Chapter 23: The Great Grocery Heist

Since it was a holiday, every guest already knew the resort’s address. Thus, the production team allowed the guests to return on their own. Those who didn’t wish to leave the villa could also stay there for the duration of their vacation.

Naturally, not a single guest chose to remain at the villa. Therefore, when Lin Ziyao returned and opened the door, the first person she saw was the familiar Director Chen.

“Ziyao, you’re back!”

He greeted Lin Ziyao with effusive warmth. After all, the variety show had originally intended for her to play the ‘little green tea’ role to boost buzz.

Yet, as it turned out, the ‘green tea’ persona was no longer necessary. A single performance of ‘Most Dazzling Ethnic Style’ had catapulted the show onto Weibo’s trending topics, where it remained.

The program’s viewership had utterly exploded. The song could be heard playing in every street and alley.

Even elderly women were now seen dancing to it in public squares. Director Chen had been waking up several times each night, laughing in his sleep.

“Director Chen, is your production team staying here for the holiday?”

Although Lin Ziyao had mentally prepared herself after seeing ingredients being prepared in the kitchen, the sight of Director Chen’s greasy, gleaming appearance still made her instinctively step back.

‘Had Director Chen even washed his hair these past few days?’

“Haha, we weren’t joking; we genuinely turned this place into a temporary studio.”

Director Chen immediately launched into an explanation of their work during the break. They had already edited the first two episodes, complete with behind-the-scenes footage, which would significantly lighten their workload moving forward.

“Director Chen, I believe you need to open the windows for ventilation first, and also tidy up the villa.”

Qin Yu stood at the doorway, frowning and pinching her nose, as she surveyed the villa’s condition. Since only staff members had been staying in the villa, they had neglected ventilation.

Empty beverage bottles littered the living room, and a stale odor hung heavy in the air.

“My apologies, my apologies!” Director Chen exclaimed, bowing slightly to Qin Yu.

Simultaneously, he yelled inside, “Xiao Li, quickly wake them up and have them clean the place thoroughly!”

After all, the production team had occupied the villa for days; it would be improper to ask the guests to clean. They had no choice but to take on the cleaning themselves.

“We should check the kitchen first.”

She glanced at Qin Yu, knowing it was still afternoon and the last guests would likely arrive before dinner. If the refrigerator was empty, everyone would be forced to order takeout from the production team tonight.

Qin Yu, of course, nodded in agreement to Lin Ziyao’s suggestion. She followed Lin Ziyao into the kitchen.

As she eyed the half-cut vegetables left on the counter, a sense of foreboding settled in Lin Ziyao’s heart. Upon opening the refrigerator and seeing its contents, Lin Ziyao’s heart sank.

There was hardly any meat or vegetables left, indicating that Director Chen had indeed forgotten to restock the fridge during their holiday.

“Director Chen!” Lin Ziyao shouted, launching into an angry interrogation. “What are we supposed to eat tonight?!”

Seeing the empty refrigerator, Lin Ziyao was like a small stick of dynamite, ready to explode at the slightest spark.

“Uh…” Director Chen stammered, looking at the spotless refrigerator as he tried to explain. “The show garnered a lot of attention early on, so we had several celebration parties and… I forgot to restock the food.”

“Hey… mmph!”

Lin Ziyao tried to say more, but Qin Yu quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, effectively smothering the lit fuse of the little stick of dynamite.

“Anyway, we still have time,” Qin Yu suggested to Director Chen, ignoring Lin Ziyao’s flailing hands. “Let’s go to the supermarket and buy some food ourselves!”

Director Chen enthusiastically raised both hands in approval of Qin Yu’s suggestion. After all, he had dispatched his team members to clean, leaving him with few hands available to procure ingredients.

It was ideal if Qin Yu and Lin Ziyao could go shopping themselves. Moreover, he sensed an opportunity.

He proposed, “How about this: I’ll arrange a cameraman to go with you. He can not only drive you but also film some footage along the way for the behind-the-scenes reel.”

The two girls happily accepted Director Chen’s proposal without even needing to discuss it. Having an extra person to help was certainly beneficial for two seemingly delicate young women.

As Lin Ziyao stood behind the door, waiting for Qin Yu and the cameraman to depart, she spotted Dai Wen returning to the villa entrance.

Dai Wen wore brown sunglasses and a sun hat, which, despite her loose-fitting clothes, couldn’t conceal her slender figure. She paused in surprise upon seeing Lin Ziyao by the door, then spoke, “Are you waiting for me to come back?”

Questioned by Dai Wen, Lin Ziyao shook her head in denial. However, seizing the rare chance to vent to an acquaintance, she began to complain about Director Chen.

“Can you believe it? Director Chen and his team ate all the food in the villa during their holiday, and then forgot to restock it! We have to go buy groceries now, or we’ll have nothing but takeout for dinner.”

Her pitiful expression as she spoke made Dai Wen smile, and she almost reached out to ruffle Lin Ziyao’s hair. Although Dai Wen had initially seemed reserved and quiet, after two days of interaction, everyone had grown familiar with her.

She had gradually become more talkative, able to converse with anyone.

“So, it’s just the two of you and the cameraman planning to go to the supermarket?” From their earlier conversation, she had already gathered where Lin Ziyao and Qin Yu were headed.

Dai Wen glanced at the staff still busy opening windows for ventilation and tidying tabletops. She made a decision. “I’ll come with you to the supermarket to buy food!”

“Oh, really? Are you sure?” Lin Ziyao asked, a little surprised by her words. “Didn’t you just get back? Don’t you need to rest in your room?”

“They’re all busy tidying the villa; I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, and besides…”

Before she could finish, Dai Wen’s gaze shifted past Lin Ziyao, landing on Qin Yu, who had just descended the stairs behind them. “Wouldn’t it be better if we just took a commercial van?”

And so, with Dai Wen’s addition, the shopping expedition grew into a party of four.

As there were no supermarkets near the resort, the group had to return to the city for their shopping. However, they didn’t spend too much time traveling before reaching their destination.

“I can’t wait to find out how much budget Director Chen gave us!”

Pushing a shopping cart they’d grabbed near the entrance, Lin Ziyao and the two others entered the supermarket. The cameraman followed close by, recording their shopping trip with a small camcorder for the behind-the-scenes footage.

Dai Wen was equally curious about Lin Ziyao’s question, so she also looked at Qin Yu, eager for an answer. Their curious expressions lifted Qin Yu’s spirits, and she announced a figure.

After hearing it, only one thought remained in Lin Ziyao’s mind.

‘Today, we’re buying everything we want.’

Immediately, she excitedly pushed the cart towards the seafood section, metaphorically sharpening her knife for the aquatic creatures still swimming in their tanks. Tonight, she vowed to spend every single cent of Director Chen’s budget to its fullest.