The Cold Queen is My Exclusive Little Snack - Chapter 11

The filming order of the variety show differed from the final broadcast sequence. After greeting the audience, the staff led the participants to separate rooms to draw identity cards, which would determine their factions.

This season’s theme was “Heroes vs. Evil Dragons.” The player faction represented the Heroes, while the Ghost Faction represented the Evil Dragons. The Hero cards depicted the Sword in the Stone, while the Evil Dragon cards showed a thunderous dark cloud.

The order of drawing cards was decided by rock-paper-scissors. Jiang Shuqing drew second, Zuo Xingning fifth, and the others followed. For Jiang Shuqing, this was clearly an auspicious start, her departing figure radiating cheerfulness.

Baby’s so cute, like a bouncy little bunny!

Stylist, come get your praise! Those low pigtails suit my darling perfectly!

Am I imagining things? Why does Jiang Shuqing seem so overly focused on that newcomer?

“Tsk, tsk,” Yang Na materialized beside Zuo Xingning, leaning in to whisper in her ear, “Looks like someone’s still feeling bitter.”

Zuo Xingning knew she was referring to Jiang Shuqing and could only offer a wry smile. Truth be told, she didn’t particularly dislike Jiang Shuqing; after all, the woman hadn’t caused any real trouble.

“Alright, no need to be scared,” Yang Na said, finally managing to pull Zuo Xingning into an embrace now that no one was interrupting. She tugged on Zuo Xingning’s braid and shook it playfully. “Call me ‘Jiejie,’ and I’ll help you survive to the end!”

“Let’s not, Teacher Yang,” Zuo Xingning tried to wriggle free, but she hesitated to make any sudden movements under the camera’s gaze. Her fingers awkwardly rested on Yang Na’s hand. “You might not know this, but my luck has never been very good.”

“Funny, my luck’s terrible too!” Yang Na slapped Zuo Xingning’s shoulder with surprising force, as if she’d found a kindred spirit. “Maybe our bad luck will cancel each other out!”

LOL, is Yang Na finally admitting she’s self-aware?

Who gave her the courage? Who was it that drew a bunch of useless cards last round and barely avoided elimination by the skin of her teeth? I won’t name names.

Nana, don’t say I didn’t warn you—Chu Shiyin is five seconds away from the battlefield.

In reality, it didn’t even take five seconds.

A sudden chill ran down Yang Na’s back. Before she could lower her raised hand, someone intercepted it mid-air. A sharp pinch on her pressure point made her hiss, and she jerked her hand back, instinctively retreating two steps.

“What’s the big deal?” Yang Na retorted, her voice loud and defiant. “Director, look at her! It’s not like I hurt her kid. Seriously? Next time, I’m bringing my little sister too!”

“Alright, alright, bring her, bring her,” the Director chuckled dismissively.

Chu Shiyin ignored the accusations, instead gently smoothing Zuo Xingning’s disheveled hair. “Just say no to things you don’t like. Don’t hold back.”

After spending a few days with Zuo Xingning, Chu Shiyin had come to understand her personality well. Though Zuo Xingning could quickly warm up to anyone, she seemed to subtly avoid physical contact. If not for the cameras, she would have likely dodged Yang Na’s touch altogether.

Yang Na, with her brash and oblivious nature, would never have noticed this on her own. Chu Shiyin had to intervene forcefully to teach her a lesson, planning to explain later after filming wrapped.

After a brief chat, it was Zuo Xingning’s turn to draw a card. As she walked to the draw, she diligently tracked how long each guest took to draw their card.

In short, everyone except Chu Shiyin took very little time—less than half of Chu Shiyin’s time, in fact. The production team seemed to be trying to brand Chu Shiyin as a “lone wolf,” but their efforts were too obvious, making it difficult to tell if the label was genuine or fabricated.

Many guests shared this sentiment. In a corner hidden from Zuo Xingning’s view, the first round of confrontation had already begun. Yet, the first to discover the answer was the very person absent from the scene.

Zuo Xingning drew the Evil Dragon Card.

This card clearly bore a hidden mark. The moment she flipped it over, the room’s lights began to flicker violently. With a thunderous roar, the lights went out completely.

A faint blue glow then illuminated the room, revealing a grayish-white object that had materialized unnoticed. Its elongated shadow flickered on the wall like a candle flame.

Unlike Zuo Xingning, who could directly observe the staff and see how they draped the white cloth to create the ghost illusion, the Main Livestream’s cameras were fixed at specific angles to maximize the scare factor.

Judging by the chat comments, the effect was a resounding success.

Holy sh1t—what the hell is that thing?! The show is getting scarier and scarier!

Prosperity, strength, democracy, prosperity, strength, democracy… What comes next, Mom? I forgot! Aaaaaah!

I was secretly watching the livestream during a meeting and accidentally screamed out loud. Program team, I’ll haunt you even in death!

Heh, you’re all just watching the livestream, but my house’s lights are actually flickering and burning out! /hugs my wife Shiyin tightly

If you hug me any tighter, I’m calling the cops! Give me back my wife!

……

Wait, why isn’t Zuo Xingning even flinching? Is she that fearless?

If Zuo Xingning could see the chat, she might have replied with a simple “Not bad.”

After all, she had a mother who adored haunted houses and escape rooms. This level of spookiness was child’s play.

