Chapter 53

As soon as Ji Yanli spoke, everyone at the dining table seemed to pause for a moment. Except for Jiang Xiao, who was still eating pork ribs.

The sweet and sour pork ribs Si Lin made really suited his palate. There weren’t many people at the table who liked sweet things, so quite a few ribs were left over.

“A King Bed Room is,” He Chen paused, then said, “one bed?”

“Yes.” Ji Yanli smiled and took a sip of water. “The Production Team is really going big this time.”

Perhaps because it was a same-sex love variety show, whether it was the little mechanisms in the Secret Room or the room distribution issue upon entering the Cabin, everything thoroughly exuded an unsettling vibe that the Production Team was up to something.

Yet, aside from the six of them, there were no unrelated personnel present, and there was no way to negotiate. So all the difficult problems were thrown onto them.

“Since you two are brothers, you shouldn’t mind sleeping together, right?” Ji Yanli’s target of inquiry was clearly Si Lin and Si Mingyu. “What do you think?”

Anyone would know they were brothers the moment they saw them. There was no other reason: they simply looked too alike. Their genes were powerful, such that even though the two wore different styles of clothing, and one wore glasses with a completely different temperament, their facial features were nearly identical.

Si Lin didn’t say anything. Si Mingyu had been lost in thought since earlier, not knowing what he was pondering. He spun the spoon in his hand a few times, then put it on the plate with a “clink.” He said, “I don’t really want to room with my brother. He probably feels the same way.”

“Besides, our relationship isn’t that great to begin with. We tend to argue whenever we’re together.” Si Mingyu said, “I’m afraid we might tear the house down in the middle of the night. For everyone’s sleep, let’s just forget it.”

Ji Yanli seemed very skilled at dealing with such situations. After all, as a doctor, he’d seen his fair share of difficult patients. He smiled and said, “In that case, why don’t we all freely form pairs first? Maybe we’ll get a direct match.”

“…Jiang Xiao, what do you think?”

Jiang Xiao was completely focused on eating ribs, not paying attention to what they were discussing. Only when he heard his name did he look up, face full of confusion. “What’s up?”

“Which room do you want to stay in?” Ji Yanli asked with a smiling gaze.

Jiang Xiao thought for a moment, then said, “I’m fine with anything. You can just leave me whatever’s left.”

If conditions allowed, Jiang Xiao naturally wanted a Single Room—more space, high privacy, and more relaxing. However, staying in a Double Room would actually be better for his Task.

Living together would bring them closer. He could use the chance to gather information, and perhaps even turn the other person into an ally.

More importantly, Jiang Xiao had asked the System. This Instance wasn’t just a love variety show; it also contained an indispensable element of all suspense novels: a murder segment.

But the System hadn’t told him exactly when someone would die, only that this segment existed. All he needed to do was wait quietly.

Who would the victim be? Jiang Xiao couldn’t guess.

Ji Yanli’s brow arched slightly. He clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Xiao to give that kind of answer. He asked again, “Then who do you want as your roommate?”

Jiang Xiao: “Mm…”

If it were purely as a roommate, Jiang Xiao naturally wanted to room with Si Lin. Lawyer Si was practically like the air itself; when he wasn’t speaking to anyone, you’d almost forget his presence. And he liked peace and quiet.

But from an information-gathering standpoint, Si Lin spoke too little. It would probably be hard to get much out of him.

He Chen seemed decent, but he also didn’t come across as an outgoing personality.

As for Ji Yanli, Jiang Xiao simply ignored him outright.

Si Mingyu glanced at Jiang Xiao several times, wanting to speak but hesitating.

He Chen, meanwhile, ate with his eyes lowered, deep in thought.

“Instead of this, why doesn’t everyone write down their room and roommate choices on a slip of paper? Then we’ll consolidate the results.” Si Lin suddenly spoke up. “We’ll continue until the pairings are successful.”

“I’m staying in a Single Room.” Lu Moxing, seemingly tired of all the dithering, spoke lazily. “As for the other rooms, figure it out yourselves.”

