Chapter 27: Our Shared Memories

Everyone fell silent. Li Wanbai stroked her chin and continued, “Is this external factor money? If the production team doesn’t allow us to use money to survive these three days, it might be a bit challenging. But if it’s just not using our phones, that’s actually pretty easy.”

Not everyone is hopelessly addicted to their phones—she certainly wasn’t.

From the moment the crew woke them up until now, apart from glancing at the message Quan Hao signaled her to check, she hadn’t felt the slightest urge to play with her phone. She hadn’t even contacted Su Chengzi.

To Li Wanbai, a phone was nothing more than a convenient tool for communication; going three days without it was truly no hardship at all.

[She talks a good game, but who in the 21st century can live without their phone? If she’s so capable, take her phone away right now and see if she panics!]

[Am I the only one who thinks she’s gone mad? Has she forgotten she once built her image as an internet influencer?]

[I still remember how she gained so many followers with that persona. Are those fans still around?]

[Enough already. Sometimes I want to slap myself for ever liking her back then!]

[…]

Viewers had seen many personas fall apart, but never so thoroughly as this. Even when game developers broke their own lore, they didn’t get this much flak.

The live chat was a surging sea of condemnation, all directed at Li Wanbai.

The production team was sweating bullets.

They knew Li Wanbai was a queen of controversy, but this level of attention was overwhelming! Now, half the trending topics were about this variety show—and all about Li Wanbai.

“Can you really go without your phone?” Yu Baichuan asked with a smile.

Li Wanbai found his question baffling, but the chat calmed down a little.

He subtly helped her salvage her shattered image, saying softly, “But you’re right. The production team probably means there’s no budget. Does anyone have cash on them right now?”

With that, everyone instinctively patted their pockets.

“Wouldn’t you know it, not even a dime,” Quan Hao said with a laugh.

They were all big stars, never traveling without assistants or managers to take care of everything. At worst, they at least had their phones. Who carries cash these days?

This time, everything was so sudden—their assistants and managers weren’t allowed to follow, and though they could use their phones, mobile payments were forbidden.

“Everyone, I suggest we don’t get too caught up in the money issue just yet. Why don’t we search the house first? If there are rooms and the kitchen is stocked, it’s only three days—it shouldn’t be too hard.” Ye Xiruo’s eyes curved like crescent moons, her voice sweet as she smiled and made the suggestion.

Compliments and praise flooded the chat.

Ma Xu, well versed in the quirks of variety shows, looked surprised. “Miss Ye, does that mean you know how to cook?”

“I can make a few home-style dishes.”

“Amazing! We’re always rushing all over the country—and sometimes even abroad—handling business. Most of the time, we just grab whatever we can. I only know how to make instant noodles. But you can really cook, Miss Ye!”

“It’s nothing special. And you don’t have to be so formal—just call me Xiao Yezi. That’s what all my friends do.”

“Sure! Then you can call me Xiao Ma.” Ma Xu grinned. “I really hope the kitchen is stocked. I’d love to try your cooking, Xiao Yezi.”

The two bantered back and forth, both vying for camera time, and soon the whole house felt like their own variety act.

Li Wanbai didn’t mind, quietly falling to the back of the group, her curiosity drawn to the arrangement of the little villa.

Her grandfather also had a small villa, but its décor was worlds apart from this one.

Presumably, the production team wanted to make things comfortable for the guests, so the décor was especially plain and nondescript, lacking any personal touch. Strictly speaking, it had a hint of country style, but not much more.

“What are you thinking about?” Unnoticed, Yu Baichuan had also drifted to the back, ending up right beside her.

With cameras pointed at them, they couldn’t very well remain silent under the audience’s watchful eyes.

If they didn’t speak at all, viewers would assume they really were headed for divorce.

After that, Li Wanbai would never be able to ride his popularity again.

Even now, Yu Baichuan couldn’t harden his heart. The biggest step he could take was to send her divorce papers by mail.

Just by standing close to Li Wanbai, his heart pounded wildly.

His heartbeat told him—he still loved her.

Yu Baichuan quietly took a deep breath, forcing down his thoughts, and asked casually, “You seemed lost in thought for a while—what were you thinking about, or whom?”

“I was indeed thinking of someone,” Li Wanbai said with a smile.

Yu Baichuan’s breath caught; he almost stammered, “Wait a minute! Don’t tell me…”

“I was thinking about my grandfather.” Li Wanbai paused. “Oh, all right, I won’t tell you.”

Yu Baichuan was left standing there, stunned. It took him a long time to collect himself before he finally murmured, “It’s fine. Go on.”

Li Wanbai gave him a strange look, hesitant, but eventually said, “Have you forgotten? My grandfather has a villa just like this. You, me, and Duoduo used to visit him all the time.”

Yu Baichuan’s eyes grew distant, his tone tinged with bitterness. “So you still remember.”

“Of course I do. He’s my grandfather—how could I forget?” Li Wanbai looked at Yu Baichuan, puzzled. “You’re not trying to blame me for forgetting, are you?”

“Even if you forgot, I never could. I helped plan a lot of the villa with your grandfather. If anyone’s forgotten, it’s you.” Yu Baichuan’s lips curled into a gentle, warm smile.

[I think I’m actually shipping them.]

[All those spiteful comments made me forget they’d met each other’s families.]

[It’s more than that, isn’t it? Judging by the intimacy in his tone, they must have known each other for a long time.]

“Teacher Yu, Xiao Bai, what are you two chatting about back there?” Ye Xiruo and Ma Xu, now in the groove of their variety show personas, turned back to smile at them.

Since she was leading the way, when she turned around, everyone instinctively glanced back at Yu Baichuan and Li Wanbai.

Quan Hao sneered, “What’s it to you what a married couple talks about?”

“But it seems like all those online rumors haven’t affected you two at all. Most people, seeing their own fans so opposed, would at least keep their distance on camera if not divorce as suggested. But our Teacher Yu is truly—”

Quan Hao drew out the words, enunciating each one, “someone who does as he pleases.”