Lu Xunji had little interest in winning or losing, but Xie Ji's thought processes always managed to give him unexpected frights.
Like right now, with Xie Ji sitting in the cockpit, head lowered as he studied the various buttons on the control panel.
To ensure the guests' safety, the production team had actually given them some basic piloting training just before departure.
For the young masters from wealthy families, this had been entirely unnecessary. They had been exposed to things like this from a very young age and had gotten their licenses for these things even before their driver's licenses.
That left only Xie Ji, a bona fide good-for-nothing rich second-generation heir, and Lu Xunji, who had only recently returned to his wealthy family and had never encountered a similar vehicle.
Only after studying it for half an hour did Xie Ji barely manage to figure out how to speed up the airship.
Soon, the airship began picking up speed. Although it wasn't going fast, it was at least moving at a normal speed for an airship, rather than an old man's walking pace.
Unfortunately, at this speed, coming first was nothing but a pipe dream, especially since they had already wasted half an hour.
Lu Xunji sat in the back with narrowed eyes, already prepared to finish dead last, only to notice that Xie Ji seemed to be muttering something.
Something also seemed to be moving in his left pocket. After a while, a pitch-black little head poked out.
It looked like a completely black snake.
He wasn't afraid of snakes. Back when he worked in the fields in his hometown, he had seen every kind.
But this little snake felt somewhat different to him.
There was an indescribable sense of familiarity.
Lu Xunji rubbed his thumb against his index finger, then quickly looked away.
He had no particular desire to pry into other people's hobbies, so naturally, he didn't care why Xie Ji carried a little black snake around with him.
Meanwhile, Little Black was experiencing the darkest moment of his life.
"What did you say?" Too agitated to care that Lu Xunji was still there, Little Black couldn't help poking his little head out of Xie Ji's pocket. "You're going to use the item [Rosemary]? Now? Here?"
Xie Ji pressed a finger against Little Black's head and stuffed him back into his pocket. "What's wrong? Does this item have restrictions on when and where it can be used?"
"No, it doesn't." Little Black took a deep breath. "I just think this is way too lewd. Are all you city people this kinky?"
With that, Xie Ji opened the system panel and uncapped the only bottle of Rosemary in his inventory.
[System notification: You are using the rare item: Rosemary. Please confirm whether to use it.]
Xie Ji clicked "Use" without hesitation.
[System notification: Please enter the user_____]
Xie Ji: "Shang Yan."
[System notification: Please enter the item's target_____]
Xie Ji: "Mu Yao."
Little Black: "Huh?"
Sure, the things in the system weren't restricted to use by the host...
But who the fuck had taught him to use them like this?!
The moment the Rosemary icon vanished from the inventory, it meant the item had begun taking effect.
Little Black knew that some poor young man was probably about to face a man-sized disaster.
Lu Xunji felt the airship slow down. Before he could ask about it, another airship came into view.
The airship rocked on the water, having come to a complete stop. Mu Yao sat in the cockpit, his gaze hazy and his cheeks flushed, panting softly without pause. His limbs had gone weak, leaving him without the strength to hold the controls.
The fragrance wafting from the impeccably suited person beside him made his head spin.
After so many years playing the field, Mu Yao naturally knew what this reaction meant.
He nearly ground his back teeth to pieces.
Fuck, hadn't Shang Yan been frigid since he was a kid?!
What the hell was he thinking, wearing this kind of perfume now, in a place like this?!
No matter how thirsty he was, he, Mu Yao, would never do anything this outrageous!
Shang Yan sat beside him, his brows furrowed, looking somewhat bewildered.
Something had been off about Mu Yao for a little while now.
He had known Mu Yao since childhood, more or less, and knew that although Mu Yao played around, he was still reliable when it came to serious matters.
He kept those disreputable hobbies strictly separate from the image expected of a young gentleman from a wealthy family. He had never acted like this before, looking as though he was in heat in public.
Xie Ji slowly passed in front of them. The boy with long, pale-gold hair looked over curiously, blinked at Mu Yao, and patted the little rubber wife beside him. "Brother Mu Yao, what's wrong? You look like you really need help. Do you need me to lend you my little sister-in-law?"
Then he turned and asked Lu Xunji with insufferable cheek, "Brother, would you mind sharing a wife with Brother Mu Yao?"
Lu Xunji rubbed his temple and looked at him darkly. "Would you mind swimming to the island from here?"
"All right." Xie Ji sighed and said innocently, "What a shame. Looks like I can't let you have my little sister-in-law. In that case, we'll be off."
Panting, Mu Yao was already barely lucid. He released the controls and grabbed Shang Yan's wrist.
Shang Yan froze, then thundered, "Mu Yao, what are you doing?!"
"You smell so good..." Unable to control himself, Mu Yao leaned down and drew Shang Yan's wrist toward his nose, sniffing gently as though addicted. "Shang Yan, you smell so good."
Shang Yan's expression changed in alarm. He shoved Mu Yao away as he leaned against him and shouted in disbelief, "Mu Yao, have you lost your mind?!"
Mu Yao could barely take anything in anymore. He stood unsteadily and lunged at Shang Yan.
System items always delivered on quality and quantity. Never mind Mu Yao-even a bull would have been brought down by now.
There wasn't much room inside the airship. With nowhere to dodge, Shang Yan could only mercilessly kick Mu Yao into the cold seawater.
Seeing this through the drone, the production team quickly dispatched professionals to rescue this "illicit couple" out at sea.
The viewers in the livestream were stunned too. The previously bustling barrage of comments instantly emptied, before a few scattered comments finally braved the chat.
[Wait, dude?]
[Huh?]
[What... what a diabolical marketing tactic.]
[I'm watching a respectable variety show, right?]
[Mu Yao, snap out of it! What are you doing, Mu Yao?! That's Shang Yan! The most unattainable flower of all the wealthy families!]
Several utterly explosive topics took over the top spots on the trending list.
#Young Field BroYouSmellSoGood#
#Young Field GayPassionAtSea#
#YoungFields SoThisIsTheRealMuYao#
#Young Field YaoYanShipIsBorn#
With his feet propped up, Xie Ji leisurely continued onward. Before long, Ji Shi and Zhou Heyu's airship also came into view.
Xie Ji leaned over and said mysteriously, "Lu Xunji, I'm going to tell you a secret."
Lu Xunji narrowed his eyes and leaned forward slightly. With Xie Ji so close, his body heat almost seemed to reach him. He answered huskily, "Hmm?"
Xie Ji whispered, "I'm actually a magician."
Lu Xunji: "...Mm."
He certainly did have a bewitching magic.
Unfortunately, all Xie Ji needed was one short sentence to shatter any romantic atmosphere.
He said,
"I can control shit."
Lu Xunji: "..."