High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 15

Zhao Ke, monitoring the live stream comments, frowned deeply when she saw the term “schizophrenia.”

“Can extreme stress trigger schizophrenia?” she asked, her brow furrowed.

Zhao Ke recalled the night at the hospital when Qiao Qinglu, having narrowly escaped death after falling from the building, was brought to her room in a state of complete emotional collapse. Yet, barely fifteen minutes later, when Zhao Ke and Uncle Hat returned to see her, she seemed to have regained her composure, merely whimpering softly and feigning helplessness.

Ke Ke, are you asking about the fall? It’s hard to say, but simple stress couldn’t be the root cause. Otherwise, everyone who rides roller coasters would develop schizophrenia!

If you ask me, it’s probably related to Qiao Qinglu’s family background. She used to be so proud of being the Qiao family’s heiress. Falling from grace like that must have been unbearable for her.

As the live stream comments continued to flood the screen, Zhao Ke reached for the walkie-talkie to say something. But before she could speak, an unfamiliar male voice came through the device, speaking slowly with a soft, hesitant drawl.

Yu Huizhou: “Qinglu, are you listening? Our team isn’t far from yours. Why don’t you come join us? Lao Huang and I can squeeze together and make room for you in our tent.”

“Yin Wenyuan is a man, after all, so it wouldn’t be appropriate. As for Zhao Ke, she’s too far away from you.”

Zhou, you’re back to your old habits, aren’t you? (Sighing in exasperation)

Xiao Yu, the soft-hearted god!

Before Qiao Qinglu could respond, Yin Wenyuan snatched the walkie-talkie, his voice still icy with anger. “Yu Huizhou, stop trying to be everyone’s savior. Some people don’t appreciate your kindness.”

“Ah, I’m not trying to be anyone’s savior,” Yu Huizhou replied innocently from the other end.

Zhao Ke: No wonder this guy got completely devoured by the female lead. After the drama aired, the entire internet mocked Yu Huizhou’s acting, yet he was still promoting Qiao Shuxue on Weibo.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Qi Xinshu proactively picked up the Host’s script. “Alright, alright, let’s just do as Huizhou suggested for now? It’s getting late, and everyone should get some rest.”

Guan Muya chimed in, “Exactly, Qinglu. If you need anything, just tell us in the morning. We’ll all help you figure it out then.”

Seeing the situation, Qiao Qinglu could only say coldly, “Fine, let’s leave it at that for now. Yu Huizhou, where are you guys?”

What’s Qiao Qinglu’s problem? Not even a thank you?

Aaaaaah! So infuriating!

“Wait, Qiao Qinglu specifically asked for Zhao Ke’s help. Why isn’t Zhao Ke helping her?”

“Upstairs, are you out of your mind?”

“?? Aren’t they supposed to be best friends?”

“Best friends? No. They’re bonded by life and death.”

Though Qiao Qinglu claimed she was going to Huang Sumu and Yu Huizhou’s tent, Yin Wenyuan, seeing how dark it had become, reluctantly escorted her part of the way with a flashlight, his face sour. He only turned back silently when he saw Huang Yu approaching them.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Qiao Qinglu remained indifferent, rolling her eyes where the cameras couldn’t see.

“Aww, poor Yin-gege. You’re suffering so much.”

“Who said being a top idol was easy? This must be so painful for him.”

“Discussing Yin Wenyuan’s bottom line for maintaining his image and idol persona.”

Exhausted from the day’s activities, everyone retired early.

But for the night owls online, the night was just beginning.

The Zhao Ke rock climbing video, hastily edited by the Production Team, rapidly climbed the Hot Search rankings.

In the footage, the girl’s clothes billowed wildly in the fierce wind, but even more striking were Zhao Ke’s pure black, hawk-like eyes, as if she were scrutinizing every prey through the camera lens.

The official Weibo account for Four Frames of Life posted: “The wind howls, the wind roars, but she is free.”

