Showbiz Scandal: The Official Announcement of My Ex and Myself

Not long after everyone returned to their own homes, Lan Hui came to visit, bringing new news to her.

"Ling Yan didn’t leave, Qian Ling said she’s feeling down and went to sleep."

Yu Xia responded lightly with an "Oh."

There have been quite a few guests on the show throwing tantrums saying they’ll quit recording, mostly just contributing to the show’s ratings. If someone truly wants to leave, they have to compensate the production team for breach of contract, and leaving at this moment would leave a poor impression on the audience; no one with a brain would do such a thing.

Skipping over Ling Yan, she asked Lan Hui, "You’ve been observing for several days now, haven’t you taken a liking to anyone? Didn’t you come on this show to experience romance?"

Lan Hui immediately put on a rejecting attitude, with an expression that seemed to have seen through the truths of worldly love.

"Forget it, from what I’ve seen these past few days, I feel it’s better to never fall in love at all. Staying single keeps you safe and healthy."

Yu Xia stroked her chin, "I think the production team overlooked something; they should invite more male guests."

Currently, the only available male guests are Wang Xuchun and Liu Ji. No normal person wants to deal with Liu Yicheng and Qian Ling. As for choosing female guests, there’s Zhou Yu, Zheng Jinjin, and Lan Hui. The frequent changes every three days rotate between those two, making it uninteresting.

Moreover, Zheng Jinjin is not simple; she can’t fully showcase her talent without a formidable opponent, which Yu Xia feels is unfortunate for the production team.

Lan Hui first glanced at the door, seeing no sign of Xie Qingci, only then did she speak, "Having new male guests come has nothing to do with you, why are you so eager?"

"Can’t choose but can’t watch the drama?"

Thinking it over, Lan Hui agreed, watching drama is indeed significant for those like them who are on the show vacationing.

"But as for drama, I reckon new guests aren’t needed to have new plots."

After saying this, she secretly told her, "Qian Ling seems determined to be with Ling Yan. On Liu Yicheng’s side, some amusing plot seems to be unfolding."

Yu Xia raised her eyebrow.

Did the intense emotions further Qian Ling and Ling Yan’s relationship?

"What kind of amusing plot?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Lan Hui spoke mysteriously, "Just wait and see."

The day after those words, Yu Xia witnessed a scene.

Before the sun rose, Liu Yicheng was already waiting below the small building where Zhou Yu and Liu Ji lived together, preparing breakfast for her in a sincere act of remorse and desire to reignite their old flame.

By noon, he continued waiting there, hoping for a response from Zhou Yu. But Liu Ji came out saying Zhou Yu was lying down for a nap.

Liu Yicheng remained silent yet stubbornly stayed outside, portraying a deep, enduring love regardless of hardship.

This sight slowed Yu Xia’s eating; she stood by the courtyard wall, peering outside, taking forever to finish the half-filled bowl of rice.

Xie Qingci came out with a spoon, acting as if he was going to feed her.

Maybe it’s a common trait among guys; they seize every chance to experience treating their girlfriend like an adorable, soft girl.

Yu Xia quickly moved away the bowl, avoiding his hand.

Xie Qingci sighed in disappointment, then also peered outside with her, asking, "What are you looking at? You’ve stopped eating because of it."

She contemplated for a moment, then provided an apt description, "Live version of ’Chasing Wife to Funeral Home.’"

Xie Qingci understood her meaning; however, after merely glancing twice at Liu Yicheng waiting under the sun, he lost interest, even pulling her back inside.

"There’s nothing interesting to see."

She was still holding the bowl, unable to resist his actions fully, but she sat back down then spoke in boredom, "Why can’t I watch the drama? It’s so dull."

Xie Qingci: "Bored? Then let’s play a game later."

She paused, her gaze wary, "What game?"

"East, South, West, North Wind," he tilted his head with a smile, "Don’t worry, you can accrue debts."

"..." He spoke of accruing debts before even explaining the rules, afraid she might avoid pitfalls upon seeing them?

She quickly finished her meal and watched as Xie Qingci used a white sheet of paper to fold something with four pointed corners, writing on each inner and outer surface with words, his fingers pressing at the tips, causing the paper to open and close, revealing words on one side.

"Half of what’s written inside are punishments, the other half rewards. Which side do you choose? How many times?" he asked.

"East side, eleven times."

After speaking, she watched with interest as Xie Qingci’s fingers manipulated the folded paper back and forth, eleven times later, both together leaned in to see what was written on the east side.

"Reward: Reward you to kiss me once."

Yu Xia: "...What kind of reward is this? It’s abuse of power for personal gain!"

She shouldn’t have been interested in his game; watching the drama outside was much better, now she’s stuck playing it with him.

She stood up wanting to leave, but Xie Qingci, stifling laughter, pulled her back gently; she fell into his embrace.

"I said you could accrue debts, didn’t say you have to kiss now. Plus, might draw something else next round to cancel it out."

He spoke sincerely, so Yu Xia reluctantly trusted him once more.

In the second round she drew a reward again, the content being –

"Reward: Listen to your partner say ’I love you’."

Xie Qingci showed he wasn’t someone who liked accruing debts, fulfilling it on the spot.

The words "I love you" were spoken quickly yet gently, and he ended it with an extra kiss.

"It’s free, doesn’t cost anything," he said.

Yu Xia closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She decided never to play this silly game again.

Xie Qingci lost nothing, even kissed her once, feeling content, seeing she wasn’t coming back he didn’t insist, placing the folded paper toy on the bedside table upstairs.

Time in the mountains passes quickly, filled with warmth and simplicity.

Besides Qian Ling and Ling Yan confirming their relationship and Liu Yicheng’s steadfast act of being deeply affectionate in trying to win back Zhou Yu, there’s not much else worth watching.

Soon, the production team informed them to go to the big room; it’s time for another test every three days.

Yu Xia and Xie Qingci had already passed several tests, inevitably growing lax about the subsequent challenges.

She sat idly by, watching bees pollinate with half her attention on the director.

Director: "In the previous rounds, it was mainly the men taking on challenges. This time, it’ll be up to the women to complete the test, deciding whether you can move into the small building in teams.

The rules are simple; the woman calls the second person in her contacts. Those already in love will tell them about their sweet relationship with their boyfriend. Without prompting, if the person says ’He truly loves you,’ that’s considered passing.

For those not in love, just talk about your teammate’s traits, appreciation, and without prompting, if the person says ’He seems pretty good,’ that’s considered passing.

Those who pass can continue staying in the small building. Those who don’t will return to the big room and regroup according to your preference.

If the person called doesn’t pick up, the teamed-up male will designate another number from the contacts and try again until someone completes the test.

Upon completing rule announcements, Xie Qingci tilted his head asking, "Who’s the second person in your contacts?"

Yu Xia was no longer paying attention to the buzzing bees, stiffening her face as she unlocked her phone and showed him her contacts.

Second on the list was someone named "Bossy President."

For some reason, Xie Qingci’s eyelid twitched.

Yu Xia struggled to say what he guessed, "My brother."