Are you even listening to me Chapter 9

[Leo is such a good brother to his sister! Woo! I’m envious! My brother only tells me to do chores!]

[Same here! My brother has never been this considerate! So envious!]

[Amazing sibling relationship! The sibling bond is so heartwarming!]

Who wouldn’t want a doting older brother? Even the viewers outside the livestream were envious.

Gracie’s dress was a bit long, and Ashley took the initiative to hold up the hem to protect her. This scene looked awkward on the wide, steep mountain path.

Sasha’s dress was also long, but without a doting brother to help, she had to manage the long skirt herself while walking in flat shoes.

Some viewers started to complain in the comments:

[Why are they wearing formal dresses and long skirts for a rural variety show? Clearly, they’re not thinking straight.]

[Exactly? Look at what the other guests are wearing—much more suitable for the outdoors.]

[If you’re participating in a rural variety show, you’re expected to work. Their delicate outfits don’t look like they’re up for the task.]

[So frustrating.]

After struggling for half an hour, Sasha, with a tired expression, said, “Can we take a break? I really can’t go on anymore.”

Gracie also looked exhausted. Having been pampered all her life, this was the first time she had to walk such a difficult mountain path.

If it weren’t for the fear of affecting her public image, she would have asked to stop long ago.

As expected, Sasha’s request for a break was soon ridiculed by viewers outside the livestream, calling her pretentious and lazy.

The director checked the time and said, “Let’s take a ten-minute break. We’ll continue afterward.”

Gracie sighed in relief and glanced at Lucy, who looked relaxed, feeling even more envious.

If Lucy could endure it, Gracie felt she should be able to manage as well.

After the break, they continued for another half hour before finally arriving at their destination—a farmhouse.

Everyone was exhausted, even those in better condition like DemiMel and others were sweating and out of breath.

Meanwhile, Lucy and Parker seemed quite relaxed.

Lucy, who had a habit of training in boxing since childhood, found it easy, while Parker, accustomed to fitness and training, had no trouble with the mountain hike.

Gracie leaned on Ashley, nearly in tears from being wronged.

Although Ashley had been supporting her for the last half hour, she was still very tired. She had to maintain her “tough fairy” persona and pretend she could handle it.

Ashley, feeling sorry for her, hugged her and said, “Gracie, once we’re inside, I’ll give your feet a rub. You’re really worn out.”

Gracie glanced at Lucy from afar and said in a sweet voice, “Thank you, brother. You’re the best!”

While saying this, she subtly watched Lucy’s reaction, hoping to provoke a response to highlight her own persona.

Ashley shook his head with a smile, affectionately ruffling her hair. “No need to thank me. You’re my sister.”

After saying that, he suddenly remembered that Lucy was also present, and felt a bit guilty.

Lucy, however, was talking to Demi and ignored him entirely.

Ashley sighed in relief but also felt inexplicably disappointed.

If it had been before, Lucy would have come over to check on him and ask if his feet were hurting.

Now, she was ignoring him…

Maybe it was because they had argued at home, or maybe it was because of the livestream, and she was trying not to show her true feelings…

It was probably the latter—she was afraid of being caught on camera.

Once the recording stopped, she would likely come over and use her special techniques to give him a massage.

Ashley could already imagine how comfortable it would be when she gave him a massage and hoped that if she sought reconciliation later, he might reluctantly forgive her.

The door of the farmhouse was pushed open, and the director smiled, making a welcoming gesture. “Ladies and gentlemen, please come in.

“This farmhouse will be your accommodation for the next week. The environment is quite good for a village setting; I hope you’ll be satisfied.”

With an actor and two top celebrities in the team, if the program team was too harsh about the accommodation, it would likely anger the fans.

So, the director didn’t make things difficult in this regard.

Hearing the director’s words, everyone relaxed a bit and walked in with anticipation.

The yard had vegetables planted, and there were a few simple mud-brick houses at the back.

The director pointed to the house and said, “The middle room is the living room, the corner room is the kitchen with various supplies.

“The two rooms on each side are prepared for you. They are similar in layout and furnishings. You can go and have a look.”

Upon hearing this, the guests opened the door to one of the rooms.

Seeing the interior, everyone was stunned.

The small room only had two single beds and two wooden chairs—nothing else.

Ashley frowned immediately and said, “How are we supposed to stay here?”

“Why can’t you stay?” The director smiled and said, “There’s a bed, after all.”

“There’s no furniture. Where do we hang our clothes? Where do we put our stuff?” Ashley complained, finding the conditions too shabby.

The director smiled and said, “You’ll have to figure that out yourself. If you really need a table or wardrobe, you can get one yourself.”

Ashley was rendered speechless.

He regretted coming on this awful show!

Ashley, still mindful of the livestream, pretended to think and said, “The four men here wouldn’t mind such simple accommodations, but what about the four women? Aren’t the conditions a bit too harsh for them?”

“What do you mean ‘the four men’? You only represent yourself,” Parker rolled his eyes and said, “You don’t need to make decisions for the female guests. Just mind your own business.”

Who did he think he was, representing everyone? He was the one who minded it!

Parker’s blunt attitude left Ashley speechless. He could only awkwardly say, “I was just trying to consider the female guests’ feelings.”

Gracie looked at Parker with innocent eyes and said, “Sorry, my brother was just thinking of us girls. He didn’t mean any harm.”

Then, she turned to the director and said, “Director, the male guests can stay in this environment, so we female guests can too. We’re not delicate or pretentious.”

While it sounded like she was defending Ashley, she was actually building her own persona.

After all, in reality shows, women who aren’t pretentious gain more audience favor.

So, even if she disliked the environment, she would endure and show she was tougher than Lucy and others.

Unexpectedly, before her “generosity” could win praise, Lucy spoke up against her.

“Sorry, you only represent yourself. Don’t try to represent me.”

Her words left everyone stunned, unable to believe she was so blunt!