They spent several hours searching for ingredients.
By the time the other two teams had found most of what they needed and returned, Bai Luochuan had already enjoyed a comfortable nap in the waiting area.
The weather in late spring and early summer was not all that hot.
The sunlight was warm, too, without being too dazzling.
A parasol cast a patch of shade overhead.
Most of his body lay in the sunshine.
Bai Luochuan rested both hands on the armrests of his chair and stretched out his legs.
His trouser legs were rolled up at the calves, exposing a stretch of fair skin.
Because his build really was rather slender, his clothes hung loosely on him, lending him an even more delicate, endearing air.
His black hair was soft and smooth.
His long eyelashes also cast two curved shadows beneath his eyes.
His eyes were closed.
Everything about him looked utterly relaxed and at ease.
That was the sight that greeted Yan Cheng when he walked over carrying several signs.
Of course, this was not his first time meeting Bai Luochuan.
Or rather, they had been more than familiar with each other before.
After all, that guy had always followed him around like a dog. Even if he had wanted not to notice, it would have been rather difficult.
He really was beautiful.
His personality was simply too unlikable.
Although the way he put Yan Cheng on a pedestal did leave Yan Cheng quite satisfied.
But that very attitude instead made Yan Cheng feel that he only deserved to appear as his servant, and was not even qualified to stand beside him.
So Yan Cheng had never reciprocated any of the romantic hopes Bai Luochuan had harbored before.
And that was not all.
There had been no kisses, no hugs.
He had been unwilling to have even the most ordinary physical contact with Bai Luochuan.
But he had still allowed Bai Luochuan to remain around him.
Sometimes, he found him pleasing to the eye.
Most of the time, he could also enjoy the feeling of being worshipped like a god.
That had left him particularly satisfied.
Unfortunately, the instant the paparazzi caught Bai Luochuan outside his home, none of that satisfaction mattered anymore.
Yan Cheng was a high-quality Alpha.
Of course he could not have romantic rumors linking him to an ordinary Beta like Bai Luochuan.
So he had drawn up an agreement for Bai Luochuan.
From then on, whether at work or in his personal life, Bai Luochuan could not appear before him for any reason.
He could not tell anyone that the two of them knew each other.
Much less reveal any of their past interactions.
It was an utterly unfair agreement.
But Bai Luochuan had obediently accepted it.
Just as he had countless times before.
Back then, Yan Cheng had even thought that although the dog he kept could be quite annoying sometimes, he really would not disobey a single command Yan Cheng gave.
His servility only made him more disgusting.
But it did not matter.
They would never have anything to do with each other again anyway, so he did not need to think much about it.
But when he learned that Bai Luochuan would also be joining him on this variety show, irritation instantly welled up in Yan Cheng's heart.
He had been far too kind to Bai Luochuan.
Even a dog had gotten the idea that it could dare to defy him.
But that did not matter either.
A ridiculous clown would only serve as a foil on the show.
He would make good use of Bai Luochuan as a stepping stone.
And reach an even greater height.
That was what he had originally settled on, but when he saw Bai Luochuan again on the show, Yan Cheng inexplicably felt that this person seemed to have become completely different from the pathetic simp he had known before.
He did not know the reason for the change.
His gaze simply drifted toward the other man instinctively.
Like right now.
He actually thought Bai Luochuan looked extraordinarily beautiful in the sunlight.
More beautiful than every Omega he had ever seen.
For an instant, the sight even made his heart flutter involuntarily.
But in the next second.
Before he could even compose himself.
An exceedingly icy gaze fixed directly on Yan Cheng.
It was like the suppression of one beast by a superior species.
It was only a look.
Yet it made Yan Cheng go rigid all over. He immediately withdrew his gaze, not daring to look in that direction again.
Fuck.
Just what the hell was Bai Luochuan?
Hadn't he been chasing after him and fawning over him every single day before?
When had he found the time to go fawn over Qi Yu?
And why did it look like he had actually succeeded!?
His irritation reached its peak.
Fortunately, the host came forward and led all the guests to the central area, then began collecting their signs, saying they would distribute ingredients according to what was written on them.
Naturally, Bai Luochuan's team received the most ingredients.
They only took what they needed, though.
With three meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, Bai Luochuan mentally ran through the dishes they could make and felt that would be enough.
As for Lan Muxing's team, they took as much as they could. But most of what they got was vegetables, which, according to Lan Muxing, also suited his diet better.
By comparison, Chu Zhu and He Gui's team's haul was a complete jumble.
Because right from the start of the game, they had chosen to go their separate ways. Each had searched for signs on their own, without any intention of working together.
As a result, everything they ultimately brought back consisted of seasonings and staple foods that did not require cooperation between two people.
They could barely scrape together a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes.
The production team took pity on them and said that, if they wanted, they could replace dinner with crew boxed meals. They had prepared plenty anyway, and certainly would not let the guests go hungry.
As for the ingredients the guests had found, they could ask the production team's chefs to help make two dishes. If they wanted to, the guests could show off their own cooking skills with the rest, and the production team would of course be very supportive.
It was the sort of cooking segment that was practically a staple of similar variety shows.
Yan Cheng and Lan Muxing had long since prepared to pair up as a couple on this show.
So, of course, they had planned out segments like this from the very beginning.
Lan Muxing was playing the role of a ditzy beauty who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen.
So when he heard what the host said, he immediately gave Yan Cheng's sleeve a gentle tug. "Yan Cheng, just two dishes will be enough for us."
Of course, Yan Cheng shook his head and patted Lan Muxing's hand reassuringly. "You don't need to settle for less. I can cook. Just leave it to me."
The two exchanged a glance.
Their eyes were filled with endless tenderness.
Meanwhile, not far from them, Bai Luochuan had woken up and already fetched a cleaver from the kitchen.
He looked fiercely at the host.
Bai Luochuan asked, "Are we starting to cook now? Is the meat ready to use, or do we have to prepare it ourselves? I've got my knife ready. Where do I get the chickens, ducks, and fish?"
Everyone: ...
For some reason, there were even a few patches of blood on the blade.
Coupled with Bai Luochuan's murderous air...
He did not look like he was about to cook dinner.
He looked like he was about to cook them for dinner.
They had to ask again.
This really was a dating show, right!?
Before you continue