Chapter 52 Fleecing the System

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“Went to the lake,” Shen Mu said, placing the last remaining fish in the kitchen sink.

“You went fishing again?” Chen Sisi was the first to ask upon seeing the fish, a hint of disdain flickering in her eyes.

After all, even when she went on dates with the man she disliked, Sun Yu, he made every effort to win her favor, giving him a sense of superiority over Chen Sisi in that regard.

Shen Mu watched as Xu Zhaozhao seemed very attentive, yet in reality, they had gone to the lake. Meanwhile, Sun Yu had carefully chosen the restaurant for their date.

Thirty miles outside Gushu Village stood a once-renowned private kitchen.

This private kitchen used to entertain distinguished guests from the coastal city, bustling and lively in its heyday.

However, with tightening regulations, those regular patrons gradually stopped visiting, and the restaurant had since fallen into hardship.

The owner reluctantly kept it running, planning to close down if there was no improvement by year’s end.

On what seemed like an ordinary day, fate took a significant turn.

That turning point was marked by the arrival of the rising star Chen Sisi and a popular fitness influencer at his humble establishment.

Surprised and delighted to see such celebrities walk in, the owner greeted them warmly.

“Pardon my curiosity, but aren’t you shooting that dating reality show, ‘Love in the Wild Mountains’?”

Unlike the villagers, the owner kept abreast of outside news.

Though he didn’t watch live streams, he had caught plenty of gossip on Weibo.

“You’re not mistaken; that’s us,” Sun Yu nodded. “Boss, what specialties do you have here? Could you introduce some dishes for us?”

As Sun Yu spoke, the owner noticed the cameraman following closely behind.

Amidst his excitement, he didn’t forget his role.

He promptly invited them into a tasteful private room and proceeded to list his signature dishes.

Sun Yu consulted Chen Sisi, intending to order six dishes and one soup.

Private kitchens typically serve smaller, more refined portions.

Before coming on the show, he had already researched several nearby eateries multiple times.

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Since this private kitchen had once attracted many influential figures, its dishes must have had unique qualities.

He wanted to seize this opportunity to explore their offerings.

However, after asking Chen Sisi, she shook her head in opposition.

“There are only two of us; how can we finish six dishes and a soup?”

“Even though the meal is sponsored by the production team and doesn’t cost us anything, I think it’s better to save money where we can, not waste it.”

Moreover, she had cultivated a persona of having a small appetite; eating six dishes with Sun Yu would shatter that image.

Thus, Chen Sisi outright rejected his plan to order six dishes and a soup.

“Then, Sisi, how many dishes do you think would be appropriate?”

Having dealt with Chen Sisi these past few days, Sun Yu had already seen through her selfish and hypocritical nature.

Knowing she liked to show off on camera, he didn’t push further but took it upon himself to order four dishes and one soup.

Because pressing her wouldn’t change anything.

When Chen Sisi saw that the four dishes were all less than a fist’s size, she was stunned.

Those portions were barely enough to fill her teeth, let alone feed two people.

Yet, having committed to her persona, she couldn’t back out now and reluctantly nibbled at each dish, suppressing her hunger.

Sun Yu noticed her lingering dissatisfaction but, recalling her fickle and purely utilitarian attitude toward him, he no longer cared.

As soon as Chen Sisi put down her chopsticks, he devoured the food greedily.

The meal was covered by the production team.

While waiting for the bill, Chen Sisi anxiously urged Sun Yu to leave first.

Her reason: the private kitchen owner was giving her strange looks.

In truth, Chen Sisi exaggerated a bit, but her act was to emphasize that she was a heartthrob who had the owner completely enchanted.

Unbeknownst to her, the owner had wanted to verify the online rumors about her.

Was she really from the same agency as Xu Zhaozhao? Was Xu Zhaozhao truly just a supporting act on the dating show?

However, his overly enthusiastic gaze made Chen Sisi mistake him for a crazed fan.

He hesitated to speak but, after reviewing the camera footage again, abruptly abandoned his intention.

Since it was a live broadcast, it was a prime opportunity for free publicity.

He loudly announced his restaurant’s name and warmly welcomed everyone to visit next time.

Later, after Chen Sisi and Sun Yu had left, he browsed Weibo and was relieved he hadn’t said more.

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Many netizens mocked Chen Sisi when the live stream showed the two arriving at his private kitchen.

They accused her of being delusional, noting that the owner’s expression clearly lacked enthusiasm and he was not her fanatic at all.

Meanwhile, viewers frantically warned him in the comments not to confirm anything with Chen Sisi.

The owner broke out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, he kept silent; otherwise, his private kitchen would be doomed, drowned in online ridicule.

After the private kitchen meal, Chen Sisi returned to Gushu Village in high spirits.

She and Sun Yu arrived earlier than the other couples, their intentions obvious: her true aim was the leading actor.

Upon entering, she found Ke Hao and Song Qing selecting vegetables together, the atmosphere surprisingly pleasant.

She barged between them under the pretense of helping but was actually stirring trouble.

Even while “helping,” she repeatedly tested Ke Hao’s attitude, deliberately hinting that they would be texting and interacting that night.

Sun Yu and Song Qing exchanged glances, unsure how to respond, choosing silence instead.

It wasn’t until the others who had gone on dates returned that the mood finally livelier.

During this time, Chen Sisi kept looking for Xu Zhaozhao.

By dinner, only then had the two just arrived.

Chen Sisi teased Shen Mu, “Last time you came back with two fish, why only one this time?”

“One fish isn’t enough to feed ten people,” Shen Mu replied.

“Who told you that was for you?” Shen Mu said, “That’s my lunch for tomorrow!”

“Don’t tell me…” Chen Sisi doubted Shen Mu only caught one fish all day, “You gave all the fish to Aunt Fu again?”

“What’s wrong with giving the fish to Aunt Fu? Is that illegal?” Xu Zhaozhao intervened, stopping Chen Sisi’s relentless questioning.

Chen Sisi rolled her eyes. “Though we’re here to support each other on this dating show, Aunt Fu… you’re really freeloading too much!”

“Freeloading?” Xu Zhaozhao asked, surprised. “Who exactly are we freeloading off?”

“Aunt Fu, of course. You’re always eating and taking things at her place. If that’s not freeloading, what is?”

“The production team didn’t say it’s not allowed. If you can do it, you should go to the locals’ homes and freeload too!” After snapping at Chen Sisi, Xu Zhaozhao turned and went back to his room.

Just then, the director’s voice came over the intercom.

“Since everyone is here, let’s take this opportunity to announce the game rules for tonight and tomorrow…”