The True Heiress's Return

As the only documentary reality show airing across major satellite channels during the New Year's holiday, "Mending Hearts" soared in popularity.

Viewers first tuned in out of curiosity, but soon found themselves deeply engaged by the show's portrayal of life's raw realities-birth, illness, and death, split-second decisions in emergencies where medical staff raced against time, and the seemingly strong yet actually fragile doctor-patient relationships.

These themes sparked reflection and discussion among audiences.

As the show's viewership climbed, the doctors and nurses featured in it quickly became some of the most sought-after figures. The guest stars, delivering impressive performances, frequently became trending topics online. Among them, Lonely Bird, a student of the renowned Matthew, had garnered the most attention.

On the fourth day of the new year, Shakira received a notice from the production team: a new task involving voluntary medical consultations in an underserved area had been added, and they were asking if she would participate.

Ever since returning from Silverwave Bay, Shakira had been holed up in the manor, bored out of her mind, so she agreed without hesitation.

That evening, while performing acupuncture on Walter, she brought up the subject. Upon hearing it, Walter frowned and asked, "You're heading out on the sixth? Isn't the show breaking holiday regulations?"

Shakira, all smiles, leaned in. "The director promised triple pay."

Walter playfully gave her a side-eye. "Little money-grubber."

"It's just two days. I'll be back soon," Shakira said softly. Worried that Walter might be upset, she gently massaged his calf, where no needles had been inserted, to win his favor. Walter's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly covered it up. His expression turned normal as he flicked her forehead lightly. "Looks like you're busier than me now." Shakira giggled and continued her massage.

Walter turned his head, and his expression suddenly tensed. Just now... he had felt the pressure of her hands on his calf.

The show's crew had everything organized, and the next day, Shakira packed her bags and set off to meet the team at the TV station.

The medical team had ten people, and eight celebrities joined them as they boarded the bus, officially kicking off the live-streamed holiday special.

Once they hit the road, Kevin personally handed out New Year's gifts to each guest. Shakira was seated by herself up front, wearing sunglasses and a mask as usual.

When Kevin handed her a gift, she instinctively responded, "Mr. Jones, I already got one.

Kevin chuckled. "Dr. Lonely Bird, you must be mistaken."

Shakira immediately understood that this one was for Lonely Bird, so she accepted it.

The live stream chat briefly buzzed with viewers' curiosity about her comment, but no one probed further, so the moment slipped by unnoticed.

Their destination was Pear Blossom Village in Groned County, nearly 200 miles from Crescentville. Due to its poor transportation and underdeveloped industry, Groned County was part of a local poverty alleviation project. 1/4

+5

The county had a population of just over 10,000, and Pear Blossom Village had even fewer residents, mainly elderly people and children.

During the holiday, many young people returned home, and the streets were filled with festive decorations, making the surroundings look rather cheerful.

When the team arrived at the county center and stepped off the bus, everyone visibly relaxed upon seeing the town square.

"I looked up this place before we set off," someone remarked. "It said Groned County is pretty underdeveloped, but honestly, this doesn't look too bad!" "It's 2024, after all. It may be an underdeveloped area, but it won't be that bad."

A seasoned variety show regular chimed in, "The houses here look sturdy enough. So long as we don't have to stay somewhere leaky, it's all good!" Several people chuckled along with him.

Kevin shot them a meaningful look. "We've still got about a twenty-minute drive to reach the village. Grab your bags, everyone; let's keep moving."

At this, the group's smiles froze on their faces.

"What? We're not there yet?"

"Twenty more minutes... Why didn't the bus take us all the way?"

"Oh come on, isn't it obvious? The bus can't get through to that place!"

"Oh no, I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this..."

"Less talking, more moving! Whose suitcase is this? Did you pack it full of rocks? It's so heavy!"

Yvette's face turned slightly red as she ran over, embarrassed. "That's mine..." She quickly took the suitcase, but with so many small stones scattered across the road, even the most durable luggage struggled here. Yvette couldn't handle it on her own, so she looked at Felix. When she found him frozen in place, staring at Lonely Bird, a cold glint flickered in her eyes.

Struggling to drag her suitcase, she walked over and said, "Felix, could you help me-"

Before she could finish speaking, Felix began walking towards Lonely Bird.

Yvette was furious and helpless.

She turned to the other male guests for help, but none of them dared to look her in the eye.

Yvette didn't know what to do.

Shakira's suitcase was almost half her height, packed with medical equipment and clothes. As she reached for it, someone suddenly reached over her shoulder from behind and effortlessly lifted it down. -She turned around, and it was none other than Felix.

Shakira took it from him coolly. "Thanks."

Felix stared at her intently. "You're welcome."

Without further conversation, Shakira turned and joined the line

9

08:29 Thu, Nov 14 GT.

At this, the comment section buzzed with excitement.

[Whoa! Something's going on here!]

[I never expected to catch a hint of romance in such a serious show!]

[Seriously, are you shippers that desperate? You can ship this?]

[Exactly! Dr. Lonely Bird seems totally uninterested in this man. Some people need to stop reaching!]

3

[Dude, you're here for medical work, not to flirt! Exactly what I'd expect from a member of the lowest-ranked family among the famed five!]

[Hilarious. Yvette's in the back struggling with that suitcase like a pack mule. Are she and Felix really siblings?]

[In response to the comment above: you're right; they aren't blood-related.]

[Wow, that must hurt!]

[Kinda feel bad for Yvette. Isn't she supposed to be the family favorite? Doesn't look like it.]

[The other guests don't seem keen on getting too close to her either.]

I bet it's because of that recent online scandal. They're probably worried she'll drag them down too... She does seem a bit pitiful now.]

After everyone unloaded their suitcases, the crew arranged for five electric tricycles to take them to the village. When the guests saw the tricycles, their expressions turned grim-except for Lonely Birds. With sunglasses and a mask on, her expression stayed concealed. They couldn't help but feel a sense of despair, knowing that, since the place could only be reached by electric tricycles, life there would be tough.

The bumpy ride took half an hour before they finally arrived at Pear Blossom Village. The dilapidated houses in sight made everyone uneasy.

The variety show regular who had spoken too soon earlier couldn't help covering his eyes. "Oh, I just had to jinx it!"

The crew arranged for everyone to rest a bit, putting the male and female guests in separate ramshackle houses.

Yvette struggled to hide her frustration as she dragged her suitcase into the house with great difficulty. Looking at her hands, raw and marked with deep indentations from the pulling, she gritted her teeth.

Avoiding the cameras, she silently slipped into the largest room and closed the door. Then she turned off the equipment, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.

The person answered promptly and asked in surprise, "Ms. Nelson?"Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

"Mr. Klein, Finn put you in charge of tracking down IP addresses involved in defaming the company online, correct?" asked

Yvette.

"Uh, yes, he did," replied Jared.

Yvette said casually, "My friend found out that the contractor for the company cafeteria has also made negative comments about us online. Add his name to the list."

5

08:30 Thu, Nov 14 GT.