Chapter Seven: The Regretful Assembly

"Yes, we all think the same way. For a small lake like this, a bamboo raft or the kayak that President Lai chose is the best option. Only those who are all show and no substance would make the foolish choice of taking a yacht on the lake—it’s truly laughable," Li Jiale remarked, deliberately mentioning herself to make Lai Bingfu feel proud. He nodded in agreement. "Miss Li makes a valid point."

Everyone chimed in, each complimenting the others, making the whole scene resemble a gathering of high society discussing business at a banquet.

Zheng Jin silently rolled her eyes at the group. Even if Jiang Xian was all show, at least she had taken the one-yuan yacht, which was better than these people praising each other without wanting to spend a dime.

Sheng Ya neither agreed nor spoke up. She only participated in this show because the president refused to come, thinking she was too old, so she was sent in his place. She avoided expressing any opinions to prevent offending anyone and jeopardizing the company.

The live broadcast added a split screen to ensure timely coverage of each guest’s situation.

Xiao Liu: [Congratulations, host. You used one yuan and earned a two-yuan reward.]

Hearing Xiao Liu’s voice again, Jiang Xian had no desire to respond. It spoke up at inconvenient times and stayed silent when it should have.

Knowing it had no reason to bother her, Xiao Liu said no more and went quiet.

They had expected to reach the lake’s center quickly, since the visible lake seemed small, but turning a corner revealed a vast expanse of water stretching beyond sight—the kind of lake where yachts are truly necessary.

It was clear that if one had chosen a pedal boat, it might take over an hour to cross.

Jiang Xian could already imagine the stunned expressions of those people when they rounded the bend and saw the scene before them.

“Miss Jiang, please come this way,” a staff member called.

Before long, they reached the lake’s center, where staff guided Jiang Xian onto a beautifully antique-style boat resembling a rowboat.

Once aboard, the staff lifted a curtain to reveal a tastefully decorated interior—classic and elegant, with a small table at the center laden with exotic fruits and pastries, set up in a traditional tea ceremony style.

There was no doubt this was where the wealthy came to relax, sitting in the charming boat, enjoying fruit and sweets while admiring the lake’s scenery.

“Congratulations, Teacher Jiang, for arriving first. As the first place finisher, you get priority in choosing your accommodation.”

Just as Jiang Xian took her seat, a staff member presented cards with accommodation names for her to pick from.

Without hesitation, she reached out and chose the card labeled “Castle.”

“Congratulations, Teacher Jiang, on your stay at the castle. Fresh fruits and pastries, airlifted here early this morning, are our gifts for first place. Please rest here and enjoy some refreshments. Once all guests arrive, our staff will escort you to your accommodations.”

“Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome.”

The staff departed, leaving Jiang Xian to leisurely gaze at the lake’s beauty while indulging in fruit she usually wouldn’t allow herself, like cherries, and many other exotic fruits she couldn’t name, paired with delicate pastries—a truly delightful experience.

In stark contrast, the others had only just set off.

Eventually, each person chose their preferred vessel for the lake. Pedal boats, operable by two people, were chosen by Jiang Ke and Li Jiale.

Zheng Jin and Sheng Ya opted for kayaks.

The group set off in a grand procession. Surrounded by trees and unknown plants, they assumed the lake was small and leisurely paddled about.

“Oh, isn’t this so relaxing? Right, Jiang Ke?” Li Jiale said without stopping her pedaling, unaware that Jiang Ke was pedaling irregularly the whole time, constantly watching the drone. Whenever it approached, she’d make subtle adjustments, anxious about her image on camera.

“Yes, this slow lake tour is indeed pleasant,” Jiang Ke agreed, taking the opportunity to pose for photos, eager to see her trending posts on social media.

“Since we’re paying, we might as well enjoy ourselves comfortably,” Lai Bingfu said as he reached the bend. Halfway through the turn, he sensed something was off and gradually stopped paddling. His pause forced those behind him to stop as well.

“President Lai, why stop all of a sudden?” Li Jiale asked in confusion.

“Is this a lake? I think it’s the sea!” Lai Bingfu’s words left everyone baffled.

“What are you talking about?” Li Jiale and Jiang Ke pedaled forward and froze at the sight before them, stopping their boats.

The same stunned expression appeared on Rong Fan, Sheng Ya, and Zheng Jin’s faces as they followed closely behind.

“No way. How can this lake be so huge? I thought it was small,” Li Jiale said, glancing back at the path they’d taken. It really felt like a tiny lake, but after circling halfway, the scene ahead looked as vast as the ocean!

Facing the boundless lake where the center was nowhere in sight, everyone’s hearts sank with two words: “We’re doomed!”

[Just searched—this is Niao Lake! Its area is over a thousand square kilometers! Who would have thought such a lake was inside the Ayask Manor!]

[Such a huge lake? Bamboo rafts seem manageable with staff help, but kayaks…]

[Aren’t these all rich people? The richer they are, the stingier! They won’t even take yachts. Look at Jiang Xian, now leisurely enjoying the lake view and fruit!]

“You youngsters are so full of yourselves. This lake isn’t ordinary. It’s Niao Lake. Only bamboo rafts and yachts with professional operators are suitable here. Otherwise, ordinary people can easily get stranded,” explained the uncle operating Rong Fan’s bamboo raft as he paddled away, quickly gaining distance.

“What do we do? We’re still nowhere near the lake’s center!” Sheng Ya panicked.

Seeing this, Zheng Jin paddled her kayak closer. “Xiao Ya, want to ride with me? I’ll paddle.” Though he was tired, if a beautiful woman sat with him, he’d find a burst of strength and sustain it for a while.

Seeing Zheng Jin’s lecherous grin, she preferred to sit silently in her kayak and coldly declined, “No thanks.”

Rejected, Zheng Jin wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

Realizing the lake’s true size, the group lost their earlier leisurely mood and began paddling and pedaling with all their might.