NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 76 - Trying on swimsuits
Two hours later, everyone arrived at the exit.
The task had been relatively easy—just answering questions was enough to earn shells—so most had accumulated a similar number of shells.
Back at the campsite set up by the production crew, the group gathered on a relaxing beach by the sea, with a restaurant about a hundred meters ahead.
“Before exchanging your shells for lunch, we need to conduct a truth verification test to see if anyone lied while answering the questions earlier. If lies are detected, five shells will be deducted. Now, let’s have the first group step forward and wear the truth test wristbands.”
After the tests, two of the five groups had shells deducted accordingly.
“Alright, please head to the restaurant ahead and choose your lunch. After lunch, the live-stream voting channel will open, so give it your best shot and impress the viewers!”
Tang Yuan counted the shells in her bamboo basket—eighteen in total. She had answered eighteen questions in the aquarium.
The audience’s questions had been particularly tricky; it was easy to slip up if you weren’t careful.
The groups led by An Zichu and Jie Xin had shells deducted because they drew one of the more challenging questions: whether Jie Xin and Qi Hongqiao’s relationship was genuine or scripted. To maintain the production team’s image, they couldn’t admit it was scripted, so their answer was inevitably a lie.
“Good thing we didn’t get caught,” Tang Yuan said smugly, swinging her bamboo basket.
“Should we have been caught?” Jiang Zi wondered aloud. “We answered truthfully.”
Tang Yuan snorted. “One of the questions asked how far our relationship had progressed, and you said ‘kiss.’ You’re not feeling guilty about that?”
“Should I?” Jiang Zi lowered her gaze, looking at Tang Yuan with a playful arch of her eyebrow. “Are you suggesting we’ve gone beyond that?”
Tang Yuan froze, awkwardly swinging the bamboo basket higher, the shells clinking together. She tried to hide her embarrassment, mumbling, “No, I agree with you.”
Suddenly, Jiang Zi snatched the basket’s handle from Tang Yuan’s hands. “Could it be… Little Tang Yuan is remembering the time in the bathroom when she helped sister…”
Tang Yuan’s face turned bright red. She quickly stopped Jiang Zi. “Don’t you dare say another word!”
Jiang Zi playfully flicked Tang Yuan’s cheek with her finger, feeling the heat from her blush. Undeterred, she teased, “Oh, so Little Tang Yuan remembers it so vividly. But sadly…”
Jiang Zi sighed dramatically. “In my mind, it’s still just a pure and innocent kiss.”
Tang Yuan wished she could seal Jiang Zi’s mouth shut. How could someone who once said “I’m not your sister,” tease her like this now?
【Pure and innocent… huh? I knew this livestream would deliver the goods!】
【Bathroom? What happened?】
【Wait… huh? HUH?】
【You two… in public—explain yourselves!】
【No way Jiang Zi got her way, not with that expression.】
Tang Yuan realized bringing up the topic had been a mistake. She was still outmatched.
Eighteen shells could be exchanged for a king crab, a bowl of sea cucumber soup, and a shrimp fried rice.
The production team wasn’t too harsh, considering the restaurant’s regular menu prices. These dishes combined would normally cost around twenty thousand.
As expected, it’s always easier to make money off the rich.
After lunch, the livestream’s voting channel officially opened.
Love Island was a tourist destination catering to wealthy visitors, with top-notch infrastructure and facilities.
The prices, however, were astonishing.
For example, a two-kilometer ride from the restaurant to the specialty street costs 200 yuan—just for a basic three-wheeler. If you wanted a romantic flower carriage, pumpkin carriage, or fairy tale ride, it would cost at least a thousand yuan.
You could also hire a private tour guide for 50,000 yuan per day.
After hearing the restaurant server’s friendly explanation, everyone was speechless.
They had thought the aquarium’s transport fees were outrageous, but clearly, they’d underestimated the island’s pricing.
Thankfully, none of these were mandatory expenses.
But two kilometers was a tricky distance—not too far, not too close. Walking under the blazing sun was exhausting, so Tang Yuan asked Jiang Zi, “Sister, do you like flower carriages?”
“I don’t mind,” Jiang Zi replied, promptly booking one.
The two of them rode off in a romantic flower carriage.
Deng Peiluo turned to Du Shuhuai. “What kind of ride do you like?”
Du Shuhuai glanced at the price list and answered honestly, “Does the Number 11 bus count?”
Her two legs were quite reliable. Even if they gave out, a trip to the hospital wouldn’t cost nearly as much.
Deng Peiluo caught her drift and nodded. “Then let’s walk. We can also burn off some calories.”
Meng Yao’er and Su Qingyao didn’t take a ride either. When Su Qingyao asked for Meng Yao’er’s opinion, she immediately declined.
Meng Yao’er had said she wanted to spend time alone with Su Qingyao, away from the crowd.
She was unusually clingy.
After a brief moment of thought, Su Qingyao agreed. Wandering aimlessly sounded good, and it might be a chance to clear up some misunderstandings.
Meng Yao’er’s earlier actions in the aquarium reminded her that clip-on mics could be turned off. As long as they stayed out of the camera’s line of sight and turned off the mic, they could say whatever they wanted without being overheard.
After all, Su Qingyao lacked the courage to meet Meng Yao’er privately. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to this show after Sister Qing contacted her.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zi and Tang Yuan, who had departed first, arrived at the specialty street. The romantic flower carriage took about ten minutes to cover two kilometers—barely faster than walking.
The first thing they did after getting off was buy coconut pastries.
This area sold flip-flops and swimsuits, including a wide variety of colorful bikinis.
The shop assistant at the entrance was very enthusiastic. “Hello, beauties! Come in and have a look. Feel free to try anything you like. With your figures, you’ll look amazing in these!”
Inside, the trendiest styles were displayed on mannequins. Tang Yuan couldn’t take her eyes off them and pulled Jiang Zi’s wrist, leading her into the shop.
Jiang Zi was reluctant, almost dragged inside.
Bikinis were quite revealing—more so than the edgy outfits she usually wore.
She couldn’t imagine what the livestream viewers might think of her trying on outfits like these.
Once inside, Tang Yuan let go of Jiang Zi’s hand and began browsing enthusiastically.
Jiang Zi glanced back at the ever-present camera crew. Walking up to the staff, she said seriously, “Excuse me, could you cover the camera while we try on clothes? The exposure might violate guidelines, and the live stream could get flagged.”
The camerawoman found the request absurd at first but then saw the seriousness in Jiang Zi’s dark eyes. She nodded.
“Alright.” She placed a cover over the lens, blocking the viewers’ sight.
【Argh! Stingy Sister Jiang!】
【You’ve lost my vote!】
【The jealousy in this room is palpable—it’s blacking out the stream!】