Chu Xinghui and the other two arrived last. After Chu Xinghui and Pei Hanmo went ashore, Wan Linqing was still sitting in the boat, wringing water out of her clothes.
Damn it, she hadn't expected Pei Hanmo to paddle even harder. His form had gone crooked toward the end too, splashing even more water onto her!
"Are you okay?"
Only one side of Chu Xinghui was wet. He took off his outer layer and draped it over Wan Linqing.
"I'm fine."
Why would Wan Linqing want Chu Xinghui's clothes?
Her eyes had been on Pei Hanmo from start to finish, okay!
She took the garment off and returned it to Chu Xinghui.
She stood up and followed behind Pei Hanmo.
The rooms inside had all been claimed, leaving only one empty.
Wen Liangtian and Man Feiluan shared a room, as did Hua Zhiyuan and Qiao Tong. To avoid any appearance of impropriety, Lan Xiangxian hadn't taken a room with Yuan Zhanpeng.
"There's no one in that one!"
Wan Linqing pointed at the room right in the middle and called to the two men ahead:
"Why don't we take that room?"
As soon as Pei Hanmo inserted his card, she would immediately step forward.
An expression of imminent triumph appeared on Wan Linqing's face.
Chu Xinghui definitely wouldn't have guessed I'd come prepared!
Opportunity favors the prepared!
Behind him, Wan Linqing sounded as excited as a child spotting cake. Pei Hanmo lowered his head and thought for a moment before speaking:
"I'll share with Yuan Zhanpeng."
"I'll share with-!"
Wan Linqing immediately spoke up, ready to follow, only to discover that Pei Hanmo was already heading toward the room Yuan Zhanpeng had picked.
But she couldn't very well take back what she'd already said, so she made a sharp turn toward another occupied room.
"I'll share with Lan Xiangxian, then. Haha."
Before Chu Xinghui could process what had happened, he had the largest room in the middle all to himself.
Chu Xinghui: ???
He looked at the card in his hand and walked toward the main room in bewilderment.
He stared in bewilderment at the two bedrooms inside.
[I'm dying. He got the best room looking completely clueless.]
[Chu Xinghui: Wait, I, huh?]
"Hello... my name is Lan Xiangxian."
Lan Xiangxian was a little surprised to see Wan Linqing sharing his room.
But he still obediently greeted her.
Wan Linqing merely glanced at him, impatience plain on her face:
"A nobody of an actor like you should thank your lucky stars you get to share a place with me."
The camera operator was still outside and hadn't come in. She walked inside to inspect the accommodations.
There were two bedrooms, one of which was so tiny it could only fit one person sleeping.
But Lan Xiangxian had the good sense to take that room, leaving the larger one for Wan Linqing.
She nodded with slight satisfaction. Her assistant had just brought her luggage over, and she wanted to change clothes now.
Wan Linqing's expression had changed so drastically that Lan Xiangxian hadn't recovered.
The Director gave them some time to unpack, and he took out his phone to message Wen Liangtian.
[Lan Xiangxian: Wan Linqing is sharing my room.]
The two had exchanged contact information last time and had stayed in touch after the variety show.
Wen Liangtian really didn't want to stay at that entertainment company and often took Lan Xiangxian out for fun.
[Liangtian: Is she completely different on and off camera? Lots of people in entertainment are like that. You'll get used to it. If you really can't stand it, come find me and Man Feiluan in the middle of the night.]
Wen Liangtian knew all too well what Wan Linqing was like, because he was that kind of person himself.
To win his father's affection, he could act perfectly well-behaved in front of his stepmother.
[Lan Xiangxian: Thank you, Liangtian.]
After everyone finished organizing their belongings, they came outside the old residence and stood in a row, waiting for the Director's instructions.
"Today, our plan is to explore the Ancient Town..."
For once, the task didn't look particularly demanding.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"But..."
Wang Xiao spoke again.
The breath everyone had just released caught in their throats, stuck halfway, unable to go up or down.
"There are lots of NPCs in the Ancient Town, some of whom I invited. You need to find those NPCs and collect stamps."
Each of the nine was handed a piece of cardstock with twenty empty circles on it.
[The Director really knows how to draw out a pause.]
[Look how scared all nine of them are. They almost thought they were about to meet their maker, hahaha.]
[This Ancient Town looks so familiar. It's right by my house. I'm heading down to watch!]
[Really, girl? I'm so jealous, sob.]
"Are there any hints?"
Man Feiluan asked.
"Since the Ancient Town is so big, we do have hints. There'll be an official camera and a flag. They'll be easy to spot."
Wang Xiao opened his phone and showed the nine of them a picture:
"Of course, these stamps are also important. They'll determine what you get for lunch."
This time, Wang Xiao had confiscated everyone's money. They didn't have a single cent on them, so they couldn't buy anything in the Ancient Town.
They could only wander around aimlessly.
Man Feiluan grabbed Yuan Zhanpeng's hand and charged into the crowd, leaving behind only the sight of their retreating backs and his laughter ringing toward the sky:
"Hahahaha! Lunch is mine!"
Wen Liangtian walked over to Lan Xiangxian and asked, "Want to look together?"
Lan Xiangxian had previously talked to him about his family, as well as about Gu Chupei keeping him.
That was unavoidable.
Wen Liangtian had offered to help, but he had refused. He didn't want to owe anyone more favors.
Wen Liangtian understood, but to prevent Wan Linqing from bullying Lan Xiangxian, he decided to act first and take Lan Xiangxian away.
"Okay."
Lan Xiangxian accepted Wen Liangtian's olive branch and followed him off to the side to start looking for NPCs.
[I thought Wen Liangtian was a cutie, but looking at him now, he's clearly a domineering CEO too!]
[Like I've always said, our Liangtian just doesn't want to go home and inherit the family business. He's still got that domineering CEO aura!]
[Such boyfriend energy! How is this a random pairing? Ship it, everyone, ship it!]
Gu Chupei had been watching the show cheerfully so that he could immediately handle PR if anything unexpected happened, while also admiring Lan Xiangxian's face.
But someone had suddenly barged in out of nowhere. What was Wen Liangtian's deal? Was he trying to steal his man?
His brow furrowed, his eyes fixed firmly on Wen Liangtian's hand holding Lan Xiangxian's, betraying jealousy even he hadn't noticed.
It wasn't that Lan Xiangxian couldn't have anyone around him. It was just that, with the two of them being so close, of course I'd feel uncomfortable.
Gu Chupei consoled himself inwardly.
After all, I'd paid for him. I could even pay to keep Lan Xiangxian locked up at home and never let him out.
But I hadn't done that. I'd given Lan Xiangxian plenty of freedom.
Lan Xiangxian was getting far too brazen now.
Gu Chupei clenched his hand into a tight fist, his nails digging into his flesh.
I'd still given Lan Xiangxian too much freedom, making him forget his place.
It looked like some terms of the contract would have to change once Lan Xiangxian returned.
Gu Chupei placed both hands beneath his chin, then picked up his phone and called someone at the hospital.
Before you continue