As they entered the last two episodes of filming, the show focused more on the guests’ emotions rather than challenges. This time, they arrived at an old and scenic mountain village. Starting from the big banyan tree, everyone chatted and laughed as they walked, soon reaching their new lodging.
Even from afar, Wei Yuanju exclaimed, “So pretty!”
Between the gaps in the bamboo forest, they could already see the wooden house built beside the water. Walking along a winding cobblestone path through the bamboo, they were met with a refreshing mist.
Su Yayi couldn’t wait and ran ahead.
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu walked slowly at the back of the group.
But Ji Chen didn’t give them time to be alone and strolled nearby.
As they entered the house, Su Yayi’s voice came from upstairs.
“There are four rooms upstairs!” She placed her hands on the railing and looked down. “Xiao Luo, how many rooms downstairs?”
Wu Luo stuck his head out and shouted, “There are four downstairs too!”
Wei Yuanju was surprised. “So, this time, we all get our own rooms?”
Ji Chen clapped. “Congrats to Jiang-ge and Yu-ge. You finally don’t have to squeeze together anymore!”
Following his lead, the others laughed and congratulated them playfully.
Jiang Yu didn’t show any expression or speak.
Wei Yuanju keenly sensed something was off and quickly stopped clapping. He suggested, “Since that’s the case, how about letting Teacher Yu and Teacher Jiang pick their rooms first?”
Everyone agreed.
Wei Yuanju looked at the two of them. Jiang Yu didn’t refuse. “We’ll stay upstairs.”
Still “we”?
Wei Yuanju was stunned and looked at Yu Shiqing.
Jiang Yu also turned to Yu Shiqing. “How about it?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Okay.”
Wei Yuanju gave a confused “Uh,” feeling something wasn’t right but not sure exactly what. He gave up and went on to help the others with room assignments.
After dinner, everyone read tomorrow’s mission card downstairs, chatted for a bit in the living room, then split up.
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu stepped outside, walked along the corridor to the back of the house, and down the stairs to the wooden walkway that stretched into the center of the lake.
The lake still reflected the sunset and held its warmth. A light breeze blew through the cool air after dusk, lifting a thin layer of warmth.
Jiang Yu followed Yu Shiqing’s silhouette, walking with him to the end of the walkway.
The cameraman followed with his equipment and filmed their backs as they sat side by side at the edge of the platform. Due to space constraints, he couldn’t go any further.
Their expressions were not shown in the footage only their voices were heard.
Jiang Yu said, “Give me your hand.”
Yu Shiqing moved slightly, but there was still no space between them.
Jiang Yu said, “You’ve been busy these past few days. Did you do your rehab exercises?”
Yu Shiqing paused.
Jiang Yu turned to him. “You didn’t?”
Yu Shiqing raised his hand and gestured, “The injury’s healed.”
Jiang Yu stared at him. “If I’m not wrong, I reminded you every day.”
Hearing that, Yu Shiqing remembered the messages he received those four days. His gaze softened, and he smiled faintly. “My fault.”
Looking into his smiling eyes, Jiang Yu tightened his hand slightly. After holding his gaze for a while, he leaned in but caught the cameraman squatting behind them from the corner of his eye and had to stop with a scowl. He grabbed Yu Shiqing’s hand again and continued the exercises.
Yu Shiqing quietly watched him.
Jiang Yu kept meeting his gaze and became stiff. “What are you looking at?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Looking at you.”
He chuckled softly, then turned his gaze to the distance. “If Teacher Jiang doesn’t like it, I’ll stop looking.”
“Hey.” Jiang Yu raised his hand to hold his face and turned it back toward him. “Don’t make assumptions on your own.”
The cameraman silently recorded all their actions.
The livestream chat exploded.
“Aaaaah this kind of conversation only couples can have! Just give them a wedding already!! I’ll pitch in for the gift money!!”
“Addicted to holding hands. Always sneaking off to live their couple life. You expect me to believe they’re not married? Still acting like they’re newlyweds!!”
“Congrats to the Pisces CP on starting their honeymoon in episode 9! Stop taking screenshots and DO something!!”
Ren Bai sat on the couch and had just been fed a sip of water by Meng Chen. He finally recovered, then turned and saw this scene. He immediately closed his eyes and leaned back, as if rehearsing his death.
Meng Chen noticed he turned on the live comments. “Ren-ge, you watch these parts too?”
