Since this was already the 7th live episode of “A Trip on a Whim”, the production team didn’t prepare a waiting lounge for the cast upon arrival at the filming location the next day. Instead, they began filming immediately. As soon as the car picking them up arrived, the cameras started rolling.
At exactly 5:00 a.m., Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu were sitting in the car, chatting with the director who had come to pick them up.
“You two came together again this time?” the director asked, trying to stir up conversation. “Our audience is really curious. Yu and Jiang always seem to share one suitcase when they come. Are you two living together now?”
After working together for a while, everyone could tell their relationship was close. They also noticed Jiang Yu never cared when rumors involved Yu Shiqing. That’s why the director dared to bring it up and even joke about it.
Jiang Yu looked at Yu Shiqing. This wasn’t hard to guess for anyone observant.
Yu Shiqing didn’t deny it. “Yes. Jiang Yu and I are currently living together for now.”
“Wow!” The director’s eyes lit up with excitement. He didn’t expect Yu to reveal something so big so casually.
It looked like the show had secured a trending topic from the very beginning of the episode.
Sure enough, while the car was still on its way to the destination, a screenshot of Yu Shiqing saying that had already started trending online. By the time all eight cast members had arrived, the topic shot to the top of the charts.
#YuShiqingJiangYuLivingTogether
Random viewers were shocked and clicked in, only to leave disappointed after seeing the screenshot.
“Is this kind of clickbait even okay? Two alphas living together isn’t weird they’re just good friends, right?”
“Can we stop twisting words? He said they’re temporarily staying together, not cohabiting! Cohabiting is something couples do!”
However, because Jiang Yu’s studio had always turned a blind eye to the “Shuangyu CP” fandom, fan accounts and gossip sites felt more confident in fueling the hype. Even though they didn’t dare go too far, they still used the trending title to full advantage and quickly posted a twelve-tile image collage of screenshots and gifs from the “YuGuo Tianqing” tag.
“Yu Shiqing drops bomb: #YuShiqingJiangYuLivingTogether#. Since the beginning of A Trip on a Whim, many viewers have witnessed the bond between Yu and Jiang. Turns out, they’ve been living together all along!”
The live broadcast of Episode 7 had just started, and the edited versions of the first three episodes had already aired. Because this show featured celebrities, was packed with laughs, and had mega-star Jiang Yu holding the spotlight, it instantly exploded online. Viewership remained sky-high, and the single-episode play count broke records, showing just how widely it was being watched.
Anyone who had watched the show could see how close Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu were.
Part of that was thanks to the production team. In editing, they kept nearly all of Yu and Jiang’s intimate interactions. Every one of those clips was a hot topic, and the director couldn’t bear to cut any.
At first, some viewers were unhappy and accused the show of “baiting BL fans.”
In response, the official team released an uncut, extra-long version of the live footage.
Baiting fans? Not happening.
If you watched the live streams, you’d know those moments were all real.
After three episodes, the “YuGuo Tianqing” fanbase had quietly grown even larger.
But ever since the two topped the trending list last time, their live room was flooded with oddball fans. So now, the fans were more careful and even worked hard to clear up rumors this time.
Soon, #YuShiqingJiangYuFriendship also made it to the trending list and started competing with the original topic.
Meanwhile, neither Yu nor Jiang knew anything about this.
After getting out of the car, the two walked into the small fenced courtyard that the show had rented.
This time’s location was a countryside village. Their lodging was near the locals, at the foot of the same mountain. From their spot, they could see lush green hills and a faint waterfall at the top of the mountain, glimmering like silver.
On either side of them, terraced fields stretched down the hill, irrigated by flowing spring water it felt like a gift from nature.
Ji Chen stood in the courtyard, breathing deeply. “Ah, the air here is amazing…”
Wei Yuanju held a cup of red date and goji berry tea. “This place is perfect for relaxing and de-stressing.”
Inside the fenced courtyard was also a private vegetable garden with fully grown crops. Suo Yayi couldn’t resist stepping in and pulling out a carrot, now washing it under the tap.
When she came out and saw Yu and Jiang, she waved and walked over, shaking water off her hand. “Yu-ge, Jiang-ge, after this episode, aren’t you going to the award ceremony?”
“Oh, right!” Ji Chen suddenly remembered. “Maybe we’ll even walk the red carpet together.”
Suo Yayi was surprised. “Wait, you were in a movie? No way, I never heard a thing!”
Ji Chen: “I’m just a guest performer.”
Suo Yayi nodded in realization. “Ah, I knew it. No way you were nominated.”
Ji Chen: “…………”
Wei Yuanju chuckled and changed the subject. “I don’t have any special talent to perform. I’ll just wish Yu and Jiang good luck and hope you both win.”
The others also came over to give their blessings.
When they went inside, they saw dinner was already prepared on the table.
It seemed the production team was set on letting the guests enjoy this countryside experience. One night passed, and the next morning was peaceful and calm.
At lunch, Ji Chen sighed at the table. “We’re on Episode 7 already. Has the director finally decided to let us just enjoy the trip?”
As soon as he said that, there was a knock on the door.
A chef in uniform walked in. The staff introduced the two chefs and handed an envelope to Wei Yuanju, who was closest.
“This is your task.”
