She was dressed casually in long sleeves and pants, her hair tied in a simple low ponytail, but her mature and charming aura as a "big sister" was not diminished one bit.
"There are two more guests."
Sheng Chenjin narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Yun Rou without a trace, while Yun Rou was also secretly observing Sheng Chenjin.
He scanned his surroundings again, as if looking for someone.
[Everyone move aside, move aside! Make way for our Xin Jie and Xiao Ye's dazzling entrance!]
[It's already twelve o'clock, and they're still not up! Look how soundly they're sleeping.]
The livestream was divided into two camera feeds: one showing everyone gathered, and the other showing the motionless Xiao Jue and Shi Xinxin.
[The guests thought the two were tricked into being late, but little did they know they were tricked into taking a nap.]
[Our Xun Jie is so perceptive. President Sheng looks like he's looking for Xin Jie.]
[Look at Gu Lin's eyes, it's like he's saying: I'm in close proximity to the richest person in the country. This isn't a dream, is it?]
[Xin Jie and Xiao Ye are so mischievous. Even though I ship President Sheng and President Shi, Xin Jie and Xiao Ye are a really fun pairing.]
[Looking forward to it!]
The arrival of Yun Rou and Sheng Chenjin rendered the others speechless, as if they had been struck dumb.
Even their breathing unconsciously softened.
If anyone was to blame, it was the overwhelming aura of Sheng Chenjin and Yun Rou, which silenced everyone.
Gu Lin offered his stool to Sheng Chenjin, and Long Keyu offered his stool to Yun Rou.
The two good brothers "relied on each other" to search through the bushes, but in reality, they wanted to escape the awkward atmosphere.
"Gu Lin, do you think Xin Xin Jie and the others really haven't arrived yet?"
Long Keyu was extremely curious.
Gu Lin pondered for a moment and said with great seriousness, "Master Xiao is probably genuinely late and arrived very late. Xin Xin Jie is likely constrained by time. They should be arriving soon, close to 9:30."
Long Keyu nodded in agreement.
The audience in the livestream, listening to the two hushed voices, filled the screen with comments like "So mischievous!"
Shi Xinxin had already slowly woken up when Yun Rou was speaking. The hour and a half of rest had indeed made her feel refreshed.
Because of her sunglasses, Shi Xinxin didn't move around, maintaining the pretense that she was still asleep.
Her gaze scanned the thick machine above. Suddenly, the indicator light on the lower right flickered.
Shi Xinxin felt that this device was no ordinary thing.
To be positioned perfectly in front of all the guests, it must have some special purpose.
Before she could delve deeper into the function of this thick machine, she heard a crackling electric current sound from the air.
The guests were also startled and looked around, their gazes landing on the broadcast pole standing by the roadside.
The large speaker had rusted from the rain. It was a cloudy day, the sky overcast and hazy, with overgrown weeds all around. The ruins and the discarded medical waste piled nearby created a suffocating atmosphere.
Everyone felt as if they were having trouble breathing.
The speaker crackled for a long time, with bursts of static sound, followed by a loud voice.
"Shi Xinxin, Xiao Jue, how much longer are you two going to sleep! Get up and eat!"
Shi Xinxin dug her ears, grateful the speaker wasn't placed next to them.
Otherwise, the person still sleeping would have been scared out of their wits.
She slowly stood up, not wanting the other guests to think they were doing anything unusual.
"Get up."
Shi Xinxin stood up and kicked Xiao Jue's leg.
Xiao Jue grunted, showing a bit of morning grumpiness.
"Why are we getting up so soon after sleeping?!" Xiao Jue asked reluctantly, half-opening his eyes.
Shi Xinxin glanced at her watch.
"It's almost 9:30, partner."
Xiao Jue ignored her, feeling like he hadn't slept enough.
Shi Xinxin had already walked out and saw Xiao Jue wasn't following.
"Are you not getting up? Do I need to drag you out?"
