ASFSODS 37

Jiang Siheng hadn’t spoken particularly softly, and with Wen Chi standing so close, he heard everything the man just said.

Wen Chi’s cheeks flushed red. He let out a flustered little “Ahhh,” and said, “Teacher Jiang, what are you even saying…”

Wen Chi Livestream:

[He’s saying you’re his wife]

[He’s saying “Wife, let’s cuddle”]

[He’s saying “Wife, I love you”]

[He’s saying HengWen CP is forever legendary]

[Wait a sec, that last one doesn’t sound right]

[What even is this chaos?]

[Joy and sorrow don’t pass between livestreams clearly, huh]

The foreign couple had made breakfast and left it in an insulated box. When Jiang Siheng and Wen Chi took it out, it was still hot. They placed everything on the dining table, and Wen Chi went to call the others.

Tian Yang had finally recovered a bit of his mood and was just about to head over for breakfast when he looked up and saw Tong Xian’en coming down the stairs with Xu Yuqing, laughing and chatting.

Zhou Ruoyao glanced at the stairs, then at Tian Yang, and let out a sharp hiss. He didn’t even care that Tian Yang was technically his current partner—he turned and ran straight to the kitchen.

He came on this show to chase stars, not to play relationship therapist.

Tong Xian’en noticed someone looking at him. He looked up, the smile in his eyes pausing for a second, then acting like nothing had happened, nodded at Tian Yang. “Morning.”

Tian Yang didn’t even know how he managed to force a smile. “Morning.”

Xu Yuqing also greeted him and walked with Tian Yang toward the dining area, speaking in a volume just loud enough for Tian Yang to hear. “Eat something light later. Weren’t you saying your stomach hurt last night?”

Tong Xian’en joked, “Maybe my stomach hasn’t adjusted from switching time zones yet.”

Xu Yuqing smiled, a little helpless, a little fond. “Want me to make you some porridge?”

“Can you?”

“Of course,” Xu Yuqing reached out to ruffle his hair. “Wait for me.”

Tong Xian’en gave a faint smile. “Okay.”

Main Livestream:

[Chi Chi and Teacher Jiang are honestly so sweet, I’m crying]

[Is President Qin coming back today?]

[Really? President Qin’s really arriving in Country Y today?]

[Honestly… I think En’en and Xu Yuqing are more shippable than with Tian Yang]

[Ayu is so doting on Tong Xian’en, ughhh I’m jealous]

[Am I the only one who feels kinda bad for Sheep?]

[What’s there to feel bad about? Isn’t choosing the one you like totally normal?]

[Feels like the young master just sees Sheep as a regular partner]

Tong Xian’en stood off to the side, looking at something on his phone. When he sensed someone walking up behind him, he turned off the screen and looked back.

Tian Yang and Zhou Yunbai were walking over mid-conversation. Zhou Yunbai saw Tong Xian’en smile at him, but also noticed that his face looked a little pale. She asked with concern, “Xian’en, are you not feeling well?”

Tian Yang, who had heard everything between Tong Xian’en and Xu Yuqing just now, said nothing.

Tong Xian’en glanced subtly at Tian Yang, then replied, “It’s nothing, just some stomach discomfort last night.”

“You’re still not feeling well now?” Zhou Yunbai frowned. “I think I have medicine in my suitcase, I’ll grab it for you.”

“No need, Xiao Bai Jie. I already took some,” Tong Xian’en said, quickly stepping forward to stop her. Coincidentally, he ended up standing right next to Tian Yang.

“You’ve already taken something? Good. If you’re still not feeling well, say something.”

Tong Xian’en smiled. “Thanks for your concern, Xiao Bai Jie.”

“No need to be so polite.”

Seeing Zhou Ruoyao trying to carry a bunch of bowls and chopsticks all by himself, Zhou Yunbai went over to help.

For a moment, only Tong Xian’en and Tian Yang remained.

…

Wen Chi accidentally bumped into Jiang Siheng’s back with a soft thump. Jiang Siheng turned his head and saw the boy clutching the back of his shirt, eyes fixed on someone else. He sighed, “What are you looking at?”

Wen Chi, peeking out from behind him, whispered, “Shhh, Teacher Jiang, don’t talk. Cover for me.”

Jiang Siheng: “……”

Wen Chi muttered as he watched, “Ugh, Xian’en and Sheep are such a shippable pair. I really don’t want them to BE.”

Jiang Siheng said, “Why don’t you ship us?”

Wen Chi looked up at him, stunned. “Can you even ship yourself?”

Jiang Siheng raised a hand and turned Wen Chi to face him. “Why not?”

Main Livestream:

[Wen Chi is literally me]

[LMAO—other people’s CPs just seem better, right?]

[Yeah yeah, you and Teacher Jiang are already acting like an old married couple. No wonder you don’t think it’s shippable]

[Never thought I’d relate to Wen Chi. I also think Xian’en and Tian Yang are so shippable]

[I think Tong Xian’en and Xu Yuqing are better together]

[Agreed. Xu Yuqing takes care of En’en, while with Tian Yang, En’en’s the one doing all the work]

[…Tian Yang is so immature. Who even likes that type?]

[I personally can’t stand childish guys]

Wen Chi furrowed his brows, seriously pondering what Jiang Siheng had said, which was why he didn’t notice when Xu Yuqing appeared in the dining room.

Xu Yuqing glanced toward the spot where Tian Yang and Tong Xian’en had just been. His expression was still warm and composed with no emotion visible.

After breakfast, Tong Xian’en returned to his room to take his medicine. He really had been feeling unwell the night before.

There were two knocks at the door. Tong Xian’en thought Zhou Yunbai was just checking on him, so he got up to answer.

