Chapter 7 – The White Movie King’s Deception

Forty minutes passed, and Bai Zehan returned in high spirits, carrying four large barrels of purified water.

“Zehan, you’re amazing,” Gao Tiange hurried over to him, her gaze soft and filled with affection.

Fu Jiaojiao was unwilling to be outdone. She sidled up to Bai Zehan to make her presence known. “Mr. Bai, you’re number one!”

Bai Zehan basked in the flattery of the two women before him, feigning nonchalance as he glanced over at Jiang Ning.

But Jiang Ning was energetically pitching her tent, her demeanor utterly indifferent to the outcome of the contest.

A flash of annoyance flickered in Bai Zehan’s eyes. He was just waiting for Jiang Ning to regret her decision and come running to him in tears!

Before long, Qi Jun and Song Xiao returned, each carrying a barrel of purified water, panting from exhaustion. When they saw the four barrels next to Bai Zehan, they shook their heads, defeated.

Everyone assumed Bai Zehan had won.

The live chat scrolled by—

“What do we do? Cheng Beigu can’t win, sob sob sob!”

“Obsessed with Cheng Beigu’s looks.”

“Song Xiao’s good-looking too—a true gentleman.”

“Best Actor Bai is sure to win and stay in the cabin with the leading lady!”

“Bai Zehan forever!”

“Oh no! What’s going on? Why did Cheng Beigu also bring back four buckets of water?”

The director’s crew exchanged confused glances. Gao Minglang frowned, displeased, and turned to the prop master in charge. “What’s happening? Weren’t there supposed to be only eight barrels of purified water?”

The prop master looked baffled. “Yes, eight barrels. That can’t be wrong.”

Gu Beicheng joined the others, carrying his four barrels. He surveyed the other three’s water supplies and smiled faintly. “Weren’t there eight barrels? Now there are ten.”

Gao Minglang picked up the loudspeaker. “Dear guests, our apologies. There was a mistake with the props. Since both Teacher Cheng and Teacher Bai brought back four barrels each, you two will need to compete again to determine the winner.”

Gu Beicheng responded with a cool, emotionless “Alright.”

Bai Zehan, however, seemed uneasy. “Very well.”

By now, Jiang Ning had finished setting up her tent. She strolled over unhurriedly, glanced at the barrels the four men had brought back, and spoke with a frosty hint of sarcasm.

“There’s no need for another contest. The winner is obvious.”

Gao Minglang was surprised. “Xiao Ning, then tell us—who won?”

Jiang Ning shot Bai Zehan a disdainful look, then parted her lips. “Cheng Beigu.”

Her words stung, prompting Gao Tiange to interject sharply, “Jiang Ning, how can you be so sure Teacher Cheng won? Both Zehan and Teacher Cheng have four barrels each. You can’t just say things for attention.”

Bai Zehan feigned helplessness, raising a hand to massage his temple. “Xiao Ning, why don’t Teacher Cheng and I compete again? Or I can forfeit the chance to stay in the cabin.”

He glanced at Gu Beicheng, unable to conceal the wariness in his eyes. “Teacher Cheng, what do you think?”

Gu Beicheng’s fathomless gaze settled on Jiang Ning, his demeanor softening as he nodded for her to continue. “Go on.”

Jiang Ning lifted her chin and smiled. “They did each bring back four barrels, but whether all of them are purified water is another matter.”

The atmosphere shifted uneasily. Chief Director Gao Minglang wanted to brush it off and stop Jiang Ning from continuing, but Gu Beicheng’s icy stare silenced him.

“Mr. Bai, do you dare take a sip from these barrels?” Jiang Ning’s gaze lingered meaningfully on Bai Zehan’s stiff face.

Bai Zehan paled, forcing a laugh. “Jiang Ning, don’t be unreasonable, alright?”

“Let her finish,” Gu Beicheng said as he stepped in front of Bai Zehan, his sharp gaze exerting such pressure that Bai Zehan fell silent.

Jiang Ning lifted two of the barrels. “There’s sand at the bottom—how could this be purified water?”

She unscrewed the lids and dipped her pinky into each.

“Jiang Ning, how could you do that? How will we cook with that water now? There isn’t much water on the island as it is!” Fu Jiaojiao tried to snatch the barrels away, determined to prove Bai Zehan’s innocence and secure her own place beside him in the cabin.

Jiang Ning withdrew her finger and let Fu Jiaojiao take the barrels. She licked her fingertip. “It’s salty. It’s sea water. Go ahead and cook with it.”

“Mr. Bai, did you know these barrels were meant for cooking? Food is already scarce. Did you even consider the consequences of cooking with sea water?” Jiang Ning’s voice grew colder, her disgust for Bai Zehan intensifying. She hadn’t expected him to stoop so low for a petty competition.

Qi Jun chimed in sardonically, “Oh, so he didn’t snatch things this time—he faked them instead. Small-minded, isn’t he?” Ever since Bai Zehan and his two admirers tried to steal his raft, Qi Jun had taken a dislike to the so-called film king.

