By three o’clock in the afternoon on the third day, the live viewership of Seven Days in the Wild had already surpassed thirty million—one-third of them were curious viewers and fans who had rushed in after hearing that a “mysterious celebrity guest” would make a surprise appearance.
The production team knew how to build suspense. Since the morning, a scrolling marquee had announced in the live room: “Today at 15:00, a top-tier celebrity will make a surprise drop! A legendary figure in the entertainment industry who has never appeared on any variety show! Stay tuned!”
The comments section exploded with guesses all day:
“Ji Huaizhou? Impossible, he hardly ever does interviews.”“Could it be that international film queen?”“I bet five coins it’s the one just nominated for the Oscars.”“The production team is amazing—someone at that level?”
At 2:55 p.m., all the participants were gathered in the central clearing of the campsite. Ten people stood in a line, their expressions varied—anticipation, curiosity, impatience.
Lin Weiwei had specially changed into a clean pink windbreaker that day, her hair neatly arranged, and she had subtly applied a faux-natural look with slightly enhanced lipstick.
She stood in the middle of the line, wearing a perfectly sweet smile, while mentally planning: no matter who came, she had to find a way to pull them onto her side. If she could team up with the top-tier guest, cameras, conversations, and popularity—all would be hers.
Zheng Kai stood beside her, somewhat distracted. He was still thinking about the wild boar incident yesterday, and Zhou Chaochao’s hint that “some people were maliciously creating trouble.”
He quietly glanced toward the edge of the line—Zhou Chaochao stood there in her camouflage outfit, hands in her pockets, eyes calmly fixed on the distant sky, seemingly uninterested in the upcoming “mysterious guest.”
This woman… was truly unpredictable.
At exactly three o’clock, the sound of helicopter rotors echoed through the sky.
Everyone looked up—a white helicopter approached from afar, hovering above the campsite, its rotors stirring up grass and dust in the air.
“A helicopter?!”“Whoa, such a big setup?!”“This guest is seriously high-profile!”
The comments exploded:
“A helicopter?!”“This entrance, I can’t handle it!”“Who is it, ahhh!”
The helicopter slowly descended at the edge of the clearing. The door opened, and two black-clad bodyguards stepped out first, followed by the staff, and finally—
A slender hand gripped the doorframe as a figure bent slightly to step out.
He wore a simple white shirt and khaki cargo pants, his posture upright, sporting a pair of outdoor sunglasses. The afternoon sunlight illuminated his face, outlining a clear and perfect profile.
The scene fell silent for three seconds.
Then—
“Ji… Ji Huaizhou?!” Chen Yu was the first to shout.“My God…” Su Qing covered her mouth.
Lin Weiwei’s eyes widened, her smile frozen before erupting into ecstatic joy—Ji Huaizhou!
It was really Ji Huaizhou! The legendary Film Emperor at the pinnacle of the entertainment world, who never participated in variety shows! If she could team up with him…
Zheng Kai was also stunned. Though he had seen many celebrities, someone of Ji Huaizhou’s level… was a completely different world.
Only Zhou Chaochao remained calm. She watched the man step down from the helicopter, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible flicker passed through her eyes—was this him? The person who had bumped into Mumu that night?
The comments section went completely wild:
“Ji Huaizhou!!!!”“The production team is insane!!!”“My childhood is complete! The Film Emperor is on a variety show!”“Take a screenshot! What are you waiting for?!”“Is that face even real?!”“I’m dead and alive again.”
Ji Huaizhou, guided by the staff, walked to the front of the line. He removed his glasses and wiped them gently with a cloth—a gesture that sent the comments section into another frenzy—then put them back on and looked at the ten participants.
“Hello everyone, I’m Ji Huaizhou.” His voice was warm and magnetic, carried across the campsite by the microphone. “For the next eighteen hours, I will participate as a flying guest in Seven Days in the Wild. Please take care of me.”
