Didn't He Say He Didn't Want Any?

Early the next morning, the production team started the livestream and announced the upcoming itinerary.

"Our introductory segment is drawing to a close. Tomorrow, we officially begin filming the first episode. Stay tuned, everyone!"

The host finished reading his cue cards with a smile and an upbeat voice, then took the lead in applauding.

The guests smiled and clapped too, while gifts flooded the livestream. It was Saturday, and there were noticeably more comments. Unless viewers turned off the gift effects, they could barely see the guests' faces.

Not long after the stream began, it shot to number one on the livestream rankings.

Season four was every bit as popular as ever. Last night's conversation between Shi Zhou and Asta had even broken three in the ratings for its time slot!

Hardly any variety show had reached those heights in the past two years, and even those that had only managed it during their biggest moments.

Ha! Their Heart-Pounding Expedition was the empress. All those other variety shows were mere consorts!

Buoyed by that rather smug, bitchy sense of pride, the production team was practically buzzing with energy today.

With Asta's permission, they had rearranged the living room.

Everyone sat together for a group interview, sharing their impressions of one another.

Handsome men, beautiful women, a luxurious hall, and dazzling stars.

They were all gracious people, so they mostly had nice things to say. They complimented one another, and the atmosphere was lovely.

Even Su Yue offered a few polite remarks. Though he barely said a handful of words, Shi Zhou still shot him a surprised look as he applauded.

Good heavens, why was male lead number two suddenly cooperating with the production team a little? Was I imagining things?

Su Yue was sensitive to being watched and immediately turned to glance at him. His ice-blue eyes were chilly, his features sharp and defined, but Shi Zhou didn't dare look any longer.

He hurriedly wiped the surprise off his face, put on a smile, and clapped even harder like a seal to prove his innocence.

Yes, yes, yes! Everything you said was absolutely right and wonderful!

After the interview, the production team brought up the incident where Shi Zhou had been cornered yesterday.

They sincerely assured everyone that everything had been fully handled, told the guests and viewers not to worry, and said they would post the detailed outcome on StarNet's various platforms later.

The comments flooded in:

-Impressive. If only my favorite actress's agency were this efficient.

-Just look at who's on this season. They seem mild-mannered on the show, and big shots rarely show their anger, but that doesn't mean you can provoke them however you please.

-Exactly. You couldn't afford to mess with even one of them, let alone this many together. Those media outlets really hit a brick wall this time.

It was no wonder the commenters were gloating. Many of the media outlets publicly accused yesterday spent all day stirring up conflict or fabricating scandals out of thin air. How could any normal person not hate them? Seeing them punished was downright satisfying!

Once the group interview ended, the production team called Shi Zhou out alone. An assistant director met with him today.

"You're here?" Looking thoroughly pleased with himself, the assistant director tossed Shi Zhou a bank chip with an impressive flourish. "Take it. This is the compensation from those media outlets."

Shi Zhou couldn't believe it. "That fast?"

The incident had happened yesterday afternoon, and the money had already arrived this morning.

The assistant director marveled, "Universal Group filed the charges on their home planet. It happened to be morning in that part of space, so there wasn't a moment's delay."

They had really gone for the throat, unwilling to waste even a second.

Shi Zhou: "..."

Impressive.

The assistant director looked thoroughly vindicated and even pumped his fist. "Ha! Let's see those disgusting bastards try that again!"

"It wasn't just Bai Shen. Several of the other guests helped too."

He was so delighted that he couldn't stop grinning.

Sure, they were a huge production team-

But it was precisely their size and fame that made those parasites latch on to them, constantly spouting nonsense and ruining people's reputations.

In his excitement, the assistant director said a little more. "Last time, we went to a hotel for dinner to discuss business. Gossip Media-you know, the ones who charged ahead yesterday and shoved a camera in your face."

"...Hmph. They claimed we were having a secret gay rendezvous."

He was still indignant at the memory. "A bunch of balding old men having drinks and talking about movies, and they chopped out all the context and made up a load of nonsense. They even got me-!"

Got me an ear-twisting from my wife.

But there was no need to mention that.

Faced with Shi Zhou's curious gaze, the assistant director stiffly changed the subject. He coughed and said earnestly:

"Zhouzhou, you're the non-celebrity guest our team has the highest hopes for. But I always get the feeling you've got a lot on your mind."

His tone softened.

"I'm not saying that's a bad thing. But now that you're on the show, we all hope you can enjoy yourselves. Whatever the outcome, enjoy the moment-"

"Just think of the other guests as friends. Maybe someday, when you look back on today, on our show and the people in it, those memories will warm your heart."

