Chi Yuan replied with a casual “Mm,” his eyelids half-drooping. Lin Wang could not help but stare at him as he went downstairs, fearing he might misstep and fall.
Once everyone was gathered, Director Lu held up a megaphone. “The food from last night should be mostly digested by now, right? We prepared breakfast early, but food does not come easily; you have to obtain it with your own hands.”
Miao Qinghe looked desperate. “No way, Director Lu, are we guessing riddles again? I was not full yesterday.”
Tao Yunqing comforted him, “It is fine, Qinghe, are you not losing weight?”
Miao Qinghe felt even more desperate, covering his face and saying, “Who eats such greasy egg-fried rice to lose weight…”
Director Lu laughed enough and said, “Not guessing riddles today. Today, we are comparing physical strength.”
“Comparing strength without eating,” Su Xi teased. “Did Director Lu study at some torture variety show?”
Lin Wang thought about the swimming rings and different colored vests he saw in the morning and had some guesses, but he did not know if Chi Yuan, being this sleepy, would still have the heart to play.
While Director Lu was making preparations, Lin Wang whispered to ask if he was still uncomfortable. Chi Yuan’s eyes were bloodshot; he stared at Lin Wang fixedly for a while, and after two seconds, he pressed his head onto his shoulder.
Lin Wang’s shoulder sank, and he immediately looked at the camera. This action was a bit over the top, and the cameraman understood, instantly moving away to film others. When he turned his head, he met Liu Linjia’s gaze. Before Lin Wang could say anything, Liu Linjia quickly turned his head away to avoid looking at them.
Lin Wang felt that yesterday, Chi Yuan probably did not just tell him to get lost. When sleepy, he did not like to move, but when his temper rose, he was quite fierce.
Director Lu: “Now, let us reshuffle the groups. Four people in a team for a relay race in the sea. The winning team gets a seafood feast; the losers eat egg-fried rice!”
The staff brought out a box for them to draw lots. Lin Wang was first and drew a blue one; Chi Yuan drew a red one.
After everyone finished, the groups were completely scrambled.
Lin Wang, Tao Yunqing, Liu Linjia, and Su Xi formed one group, while the others formed a group with Chi Yuan.
The seawater had receded significantly, and the designated competition area was not deep, just reaching Lin Wang’s mid-thigh, and for Chi Yuan, just a short distance above his knees.
The three women were at a disadvantage; the shortest, Tao Yunqing, had the water up to her waist. She grabbed Su Xi’s arm and said several times, “Oh my God, will I not fall face-first and drown?” making everyone laugh for a long time.
The group changed into the life jackets and swimming rings prepared by the production team, and the two groups stood on the left (red) and right (blue) sides.
During the taunting session, Miao Qinghe poked at Tao Yunqing’s heart from across: “Brother Lin, give your swimming ring to Qingqing; you do not need it anyway.”
Tao Yunqing retorted: “As if you are very tall! You are a head shorter than Brother Chi! Borrow Brother Chi’s!”
The two people at the center of the topic said nothing. Chi Yuan was too sleepy to talk, and once away from Lin Wang, he could not lean on anyone else. Lin Wang kept his eyes on Chi Yuan while stepping back half a step to prevent Tao Yunqing from falling backward if she got too excited.
The relay race required the guests to run thirty meters from shallow water toward deep water. There was an NPC at the finish line asking questions. If they answered correctly, they would get a small flag to return immediately. If they answered incorrectly, they had to circle the NPC three times before returning.
To film clearly, the production team used drones, buzzing overhead. Lin Wang’s group decided to have Liu Linjia go first, Tao Yunqing second, Su Xi third, and the longest-legged Lin Wang to finish.
“We are at a bit of a disadvantage, Brother Lin,” Tao Yunqing whispered to Lin Wang, hand blocking her mouth. “Not only do we have two girls, but we also have my short legs; the debuff is fully stacked.”
Lin Wang comforted her, looked at Chi Yuan across, and also whispered, “It is fine, they have a sloth that has not woken up.”
Tao Yunqing followed his gaze and burst out laughing, covering her mouth and making “geese” noises that would not stop.
The first on the opposite side was Fang Yue. The lean Director Fang had his pants rolled up and looked to have a quite fit physique, running fast and steadily in the water, leaving the truly lean Liu Linjia several meters behind.
“Do not be afraid,” Su Xi smiled and spoke of her boyfriend. “He is quite dense; he definitely will not be able to answer the question.”
Just as Su Xi said, the NPC asked: “If you and a lipstick fall into the sea at the same time, which one will Su Xi pick up first?”
Fang Yue pondered for so long, so long that Liu Linjia had already walked halfway back with the small flag, before saying, “She cannot pick me up.”
The questions were meant for fun, and correctness depended entirely on the director’s cue. When the NPC gave the flag to Fang Yue, Liu Linjia had already arrived.
Afterward, it was Tao Yunqing against Song Minqin. Liu Linjia’s advantage from his run completely vanished in this round, and he was even left half a circle behind. Tao Yunqing ran for her life, nearly falling, but she could not outrun Song Minqin, who was 1.75 meters tall and worked out all year round.
