"When I have money later, I'll also take the kids back to the countryside. In the city, I've almost forgotten what stars look like.
It seems nice to occasionally experience a slower pace of life. A yard, adults leisurely cooking, children playing carefree.
You're all lamenting life, but I'm different. Watching Fang Miaomiao grill makes me drool. Her technique is so skilled, I almost forget she used to be a pampered young lady. Shouldn't rich girls' hands be unsoiled by worldly matters? Why do I find that less and less true?
Actually, I've suspected this for a while. For these past two episodes, I felt Fang Miaomiao wasn't the unscrupulous person others described. Without the hateful comments, I find myself quite fond of Fang Miaomiao. She's diligent, beautiful, and I haven't heard her complain about anything.
Stop debating. Time will reveal the truth and whether it's an act. While you're still arguing, I've already ordered my barbecue. Rounding down, it's like Fang Miaomiao grilled it for me, hahaha.
Cui Mantong took a bite of the grilled leek and her eyes lit up. She gave a thumbs-up and said, "Miaomiao, your skills are absolutely incredible."
"Bring the dishes to the table. It's this late; the children must be hungry."
"Right away, right away."
Fang Miaomiao grilled, while Cui Mantong and the others brought the dishes to the table.
"Director, I've grilled all the meat dishes. Everyone, come and try them. The vegetables are easy to grill, so you can all do it yourselves," Fang Miaomiao said with a raised eyebrow. "After all, I need to conserve my energy and wait for your next task, Director."
"Hahaha." Chen Tianming had been swallowing his saliva from the tempting aroma while grilling. He truly hadn't expected Fang Miaomiao to grill for the staff as well. "This makes us feel rather embarrassed, doesn't it?"
"It's fine," Fang Miaomiao handed Chen Tianming a grilled chicken leg, sizzling with juice.
The aroma of the chicken was captivating.
Chen Tianming, while saying, "How could I possibly accept?" was quite honest with his actions.
He took a large bite, ignoring the heat, and exclaimed, "Delicious! Miaomiao, your cooking is truly amazing."
With such skill, if she were a chef, her restaurant would be fully booked every day.
"Since we've eaten, Director, could you consider telling us what tomorrow's task is in advance?"
Chen Tianming: "..."
Could he spit out the piece of chicken he just ate? He had planned to announce it tomorrow morning, but now, how awkward.
"Director, you know, it's really not a big deal if you tell us now," Fang Miaomiao said, pointing to the table full of seafood barbecue. "After all, a piece of information in exchange for all this delicious food isn't really a loss, is it?"
Chen Tianming rolled his eyes. It did seem to make some sense. It was already dark, and they didn't have much money, so they wouldn't go into the city to buy supplies overnight.
Thinking this way, he felt a bit more at ease.
"The next task requires you to be self-reliant."
Fang Miaomiao's smile froze, and even Cui Mantong, who was serving food to the staff by the table, looked at Chen Tianming warily.
"Director, what do you mean by that?" Fang Miaomiao flashed Chen Tianming a sweet smile.
However, that smile somehow felt chilling.
Chen Tianming looked around. The two assistant directors shamelessly looked away. He glared at them angrily. When the idea had suddenly struck him, these two had been egging him on, even offering many suggestions for this wilderness survival show.
Yet, at the critical moment, they abandoned him.
"Well, we've found a really great small island, so we're having a three-day island party," Chen Tianming assured them. "Don't worry, we've scouted the island, and nothing will go wrong. We also have a team following."
"What about supplies?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Tianming looked around again, his earlier assertiveness deflating. "No, no supplies."
Fang Miaomiao: "..."
Could she make Chen Tianming spit out the chicken leg he had eaten?
"Director Chen Tianming, isn't what you're doing a bit unethical?" Cui Mantong also chimed in.
"It's to ensure the authenticity of the show, isn't it?" Chen Tianming took a step back guiltily.
Good heavens, these two women looked formidable. He shouldn't have betrayed himself for a bite of food.
"Yes, Director. While we greatly respect the production team's decisions and methods, and we truly acknowledge your excellent work," Zhou Jiaxin's tone shifted. "However, surviving on a deserted island for three days with no supplies is not ideal. We adults can handle it, but don't forget, we have children with us."
Chen Huan, although silent, picked up a small knife and began to cut the chicken leg.
Her demeanor suggested she might dismember him.
Chen Tianming swallowed and instinctively replied, "It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! Of course, there are supplies. Do you think our production team is that heartless? The two assistant directors initially suggested not providing supplies, but I strictly refused. It's a show, not a life-or-death situation, right?"
The four women exchanged glances and then smiled knowingly.
Chen Huan placed the meat she had cut into each child's bowl.
"Oh, Teacher Chen, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and eat. This barbecue will be bad if it gets cold."
"Heh heh." Chen Tianming wiped a bead of sweat that wasn't there. "I'm eating, I'm eating."
Cui Mantong moved closer to Fang Miaomiao and chuckled mischievously, "Miaomiao, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"
She knew that Miaomiao would rather sit than stand, so why would she actively cook if not for a reason? If she took the initiative, there must be something up.
"The director set a trap first. If I didn't retaliate, wouldn't that be letting him off too easily?" Fang Miaomiao gave Cui Mantong a meaningful smile.
Cui Mantong gave her a thumbs-up. "Brilliant, truly brilliant."
After the meal, the children went back to sleep, while the adults sat in a row in the yard, one after another.
"What are you doing?" Chen Tianming's eyes twitched. These women were like empresses.
Cui Mantong cupped her face in her hands and said innocently, "Looking at the stars. There are so many beautiful stars in the sky. We haven't seen such beautiful stars in the city for a long time."
Chen Tianming: "..."
Looking at the stars is one thing, but can you please stop casting meaningful glances at him? He had already sent someone to buy supplies.
He vowed never to act on impulse again. He couldn't outwit these cunning women. With just a barbecue, they not only tricked him into revealing tomorrow's task but also made him spend a fortune on supplies, buying them overnight!