Chapter 33 - Twinkling Stars

Chapter 33: Chapter 32: Twinkling StarsFollowing the local guide, the path became increasingly difficult for the group to traverse.

Towering trees, entwined vines, and lush flowers and plants wove together into a verdant labyrinth.

Walking through the maze, Ye Qiu saw some lively little monkeys jumping around, colorful birds flitting by, and, of course, snakes, insects, mice, and ants that made Li Yaxin scream incessantly.

The air was rich in oxygen, and the mingling sounds of various insects and birds were both frightening and pleasing. However, due to the recent rain, the rainforest was hot and humid. Despite this, everyone heeded the locals' warnings and wore long clothes, only their eyes were uncovered.

Nevertheless, the production team was afraid of complications in such a location and ultimately chose a site that didn't pose too much hardship on them.

The campsite was beside a small stream about three to four meters wide. The water was somewhat muddy because of the rain, but the occasional sight of fish traces was a delightful discovery for everyone.

It was now noon, and the guide, following cues from the production team, left, leaving the eight to survive on their own.

Yi An, having had experience from building shelters last time, stayed behind with Xiao Hua. Bo Rong, after much consideration, decided not to venture out.

Ye Qiu, as usual, started a fire for the group and then went with Li Yan, Lin Cheng, and Du Fei to look for food.

Left behind, Li Yaxin looked at Bo Rong and then at Ye Qiu and their group before ultimately deciding to stay.

Li Yan sneered softly but so quietly that no one heard except Ye Qiu. Everyone accepted Li Yaxin's decision without objection.

However, the online audience was much more critical. Li Yaxin's almost clingy gaze towards Bo Rong made viewers uncomfortable. Furthermore, her reputation was already poor, and fans were anxious about Bo Ying's image. Some extreme fans cursed her vulgarly in the live comments.

In their second survival outing, the group's popularity had changed significantly.

Bo Rong's live viewing numbers remained in the first place. Ye Qiu's popularity surged, ranking him third after Li Yan, occasionally surpassing her. As for the newcomer Du Fei, she ranked last. Li Yaxin, despite having many detractors, unexpectedly ranked fifth, ahead of Xiao Hua and Lin Cheng, due to her controversial notoriety.

Compared to their last island trip, the rainforest offered abundant food sources. Walking along the stream, they not only spotted fish jumping from the water but also found numerous wild fruits and vegetables.

An even better surprise awaited them further on. Beyond a small thicket, they came upon an open piece of land with a dilapidated wooden cabin that had clearly been inhabited once, but was now overgrown with weeds and abandoned due to the long passage of time.

But this discovery was still a cause for joy. The damaged cabin couldn't be inhabited, but its usable planks could be taken to construct their campsite. The flat land in front of the cabin also had cassava and some vegetables left by the previous resident, significantly reducing the pressure of food foraging.

The group split up to work, with Ye Qiu and Li Yan gathering cassava and vegetables, while Lin Cheng and Du Fei collected useful wooden planks. Due to the murky stream water, they all refrained from fishing.

Upon returning to camp, Ye Qiu noticed the tense atmosphere. She exchanged glances with Xiao Hua, who winked at her, signaling towards Bo Ying and Li Yaxin.

Seeing that Brother Bo's mood was volatile and Li Yaxin appeared awkward and angry, everyone understood that she had annoyed Brother Bo and had been reprimanded.

Li Yan laughed and pretended not to notice. Ye Qiu and Lin Cheng were not meddlers, but Du Fei, possibly because she was new, went over to offer comfort.

When it was time for the evening meal, the awkward atmosphere was dispelled by Yi An's effort to lighten the mood. However, Li Yaxin no longer dared to sit next to Bo Rong.

Because the rainforest was abundant with food and not monotonous, aside from Li Yaxin's occasional affectation and unwillingness to work, the five days flew by much more comfortably than on the island.

After five days of live streaming, Li Yaxin's popularity fluctuated up and down, but seeing her unchanged complexion, this was probably just what she needed!

As long as it doesn't involve them, others have no right to interfere with her choices!

However, after the show, Ye Qiu saw that not only Bo Ying and Xiao Hua, Du Fei were used by her for publicity stunts, but even Li Yan and herself were not spared from comparisons, she felt utterly helpless.

"Brother Du, I want to participate in the wilderness survival show." Lin Feifei looked at her mobile phone, five out of the top ten trending topics on Weibo were related to the wilderness survival stars, and even Li Yaxin, who was poorly received by netizens, had successfully stirred up her popularity and traffic.

She firmly believed she definitely wouldn't perform worse than Li Yaxin, and even Ye Qiu, wasn't she made known to the whole country through this program? Thinking this, a fierce desire flickered in Lin Feifei's eyes.

"Now, there are too many stars wanting to join this program, we're not qualified enough," Du Siqi said coldly, unless...

Seeing his malicious gaze, Lin Feifei lowered her head, her fingernails digging fiercely into her flesh, a fierce look flashing by.

Du Siqi had handled many young artists before, how could he not be familiar with such expressions from Lin Feifei? The only difference was that she disguised it better, but so what if she resented him? The controls were all in his hands, could she really turn things upside down? Moreover, when it comes to deals, didn't she also benefit from them?

Du Siqi didn't take Lin Feifei's hatred seriously, but indeed she had more assets than the artists he handled before, so there was no harm in appeasing her for the time being.

Du Siqi chuckled lightly, speaking gently: "Don't be so down, the entertainment industry is like this, it's no big deal. So many artists with talent and looks don't even get a chance to be seen, you know that. As long as there's a chance, with your ability, you're bound to become hugely popular."

After a thought, Du Siqi casually added: "Anyway, once you've done it the first time, what does it matter if there's a second time."

Heh... this person who seems refined and considerate on the surface, has a vile demon lurking inside him! Lin Feifei sneered in her heart, what did he mean 'once you've done it the first time, there will be a second time'? If he hadn't manipulated things that time, she wouldn't have...

Remembering that night, Lin Feifei felt so nauseated she almost threw up her dinner.

But who made her naively trust this beast in the first place?

And now that she was no longer pure, without money, without connections, what could she do?

Lin Feifei's gaze inadvertently glanced at the information about Ye Qiu on her phone screen, a trace of ridicule flashing by. She had traded that one night for the lead role in a campus drama, so what about Ye Qiu?

What had she given in exchange for Emperor Xiang, Star Hero, and the survival show resources? It must be even less bearable than hers!

There's no difference between any of us!

With these thoughts, Lin Feifei raised her head, looking directly at Du Siqi and said calmly: "You arrange it."

Hearing this, Du Siqi laughed again: "That's more like it!"