Chapter 13: Playing the Assistant
Gu Linyun’s gaze swept across the group before he strolled over, his trench coat fluttering slightly behind him. He stopped just a few steps in front of Ling Lu and extended a hand. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Gu Linyun."
A flicker of surprise flashed through Ling Lu’s eyes before she looked up, her long lashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly.
With no obstruction between them, Gu Linyun looked directly into those clear, limpid eyes, and then he felt a warmth in his palm.
Ling Lu took his hand and offered a polite smile. "Ling Lu."
At this close proximity, Ling Lu saw the man’s neatly manicured nails, his meticulously styled hair, and his crisp, tidy cuffs.
*He is an even more textbook example of a cold, aloof superior than Ling Jinmo,* Ling Lu thought to herself.
Watching their hands clasped together, Ling Xuancheng felt a subtle sense of discomfort rise within him. He knew who Gu Linyun was. He was the only son of the Gu family, born into a top-tier wealthy dynasty. Even the Ling family was considered insignificant when compared to such a behemoth as the Gu family.
Usually, he only caught glimpses of Gu Linyun at large annual events; there were always too many people surrounding the man for him to even have a chance to strike up a conversation. Ling Lu had never been taken by the Ling Family Members to any such banquets, so she should have had absolutely no connection to Gu Linyun.
Why, then, did Gu Linyun single Ling Lu out for special attention the moment he walked through the door? He had only shaken her hand while offering everyone else a mere nod. Could they have known each other before? Ling Xuancheng speculated with suspicion.
Ling Lin, standing to the side, witnessed their interaction and gritted her teeth, her jealousy and hatred for Ling Lu nearly boiling over.
*Why?*
*Why does Ling Lu get whatever she wants without having to lift a finger? She was born with the identity of a Ling family heiress! And that face of hers! That exquisite face that I have to get medical aesthetic treatments every year to maintain—she was born with it too! Now, even Gu Linyun is treating her differently. What right does she have? Is it just because she has a good fate? Because she was born into the right family?*
In a corner where no one could see, Ling Lin shot a vicious glare at Ling Lu. *You just wait! Ling Lu, whatever it is—the affection of the Ling Family Members, the status of an heiress, and even Gu Linyun—anything I set my eyes on, I will use every means possible to get. You don't have the right to compete with me!*
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the director, Ge Hong, appeared before the guests holding a script.
"Before we begin, I must inform you that one of our guests is unable to participate in this recording due to scheduling conflicts. Therefore, there will only be seven of you for this trip."
Ling Lu knew the guest who couldn't make it—a popular male singer under the Star Shine label named Xiao You. That was all she knew, however, because of the unequal distribution of resources; she had spent very little time at Star Shine over the past three years and had almost no contact with the artists under the label.
On the other side, Ge Hong continued reading the script.
"Welcome to the filming location of the program, *Travel Chronicle*."
"During the production, we will head to different regions each episode to experience a unique journey."
"During this time, you may only use the fixed travel funds provided by the production team. Furthermore, for each episode, we will randomly select two members to take on the role of tour guide."
"Their primary tasks will be to manage the funds, plan everyone’s travel expenses, and solve issues regarding everyone's food and lodging."
Upon hearing this, Ling Lu fell into deep thought. This program mechanism looked simple on the surface, but it was actually full of traps. The two who took on the role of tour guide, while ostensibly holding the power of the purse, were essentially hapless housekeepers responsible for everyone’s meals and lodging—a job that put one’s coordination and communication skills to the ultimate test. If something went wrong, it would not only cause dissatisfaction among the group but also easily attract the ire of netizens.
This was especially true in the beginning. The earlier the two guides were chosen, the greater the difficulty. The guests were not yet familiar with one another and lacked communication; if someone accidentally touched a nerve or messed up the food or lodging arrangements, conflict would easily arise.
Unlike Ling Lu’s cautious contemplation, Ling Lin felt incredibly excited. *What’s hard about managing money? If I become the tour guide, I’ll definitely arrange for Gu Linyun’s room to be next to mine. If he and I are both chosen at the same time, even better! Once Gu Linyun discovers that I possess not only beauty but also outstanding abilities, I refuse to believe he won't like me.*
Ge Hong scanned everyone’s face and said with a smile, "Now then, everyone, please hand over your cash, mobile phones, and bank cards to the production team for safekeeping."
Ling Xuancheng frowned upon hearing this. "Cash and bank cards are one thing, but why do we have to hand over our phones too?"
"Young man, it’s to prevent you from cheating, of course," Ge Hong said with a chuckle.
"If we don't have phones, how are we supposed to stay in contact?" the cool-tempered Su Yue asked.
"The production team will distribute a new phone to each of you shortly, with everyone's contact information already saved on it."
"You may reset your own unlock codes once you receive them."
"However, a friendly reminder: the phones provided have been professionally modified to only allow calling and texting. Aside from that, you cannot access the internet or download apps. Don't even think about cheating."
At these words, Ling Xuancheng’s expression completely collapsed. The production team had truly eliminated every possible way to cheat. Seeing the guests' noticeably dampened spirits, the director said considerately, "Considering everyone has traveled a long way today and must be exhausted, there are no tasks for today. Furthermore, the production team has prepared a barbecue for everyone this evening. You can look forward to that."
"Yay!" White Tongtong cheered, acting as the mood-maker.
The others’ expressions also softened. Ling Lu, however, felt something was off. Would the production team really be that kind?
"Director, is there something you haven't finished saying?"
Ge Hong’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. "The production team will only provide the barbecue equipment. As for the ingredients and the cooking, you will have to handle that yourselves."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Lu thought, *I knew it.*
"Next, you seven may divide yourselves into a shopping team, a cooking team, and a logistics team."
Although Ling Xuancheng had complaints about the show's rules, he couldn't air them on camera and could only ask Ling Lin, following the director's lead. "Linlin, which team do you want to join?"
Ling Lin glanced toward Gu Linyun and looked down, pondering. *Gu Linyun is refined and elegant, born into a wealthy family; he surely wouldn't choose rough work like logistics or cooking, right?* "I’ll choose the shopping team."
Ling Xuancheng patted Ling Lin’s head dotingly and smiled. "Then I’ll drive you there."
The shopping team was filled with two people instantly. Seeing this, White Tongtong looked troubled. "I can't cook, and two people are enough to buy things, so I’ll choose logistics."
Xiao Yinan and Su Yue decided on dishwashing; they had no choice, as neither of them knew how to cook.
"Then I’ll choose dishwashing too. I’m completely clueless about cooking."
White Tongtong turned to Ling Lu. "Lulu, what do you want to choose?"
Ling Lu smiled. "I’m not bad at cooking. Everyone, try my craft tonight."
As long as she wasn't on a team with Ling Lin or Ling Xuancheng, Ling Lu didn't have a single objection.
"Ling Lu, are you sure you'll be okay?" White Tongtong looked at her leg with some concern, wanting to say something but afraid of hurting Ling Lu’s feelings.
Unexpectedly, the latter spoke quite candidly. "It's just a minor issue. My leg is injured, but my hands are fine."
Everyone had finished choosing, leaving only Gu Linyun. Meeting everyone’s gaze, Gu Linyun unbuttoned his cuffs, rolled up his sleeves, and said to Ling Lu, "I learned how to cook when I was studying abroad. I can be your assistant."