On camera, Lu Ran pushed open the door, having just changed into her swimsuit.
She seemed to freeze for a moment, then said blankly, "Sorry for interrupting."
The door slowly closed, and the cameraman reacted lightning-fast, immediately zooming in.
In the dim room, two figures seemed to overlap.
A black microphone dangled against the floor. Beside it, black leather dress shoes rested on the ground, while solid-colored sneakers hovered above them, trembling slightly.
The image was blurry and lasted only an instant, but all the fans saw it.
[Holy shit, what's happening in there!!! Their audio suddenly cut out on the livestream!]
[Aaaaah! Lu Ran, share with the class!]
[Help, we look away for a minute and they're already in bed!]
[That position! Xingxing's on top!]
[Ah, Xingxing, can your back handle it?]
"Lu Ran, wait!" a panicked voice called from inside.
In her flustered state, Lu Ran couldn't tell left from right. Clutching the production team's task card, she bolted.
She had kept doubting their relationship before, but just now, Song Yunxing had clearly been the one making a move!
So Song Yunxing was that... impressive!
Ahem! Had she seen something she shouldn't have? Would Shen Yanci kill her?
A thousand thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.
Lu Ran dashed back to her room and slammed into "a wall."
"Ran, what's wrong?" The tall alpha held her shoulders, looking puzzled.
Gu Nianzhi's brows knitted slightly, his gaze sweeping over her reddened ears.
Lu Ran's eyes sparkled, but then she hesitated, unsure whether she should tell him.
"Nothing! I don't know anything!" Lu Ran deliberately raised her voice.
Gu Nianzhi glanced at the tightly shut door opposite them, then looked down at her hand. "The tasks are about to start. Did you tell them?"
Lu Ran scratched her head and smiled sheepishly. "I... forgot."
Back in the other room, Song Yunxing stared at the closed door and shut his eyes in despair.
"Don't waste your breath. If clearing things up were that easy, neither of us would be here." The man casually propped himself up and undid two buttons on his shirt.
"This is all your fault! Why did you trip me for no reason?" Song Yunxing picked up the task card and stood a full three meters away from him.
The man lifted his gaze. "I haven't even blamed you for suddenly pinning me down and ruining my reputation."
"I!" Song Yunxing was at a loss for words.
Following that logic, what alpha would let a Beta pin him down? It did seem like Shen Yanci had gotten the worse end of the deal.
Wait! How had he fallen into that trap? He was here to draw boundaries, not argue about who was on top!
His ears burning red, Song Yunxing fanned himself with one hand and lowered his eyes to the task card.
{Dear rumored couples: Are you happy with the romantic island rooms I arranged for you? As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free room! To stay in your current rooms, please complete the following three tasks. 1. Complete a romantic water activity for two (tandem kayaking, romantic tandem water cycling, catamaran sailing, romantic ocean flyboarding...). 2. Take a romantic promotional couple photo. 3. Work a part-time evening shift (help local staff better serve their customers; positions assigned at random). P.S. If you cannot complete the tasks, please pay full price. Daily island expenses per person: 10,000 Chinese yuan, approximately 13 Pretty Coins. Payment is required whether you stay or not~ If you do not complete the tasks, all expenses for the three days will be deducted from your appearance fees. Please think carefully before making your decision.}
Song Yunxing: ...
"Read it yourself." Song Yunxing tossed the card onto the edge of the bed, dragged his suitcase to the corner farthest from Shen Yanci, and rummaged through his clothes.
Shen Yanci: ...
The man picked up the task card and skimmed it. He had only just put it down when-
The door suddenly opened.
"We're here to install cameras in your room. May we come in?" A crew member at the front pushed the door open, holding several cameras that had not yet been switched on.
The cameraman carrying the livestream camera stood right behind him, its zoom lens absurdly long.
Shen Yanci's gaze settled on the cameras in the crew member's hands. "Go ahead," he said evenly.
[We finally got in! But they're already finished!!]
[Keeping your distance right after finishing. You two really work hard!]
[Xingxing even went all the way to the corner. I get it, Xingxing. There's really no need.]
Song Yunxing found his swim trunks and waterproof gland patches, then headed straight for the bathroom.
The bathroom door clicked shut. Shen Yanci rose unhurriedly, watching the crew member install the cameras the entire time.
The stare made the crew member's skin crawl, and he couldn't help recalling a movie Shen Yanci had starred in.
Wearing old-age makeup, the man slowly approached the female lead and revealed the silver knife in his hand.
The movie's narration had been low and hoarse. "The man is exceptionally skilled at hunting his prey. He has all the patience he needs. When his prey relaxes and exposes her back, that is the perfect moment to strike..."
A moment later, the blade pierced her throat, and blood gushed out.
The movie had barely begun, and the female lead was dead.
The crew member shuddered all over and nearly plugged in the wrong cable.
"Not used to being on camera?" the man asked mildly. "...Put it down. I'll install it for you."
The crew member was a little surprised. A megastar like him actually cared about the feelings of someone so insignificant.
"Do you know how to install them? Should I show you?"
"No need." The man plugged in a cable with an easy motion, connecting the second camera.
Somewhat touched, the crew member placed the remaining two cameras in his hands.
The man waved him away. "All right, you can go."
The crew member left the room, privately berating himself for his earlier behavior.
He must have been too sensitive. Shen Yanci was such a nice person. How could he possibly be anything like that deranged lunatic in the movie?
The livestream director remained in the room, pointing the camera at Shen Yanci one moment and the closed bathroom door the next.
[Will Xingxing go shirtless?!]
[Aaaaah, Xingxing's abs! It's been so long! Drool, drool!]
[That slim waist! Those V-lines! That six-pack!]
[Didn't Xingxing say on Weibo that abs were hard to maintain? He hasn't had any concerts lately, so I reckon his abs have probably shrunk. (Picking-teeth meme)]
[Hahaha, did you have to be that real?]
Still, most of the fans and casual viewers were eagerly waiting for Song Yunxing to emerge from the bathroom.
Seeing this, the livestream director stayed in the room, waiting for Song Yunxing to "step out of the bath."
"What? Do I need to show you out?" The man swept a sharp glance over the camera.
The camera turned, bringing the man's stern face into frame.
"I need to change. How am I supposed to do that with you here?" His gaze was chilling as he stared straight into the camera.
"You're going to change here?" The livestream director froze.
"Yes." The man answered, but made no move to unbutton his clothes.
His stare sent a chill down the livestream director's spine. "All right," he replied awkwardly.
[Don't chicken out, director! Film it! Two megastars' abs!]
[This is today's trending topic. You can't leave!]
[Keep filming! I'll get Xiao Hong to give you a bonus!]
[Livestream director, the size of your year-end bonus comes down to this moment!]
The livestream director had already retreated to the doorway. Seeing the fans' comments, he paused.
Just then, the bathroom door opened.
Before you continue