Qin Yutian's contract preparation was quick, following the same procedures as Fang Zhuyue's, and was done swiftly.
Zhu Xiu'an stood nearby, feeling the temperature drop, and couldn't help but rub his arms for warmth.
Initially, he had planned to team up with Qin Yutian for a dwelling, but didn't expect Qin Yutian to defect so quickly.
Now, he's the only one left without a fixed place.
Zhu Xiu'an thought for a moment, turned his head away, slightly raising his chin, and ambiguously said, "Well, is there any left? I want a copy too."
......
...
…
Silence enveloped the surroundings.
[Pfft! Hahaha, sorry I couldn't hold it in!]
[This show should be called "Zhu Xiu'an's Face-Slapping Reality Show!"]
[Earlier, Zhu Xiu'an was calling Fang Zhuyue a big fool, but isn't he the real fool repeating the same mistake?]
After a while, Ji Xi casually flipped through the papers in her hand and said, "Oh, the paper's out—let's do it next time!"
"Let's just leave it owed for now; anyway, I keep my word!"
Ji Xi shook her head, "No way, it's not formal without signing the contract."
"!" Zhu Xiu'an became increasingly frustrated, "Is there really a need to be so cautious?! It's live-broadcasting now, with the whole country watching, I wouldn't con you!"
Ji Xi didn't say anything.
But Zhu Xiu'an could see the word "no" from her expression.
Zhu Xiu'an: "."
[I laughed my ass off; Zhu Xiu'an's credibility is worthless nationwide!]
[Ji Xi: Darling, our shop doesn't support face scans! Hahaha～]
When building a thatched cottage for Qin Yutian, Ji Xi was even quicker, finishing in no time.
Having completed two contracts, Ji Xi considered her tasks complete.
She was planning to return to the village head's house.
Just as she was stepping into the courtyard, a young girl with a flashlight appeared in the distance and slowly walked over.
It was Zhong Yulu.
Zhong Yulu was now living at the Song Family's house at the mountain foot. Upon entering, she diligently helped Aunt Song with chores like picking vegetables, washing dishes, and cleaning, winning Aunt Song's favor and finally securing the firewood room for the remaining three guests.
Just as she returned, she saw Fang Zhuyue and Qin Yutian each sitting in front of a meticulously woven thatched cottage, smiling lightly, as if it were a perfect scene from a film.
Especially with the warm yellow lights in front of the cottages casting patchy shadows, it was better than a studio's polished photo.
Zhong Yulu paused her gaze.
Then she walked over to them smiling.
"Wow, this thatched cottage is so exquisite!" Zhong Yulu leaned closer, her flashlight illuminating the area around the cottage, subtly breaking the cinematic atmosphere.
"Did Zhuyue build it? So amazing!"
Fang Zhuyue stretched her legs, blushing a bit, "No, Sister Xi Zhi built it for us, and it's fantastic!"
Zhong Yulu showed a look of envy, "Ah, Xi Zhi knows so much! So you're sleeping here tonight?"
Fang Zhuyue nodded.
"Zhuyue, are you comfortable sleeping here alone as a girl? I just discussed it with Aunt Song, and she can invite everyone to the firewood room. The program team only said not to cohabit but didn't say we couldn't live elsewhere." Zhong Yulu blinked playfully.
Fang Zhuyue was surprised by that suggestion and instinctively looked toward Ji Xi.
Ji Xi leaned against the village head's gate, holding two contracts, and lazily replied, "You can live anywhere as long as you comply with the contract terms."
Meaning that it didn't matter whether they stayed in the thatched cottage—but helping her with tasks in the coming days was non-negotiable.
[Wow, this just shows the importance of contracts!!!]
[For some reason, I feel Zhong Yulu's words are a bit off.]
[Lu Lu's tea? I might as well thank you, but if you just switched the camera to Lu Lu's livestream, you'd know what she did! She'd gone through selecting vegetables, washing dishes, wiping tables, even hurting her hand, and Fang Zhuyue still won't go—not worth it!]
[It's Ji Biao's usual trick—tying and mutually derogating Lu Lu to hype popularity! A friendly reminder to Fang Zhuyue's fans, beware of being exploited!]
[But honestly, there's an actual proper contract between them! It's valid even in court.]
Zhong Yulu was still confused, not understanding what contract terms meant.
Fang Zhuyue spoke first, "Thanks, Sister Lu Lu, but I think I'll stay here. My stuff's already set!"
Fang Zhuyue came from an influencer background, joined this show to gain fame.
She was momentarily unaware but caught on now.
If she wanted fame, wanted the spotlight, she had to stay in the thatched cottage. Not only did Ji Xi's frequent contentious trending provide attention, but the cottage's sophistication ensured more screen time during post-production. Plus, being close to the village head's house, there likely wouldn't be much trouble at night—better take a chance!
Seeing Fang Zhuyue's firm stance, Zhong Yulu was taken aback, but gently smiled, "Alright, if anything is inconvenient, feel free to find me."
She turned to Qin Yutian, who also politely declined.
Only Zhu Xiu'an eagerly agreed to join her at Aunt Song's firewood room, relieving Zhong Yulu's awkwardness.
-
With two contracts secured, Ji Xi could finally rest and tackle her questions.
She was assigned the second floor of the village head's house, with an old desk by the window, perfectly positioned.
By the time Ji Xi returned, the village head's family had already finished dinner.
Dinner came early in rural areas, and today had run late due to the program team, while Ji Xi had spent extra time building cottages for other guests, so she asked the village head's family to eat first and just leave her some buns as a meal.
Ji Xi chewed on a bun and casually opened her suitcase to pull out two papers.
After a whole day's bustle, she could finally work on her problems!
Ji Xi turned on a small lamp, with her pen moving continuously.
The program's live stream ran 24 hours, with fixed cameras in each guest's room but without any follow-up filming, the cameras could only capture a general view.
Based on former guest practices, this was prime time to gain fans; guests only needed to be diligent, helping out in the villagers' houses, making dinner, cleaning, all these would leave a good impression on the viewers.
But as for Ji Xi, she did nothing, barely exchanged a few words with the village head, completely indifferent.
Upon arrival, she pulled out an unknown stack of papers from her suitcase and began writing answers at the desk.
Viewers curious about her actions only saw Ji Xi with a bun in her mouth, fervently writing away.
[...So many criticisms, does Ji Xi even have the brains, trying to position herself as hardworking and studious here?]
[Hilarious, even us serious Graduate School exam-takers are not as sensational! Working so hard? @Qing University would be missing out by not admitting Ji Xi!]
[Qing University: Don't bother us, don't insult us! Nine leaks fish, get out! Out! Out!]
[Feeling speechless for the village head—Zhong Yulu just took time to teach Little Sun at the Song Family some math problems, and Ji Xi? Just pretending here?!]
[She really knows how to put on a show, writing so convincingly! It's been half an hour at least!]
[I bet she's just copying the questions; her pen hasn't paused, doing papers without even analyzing them? Probably just can't answer them, so she's scribbling randomly!]
No one in the live chat believed Ji Xi was genuinely studying.