Chapter 5: Socially Anxious Star 05
Regardless of how furious the netizens watching the stream were, the livestream room shut down resolutely and showed no sign of opening again.
Meanwhile in the living room, Jiang Yi—unaware that the livestream had ever been turned on—followed behind the crowd to inspect the rooms.
All the room doors were tightly shut, their exteriors looking entirely identical. The group navigated with the floor plan to locate their corresponding rooms.
The first room unlocked belonged to Director Shen Ping—completely standard and utterly unexceptionable.
It followed the interior decorating style of a typical everyday family home.
Shen Ping strolled around, nodding with a smile. “Looks pretty similar to my home.”
“Not bad, not bad at all. I’m very satisfied.”
The second room opened belonged to Luo Jiajin.
The room was dominated by cool color tones and featured its own bay window. The space appeared twice as large as Shen Ping’s room, clearly boasting master bedroom specifications.
Luo Jiajin’s eyes lit up. After walking around inside, she snapped several photos, obviously thoroughly pleased.
The last room on the first floor belonged to Chang Ximing. Since he hadn’t arrived yet, they didn’t open it directly and instead headed upstairs to check out the second-floor rooms first.
Compared to the first floor, the styles of the second-floor rooms were noticeably more distinct. Opening each door felt like opening a mystery blind box, packed with the unknown.
Shen Xiangcheng’s Room 6 was a princess-themed bedroom dominated by pink. Lace trims and cascading drapes were everywhere to be seen; even the duvet and desk mat featured cute pink kittens.
Upon opening it, Shen Xiangcheng stood frozen for a full minute before slowly stepping inside, thoroughly shell-shocked by the visual impact.
Pei Wusi’s Room 7 featured green as its primary hue, with cream-green color-blocked walls and various strangely shaped pieces of furniture: the bed was shaped like a fried egg, the stool styled like a tree stump, and even the mirror featured an irregular wavy scalloped border.
“Pretty maidenly, actually.”
Pei Wusi offered his verdict after walking around the room, appearing to take it all in stride.
Jiang Kong’s Room 8 was the largest among the bunch, but it was decorated as a bridal suite. Double heart-matching mugs, bright red bedsheets and duvets, couple’s pillows and slippers—red heart decorations were visible nearly everywhere, radiating festive joy.
He stood at the door in a daze even longer than Shen Xiangcheng had. After he walked in for a lap, smiles inevitably broke out on everyone’s faces around him, making the atmosphere unprecedentedly harmonious.
Luo Xia’s Room 9 followed a minimalist style without excessive decorations. The desk was expandable, the stool could transform for easy storage, the wardrobe was concealed behind dark curtains, and a large area rug covered the floor—leaving enough open space to dance inside.
Luo Jiajin felt it was a bit bare, but Luo Xia herself was quite satisfied. She gestured with her hands and smiled. “Once I set up my easel and bring in my luggage, it won’t feel empty anymore. It suits me quite well.”
The very last one was Room 10, chosen by Jiang Yi.
Compared to the other rooms, Room 10 was noticeably smaller. A soft bed rested against the wall, with a desk placed right beside it. Two-fifths of the room’s total area consisted of a balcony and an ensuite bathroom. Although it lacked nothing, it looked a bit disproportionate: the bedroom was cramped, while the balcony was overly spacious.
“You can probably adjust it yourself later on,” Luo Jiajin remarked after walking a lap.
Jiang Yi nodded, letting out a soft “Mhm,” before feeling a slight pang of anxiety again.
Would just saying ‘mhm’ sound too cold? Should I say something else? But… what should I say?
While she was caught in her internal dilemma, a voice prompt rang out from the camera.
“The final guest has arrived!”
“Teacher Chang is here.”
Pei Wusi glanced at the time and was the first to speak.
The group began making their way downstairs. Jiang Yi blended into the back of the crowd, letting out a sigh of relief.
Going downstairs, they happened to run right into Teacher Chang Ximing stepping through the door.
Teacher Chang Ximing wore a baseball cap and a tender-green short-sleeved shirt, with a large pink suitcase placed beside him. Catching sight of them, he raised his hand and waved—
“Hello, everyone! I’m Chang Ximing.”
