Jiang Xuxu nodded. "That's a pity."
Qi Wu calmly shifted her gaze back to her friends.
How could someone who intentionally trapped himself resonate with what others felt?
*
Within the production team's area, Song Qi held a script in his hands while his eyes were locked in Qi Wu's direction. The pen he held over the script never dipped to leave a mark on the page.
Standing next to him, Qu Man could not suppress the sinister glee rising in her.
"Song, another of your esteemed contestants has made contact with Qi Wu. How do you feel?"
"If she can truly change Tan Song, then she can be considered his savior," Song Qi said.
Qu Man could not resist commenting further. "Technically speaking, Tan Song does not fit the bill for our show. If Ms. Tang had not asked for a favor… She's such a great mentor. Even after all these years, Ms. Tang still thinks highly of Tan Song's potential. I hope Tan Song does go through the needed changes."
Song Qi's voice was filled with nostalgia and regret. "Back when Tan Song first debuted, all the big companies fought over his songs. Who knew that in just a few months after that, he would be stuck."
With an abrupt change in tone, Song Qi turned to ask Qu Man, "Do you think Qi Wu has the power to change him?"
Qu Man clicked her tongue. "Do not set yourself up, Song."
Still, Qu Man turned to look at Qi Wu's figure in the distance as anticipation rang audibly in her voice. "I wonder what miracles await us."
It would be the best day of her life if she could also spot Jin Si interacting with Qi Wu.
Meanwhile, the food that had been cooking on the grill was finally done.
Qi Wu was called over to a nearby table by Jiang Xuxu. Her eyes shimmered with childlike innocence and curiosity as she looked at the table laden with food she had never tasted before.
Pointing to one of the platters, she softly asked, "Are those oysters?"
Tong Luo nodded and explained as she pointed at the plates. "Start by adding minced garlic or any of the other seasonings to it. Give it a try. See if you like it."
Qi Wu did not even hesitate before replying, "I like it."
"You haven't even tried it yet."
"Well, I like it."
Qi Wu's answer was simple yet succinct.
While that filled Tong Luo with embarrassment, she was also eager to see Qi Wu's reaction. She picked up one of the oysters and placed it on Qi Wu's plate.
"Go on. Try it."
"Okay."
Jiang Xuxu and Ke Lu all took turns feeding her, and Qi Wu kindly tried everything they served her.
Her eyes were shining brightly with the satisfaction of having eaten something delicious. Coupled with how beautiful she was, the sight of her happily eating was a feast for the eyes.
About a third of the food on the table went to Qi Wu.
She kept eating until she let out a tiny burp. Her brows immediately furrowed in distress. "Oh, no."
Jiang Xuxu, who was sitting beside her, heard her mumble.
"Oh, no? What is it? Shall I cook more for you?" Jiang Xuxu asked.
Her face was very calm as she had not realized Qi Wu had overeaten.
"I can't eat anymore."
Qi Wu's entire face was twisted in distress as she muttered, "Overeating means being scolded by J—by my debtholder."
The feast she enjoyed had relaxed her so much that she nearly said Jin Si's name out loud.
Jiang Xuxu was not paying too much attention to Qi Wu, so she did not hear that last sentence.
"What did you just say, sweetie?"
Qi Wu shook her head. "I'll get a scolding."
Jiang Xuxu burst out chuckling. "You're already twenty-two. How are you still worried about being scolded? Still, if I were home, I would need to sneak around like a thief even if I just wanted a cup of boba tea."
Jiang Xuxu had logically assumed the person scolding Qi Wu would be her parents. Hence, she did not notice anything off about Qi Wu's reaction.
However, Tong Luo had been sitting on the other side of Qi Wu and had heard every word she said.
Was that a "j" or a "g"?
As in a gentleman caller?
Could it be that the debtholder Qi Wu talked about was actually her… sugar daddy?
For a moment, emotions warred within Tong Luo's eyes.
She was conflicted not because she now knew Qi Wu had a sugar daddy, but because she could not imagine who could be powerful enough to keep Qi Wu as their bird in a gilded cage.
Who could hide the moon away?
Tong Luo blanked out for a few long minutes. It took a while before she snapped back to her senses.
She subconsciously grabbed Qi Wu's arm, causing Qi Wu to turn around with a question in her eyes.
Tong Luo looked into Qi Wu's eyes and swore, "I won't say anything. Don't worry."
Not only would she not say anything about this, but she would also do her best to hide this from everyone else.
After all, who knew if Qi Wu's sugar daddy would negatively affect her career? If Qi Wu accidentally made an enemy of the wrong person, this sugar daddy might end up being a scandal the others would hound Qi Wu for.
She could not let this sugar daddy affect Qi Wu's career!
Qi Wu blinked, feeling even more confused.
She did not understand why Tong Luo was suddenly so agitated.
Just then, Qiu Yan's shrieks filled the air, startling everyone in the area.
"Fire! I'm on fire!"
Qi Wu's pupils shrank.
Qiu Yan leaped from her chair in horror while standing behind her was Tong Fei with unmistakable and uncontrollable glee painted all over her face.
As Qiu Yan darted around the area, the embers falling off her body fell on the grass and started tiny fires.
The other contestants around her ran to the side, horrified and panicking hard.
"Why did the grill topple over all of a sudden?" someone cried out.
"Her clothes are on fire…"
Song Qi's face had gone ghastly pale as he watched from the distance.
"Where are the emergency responders?"
"They're on their way," Qu Man worriedly replied.
Just as she turned to look at the contestants, she spotted something that made her pause. "Qi Wu…"
Splash!
Just as everyone was running away while panicking, Qi Wu had somehow found a water hose and immediately sprayed the area with water.
The tiny fires on the ground were instantly extinguished, leaving behind spots of inky black.
As for Qiu Yan who had just been saved, she was standing there, frozen with shock and staring at Qi Wu with wide eyes.
"Y-You saved me…"
As soon as she said that, Jiang Xuxu and the others came running over from behind Qi Wu.
"Qi Wu!"
The three women hurriedly ran over to her. "How were you so fast? Where did you find the hose?"
Jiang Xuxu was not a physically fit woman, but her worry for Qi Wu was so overwhelming that she was able to keep up with two women who actively exercised.
"Just over there. It only took a few seconds for me to spot it," Qi Wu replied.
"You scared me to death."
Jiang Xuxu heaved a sigh of relief.
Song Qi had not expected Qi Wu to act so fast.
He frowned. "Everyone, stop what you're doing."
Then, he walked over to the group of women.
His face was so dark with fury that Qu Man hurriedly followed him, afraid that something might happen.
The terrified contestants seemed to take comfort in Song Qi's presence, and they carefully observed him.
Song Qi looked around, examining the nearby area. When he spotted Tong Fei hiding among the crowd and angrily grinding her teeth, the frigid look in his eyes intensified.
Eventually, he turned to look at Qiu Yan who was trembling from shock.
"What happened?" he sternly asked in an icy voice.