Showbiz Scandal: The Official Announcement of My Ex and Myself-Chapter 284: Human Wisdom in Extreme Situations

Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Human Wisdom in Extreme Situations

A short week passed, and the second episode of "Infinite Escape" is about to begin.

Amidst the rampant rumors surrounding Xie Qingci, Yu Xia appeared on the show with him at the same time, sparking the enthusiasm of online discussions once again.

With the camera on them, Yu Xia had already yawned three times and hadn’t said a word to Xie Qingci during this time.

Yesterday’s antics went on too long, leaving her a bit fatigued.

As the number of online viewers surged into the live streaming room of the show, they saw the two of them, one with bowed head and the other with averted gaze, both silent.

[Wuwuwu, my ’catch and release’ CP! Are they really strangers now?!]

[Those spreading harmful rumors, may they not die a good death! The poor guy finally musters up the courage to like someone, and now, Yu Xia is just keeping her distance from him.]

[Damn, watching this makes my heart ache, the sister doesn’t even glance at him, the brother looks so lost.]

[Funny, isn’t it the right thing to keep a distance? Yu Xia did nothing wrong and got scolded for two days. If she said even a couple more words, wouldn’t those frenzied fans curse her even worse? / sarcastic.jpg]

[To be honest, when those rumors first came out, for a couple of seconds I wondered if Yu Xia was the rich lady and was even prepared to offer a reluctant blessing. But then...]

[At first, there was probably nothing between them, and they just got along better because of the show. Even if Xie Qingci really likes Yu Xia, it doesn’t mean anything since they’re not together. But some people just have to ship them no matter what, forcing them to cut ties now.]

[Are you guys still trying to clean this up? Do you really believe Xie Qingci did nothing? Do his fans think anything he does is okay?]

[I’m speechless, is this crappy show really going to continue?]

[Those who are still spreading rumors, be careful, you might be the next one sued. Don’t think the internet is a lawless place where you can hide behind a screen and spread lies at will!]

[...]

Barrage comments flooded in, with content related to "Yu Xia" and "Xie Qingci" taking up seventy to eighty percent.

But the people on the show didn’t know any of this yet.

Yu Xia shifted her weight to the other foot as she listened to the director announce this episode’s rules.

"Based on everyone’s performance and the effects in the previous episode, we’ve made some modifications for this episode. This time we won’t tell you the location of the final destination in advance. Within the next five days, you’ll need to pass through a total of five task stations, including the final destination, in order and check in at each one."

"Each station has tasks to complete. Upon completing a task, you’ll receive corresponding clues, which may include, but are not limited to, the location of the next station, the positions of the pursuers, as well as point rewards."

"Fast forward missions will appear at the first two stations. Obtaining a Fast Forward Card allows you to use it at any of the first three stations to send your team directly to the next one. This privilege is only available for the first team to reach that station. Specific information will be displayed on the station’s check-in machine."

"Each team will be provided with a phone with a GPS system, but I must remind everyone, throughout the process, that no one is allowed to earn money from fans, or accept sponsor supplies from friends for free."

Yu Xia inexplicably felt that these last two sentences subtly hinted at their team.

She raised her hand to ask a very important question: "What about money? How much are we given this time?"

Director: "No money."

"No money?!" Ling Luo jumped out, looking like a jumpy frog ready to spring at any moment in her new gear, "How are we going to eat and sleep with no money? Director, do you have any idea how miserable we were last episode?"

Luo Sheng pressed her back down, and Yu Xia rolled her eyes, asking hopefully, "Does the phone at least have money? Can we use mobile payments?"

Director: "No."

"Then what are we supposed to do? Beg on the streets?" she asked in disbelief.

The director shook his finger mysteriously: "No need, we’re not giving you cash because the theme this time around doesn’t require it."

Xie Qingci finally spoke his first sentence: "What’s the theme? Wilderness survival?"

The director nodded, raising a megaphone to loudly announce: "The theme for this episode is Wilderness Escape! All the game locations will be in desolate areas outside city lines, and the pursuers won’t be presented in the same way as in the previous episode. We hope everyone is cautious in avoiding them. Now, please hand over everything you’re carrying so we can start selecting survival supplies."

With that said, staff members approached them, wearing white gloves, searching everyone as if in a customs check.

Before they could express their shock at this "Wilderness Escape" episode, they were caught, from arm to calf, searched thoroughly, like a bunch of ducks being caught to be plucked and boiled.

The person checking Yu Xia was a young lady, who politely asked her before starting, "Do you have anything on you that’s not supposed to be here?"

"No," she answered honestly, then thought for a bit and took off the bracelet on her wrist, along with two one-yuan coins from the pocket of her pants.

"There’s really nothing else now."

The young lady felt around, found nothing else, and was convinced.

Xie Qingci was still being searched as Yu Xia turned to observe the other teams.

In front of the square, a pile of confiscated items lay. There was luggage people had brought, a couple of name-brand bags reflecting sunlight, and some peculiar things, like—

A dozen signed photos meant to be sold, a luxurious inflatable mattress, a very tiny phone watch, and some larger-sized rations.

Of course, besides these easily found items, there were others hidden deeper, almost missed. Yu Xia was shocked when they were found.

A belt with hundred-yuan bills hidden inside was found on Ling Luo, fifty-yuan bills pried out from Luo Sheng’s sneakers, and one athlete with money taped to his thigh, ripping some leg hair off in the process, making him howl in pain.

Clearly, everyone was practical, focusing on cash.

But there were even wilder ones, like Tan and her husband, who brought silver sealed in capsule sheets!

Goodness, straight out of ancient society, bringing hard currency along.

After it all, Yu Xia gave them a thumbs up.

"You guys are amazing, coming up with these ideas shows just how resourceful humans can be in extreme situations."

Tan looked regretfully at the departing silver, saying, "Last episode was too tough; we were hoping this one would be a bit easier."

"The key is, this time it’s in the wilderness, even if you brought it, you can’t trade it for money. To improve living conditions, you’ll need a different approach."

Tan’s eyes lit up with hope: "What approach?"

She nodded her chin in Xie Qingci’s direction: "Like bringing along someone good at wilderness survival."

Xie Qingci immediately posed like a well-behaved high-quality product being examined.

Tan: "You mean we switch teammates? Sure, my husband is fine with it."

"..." She noticed Xie Qingci’s gaze and quickly smiled, "No, no, I mean, should we form an alliance?"

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