Chapter 16

Ian nearly fainted from crying, and Jiang Xuan could only hold him and comfort him.

While comforting Ian, Jiang Xuan’s hand inevitably touched Ian’s pants; his palm grew damp, and a wave of disgust arose in his heart.

If it weren’t for so many people around, he would have stripped Ian’s pants off already.

“I—I want to go home. They pushed me, it was them who pushed me. Dad, I’m so scared…” Ian cried out unconsciously.

This caught the attention of the police officers.

The officers were more alert than ordinary people and immediately seized upon the key point in Ian’s words: “Little one, who pushed you?”

Ian stared blankly at the officer, then suddenly buried himself back into Jiang Xuan’s arms. “Dad, I’m scared…”

Jiang Xuan was irritated. “Enough. Who would push him? He’s just a little kid in an unfamiliar place. Who would push him? He’s just a scared child, saying confused things.”

The police captain wanted to press further but was stopped by others. “The child is already so upset, don’t keep questioning him.”

“He’s not their own kid, so they don’t care.”

“Poor thing, just rescued and still being interrogated.”

Other officers quickly urged the captain to let it go.

Lin Yi had somehow returned to the hillside, where most people were gathered below, leaving only a few scattered above.

“What are you looking at?” Qin Siyuan’s voice suddenly appeared behind him.

Lin Yi paused briefly, then turned calmly. “Footprints.”

Qin Siyuan walked to his side. “What do you see?”

“Here, here, and here. Although some footprints are overlapped, you can still tell that children between seven to twelve years old have been here.” Lin Yi pointed at the prints and spoke seriously to Qin Siyuan.

He answered every question Qin Siyuan asked.

Qin Siyuan immediately noticed the issue: local villagers had come to help search but hadn’t brought children, since it was still early and most kids hadn’t gotten up.

The only children in the group were himself, Lin Yi, and Yang Bo.

Qin Siyuan said, “It’s also possible that children from the fishing village had played here before or just passed by.”

Lin Yi looked at him. Given Qin Siyuan’s words and Ian’s earlier cries, it was clear he suspected Ian was telling the truth.

Lin Yi followed the disorganized footprints, speaking as he walked. “These prints show disorder and chaos. They were probably running.”

“Ian’s arm and face have slight scratches—obviously from the night before.”

Qin Siyuan was smart but felt outmatched by Lin Yi’s more mature and steady way of thinking.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, would he have believed Lin Yi was only seven?

Some things come not from intelligence, but from rich experience.

For instance, being able to make a vine rope quickly and timely to save someone when no one else noticed.

Lin Yi thought that if they could find the origin of the footprints, they might understand what happened last night.

He continued along the trail until suddenly his wrist was grabbed.

Lin Yi turned; Qin Siyuan was looking closely at his hand.

“Bleeding,” Qin Siyuan said.

There were many tiny wounds.

The only relief was that no sharp splinters had penetrated.

Lin Yi said, “It doesn’t hurt.”

Qin Siyuan said, “We’re kids. Some things you don’t have to do.”

After speaking, he looked at the two police officers following them.

The officers scratched their heads awkwardly. “Well, leave the next steps to us.”

Lin Yi nodded. “Uncle, can you ask which kids were not home last night?”

The officers exchanged glances. Could it really have been the village kids?

Why would these kids target Ian?

Was it premeditated or a sudden impulse?

They needed to investigate.

*

Ian was sent to the hospital, with Jiang Xuan accompanying him.

The remaining five groups of guests had to continue filming the show.

The tour guide announced, “Due to personal reasons, Jiang Xuan and little Ian will be absent for the second half of the first episode.”

Viewers waiting for the broadcast heard this and were very dissatisfied.

“What personal reasons? Explain clearly!”

“Shameless production team, apologize to our Xuan Ge.”

“So, am I the only one curious why Ian disappeared?”

“Wow! Finally, we get to see Yi Bao again! Yi Bao’s amazing, Mommy loves you!”

“I think Yi Bao shouldn’t be on a kids’ variety show. He’s totally fit for a jungle survival show!”

“I can’t tell if the comments above are fans or haters. Letting a seven-year-old do jungle survival—is that something a normal human thinks up?”

“Your main guy wanders the mountain forest like that, doesn’t look like a seven-year-old at all.”

“My baby is excellent—what’s wrong with that?”

“You all are making my eyes hurt. Can we just watch the live stream in peace?”

The tour guide continued, “Next, I announce the winners of the fishing competition: contestant number one, Yi Bao, and Nora!

“Congratulations to both children.”

The production staff handed an enormous fruit and vegetable pack to Lin Yi and Nora.

Without Jiang Xuan present, the atmosphere was much more harmonious.

Yang Xing was well-behaved; without Jiang Xuan, he didn’t dare to make a scene.

Yang Bo glanced at him, a hint of sarcasm flashing across his face.

The guide said, “The production team will not provide food today or tomorrow.”

Zhong Qi and He Tong were only slightly surprised, showing no other reactions.

After all, they had just received a huge fruit and vegetable pack, which also contained meat. Even if the production team provided no food for the next four days, they would be fine.

Xie Yu raised an eyebrow. “So, the rest of us need to work to earn food?”

Probably cleaning or helping with farm work.

The guide smiled, “Yu Jie, you’re smart, but that’s just one way to get food.

