Chapter 52: Our Guesthouse

“Our Guesthouse” is a variety show focused on business operations. The program invites several celebrities to collectively manage a new guesthouse. Meanwhile, each episode features guests staying at the guesthouse, some selected through applications, and others, like Guan Xi, invited by the production team.

Initially uninterested in participating in a variety show, Guan Xi was persuaded by Wang Qing, who emphasized how well the show aligned with her interests. She mentioned that even though she wasn’t a star, the camera would focus on her. After considering her extensive experiences in various countries and her expertise in evaluating and providing suggestions for guesthouse services and surrounding activities, she found the task within her professional scope and relatively simple.

So, Guan Xi agreed to participate. The next day, she went to the studio to discuss the program details with Wang Qing.

“Hey, Guan Xi, you’re here,” the studio receptionist called out as she entered.

Seeing the strange expression on the receptionist’s face, Guan Xi asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Um, how about you don’t go in right now? Xiaorou is inside…”

“Zhao Xiaorou? Why can’t I go in if she’s inside?”

“Xiaorou is causing a scene inside. I just overheard a bit, and she was talking about the variety show ‘Our Guesthouse.’ The front desk said, ‘Xiaorou is angry that Yu Zong handed this variety show to you. She thinks it should be hers.’”

Guan Xi frowned, “Isn’t it because the production team thinks she’s not suitable? What’s she making a fuss about?”

“I’m not sure about that,” replied the front desk.

Guan Xi, feeling puzzled, didn’t pay much attention to the front desk and went straight in. As she entered from the corridor, she faintly heard Zhao Xiaorou arguing. Then, without knowing what Yu Zong said, she heard a harsh sound of a chair scraping against the floor, and the sound of high heels approaching her.

It was Zhao Xiaorou and her assistant coming out. Guan Xi glanced at her and walked past.

“Guan Xi.”

Guan Xi stopped, and this was the second time Zhao Xiaorou called her. The first time was when they first met at the studio, and they exchanged polite greetings.

Zhao Xiaorou was obviously still upset. Although she spoke with a hint of a smile, her tone couldn’t contain a sharp taste, “Guan Xi, you’re quite lucky recently. The show just gained a bit of popularity, and such a big variety show landed on you. Congratulations.”

Guan Xi responded, “Does this have anything to do with popularity?”

Zhao Xiaorou stared at her, smirked, and said sarcastically, “Well, maybe popularity doesn’t matter at all. As long as you have some special ability, you can always catch the line.”

“…”

Special ability? What special ability is she talking about?

Why is she talking about irrelevant things in such a sarcastic manner?

Guan Xi sneered and replied even more sarcastically, “There are indeed some special abilities, after all, my expertise is solid enough. Otherwise, the production team wouldn’t have invited me. Anyway, thank you for your blessings. I’ll participate well with your blessings.”

Zhao Xiaorou’s expression froze for a moment.

Guan Xi waved her hand, “Is there anything else? If not, I’ll go in first. We can talk later.”

Without waiting for Zhao Xiaorou’s reaction, Guan Xi walked inside, stepping on her stiletto heels.

Zhao Xiaorou watched her retreating figure, shaking with anger.

“Xiaorou Jie, what should we do now?” her assistant asked.

“What can we do? The contracts are about to be signed, where can I go to snatch them?” Zhao Xiaorou said angrily. “Isn’t it just relying on a pretty face to flirt with Yu Zong? So impressive!”

Earlier, when she heard that this variety show was planning to invite some influential online celebrities with expertise, she had used her connections to invite people to dinner.

The first season of “Our Guesthouse” was a big hit, and the second season was highly anticipated. She had put in a lot of effort to join the show, wanting to increase her exposure and take another step closer to the entertainment industry.

But who would have thought that after all her efforts, the contract would end up in the hands of Guan Xi, who was from the same studio as her.

“Compared to her, why is Guan Xi’s online popularity so much lower? Why did the production team choose Guan Xi instead of her?! It must be Director You showing favoritism, helping her connect with the production team!”

“Why are you still standing there? Let’s go!” Zhao Xiaorou turned and headed towards the door.

The assistant quickly followed, saying, “Okay!”

**

After sorting out the details and timing of appearing on the variety show with Wang Qing, the next day, Guan Xi signed a contract with the production team.

“Our Guesthouse” had been in production for half a month, and the first episode was scheduled to air on the evening of November 8th.

On the day of the premiere, Guan Xi pulled Jiang Suizhou to watch with her for a while.

