Chapter Four: Gradually Becoming a Couch Potato

"Alright, sir." Song Waning set the hose aside and was about to tidy up the scattered branches and leaves.

The old gardener hurried to stop her. "No need, no need! Our staff will take care of these. You've already worked hard all morning."

There was still some time before lunch, and in the end, the old man couldn't dissuade Song Waning. Together, they finished gathering and cleaning up the branches neatly.

When the staff came to fetch Song Waning, they found her apparently idle, chatting and laughing with the gardener.

He frowned immediately, sneering inwardly. This morning, Song Waning had seemed so confident—he thought she would be capable, perhaps even impressive. Yet now, here she was, lounging in the shade rather than working.

Song Waning sensed someone approaching from behind and turned to see a staff member walking towards her. Upon closer look, she recognized him as the man who had predicted this morning that Young Master Wen would call off her engagement.

Her smile faded slightly at the thought.

The old gardener, oblivious to the subtle tension between the two, patted Song Waning’s shoulder. "Child, since you've finished your task, hurry along to lunch now."

The staff member stared at the gardener in shock and blurted, "What? You said Song Waning finished the task? How is that possible?!"

Earlier, he'd told others she wouldn’t complete her task, even betting five thousand yuan on it. Now, not only had she finished, but she’d done it ahead of time. Where could he hide his face? Who would make up for his wasted money?

Song Waning noticed his hostile glare and her own expression chilled in response.

Was this man insane?

She couldn’t think of any other explanation.

He said nothing more, his face gloomy as he led Song Waning back to the assembly point from that morning.

It was a small garden bordered by rare and precious flowers, with a large open space in the center and a pavilion overhead.

Inside the pavilion stood a long table. When Song Waning arrived, all the other guests were already seated, waiting only for her.

Once she took her seat, Li Weiwei announced, "Now that all guests have arrived for lunch, your meal will be determined by the progress each of you made in completing your tasks."

Yesterday, when the guests checked into the resort, all their belongings were confiscated. Only some clothes for changing and essential items remained. There was no food left at all.

After a while, several staff members brought out the lunches and placed them in front of each guest.

Partners shared their meals: one dish, one meat, one soup, and a bowl of rice.

These were simple, ordinary home-cooked dishes.

The guests, accustomed to delicacies and gourmet fare, frowned at the modest spread.

Some glanced around and noticed that Song Waning had before her a plate of sweet and sour ribs, Kung Pao chicken, shrimp soup, and stir-fried greens. It wasn’t luxurious, but compared to their own meals, hers was clearly superior.

A girl with long, curly brown hair and a sweet, innocent face spoke up, "Director, why are all our meals the same, but Song Waning gets special treatment?"

From the moment she first saw Song Waning yesterday, Shen Yue disliked her. Song Waning had striking features: deep-set eyes, large and round yet with lifted corners, a high nose bridge, crimson lips, and a sharp jawline—her face was alluring and carried a fierce, intimidating aura even when she wasn’t smiling.

The Song family, in terms of status and wealth, couldn’t compare to the Shen family. Yet Song Waning was prettier and carried herself with a sense of independence. On top of that, Jian Anan had complained last night that Song Waning bossed her around under the guise of kindness, making Shen Yue resent her even more.

Li Weiwei replied with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "If you complete today's task, you'll receive the same treatment."

She cast a glance at Song Waning, who was calmly sipping tea.

This behavior caught Li Weiwei off guard. At first, she couldn’t believe it, but both the gardener and the cameraman confirmed that Song Waning had indeed finished all her tasks.

With this development, the show’s popularity was bound to rise…

"What?! How could her task be so easy?" Shen Yue refused to accept it, instantly suspecting Li Weiwei of favoritism.

The other guests gave Song Waning surprised looks. Yesterday, she had seemed frail and weak; everyone had assumed she couldn’t possibly complete today’s task. Especially because it was dirty, tiring, and exposed to the sun.

Jian Anan, in particular, looked pale. Her hands clutched her skirt beneath the table, her eyes filled with disbelief.

How…how could this be? Based on my research and understanding, Song Waning shouldn’t have managed this.

If so, my plan would be ruined.

Song Waning paid no attention to their astonished gazes. After a busy morning, she was famished.

She focused solely on eating.

Li Weiwei, facing doubts, was slightly irritated. "Our show always strives for fairness and justice. If you have doubts, feel free to check for yourself."

"That won’t be necessary…" Shen Yue, though unwilling, didn’t dare show it. Li Weiwei’s identity was not simple; as a director, she could film at the Cloud Deep Resort and invite so many heirs and popular stars, all because her husband was the eldest son of the prestigious Wen family in the capital.

Jian Anan finally calmed herself and spoke, "Sister Shen Yue, since Ning Ning earned it through her own effort, it’s only right. Why not join us for lunch?"

She addressed Shen Yue, but her gaze remained fixed on Song Waning.

Hearing her name, Song Waning finally glanced up from her meal.

This was the same Shen Yue from the novel: Jian Anan’s accomplice, her so-called best friend, who helped her target Song Waning. Truly the face of a snake in human form.

Shen Yue responded and moved her own dish over. The other pair of partners did not follow suit.

Jian Anan smiled at Song Waning, "Ning Ning, won’t you join us?"

"Sorry, I’ve finished," Song Waning replied, finally raising her head and gently wiping her mouth with a napkin.

"?"

Jian Anan, who never cursed, swore inwardly: Damn, how could she eat so fast—why didn’t she choke!

She knew Song Waning disliked others touching her things; yesterday, just touching her luggage had earned her a strong rebuke.

Her face had turned green on the spot.

She had hoped to seize the chance to disparage Song Waning further, but the other woman hadn’t given her any opportunity.

She could only force herself to smile. "Is that so…"

In the afternoon, Li Weiwei started a livestream.

The other guests busied themselves with their tasks, but only Song Waning lay in the same chair from the morning, cradling a cup of hot tea, enjoying the cool summer breeze under the porch.

Viewers in the livestream waited and waited, watching each guest head to their work stations.

Yet Song Waning remained leisurely, and the audience grew restless.

[What’s going on? Doesn’t Song Waning have any work to do?]