Pei Wusi took long strides down the stairs and took the suitcase from beside Teacher Chang Ximing.
“Welcome.”
“Welcome, Teacher Chang~”
The others followed suit, stepping forward to introduce themselves.
When introducing himself, Jiang Kong routinely brought Jiang Yi into the conversation as usual. Jiang Yi stood by his side, awkwardly completing her greeting. The moment she looked up, her eyes met Teacher Chang Ximing’s beaming face.
“What a beautiful young lady.”
Caught off guard by the compliment, Jiang Yi froze. Before her brain could even process it, a wave of heat surged up her face, turning both cheeks a flushed crimson in mere seconds.
Noticing Jiang Yi’s awkwardness, Chang Ximing hastily steered the topic away.
“Where’s my room? Quick, lead the way and let me take a look.”
Pei Wusi retracted his gaze from Jiang Yi and led the way wheeling the suitcase.
“This way.”
Chang Ximing’s room was Room 3. The moment the door pushed open, a room with a harmonious color scheme appeared before their eyes.
Compared to the others’ rooms, the color palette in this room was bolder and more diverse—avocado green, cream yellow, light pink… The decorations throughout the space were filled with the fresh breath of spring.
The group stood at the doorway. Shen Ping’s brows knitted so tightly they almost tied into a knot. He glanced at Jiang Kong, then silently retracted his gaze in speechlessness.
“Old Chang, how about you come check out my room instead?”
Chang Ximing looked left and right, waving his hands repeatedly.
“No need, no need at all.”
“Just this one—it matches my clothes pretty well.”
Having spoken, he took a meticulous walk around the room again, repeating, “I actually really like this room.”
After examining the room, Pei Wusi cast an imperceptible glance at Jiang Kong before retracting his eyes.
Decorations aside, among all the rooms on the first floor, this room was the best in terms of natural lighting and ventilation.
Was it a coincidence?
Just as he was wondering, the voice of a staff member rang out from the camera once more.
“All luggage has arrived! Would all guests please proceed to the basement to retrieve your luggage.”
The luggage and people had been transported separately.
The moment the voice sounded, staff members immediately guided them toward the basement.
Right in the center of the basement sat a pile of varied suitcases.
Jiang Kong pulled Jiang Yi along, first picking out a small off-white suitcase to hand to her. Then, he rolled three large identical suitcases over to the side to sort them out.
“These four are ours.”
As Jiang Kong spoke, the others quickly found their own luggage as well.
Shen Ping, Shen Xiangcheng, Pei Wusi, and Luo Xia each had only one suitcase, while Luo Jiajin had two—one large and one small.
Shen Xiangcheng proactively took the large suitcase from her hands, letting her carry only the small one.
Pei Wusi walked over to Jiang Kong’s side, extending a hand. “I’ll help you carry one.”
Jiang Kong shook his head repeatedly. “No need, no need. I’ll just make another trip down.”
Pei Wusi smiled. “It’s a minor thing. Living together from now on, there will be plenty of times we help each other out.”
“Alright.” Jiang Kong pondered for two seconds and yielded the suitcase beside him.
“Then thanks, Brother Pei.”
The moment Jiang Kong’s words landed, a snort echoed from someone’s nose up ahead, followed closely by Director Shen Ping’s voice.
“Tsk. Showing off like a big star just for going on a trip.”
The basement abruptly fell silent.
Standing in place, Jiang Yi tightened her grip on her suitcase handle for a split second, her ears and cheeks turning uncontrollably hot and red.
Jiang Kong immediately stepped forward, shielding Jiang Yi behind him.
“Oh, Director Shen has indeed eaten more salt than most.”
He retorted so fast that Jiang Yi didn’t even have time to pull him back. The surroundings grew even quieter; everyone looked at each other, not quite reacting in time.
Shen Ping froze for a moment before realizing Jiang Kong was mocking him for being a nosy busybody, and his complexion instantly turned unsightly.
