After Transmigrating, I Joined a Dating Show with the Fake Heiress Actress - Chapter 20

Bai Man: If Yu Meng’s position in Su Qingwan’s heart were truly so easily shaken, yesterday’s incident with Liu Yue would have completely eroded Su Qingwan’s goodwill toward Yu Meng. The reality is that Su Qingwan only slightly diminished her affection for Yu Meng, and the remaining affection proved utterly unshakable.

System 388: Then, Host, you should be working even harder! Or perhaps you want to stay in this world?

Bai Man: I have my own methods. I don’t need a machine like you to worry about my plans.

System 388: Just because they don’t have genitals doesn’t mean they’re not human. Hmph.

Bai Man: With your current intelligence, you’re hardly comparable to a human.

System 388: ……

Without the system’s voice buzzing in her ear, Bai Man felt a profound sense of tranquility.

Her current inaction stemmed from waiting for the opportune moment. Since Yu Meng was actively trying to win Su Qingwan’s favor, she would inevitably continue showering Su Qingwan with kindness, just as she was doing now. Su Qingwan might be moved by this, but what would happen when she discovered that Yu Meng had a fiancée? That initial gratitude would quickly turn into resentment, and in severe cases, even Yu Meng’s seemingly unshakeable position in Su Qingwan’s heart could vanish entirely.

If Bai Man remembered correctly, the news of Yu Meng’s fiancée had been unearthed by netizens shortly after the first episode of the show aired.

This was her final trump card.

Su Qingwan, at the other end of the bamboo raft, felt the warmth radiating from the jacket and grew flustered. She hurriedly began to take it off, saying, “I’m not cold. You said yourself it’s cooler here, so you shouldn’t give it to me.”

Yu Meng stared at the jacket in her hands, momentarily lost in thought. Where did things go wrong? Su Qingwan shouldn’t have refused.

Could Bai Man have been talking behind my back and saying something bad about me to Su Qingwan?

At this thought, she tightened her grip on the jacket. In the blink of an eye, she placed the jacket on the raft and sat down beside Su Qingwan. “I’ve always wanted to travel, but I could never find the time. I never imagined my little wish would come true on this show.”

Su Qingwan was also surprised by Director Xu’s arrangements. Most dating reality shows featured haunted houses or seaside amusement parks, but setting the location in grasslands and deep mountains was truly unprecedented.

What was even more unexpected was that Director Xu had invited them to appreciate the mountain scenery.

She replied honestly, “Director Xu would be very pleased to hear that.”

Not hearing Bai Man’s voice, she turned to look at her, hesitating before speaking. “Bai Man, you seem to have a different perspective on Director Xu’s arrangements.”

She had noticed this back in the cherry orchard earlier, but hadn’t been in the mood to ask.

Bai Man gazed into the distance. “There are two fewer cameramen today.”

Su Qingwan glanced at the bamboo rafts nearby and confirmed that two photographers were indeed missing. She couldn’t help but move closer to Bai Man and ask, “Do you know where they went?”

“If I had to guess, they’re probably wandering around, filming the scenery.”

Su Qingwan immediately understood. “You mean Director Xu’s real intention is to promote this place?” Realizing she was overreacting, she lowered her voice. “So we’re just giving him free publicity?”

Before Bai Man could respond, she added, “The scenery here is beautiful, and the fruit is delicious. It’s definitely worth checking out.”

Bai Man hadn’t expected Su Qingwan to react so calmly to being manipulated. Instead of getting angry, she seemed to accept the situation with remarkable composure.

Yu Meng, standing beside Su Qingwan, reacted more predictably, her face tense and silent.

Live Stream:

Photographer, can you focus? I want to know what Wanwan is saying!

Yu Meng’s expression tells me Bai Man must have said something shocking. I’m so frustrated with this photographer—always messing up at crucial moments, just like when Wanwan went missing earlier.

I’m dying to know what they’re talking about!

Ah, I booked my tickets too! I’m going tomorrow to check it out. Those plump cherries look so tempting! And I want to try rafting on a bamboo raft.

Me too! Sister above, want to team up? Two people make better company.

On the shore, Director Xu had been closely monitoring the live stream’s activity. Seeing the stream of comments from viewers eager to visit the location, a smile crept across his lips. He could finally report back to his superiors with good news.

The long journey had been worth it.

With a considerable distance still ahead, the group didn’t linger on the lake for long. After a brief swim, they returned to shore, returned the inner tubes, and began their trek back.

After covering over forty miles round trip, the group collapsed into the cabin, too exhausted to eat, craving only sleep.

Unsurprisingly, everyone slept in late the next morning.

“Today is the final day of our first episode’s filming,” Director Xu announced with a smile. “To reward everyone’s hard work, the Axida Brothers have brought half a yak down from the mountains for a feast. But we can’t just eat without helping, so let’s all pitch in!”

Having grown accustomed to self-sufficiency over the past two days, the group readily agreed and set to work.

Following Axida’s instructions, some of the yak meat was prepared for grilling, while the rest was braised.

The braised meat would be paired with mushrooms, a task that made everyone groan.

Seeing the group’s reluctance to gather mushrooms, Su Qingwan quietly stepped under the eaves, picked up a basket, and said, “I’ll go. I saw plenty of mushrooms in the forest yesterday.”

Yu Meng immediately responded, “I’ll go with you.”

Liu Heng waved his hands frantically. “Sister Wan, you can’t leave! You still need to grill the barbecue.” He chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head. “I think your barbecue is really delicious.”

