Nearly Had His Love Stolen

Early the next morning, the spaceship landed, and the Heart-Pounding Expedition crew arrived on Elysia Star.

Yu Manman and Lin Yuxi had walked a long way the night before. Yu Manman had slept soundly after returning and was bright-eyed that morning.

But she noticed that many of the crew had enormous dark circles under their eyes, yet seemed positively buzzing with energy.

What was going on?

"Morning." Though a little puzzled, Yu Manman folded her umbrella and greeted everyone.

A steady drizzle greeted them on Elysia Star, and the weather was a little chilly.

The crew had hurried to arrange a vehicle to wait for them. Their first stop on Elysia was the Hot Spring Resort, and everyone would travel there in the same van.

Just after they boarded, a tall figure approached through the rain in the distance, holding a black umbrella. The wind lifted the hem of his coat, making him stand out among the crowds behind him.

For once, Su Yue had arrived a little later than they had.

His outfit today was certainly striking, though: a fitted charcoal-gray wool coat, straight-leg dress trousers, and black leather Derby shoes. The whole ensemble gave him a cool, aloof air.

But a hint of blue showed at the neckline of the layers beneath his coat, setting off his sharp brows, bright eyes, dark hair, and striking features, as though it lit up his entire appearance.

Everyone stared, marveling, "Yue looks so handsome today."

Su Yue said nothing.

He put away his umbrella and told Yu Manman, "Manman, I accidentally broke your ear cuff. I'll get you a similar one later."

Yu Manman wanted to say that the silver ear cuff could simply be bent back into shape, but swallowed the words after a moment's thought. It was only a little ear cuff.

"No need, no need."

Su Yue gave a slight nod and sat in the row behind them.

"It's only right."

Yu Manman was baffled, but if Su Yue insisted, she didn't mind!

Well, she might have gotten angry if someone else had broken her things, but handsome men were different. They always got a few extra privileges.

Before long, Shi Zhou and Asta arrived, jogging over as they chatted and laughed. They sat in the row in front of Yu Manman and Lin Yuxi, still fussing with their hair.

Not only their clothes but their hair was a little wet too.

They had shared a single umbrella, and Shi Zhou was still laughing. "Hahaha, I told you we should've brought two umbrellas."

"Half your clothes are soaked. Hurry up and take your jacket off. Change into a dry one."

Asta didn't care and was laughing too. "It's nothing."

Seeing that Shi Zhou's sleeves were also wet, he asked a crew member to fetch another jacket from his suitcase for Shi Zhou. "Don't catch a cold. It's pretty chilly here."

"Yeah, I shivered the moment I got off the spaceship this morning, but it's not cold in the van," Lin Yuxi said.

The four of them chatted.

Su Yue hadn't said a word. After sitting for a while, he walked forward to get out.

Shi Zhou was wiping down the wet spots on his clothes when he sensed someone passing beside him. His eyes lit up. "Yue, you look so handsome today."

Su Yue actually smiled.

Yu Manman didn't think she was exaggerating: the whole scene seemed to brighten despite the gloomy weather.

Su Yue murmured an acknowledgment, picked up his umbrella, and got out to talk to the crew.

The four of them chatted a little longer, mostly listening to Asta tell them about the previous night. Zheng Yu arrived last, yawning nonstop. He climbed into the van in a daze, hoping to catch up on sleep.

"How long till we get there, sir?" Even Zheng Yu's voice was hoarse.

The driver said, "It's not far. Just twenty minutes."

High-speed interstellar travel was incredibly fast.

Everyone laughed. Zheng Yu had gotten carried away having fun the night before, and the crew had had to call him back.

An assistant director sat in the front passenger seat. He frowned at Zheng Yu, but still said:

"Wait until we reach the Hot Spring Resort before you sleep."

He checked the time and asked in puzzlement, "Where's Su Yue?"

Yu Manman said, "He's back."

The driver quickly opened the door, and Su Yue returned to his seat, bringing a trace of chill with him.

A crew member followed him in, and even Director Zhang was there, asking with a genial smile:

"Is everyone cold?"

The crew member carried a bag of small bottles of heated water and eight sachets of granules, which he handed out after coming inside.

"Drink this. It'll help prevent colds."

The temperature difference was rather large, and it wouldn't do for the guests to fall ill.

Everyone thanked Director Zhang. Now that they were more familiar with the directing team, they had discovered that this big-name director was quite easygoing.

Director Zhang acknowledged their thanks with a smile and peered at Su Yue. His eyes were closed, his lashes long, and he leaned against the seat back without a word.

Putting on that sour face again, the brat.

Sensing his gaze, Su Yue opened his eyes, frowned at him, and closed them again.

Heh heh heh.

Director Zhang chuckled to himself, withdrew his meaningful gaze, and watched the guests finish their drinks. Satisfied, he said:

"All right, you were up early. Close your eyes for a bit. We'll be there soon."

They hadn't started livestreaming yet. The crew planned to begin once they reached the Manor, and the remaining two guests should be arriving soon too.

