Chapter 64: Don’t Ask—Just Know I Took in an Unfilial Daughter

Everyone regrouped and set off for the next destination.

Shen Xinluo surreptitiously checked her phone for updates on Weibo and realized she was being thoroughly roasted online. She didn’t even dare to utter a word about being tired; her feet hurt so much that tears welled in her eyes, but she forced herself to stay silent.

She wanted to cry from the injustice of it all, but then Wu Liping’s WeChat message came to mind.

Now she didn’t even dare to cry.

Obediently, she followed behind everyone else, saying nothing, making not a sound, not once complaining about being tired.

The effect was apparent.

On the way back to the hotel, Zu Xinen took the initiative to ask her, “Do you need a hand?”

Shen Xinluo remembered Wu Liping’s advice—be genuine, don’t put on an act.

She nodded. “Sorry, Brother En, I really can’t walk much farther.”

Zu Xinen said nothing, simply reached out in silence to support her.

Shen Xinluo didn’t try any tricks; she kept a proper distance from him.

She really was exhausted. Everyone else was worn out even in sneakers, and yet Shen Xinluo had stubbornly stuck it out in high heels.

Bai Lu was genuinely impressed that Shen Xinluo could keep going—she was a true wolf among men.

Even tougher than the tough ones.

Once they got back to the hotel, Bai Lu grabbed a pair of her own canvas shoes and tossed them to Shen Xinluo. “We’ll be walking even more tomorrow. Don’t hold us back.”

Shen Xinluo said, “Little Deer, thank you so much, really—”

But Bai Lu had already turned and walked away.

She hadn’t gone far when she nearly collided head-on with Qiao Qianyi. Bai Lu blinked, then blinked again.

Wasn’t Miss Qiao supposed to have quit the show?

Why was she back?

At the sight of her, Qiao Qianyi immediately gave a cold snort, turned her head, and strutted off with her suitcase, chin held high.

“Wait a moment.” As they passed each other, Bai Lu called out to her.

Qiao Qianyi snapped, “What? I only have one suitcase now. I don’t need anyone’s help, and I don’t need another lecture from you! If it weren’t for President Yu persuading me, I wouldn’t have come back at all!”

“I don’t care why you came back. I’m just here to tell you: now that you’re back, you need to act as part of the team. That’s the rule.” Bai Lu informed her, “Meet at the entrance at nine. We’re going to dinner.”

“I’m not hungry. I’m not eating,” Qiao Qianyi retorted.

“I’m not inviting you to dinner. I’m telling you. The rule is we move as a group. I don’t care if you’re hungry or not; you’re coming.”

“Bai Lu, you’re just targeting me!”

“Yes, I am,” Bai Lu replied coldly, folding her arms. “No sense of organization, no discipline. You have no idea what teamwork or community means. People like you are exactly who I’m targeting.”

Qiao Qianyi was so aggrieved she could barely speak. “Bai Lu, would it kill you to comfort me a little?”

“I’m not your parent. I have no obligation to coddle you.” Then Bai Lu curved her lips into a sly smile. “If you call me ‘Dad,’ maybe I’ll consider it.”

Without a second thought, Qiao Qianyi said, “Dad.”

Bai Lu was stunned. “What?”

Qiao Qianyi commanded, “Comfort me!”

Bai Lu was speechless. “Forget it. I don’t want a disobedient daughter like you.”

“Bai Lu! You’re shameless! I called you Dad and you still won’t comfort me? Hurry up and comfort me, I’m miserable! President Yu scolded me, my dad called me spoiled, and even my mom’s not on my side anymore. She told me to get back here and said a little hardship would do me good! Good for nothing! You all can’t even afford a decent meal!”

Bai Lu was at a loss for words.

The truth was, Qiao Qianyi was just a pampered heiress, a bit afflicted with princess syndrome, but not a bad person at heart.

In her previous life, Qiao Qianyi had only made trouble for Bai Lu because Shen Xinluo provoked her.

