Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 148

Chapter 148: Compensation

The “colorblind incident” was a surprise, even for viewers accustomed to the unexpected twists and turns of Reality Online.

When Ji Junxin had her cameraman film Mi Hongdou’s answer sheet, revealing the discrepancy between the actual answer and the staff member’s claim, the live stream comments exploded.

They had witnessed Mi Hongdou’s struggles, Ji Junxin’s suffering, their shared frustration, and now, they were furious. If they could, they would have dragged that staff member out of the screen, smeared the answer sheet on his face, and thrown him into the mud pit a thousand times!

But when, amidst their outrage, the staff member said, bewildered, “Uh… I’m colorblind…,” everyone was stunned into silence.

Not intentional, not careless, but a genuine disability…

Both the viewers and Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin, standing before the director, were speechless, their anger choked in their throats.

It was like being forced to chug a two-liter bottle of cola without being allowed to burp, they felt like exploding!

Ji Junxin was so angry she felt dizzy. So, Mi Hongdou had actually gotten all the answers right on her first attempt, and her subsequent struggles, the repeated trips through the mud pit, all because the staff member checking her answers was colorblind?!

She wanted to curse, but… he couldn’t help being colorblind…

He was also a victim. But Mi Hongdou had also suffered!

Ji Junxin’s inherent kindness clashed with her protective instincts towards Mi Hongdou…

“You…” she started, her voice trembling with anger, then stopped, not knowing what to say.

Mi Hongdou reached out and held her hand, gently shaking her head.

“So, my answer wasn’t wrong?” Mi Hongdou asked the director, after silently communicating with Ji Junxin.

Their cameramen both focused on the director.

So you’ve switched sides after just a few days of filming? Whose side are you even on! Director Pan, forced into the spotlight again, mentally complained, but he forced a smile and apologized. “Yes, you were right…”

“So our team is in first place?” Mi Hongdou hadn’t forgotten that when she was told she had only missed one question, the other three teams hadn’t even submitted their answers.

Director Pan also hadn’t forgotten. He glanced at the cameras and said, “Yes, you’re in first place…”

Answering each question individually, so uncooperative… Mi Hongdou frowned.

Seeing Ji Junxin’s reddening face, she pressed the issue. “I was right, we should be in first place, so, for your mistake, shouldn’t there be some compensation? Doesn’t this show follow the rules? You broke the rules, there should be consequences.” Her tone was polite, but her meaning clear.

If it weren’t for the nature of this mistake, she would have been much more forceful and wouldn’t have stopped Ji Junxin from venting her anger.

When they realized it was a genuine mistake due to colorblindness, Mi Hongdou had also been angry, making Ji Junxin suffer on the treadmill for so long. But she quickly realized that, although they had every right to be angry, this was a live stream.

If they lashed out at the staff member, it could be bad press.

So, she had stopped Ji Junxin, wanting to speak for her, to protect her from potential accusations of “discrimination.”

It was best if neither of them showed any anger.

So, she had addressed the director, not even looking at the staff member.

“Of course… of course… you’ll receive the first-place prize, and we’re also willing to offer some compensation, what are your requests?” the director said, having already anticipated this. He would have to discuss it with the higher-ups, but he had to appear accommodating on camera.

To his surprise, Mi Hongdou didn’t immediately make any demands, but pointed at her mud-caked pants. “We’ll discuss the compensation after we change, later.”

Having some time would allow him to discuss this mishap with the higher-ups, it was better than negotiating now. Director Pan readily agreed.

And Mi Hongdou, covered in mud, was a rather… unappealing sight. She could have finished the challenge in one trip… how pitiful.

Having secured the promise of compensation, Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin left, avoiding the awkward announcement of the results.

Since it was the show’s mistake, after discussing it with the higher-ups, Director Pan told the other three teams that they would still receive their prizes, and there would be no penalty for last place.

The other three teams were quite satisfied, after all, they hadn’t suffered any losses, in fact… they had even benefited.

As for Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin…

Mi Hongdou led Ji Junxin back, and although Ji Junxin obediently followed, she was unusually quiet. Mi Hongdou, assuming she was angry about her repeated trips through the mud pit or about being interrupted earlier, was preoccupied with figuring out the reason and didn’t even notice the mud drying on her legs…

They walked back in silence. Mi Hongdou entered the bedroom, and Ji Junxin followed.

Since they were there to change, their cameramen stopped at the door. The other crew members also stopped.

Ji Junxin, her face expressionless, closed the door.

An angry Xinxin is a little scary… the crew and the viewers thought.

The cameras inside were still rolling.

The viewers, as soon as the cameramen stopped, switched to the cameras in Mi Hongdou’s house.

They saw Mi Hongdou take out a set of clothes and say to Ji Junxin, “I’ll go change first,” then walk towards the bathroom.

And then, Ji Junxin grabbed her sleeve.

