Chapter Eighteen: The Game of Fingers

Sang Yijia sensed Lu Wenchuan’s gaze, her brows arching ever so slightly. Seeing that the others’ attention wasn’t on them, she whispered, “Is something the matter?”

“No,” Lu Wenchuan replied, denying it.

Sang Yijia found his response odd but didn’t press further. She was here for the variety show, something the original host had fought so desperately for; suddenly not showing up would raise suspicions, and besides, this was the main thread of the story.

Sang Yijia didn’t want to stray too far from the plot. If she wished to avoid the eventual ending, she’d have to take it slow.

After the polite exchanges, Lan Qing approached Sang Yijia, which immediately caught Shen Jin’s attention, and he became wary.

The audience in the live chat watched intently.

“Did you notice? Brother really cares about Lan Qing. The moment she walked over, his focus was all on her.”

“Of course. Sang Yijia, you have to keep an eye on her.”

“I’ll help,” Lan Qing said, crouching down and squeezing into the last bit of empty space.

Sang Yijia furrowed her brows. “No need. The three of us are enough.”

“You can handle it,” Bian He suddenly stood up, clearly intending to leave them the space. “I’ll see if there’s anything else to do.”

Lan Qing nodded in thanks to Bian He.

Sang Yijia glanced a couple of times, then quietly continued washing vegetables, keeping silent.

“Thank you for earlier,” Lan Qing said, coming over to express her gratitude. “I misunderstood you before.”

“And I’m sorry.”

“No need,” Sang Yijia pressed her lips together, then added, “What’s past is past.”

“Alright.” Lan Qing understood her meaning and wouldn’t bring up the matter again.

But this harmonious scene was not what Shen Jin wanted. He hoped Sang Yijia would bully Lan Qing for his sake, so he’d have a chance to step in and defend her.

A shadow passed through Shen Jin’s eyes. Up to now, he still couldn’t figure out Sang Yijia’s intentions. She claimed she wanted to give up, but Shen Jin refused to believe it.

He tightened his brows, wanting to join Lan Qing in washing dishes, but Bian He, having circled around and found nothing else to do, returned. Seeing Shen Jin holding dishes, he reached for them.

“I’ll take care of these.”

Before Shen Jin could say a word, his task was snatched away.

“I’m going to wash the dishes. If there’s anything else, let me know,” Bian He said leisurely as he went outside, where there was a tap. Yan Ningsi was outside, filling a kettle with water; the water inside was already finished.

Shen Jin stood awkwardly, glancing at the three still washing vegetables, then gritting his teeth, he turned to the stove to wash the pot.

“All done.” The last leaf was cleaned, and Sang Yijia stretched her limbs.

Lu Wenchuan looked up at the two of them. Lan Qing’s complexion had improved slightly, though still pale. “You both should go rest.”

“I can handle the rest.”

“Alright.” Sang Yijia didn’t refuse. The farmhouse kitchen was spacious enough for five or six people, but she preferred not to linger with the main characters, wary of any chemistry developing.

Sang Yijia stepped out. Lan Qing glanced at the two men in the kitchen, smiling faintly. “I’ll do the cooking. I used to cook often at home.”

Sang Yijia, not far from the kitchen, paused and glanced back. In the book, the heroine was gentle, kind, considerate, and understanding.

Any man would like her.

Sang Yijia pondered; the two male leads were present, Lu Wenchuan was probably the third male lead.

No, more likely just a minor character, someone who harbored feelings for the heroine.

Otherwise, why was he so scarcely described in the book?

Sang Yijia felt her guess was correct and grew more eager to finish the show and leave the circle.

In the living room.

Yan Ningsi was using an electric kettle, so there was no need to wait. She was searching for a teapot. “I brought some tea leaves with me.”

“But there doesn’t seem to be a teapot here,” Yan Ningsi sighed regretfully. “Tea brewed without a proper pot just doesn’t taste as good.”

“Then don’t drink it. We can order milk tea later,” Bian He replied carelessly.

Sang Yijia coughed lightly to remind him, “We’re out of meal money.”

Bian He had forgotten, and shrugged, “We’ll have to make do.”

“Ah, I found it. I’ll wash it.” Yan Ningsi finally found a tea set after rummaging through several cabinets; it looked aged, and she wasn’t sure if it was usable.

Yan Ningsi dashed outside, and just as Sang Yijia was about to withdraw her gaze, Lu Wenchuan came in with an arched brow. “Done so soon?”

“They can handle it,” Lu Wenchuan replied, taking a seat beside her.

Cooking a vegetable dish didn’t take long. As soon as Lu Wenchuan came out, Lan Qing and Shen Jin followed.

“We can finally eat.” Bian He sat down at the dining table.

Lan Qing sat beside him, and after setting down the plates, Shen Jin took the seat next to Lan Qing.

Sang Yijia looked over and chose the seat next to Bian He, but Lu Wenchuan got there first.

“???” Sang Yijia blinked, sitting beside him with mild exasperation.

Yan Ningsi returned. Only one seat remained, but she didn’t mind, and was happy not to sit with Lu Wenchuan.

At this moment, the director’s team appeared. “After lunch, we have a little activity.”

“Please get ready.”

Yan Ningsi asked, “What kind of activity?”

“You can try to guess,” the director teased.

Yan Ningsi pouted. “I won’t bother guessing. We’ll find out soon enough, no rush.”

But the viewers in the live chat were restless.

“What’s the activity?”

“It must be drawing lots!”

“I’m so excited!”

“Please, don’t let Sang Yijia and brother be in the same team.”

“Did you see in the kitchen earlier? Brother and Qingqing are such a perfect match.”

“Hehe, just like newlyweds.”

The live chat was flooded, and the topic of discussion shifted.

The director saw the barrage and felt the show was finally back on track.

Looking at the guests, there was only one dish, lunch was overdue, and with everyone dieting, few ate much.

When everyone else set down their chopsticks, Sang Yijia continued eating.

“Sang Yijia must know this dish was made by brother, that’s why she’s eating so much!”

“Wow, I think so too.”

“So disgusting.”

Sang Yijia finished all the remaining vegetables, eating until she was almost full enough to burp.

Lu Wenchuan handed her a glass of water. “Drink some.”

“Thank you.” Sang Yijia accepted, sipping a little warm water, quietly cradling the cup to rest.

Meanwhile, Bian He suggested a game: whoever lost at rock-paper-scissors would clear the dishes, winner takes all.

Shen Jin played with Bian He first and lost, then with Lan Qing. But before that, he asked her, “What will you play?”

“Hm?” Lan Qing tilted her head, waiting for his question.

Shen Jin continued, “I want you… to win.”