Chapter Seventy-Four: Swallowing One’s Loss in Silence

“I didn’t expect the production team to actually let us relax and travel this time. It’s a rare act of kindness—almost hard to adjust to,” said Yin Shanshan, laughing as she spoke. Yu Xin immediately chimed in, “Exactly! I’d say we really owe the director this time.”

Everyone raised their glasses together in a warm, cheerful scene. Su Wannin quietly lifted her bottle of cola, saying nothing.

“Director, thank you for giving us this chance to gather here together,” Feng Rui said, holding her glass. She glanced at the people sitting on either side of her, her smile full of satisfaction, as if the women beside her really were sworn sisters she’d known for years.

On camera, the group appeared harmonious, but Su Wannin didn’t join their conversation. If she had time to play pretend with these people, she’d rather get two more hours of sleep and rest properly.

But fate rarely follows one’s wishes. Soon, Yin Shanshan deliberately shifted the conversation toward Su Wannin.

“Why isn’t Xiaoning saying anything? You haven’t really interacted much with us along the way. Don’t be like that—everyone’s really nice. Besides, you have so many skills; we all want to learn from you.”

Yin Shanshan put on the act of a thoughtful, understanding elder sister, but her words were laced with mockery, subtly criticizing Su Wannin for keeping herself apart.

Off-camera, Wang Zan frowned and raised a whiteboard once again, shaking it to show the bold characters written on it. But Yin Shanshan turned her head to smile at Su Wannin, pretending not to notice.

Su Wannin gave a polite smile and sighed inwardly. The other party was clearly provoking her—so if her words turned sharp, no one should blame her.

The next moment, Su Wannin spoke calmly, “What are you talking about? I always see you together, and I don’t want to intrude. Besides, I’m just good at selling products, nothing special. Last time at the entrance of Lianshui Village, I saw you two setting up stalls. I wanted to say hello, but you didn’t come over, so I didn’t get the chance.”

Her words were deft, shifting the weight of the conversation. Everyone knew about her impressive sales performance in Yunshui Village. Especially that time at the village entrance, the other two had copied Su Wannin, selling the same products, but their sales were far inferior—yet they’d stood nearby, making snide remarks.

That incident had been edited by some and posted online, causing quite a stir, but it quietly disappeared soon after. Su Wannin had discussed it with Vincent privately, both believing that Yin Shanshan had suppressed the topic.

But the fact that the posts were removed didn’t mean the event hadn’t happened—now that Su Wannin brought it up, many viewers remembered it in the live chat.

[I remember! Feng Rui said you couldn’t sell good products in the fields, then immediately turned around and sold the same sunscreen as Su Wannin.]

[Slap in the face. I thought this would trend, but it vanished in an instant. The entertainment industry is deep and murky.]

The speculation in the chat grew wilder, and Wang Zan urgently signaled them to change the subject. But with this opening, the other two, seeing Yin Shanshan had been defeated, dared not provoke Su Wannin further.

Deliberately avoiding someone only made the conversation more awkward. Wang Zan had to hurriedly wrap up the suffocating tea party segment.

When the livestream ended, the other three wore sullen expressions, while Su Wannin alone looked relaxed and cheerful.

That night, everyone slept in a communal room. The children discussed sleeping together—boys with boys—and Sui Sui, though silent, was pulled over by Yang Yang.

Seeing Sui Sui reluctantly but ultimately joining the group, Su Wannin felt gratified.

Da Xi and Nian Nian insisted on sleeping next to Su Wannin, leaving Yu Xin a bit embarrassed and trying to persuade them. But Da Xi refused, and Yu Xin’s face visibly darkened.

Early the next morning, they were awakened by the alarm and enjoyed a local breakfast arranged by the production team.

Nian Nian was puzzled. “Mom, is it really morning? Why does breakfast look like lunch?”

The table was loaded with hearty dishes—besides milk tea and dairy specialties, there was even hand-grabbed lamb.

Su Wannin explained, “That’s the custom here. The children are very active and healthy, so breakfast is especially nutritious.”

Nian Nian nodded, half understanding. “Then I want to eat a lot too, so I can be strong!”

After breakfast, Wang Zan led everyone outside to experience the grandeur of the grasslands.

The timing was just right—not too hot, not too cold—and a gentle breeze occasionally swept the grass, making waves that rolled toward the horizon.

Wang Zan brought everyone to a patch of desert.

“Today, we get to play real sand sledding! Props are ready for everyone.”

Learning from last time, Wang Zan had prepared sand sleds that local children often use.

They were essentially plastic boards reinforced with ropes for support.

“We’ll have all four families sled down together and take a group photo at the end,” Wang Zan instructed, and everyone climbed to the top of the sand slope as directed.

This time the sleds were big enough for both parents and children to ride together.

But when it came to Su Wannin, there was a problem: she had two children, but the sled could only fit one.

Su Wannin sat in the middle, holding Nian Nian in her arms, while Sui Sui rode alone on another sled.

To prevent accidents, she kept a close eye on him. As soon as the production team blew the whistle, she saw Yin Shanshan suddenly steer her sled toward Sui Sui, aiming to crash into him.

Su Wannin was ready, quickly maneuvering her own sled in Shanshan’s direction. She reached out and grabbed Sui Sui firmly.

Sui Sui pressed his lips together, gripping the rope tightly, his posture steady. Thanks to Su Wannin’s help, he didn’t lose control. Yin Shanshan, caught off guard, was hit by the recoil—her sled wobbled, and she tumbled down the slope.

“Sui Sui, grab Yang Yang!” Su Wannin called out at the crucial moment, and Sui Sui reached out just in time to catch Yang Yang beside him.

Children are small and easy to steady, but Yin Shanshan wasn’t so lucky—she rolled down the sand slope right in front of the cameras.

Filming had to pause as everyone rushed over. Yin Shanshan was covered head to toe in sand, aching all over, and glared fiercely at Su Wannin.

Su Wannin widened her eyes innocently. “No need to thank us. Yang Yang’s safe, all thanks to Sui Sui and me.”

Yin Shanshan was about to explode, but her agent behind the scenes frantically signaled her, shaking her head in warning.