Wish to Get Rich But Wear a Scumbag A - Chapter 46

Li Jin phrased his words perfectly.

He first apologized, giving Mu Xu a way to save face, then proposed regrouping under the guise of benefiting everyone.

To maintain his public persona, Mu Xu had no choice but to accept the olive branch. The only alternative was to gamble that Yan He wouldn’t expose him on camera, and that the commotion from the two rooms across the hall last night had been loud enough to drown out Yan He’s maniacal laughter.

No sane person would bet on someone who grows onions indoors, and Mu Xu certainly didn’t dare.

Thus, he had to swallow his pride and grudgingly accept the regrouping proposal.

Zhou Yunuo cast a grateful glance at Ke Wenxin.

Ke Wenxin cheerfully chimed in to smooth things over for Li Jin, “This works out well! Let’s just put all the Alphas in one group. If anyone loses control of their pheromones again, they can find an empty room and duke it out. Director Zhao can switch gears and start live-streaming a boxing championship instead.”

Hearing the word “boxing,” Yan He grabbed Qi Xingwan’s arm in terror, her large, watery eyes wide with panic.

“I’m stuck with Director Han! She’ll throw me over her shoulder! Do you even know what an over-the-shoulder throw is? She’ll grab my arm and wham! smash me straight through the earth’s core! And then kick me for good measure, just in case I’m still alive!” Yan He’s voice grew increasingly aggrieved. “She’ll even hurl me like a cannonball—whoosh! Bang!—and I’ll end up a corpse singing ‘Liang Liang’!”

She cautiously tugged at the Lord Female Lead’s arm, trying to coax her. “Your Majesty, please team up with the Empress? I’ll never trick you into being my gaming partner again! I’m so sorry!”

Qi Xingwan looked at Du Yihan, utterly bewildered. “???”

Ke Wenxin glanced at Du Yihan, still shaken. “Alphas are truly so brutal…”

Li Jin shot Du Yihan a resentful look, saying nothing.

Zhou Yunuo finally understood, looking at Du Yihan with sudden realization. “So that’s why Yan He’s been acting so strangely for his age… He really did hit his head hard!”

He Jiamu glanced at Du Yihan and sighed. “Then Wenxin and I will team up, and Yihan and Li Jin will be together.”

Du Yihan: Wife, please let me explain! QwQ

Hahaha, Director Han is about to break down.

Teacher He: Life is hard, sighing every day.

Yesterday morning, the Eldest Miss’s “brat” comment made Teacher He sigh too, hahaha. I’m waiting for tomorrow morning’s episode.

Yan He is visibly terrified, practically burying his head in Qi Xingwan’s shoulder.

Kdlkdl, this couple is so cute! Who said the Eldest Miss was bad? She’s amazing!

Reality dating show, breaking up the official pairings. Does Li Jin really think she’s such a big star?

A gaming influencer who got close to Ke Wenxin suddenly thinks she’s hot stuff. All talk, but a real mess behind the scenes. Eye roll emoji.

What schemes could a small-time influencer possibly have? She’s just trying to suck up to the Eldest Miss so she can go back to riding on her coattails.

Maybe she’s looking for a shortcut. Who knows how she even became team captain?

@Mu Xu V Control your fans! God Jin’s entire competitive record, from his debut to leading his team to victory, is publicly verifiable. Can you honestly say you’ve never flopped in a drama? @Mu Xu V @Mu Xu Studio V

Li Jin graduated from a prestigious university. In his sophomore year, he led his school team to victory in the campus tournament and topped the national rankings in solo points. Tianyou’s head coach personally recruited him from the university! @Mu Xu V What were you doing in your sophomore year? Playing a supporting role?

You can’t even criticize him? Li Jin is such a tyrant… Your fans should be studying instead of obsessing over a gamer. Don’t you owe your parents more respect?

Who said I’m a Li Jin fan? I stan the Eldest Miss! I’m already supporting her, so what’s wrong with me venting a little?

Eldest Miss: My reputation doesn’t matter? Look me in the eyes!

“Good morning, everyone! Did you all eat your fill?”

