ASFSODS 1

Early spring in Linquan City. The bauhinia trees¹flowering trees from the genus bohenia, commonly known as orchid trees due to their resemblance is on orchids. on both sides of the road had already bloomed. In front of a newly opened milk tea shop, a few girls stood waiting as the staff prepared their orders.

“Oh my god, did you see Weibo’s trending topics? Heart’s Confession 2 is about to start filming!”

“No way—seriously?!”

“A bunch of entertainment gossip bloggers are posting about it. It’s probably legit.”

“Aaaaahhh, I can ship new couples again!”

“I wonder who the guests will be this season. I was obsessed with TaoZhi CP last time.”

“Right—do you know what city they’re filming in this time? Please let it be here.”

“Seems like someone said it’s Haining.”

They were talking about Heart’s Confession, a romance reality show that aired last year on Xingkong TV. The show invited celebrities and regular contestants, randomly pairing them up as couples. While Heart’s Confession wasn’t the first romance variety show in China, it was a breakout hit from the moment it aired, scoring a 9.0 rating on Dban. ²a wordplay of douban, a popular chinese website.

This year, the second season of Heart’s Confession would begin filming in the spring.

“Hello, your Bobo³a trendy way in chinese menus to refer to boba. Taro Milk Green is ready,” a staff member called, interrupting their excited chatter.

“Oh—thanks.” The girl in the red track jacket took her drink and turned around, casually glancing towards the back of the line—then suddenly froze.

Behind them, a boy in a lemon yellow oversized hoodie stood out sharply. His soft hair glowed lightly gold in the sunlight; his skin pale and features delicate. A lollipop hung from his mouth and a small crossbody sports bag slung across his chest. He’s wearing a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers—simple and casual.

He had his head down, completely unaware of the glances the nearby girls were sneaking at him from time to time.

Wen Chi was reading a message from his manager, Jin Ge⁴translates to brother jin, who said he already bought plane tickets for him and his assistant to fly to Haining in two days.

Yes—Wen Chi was set to leave for Haining soon to begin filming Heart’s Confession 2.

He heard what those girls were saying earlier. The moment he heard the name of the show, all he could think about was that he’d be working nonstop for the next month.

His feelings? Complicated, to say the least.

Wen Chi replied to  Jin Ge’s message. Just then, it was his turn in line. He stepped forward and tilted his face up to read the menu.

Most milk tea shop employees were young girls in their twenties. When the one behind the counter saw the fresh-faced and red-lipped boy standing in front of her, her smile never left her face.

“Hi, I’ll take one Mango Passionfruit Double Shot and one Mint Milk Green Tea. Both iced. Less sugar in the milk green.”

“Got it!”

After ordering, Wen Chi stepped aside to wait. His phone rang again. Whatever the person on the other end said, it made Wen Chi’s face go a little sheepish.

“Okay, okay, I’ll wait here.”

There were still three drinks ahead of his queue. Wen Chi stuffed his hands into his hoodie pockets and leaned against the shopfront. Not long after, a girl in a knit sweater came jogging over.

Just as he received the drinks, Wen Chi pulled one from the bag and handed it to her. “Here. Tea for you.”

His assistant, Sang Sang, gave him a helpless look. “Why are you buying milk tea again? If Jin Ge finds out, he’s going to lecture you.”

Wen Chi pointed at the drink in his hand. “I’m drinking fruit tea.”

Sang Sang: “…”

The girls from earlier looked over. Though Sang Sang wasn’t especially stunning, she was clean and pleasant to look at, and is clearly close to Wen Chi. They assumed she was his girlfriend and felt a twinge of disappointment.

Chances were, no one here realized that the guy buying tea beside them was actually a celebrity. Walking around in public with no mask, no hat, no disguise—and still not being recognized—that told you just how unknown he was.

They were flying out in two days. Linquan and Haining weren’t exactly close. Even by plane, it would take two to three hours.

Back at the rented apartment, Sang Sang trailed in behind Wen Chi, bouncing along with her tea. As they entered, she went straight to the shoe cabinet behind the door and pulled out a pair of pink bunny slippers.

