Deliberate?
But he had never had any interaction with this Mr. Jiang, let alone offended him.
Chu Wei’s expression was slightly awkward.
He tried hard to act casual, doing a few more reps, then set down the barbell and casually walked over to the seated chest press machine.
A while ago during company training, the fitness coach they hired had praised him, saying his pectoral muscles and triceps had started showing results.
His manager had plans for him to “accidentally” get wet in some water park variety show segment so fans could see him.
Normally he followed a pure, innocent image, so suddenly letting fans see him lean in clothes but muscular when undressed could create a contrasting “cute yet hot” appeal and attract more followers.
But now Chu Wei couldn’t resist.
A man without competitiveness, what kind of man is that?
He sat on the bench, shoulders down, hands gripping the machine handles, and took the most standard position he knew, pushing the handles forward while exhaling slowly.
With his movements, his chest muscles gradually became visible.
If one looked closely, the abs could be seen too.
【Wow! I can see my Ge’s abs!】
Chu Wei exhaled in relief, turning his head slightly with a hint of pride.
? And Mr. Jiang?
Scared off?
At first, he didn’t see Jiang Shu, but turning his head again would seem deliberate.
Yet Chu Wei couldn’t help turning his head anyway.
…And he saw Jiang Shu rock climbing with his bare hands on the indoor climbing wall not far away.
Eight meters high, with routes changing everywhere, cracks and indentations that made the heart race at a glance, but he was almost done with the climb, hardly using any safety measures. His back looked strong and upright; after removing his jacket, the lines of his forearms and biceps under the short sleeves were smooth and elegant.
Even his legs were longer than Chu Wei’s.
Chu Wei: “…”
【Holy sh*t!】
【D really didn’t do extreme sports before? Handsome as h*ll, a hundred times more than I imagined.】
【Apparently he used to race abroad before inheriting the family business; this is easy for him (shrugs).】
Chu Wei’s face turned a bit pale; he almost felt that Jiang Shu was doing this on purpose.
Outside the gym, Gu Qingshuang and Shen Fu seemed to glance over this way.
He quickly found an excuse to leave the gym.
Chu Wei’s fans in the barrage tried to endure their embarrassment and defend him: 【Hahaha, Mr. Jiang has never been this interested in any female guest, why him?】
【Men’s competitiveness, haha, both are so cute!】
【Tell me, have you already become friends somewhere the cameras can’t see?!】
Xiang Lingyun fans took advantage: 【Really? Let’s be honest, Chu Wei needs to work out more. Someone who makes a living off this line being outdone by a randomly debuting rich kid? And even his abs aren’t as good.】
【Who’s crazy at the front? We fans like him as he is, mind your business.】
The barrage immediately erupted.
Chu Wei didn’t have much time to be embarrassed; soon the production team called everyone to the dining area again.
The dinner pairings decided earlier by drawing lots were now displayed on the screen.
In addition, the production team announced the rules for tomorrow’s date.
【Finally! The main show starts, I’m getting excited!】
【Let’s see what date activities there are this time. Don’t make it simple like before, that was too boring!】
“Please check the phones provided by the production team. There’s a message with tomorrow’s date rules.”
Shen Fu took out the phone from her coat pocket.
Perhaps to distinguish it from ordinary smartphones, the phone given by the production team was relatively old-fashioned; when opening the inbox, the top pinned item was the contacts list.
Once the barrage noticed this, they immediately transformed into Sherlock Holmes, screenshotting and enlarging each guest’s screen.
【Gu Qingshuang’s only contact seems to be “xx Ge,” probably her brother. The spoiled heiress persona checks out.】
【Jiang Shu’s… can’t see it, d*mn it, the crown prince opened his phone too fast!!!】
【Even if we could see clearly, the show would probably mosaic it anyway; D’s social circle isn’t for ordinary people hhhh】
【Ling’s also unreadable.】
【Seems like the Film Emperor and empress set friends as contacts. They must have so many connections that they didn’t know who to set.】
【Xu Tiaotiao seems to have set her mom, the note has the female radical.】
【? Didn’t I see wrong? Shen Fu’s contact is her manager?】
The barrage exploded with question marks.
