I’ve Gone Viral Because of a Money-Saving Variety Show

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Set Aside Personal Pride and Enjoy Free Bottomless Porridge Refills Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Set Aside Personal Pride and Enjoy Free Bottomless Porridge Refills Zhou Jinyuan stretched his arms out casually, much like he was embracing someone.
But there wasn’t a trace of frivolity in his eyes and, paired with the expensive black suit that fitted his tall figure and his refined temperament, he looked every bit the educated and proper member of an elite family, with no hint of sleaziness that would make Chen Xixi uncomfortable.
On the contrary, she got the impression that he was willingly letting her do as she pleased with him, curious to see what she would do.
With his height and long legs, his sharp and smooth facial contours, his superior looks, and pleasant behavior, not to mention what he had just said, all these factors combined would have likely made any average girl’s heart flutter already, if not fallen for him, then at least had their favorability greatly increased.
But Chen Xixi was not an average girl, she was only concerned about whether or not he had any money on him at the moment.
However, since he was so openly allowing her to search him, it must mean he was penniless.
Chen Xixi’s last bit of hopeful mentality instantly vanished.
Sigh, originally she had wanted to rob some Money from the sponsor, after all, the sponsor was the biggest contributor to the whole program.
It turned out that even the sponsor couldn’t cheat in the game, now she really had to rely on herself.
With a heart turned cold, Chen Xixi’s eyes curved into a smile as she spoke, “There’s no need to search, I trust President Zhou.”
Zhou Jinyuan nodded slightly: “In that case, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out first and wait for you.”
“Alright, then please wait for me on the first floor, I’ll be right there.” She had been busy filling out the application form and hadn’t had time to wash her face.
“No rush.” Zhou Jinyuan’s tone was unexpectedly mild and gentle, which didn’t quite match his cool exterior. Then his lips moved slightly as if he wanted to say something else, but after a pause of two seconds, he ultimately said nothing.
Chen Xixi turned and opened the door to let Zhou Jinyuan pass, but just as he reached her side, he abruptly stopped and said in a methodical way, “Girls should learn to protect themselves, don’t let other men enter your room so easily.”
After saying that, he stepped out and left.
Chen Xixi looked at his retreating figure: “…” Then why did you just come in?
[It’s been less than three minutes. President Zhou exited so quickly? What were they doing in the room?]
[Is there something we esteemed VIPs shouldn’t listen to?]
[I thought Chen Xixi was planning to rob him of his looks, but it turns out President Zhou came out safe and sound!]
[Hahaha, the person above must be new here. As an old fan, I’ll tell you, given Chen Xixi’s personality, it’s impossible for her to rob looks, but robbing Money, that’s possible!]
[Robbing Money, hahaha! It sounds absurd, but I think it’s something Chen Xixi would do!]
[I think Chen Xixi wants to seduce the sponsor to cheat her way to first place, right? After all, that’s the boss of Zhongjing Group we’re talking about. If it was an ordinary person, they would’ve tried to curry favor long ago!]
Chen Xixi didn’t not want to ingratiate herself; she even aspired to work for Zhongjing Group.
But currying favor was not so easy.
She didn’t have money to give gifts to leaders, and just talking with words but no proof of her abilities wasn’t enough. How could the big boss have the time to give her an opportunity to show her skills?
And she certainly wouldn’t sell herself to seduce anyone.
Because the purpose of her earning money was to provide a better life for herself and her loved ones, not to demean herself and make those who care about her worry and feel sad.
So it seemed more realistic to earnestly aim for the five million right in front of her.
Chen Xixi freshened up quickly and went down to the first floor. Seeing Zhou Jinyuan sitting on the sofa, she asked, “Have you had breakfast? If not, let’s eat together.”
“No, I haven’t.” Zhou Jinyuan stood up and followed behind her, not sure what she would take him to eat. Honestly, he was quite uncertain.
The netizens were also worried for Zhou Jinyuan.
After all, the places Chen Xixi went to were quite a test of one’s thick skin and mental fortitude.
If one wasn’t thick-skinned enough and didn’t have strong mental toughness, it was impossible to scrounge food with Chen Xixi.
After about twenty minutes of walking, the two finally arrived at their destination.
It’s a newly-opened breakfast restaurant.