In the second round, Su Xi faced Miao Qinghe. Su Xi practiced yoga and had great balance in the water, surprisingly resulting in a tie.
When Lin Wang set off, Chi Yuan was already answering questions. The NPC asked: “If Lin Wang wins, do you think he will share his seafood rice with you?”
Chi Yuan could not muster any spirit for such nonsense. When sleepy, he was equally poisonous to everyone: “Is it a matter of whether he gives it or not? Will Director Lu allow it? He is so stingy.”
Director Lu was innocently cursed and said, having great program effect: “Fail, why do you keep scolding me, Boss Chi? Fail!”
After saying that, he raised his hand, letting the NPC refuse to give the flag.
Chi Yuan yawned, not caring at all, and started leisurely circling the NPC.
Lin Wang strode to the NPC of his group and heard the person ask: “If the end of the world comes, and there is only one chance to escape to an underground shelter, do you think Chi Yuan will leave it for you?”
Lin Wang glanced at Chi Yuan, who was spinning at turtle speed, held back his laughter, and said: “I guess so.”
Just take it while he is not awake; what is this about leaving it or not?
Lin Wang ran back with the flag. Halfway there, Chi Yuan finally finished turning and slowly moved step by step back. Miao Qinghe was incredibly anxious: “Brother Chi, I really do not want to eat egg-fried rice anymore! Push harder! Wake up quickly!”
After he finished shouting, Lin Wang also arrived. Director Lu announced that Lin Wang’s team won and should go eat the feast immediately.
At the dining table, Director Lu deliberately arranged for them to eat at the same table, letting the losing group watch the king crab, yellow croaker, octopus, and mantis shrimp… but they could not eat any of it.
“You are born to be cruel,” Tao Yunqing said while peeling a crab. “This is too cruel, is it not, Qinghe?”
Miao Qinghe refused to answer, bitterly trying to share the agony of eating egg-fried rice with Chi Yuan.
Chi Yuan sat beside Lin Wang, and the bowl of egg-fried rice in front of him would occasionally have a piece of crab leg or mantis shrimp meat added. He ate one bite after another very naturally, with no embarrassment about violating the rules.
Miao Qinghe’s eyes widened, he swallowed his saliva: “Brother Chi, you—”
Chi Yuan used his chopsticks to push the bowl slightly toward himself without lifting his head, saying, “Find your own way if you want to eat.”
What way could Miao Qinghe find? He was so far from Lin Wang.
After eating, Director Lu let them return to rest. Chi Yuan fell asleep as soon as he reached the room, while Lin Wang called in the bathroom in a low voice.
“The acting teacher I connected you with has something coming up recently and does not have time to tutor you,” Shi Yu said.
Lin Wang stood with his back to the sink, propping his hand up. “Are there any other teachers, Sister?”
Shi Yu: “There are certainly others, but how much effect can these online classes have? Ask Chi Yuan if he has any familiar connections; it is best if they can go to where you are staying and teach you face-to-face.”
Lin Wang wanted to study acting seriously; it was definitely a good thing. Shi Yu was hoping he would do something serious. She had been thinking about this for a long time: “I am currently connecting you with resources; you cannot just hang yourself on Chi Yuan’s tree. Strive to have a full schedule next year. You cannot train acting without exercise.”
“Thanks for your hard work,” Lin Wang laughed. “I will go ask him and let you know if it is possible or not.”
After finishing work, Shi Yu changed from manager to “sister,” chatting with Lin Wang about family matters. “I went to see your parents two days ago. You performed quite well during Mid-Autumn Festival; it is rare. They were not angry when they mentioned you.”
Lin Wang tapped his fingers on the countertop and laughed. “That is definitely good. After all, they are my birth parents; a prodigal son’s return is worth more than gold.”
Shi Yu scolded him a bit and added, “I watched the live variety broadcast. You talk too little. You were quite eloquent before. There are eight people, and the camera time is already scarce; you do not make a sound, so who is going to film you?”
“I will talk more next time,” Lin Wang promised.
“Have you been doing okay recently? Is Chi Yuan easy to get along with? I watched the live broadcast, and he seems to take good care of you; if it were not for him, you probably would not have had a single frame.”
Do not even mention this. To make Chi Yuan’s words sound normal, Lin Wang had to patch it up so many times. He lowered his head and smiled silently. “He is very easy to get along with, provides food and housing; where else could I find such a good job?”
Shi Yu was still talking about him not wanting to find the camera. “There are two more days left; learn from others, watch how others talk. Do not look at or think about the bad reviews on Weibo. See what Chi Yuan’s side is doing regarding those shipping couples; do not just blindly like things.”
“What shipping couple?” Lin Wang was stunned.
“You have not checked your phone? Did I not tell you to check your phone and interact with fans often? You have ignored me again,” Shi Yu scolded Lin Wang. “The benefit of you talking less is that strangers who do not know you think you are quite okay. Many fans are shipping you and Chi Yuan.”
Lin Wang shook his head helplessly. “Nonsense.”
There were too many things Shi Yu was worried about. The call lasted nearly an hour. After hanging up, Lin Wang thought about asking Chi Yuan after he fully woke up.