【Can’t handle it?】
【She read the rules herself; the production said the only contact must be a family member or close friend. Other guests complied, why is she special?】
【Annoying, who exactly is she? Even seniors like Wen Zhenghan and Zuo Mei aren’t like her.】
Rong Xiaozhen, doing homework while watching the live stream with a few scattered fans, looked up at the barrage and got startled by all the insults.
After dinner, Shen Fu had rejected Chu Wei several times; after finally calming down, why was this happening again?
Trying to figure out what happened, Rong Xiaozhen was a bit puzzled.
Was it unintentional? Why, knowing the production rules, would she set her manager as her only contact?
【LOL, did anyone see the individual interviews when the guests were announced? One of the questions asked “What do you most want to do currently?”, such a cheesy question.】
【Other guests answered “Be a good actor” or “Give fans a better stage,” but Shen Fu hesitated a long time. Do you know what she said?】
【Emmmm I saw this one, she said “making money.”】
The barrage went silent for a moment.
【?? She really said that? I was too lazy to watch her individual interview, so I didn’t see it. I’m honestly speechless, she really put “I want to make money” plainly on her face.】
【I said her acting isn’t bad, so why does she keep taking terrible roles… whatever, each to their own.】
While the barrage was full of ridicule, the electronic mechanical voice on the screen sounded again: “Eight guests, tomorrow we will conduct the first selection round since the start of Limited-Time Heartbeat. This round is called ‘One-Day Date.’ Four female guests, please publicly choose a location to go wait; the four male guests will drive to invite the date of their choice.”
“The details of subsequent dating activities will be sent to your message inboxes after the mutual selections tomorrow.”
The barrage’s attention was finally drawn back.
【Here it comes, the rules!】
【Whoa! Starting off so intense? Devilish!】
【Did I get this right?! The female guests wait at four different locations, and the male guests drive to pick the one they want to date? What if a girl waits the whole day and no guy comes? Or if two guys pick the same girl? Won’t there be a fight?】
【You got it right, that’s exactly the system. And apparently there are points, only successful pairings earn points!】
【Hype hype wow wow.】
【Anyway, the Film Emperor and Empress are locked, others are uncertain, but one thing is for sure: no one will go for Shen Fu, right?】
Just like the rumors said, male choosing female, the big move came first, and Rong Xiaozhen felt her vision go black.
After the first-date rules were announced, the dining table fell into a silent tension.
Xu Tiaotiao leaned on the table reading the rules on her phone, glanced at Gu Qingshuang sitting quietly like a delicate white rabbit in the corner, then at Zuo Mei, who seemed lost in thought. After a moment, she smiled and said: “Brothers, do me a favor tomorrow, don’t leave me alone, or my career might hit a major setback.”
Chu Wei might come for her, or he might go for Shen Fu.
In short, not a stable stock.
Of course, even if it were stable, it wasn’t the stock she wanted.
The person she had in mind showing up in front of her tomorrow, that would be a victory in this war.
Xiang Lingyun picked up his coffee cup and stood, half-joking: “If you end up alone tomorrow, call me.”
“Our phones are confiscated, how can we call you, brother!” Xu Tiaotiao pounded the table and wailed.
【?? Hahaha, did something happen when Xiang Lingyun and Xu Tiaotiao were discussing dinner assignments? Why does it suddenly feel sweet?】
【They filmed a drama together before, okay? Let’s not ship them recklessly yet.】
【I want peace, can’t believe my Chu Wei–Xu Tiaotiao CP is being broken up the moment the show starts…】
“Don’t worry, you won’t be alone.”
After saying that, Xiang Lingyun couldn’t help glancing with the corner of his eye at Shen Fu slumped on the sofa.
Being a veteran of variety shows, Xiang Lingyun knew the cameras inside out. With his back to the nearest camera, the audience couldn’t see anything unusual, but Chu Wei, not far off pouring a drink, noticed his gaze.
By the freezer, Chu Wei followed Xiang Lingyun’s line of sight and landed on Shen Fu.
?
What is Xiang Lingyun looking at?
He had never filmed with Shen Fu before and had no cooperation with her, so he couldn’t suddenly be interested in her.
