Zac smiled. “We haven’t received anything in return, but our dinner is taken care of.”
Aaron didn’t believe it. “How can you have dinner when you haven’t received anything in exchange?”
Zac pointed at Simone, smiling. “Because we have Simone. She’s our secret weapon.”
Aaron and his team became even more confused. Jodie’s heart sank.
“You won because of her?” That’s impossible. She didn’t like that Zac was being so friendly towards Simone.
Smugly, Zac said, “She fixed the committee’s tractor, so the village head invited us over for dinner at his place.”
Jodie raised her voice, “She can fix tractors?”
Aaron was also surprised. He looked at Simone. “When did you learn how to fix tractors?” Why didn’t we know that?
Simone looked at Aaron. “I’ve always known how to fix tractors. It’s normal that you have no idea about it.”
Aaron struggled to find words. “I…” He was starting to realize that he didn’t understand his sister at all, and he was annoyed. Simone was hiding something from them. Unable to hold back, he sarcastically said, “Then you’re amazing.”
Simone grinned. “Thanks. I think I’m pretty awesome too.”
Aaron was speechless. Zac couldn’t help but laugh. He was happy to see Aaron being silenced.
Aaron’s fans started hurling hate comments at Simone, calling her a disrespectful woman. Simone’s fans and some of the viewers found her straightforward attitude likable. Aaron had been sarcastic at first, but Simone didn’t have to tolerate that.
Leon watched as Simone fired back at Aaron, and he realized that she had changed. She used to hold back because Aaron was family, but now she saw Aaron as a stranger. No, she treated him like she hated him. How will she treat me, then? For some reason, he felt restless, but he couldn’t talk to Simone about it in front of the camera. He told his team, “Let’s go back and rest.” He was also trying to make things easier for Aaron.
Aaron didn’t push his luck. “Sure.” Instead of going back to his room, he went to Jodie’s. Concerned, he asked, “Is your leg still hurting, Jo?”
Aggrieved, Jodie said, “Yeah.” Before Titus arrived, she was supposed to put on a loving sibling act with Aaron to gain more fans, so she showed the camera how well she got along with her brothers.
“I’ll give you a foot massage then.” Aaron crouched down and took off her shoes, then he rubbed her foot. Jodie leaned forward and hugged him, like a loving sister asking for affection.
She nuzzled her head against his shoulder. “You’re the best, Aaron.”
Leyla was right beside them, feeling sore. And jealous. She thought it was strange that Jodie and Aaron were so close. A bit too close.
Aaron’s and Jodie’s fans called Aaron a caring brother and Jodie a sweet sister. This was really heartwarming, but some people thought they were being too close for comfort. They were actual siblings, though, so they didn’t think much of it.
At the same time, a beautiful straw basket was finally completed. Keira looked at Simone. “You can make baskets too, Simone?” She and the others tried, but they were not good at it and failed to learn.
Simone smiled. “I did learn how to do it.” She placed the basket on the table. “We’ll use this basket to store our essentials.”
Keira picked it up to examine it closely. “Sure.
I was wondering where I should keep my skincare stuff. We’ll just take this basket with us when we shower. It’ll make things a lot easier.” I made the right choice by sharing a room with Simone.
Simone smiled. “That’s what I was thinking too. Tomorrow, I’ll make some straw hats. We can wear them when we go fruit-picking. Then I’ll make some more baskets to store our clothes.”
Zac smiled. “Do Eric and I get one too?”
Simone looked at him. “Of course. We’re a team. Everyone gets one.”
Zac smiled. “Thank you very much, then.” They would be staying here for almost a month, and he didn’t want to cram everything into his luggage.
Eric smiled. “Thank you, Simone. You’ve worked hard.”
Simone smiled. “Don’t mention it.” She then picked up more straws and started making more items. Her team members and everyone watching the livestream observed as her fingers danced and fluttered, and a straw hat was made in no time. Everyone had the same thought. She is skilled with her hands.
Soon, the village head’s youngest son came in and invited them to dinner. The team arrived at the village head’s house, and they offered to help clean the vegetables out of courtesy, but the village head’s wife and mother-in-law declined, so they stepped back. They sat with the village head and engaged in conversation. He shared stories about the village.
The village head’s wife and mother-in-law prepared a seven-course meal. It didn’t look fancy, but it smelled delicious, and the portions were generous enough to feed everyone. The team was already hungry, so they picked up their utensils and started eating.
They praised the food, and judging by how quickly they devoured it, it was clear they weren’t faking it. The village head and his family were pleased, and the dinner went well. Afterward, Simone’s team took four dishes back to their courtyard and exchanged them for four sets of bedding from the director.
The other team scrambled to prepare their meal. Or, to be precise, Jodie was cooking while everyone else only helped with cleaning the food, after which they stood around idly. Jodie disliked this kitchen. She wasn’t used to primitive stoves like this, so she messed up the first dish. She added the food to the wok too quickly when making the second dish, and a few drops of scalding oil landed on her hands. Her hand turned red, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Aaron felt sorry for her. “Jojo, your hand is hurt. You should stop.”
Jodie wanted to stop, but the live stream was still ongoing. She had to maintain the image of a determined woman. She had learned how to cook specifically for this show, so she had to perform and smile accordingly. “It’s alright. I can continue. Just two more dishes and I’ll be done. If I fail, we won’t receive any bedding supplies.” She appeared as though she would persist even if her hand was scalded, all for the sake of her team.
