“Yu-ge, you’re being biased all the way to the Pacific Ocean!” Ji Chen said from behind them. “I almost broke my arm pulling that bow and you didn’t help me at all.”
Yu Shiqing turned to him and said, “Because he’s not in the competition.”
Ji Chen didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Jiang Yu is just here for fun. You’re competing, so you need more practice to improve your technique.”
Ji Chen half-understood. “I see…”
Yu Shiqing said, “Make sure to balance work and rest.”
“Got it.” Ji Chen nodded. “Thanks, Yu-ge!”
Then, watching Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu walk away, he sat down to rest. When he turned around, he met Wei Yuanju’s gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Wei Yuanju: “Nothing.”
He turned away and continued practicing with the arrows. The bullet comments finally moved on from the “Pisces CP” and started mocking Ji Chen.
“Wei Yuanju: Looking at him like he’s mentally challenged.”
“Poor Ji Chen got fooled by Yu Shiqing.”
“Hahaha! Never noticed Ji Chen was this much of a dummy before.”
On camera, Ji Chen didn’t notice anything and was still practicing seriously.
Soon, he and Wei Yuanju went to the rest area and started stretching their arm muscles like Yu Shiqing taught Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu had already tried both events. The rest of the day, he only practiced a few more times and spent most of his time focusing on the real filming task.
In his free time, Ji Chen asked Jiang Yu if he wanted to go to the horse track and film Su Yayi and the others. Jiang Yu directly refused.
Ji Chen tried to help him save face. “Because it’s too far, right?”
Jiang Yu said, “Mm.”
No one believed it. The bullet comments were full of people accusing him of using work as an excuse, guessing he just wanted to stay near Yu Shiqing.
By noon, everyone gathered and followed the coach to try the local specialty snacks.
They ate until 2 PM, then the van took them to the actual tourist area. Although it was a weekend, it wasn’t a holiday, and this wasn’t a famous tourist site, so it wasn’t too crowded.
On the way, Wei Yuanju and the coach gave a simple introduction.
The coach said, “The competitions happen at sunset. It gets lively when the crowd arrives.”
Through the car window, they could already see someone setting up targets in the distance. To prevent accidents, the horse field and the archery area were far apart, separated by a row of low temporary tents.
These tents were set up by local vendors and acted as their stalls, full of goods.
“Look!” Su Yayi pointed. “So pretty.”
Colorful ribbons were tied to the tops of the tents, fluttering in the grassland wind. They floated in the air, long and eye-catching.
“Those show direction for lost tourists,” the coach explained. “At night, they even light up, so if someone gets lost, they know people are here.”
“Wow!” Su Yayi was amazed. “That’s so thoughtful.”
The program team wanted to promote the local tourism spots, so the guests cooperated and made the journey interesting.
When they arrived, the van slowly stopped. The film crew had already set up, and some tourists were watching from a distance.
As the cast got out, they could hear people exclaiming and cameras clicking.
The coach first led them to the horse track. Yu Shiqing looked around. To them, the two fields were competition areas, but to tourists, they were just for riding and archery experiences.
There were clear price signs at the entrance as part of the tourist attraction’s business. The competitions were also listed, and required a fee. If you lost, you paid, but if you won, the fee was waived and you got a reward: a double meal and lodging package.
Ji Chen saw the sign and blurted, “Double meal and lodging package?”
Su Yayi also looked over. “So, if Yu-ge wins, he gets to give someone a spot and also have a big dinner tonight?”
Ji Chen quickly added, “Even if the spot is yours, you won’t enjoy the dinner. The tent and meal will definitely go to Jiang-ge.”
Su Yayi pouted. “Of course, I know. I don’t need you to tell me.”
Ji Chen said, “I’m just reminding you so you don’t get your hopes up.”
“You still talking?” Su Yayi hit him. “Stop right there!”
“Hey, missed me!” Ji Chen dodged and hid behind Yu Shiqing.
Su Yayi followed but when she saw Yu Shiqing, she quickly calmed down and changed the subject. “Oh right, if Yu-ge joins both events, does that mean he gets two spots?”
Everyone looked at the coach.
The coach shook his head. “No. Each person can only join one event per day. If you want to do the other, come back tomorrow.”
Ji Chen gave up hope and sighed, “By tomorrow, the excitement will be gone.”
The coach said, “Now, those who are competing in horseback riding stay and get used to the field. The rest will follow me to the archery range.”
Ji Chen asked Yu Shiqing, “Yu-ge, which one are you choosing?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Archery.”
Riding was easier, but archery was less tiring. Ji Chen said, “Then I’ll choose archery too.”
