Chapter 104: Don't Move, I'm Afraid I Can't Help Myself

The live chat erupted in a cacophony of noise; even the staff controlling the comments couldn’t keep it in check. It was truly a bit helpless.

Meanwhile, the partners had been assigned. The first challenge was to gather as many materials as possible and figure out how to survive on the deserted island.

“Dear guests, the more materials you collect, the better the shelter you can exchange for.”

“Now, please cooperate and begin searching for supplies!”

At the planner’s command, five couples split into four teams, each heading off in different directions across the island.

Gu Qingming and Shen Qingli, however, stood rooted in place, causing quite a bit of confusion.

“Why haven’t they left yet?”

“I knew it—Shen Qingli’s definitely going to hold back our brother!”

“Come on, it hasn’t even started. Stop blaming her… Maybe it’ll be the other way around!”

The chat exploded again with arguments, and Gu Linglong, reading through the comments, felt a headache coming on.

“Can this be taken?” A tentative female voice broke through the chatter.

Then everyone saw Shen Qingli boldly pick up an axe, hoisting it onto her shoulder. To a stranger, it might have looked like she was about to go on a raid.

“Ah, not bad.”

The chat praised the production team’s slyness for spotting such an easily overlooked little corner.

Gu Qingming stepped closer. “Sister, let me carry it.”

“No need. Let’s go chop some trees.”

She had noticed that wood was the most valuable material. Since that was the case, it was time for a quick strike.

Watching Shen Qingli stride purposefully toward her goal, Gu Qingming quietly gathered some small items and trotted after her.

There was no hint of a sweet couple vibe between them; rather, it looked like a boss lady leading her younger brother.

At that moment, the camera cut to the other guests. The other ladies were all delicate and feminine, oozing romantic reality show chemistry, instantly sparking fans’ enthusiasm.

However, the idyllic scene was shattered by loud “bang bang bang” sounds, and the camera quickly switched back to Shen Qingli and Gu Qingming.

Upon seeing the scene, everyone fell silent.

Shen Qingli swung the axe with commanding force. “Tsk.”

Growing impatient with the remaining bit, she made one final, powerful chop, and the thick tree trunk crashed to the ground.

“Bang.”

Gu Qingming blinked, then applauded enthusiastically. “Sister, you’re amazing!”

He looked like a devoted little fanboy, while Shen Qingli arrogantly lifted her chin, letting out a proud hum.

---

“What kind of vibe is this?”

“Why does our brother seem so weak?”

“Pfft, what’s with these two? Isn’t this a romance show?”

“Hahaha, that little proud sound from Shen Qingli was priceless!”

The chat suddenly became lively again. Shen Qingli looked at the log on the ground and attempted to drag it away.

Then, as if recalling something, she lowered her hand. The tree thudded onto the earth, kicking up dust.

“Um, I can’t lift this.”

She glanced at Gu Qingming, as if she had just realized she was on a reality show.

Gu Qingming froze, utterly baffled.

If he wasn’t mistaken, it had just been lifted half an arm’s length off the ground.

Naturally, his expression was caught on camera, and the chat burst into laughter. They all shared his incredulous look.

“What kind of plot twist is this…”

“Didn’t expect Shen Qingli to be so strong.”

Together, the two hoisted the wood and placed it before the production team.

Gu Qingming noticed sweat stains on Shen Qingli’s forehead and grabbed some tissues to wipe them.

“Sister, thank you for your hard work.”

The director’s team immediately applied a pink filter to soften the scene, but it was gone in less than a second.

“It’s nothing!”

She raised her hand and wiped her forehead with a bold swish of her sleeve.

Gu Qingming’s hand froze mid-air. “Ah, sister, don’t you remember? This is a romance reality show…”

Shen Qingli was momentarily stunned, then replied with innocent confusion, “Isn’t it… survival?”

Everyone’s mouths twitched—apparently, she only heard what she wanted.

“Well then, you handle it.”

Shen Qingli promptly set the axe down and put on a delicate, gentle demeanor, smiling sweetly at Gu Qingming.

Surprisingly, a faint couple chemistry began to emerge between them.

Time ticked by, and night soon fell. Shen Qingli wasn’t skilled at cooking, so naturally, that task fell to Gu Qingming.

“Can you help me tie this around my waist?”

Seeing the man gesture toward the apron, Shen Qingli nodded, stood up, and wrapped it around him from behind.

Gu Qingming lowered his head slightly, glancing at the hand resting on his waist, a faint smile breaking across his lips.

Of course, the cameras captured the moment.

---

Instantly, this scene ignited the entire live broadcast, and the chat couldn’t stop flooding with messages.

“It looks like it’s not tied properly here.”

Unaware of the online frenzy, Gu Qingming grasped Shen Qingli’s fingers and slowly turned toward her.

“Sister.”

That single word left Shen Qingli frozen.

She looked up and met the dazzling brilliance in his eyes. Realizing it, she quickly withdrew her hand.

“All set, continue!”

She patted his shoulder in a brotherly manner, then turned away to finish preparing the vegetables.

But anyone who saw that moment would think Gu Qingming’s gaze was far from innocent…

Shen Qingli’s eyes flickered, and she said no more.

The variety show wrapped up filming for the day. After the equipment was powered down at night, Shen Qingli returned to the company’s RV. Upon opening the door, she immediately sensed a sharp, chilling atmosphere.

Instinctively, she tried to turn and flee but was grabbed by a pair of large hands and pulled inside.

Their eyes locked. Shen Qingli gritted her teeth.

“Mr. Xie, what are you doing?”

She said flatly, turning her head to avoid looking at the man pinning her down.

But the next second, her chin was grasped, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“You hugged him.”

That statement made Shen Qingli’s eyes flicker.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Mr. Xie.”

The man frowned, sulking as he buried his head in her neck.

Shen Qingli wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but the air seemed to thicken with a sour, jealous scent.

She pursed her lips and said, “Mr. Xie, this isn’t appropriate for us right now.”

“Then what would be appropriate? Like this?”

Xie Jinchuan said, pulling her close into his arms and onto his lap, their posture intimate beyond measure.

“Don’t move. I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist.”

Just as Shen Qingli was about to struggle, his words stopped her in her tracks.