Chapter 685: Chapter 28: The Cannon Fodder Starlet Who Gives Up on Struggling (Part 28)

Han Li quickly opened her own box.

It wasn’t too bad, though there weren’t as many things as Lu Huan’s, there were still seven or eight bottles of water as well.

In Han Lu’s box were raincoats and umbrellas, several sets, more than they would ever use.

"The weather in the mountains changes rapidly, this is really useful!"

After saying this, Han Li looked towards Lu Huan.

"How about we trade some raincoats for your biscuits?"

Lu Huan thought it over, it seemed like a good deal, and was about to nod when the director sternly interrupted.

"You already confirmed earlier that you don’t want to trade, so now trading of supplies is not allowed."

Upon hearing this, Lu Huan retorted discontentedly.

"We’re not trading boxes, we’re just swapping..."

"Nothing is allowed to be exchanged, that’s what you agreed to yourselves."

The director’s tone was very strict, and even without looking, you could feel his displeasure behind those sunglasses.

Lu Huan reluctantly kept quiet, but her eyes showed her dissatisfaction as she glared at the director.

She felt he was making a big deal out of nothing, and thought he was targeting her.

Next, Qu Yongjia and Jiang Lai opened their boxes one by one.

Upon seeing the contents, Qu Yongjia’s face clearly showed disappointment, and when she looked at Jiang Lai and Jiang Qu’s boxes, her expression turned to sympathy.

In her own box were at least two or three bottles of water and a packet of biscuits, but all Jiang Lai had was one bottle of water and a small box of biscuits—no wonder it was so light.

Jiang Qu had it even worse, his box contained only a single plastic bag.

Lu Ming, nearby, almost burst out laughing at the sight.

Relying on those supplies, they thought it would be impossible to reach the summit before sunset.

There were still six or seven hours ahead of them, and the two of them only had that single bottle of water?

The director, seeing everyone had opened their boxes, nodded.

"Alright, you can set off now."

As soon as Lu Ming heard that, he immediately gave instructions to Lu Huan.

"Each of us will take five bottles of water and ten biscuits. I’ll carry the collapsible tent, and you take the hiking poles."

The siblings started preparing in an orderly manner, when the director interrupted.

"The items you selected must reach the summit with you to be considered as a win."

Lu Ming, who was in the process of loading water onto his back, froze, and then stood up to stare intently at the director.

"Carry everything? Do you know how heavy this box is?"

"I know, but it’s what you chose, so you have to carry it. No exchanges allowed. You can consume them, but discarding is not allowed. Alright, I’ve made the rules clear."

"Then why didn’t you say that earlier!"

Lu Ming was nearly losing control.

This was completely setting them up!

The director spoke in a cold tone.

"The supplies were chosen by you. I did not intervene. Now you need to head out with your supplies. Before sunset, I hope to see everyone at the top of the mountain."

Upon finishing, the director turned and walked away.

Leaving behind Lu Ming with a dark expression.

[Man, the production team is really screwing us over! Carry such heavy boxes up the mountain? Why doesn’t the director try it himself?]

[Are they targeting our Lu Ming? Why wasn’t this made clear earlier? So annoying!]

[Sorry, but I don’t see the problem here, isn’t a show supposed to have some entertainment value? Plus, they chose the boxes themselves, it’s not like the director assigned them. They chose, so they carry them—no issue there.]

[As soon as the director said no exchanges were allowed, I guessed it would turn out like this. And indeed, it did.]

[Jiang Lai and the others really have it bad too; they didn’t complain about having nothing, while those who got a bit less fortunate show a cold face.]

[I completely have no feelings for Lu Ming anymore, that kid is too scheming.]

"What are you standing around for? Climb."

Jiang Lai and Jiang Qu exchanged a glance, picked up their boxes, and set off.

The mountain trail had been cleared in advance by the production team. Although still difficult to walk, at least it wasn’t completely undeveloped with no clear path.

As long as they followed the arrows, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.

Just at the foot of the mountain, Jiang Qu pointed to a patch of red in the bushes.

"Isn’t that a flag?"

Jiang Lai went forward for a closer look and then reached out to pull it out.

It was indeed a flag.

The others behind, seeing them ahead and already pulling out a flag, became anxious immediately.

Qu Yongjia pulled her sister along to follow closely.

Han Li glanced at Lu Huan.

"Let’s go, they won’t make it to the top without supplies."

That made sense too.

Better to exhaust than to starve, no matter what, with their abundant supplies, as long as they persisted, they would surely reach the top.

All the guests had set off.

For some reason, Lu Ming, full of energy, caught up behind Jiang Lai and Jiang Qu, box and all.

"Do you guys want some water and biscuits?"

Jiang Lai glanced at him.

"What of it? We can’t exchange."

"Who said we can’t exchange? Nobody said we can’t give them for free. If you help me carry the box, I can give you guys water and food."

Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow.

"That’s not free, we’re trading labor for your stuff. Forget it, forget it!"

"With your current supplies, you’ll barely make it to the halfway point, without help, you won’t reach the summit."

Just then Jiang Qu chimed in.

"Before that, think if you might tire yourself out; either give them for free or stop talking so much."

Giving it away would benefit them too.

After all, the lighter the load, the easier the climb.

Lu Ming, however, fell silent, slowed down his pace, and watched as they walked away.

Giving it away for free?

Then he’d end up with a stronger competitor?

He might as well carry it himself and watch them give up halfway.

Besides, he didn’t have to give it just to them.

Lu Ming gave Lu Huan a look.

The latter understood and found Han Li.

"We’ll give you some water and food; you’re running low too."

But Han Li shook her head repeatedly.

"No need, no need, what we have is almost enough, you keep it for yourselves."

Are you kidding, she and Han Lu are both girls, naturally not that strong, and don’t eat much, so any additional items would be a burden to them.

Lu Huan kept a stern face and turned to ask Qu Yongjia.

"Then we’ll give it to you, anyway you’re short on supplies, so a little extra won’t hurt."

Right now, Qu Yongjia had her guard up against Lu Huan to the maximum, instinctively rejecting whatever she offered.

So no matter what was said, shaking her head was the default response.

"Even if it’s free, you still don’t want it!"

"For free... well, I’ll take two bottles of water and a biscuit then."

Hearing this, Lu Huan’s face fell.

Two bottles of water wouldn’t lessen the weight much, and a biscuit would disappear in two bites, why let someone else take it? 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"That’s not possible, at least five bottles of water, and I’ll give you a handful of nails, how’s that?"

"What do I need nails for?"

Lu Huan, still keeping her stern face, replied impatiently.

"It’s not too much to ask for you to take some items when I’m giving you free water, right?"

"But didn’t you say it was free? I only need two bottles of water."

She and her sister couldn’t drink that much anyway.

"Why are you so selfish, we have so much stuff, can’t you just help us?"

Looking at her, even the usually good-tempered Qu Yongjia couldn’t help but get a little angry.

"If I were selfish, I wouldn’t be making a scene for you. You’re saying you’re not selfish, then why ask for extra nails—why not just give me a tent instead, and I’ll carry your tent."