novelraw Chapter 47 : Who to Live With
Chapter 47 : Who to Live With
Among the five parents, only Su Huan and Shi Qiubai hadn't completed their puzzles, so they lost their right to choose.
Whether intentionally or not, after the other families were formed, the remaining people happened to be Shen Xiaoyu and Tang Tang.
Shen Xiaoyu couldn't help but suspect this was deliberately designed by the production team to maximize ratings.
Qiao Yuran smiled mysteriously. "Wow, there are still four 'parents' who haven't been paired up. In that case, we can only use our final method—drawing—"
"Wait!" Su Huan suddenly interrupted the 'Village Chief's' words. She pulled out a water-soaked paper from her clothes. "I found a prop."
The paper was carefully unfolded, revealing a blurry line of text.
'Can designate and choose one parent to join your family'
As soon as this card appeared, everyone's eyes widened.
Qiao Yuran carefully took the paper, carefully identifying the words on it before turning to the camera.
"Let me introduce this season's hidden rule. Secret props have been placed throughout this village. Each episode has a limited quantity, valid only during the current recording period. If you can't use them all, families can negotiate with the production team to exchange props for needed supplies."
As soon as she said this, the other families all sighed.
Clearly, they hadn't obtained these so-called props.
Shen Nian'an's disappointed eyes immediately lit up, looking at Su Huan with anticipation. "Mommy, choose quickly! Choose quickly!"
"So Senior Su, what is your choice?" the host asked.
Su Huan turned to look at Shen Xiaoyu, their eyes meeting.
Shen Xiaoyu saw the emotions rising and falling in her eyes, her expression unchanged.
"Shen Xiaoyu."
Su Huan's tone was light, like a breeze passing by, yet it struck everyone's eardrums heavily.
Shi Qiubai's mouth corners pressed down as her deep eyes stared unblinkingly at the other person, her heartbeat gradually slowing.
[Villain corruption value +3]
[Villain corruption value +5]
[Villain corruption value +10]
The system's voice made Shen Xiaoyu's heart suddenly tremble. [Don't, don't keep announcing it...]
She closed her eyes in despair. [If this continues, all my progress will be wasted!]
Su Huan, oh Su Huan, sure enough, nothing good ever happens when encountering her!
She suddenly opened her eyes, looking sharply at Su Huan, grinding her teeth in anger. [I curse you to never have toilet paper when you use the bathroom in the future!]
Su Huan: ...
Su Huan was unusually silent.
She could be certain that Shen Xiaoyu's words were deliberately meant for her to hear.
The live stream also saw a sudden increase in comments due to her words.
[Su Huan, you have no heart! My 'Huan-Tang' CP! Finally reunited and you're breaking up my CP!]
[Poor thing, Tang Tang's face has gone pale.]
[Above commenter, your CP was already gone before, okay? The publicity was all fake. Su Huan has no feelings for your Sister.]
[Turning black on Su Huan. No one held a knife to her throat forcing her to do CP publicity. After becoming Best Actress and gaining capital, she completely denies everything from the past. So disgusting.]
[Same, turning black. She says she has no feelings for Tang Tang, but she never clarified the ten-year CP. She says the person she loves is Shen Xiaoyu, but when Shen Xiaoyu was being cyberbullied, she never said a word for her. Such a selfish person.]
[Has Su Huan been possessed? She wasn't like this before. How did she become so hateful after having a child?]
[Huanhuan is just pursuing someone she likes. What's wrong with that? You can't let the child be without a mother forever, right?]
The bullet comments kept scrolling, and the live stream's popularity grew higher and higher.
The system provided live commentary for Shen Xiaoyu to understand the current situation.
[Seeing all this, does the host feel gratified? Do you feel a bit better?]
Shen Xiaoyu pondered for a moment. [Indeed, everything has two sides. When she was doing CP publicity, did she think about being backlashed by fans today?]
Although she never actively denied the CP, she had indeed benefited from it. If she really didn't like it, why didn't she clarify from the beginning?
