Chapter 22—Punishing the Scoundrel and the Shameless Woman

The five-minute voting period ended, and Gao Minglang announced the results.
“Gao Tiange and Song Xiao are the paired couple for the third round; Qi Jun and Fu Jiaojiao are bound as a couple; Yun Fu and Bai Zehan are paired as well. Congratulations to Teacher Cheng and little Ning for once again becoming a couple!”
“Good grief, we all just wasted our breath—only Teacher Cheng got what he wanted! This is so unfair!”
Qi Jun looked utterly despondent. How was he supposed to survive the third round in two days? Why did they have to pair him with Fu Jiaojiao?
Of course, Fu Jiaojiao could tell this man was unhappy. “Why are you so upset? Being paired with you is embarrassing enough for me! Hmph!”
“Since there are still two hours until the plane to leave the island, guests may chat among themselves. The live broadcast is now over; please look forward to the next episode of ‘Love on the Journey.’”
As the guests scattered, Gao Minglang hurried to address the live camera: “Don’t leave just yet, everyone. It’s time for our program’s special surprise—none of our eight guests know that the camera is still rolling.”
The comments scrolled by—
“This show’s best feature is the director’s masterful tricks!”
“The director is truly wicked!”
“I can’t wait to see if a real showdown breaks out!”
Gao Minglang signaled the cameraman to follow the guests closely with a small camera.
“Jiang Ning, I really need to talk to you!”
Bai Zehan approached Jiang Ning, who was collecting shells, his expression anxious. “President Gu…”
Afraid that Gu Beicheng, who was always at Jiang Ning’s side, would interfere again, Bai Zehan put on an air of sincerity.
“President Gu, I just want to say a few words to Jiang Ning.”
Gu Beicheng raised a brow, his gaze lowered with a hint of seductive indifference, voice husky and low: “Jiang Ning?”
Jiang Ning, utterly ignoring the two men, was wholly absorbed in digging for cat’s eye snails at her feet and did not respond.
“Jiang Ning, are you deaf? President Gu is speaking to you!”
Bai Zehan snapped at her disrespect, knowing full well that Gu Beicheng was still his boss and he had to play along.
Awkwardly, Bai Zehan forced a smile, bent slightly, and addressed the cool-faced man with exaggerated respect. “President Gu, Jiang Ning just has a bad temper; she doesn’t understand charm. If you don’t like her, I can introduce you to someone else.”
Gu Beicheng’s face remained expressionless as he glanced coldly at Bai Zehan, his pupils narrowing, his aura oppressive and chilling as if from the depths of an abyss. “And who are you, to introduce women to me? She doesn’t want to talk to you. Leave.”
“I—” Bai Zehan choked, unable to contradict the man before him.
Why was Gu Beicheng still protecting Jiang Ning? Could it be that they weren’t just pretending?
Had Jiang Ning really won over this powerful man?
Did she seduce Gu Beicheng by selling herself?
Bai Zehan looked down at Jiang Ning with undisguised scorn, his gaze venomous. He moved his tongue against his cheek, ready to spit at her.
“Bang—”
A long leg appeared before Bai Zehan. In the next instant, a foot struck him sharply in the jaw.
Losing his balance, Bai Zehan fell heavily to the ground. Staring at Gu Beicheng as he slowly drew back his leg, Bai Zehan opened his mouth to speak, only to find his jaw wouldn’t move.
“Mr. Bai, what are you doing wallowing in filth?”
Jiang Ning slipped the cat’s eye snail into her pocket, rose lazily, and strolled over to Bai Zehan, kicking his shoulder with her foot.
“What’s wrong? Dislocated your jaw?”
“Beibei, you were too rough.”
There was a note of regret and reluctance in Jiang Ning’s voice, but her foxlike eyes sparkled with approval as she looked at Gu Beicheng, a wide smile on her lips, clearly pleased with his handiwork.
“Does it hurt?”
“Ah—ah—ah.” Bai Zehan grimaced in pain, mouth open as if accusing her.
Jiang Ning crouched down and slapped him hard across the face.
“I wasn’t asking you—who said you could speak?” She narrowed her eyes, her expression fierce.
“Beibei, Mr. Bai has a tough hide. Doesn’t your foot hurt?”
Gu Beicheng played along, “Not at all.”
He could see that Jiang Ning’s hatred for Bai Zehan ran bone-deep.
He didn’t want to know the details, because everyone has secrets they’d rather not share.
Lying on the ground, Bai Zehan endured the stinging pain and tried to get up, glancing around only to find the place empty.
Impossible. Had Gu Beicheng sent Gao Minglang to clear everyone away?
“Smack—”
Another slap.
This time, Jiang Ning put her full strength into it. She curled her lips as she watched Bai Zehan, knocked flat by the blow, and shook out her right hand. “Speak.”
“Jiang Ning, you—” Bai Zehan was shocked; his jaw was suddenly fine.
“Mr. Bai, you should thank me for fixing your dislocated jaw.” Jiang Ning’s exquisite face broke into a mocking smile.
