Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, Pei Tingyun dared not take the gamble.
He never wanted to go through those nightmarish experiences again, no matter what...
Although Pei Tingyun desperately wanted to know the truth.
He still chose not to press the matter to the bitter end during a livestream like this.
He would let them both keep their dignity.
Once tonight's livestream ended.
He would find Xie Huan alone and ask him to clear things up.
As for now...
Pei Tingyun turned toward the other three, who seemed focused on preparing ingredients but were actually straining to catch the gossip:
"Do you eat garlic chives?"
This time, Yao Xuan, Tang Keni, and Gu Lin reached a tacit agreement.
All three shook their heads.
Every one of them declared firmly:
"No!"
With their preferences successfully aligned, Pei Tingyun was thoroughly satisfied:
"Okay, no garlic chives, then."
Then he looked at Xie Huan and said:
"Keep directing us."
An hour later...
The kitchen finally settled down after all the chaos.
Lunch was served.
The camera zoomed in on four dishes and a soup.
There was even a slurping sound effect.
The viewers watching the fun in the livestream suddenly felt a little hungry:
[That actually looks pretty good!]
[Big Bro controlled the entire process, and everyone cooperated so well. This season really has the lineup with the best team spirit.]
[I can't even imagine how good this would taste if Xie Huan cooked it himself!]
[Hello, let me have a bite. (Chew, chew, chew.)]
[Those who know what's good have already started ordering takeout.]
[Uh, am I the only one who thinks they're eating pretty vegetarian? Why didn't they cook the fish they caught earlier?]
The production team hadn't expected this either.
They had deliberately provided only enough ingredients for two dishes: stir-fried potato, eggplant, and green pepper, and scrambled eggs with garlic chives.
Yet without lifting a finger himself, Xie Huan had managed to come up with so many variations.
The director was now starting to wonder whether the other four really couldn't cook.
In fact, the other four had only discovered today that their cooking could taste this good.
Aside from Pei Tingyun, who was watching his image.
Everyone else wolfed down their food.
Tang Keni kept giving Xie Huan a thumbs-up as he ate.
Chewing his food, he mumbled:
"This is amazing! Big Bro Xie is a cooking god. We're saved!"
Xie Huan said, "These dishes are all easy. Once we get some meat, I'll make you guys something fancy!"
Which raised the question.
When would they get meat?
Everyone turned their gaze toward the director off-camera.
With no bones to gnaw on and nothing to do but quietly eat dog food, the husky also raised his head from his bowl in perfect sync and looked at the director.
The director, who was shoveling down rice, choked under their stares.
Then he swallowed his food and nodded with rare generosity:
"Yes, you'll have meat tonight."
The Roaming Group cheered as one.
As though the husky had understood too, he started wagging his little tail.
Having meat was good, of course, but Pei Tingyun vaguely felt something was off.
Throughout the show's first two seasons, the director had consistently stuck to his utterly inhumane ways.
How could he possibly grant their wish for meat so easily?
Surely he wasn't digging another pit for them to jump into?
Pei Tingyun was still pondering this.
Then he looked up.
And suddenly realized that Xie Huan, who had been sitting opposite him just moments ago, had vanished.
He scanned the area.
And spotted some commotion where the production staff had gathered to eat.
Then.
He saw Xie Huan carrying a huge plate of braised fish.
He sprinted toward the dining table as the production staff chased after him, shouting.
"Stop him! He stole the fish!"
"Stop! Don't run!"
Only when Xie Huan ran into the livestream's main shot did the staff stop chasing him.
They all cast resentful little looks at the director.
The director was helpless too.
This Xie Huan hadn't just led Pei Tingyun astray.
Now he was turning into a bandit.
The director picked up his megaphone. "Xie Huan broke the rules! Bring that fish back!"
Having finally reached his destination, Xie Huan set the fish on the table.
He frantically signaled the other Roaming Group members with his eyes.
Urging them to hurry and take some for their bowls.
As long as they moved fast enough.
Even if the director really did demand the fish back, there would only be a few bones left on the plate.
Xie Huan sat down.
He piled fish into his bowl while stalling the director:
"What rule did I break? You only said I couldn't cook. You never said I couldn't steal food!"
Before the director could argue, Xie Huan added:
"Besides, our Ting'er has such delicate skin. Could you bear to make him clean a fish? If he went and cut his hand, just think how heartbroken his fans would be!"
As soon as he said that.
The ship fans in the livestream were happy again:
[Oh, come on. If you'd be heartbroken, just say so. No need to drag us into it!]
[I was wondering why they hadn't cooked the fish. Turns out he had a backup plan!]
[Our Big Bro really is smart. If the raw ones are hard to cook, just steal a cooked one.]
[The saying "your big bro will always be your big bro" just keeps proving its worth!]
The director had spent years sparring with guests on reality shows. He was no fool.
Seeing them snatch up fish at practically rocket-launch speed, he guessed that Xie Huan was stalling.
No matter.
Whatever they threw at him, he could handle it.
When it came to tormenting guests, he had no shortage of tricks.
Still...
The director's gaze swept over Xie Huan and Pei Tingyun.
What a perfect traffic magnet!
He had to put it to use!
The director whispered a few words to the staff member beside him.
Before long.
The staff laid five pairs of meter-long chopsticks in front of the Roaming Group.
The five froze in the middle of frantically transferring fish into their bowls.
Then they heard the director start up with his megaphone again:
"Fine, let's say Xie Huan didn't break any rules by stealing the fish. But there are rules for eating it."
The five Roaming Group members exchanged glances.
A bad feeling crept over them.
Then.
That feeling came true.
The director said, "You must use the long chopsticks in front of you to eat the fish."
The Roaming Group erupted in groans.
Tang Keni said, "How are we supposed to eat with these? Even if we can pick up the fish, we can't reach our mouths!"
Watching Tang Keni try to pick up fish with the extra-long chopsticks, Xie Huan suddenly had an idea.
They were awkward for feeding yourself, but they could feed each other!
As Xie Huan picked up some fish, he said to Pei Tingyun across from him:
"Here, Ting'er, open up."
Seeing the chopsticks reach his lips.
Pei Tingyun was rather speechless.
Ever since the garlic chive incident earlier.
Pei Tingyun had become a little wary of Xie Huan.
So when they sat down to eat.
He had deliberately kept his distance from Xie Huan.
And sat opposite him.
Yet...
Now that had only made it easier for Xie Huan to feed him with the long chopsticks.
I seriously give up...
What kind of inescapable ill-fated bond is this...?
Although Pei Tingyun felt somewhat resistant to Xie Huan feeding him fish right now.
He was working, after all.
Cooperating with the director to create highlights for the show was also part of his job.
So he could only keep his resistance and wariness hidden.
And obediently open his mouth.
He bit down on the fish between the chopsticks.
Seeing him eat it.
Xie Huan turned back to pick up another piece.
His smile was downright guileless.
Watching him, Pei Tingyun felt a jumble of emotions.
Xie Huan seemed like such a sincere person.
Surely he wouldn't have anything to do with stalker fans...
Could he be being too sensitive?
After feeding Pei Tingyun almost half a bowl of fish, Xie Huan opened his own mouth and asked to be fed:
"Ah-feed your big bro a couple of bites too, huh?"