Chapter 125
The staff member approached the group carrying a tray with si identical–looking envelopes.
Ann was the first to step forward to draw an envelope.
The first person to pick had the greatest advantage; she didn’t want to be the last.
She chose the envelope in the middle. Upon opening it, she found a note reading “Ride–sharing, license plate number JA98028” along with 700 dollars in initial funds.
of
The remaining five people each drew an envelope in turn. The amount of money was the same for everyone, but the modes
transportation varied. Alice’s envelope contained a bus card. Emily’s was a cruise ticket. Susan’s was a QR code for a tram. Vivian had a plane ticket. Natalie received a train ticket.
Oscar raised a megaphone and announced, “Next, all the female guests, please bravely set off in search of love!
Emily and Susan were both worried about Natalie.
Susan asked with concern, “Natalie, have you ever taken a train before? Will you be okay with it?”
“It’s a pity the rules say we can’t swap; otherwise, you could have taken my cruise,” Emily said dejectedly.
Natalie met their gazes and said with a nonchalant smile. “There’s always a first time for everything; don’t worry about me.”
Although she said that, Emily and Susan still gave her some tips on traveling by train before they left.
After they were gone, Natalie also set off for the train station.
The online viewers were captivated, posting comments from time to time.
[Next up: the wealthy young lady’s train adventure!]
[Don’t be afraid, Natalie. We are all here for you.]
[She has never experienced hardship. I suspect she’ll throw a tantrum when she reaches the train station!]
[Exactly! Agreeing with the previous comment–she is so high–maintenance!]
[I doubt she even knows where the train station is!]
Natalie indeed didn’t know where the train station was, so she took a taxi. By the time she arrived at the station, it was already 9:40 AM.
The ticket showed the departure time was 10:10 AM. It was almost time for boarding. She looked at the dense crowd in front of her, feeling a bit overwhelmed, but quickly adjusted her emotions and moved forward.
Greton was a major transportation hub, with hundreds of thousands of people transiting here every day. The crowd was
immense.
In the queue to enter the station, Natalie was surrounded by people.
They each carried large and small bags, their contents unknown but clearly packed to the brim.
Some carried plastic bags, likely packed with blankets or similar items.
Some, due to the crowd, had their suitcases on their heads, making them appear large and cumbersome.
Chapter 125
Natalie, blending in with the crowd, looked strikingly out of place with her delicate appearance against the drab surroundings.
The audience couldn’t help but change their opinions of her as they watched her being jostled without showing any impatience.
[Natalie has such a good temper; in this hot weather, being jostled like that, even I would complain a bit!]
[Exactly, and yet she, someone accustomed to luxury, remains so gentle and pleasant throughout!)
[She’s so well–behaved, wiping sweat when it’s hot, responding warmly when people talk to her–no sign of arrogance at all!]
[Just now, that middle–aged man’s suitcase was pushing against er lower back. I felt sore just watching, but she didn’t say a word, even helping him with his luggage. Wow, Natalie is amazingt
[Natalie really is beautiful and kind–hearted, just as expected of young lady with such an impeccable upbringing!]
Others might not have commented, but they also felt that Natalie was different from their expectations. They couldn’t help but think. ‘Isn’t she supposed to be temperamental and spoiled? Isn’t she expected to throw a fit at the slightest provocation? Could it be that her previous behavior was all an act? But if it was an act, her expressions and demeanor were too convincing
Ten minutes later, Natalie finally arrived at the waiting lounge. Although she had to take a train, the show’s production team kindly arranged for her to stay in a luxury soft sleeper in a two–person compartment.
The boarding process for the luxury soft sleeper had already begun in the waiting lounge. All the passengers were lined up to enter the platform.
Suddenly, Natalie’s gaze froze. She thought, That figure not far away is familiar. Am I seeing things? The man was tall and upright, standing out in the crowd.
He stood upright, and his long legs were even more noticeable, making him impossible to ignore.
He looked rather impatient, perhaps due to the hot and crowded environment.
With one hand on his hip, he occasionally flicked the jacket he held in the other hand and looked around.
Natalie had a frightening thought. This person is worth several hundred billion, traveling either in first class or on a private jet. How could he be taking a train? Could it be… that he is my partner?‘
Just then, Darren, irritated and restless because of the heat, looked around. When he turned, his eyes met Natalie’s. His stern face showed a brief surprise.
The next second, he stepped out of the line, walked up to her, and asked with a displeased tone, “Why are you only just arriving?”
After drawing a card at 9 AM, he soon arrived at the train station and then spent a full hour in this foul–smelling environment.
Darren felt like he was covered in filth from head to toe. He thought, I have never endured such hardship before. I’m enduring all this for Natalie, yet she looks so displeased when she sees me. What does she mean by that?‘
Natalie had a sulky expression; she was genuinely in a bad mood
She felt extremely unlucky that her male guest on the first day of the dating show turned out to be her ex–husband. She displayed her displeasure openly, showing no attempt to hide it. “If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t have come.” This was the first time Darren was so overtly disliked by her.
hapter 125
Although he knew she was just pretending, he still felt unhappy
He said in a fit of anger, “I didn’t come here for you either. Had known the female guest was you, I wouldn’t have come.”
“Then you can leave now,” Natalie retorted with a fake smile.
Darren scoffed, “Why should I leave just because you say so? Who do you think you are?”
Natalie replied unhurriedly, Tm not trying to tell you what to do I just don’t want to see you.”
Darren was left speechless. He glared at her with a dark face and thought, ‘She has become even more sharp–tongued! How can such beautiful, plump lips utter nothing but harsh words?
In just a few exchanges, their interaction became tense and confrontational, and neither was willing to back down.
Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Gary swiftly stepped in as a skilled mediator to prevent it from escalating.
Hex
He said, “The team is randomly composed, and becoming partners is a form of fare
“This is an ill–fated bond!” Natalie and Darren exclaimed in unison.
Gary pressed on with a forced smile. “Even an ill–fated bond is still a connection. I actually think the two of you have quite the chemistry!”
“Who has chemistry with him/her?” Natalie and Darren said in unison again.
Gary, feeling utterly worn out and not affording to offend either of them, added. The production team believes that being paired randomly is fate, so changes in partners are not allowed Since you’ve come, you must follow the rules. However, if you want to end the partnership, there is a way.”
“Speak!” Darren and Natalie demanded in unison.
“The task duration is five days. If you complete the task early, you can end the recording,” said Gary.
“Fine!” they both said once more in unison.
“This is the fourth time! Yet, they still claim they have no chemistry! With that in mind, Gary looked at their almost identical expressions, twitched his lips, and said, “You two can board the train now.”