Leon was moved, but Leyla thought it seemed very artificial. However, she didn’t voice her opinion.
Aaron shook his head. “No. Your hand is injured. You can’t continue. You should apply some ointment to it.”
He then overheard Simone and her team conversing. The opposing team had returned.
Without hesitation, Aaron went out and approached Simone. He commanded, “Simone, help us prepare a couple of dishes.”
Simone’s team froze when Aaron made that demand. They turned to Simone, realizing from Aaron’s tone that he seemed familiar with her and was even being imperious.
Speechless, Simone stared at Aaron. “That’s not how you ask someone for help. What makes you think you can make me cook for you?”
Aaron fell silent once more. “I…” He wanted to say, ‘because I’m your brother,’ but when he caught the icy look in Simone’s eyes, he couldn’t say anything. Before they came on this show, Jodie had warned him not to reveal their connection to Simone, just in case she got triggered and caused trouble. That would be difficult to handle.
Simone sneered. “Aaron, if your brain isn’t functioning, I suggest you get it replaced. I am not your servant.”
Zac could see that Simone strongly disliked Aaron. Time to support my teammate. He raised an eyebrow at Aaron. “Well, someone has no shame. Simone is not on your team, and she doesn’t owe you anything. Why should she help you cook?”
Just then, Aaron’s team emerged from the kitchen. Jodie looked apologetically at Zac. “I’m sorry. I hurt my hand while cooking. Aaron got worried, so he asked Simone for help.” She extended her right hand, showing a few red spots, and then looked at Simone. “Aaron was only concerned about me. Please don’t be angry with him.”
Simone knew Jodie was trying to show how much Aaron cared about her, hoping to provoke her into saying something she shouldn’t. Simone raised an eyebrow. “Don’t flaunt your sibling love to me. If he truly cared, he would have cooked for you. He shouldn’t have come to me. All I did was refuse his demand, and then you suddenly appeared, telling me to leave him alone because he was just worried about you.” Deliberately, she added, “And I have severed all ties with you. You have no grounds to morally manipulate me.”
Jodie couldn’t believe Simone remained calm. She should have gotten angry and cursed at me. She quickly shook her head. “I’m not morally manipulating you or anything.” Simone’s last statement worried her. She feared Simone might reveal their relationship to everyone. Since Simone had cut off all ties with the family, Jodie hoped Simone would never get involved with the Grays again. I am Aaron’s only sister. She quickly took hold of Aaron’s arm. “Aaron, my hand is much better now. I ran it under cold water. I can continue cooking. You don’t need to ask anyone for help.”
Aaron wanted to say something. He couldn’t tolerate Simone’s attitude. She said my brain isn’t functioning? And she claims that Jodie is morally manipulating her? It’s not like she hasn’t cooked for us. She even made herbal soups just to win us over. He held back because Jodie was shaking her head at him, and he scoffed. “I see someone thinks they’re too good for me now.”
Simone replied, “Yes, I do. We are not even acquaintances, so please don’t act like you own me next time.” It wasn’t the right time to reveal their relationship. If she broke the news herself, it would appear as if she were seeking sympathy, someone who still cared about the Grays. However, if someone discovered it after some investigation, it would have a different impact. The latter would make her seem like a person deserving of sympathy due to her troubled past. She didn’t need their sympathy, but she wouldn’t reject it either.
Aaron’s face fell. “Do not forget who you are, Simone. Know your place.”
Simone rolled her eyes. “You should really get a new brain.”
That’s not how you speak to your brother. Can’t you be more loving like Jodie?
Jodie didn’t want them to argue any further. She was worried that Aaron might reveal Simone as his sister if he became desperate. So, she gasped and said, “Oh no, my dish. It’s going to burn.” She grabbed Aaron’s hand and pulled him back into the kitchen. “Help me, bro.”
As Simone watched Aaron leave, she clicked her tongue. “My, my, holding hands just because you’re going into the kitchen. You two really do love each other, don’t you?”
The viewers noticed that Jodie had pulled Aaron back to the kitchen by his hand. They found it a little awkward. Adult siblings wouldn’t engage in such intimate gestures as holding hands.
Leon grew up with Simone. He knew she was not weak, but she was being forceful about Aaron and Jodie, so he said, “That’s enough, Simone.”
Simone looked at Leon coldly and replied in an equally cold tone, “They started it.” In the past, the Gray Family would always blame her regardless of who initiated the conflict. So, Leon thinks the same way. No wonder he prioritized Jodie over me in my previous life. Simone had endured and tolerated a lot because of family, but now they meant nothing to her, so she wouldn’t tolerate anything.
Leon never expected Simone to look at him with such indifference and coldness. It made him feel uneasy. He was about to tell her that he wasn’t blaming her and just wanted her to calm down when Zac intervened. “They started it, Leon. Anyone with eyes could see who was at fault just now. You can’t be blind, can you?” Even Zac found Aaron’s imperious and condescending tone towards Simone annoying. Yet, Leon, who grew up with Simone, actually took their side. No wonder she cut off all ties with him.
Leon frowned and glared at Zac. “You know nothing. You have no right to comment.” Aaron was Simone’s brother, so she shouldn’t have embarrassed him like that in front of everyone.
Simone knew Leon too well and could guess what he was thinking. She sneered. “So, you’re saying that I should obey his orders like a slave instead of resisting? Do you think I owe them anything?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.