Chapter 40 Disagreement.

Chapter 40: Divisions.

Despite the palpable awkwardness among the guests, the show had to proceed.

No sooner had they finished one meal than thoughts turned to the next. Qin Shizhen declared, "We really need to find something different to eat today. We can't possibly survive on just crabs and conches for five days straight."

"Exactly. As delicious as they are, we can't have them for every single meal," Ruan Qing concurred.

For one, crab meat is considered "cooling" in traditional belief. While fine in moderation, continuous consumption could be detrimental to one's health.

"This area is undeveloped, so its biological resources must be incredibly rich. It's just that our immediate location might not be the best for foraging..."

Before them lay an expanse of empty white sand. The only place that seemed to offer food was the rocky shore where they had gone tide-pooling yesterday. However, it wasn't high tide, and there wasn't much edible seafood to be found.

"I have an idea," Sheng Xingyao offered.

"Oh? Do tell."

"How can we come to the seaside and not eat lobster?" Sheng Xingyao mused, half-jokingly. "Can't we figure out a way to get some lobster?"

"You look like a lobster yourself," Shen Tong ruthlessly punctured his fantasy. "Lobsters don't live on land; they're on the seabed, at depths of ten meters or more. Should we throw you in to catch them?"

"...So I was just thinking out loud," Sheng Xingyao mumbled, sounding a little deflated.

"It's not entirely impossible," Yu Xin interjected.

"Yu Xin, you have a plan, don't you?" Sheng Xingyao's eyes lit up, gazing at Yu Xin with eager anticipation.

"It's true that lobsters live on the seabed, but it's not completely out of the question to catch them," Yu Xin explained, pointing towards a specific area on the sea surface. "See that spot? The color is darker than the surrounding sea, right?"

Everyone strained their eyes, looking in the direction he indicated.

"Yeah, that area does seem darker than the surroundings. It's like... there's something underneath the water," Ruan Qing murmured, squinting to confirm.

"Precisely," Yu Xin affirmed. He had already noticed that Ruan Qing's observational skills were sharper than most.

"The darker color of the seawater there indicates an underwater reef. It's highly probable that a colony of lobsters and other marine life resides there."

"Furthermore, as the crow flies, it's not too far from the shore, so the water probably isn't very deep. In other words, going there to catch lobsters is a feasible option," Yu Xin elaborated.

"That's right!" Qin Shizhen slapped his forehead. "How could I forget? The crew provided us with diving gear!"

They had been so preoccupied with setting up camp yesterday that the survival kit from the crew, once organized, had been carelessly tossed aside. Over a day had passed, and everyone had almost forgotten about the diving equipment.

"Since they provided the gear, the crew must have intended for us to go diving. I think this plan has merit."

"What's the point of having diving gear if we don't have a boat? Are we supposed to swim from the shore all the way to that reef?" Ye Ran's tone was laced with doubt, clearly distrusting Yu Xin's judgment.

"You don't need to swim there, and I don't expect you to be able to," Yu Xin stated flatly. "If we don't have a boat, we'll build one."

"You make it sound so easy. We have no tools—how are we supposed to conjure a boat out of thin air?" Ye Ran, never one to miss an opportunity to provoke Yu Xin, openly scoffed. "What are you, Noah? Don't delude yourself."

"Whether it's delusional or not isn't for you to decide," Yu Xin's tone turned cold. "If I say we can build a boat, I'm confident we can."

"Are you saying we should build a boat ourselves and row it that far out to sea?" Yu Ning, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, his expression anxious. "No, I disagree. It's too dangerous!"

He turned to Yu Xin, hesitating as if he knew his upcoming words might be unpleasant but felt compelled to speak for everyone's sake. "Yu Xin, I know you might want to show off for the cameras, but you can't disregard everyone's safety like this. Have you considered what would happen if the boat you build isn't sturdy enough and starts leaking or falls apart in the middle of the sea? What would happen to the people on board?"

His words were earnest, his tone urgent, and his face flushed with anxiety, making him appear genuinely concerned for everyone's safety. In contrast, Yu Xin seemed reckless, willing to jeopardize the others' well-being just to make an impression.

【Xiao Ning is right. Yu Xin is being unrealistic. How could he suggest something so dangerous?】

【I'm so sick of Yu Xin. Why should everyone listen to him? His decisions are so unreliable...】

【Aww, Xiao Ning is so considerate, unlike some people who only care about showing off. So selfish.】

【I hope the others use their heads and ignore Yu Xin. Let him build his rickety boat by himself.】

【You guys are too much... Didn't Yu Xin say he's confident? Besides, on this show, Yu Xin has never failed to deliver on his word. He's not the type to boast just for attention.】

【Exactly, I trust Yu Xin too. He hasn't let us down so far.】

【Whoever believes him can go ahead. Just don't drag the other guests down with Yu Xin's recklessness.】

"Save your unnecessary worries," Yu Xin's tone was calm but brimming with confidence and conviction. "I don't speak of things I'm not sure about. If I've said it, it means I have full confidence, and the scenarios you mentioned won't happen."

"Besides, I'm not forcing anyone to accept my suggestion. Whether you trust me or not is entirely your choice." In short, believe it or not, he wouldn't press the issue.

"This..." Qin Shizhen rubbed his temples. Young people these days, always so confrontational. Couldn't they just be a bit more peaceful?

