Chapter 26: Hope Everything Goes Smoothly

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Hope Everything Goes Smoothly

Renee Morgan nodded gratefully, her expression calm as she spoke: "It’s so late, why don’t you go back and rest?"

"Ah, right, I almost forgot. I came back from the hospital in a rush and only brought clothes, forgot my basic skincare products. Can I come here every day and borrow a little from you?" Wendy Aldridge said a bit embarrassedly, then hurried to add, "Don’t worry, after the show finishes filming, I’ll give you a set of my favorite skincare products. They cost tens of thousands—your skin is so good, I’m sure you can use anything."

Renee Morgan hesitated: "All your skincare stuff costs tens of thousands?"

Wendy Aldridge nodded naturally: "Skincare worth tens of thousands is still usable."

Renee Morgan sighed and said, "The skincare I use isn’t any famous brand, just costs a few hundred bucks. I’m afraid it might not suit you."

Wendy Aldridge hid the contempt in her eyes, awkwardly biting her lip: "Products costing only a few hundred are good too, honestly, these big brands just charge for the name. Nutrition, effects, they’re pretty similar. Maybe you feel it’s inconvenient—if so, just forget it..."

Renee Morgan rolled her eyes internally. You know it’s inconvenient, yet you still want to mooch.

"Fine, I go to the bathhouse every day to wash up. Shall we do it together?" Renee Morgan thought for a moment and spoke.

Wendy Aldridge saw her agreeing—so a chance to get cozy—and didn’t say anything else, nodded with a smile: "Sure, then let’s do it together."

Renee Morgan watched her leave, then opened the door and went inside.

Back in her room, Renee Morgan turned on the lights, looked at the night outside the iron window, and thought: there are only four days and three nights left in the basic training. After that, as long as she wasn’t eliminated in the next round, she could leave. She felt an unspoken sigh of relief.

Hope everything goes smoothly.

After six in the morning, Renee Morgan went to the washroom, and found Wendy Aldridge waiting there. Surprised, Renee spoke: "Why are you up so early?"

Wendy Aldridge showed a sweet smile: "I was worried I’d wake up too late and didn’t have enough time, but also worried about being too early and disturbing you. Didn’t expect you’d be up this early too."

Renee Morgan looked at the sweetly smiling woman—if she didn’t know that this was someone willing to go to any lengths to get what she wants, she’d be fooled by that pretty face too.

Wendy Aldridge glanced at the PD staff member behind Renee, a meaningful smile flickered in her eyes.

Renee Morgan took out her toiletries, washed, brushed her teeth, cleaned her face, applied basic skincare—it all took only a few minutes, and as she was leaving, Wendy Aldridge hurried after her.

Renee Morgan went back to her dorm room, put her stuff away, and saw Wendy Aldridge—who looked around nervously after coming in. "What is it, anything else?"

Wendy Aldridge shook her head: "I was just curious. Didn’t expect our rooms to be so similar. But yours is really clean."

Renee Morgan was used to Wendy’s sweet words hiding daggers, ignored her, and took out her shoes to tie the laces, plus today’s clothes and hat.

Wendy Aldridge chatted with the PD at the door: "Are we live now?"

The PD shook his head: "Live starts at seven when everyone gathers. We’re filming behind-the-scenes highlights now."

Highlights are filmed among many cameras—in fact, it’s not yet time for the broadcast, the PD was just following the director’s orders, taking a few shots, though maybe only a second or two would actually be used.

Wendy Aldridge smiled: "No wonder. My PD hasn’t come over yet, but you’re up this early."

She didn’t believe any behind-the-scenes nonsense. These two definitely have something shady going on.

The PD just smiled and didn’t say anything. He wouldn’t tell Wendy that Renee’s popularity is so high, the director would livestream her 24/7 if possible.

Renee’s exclusive highlights always have the most views. Being her exclusive PD means more work, but the bonus was over ten thousand, so a little extra effort was expected.

The PD’s smug grin looked different in Wendy Aldridge’s eyes. She was basically convinced these two definitely had a thing going on.

Wendy Aldridge never expected Renee Morgan, given her standards, to be interested in such an average man.

Plus, the PD seemed to be older, maybe even married—Renee getting involved with him, but if he has value to exploit, they’re both disgusting.

If their relationship gets exposed, Renee’s image would be ruined in no time.

Wendy Aldridge had already decided what to do—let the PD in and film Renee’s prep before the group meets.

The PD took her advice, camera in hand, and filmed Renee tying her shoelaces on the floor.

Renee Morgan wasn’t paying attention to what they said, used to the cameras and didn’t notice anything off.

Wendy Aldridge quietly slipped out and closed the door, then locked it from outside with an iron bar.

When the door is locked from outside, those inside can’t get out for now.

After that, she ran back to her dorm to check the clock on the wall. The show starts at seven, it’s a bit past six now—still more than half an hour.

They’d be inside, doing their thing, probably not stopping right on the hour. She just had to wait fifteen minutes, go find her own PD, convince him to start the broadcast early, and take him to find Renee.

Wendy Aldridge knew this reality show was currently very popular, a lot of people watched in the mornings.

Twenty minutes later, Wendy ran into the show crew in the hallway—they were about to go upstairs.

Wendy Aldridge: "Is the broadcast live now? I was just about to go find Renee, we can go downstairs together later."

No persuading necessary—Renee’s popularity was highest right now, so the PD had no objections, and started prepping his equipment.

Wendy walked in front, repeatedly checking back: "Are we going live early? I’d like to say hello to everyone in the livestream, is that okay?"

The PD checked the time. Originally he wanted to start recording just a few minutes before reaching Renee’s door, but seeing Wendy’s hopeful face and unable to resist: "Alright, let’s start a bit early; say hi to everyone."

Wendy Aldridge grinned brightly: "Okay, I’m ready, let’s start."

"Hi, everyone, good morning! The weather in Merrick is so nice today..." She smiled sweetly, bouncing to the camera, walking up to the door of Renee’s dorm right on cue.

Hearing sounds inside, she suddenly gasped and looked at the PD: "Why is there a man’s voice in Renee’s room?"

The PD held the camera up and aimed it at the door, curious why there was someone in Renee’s room.

Of course, while filming, he didn’t think in that direction.

Wendy made a fuss, covered her mouth, and glanced down at the now-unlocked door latch, puzzled: how did they unlock it from the inside?

But it didn’t matter—lovers in the heat of passion are always stuck together. Hearing their voices, they’re obviously still inside; if she goes in, she’ll definitely see clothes strewn all over.