Facing the high salary and a bigger platform, Qi Fei hesitated for only a moment before smiling at the camera with self-awareness, "With my conditions, no one would be interested in me, so I weighed the pros and cons and chose the more advantageous option." He then took the business card from Chu Rong.
On the other side, Mai Su, holding the blue ball, watched the opportunity slip away. She was both annoyed and angry, but with the cameras present, she couldn't openly express her displeasure. She could only mock Qi Fei with a half-smile and a hint of resentment, "You're too calculating and opportunistic. I've decided to call you 'Opportunistic Man' from now on."
Qi Fei didn't seem to mind, merely offering a slight smile as he picked up his team's hiking bag.
The other three pairs also grabbed their bags and found satisfactory spots, preparing to set up their tents first.
"The sun is fierce today. Let's go under the shade of the trees. We can even take a nap in the tent this afternoon," Chu Rong also picked up his bag and walked towards the shaded area.
Quan Jiu didn't care about the cameras, but she also didn't want to reveal that she knew Chu Rong. So, she suppressed her inner irritation and tried to maintain a calm expression to avoid excessive speculation from netizens.
However, even though she couldn't show they knew each other, she didn't hesitate to express her preferences, stating with a cool demeanor, "I don't like your type."
The cameraman quickly moved closer. Such direct expressions of like and dislike were unprecedented in previous episodes. Moreover, he inexplicably felt there was a story between them, and upon closer inspection, they even bore a slight resemblance to a couple.
Chu Rong seemed not to hear Quan Jiu's words. He carried the luggage bag to the shaded spot and took out a mat from inside. "Sit here for a moment. I'll be done soon."
Seeing him start to busy himself alone, Quan Jiu struggled internally. Firstly, setting up a tent alone would be troublesome, difficult, and time-consuming. Secondly, since it was a two-person collaboration, she couldn't bring herself to sit back and enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor. After much hesitation, she finally stepped forward to help.
Chu Rong's lips curved upwards when he saw her come to help, and his cold, distant demeanor instantly vanished.
The two of them set up the tent quickly, finishing in less than half an hour. In contrast, the other four pairs were still fumbling, with almost zero progress.
Quan Jiu sat at the edge of the tent and asked the cameraman, "Are we just setting up tents? Is there anything else?"
Unfortunately, the cameraman was only responsible for filming and didn't answer.
Quan Jiu propped her chin on her hand, idly watching the progress of the other groups.
Just then, a gentle voice reached her ears, "There's a pond over there. The program team probably hasn't prepared any ingredients. I'll go catch some fish and make fish soup for you at noon."
Quan Jiu turned her head and saw Chu Rong walking towards the riverbank in the distance. After another moment of hesitation, she finally stood up and followed him.
There was no other way; it was a two-person job.
...
The two arrived at the pond and saw a row of tools provided by the program team: fishing rods, nets, and spears.
The pond water was not deep; it was more like a small mud pond. Therefore, fishing rods would definitely not be useful. However, both fishing nets and spears were difficult to operate from the bank. Without a second thought, Quan Jiu rolled up her trouser legs, took off her shoes, and grabbed a fishing net, intending to step into the mud pond.
But before she could even put one foot in, a pair of hands appeared around her waist, lifting her off the ground.
Quan Jiu cried out in surprise, kicking her legs and struggling, "What are you doing? Put me down!"
"Stay up here obediently."
Chu Rong placed Quan Jiu on the wooden bench by the bank and then brought her shoes and socks over.
"Let's each catch our own," Quan Jiu said, walking towards the fishing net barefoot again. But after only two steps, a force around her waist stopped her, and this time, she was picked up horizontally.
Quan Jiu couldn't help but say angrily, "Put me down! Did I give you permission to hold me?"
"You created an opportunity for me," Chu Rong said, his expression unchanged. He placed Quan Jiu on the bench again, then grabbed her ankle with one hand, and gently patted the dirt off her feet with the other.
Quan Jiu's face immediately flushed with embarrassment. She struggled, saying, "What do you mean I gave you an opportunity? I told you, you're not my type."
"If you don't want me to hold you, then you're not allowed to go into the mud pond."
Chu Rong said calmly, still holding her ankle, and with his other hand, he picked up her socks and skillfully put them on her, then put on her shoes.
Quan Jiu gripped the edge of the bench tightly, saying in annoyance, "Let go, I'll put them on myself."
Perhaps seeing that she was truly getting annoyed, Chu Rong merely placed the other shoe and sock by her feet, then slowly took off his own shoes and socks and jumped into the mud pond with a fish spear.
Quan Jiu watched his tall and elegant back as he entered the mud pond, feeling a pang of unease.
If it were five years ago, she would have convinced herself that these actions meant he loved her. But now, she only felt that there must be some reason behind these actions, unrelated to love.
The person in the pond, with quick jabs of his spear, caught a plump fish in no time. He turned back and smiled at Quan Jiu, "This one is perfect for spicy chopped chili flavor."
His smile was warm, exactly the same as the warm smile Quan Jiu had seen many years ago, which caused her to lose herself for a moment.
By the time she came back to her senses, Chu Rong had already turned back to continue spearfishing.
...
Time passed by, and it was soon ten o'clock. The bucket was now filled with three plump fish.
Chu Rong came ashore, putting on his shoes as he said, "At noon, let's make fried fish and spicy chopped chili fish, okay?"
Quan Jiu thought to herself, is this person a cat? He likes fish so much.
However, she still responded with an "mm" and stood up to pick up the fish bucket.
But Chu Rong was one step ahead of her, picking up the fish bucket first and heading towards the accommodation.
Quan Jiu had no choice but to follow.
As they passed the large lawn, they saw that the other groups had already set up their tents and were chatting with each other, looking very happy.
Mai Su was the first to spot them and waved enthusiastically, calling out, "Sister Quan, where did you two go just now? Come over quickly, we're playing a game."
Quan Jiu guessed that they probably didn't know they had to self-cater for meals yet and reminded them, "We went to catch fish. The program team doesn't provide ingredients, you have to find them yourself."
The four guests on the lawn were all surprised when they heard this. They stood up one after another and walked towards Quan Jiu and Chu Rong.
Mai Su ran to the front. She came up to Chu Rong, peered into the bucket, and exclaimed, "You're amazing! You caught so many, how did you do it?"
Chu Rong's cold demeanor returned. He ignored her and continued walking towards the accommodation hall with the bucket.
Mai Su's expression froze for a moment, then she quickly linked arms with Quan Jiu, "Sister Quan, where did you catch the fish?"
Quan Jiu pointed in a direction and kindly reminded them, "For lunch, dinner, and breakfast tomorrow morning, you'll mostly have to find your own ingredients and cook them yourselves. There should be more than just the fish pond here; you can look around."
Upon hearing this, everyone groaned.
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, waved goodbye to everyone, and then hurried after Chu Rong.
Qi Fei watched their retreating figures and couldn't help but praise, "As expected of the big boss, they're so efficient. We were still chatting, and they've already prepared ingredients for lunch and dinner."
Another male guest urged, "Hurry up, hurry up, or we'll go hungry later."
Only then did the group collectively head towards the fish pond.