Ren Bai’s heart ached.
He didn’t like them. He’d never turned on the comments before. That’s why he didn’t realize until now how sharp the viewers were sharper than him, their agent. They figured it out way before he did.
Why hadn’t he realized sooner?!
Besides Jiang Yu, Yu Shiqing had never treated anyone else this special. Even if Jiang Yu was an alpha, this level of indulgence clearly wasn’t normal. Why didn’t he suspect anything?
Looking at the chat full of screaming and joy, Ren Bai had a splitting headache.
Yes, the fans were happy. But if the relationship between Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu got exposed to the wrong people, the consequences could be disastrous. They had to keep it secret.
…But was he the only one thinking that?!
Those two clearly had no intention of hiding anything at all!
Ren Bai slumped on the sofa, watching the stream like he was on a rollercoaster, heart pounding with fear. Seeing comments like “When will they go public?” and “Married alpha showing off his love on livestream,” he nearly had a heart attack.
But two days passed, and he realized that aside from typing frantically, the audience actually seemed used to their closeness. The reaction was totally different from what he expected, so he felt a little more at ease.
When picking up Yu Shiqing at the airport, he didn’t even dare hire a driver. He drove himself.
After picking him up, Ren Bai tried to distract himself with work. “The promo for Fog has started. During the contract signing, we agreed you’d mention it in the final episode next week. The preview screening is on the 18th, and your livestream is on the 9th. After that, you won’t even get two days off before the press tour starts.”
Yu Shiqing said, “Okay.”
Ren Bai was getting into his rhythm. “Also, Dawn is set to release during the National Holiday. It’ll be airing at the same time as Fog. Du Han’s been trending with Qiu Chang’s scandal lately. They’re using the buzz to push for more screenings. Be careful. Dawn is Huaze’s last hope, and Fog is a similar genre. Who knows what tricks Huaze might pull to get more box office.”
He wanted to remind Yu Shiqing to be cautious about his relationship with Jiang Yu getting exposed, but thinking about how blatant they were on the livestream… with fans already shipping them like crazy.
Forget it.
Saying something wouldn’t make a difference anyway.
Ren Bai thought this and glanced at the backseat through the mirror. He instantly froze.
Jiang Yu was whispering something in Yu Shiqing’s ear.
Yu Shiqing turned slightly to listen, then looked at him.
Jiang Yu raised his brows. “What do you think?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Not much.”
Jiang Yu said, “You have work again tomorrow. I’ll have to wait a whole week to see you. Can’t you agree to this one little thing?”
Yu Shiqing corrected him. “Four days.”
Jiang Yu leaned even closer, resting on him. “Isn’t four days long enough?”
Ren Bai couldn’t hold back anymore and coughed loudly to remind them there was a third person in the car.
Yu Shiqing patted Jiang Yu’s lower back. “Sit properly.”
Jiang Yu said, “It’s just Ren Bai. No need to worry.”
Ren Bai: “…”
If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have come!
He had planned to have a serious heart-to-heart with Yu Shiqing. Now he just felt unnecessary.
Finally reaching Yufeng Scenic Park, he dropped them off and immediately drove away.
As soon as Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu stepped into the building, his car was already gone.
Jiang Yu didn’t care and pulled Yu Shiqing upstairs by the hand.
When the elevator opened and they entered the house, Yu Shiqing hadn’t even put down his suitcase when Jiang Yu suddenly turned, cupped his face, took a step forward, and kissed him hard.
After three days, after living in a wooden house with no soundproofing, Jiang Yu’s built-up passion exploded in an instant.
【Inappropriate content skipped】
“That’s enough.” Yu Shiqing stopped him. “You need to sleep.”
Jiang Yu said, “I’m not tired.”
Yu Shiqing showed him the time on his watch. “You have work tomorrow too. Don’t be stubborn.”
Jiang Yu hugged him tightly and buried his voice in his neck, a little muffled. “Teacher Yu, the night is too short.”
Yu Shiqing replied, “Teacher Jiang, let’s go with the flow.”
Jiang Yu: “…”
Feeling Jiang Yu’s weight pressing on him, Yu Shiqing casually wrapped his arms around him.
At the same time, Jiang Yu heard a low chuckle rumble from Yu Shiqing’s throat, vibrating slightly against his chest, tickling his ears.
