Chapter 6
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Little Nora suddenly looked toward Jiang Xuan, while Jiang Xuan was convinced that this dark-skinned man in front of him was a fan of Lin Yi, helping Lin Yi cheat! How could Lin Yi, with his small arms and legs, have picked so many apples? Even adults only picked slightly more than this basket of apples. If he weren’t worried about leaving a harsh impression on the live-stream viewers, he would have said something harsh right then: If Lin Yi really picked all these apples himself, he would be willing to offer his head as an apple to Lin Yi!
Jiang Xuan didn’t notice Nora’s gaze at all. He had also forgotten what he had privately said to Nora in the orchard, and more importantly, overlooked that reviewing the footage thoroughly would expose himself.
Zhong Qi had remained silent all along. As Lin Yi’s mentor, if he spoke up for Lin Yi, Jiang Xuan would only target Lin Yi more aggressively. That wouldn’t be helping Lin Yi; it would be harming him.
Yet Zhong Qi had never imagined Jiang Xuan would stoop so low as to argue with a seven-year-old child!
Zhong Qi knew Ian targeted Lin Yi because of himself. He had thought that as long as he didn’t appear too close to Lin Yi in front of Jiang Xuan and Ian, they wouldn’t take their grievances out on Lin Yi. But it turned out he had been foolish—where there is ill intent, there is no kindness.
He might as well follow his heart, love Lin Yi as he wished, and care for him as he pleased!
Zhong Qi stepped forward, picked up little Lin Yi, and said to Jiang Xuan, “Jiang Xuan, even if you have issues with me, you shouldn’t take it out on a child!”
His words immediately stunned everyone present.
Lin Yi was suddenly lifted up and felt uncomfortable, trying to get down, but he noticed Zhong Qi’s arm trembling slightly as he held him.
He hadn’t noticed the subtle shift in the atmosphere at the scene.
Xie Yu and He Tong had long been engaged in a subtle war of glances—was there gossip? Xi Lan inserted herself between them with a look that said, “Include me, I want to know too.”
The tour guide was excited—this was the kind of explosive moment that would surely bring in viewers.
They knew travel shows could have conflicts, but this was a kids’ variety show disguised as a travel program; they hadn’t expected such scenes!
Viewers in the live chat were rapidly typing, leaving trails of ghostly words on the keyboard.
“Quick, quick, the juicy gossip, spill it yourselves!”
“What’s up with Fresh-faced Zhong? Does he have a grudge against Jiang Xuan?”
“At last year’s White Flower Awards, Zhong Qi and Jiang Xuan competed for Best Supporting Actor. Zhong Qi won, and Jiang Xuan was caught rolling his eyes.”
“Stop spreading rumors! My brother just had eye irritation while filming back then. Besides, with his reputation, why would he bother Zhong Qi?”
“Has anyone noticed Little Nora’s strange look toward Jiang Xuan?”
“Exactly! Since that dark-skinned dad suggested reviewing the footage, Nora’s gaze toward Jiang Xuan has gotten weird. Bold guess: there’s gossip in there!”
On the hill, Jiang Xuan hadn’t expected Zhong Qi to reveal their feud. Had he forgotten his grandmother was still in the hospital?
Jiang Xuan knew he could never expose the half-brother relationship he shared with Zhong Qi.
He smiled awkwardly, “Mr. Zhong, what are you talking about? How could I have any issues with you? I just find it unbelievable that Lin Yi, a child, could have picked so many apples.”
Yang Xing also sensed Zhong Qi was targeting Jiang Xuan and quickly chimed in, “Even in a children’s competition, fairness is important. If Lin Yi didn’t pick those apples, lying isn’t very good behavior.”
Everyone present caught the implication—Lin Yi wasn’t just cheating but also lying.
Lin Yi’s fans were furious, ready to set their keyboards on fire. Their precious Lin Yi never once claimed to have picked all those apples! Why were so many people putting labels on him?
As everyone argued, the director appeared, carrying a megaphone, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, radiating authority.
“Everyone, quiet down. Since the orchard owner requested to review the footage, Xiao Chen, prepare the equipment.”
A big screen—the extra-large kind!
Xiao Chen gave a silent thumbs-up, understanding the director’s intent.
True to form, Director Li had already watched the footage and was amazed by Lin Yi’s skills but deliberately held back, waiting for the perfect moment when everyone was bickering to suggest reviewing the video.
Only Xiao Chen knew the director’s real intentions.