He had practiced all morning and had just started to improve, so he didn’t want to quit now.
Wei Yuanju made the same choice. The other four stayed behind.
After confirming, the coach said a few words to the horse field staff and left with Yu Shiqing and the others.
At the archery range, the coach picked up an arrow and said, “To avoid injury, we use arrows without tips.”
Yu Shiqing took one. The tip had been replaced with a trapezoid wood block, painted white. It would leave a mark on contact for scoring.
The coach said, “They’re a bit different from regular arrows. You might need time to adjust.”
Wei Yuanju asked, “Can these fly 70 meters?”
The coach said, “With our bows, yes.”
Wei Yuanju looked at Yu Shiqing, who picked up a bow, aimed, and slightly lifted it before releasing.
The arrow barely hit the bottom edge of the target and fell.
Wei Yuanju was surprised, thinking Yu Shiqing missed. But the coach gave a thumbs-up. “You’re really good. I practiced a long time before I hit that target.”
Ji Chen was shocked. If Yu Shiqing, who usually hits ten out of ten, could barely hit the target, then wasn’t his own practice meaningless?
But after seeing other tourists’ arrows fly everywhere, he regained his confidence.
Thankfully, there was still time to practice. Even Yu Shiqing needed to adjust, which made Ji Chen feel better.
Half an hour later, Ji Chen looked around. “Huh? Where’s Yu-ge?”
Wei Yuanju said, “He’s done practicing.”
Ji Chen was confused. “He only practiced that short time? How many rings did he hit?”
Wei Yuanju looked at him and said, “Ten rings.”
Ji Chen: “…”
He knew silence was best, but couldn’t help asking, “Then where did they go?”
Wei Yuanju said, “Don’t know. Maybe just walking around.”
Meanwhile, Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu had reached the market area between the two competition fields. Soon, some tourists followed them for photos, so they crossed the market and went to the horse track.
The other four were still running the course. The farthest, Zhu Yulan, saw them first and rode over. She jumped off, wiped her sweat, and greeted, “Senior.”
Yu Shiqing looked at her. “Nice work.”
Zhu Yulan was surprised and happy. “Thank you, senior.”
Su Yayi said, “Yu-ge, why don’t you give her some pointers? I think Yulan rides really well. Maybe she can win.”
Zhu Yulan, being younger, wasn’t as relaxed. She looked at Yu Shiqing with nervous anticipation. “Is that okay?”
Seeing her expression, Yu Shiqing didn’t refuse. He stayed at the horse field for half an hour before leaving with Jiang Yu.
By sunset, everyone gathered again to watch the pre-show performance, starting at the horse field.
Riding was popular on the grasslands, so many tourists signed up. Today, with the stars filming here, a long line had formed outside.
Su Yayi and the others had already signed up and were in the third group. When the first group rode into the track, a screen at the finish line lit up with a countdown. If they reached it in time, they won.
Before the race even began, the spectators were already cheering.
But the first two groups failed. Finally, it was the celebrity group’s turn, and the cheers grew louder.
As the starting shot sounded, Zhu Yulan took the lead, pulling ahead by a full horse length.
Ji Chen was surprised. “Yu-ge, do you think Yulan can win?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Chances are good.”
Sure enough, at the last second of the countdown, Zhu Yulan crossed the finish line and was covered in ribbons. She won the bravery prize.
Ji Chen didn’t fight over the reward. They all agreed to let the two omegas play rock-paper-scissors, and Wu Luo won.
With that settled, they headed to the archery range. Zhu Yulan, now the hero, was surrounded by praise. She finally broke away and walked over to Yu Shiqing.
“Thank you, senior.”
Yu Shiqing said, “It was your skill. No need to thank me.”
Zhu Yulan blushed. “You flatter me.”
The archery contest was about to begin.
Zhu Yulan said, “Good luck, senior!”
“Thank you.”
Yu Shiqing turned and walked to the mark. Jiang Yu walked beside him. After a day of filming, he had improved a lot and could now reliably film Yu Shiqing’s upper body.
Yu Shiqing said, “You can go rest.”
Jiang Yu met his eyes through the lens. “I’ll rest after I finish filming.”
Yu Shiqing didn’t insist. Only five arrows to shoot, so it wouldn’t take long.
To his left, Ji Chen suddenly said, “What’s going on?”
There were ten targets and ten marks, but two men walked up together on Yu Shiqing’s right.
They looked young and were laughing. One of them said, “We couldn’t pull the bow alone, so we paid double and are competing together.”
Ji Chen was speechless. “Seriously?”
Yu Shiqing said nothing. It wasn’t an official competition, so the rules were flexible.