Chu Wei doubted himself and looked again at Xu Tiaotiao.
The barrage’s shipping experts couldn’t contain themselves:
【Chu Wei is looking at Tiaotiao!! My CP is real!】
【Hhhh he held it in all night, couldn’t anymore, jealous, anxious!】
【Ling Ge giving so much help, soon Chu Wei will rush to find Tiaotiao tomorrow.】
But there were some doubts mixed in: 【Sorry, why do I feel like Chu Wei is looking at Shen Fu…】
Shen Fu was the trigger no Chu Wei fans could mention; Chu Wei fans quickly jumped in to defend: 【Move away! Bad eyesight, donate it!】
Shen Fu played Tetris on the sofa, feeling three pairs of eyes scanning her back and forth.
She looked up instinctively.
Instantly, she met a scowl under Jiang Shu’s sunglasses.
Shen Fu: “…”
Did I offend him? Wearing sunglasses this late at night, does this guy have a cat disease?
In the corner of the dining table, Zuo Mei looked at Wen Zhenghan, thought for a moment, and whispered: “I want to get some fresh air, can you accompany me?”
Three “fresh air” trips in one day.
But being on a variety show, Wen Zhenghan rose, maintaining his elegant demeanor: “Alright.”
【Wow, Film Emperor is so gentle】
Wen Zhenghan held a wine glass and walked with Zuo Mei to the hot spring pool.
Zuo Mei smiled: “What do you think tomorrow’s outcome will be?”
She was probing whether he would go pick her.
Before joining the show, Wen Zhenghan had promised to fully cooperate, letting Zuo Mei use his current fame to elevate herself. But despite having already received a definite answer, she still tested him repeatedly, which slightly annoyed Wen Zhenghan.
He said blandly: “Someone will probably be left alone.”
Chu Wei had sought him out alone today; if nothing unexpected happened, he should show up at Shen Fu’s side tomorrow.
This eased Wen Zhenghan slightly.
Zuo Mei continued circling the topic: “Who do you think Xiang Lingyun will choose?”
Wen Zhenghan: “You can just ask him directly.”
Zuo Mei was taken aback: “…”
【LOL, is the Film Emperor jealous?】
【…No, I feel this atmosphere is subtle, not really jealousy.】
【It’s you again up there, I give up, he’s jealous, if you can’t tell, go check your eyes.】
【I actually feel the same a little, but everyone, don’t be too sensitive. After being on a variety show all day under constant camera live streaming, anyone would inevitably be a bit tired. The Film Emperor isn’t a god.】
Meanwhile, Shen Fu, feeling creeped out by Jiang Shu’s stare, couldn’t help but retreat first. She put away her phone and walked to the task board, where four selectable locations were posted.
Shen Fu looked over them and thought they all seemed about the same, so she randomly picked one.
Rong Xiaozhen and the fans in the fan group tensed.
That location was the farthest from the variety show villa. It was over, now the probability of a male guest coming over was even smaller.
The barrage also laughed out loud: 【What’s going on with Shen Fu? Planning to forfeit before it even starts?】
【Don’t know why, but it feels a bit pitiful. Maybe because she knows no one will pick her.】
Shen Fu turned and walked down the room corridor.
Passing by the open door of the hot spring pool, she instinctively glanced over and saw Wen Zhenghan and Zuo Mei sitting on the iron-framed garden chairs chatting.
Wen Zhenghan looked up and met her gaze.
“…” Shen Fu quickly closed the door for them and turned as if nothing had happened.
She hadn’t walked far before bumping into Xiang Lingyun and Xu Tiaotiao.
Xiang Lingyun looked at her once.
Shen Fu: “…”
She quickened her pace back to her room.
After Shen Fu hurried away, Wen Zhenghan’s gaze hadn’t returned. Not only did the barrage feel something strange, but Zuo Mei’s expression was also off.
Who would believe this little girl wasn’t doing it on purpose?
Why go to so many places and insist on wandering right under Wen Zhenghan’s nose? Clearly, she joined this variety show for Wen Zhenghan, yet pretends not to know him. Isn’t this competing with her?