After speaking, he turned his gaze to Yu Meng. “Sister Meng, I’ll go with you. I remember where the mushrooms are.” With that, he ran over to Su Qingwan and took the basket from her.

Yu Meng desperately wanted to refuse, but changing her mind so quickly would invite criticism. She could only nod in agreement.

With everyone’s consensus, they decided to roast the entire beef leg.

The beef leg was too large for the barbecue grill, so under Cidan’s guidance, the remaining male guests began building a stone oven.

Su Qingwan and Bai Man, meanwhile, started preparing the beef leg, chopping onions, ginger, and garlic for the marinade. Both were novices at this task, moving cautiously, their hands colliding unexpectedly.

Su Qingwan awkwardly withdrew her hand, her thick eyelashes fluttering slightly. She could clearly hear her heart pounding in her chest.

Not wanting Bai Man to notice her unease, she turned her head away and said stiffly, “I’ll go get the seasonings.”

Bai Man didn’t even look up, continuing to rub the marinade into the beef leg.

She felt that if she stayed here a few more days, she could even start cooking herself.

After marinating the beef leg for an hour and a half, Song Jie and Song Sizhe secured it to a spit with wire and together moved it over the hearth.

“The rest is up to you two,” Song Jie said. “I’m going to check on Axida and see if there’s anything I can help with.” With that, Song Jie and Song Sizhe strode off in unison.

As soon as they left, there was no one to turn the beef leg or flip it over. Bai Man had to drag over a stool and rotate the spit occasionally.

The charcoal fire beneath the beef leg was blazing hot. In just half an hour, the surface had turned golden brown and was sizzling with dripping fat.

Su Qingwan brushed another layer of red oil over the surface and sat down beside Bai Man. “Everyone has such high expectations of me,” she said. “This is actually my first time roasting a beef leg.”

“In theory, roasting is all about the basics,” Bai Man replied, turning to look at Su Qingwan. “You could just refuse. Don’t worry about what others think.”

Bai Man had noticed before that Su Qingwan often tried too hard to avoid disappointing people, just like now.

No one can be perfect, and it’s impossible to please everyone. Su Qingwan’s approach would only exhaust her.

Yet people were drawn to this very quality, which was precisely why readers felt such sympathy for her.

Su Qingwan blinked. She believed that sacrificing a little of herself to bring happiness or well-being to others was worth it. Though the process might be fraught with anxiety, as she felt now, it also pushed her to grow.

She usually kept these thoughts to herself, but just now, she had unconsciously voiced them to Bai Man.

What truly stirred her heart, however, were Bai Man’s words.

Refuse? She had never considered refusing, just as she hadn’t refused when her sister suggested she start her own studio.

Before entering the entertainment industry, she had dreamed of becoming an outstanding investment director, helping struggling entrepreneurs overcome their challenges. After joining the industry, she devoted half her energy to acting, leaving no time to plan her future in detail. Had she not been dissatisfied with some of her agency’s practices, she would have renewed her contract upon its expiration.

In contrast, her sister had always had a clear goal: to become a top-tier talent agent. Her sister warned that if Qingwan left the industry to seek employment elsewhere, her drastic career shift might deter potential employers, who would likely prefer recent graduates.

Having spent so many years in the entertainment industry, Qingwan had built up extensive connections and resources. There was no need to take such a risk.

Call her cautious if you will, but she didn’t reject her sister’s advice. She established her own studio and remained in the industry.

She didn’t know how to bring up these concerns with Bai Man.

Noticing her hesitation, Bai Man stood up and added some charcoal to the stove, avoiding the beef leg.

When Yu Meng and Liu Heng returned, they found Bai Man sitting calmly by the stove, turning the beef leg, while Su Qingwan sat beside her with her eyes lowered.

Yu Meng quickly set down her basket and approached Su Qingwan, her eyes flashing with anger as she glanced at Bai Man, though she kept her composure. “Qingwan, could you help me sort these mushrooms? I’m worried there might be poisonous ones mixed in.”

“Then you should ask the Cidan Brothers,” Bai Man interjected.

Yu Meng’s facade crumbled. “Bai Man, I’ve put up with you for too long! I was talking to Qingwan—what’s it to you?”

“This concerns my safety,” Bai Man replied sharply. She had hoped Yu Meng would restrain herself longer, but it seemed Yu Meng’s patience had reached its limit.

Yu Meng, remembering the poisonous mushrooms she had picked earlier, felt a twinge of guilt but refused to back down. “If you’re so capable, then you do it.”

Bai Man stood up. “Then I’ll leave this to you.” With that, she strode away.

Just in case, she called Axida out of the kitchen to help sort the mushrooms.

Back by the stove, Yu Meng sat down, dividing her attention between turning the beef leg and keeping an eye on Bai Man’s movements.

When Yu Meng saw Bai Man and Axida picking out a small handful of mushrooms, her expression turned as sour as could be.

This was even more humiliating than a direct slap in the face.

Noticing her distress, Su Qingwan followed Yu Meng’s gaze and saw Axida tossing the few mushrooms he held into the trash can. She immediately understood. “There are so many types of mushrooms, and we’re all just learning. Don’t worry too much about it.”

“But Bai Man…”

“Bai Man,” Su Qingwan said awkwardly, “she’s not like the rest of us.”

Yu Meng: “……”

Was this a dig at Bai Man or a compliment?

She leaned closer, her eyes fixed on Su Qingwan. “Qingwan, have you noticed how much you trust Bai Man now? Have you forgotten what she—”