Xu Yuqing stood outside, holding a cup of water. When he saw Tong Xian’en, he gave a slight smile. “Have you taken your medicine yet?”

Tong Xian’en’s hand tightened slightly on the doorknob. He smiled back. “About to. What’s up?”

“I brought you water. Don’t use bottled water for medicine.” Xu Yuqing placed the cup in his hand, then turned to leave, like he really had just come to deliver water.

Tong Xian’en didn’t think that was all.

Xu Yuqing walked a few steps, then turned back like he just remembered something. “Oh, right. I sent you some data about regulating digestion. Take a look when you have time.”

Tong Xian’en could tell there was a message behind his words, but pretended not to notice. “Okay. Got it.”

Xu Yuqing smiled again. Once he disappeared from view, Tong Xian’en lowered his gaze and closed the door.

His phone was lying by the bed. He picked it up and checked Xu Yuqing’s message.

Tong Xian’en Livestream:

[Wuwuwu my baby En’en finally has someone doting on him!]

[Honestly, Xu Yuqing really is a better match than Tian Yang]

[En’en’s staring at his phone for so long… is he shy?]

[He’s probably smiling inside! Sweet overload!]

[Xu Yuqing is definitely boyfriend material. Sheep, though… he’s more like a really good friend]

In truth, Xu Yuqing hadn’t sent any so-called digestion data. What he sent was a warning to Tong Xian’en to not mess up the plan he and Tong Xian’en’s manager had agreed on.

Qin Xiyu arrived at the guesthouse around noon. Zhou Yunbai seemed to know the exact time and was already outside waiting.

The production crew only gave him two hours to rest before calling everyone together to assign a game task.

“A task?” Zhou Ruoyao blinked. “Isn’t this a dating show?”

The director nodded. “It is. You’re in the right place.”

“Then why are we doing tasks on a dating show?” The young master looked thoroughly confused.

“Because this is a different kind of dating show,” the director said.

Zhou Ruoyao looked at the director like he was a con artist. He leaned over and “whispered” to Wen Chi, “Xiao Chi Ge, wanna ditch the shoot? I’ll use my dad’s money to take care of you.”

Wen Chi: “……”

Jiang Siheng’s gaze swept over coolly and subtly pulled Wen Chi closer to his side.

The director, who had heard every word, coughed awkwardly. “In front of me are four stacks of cards, five per stack. Each card has a fragmented photo of a building. You have to find the real location, get a local to take a photo with you, and finish by 7:30 p.m. local time. You can’t use your phones to look anything up, ask online, or use your celebrity status to get help from fans or strangers.”

Zhou Ruoyao raised his hand politely. “Can I… not do the task?”

Wen Chi looked at him with admiration. He actually said what he was thinking.

The director took a deep breath, reminding himself that this was the son of a major investor and he was not allowed to get mad.

Seeing the director turning red, Zhou Ruoyao quickly said, “Just kidding! I was just trying to spice up the show. Relax, Director Ma.”

The director passed out the cards. “If anything comes up, tell your cameraman,” Then he escaped before Zhou Ruoyao could say anything else outrageous.

Tian Yang didn’t know much about variety shows and asked, “Aren’t we leaving?”

Zhou Yunbai smiled. “No rush. Let’s study the photos first—otherwise we’ll be running around like headless chickens.”

The production team had been sly. The photos weren’t of famous landmarks. Otherwise, they’d be too easy to find.

“Honestly, I don’t recognize a single one. Are these even in this city?” Zhou Ruoyao asked.

Wen Chi shook his head. “No idea.”

Zhou Yunbai frowned at the card for a while, then turned to Qin Xiyu. “Yu Ge, do you know it?”

Qin Xiyu shook his head.

Tong Xian’en suggested, “Maybe we should just head out. There’s no point sitting here.”

Zhou Yunbai said, “Makes sense.”

Jiang Siheng handed Wen Chi a coat. “Wear this. Do you have a scarf?”

“No.”

“Wait a second.” Jiang Siheng went upstairs and came back with a scarf.

Wen Chi blinked and stood there obediently as Jiang Siheng wrapped it around him. The gray-black scarf had a clean, pleasant scent that made Wen Chi’s fair skin look even paler.

Jiang Siheng admired the look. For some reason, Wen Chi now reminded him of a perfectly wrapped rice ball with a little black tie.

Everyone else left first. When Wen Chi stepped out, he realized how cold it really was.

“Cold?” Jiang Siheng touched the back of his hand.

“Not bad.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Jiang Siheng pulled out the card marked with the number 1, though he had no idea what the numbering meant.

Wen Chi peeked at it. The photo showed what looked like a scorched wall entwined with vines, part of a structure with something like a house number.

Wen Chi stared for a few seconds. “Honestly… I doubt even the locals would recognize this.”

Wen Chi Livestream:

[Is this even a real place or just some random wall?]

[How are they supposed to find this?? I’d give up right away]

[Chi Chi’s card isn’t even that bad. I checked the others—theirs are even more cursed]

[AAAA I know this one!!!]

[Wait what? Someone in chat actually knows it? Tell us! What is it??]

[It’s the former home of novelist Lionel Langman from the last century! He’s just really obscure…]

[OMG girl you’re amazing—how do you even know this?]

[What good does it do if we can’t tell Chi Chi and Teacher Jiang? #crying]

Jiang Siheng saw Wen Chi frowning hard and smiled. “Don’t stress.”

Wen Chi looked up. “Hm?”

“You might not believe this, but I—”

Wen Chi cut him off. “I believe you.”

Jiang Siheng froze for a moment.

Wen Chi’s eyes were full of trust and dependence, curving into half-moons. “Since I’ve known you, you’ve never lied to me about anything.”