He bowed slightly.
Elegant, composed, impeccable.
The host Zhang Yanqiang stepped forward, restraining his excitement:
“Welcome, Mr. Ji! We didn’t expect you to really come! It’s truly an honor for our show!”
Ji Huaizhou smiled:
“Mr. Zhang, you’re too kind. I’ve always been interested in outdoor survival, and I’ve been doing research for a new film, so I accepted the invitation.”
Comments:
“A new movie?! The Film Emperor is doing an outdoor survival film?”“No wonder he came!”“What movie? What movie?”
Zhang Yanqiang began introducing the participants. For each introduction, Ji Huaizhou nodded politely.
When it came to Lin Weiwei, she quickly stepped forward, showing her sweetest smile:
“Mr. Ji, hello, I’m Lin Weiwei. I really loved your Silent Confession—I’ve watched it seven times!”
Ji Huaizhou glanced at her and nodded slightly:
“Thank you.”
Polite, but distant.
When it came to Zheng Kai, he nervously extended his hand, palms sweating:
“Mr. Ji, hello, I’m Zheng Kai.”
“Hello.” Ji Huaizhou nodded.
When it came to Zhou Chaochao, Zhang Yanqiang paused:
“This is Zhou Mumu.”
Ji Huaizhou’s gaze fell on Zhou Chaochao.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, Zhou Chaochao saw a complex emotion in his eyes—curiosity, confirmation, and… recognition.
She knew he had recognized her.
Not as “Zhou Mumu,” but as the girl he had bumped into that night—the sister of that girl.
“Teacher Zhou,” Ji Huaizhou spoke, his voice slightly gentler than before, “hello.”
Zhou Chaochao nodded calmly:
“Mr. Ji, hello.”
No extra words, no flattering smile, not even a hint of excitement.
Comments:
“Zhou Mumu is so calm…”“Does she even know Ji Huaizhou?”“Is this normal? That’s the Film Emperor!”
After the introductions, Zhang Yanqiang announced the next step:
“According to the rules, Mr. Ji needs to choose a team to join for the upcoming tasks. Teams may now start recruiting.”
Immediately, the atmosphere shifted.
Lin Weiwei rushed forward first, her face radiating admiration and expectation:
“Mr. Ji, please join our team! We have Zhao Lei, who is physically strong and can take good care of you! Our area is also the best, tasks will be completed efficiently!”
She spoke quickly and eagerly, afraid of being beaten to him by others.
Zhao Lei chimed in:
“Yes, yes, our team is the strongest!”
Chen Yu’s team was not far behind. Su Qing stepped forward cheerfully:
“Mr. Ji, our area is average, but I have outdoor survival experience, and Chen Yu is very energetic! Join us, it’ll be fun!”
Chen Yu added his signature sunny smile.
Sun Xiaoya’s ankle was still swollen; being helped by Li Haoran, she quietly said:
“Mr. Ji… our team could use your help…”
Liu Yue and Wang Hao’s team was laid-back but still welcomed him.
Only Zhou Chaochao stayed where she was, hands in her pockets, as if none of this concerned her. She even turned her head to study the distant forest, analyzing the vegetation.
Zheng Kai hesitated, stealing a glance at Zhou Chaochao, then at Ji Huaizhou, and said nothing—his current situation was awkward, nominally on the Red Team, but his mind was already in chaos.
Comments flooded with recruitment pleas:
“Weiwei, go! Grab the Film Emperor!”“Su Qing’s team is great too!”“Mr. Ji, pick me!”
Ji Huaizhou patiently listened to all the invitations, a gentle smile on his face. After everyone finished, he finally spoke:
“Thank you all for the invitations. But…”
He paused, scanning all ten faces, and finally fixed his gaze on the silent figure at the edge of the line.
Then, to everyone’s astonishment, he walked straight toward Zhou Chaochao.
One step, two steps, three steps.