“Chi Ge, where’s your suitcase?” She didn’t see it in the living room. If she remembered right, it usually sat in the corner.

“In the bedroom.” Wen Chi collapsed onto the sofa, casually grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and started tapping on his phone. A moment later, the screen began playing a variety show.

Sang Sang was in the open kitchen slicing fruit. She brought the bowl over and turned to glance at the screen, immediately recognizing the show.

“Heart’s Confession?”

Wen Chi looked over at her, then casually speared a slice of apple without answering. “Yeah. Cramming.”

“I heard Season 2 is going to be different—they’re doing real-time live streaming,” Sang Sang said.

“What else? Any other changes?”

“Probably not. Oh—Chi Ge, do you know who your CP is?”

“No idea. Are you even allowed to know in advance?”

Just as he finished speaking, Wen Chi’s phone rang. It was a voice call from Jin Ge.

The moment he answered, roaring laughter came blasting through the speaker.

Wen Chi: “?”

Sang Sang: “…”

Jin Ge laughed for a good ten seconds before managing to speak. “Xiao Chi, we’re about to fly up and become phoenixes!”

…That came out of nowhere.

Wen Chi asked cautiously, “What do you mean?”

“Do you know who you’ve been randomly matched with?”

Sang Sang’s curiosity was instantly piqued. “Who?!”

“Jiang Siheng! Teacher Jiang! Hahahahahaha!” Jin Ge burst into laughter again.

“What the—seriously?!”

Wen Chi looked helplessly at Sang Sang, who’s more excited than him, standing barefoot on his sofa.

“AHHHHH does this mean I get to see my idol up close for a whole month?!”

Jin Ge didn’t need to ask—he could already picture the chaos on their end.

Wen Chi asked, “Aren’t I your idol?”

If he remembered correctly, back when Sang Sang had just started as his assistant—barely two months in—the three of them had once eaten late-night snacks together and casually talked about favorite celebrities.

Sang Sang had said back then, “Actually, I really liked Senior Wen Chi.”

That’s right—Senior. They went to the same university. Wen Chi was two years ahead.

Sang Sang also remembered and laughed, “Well, I watched a few of Emperor Jiang’s movies and suddenly realized—this man hits all my XPs.”

Wen Chi: “…”

He sighed and slowly leaned back.

Jin Ge didn’t care in the slightest about Sang Sang’s idol preferences. He kept talking: “Even though couples are matched at the start, during the first three days you’ll have a chance to decide if you want to stay paired. If you hit it off, great. If not, you can switch and try someone else.”

Wen Chi heard that and knew the core format hadn’t really changed from Season 1.

“But Xiao Chi, seriously, watch yourself in those first three days. Your CP is the top celebrity in the industry right now. Everything you do will be magnified by his fans and the show’s viewers. Even one tiny misstep, they’ll tear you apart.”

Wen Chi wasn’t new to the industry, he knew how this worked. It’s just that up until now, he’s been invisible enough that Jin Ge never had to warn him about anything.

However, this time was different. Heart’s Confession wasn’t just some small show—it was Xingkong TV’s top project of the year.

Just thinking about all the things he would need to be careful of already made Wen Chi feel exhausted and they hadn’t even started filming.

Jin Ge said a few more things before hanging up. Sang Sang looked at Wen Chi’s dead-inside face, then carefully reached over and poked his shoulder.

“Chi Ge, maybe you’ll get famous after this.”

Wen Chi sighed and said solemnly, “Sang Sang, you know what your Chi Ge loves most in this world? Lying down and not going to work.”

Expressionless, Sang Sang said, “But you’re almost broke.”

“…” Wen Chi froze for three seconds, then jumped up and dragged his suitcase out of the bedroom. “I’m packing right now. I’m going to this show looking bright-eyed and full of spirit!”

Sang Sang calmly sat back down cross-legged and resumed watching her variety show.

All she could say was: money is a powerful thing.

