Pei Yanchuan's expression was icy. He had always hated things beyond his control. Ever since he was a child, he had been meticulous in everything he did, enjoying the ease with which he handled every situation-except for suddenly falling for Xu Wang. Pei Yanchuan had always thought "heart-skipping" was an exaggeration, but when he stood outside the registration office and heard Xu Wang call him "hubby," he understood exactly what it meant. They had met before, yet only that one call had made his cold heart race, and from then on, there had been no stopping it.
"Yanchuan? What's wrong?" Feeling the chill coming from the man beside him, Xu Wang hurriedly waved a hand in front of his face. In that moment, he seemed to truly see the coldhearted villain from the novel, and he suddenly felt a little unhappy.
Yun Xi felt an overwhelming presence bearing down on him, leaving him drenched in sweat and trembling. Help! I want to go back half a month and give myself a good hard slap. Yun Xi, just what do you think you're capable of? Trying to land Pei Yanchuan? Take a good look at yourself first!
Yun Xi cautiously raised his head to look at Xu Wang, who had taken the initiative to hug Pei Yanchuan, and couldn't help giving him a mental thumbs-up. Bro, you're amazing.
"Sorry, Xiaowang. Did I scare you?" Coming back to his senses, Pei Yanchuan hurriedly reined in his imposing presence and looked apologetically at his partner in his arms.
"It's okay." Feeling the arms tighten around his waist, Xu Wang gently shook his head.
"Th-then this humble servant will take his leave." Crouching on the floor with both hands gripping the edge of the table, Yun Xi cautiously shuffled toward the door.
Just as he was finally about to step out of this dangerous place, Xu Wang stopped him and pointed at the two cards on the table. "You forgot your money."
"That isn't my money. It's illicit funds. It's evidence. I can't take it." Yun Xi stood up with a righteous expression, firmly refusing to take a single card from the table.
With that, Yun Xi turned and fled as though some terrifying beast were chasing him.
"Pfft..." Covering his mouth, Xu Wang quietly collapsed into Pei Yanchuan's arms with laughter.
A trace of helplessness crossed Pei Yanchuan's face as he looked at the man in his arms.
"What are you planning to do?" Xu Wang looked up at Pei Yanchuan curiously.
"Find the evidence and kick them straight out." A cold glint flashed through Pei Yanchuan's eyes as he spoke.
The next morning, everyone sat at the dining table eating breakfast as though nothing had happened.
Holding his milk, Qin Huai glanced around, his gaze lingering a few seconds longer on Zheng Weiguang and Tian Xiaowu in particular. Remembering what an old friend in the industry had told him to watch out for last night, he looked at the two with a trace of disgust.
Beside him, Gu Yunlan ladled out a bowl of plain rice porridge for Qin Huai and added some sugar.
Qin Huai's eyes lit up at the first spoonful. It was sweet and so delicious.
[Good morning, sisters, and good morning, Xu's Wife!]
[I started camping out in the livestream bright and early.]
[Ever since he joined this variety show, Best Actor Gu has reached new heights of comedy. His fan community has been so lively lately, hahaha.]
[And there are so, so many reaction memes.]
[(Aggrieved) (Don't you love me anymore?) (You bunch of "haters")]
[Hahahahaha, I'm laughing so hard I can barely breathe. Help.]
[I just love watching sweet variety shows and shipping sweet couples. So satisfying.]
[Meng Weiguang and Sister Qu are such a loving old married couple.]
[Our little schemer baby seems to be in a good mood today.]
At the table, Yun Xi was no longer as evasive as he had been yesterday. He took big bites of his meat bun, and the sight made Xia Yu, who was already full, unable to resist eating another bun.
Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the director swaggered in wearing yesterday's sunglasses, a floral shirt, and floral shorts.
"Good morning, everyone. You've all finished breakfast, I take it?" The director had barely finished speaking when the assistant director appeared before them carrying two long rolled-up strips.
The assistant director unrolled both strips on the floor in the middle of the living room.
The pattern on the strips was divided into many small squares.
"Everyone, this morning's game is called 'You Have, I Don't.' There will be no rewards for this game." The director raised an index finger and gently wagged it.
