Although they had experienced a downpour, the guests' atmosphere had actually heated up considerably. The production team also felt that the unexpected rain had come at the right time, as all guests except for the fifth guest had captured plenty of footage.
The heavy rain washed over the mountains and forests, and the male and female leads, caught in the downpour, sought shelter together, getting to know each other better. This perfectly embodied the theme of the episode.
Therefore, both the production team and the guests were exceptionally happy during dinner time, and a joyful atmosphere permeated the entire mountainside.
Chu Rong changed into dry clothes and came out, taking over Quan Jiu's task.
Seeing that his complexion was still a bit pale, Quan Jiu advised, "You should go cover yourself with a blanket and sleep for a while. I'll call you when it's time to eat."
Chu Rong glanced meaningfully at Meng Pinglang next door, smiling mischievously, "Are you questioning my health?"
Quan Jiu looked up at the sky speechlessly, "Suit yourself."
However, after leaving, she still went to the production team to get a packet of cold medicine. She brewed it and brought it to Chu Rong.
"This is just to thank you for letting me eat the barbecue. Don't overthink it," Quan Jiu said lightly, turned, and left, sitting by the bonfire.
Chu Rong's smile widened. He finished the cold medicine in a few gulps and continued to barbecue.
When Mai Su saw Quan Jiu walking over, she immediately went up to her with a smile, "Sister Quan, what stage have you reached?"
Quan Jiu looked bewildered, "What stage? We just hid from the rain together. What stage could we possibly reach?"
Mai Su cursed her inwardly as a schemer, but said with a smile, "Oh, don't pretend. You're playing hard to get with the CEO. You can be honest with us. We won't tell anyone."
Quan Jiu picked up a roasted sweet potato and was about to peel it when a slender hand reached out, took the sweet potato from her hand, and handed her a plate of barbecue instead.
"Try it. Barbecue tastes best when it's hot," Chu Rong said, peeling the sweet potato skin.
Quan Jiu, remembering that he had gone out in the heavy rain to find meat, couldn't bear to refuse. She took a bite and nodded, "Mmm, it tastes good."
Mai Su looked greedy, "Let me try a piece. It smells so fragrant. I didn't realize the CEO was such a good homebody." As she spoke, she reached her hand into the plate, intending to pick up a piece.
"My things are very expensive," Chu Rong extended his right hand and said lightly, "These hands can earn three hundred thousand yuan per second. This plate of barbecue took me ten minutes, which is one hundred and eighty million yuan. If you can afford it, eat as much as you want."
Mai Su's face stiffened, and her outstretched hand froze.
She let out a dry laugh, "You scared me with that joke. I don't dare to eat anymore."
"Then don't eat. It wasn't roasted for you," Chu Rong said calmly. He placed the peeled sweet potato into the plate and said gently to Quan Jiu, "Would you like some more pickled vegetables?"
Quan Jiu, who loved roasted sweet potatoes with pickled vegetables, asked instinctively, "Are there still pickled vegetables?"
"There's pickled radish. Wait," Chu Rong got up to get the pickled radish.
After he left, Mai Su dared to speak, "He's too stingy. This barbecue was prepared by the production team, not bought by anyone. It's just one piece. Can't they finish all of it? If they're so capable, they shouldn't eat anything else."
It was obvious who her words were directed at.
A female guest couldn't stand it and chimed in, "The production team already said that they found the meat themselves, so it belongs to them. If someone gives it to you, it's kindness; if they don't, it's their prerogative."
Quan Jiu seemed not to hear. She divided the barbecue among the other female guests, "He's just joking. Don't be scared by him. He's someone who is very blunt to people he dislikes, without even pretending."
The other three female guests also disliked Mai Su and knew that the previous remarks were not directed at them but at the fawning Mai Su. Therefore, they felt no psychological burden, but they also didn't want to be too casual. Each of them symbolically ate a piece of meat and praised it highly.
Mai Su gritted her teeth in hatred.
...
Chu Rong soon returned with a small dish of pickled radish, pouring it into Quan Jiu's plate, and then continued to barbecue other items.
Quan Jiu had given all the barbecue to the other female guests and took her empty plate to help Chu Rong.
The appetites of ten people were not small. By eight o'clock in the evening, all the food was served. The male and female guests paired up and sat down. Quan Jiu, as usual, sat on the side, with Meng Pinglang and Chu Rong on either side of her.
In front of her was mainly barbecue, which, as the most luxurious and delicious food on the table, naturally attracted the covetous glances of others.
Qi Fei tentatively reached his chopsticks towards a shrimp, but before his chopsticks could touch it, he heard his future boss say lightly, "One shrimp is one hundred and eighty million yuan. Are you sure you want to eat it?"
Qi Fei instinctively retracted his hand, "What? Is this shrimp made of Tang Monk's flesh?"
"This isn't made of Tang Monk's flesh, but I roasted it. Within my budget, there's no portion for you." Chu Rong wrapped a piece of meat for Quan Jiu and put it into her bowl.
Qi Fei pouted aggrievedly, "Can't I even try a piece?"
"No. This is for two people," Chu Rong remained resolute.
Quan Jiu kicked him under the table, subtly hinting.
But Chu Rong remained unmoved, adopting an attitude that no one would get a piece of barbecue from him.
The female guest paired with Qi Fei said, "You're even coveting the CEO's things. That barbecue has an owner. You men should learn that some good things can only be given to one person. If you give too much, you become a 'central air conditioner'."
Qi Fei responded with a "Got it" and offered his instant noodles, "I'll give you my favorite instant noodles to eat."
The female guest was amused and exasperated, "Get lost, who wants your instant noodles."
Quan Jiu remained silent throughout, acting like a shrinking turtle.
...
After dinner, the group cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, and then a bonfire was lit in the open space. Everyone sat in a circle. Someone played the guitar, and others sang along. Sparks occasionally crackled, accompanied by the scattered stars in the sky, creating a tranquil and peaceful scene.
Quan Jiu hadn't had such a fun time with a group of people in a long time. The fresh and relaxed feeling made her smile constantly, as if she had returned to her student days, singing karaoke with her classmates.
Chu Rong watched her quietly, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face, so charming that people couldn't look away.
Mai Su gritted her teeth with jealousy. Why would such a good man fall for that scheming bitch? She was unwilling.
Approaching Chu Rong again, Mai Su softened her voice, "Bosses like you probably dislike such occasions, right? Your time is too precious. Actually, I also find it very boring, but they seem to be having fun."
Chu Rong elegantly stood up, moved to Quan Jiu's side, took her wrist, and joined the crowd in singing and dancing.
Quan Jiu was somewhat surprised and instinctively wanted to pull her hand back, but Chu Rong held her with just the right amount of strength, neither letting her break free nor hurting her.
As they moved to the music, the tall and upright man was like a fish swimming effortlessly on the dance floor. Even with simple movements, he exuded an elegant aura.
This Chu Rong was unlike anything Quan Jiu had ever seen. She never knew he could dance.
Chu Rong seemed to notice her surprise. As the music changed, he took Quan Jiu's palm in one hand and gently placed his other hand on her waist, smiling as he whispered in her ear, "Let me tell you a secret. I actually studied ballet for fifteen years, but I was forced to."
Ballet? Quan Jiu's mind conjured images of male ballet dancers on stage, wearing tight costumes with noble and proud expressions. Looking at the cold and resolute man in front of her, she finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.