Everyone at this meal harbored their own ulterior motives. Only Jiang Xiao was completely focused, doing great honor to Si Lin by polishing off an entire plate of sweet and sour pork ribs.

He Chen somehow found paper and handed it to Jiang Xiao. Jiang Xiao, currently washing dishes, told him to just put it down for now.

Si Lin had cooked most of the dishes, so Jiang Xiao was too embarrassed to do less work. He’d forcibly chased Si Lin off to rest.

“Jiang Xiao, do you want to room with me?” He Chen asked directly.

Jiang Xiao said, “I thought you’d want a Single Room.”

“I do a little, but I feel like competition for it will be fierce.” He Chen smiled. “I won’t be able to out-contend them. Might as well secure a spot in the Double Room first. At least there are two beds.”

True enough. At minimum, Jiang Xiao didn’t want to share a King Bed Room with someone, unless he could find a chainsaw to cut the bed in half.

It wasn’t shyness exactly. Jiang Xiao just had poor sleeping posture. Once, he slept over at a friend’s place, sharing a bed. The friend ended up being tightly hugged by him like a body pillow, impossible to pry off.

If not for knowing Jiang Xiao was straight, the friend would have almost thought he had feelings for him.

Jiang Xiao had reined it in somewhat since then, but how could you know what you do in your sleep?

To avoid this kind of misunderstanding, two beds were much more reasonable.

However…

“I need to think about it.” Jiang Xiao said apologetically. “Actually, there’s someone I’m thinking of rooming with…”

He Chen nodded, very understanding. He said with a smile, “If he rejects you, remember to come find me.”

Jiang Xiao made an “ok” gesture.

Washing the pots, pans, and dishes for six people took quite a bit of time. But this time was perfect for Jiang Xiao to sort out his thoughts quietly.

“Brother.” A hesitant head poked in at the doorway. Si Mingyu said carefully, “Are you still mad at me? I’m here to apologize.”

Right now, Jiang Xiao didn’t want to see him at all. He gave a curt “No,” and continued washing dishes with his head down.

“I hadn’t seen Brother in so long, I got a little excited.” Now Si Mingyu lacked that earlier reckless momentum from the utility room. Crestfallen, he said, “I was wrong.”

Jiang Xiao continued keeping a stern face. “Even so, you can’t do… that. That’s called being a hooligan, you know?”

“I know.” Si Mingyu nodded seriously twice. “I know I scared Brother just now. I won’t ever do it again. I swear!”

“That’s enough, then.” Jiang Xiao couldn’t be too hard on the kid. “You’re forgiven.”

Si Mingyu’s eyes instantly lit up. He looked at Jiang Xiao eagerly. “Really? Then Brother… will you room with me?”

His transition was so smooth that Jiang Xiao didn’t even react in time. “Sure… wait, no! Absolutely not!”

“Please reconsider.” Jiang Xiao said tactfully. “Actually, I snore at night, and grind my teeth. I’m pretty noisy.”

“I don’t mind.” Si Mingyu grinned. “I’ve slept with Brother before. There was no problem at all.”

“Still no…” Jiang Xiao had to say, “Actually, I already have someone in mind, but it’s not you. I’m sorry.”

The smile on Si Mingyu’s lips collapsed instantly. He looked at him with the grievance of a little kitten soaked by heavy rain. But Jiang Xiao remained iron-hearted. “Find someone else.”

“Who does Brother want to room with?” Si Mingyu persisted, unwilling to give up. “Is it Si Lin?”

“It’s not… Don’t ask anymore, it’s a secret.” Jiang Xiao said.

Si Mingyu let out an “Oh,” and walked over to Jiang Xiao’s side. “Never mind. Brother being willing to forgive me already makes me very happy. Let me help Brother wash the dishes.”

Fine white foam submerged their wrists. Si Mingyu washed the bowls and chopsticks, secretly glancing sidelong at Jiang Xiao. Inside, he thought idly—

Brother really has forgotten everything from the past, after all.

After all, Jiang Xiao had never slept over with him before.

This was, as far as Si Mingyu was concerned, very good news.