“So cool, Zhao Ke!”

“I’m a fan now! Someone bring me my beloved concubine’s Weibo!”

Sniffle I suddenly feel like crying for no reason.

Multiple marketing accounts passionately reposted Zhao Ke’s earlier photos and videos of her working outside the building and rock climbing, editing them together with captions like:

“Folks, this is what a real celebrity looks like! Zhao Ke, a woman who knows no limits, with superhuman physical prowess and unparalleled agility…”

“Looking back at Zhao Ke’s high-altitude rescue of Qiao Qinglu, all the signs were there from the start.”

“I declare! Zhao Ke is the epitome of femininity! The Domestic Entertainment Circle needs women like her, and the world needs women like her!”

While Zhao Ke’s eye-catching personal skills propelled her to the top of the Hot Search list, Qiao Qinglu’s over-the-top performance also drew attention. The hashtag #QiaoQingluGoneMad trended with a blazing red “Hot” tag.

The comment sections buzzed with speculation. Some argued that her brazen confidence proved her innocence, even accusing the other guests and the Production Team of bullying her. But most netizens mocked Qiao Qinglu’s behavior.

Amidst the torrent of insults and vitriol, concerns about Qiao Qinglu’s mental state were drowned out, unnoticed.

By midnight, the premiere of Four Frames of Life had secured dozens of top-ranking Hot Search entries, with discussion volume soaring to the number one spot in the variety show category.

The RV rumbled down the road, Qiao Shuxue’s face flickering between light and shadow under the dim yellow streetlights.

She glanced down at her phone, her expression unreadable as she scrolled through the hot search trends.

Her assistant huddled beside her, trembling.

Earlier that day, Qiao Shuxue had filmed several underwater scenes, leaving her hair soaking wet and her temper unusually volatile.

Qiao Shuxue tapped rapidly on her phone screen before dialing a number.

Her voice was sharp and assertive, brimming with unwavering certainty: “Qin Rong, I’m joining Four Frames of Life. Make the arrangements immediately.”

The next morning, Zhao Ke woke up early, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

The crisp mountain air filled her lungs as she sat on the cliff’s edge, swinging her legs and enjoying the sunrise while munching on dried rations for breakfast.

“Good morning, friends,” she greeted the camera, kneeling on one knee.

Good morning, Ke Ke

A few scattered comments responded.

What’s the baby packing?

Due to the camera angle, viewers could only see Zhao Ke pulling items from her mountaineering pack.

“Today I’m traveling light. I want to try catching fish and set up some traps,” Zhao Ke explained, transferring her military knife, compass, and other essentials into a smaller, more portable backpack and leaving the larger mountaineering pack behind.

Using her usual method, she rappelled down the cliff and stowed the climbing rope.

After crafting makeshift traps from branches and vines, she placed them near what she suspected were bamboo rat or rabbit burrows. Then, she headed to the stream to try her luck at fishing.

Zhao Ke secured her military knife by tying one end of a rope to the handle and the other to her wrist. Timing her strike perfectly, she flicked her wrist and hurled the knife into the water.

The plump crucian carp thrashed wildly as it was pulled from the water.

Zhao Ke had been busy all morning, and her efforts had yielded a bountiful harvest.

Six large fish, four bamboo rats, and even a lucky catch of a rabbit. She strung her prey together with rope, slinging one string over each shoulder in a carefree manner.

LOL, what’s with this look?

Just add some furs and she could play a cavewoman! Good grief!

Oi, oi, I nominate Zhao Ke as tribal chief!

“Where are you guys?” Zhao Ke asked into her walkie-talkie.

Qiao Qinglu had likely teamed up with Huang Yu last night, but the walkie-talkie had remained silent all morning.

Could the three of them be getting along well?

“Xin Shu and I are at the Stone Bridge,” Guan Muya replied. The two had been squatting on the bridge since dawn, but hadn’t caught a single fish.