Stars still danced before Bai Zehan’s eyes. He shook his head, pointing accusingly at her. “If not for you, would I be like this?”
“Say it—thank me.” Jiang Ning’s smile grew unsettling as she raised her hand toward his face.
Through gritted teeth, Bai Zehan spat out, “Thank you, Jiang Ning!”
“Now get up. What did you want to say to me?” Jiang Ning wandered lazily over to Gu Beicheng, extending her hand to him; her palm was now bright red from the blows.
Gu Beicheng curved his lips, gently massaging her hand. “Next time let me do it. If you get hurt, I’ll feel sorry.”
Jiang Ning felt a flutter in her heart at his words. She pulled her hand free, giving his chest a light slap in return, her tone coy. “Got it.”
Bai Zehan had had enough of their flirting.
Just days ago, she’d clearly liked him, waiting for him to go public on the show. Was she just pretending all along? Did she know he had an ulterior motive?
“Jiang Ning, I want to talk to you alone.” Bai Zehan glanced at Gu Beicheng, biting his lip nervously.
“Fine.” Jiang Ning followed him behind a large reef.
With meaning in her voice, she asked, “What’s your plan to set me up this time?”
Bai Zehan froze, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jiang Ning leaned casually against the rock, tilting her head toward him. “So, what do you want?”
“Jiang Ning, Gu Beicheng is a dangerous man. I’m warning you for your own good. After all, we once loved each other.”
“Stop right there. I’ve been single since birth—don’t you dare slander me by saying I’ve been with the likes of you.”
Faced with her every insult, Bai Zehan looked up at the rock she leaned against, his eyes darkening as he forced himself to endure.
“Jiang Ning, I love you. Don’t be with Gu Beicheng. Come back to me, please.”
He gazed at her with feigned sincerity, closing the distance, reaching out as if to embrace her.
“Let me touch you, just once. Why can Gu Beicheng kiss you, but you never let me touch you?”
Jiang Ning eyed him with disgust, her tone scornful. “Because you’re not worthy. Gu Beicheng is.”
Bai Zehan’s face turned green. He lunged, arms outstretched, to seize her. “Jiang Ning, stop lying to yourself! You love me. You and Gu Beicheng are just pretending, right?”
“Wrong. Bai Zehan, you brought me here just to spew this nonsense?”
Jiang Ning’s patience snapped. Seeing his relentless persistence, she began to suspect he’d approached her with a motive from the start.
As Jiang Ning deftly dodged his grasp, Bai Zehan grew anxious—time was running out. If this wretched woman wouldn’t submit, then he’d just get rid of her sooner!
“Smack—”
Jiang Ning smiled wildly, looking at him as if he were an ant at her mercy. “Bai Zehan, you really don’t value your life.”
“You hit me again! You wretched woman, you must have a death wish.” Bai Zehan tried to break free from her grip on his wrist, only to realize her strength was far greater than expected.
“Were you planning to throw me into the sea to drown me, or have an accomplice drop a rock from the reef to kill me?”
Before the stunned man could react, Jiang Ning landed a precise kick to his knee.
Gripping his wrist, she forced him to his knees, his eyes blazing with rage. “Jiang Ning, let go of me!”
She kicked both his knees again, and his legs gave out completely.
Dragging him to a shallow pool, she shoved his head underwater. “You approached me with a purpose, Bai Zehan. What is it?”
Jiang Ning wasn’t sure where her strength came from—perhaps being reborn had strengthened her soul and body alike.
“Mm—cough—cough—I don’t know what you’re talking about…” Bai Zehan spluttered, head held down for over ten seconds before she let him up, gasping for breath.
“Not talking? Fine.”
This time, she held him under for a full minute.
“Jiang Ning! What are you doing?”
Gao Tiange, who’d waited in vain for Bai Zehan’s signal, ran down from the reef and froze at the sight of Jiang Ning’s merciless actions, the stone in her hand dropping to the ground with a thud.
“So you really did want to kill me. Pair of idiots.” Jiang Ning flung Bai Zehan aside in disgust and strode toward Gao Tiange.
She glanced back at Bai Zehan, who was utterly spent, gulping for air.
Gao Tiange backed up against the reef as Jiang Ning advanced. “What are you doing, Jiang Ning?”
Water dripping from her forehead, Jiang Ning seized her by the throat like a vengeful spirit from the deep.
“What am I doing? I should ask you two what you’re up to.”
These two—just moments ago bickering—were now working together to hurt her. Truly worthy of their titles as king and queen of acting!
With one hand, Jiang Ning pinned Gao Tiange by the neck; with the other, she pulled the cat’s eye snail from her pocket and squeezed it at the woman’s face.
The snail’s moisture spurted out in a small jet, soaking Gao Tiange’s heavily made-up face.
In an instant, her makeup ran in streaks, making her look like a ghost.
“Your foundation’s not even waterproof.”
Jiang Ning released her, casting a warning glare at the two who now stared at her with burning resentment.
“Next time you mess with me, you’ll get far worse than this.”