You're Not My Type

The production crew probably hadn't expected to lose so miserably. They could only keep splashing water around to vent their frustration, occasionally checking on Wen Shuang and Jiang Ning's progress.

Jiang Ning was indeed afraid of water, but he was obedient. He relied on Wen Shuang completely, staring at the swirl of hair atop the young man's head and trying not to look around. After exchanging a few words with Wen Shuang, he realized they had already floated across more than three-quarters of the distance. The final quarter was shallow water, and Jiang Ning's feet could reach the rocks. Instantly, he felt steadier. The cold sweat on his back was washed away by the lake, leaving him refreshed.

Jiang Ning suddenly realized that swimming, which he had always feared, was not so terrifying after all.

They arrived safely, and Jiang Ning lit the first-place lamp. As Chen Zong's civilian companion, Wen Shuang had to wait for the actual contestant before it counted, so the two sat by the shore and chatted.

Wen Shuang was actually exhausted, but he felt relieved. Since coming to this world, he had encountered very little kindness, and some of it had come from Jiang Ning. That made him willing to do whatever he could for Jiang Ning.

An hour later, Chen Zong arrived.

This surprised everyone somewhat. Chen Zong had clearly been hopeless at undoing knots last time and had only gotten by because Wen Shuang covered for him. This time, he had ditched Wen Shuang and probably hadn't expected Jiang Ning to pick him up, letting him get first place for free. Sometimes, luck alone could crush a person.

Chen Zong had thought first place was already in the bag. There was still an hour and a half until seven o'clock—no one could possibly be faster than him! He had run the entire latter half of the route. Before becoming an entertainer, Chen Zong had been a provincial-level athlete. As he sweated and ran, he felt strangely proud and certain of victory. The cameraman filmed him all the way. Once this footage aired, he would crush Jiang Ning psychologically. He imagined applause and flowers all around him, and he did not feel tired at all. The joy of impending victory filled him completely. As he charged toward the finish line, he was even eager to see the director's and crew's surprised or admiring expressions.

Yet when he looked up, he saw the two figures sitting on the shore.

The sound of wind in his ears suddenly became sharp arrows, invisibly piercing Chen Zong from head to toe and riddling him with holes.

Over the final few steps, Chen Zong suddenly lost strength and could barely run.

How was that possible...

How was that possible?!

"Seriously, Wen Shuang's luck is unreal." Several staff members had not even noticed Chen Zong. Looking at Wen Shuang with the sort of gaze Chen Zong loved most, they sincerely praised him. "The kid is handsome and kind. If some sponsor backed him, becoming as popular as Jiang Ning would only be a matter of time."

Jiang Ning was a benchmark among the new generation of idols. Chen Zong dreamed of surpassing him, but now such an "honor" had landed on Wen Shuang's head so easily that Chen Zong could hardly believe it. A profoundly twisted sense of absurdity rose within him.

The contempt and deeply buried wariness he had always felt toward Wen Shuang erupted at that moment, turning into bitter hatred that violently struck his heart and lungs.

Zhu Lian had arrived when Wen Shuang went to the island to help Jiang Ning. Logically, since they belonged to different companies and were fierce competitors, it would have been good enough if they did not sabotage one another behind the scenes. Yet seeing Wen Shuang act that way, Zhu Lian inexplicably felt that it was only right. That was the Wen Shuang she knew. Then she looked at Chen Zong, whose emotions were clearly unstable, and faintly felt that she should give up on him.

Chen Zong lacked the basic qualities required of an entertainer, or even an idol. He was sensitive and suspicious, unable to tolerate anyone being even slightly better than him. He was easily swayed by others' opinions, yet he worked in the entertainment industry, where rumors never ceased. With such a temperament, he would only end up self-destructing.

When Chen Zong looked up again, the gloom in his eyes frightened the young assistant offering him water into silence.

Chen Zong beckoned to Wen Shuang.

Wen Shuang was Chen Zong's civilian companion, after all. Just because they were both at Power One, Wen Shuang had countless reasons to help Chen Zong. He accepted that calmly, informed Jiang Ning, and swam over to Chen Zong.

"I remember Jiang Ning can't swim. How did he get across?" That was Chen Zong's first question.

A bad feeling rose in Wen Shuang's heart, but he could not hide it, so he told the truth. "I helped him."

"You're really amazing." Chen Zong gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Helping the competition take me down?"

Wen Shuang truly did not understand. "No, you got on the bus without waiting for me. Jiang Ning invited me to eat..."

"Enough." Chen Zong put on a life jacket and entered the water, waving him off. "Since you're so enthusiastic, take me across too."

Wen Shuang assumed Chen Zong could not swim either and immediately supported him. But once they reached deeper water, Chen Zong began struggling. Keeping him balanced was exhausting. If Chen Zong had not called him over earlier, Wen Shuang would not even have bothered moving. Now, after being tossed around like this and choking on water several times, his head hurt terribly from coughing, yet he still had to make sure Chen Zong did not get into trouble.

Zhu Lian, who had been watching, looked increasingly grim.

He could not stay on this show. Wen Shuang swallowed another mouthful of lake water, unable to taste whether it was salty or bitter. Only one thought remained in his mind. Chen Zong alone was already more than he could handle. If Wu Tan or someone else came along too, he would not even know how he died. Maybe their fans would tear him apart afterward. Rather than that, he might as well buy a cemetery plot in advance. At least it would be quick and painless.