Big glass windows of the breakfast restaurant are plastered with a notice for the new opening, offering free porridge.
The proprietress sees the two of them standing at the entrance and quickly waves them over with the hand wiping tables, warmly hailing, “Handsome guy and beautiful girl, come on in~ Don’t just stand outside looking~ If you want something to eat, come and take a look~ Come on~”
[Hahaha, why do I feel like this proprietress’s attitude is a bit like a brothel madam, with that very ‘Dear guests, come and have a good time’ vibe～]
[I’m also a bit suspicious whether this proprietress has some other unspeakable side business…]
[How does Chen Xixi find these places where you can freeload? I also want to eat king-sized meals for free just like her every day!]
[Don’t follow Chen Xixi, folks from experience tell you, the free stuff ends up being the most expensive!]
[That’s right, did you not see this breakfast restaurant’s promotion for free porridge? It means only the porridge is free in the shop, but who just drinks porridge without some side dishes? Besides, for the working class, just drinking porridge for breakfast is not filling at all. Once you buy some stuffed buns and such, the proprietress will have made a profit.]
[Exactly, exactly, this is a kind of disguised bundled marketing approach.]
Chen Xixi walks into the store with unhurried steps, her eyelashes curling up as she flashes a sweet, adorable smile, “Sister, I see the sign at the entrance of your store that says ‘free porridge.’ If every customer who comes in only drinks porridge, wouldn’t you lose a lot of money?”
The proprietress scans Chen Xixi and the man behind her, up and down. Judging by their clothes and demeanor, they don’t seem like the type who would come just for freebies.
Plus, at a glance, these two seem like a couple. The proprietress feels that the man surely can’t resist ordering a few dishes for the young lady, or she would feel it’s unfair.
If they order a few dishes, she’ll recoup the cost of the porridge; it’s a business where she can’t lose. Why would she be losing money?
She thought to herself that the young lady seemed rather naive.
The proprietress answers with a smile, “Oh, not at all! If we dare to do this promotion, we aren’t afraid of people eating as much as they want! Eat however you like!”
Chen Xixi draws out her words with a “oh,” flashing a sweet smile, “Sister, you’re so generous, and so pretty too.”
The proprietress, unable to contain her glee from the compliment, quickly steers Chen Xixi toward the self-service dish area.
Chen Xixi: “It’s fine, we can manage on our own, sister, you go ahead with your work.”
The proprietress thinks to herself: What a sweet talker this young lady is, calling me ‘sister’ with every other word! So polite!
After the proprietress left, Chen Xixi didn’t pick any side-dish, instead she looks for where the porridge is served and then leads Zhou Jinyuan over.
This store has quite an array of porridges.
There are vegetable porridge, preserved egg and lean meat porridge, millet porridge, shredded chicken porridge, and six or seven other types to choose from.
Chen Xixi turns around and smiles at Zhou Jinyuan, “President Zhou, look, this territory here is the empire I’ve conquered for you, pick whatever you like, my treat!”
The attitude of a gracious host.
Zhou Jinyuan chuckles slightly, “Vegetable porridge for me.”
“Sure thing!” Chen Xixi serves him a bowl of vegetable porridge and as soon as it’s ready, she sees him glancing over in the direction of other ready-to-eat dishes.
Chen Xixi quickly sets down the bowl of porridge, stands on her tiptoes, extends both her index fingers to lightly touch the sides of his ears, then forcefully twists his head back around…
She smiles faintly and says, “President Zhou, that region is a no-go, since I’m a bit strapped for cash, so you’ll just have to make do with this for now.”
“…”
[Talk about being strapped for cash, if these two actually sit in the restaurant and only drink the free porridge without ordering any dishes, I’ll feel mortified for them!]
[Mortified? Chen Xixi has over 900 yuan in her pocket, and stubbornly refuses to spend a single cent on President Zhou, that Chen Xiaokou (Stingy Chen)!]
[Hahaha, Chen Xixi is going to be the death of me from laughter!!]
[Poor President Zhou hahaha, he can’t even have a dish with his porridge!]
[I knew it, I knew it! Chen Xixi, the ultimate penny pincher, would definitely not spend a penny! Even if the other party is a sponsor, no way! Hahaha!]