"Sorry..." The man spoke first, his voice husky, like grains of sand brushing against the eardrums.
"...It's fine! We'll just take things as they come next episode. He wouldn't dare starve us to death, anyway!" Song Yunxing averted his eyes awkwardly.
"Okay." The man's usual languor was gone, his voice carrying a tenderness he could barely conceal.
The tingling stirred up by his pounding heart had yet to fade. Song Yunxing rubbed the goosebumps on his arms and quietly curled in on himself.
[You two are confirmed now, right?! Finally being honest!!]
[No wonder the director said this round was about figuring people out. Who could keep pretending through that?!]
[Everyone, I took screenshots. Going to polish them up right now! That perfect shot of them gazing at each other has to come from me!]
[I'll edit the video! Sob, you two are seriously testing our patience!]
The awkward yet flirtatious atmosphere between them had the fans shipping them like mad. Even the production staff couldn't stop glancing their way.
Some people were simply like that. Just sitting there, they made a picture; even without a word, you could sense a story between them.
They were like two boys in that tentative stage of attraction, bashfully and awkwardly trying to hide their feelings.
Several older staff members couldn't help smiling fondly. They could already imagine how many shippers the two would gain once the show officially aired.
The guests watching nearby had all been there before and were even more keenly aware of the subtle atmosphere between the two.
Yu Wan excitedly clutched Shi Jinyan's sleeve beside her, whispering something to him.
Lu Ran's puzzled gaze kept moving between the two, unable to work out what was going on.
Lu Yiyi could only go along with everyone else, wearing a stiff smile.
Filming continued, and the two men's daring challenge was soon left behind.
After seeing what a daring challenge entailed, the guests became much more cautious. Almost everyone chose truth, and the remaining rounds were relatively uneventful.
Filming continued until ten, when the recording was about to end.
"Dear viewers, that concludes the livestream of our first episode. The edited version will air simultaneously on Pear TV and Wind News Video at eight on Thursday evening. For the edited version, a randomly selected guest will be invited into the observation room to watch and analyze the show with us. We hope you'll tune in..."
Director Guo read out a long string of reminders while the guests remained seated on the sofa, smiling.
"See you Thursday at eight." The guests obligingly waved at the camera.
"Cut-thanks for all your hard work, everyone!" The livestream and recording cameras shut off at the same time, and the staff present all breathed a sigh of relief.
Assistants swarmed over to their respective guests.
Compared with the three or four assistants surrounding every other guest, Song Yunxing only had Xiao Nan beside him, leaving his side looking rather empty.
"Xiao Nan, go upstairs and get the luggage. I've already packed everything," Song Yunxing said quietly. "We're leaving first."
Xiao Nan was a little puzzled. Usually, after a variety show wrapped up, there would be a meal together or at least some more chatting. Why were they leaving so quickly this time?
Meeting Xiao Nan's puzzled gaze, Song Yunxing felt inexplicably guilty.
Perhaps it was a lingering effect of his heart beating too fast earlier, but now he felt uncomfortable whenever he saw Shen Yanci.
"I have something personal to take care of. Hurry!" Song Yunxing patted her on the back.
Xiao Nan nodded and ran upstairs.
"Thank you for all your hard work, seniors and staff. I still have something to do, so I'll head out first." Song Yunxing hurried out of the camera's frame and hastily said his goodbyes.
Surrounded by assistants, Lu Ran remarked, "Song really is a workhorse. He still has somewhere to be this late?"
Yu Wan glanced at Song Yunxing's somewhat flustered figure and smiled without a word.
"Wait, Mr. Song! Could you give me an autograph?" The assistant director hurried after him with a notebook.
Song Yunxing turned back and met the woman's slightly excited gaze.
The young man instinctively put on his professional smile and quickly took the notebook. "Of course."
He gripped the pen and signed his name in a blank space.
The paper was translucent, and he could vaguely make out dense lines of writing underneath.
He was a little curious, but he didn't turn the page and only left his signature.
"Leaving so soon?" A familiar male voice sounded beside his ear. Song Yunxing shuddered and immediately moved away.
"What do you want?!" Song Yunxing took a defensive stance, watching him nervously.
"I was just asking. Is that really worth such a big reaction?" The man raised his eyebrows, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
Like a hedgehog with every spine raised, Song Yunxing snapped without the slightest courtesy, "Are we that close? Don't stand so near me!"
The young man's expression changed as he returned the notebook to the assistant director. With a gentle smile, he offered her a few encouraging words, then strode out of the villa.
The surrounding staff were all discreetly keeping an eye on the pair, secretly shipping them. Heart rates didn't lie. Was this simply their dynamic? A bickering couple, loving each other as fiercely as they fought?
Still, Song Yunxing had always had a good reputation in the industry. Every staff member who had worked with him praised him to the skies, so why was his attitude toward Shen Yanci so different?
Everyone was puzzled, but not a single person dared ask.
The man seemed thoroughly accustomed to Song Yunxing's attitude. He cast a brief glance at the notebook in the assistant director's hands.
In black ink on white paper, the young man's handwriting was elegant, its strokes restrained yet firm.
"Want my autograph too?" The man held out his hand to the assistant director.
The female assistant director was a little dazed and instinctively handed him the notebook.
The man moved the pen across the page, leaving his signature.
Noticing the writing underneath, he casually lifted the page and happened to see his name alongside Song Yunxing's.
"Wait!" The assistant director tried to stop him, but the man was already reading with keen interest.
The assistant director, normally so composed in front of others, flushed scarlet. She was so mortified she wanted to ram her head into the wall beside her.
Someone save me! This is my first draft! My ship fanfiction is right in front of one of the actual people! I'm going to die!
Those few seconds felt like an entire lifetime.
"...Not bad. I look forward to the rest." The man placed the notebook in her hands and smiled. "I'm your first reader, right? Remember to let me read it when you're finished."
The assistant director stared in shock as the man gradually disappeared into the crowded throng.
Even after a long while, she still hadn't recovered. Lowering her head, she saw the two signatures nestled right beside each other. Their styles were completely different, yet the handwriting looked remarkably harmonious together.
Before you continue