Nan Qing was practically numb.
He knew Xi Juan was shameless, but he hadn't expected that, after all these years and becoming a Best Actor, Xi Juan would have grown even more thick-skinned.
With a livestream camera right in front of them, he was deliberately whispering to him. What was he trying to do?
Nan Qing said without a change in expression, "No."
Sure enough, the livestream chat had already exploded.
Everyone jumped into the fray, eager to stir up more drama.
"What the hell? Xi Juan knows Nan Qing? He's in for some serious bad luck!"
"Ooh! Xi Juan's fans have a sister-in-law now~"
"Emmm, why does our big-name Best Actor look like an abandoned little wife right now?"
"Something feels weird. Don't know what to say, but I'll ship it a little."
"Ship what?! Flop fans, get lost and keep your hands off him!"
As the chat argued heatedly, everyone at the filming location had their own thoughts.
Bai Ruanruan clenched his teeth, watching Nan Qing with a veiled, venomous gaze.
Fox spirit! He really was a fox spirit through and through!
Xi Juan was his canon husband! Nan Qing was actually taking the initiative to seduce his husband. Had he no shame?!
Lin Tang and Yu Xingyan also kept looking between Xi Juan and Nan Qing, their thoughts unknown.
Professor Chen, however, looked perfectly calm. He raised a hand to adjust his glasses and said nothing.
For the first time, "Hello, World" had abandoned its previous prerecorded format in favor of a livestream. Director Xu Zhen had initially been apprehensive, but seeing the viewer count soar now put his heart completely at ease.
A modestly known little show like theirs naturally wouldn't dare invite Best Actor Xi Juan, who never descended to the mortal realm to film variety shows. No one would probably believe it, but Xi Juan had contacted them first, saying he wanted to take part in an episode.
Xu Zhen had initially thought a windfall had landed in his lap. He hadn't expected Best Actor Xi to have something else in mind.
Whatever he had in mind, at this rate, their variety show would reach a new peak since its premiere anyway.
Grinning from ear to ear, Xu Zhen explained the show's rules.
"A thousand mountains dark as ink, ten thousand waterways smooth as silk. The pleasures of the countryside have kept people lingering since ancient times. Today, our production team has joined our guests here in Pingqiao for a two-day, one-night shoot."
"This episode consists of three rounds. You'll form teams of two to complete tasks, with an opportunity to change teams after each round. The first team to collect all the badges wins."
"Now, please form your own teams and collect your tasks for the first round."
At the center of the shot was a table draped in red cloth, with three wooden plaques lying facedown on top.
The camera shifted, returning to the six guests.
"Lol, calling it now: Xi Juan's fans are about to go crazy again."
Sure enough, as soon as the camera turned back, Xi Juan's peach-blossom eyes curved as he invited Nan Qing.
"Qingqing, let's team up."
"I've never been on a variety show before. We're friends, aren't we? You wouldn't be so heartless as to abandon me!"
The corner of Nan Qing's mouth twitched.
Before he could say anything, though, Bai Ruanruan's face had nearly turned green with anger.
But he wasn't famous yet, and no one paid him any attention at all.
Nan Qing considered it, looked at one of the cameras pointed right at him, and nodded.
"Sure."
With Xi Juan's status, and with him taking the initiative to suggest teaming up, who would dare swoop in and steal his partner?
Besides, if he refused again this time, Xi Juan's fans would probably chase him down and curse him for spurning the favor.
Of course, some viewers who had just entered the livestream didn't know what was going on.
"Who's this handsome blond guy? Since when was there someone like him in the entertainment industry? Is he a newly debuted rookie?"
"Hit with a beauty attack the moment I came in! That face is incredible!"
"What a glorious face! Wifey, lick lick lick~"
"Nan Qing actually has fans? Does he not have enough dirt on him already? If you don't have internet at home, borrow someone's Wi-Fi and look him up."
"The entertainment industry's weed killer. His acting is trash and his character scores below zero. What kind of person stans a resources darling like him?"
