I'm not sure if you're feverish or just thirsty

[No way, no way. Are variety shows packed with hidden talents these days? They even invited someone from the government?!]

[I was wondering why our boy looked so wholesome and upright. So that's his secret identity?!]

[But are government employees allowed to take side jobs? Unless...]

[Unless he's undercover!]

The night owls watching the livestream grew more animated with every guess. The curious ones started digging into the details, from his talent-show debut to his breakout web drama and then this survival show... They were one step away from tracking down his birth certificate at the hospital.

In just two or three minutes, they nearly exposed everything about him.

Yuan Feng knew nothing about it. Only when the man pinned beneath him started howling did a little reason return.

"Let go! Fucking let go of me!"

"Yuan Feng, you lunatic!"

"You're going to break my arm again!"

Yuan Feng belatedly stood up, his eyes blank with confusion. "..."

Faced with Lu Yuanhang's vicious glare, he had no idea how to explain himself.

A casual voice drifted over from nearby. "He's sleepwalking. Don't wake him. He could have a mental breakdown."

Hearing that, Yuan Feng suddenly perked up.

That's right.

I'm sleepwalking!

I'm playing a cop in my dream!

At that thought, he made his expression even more bewildered, turned back to his bed, and resumed his previous sleeping position.

It was as if nothing had happened. Only Lu Yuanhang was left seething with frustration.

He struggled up through the pain. Seeing Yuan Feng "fast asleep" made his temper flare. "Who are you trying to fool?! Is murder legal if you're sleepwalking?!"

After cursing him out, Lu Yuanhang turned and found everyone in the dorm staying out of it. Not one person so much as raised their head. His mouth twisted into a sneer, and he strode over to Jian Li's bed.

"You're the one who said Yuan Feng was sleepwalking, aren't you?!"

"You have no proof, but you're taking his side. Are you getting back at me?"

"You volunteered every time you gave blood. What are you acting so wronged for now?"

With things already out in the open, Jian Li would be letting down the fans watching through the cameras if he kept pretending to sleep. He lifted his head and propped it on one hand.

The moonlight filtering through the curtains lent his beautiful features a defiant edge. "You got that right. I do feel wronged, and I do want revenge."

"Since I can't get my blood back, watching you get bullied feels pretty damn good."

"You bastard! You're asking for it!" Furious, Lu Yuanhang raised his hand to slap Jian Li.

But the leg that shot out from beneath the army blanket moved far faster, kicking him just above the stomach.

"Ugh-"

With a muffled groan, Lu Yuanhang clutched his stomach and crouched down in pain.

Jian Li glanced at the camera in the corner. "You saw that clearly, right? That was self-defense."

[Haha, Jian Li is so cute. He even made a point of explaining. That's right, Lu Yuanhang had murderous intent first. I'll raise my hand and testify!]

[Lu Yuanhang really has it rough. All he's done on this show is get beaten up. But why does it feel so satisfying? Even my blocked milk ducts feel cleared out!]

[Is it okay for you people to glorify violence like this? If your child was being bullied, wouldn't you step in?! Let me tell you, I definitely would! As his dad, I'd give him two more fucking slaps!]

[Oh, the person above is on our side? I'll quietly put away my thirty-meter sword!]

[...]

Lu Yuanhang hid in the restroom to make a call, his voice full of resentment and malice. "Jian Li's dad-beat him within an inch of his life. And cut off his little brother's tuition."

"Heh. Let's see who's more ruthless."

The next day, rain fell relentlessly beneath an overcast sky.

Mud pits covered the training ground.

Although this weather made livestreaming difficult, it was perfect for intensive close-combat training.

Feng Dayuan had spoken to the Red Team's commander on the phone the night before. Judging by the man's furious attitude, he was determined to win the next Hilltop Competition and absolutely would not go easy on them.

Naturally, Feng Dayuan hadn't backed down. He had delivered a string of bold declarations and boasted up a storm.

But after hanging up, he had felt a little weak in the knees.

After all, they were all celebrities, and he hadn't yet assessed their actual combat skills.

The Red Team had trained in drills with real guns and live ammunition. What if they got serious and injured these pampered guests?

He wouldn't be able to answer to the fans online!

After thinking it over, Feng Dayuan decided to test them first. If they were too weak, he would admit defeat and cancel the next competition.

And so, at ten past eight that morning, half an hour after breakfast.

The loudspeakers on the training ground crackled to life.

"Assemble! Prepare for group training!"

"Everyone in formation within three minutes!"

"Assemble-"

Lu Yuanhang hadn't slept well the night before. Hearing the announcement, he lay in bed and muttered under his breath.

"Does this ever end? Is putting people through this really so much fun?"

He sat up and glanced at the rain outside, then immediately started coughing. "It's so cold."

Huo Xiao happened to walk past, and Lu Yuanhang hurriedly called out, "Xiao, could you get the medical staff for me? I think I have a fever."

"No." Huo Xiao refused without even looking back.

"Why?!" Lu Yuanhang lost control of his expression.

"I'm not sure if you're feverish or just thirsty." With that, Huo Xiao walked out of the dorm.

The livestream chat erupted with laughter.

[Hahahaha, who knew Xiao was an expert at spotting manipulative bitches! Lu Yuanhang has nowhere left to pull his thirsty act!]

[Please, isn't it obvious? He gets a fever the moment they're told to assemble? Making his excuse to dodge training sound so respectable!]

[Thank goodness my Xiao doesn't waste sympathy. That was so satisfying to watch. Otherwise, I'd definitely be flaming Lu Yuanhang online!]

Whether anyone helped him summon the medics or not, Lu Yuanhang decided to boycott the training.

He pulled the blanket over himself and waited for the staff to come looking, planning to make up an excuse then.

But everyone outside had been assembled for quite a while, and still nothing happened.

It was as though they considered him invisible, or had given up on him altogether.

That left Lu Yuanhang even more frustrated.

Feng Dayuan hadn't brought an umbrella and let the rain pour onto his head. The guests standing in formation did the same.

He noticed someone was missing but didn't care. That guest was good for nothing but stirring up trouble anyway. After a brief pause, he said, "This morning's training will be kickboxing."

"You'll spar in pairs. Don't take it too far."

Feng Dayuan narrowed his eyes and pointed. "Jian Li, you'll pair up with Huo Xiao. Any objections?"

"None."

Jian Li nodded.

Huo Xiao inclined his head.

The two then walked into the center.

The fans watching the livestream held their breath.

[What, what?! My ship is about to fight?!]

[This is too cruel. I can't watch!]

[Xiao works out all year round. I heard he even won a Gold Belt. He'll go easy on him, right?]

[Praying, praying-]

The rain grew heavier, blurring their vision.

Jian Li wiped his face, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Xiao, don't hold back."

Huo Xiao's gaze darkened. "All right."

Then the two tall, slender figures swiftly closed in on each other.

After several exchanges, they were still evenly matched.

Jian Li hadn't enjoyed a fight this much since transmigrating.

He gradually got a little carried away, and with the rain obscuring his vision,

He kicked out with one foot, then blindly thrust his hand forward to grab.

"Mm-"

Huo Xiao let out a muffled groan and caught his wrist, his voice strained.

"That's hardly fighting fair, is it?"