Game 1

At the director's request, the two teams were to play a little game after their meal.

The game involved finding the final destination. Each team had a clue, and both teams received the same one. They would split up, and whichever team found the final destination first would win a mystery grand prize.

Once both sides received their cards, they immediately went their separate ways.

Gu Nian'an unfolded the slip of paper. It read, "Little feet, long legs. A red hat and a white robe."

Mu Chen leaned over to look, muttering, "Little feet, long legs? A red hat and a white robe? What's that supposed to mean? Is it a brainteaser?"

Yu Songqing shook his head and looked at Gu Nian'an.

Gu Nian'an thought for a moment, then clapped his hands and flashed a mischievous smile. "I've got it. It's a red-crowned crane. A red head, a white body, small feet, and long legs."

Mu Chen looked puzzled. "Are they asking us to find a live red-crowned crane?" The production crew wouldn't be that sneaky, would they?

As the two pondered what the answer meant, Yu Songqing spoke hesitantly. "There are two pairs of red-crowned crane sculptures in Lan City, right in the city center." With that, he looked questioningly at Gu Nian'an, as though waiting for his opinion.

Gu Nian'an unconsciously rubbed his fingers together. This scene hadn't been described in the book. He had only worked out the riddle because he had often played brainteasers out of boredom as a child.

Seeing that Gu Nian'an couldn't decide, Mu Chen said, "Let's go take a look first. If that doesn't work, we'll think of something else."

The two nodded in agreement.

[Just passing through for a taste of Songqing/Nian'an. That unconscious dependence on each other is so good.]

[Can that talentless pretty face's brain-dead fans get lost?]

[Any creators making fanworks? Innocent puppy x gentle, considerate wife.]

[Please, creators, feed us. We're hungry.]

[Pretty-face fans, stop trying to whitewash him, okay?]

[Who's whitewashing anything? I'm just passing through for a bite. So he's a pretty face. Is the entertainment industry short on those? What's it to you if I like a sweet, adorable little pretty face?]

[Mu Chen's life matters too. He's stuck in the middle watching them be all lovey-dovey. (doge)]

[Leave our award-winning actor Mu out of this.]

The three spent fifteen on a taxi to the city center. After following the navigation for ages, they finally found the red-crowned crane sculptures. Sure enough, an NPC from the production crew was already waiting there.

Seeing the three arrive, the NPC, who wore a production crew badge, waved at them.

"Congratulations on finding the first riddle location. You still have two-thirds of the way to go before reaching the final answer. Next, you'll need to play a little game to receive your second clue."

As the NPC spoke, they took out three stickers and attached one to each of them: number 1 for Mu Chen, number 2 for Gu Nian'an, and number 3 for Yu Songqing.

After attaching the stickers, the NPC shook the cardboard box in their hands and began explaining the rules. "The rules are that I'll draw two challenges from this box. You'll only receive the clue once you've completed them. Is everyone ready?" The NPC finished with an indulgent, knowing grin at the three.

Gu Nian'an and Yu Songqing exchanged a glance and nodded. Mu Chen chimed in, "Let's start."

The NPC drew a slip from the box, unfolded it, and glanced at the three before saying, "Number 2, please sit on number 1's back while number 1 does thirty push-ups."

Gu Nian'an immediately choked. Help, what kind of ridiculous task is this?

Yu Songqing pressed his lips together, his hands hanging at his sides as he watched the two without a word.

Once Mu Chen recovered, he immediately put on a smile, sat down on the ground, and patted his lower back as he addressed the young man. "It's fine. I've got a strong back. Let's make this quick."

With that, he got into position and waited for the young man to sit on him.

[Help! Stay away from our award-winning actor Mu! Can this pretty face get lost?!]

[To the commenter above, the NPC drew that slip, and the director decided how the game works. What does any of that have to do with Gu Nian'an?]

[Just a passerby here for the drama. This is hilarious!!]

Seeing that Mu Chen was already in position, Gu Nian'an couldn't very well refuse. He hurried over and carefully sat sideways across Mu Chen's lower back.

Feeling the warm, soft contact against his back, Mu Chen couldn't help spacing out a little. He turned to glance at the blushing young man, then began.

The up-and-down motion made it difficult for Gu Nian'an to sit steadily. Just then, Yu Songqing suddenly walked over and held out a hand to him. Gu Nian'an looked up in confusion.

Yu Songqing told him expressionlessly, "Hold on to me. Don't fall." Gu Nian'an instinctively clasped his hand, using the support to steady himself.

Ah, no wonder he's such a popular supporting male character in the book. He's so nice.

Yu Songqing brushed the other's fingertips as though by accident, and a tingling sensation rose from deep within him. Before he could continue, Mu Chen finished his thirty push-ups.

Yu Songqing immediately pulled Gu Nian'an up off Mu Chen. Mu Chen dusted off his sleeves and looked at their joined hands, his gaze darkening slightly. He quickly replaced it with a smile and said casually, "Nian'an, you're pretty light. That didn't take any effort at all."

Gu Nian'an let go of Yu Songqing's hand and thanked him, then turned to the NPC. "We've finished the first challenge. What's next?"

The NPC continued drawing slips from the box. Yu Songqing looked at his own hand, lowering his eyes slightly as the look in them kept shifting.

[H-help, is this something a kid like me can watch for free?]

[This is so good, so good! Any creators making fanworks? This romantic showdown is delicious!]

[Yu Songqing, could you be any more in love!!!!]

[Genuine question: can Gu Nian'an put people under a spell?]

[Where are Yu's fans? Why don't I see any? Why aren't any of them talking? Are they in a bad mood?]

[Yu's fans have gone off to sulk, hahahaha.]

[Just a passerby having a taste of this love triangle.]

[Former Gu Nian'an hater, now Gu Nian'an's puppy. Woof! My wife is so delicate and adorable!]

[Hahahahaha, I can't take the way Yu Songqing is acting.]

[Stop laughing, commenter above. You're going to laugh the house down.]

[Bai Wei fan passing through. Just have to say, Gu Nian'an really does have something going for him.]

Elsewhere, a man watched the livestream, his fingers tapping incessantly against the desk, as though trying to conceal the inexplicable irritation rising within him.

As he watched the blushing young man on the screen, his eyes grew colder and colder. Should he tell him about the obligations he was meant to fulfill over those three years, such as keeping his distance from other men?

The NPC continued reading the challenge. "Numbers 3 and 2, please complete thirty squats with a bridal carry."

Gu Nian'an pressed a hand to his forehead, speechless. Again?