Si Lin had probably figured it out too. But how could he possibly tell Jiang Xiao about the past? That would only make Jiang Xiao keep his distance.

If that’s the case, then this role of the villain…

He would take it.

Thinking this, the corner of Si Mingyu’s mouth curved up in a pleased arc again.

Sorry, Si Lin. Although doing this isn’t good, but who allowed the chance to fall into his hands?

He would find the most opportune moment to tell Jiang Xiao everything about those events.

With Si Mingyu’s help, Jiang Xiao quickly finished everything. He swept his eyes over the living room. Ji Yanli was casually watering the plants on the windowsill with apparent leisure. No one else was in the living room.

The Cabin looked exquisite on the outside, but the interior space was actually very large. The Swimming Pool, Media Room, Gym, and so on—everything was readily available. Jiang Xiao wandered around and nearly got lost. Only with difficulty did he manage to find Lu Moxing.

“CEO Lu?” Jiang Xiao said. “Working out right after eating? That’s really a healthy lifestyle.”

“If you don’t want to compliment, don’t force it.” Lu Moxing wasn’t actually working out. He was sitting on the fitness equipment, one leg propped on the ground, flipping through a magazine he’d found from who-knows-where. He didn’t even lift his eyelids at the words. “You need something?”

“Yeah, I wanted to discuss the room situation with you.” Jiang Xiao admitted it openly. “Could we room together?”

Lu Moxing said casually, “I’m staying in a Single Room. I don’t need a roommate.”

“Competition for the Single Rooms is very fierce. If you don’t get chosen, you’ll just have to share a King Bed Room with someone.” Jiang Xiao coaxed patiently, trying to persuade Lu Moxing. “So, actually, the Double Room is the best choice.”

Lu Moxing gave a half-smile. “How do you know I won’t get a Single Room? Could it be that you’re the one making the final decision?”

“The room allocation starts with those who’ve formed pairs. Afterwards, those who weren’t chosen pair up again. If too many people want one room, it gets left for last.” Jiang Xiao said, “The probability of not being chosen is at least fifty percent.”

Lu Moxing raised an eyebrow. “And how do you know they all want a Single Room?”

Jiang Xiao: “Because if you don’t room with me, I’ll have them all choose the Single Room.”

Hearing this, Lu Moxing narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze was a bit dangerous.

“Are you threatening me?”

Jiang Xiao: “I just want to room with you.”

Lu Moxing snorted a laugh, its meaning unclear.

“So the fox’s tail finally can’t help but show itself?”

Jiang Xiao: “?”

Lu Moxing glanced at him mildly. “If you don’t want to seduce me, why are you so insistent on rooming with me?”

Jiang Xiao: “Uh…”

His reason for deciding to room with Lu Moxing truly wasn’t this absurd kind of reason.

It was because Lu Moxing was the first to propose staying in a Single Room. Plus, the moment he entered the house he started fiddling with that crappy old laptop of his, looking very busy, and no one knew what he was busy with.

Given his personality, even if he wasn’t the culprit in a novel, he’d at least qualify as an accomplice.

He could never just be a mere passerby.

So Jiang Xiao decided to strike at the root and stick to Lu Moxing from the start of the plot. By closely monitoring his behavior and actions, he could find more clues.

And even if he guessed wrong, Lu Moxing was still a straight man! At minimum, Jiang Xiao didn’t need to worry about his personal safety.

“Got nothing to say?” Lu Moxing said casually, a hint of mockery in his tone.

“Yes, you’re not wrong. I want to chase you. But if CEO Lu is unwilling, I won’t do anything. And I’m very quiet, won’t make noise, won’t bother you. You can treat me like I’m invisible.” Thoughts racing a hundred times over, Jiang Xiao leaned against the wall and said crisply, “So, is CEO Lu willing to agree?”

Lu Moxing stared fixedly at him for a moment. No emotion could be discerned in his dark, deep eyes. Then his gaze fell on Jiang Xiao’s clothes. A moment later, he raised his hand, tossed the magazine aside, and spat out three words:

“I refuse.”