Chapter 121: Can You Cook?

"Can you cook?"

This was the routine question for guest stars. Lan Tian shook his head rapidly, and the disappointment on the faces of the others was undisguised.

Then, everyone’s burning gaze shifted to Bai Chenxi. Feeling the heat of their attention, she swallowed nervously and gave a slow nod.

In an instant, the people who were usually refined and polite in front of the cameras began high-fiving and hugging like excited children.

"We can finally eat!"

Bai Chenxi looked at Chu Muyun. "How many days has it been since you last ate?"

She knew the show's living conditions were tough, but she hadn't expected it to be this dire. Look at how it had driven them mad.

Chu Muyun spoke up, "They’re just being dramatic. Don’t pay them any mind."

Aside from Chu Muyun, the only other person keeping his cool was Wang Yehong. Wang Yehong was the one who had discovered Bai Chenxi, so she felt quite close to him.

She pulled him aside, eager to show off the things she had brought. As the group stared at the full suitcase of food, they were practically drooling.

However, the production crew stepped in. "Guests are not allowed to bring food."

Bai Chenxi set the food down and walked toward them, saying, "In that case, I think we need to have a serious talk."

The few steps she took toward them were surprisingly intimidating.

Once she reached the crew, her tone shifted to playful coaxing. "Director, this is a token of my heart that I carried all this way. Can we just pretend you didn't see it? Please?"

The director remained firm. "Absolutely not!"

"Director, look at the theme of our show. 'Hello, Quiet Life,' right? Our main goal is to appreciate the beauty of life. Look at them; they can't even get a meal. How are they supposed to appreciate the beauty of life like this?"

The director was a tough nut to crack. "Labor is the most glorious virtue."

Seeing that the director was unmoved, Bai Chenxi pulled up a stool and sat down, preparing for a war of attrition.

The crew was surprised to see her just pull up a chair. While she had been a bit quirky in previous variety shows, it was always within the limits of "cute." Since her breakout role in *Beauty of the Empire*, her public image had been that of a sophisticated young lady.

It was unexpected to see her so unconcerned with her image, but it certainly made for good television. Deciding that this segment was definitely making the final cut, the director was more than happy to banter with her.

Bai Chenxi persisted, "Director, we are a warm and loving show. Isn't it loving for a guest to bring a few things?"

"It’s just like neighbors visiting each other with gifts. And if you agree, Director, it would make you seem even more loving."

The director still had only two words: "Absolutely not!"

...Bai Chenxi spoke for quite a while, and every time the director replied, it was just those two words: "Absolutely not!"

Bai Chenxi sighed in defeat. "Director, can we please use a different phrase?"

The director replied, "Sure!"

Bai Chenxi was overjoyed and turned to the others behind her. "Did you hear that? The director agreed!"

Chu Muyun caught on immediately. "I heard it. The director just said 'sure'."

The others nodded in unison. "We heard it, we heard it."

Gao Yuan began to say, "But wait..." before Wei Tian forcefully pushed his head down, signaling him with his eyes.

Gao Yuan finally caught on and chimed in, "Right, we all heard it! The director can’t go back on his word now."

Seeing that the variety effect had reached its peak, the director waved his hand. "Fine!"

Bai Chenxi breathed a sigh of relief; she truly wouldn't have known what else to do if that hadn't worked. With so much food, she could justify it as bringing supplies specifically for Chu Muyun. If he kept starving like this, he would end up in the hospital.

Seeing that the food had been secured, Gao Yuan started calling her "Sister" with the sweetest tone. Gao Yuan had been a child star, and Bai Chenxi had watched him grow up on television. Looking at him, she felt a sense of maternal pride: *Look at how handsome my son has grown up to be.*

Whatever Gao Yuan said, Bai Chenxi responded with a doting smile. Although Chu Muyun didn't want to compete with a child, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

"Bai Chenxi, I'm hungry." As soon as Chu Muyun spoke, everyone turned their eyes to Bai Chenxi.

They all felt a bit embarrassed to have her cook for them the moment she arrived, but their stomachs were screaming. At Chu Muyun's words, everyone's eyes lit up.

Later, netizens joked about this moment: they looked like a pack of huskies spotting a bone.

Bai Chenxi had actually thought the same thing at the time, but she kept it to herself. It seemed the production team had really put them through the wringer!

The production team countered: *We don't take the blame. We wanted a peaceful, quiet life; this is just what they did to themselves.*

"I'll go cook right now." While her heart went out to them, her body was already moving. "Brother Chu, where is the kitchen?"

Chu Muyun perked up instantly. "I'll take you there."

Just as Gao Yuan was about to object out of habit, Wei Tian gave him a look, and he immediately went silent.

Ever since Sister Chenxi arrived, he felt like he kept saying the wrong things, and the seniors' gazes toward him were always strange. Especially earlier—he had noticed nobody was hosting her, so he went over to talk to her. How could they neglect their chef? Then he saw the seniors looking at him with that strange, knowing smile. Even Lan Tian, who had just arrived, seemed to be laughing at him.

Lan Tian felt that the seniors were acting weird today. Sticking to the principle of "say less, err less," he decided to stay low-key and follow their lead.

Poor, oblivious Gao Yuan didn't realize until he read the netizens' comments on this episode that he had accidentally been a giant, glowing third wheel.

[Short Skit]

After Bai Chenxi expressed concern for his stomach time and time again, Chu Muyun finally couldn't take it and called Grandma Chu.

"Grandma, what exactly did you tell Bai Chenxi about my stomach issues?"

Every day, faced with her concerned gaze, Chu Muyun couldn't help but wonder if his stomach was made of paper.

Grandma Chu thought back carefully. "Oh! That! I told Chenxi you had a stomach ailment—the kind that makes you writhe in agony."

Chu Muyun groaned in frustration. "Grandma! Can you stop making things up?"

"How am I making things up? Don't you have a stomach condition? Doesn't it hurt?"

Grandma Chu thought to herself: *If I don't exaggerate, how will you get the girl to feel sorry for you and look after you? My grandson is so old, and he still needs me to help him chase girls.*

"I do, but it's not as serious as you described." He didn't even need to guess; his grandmother would definitely have blown it out of proportion.

"How is it not? If you don't pay attention, it will become exactly what I said."

"Fine, fine. I'm wrong. I'll be careful." Chu Muyun conceded. It seemed he would have to talk to Bai Chenxi.

"Chenxi, I... you..." Watching Chu Muyun stumble over his words, Bai Chenxi asked curiously, "What are you trying to say? This is the first time I've seen you this hesitant."

"I wanted to say, you... no, wait, I didn't..."

Bai Chenxi ladled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of him. "Alright, drink some soup first. Maybe once you've finished, you'll know how to say it."

Chu Muyun looked at the soup with a complicated expression. Bai Chenxi asked, "Don't you want it? I specifically looked for this to nourish and soothe your stomach."

Seeing her expectant gaze, Chu Muyun immediately picked up the bowl. "I do."

After he finished, Bai Chenxi beamed at him. "Have you figured out what you wanted to say now?"

"I want you to cook for me every single day."