I'm your daddy

The production team for "Lone Warrior" worked astonishingly fast.

They had only finished the fitness tests that afternoon, and by evening, they had released the guest lineup for season one.

Unsurprisingly, Huo Xiao ranked first.

Asia's most attractive male star focused on movies, generally making one a year.

Though his output was low, the quality was exceptional, and he had won more international awards than he could count.

With his extraordinarily handsome face, perfectly proportioned physique, and superb acting skills, he had amassed hundreds of millions of fans.

Backed by the mysterious Huo family, he also possessed immense funding and connections, making him an unshakable force in the industry...

An elite alpha like this was actually a villain who didn't survive to the end?

Wasn't the original author playing favorites a little too much?

Phone in hand, Jian Li clicked his tongue twice in disbelief, then swiped to another poster.

Ranked second was Luo Xiaohong, an action actress active in major film, television, and variety productions. She had reportedly trained at Emei, and every move she made carried the distinctive grace of Chinese martial arts, earning her a passionate following among younger fans of traditional Chinese aesthetics.

Ranked third was Yuan Feng, a singer who had debuted through a talent competition. He had appeared in several niche web dramas and gained considerable recognition. His fitness was also impressive, placing him near the top in every test. Combined with his sunny disposition and sharply defined features, he had plenty of potential. Investors had recently set their sights on him, and his career was gathering serious momentum.

Two veteran stars, Shi Huayi and Zhou Nan, tied for fourth. Both were well liked within the industry and had solid fan bases. Though they were in their thirties and approaching middle age, riding a variety show back into the spotlight for a while would be no problem.

Sixth was Jian Li. No lengthy introduction needed: a super mercenary with the best KPIs, someone you could count on!

In last place was Lu Yuanhang.

Seeing the poster of him smiling like a scheming little bitch, Jian Li's lips curled into a sly smile.

The dumbass who screwed the original owner over the worst was determined to get himself killed?

Then I wouldn't mind giving him a hand!

The Lu family villa.

Once his manager finished reporting the rankings, Lu Yuanhang smashed the tablet, venom filling his eyes. "Why am I last? How is that bastard Jian Li any better than me?! The 'Lone Warrior' production team is a fucking joke. Do they even want to keep filming?!"

His manager stole an uneasy glance at him.

At the same time, he silently cursed.

You're the fucking joke.

You even pretended to faint doing a push-up!

If they didn't put you last, were they supposed to crown you champion?!

Then announce to the whole world that you bought your way onto the show?!

At that thought, he immediately put on a flattering smile. "Young Master Lu, don't get worked up. This is only the beginning. As long as you're on the show, why worry about not getting a chance to deal with Jian Li?"

"Don't forget, Mr. Lu arranged all the personnel at the filming location!"

Hearing that, Lu Yuanhang's expression eased slightly, and he nodded. "I'm sure my brother will take care of everything..."

He'd make that bastard Jian Li hated by the entire internet!

Then he'd disappear from my brother's and my sight for good!

In truth, his hatred of Jian Li had nothing to do with whether Jian Li's mother had been a mistress.

Nor was he seeking revenge for his adoptive mother, who had no blood relation to him whatsoever.

The reason he went to such lengths to torment Jian Li was Lu Siqi.

Though Lu Siqi constantly claimed to hate Jian Li to the bone, wishing he could tear him apart and make him atone in a living hell.

In reality, every time Lu Siqi looked at Jian Li, his eyes were full of conflict.

As though that hatred could turn into love at any moment...

No!

Lu Siqi could only be mine!

Only I could become his spouse!

Who the hell did Jian Li think he was?

How dare he compete with me?

Sooner or later, I'd drain every drop of his blood!

As his inner monologue spiraled, a sickly smile appeared on Lu Yuanhang's pale face. "I can't wait for filming to start."

I couldn't wait to crush that insect underfoot...

Two days later, "Lone Warrior" began on schedule.

Billed as the first-ever adventure survival variety show to stream nonstop twenty-four hours a day, it already had hundreds of thousands of fans waiting when the cameras started rolling for the hotel meetup alone.

Before any guests had even arrived, comments filled the screen.

The debate over the contestants in last and second-to-last place had raged for two days without either side winning.

[This is so unfair! Lu Yuanhang fainted, and he still gets to participate?! How are the other contestants supposed to feel?]

[If Jian Li can participate, why can't Lu Yuanhang? Besides, this is supposed to be a growth-oriented variety show. If every guest they sent in was already outstanding, what would there be to watch?!]

[The person above is right. And didn't Lu Yuanhang already clarify things? The production team gave him a chance so he could train and grow on the show and become a true "lone warrior." Isn't that the whole point of CCTV making this show?!]

[Then hurry the fuck up and become a "lone warrior." Stop coveting other people's blood. Anyone who can't handle it gets eliminated anyway, no matter how hard they cry!]

[Is Jian Li your dad? Why are you defending him so hard?!]

[I don't know if he's my dad, but he's definitely Lu Yuanhang's dad. Only a real dad would keep giving him blood like that!]

[...]

Putting down his phone, Jian Li's manager, Li Lin, gave him a pleased pat on the shoulder. "Finally, some casual viewers are willing to speak up for you. Put some effort into this show, too. You've got to shake off that weakling image and get your fan count into five digits!"

"Also," he paused, lowering his voice, "stay away from Lu Yuanhang. Don't let him set you up!"

"We finally got some weight back on you. Don't go giving him blood again!"

Looking out the window, Jian Li smiled. "Don't worry, Li."

"The only way he's getting blood out of me is if I slap it out of him. He can forget everything else."

Li Lin looked at his utterly confident profile and let out a long sigh. Hopefully.

The car stopped outside the hotel, and Jian Li got out with his suitcase.

The cameraman, who had been waiting for some time, immediately rushed over. He had intended to get right up close to Jian Li's face, but a blatantly attention-seeking voice rang out nearby. "Jian Li, what a coincidence! We actually arrived together!"

Jian Li lazily turned at the sound and saw the two Lu brothers standing intimately close together.

He immediately waved them off. "Don't talk to me."

Lu Yuanhang blinked with feigned innocence. "Are you sick, Jian Li? You don't look very well."

"I'm perfectly healthy." Jian Li looked away and headed into the hotel at his own pace. "Seeing you two just makes me want to puke."

"Are you still the Jian Li I know? Why are you treating me like this?" Lu Yuanhang looked aggrieved, angling his slightly reddened eyes straight toward the camera. He was about to continue when a calm voice drifted back from ahead.

"I'm not Jian Li..."

Lu Yuanhang froze. "Huh?"

"I'm your daddy."

The moment he said it, the live comments erupted in laughter.

[See? I was right! They really are father and son!]

[LMAO, does this count as a live family reunion? Father and son joining forces?]