Without a word, she reached into Mi Hongdou’s pants… or rather… her sash.

Hey, police! Someone’s being indecent!

The viewers leaned closer to their screens as Ji Junxin’s hand moved.

And then… Ji Junxin quickly removed Mi Hongdou’s microphone…

Tsk…

The viewers sat back, pretending they hadn’t just witnessed that.

Ji Junxin removed her own microphone, pushed Mi Hongdou into the bathroom, and closed the door.

A series of smooth, efficient, and heartbreaking actions.

Crew! They removed their microphones! Are you going to do anything?! Film them!

Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin had just suffered such injustice, the viewers were eager to see the aftermath, the comforting, the… you know! Film them!

The crew…

Feeling a little guilty, they didn’t want to intrude… and they had a perfectly valid excuse: changing clothes… They could only pretend to be oblivious.

Ji Junxin’s hand reaching into her clothes had startled Mi Hongdou, her legs almost giving way. Fortunately… the dried mud on her legs kept her upright. And she quickly realized that Ji Junxin was just removing her microphone, not… attacking her…

Wait, what am I even thinking…

Mi Hongdou, slightly dazed, was pushed into the bathroom.

Although there were still microphones in the bedroom, whispering in the bathroom wouldn’t be picked up.

Seeing that Ji Junxin had removed their microphones, Mi Hongdou knew she had something to say. And she also wanted to discuss the compensation.

But… she needed to shower and change…

“Does your foot hurt? Let me see,” Mi Hongdou asked, since Ji Junxin wasn’t speaking, remembering her earlier concern.

Ji Junxin took a step back and shook her head. “It’s fine.”

“…Then I’ll shower first, and then we can discuss the compensation?” Mi Hongdou asked.

“Go ahead,” Ji Junxin’s voice was curt, lacking its usual softness.

…She’s still angry…

“Are you angry?” Mi Hongdou reached for Ji Junxin’s hand, but she dodged it.

…Very angry… Mi Hongdou’s outstretched hand felt empty, her heart also feeling empty.

Ji Junxin, however, seemed perfectly calm, casually saying, “Go ahead and shower.”

But she didn’t leave.

Seriously… Mi Hongdou facepalmed. “Then you go out for a bit.”

Ji Junxin, who had been expressionless, suddenly smiled. “No!”

Mi Hongdou, about to be happy about the smile, realized what she meant and was stunned.

Such mischief! Mi Hongdou sighed. “Then at least turn around, how can I shower with you watching?”

“No.” Ji Junxin pouted. “Hurry up and shower!”

“Hey!” Who would undress and shower with you watching! Just the thought made Mi Hongdou blush furiously.

Ji Junxin, looking at Mi Hongdou’s mud-caked legs, relented and turned around.

Mi Hongdou hesitated, clutching her clothes. “How about… you go out for a bit?”

Ji Junxin turned around, her lips trembling, her eyes watering.

“No! I’m not leaving! I’m staying right here!” Mi Hongdou surrendered. “Okay, okay, we’re not leaving!”

Ji Junxin, satisfied, wiped her eyes and turned around again.

Mi Hongdou, mentally preparing herself, quickly undressed and turned on the shower.

This feels familiar… except last time, she was facing me… Mi Hongdou, her face slightly flushed, glanced at the glass door.

“Ji Junxin!” she hissed.

Ji Junxin, who had been watching, quickly turned around, pretending nothing had happened.

When did she even turn around?! Mi Hongdou, clutching her towel, felt like exploding! Why did I even take off all my clothes! I could have just rinsed my legs! And Ji Junxin! Argh!

She showered even faster, why even bother with shower gel, just rinse quickly!

While showering and mentally ranting, Mi Hongdou kept a close eye on Ji Junxin.

“Ji Junxin!”

“Ji Junxin!!”

“Ji Junxin!!!”

Thanks to her vigilance, every time Ji Junxin turned around, Mi Hongdou’s hissed warnings, although low and strained because of the microphones, made her turn back.

Serves you right, drink some cold water.

Some people… were truly relentless.

“Ji Junxin!!!!!”

“Okay! Stop yelling! What do you want!” Ji Junxin said, pouting.

Mi Hongdou, one hand covering her chest, the other trembling as she put on her underwear, said, “You ask me what I want! Have you seen enough?!”

Ji Junxin, watching her put on her bra, said with a hint of regret, “I have.”

Mi Hongdou felt like she had just chugged another two-liter bottle of cola without being allowed to burp.

And it had to be Coca-Cola, not Pepsi… more fizz…

She fumbled with her bra clasp. “You’ve seen enough, right? It’s my turn tonight!”

“I was just checking if you were injured, I wasn’t bitten by mudfish, what’s there to see?” Ji Junxin asked, her eyes still slightly red, her expression innocent and pitiful.

For a moment, Mi Hongdou almost believed that she had just been concerned.