In short, Zuo Xingning completely disregarded the staff member trying to scare her. After waiting two seconds and seeing no reaction, she reached for the lantern on the table, used its eerie blue glow to rummage through the nearby bamboo slip container, and drew out a wooden slip with a name written on it.

“Here, my teammate will be her.”

With that, Zuo Xingning set down the lantern, patted her butt, and walked away without waiting for a response.

“…She’s gone.”

Due to a circuit malfunction, “Scare Plan B” failed to activate. The staff member, still dutifully playing the ghost, silently picked up the slip, read the name, and reported to the Producer through the earpiece: “Her chosen teammate is…”

“Yes, she didn’t pick Teacher Chu.”

Members of the Ghost Faction could freely choose one Guest as their ally. However, the production team wouldn’t “kindly” reveal the chosen player’s identity; the Ghost themselves had to find an opportunity to inform their ally under the watchful eyes of the other Faction players.

For the Ghosts, “reuniting” with their ally was their first challenge.

In a flash of thought, Zuo Xingning formulated a preliminary plan. After regrouping, she seamlessly blended into the atmosphere of mutual probing among the Guests. Throughout this process, that familiar, piercing gaze never left her back.

Without turning around, she knew Jiang Shuqing had once again designated her as a hypothetical enemy.

Let her stare, Zuo Xingning thought. It won’t cost me anything. Besides, looking around the room, we’re the two with the lowest status. Whether we have past grudges or not, Jiang Shuqing has no choice but to engage in this “chicken fight” with me.

Deliberately ignoring the gaze, Zuo Xingning parried He Yachuan’s probing with a series of vague responses. Once the final Guest had drawn their identity card, the first round of confrontation finally concluded.

The seven participants stood against the green screen to film a “summoning” scene. Then, the Princess NPC, clad in a long blue gown, made her grand entrance.

With dramatic flair, she introduced the setting:

The Evil Dragon descended upon the Fairy Tale Kingdom, plunging the land into chaos and suffering. Unable to bear the plight of her people, the Princess, with the aid of her Fairy Godmother, summoned heroes from another world. However, their plan was leaked, and the Evil Dragon learned of it in advance, disrupting the ritual halfway through and corrupting the altar.

“The Evil Dragon possesses shapeshifting abilities and has infiltrated our ranks, hiding among the seven heroes,” the NPC in a blue princess gown declared with a sweeping gesture. The Main Livestream camera immediately shifted focus. “And these are the gifts prepared by the citizens of the Fairy Tale Kingdom as tokens of gratitude for our valiant heroes!”

This segment was clearly a meticulously planned and highly anticipated highlight of the show. Drones ascended, multiple cameras zoomed in, capturing every angle of the mysterious display platform in a 360-degree view.

“Is this the final prize the production team has prepared?” He Yachuan casually quipped. “They usually give out small trinkets. Why the grand spectacle this time?”

As her words faded, the black curtain was dramatically lifted, and everyone’s eyes lit up. The Main Livestream camera, following a rehearsed sequence, showcased the reveal with perfect precision. The audience’s reaction fully justified the production team’s efforts.

Mom, is this even something humans can see?

They must have spared no expense. Someone who knows the market, give me a price so I can give up.

Forget it. This level of precision is definitely handmade. It’s priceless.

If I could get my hands on this, I’d even marry Chu Shiyin.

?? Dreaming before the moon’s even out?

Even the most seasoned guests couldn’t help but freeze in awe at the sight of the exhibits. Zuo Xingning, however, reacted a beat later.

Vampires are highly sensitive to light, and Zuo Xingning was unfortunately positioned where a harsh glare reflected off the glass, instantly flooding her eyes with tears. She blinked rapidly to ease the discomfort while shifting sideways a few steps to find a less blinding spot.

On the display stand were seven glass art pieces, arranged in a peak-like formation by size. At the very center stood a glass white jade magnolia tree.

Mounted on a base of rocks and flowing water, the tree’s dark branches were covered in snow-white, tightly closed buds, save for a single fully bloomed flower at the very top. A butterfly perched on its golden-yellow stamen, its translucent wings refracting sunlight into a dazzling rainbow of colors.

A masterpiece of craftsmanship, as exquisite as phoenix feathers.

No wonder they were all mesmerized.

In a daze, Zuo Xingning even thought she caught a faint scent of magnolia.

She sniffed, realizing the fragrance was coming from right in front of her. Standing there was Chu Shiyin.

Just one more step would have led to the stairs. Perhaps fearing she might fall, Chu Shiyin shifted slightly, positioning herself half-turned to block the way.

The distance was so close that Zuo Xingning only needed to glance up to pinpoint where Chu Shiyin’s gaze was fixed.

It was on the glass butterfly.

“Jiejie,” Zuo Xingning tugged at her sleeve.

“Hmm?” Chu Shiyin responded with a questioning hum, needing no confirmation. Among everyone present, only one person would make such a gesture.

She turned her head, her expression suddenly freezing.

Zuo Xingning’s complexion was off, paler than usual, her eyes reddened, and tiny droplets of water clung to the bases of her long lashes.

“Jiejie…” she called again.

“I’m here,” Chu Shiyin softened her tone, gently wiping the wetness from the corner of her eye. “Why are you crying?”