Continuing Filming

Qin Ran's comment in the livestream chat didn't garner much support. Instead, fans quickly turned on her.

[Why shouldn't Qianqian stick close to Manman? Stay out of it—let the beauties bond!]

[This is hilarious. Why does Qianqian need to be kept in check? She might be older, but her mental age is clearly younger!]

[Honestly, hearing Qianqian call Manman "sister" makes me imagine it's me. Don't mind me, I'm about to spirit myself into Qianqian's body!]

At that moment, Qin Ran felt her blood boil—how dare they criticize her!

Fuming, she stormed into the fan forum, ready to vent her frustration by hosting another giveaway. But unlike the chat, her wealthy alter ego had gained quite a reputation in the fandom. Everyone knew about the rich fan who frequently hosted giveaways, and fans from other groups even joined the forum just to qualify for these prizes.

Qin Ran was tempted to post, "No prizes for Zeng Qian's fans," but she knew that would only spark resentment. After all, Zeng Qian was a popular actress with a solid fanbase. The last thing Qin Ran wanted was for them to turn against Yu Shuman because of her. Reluctantly, she deleted the comment and instead posted, "To celebrate Manman's first variety show, I'm giving away 100 red envelopes of 200 yuan each. Only for level 7 and above."

Two hundred yuan per envelope totaled 20,000 yuan—a drop in the ocean for Qin Ran now. The system even covered the cost, with her current rebate rate set at 20:1. After purchasing the car, she was due for another hefty refund, and with Wu Tezhu currently scouting properties, Qin Ran planned to go house-hunting soon. When that happened, her personal account would receive another substantial boost.

For Qin Ran, money had become nothing more than numbers. In her previous life, she had poured her heart and soul into growing her parents' company and navigating the corporate world, where money was everything. But now, money was just a means to an end—especially when it came to making Yu Shuman happy. Qin Ran had even started donating to charities, including her old orphanage.

She thought back to Yu Shuman's words from last night, reminding her not to waste money. Qin Ran felt a bit guilty but reassured herself, Donations definitely don't count as wasting money.

When Wu Tezhu parked the car outside the school, she stopped Qin Ran from getting out immediately. She handed Qin Ran a tablet with some information displayed. "Boss, there's an issue with the acquisition abroad. The perfume company you're interested in is up for sale, but the founder insists on selling to someone who truly understands fragrance. She also insists on meeting each potential buyer in person."

"Do you want to reconsider the acquisition?"

Qin Ran frowned, thinking for a moment before replying, "Arrange the trip. I'll go there myself—I have to acquire that company."

Qin Ran wasn't buying the perfume company for herself—it was for Yu Shuman. The scent of gardenias that Yu Shuman always wore came from that very brand.

The company's founder was passionate about fragrance and refused to sell to just anyone. She wanted to ensure that whoever took over would appreciate her work.

Qin Ran respected the founder's dedication but couldn't risk someone else buying the company and altering the formula of the perfume that both she and Yu Shuman loved.

She was certain Yu Shuman favored this scent. Qin Ran had bought her many perfumes, but Yu Shuman always chose this one—a soft, sweet gardenia fragrance.

Yu Shuman's manager would never force her to wear a specific scent, so it had to be her personal choice.

Because Yu Shuman loved it, Qin Ran was determined to prevent any changes to the company. She instructed Wu Tezhu to join the competition for the acquisition, emphasizing the importance of securing the deal.

However, the passionate founder had thrown a wrench into Qin Ran's plans. Qin Ran wasn't well-versed in perfumes—she hadn't even used much in this life, and in her previous life, she had relied on her secretary to choose the appropriate fragrance for each occasion.

But no matter what, she had to try—after all, this was for her senior!

If it were just a routine acquisition, Qin Ran wouldn't bother making time for it. But she couldn't bear the thought of Yu Shuman losing her favorite perfume. So, no matter how busy she was, Qin Ran would go. And right now, she wasn't even that busy. She told Wu Tezhu to prioritize this matter and planned to leave for the meeting with the perfume company founder in two days. Then she went to see her advisor to request time off.

