The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Going Back to the City
Leo smiled with a hint of defeat as he retrieved a silk handkerchief from his pocket, tenderly wiping Hera’s lips. His gaze softened as he looked at her fondly. “You’re not a pig, but you’ve been looking a bit skinny lately, haven’t you?” Leo glanced at Xavier, silently inviting him to contribute to the effort of soothing Hera’s feelings, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Hera glanced back and forth between Leo and Xavier, who sat on either side of her. She couldn’t help but wonder when their camaraderie had blossomed. Had it grown from their rivalry? Could it be that competition could cultivate connections as profound as friendship? Lost in contemplation, Hera observed the two sharing a knowing look, prompting her to delve deeper into the dynamics of their relationship. But she felt good seeing the two like this, rather than being on each other’s throat.

“You’re definitely not fat,” Xavier stated, meeting Hera’s gaze with utmost seriousness. However, the way his words hung in the air implied a subtle acknowledgment of the jesting tone, hinting at the underlying sentiment that they perceived Hera as a pig in a playful manner. The trio’s banter sparked laughter all around, and the endearing exchange between the two men and Hera was met with amusement, with no one finding fault with the two men acting so sweet and affectionate over one woman.

Hera wasn’t genuinely annoyed; rather, she had orchestrated the scenario to observe people’s reactions. She wanted to gauge whether her interaction with the two men would be perceived as improper for a woman to entertain two suitors simultaneously, or if it would be interpreted as sisterly affection. Would she face criticism if there were hints of romantic interest? Hera sought to understand the boundaries she could push—whether she would encounter limitations unlike the original female lead, or if she would enjoy the same advantages as long as she remained under the protection of the male leads’ halo.

Amidst these contemplations, Hera found genuine enjoyment in the company of the remarkable individuals around her. She appreciated their unique charms and realized that, flaws notwithstanding, they all radiated a brilliance akin to stars. Upon hearing Leo and Xavier’s banter, she couldn’t suppress a laugh, but she couldn’t resist giving Xavier a playful glare. “So, you’re implying I’m a pig, huh?” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Zen interjected with the playful energy of a mischievous brother, springing behind Hera with the intent to tease and annoy, much like a sibling would. With a playful pinch to her nose, he quipped, “Don’t worry, you’re a cute pig.” Then, adopting a thoughtful expression, he added with a wide grin, “You’re like Pepa Pig,” ending his remark with a chuckle.

Once more, hearty laughter filled the room. Hera didn’t take their teasing to heart; instead, she felt it drew them closer together. Their playful banter fostered a sense of camaraderie and warmth among them, strengthening their bonds.

The Victory Celebration ended in a light-hearted manner, neither Minerva nor Alice made any scenes to annoy Hera, they quietly sat at the corner of the hall, giving Hera a death glare, as if they wanted to eat her alive, although, Alice’s glare was much more hidden, but that’s what’s scary because you wouldn’t know when will the snake strikes even when you’re well aware that it would attack you. As if, it will get your neck the moment you look away from it.

Despite this awareness, Hera remained laid-back and unruffled. She understood that Alice wouldn’t rush into confrontation as hastily as before, especially after her recent misstep. However, this also meant that Alice might resort to underhanded tactics when backed into a corner. Hera decided against provoking Alice until she was thoroughly prepared and confident in her strategy.

As the Victory Celebration concluded, Hera, Xavier, Zen, and all the other participants gathered outside the cabin, their belongings packed and ready. It marked the end of their filming days in the village for ‘The Quest’ Variety Show. The director and crew had already arranged for the participants’ respective managers or assistants to pick them up, coordinating logistics and ensuring a smooth departure.

As they prepared to part ways, the Director decided to address the group one last time. Leo stood by his side, his arms crossed, radiating an aura vastly different from when he stood beside Hera. Now, he exuded the regal and domineering aura that he always has while he was standing there and took the role of the Hendrix representative, commanding attention as the Director addressed the audience, Leo stood beside the Director as a guest during the show’s closing.