Shi Xinxin turned sideways, hands in her pockets, looking incredibly cool.
[Sister, sister, quickly drag me, please drag me.]
[Oh, so sleepy. I'm not awake yet, please drag me.]
[You guys upstairs, your underwear just fell on my face!]
[Wait for me, I'll make it into a ringtone right away!]
[Make it fast, share the blessings.]
The comments were full of adoration.
Xiao Jue immediately scrambled up, finally remembering they were on a reality show.
The two walked outside, seeing a group of guests curiously sizing them up. Shi Xinxin raised an eyebrow.
"You all are here already." She touched her nose with a hint of guilt.
"Yes, we've all been waiting for you." A voice spat out, filled with suppressed annoyance.
Without a doubt, that was Sheng Chenjin. No one else there dared to retort to Shi Xinxin with such a sour tone.
"Alright, all guests are present. Please form teams immediately and prepare to receive the game rules and important notices."
Gu Lin and Long Keyu linked arms, looking like best buddies.
Bai Bin and Ye Xun exchanged a glance and walked together.
Shi Xinxin looked at Xiao Jue, who had said she was his partner.
But why were Sheng Chenjin and Yun Rou also walking towards her?
"What's going on?"
Shi Xinxin took a step back. The three of them stood in a line, like concubines waiting for the emperor's favor.
[LOL, emperor indeed. I want to transmigrate into Xin Jie's body. Children make choices, I want them all!]
[What a stimulating love-triangle situation. I don't want to watch at all, it's boring, really, unless you show more.]
[Director Fang is amazing, giving all the tricky and offending tasks to Xin Jie to resolve.]
"Director Fang said my partner is number five."
Xiao Jue said first.
"Director Fang said my partner is Shi Xinxin."
Sheng Chenjin stated calmly, his gaze unwavering as he stared at Shi Xinxin.
"Mine is different. Director Fang said my partner is the CEO of CL."
Yun Rou raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, looking at her with amusement.
"My name is Shi Xinxin, and I am the CEO of CL. My number today is five."
Shi Xinxin touched her nose, giving a sheepish smile.
A few large beads of sweat should have appeared on her forehead.
[Wow, how will this be resolved? I feel like Yun Rou is also interested in Shi Xinxin.]
[They all know Shi Xinxin well, but they don't seem to know each other.]
[Help me, am I beyond saving? I think Shi Xinxin looks good with anyone.]
[You're not the only one.]
Just as she was about to decide against choosing anyone and tackle the escape room alone.
Director Fang's voice faintly echoed from the broadcast.
"You must form pairs of two. Subsequent tasks cannot be completed alone. If the tasks are not completed, lunch will not be provided, and you will continue to participate in the afternoon's physical challenges."
Shi Xinxin gritted her teeth. Damn it, Director Fang was too sly.
"How about we play 'rock paper scissors' to decide? If we get the same outcome, we form a pair. Fair, right? Honestly, I want to choose all three of you, haha."
Shi Xinxin shut her mouth. Laughing wasn't the appropriate response now.
The three men nodded in agreement. Although the words "I want to choose all three" weren't particularly pleasant to hear, they were still willing to let her off the hook for now.
"Rock paper scissors... shoot!"
Shi Xinxin suddenly blurted out, breaking the pre-planned rhythm and interrupting the thoughts of the three men.
Shi Xinxin was white, Sheng Chenjin was black, Xiao Jue was white, Yun Rou was black.
Shi Xinxin looked at the result in disbelief.
"Xiao Jue, your fate is sealed."
Shi Xinxin swallowed. Although teaming up with Xiao Jue would be easy.
However, the prospect of Sheng Chenjin and Yun Rou forming a team made her want to watch, her gossipy heart burning intensely.
She sighed, feeling regretful.
Sheng Chenjin looked at this woman strangely. It was difficult for her to choose, and now that she had chosen, she was dissatisfied. Why didn't she just play 'rock paper scissors' directly?
Why play 'rock paper scissors' and then do this?