This chapter is brought to you by Mickey, thanks for the ko-fi! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°
The house rented by the production team was originally a homestay, with pink walls and black tiles, featuring the unique architectural style of the Jiangnan water towns both inside and outside. In a corner of the courtyard, there was a pond with a thin layer of ice covering the water in late winter. Blooming white pear blossoms floated on the surface of the pond. After last night’s rain, the scent of rainwater mixed with soil dispersed the fragrance of pear blossoms throughout the garden.
Through the window lattice, Jiang Mo saw the people in the living room from the yard. The faces of those people existed in Jiang Mo’s dual memories, not only in the memories of the original host, but also in the faces Jiang Mo had seen online before transmigrating into the book.
Guests from Group A: Popular young actor Lou An, rising martial arts actor Li Heng, and acclaimed actor Shen An.
Guests from Group O: Up-and-coming star Jiang Ying, popular newcomer Lu Xuan, internet celebrity turned actor Ye Lin with a strong presence, and the only remaining one, the washed-up Jiang Mo.
No one among them planned to stand up and greet Jiang Mo. Carrying his luggage, Jiang Mo stepped through the front door. The house had only one floor, with a spacious area. The living room was right at the entrance and fully equipped, serving as a place for everyone to relax and have fun.
In the entertainment circle, any gossip would be known promptly through others’ mouths. Everyone present was aware of Jiang Mo’s situation—playing the diva, hyping up with seniors, pretending to be a real young master…
Thinking of this, the gazes of everyone coincidentally fell on Lu Xuan, who had a faint smile on his face.
Those who already had a favorable impression of Lu Xuan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him.
Lu Xuan originally came from a wealthy background but had his life occupied by Jiang Mo for 19 years. Looking at Jiang Mo, they couldn’t help but feel indignant on Lu Xuan’s behalf.
“Hello, I’m Jiang Mo.” Jiang Mo had been practicing how to speak without stuttering these past few days, slowing down his speech. He could speak normally, but whenever his emotions were stirred, he would still stutter.
Facing the camera, no one showed a displeased expression to Jiang Mo. They greeted him one by one and continued their previous conversation.
The living room had two long sofas and four single sofas, and all the single sofas were taken. Jiang Mo looked at the unoccupied spot on the other long sofa, walked over slowly, and quietly sat down amidst the conversation of the others.
Several plates of seasonal fruits were placed on the coffee table. Jiang Mo stared blankly at a yellow orange in one of the fruit plates.
“The remaining person is a busy individual who will come in a few days,” said Li Heng. Judging from his tone, it seemed like he knew who the absent final guest from Group A was.
“Who is it?” Jiang Ying blinked curiously and asked.
Li Heng chuckled, “We haven’t even gotten to know each other yet, and you already want to know who hasn’t arrived? It makes me feel like I’m not charming enough.”
“I didn’t mean that…” Jiang Ying hurriedly explained.
Li Heng teased, “So you mean I’m still charming?”
Jiang Ying blushed, mumbling softly, “Brother Li, don’t tease me.”
Jiang Mo: “…Did they hit it off already? So fast!?”
In Jiang Mo’s impression, Li Heng had always been a tough guy. It was the first time he realized that this tough guy had a greasy side to him.
[“Ah, ah, Jiang Ying blushed!”]
[“It’s starting already. Does Li Heng want to make a move as soon as he arrives? He truly lives up to his reputation as a quick man!”]
[“I’m curious. Who could the last person be? The crew hasn’t given any information, so mysterious!”]
[“With Li Heng and Young Master Shen here, they definitely won’t invite someone with a lower status. Originally, the last one missed the opportunity. I guess this person must have a significant background.”]
[“Lu Xiao doesn’t have any availability lately. Could it be him?”]
[“Do you think Chi Yu might come?”]
[“Today’s joke: Chi Yu participating in a romance variety show! As a ten-year fan, I can tell you that he would never participate in a romance show. He rarely even has rumors.”]
[“But recently, there have been a lot of rumors about Chi Yu and Lu Xuan. Maybe Chi Yu will come on the show because of Lu Xuan.”]
“It’s almost lunchtime. Let me take care of today’s lunch,” said Shen An. His personality matched his appearance—cold and aloof. He rotated his wristwatch, stood up after speaking, and didn’t give anyone a chance to react before heading to the adjacent kitchen.
“I’ll help Brother Shen.” Ye Lin smiled at everyone, stood up, and caught up with Shen An.
“Don’t just sit there. We can’t let Mr. Shen do all the work alone,” Li Heng stood up. He was the oldest among the seven and had a tall and sturdy figure with a powerful voice. When he spoke, no one dared to oppose him.
Everyone walked towards the entrance. Before leaving, Jiang Mo casually picked up the big orange he had been eyeing from the fruit plate.
The kitchen was connected to the dining room, twice the size of the living room, and it didn’t feel cramped even with seven people standing inside.
Jiang Mo was slow and fell behind, and the other six people were busy with their own tasks. Jiang Mo felt that he was being excluded by everyone.
In a team with an odd number of members, it was common for someone to be left out, and Jiang Mo was not surprised that it was him.
Even if Chi Yu, the famous actor, came today, he would probably be focused on Lu Xuan, just like Lou An. This was the special treatment that the protagonist received.
[“Hmm, no one is paying attention to Jiang Mo? I suddenly feel a bit sorry for him.”]
[“Are you playing the role of the saint? Feeling sorry for someone like him? Doesn’t he know what he did and how he brought this upon himself? The outcome he has today is of his own making.”]
[“I actually think the guests from Group A did the right thing. Being with Jiang Mo is just disgusting for oneself. It’s better to keep their distance from the beginning.”]
