Chapter 24: Chapter 22: The Pitiable Male Lead Chapter 24: Chapter 22: The Pitiable Male Lead The newly moved-in home was spotless, and the clean refrigerator was completely empty of food.
When Jiang Ning returned, she picked up two large bags full of groceries from the supermarket downstairs, the bags filled entirely with daily necessities, food ingredients, and various seasonings.
She lived on the eleventh floor and had intended to wait for the elevator, but stopped abruptly in front of the doors.
There were still many criminals she had to catch in the future, and she couldn’t count on being as lucky every time as she had been the last two times.
Even though the flat-bottomed pan she had won from the System’s prize wheel was very handy, she couldn’t therefore neglect managing her physical strength.
Jiang Ning weighed the bags in her hand and turned towards the stairs.
Physical training would start today!
And it was about time to schedule some combat classes too!
Carrying two large bags, Jiang Ning walked from the first floor to the eleventh, lightly and vigorously, her breath even, clearly with energy to spare.
The System, seeing her brisk manner, was somewhat pleased: [Host, your physical strength is really good!]
The better Jiang Ning’s physical strength, the greater her chances of winning in a fight with criminals.
The more tasks Jiang Ning completed, the more rewards the System would gain.
Apart from Jiang Ning herself, the System could be considered the entity most hoping for Jiang Ning to be in good physical condition.
“Is my physical strength good?” Jiang Ning unlocked the door with her fingerprint.
[Yes! I’ve scanned it, and the Host’s physical strength value is 9.5. The normal physical strength value for women is between 3-6, and for men, it’s between 6-8. Your physical strength value could almost crush an adult man!]
Jiang Ning entered the house carrying the bags, and the cheerful voice of the System in her mind made her involuntarily reflect on some things.
Jiang Ning’s physical strength and powerful build were innate; she had always been strong since childhood.
When she was wandering outside, a construction site foreman kindheartedly gave her a box lunch. The sixteen-year-old Jiang Ning repaid this kindness by working on the construction site, completing in one afternoon what would take an adult man two days of work.
The foreman was astonished at the time.
Jiang Ning had always taken pride in her strength.
That was until Madam Huo brought her back to the Huo family and bought a valuable piano for Huo Miao. While the movers were carrying it upstairs, they accidentally let it slip, and the piano almost came crashing down.
It was Jiang Ning, standing nearby, who quickly stepped in and steadied the piano, preventing it from falling on the workers and possibly being damaged.
Moreover, after steadying the piano, Jiang Ning helped the workers carry it unharmed to the second floor.
The workers were grateful to Jiang Ning, but the Huo family members in the living room who witnessed the scene looked on with disdain. They thought Jiang Ning was all brutish strength, too coarse, and that a refined young lady raised in luxury like Huo Miao, who couldn’t even twist open a bottle cap and lived a delicate life, wouldn’t possess such strength.
In contrast, Jiang Ning had none of the demeanor of a wealthy lady and was willingly degrading herself by mingling with the workers, a born laborer, without a hint of elegance.
Suddenly, Jiang Ning let out a light chuckle.
In the past, she was foolish, blinded by lard.
Life had long told her that she and the Huo family were not the same kind of people.
Her phone on the table suddenly rang, and Jiang Ning glanced down to see it was a local unknown number.
She swiped her finger to answer the call.
Jiang Ning: “Hello?”
“Hello, may I speak to Miss Jiang Ning?” a gentle male voice came from the phone.
Before Jiang Ning could answer, the other party continued, “I am a staff member of Orange TV and also the producer of ‘Survive for 30 Days.’ I apologize for the intrusion. I was wondering if Miss Jiang Ning might have some time recently. We’d like to invite you to be a non-celebrity guest for the eighth season of ‘Survive for 30 Days.’”
‘Survive for 30 Days’?
‘Survive for 30 Days’ is a survival reality show by Orange TV that claims to have zero scripts. It puts celebrities and non-celebrities together in one place to live for 30 days, showing audiences what unfolds during that time. It is also the first domestic survival program featuring both celebrities and non-celebrities.
‘Survive for 30 Days’ airs once a year and has been running for seven consecutive years so far.
Some celebrities have had major setbacks after appearing on the show, while some non-celebrities have become top influencers in the entertainment industry through the show.
It goes without saying how wildly popular this program is.
Jiang Ning stared at her phone, puzzled, and asked skeptically, “Really? Why would you invite me?”
The man answered earnestly, “Of course it’s true. If Miss Jiang doesn’t believe me, you are welcome to visit our company this afternoon. Our office is located near the broadcasting bureau in Capital City, in Orange Tower.”
“As for why we’re inviting Miss Jiang, it’s entirely because someone sent me a video about you.”
Jiang Ning asked, “What video?”
The man seemed to recall something as a hint of a smile appeared in his voice, “The video of Miss Jiang kicking the Huo family members into the water.”
Jiang Ning: “…”
She had only kicked Huo Miao and others into the water yesterday afternoon, just that one time.
At the time, her mind was preoccupied with the thought of having been diagnosed with a terminal illness and likely to die soon. Before dying, she wanted to embarrass the Huo family members at least once and infuriate them; otherwise, it would have been too much of a loss. That’s why she had acted out and kicked Huo Miao and others into the pool in front of everyone.
There were so many people present at the time, it wasn’t surprising that someone recorded it on video.
Huo Miao’s celebration party would naturally only have industry insiders, and it also didn’t seem strange that the video made its way to the producer.
The man praised her, “Miss Jiang’s accuracy in kicking and her strength are quite good, which fits the survival content of our variety show perfectly. Plus, Miss Jiang is subject to a lot of controversies online—don’t you want to use our program to clear your name?”
An idea struck Jiang Ning, and she suddenly asked, “Is Huo Miao also participating?”
The man paused for a moment before candidly admitting, “Yes, not only Huo Miao, but Mr. Huo Ziheng and Mr. Mu Mingxuan will also be there.”
Huo Ziheng, the scoundrel of a second brother.
Mu Mingxuan, Huo Miao’s scoundrel fiancé.
Jiang Ning was worrying about not having the opportunity to settle the score with Mu Mingxuan, but here it was, an opportunity had presented itself.
Jiang Ning made up her mind: “I accept your invitation and will participate in the recording of the show.”
The man seemed unsurprised by her decision, and even gave Jiang Ning a pleasant surprise, “Miss Jiang, this time our program will be broadcast live in addition to recording. If you’re interested, please make time to come to Orange Tower to discuss the contract details.”
Jiang Ning: “Okay.”
Around three to four in the afternoon, Jiang Ning took a taxi to Orange Tower and met with the producer of ‘Survive for 30 Days,’ Chen Yan, who had called her.
Then, the two quickly agreed on the salary and other issues.
Looking at the freshly printed contract, Jiang Ning confirmed it was correct and swiftly signed her name on it.
…
In a certain five-star hotel, Assistant Qiu spoke to the man who had been squatting by the elevator doors for half an hour with a hint of helplessness, “Second Young Master Qi, where are you planning to go? It’s already mealtime; if you don’t go back now, Madam will be worried.”
The man ignored Assistant Qiu’s words, his thick lashes lowered as he tightly clutched a small night lamp, remaining motionless.