Chen Zong shoved down hard on Wen Shuang's shoulder, and Wen Shuang failed to surface at once. He used all his strength to break through the water. Every sound seemed to come from beyond several mountains. He only saw Jiang Ning's anxious expression, heard him seem to shout something, then saw him stretch out a hand.

So close...

Chen Zong reached the shore, and as the sounds around him finally became clear again, Wen Shuang grabbed Jiang Ning's hand.

Wen Shuang was dragged ashore, panting like an ox, but he still smiled and said to Jiang Ning, "See? You're doing pretty well, aren't you? Just now, when you pulled me, half your body went into the water."

Jiang Ning had not expected that to be what Wen Shuang cared about. For a moment, he could not speak.

The next second, Jiang Ning silently rose to his feet and threw a vicious punch at Chen Zong, who had just lit the second-place lamp!

The punch came without warning. Not only were the others stunned, even Chen Zong himself froze. During filming, entertainers had always been a mixed bag. Some low-ranking celebrities got bullied, and others clashed because they disliked one another. That was normal. The occasional smell of gunpowder was exactly what shows and viewers wanted to see. Some people even cursed each other out behind the scenes; with a little editing in post-production, it was no big deal. But actual violence was extremely rare—practically unheard of.

Jiang Ning had the confidence to do it, not just because he was more influential than Chen Zong, but because the Jiang Family stood behind him. The power of capital always exceeded ordinary people's imagination. Even if Jiang Ning had punched some movie emperor, Jiang Suqing could find a way to settle it.

"Y-you, what are you doing?!" Chen Zong did not dare confront Jiang Ning head-on. More than anger, he was at a loss.

"You know perfectly well what you did!" Jiang Ning's expression darkened. "If that footage gets exposed, do you think you'll walk away clean? A popular young idol bullying a civilian companion? Have you no shame?!"

Chen Zong refused to back down verbally. "Jiang Ning, you're defending Wen Shuang this hard. Don't tell me you've fallen for him?"

"Yeah, I have. What are you going to do about it?" Jiang Ning sneered. "Go expose me to the media. Let's see whether anyone dares take your press release!"

Chen Zong's face turned livid. He knew Jiang Ning was not merely talking tough. Jiang Ning had the backing to mean it, and offending him now was definitely not a wise choice.

By then, the staff had rushed over and swarmed in to separate them. Jiang Ning gave Chen Zong one last warning point before walking to Wen Shuang. Seeing the young man's blank expression, he could not resist copying what Wen Shuang had done earlier and giving him a head pat. "It's okay," he said softly. "I've got your back." When we get back, I'll ask Brother Xuan Zhe for him. I'll take the back door if I have to. Hmph!

Wen Shuang concealed the emotions in his eyes and smoothed his hair, looking at Jiang Ning. "I prefer muscular men. You're not my type."

Jiang Ning blinked, then understood that Wen Shuang was referring to his earlier admission that he liked him. He was so angry that he laughed. He had only been trading barbs with Chen Zong, and besides, Wen Shuang was not his type either! Still, as the dream man of countless girls, being rejected was humiliating. Jiang Ning pointed at the middle of the lake with a solemn expression. "Answer again. Otherwise, I'll throw you in."

Wen Shuang chuckled. Something exceptionally beautiful flickered in his eyes as he softly said, "Thank you."

It was only a minor incident, and no one dared mention it again. The young assistant suddenly noticed that Sister Zhu Lian seemed to be in a better mood.

More or less. Zhu Lian thought that punch had felt great.

After that, Wang Yuze, Han Ling, and the others arrived one after another. Peng Shanshan and Wu Tan were the final pair. At least they had not gone overtime. Seeing how they could barely stand the sight of one another, clearly unable to cooperate anymore, the production crew knew they would have to switch partners. Otherwise, there would be no way to continue.

The moment Peng Shanshan entered the water, she began screaming. Wen Shuang checked the time, suddenly had an idea, and volunteered to go rescue her before Jiang Ning could stop him.

Wu Tan did not care whether Peng Shanshan lived or died. Wen Shuang's arrival nearly brought tears to the woman's eyes. By then, the sky was darkening, and the remaining half of the sunset burned as though it might go out at any moment. Peng Shanshan was spoiled, but she cooperated well. Wen Shuang guided her bit by bit toward the central island, carefully managing the time. Just as Peng Shanshan was about to climb ashore, Wen Shuang braced his toes against a rock and fell backward in the direction opposite everyone else. He looked as if he had run out of strength, and a wave immediately carried him away.

"Wen Shuang!" Jiang Ning shouted.

Sorry, Brother Jiang. The road ahead is long, so take care of yourself. The dim light concealed his little scheme. Wen Shuang found a convenient round float and hugged it tightly. Even if knives rained from the sky, he would not let go. Seven o'clock was about to strike, and freedom was within reach!

Once the bell rang, even having one leg off the island counted as overtime. Overtime meant elimination, and Wen Shuang loved the production crew's ruthless impartiality.

"Wen Shuang!" Jiang Ning panicked. From where he stood, he could only see Wen Shuang's head above the water, which was deeply worrying.

"Did he pass out?" The director's face changed drastically. "Quick! Save him!"

Wen Shuang: ...Couldn't you just let me go?

At the same time, a black car stopped outside the barricade. Xuan Zhe got out with a frown, looking at the chaos in the distance.

Jiang Suqing followed close behind, narrowing his eyes as he watched the excitement. "What's going on?"