While Qin Ran was arranging her leave, Yu Shuman continued filming on the show. As the four of them were finishing breakfast, two more participants woke up and, seeing the breakfast, instinctively asked where they could get theirs.

Zeng Qian smirked, "There's nowhere to get it—you have to make it yourself."

The two men exchanged glances, asking, "Did you all make your own?"

Zeng Qian proudly puffed out her chest, "Manman made it for us. She was up the earliest and made breakfast for us when she saw the three of us awake."

The two men looked at each other and then resignedly headed to the kitchen to figure out how to make their breakfast.

Yu Shuman had been considerate enough to leave eggs in a bowl and wash a basket of greens for those who slept in. While the two men fumbled in the kitchen, Yu Shuman and Zeng Qian washed the dishes. Just as Yu Shuman was about to put away her jar of beef sauce, Zeng Qian called her over.

"Coming," Yu Shuman replied, leaving the jar on the table and heading out with Zeng Qian.

Zeng Qian had invited her to buy supplies for the day at the village store, where they could also buy goods from the elderly villagers who sold their produce early in the morning. The elderly villagers, who worked hard every day, would be gone by 8 AM to tend to their fields.

In rural areas, older people started their day early. Back when Yu Shuman lived in her hometown, she would see them fully dressed and working in the rice fields by 9:30 AM, even in the sweltering heat of July and August.

Because they had to work, they sold their produce early. Those who didn't wake up early would miss out. Typically, the villagers didn't lack food, but they would occasionally buy something different from what they grew at home. Most of the time, the elderly villagers were just looking to chat and pass the time.

Having learned from the past two seasons, Zeng Qian knew how early the elderly villagers started their day. That's why she dragged Yu Shuman to the store early to buy vegetables and chicken feed.

The production team was cunning, giving them just enough money to buy a day's worth of supplies, forcing the celebrities to wake up early every morning to shop.

The production team also told them that after the first few days, they would no longer receive money. Instead, they would have to barter items from their courtyard to get what they needed.

But the small courtyard at Peach Blossom Cottage didn't have much to offer—Yu Shuman guessed the only thing they could sell for cash was eggs.

Even then, eggs didn't fetch much in the village. To make any real money, they would need to take them to the town market. The production team's mischievous intent was clear—they wanted to see the celebrities struggle.

As Yu Shuman and Zeng Qian left to buy supplies, Ling Miaohan finally woke up. When she came downstairs, she noticed that only one other guy hadn't come down yet. Ling Miaohan subtly frowned—she had set an alarm but hadn't expected everyone else to wake up even earlier.

Just as she reached the kitchen, the two men who had gotten up early grabbed her. Seeing her, they sighed in relief—they had no idea how to cook.

"Thank goodness you're here, Miaomiao! We're clueless in the kitchen," one of them said, clearly hoping she could save them.

Ling Miaohan hesitated, not knowing what to say, but she smiled softly, "I'll give it a try."

To prepare for the show, Ling Miaohan had learned a few dishes from the family cook. They weren't restaurant-quality, but they were passable.

But once in the kitchen, the three of them stood there awkwardly. Ling Miaohan had only learned how to cook—she had no idea how to use a rural stove.

These old-fashioned stoves were beyond the skills of city dwellers, let alone a pampered young lady like Ling Miaohan, who had never had to rough it in her life.

After hesitating for a moment, she turned to the two men, "Can you start the fire? I can make noodles, but I don't know how to light the stove."

The two men exchanged looks, and one of them, without thinking, blurted out, "You don't know how to start a fire? Aren't girls supposed to know how to cook? How can you not know how to start a fire?"

Before joining the show, everyone had been briefed on how to behave—agents had warned them to watch their words and avoid saying anything that could cause controversy.

But the entertainment industry was full of careless celebrities, and after being pampered for so long, some forgot their place. This male star was one of them, unconsciously spouting a sexist stereotype.

Ling Miaohan's brows furrowed in frustration. "There's no rule that says girls have to know how to cook."