Chapter 196: A Fatal Punch

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Jing Mo t s face was a canvas of fury. From the moment Lu Shi had neared Xia Xin, Jing Mo l d been itching to throw a punch.

“I’m not that saintly. I lent the bucket to Xu Zhi because we had spares. Sorry, but I don’t have anything extra for you.” Having said that, Xia Xin grabbed Jing Mo’s arm, and they left without looking back, his icy glance the only farewell.

Lu Shi shivered at Jing Mo t s departing look, its loaded meaning stirring unease in his chest.

“How can you do this? It was a chance for us to be on this show together. Can’t we help each other out?” Tian Mei’s shout chased after them.

“Shut up!” Lu Shi snapped, fed up with her incessant noise.

Tian Mei’s lips quivered. “Lu Shi, I just felt sorry for you. They trample over your dignity…”

“Enough!” Lu Shi cut Tian Mei off.

“But it’s the truth,” Tian Mei persisted.

“Do you not realize how ugly and old you are? How can someone your age still act so naively? You’re nothing but a wrinkled old hag!” With that, Lu Shi turned on his heel and strode away.

Tian Mei stood in disbelief, replaying his words. ‘Old and ugly? A hag riddled with wrinkles?’

“Ah!” She let out a shrill scream, stomping her foot before storming off.

The cameraman, only assigned to one group, hesitated between following Lu Shi or Tian Mei. Then came the director’s orders through the walkie-talkie to stick with Tian Mei. Despite her lack of youth and beauty, she was still a woman, and for her safety, it was better to have someone with her. Plus, she was bound to stir more controversy than Lu Shi, whose path they’d make sure was crossed by Jing MO and Xia Xin’s team.

Receiving the director’s hint, Xia Xin and Jing MO were told to pair up with Lu Shi for the tasks ahead.

“Whose contribution counts if the task is completed?” Xia Xin inquired.

“If you complete it, it’s yours. If he does it on his own, it’s his,” the director answered.

“What if he uses my things to complete it?” Xia Xin prodded further.

The director was momentarily speechless at Xia Xin’s persistence.

“It counts as yours! When I say ‘on his own’, it means without any help, including from objects,” the director clarified.

Lu Shi, too, received word from the director and felt a surge of glee. Remembering the direction Xia Xin and Jing MO had headed, he wasted no time pursuing that path.

“Woof.” Drumstick, who had been tailing Xia Xin suddenly called out, “Master, have you forgotten something?”

“Uh?” Xia Xin seemed puzzled.

“You didn’t treat that big white tiger!” Drumstick reminded Xia Xin.

Xia Xin paused, realization dawning on her. She had promised the tiger and had completely forgotten. She patted Drumstick and told Jing MO, “Big brother, my stomach’s really upset. I need to take care of it and might be a while.”

Only by citing a bathroom break could Xia Xin evade the cameras and attend to the tiger’s wounds.

“Alright, take care,” Jing MO responded, giving no indication of disbelieving Xia Xin’s excuse.

Xia Xin departed, and shortly after, Lu Shi arrived.

“Where’s Xia Xin?” Lu Shi asked Jing Mo.

“She had a stomachache and went to take care of it,” Jing MO replied.

‘What a golden opportunity,’ Lu Shi thought. He said, “How can you let her go alone? It’s dangerous here! I must find her!”

Jing MO tripped Lu Shi with a foot and stated emphatically, “She had a stomachache and went to deal with it.”

“A girl going to the bathroom, and you want to follow? Not so pure-hearted, are you?” Jing MO questioned sharply.

“I’m just concerned about her! It’s far too dangerous for her to be alone,” Lu Shi argued.

Jing Mo’s eyes narrowed, a sliver of amusement coloring his voice. “She could knock out a tiger with one punch, while the sight of one turns your legs to jelly.

Who’s the dangerous one now?”

“You…” Lu Shi was at a loss for words. Xia Xin could knock out a tiger with one punch? Since when?

In the distance, the white tiger couldn’t believe its ears. It thought, ‘That woman could knock out a tiger with one punch?’

It backed away, puzzled at understanding human speech. It was a mutated tiger and it understood! It wanted to flee, but here came Xia Xin.

“Where are you hurting? I’m sorry about last night. I got so busy and I forgot,” Xia Xin apologized, unaware of how long the great beast had been waiting..