Mai Su was held down, struggling in vain. Her face was pressed against the ground, scraping against the hard dirt, and tears streamed from her eyes from the pain.
She yelled and cursed, "Let me go, you crazy woman, you scheming bitch, you rotten-hearted person, let me go quickly."
A cold smile played on Quan Jiu's lips as she pressed Mai Su's head down with her palm, saying with a smile, "Rotten-hearted? So what if I'm rotten-hearted? If you want to suffer, I'll naturally accompany you."
Her hands, trained in boxing, firmly restrained Mai Su, pressing her entire head to the edge of the slope. Quan Jiu continued, "I'll only warn you once. If you dare to provoke me again, next time..."
She leaned down and whispered softly into Mai Su's ear, "I'll throw you down, and no one will ever know."
Mai Su flinched, her neck recoiling, and she looked at Quan Jiu in terror.
"You're a pervert! Someone, help me!"
She tried desperately to break free, but felt like a chick waiting to be slaughtered, utterly powerless to resist.
The other female guests were a bit stunned. No one expected that someone who appeared gentle and amiable could be so ruthless. For a moment, they dared not step forward.
The male guests, mindful of the separation between genders, also found it inappropriate to directly intervene. Finally, Meng Pinglang stepped forward a few paces and advised, "Let it go. After all, we still have to film tomorrow, and we'll see each other around."
Quan Jiu gently patted Mai Su's face. "Since someone is interceding for you, I won't settle this score with you. Did you hear what I said just now? How will you act when you see me from now on?"
Mai Su only had the courage for verbal sparring. At this moment, she was also stunned by fear, and said with a trembling voice, "I'll go the other way when I see you."
Quan Jiu chuckled and released her grip. "That's right. I won't bother you, and you shouldn't bother me."
Returning to the campsite, she resumed her usual gentle and calm demeanor, as if none of what had just happened had occurred. If Mai Su hadn't crawled into her tent sobbing, everyone might have thought it was just a dream.
"You all chat, I'm going to sleep early," Quan Jiu said with a smile to the others.
The other guests bid goodnight with smiles, but after Quan Jiu entered her tent, everyone became quiet. After a few brief conversations, they washed up and went to bed.
Chu Rong also quietly returned to his tent. After lying down for a while, he took out his phone.
"Is the filming process going smoothly?"
Quan Jiu had truly intended to sleep, but upon hearing the text message, she picked up her phone.
"It's going well. Grandpa, aren't you asleep yet? Go to bed early. Old people shouldn't stay up late."
Chu Rong sighed softly. "Are you happy?"
Quan Jiu paused slightly before sending a cute smiling emoji. "There's nothing to be unhappy about. Grandpa, aren't you happy? What's wrong?"
"If you're happy, I'm happy."
Quan Jiu couldn't help but smile. "Life is full of imperfections. If life only had ten days, only one or two days would be truly happy. In the remaining time, one must find their own happiness."
Chu Rong put down his phone and quietly gazed at the tent in front of him. After a long, long time, he finally drifted off to sleep.
...
The next day, the third and final day of filming, the location changed to the seaside.
With fine white sand and a clear blue sea, shimmering beautifully, the guests were all excited. After getting out of the car, they rushed into the sea, not caring if their pants got wet.
Qi Fei, playing in the water, shouted loudly, "Director, public expense travel and public expense matchmaking! Please hold such programs for another hundred years. My future son's and grandson's lifelong happiness depends on you."
Zhang Xin, also fond of playing, joked, "Alright, when I get old, I'll let my son and grandson inherit this. Then we'll invite your descendants to participate in the program."
The group laughed and joked, but only Mai Su was left out. The female guests didn't want to play with her, and the male guests kept their distance. She could only harbor resentment in her heart and chatted aimlessly with the cameraman.
After laughing for a while, Zhang Xin asked Chu Rong, "Can your body handle it? Don't push yourself too hard. Your health is important."
Meng Pinglang looked as if he had finally found an opportunity. "If your physical condition isn't good, don't try to be tough. I haven't had a fever in many years. Although I've forgotten what it feels like, it's definitely not pleasant."
Chu Rong said indifferently, "Good luck."
Meng Pinglang choked, and after a long pause, managed to say, "Luck is also a part of strength."
"Those with true strength don't rely on luck."
Fine, you're amazing. Meng Pinglang turned and rushed into the sea.
Quan Jiu, with the attitude of a physician caring for their patients, advised, "If you're going into the water, you shouldn't. You just recovered from a fever, and it's not advisable to catch a cold again."
"I won't go into the water. It's not safe in the water," Zhang Xin said. He then called the other guests over and announced the content of today's recording.