“This method only gets limited food. For example, working four hours earns only one meal.

“Plus, villagers will rate your work. If they’re not satisfied, you won’t get food.”

Xie Yu, Xi Lan, and Yang Xing frowned simultaneously—that made things harder for them.

They weren’t good at farm work and now had to please the villagers; clearly, it was a challenge.

Yang Xing asked, “You said that’s one way—are there other ways to get food?”

The guide grinned. “Of course. You could consider working long-term for Yi Bao and Nora. That way, you can also earn food.”

“Wow, the production team really knows how to play—setting conditions and restrictions on working for villagers, waiting for this moment all along.”

“Yi Bao and Nora are about to become little landlords.”

“Looking forward to seeing Master Yi Bao and Brother Yan as long-term workers!”

“Wow, you all are so mean. Will Yi Bao wear a long robe and Yan Ge coarse cloth?”

“The chat seems to have some strange creatures mixed in.”

At this moment, Yang Xing almost couldn’t control his expression. He absolutely wouldn’t let Zhong Qi or He Tong boss him around!

Especially He Tong, whose smile was nearly ear to ear.

Xie Yu and Xi Lan thought it was great, since working for Zhong Qi and He Tong was easy and came with food.

Xie Yu linked arms with He Tong. “Hey, little Tong, tired? Want Yu Jie to massage you?

“Or maybe Yu Jie can sing a song for you?”

“Ha ha ha, Xie Yu gets into character so fast! But if she sings, it’ll be worth my three days of watching the livestream.”

“Yu fans reporting! Heard Yu Jie is going to sing?”

“Is Yu Jie going to hold a concert?”

“Heard Yu Jie’s releasing a new song?”

The chat was lively, and though Xie Yu was said to have many career-minded fans, they were surprisingly cheerful.

Xi Lan was a bit anxious. What could she do?

She couldn’t exactly audition on the spot.

Yang Xing forced a smile. “Yu Jie, Xi Jie, I think the vegetable pack won’t feed all of us. Bo and I will look for some work.”

Yang Bo glanced at him but didn’t want to leave.

He thought Yang Xing was crazy. If he could flatter Jiang Xuan, why not befriend Uncle Zhong and Aunt He?

But in front of Yang Xing, he had no choice.

Yang Bo was led away by Yang Xing.

The director frowned deeply. Was there something wrong with Yang Xing?

Making other guests work for the winners was just a gimmick—not really meant to make him a servant!

The director only wanted the remaining days of episode one to proceed quietly, without more trouble.

Otherwise, the show’s future would be uncertain.

Originally, the director welcomed Jiang Xuan stirring up trouble—conflicts among guests made the show interesting.

But now with Lin Yi around, there was no need to worry about ratings.

In fact, Ian’s fuss made the director wish the show’s popularity would drop even more.

So they devised a way for everyone to get along happily. But Yang Xing refused to cooperate?

Fine. The director told the assistant director, “Cut back Yang Xing’s group’s screen time. Switch away quickly if anything’s off.”

The production team couldn’t afford more chaos.

The director was confident the other four groups would be fine.

Yet those four groups sparked another major sensation!

The director said, “I’ve been busy since before dawn. I’m exhausted. I’ll rest a bit. Call me if anything happens.”

At this time, the four groups gathered in the courtyard of House One.

Since Jiang Xuan and Ian were no longer participating in episode one, this house was designated as the new gathering spot after discussion.

He Tong smiled, draping her arm around Xie Yu’s shoulder. “Yu Jie, lunch is up to you and Xi Jie this time.”

Xie Yu chuckled with a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

He Tong was unafraid. “Sometimes, choice is greater than effort. I don’t want to win by luck, but when luck comes, you can’t stop it.”

She kissed Nora on the cheek. “You’re amazing, little one. Lucky you got the number one ball.”

Nora expressionlessly wiped the drool from her face. “Mommy, aren’t you worried that what goes around comes around?”

He Tong smiled, “You know ‘what goes around comes around’? So smart.

“Then let me teach you another saying: ‘When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest.’ Good luck doesn’t last forever, but now is the time to enjoy happiness.

“Otherwise, wouldn’t it be wasting good fortune?”

She glanced at Lin Yi, her eyes curved in a smile. “It would also waste Yi Bao’s efforts.”

Lin Yi listened thoughtfully.

Until Nora was pulled away by Mianmian to play, and He Tong was called by Xie Yu, he still hadn’t come back to himself.

Qin Siyuan waved his hand in front of him. “What’s wrong? Why are you standing here daydreaming?”

He tapped Lin Yi’s forehead with his polished index finger.

Lin Yi said, “Qin Siyuan, do you need a friend?”

“You don’t want me by your side, but how can a shadow guard not follow his master?”

Qin Siyuan’s first reaction was a brightening of his eyes, but when he saw Lin Yi’s gaze, the happiness faded.

He frowned. “I don’t need friends.”

Lin Yi: ……

There are still four days left in this episode. If he can’t be friends with him now, will they hardly meet again?

Brother Zhong Qi said the Qin family was special; without the show, they might never have met at all.

How could he not need friends?

Xie Yu appeared behind them unexpectedly. “Yi Bao, you don’t have to be friends with him. He’s your little long-term worker now; you can make him do whatever you want.”

Lin Yi’s eyes widened, mouth opening in surprise.

Huh? How could he let his master make him a servant?