It was clearly just the most ordinary of eggs, and he could even discern that it was nothing like top-tier organic produce. Yet, the aroma—that blend of the faint, raw scent of egg white and the richness of the yolk, stirred up by the heat—drifted into his nostrils with startling clarity.
Unlike his usual reaction to food, where he would feel only a sense of cloying heaviness or total indifference, in that moment, he felt something entirely unfamiliar. It wasn't appetite; it was more like… curiosity. He could even clearly remember the woman cracking the egg, how the white wobbled with a supple elasticity, and how the yolk flowed out like melted golden beeswax.
And the way she ate. She was merely a background figure in the corner, paying no mind to her image, yet she ate with such focus and dedication, as if that simple soft-boiled egg were some peerless delicacy. The satisfaction was almost overflowing from her sparkling eyes. Watching her eat had sent a faint ripple through the stagnant pool of his own sensory perception. Though it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, it had existed.
Why?
Lu Jingchen’s gaze drifted involuntarily toward the other end of the living room. Ning Meng was standing by the dessert table. Lin You was saying something to her, but she didn’t seem to be listening; her entire focus was on the platters of cut fruit. Watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, cherry tomatoes… She picked up a slice of watermelon, her eyes brightened, and she began to eat it in small, dainty bites.
[Ding! Consumed 'Kirin Watermelon', Quality: Good, Preparation: None (All Natural), Overall Rating: Good, Life Value increased: 10 minutes.]
She picked up a grape; it seemed a bit firm, and—huh? A little tart. +2 minutes. Finally, she picked up a small piece of cantaloupe. It was fragrant, and—well, quite sweet. +8 minutes.
Ning Meng was busy calculating in her head. Not bad, not bad at all. The quality of this fruit was generally quite good, and it was juicy. It seemed the production team had put some effort into the snacks.
Just then, Qin Zeyu walked over with a glass of juice. He wore that smile he thought made him look handsome, his tone deliberately casual. "Ning Meng, I saw you enjoying your lunch earlier. Good appetite."
Ning Meng had just swallowed a piece of watermelon. At the sound of his voice, she looked up and blinked. Her brain was rapidly processing information: Qin Zeyu, rich kid, currently interested in me (reason unknown), but he isn't my type, nor is he a source of life extension. Conclusion: No need to waste too much energy.
She nodded, gave a vague "Mm," and let her gaze fall back to the fruit platter, where she began studying the next piece of cantaloupe.
The smile on Qin Zeyu's face stiffened. He was, after all, the second young master of the Qin Group; usually, the women around him were falling over themselves to get his attention. This was the first time a girl had been so… indifferent to him.
[Hahaha, Young Master Qin got shut down!]
[Ning Meng: Don't disturb my meal (fruit is a meal too!)]
[Straight-man talk: Why does it matter to you if she enjoys her food?]
[Why do I get the feeling Young Master Qin is starting to enjoy being ignored? Does he have a masochistic streak?]
By the window, Lu Jingchen took in the entire scene. Seeing Qin Zeyu’s slightly awkward expression brought no flicker of emotion to his heart. But seeing Ning Meng, completely immersed in the world of fruit and ignoring the living, breathing person next to her… a trace of inexplicable irritation rose quietly. It was very faint, but it was there.
He frowned. Why was he irritated? Perhaps it was because… Qin Zeyu was too noisy and had disturbed the quiet of the room. Yes, that must be it. Lu Jingchen silently found a reasonable explanation for his mood.
Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out and glanced at it; it was a message from his manager. [Jingchen, I just saw the live-streaming data. Your interactions with the other guests are a bit sparse. Find a chance to talk more, especially with the female guests, to increase your screen time and buzz. Don't be so dull.]
Lu Jingchen tapped his finger on the screen and replied with two words: [Got it.] The tone was perfunctory.
He looked up, and his gaze involuntarily fell once more on Ning Meng, who was still studying the fruit. She seemed to have picked up another grape. This time, she didn't put it down but popped it into her mouth. Her cheeks bulged slightly, like a little hamster.
The manager wanted him to interact more and increase his screen time… Interact with whom? Jiang Yuwei was too shrewd, Su Manni was just putting on a show, and Lin You was too loud… This Ning Meng… her behavior was indeed quite unusual. She stood out from the others, interested only in food, and too lazy to even humor a rich kid like Qin Zeyu.
Lu Jingchen’s eyes flickered slightly. He told himself it was only because this woman’s behavior was too anomalous and did not fit the basic etiquette of a female celebrity participating in a dating show. Lu Jingchen’s expression settled into a calm, analytical gaze. That woman… and the things she made, were a bit strange. He would keep watching.
Lu Jingchen’s gaze felt tangible, filled with a sense of scrutiny. Ning Meng, just about to reach for another slice of watermelon, suddenly felt a prickle on her back. She instinctively turned around and caught Lu Jingchen’s gaze. Seeing her turn, he didn't look away, his eyes remaining calm and waveless.
Ning Meng’s heart skipped a beat. *Looking at me again? You can't say I'm blocking you from looking at the fruit this time, right? Could it be… he thinks I'm eating too much? Possible! After all, this big-shot actor hardly eats anything himself; he probably can't stand seeing others enjoying their food.*
Ning Meng silently looked away, deciding to pretend she hadn't noticed. *Don't try to guess the mind of a big shot; you'll never figure it out. My fruit and my Life Value are more important.*
[Ahhh, was the movie star looking at Ning Meng just now?!]
[Definitely! Zoom in on the camera! I saw it!]
[Why look at her? Is it because Young Master Qin was talking to her?]
[I don't get it, the movie star's intentions are so hard to guess…]
[Am I the only one who noticed Ning Meng ate two more slices of watermelon? She really is hungry.]
Just then, the villa’s broadcast system chimed, the emotionless yet heart-pounding voice of the production crew cutting through:
"Attention, guests. Lunch break is over."
"We are now announcing the first group interaction mission—The Ingredient Scramble!"
Ingredients? Scramble? Ning Meng’s ears perked up instantly. These two words combined were practically tailored for her! Her eyes lit up, even brighter than when she had seen the watermelon. This was a major matter concerning her Life Value!
The production crew continued: "We have hidden 'Top-Tier Ingredient Vouchers' with varying point values in every corner of the villa. Each voucher corresponds to a specific dinner ingredient. Please find them based on the clues we will provide shortly. Once you find a voucher, keep it safe."
"At dinner time, each guest must use the ingredients they have found to independently prepare a dish, contributing to our 'Heartbeat Dinner.' You have one hour to search. The timer starts now!"
Top-tier ingredients! Cooking them yourself! Ning Meng’s heart hammered against her ribs. According to the System rules, "Premium Ingredients" and "Self-Prepared" meant double the points! This was practically handing her Life Value on a silver platter! If she could find top-tier meat and prepare it herself with care… the time gained would be far more than that midday mass-produced meal!
She had to go all out!