What Director Zhang hadn't expected was that Xie Jiali had not only arrived, but had beaten the crew there.

Having learned their lesson the night before, the Heart-Pounding Expedition crew had booked out an entire hot spring estate. Xie Jiali leaned back on the sofa, his head tilted up, with the lights off.

He heard the guests' laughter and chatter from far away.

"...Quick, quick, get inside! I'm freezing!"

"Hey, don't get water on me!"

Xie Jiali didn't move. He draped an arm over his face, leaving only his finely sculpted jaw exposed.

Then he heard the front door open, and a moment later, glaring light flooded the room.

Zheng Yu had still been sleepy in the van, but he was the sort who perked up in a crowd. He rushed inside first and jumped at the sight of someone reclining on the sofa.

A second later, he realized the person looked familiar.

"...Jiali?"

Xie Jiali answered. The next moment, he heard footsteps and lowered his arm, a faint smile touching his lips.

"Brother Xie? You're back!"

Sure enough, it was Shi Zhou.

He rose from the sofa and looked him over.

Shi Zhou had already entered the living room and taken off his jacket. His cheeks were still faintly flushed, and his eyes were bright, as though he had just run inside.

"When did you get back?" Shi Zhou asked delightedly.

Although Shi Zhou hadn't run in specifically to see him, his reaction alone was enough to make Xie Jiali happy.

Xie Jiali didn't look too well; his face was rather pale. He was handsomely dressed today too, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, his hair swept back to reveal his exceptional bone structure.

He had the air of a refined scoundrel.

"Just a little while ago." Xie Jiali smiled gently, and that impression vanished again.

Xie Jiali had begun practicing calligraphy at three. He had thought that after all these years, his heart was as still as water, but that didn't hold true when it came to Shi Zhou.

He had stayed up late finishing his work, then left without a moment's delay, taking an express service to join the crew.

According to the schedule, he wasn't supposed to arrive until that afternoon. But after watching the previous night's livestream, he had felt he had to return to Shi Zhou's side immediately, right that second!

Even he had to admit that things changed by the day on a dating show. If he didn't hurry back, someone might steal his love right out from under him.

Lin Yuxi, Su Yue.

What were those two trying to do?

Speak of the devil.

Su Yue was dressed differently than usual, in a black coat with a hint of blue peeking out at his vest's neckline.

Xie Jiali straightened.

He had watched the entire livestream yesterday. How could seeing the other man's outfit now put him in a good mood?

Su Yue spoke first. "You're back, Jiali? Zhouzhou, move your suitcases a little. They're blocking the way."

Su Yue glanced at Xie Jiali and pressed his thin lips together. He still spoke in that same lifeless tone, and his words weren't pleasant either.

But Xie Jiali still couldn't relax.

Asta was a kid at heart, doing whatever he pleased. It didn't matter if he liked sticking close to Shi Zhou. Xie Jiali didn't care.

Su Yue was different. Though they hadn't spent much time together, Xie Jiali's impression was that he was decisive and wouldn't let go once he made up his mind. What if that impression was right?

Xie Jiali took another look at Su Yue's outfit. Strutting like a peacock. Who was he dressing up for?

Shi Zhou looked over. With the cold weather and the guests' need to look good on camera, everyone had brought plenty of things, and the crew were helping carry them inside.

A little embarrassed, he hurried to push his two large suitcases out of the way. "...Sorry."

Xie Jiali smiled. "Here, let me help."

Shi Zhou accidentally brushed his hand and exclaimed, "Why are your hands so cold? Don't catch a chill!"

Temperatures on Elysia Star were low. Xie Jiali had probably finished filming on a warmer planet and come without changing his clothes.

"Shall I get you some hot water? Brother Xie, leave this for now and change into something thicker."

The fabric of his clothes was probably meant for summer. That sort of material felt cooler the longer you wore it even in summer, let alone on a rainy day here, where the average temperature was only a few degrees.

Even indoors, it still made a difference.

As the two of them pushed the suitcases ahead, Su Yue heard Shi Zhou's voice from behind them and glanced over with a frown.

By now, the people setting up the venue, adjusting the lighting and decor, and mounting the cameras had all crowded inside. Shi Zhou hurriedly made ready to go, but the floor was a jumble, with other people's suitcases and bags piled together.

"I'll handle this. Go on."

Seeing Su Yue volunteer to help, Shi Zhou smiled gratefully and turned away, reflecting on it.

He was actually quite a nice person, cold on the outside but warm at heart.

Xie Jiali glanced at Su Yue. "Thanks."

Su Yue lifted his eyes to him, then suddenly curled his lips into a smile and said bluntly, "You're welcome."

Shi Zhou hadn't gone far when Xie Jiali heard Yu Manman call:

"Zhouzhou, come help me! Ahhh, I have too much stuff!"

Xie Jiali looked at Shi Zhou and Yu Manman standing together talking, and let out a breath.

He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. His head really did seem to be starting to hurt.