Which... skills did you mean?

For a variety show full of nobodies like Lucky Inn to invite two big names at once was unbelievable-not just to the fans, but even to Maple Blue Entertainment's executives.

Even more absurdly, Ji Yuanming hadn't been lured over with a hefty sum. He had volunteered to take part in filming.

Although it was only for one short season, that was enough to boost the ratings and bring in a fresh wave of traffic.

Gu Feng felt he had landed an incredible bargain, but he simply couldn't figure out what had attracted Ji Yuanming.

Could his innate business acumen have impressed the man so much that he bowed down in admiration?

Or had Lucky Inn's unconventional filming style captivated him and sent his inspiration soaring?

Gu Feng pinched the contract between his fingers, lost in thought. Suddenly, his phone rang, and he lowered his eyes to glance at it.

"Yu?"

He pressed the answer button and asked, "What brings this on? You're actually calling me?"

Yu Fengyi frowned. "Cut the snide remarks. Do you still want to discuss the South Street partnership?"

"Of course. We're brothers-we make money together." Gu Feng's smile didn't reach his eyes, but his voice brimmed with warmth.

He looked every bit the seasoned business operator.

"Any new instructions today?" he asked after a pause.

Yu Fengyi raised a hand to rub between his brows, seeming hesitant to speak. "Well, that variety show of yours? Can someone outside the industry come on as a guest?"

"Outside the industry?" Gu Feng sounded puzzled. After considering it for a moment, he said, "That depends on what this outsider can bring to the show."

"A one-million investment."

Gu Feng fell silent. The sponsorship he couldn't secure despite all that effort had just come knocking?!

Wasn't this windfall a little too sudden?!

Ji Yuanming didn't get out of the car right away. Through the window, he looked at the old, weathered Mountain Villa, with its peeling exterior walls, crude renovations, and tacky style, asking himself more than once,

Had a donkey kicked him in the head?

Why had he gone crazy and come here to film?

How much would he have to pay for breaching the contract if he backed out now?

There should still be time to turn around and head back to the airport, right?

As he wrestled with doubt and cursed, Ji Yuanming suddenly spotted a figure standing by a ground-floor window of the Mountain Villa.

His features were exquisite and beautiful, his expression cool and distant. His slightly narrowed, elongated eyes glanced over, his gaze casual, lazy, and unrestrained, like some master standing above worldly affairs while everyone else was an ant...

That arrogant, disdainful bearing once again stirred an unnamed, towering surge within Ji Yuanming. He pushed open the car door and stepped out.

A cool breeze swept through the woods, lifting his loose shirt and offering glimpses of his abdominal muscles at his waist.

A staff member inside the Mountain Villa immediately let out an excited squeal. "Wow-so sexy! No wonder he's Asia's top male model! That body... I want to lick my screen!"

Jian Ran pursed his lips dismissively. "Is that really necessary? I think Lu Yanting's body is way better than his."

"Who?" Qi Rui hadn't caught it and leaned closer, eager for gossip. "Who's way better?"

Jian Ran didn't answer, but someone leaning against the wall in a corner curled his lips, an almost imperceptible pleasure spreading across his face.

Before long, Li Yuan announced in the ground-floor reception room, "Everyone, welcome our new member, Ji Yuanming!"

Somehow, thunderous applause rose from the sparse gathering.

Clearly, everyone was quite welcoming toward the famous model.

Except for Jian Ran, who looked nauseated, and Emperor Lu, who clung to his icy persona throughout.

Standing beside Li Yuan, Ji Yuanming smiled politely in greeting. When his gaze fell on Jian Ran's and Lu Yanting's faces, it lingered briefly before moving away.

After the brief ceremony, Li Yuan motioned for everyone to quiet down. "During last night's trial run, our inn welcomed its first guest. That was an auspicious start, but we absolutely can't let our guard down."

"We should get the inn's name out there and attract more guests who come because of its reputation."

"There's also another issue I need to explain to everyone in advance." Li Yuan paused before continuing, "The ingredients in the fridge last night were only enough to feed the whole inn for one day. After that, we'll need to take care of our daily meals ourselves..."

Before he could finish, Yang Ruoxi complained, "Out here in the middle of nowhere, where are we supposed to find food?!"

Li Yuan smiled. "Our theme this time is being green and environmentally friendly, so our meals need to be all-natural too."

"Nature has given us so many gifts, such as wild vegetables, wild rabbits..."

He was building up feeling and setting the tone for the inn's theme when someone interrupted again. "Assistant director, aren't you afraid the animal protection association will come knocking?"

Li Yuan fell silent. Shit, I forgot about that!

Some TV drama had featured a cat pretending to be poisoned to death, setting off wave after wave of online protests. That relentless bombardment was no joke!

At that thought, he immediately smoothed things over. "I was just giving an example. With all the resources across the Taihang Mountains, why insist on eating cute little bunnies?"

Sitting with one leg crossed over the other, Jian Ran pursed his lips and said no more.

Li Yuan gave one final rallying call, clapping his hands. "Come on, let's get moving. While we don't have any guests, let's make the most of our time and head out of the Mountain Villa to search for lunch and dinner."

Ever since Ji Yuanming had joined, he had been even more motivated.

It was as though the chief director's seat had already been vacated, and as long as he worked hard and made the show a hit, sooner or later he could plop himself into it.

Before anyone knew it, Li Yuan was already handing out bamboo baskets and sending the show's camera crew ahead, declaring that they would reproduce the Taihang Mountains' beautiful scenery for the audience.

Jian Ran remained seated on the sofa, his gaze sweeping briefly toward the rear window. A corner of the dilapidated village came into view. Amid the steady drizzle, a white figure flashed past and quickly vanished.

He keenly caught that anomaly and snorted softly. "You really wouldn't die if you didn't go asking for it!"

"What did you say?"

Suddenly, a male voice landed by his ear, husky and resonant, with a hint of displeasure.

Jian Ran lifted his eyes and saw those handsome features of mixed Chinese and European heritage. His brows instantly knitted with irritation. "What does anything I say have to do with you?"

That attitude sent anger surging through Ji Yuanming, but he couldn't show it. He only lowered his voice and said through gritted teeth, "What are you making a fuss about? I haven't said anything about breaking up with you lately!"

Jian Ran rose from the armchair, a mocking smile curling his lips. "Oh? So I should be thanking you, then?"

"But sorry, you've just been dumped."

"Don't keep pestering me. It'll only make you look cheap!"

With that, he stepped away, only to unexpectedly meet Lu Yanting's deep gaze head-on.

Jian Ran froze for a second, then smiled indifferently. "Don't worry, Emperor Lu. My private life might be a little messy,"

"but I've got skills."

"Quality guaranteed."

"You..."

Lu Yanting glanced at Ji Yuanming's livid face, then looked back at Jian Ran's gorgeous, defiant features. A barely perceptible curve touched his thin lips.

"Which... skills did you mean?"