Chapter Four: When the Legs Have a Mind of Their Own

Yu Zhi gazed at Xia Shuang with a contemplative look. The expression in Xia Shuang's eyes just now was proof enough that she would not help her; so, was the other protagonist the one?

Tapping her slender fingers against her leg, Yu Zhi gave a scoff. "Qingqing, didn't I tell you earlier that I am not a straw boat? Why keep bringing up those superfluous people?"

It was a blatant slap in the face, and Yu Zhi delivered it without the slightest hesitation.

Gu Qing, recalling the moment she first met Yu Zhi, felt a wave of regret for having bet on the wrong horse, her almond eyes clouded with remorse. Glancing sideways and seeing the look on Shen Jiayu’s face, she was startled, but just as she wanted to say something, she was tugged by Li Ze, who stood beside him.

"Since Miss Gu’s question has been answered, can we proceed with the rest of the agenda?"

Yu Zhi looked coldly at the posturing Li Ze. "Of course, Professor Li."

Li Ze silently took off his glasses and gave a slight smile. "Let me go next. Does anyone have any objections?"

Shi Hailing curled her lips slightly, inwardly speculating about the relationship between Yu Zhi and the others. It was clearly messy; was someone making her go on this show just to back her up?

The phone belonging to Li Ze on the table began to play.

"I'll come find you tonight... Can you come over after you're done? I’ve mastered a new dish, come over this weekend to taste it..." The words were as normal as could be, yet they inexplicably made Yu Zhi’s heart itch.

If nothing else, Li Ze’s cooking was actually quite good.

The voice in her memory and the voice coming from the table gradually overlapped, and those bony, well-defined fingers seemed to be resting on her waist once more...

"Teacher Li, are you a good cook?" Xia Shuang, anxious to divert everyone’s attention away from Yu Zhi, asked as soon as the playback stopped.

Her voice, feigned to be cool yet laced with a cloying tone, brought Yu Zhi back to her senses. Yu Zhi glanced briefly at Li Ze, cursing him as a manipulative dog in her heart.

The situation was now crystal clear: this man had come on the show purely to retaliate for her silent departure back then. Otherwise, why would a man who was always too busy to pay her any mind during their relationship suddenly step into the limelight in a place like this?

"I can cook a little. It suits the tastes of a few."

...

Perhaps sensing that the atmosphere among the group was too unnatural, the livestream, aside from the topic Yu Zhi had ignited at the very beginning, was proving quite dull. The staff received new instructions from the director.

"Have them perform their respective segments..."

The staff member responsible for coordinating with the guests watched the arguing group ahead, gritting his teeth. He wouldn't come back next time; what kind of mess was this?

"Teachers, we are changing the game rules. The remaining teachers who have not participated must read their scripts themselves..."

The two people on either side of Yu Zhi failed to stir any desire in her to chat, so she was content to listen to Xia Shuang and Gu Qing bicker, her mind starting to imagine the tones of the others. However, the next sentence from the staff member wiped the smile off her face completely.

"Please coordinate with your partners to complete this task as soon as possible..."

Yu Zhi could barely hide her impatience; she hadn't forgotten that Shen Jiayu was still her partner.

"Sister Yu, can you be with me? I really like you; I’ve watched every one of your film and television works~"

Bai Fuyuan’s eyes curved into crescent moons as he rested his face in his hands, flashing a doting smile at Yu Zhi.

"Bai Fuyuan, don't you find it disgusting to act like this all day long? Yu Zhi is my partner; what right do you have to cut in?"

To Yu Zhi's surprise, although Shen Jiayu’s tone remained calm, the underlying meaning of his words left her bewildered. His carefully groomed hair fell across his forehead, and there seemed to be a sneer on his lips.

Beside them, Bai Fuyuan continued his assault. "Is it because my sister likes me more? Who doesn't like a sweet baby who is good-looking and sweet-talked?"

Yu Zhi: Heh...

She crossed her arms and leaned against the comfortable back of the chair to watch the show. Suddenly, she felt her sleeve tugged; she turned her head to see Shi Hailing winking at her.

Yu Zhi reached out a finger and lightly hooked her palm as a gesture of comfort.

The history between Shen Jiayu and Bai Fuyuan dated back to when they were dating.

At that time, Shen Jiayu was already somewhat well-known, while she was still running around to various film sets playing bit parts. At one production party, she met Bai Fuyuan, who was the costume supervisor for the crew at the time.

She had only thought of him as a well-behaved younger brother and had even introduced him to Shen Jiayu to provide him with opportunities.

Later? Later, they broke up...

Thinking of this, Yu Zhi looked up and met Li Ze’s eyes, a plan forming in her mind.

"If we calculate, I, Professor Li, and Xia Shuang have already completed our tasks. That leaves the four of you. Why don't you, Shen Jiayu, pair up with Qingqing?"

"Or you could pair with Sister Ling, and let Qingqing pair with Bai Fuyuan. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Although Xia Shuang couldn't stand Yu Zhi, after what had just happened, she wasn't so keen on Gu Qing either. The proud young lady lowered her eyes, as if bestowing a favor. "Shen Jiayu, you are not allowed to be in a group with Gu Qing."

Gu Qing was naturally of low status and influence; she had worked hard to secure a spot on this show. Before she arrived, her manager had already made it clear: she couldn't control Yu Zhi, but she must not offend Xia Shuang.

With a faint smile, she said, "Sister Xia Shuang, everyone is recording the show, so it’s better to follow the program team's arrangements, don't you think?"

Since they didn't want to follow Yu Zhi's arrangement, they would stick to the original grouping so as not to offend anyone.

With the matter settled to this extent, what else was there for the two men to argue about?

After her little wish fell through, Yu Zhi glanced at Gu Qing with a hint of regret, though there would be plenty of opportunities later; a little wait wouldn't hurt.

The short skit was soon underway. Li Ze found an opportunity to sit beside Yu Zhi, and in a spot hidden from the cameras, he leaned in and whispered, "Zhizhi, have you ever thought about seeing me in a place like this?"

Yu Zhi was sitting with her legs crossed in a carefree manner. When Li Ze sat down next to her, he was met with a kick before anything else. After hearing him speak, she rolled her eyes to the heavens. "Li Ze, if you have no face, go borrow one from Bai Fuyuan."

With slender, fair fingers, Li Ze lightly patted his pant leg and let out a muffled chuckle, as if Yu Zhi were a child throwing a tantrum.

"Zhizhi, it’s been a long time, and your temper has grown again. Who were you talking to on the phone earlier?"

Yu Zhi detested how Li Ze would investigate everyone around her. She stood up from the soft sofa and kicked his expensive trousers hard with her five-centimeter boots, leaving him with one final remark: "You're a psychopath, stay away from me."

The commotion drew the attention of the others, and the cameraman hurriedly turned to film them.

"It's nothing. Li Ze said his leg was itchy, so I helped him out."

The performers and the cameraman and staff who hadn't captured any usable footage: ...Do you think we believe you?

Li Ze spread his hands, showing a helpless smile. "Teacher Yu likes to joke, please don't mind her."

Yu Zhi frowned, her fair legs looking as if they might strike again. Li Ze didn't dare to joke further and picked up an object from the sofa to join the others in conversation.