“Alright, I’m coming over,” Zhao Ke said tersely.

Qi Xinshu, listlessly jiggling his makeshift fishing rod made from a tree branch, stared blankly at the sky, his eyes glazed over. “Who’s talking?”

Guan Muya idly flicked a pebble on the ground. “It’s Zhao Ke. She said she was coming over, but I don’t know why.”

Most of the viewers in their live stream were fans who harbored no fondness for Zhao Ke, their memories still fresh with the scandal of her public feud with Qiao Qinglu.

What’s Zhao Ke coming here for? To show off?

So she can climb rocks? That’s hardly worth rubbing it in our faces.

Everyone, calm down. Don’t make us look bad.

Some fans reluctantly fell silent, still stung by Zhao Ke’s overnight fame on the Hot Search list. A vague, inexplicable jealousy lingered.

The Stone Bridge was clearly marked on the map, and Zhao Ke arrived quickly.

As Guan Muya raised her hand in greeting, Zhao Ke thrust a fish and a field mouse toward her.

“Zhao… what’s this?”

“Take them, take them. Just a little something,” Zhao Ke said with a cheerful smile.

“We’re all colleagues.”

Wow, that’s direct.

Why am I suddenly getting flashbacks to my overly enthusiastic Auntie?

Guan Muya and Qi Xinshu stood awkwardly, unsure whether to refuse or accept the gifts.

Qi Xinshu’s lips trembled as he forced his workplace social skills into action. “Teacher Zhao, this… wow, it’s amazing! Is this what it means to be a ‘capable person’?”

Xiao Shu, you…

Sorry, I’ve been on too many reality shows.

Seeing the two girls frozen in place, Zhao Ke made a grand gesture, shoving the items into their arms. “Take them, it’s fine. Take them home and enjoy!”

Tsk, my auntie says the same thing: “Take this home for the kids!”

Ugh, this is so fake.

Upstairs, if you don’t want it, I’ll take it!

As girls themselves, Guan Muya found it difficult to refuse Zhao Ke’s offer. She accepted the items with a blush, her cheeks flushing crimson. “Are you sure? It must have been hard to catch all these by yourself.”

“Not at all, not at all,” Zhao Ke replied with a genuine smile. “I can teach you both. You’ll pick it up in no time!”

“Really?” Guan Muya’s eyes lit up with interest. “I’d love to learn, Teacher Zhao!”

“You don’t have to call me ‘Teacher Zhao’,” Zhao Ke said shyly.

“Then… Ke Ke?” Guan Muya leaned closer with a playful smile.

Zhao Ke’s face flushed crimson instantly.

To be so close to such a stunningly beautiful woman, and a celebrity at that—this is amazing.

The two walked ahead, arm in arm, looking like longtime friends.

Qi Xinshu, carrying a fish in one hand and a bamboo rat in the other, was utterly bewildered. “Did I praise her wrong?”

Emmm, how should I describe Zhao Ke?

Some things just have to be said.

She charms effortlessly.

Innocence with a hint of seduction.

Sophistication masking pureness.

Irresistible.

Following Zhao Ke’s instructions, Guan Muya parted the tall grass, searching for the three-toed footprints left by the bamboo rat.

Before Guan Muya could figure out the technique, the walkie-talkie clipped to her waist suddenly crackled to life. Director Qu’s voice, distorted by static, boomed through the speaker: “Lao Huang, Xiao Yu, respond! Respond! Why have all three of your cameras gone dark?”

Zhao Ke stopped moving and checked the live stream.

?? What’s happening? Did more family members arrive?

My stream just cut out! I got kicked out!

Here’s what happened: Huang Sumu found a burrow and called Yu Huizhou and Qiao Qinglu to go inside. A few minutes after they entered, the stream went down.

Zhao Ke waited nearly a minute, but the walkie-talkie remained silent, with no response.