He stopped in front of her.
“I choose to join the Yellow Team,” Ji Huaizhou’s voice was clear and firm, “with Teacher Zhou.”
The crowd went silent.
Lin Weiwei’s smile froze.
Chen Yu’s mouth hung open.
Su Qing raised an eyebrow.
Everyone was stunned.
Comments, after a brief silence, exploded:
“??????”“Ji Huaizhou chose Zhou Mumu?!”“Why why why?!”“Did Zhou Mumu cast a spell on the Film Emperor?!”
Even Zhang Yanqiang was shocked, taking a moment before asking:
“Mr. Ji, are you… sure?”
“I’m sure.” Ji Huaizhou nodded.
Zhou Chaochao finally withdrew her gaze from the forest and looked at the man before her. Her expression remained calm, but a faint trace of doubt lingered in her eyes.
“Why choose me?” she asked softly, yet clearly audible in the silent clearing.
Ji Huaizhou looked at her, his eyes serious and focused behind his golden-rimmed glasses.
Then he said the words that made everyone—both in the studio and online—go completely insane:
“Because I came for you.”
“Boom—”
The scene erupted.
Lin Weiwei’s face turned pale, nails digging into her palms.
Zheng Kai widened his eyes, unable to believe his ears.
Other participants stared at each other, shocked into silence.
Comments went completely haywire:
“Here for Zhou Mumu???”“Ji Huaizhou, what are you saying?!”“Public declaration of love?!”“Zhou Mumu, what did you do to my husband?!”“I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it!”“Film Emperor, wake up! That’s Zhou Mumu! The notorious Zhou Mumu!”
Ji Huaizhou’s fans immediately flooded the live room, comments scrolling uncontrollably:
“Don’t do this, brother!”“Stay away from my brother, Zhou Mumu!”“Ji Huaizhou, if you’ve been kidnapped, blink!”“What kind of script is this?! Is the production team orchestrating this?!”“Definitely scripted! Brother can’t possibly like that woman!”
But some outsiders began to soften:
“Wow, so sweet!”“Top-tier Film Emperor descended for love?”“I feel like Zhou Mumu’s got him!”“The sister is so cool! She kills me!”“I suddenly ship them, what’s happening…”
On-site, Lin Weiwei was the first to react, forcing a smile to lighten the mood:
“Mr. Ji, you’re joking…”
“I’m not joking.” Ji Huaizhou interrupted, calm yet indisputable, “I really am a fan of Zhou Mumu.”
He turned to the cameras, explaining:
“A few days ago, I happened to see a video of Miss Zhou catching a poisonous snake with her bare hands. Her courage and calmness deeply impressed me. Later I watched more of her actions—the professionalism in finding water, the efficiency in setting up tents, her composure with the wild boar…I felt this is what a truly capable, charismatic person should be. I replayed her edited videos many times.”
He paused, looking at Zhou Chaochao with sincerity:
“So when the show invited me, I came as a flying guest. I wanted to team up with Teacher Zhou. From the premiere, I thought you were excellent, and today I’m really happy to work closely with you.”
His words were flawless. They explained the reason for “coming for her” (fan admiration), praised Zhou Chaochao (capable and charismatic), and clarified the ambiguity (pure admiration).
But…
The comments didn’t believe him:
“A fan? You’re lying!”“Ji Huaizhou has never publicly said he’s a fan of any artist in 11 years!”“This excuse is too fake!”“There must be something going on!”“Yes! There’s a secret affair!”
Zhou Chaochao looked at Ji Huaizhou, her doubt deepening.
She knew he was lying.
No fan admiration, no appreciation… all excuses.
He recognized her. He knew she was not Zhou Mumu.
Then why come? Why choose her? Why say words that caused misunderstanding?
Ji Huaizhou seemed to sense her doubt, smiling slightly, and lowered his voice so only she could hear:
“Teacher Zhou, we can talk privately about some things.”