While everyone else was working, Jiang Mo sat comfortably in the dining room.
Jiang Mo suddenly felt fortunate that he had chosen a ‘salty fish’ script, where he didn’t have to do anything. It was better than forcefully joining in and trying to grab work.
Looking at the chaotic scene in the kitchen, he knew that he would only be annoying if he went in.
Jiang Mo peeled open the orange and started eating. Just as he expected, the orange was particularly sweet. With a gentle bite, the juice spread in his mouth. He closed his eyes with satisfaction, revealing two dimples at the corners of his mouth.
As in the original plot, Lu Xuan was instantly likable when he arrived. Lou An was only six years older than Lu Xuan, and they both had a gentle appearance that matched well when standing together. But they seemed more like brothers than lovers. Just now, Li Heng, who had flirted with Jiang Ying, was standing next to Lu Xuan, helping him with the shrimp line. They were chatting and laughing together. In comparison, Lu Xuan seemed more suitable to be with Li Heng.
However, no matter how hard Li Heng and Lou An tried, it was in vain. Lu Xuan would ultimately end up with Chi Yu.
Lu Xuan seemed open to anyone, but it was all an act. Only the protagonist, Chi Yu, could touch the protagonist’s heart.
After finishing the orange, Jiang Mo looked at Li Heng and Lou An with a hint of heartache in his eyes.
Why do something so foolish? Why choose to be a sycophant? You guys are no different from me, just cannon fodder.
Shen An, another guest from Group A, had no intention of joining the chaotic scene between the three. He focused on his work and said he would cook. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to his task, while Ye Lin stayed by his side, attempting to start a conversation, only to be met with Shen An’s cold attitude, which made her silent.
[“Mr. Shen, please take a look at Lin Lin next to you, is he okay? QAQ”]
[“Let me explain as an old fan, Shen An has this annoying habit. He can only focus on one thing at a time, and when he’s serious, he easily overlooks the people around him. It’s not intentional.”]
[“Everyone is busy, what is Jiang Mo doing? He’s actually eating an orange.”]
[“But there are already so many people in the kitchen, and all the tasks have been assigned. He wouldn’t have anything to do if he went in.”]
[“If there’s no work, can’t he find something to do on his own? He thinks he’s a young master, the laziest kind of person.”]
During the meal, Jiang Mo sat in the corner of the table, which was a long table. He didn’t dare to stand up and pick the meat and vegetables on the other side, facing everyone’s gaze. He also didn’t dare to interrupt their conversation and ask them to pass him the dishes.
Jiang Mo ate the several vegetarian dishes in front of him and glanced at the braised chicken wings beside Shen An for the nth time.
[“Here we go again. Is Jiang Mo interested in Shen An? Why does he keep giving him flirty looks!”]
[“Anyone with eyes can see that Ye Lin likes Shen An. What’s Jiang Mo looking at!”]
[“Just a passerby’s opinion, isn’t this a love variety show? Each guest has the right to pursue someone, right?”]
[“Each guest, except Jiang Mo!”]
“Jiang Mo, you didn’t do anything just now. Come and wash the dishes from lunch,” Shen An suddenly spoke up, and the conversation in the dining room stopped at the same time. All eyes fell on Jiang Mo.
“Ah?” Jiang Mo looked up, dumbfounded, and met Shen An’s emotionless gaze. Jiang Mo instinctively avoided eye contact and responded a beat too late, “Okay.”
He knew how to wash dishes. When he worked at the noodle shop, wiping tables and washing dishes were the things he did the most.
After finishing the meal, everyone dispersed, but Jiang Mo stayed in the kitchen to clean the bowls and chopsticks for the seven people.
Fortunately, Shen An didn’t assign him the task of cooking; otherwise, they would all be eating instant noodles.
The guests were all in the game room playing games, and Jiang Mo didn’t participate. He carried his luggage back to his room to tidy up. The production team was generous, providing each of the eight guests with their own rooms. Jiang Mo’s room had walls in his favorite warm yellow color, and there was even a small balcony that he liked.
After tidying up, he took an afternoon nap. When Jiang Mo woke up, it was already 4 p.m. He washed up and prepared to find the others, but he was informed by the staff that the six guests had gone to the nearby supermarket by car for shopping.
Jiang Mo adjusted his down jacket and felt a little happy. He ran back to his room, leaving a ‘lonely and melancholic’ silhouette for the camera.
[“He seems quite pitiful. It reminds me of how I felt when I was excluded by my classmates in school.”]
[“He brought it upon himself. It’s not like they didn’t take him to the supermarket. He chose to isolate himself and sleep in his room. They can’t forcibly wake him up and drag him along, right?”]
Jiang Mo turned on his computer. There was a camera facing his face on the desk, but the computer screen wouldn’t be captured, only the audio would be recorded. He didn’t plan to livestream during the recording of the variety show.
Jiang Mo’s high-level account in the Korean server was currently ranked Diamond IV, still a long way from reaching King, and he still had to climb the ranks. But that wasn’t difficult for him; the challenge was the time constraint.
Jiang Mo won three games in a row and successfully advanced. When he snapped out of it, it was already dark outside.
He looked around downstairs, but no one had returned yet. He asked in the group chat but received no reply.
Awkwardly, the staff informed Jiang Mo that the guests planned to have dinner outside, and since he didn’t go with them, he would have to have dinner alone in the cabin.
I will never understand in these “fake young master” stories, why the fuck the child who got switched is blamed by everyone…
It honestly pisses me off.
Tis is me being happy that I don’t have to be involve in socializing