Gao Tiange dropped her gentle act, her tone cold and chastising. “Zehan, this was wrong. Sea water isn’t drinkable.”

“My apologies for breaking the rules.” Bai Zehan bowed deeply, his face flushed with embarrassment as he apologized to everyone. Underneath the lowered head, his features hardened with malice. Jiang Ning, that wretch—first she had stepped on him on the plane, now she had exposed him in front of everyone. Was she determined to become his enemy?

Fine! He was ready to fight back!

The live chat scrolled on—

“I’m with Jiang Ning this time!”

“I don’t even like Jiang Ning, but I support her now.”

“Jiang Ning’s just trying to get Cheng Beigu’s attention!”

“Schemer.”

“My native tongue: Speechless. Jiang Ning clearly did it for everyone’s good.”

Backstage, the prop master whispered to Gao Minglang, “Director, we only prepared eight barrels. I tossed two empty ones aside, so those two barrels of sea water Bai Zehan brought must have been…”

“It’s fine, just leave it,” Gao Minglang interrupted, eyes gleaming with excitement as he watched the viewer count soar. This time, he would let the guests handle things themselves.

“Then I’ll announce it: Cheng Beigu wins the chance to stay in the luxury cabin tonight. Now, let’s move on. Each of our eight guests, please write on the whiteboard which male or female guest you’d like to date. If two people write each other’s names, you’ll form an official pair.”

The eight guests quickly filled out their boards and showed the names to the camera one by one.

Gu Beicheng: Jiang Ning

Bai Zehan: Fu Jiaojiao

Fu Jiaojiao: Cheng Beigu

Gao Tiange: Cheng Beigu

Qi Jun: Yun Fu

Yun Fu: Qi Jun

Song Xiao: Yun Fu

“Jiang Ning, why is yours blank?” Gao Minglang hadn’t expected this move from her. Only one pair had matched.

Jiang Ning smiled faintly, lifted her whiteboard, and replied matter-of-factly, “All the men are too outstanding. I have choice anxiety.”

Gu Beicheng watched her with amusement. Jiang Ning met his gaze without shyness, raising her brows and smiling.

“Director, I was the winner just now. I have the right to take a female guest with me to the cabin, don’t I?” Gu Beicheng’s dark eyes narrowed, his meaning unmistakable.

“Of course you do,” Gao Minglang replied quickly.

Fu Jiaojiao and Gao Tiange both looked at Gu Beicheng.

“Teacher Cheng, I’m rather frail. The sea breeze at night is too chilly,” Fu Jiaojiao hurried toward Gu Beicheng, her smile bright and flirtatious as she spoke in a coy voice.

Gu Beicheng snorted, “What’s that got to do with me?”

Fu Jiaojiao blocked his path, opening and closing her mouth awkwardly. She hadn’t expected this ordinary male guest to be so unyielding. Who did he think he was? He was only a ski instructor—where did his arrogance come from? If not for his good looks and decent aura, she wouldn’t have given him a second glance.

Gu Beicheng brushed past Fu Jiaojiao, walked up to Jiang Ning, took her hand, and waved at the camera. “I’ll take Jiang Ning.”

Jiang Ning gave a stiff smile. “Thank you, Teacher Cheng.”

As soon as his hand dropped, Jiang Ning quickly withdrew hers, wiping it on her clothes with a look of distaste.

Gu Beicheng took note of her gesture, but instead of being annoyed, he smiled quietly.

“Cheng Beigu is so handsome.”

“They both have the same poker face.”

“Such a perfect match—their looks are made for each other.”

“Hmph, Jiang Ning’s playing hard to get. No wonder she hops from one director’s bed to another!”

“Hey! Jiang Ning is my goddess! Say that again and I’ll have my grandson hunt you down and give you a beating!”

“Whoa, a grandpa fan for Jiang Ning.”

“Hello, Grandpa.”

“Hello, Grandpa.”

“Attention, guests,” Gao Minglang announced, “Only Yun Fu and Qi Jun are a successful match. Apart from Teacher Cheng and Xiao Ning, the other four guests need to work on building rapport and chemistry. As a reward for the successful pairs, the show will provide a luxury tent. The remaining four can only have sleeping bags.”

He continued, “Everyone, remember: each two-day-one-night trip gives you only one chance to choose a date. Treasure it.”

“So, after this afternoon and tomorrow, we won’t have another chance to choose a date?” Yun Fu exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise. Was she tied to Qi Jun for two days? Did that mean they’d have to sleep together tonight?

Hearing the shock and regret in his partner’s tone, Qi Jun couldn’t help but get upset. “Yun Fu, are you dissatisfied with me? What’s wrong with me?”

Yun Fu forced a polite, embarrassed smile. “No, nothing.”

It wasn’t as if she had much choice. She barely knew the film king or Song Xiao, and Cheng Beigu always acted so unapproachable. That left only the ordinary but confident Qi Jun.

“Good,” Qi Jun replied cheerfully, marching off to collect the luxury tent provided by the show and setting about pitching it with gusto.