Chapter 21: The Reaction Was Too Instinctive at the Time

Originally, forming the teams was straightforward since this was a couples’ variety show—just pair each couple together. However, Xiao Nuo was the youngest guest and a complete newcomer to variety shows, so it was uncertain how she would handle being on camera; she would likely feel lost and overwhelmed. At such times, having someone close to guide her would be essential.

Lu Mucheng’s gaze shifted between Jiang Yunyao and Xiao Nuo, hesitating over whether to put them in the same team.

Noticing his look, Xiao Nuo realized she might be causing trouble for her sister.

She quickly said, “Mr. Lu, you don’t need to think about pairing me with my sister! Just put my sister with her husband!”

Lu Mucheng turned to Jiang Yunyao.

Jiang Yunyao nodded, “Let’s trust Xiao Nuo’s judgment.”

With Xiao Nuo’s intelligence and capability, this game was a breeze for her. To put it bluntly, if Xiao Nuo were a minion, even her own family members in normal roles would be at risk of being wiped out by this little girl.

Since Xiao Nuo was reliable, the team division was settled easily. Next came the allocation of floors.

Lu Mucheng said, “I’ve been assigned to the third floor. The third floor has the rooftop and storage room; there are no floors above it.”

Sister Xiao added, “I’m coming from the other side of the second floor. There’s a library, study, piano room, chess room, gym, bedrooms, and other special rooms on the second floor. There might be more clues there.”

Jiang Yue said, “The first floor has the main hall, guest rooms, dining room, and kitchen.”

Xie Yixing chimed in, “When we went to change microphones just now, I noticed the castle door had five locks in different colors, corresponding to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.”

Lu Mucheng synthesized everyone’s information and made a final decision.

“Liu Shu and Jiang Yue will go to the first floor. Wanwan and I will go to the third floor. The rest will head to the second floor. Our goal is to find all five keys in different colors.”

Jiang Yunyao added, “To avoid accidents, once we find a key, we’ll immediately go to the door to unlock it. Every key we can open counts.”

The production team only said to identify the minions but did not specify how to eliminate them. If the keys fell into the hands of the minions, the game would be over.

Before splitting into three groups, Lu Mucheng gave a special reminder, “If anyone changes teams, they must report it in the group chat.”

The guests all acknowledged this.

[Wow! These people are so meticulous! If it were me, I’d be blindly searching for clues by now!]

[Jiang Yunyao and Xie Yixing on the same team? Sorry, I’m already laughing!]

[Jiang Liangliang really is heartless, not even caring for her own sister and just tossing her to others to look after!]

[What do you mean “others”? Watch your words, Blackie! Sister Xiao has a great personality. Jiang Yunyao trusts Xiao Nuo and Sister Xiao on the same team because she’s confident in them!]

[I don’t care how much Blackie criticizes Jiang Yunyao, but don’t drag Sister Xiao into this!]

[And don’t drag Xiao Nuo into this either! The little treasure is so young—she doesn’t understand the harshness of society yet!]

---

Jiang Yunyao and Xie Yixing stood in the corridor on the second floor. They didn’t rush inside but first observed the rooms.

“Jiang Yunyao! Come look!” Xie Yixing stood by a door, beckoning her. “This is the library. There should be clues inside!”

He stepped aside to give her room.

Jiang Yunyao approached, peered inside, and saw the layout of the library.

Six or seven bookshelves took up most of the space. In the corner near the window was a small round table with two armchairs, and on the windowsill sat a pot holding a cactus.

Based on her gaming experience, there likely were clues in this library.

Jiang Yunyao said, “Then let’s start here!”

Xie Yixing replied, “Okay!”

They walked in together, but the doorway was too narrow for both to pass side by side, so Xie Yixing lagged half a step behind Jiang Yunyao.

However, he took a big step forward and nearly bumped into her. In a fluster, he reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder.

Jiang Yunyao reminded herself constantly that this was a game with minions.

That meant anyone here besides her could be a minion—including Xie Yixing.

The moment she felt his hand on her shoulder, she found it unbelievable.

He had more experience with games than she did, so he should know better than to make such a clumsy move. Even she knew not to attack so openly or she’d raise suspicion. Why would he blatantly break the rules?

But time was tight. She didn’t have time to overthink; her body reacted faster than her mind.

Her eyes flashed cold. She swiftly sidestepped, and with lightning speed, pushed the person behind her into the room, then slammed the door shut with a “click.”

Xie Yixing was stunned.

The viewers in the live broadcast were stunned too.

Xie Yixing’s mind froze; it took him several seconds to process what had happened and analyze Jiang Yunyao’s intentions.

He thought of a possibility, feeling both wronged and angry, and started banging on the door, shouting loudly.

“Jiang Yunyao! After all the trust I gave you, you actually attacked me first! I... I’m never playing with you again!”

Hearing that, Jiang Yunyao was furious that he dared turn the tables on her.

She raised her voice, “Who attacked you first?! You made the move, so I was just defending myself! Otherwise, I’d be the one eliminated right now!”

Xie Yixing said, “I’m not a minion. Why would I attack you? You’re trying to trick me into elimination! Jiang Yunyao, you’re such a liar!”

Jiang Yunyao retorted, “I’m not a minion either! Why would I eliminate you? If I were lying, then I’m a dog!”

Xie Yixing replied, “I already said I’m not a minion, and I didn’t want to attack you. If I’m lying, then I’m a jumpy one!”

[“Jumpy”: First, I didn’t provoke anyone! Second, I didn’t provoke anyone!!]

[“Yeye”: Is there any part for me here?]

[This is absurd! Both are family members, yet they start accusing each other of being minions right from the start!]

[Hahaha, little Xie is so cute! Saying he’ll never play with you again—what kindergarten behavior!]

[Did you see Jiang Yunyao’s move? Damn! That speed was insane! I didn’t even see it clearly!]

[Same here! I only saw a blur, then Xie Yixing was pushed inside!]

Jiang Yunyao and Xie Yixing shouted at each other through the door for a long time before realizing it was all a misunderstanding.

Jiang Yunyao opened the door and quickly apologized, “Sorry.”

“Hmph!” Xie Yixing was still sore from being pushed, glaring at her angrily. “If you want to apologize, I’m not against it!”

Jiang Yunyao, feeling guilty, became especially humble. “Please tell me what to do!”

Xie Yixing saw his chance to make a demand.

He hurriedly said, “Next game, I want to be the attacker! You be the support!”

Then he added, “Consider it my mental damage compensation!”

“No way!” Jiang Yunyao refused, wiping away her earlier humility. “We agreed everyone gets to be the attacker once! It’s my turn next! And what kind of compensation is that?!”

Xie Yixing’s bravado vanished. His delicate features drooped, and he sniffled in grievance.

“My back still hurts from that push just now! It’s probably bruised! It’s so serious—does me being the attacker once really hurt?”

Jiang Yunyao: “...”

Bruised? Did she really shove him that hard? She had acted purely on instinct and couldn’t recall.

Pfft! That’s not the point. The point is, what does his back injury have to do with him being support?

[I thought he was going to make some serious demand, but it’s just this?!]

[Director: I knew being cautious around them was the right call! Some people think about nothing but their silly game all day!]

[Aaaaaah, little Xie is like a wronged golden retriever! Jiang Yunyao, please just agree!]

[Jiang Yunyao: No way! Absolutely not!]