Director Zhao strode onto the set, megaphone in hand, looking like an NPC ready to refresh the daily quest.

Everyone answered that they were full, except Yan He, who was thinking ahead. “There’s still some left in the pot. Don’t throw it away—I’ll eat it when I get back at noon.”

“Don’t worry, Eldest Miss,” Director Zhao said, adopting the latest internet meme. “We didn’t starve you yesterday, but you’ll be hungry today.”

“I didn’t beat you yesterday, but I will today! Nobody stop me! Today, I’m going to… Wait, are you really not going to stop me?”

Yan He charged forward menacingly, but when she glanced back, she found herself completely alone.

“Fine, I’ll show mercy and forgive you…” Yan He retreated sheepishly to the merciless scoring machine.

Director Zhao cleared his throat triumphantly. “Today’s task has ample time, complete freedom, and is extremely humane.”

Du Yihan automatically translated for his teammates: “All-day free-range, no meals provided, and enough running to break your legs. Please praise her kindness.”

Yan He: “???”

Du Yihan: “I use the same tactics to trick artists into signing contracts.”

Victim Zhou Yunuo stepped forward to testify: “It’s true! She promised I wouldn’t have to eat grass on set, that every meal would have meat, and that I wouldn’t gain weight!”

Du Yihan: “Well, did you gain weight or not?”

Zhou Yunuo bristled with indignation. “How could I gain weight with five kilometers of running every morning and fifty frog jumps every night?!”

Yan He shivered, her fear of Director Han growing. She gently tugged at Qi Xingwan’s sleeve. “What about you?”

Qi Xingwan hesitated. “…Director Han asked me to join him in pursuing our creative dreams. He called it ‘free expression,’ but really, the script wasn’t finished and the funding hadn’t come through.”

Yan He frowned. “Director Han, do all directors have to register with the police?”

Du Yihan scoffed. “Bullshit.”

Director Zhao, who had been ignored, snapped, “Some guests need to show more respect to the director. Yan He’s group loses 10 points.”

“Today’s task is simple: each group gets 50 yuan to buy ingredients and must prepare their assigned dish by 6 PM. Three judges will score the dishes, and the average score determines tomorrow’s transportation method.”

“Director Zhao, we’ve reorganized the groups,” Mu Xu said with a feigned apologetic expression. “Will this affect tomorrow’s schedule?”

She wanted to restore the original pairings. If she remained separated from Zhou Yunuo, the company’s plan to sever their ties would be difficult to execute.

No one present was naive. Everyone immediately recalled Zhou Yunuo’s repeated mentions of wanting to break free from the partnership.

Normally, for artists of Zhou Yunuo and Mu Xu’s caliber, even the most powerful agency wouldn’t rashly interfere with a stable and profitable relationship.

Unless, of course, someone wasn’t interested in mutual benefit and wanted to keep all the gains for themselves.

Netizens generally referred to this idea as “purification.”

Director Zhao was unaware of the “purification” plan, but the Xuxu and Nono couple seized the opportunity to untether themselves. One of the assistant directors had tipped her off.

As a director, she cared only about boosting ratings. The guests’ motives were irrelevant; she’d cooperate with anyone who played along.

In this day and age, money was hard to come by. Ratings meant bonuses, and it wasn’t like she was being asked to break the law. There was no reason to turn down easy money.

“Re-grouping, huh…” She pretended to ponder for a moment. “Then let’s just split into two groups! Alphas in one group, Omegas in the other. The production team can even save on two vehicles. Settled!”

“We’re changing the budget to 100 yuan per group. Since the Eldest Miss disrespected the director, the Alpha group gets only 90 yuan. Each group will prepare two dishes. Discuss among yourselves and send a representative to draw lots.”

Yan He suddenly felt several pairs of adoring eyes fixed on her.

Yan He: QwQ

The Alpha group sent Li Jin, while the Omega group sent He Jiamu.

Yan He grinned. What a waste that no one knew how to wield the Lord Female Lead—the ultimate weapon!

Du Yihan glanced at her. “Mu Mu’s drawing lots. What are you smiling about?”

Yan He: “……”

Love-struck fool. Even zombies wouldn’t eat you.