After so long, picking up the bowl to eat, then smashing it after getting full—she deserved to be scolded.
If she weren't in the situation herself, she would also follow the crowd in turning black on this person.
She looked at Qiao Yuran beside her. "'Village Chief,' the prop only says she can invite one 'parent,' but it doesn't say the invited person must join, right?"
"That's true. If..." Qiao Yuran was about to speak when she heard the director's voice in her earpiece.
"Reject her!"
She changed her tune. "If you want to reject her invitation, please use a prop."
"But you didn't mention that just now." Shen Xiaoyu said firmly. "So I have the right to reject Senior Su's invitation."
Su Huan's lips turned pale. "Are you that opposed to being in the same group as me?"
"Senior Su, what are you saying? I'm just an ordinary person. I'd be nervous being in the same group as a Best Actress."
Though she said this, her face showed no sign of nervousness at all.
Now the live stream comments changed tone.
People who had been scolding Su Huan were now unanimously blaming Shen Xiaoyu for being ungrateful. No matter what, that person was Su Huan, a Best Actress!
Remaining CP fans scolded her for deliberately saying these things in front of Tang Tang to humiliate her.
There were also clear-headed people defending Shen Xiaoyu, saying that given their previous history, her reasons for rejecting Su Huan were reasonable.
The comments were fierce, and Qiao Yuran couldn't decide, saying she needed to ask the director. The show had never encountered this situation before.
But they had never set up such things before either. The prop settings were predetermined, but they indeed hadn't specified whether the invited party could refuse.
The scene looked somewhat chaotic, while the three bystander families were almost full from eating melons.
The director stood behind the cameras, looking intently at Shen Xiaoyu, only his voice appearing on camera. "Regarding our prop settings, this is a new feature this season. There were indeed many imperfections before. For prop card usage, the invited party indeed cannot refuse."
"If there are no other prop cards, we will continue with the next process according to the published rules—"
"Wait a moment."
Before the director finished speaking, he was interrupted again.
Everyone looked toward the voice—it was Shi Qiubai, who had been silent.
Her eyes were deep as a pool, lips slightly pursed, a sweet smile spreading across her small face. "Prop card? Does this count?"
She pulled out a similarly water-soaked, wrinkled paper from her pocket, carefully unfolding it and reading the words word by word. "Plunder Card."
"Can plunder any one item from others."
After reading, she looked up at Su Huan, whose face had turned ugly, her smile deepening.
"Senior Su, I'm really sorry." Shi Qiubai said, then turned to look at the director. "I want Senior Su's used designation card."
No one expected this turn of events. Their melon-eating expressions couldn't be contained, their gazes constantly shifting between the three women.
Shen Xiaoyu also didn't expect her to have such a prop, equally shocked with her mouth agape.
Why didn't she take out this prop earlier? It made her worry for so long.
Sensing her resentful gaze, Shi Qiubai proudly waved the wet paper in her hand at her. If she had a tail, it would be wagging like a propeller.
Shen Xiaoyu smiled stiffly. She didn't want to be in Su Huan's group, but that didn't mean she wanted to be in Shi Qiubai's group.
The previous seasons were never like this. How did this season become such a mess?
She glanced at Su Huan from the corner of her eye, then stepped over to stand beside Shi Qiubai, maintaining some distance from her.
Shi Qiubai's mouth corners lifted, her imaginary tail wagging even more happily.
[Villain corruption value -2]
[Villain corruption value -5]
[Villain corruption value -10]
The system's announcements sounded again, and only then did Shen Xiaoyu truly breathe a sigh of relief.
The situation had stabilized. If Shi Qiubai's corruption value had continued rising like before, she wouldn't need to complete her mission—she could just pack up and die.
Shi Qiubai and Shen Xiaoyu's successful 'hand-holding' shocked a group of people.
A barely perceptible smile flashed in Su Huan's eyes. She thought she was now certain.
Shen Xiaoyu and Shi Qiubai were a fake couple!
The live stream's direction completely changed.