He smiled proudly. "That's how the guests from the first three seasons felt, too."

So many shows had copied Heart-Pounding Expedition after it became a hit.

But none of those copies took off, and some even lost every last penny they invested, precisely because they didn't understand what had made this show such a sensation.

Arguments and nasty fights might stir people's emotions for a moment, but the feelings that lasted longest were warmth and love, weren't they?

The bank chip contained exactly five hundred thousand interstellar credits.

Apparently, those media outlets had taken a serious financial hit. Not only had they paid the production team eight million, they had also paid two hundred thousand each to the other guests, who hadn't even appeared at the scene.

Universal Group's legal team was truly terrifying.

Shi Zhou asked the production team to transfer the money to his parents.

On his way back, Bogu Star's sun had risen, bathing the land in warmth. Looking at the beautiful flowers in the courtyard, Shi Zhou let out a long breath.

Xie Jiali had gone to film some pickup shots for the other show from yesterday and hadn't even been there for this morning's group interview.

As for Bai Shen, he hadn't stayed long after bringing Shi Zhou back last night. He had flown back to Universal Group's home planet to arrange some important matters and would meet them directly at their first stop tomorrow.

The production team had arranged for the remaining guests to leave that afternoon. They would sleep aboard the spaceship and arrive when they woke up tomorrow.

Everyone had a quick, casual lunch, then began packing what they needed. Their next destination was a little colder, so it was best to bring some thicker clothes.

Asta left all his packing to two servants and disappeared off somewhere himself.

Shi Zhou packed quickly. Once he finished, he went downstairs to find the others. Before he even reached them, he heard the two women discussing skincare products.

They also said, "Thanks, Yue. We couldn't have gotten this open without you."

Su Yue said, "No problem."

Seeing them gathered in a little circle, Shi Zhou walked over and peeked in curiously. "What's that?"

Lin Yuxi glanced at Shi Zhou's face and exclaimed, "What do you usually use on your skin? How come you don't have a single blemish?"

Shi Zhou was puzzled. "Some toner, and cream in winter."

Unconvinced, everyone pressed him for the brand. Even Zheng Yu clamored that he wanted to buy it too, only to discover it was a perfectly ordinary brand.

Zheng Yu let out a disappointed breath. "What a waste of a face, living like such a slob..."

Sloppy, hopelessly straight, and oblivious to boot.

Such a beautiful face, utterly wasted.

But he really was gorgeous. Zheng Yu declared himself jealous. If he had that face, he'd stand outside bars picking up men every day.

Shi Zhou hesitated. Surely genetics was the main factor here.

But seeing everyone's indignant expressions, he decided he'd better keep that to himself...

Yu Manman smiled and held out her hand, showing him the thing she'd just asked Su Yue to break open. "Here. It's an ingredient for a face mask. It makes your skin really soft and smooth."

As she spoke, Yu Manman reached out and stroked Shi Zhou's little face.

Aaaaaah! Mommy touched her baby's face!!!

So soft and smooth! It felt like it would be amazing to kiss!

So much nicer to touch than a BJD!

Yu Manman excitedly fidgeted with her fingers again, trying not to show it.

Shi Zhou froze for a moment when she touched his face, then touched his own cheek and took half a step back.

Wh-what was that for?

Another burning gaze came from beside him.

With one hand still on his face, Shi Zhou noticed Su Yue frowning at him and Yu Manman.

Su Yue had changed into a uniform today. It was understated, and his gaze was deep and cool. When he noticed Shi Zhou looking at him, he pressed his lips together.

Shi Zhou caught on.

Holy crap, did male lead number two like Yu Manman?

So that was why seeing the two of us interact made him unhappy.

Mystery solved! Mystery solved!

God, I couldn't snuff out this little spark of love.

Shi Zhou hurriedly said, "...Don't keep it all for yourselves, girls. Share some with us when it's ready."

He looked at Su Yue. "Yue helped you out so much. Give him some too."

After what had happened last night, he had realized that though Su Yue seemed cold, he actually responded politely whenever someone spoke to him. And he was completely helpless against Shi Zhou's clingy personality.

Heh heh.

He gently nudged Su Yue with his elbow. "Right, Yue?"

Su Yue lowered his head to look at the movement. Only after a long pause did he say:

"Mm."

Then he went upstairs. Shi Zhou still wanted to ask him how the case at his school was progressing. Since he had nothing else to do right now anyway, he simply followed him.

Downstairs, Zheng Yu stared blankly, exchanging looks with the other two.

"...Didn't he say he didn't want any because it was made from bugs?"