Chapter 21 Pairing Day & Green Tea Olympics
Arielle had a bad feeling.
Not the loud kind.
The quiet, sneaky one that crawled up your spine and whispered, Today will embarrass you on national television.
She stood among the rest of the cast as the director grinned like a villain who’d finally found joy.
“Today’s challenge,” he announced, clapping once, “will be done in pairs.”
The word echoed.
Pairs.
The sons straightened at the same time.
Rhett muttered, “No.”
Zayden adjusted his sleeves.
“This is suspicious.”
Emrys smiled. “This is entertainment.”
Arielle rubbed her palms together.
Paired tasks… why does that sound like a trap?
The Pairing Announcement
“Let’s start!
” the director said cheerfully. “First pair—Rhett Cross and—”
Everyone held their breath.
“—Lin Yue.”
Dead silence.
Then—
“What?”
“NO.”
“Change it.”
“Immediately.”
Rhett’s face darkened.
“I object.”
Lin Yue clasped her hands shyly.
“I’ll try not to be a burden…”
?? Viewer Comment (pop-up):
“GREEN TEA ALERT ?”
Arielle’s lips twitched.
Ah. So this is her angle.
“Second pair,” the director continued, unbothered.
“Zayden Cross and Arielle Cross.”
Zayden blinked.
“That’s acceptable.”
Rhett whipped around.
“Why do YOU get her??”
Arielle sighed.
“I’m not a prize.”
?? Viewer Comment:
“YES SHE IS ??”
“Third pair,” the director said quickly, sensing danger.
“Emrys Cross and—”
Everyone leaned in.
“—the village leader’s daughter.”
Emrys grinned.
“Mother, I’ll survive.”
Arielle waved dismissively.
“Please don’t flirt on camera.”
“Too late.”
Task One: Fetching Water (aka Suffering)
Arielle and Zayden walked toward the river with two buckets.
“You okay?” Zayden asked quietly.
She nodded.
“I’ve done worse. Acting on low sleep.”
They stepped carefully over the stones.
Behind them—
Lin Yue was already struggling.
“Ah—!” she gasped softly, stumbling.
Rhett instinctively reached out, then stopped himself.
Lin Yue looked up at him with wide eyes.
“I’m sorry… I’m really clumsy.”
Arielle glanced back.
Ohhh.
So she’s aiming for the protective instinct.
Arielle slipped slightly—on purpose.
“Oops.”
Zayden caught her instantly.
“You alright?”
She smiled. “Perfectly.”
?? Viewer Comment EXPLODES:
“WHY DOES EVERYONE MOVE FOR HER FIRST ??”
Lin Yue bit her lip.
Task Two: Farming (Chaos Edition)
Mud everywhere.
Sweat everywhere.
Arielle rolled up her sleeves and got to work without complaint.
She planted seedlings.
Lifted tools.
Wiped her brow.
Lin Yue, meanwhile, wiped imaginary sweat and sighed softly.
“I’m not very strong…” she said quietly.
“I admire women like Arielle who can do everything.”
Arielle paused.
Turned.
Smiled brightly.
“Oh no,” she said lightly.
“I’m terrible at many things.”
Lin Yue’s eyes lit up.
“Really?”
“Yes,” Arielle continued calmly.
“I’m just good at learning.”
The villagers nodded approvingly.
Lin Yue’s smile stiffened.
?? Viewer Comment:
“THAT WAS A SOFT DRAG ??”
Lucian Watching (Elsewhere)
Lucian sat in his office, tablet in hand.
He told himself he was just checking progress.
He told himself he wasn’t jealous.
He lied.
The camera zoomed in on Arielle laughing in the mud, hair tied back, sleeves rolled up.
His chest tightened.
She looks… free.
Then the camera cut to Lin Yue clinging subtly to Rhett.
Lucian’s jaw clenched.
…Still trying.
He leaned forward.
Don’t drag her into this.
Task Three: Cooking for the Village
Arielle stirred a large pot, tasting carefully.
“This needs salt.”
Zayden handed it to her without a word.
Lin Yue stepped closer. “Can I help?”
Arielle handed her a ladle.
“Of course.”
Lin Yue stirred once.
Then stopped.
“Oh dear… I think I ruined it.”
The villagers tasted.
“…It’s fine.”
Arielle smiled. “See? No disaster.”
Lin Yue stared at her.
Why won’t she get angry?
The Viewers Decide
As the sun set, the director announced,
“Tonight, viewers will vote for the most reliable partner.”
Screens flashed.
?? “ARIelle CARRIED.”
?? “Zayden + Arielle best team.”
?? “Green tea tried but failed.”
?? “Protect this mom at all costs.”
Lin Yue’s hands trembled.
Arielle watched the screen quietly.
…
I didn’t even try.
Cliffhanger
That night, Arielle washed her hands by the river again.
Lin Yue stood beside her.
Still smiling.
“You’re very popular,” Lin Yue said softly.
“But popularity… fades.”
Arielle met her gaze.
Smiled.
“Only if it’s fake.”
The camera zoomed in.
Lin Yue’s smile cracked—just slightly.