"Today, we will have a beach sports day on the sand. The sport is beach soccer..." He explained the rules in this manner until all the guests indicated they understood.
A male guest quickly added, "This is simple. We just need to kick it back and forth. It might even turn into a 'love-filled ball' if we're not careful."
Zhang Xin, however, smiled. "It sounds simple, but you'll have to wear the sportswear specially prepared by the production team."
The group looked curiously at the staff.
Several staff members carried several boxes forward and then called out names one by one to distribute the clothes.
As more and more guests received their clothes, the wails on the sand grew louder.
"Director, we're not diving, why are there even flippers?"
Some even tried them on immediately, finding it difficult to walk on the sand, let alone play soccer. The difficulty level soared.
Quan Jiu held the clothes and tried them on. The clothes were wetsuits, and the shoes were flippers for diving. The size was suitable.
Zhang Xin pointed to a row of temporary sheds behind them. "You can now go and change into your sportswear. You have five minutes. Those who exceed the time will face a penalty."
Upon hearing this, the guests let out a series of cries and hurried towards the changing tents.
Quan Jiu also quickly entered a tent, changed her clothes, and came out. Only three minutes had passed, and she was the first female guest to emerge.
Of course, on the male guest side, Chu Rong also came out.
The wetsuits were form-fitting, accentuating Chu Rong's model-like physique. Quan Jiu averted her gaze uncomfortably after just one glance.
As the five-minute mark approached, all the guests emerged. The female guests stood in one group, and the male guests stood in another. Both groups had smiles on their faces, stealing glances at each other and whispering.
Among the male guests, Qi Fei was bolder and said directly, "Quan Jiu is indeed a great beauty. She has the best figure."
However, after saying this, he felt a cold gaze beside him. He turned his head and was startled, then gave a dry laugh. "I'm just admiring her. Everyone appreciates beauty. Your figure is also very good. I'm truly envious." He clicked his tongue twice, which was the truth.
Among the female guests, there was also discussion, and the protagonist was, of course, the most eye-catching one.
"Chu Rong's figure is too good. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, and a manga-like face. He's like a protagonist who walked out of a manga. How can there be such a perfect person? In terms of looks, physique, wealth, reputation, and family background, everything is perfect. Whoever marries him must have accumulated great virtue over eight lifetimes."
"He's thirty-seven, but you can't tell at all. I would believe he's twenty-seven. Heaven is truly unfair."
"I finally understand why the production team made us wear wetsuits. For Qi Fei, it's practically public execution. Look at his skinny appearance; the clothes can't even fill out. "
Qi Fei smiled helplessly. "I can hear you, okay? Can you leave me some dignity?"
"You don't need dignity." The female guest who spoke was the one paired with Qi Fei. However, judging by the teasing tone of her words, the previous remark was clearly a joke.
Another female guest looked at Quan Jiu with envy. "Your figure is really great. How do you maintain it? Do you go to the gym every day?"
"I used to practice Muay Thai for a while," Quan Jiu said, tightening her arm, and the smooth, beautiful muscle lines immediately appeared.
"No wonder..." The female guest subconsciously glanced at the stern-faced Mai Su.
Mai Su, due to what happened last night, didn't dare to speak rashly anymore. Her expression grew increasingly unpleasant. She had thought her figure was the best, but unexpectedly, she was once again outshone by this scheming bitch. She could only seethe inwardly.
However, she soon became happy because the ten people were randomly divided into two mixed-gender groups, and she was fortunate enough to be in the same group as Chu Rong. As for that annoying scheming bitch, she was in another group.
Mai Su felt her chance had arrived, completely forgetting about losing her job last night. She walked towards Chu Rong like a duck, calling out in a high-pitched voice, "Brother Chu," "I don't know how to play soccer, can you teach me how to kick it?"
Chu Rong glanced at her coldly. "Director, I request to change groups."
Qi Fei, being perceptive, immediately cooperated. "Director, I'll switch with him."
Zhang Xin sighed inwardly and honestly told the audience facing the camera, "The patron's words are not to be disobeyed. Let's switch. Others came with a purpose, and what is the purpose of our program? It is to facilitate good things, to help people achieve their desires, so..."
He waved his hand and said to the two, "Switch, switch, switch."
Mai Su was so angry she tilted her head to the sky, almost wanting to howl, but no one paid her any attention. She was like a marginal, transparent figure. Even the cameraman didn't film her much; the shots were almost entirely focused on the most eye-catching guests, Quan Jiu and Chu Rong.
Participating in this variety show was a complete failure for her. She lost her job, and the matchmaking didn't work out. It was a complete waste of effort. Until the end of the filming, she couldn't understand why she had become so disliked.