The day they were set to leave for Haining, Wen Chi and his assistant took a car to the airport.

After landing and picking up their checked luggage, Wen Chi messaged Jin Ge to let him know they had arrived safely, reassuring the manager who was worrying like a dad over his two “kids” heading off on their own.

Filming hadn’t started yet. The production team had arranged for three couples, six people in total, to stay at a hotel near the shoot location. The following day, they’d be sent out separately to begin.

Wen Chi finished checking in. Sang Sang’s room was right next to his.

Not long after, there was a knock on his door. Thinking it was Sang Sang, Wen Chi opened it casually, only to find a middle-aged man standing there with a lanyard and badge around his neck.

The man smiled warmly. “Hello, Teacher Wen. I’m a staff member from the show. Here’s your task card and phone.”

“Oh, thanks.” Wen Chi accepted the items.

“Alright then, I won’t disturb your rest. Take care.”

“Okay, okay—bye.”

Wen Chi closed the door and sat down on the edge of the bed. He opened the task card and it was mostly a welcome message, followed by notes about how filming would work.

For example: personal phones weren’t allowed during the shoot. All cast members had to use the phones provided by the production team. If they needed to use their own, they should do so out of view of the cameras.

Another rule: date expenses could be paid with personal funds.

Also: each phase of the show would end with a game challenge. The contestant with the highest score across five games could invite someone to join them on a luxury two-day, one-night cruise.

Wen Chi noticed that the points were earned individually, not as a couple. That made sense, after all, people could switch partners midway through.

The phone from the production team had very few apps installed—just the basic system ones and WeChat, so cast members could contact each other and the crew.

Wen Chi set the phone and task card down on the coffee table. Picking up his own phone, he saw a message from Sang Sang from three minutes ago asking if he wanted to go out for dinner.

They arrived around 5 p.m. After freshening up, it was time to eat.

Wen Chi replied with an “OK” sticker. His phone battery was low, so he plugged it in to charge.

Half an hour later, Sang Sang came knocking. Wen Chi had changed into a white down jacket. Haining was colder than Linquan. A light jacket was enough back home, but here he needed something heavier.

There were several small restaurants and eateries near the hotel. They picked one at random and had dinner. By the time they finished, the sky had darkened. The food stalls along the street had lit up one after another, the air thick with the scent of grilled skewers, pancakes, desserts—everything imaginable.

With no Jin Ge to hover over them, and Sang Sang still being a recent grad fresh out of college, she couldn’t resist the temptation of all the snacks. Wen Chi didn’t exactly discourage her either. By the time they returned to the hotel, both of them were carrying multiple bags.

As they walked into the hotel lobby, Wen Chi noticed three men standing at the front desk. The one in the center had a tall, lean build. Even from the back, his figure was striking—broad shoulders and long legs. He was wearing an olive green puffer jacket and a baseball cap pulled low, the brim hiding everything but the bridge of his nose and his lips.

Wen Chi glanced over briefly, then looked away, heading toward the elevator.

Sang Sang leaned in close and asked softly what time they had to leave tomorrow. Assistants and managers could ride in the same car as the stars, but they weren’t allowed to appear on camera.

The two of them stood close, whispering back and forth, completely unaware that the three men at the front desk had begun walking toward them.

Wen Chi said, “You better call me to wake me up tomorrow.”

Sang Sang replied, “What time? I’ll need to wake you up half an hour early.”

Wen Chi frowned. “Why? Just call me on time.”

Sang Sang: “Do you have any self-awareness about your inability to get out of bed?”

Wen Chi: “…Oh.”

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a quiet chuckle behind him. Wen Chi instinctively turned his head and unexpectedly locked eyes with a pair of deep, dark irises, half-shadowed beneath a baseball cap.

• 1
  flowering trees from the genus bohenia, commonly known as orchid trees due to their resemblance is on orchids.
• 2
  a wordplay of douban, a popular chinese website.
• 3
  a trendy way in chinese menus to refer to boba.
• 4
  translates to brother jin