Looking at the impressive table with its large portions of food, though not many dishes, it was like a cafeteria window display.
Feng Qiuyi took a breath and asked, "This is... quite skillful."
Lin Zichen smiled and said, "Of course, I prepared for this week last week. I watched every single cooking video."
Liu Suoyu was also shocked and even wanted to eat the dish in that bowl, but she still asked the question first: "If you have this skill, why did you make such a terrible dinner before?"
Lin Zichen sighed, "There's no harm in comparison! Before, everyone's work wasn't very good, so it didn't matter. But last week, Teacher Cheng suddenly arrived, and table after table of delicacies. I'm not saying we can match that level, but at least we should make something that everyone can eat, okay?"
When Lin Zichen said this, everyone applauded and praised him.
The stir-fry was pretty good, the dish looked nice and shiny, the heat was just right, and the vegetables were cooked through. It's just... a little too salty, a little too bland.
After lunch, everyone forced down two bottles of water to quench their thirst.
Kong Mingyan didn't join in the eating. He ate the boxed lunch ordered by the crew, then crossed his legs and watched the others at the table eat with a bittersweet expression.
After lunch, it was time for our midday task again.
There weren't any games scheduled for the afternoon, except for the newly opened grassland in Fanhe City. Kong Mingyan said with a smile, "I ask everyone to collect enough food along the way to camp on the mountaintop."
After speaking, he paused for a moment before reminding everyone, "This is a job to earn money! The government has assigned us this task: once we reach the top of the mountain, we need to appreciate and introduce the beautiful scenery there. Don't just blindly climb the mountain; give me a good talking-to."
Everyone nodded in agreement; after all, it was a task to earn a living, and everyone took it very seriously.
So Kong Mingyan had the driver bring the car to the door.
Everyone went back to their rooms to change into clothes that were easy to climb before heading out to catch the bus.
Losi followed Cheng Qing blankly. Although the teacher had changed and the students had changed, when it came to forming teams, she was still in the same team as the original students.
After everyone got on the bus, Cheng Qing had just sat down when she noticed three students staring at her from across the way.
The car was already small, and this sight made Cheng Qing feel like there was less air in the car, and the seats didn't seem very comfortable.
After a while, when no one looked away, she asked, her teeth aching, "Why are you looking at me?"
Lin Shandie first put on a flattering smile: "Teacher, what's the story behind that first love you mentioned at noon?"
Cheng Qing chuckled: "Why are you so interested in my feelings?"
Liu Suoyu chimed in, "Of course we're curious! You're our teacher! How could we not be curious?"
Cheng Qing: "Oh, I see! Then I can only say, put away that unnecessary curiosity."
Liu Suoyu and Lin Shandie both choked for a moment, then asked another question: "Teacher, do you have a lover now?"
Cheng Qing shook her head: "No."
So both students laughed. Losi, having received this answer, breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but laugh along.
Cheng Qing: "..."
Seeing the puzzled look in Cheng Qing's eyes, Liu Suoyu continued, "Then why not find one? I don't think the teacher is young anymore!"
Cheng Qing took a deep breath, then looked at Liu Suoyu in shock, his hand trembling as he pointed at him.
She questioned Liu Suoyu: "Not young? I'm only 26, how am I not young?"
Liu Suoyu: "..." Miscalculation.
Lin Shandie reacted quickly: "Don't all people this age date?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Qing immediately leaned against the window with a listless expression, saying, "I'm poor. Poor people don't deserve to be in love."
Lossie: "But I have money!"
Cheng Qing silently turned to look at her, and Lin Shandie and Liu Suoyu also silently turned to look at her.
Losi blushed under the stare, and finally whispered with a touch of arrogance, "I am indeed rich, extremely rich."
Cheng Qing: "..."
A moment of silence fell over the car, then Lin Shandie broke the eerie stillness with a laugh, asking Luo Xi with a chuckle, "What's wrong? Still hoping for a grand wedding procession?"
Losi proudly declared, "I've already earned enough for two villas, and I have eight figures in savings. I've also bought several cars, which I'll definitely bring to my wedding!"
Cheng Qing looked shocked: "..."
There's another reason why they can't be together: she can't afford that much money.
A crushing defeat... such a huge economic disparity!
Author's Note:
Chapter 64
Although Cheng Qing had initially thought that Luo Xi wouldn't be poor, he hadn't really considered how much money Luo Xi had.
After all, when watching, no one will specifically introduce how much wealth an annoying female supporting character has.
No matter how much wealth you have, in the end you'll just become a stepping stone for the male lead.
Therefore, when they heard that Losi had bought two expensive villas in China, not only did she have savings exceeding eight figures, but she had also bought many luxury cars...
This... made her feel a bit like she couldn't reach it, and she instantly realized that the two of them were not on the same level.
In the end, Cheng Qing could only turn her gaze away and stop listening to the story of the ten-mile-long red bridal procession, and everyone stopped talking about it.
Everyone turned their attention to the car window. After passing through the bustling area and crossing the mountains, the car soon turned right onto a steep slope.