...
Time passed quickly, and the three-day filming finally concluded. Quan Jiu rushed home immediately. It was just past five in the afternoon, so without even unpacking her luggage, she went to kindergarten to pick up Mimi and Tutu.
As the two children came out of the school, they immediately saw their beautiful mother standing at the entrance.
"Mommy," Mimi happily ran over and threw herself into Quan Jiu's arms.
Tutu was not to be outdone and hugged Quan Jiu's other leg.
The kindergarten teacher smiled and greeted them, "Mimi's mom, it's your turn to pick up the children today."
Quan Jiu smiled apologetically. "Yes, I was too busy with work, and the children were wronged."
"Mommy, don't say that," Mimi said, tilting his neck. "You work to earn money to support the family, to provide us with a better life. You can't have both fish and bear paws. My brother and I are not wronged."
The teacher lovingly stroked Mimi's head. "Your two children are so well-behaved. No wonder they are so smart and sensible. It's good genes. You and your husband are so well-matched..."
Husband? Quan Jiu showed a hint of confusion.
Mimi quickly said, "Mommy, I'm hungry. Let's go back quickly."
Quan Jiu picked up Mimi, said goodbye to the teacher, and then held Tutu's hand. The three of them entered the supermarket diagonally opposite their residential complex. After browsing for more than half an hour, they returned home with various fruits and vegetables.
While tidying up in the kitchen, Quan Jiu asked about the situation with the elderly gentleman next door.
"Feifei's godmother has been taking care of us recently. Grandpa is shy, so my sister and I occasionally go to his house to play and take care of Gulu, Qiuqiu, and Dandan. We also cleaned the litter box for the kittens. The cats poop and pee in the litter box, and the cat poop smells so bad, Mommy..."
Tutu became more and more excited as he spoke. Quan Jiu listened and cooked, asking a few questions from time to time, and time passed quickly.
After the meal was ready, Quan Jiu sent a message to the elderly gentleman next door. "Grandpa, I'm back. You mentioned last time that you wanted to move in with us. Tomorrow is the weekend, and the children are on holiday. I don't have to work, so it's a good time to move."
Soon, the elderly gentleman next door replied, "Okay, then I'll pack my things tonight. See you tomorrow."
Quan Jiu excitedly made a "V" sign and said to the two children, "Mimi, Tutu, Grandpa will move in with us tomorrow. Are you happy?"
Tutu, who was holding chopsticks, froze and subconsciously looked at his sister.
Mimi's eyes darted around, and he nodded obediently, "Happy. Mommy, let's go bring food to Grandpa next door."
Tutu quickly carried the lunchbox bag.
The two children went next door, entered the password, opened the door, and went inside.
Hearing their footsteps, the three little cats meowed and ran over. Mimi picked up one and sat on the sofa.
"Are you back?" Tutu called out from inside the house.
Chu Rong, having changed his clothes, came out, stepped forward, and sat the two children on his lap, saying gently, "It's been a few days since I last saw you. Did you miss Daddy?"
"Are you really moving in with us tomorrow? Mommy will definitely kick you out... No, that's not the point. The point is, if you go, my sister and I will be exposed. We lied to Mommy, and she'll definitely be sad and upset," Tutu said with a frown.
Chu Rong gently rubbed Tutu's short hair. "Mommy loves you the most. She won't be truly angry with you. If she's sad and upset because of your concealment, then you just need to apologize sincerely. The rest, leave it to Daddy to handle, okay?"
Tutu looked at Mimi for an answer, but saw that Mimi was engrossed in petting the cat. He could only respond with a muffled "Oh."
...
Back home, Mimi seemed fine, but Tutu was clearly preoccupied.
Quan Jiu thought it was due to the move and quickly asked, "What's wrong, Tutu? Why do you look unhappy?"
Tutu sighed. "Mommy, if one day you find out that I lied to you, will you be disappointed in me? Will you be angry with me? How long will you be angry? How long will you be sad before you feel better?"
Quan Jiu smiled gently and cupped Tutu's fair face. "Lying is human nature. Lying is not terrifying; what's terrifying is our own unwillingness to admit it.
Tutu, the moment you said those words, Mommy can assure you that she won't be angry. She might be sad, but not for too long, because you've already admitted your mistake."
"Mommy, I'm sorry."
Tutu hugged Quan Jiu's neck, his small eyes red.
"Then are you willing to tell Mommy what happened?" Quan Jiu patted Tutu's back reassuringly.
Tutu shook his head. "It's not time yet. I'll tell you tomorrow."
Quan Jiu smiled. "Okay, we won't talk about it today. Let's eat first. Mimi, come and eat."