Chapter 45 Almost Fainting In Frustration
The four of them, including Jodie, performed in a crowded town square
There were quite a few onlookers. but the tips they received after the performance were meager. They only managed to earn a little over fifty, mostly thanks to Leon’s popularity.
As Jodie looked at the money in the box, she felt a deep sense of disappointment. She had expected to make more money with their street performance, but it turned out to be just over fifty. In her everyday life, she wouldn’t even bother to pick up that amount if it fell on the ground.
She smiled wryly and said to the others, “With the little money we’ve earned, we’ll have to tighten our belts for dinner tonight.”
Leon sensed Jodie was trying to sound optimistic despite feeling down, so he comforted her, “We’ve done quite well to earn this much. Your guitar playing is excellent, Jodie. I could see that the audience enjoyed it. It’s just that this is a remote town, and many people here aren’t used to tipping street. performers.”
He smiled, adding, “Let’s work harder to earn more money in the next episode.”
Jodie felt better upon hearing those encouraging words. She realized that their goal for today was not just about making money but showcasing their talents. And so, she put on a determined and positive expression and even made a cheer–up gesture, saying, “Mr. Foster is right. We’ll work harder next time and surely get better.”
If it weren’t for Simone’s group appearing earlier, the audience might have thought that they performed well. But now they thought this group seemed ordinary and weren’t shocked that they only received fifty in tips. What’s more, that amount might have been from Leon’s popularity.
Later, Jodie suggested going to the market to buy groceries. While they were shopping, she handed the money to Leon, asking him to be in charge of the main shopping, and then made an excuse to the restroom.
go to
Upon returning from the restroom, she didn’t immediately return to the screen. Instead, she exchanged a meaningful look with a crew member she knew. The crew member slowed down so that the two could walk together and create some distance from the others.
Jodie whispered, “How was the live stream audience’s reaction to our afternoon performance?”
She thought the live audience would praise her for her talent and dedication.
But the crew member discreetly replied, “It was mediocre.”
In reality, there was not much reaction.
Jodie was surprised to hear that, “Just mediocre?”
The crew member nodded. “Yes.”
After that, the crew member comforted her, “The problem is that another live stream stole the show. The audience was captivated by their performance. Otherwise, your performance might have been quite good.”
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Jodie felt her heart skip a beat. “The other live stream outshone us?” Then, she pretended to be curious and asked, “How did they do it?”
The crew member didn’t hide the truth and mentioned Simone knew how to play several instruments. “Simone was accused of following a script provided by the production team, so to prove them wrong. she boldly challenged the audience to request songs, which she played on different instruments. Her performances were top–notch, full of skill and emotion. The impressive display not only silenced those scrutinizing her but also helped her make it into the headlines. Also, she even played the same guitar piece you did. Still, the audience claimed she played it better because of her other talented instrumental performances.”
The fact that Simone had performed the same song before Jodie made the latter’s act appear less impressive. However, the crew member was sensible and chose not to speak the truth.
In the meantime, Jodie felt her vision darken and she almost fainted in frustration. The smile on her face froze as she thought, “Simone, Simone, Simone… Why is it always Simone? She’s like a ghost haunting me. Also, when did she learn so many instruments?”
Jodie’s thoughts were the same as her elder brothers. They all thought Simone had been concealing her abilities. If Jodie had known about Simone’s talents, she wouldn’t have thought about coming all the way out here to play the guitar. Not only did she fail to show her talent, her skills became a contrast against Simone’s.
“Simone must have done it on purpose. That b*tch is so evil!” Jodie was filled with so much hatred and frustration that she felt suffocated. At the same time, she also felt somewhat regretful. She would have stayed in the village if she had known things would come to this. Besides, she shouldn’t have come to ask the crew member because she felt even worse after finding out the truth.
The crew member noticed Jodie’s expression and felt some sympathy for her. After all, Jodie was unlucky to encounter Simone. “It’s also the fault of those trolls. Mr. Chapman said it was probably trolls posting negative comments about Simone. Who would have thought that not only did it not work, but it actually ended up helping Simone?”
She continued to comfort Jodie, “So your performance was indeed very good. It’s just that you were unlucky to have encountered such an incident.”
Upon hearing that. Jodie could guess who had hired the trolls. It was probably Titus..
But this time, she didn’t feel grateful toward Titus. Instead, she couldn’t help but feel resentful because Titus didn’t investigate properly before hiring trolls to target Simone. Now, not only did the plan backfire and end up helping Simone, but it also put Jodie in a tough spot.
If it weren’t for Titus consistent favoritism toward her, she would have started to suspect that Titus had done it intentionally.
In no mood to deal with the crew member, Jodie nodded absentmindedly. T’m fine.”
In reality, she wished she could return to the village and slap Simone. At that moment, Aaron noticed Jodie approaching them with a downcast expression and waved at her. Jo, come over here.”