The staff moved professionally, quickly setting up the equipment.
Jiang Xuan frowned slightly, wondering if such a huge screen was really necessary.
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The director explained, “The orchard owner is in Area Two, so let’s play footage from both Area One and Area Two simultaneously. If there’s a blind spot in Area Two’s filming, Area One’s footage can fill in.”
Hearing mention of footage from Area One, Jiang Xuan’s eyelids twitched, a bad feeling creeping in, though he couldn’t yet pinpoint why.
Then he heard Ian whispering to Yang Bai: “Xiao Bai, pick more apples later and give them to me…”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward Ian. Being only five years old, he might not grasp the full meaning of those looks but could distinguish kindness from hostility.
He immediately clung to Jiang Xuan’s leg, pressing his cheek against Jiang Xuan’s, avoiding the surrounding gaze.
He Tong blurted out bluntly, “So there’s another culprit cheating after all.”
Jiang Xuan’s anger flared like a red-hot flame. Fortunately, foundation makeup concealed his face; otherwise, he’d look like a furious red bird.
“Mr. He, why be so harsh to a child?”
Jiang Xuan’s tone was not pleasant.
He Tong was unimpressed, “When you kept questioning Lin Yi, didn’t you consider he’s just a child?”
Before Jiang Xuan could reply, his face appeared on the big screen.
“Nora, what did you just hear?” Jiang Xuan spoke gently to Nora in the video.
Nora had been picking apples alone in Area Three, lost in her task, unaware she had wandered into Area One. Unexpectedly, she overheard Ian and Yang Bai talking.
Nora was quite close but remained in Ian’s blind spot, so he didn’t see her.
Nora was obviously about to warn them, but Jiang Xuan arrived first.
He greeted Ian and Yang Bai, then found an excuse to send them away.
Then on the big screen appeared the moment Jiang Xuan stopped Nora to talk.
Nora said, “Ian told Xiao Bai to help him pick apples.”
Jiang Xuan reached out and patted Nora’s hair, “Nora misunderstood. Ian and the others were just joking; it wasn’t real.”
Nora’s pale little face furrowed in doubt.
Jiang Xuan continued, “Nora is a good child. Promise Uncle Jiang you won’t tell anyone about what you just heard, alright? If you do, your nose will grow crooked.”
He Tong was furious and immediately grabbed Jiang Xuan’s collar.
“Teacher Jiang, are you threatening my daughter?”
Jiang Xuan snapped out of his shock, briefly panicked, but quickly composed himself.
“Mr. He, that’s not what I meant…”
“What do you mean, then? Is this how you teach children?”
He Tong’s questions came one after another. Jiang Xuan was on the defensive, and with the entire internet watching, he couldn’t dig his own grave any further.
He tried to retreat strategically. Ian was just a child and didn’t understand these complexities.
Seeing He Tong grab his collar, Jiang Xuan bumped his head forcefully against He Tong’s, causing her to stagger back. Luckily, the dark-skinned orchard owner caught her shoulder just in time.
Children didn’t know how to hold back their strength; it was like being butted by a little calf.
Nora saw her mother being bullied and pushed Ian, who fell to the ground.
Jiang Xuan could have caught Ian but deliberately didn’t; in an instant, he painted himself and Ian as the victims.
Sure enough, when Ian raised his head, two streaks of blood ran beneath his delicate nose.
Ian reached up to touch it and suddenly realized the pain, bursting into loud sobs amplified by the director’s megaphone.
Nora’s pretty face looked confused and scared.
Though small, Ian’s crying was quiet and measured, tears dropping one by one.
He Tong was heartbroken and rushed to hug her daughter, but before she could, a small figure moved faster and stood before Nora.
Lin Yi had somehow slipped from Zhong Qi’s arms and handed Nora a soft cotton handkerchief, gently touching her soft hair.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Nora glanced at Lin Yi and took the handkerchief. “Thank you.”
He Tong embraced Nora, “Be good, sweetheart. Mom’s right here with you.”
Staff stopped Ian’s nosebleed and tended to the scrape on his arm.
Before leaving, Jiang Xuan’s eyes were red as he apologized to He Tong, looking pitiful.
“Mr. He, sorry.”
[Although Jiang Xuan didn’t behave well in the orchard, Nora shouldn’t have pushed Ian.]
[Doesn’t anyone find Nora really unpleasant? Always with a cold expression, as if everyone owes her something.]
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