The variety show that Ren Bai mentioned was a popular high-rating program aired on a satellite channel. The channel itself had consistently high viewership, and many of its variety shows were well-made. They were all pre-recorded and edited before being broadcast in time slots.
When the Doomsday Rescue cast arrived backstage at the show, they could still hear noises coming from the neighboring studio.
“That’s another production team. They’re adjusting the lighting. They just started, too,” the staff guiding them explained.
Inside the dressing room, since the drama had just wrapped up, everyone in the cast had short haircuts, making styling easy. Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu didn’t need any makeup at all and simply sat in their chairs, reading the program rundown.
Tan Yanfei still didn’t know his situation had been exposed, so even though he had only told Jiang Yu about this trip that morning, he seemed calm and responsible. He had personally discussed the script, and the finalized flow had no over-the-top segments—it was all the usual variety show formula.
The production team was well aware of Jiang Yu’s strong personality that matched his fame. Since he had the ability to walk his own path, they didn’t want to take unnecessary risks.
During the game segment of the show, Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu were randomly assigned to the same team. The first task they drew, due to a staff error, was “eating a jujube.”
This “eating a jujube” challenge meant suspending a jujube about the size of half a thumb in the air. The two participants had to face each other while standing on a trampoline, without using their hands, and try to bite a piece of the fruit at the same time within a limited amount of time.
The tiny jujube, when being bitten into, looked like a forced kiss. The content was borderline. The effect was explosive.
But ever since Jiang Yu debuted, he had always been clear and firm about his stance on rumors. When the host saw the task, they exchanged worried glances, fearing Jiang Yu would lash out on the spot and racking their brains for a way to smooth things over.
But he didn’t.
Somehow, Jiang Yu, who had always been strict about avoiding ambiguous content, didn’t seem to care this time. He turned slightly and said something to Yu Shiqing, then stood up and walked toward the stage with him.
The host was shocked and delighted. This was going to be a ratings goldmine!
When the jujube was hung up, Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu each walked toward the trampoline from opposite ends. With each step, the jujube tied to the trampoline wobbled, making the challenge even harder.
Finally, they reached the middle.
Yu Shiqing said, “Let’s steady ourselves first.”
Jiang Yu replied, “Okay.”
Without microphones, the audience couldn’t hear what they said. Only the camera zoomed in slowly. The director displayed a split-screen of the two on the big screen, and their handsome side profiles with contrasting styles instantly drew screams from the audience.
Once the trampoline and jujube stopped shaking, Yu Shiqing leaned forward and bit a small piece of the fruit with ease. Although the jujube was smooth and round, it wasn’t much of a challenge for him.
But the task required both people to bite at the same time. Seeing that Yu Shiqing had already taken position, Jiang Yu leaned in as well.
At that moment, the task was about to be completed.
The host was speechless. The two of them barely took any time at all. Not only was there no explosive moment, the whole thing was actually a little boring.
But what no one expected was that the jujube, once bitten from both sides, lost its tension and snapped away.
Standing on the trampoline, Jiang Yu lost his balance. With the small object gone between them, he didn’t have time to react and fell forward—
Yu Shiqing also lost balance. But instinctively, he turned his face to the side, just in time to block the camera’s view completely.
The audience all let out a disappointed “aww.”
The next second, the two immediately separated.
“We finished the task,” Yu Shiqing said calmly, making it impossible to tell what had just happened.
The host looked at Jiang Yu again. His face was also expressionless.
Did they kiss or not?
The host didn’t dare ask directly and joked, “Ah, looks like you two really have great chemistry!”
After explaining to the audience and chatting with the team, the show continued.
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu returned to their seats. As they sat down, Yu Shiqing said nothing. Jiang Yu glanced briefly at his thin lips, then looked away. But his mind was no longer on the program.
—
After the filming ended, it was completely dark outside. Everyone said their goodbyes and headed to their hotels.
Not far away, another crew had just finished at about the same time and were also chatting in small groups.
Ren Bai had been waiting downstairs early. When he saw Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu walking out side by side, he waved, “Over here!”
They were all staying at the same hotel, so he casually offered, “Want to ride with me?”
Jiang Yu gave a few instructions to his assistant and got in the car with Yu Shiqing.
The drive was short—about ten minutes.
Near the end of the ride, Ren Bai noticed something strange: the two people in the back seat hadn’t said a single word in ten minutes.
That wasn’t normal.
Did something happen besides the show?
Trying to break the silence, Ren Bai said, “We’re finally done for the year. Time to relax.”
Yu Shiqing replied, “You don’t need to come with me tomorrow. Just go straight home.”
“Huh? I didn’t mean that!” Ren Bai was surprised. “There are still ten days before New Year’s. I’m not in a rush.”
Yu Shiqing simply said, “It’s settled.”
Ren Bai opened his mouth to say more but knew that Yu Shiqing rarely changed his mind. After hesitating, he had no choice but to accept it.
Hearing this, Jiang Yu finally asked, “What time is your flight tomorrow?”
Yu Shiqing replied, “Eleven in the morning.”
Jiang Yu was looking at a message on his phone. “Eleven thirty-five?”
“Yes,” Yu Shiqing confirmed. “You’re on that flight too?”
Jiang Yu answered casually, “Looks like we’re going back together.”
Yu Shiqing asked, “Don’t you need to be there for the concert?”
“I left a few studio assistants to handle it,” Jiang Yu said.
Yu Shiqing understood. Since Tan Yanfei could no longer be used, Jiang Yu needed to start training new people. These concert preparations required someone to replace Tan Yanfei quickly. Studio assistants would learn fastest.
Yu Shiqing asked, “So what are you doing before New Year?”
Jiang Yu put away his phone. “Writing songs at home.”
The concert was still in planning. Normally at this time, he and Tan Yanfei would be on-site, so they wouldn’t accept any jobs. But this time was different. He didn’t want to see Tan Yanfei’s face again. With no handover needed, he had plenty of free time.
Yu Shiqing said, “A good time for a break.”
The conversation paused. Jiang Yu’s gaze drifted from Yu Shiqing’s eyes downward, as if he remembered something, and suddenly turned to look out the window.
Yu Shiqing also turned his face toward the window.
