Chapter Seventy-Eight: Hu Xiao C

"What are you staring at? I can't climb trees anyway! If you want a drink, pick it yourself!"

"Hahaha!"

At half past eight in the evening, Hu San was nestled in Zhou Miao's arms, clutching a tablet and laughing so hard she nearly toppled over.

Hu San pinched Zhou Miao’s face. “Did someone hit your sore spot and now you’re embarrassed and angry?”

Zhou Miao, utterly helpless, let her have her fun. "Wild Survival" aired today, and Hu San had gone out of her way to watch it with him. Watching was fine, but she kept laughing at him, never stopping for a moment.

What was most infuriating was that the barrage of comments on the streaming site kept asking, “When are you going to drink urine?”

In a fit of irritation, Zhou Miao kneaded Hu San a few times.

This era is called the Age of Traffic, and the attention Zhou Miao garnered from “Wild Survival” made it plain. Wherever Zhou Miao appeared, traffic followed; ratings and attention went with him.

The endless stream of comments almost obscured the people onscreen. After more than three years of lukewarm response, “Wild Survival” finally exploded in popularity with this episode.

A top celebrity and a rich heiress—such a Mary Sue combination, appearing together on this bizarre variety show, was something no one expected to see.

People tuned in not just as fans of the show or of Zhou Miao, but as curious onlookers eager to watch Zhou Miao and the heiress get tormented.

Especially with Zhao Jingya—her earlier announcement to enter show business provoked widespread resentment, especially among those with an anti-rich bias. Now, hearing she’d joined “Wild Survival,” many delighted in mocking her for overestimating herself.

Yet, when the show aired, Zhao Jingya’s performance surprised everyone. A bit pampered, but not overbearing, she got along with Zhou Miao and Ma Run. Several times, Zhou Miao teased her into anger, but she soon recovered; even when unable to complete her assigned tasks, she tried her best.

The moment that most changed public opinion came after the storm, when the group’s sole pillar, Ma Run, collapsed, the painstakingly built camp fell apart, and the fire they’d struggled to ignite was extinguished—a night that felt like returning to square one.

In that moment of despair and helplessness, Zhao Jingya broke down, crying that she wanted to quit. But after calming down, she rallied, chose to help Zhou Miao rebuild the camp, and completed the fifteen-day challenge.

Giving up is easy; perseverance is hard. Her performance on “Wild Survival” won over the audience.

As for Zhou Miao, his fans had always kept their promise: no ranking or voting, strictly keeping his super topics outside the top fifty. They’d expected him to grace some music variety show and reward them with a song, but instead, he’d gone off to a deserted island to play survival games.

Especially when he ate a loach raw—his fans were both distressed and exasperated. Was something wrong with his head? But then, thinking it over, this was just Zhou Miao: carefree, unrestrained, joining whatever show he pleased.

Unconsciously, the show ended and it was past eleven at night. Hu San suddenly realized, “Oh no! The dormitory has closed!”

Zhou Miao chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. “So what if it’s closed? Sleep anywhere, it doesn’t matter.”

He’d noticed this long ago, so he hadn’t interrupted her at all. “Watch away, finish the show and I’ll show you something good!”

His breath was hot against her ear. “It’s getting late, go shower, Little C Hu.”

That “Little C Hu” made Hu San’s face flush bright red. She covered Zhou Miao’s mouth in embarrassment and anger. “Don’t call me that!”

Zhou Miao pried her hand away. “Why not? It’s our pet name. Now it’s your turn to call me one.”

Hu San stubbornly turned her head. “I won’t!”

Zhou Miao’s hands grew restless. “If you don’t, I won’t go easy on you.”

Tickled mercilessly by Zhou Miao, Hu San squirmed like a worm, unable to resist his attack.

“Alright, alright, stop tickling! I’ll do it, I’ll do it, okay?”

“Then hurry up.” Zhou Miao mischievously pressed his ear to her lips.

Hu San glared at him, helpless, her face full of shame as she called out, “…Zhou Eighteen!”

Zhou Miao, finally satisfied, circled behind her. “I’ve prepared a gift for you, it’s in my pants pocket. Go ahead and get it yourself.”

Hu San was a bit displeased. “I don’t want you buying things for me. Didn’t I tell you last time?”

“This one’s different—you’ll like it for sure.” Zhou Miao said mysteriously, shifting so Hu San could reach his pocket.

Curious, since the pocket looked flat and empty, Hu San reached in and felt a small square plastic packet. What was it? Candy? Or a spicy snack?

She pulled it out—a neat, red package, a famous brand of condoms.

The blush that had faded now surged back, and she bit her lip, lightly punching Zhou Miao.

“You’ll be the death of me! Buying this sort of thing!”

Zhou Miao pinched her chin, “Last time you got away, tonight let’s see where you think you’re running!”

With that, he scooped her up princess-style and strode toward the bedroom. Hu San’s legs flailed like a duck paddling.

“No, no, you shower first.”

“What’s this about who showers first? We’ll shower together—don’t you know how to live?”

After a hurried kiss with the water, Zhou Miao impatiently carried Hu San back to the bedroom.

Five seconds later, a bewildered Candy was tossed out of the bedroom, its tiny paws scratching at the door, meowing endlessly to get back in.

Unfortunately, its human was busy at the moment and had no time for this little kitten.

...

The next morning, Zhou Miao awoke from a sweet dream to find Hu San already up, gazing at him with gentle eyes.

“Do I look good?” Zhou Miao asked.

“You look awful!” Hu San teased.

Though she said so, she couldn’t help but keep looking, as if she’d never get enough.

Suddenly, Hu San pouted. “Hmph, after all this, you still haven’t said you like me.”

Zhou Miao pulled her into his arms. “I like you, I like you very, very much, I like you so much I can’t stand it!”

“I don’t believe you!”

Zhou Miao pressed close. “Can you feel it? My love for you?”

Early in the morning, Hu San certainly felt it, her face flushed as she pinched him. “You just think about these things!”

Zhou Miao was about to retort when his phone rang—it was Yang Xiaoya calling.

He answered, “What’s going on, calling me so early?”

Yang Xiaoya’s voice was urgent. “Miao, something’s happened!”