Chapter 51 Maps Again

The female protagonist of the scandal was completely unaware that she had become an overnight internet sensation. The production team confiscated her phone that evening, saying they would return it to them after the competition.

The next day, during the group meeting, Sheng Jiaoyang noticed that director Yu Jing was giving her strange looks. At first, she thought it was her imagination, but later, realizing that Yu Jing was paying more and more attention to her, she couldn't help but become suspicious.

Nothing in this world happens without a reason; Yu Jing's sudden attention must have a cause.

However, she had no way of investigating the reason now and could only wait and see.

Today, the production team didn't make things difficult for the contestants, taking everyone to the city for a leisurely breakfast.

"It's rare that they didn't make us do any tasks before we could eat."

"That day was truly exhausting. Watching everyone else eat Italian cuisine while we could only eat instant noodles was awful, incredibly awful!"

"I don't think the production team is that kind. I feel like there's something else waiting for us."

"Oh, you feel the same way. I also think the production team has ulterior motives. It's like they're feeding us so we'll have the energy to run when they're taking us for a spin. It feels like another marathon."

The contestants leisurely ate their breakfast and chatted.

The cameraman recording nearby chuckled silently, truly understanding Director Yu's style.

After the contestants finished eating, the production team led them onto a two-story sightseeing bus.

And then... everyone got a map again...

"Holy crap! Maps again! I'm really terrified of them!!"

"Teacher Zhuo, are you trying to make us walk all over Rome???"

The contestants groaned, especially those who weren't good at foreign languages ​​and had a poor sense of direction. They practically hated the map.

The staff members were all suppressing their laughter, finding the contestants' misfortunes quite amusing.

"This will be our last competition in Rome, so please be prepared," Zhuo Yiyan announced, ignoring the contestants' complaints. Besides, these competition rules were all devised by the production team; he was merely the announcer.

It was still a group competition, with the eight contestants divided into two groups. This time, the grouping method differed from previous ones, where a group leader was chosen before the members. The production team prepared a grouping prop box with eight rope ends protruding from small holes on all four sides. Each contestant chose one rope end; those who could pull the rope out formed one group, and those who couldn't formed the other.

"Jiaojiao, if I don't get to be with you this time, I'm doomed!" Wang Wei said anxiously.

Sheng Jiaoyang patted Wang Wei's back lightly and said, "Let's take it one step at a time."

Wang Wei nodded and forced a smile, "People are really greedy; once they get something good, they want something even better."

"There's nothing bad about it; only by wanting something better can you improve."

"You're absolutely right!" Wang Wei gave herself a thumbs-up and was about to go forward to pull the rope when Sheng Jiaoyang stopped her.

"Wait, let others pull first."

"Isn't it the same whether they pull first or later?" Wang Wei asked curiously.

Of course not. Although the initial probability is one in two, the probability changes as fewer people pull the rope.

Sheng Jiaoyang didn't explain, only giving Wang Wei a wink.

One by one, they pulled the rope, and when only four ropes remained, three of them were still impossible to pull. At this point, Sheng Jiaoyang called Wang Wei to go up and pull the rope together.

If Wang Wei could pull one-quarter of the rope, she would be truly unlucky. Of course, it was also possible that Sheng Jiaoyang would pull that rope.

Fortunately, fate smiled upon Wang Wei; both she and Sheng Jiaoyang drew the same type of rope.

"Great! Jiaojiao, I can be with you again!" Wang Wei jumped up, hugging Sheng Jiaoyang tightly, extremely excited.

Being in a group with Jiaojiao felt so safe!

Almost everyone wanted to be in Sheng Jiaoyang's group. In the previous rounds, everyone acknowledged Sheng Jiaoyang's strength; having such a great teammate would make winning the group stage relatively easier.

However, it was still a group stage; one person's strength alone wasn't enough. Everyone needed to unite and work together to win.

This time, Luo Yi and Yin Meiling became Sheng Jiaoyang's teammates. Since it was a team competition, a group leader had to be chosen. Given Sheng Jiaoyang's familiarity with the area, she naturally became their group leader. The other group nominated Pu Mingyu as their leader. Pu Mingyu, finally in charge, wasn't happy, because her opponents were Luo Yi and Sheng Jiaoyang!

The map marked four scenic spots and five parking locations. The first stop was also the starting point, and this time it was another relay race. The first runner would choose and change into their outfits on the first floor of the sightseeing bus and walk to the first attraction. There, photographers would be waiting to take pictures of both teams of first runners. After taking the pictures, they would rush to the second stop to return to the sightseeing bus and hand the baton to the second runner, and so on. The team whose fourth runner reached the finish line first would win.

Meanwhile, the best photos taken during the race would be selected, and only the winner of the best photo would be exempt from the next round. The overall ranking would only be used for elimination; the last runner from the losing team would be eliminated.

When it came to strategizing, the two teams kept a distance, neither wanting the other to hear their plans.

Sheng Jiaoyang, based on the distribution of attractions, their characteristics, and everyone's strengths and weaknesses, devised a plan: Wang Wei would be the first runner, Luo Yi the second, Yin Meiling the third, and Sheng Jiaoyang the fourth.

The task assigned to the team members can be summed up in one word: "fast." They must be fast in every stage to get to the photo spot first and take the picture, thus creating more opportunities for the next team members.

Sheng Jiaoyang described the characteristics of each scenic spot and advised the other three to choose clothes according to the features of their respective spots. She stressed that hesitation was absolutely unacceptable; any hesitation would be disastrous. She repeatedly emphasized that she would rather the photos be bad than let the group lose the competition.

Wang Wei took Sheng Jiaoyang's instructions to heart. Upon hearing the command "Start," she rushed downstairs, disregarding whether it suited her or not, and quickly changed into a loose-fitting dress. Grabbing a pair of high heels she had grabbed, she dashed off from the sightseeing bus, running in the direction Sheng Jiaoyang had pointed out, disappearing into the distance amidst everyone's amazed gazes.

By the time Wang Wei had run quite a distance, Pu Mingyu's group had just started, and Sheng Jiaoyang's group was clearly in the lead.

Following the pre-arranged plan, Sheng Jiaoyang's group was significantly faster than Pu Mingyu's group in each leg of the race. In the final leg, Sheng Jiaoyang, still wearing high heels, gracefully walked to the finish line, winning the race with an absolute speed advantage.

But the process…

the judges, looking at the photos taken by Sheng Jiaoyang's group, were speechless.

What the heck is this?

Especially Wang Wei, dressed like she was pregnant, her shoes didn't fit properly, standing in front of the scenic spot like a complete passerby, her own color completely overshadowed by the scenery.

The last three were much better, but still not up to par, especially Luo Yi and Sheng Jiaoyang, both of whom were the show's favorites, but their performances in this round were mediocre.

In the end, Xiao Yang won the best photo.

It's worth mentioning that rookie Wang Wei was lucky enough to advance to the top seven again.