Chapter Thirteen: The Trophy Actress Pretending to Be a Rich Heiress in Modern Society (13)

“Peach Blossom Chronicle” is a modestly popular pastoral variety show, centered around life in a countryside cottage—tending to vegetable gardens and raising chickens and ducks. Aside from the regular cast, each day features a guest star visiting the small courtyard. The regulars are tasked with hosting them, interspersed with various entertainment activities.

The show spans twelve episodes, filmed in segments of three episodes at a time, meaning the cast must stay in the courtyard for three days and nights each shoot.

Recently, due to a surge in online attention and an increase in followers on Weibo, Xian Du attracted several advertising offers. These were mostly for everyday household items and snacks.

Huo Ying let Xian Du choose freely, and without hesitation, she picked out soda, potato chips, gummy candies, and cookies.

After signing on as a spokesperson, Xian Du naturally had to showcase these products on various occasions, which gave her a legitimate reason.

Huo Ying was visibly displeased. Reluctantly, Xian Du agreed to give up everything but the potato chips, insisting firmly on keeping them as her bottom line.

For this shoot of “Peach Blossom Chronicle,” Xian Du’s entire suitcase was filled with bottled potato chips—since the bagged ones were smaller and took up more space.

Of course, all this was done in secret from Huo Ying, with Jin Li acting as an accomplice.

Though the show is a lifestyle program, each guest can bring along an assistant to stay with the production team for any special needs.

Jin Li and Xian Du arrived together, but since Xian Du had a dedicated camera crew, they traveled in separate cars.

“Teacher Jiang, we’re almost at the destination. Once you get off, filming will begin,” the staff explained the schedule while in the car.

Upon arrival, the guests would settle into Peach Garden House, then get acquainted with five other guests. Their sleeping rooms for the night would be decided based on points earned from the day’s tasks. Each morning, after the guests wake up, their rooms are cleaned and restocked with fresh supplies before they compete in new challenges.

Xian Du understood well; competition made the show interesting, and interest brought in the audience.

“All right, Teacher Jiang, we’ve arrived,” the staff said, opening the car door and reaching out to help with her luggage. Xian Du waved off the offer and lifted her suitcase herself.

Peach Garden House, nestled in the countryside, resembled more a tourist attraction than a simple rural dwelling. Rolling hills stretched into the distance. Though it was deep winter and leaves had fallen, snow blanketed the mountains, giving them a soft, sweet appearance, like snow mochi. A small creek, still unfrozen, meandered through a flat clearing where the house was located.

Unlike the concrete jungles of City A, Peach Garden House was a wooden cabin, similar in style to a Nordic lodge, built from whole logs. Behind the house stood fruit trees and livestock pens, while in front lay a vegetable garden, now covered with small greenhouses. A cobblestone path paved with large stones led from the door, with snow swept to the sides.

Xian Du stood at the start of this path.

“Teacher Jiang, filming will begin now.”

Xian Du nodded, making large gestures since her entire head was wrapped in a scarf, rendering her unable to speak. She relied on body language instead.

Pushing her suitcase forward, its wheel suddenly caught on something. Trying to pull it free, she slipped on the slick cobblestone and fell face-first onto the ground.

“Host, are you okay?”

“Teacher Jiang, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. It’s just slippery,” Xian Du replied silently to Wang Cai in her mind, while gesturing to the staff that she was unharmed.

She stood up, brushing herself off, but her clothes were already damp.

The staff tried to help her lift the suitcase, but it was surprisingly heavy—like a block of lead—and nearly pulled the helper down as well.

Xian Du steadied the suitcase and caught the staff’s eyes inadvertently. Both quickly looked away, a bit embarrassed.

“...Teacher Jiang, let’s head inside. Four guests have already arrived. You can change clothes once inside.”

Xian Du nodded and, switching to carrying her suitcase, walked briskly into Peach Garden House, leaving the staff stunned.

“Ah, it’s so warm,” Xian Du said as she placed the suitcase down and untied her scarf to catch her breath.

