Chapter Forty-One: Not Arranged by the Production Team? (Part Two)

Chapter Forty-One: Not Arranged by the Production Team? (Part Two)

Yang Xin’er produced four keys, stunning not only the other guests but also many of the staff members. Especially the other three teams—they knew exactly how much effort it had taken to find that treasure box. After all their hard work, someone else had beaten them to it, and now it turned out to be Zhang Le and his partner.

How did those two manage to find the treasure box so quickly?

“How did you do it?” Chen Fang asked curiously.

“Gold, wood, water, fire, and earth are the five elements. For each element, there’s a corresponding direction and color! Your earth treasure box was probably found in the central plaza of this manor hotel, wasn’t it? The place where the box was hidden must have something to do with the earth element or with yellow. If there’s an artificial hill in the plaza, it’s likely you found it there,” Zhang Le said with a smile. “Now you know where the other four treasure boxes are, don’t you?”

“Oh! The swimming pool is on the north side of the manor hotel! So that’s where the water treasure box was hidden!” Lin Yang nodded, suddenly understanding.

His earth treasure box had indeed been found atop the artificial hill in the central plaza.

“The earth box was found on the artificial hill in the central plaza,” Chen Fang affirmed, nodding as Liu Zheng and the others looked over.

“My treasure box was found under the big tree on the east side,” Liang Bin said, shaking his head. “Honestly, I’d rather this show didn’t use a competition format. Getting humiliated every time isn’t much fun. So what do we do next, join up with Teacher Liu’s group?”

“Ha! No matter how clever you are, you can’t beat my luck!” Lin Yang crowed triumphantly, pulling out the express pass.

“Don’t be so smug,” Zhang Le said, shaking his head with a wry smile. “How are we supposed to enjoy ourselves with you acting like that?”

“You grabbed four keys and played a prank on us; there’s no enjoying ourselves anymore,” Liang Bin said, turning to the director. “Director, can we team up with Teacher Liu to snatch their keys?”

“You may!” The director replied after a moment’s thought.

Liang Bin and Liu Zheng exchanged glances, then grinned mischievously as they closed in on Zhang Le and his partner. Zhang Yao and Xu Min joined in, laughing as they surrounded them.

“Director, this show is supposed to have class—now you’re making it violent and dragging down the tone! Think carefully!” Zhang Le protested loudly. He pulled Yang Xin’er, trying to escape, but had no chance. He couldn’t very well use martial arts to knock them down.

The director ignored him.

“Fine! You win. No need to fight; I’ll just give each group one key,” Zhang Le announced loudly after the playful scuffle.

“All four keys are here. You each pick one—whatever you get is up to fate,” Yang Xin’er said, holding out the keys.

Liang Bin and Zhang Yao laughed; Liu Zheng and Xu Min joined in.

“Director, you’re encouraging them to get something for nothing. Robbery isn’t right!” Zhang Le complained.

Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er’s luck was so abysmal it left everyone speechless. Of the four types of transportation, the car was chosen by Liu Zheng and Xu Min. The electric scooter went to Liang Bin and Zhang Yao. That left Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er staring at each other in disbelief.

They were left with a bicycle—just one for the two of them, though at least it had a seat in the back. But what really left them dumbfounded was the other option: a handcart!

A handcart—so one would pull in front, the other push from behind? This was worse than simply walking.

“Is this really a transportation option? You’re too cruel!” Zhang Le said, gazing at the handcart.

“How is it cruel? Didn’t we give you an express pass for an extra choice? Don’t worry—the road to the destination is all flat, no hills. You can take the handcart if you want,” the director replied, smiling.

The other guests burst out laughing.

“Xiao Yang, which will you choose? Why not try the handcart? I bet you’ve never ridden one,” Liu Zheng said, starting his car and rolling down the window.

“Bicycle,” Zhang Le said firmly. He was genuinely worried Yang Xin’er might choose the handcart for novelty’s sake. If she did, he’d end up pulling it while she sat in back.

“Zhang, now you know what it means to reap what you sow, eh?” Liang Bin joked, riding off on the scooter.

“Why do I feel like our joy has turned into sorrow?” Yang Xin’er said gloomily, watching the others leave and turning to Zhang Le.

“Intellect loses to luck,” Zhang Le sighed. “Let’s go—I bet I can outrun at least one of them on the bike.”

They wouldn’t be able to beat the car, but the scooter was still within reach.

“Hurry up! They’re catching up!” Zhang Yao urged Liang Bin, glancing behind.

“This is as fast as it gets,” Liang Bin replied, frustrated. He could already see them in the rearview mirror.

He watched helplessly as Zhang Le, carrying Yang Xin’er, overtook them. “I refuse to believe you can keep up that speed!”

He’d underestimated Zhang Le’s physical fitness and didn’t realize the destination wasn’t as far as imagined.

Once they arrived, the first stage of filming was over, and they received the task for stage two.

Stage two required the four teams to earn their own living expenses by working in this foreign country. Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er’s job was to sell goods at a street stall.

Selling things seemed easy and not physically demanding—at least while actually selling. But setting up and taking down the stall was exhausting.

Fortunately, Zhang Le had practiced martial arts and enjoyed far greater stamina than most. Moreover, he was accustomed to hardship, having grown up in a poor family. Such work was hardly tiring for him.

While setting up the stall, Yang Xin’er wanted to help, but Zhang Le stopped her.

“Just watch—it’ll be done in no time. Back in high school, I set up stalls during vacations to earn tuition. I know all the tricks. At that time, not only did I have to avoid city inspectors, but I also had to deal with petty gangsters demanding protection money. That was much tougher than this,” Zhang Le said as he arranged the goods.

Yang Xin’er looked at him with newfound tenderness. He spoke lightly, but she could hear the hardship behind his words.

“All done!” Zhang Le smiled at Yang Xin’er once everything was ready.

“Why do you have to avoid city inspectors when setting up a stall?” Yang Xin’er asked suddenly.

“Probably because they think street stalls affect the city’s appearance and hygiene. If you get a decent inspector, he’ll just chase you off. If he’s nasty, he’ll confiscate your stuff or even beat you,” Zhang Le replied, shaking his head. Those memories were not pleasant.

“Are there city inspectors in America?” Yang Xin’er asked after a moment’s silence.

“I don’t know about inspectors, but there are petty gangsters everywhere,” Zhang Le replied, pointing to a group approaching. Their attire was the classic look for gang members.

“Are they part of the show?” Yang Xin’er frowned, glancing at the group surrounding their stall.

Zhang Le sensed the hostility from them and glanced at the production staff, who looked confused and alarmed. He looked in the direction the gang had come from and spotted a familiar figure in a nearby car.

He frowned, shielding Yang Xin’er behind him. “They’re not arranged by the production team.”