Auntie’s own house. She insisted Mu Xing take it.”

【??? Fu Chen, what exactly are you proud of? Tell me, what did you contribute to this team?】
【He did! He picked vegetables in the field and ran errands for Mu Xing】
【Looking at Mu Xing and Fu Chen, then at the other teams, I can’t help laughing】
【Clearly this morning’s biggest winner was Fu Chen. He hitched himself to Mu Xing and just coasted to victory】

Hearing Fu Chen’s words, the others stared at them in confusion, not understanding what had happened.

Fu Chen continued proudly: “This is Zhang Tiantian, and this is Zhao Song. Mu Xing made a deal with them—he’ll tutor their homework for a week, and in return, we can take whatever snacks and vegetables we want all week.”

“You can do that?” Gu Jiani gasped.

Her eyes widened. “I thought we had to work in exchange for supplies.”

Ji Youyou popped up from the side. “Not necessarily. The program team said earlier—guests just need to convince stall owners to willingly give things. Doesn’t have to be physical labor.”

Gu Jiani suddenly turned to the old man in charge of meat. “Grandpa, do you have kids at home who need homework tutoring?”

The old man had been smiling as he watched them, but when he heard this he asked, “Sure, I do. But are you like that young man… a graduate from one of those top ten universities in the world?”

Gu Jiani: “…”

Sorry to bother you.

She covered her face. “I’m not worthy.”

【Gu Jiani: Turns out the clown was me all along】
【This is the power of a true academic elite】
【Honestly, you don’t need a world top 10 degree to tutor primary school, but since there’s already Mu Xing, do any of the other guests dare try this method unless they’ve got higher credentials?】
【Forget the guests—how many people in the entire entertainment circle even have a top 10 world university background?】
【I admit I worship academic credentials. After learning this, I no longer think Mu Xing is unworthy of Qin Song. Qin fans who disagree can come argue with me directly.】

Gu Jiani didn’t actually care that much—she had only spoken casually.

But when her words reached certain ears, they didn’t sit well.

Jiang Shengyu cast a subtle glance at Mu Xing and pursed his lips.

His own education wasn’t considered strong, though in the entertainment industry that hardly mattered; popularity was what counted.

But suddenly, with this being highlighted, he couldn’t help wondering: was Mu Xing doing it on purpose?

In the end, Mu Xing couldn’t resist the auntie’s persistence and walked away carrying a bag of cured meat.

They cooked for themselves, several stoves lit at once, fumbling along with recipes on a cooking app, and finally managed to get a few dishes on the table.

Feeling sorry for their morning’s hard work, the production team generously gave them plenty of rest time.

Everyone returned to their rooms and switched off their cameras.

The livestream froze, lingering on a panoramic shot of the guests’ beautiful villa.

【Huh? Not streaming anymore? I thought it was 24 hours.】
【The guests need private space too, you can’t expect them to stream while they sleep.】
【Get some good rest. I’ve been up since 6am watching this nonstop. My brain feels dizzy and swollen now.】

Many viewers took the chance to rest as well, but even more fans and casual viewers found themselves too excited to calm down after watching the show.

Clips and highlights from Dream Pastoral’s livestream began spreading wildly across the internet.

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