Chapter 123: This Time, I Take the Lead!

“I can’t believe the three of us all ordered the same dishes—what are the odds?” Jiang Yi wondered aloud.

Jiang Yun folded his arms. “Why, do you think I lied to you? There’s video evidence! You can even ask the production team if we ordered the same things.”

“Director, did the three of us really order the exact same dishes?” Zhang Shan asked.

The director rolled his eyes. “I’m just as surprised—you three really did order the same dishes!”

“So it’s true? We actually picked the same dishes?” Jiang Yi’s voice rose in astonishment.

The director mischievously asked, “Ms. Yang Mi, as the most rational person in the entertainment industry, what’s your take on this? Why do you think the three of you chose the same dishes?”

Imitating Jiang Yun’s pose, Yang Mi crossed her arms, her expression speechless. “I have no words. Maybe it’s because we’re all from Xiajing?”

“Heh!”

“Haha!”

Everyone burst out laughing, even the camera crew couldn’t suppress their amusement.

“Looks like even the entertainment industry’s voice of reason is at a loss for words!”

Yang Mi said, “This is just so ridiculously melodramatic. I can’t believe it’s happening to us!”

“All right, time to eat!” Jiang Yun called everyone to the table.

And so, the four of them began their meal.

“I have to say, Jiang Yun’s marinated stew is absolutely authentic!” Jiang Yi exclaimed between mouthfuls.

Yang Mi ate delicately, while Zhang Shan devoured his food with no regard for appearances.

While the others ate, Jiang Yun took the opportunity to make some pancakes.

He brought them to the table. “Here, you can’t have marinated stew without pancakes!”

“I have to admit, Brother Jiang Yun’s cooking is incredible.”

“Well then, since you said that, I’ve decided—let’s add another dish!” Jiang Yun declared with a sweeping gesture. “Stew alone isn’t enough. I’ll make a smashed cucumber salad!”

“Brother Jiang Yun, you’re the best!” Zhang Shan shoveled rice into his mouth, manners forgotten.

“Aren’t you going to thank me?”

Yang Mi rolled her eyes. “It’s just cucumber salad—do we really have to be so grateful? Besides, it was supposed to be four dishes, you were the one cutting corners.”

“Oh? If you’re so bold, I just won’t make it!” Jiang Yun sat back on the bench, feigning indignation.

“What?” Zhang Shan and Jiang Yi immediately looked crestfallen.

Jiang Yi tugged Yang Mi’s arm. “Mi-jie, hurry, say ‘Thank you, Jiang Yun!’”

“I’m not saying it.”

“Come on, just say it—”

“Fine, fine, I’ll say it!” Yang Mi relented, muttering, “Thank you!”

Jiang Yun folded his arms. “Thank who?”

Yang Mi, not really annoyed since everyone was just joking around and it made for good TV, said, “Thank you, Jiang Yun!”

With a huff, Jiang Yun got up, deciding not to argue further, and went to the kitchen to make the cucumber salad.

Soon, he returned with a plate of smashed cucumbers.

Jiang Yi clapped delightedly. “Perfect, just what we need to cleanse the palate!”

Jiang Yun then brought over a cup of something and set it in front of Yang Mi. “Here, coffee. Freshly ground beans, not instant.”

“Thank you!” Yang Mi nodded politely.

“What about us?” Jiang Yi and Zhang Shan wailed.

“Yours is in the kitchen, go get it yourselves,” Jiang Yun replied, hands on hips.

“Yes!”

“Phew, I thought you’d forgotten about us,” Zhang Shan laughed.

Jiang Yun just chuckled and sat down to eat. The cameras captured every moment of their banter and bickering.

“With Mr. Huang and Mr. He both away today, I’m the master of the Mushroom House, so you all have to listen to me!” Jiang Yun proclaimed.

Yang Mi rolled her eyes. “All right, we’ll listen to you.”

“Good! Now, task assignments.” Jiang Yun pointed at Yang Mi and Jiang Yi. “You! And you! You’re on dishwashing duty!”

“Me?” Yang Mi pointed to her nose in surprise.

“What, you can’t?”

Yang Mi gave Jiang Yun a sidelong glance. “I won’t argue with you. Yi-yi, let’s go wash up.”

“All right,” Jiang Yi stood and followed her to the kitchen.

Once they left, Zhang Shan leapt up from his chair, cheering, “Oh yeah! Brother Jiang Yun, this is a man’s world now!”

“Come on, Zhang Shan, let’s have some tea,” Jiang Yun said, throwing an arm around his shoulder as they went to the living room.

This scene was witnessed by Jiang Yi, who was so annoyed her face darkened.

In the kitchen, Jiang Yi complained, “Mi-jie, guess what I just saw?”

“What?”

“Jiang Yun and Zhang Shan, arm in arm, drinking tea together!”

Yang Mi was speechless. “Just ignore them.”

“Fine.”

So the two donned aprons and gloves and started washing dishes.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yun and Zhang Shan chatted happily in the living room.

Jiang Yun asked, “Zhang Shan, you debuted as a child star—how many years has it been now?”

“Twelve years!”

“What? Twelve years? Impressive, I can’t compare! I’ve only been in the business for six months.”

“Brother Jiang Yun, you’re too modest. You may be new, but you’re already on par with top stars. A master is a master, so I call you ‘big brother’ and ‘senior’!”

Jiang Yun laughed awkwardly at the compliment.

After a while, Yang Mi and Jiang Yi, still in aprons and gloves, came into the living room.

“Whew,” they sighed, collapsing onto the sofa. “Washing dishes is exhausting—my back is killing me.”

They took off their aprons and gloves and sat down for tea.

“Senior Jiang Yun, what game are we playing later?” Jiang Yi asked.

“That’s a good question. Let me think,” Jiang Yun said, gazing upward in thought.

“You haven’t thought of anything, have you?” Yang Mi asked.

“I only just found out I’d be hosting this episode,” Jiang Yun explained.

“Oh.”

“So what game should we play?” Jiang Yun mused, but nothing fun came to mind.

“Forget it, I give up.” He looked at the production team. “Director, help us come up with a game!”

“I knew you’d ask me for help!”

Jiang Yun rolled his eyes. “Fine, you’re the expert here!”

“I have no choice, otherwise I can’t host the games.”

“All right,” the director pretended to ponder. “There are three games to choose from.”

“Which three?” the four asked in unison.

“One is ‘Radish Squat’.”

“Ugh—” they all groaned.

Jiang Yi spoke up, “That game’s no fun, and there are only four of us. It’s better for bigger groups.”

The director said, “Are you sure? The loser gets a punishment!”

“We’re sure!” The four shook their heads.

“All right, the second is ‘Name That Tune’!”

“Ooh, that sounds fun!” Jiang Yi said.

“What about the rest of you?” the director asked.

Jiang Yun considered. “Let’s go with that one.”

He looked at Zhang Shan and Yang Mi. “What do you two think?”

“I’m in.”

“Me too.”

“Great!” Jiang Yun turned to the director. “We’ll take that one, please!”