[[Applause][Applause] Wonderful, truly wonderful! Plot twists, nine curves and eighteen bends. No wonder you can be celebrities!]
[Is Shi Qiubai blind? Who couldn't she like? Why does she have to like Shen Xiaoyu?]
[What's wrong with Shen Xiaoyu? She's beautiful and kind-hearted, cultivated Su Huan, and took care of Shi Qiubai for a week before handing her over to another manager and retiring successfully.]
[That's what you say, but how much trouble did she cause when managing Su Huan? Don't you know?]
[Su Huan already said she has nothing to do with Shen Xiaoyu, but fans keep chasing after her.]
[Stop talking, Su Huan's fans are crying to death.]
[Alright, now it's Xiaoshi's fans' turn to cry.]
Xiaoshi fans: ...QAQ What to do!
Crying was useless. Shi Qiubai couldn't see and didn't care.
Having gotten Shen Xiaoyu, she was like a peacock spreading its feathers, glowing in front of the cameras.
Su Huan found it glaring and could only look away to avoid watching, afraid she couldn't resist taking action in front of the cameras.
Shen Nian'an was confused, only half understanding the game rules, but she understood Shi Qiubai's words just now.
She had once again stolen Mama away from them!
Realizing this, Shen Nian'an's eyes reddened with anger as she gripped Su Huan's hand, glaring at Shi Qiubai.
Bad auntie! Bad auntie! Bad auntie!
If she couldn't be with Mama, what was the point of participating in this show?
Shen Nian'an buried her face in Su Huan's clothes, silently dropping little pearls.
"According to the process announced by the 'Village Chief,' 'parents' who haven't formed families need to wait for the next round of games." Shi Qiubai smiled as she turned to Su Huan. "I'm really sorry, Senior Su. I'm also thinking of our final victory."
Su Huan said nothing, just quietly looking at her, no emotion visible in her eyes.
Shi Qiubai provocatively raised her eyebrows, then withdrew her gaze and invited 'Village Chief' Qiao Yuran back to continue hosting the remaining process.
Four 'families' were successfully formed, and next came choosing houses.
Since this was a children's variety show, the production team completely gave the house selection rights to the five children.
Five houses, from lakeside villas at the foot of the mountain to dilapidated abandoned houses halfway up the mountain, each with different environments.
The five children had to choose from five different-looking keys without knowing anything, which would determine what kind of house their families would live in in this small mountain village.
Fifteen minutes later, the children's game ended.
Perhaps because she couldn't be with Shen Xiaoyu, Shen Nian'an was somewhat absent-minded during the game. Despite this, she still chose a key she rather liked, one with white feathers.
Shi Qiubai's 'daughter' Yaoyao chose a very pink-looking key.
While all families were pulling suitcases to find their houses, Tang Tang, who had been ignored all along, stood blankly in place, quietly watching their retreating figures without saying a word.
She hadn't been able to form a family, so naturally had nowhere to live.
"Aunt Tang..."
Only then did Shen Nian'an remember there was still Aunt Tang, whom she played well with. During this time living with Shen Xiaoyu, she had no contact with Tang Tang and had completely forgotten about her.
Seeing her dejected appearance now, she suddenly felt uncomfortable.
She tugged at Su Huan's clothes and looked up. "Mommy, can we let Aunt Tang live with us?"
She couldn't really watch Aunt Tang become homeless.
Su Huan directly refused. "Inconvenient. She has nothing to do with us. Where she lives isn't our concern."
The little girl's face scrunched up. "But what if the 'Village Chief' didn't arrange a place for Aunt Tang to stay?"
"That's for them to handle." Su Huan held two suitcases and carried them up the mountain. "Let's go, An'an. We still have to climb the mountain."
Shen Nian'an said "oh" and walked up the mountain, looking back every three steps.
The mother and daughter hadn't walked far, and their conversation was completely unguarded. Not only did the live stream audience hear it, but Tang Tang heard it too.
She lowered her eyelids, hiding the darkness in her eyes.