Behind him, staff wheeled in a familiar lottery box.
Ji Chen’s face fell.
Wei Yuanju opened the envelope. “Inside the box are two types of slips, each representing a dish the chefs are known for. We draw lots to split into teams, then learn the dish from the chef. The first team to finish wins.”
“There’s also a small hint this challenge will be different from before.”
Ji Chen asked, “Different how?”
Wei flipped the card. “Doesn’t say. Just that one line.”
Suo Yayi said, “Whatever, we’ll find out. We still have to do it.”
She picked up the box and shook it. “I’ll go first.”
Each of the eight cast members took turns drawing slips, splitting into Team A and Team B.
Yu Shiqing, Jiang Yu, Suo Yayi, and Xi Mingjie were Team A.
Ji Chen, Wei Yuanju, Zhu Yulan, and Wu Luo were Team B.
Ji Chen slammed the table. “I call rigging! Yu and Jiang are always in the same team this is too much!”
Jiang Yu looked at him. “Then you and Teacher Wei must be rigged too.”
Wei Yuanju: “…Is it even possible to be unlucky in a rigged match?”
Ji Chen sighed and comforted him. “Don’t worry, Teacher Wei bad luck doesn’t last forever. We’ll win this time!”
Suo Yayi walked to Team A’s chef to ask about the dish.
The chef said, “This dish needs several vegetables. You have to collect them first before you can start cooking.”
Suo Yayi asked, “Which vegetables?”
The chef answered in a thick local dialect.
Suo Yayi: “…?”
She looked at Yu Shiqing in confusion it was like hearing a foreign language.
Yu pulled out his phone to record and stepped forward. “Could you say that again?”
The chef repeated it, then added, “Learning to cook starts with knowing your ingredients. You must pick the vegetables yourself. Otherwise, it won’t count.”
Xi Mingjie said, “We have to pick them ourselves? So, we can’t buy them?”
Suo Yayi nodded. “Of course! If it were that easy, it wouldn’t be a task.”
Team B got the same instruction.
Ji Chen copied the idea and dragged Wei Yuanju out of the room. “Yulan! Let’s split up and look!”
Seeing this, Suo Yayi suggested they split up too and left with Xi Mingjie.
Yu and Jiang first asked the staff for the names of the vegetables, but the staff now only spoke in dialect and wouldn’t let outsiders into the kitchen.
Outside, they got the same response from the locals.
After a few tries, Yu gave up and asked where the market was. He and Jiang found a vegetable stall and played the recording. The vendor helped identify the vegetables one by one.
Jiang repeated each name for Yu to save in his notes.
Before leaving, Yu asked, “Where can we pick these vegetables?”
The vendor pointed out and said two words.
Yu guessed from the context, “Up the mountain?”
The vendor smiled and nodded.
“Thank you.” Yu nodded and looked at Jiang. “Let’s go.”
The live chat exploded:
“Yu and Jiang’s chemistry is too natural, it’s like they belong together!”
“IQ domination! Everyone else is still wandering around, and they’ve already figured it out.”
By the time Ji Chen and others thought of heading to the market, Yu and Jiang had already caught a ride with a kind local and picked all the required vegetables from a greenhouse.
After thanking the locals, they didn’t rush back.
Yu glanced at the time. “The scenery is nice here. Want to take a walk?”
Jiang said, “Sure.”
More comments followed:
“I’m reporting a fake match!”
“This is so obviously throwing the game, I’m dying laughing!”
“Hahaha! Yu has won too much and feels bad, he’s buying time just to let Ji Chen catch up!”
As they chatted, Jiang suddenly said, “Look at that.”
The camera turned to catch up.
On the mountain, the cameraman had to walk carefully, so there was a slight delay.
Yu was walking toward Jiang. The camera followed Jiang’s gaze upward.
Between two short trees was a wild grapevine. No one had taken care of it, but it grew well. The grapes had been pruned before, and now only unripe green and red fruits remained.
There were no warning signs or signs of ownership nearby.
Seeing the grapes reminded Jiang of the first episode.
He asked Yu, “Thirsty?”
Yu said, “No.”
Jiang replied, “No, you’re thirsty.”
Yu smiled. “Alright, I’m thirsty.”
Jiang said, “Wait here.”
He went to the vine, picked the darkest grape, and turned back.
“You—”
Just as he reached Yu, Jiang stepped on a tree root and slipped back half a step as the bark broke under his foot.
The cameraman gasped, “Careful!”
But Yu reacted faster he grabbed Jiang’s wrist and pulled him forward.
Jiang didn’t resist, falling straight into Yu’s arms.
Yu’s hand slid to Jiang’s waist to steady him. He frowned. “Be careful.”
Jiang looked down at the root, then looked at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten hurt when you’re around.”
Yu’s frown eased at those words. He smiled. “Then stay close. Don’t stray too far.”
“Don’t stray too far,” Jiang repeated, staring into his eyes. “Does that mean… you want me to stay with you forever?”
Forever?
Yu’s heart stirred.
In the sudden, quiet calm, their eyes met.
Above them, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden specks of light on the two figures standing close by the tree, wrapped in a warm glow.
The camera caught the moment perfectly and streamed it live.
Comments exploded again:
“Okay, wedding photos done when are you registering your marriage?!”
