Chapter 61: Ugly and Trying Too Hard

As soon as Bai Lu entered the room, she pulled two boxes of cookies and a piece of chocolate from her pocket and thrust them into his hands. "Eat these secretly, don’t let the production crew find out!"

Huo Yanfang asked, "And you?"

He was worried she would end up going without again, just like the previous night.

Bai Lu patted her belly. "I’ve already eaten."

"Open your mouth," Huo Yanfang said.

Bai Lu covered her lips and backed away quickly. "I really have eaten!"

Was she so afraid of being checked? That only meant she was doing the same as last night—going hungry herself so he could eat his fill.

Huo Yanfang didn’t call her out; instead, he tore open the packaging and beckoned her over. "Come eat with me."

Bai Lu’s mouth watered, but she resisted and shook her head. "I’m really not hungry."

Huo Yanfang held a little bear-shaped cookie to her lips.

Bai Lu obediently took a bite. "A’Sui, you eat too."

The girl's soft lips brushed his fingers, delicate and yielding.

Huo Yanfang’s gaze deepened. He was about to feed her again when the "black rabbit" was already at the door handle. "A’Sui, you have to finish all of it. I need to bring some to Xiao Ye and the others—they must be hungry too."

Huo Yanfang was silent.

This caring black rabbit always tended to those around her, yet forgot herself.

He didn’t know whether to praise her for being so considerate or scold her for not knowing how to look after herself.

He slipped the cookies and chocolate into his pocket, washed up quickly, and headed out.

Di Jia’er and Huo Yanfang had rooms across from each other.

As Bai Lu left Huo Yanfang’s room, she ran into Di Jia’er just coming out.

He was momentarily stunned, then recovered quickly with a bright smile. "Little Deer, you really work hard, waking us up on your own. Come on, let’s go find En-ge and Xiao Ye."

Bai Lu returned his smile, sweet as honey. "Okay!"

He was shielding her, afraid she’d get caught up in rumors with Huo Yanfang.

This Di Jia’er was truly a good man.

Lin Ye was still lazing in bed, and Zu Enxin was coaxing him up.

"Xiao Ye, time to get up. Don’t hold up everyone’s schedule."

Lin Ye whined, "En-ge, just five more minutes, please! I’m so tired, I could die."

Standing out of the camera’s view, Bai Lu took the cookies from her pocket and waved them lightly.

A true foodie’s ears never fail—Lin Ye’s eyes flew open. "Sister Deer!"

Bai Lu winked at him. "Hurry up and get up."

Lin Ye sprang upright like a carp leaping from water.

The trailing VJ was speechless.

Well, let’s just pretend I’m blind.

But the live stream viewers were not deaf.

[That’s definitely the sound of snacks.]
[With my years of experience, it’s cookies.]
[Could be rice crackers, too.]
[Hahaha, Bai Little Deer is so sneaky. How did her snacks escape the crew’s inspection?]
[The crew spoils her, not exposing her.]
[If Bai Little Deer dares to give snacks to Shen Xinluo, I’ll stop being her fan!!!]

Bai Lu didn’t disappoint her audience; she never went to Shen Xinluo’s room at all.

Lin Ye was only seventeen, still growing. Zu Enxin and Di Jia’er, the two older brothers, took only a symbolic taste; most of the cookies went to Lin Ye.

Lin Ye was sweet. "Sister Deer, did you eat any?"

Bai Lu nodded. "Mm, I’ve eaten."

It was only the second day, but apart from Shen Xinluo, everyone already felt like family.

They waited for Shen Xinluo in the hotel lobby until 7:05, but she still hadn’t appeared.

Zu Enxin said, "Little Deer, could you check on her?"

The rest were all men; it wasn’t convenient.

Bai Lu had just stood up when Shen Xinluo appeared, makeup flawless and hair perfectly styled.

She was all apologies. "I’m so sorry for being late."

It was only a few minutes, so no one made a fuss.

Di Jia’er frowned, pointing at her high heels. "We’re walking to all the scenic spots. Shouldn’t you change your shoes?"

Shen Xinluo forced a smile. "I only brought heels… Don’t worry, Jia’er-ge, I won’t slow anyone down."

Because of her use of "Jia’er-ge," Di Jia’er’s frown deepened.

But with the cameras rolling, he said nothing.

Zu Enxin announced, "Let’s go, time’s tight."

Four days, eight scenic spots—two to check in at each day.

Unfortunately, the sites were scattered far apart.

Bai Lu had her hair in a high ponytail, a cartoon water bottle around her neck, jeans, a hoodie, and canvas shoes—youthful and fresh.

She skipped to Huo Yanfang’s side and took his large hand. "A’Sui, stick close to me, don’t get lost."

Huo Yanfang wrapped her little hand in his palm. "Alright."

Zu Enxin grabbed Lin Ye’s hand. "You don’t wander off either."

Lin Ye was obedient. "Got it, I won’t get lost again."

Di Jia’er asked, "Again?"

Zu Enxin sighed. "Every time we go perform, he gets lost. The backstage is tiny, but he still manages to disappear, and we all have to hunt him down."

Lin Ye stuck out his tongue.

Bai Lu said, "Next time, we’ll buy you a child’s tracking bracelet—one for you, one for En-ge."

Di Jia’er suggested, "Might as well get a dog leash—it’s cheaper."

Zu Enxin laughed. "I approve."

Lin Ye stomped his foot in protest. "En-ge! Jia-ge!"

Bai Lu laughed till her belly ached. "We’ll get you a leash. That’s what you get for teasing me about my height yesterday."

Lin Ye made a face at her. "Sister Deer, you sure hold a grudge."

"Yes, I do," Bai Lu replied, mimicking his face.

Their laughter and chatter filled the air, but Shen Xinluo trailed behind, out of sync with the group.

The barrage of live comments rolled in:

[She knew it was a trip, but still dressed up like a peacock.]
[Well, she’s not pretty. No confidence, so she has to dress up.]
[Shen Xinluo is really trying too hard.]
[Standing next to Little Deer, she looks so tacky.]
[What a tart.]
[Let’s not compare Shen Xinluo to Little Deer—she’s not worthy.]
[Are the others ostracizing Shen Xinluo?]
[Ostracize her? With that attitude, they’re already being polite.]
[It’s not her fault; she was shoved off the bus early because of the crowd.]
[Mind your words. She’s just a young girl—how can you be so vicious?]
[Oh look, the paid posters have arrived.]
[Where’s the money? Count me in.]
[I give up—say something fair and you get called a shill. Who’s the shill here?]

The debate raged on, but the guests were unaffected.

Everyone else had eaten Bai Lu’s cookies and chocolate, so they weren’t hungry.

Shen Xinluo wanted breakfast, but since no one brought it up, she swallowed her words.

After the first scenic spot, hunger made her dizzy, and her feet ached terribly from walking in heels all morning.

Instead of saying so outright, Shen Xinluo asked, "Little Deer, aren’t you hungry?"

Bai Lu smiled sweetly. "Not at all!"

Shen Xinluo stiffened, then turned to Lin Ye, the biggest eater. "Xiao Ye, do you—"

"I’m not hungry!" Lin Ye was starving, but he gritted his teeth and said, "I’m not hungry, not even a bit!"

Di Jia’er, who loathed two-faced types, spoke bluntly. "If you’re hungry, just say so. We’re a team—no one will let you go hungry. Acting like this is pointless."

Shen Xinluo blinked, aggrieved. "I’m the housekeeper—I just wanted to take care of everyone…"