He subconsciously trusted Yu Xin. They had been filming together for a long time, and Yu Xin's reliability was evident to them all. He believed Yu Xin wouldn't attempt something he wasn't confident about.

The other guests shared similar thoughts. Seeing no one voice support for him, Yu Ning looked around anxiously and said, "Is everyone really going to follow Yu Xin's plan? I don't mean anything by it, but I lived with Yu Xin for two years and never saw him demonstrate any talent for boat-building. He... he's not really good at anything. You should reconsider..."

He was seething inwardly. How could these people trust Yu Xin when he was clearly useless?

He couldn't let Yu Xin hog the spotlight again. If Yu Xin succeeded this time, he would be completely overshadowed in the show, forced to watch Yu Xin shine while he faded into the background.

The mere thought of this possibility made him restless, his heart twisting with resentment.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shen Tong couldn't stand his veiled criticisms of Yu Xin, her tone sharp. "We can judge Yu Xin's capabilities for ourselves. Besides, Yu Xin built a boat in the previous episode. Didn't you watch the show before joining, Young Master Yu?"

Yu Ning's eyes welled up again at her words, and he stammered, "I didn't mean anything by it... I was just concerned about everyone and forgot about that. I'm sorry..."

"Enough already," Shen Tong interrupted impatiently. "I didn't do anything to you. Why do you always act like you're being bullied?"

It was true that Yu Ning had the Yu family backing him, but she, the Ye Group heiress, was no pushover. She had long been disgusted by Yu Ning's sanctimonious act and was starting to feel sorry for Yu Xin. What good could come of dealing with someone who turned on the waterworks like a master manipulator?

【Miss Shen, well said! I'm so tired of Yu Ning always acting victimized. No one else is his parent—why should they indulge him?】

【Sometimes I wonder, isn't Yu Ning a grown man? My little niece has more resilience than him. If he's this fragile, he should stay home like a china doll. Why come on a show like this?】

"Shen Tong, how can you talk like that? Xiao Ning was just concerned about you. He meant well—don't be ungrateful!" Ye Ran, unable to tolerate anyone speaking ill of Yu Ning, immediately exploded.

These people must have been under Yu Xin's spell, following him so obediently. They didn't deserve Yu Ning's kindness.

"Please, I can't handle his concern," Shen Tong retorted, rolling her eyes. Others might humor them, but she wouldn't. "Sheng Xingyao, you've experienced it firsthand. Tell us about the boat Yu Xin built. Was it sturdy or not?"

As someone who had successfully crossed the river on the raft Yu Xin had led them to build, Sheng Xingyao had plenty to say. "...I was a bit worried at first, but that raft was incredibly sturdy. It stayed stable even in rough waves, and it didn't leak or fall apart by the time we reached the other shore."

"Besides," he added curiously, "if you don't want to go, just stay on shore. Yu Xin isn't forcing anyone."

They just wouldn't get to share in the spoils brought back from the expedition.

"You!" Clearly, no one was giving him any respect. Ye Ran, accustomed to being pampered wherever he went, wasn't used to being brushed off. His temper flared, and he shot back sharply, "Fine, if you don't want to go, then don't! Who cares!"

"If you're willing to listen to that wash-out Yu Xin, go ahead and build that rickety boat. Don't complain when it sinks in the sea and you regret ignoring Xiao Ning's advice."

His words were over the line. Yu Xin's expression darkened. "If you can't talk right, then keep quiet!"

"Who do you think you are, Yu Xin? Just a good-for-nothing kicked out by the Yu family, and you dare lecture me?" His voice was shrill, and his words were harsh and unpleasant. "You'll never surpass Xiao Ning in this lifetime!"

Not only Yu Xin, but everyone's expressions darkened.

Ji Yixing, who had been standing quietly beside Yu Xin, spoke coldly on camera for the first time, his voice icy. "Watch your language, Mr. Ye Ran."

His tone was filled with displeasure, and the heavy pressure he exuded was almost palpable. Under the gaze of those sharp eyes, Ye Ran's voice immediately softened, as if he were crushed under a giant rock.

Though his confidence had dwindled, he still tried to put up a brave front. "Anyway, Xiao Ning specifically learned survival skills before coming on the show. He's so capable, he'll definitely do better than Yu Xin. You're the ones losing out by splitting with us!"

He grabbed Yu Ning's hand beside him, seeking agreement. "Let's just split up! We'll form our own group. Xiao Ning, let's not stay with them anymore, okay?"

Although Ye Ran seemed to be asking Yu Ning, his words had already cut off any other options for Yu Ning. What else could he say?

Yu Ning was inwardly furious at Ye Ran for being so impulsive and brainless, ruining all his plans. But there was nothing he could do except force a smile. "I suppose that's our only option."

【Splitting up is for the best. Xiao Ning won't have to get dragged down by Yu Xin.】

【Didn't Ye Ran say earlier that Xiao Ning prepared before the show? What a diligent and good kid. He's so outstanding, he's definitely ten blocks ahead of Yu Xin.】

【Exactly. Looking forward to Xiao Ning showing up that Yu impostor and showing everyone who truly deserves to be called the young master of a wealthy family.】

【...Sometimes I really wonder just where Yu Ning's fans get their confidence.】

【Anyway, congratulations to Yu Xin for shaking off that little white lotus! I was almost sick of seeing that weak and delicate act...】

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Author's note: Next chapter, we're going lobster fishing!

Thank you all so much for your support. I'll keep working hard!