Jiang Suizhou had no interest in variety shows. After watching for ten minutes, he shifted his attention and started using his tablet. Guan Xi, noticing that his gaze was not at the same eye level as hers, reached out and covered his eyes with her hand.

Jiang Suizhou paused and held her wrist, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Guan Xi glanced at him sideways and said, “Didn’t you promise to watch the variety show with me? What are you looking at now?”

“I am watching.”

“Really?” Guan Xi immediately threw a pop quiz, “Then who was just assigned as the hall manager?”

“Lin Xingyue,” Jiang Suizhou replied.

“Wrong! It’s Zhong Tingting,” Guan Xi said expressionlessly, “And the guy you mentioned is Cheng Xingyue, not Lin Xingyue.”

Jiang Suizhou hesitated, “He’s not that famous, it’s normal not to remember.”

“He’s a popular actor! Not that famous… Clearly, you didn’t watch carefully. You—” Guan Xi interrupted him.

Jiang Suizhou reached for a strawberry, stuffed it into Guan Xi’s mouth, and stopped her from continuing, “Quiet, keep watching.”

Guan Xi bit the strawberry, mumbling, “Well, then you have to pay attention. This is the variety show your fairy girlfriend will participate in a few days.”

Jiang Suizhou said, “I’ll just watch the episode you appear in.”

“No, you have to watch the whole thing, or you won’t know what I was doing at that time.”

Miss Guan was decisive and domineering.

Jiang Suizhou chuckled and gave up the struggle, “Okay.”

“Give me the tablet.”

Jiang Suizhou handed over the tablet.

Guan Xi placed the tablet aside and sat in his lap, saying, “I can quiz you anytime, you know.”

Jiang Suizhou adjusted their position, comfortably holding her, and lazily replied, “Hmm, sure.”

…

The second season of “Our Guesthouse” was filmed in the scenic Keshi Wuli in the west. It was a beautiful place with mountains and water, mostly natural landscapes untouched by commercial development. However, only a few people vacationed there each year because the facilities were not well-developed, and the publicity was lacking.

It was Guan Xi’s first time visiting this place. On the day of departure, Jiang Suizhou took her to the airport. She flew westward, reaching her destination in a little over two hours.

The production team provided transportation, and after getting off the shuttle, Guan Xi walked to the front of the guest house.

As a guest, the process was similar to her previous hotel stays. She needed to register and check-in. At the front desk, she saw Zhong Tingting.

Zhong Tingting was twenty-one years old, belonging to the cute type. She had acted in movies since she was seventeen, always portraying the image of the nation’s little sister in the public’s eyes.

“Hello, are you Guan Xi?” Zhong Tingting greeted her.

Guan Xi nodded, “Yes, I called and contacted you earlier.”

Zhong Tingting said, “Yes, yes, I know. Register here, and then we’ll take you to your room.”

“Okay.”

After Zhong Tingting went to the back of the front desk, she excitedly shouted into the walkie-talkie while checking the information, “Xingyue Ge, come out quickly to help with the luggage! There’s a beautiful sister here!”

Guan Xi looked at her, and Zhong Tingting grinned, straightforwardly saying, “Sister, you’re really pretty.”

Being complimented by a beautiful woman was even more pleasing than being praised by a man. Guan Xi smiled, “Thank you, you’re beautiful too.”

“Hehe, you are the most beautiful guest I’ve seen recently… Oh, Xingyue Ge, have you come already!” After speaking into the walkie-talkie, Zhong Tingting handed Guan Xi the room card and ID together, “Once Xingyue Ge arrives, we’ll take you to your room. It’s getting late today, so you can rest well. If you’re hungry, let us know; we have room service.”

“Okay.”

After a while, Cheng Xingyue came out. After a polite greeting, he considerately took Guan Xi’s suitcase, and together with Zhong Tingting, escorted her to her room.

“From now on, I am your designated personnel, and Tingting as well. We are a team, so we will serve you together,” Cheng Xingyue introduced while walking.

Zhong Tingting added, “Yes, you can tell us if you have any questions. Oh, by the way, these are three travel plans we prepared in advance. You can choose one to follow.”

Guan Xi thanked them and accepted the plans.

Cheng Xingyue said, “By the way, Miss Guan, our boss mentioned that you are a travel blogger, right? You must be very knowledgeable about guest house.”

Guan Xi modestly replied, “I have a little experience.”

