Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
âYouââ Tian Meiâs face flushed with irritation. Sheâd hoped to slip into the group unnoticed, but Xia Xin called her out, and that set her on edge.
âWhether Iâm crying or not, Xia Xin, shouldnât you be explaining why you always seem to single people out?â Tian Mei retorted.
Xu Zhi frowned. âXia Xin hasnât targeted anyone. Her love life is her private affair, and sheâs under no obligation to share it. On the other hand, youâve been taking jabs at her repeatedly, Tian Mei. Care to explain?â
âIâ¦â Tian Mei started, her voice breaking as if she was on the brink of tears again.
âOh, spare us the waterworks. Youâre only making yourself more unlikable,â Zhou Lian snapped. âIf you canât behave, Iâm going to talk to the director about whether itâs you who should leave or us. I donât think I can take eleven days with someone like you.â
Xu Zhi was a guy and, even in his anger, he tempered his words. This was the harshest thing he could think to say. But Zhou Lian was different; she didnât like Tian Mei either. Tian Mei had consistently been a burden, hampering their task completion rate. It was infuriating.
The director sensed the atmosphere turning increasingly tense and grew anxious. Tian Mei was brought on by Lu Shi, who was an investor in the project. The director couldnât just ask her to leave, but the artists on set were becoming visibly angry. Resigned, the director gestured for the crew to bring Tian Mei aside, hoping to realign her attitude.
âMiss Tian Mei, since you were recommended by Lu Shi, your behavior reflects
his judgment. You could stand to be a bit more gracious,â the director advised, tiptoeing around the issue.
âBut I donât see anything wrong with my attitude. All my questions are legitimate,â Tian Mei feigned ignorance, tilting her head quizzically.
âBesides, donât you think Xia Xin is a bit too theatrical?â she added.
The director held his tongue. He thought Tian Mei was the theatrical one, but he kept that opinion to himself. âMiss Tian Mei, if you canât adjust your attitude, then thereâs no point in continuing the filming,â he said, sternly.
Tian Meiâs eyes welled up again. Rolling his eyes, the director finally understood why the other artists found Tian Mei so off-putting.
âI am talking about work. If we canât continue this conversation productively, then letâs not have it at all,â the director said icily.
Realizing sheâd angered the director, Tian Mei quickly composed herself. âIâm sorry, Director. I promise to control my emotions during the rest of the filming and put my best foot forward.â
The director wanted to tell Tian Mei that itâd be better if she didnât put any foot forward at all, but he held back.
âIf thereâs nothing else, Iâll return and join the group,â Tian Mei said.
âJust control your emotions, no need to show off,â he waved her away.
Tian Mei thanked the director and rejoined the group, her face red as the other artists eyed her skeptically. She bit her lip, holding her head low, saying nothing.
âHmph,â Zhou Lian snorted, choosing to ignore Tian Mei.
Everyone else did the same, resuming their games. After another round, the director announced that they could vote for two team leadersâone for the guys and one for the ladies. Starting tomorrow, the groups will collaborate on tasks.
Xia Xin shot the director a puzzled look. âDidnât he know that this island was dangerous for three ladies to be on their own?â
The director wiped the sweat from his forehead, clutching his phone. Heâd just received demands from the investors and it was their request.
Once filming wrapped for the day, Xu Zhi approached the director. âSending three ladies out on their own is too risky. This island is only safe around our campsite. I donât support sending the ladies out,â he stated. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI never said the ladies would go out alone. Theyâll just be in a separate team from the men. As for the details, you can discuss those tomorrow,â the director replied.
Xu Zhi pondered for a moment before saying, âAlright.â
As Xu Zhi returned, Zhou Lian inquired, âWhat did the director say?â
Xu Zhi relayed the directorâs words. âWeâll discuss the specifics once everyoneâs up tomorrow..â