"Gonna puke. That plastic face makes me sick. I'll look at the other handsome guys to cleanse my eyes!"
There was plenty of praise in the chat, but even more abuse. Especially after Nan Qing agreed to team up with Xi Juan, his popularity score soared, already surpassing Lin Tang's despite the latter's fan support.
Almost without considering it, Lin Tang invited the young man standing beside him.
"Ruanruan, let's team up!"
There really wasn't anything to consider. Everything was plain to see.
He didn't get along with Yu Xingyan, and that remaining Professor Chen offered nothing worth watching. He'd have to be an idiot to team up with either of them.
Lin Tang looked at Bai Ruanruan with a sense of superiority, knowing he wouldn't refuse.
After all, as a new face, who knew how badly Bai Ruanruan wanted to suck his blood for exposure?
Bai Ruanruan agreed with a smile too, but inwardly, he was cursing up a storm.
How dare a mere actor act superior in front of him? Didn't he know he was the Bai Family's young master?
Once he became famous, Lin Tang would have plenty of chances to lick his boots.
Once the four of them had chosen, the remaining Yu Xingyan and Professor Chen formed a team of their own.
Each team sent a representative to collect their task, and Director Xu Zhen smiled sinisterly.
"Another reminder, everyone: how you complete this task will directly affect your lunch, so make sure you give it your all!"
A short while later, the camera shifted, revealing the answers.
Nan Qing and Xi Juan would pick mushrooms.
Bai Ruanruan and Lin Tang would pick apples.
Yu Xingyan and Professor Chen would dig up sweet potatoes.
"In two hours, our local farmers will come to collect these three crops. Once they pass inspection, you'll receive some resources."
"Lmao, Director Xu's resources? Don't tell me he'll leave them two sweet potatoes, one mushroom, and a few apples?"
"Could also be a handful of dried wild greens and a live chicken flapping all over the place. Stingy Director Xu really knows how to pull this stuff!"
"Then they might very well go hungry until tonight. Apart from Professor Chen, they all look pampered. They probably can't even cook."
While the comments buzzed with discussion, the six guests, now in their teams, all began looking ahead in the direction of the signs.
"That far? How are we supposed to get there?"
Looking at the winding mountain road, Bai Ruanruan couldn't help complaining.
Lin Tang was annoyed too. Bai Ruanruan looked utterly delicate and fussy, incapable of carrying anything. Picking apples sounded simple, but they both had such skinny arms and legs. Who would help them carry everything?
Professor Chen, however, smiled as he reassured them.
"Our Pingqiao apples are famous across the country. They have thin skins, fragrant flesh, and a crisp texture. You two should try them."
Yu Xingyan had been looking forward to "Journey through Luo" all this time, only to have it snatched away. He was thoroughly sick of Bai Ruanruan, and his tone was barbed.
"How do you get there? If you don't want to walk, crawl!"
Bai Ruanruan choked at the retort and quickly turned his face toward him.
The following producer's camera was already right up close, and Bai Ruanruan put on a timid expression.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Yu. I'm not complaining about the trouble. It's just my first time on a variety show, and I don't have any experience. I thought there would be local transportation. I'm sorry I upset you."
"What's wrong with Yu Xingyan? He's not even popular, and he's already bullying rookies?"
"Isn't this workplace bullying from Yu Xingyan? He's like this on camera. Who knows how much worse he is off camera?"
"Feeling sorry for the rookie!"
Bai Ruanruan's green-tea act infuriated Yu Xingyan.
Facing the camera, Yu Xingyan was just about to force out a smile when Bai Ruanruan turned his fire on Nan Qing.
"Nan Qing, can't you keep him in line~?"
His words were loaded with meaning. Dragged into this for no reason, Nan Qing lifted his eyelids.
"What?"
But Bai Ruanruan suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth like a startled fawn.
"Ah... you two are so close..."
As though he had finally realized something, he turned to the camera, looking nervous.
"Sorry, I'm not supposed to tell anyone about that, am I?"