Chapter 15: Shocked—Exposed on the Very First Night

“You…” Chen Sisi was somewhat stunned the first time Xu Zhao Zhao retorted so bluntly.

However, she quickly resorted to her usual all-purpose acting formula.

Her eyes reddened, she bit her lip and said aggrievedly, “Zhao Zhao, I just wanted to help. How can you say that about me?”

“What did I say to you?”

Xu Zhao Zhao suddenly felt that stepping into the role of a spiteful supporting character could be oddly satisfying at times.

“I’m straightforward; I always say exactly what’s on my mind!”

Chen Sisi’s eyes reddened even more, her voice choking with emotion.

“Zhao Zhao, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I took so long in the shower. I—I didn’t mean to.”

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have washed first. I’d have helped you tidy up. After all, this is the room we’ll be sharing for the next ten days…”

[Si Si, why are you falling into a trap trying to prove yourself to someone like that? You haven’t wronged her in the slightest.]

[What’s wrong with being clean and taking a long shower? It was already said that she’d wait for you to finish and then help you tidy up.]

[Xu Zhao Zhao, what are you doing? Our precious Si Bao hasn’t done anything to you!]

[Which girl doesn’t take her time in the shower? Si Si’s shower time is perfectly normal.]

[Looks like after going against the director, Xu Zhao Zhao dares to criticize even actors more popular than herself. Impressive!]

[This Xu Zhao Zhao is so selfish and lacks any tolerance. Why wasn’t she the one eliminated just now? I really don’t want to see her on any dating show again!]

[We were worried Si Si might be isolated, so we even suggested sharing a room with her. But… Xu Zhao Zhao doesn’t deserve it!]

[Poor Chen Sisi, being drained of energy and attention by Xu Zhao Zhao, and then getting insulted by the vampire herself. What kind of fool is this in the new era?]

Xu Zhao Zhao snapped back at Chen Sisi but didn’t want to see her hypocritical act, so she packed up and turned to take a shower.

After she finished and returned, hearing the four female contestants next door chattering and laughing, a strange envy welled up inside her.

For five years, she had been a workhorse for Chen Sisi, mostly confined to the set.

With little time to make friends, she longed to connect with the other actors on set.

But alas, she was far too busy.

Chen Sisi was always the lead actress, or at worst, the second female lead or the beloved figure.

Xu Zhao Zhao, on the other hand, was cast in roles like the spiteful maid, the little palace maid, the old witch, or the courtesan.

If the crew was short on extras, Liu Li would even assign her as one, leaving her no moment of rest, let alone time to make friends.

Suppressing the urge to enter the four-person room, Xu Zhao Zhao forced herself to turn back to the double room.

Chen Sisi had already dried her hair and was lying down.

When Xu Zhao Zhao entered, Chen Sisi shot her a fierce glare.

Chen Sisi was the most spiteful person; the harsh words Xu Zhao Zhao had just said left her no face to save, and she had been holding that anger inside.

“Zhao Zhao, sorry, I just don’t feel safe sleeping alone.”

“I don’t dare sleep next to the door, so I took the liberty of switching beds with you. You… won’t blame me, right?”

Xu Zhao Zhao ignored her and casually lay down on the bed near the door.

In the double room, one bed was by the window, the other near the door.

Xu Zhao Zhao was the first to enter and took the bed by the window.

But after showering and returning, she found her belongings scattered messily on the bed near the door.

Obviously, no one else could have done this.

At that moment, Chen Sisi’s voice drifted over again.

“Zhao Zhao, are you angry? If you want, we can switch back.”

Xu Zhao Zhao turned off the light with a snap, responding with silence.

Chen Sisi was itching with anger, lowering her voice to a whisper, “You, Xu Zhao Zhao, dare to sulk at me, huh?”

Having filmed numerous scenes, she knew very well that without professional audio equipment, the camera’s microphone could still pick up a surprising range of decibels.

Xu Zhao Zhao replied quietly, “I’m just staying true to my role.”

“If you’re not satisfied with my performance, I’ll forfeit and quit. That way, you won’t have to look at me.”

This was the first time since joining the show that Xu Zhao Zhao spoke not lines, but her true feelings.

“You… just you wait. After the dating show ends, I’ll make sure you regret this.”

Chen Sisi warned, “You’ve forgotten what it’s like to shoot day and night straight after joining the show, haven’t you?”

“I haven’t…”

Xu Zhao Zhao sighed deeply. “I am your artist under contract. You have the contract in hand, so I accept whatever arrangements you make.”

“But,” she warned, “haven’t you forgotten one thing?”

She exhaled heavily, “Do you want me to remind you again? When the dating show ends, so does my contract with you!”

After saying this, she turned over, back to Chen Sisi, refusing to waste any more breath.

On the verge of departure, she was determined to create a scandal involving everyone on the dating show, including her own boss—a grand farewell performance to reward both new and old viewers.

“Xu Zhao Zhao, you think once the contract ends, I can’t do anything to you?”

Facing Xu Zhao Zhao’s provocation, Chen Sisi gritted her teeth.

“Unless you leave this industry, I’ll make sure you live a fate worse than death!”

As those words fell, Xu Zhao Zhao showed no reaction, but everyone watching froze in shock.

Then, an unprecedented flood of messages appeared.

“Oh my god, I think I just heard some earth-shattering secret!”

“Oh my heavens, who can I trust in this world anymore? Tell me, what’s true? What’s real?”

“Strange, where did that pure little white flower I was watching just now go? Who is this gangster heiress?”

“There’s no such thing as a truly pure white flower. It’s all just a whitewashed illusion before our eyes…”

It turned out the dating show used state-of-the-art fixed cameras.

Though their audio was no match for professional equipment, they far surpassed other fixed cameras.

Not only was the sound clear, but the night vision function was flawless.

Despite Chen Sisi lowering her voice, every word was clearly audible to the audience.

Though it was late at night, the show “Love in the Countryside” experienced an unusually lively surge of activity.

“Damn it, I must be dreaming. Someone wake me up from this nightmare!”

“The world is ending!”

“Stop yelling. Maybe it’s not what you think—they could be rehearsing lines?”

“Lines? That’s possible!”

“I think they’re practicing lines. Otherwise, how could sweet, gentle Chen Sisi say such aggressive things?”

“You have to admit, no matter how stupid a statement is, there will always be believers.”

“Who are you calling stupid?”

“Whoever answers is the one!”

“Director, what should we do?”

At a residence in Gushu Village, the broadcast director wiped cold sweat, staring at the wildly flickering screens.

Their dating show hadn’t even started properly, and it seemed a scandal was about to break!

Director Sun, sitting before numerous screens, adjusted his black-rimmed glasses as the displays flashed.

Before the director could speak, the broadcast producer’s phone vibrated wildly.

Seeing the caller ID, he smiled wryly and answered, “Hello, Manager Liu.”

“I’m not okay!” Liu Li shouted on the phone. “Is there no content review at all for your live broadcast? Our flagship star is about to be destroyed!”