He whipped his head around toward Jiang Kong, just about to say something more, when he heard Shen Xiangcheng say, “Apologies, apologies, there might be some misunderstanding here.”
Right after, Shen Xiangcheng was seen jogging over toward him while wheeling two suitcases.
“Dad—”
Shen Ping was so angry his face turned ashen. Completely ignoring Shen Xiangcheng, he dragged his own suitcase and walked straight out.
Carrying her small suitcase, Luo Jiajin began walking forward as well, pausing briefly as she passed by Jiang Yi’s side.
“It’s a minor matter, don’t take it to heart.”
With that, she continued forward.
Luo Xia followed along and left.
“Then I’ll head up first and leave the suitcase by your door.”
Pei Wusi spoke as he stepped forward to leave, giving the sister and brother duo some space, while also ushering away the surrounding follow-cam operators along the way.
After thanking him, Jiang Kong turned his head back, only to see Jiang Yi looking at him with faint concern in her brows.
“Was it bad to talk back to Director Shen like that just now?”
Jiang Kong raised his hand and pressed his sister’s brow gently, immediately curling his lips into a big, bright smile.
“It’s fine. Didn’t we say we’re just treating this like coming over to play? Being happy is what matters most.”
“Besides, Director Shen was biased against me from the start. Whether I retorted today or not, the outcome would be the same. Plus, it’s not like I picked the fight.”
Jiang Yi paused for a moment, persuaded by his reasoning.
“Mhm.”
She nodded solemnly. “Being happy is what matters most.”
As for director connections in the industry…
Jiang Yi suddenly felt a surge of immense enthusiasm toward adapting her novel into a screenplay.
Jiang Kong nodded along, then reined in his smile slightly.
“It was my fault this time too.”
Among their four suitcases, only two actually needed to be brought to the show crew’s side.
The remaining two—one large and one small—were prepared for staying in Beicheng for a while. They had originally planned to have the housekeeper send them over to the Beicheng villa after filming ended, but an unexpected handover mix-up caused the show crew to transport them all together.
Jiang Yi hastily shook her head. “Not really.”
Following Jiang Kong’s slightly puzzled gaze, she pointed her finger toward the ground. “This is the villa Mom and Dad left behind in Beicheng.”
Huh????
Jiang Kong was stunned.
Jiang Yi continued explaining: “A few years ago, this villa was entrusted to a real estate agent, and I rarely checked on it. Just now in the bathroom, I sent a message to ask him, and it turns out it was rented out to the show crew.”
“The personal items were moved to the third floor. There’s an elevator near my room; when we have time, we can head up to the third floor to take a look.”
“What a coincidence.”
Jiang Kong accepted the reality quickly and nodded. “Alright, then let’s head up to check it out after we wrap up.”
“Should these things be sent to the third floor or to your current room?”
Jiang Yi pondered for a few seconds. “Send them to my room first.”
That balcony happened to be spacious enough to store these items.
“Alright.”
The two wheeled their suitcases out of the basement and arrived on the second floor.
At this hour, no one was in the hallway; everyone was inside their rooms unpacking.
Jiang Kong kicked the suitcase at his doorway into his room and shut the door again, wheeling two suitcases into Jiang Yi’s room.
He wanted to help his sister pack together, but the moment he set the suitcases down, Jiang Yi urged him away.
“I can unpack myself. You go unpack your own luggage too.”
Jiang Kong wanted to push back, but the camera broadcasted the staff member’s voice.
“Would all guests please arrive at the dining room promptly at 6:00 PM to enjoy your very first feast upon arriving at ‘Different’!”
Jiang Yi immediately walked over and gave Jiang Kong a gentle nudge.
“Hurry back and pack your bags. I can manage on my own.”
Jiang Kong had no choice but to take his leave.
Once the room door closed, Jiang Yi didn’t rush to open her suitcases. Instead, she set an alarm for 5:30 PM and sank straight into the comfortable beanbag sofa, draining every ounce of tension from her body.
Phew.
She let out a long breath, feeling like a battery on the verge of running out, finally turning back to green in this brief moment of solitude.
Battery +1!
Battery +1!
Battery +1!
……
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