The starting shot fired. Yu Shiqing drew his bow and easily hit the target. Ten rings.
Now everyone knew a star was filming, and the place was packed. When Yu Shiqing hit ten rings, the cheers exploded.
“Yu Shiqing! Yu Shiqing!”
Ji Chen got nervous but surprisingly hit five rings. The crowd still cheered. At least he didn’t miss.
Ji Chen exhaled. “Yu-ge, standing next to you is so much pressure.”
Just then, the crowd burst into laughter. He turned to look. The two guys on Yu Shiqing’s right were struggling to aim and ended up hitting someone else’s target.
The crowd booed, but they got almost as much attention as the stars.
The second shot fired. Yu Shiqing shot again.
Another ten rings.
Thunderous applause again. Jiang Yu, through the lens, watched his calm movements.
“Yu-laoshi looks great.”
Yu Shiqing picked up another arrow, his side profile calm. “Thanks, Jiang-laoshi.”
Jiang Yu said, “Keep it up. Don’t get cocky.”
Yu Shiqing smiled slightly. “Okay.”
Third arrow.
Ten rings.
Four and five.
Still ten rings.
Total fifty rings. He beat the official archer by four rings.
Wei Yuanju got 13 rings. Ji Chen 20. Already high for tourists.
Ji Chen was happy to beat his usual score. He felt satisfied.
There were still two more arrows left unshot, so the results weren’t official yet.
Yu Shiqing had already put down his bow. Jiang Yu came closer.
For safety, he stayed near Yu Shiqing. His camera was close too, showing Yu Shiqing’s face most of the time.
The director switched to this angle. The viewers saw the screen like they were in Jiang Yu’s place.
“Oh my god, Yu Shiqing’s face is amazing. I’m in love!”
“It looks like he’s smiling at me!”
“Wake up, he’s smiling at Jiang Yu!”
Ji Chen appeared. “Yu-ge, congrats!”
Yu Shiqing said, “Thanks.”
Ji Chen looked to the right. “How long are those two going to mess around?”
Yu Shiqing glanced over. They were still arguing over how to aim the last arrow.
“Hurry up, listen to me. I’m out of strength!”
Ji Chen said, “Forget it, I’m getting water.”
Yu Shiqing nodded. “Go ahead.”
Suddenly, the crowd gasped.
“Watch out!”
“The arrow flew!”
“Jiang Yu, behind you!”
Jiang Yu reacted quickly, but the distance was too close, and his camera gear slowed him down.
Yu Shiqing turned and pulled him into his arms, shielding his neck.
The arrow hit Yu Shiqing’s forearm.
The strong impact made him frown and close his eyes in pain.
Jiang Yu noticed his shaky breath and dropped the camera, grabbing him.
“Yu Shiqing, are you okay? Are you hurt?!”
Yu Shiqing hadn’t spoken yet.
“Where’s the injury? Is it bad? Why aren’t you talking?”
Yu Shiqing opened his eyes. “I’m fine.”
The camera was pressed to his chest. The live stream went black. Viewers could only hear the noise and Jiang Yu’s worried voice.
The director quickly switched angles.
Everyone had gathered around Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu.
Ji Chen saw the white mark on Yu Shiqing’s arm and reached to help.
Yu Shiqing frowned. “Don’t move it.”
Ji Chen gasped. “So close. Did it hit the bone?”
Bone?
Jiang Yu clenched his hand tightly around Yu Shiqing’s waist.
The two archers panicked and kept apologizing. “Sorry, sorry, we didn’t mean it!”
Jiang Yu glared at them. His black eyes were full of sharp anger. They shut up instantly.
Everyone had their phones out.
Wei Yuanju quickly stepped in. “Where’s the doctor? Check if the bone is injured!”
Ji Chen added, “Jiang-ge, let’s wait for the doctor first.”
The director rushed over, worried.
Jiang Yu was the ratings guarantee. If he got mad and quit now, it would be a disaster.
Hearing Wei Yuanju and Ji Chen, the director quickly said, “The doctor is right behind!”
Jiang Yu coldly said, “If—”
The director flinched, ready to cry.
“Jiang Yu.”
Yu Shiqing’s pain eased. He frowned and let go.
Jiang Yu stopped and looked at him. His anger faded, replaced by guilt.
Yu Shiqing said, “Let’s go.”
Jiang Yu walked with him. “Are you okay?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Much better.”
As they walked away, the director stood frozen.
Ji Chen and Wei Yuanju exchanged looks.
In front of them, the calm conversation continued.
“Does it hurt?”
“Not too bad.”
“Want me to help you walk?”
“It’s my arm, not my leg.”