Cheng Xingyue said, “Feel free to give suggestions when the time comes. Let us know if there is anything lacking.”

“Sure, I won’t hesitate.”

“Hahaha, great!”

After being escorted back to her room, they left. The guest house had cameras inside and outside, except in the guests’ rooms. Once Guan Xi entered her room and closed the door, she felt a bit more at ease.

Although she was used to facing cameras frequently, being under constant surveillance was somewhat terrifying. She thought about how challenging it must be for these celebrities.

Reflecting on this, Guan Xi walked around the room, taking notes in a small notebook about surface-level issues or thoughtful aspects she noticed. After completing this work routine, she finally lay down on the bed. At that moment, a video call from Jiang Suizhou came in.

Guan Xi leaned against the edge of the bed and accepted the call.

“Arrived at the destination?” Jiang Suizhou seems to be outside, and the background lighting looks somewhat familiar.

“We’ve arrived,” Guan Xi said. “I just got to the room, and your video call is quite timely.”

Jiang Suizhou: “How’s the environment?”

Guan Xi: “The guest house is not bad, but I haven’t seen much of the outside scenery; it got dark just now.”

“Well, rest well, and I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Guan Xi leaned in to take a closer look at his background and asked, “Where are you? Jiang Suizhou, did you go out to have fun with the girls again while I’m not at home?”

The use of “again” adds a touch of wit to it.

Jiang Suizhou raised an eyebrow, “What do you think?”

“I think it’s possible… Wait, isn’t this place the club owned by that someone? No wonder it looks so familiar. It seems like you’re enjoying yourself when I’m not around.”

Jiang Suizhou smiled and said, “It’s a meeting organized by the Jinkai Cheng Group, just business, no girls.”

“What? No girls? Jiang Suizhou, who are you talking to?” At this point, there were other voices in the background on Jiang Suizhou’s side.

Then the camera was jostled, and Guan Xi saw Song Li’s big head appearing in the frame.

Guan Xi was startled, holding her phone a few inches away.

Song Li, seeing Guan Xi on Jiang Suizhou’s phone, paused for a moment, then suddenly shouted loudly to the side, “Come and see, oh, I was wondering why Jiang Suizhou came over alone. Turns out he’s being checked up on!!”

“Hey, who are you accusing of being checked up on? When did I ever checked up on!” Guan Xi retorted.

Song Li: “Unbelievable, unbelievable. Our General Manager Jiang is truly unbelievable. He actually agreed to be checked up on and even started a video call! Yuan Bai, Jinkai Cheng! Come and watch—”

Before Song Li could finish her sentence, Jiang Suizhou took the phone back.

Song Li’s big face disappeared from the camera, replaced by her beautiful second dog.

Guan Xi breathed a sigh of relief, “What is Song Li shouting about… Anyway, if you’re busy, deal with your matters first. I’ll hang up.”

Jiang Suizhou, steady as ever, said, “Weren’t we just talking about girls? Don’t you want to see?”

Guan Xi couldn’t believe that Jiang Suizhou would go out and fool around. She was just casually asking out of boredom.

Guan Xi: “Do you really think this is a work inspection video?”

“Could be,” Jiang Suizhou said, turning his phone in another direction. So, Guan Xi saw familiar faces on the screen, a few men looking at it with surprise.

Even through the screen, Guan Xi could feel that Jiang Suizhou had startled the group on the other side.

“See, no women,” Jiang Suizhou’s voice came from off-screen.

Guan Xi: “…”

Guan Xi and the group of men faced each other.

“Haha, Miss Guan, hello,” Song Li greeted first, “Today, it’s a men’s gathering, really, I didn’t bring my girlfriend!”

“Yeah, yeah, no girls, not a single one.”

“Don’t worry, Guan Xi, I’ll keep an eye on Jiang Suizhou. If any girl comes at him, I’ll fend her off for you.”

Guan Xi: “What kind of cheesy stuff are you guys up to?”

…

Each person on the other side said something, making Guan Xi unusually blush.

So, she slapped the video off.

Damn it! You, Second Dog, you troublemaker! You’ve forcefully molded her into a suspicious, jealous, inspection-checking, clingy character!

That’s not her, she’s not like that!

[Not watching anymore?] After a while, Jiang Suizhou sent a message.

Guan Xi: [What are you looking at! I didn’t want to watch them!]

Jiang Suizhou: [Well then, after checking, rest assured and take a break. I’ll tell you when I get home.]

Guan Xi: [I didn’t check in on you!!!]

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