Sure enough, she was just a chess piece. Only when useful would she get attention, and once useless, she'd be discarded.
Look, her ally had already begun openly 'abandoning' her.
Sensing her emotional fluctuation, the hidden correction system emerged. [As long as you complete the task as required, after plot correction, you'll still be the beloved female protagonist in the book, with no changes.]
[You'll become a big star as everyone envies, have a wife who loves and spoils you, give birth to a well-behaved and cute daughter, and live the happy life you've always expected. This is a good thing. You don't need to resist my arrangements.]
The system deliberately softened its electronic voice, patiently comforting her.
[You're already pregnant. This child is the next female protagonist of this world. And this world's protagonist halo will always surround your family. Your lives will always be prosperous and happy.]
Hearing this, Tang Tang sneered coldly. [You say it so righteously, but when the plot comes, won't you still forcibly take over my body and replace me to complete all the storylines?]
[If that's the case, why don't you directly take this so-called protagonist halo and create a new character controlled by you to complete all the plots? That would be more convenient, wouldn't it? After all, what you need is just an obedient puppet that won't violate your commands or have its own thoughts!]
Tang Tang breathed heavily, her eyes red as she asked the question she most wanted to know. [Why must it be me?!]
Why couldn't she escape...
The system fell silent for a while before speaking again. [Not just anyone can become the protagonist in a book world. Only the protagonist created by the author cannot be changed by anyone.]
[Your awakening is just a small episode outside the story. It's not important. Once the plot ends, you'll return to your position and won't be troubled by the thoughts you have now.]
"A small episode outside the story..." Tang Tang murmured these words and suddenly laughed.
She turned off her microphone and turned to look up at the several-meter-high tree behind her. "I'm not a small episode outside the story! I am myself! No one can control me anymore!"
She turned her back to the camera, her hand touching her belly.
Including this bastard that shouldn't exist.
No one knew what she was thinking. The camera gradually pulled back, showing a woman under the big tree with black hair and white dress, beautiful and sacred.
Tang Tang's live stream fans were mesmerized by this scene.
While other people's live streams were showing luggage races.
The three of them encountered other house-hunting families on the road. Through their sharing, they learned that the production team's selected houses all had small flower stickers on the doors. Since the stickers weren't very large, they needed to walk closer to confirm.
They also pointed out houses they had passed, and Shen Xiaoyu and Shi Qiubai discussed going to check them out first.
Since it was still early and the 'Village Chief' hadn't mentioned any other activities, they assumed evening was rest time, though they didn't know how dinner was arranged.
Soon the three found the house the others mentioned.
Shen Xiaoyu specifically had Yaoyao try if the key could open the door. Surprisingly lucky, they smoothly found their accommodation.
After observing, although the house wasn't the best, it was bright and clean with a small courtyard—couldn't be more comfortable.
But the only flaw was that across the half-person-high courtyard wall, Shen Xiaoyu and Su Huan's eyes met.
Shen Nian'an also saw them, her little eyes immediately lighting up as she jumped around across the courtyard wall, greeting them.
"We're neighbors!" Her watery eyes sparkled as she looked at Shen Xiaoyu, waving her little paws. "Can I come sleep with you tonight?"
Shen Xiaoyu's gaze moved from Su Huan to the little girl's face, smiling slightly.
"No."
Shi Qiubai came from behind, raising her hand to put it around Shen Xiaoyu's shoulder, intimately getting close to her as she smiled. "The production team doesn't have such rules, so you can't climb walls at night. I won't allow it."
Su Huan stared at the hand on Shen Xiaoyu's shoulder, her eyes dangerously narrowing.
Shen Nian'an's little face immediately fell as she glared at her. "Why are you everywhere? Didn't you say you were going to film a movie?"
"Eh? Surprise, surprise?" Shi Qiubai winked at her. "Are you happy to see me here?"
She pouted and muttered, "Not at all!"
Okay, actually there was a little bit. But she wouldn't say it, or the bad auntie would get proud again.
Shi Qiubai shrugged, not caring, and led Shen Xiaoyu inside to look at the bedrooms.