"No rewards? That's no fun. I might as well give up right now." Xia Yu plopped back onto the sofa and sprawled out-
Seeing the director's smiling, completely unruffled face, Xu Wang knew there had to be something else waiting for them.
Sure enough, the director waved the large palm-leaf fan in his hand. "Although there are no rewards, there are penalties. Last place will have to hand over 1,000 yuan to the production team, second to last will pay 800, and third to last will pay 600."
Everyone's eyes widened at the director's words. Just listen to yourself! No rewards, but there are penalties? You're charging us instead?
The livestream chat was flooded with "666" as well.
[666, the director isn't even pretending anymore.]
[How is this not an innovative approach? He doesn't spend a cent, and the guests still have to give the game their all.]
[And pay out of their own pockets.]
[Director, I really do have to see you in a new light today.]
[Honey, the director has evolved!]
[Top-tier comment. Evolved, hahaha. On top of "profiteer director," he's earned himself an "evolved" title.]
[Fight! Fight!]
"Director, isn't this a bit unsporting of you?" Qin Huai's words were a statement, not a question.
"Mm-hmm." The director spread his hands innocently, looking smug enough to say, Go ahead and file a complaint. I'm the director anyway.
"Hubby." Seeing this, Xu Wang turned and tugged on Pei Yanchuan's arm, putting on a pitiful look.
Pei Yanchuan understood instantly and turned his gaze toward the director.
The moment the director saw the big boss looking at him, he hurriedly waved his hands. "Hey, that's not fair!"
"Hahaha." Everyone around them burst out laughing at the director.
[The director loves a bit of fun too.]
[Director: I'm the biggest boss here. Xu Wang: Hubby~ Pei Yanchuan (major financial backer): stares-]
[Hahaha, sis above nailed it.]
"Ahem, back to business. Let me explain exactly how this game works. Each pair will need to divide the work and cooperate. One person from each pair will play 'You Have, I Don't.' For every finger they lower, their partner behind them has to spread their legs one square farther apart. The squares accumulate with the fingers lowered." As the director spoke, a staff member demonstrated beside him. The staff member really gave it his all, holding out until all five fingers had been lowered.
"So this is a flexibility contest?" Qin Huai looked at Gu Yunlan beside him.
Gu Yunlan gave his husband a look that said it was no problem. His dance lessons hadn't been for nothing. Although he couldn't manage a full split, he could get halfway down. That should be enough to hold out for a while.
Looking at Hou Yunqi's jeans, Xia Yu felt a headache coming on. If he had known, they would have worn matching sweatpants today.
Xu Wang looked at Pei Yanchuan's neatly worn suit and grew serious.
For Leng Yifan and Zhong Ran's pair, Zhong Ran volunteered to stand behind because he was flexible.
Touched, Leng Yifan gave him a hug.
For Zheng Weiguang and Qu Rou, Qu Rou was also the one standing behind.
In Yun Xi's pair, Yun Xi narrowly lost to Tian Xiaowu at rock-paper-scissors and took the rear position.
Before the game began, those in the back chose their spots.
Zhong Ran walked briskly over to Pei Yanchuan. "Big Brother Pei, did you sleep well last night?"
Pei Yanchuan's expression instantly soured at the sound of Zhong Ran's voice.
Of course, Xu Wang heard the commotion behind him too. He turned around and switched places with Pei Yanchuan.
"Xiaowang?" Pei Yanchuan turned his head in confusion.
"I think you're better suited to playing this game than I am. Good luck. I believe in you." Xu Wang waved with a bright smile.
At the sight, Zhong Ran's smiling face suddenly stiffened. Perhaps he couldn't accept it right away, and the camera caught that fleeting moment head-on.
[Seriously, isn't Xu Wang a little too possessive? Our Ranran was just saying hello. He can't even stand that?]
[Exactly, exactly. If you think about it, our Ranran knew Pei Yanchuan before Xu Wang did, right?]
[Is he feeling insecure?]
[Seriously, can a certain someone's fans take a look at what they're saying? Is it that hard to tell President Pei finds your fave annoying?]
[Exactly. Zhong Ran actually let his displeasure show just now. Unbelievable.]
[Zhong Ran keeps trying to get President Pei's attention for no reason. We haven't even said anything, and you're already making a fuss.]
Before you continue