After a moment, Wen Zhenghan snapped back to reality. Without revealing what he was thinking, he said lightly: “I’m going to rest first. You should sleep early too.”
With cameras everywhere on this show, even though Zuo Mei was in a bad mood, she had to smile: “Okay, good night.”
【For those saying it’s not jealousy, look! The Film Emperor and Empress say good night to each other. What couple could be sweeter than this?!】
Zuo Mei stood in place, pretending to sip her wine, trying hard to calm herself.
Back in her room, she smiled at the room camera: “Are all my fans in the live room? Since I have time on the show today, I’ll record the full makeup removal process for you.”
While speaking, she squeezed out her makeup remover: “Remember to warm it in your palm first, then rub it evenly in circular motions on your face…”
【She really spoils her fans, and she’s so sincere, sniff sniff.】
This had been prepared in advance.
Before leaving today, she had the makeup artist apply two layers of makeup, repeatedly setting it with waterproof fixing spray in between.
Now, using a makeup remover with moderate cleansing power, followed by gentle washing and quickly patting dry with a towel, her makeup wouldn’t come off completely.
Her bare face would look much better than an ordinary celebrity’s after removing makeup.
Meanwhile, the director outside the villa noticed Shen Fu in another room also removing her makeup, and decided to have the crew switch between the two shots.
“The audience loves this kind of comparison.”
The crew hesitated: “The investors already told us to take care of Shen Fu as much as possible. Using her as a gimmick like this, it’s not the first time. Won’t the other side be angry?”
The director scowled: “The investors even want us to secretly pair Shen Fu with Jiang Shu. Do you think Jiang Shu would agree? That Chief Wang from the investors is a nutcase, and who knows who’s above him. He just burns money everywhere. Besides, we have people from the Jiang family on the show. Good ratings make money, show it to Jiang Shu, and he might just invest in our show and fire that Chief Wang, who knows?”
The crew thought something was off, but it made sense.
Once the cameras switched, the barrage quickly saw Shen Fu walking to the mirror to remove her makeup.
Running Lighthouse deliberately stirred: 【Shen Fu hasn’t opened Little Green Book yet, and we’ve never seen her bare face before. Tsk, it’s reasonable to suspect she doesn’t dare to remove her makeup.】
As soon as this appeared on screen, the audience saw Shen Fu tie her ponytail, grab the makeup oil from her bag, pour a lot into her hand, and start slapping it onto her face crudely.
Barrage: 【…】
Running Lighthouse was about to comment again: 【She…】
Shen Fu’s black haters went crazy: 【Can you mute yourself?!】
After removing her makeup, her face was clean and fair. Apart from slightly lighter eyebrows and eyes, it looked almost the same as with makeup.
Even the haters had to admit her face’s superiority. Every feature was perfectly placed, flawless and exquisite.
Without her as a comparison, the cameras might not have noticed Zuo Mei’s incomplete makeup removal, but side by side, netizens could clearly see the difference in skin clarity.
Some in the barrage couldn’t help quietly pointing out: 【Didn’t she remove it properly?】
Before anyone could comment further, Zuo Mei’s fans immediately shut them down: 【Don’t doubt her! Each room has different lighting, don’t you get it?】
【Shen Fu is acting, right? In real life, which celebrity isn’t meticulous about skincare? Would anyone remove makeup so roughly and risk their skin? Not even using a makeup wipe?】
【LOL, maybe another possibility: she’s just cheap? After all, she works hard for money filming terrible roles.】
As soon as this was said, Shen Fu’s phone by the sink lit up.
It was a message.
She glanced at it and quickly turned off the screen.
The barrage immediately went hyped: 【Can anyone identify whose message that is? Who sent it?】
【Investor? Backstage? Remember Shen Fu used to get messages and shut her phone without even looking? Reasonable suspicion it’s something unsavory she can’t see, 】
Just as this appeared on screen, someone identified the message by the sink.
【Uh, it’s from her only contact, forwarding an ICU hospital payment notice.】
【There are two messages. Shen Fu should have two relatives in the ICU.】
The barrage suddenly went quiet.
Seeing these two messages, even Running Lighthouse was stunned for a moment.
