Many people online began to speak up for Luo Ning, feeling that Bo Xiangxiang was somewhat inconsiderate of others' feelings.
Having just finished her meal, Luo Ning suddenly noticed several wisps of white energy, visible only to her, dissipating from Bo Xiangxiang’s body.
This was Bo Xiangxiang’s "luck." Did this mean that as long as this woman failed to hook men or failed to step on and suppress other female stars, her luck value would slowly weaken?
In the book, Bo Xiangxiang’s greatest cheat was her deep, heaven-favored luck. She was like a siren; outstanding men would recklessly throw themselves into her sea, doting on her as a group and supporting and protecting her from behind the scenes.
As for the women who stood against Bo Xiangxiang, their endings were naturally miserable.
Because of this, Bo Xiangxiang was exceptionally popular with men but had very poor relationships with women. Any other woman who appeared alongside her was either cannon fodder or a supporting character—in any case, just a stepping stone.
Luo Ning’s lips curled up slightly. She had found a way to break Bo Xiangxiang’s cheat.
She placed her hands on her lap under the table and, out of sight of the cameras, formed a hand seal, casting a void "Bad Luck Talisman" onto Bo Xiangxiang.
Given the powerful "book power" and deep luck Bo Xiangxiang possessed, the talisman wouldn't make her truly miserable, but it would ensure things no longer went so smoothly for her, slowly whittling away her luck.
It would also make it much harder for her to siphon luck from her female companions.
Now that the book power that had imprisoned this world had vanished, Luo Ning believed that the inexplicable, brain-dead behaviors people had exhibited in the book would likely no longer occur.
There was a one-hour break after lunch, and everyone returned to their rooms to prepare for a nap.
The men’s rooms were on the second floor, and the women’s were on the third, with each person having their own room.
Naturally, the nap time wouldn't be broadcast, so there were no cameras in the hallways or rooms.
Su Qinglan’s room was at the very front. She exchanged a greeting with Luo Ning before heading inside.
Luo Ning’s room was in the middle. Just as she opened her door, Bo Xiangxiang suddenly spoke up from behind her: "Luo Ning, there’s something I want to explain to you."
Luo Ning turned around and looked at her expressionlessly. "If you’re talking about the trending search, there’s no need."
Bo Xiangxiang put on a helpless and innocent expression. "You’ve misunderstood. There’s nothing between Brother Heng and me. I ran into some trouble that night, and he kindly offered to help me."
Luo Ning let out a scoff. "Are you here to explain, or to show off and stir up trouble?"
"There are no cameras here, and Ji Xingheng isn't around, so you really don't need to play the 'white lotus' or 'green tea bitch' act with me. I’m not a man; I’m not going to fall for that."
Seeing Bo Xiangxiang’s face change, she added, "Even if I’ve broken up with Ji Xingheng, it’s not your turn to pick up the scraps. If you don't believe me, you can try and see if he’ll actually hook up with you."
Although Ji Xingheng was a jerk, in her previous life, until the day she died, he and Bo Xiangxiang had never crossed that line.
Now that the luck force on Bo Xiangxiang was slowly diminishing and no longer influencing or binding those around her, she believed Ji Xingheng would be even less likely to act brain-dead and blind enough to be with a woman like this.
After hearing Luo Ning’s words, Bo Xiangxiang’s expression shifted again. She stopped acting innocent and said, "Fine, then let’s wait and see who he ends up standing with."
Although Ji Xingheng hadn't shown any intention of being more than friends, he was very good to her; he always appeared whenever she had a problem. She didn't believe she couldn't win him over.
When that time came, she would wait for Luo Ning to cry and regret everything.
Luo Ning scanned Bo Xiangxiang from head to toe and said with biting sarcasm, "With your looks, if Ji Xingheng could actually bring himself to bite, it would just prove he’s too blind."
"Even though I’ve broken up with him, I don't think he’s that unpicky. If you don't believe me, go ahead and try."
Bo Xiangxiang had deliberately pretended to be innocent to explain that there was nothing between her and Ji Xingheng, but in reality, she wanted to show off that he had taken the initiative to help her, hoping to provoke Luo Ning into doing something irrational during the afternoon program.
Now, Luo Ning returned the favor. Without another word, she stepped into her room and closed the door.
Sure enough, Bo Xiangxiang was so angry her face turned green. This woman actually looked down on her looks—how excessive!
She clenched her hands tightly. She was determined to prove to Luo Ning who Ji Xingheng would choose.
In her heart, Ji Xingheng was already hers for the taking.
An hour later, the eight guests descended the stairs one after another.
The director was already waiting in the courtyard. "This afternoon, you will walk around the village. Villagers who need help will post tasks at their front doors. If you complete them, you can exchange them for food as payment."
"There might be quite a bit of physical labor, so I suggest you work in groups."
Wei Yao asked, "How should we group up?"
"That’s up to you. Pairs or groups of three are fine. It’s best if the three ladies are split up; men and women working together makes the work less tiring." The director felt that mixed-gender groups were more likely to create topics.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Xingheng looked at Luo Ning and said, "Let’s be in a group."
Bo Xiangxiang: "..."
Ji Xingheng hadn't taken the initiative to choose her. Thinking of their conversation at noon, her face stung a little.
Luo Ning shook her head and replied coldly, "No thanks. I won't be leeching off Teacher Ji’s traffic."
She had broken up with Ji Xingheng for real, so naturally, she didn't want to be entangled with him in any way.
Ji Xingheng’s face darkened, but he didn't feel the usual impatience or anger; instead, he felt a tight, suffocating sensation in his chest.
"It’s fine, I’m letting you leech off me." He wanted to have a proper talk with Luo Ning, and grouping up was a perfect opportunity.
When he said this, everyone present was surprised.
Everyone knew a little about the trending search, and they all assumed, as the internet said, that Luo Ning’s manager had been bundling them together for hype, so Luo Ning had indeed actively leeched off Ji Xingheng’s popularity.
But looking at Ji Xingheng’s attitude and expression now, he didn't look like he disliked Luo Ning at all.
He had even said something as proactive as "I’m letting you leech off me." They suddenly felt there was some juicy gossip to be had.
Luo Ning knew that when Ji Xingheng doted on someone, he really doted on them, and when he was a jerk, he was a real jerk.
Before he entered the entertainment industry, he would complain about her with his mouth but actually dote on her in reality. But a broken mirror could not be mended.
Luo Ning looked at him and said, "No need, thank you!"
Everyone present was quite surprised by her answer. Under the live broadcast cameras, most people would definitely choose to compromise; after all, Ji Xingheng was a top-tier star, and he had already offered her a way out.
No one expected Luo Ning to be so firm. It was clear she really wanted to keep her distance from Ji Xingheng.
Ji Xingheng saw it too—Luo Ning really didn't want to be involved with him in public. He suppressed his frustration and discomfort, took a deep breath, and said, "As you wish."
Of the eight guests, Lu Xun had the highest status, followed by Ji Xingheng. The others didn't know how to smooth things over.
Should they stand with Ji Xingheng or Luo Ning?
They knew Luo Ning had been scolded quite badly online because of Ji Xingheng. Although they all felt Luo Ning was in the right and was being refreshingly firm, they had only just met, and they couldn't afford to offend Ji Xingheng for her sake.
They also couldn't bring themselves to kick someone while they were down, so they could only watch.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
The weather suddenly changed and it's so cold. I couldn't help but stay in bed when the alarm went off this morning, so the update was delayed. The next chapter will be around 12 o'clock~~~
(End of chapter)