And the way she ended up before had been punishment enough.

Bai Lu sighed. “Forget it.”

“Forget what? You have to comfort me today! If you’d soothed me even once at the airport yesterday, I would’ve trimmed down my luggage for sure!”

“I mean forget it—I’m not going to argue with someone like you. I forgive you.”

Qiao Qianyi glared. “I’m the one forgiving you, so you can comfort me. If you don’t, I’ll never let you off.” She tossed her suitcase aside, plopped down on the floor, and started acting up. “If you don’t comfort me right now, I’ll cry myself to death right here.”

Bai Lu couldn’t help but laugh, tilting her chin up. “Go ahead, let’s see you cry.”

“Bai Lu, you’re heartless and cold!”

“And you’re being unreasonable.”

Qiao Qianyi, looking pitiful, reached out and tugged at Bai Lu’s pant leg. “Would it kill you to comfort me?”

Bai Lu pinched the bridge of her nose. “Alright, be good. I’ll take you to eat.”

Qiao Qianyi held out her hand with a huff. “Help me up.”

Bai Lu was left speechless.

Was she born to be a maid? At home she took care of her father, while filming this variety show she had to look after a pampered young master and now even coax Miss Qiao.

And for some reason, the more she disdained Qiao Qianyi’s princess syndrome, the more Qiao Qianyi clung to her.

On the way to dinner, Qiao Qianyi latched onto her and wouldn’t let go.

Di Jiar couldn’t help but ask, “Little Deer, did you hypnotize Miss Qiao or something?”

Bai Lu replied, “Don’t ask. Just say I picked up an unruly daughter.”

Zu Xinen stifled a laugh.

Lin Ye was more direct, bursting out in exaggerated laughter.

Suddenly, Huo Yanfang stopped in his tracks and refused to move.

Bai Lu called, “Ah Sui?”

Huo Yanfang’s face was expressionless. “I’m tired.”

“Come on, let go.” Bai Lu pried Qiao Qianyi’s hand off, skipped over, and took Huo Yanfang’s hand. “Ah Sui, let me pull you along, okay?”

He nodded. “Mm.”

Qiao Qianyi hurried over and clung to Bai Lu’s other arm. “I want to, too!”

Lin Ye protested immediately, “Sister Deer, you said you’d look after me, but now you’re holding someone else’s hand!”

Bai Lu said, “Alright, alright, I’ll hold everyone’s hand. On the way back to the hotel, I’ll hold yours.”

Lin Ye was satisfied. “That’s more like it!”

The livestream viewers were in stitches.

Di Jiar leaned on Zu Xinen’s shoulder, laughing uncontrollably. “Ah Sui is one thing, but Lin Ye and Miss Qiao look just like kids Little Deer picked up off the street.”

Zu Xinen hit the nail on the head. “Looks more to me like concubines in the imperial harem vying for favor.”

Di Jiar smiled. “Who wouldn’t like Little Deer?”

Zu Xinen said with meaning, “There is someone who doesn’t.”

She almost announced Shen Xinluo’s ID number then and there.

Passing by a convenience store, Huo Yanfang tugged her hand. “I want some water.”

Bai Lu immediately took off the cartoon water bottle slung around her neck and handed it to him. “Drink slowly, it’s still a bit hot.”

Huo Yanfang replied, “Let’s go into the store. I want oolong tea.”

Bai Lu said, “I can buy it for you, but you can’t drink it now. You have to wait until we get back to the hotel and heat it up, okay?”

He nodded. “Alright.”

So Bai Lu went in and bought him a bottle of oolong tea.

The cashier rattled off something and pointed to a small box nearby.

Di Jiar translated, “Any purchase gets you a chance to win a prize. First prize is a hot spring resort voucher, second prize is a Ginza barbecue voucher, and third prize is a car rental coupon.”

Bai Lu’s mouth twitched.

Those were exactly what they needed most…

It was so blatant it was almost laughable!