This wait lasted until the end of the season.
Xu Wenyang told Lin Wang that when Chi Yuan could not wake up, he would be withered for a full day, and only after sleeping well at night would he be able to recover the next day.
The bed prepared by the production team could not possibly be as comfortable as the one at home, and it was not even as good as the hotel they stayed at last time. Chi Yuan forced himself to record the show during the day and had to sleep in an uncomfortable bed at night; after two nights, he had wasted himself as if he were sick.
When recording the final scenes on the last day, he tilted his head and dozed off on Lin Wang’s shoulder. The camera was filming nearby, but Lin Wang did not have the heart to wake him up.
As with the arrival, they flew back first, and the driver came to pick them up at the airport.
As soon as they reached home, Chi Yuan went back to the bedroom without eating, slept for three days straight, and Lin Wang brought all the meals up during those three days.
Xu Wenyang told Lin Wang that the next recording would be in two weeks, and editing would take a week. He asked him and Chi Yuan to watch it on TV; since the live broadcast effect was so good, the TV version should not be worse.
Lin Wang agreed offhandedly, though he did not actually have time to watch.
Chi Yuan had Yu Qi connect him with an acting teacher who came to the villa for lessons every day. The teacher and Chi Yuan were acquaintances and were extremely strict. Lin Wang was scolded every day, and even after class, his mind was still thinking about how to perform this emotion well and speak those lines properly. He thought about it even while eating and drinking.
The rest of the time, Lin Wang trained in Chi Yuan’s fitness room; Chi Yuan would occasionally go over too. Lin Wang then understood why someone who was usually lazy and wanted him to feed him while eating would be able to easily press him down and not allow him to move at critical moments.
There was still a gap between a real practitioner and someone like him who only went to the gym.
If Chi Yuan wanted to, let alone moving, Lin Wang would have a hard time just breathing.
When he got busy, there were many things on his mind, one after another, but Lin Wang had not forgotten what he and Chi Yuan discussed that night.
Although life after returning was no different from before, and they had not suddenly become very enthusiastic or attentive just because they laid their cards on the table, the matter was always in his heart.
They had already slept together, and Chi Yuan had helped Lin Wang resolve things several times since; suddenly having to start this relationship from the step of mutual understanding made Lin Wang feel surprisingly innocent.
The pace slowed down, and his emotions stabilized. Forget about further contact; they did not even touch hands.
When he had time at night and thought about what they had done in the past two weeks, Lin Wang felt he could be called a gentleman.
Someone like Chi Yuan slept in front of him every day without any defense, and he did not do anything; if he was not a gentleman, what was he?
Two days before recording the variety show, Chi Yuan received an invitation to attend a gala, a gathering of big stars, with handsome men and beautiful women vying for attention. Someone like Lin Wang, an 18th-tier star, certainly was not on the list, and he was busy too, so Chi Yuan did not take him along.
He left the morning before, and Chi Yuan only returned the next night. When he returned, Lin Wang had just finished class and was reciting his lines toward the rose bushes by the entrance, which had mostly fallen. Seeing Chi Yuan, he asked, “Are you hungry?”
After they ate, Chi Yuan suddenly said he wanted to watch the first episode of Finding Silence and Love in Life. Lin Wang originally planned to look at the notes he made on the lines, but upon hearing this, he naturally threw the script book aside, turned on the TV projector with Chi Yuan, and curled up with him on that sofa in the viewing room that could sink into a person.
Director Lu’s variety show editing level was quite impressive. Lin Wang did not feel it while recording, but with the addition of background music and small special effects, the group of people chatting, bumping shoulders, and meeting eyes truly held a sense of tranquility and warmth.
Chi Yuan had many frames, and Lin Wang was always by his side, so he ended up getting quite a bit of screen time.
The bullet comments were open. Seeing some complaining about the lack of solo shots of Chi Yuan, Lin Wang teased him, “I told you to stay away from me, but you did not listen.”
Chi Yuan was covered in the blanket Lin Wang brought him. Upon hearing this, he narrowed his eyes and took a sip of the hot milk Lin Wang had prepared for him. “No sugar.”
“Forgot,” Lin Wang was becoming addicted to watching, so he turned around and set it aside. “I will add some in a moment.”
“Not drinking anymore.” Chi Yuan propped his head with his hand, lazy and content like a leopard flicking its tail. Lin Wang watched TV, while Chi Yuan watched him.
In such a dark environment, the person beside one would have a very strong presence. This was where Chi Yuan often lay down; Lin Wang only had to sniff, and he could smell the fragrance on Chi Yuan’s body, which smelled especially good.
They laughed together when they saw something fun, not loudly, but softly, flirting with each other’s ears.
Whenever the scene cut to Chi Yuan, the density of the bullet comments went up a level. Watching halfway, Lin Wang turned his head and said to him with a smile, “I did not have a concept of it before, but now I realize our Boss Chi is so popular.”
“I just realized it, too,” Chi Yuan looked at Lin Wang, teasingly looking at him until he could not help but ask what was wrong, before continuing, “I thought I was such an ordinary person, and you were so reassured, you did not even make a phone call when I went out.”