Before entering, Shi Qiubai sized up Su Huan's place next door across the courtyard wall. It was about the same size as theirs, so the layout should be similar too.
Two bedrooms, one kitchen, one bathroom, and a living room.
After discussion, they decided Shi Qiubai would stay in the master bedroom with Yaoyao, while Shen Xiaoyu would stay alone in the small bedroom.
After all, they weren't really a family of three, so it wouldn't be appropriate to cohabitate in front of cameras.
Shi Qiubai felt a bit regretful, thinking she'd find Shen Xiaoyu after the cameras were off to catch up and chat.
Just as they were organizing their things, they suddenly heard arguing sounds from next door.
The two came out together and saw Tang Tang being evicted by Su Huan.
"Senior Tang and I have no relationship. It's inconvenient to live together."
Even in front of cameras, Su Huan showed her no face.
Tang Tang's complexion was somewhat pale. After looking deeply at Su Huan, she said, "Then I'll trouble the production team to prepare another room for me."
Qiao Yuran looked awkwardly at Su Huan. "According to the rules, unformed families need to temporarily combine. So Tang Tang must live here."
"You have quite a few unwritten rules." Su Huan showed no intention of yielding. "Didn't you say earlier that unformed families need to go through later games to get new teaming rights? How has it changed now?"
Qiao Yuran: ...
She didn't know either. Wasn't it because the director insisted they live together, saying it would increase live stream popularity?
But the production team indeed hadn't prepared extra rooms.
Qiao Yuran could only bite the bullet and say, "Since there are only two people in unformed families now, you indeed need to live together according to the rules."
"What if I don't agree?" Su Huan asked back. "Who knows if she moves in tonight, there might be new CP trending topics tomorrow."
She sneered coldly.
Wasn't that how it was before?
The smallest things could be magnified and processed into so-called material for 'Huan-Tang.' She wouldn't repeat the same mistake now.
Qiao Yuran was speechless. What could she do then?
Tang Tang, surrounded by cameras and crowds, felt like she was stripped naked, letting them watch her joke.
Too humiliating.
Tang Tang lowered her head, slightly turning to let the camera see her vulnerability, while hatred churned in her eyes hidden by her hair.
"Forget it—"
Her voice was just emerging when someone interrupted.
"Senior Su, saying that will make our Senior Tang Tang sad." Shi Qiubai leaned against the door, arms crossed. "No matter what, you're all friends. Besides, Senior Su should set a good example for An'an, right?"
Shen Nian'an was blocked inside the house, unable to see what was happening outside, only hearing voices. Anxiously pacing, she could only shout, "I listen to Mommy!"
She didn't want Aunt Tang to be driven away, but if Mommy insisted, then she'd listen to Mommy.
She didn't want Mommy to be unhappy!
"Then how about this—we switch. Let Xiaoyu move over here, and Senior Tang can stay at your place. We're neighbors anyway, so it won't affect anything." Su Huan went with the flow. "This way everyone's happy."
"I don't want—"
"Then it's settled!" Qiao Yuran said hurriedly.
Shi Qiubai's eyes widened.
Had she set herself on fire?
Bystander Shen Xiaoyu: ?
What did this have to do with her?
"These two courtyards are essentially one family, so Xiaoyu living here doesn't violate show rules." Su Huan was in a good mood and continued, "Besides, Senior Tang and I have special circumstances, so special handling by the production team is normal. Senior Shi won't be unhappy, right?"
"And Senior Shi should also set an example for the children, right?"
Shi Qiubai: ...
She was very unhappy!
She just wanted to see Su Huan suffer, not get herself involved too.
But Su Huan had already said this much. If she refused again, Tang Tang would completely lose face.
She still had business cooperation with Ning Yu, so tearing faces wouldn't be good for her.
Thinking this way, Shi Qiubai swallowed her refusal and accepted this arrangement.
So Shen Xiaoyu, having just finished organizing her things, confusedly moved them all to Su Huan's place.