Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Can’t Be Serious Simone left a positive impression on Keira, so she decided to change the

topic to lighten the mood. She said to Simone, “Hey, weren’t you planning to make some straw hats?

Can you teach me? I’d like to see if I can learn it.” Simone nodded. “Sure.” She picked up the straw and

patiently taught Keira. Zac and Eric exchanged glances. They each took a chair and sat down,

observing the ladies as they made straw hats. The chatroom exploded. “Is something wrong with

Simone? She insulted Aero and talked back to Leon? Who does she think she is?” “Yeah. She’s just a

C-list nobody. How dare she talk to Aaron and Leon like that?”

“Simone is rude. She doesn’t respect the veterans. I dislike her.” “Aero was just concerned about his

sister. Simone is the one lacking intelligence.” “Her head is filled with nonsense too.” “Leon simply

wanted her to stop because she went too far. Look at her. She’s not even grateful.” “No wonder Leon

wanted to end their friendship. She’s so mean. She’s not a good friend.” “And Leon took care of her a

lot too. What an ungrateful person.” “Simone is manipulative. She’s just trying to manipulate Leon and

Aero.” “I bet she’s trying to make herself famous.” “I honestly can’t agree with you Leon and Aaron

fans.” “Honestly, are you foolish? Aaron ordered Simone around first.” “So, is she guilty just because

she said no?” “Do you think your idol is an emperor who can order people around? Simone doesn’t

owe him anything.” “Simone never used Leon’s name to promote or market her stuff. She’s not

ungrateful if there’s nothing to be grateful for.” “Leon is supposed to be her childhood friend, but he

helped someone else instead. No wonder she stopped being friends with him.” “I’m not a fan of any of

these guys, but to be honest, I don’t think Simone crossed any line. A certain top actor was being a

bully though.” 1/3 “Finally, someone who understands me. Aaron’s a bully. Simone did well.” “Don’t you

think something’s wrong?” “What?” “I think Simone, Aaron, Jodie, and Leon have a complicated

relationship.” “Jojo hurriedly dragged Aaron back into the kitchen. It’s like she was worried he might say

something.” “And from what Aaron said, I think he knows Simone.” “Simone is trying to cut all ties with

them.” “I can sense that she can’t be bothered with them.” “It’s true that they started it first.” “Aaron and

Leon fans, that’s a double standard. Just because Simone ignored their idols, they call her

manipulative. I find it amusing.” “Oh please, it’s not like your idols are perfect. Not everyone loves

them.” “Um, do you guys think Aaron and his sister are being a bit too close?” “Not before this, but now

it’s a little awkward seeing them hold hands.” “I’m really close to my brother, but I’d never hold hands

with him or cuddle like Jodie does with Aaron.” “I did that before, but with my boyfriend.”

Then, the online conversation took a strange turn. They kept discussing the relationship between Aaron

and Jodie and how close they were. It almost felt like they were talking about a couple. This stemmed

from what Simone had said earlier, or else most people wouldn’t have realized how intimate Jodie and

Aaron were. After the reminder, the viewers paid more attention to Jodie and Aaron’s interactions, and

they noticed several issues. Back in the kitchen, Jodie clenched her teeth and endured the pain as she

prepared the final two dishes. They divided the food in half, giving one portion to the production team in

exchange for bedding supplies, while they kept the rest for themselves. One of the dishes didn’t turn

out well, but Jodie spent some time plating the others, so they looked presentable. After Aaron and

Leon tasted them, they praised her. Many people in the chatroom referred to Jodic as a kind lady.

However, most of them were cybertroopers. Leyla also tasted the food and came to a conclusion.

Either my taste buds or their taste buds are off.

These are just regular homemade dishes, but they’re either flavorless or too salty. They call this

delicious? I can’t believe they’re saying it’s as good as hotel food. Can I laugh? Of course, she didn’t

say that out loud, but she couldn’t help feeling jealous that Jodie was being cared for by two great men.

As night fell, Simone and her team returned to their rooms. Simone took the straws back to her room.

and continued making straw hats. Keira wanted to give up after a few failed attempts, but Simone

patiently corrected her, encouraging her to keep going. Slowly, Keira started to get the hang of it,

although she wasn’t working very quickly. 2/3 Three hours later, Keira finished her straw hat, and a

satisfied smile appeared on her face. She put it on and looked in the mirror. “I’m wearing this tomorrow.

It’s satisfying to see something I created.” In the world set in the ancient era, Simone had time to

crochet and make items like these every day. Practice made perfect, so she eventually became much

faster at creating DIY items. She had already finished making two straw hats and was now weaving a

basket. She looked up and smiled. “Hard work pays off. You did well.” Keira smiled. “You’re right. Hard

work does pay off.” Since they didn’t have phones to scroll through, the ladies washed up and prepared

to sleep, even though it was only nine o’clock. While the ladies were making their straw hats, Zac and

Eric, being gentlemen, volunteered to fetch water and boil it.

The livestream ended at nine-thirty, and it would resume at seven-thirty the next morning. Simone and

Keira had finished washing up. They picked up their basins and headed back to their room, but they

ran into Leon. The livestream had ended, so Leon dropped his act. He looked at Simone. “We need to

talk. Alone.” Simone looked at him. “I’ve already said everything I wanted to say. There’s nothing more

to talk about.” Leon frowned. “Must you take it this far? This is a misunderstanding. I just want to clarify

things.” He didn’t share the kind of relationship Simone claimed he had with Jodie, and he wanted to

clear it up. He believed that once he explained, she would stop being upset. After all, she loved and

cared about him. He believed she would change her mind about breaking up. Simone raised an

eyebrow. “We’re no longer connected in any way, so you don’t have to explain anything. I’m not

interested in anything you have to say.” She continued walking ahead. Leon was in disbelief that

Simone wouldn’t even give him a chance to talk privately. He attempted to grab her arm and make her

stay, but Simone effortlessly evaded him. In a cold tone, she stated, “Please behave yourself, Leon.”

Then, both Simone and Keira hastily departed as if they were trying to distance themselves from him.

Since Keira was present, Leon couldn’t prevent Simone from leaving.

He could only helplessly watch as she walked away without sparing him a moment of her time. It was

the first time he experienced such intense heartache and disbelief. Could she truly be serious about

ending the relationship? Leon gazed in the direction Simone had gone, his expression filled with

disappointment. The silvery moonlight illuminated Leon, accentuating his loneliness. Suddenly, panic

washed over him,