Inside, a fireplace crackled warmly. Four guests sat chatting on the sofa and turned to greet the newcomer.

Xian Du recognized one of them immediately. “Siyu, you’re here too!”

Yu Siyu, who shared many scenes with Xian Du, had become a good friend over time. Surprised to see Xian Du, she came forward to hug her.

Xian Du immediately pushed her away. “My clothes are wet; don’t get yours dirty.”

Noticing the dampness, Yu Siyu took Xian Du’s hand and introduced her to the others. “This is Jiang Xian Du, a hardworking actress with a great personality. If you have any roles, please consider her.”

The three guests smiled and nodded in agreement.

Yu Siyu then introduced the others: “This is Zhao Shuping, a national second-level actress; this is television host Guo Ke; and this is the esteemed actor Li Huanyuan.”

Xian Du greeted each of them.

Zhao Shuping spoke up, “Don’t just stand chatting—let the young lady change clothes so she doesn’t catch a chill.”

The others agreed.

Xian Du thanked everyone and went to an empty room to change.

[Host, they’re all very nice and warm.]

“Yes, their energy is pure and comfortable,” Xian Du agreed with Wang Cai’s assessment.

“This really seems like a relaxing show, but my star level doesn’t quite match theirs,” she thought as she finished changing and went to open the door.

Suddenly, excited voices came from the living room.

Curious, Xian Du stepped out to see the last guest arrive.

Su Jinnian.

Su Jinnian looked up upon hearing the noise and saw Xian Du.

She was Jin Li’s artist, one of her fans—the person who had successfully emerged from hardship because of him.

Su Jinnian stood from the sofa and shook Xian Du’s hand.

“Greetings, Senior Su,” Xian Du smiled, shaking his hand, though a strange sadness welled up within her—perhaps a residue from the original host.

Highly sensitive to negative energy, Xian Du clearly sensed a lingering aura of decay and death surrounding Su Jinnian.

…

Outside the bidding venue, Bo Yue vented his anger and frustration by striking a tree.

His assistant stood silently nearby, too afraid to speak.

Recently, Bo Yue, heir of the Bo family, had been in low spirits for unknown reasons. The chairman instructed him to handle the family’s business and gave him the overseas medical association bidding project.

Winning this project would elevate both the Bo and Jiang families to new heights.

Yet, whether from unreadiness or bad luck, he had to contend with the Gu family chairman personally participating in the bidding.

Now, he had failed to even get a foothold and was left helplessly taking his frustration out on a tree.

“Mr. Gu!” Bo Yue spotted Gu Qianxi surrounded by bodyguards as he exited the bidding hall. He hurried to call out but was stopped by the guards.

Gu Qianxi raised his hand, and the guards allowed Bo Yue through.

Bo Yue’s doubts grew. There were many more profitable projects, yet Gu Qianxi fixated solely on this one, intercepting all of Bo Yue’s efforts.

Gu Qianxi listened calmly to Bo Yue’s complaints, turning his watch. Those close to him knew this was a sign of impatience.

“Mr. Bo,” Gu Qianxi interrupted, “you should understand that business is no child’s play, nor is it your personal script. If you don’t grasp this, you’d better stick to acting.”

This was Gu Qianxi’s advice to Bo Yue, as well as a selfish desire to keep the game going longer.

If the prize was too easily won, he would lose the thrill of the chase.

Frozen by Gu Qianxi’s cold gaze, Bo Yue watched him leave without a word.

“Brother Yue!” Jiang You’an, warned by Bo Yue not to interfere with Jiang Xian Du after her reputation turnaround, had finally caught up to him.

But Bo Yue was in no mood to respond. He got into a car and left, leaving Jiang You’an to watch him go.

Biting her nails anxiously, she wrestled with her thoughts: What could she do? Without a successful alliance marriage, she would have no shares, let alone access to N-39.

Then the organization would cut off her medicine, forcing her to endure the unbearable torment of countless ants gnawing at her heart—a pain worse than death.