The Director’s throat clearing commanded everyone’s attention, drawing them back to him so they could fully grasp the significance of his impending announcement. Surveying the faces of the participants with a stern expression, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. This batch had been the most challenging and demanding he had ever worked with since ‘The Quest’ began airing. Despite the difficulties, he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. This group had achieved unprecedented success, reaching record-breaking viewer and retention rates, setting a new standard in the history of variety shows in their country.

He recognized that the unprecedented success of this season would elevate his profile even further, attracting more sponsors and renowned celebrities to participate in future editions of his Variety Show. However, this newfound fame came with its own set of challenges. The influx of calls from industry giants kept him on edge every night, and to make matters worse, one of them even showed up at his recordings. The constant stream of “what ifs” weighed heavily on his mind, especially the prospect of Leo sustaining an injury during the show, which could potentially lead to him being held responsible for the outcome.

Now, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that he wouldn’t have to deal with the challenges of managing the hot potato any longer. He looked forward to a well-deserved rest. However, before he could fully unwind, he had to address the assignment Leo had given him. “First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for enduring the week-long rural experience and showcasing your talents to the world. You’ve all demonstrated resilience and determination, proving to the world what you’re capable of and what you’re made of.”

The Director paused briefly before continuing, his voice carrying a weight of appreciation. “Everyone, including myself and our viewers, found your performances captivating and entertaining. It’s thanks to your dedication, and talent that we were able to achieve record-breaking viewership and retention rates in the history of our Variety Show. And all of this was possible because all of you showed your true selves in front of the masses.” His gaze lingered on Hera for a moment before he shifted his attention to the other participants.

Most participants had already sensed the direction the Director’s words were taking, and a sense of unease began to settle among them. They anticipated what he was about to reveal next, and some even harbored a foreboding feeling. However, before they could mentally prepare themselves, the Director dropped the bombshell without reserves. “Our success is largely attributed to the livestreaming component, which propelled our Variety Show to unprecedented heights. I want to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you for your contributions.”

As the Director’s words sank in, they were momentarily stunned, struggling to grasp the magnitude of what he had just said. Once comprehension dawned on them, it felt like a bolt of lightning had struck, leaving them momentarily speechless. Some even felt the urge to feign ignorance, if only to momentarily evade the weight of reality.

Uncertainty gnawed at them as they grappled with the Director’s words. They couldn’t discern whether his gratitude was genuine or laced with mockery, especially given the tumultuous events that had unfolded throughout the week. The realization of what awaited them upon their managers’ arrival washed over them like a tidal wave, leaving them feeling utterly defeated. It seemed as though the weight of the world was pressing down on their shoulders, intensifying their sense of dread and despair.

For those who had been embroiled in the drama from the outset, the Director’s announcement elicited a visceral reaction. Their faces drained of color, contorting with a mixture of anger and frustration.

One actor voiced the collective sentiment, unable to contain their incredulity. “Why were we kept in the dark about this?”

The Director responded promptly, his tone earnest as he sought to clarify the situation. “Let me assure you, there was no breach of contract on our part. The contract stipulated that the show reserves the right to adjust recording arrangements as deemed necessary by Party A. Unexpectedly, one of our sponsors requested last-minute alterations, which prompted this change.”

And who would be more acquainted with this sponsor than Leo himself? His intentions were singular: to witness Hera in real time. Conveniently, his company happened to be one of the sponsors for this Variety show. Recognizing the program’s consistently high ratings since its inception, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sponsor it to earn.

But who would have guessed that Leo would actually have the chance to see Hera there, also the Director only found out earlier that day about Leo’s company being the sponsor because Leo’s company was acting all mysterious from the beginning and only cared that they would earn after this. And the Director also thinks that it was a great idea to do a live streaming this time and it only proved to be the best decision he ever made in his life.