Then he turned back to Zhang Yanqiang, restoring his normal volume:
“Mr. Zhang, may I join the team?”
Zhang Yanqiang finally reacted, nodding quickly:
“Y-yes! Welcome Mr. Ji to the Yellow Team!”
Staff members pinned the Yellow Team badge onto Ji Huaizhou.
Zhou Chaochao looked at this man who had unexpectedly disrupted her plan, silent for a few seconds, and finally nodded lightly:
“Welcome.”
No excitement, no fear, no extra expression.
It was as if Ji Huaizhou wasn’t the top-tier Film Emperor, just an ordinary teammate.
Comments went crazy again:
“Zhou Mumu’s reaction… is she really calm or faking it?”“She didn’t even thank the Film Emperor?!”“Who is this woman?!”“Is she playing hard to get?!”“She’s so fake…”
Lin Weiwei watched as Ji Huaizhou stood beside Zhou Chaochao. Though there was no intimate contact, the inexplicable aura between them made her heart surge with jealousy and fear.
She had worked so hard to gain popularity.
But Zhou Mumu… this woman who should have been beneath her, trapped forever… had captured attention by catching snakes, stopping wild boars, and now… even Ji Huaizhou came for her?
Why?!
She bit her lip so hard it almost bled.
Nearby, Zheng Kai watched Ji Huaizhou and Zhou Chaochao together and felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of loss.
He remembered Zhou Chaochao’s calm when saving him, her determination when she said “I’m here to protect my sister,” and her composure in every storm…
This woman was indeed different.
And Ji Huaizhou… the way he looked at Zhou Chaochao was far from mere “fan admiration.”
There had to be a secret he didn’t know.
“Alright!” Zhang Yanqiang raised his voice, breaking the subtle tension.“Now that teams are set, here’s today’s group task—the ‘Outdoor Shelter Construction Contest’! Teams must use available materials to build a shelter for overnight stay within three hours. I and Mr. Ji will judge. The winning team will receive substantial supplies!”
The teams immediately began working.
Lin Weiwei, unwilling, glanced one last time at Ji Huaizhou and Zhou Chaochao before dragging Zhao Lei away.
Others scattered.
The clearing was left with only the Yellow Team’s two members.
Zhou Chaochao turned to gather materials.
“Teacher Zhou,” Ji Huaizhou called.
She stopped and looked back.
He approached, removed his sunglasses, and his deep eyes met hers. Without the lens, his scrutiny and seriousness were more apparent.
“I know you’re not Zhou Mumu,” he said bluntly, his voice low. “That night at the hospital, I saw the real Zhou Mumu. She was severely injured; she couldn’t be here.”
Zhou Chaochao’s pupils constricted slightly, but her face remained calm:
“So?”
“So I want to know,” Ji Huaizhou looked at her, “why are you taking your sister’s place on this show? What are you trying to do?”
Zhou Chaochao was silent for a few seconds, then countered:
“Mr. Ji, why did you come? Why choose me? Why say those misleading things?”
Ji Huaizhou smiled and put on his glasses again:
“Because I think you might need help. In this circle, the help I can provide is more than you think.”
He looked at “Zhou Mumu” seriously:
“I’ve looked into your sister’s situation. Xingyao Entertainment, Lin Weiwei, Wang Qiang… and the capital behind them. The waters are deep. Alone, even with a military background, you may not manage.”
He paused:
“But I can. I’ve been in this industry twenty years, know their weaknesses, know where to strike. I am also capital.”
He spoke candidly.
Zhou Chaochao looked at him for a long time before slowly speaking:
“I need a platform, a camera, a chance to speak.”
“And then?” Ji Huaizhou asked.
“Then,” Zhou Chaochao’s gaze turned cold, “those who harmed my sister will pay.”
Her voice was quiet, but each word was like a blade of ice.
Ji Huaizhou nodded:
“Understood. For the next