But then she remembered Ji Junxin’s earlier gaze… and she had already told her countless times that the mudfish didn’t bite…

“I’m checking if your little feet are broken from all that running!” Mi Hongdou said, now dressed and emboldened, annoyed that Ji Junxin, after all that peeking, was now acting innocent.

Ji Junxin, startled by Mi Hongdou’s sudden squatting down, jumped back.

“Hmph, I’m also… capable, you should be afraid!” Mi Hongdou said, standing up proudly.

Ji Junxin, after a moment of silence, said, truly confused, “Capable? You didn’t even see anything, why are you acting so smug?”

Mi Hongdou: “…”

Ji Junxin: “…”

This girl… Mi Hongdou, embarrassed and exasperated, stepped forward, pushing Ji Junxin against the wall, and pulled down her collar…

The ancient-style uniform, tied with a sash, loosened with the tug, revealing her white shoulder and a glimpse of her… cleavage…

Mi Hongdou froze and unconsciously swallowed.

Was I too rough?

No… that’s not the point…

The point is… you, leaning against the wall, not resisting, your face flushed, that pitiful expression, practically begging to be… taken… what are you doing?!

Mi Hongdou, overwhelmed by the rapid development, was stunned.

Ji Junxin, seeing Mi Hongdou just staring at her, hummed softly and, adjusting her clothes, pushed Mi Hongdou away slightly.

I should introduce her to those yuri novels I’ve been reading… she thought, slightly distracted.

“So, what should we ask for as compensation?” she asked, adjusting her clothes.

Mi Hongdou’s fantasy bubble burst.

Still thinking about Ji Junxin’s earlier expression, Mi Hongdou took a few deep breaths before answering, “Although we’re angry, we shouldn’t be too demanding, after all, it’s a collaboration between Qiong Yu and Mengguan.”

“Sigh… we can’t really… make a fuss.” Ji Junxin sighed and nodded in agreement. “We still have many days of filming left, if we ask for too much, it will disrupt the balance, make things difficult for the show. If it weren’t a collaboration, we wouldn’t have to be so considerate.”

Mi Hongdou thought for a moment. “How about… some food? What do you want? We’ve been eating so blandly lately, should we ask for some dishes? Steak? Pork knuckle? Five-spice chicken? Salted duck? Spicy shrimp?”

To her surprise, Ji Junxin, usually enthusiastic about food, shook her head repeatedly.

“They made such a big mistake, they’ll probably agree even if you ask for a whole roasted lamb,” Mi Hongdou said, thinking that her suggestions weren’t tempting enough.

Ji Junxin still shook her head. “I don’t want food as compensation.”

“Why? Afraid it won’t be good?” Mi Hongdou smiled. “Or we can ask for ingredients, and I’ll cook.”

“No, I don’t want any food. Just thinking about… you going through the mud pit so many times… for those coins… I can’t eat…” Ji Junxin sniffled slightly, her eyes reddening.

“Hey… don’t cry… I’m fine. Then we won’t ask for food, okay?” Ji Junxin’s words were like a knife to her heart, and Mi Hongdou’s earlier annoyance at being seen naked vanished.

She hugged Ji Junxin tightly, thinking, so, I’m more important than food now.

A bittersweet happiness…

One slightly sad, the other comforting, having removed their microphones, they hugged and kissed in the bathroom, whispering sweet nothings, before returning to the topic at hand.

“So, what should we ask for?” Ji Junxin mumbled, leaning against Mi Hongdou, her lips slightly red, her eyes unfocused.

“Yes, what should we ask for? They’ll probably ask us soon,” Mi Hongdou said, her lips also quite red, her mind a little hazy.

“I have an idea,” Ji Junxin suddenly said, straightening up.

“What?” Mi Hongdou, the warmth of Ji Junxin’s body leaving, became more alert.

“The Team Change Card.” Ji Junxin nuzzled Mi Hongdou affectionately. “Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao are so pitiful. And Yu Naihao even helped us earlier. This game is so fun, it’s a pity that couples can’t be on the same team! It’s quite interesting, despite some… incidents.”

Stop nuzzling! Mi Hongdou’s heart melted. “How do you know they’re a couple?”

Ji Junxin smiled. “It’s so obvious, Lu Changhuai was throwing the game for Yu Naihao yesterday, and today, Yu Naihao was doing the same for him, afraid he would end up last and be penalized. If we weren’t on the same team, we would probably be like them too.”

It did seem… relatable.

Mi Hongdou had no strong opinions about the compensation and would follow Ji Junxin’s lead.

“So you really don’t want any food? Nothing at all?” she asked again.

“No,” Ji Junxin paused. “Well… there is something…”

“What is it?” Mi Hongdou figured that after such a blunder, the show would probably agree to a Team Change Card and some food, as long as it wasn’t too much.

“You…” Ji Junxin’s voice dropped, almost inaudible.

Excuse me?

Such a motherly look…