Chapter 30: The Forgotten
Hope
[Even my grandfather, who’s an old Chinese medicine doctor, said this is outrageous.]
[Who is the main producer supporting Hope? How did such a ridiculous script pass the review? Do they really think the audience is stupid?]
Hope was completely unaware of the reactions. She had walked to the wholesale market, and the photographer had long followed her, watching her with more curiosity and disbelief.
He had privately contacted other members of the production team, confirming that there was no arrangement involving an old lady’s script, meaning that what just happened was
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real!
Either the old lady was a script Hope arranged herself, or Hope had some real skill!
Hope had no time to pay attention to the photographer’s gaze. The market was about to close, and she only had 45 dollar, not enough for a blanket or mat. So, she bought a sleeping bag for 30 dollar and spent another 10 dollar on a toothbrush, toothpaste, and towel, all cheap student versions.
She grew up in the countryside and wasn’t particular about these things.
She had 5 dollar left, and fearing she might be hungry before work the next morning, she decided to save it for breakfast.
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When she returned, everyone had gathered in the lobby on the first floor, as the director had instructed.
Lily saw Hope carrying a bag and asked curiously, “Hope, what did you buy?”
“A sleeping bag, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a towel.”
“Oh no! I forgot to buy toiletries!” Lily regretted. “I spent 20 dollar on dinner and 30 dollar on a blanket…”
She was staying in a haunted house. Aside from the creepy walls and chandelier ropes, there were no bloody or disgusting things, so cleaning was very quick..
But she didn’t plan to sleep on that bed, so she spent the rest of her money buying a blanket.
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Benjamin smiled slyly. “Heh, I knew some of you would forget to buy. I bought three sets. If you need them, you can owe me, but you’ll have to pay double later!”
Lily was mad. “Wow, Old Ben, you’re so shady! Why don’t you go rob someone?”
“Do you want them or not?”
The two older contestants were joking around.
Sylvia looked troubled. “Brother, what should we do? We also forgot.”
They had spent 80 dollar on dinner, leaving just 20 dollar for water and mosquito repellent. Now, they had no money left.
“It’s okay, I’ll owe Mr.Ben, Noah said
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nonchalantly. He wasn’t worried about the debt. With his abilities, he could pay it back within a day.
But Benjamin gave a set of toiletries to Lily and kept one for himself, leaving only one
set.
Noah had the remaining set of toiletries but didn’t know how to divide them.
At home, he and Sylvia could share one set.
But under the cameras, he couldn’t do that…
And he certainly didn’t want to start a “Emperor Lord Doesn’t Brush His Teeth” trend.
He glanced at Hope, who rolled her eyes at him, clearly mocking him for not trying to make her give him her toiletries.
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But Noah still walked over to her.
“You still have money, right?”
“What’s this? Are you forcing me to swap rooms again and now want money from me?”
“I’ll trade you a villa for one set. After the show finishes, you can pick any villa I own.”
“Wow, so generous. Then I’ll take three villas.”
“Hope, don’t be so excessive! We’re recording a show, and you’re asking for three villas for a set of toiletries?”
“Live broadcast, fair and open trade. If you’re happy, we’ll swap; if not, no pressure. I’m not forcing you.”
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Benjamin regretted, “Ah, I shouldn’t have sold to Lily! Three villas!”
Lily directly offered her unheated toiletries. “Take mine, take mine! I can skip brushing and washing!”
Sienna continued to act like an invisible person, and Alex also pretended to be dead. He was an idol, and his image mattered more than anything. He had to brush his teeth and wash his face, or the trolls and rivals would attack him for a lifetime.
Sylvia suddenly whispered in Noah’s ear while standing on tiptoe.
“Brother, why not just agree to her? If you don’t brush or wash, your fans will feel sorry for you.”
Thinking of his fans, Noah’s expression
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turned dark again.
He was willing to trade three villas for Hope’s toiletries, but his fans would curse her off the show for it!
His parents would resent Hope too. Which family would want their younger sister asking for three villas in exchange for toiletries?
Such a heartless, ungrateful person didn’t deserve to be part of the family.
“Fine, I’ll agree. Three villas.”
“Oh, sorry, three villas was the previous price. Now it’s five villas.”
“Hope!”
“Eight.”
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Noabar finally realized that Hope neverer intencleded to trade.
“I’m‘ mototedesperate for you either!”
Noah walkeked over to Alex. “You still haveve money riglight?”
Alex did haveveosome left, but only three e dollar, enough to to buy a toothbrush but not a toothpaste.te.
Before he could explailain, Noah said, “Give m yoyour toiletries.“s”
N Noah, facing away fronoth the camera, added w with lip movements, givéve you la leading rorole in a historical dramala.”
AlAlex understood and becamerietetesested.
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Although he was currently in a boy band, domestic boy bands didn’t have much impact. Ultimately, he had to become an
actor.
Besides, he had come to this show to build a relationship with Noah.
The role Noah offered would certainly be good!
So, he put on a smile and handed over his toiletries.
“Mr. Newton, you can use them.”
Compared to his generosity, Hope’s earlier actions looked stingy and foolish!
[Stupid, huh? You wouldn’t take one villa, but now you want eight? Now you don’t even get one!]
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[Hope is really foolish.]
[Noah and his siblings are dumber! Spending 80 dollar on a meal! Then buying mosquito repellent–it’s ridiculous. Which worker would spend so much on non–essentials if they only had 50 dollar?]
[Who says mosquito repellent isn’t necessary? What if they’re allergic to mosquito bites?]
[Now I suspect Hope is doing this on
purpose to get Emperor Lord’s attention. She must be targeting him!]
[Thanks to Alex for giving our brother toiletries. Once again, Hope can go die!]
[Alex is so nice. I’m a fan now.]
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In reality, Hope didn’t care at all. She had never intended to take Noah’s villa–she found it dirty!
The director, seeing the situation resolved, got to the point.
“After a day’s time, I believe you’ve all cleaned up your rental houses. Tomorrow morning at 5 AM, please gather on time for sanitation work. The work will last from 5 AM
to 10 AM.”
“After completing the task, the
accompanying cleaning staff will grade you, and the pay will be based on your score.”
“The highest pay is 250 dollar, and the lowest is 50 dollar. Please work hard, or you might go hungry or be kicked out for not paying the rent.”
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Hope and Sylvia had to get the highest scores, or they wouldn’t have enough to pay the rent.
Sienna, Noah, and Lily also had to avoid being at the bottom, or they’d be kicked out of their rental houses too.
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