As they drove, the group of people in the car watched the scenery flash by outside, passing by endless mountain ranges and winding mountain roads.
After climbing the mountain for a while, the bustling city of Fanhe came into view, and the worries in my heart gradually dissipated with the scenery.
Cheng Qing rolled down the car window, and a cool breeze blew in, instantly invigorating him.
After driving through the mountains for about 30 minutes, we finally stopped at a secluded parking lot. There weren't many cars around, probably because it was newly built and there weren't many customers yet.
Everyone got off the bus. In front of the parking lot was a mountain path paved with stone bricks.
In order to make a living, the director stood at the intersection and looked at everyone. He first smiled and said how beautiful the scenery was, and then spent a long time recording an explanation of why the place had developed into what it is today.
The director took the "dinner mission" seriously, and the celebrities cooperated very well.
Only after all the information they had received had been shared did they begin issuing game missions to everyone.
Kong Mingyan coughed and then said, "This mission is simple. There are many photos scattered along the way to the top of the mountain. The photos you collect are the items your team can exchange for on the way up. Good luck! What you can eat while camping, and even tents, can only be obtained by finding photos along the way."
Upon hearing this, the group, who had originally only intended to relax and hike, were shocked and had to be on high alert.
Then the director took out several down jackets and said, "Although it's only early autumn now, a light shirt is enough for autumn in Fanhe City. But it's different at the top of the mountain; the temperature drops so low you'll question your existence. So, here are nine down jackets..."
At this point, Kong Mingyan paused, chuckled wickedly, and added, "That means the last three don't qualify for extra clothes."
Everyone stared in shock, then murmured, "Are you a demon?"
Kong Mingyan laughed loudly: "It wasn't me! The game was planned by someone else. You should be scolding the game planner."
But no matter what, the game must go on.
Despite the grumbling, everyone set off anyway. Fortunately, the production team wasn't so heartless as to deny them water.
Each person carried a backpack containing two bottles of water and a box of biscuits.
The photos are scattered not only along the main road up the mountain, but also along many side paths. This requires the guests to find them one by one, while the cameraman behind them records the beautiful scenery in each location.
There is an octagonal pavilion on the top of the mountain. It looks small from a distance, but it doesn't feel far away.
Because the last three people didn't have warm clothes, the 12 people suddenly became competitors.
So they didn't form teams and everyone set off on their own.
They couldn't afford to leave without food, nor could they slow down at will, so the competition suddenly became fierce.
Cheng Qing had only taken two steps with her backpack on when she habitually turned around and saw Luo Xi standing behind her, also carrying a backpack. Her head was bowed, and she looked pitiful, innocent, and adorable.
Cheng Qing: "..."
Cheng Qing's heart skipped a beat, and she slowly stopped, turning back to look at Luo Xi.
Standing there, Losi glanced up at her briefly, then sighed and lowered her head again.
Cheng Qing's breath hitched. Knowing she was feigning helplessness, she still tried to ask, "Do you want to come with me?"
Losi perked up: "Okay, thank you, teacher," and quickly followed.
Cheng Qing: "..."
Thus, this makeshift team was assembled and set off.
At first, the mountain path was paved with red bricks and stones all the way to the foot of the mountain. When the long stone steps appeared in front of you, you could climb up the steps and the winding path would meander through the elegant and light green forest.
The trees are tall and the forest is deep; today, the mountaintop seems to be shrouded in a light mist.
Cheng Qing led Luo Xi up the winding stone steps for a short while before they came to a side path. The narrow path ended in the woods, and no one knew where it led.
Losi glanced at it and asked, "Should we go take a look?"
Cheng Qing nodded: "Of course we should. The director only gave us a box of cookies. We can't exactly eat cookies on the mountaintop, can we?"
Losi pursed her lips, but thought, "Anyway, we won't be staying for long. He can't really leave us up there."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Qing chuckled softly, turned to look at her, and her eyes shone brightly.
"Indeed, but time flies, so just come with me to see it!" No matter what, the two were about to part ways, and Cheng Qing forgot everything, hoping that they could leave some beautiful memories in the last two days.
Winning or losing isn't important, but it's better not to end this journey so soon.
Upon hearing this, Losi immediately nodded: "Of course, no problem."
So the two of them changed course and went inside. Sure enough, they found two photos in the woods not long after: one of a sandwich and the other of orange juice.
Cheng Qing looked at the photo over and over, then put it into her backpack.
The narrow path was quiet and secluded, with branches hanging down beside you and unidentified wildflowers growing tenaciously at your feet. You could vaguely hear the pattering of flowing water, and after walking a few steps, you saw a waterfall cascading down.
Water falls into the lake, stirring up countless splashes, creating a breathtakingly beautiful spectacle in the sunlight.
Cheng Qing squatted by the lake and, sure enough, pulled out three photos from underwater.
The photos were probably hidden in a rather secluded location, hence the considerable number of them. Cheng Qing received the photos and handed them to Luo Xi. Water droplets splashed onto Cheng Qing's face, carrying a slight coolness.
Losi was taken aback. She reached out and took the photos, then looked at them. They showed a tent, a bottle of orange juice, and two hot dogs.