Jodie forcefully composed herself and mustered a weak smile as she approached.
Usually, in situations like grocery shopping, Jodie would give many suggestions to highlight her
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Chapter 45 Almost Fainting In Frustration
presence. But now, she seemed deflated, showing little enthusiasm.
The viewers watching the livestream thought Jodie was upset because they only earned a little over fifty. Except for her and Aaron’s fans, others thought she was too petty. They thought it was just a show, so she should take it as having fun. There was no need to take things so seriously and let such a trivial matter bother her.
Therefore, the audience’s impression of Jodie took another hit.
With the town’s low cost of living and relatively affordable prices, they managed to buy some vegetables and a piece of meat for fifty.
After the shopping, they all took the car provided by the crew back to the village.
Inside the car, Jodie felt upset, so she closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. Seeing that she was quiet, Leon and Aaron also refrained from speaking and chose to rest.
Leyla was at a loss for words in this situation. They had been live–streaming the entire journey. Are they planning on letting the audience watch us sleep? This is a complete disaster!
She was starting to regret choosing this team. Although she didn’t hold Simone’s status in high regard, she couldn’t deny that Simone had a natural sense for variety shows and genuine talent.
If she had chosen the other team from the beginning, she wouldn’t have to worry about food every day and would have more screen time.
At this point, Leyla began to suspect that she would have the least performance and screen time for this episode. Just thinking about it made her furious.
But since the other three had their eyes closed and remained quiet, Leyla couldn’t do anything either, so she could only close her eyes as well.
The viewers watching the livestream were confused. What is this group doing? Are we here to watch them sleep? Aaron and Leon’s fans initially enjoyed seeing their idols‘ sleeping faces, but it became boring after a while. As a result, many viewers left this livestream and went to watch the other one.
By this time, Simone’s group had already returned to the courtyard and gathered the children who came to learn the performance, so they could continue rehearsing for the program in two days. They had planned the program in the previous two days and had the children rehearse it.
During the rehearsals, many funny moments and jokes kept the audience entertained.
At dinner time, the village head and Jacob came to invite Simone’s group for a meal. They mainly wanted to discuss details about selling their products via livestream, and Simone’s group didn’t decline their invitation.
So, when the other group returned to the village and had just sat down to rest, they heard the notification sounds of their phones.
Opening the group chat, they saw that Zac had sent several pictures of a sumptuous dinner again.
The four tired and famished people fell silent.
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Chapter 45 Almost Fainting In Frustration
Aaron couldn’t hold back his complaint. “That guy is so mean!”
This time, Leon couldn’t hold back his curse. “That jerk! He must have done it on purpose Zachar always been such a jerk.
Meanwhile, Jodie looked at the pictures and suddenly felt a surge of resentment. Why did Simone, after stealing all the limelight, not only get out of cooking but also get to have dinner at the villager’s
home?
At that thought, Jodie realized that she would have to cook and serve the other three shortly. She felt her vision darken and wished she could just pass out. At the same time, she regretted choosing a diligent and hardworking persona. If she hadn’t insisted on doing all the cooking, she wouldn’t have ended up being the only one responsible for it every mealtime.
She would have probably cried and refused to cook if it weren’t for the fact that this was a live broadcast.
Right then, Leyla ruthlessly added, “Jo, I’m so hungry. When can we eat?”
The groceries they bought today were all common ingredients, and Jodie’s cooking was only average. But after a tiring day, she was really hungry, so she had to make do.
Jodie really wanted to slap Leyla, telling her to cook herself if she wanted to eat. But in order to
maintain her image, she could only put on a caring smile and say, Til start cooking now?”
Since this was the path she chose, she had to see it through to the end.
Jodie got up and went to the kitchen to start cooking. Since she had taken on all the responsibilities for cooking before, the other three were already used to just sitting around without going into the kitchen to help. That caused Jodic to cook and wipe her tears while facing away from the camera.
Since becoming a foster daughter in the Gray Family, she hadn’t experienced such hardship and injustice.
Simone caused all of this.
Jodie thought Simone should have listened to her mother and brothers and given up this spot. Also, without Simone’s interference, she had a premonition that her image as a lovable and hardworking person would have been quite successful.
The other team would have also gathered around her, waiting for her to feed them.
The more Jodie thought about it, the more she hated and resented Simone. Jodie decided that once this variety show ended, she would discreetly complain to her family and make them understand how Simone had mistreated her and used her as a stepping stone.
By then, Jodie would only have to wait for her family to confront Simone.
Since Simone had made her feel so miserable, Jodie was determined to hit her where it hurt. With these thoughts in mind, Jodie didn’t feel as helpless and sad anymore. She knew that sometimes it only took a gentle touch to make a point. She couldn’t help but look forward to seeing Simone in pain, hurt by the people she cared about the most.
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