RSDH CH25

Three hours left until the secret mission ended. Duan Xingye calculated that there would be a picnic later, and since he and Cheng Duzhou weren’t in the same group, they couldn’t interact. Not much time left for him.

Duan Xingye planned to complete the challenge before the picnic started. Therefore, he greeted him with smiles, asked about his well-being, and was meticulously considerate. First, let Cheng Duzhou relax his mental defenses, break the impression of being domineering in Cheng Duzhou’s mind, then act spoiled and cute (sell moe). With the timing and atmosphere right, there would be a way to make Cheng Duzhou say the sentence, “You are really cute today.”

Duan Xingye knew thousands of viewers were watching, but for House No. 1, he could temporarily abandon his idol baggage. He, who only massaged his grandpa’s shoulders, even condescended to let Cheng Duzhou enjoy his service once.

Thus, Duan Xingye gave Cheng Duzhou care from heart to body, thinking he had done impeccably, only to receive the response: “Don’t torture me like this.”

“?”

In an instant, silence fell all around.

Cheng Duzhou looked up at Duan Xingye.

Duan Xingye looked at him.

“…”

“…”

The silence was deafening.

Outside the tent, Old Xu and his assistant were laughing so hard their shoulders shook facing the monitor, attracting more and more staff to watch.

The livestream room, with its god’s-eye view, was even more infinitely joyful.

“This part made me laugh myself to death; they seem to be on different channels.”

“President Cheng is like a stray dog with extreme vigilance, suddenly getting a home, at a loss hahahaha…”

“Cheng Duzhou, you will regret it! Before long you will know, wifey’s welfare is a one-time offer!”

Inside the tent.

“How big is your problem with me?” Duan Xingye finally spoke, suppressing a raised eyebrow. “To think my gentleness is a kind of torture.”

“…Gentleness?”

Cheng Duzhou was surprised. His slightly flushed handsome face showed a bit of stifled anger from being teased, and his voice dropped two degrees.

“If you have any dissatisfaction, just say it directly… at least give me a quick death.”

“…”

Bullet comments: Ahhahahahaha…

Duan Xingye looked down at Cheng Duzhou, the light in his eyes gradually cooling, making the smile at the corner of his mouth full of mockery.

At this moment, he suddenly felt winning or losing didn’t matter, and the house wasn’t important anymore. He had endured since last night and had been provoked by Cheng Duzhou to the breaking point. If he didn’t vent his anger right now, even if they successfully checked into House No. 1 tonight, he would be too suffocated to sleep.

Besides, with his and Cheng Duzhou’s tacit understanding, they could never win.

Just let it rot.

Showdown.

Duan Xingye ruthlessly withdrew his hands from Cheng Duzhou, turned around, grabbed a chair to sit down, crossed his arms, crossed one long leg over the other, and said coldly: “You think I like pouring tea and water for you, massaging your shoulders and pounding your back? Cheng Duzhou, do I not need face?”

Hearing this, Cheng Duzhou suddenly detected a hint of strangeness.

Duan Xingye’s indifference right now wasn’t entirely because he couldn’t be bothered to pretend after his trick was exposed; it also carried imperceptible resentment and grievance, feeling as if he had let him down.

Cheng Duzhou reflected on himself, recalling Duan Xingye’s series of abnormal operations just now.

Perhaps he wasn’t pressuring him, and those words weren’t sarcasm spoken out of anger. Duan Xingye was really trying to be gentle and understanding.

But before he could relax, the person in front of him put away his smile, wearing a noble and arrogant beautiful face, sitting with arms and legs crossed in the dim light under the window, distant like an untouchable idol statue.

Even if Duan Xingye was angry because of his misunderstanding, he wouldn’t be this alienated.

Cheng Duzhou’s mood was even more chaotic than before. Frowning slightly, he couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong with you? Why did you suddenly become…”

He hesitated and didn’t finish the sentence.

Behind the monitor, Old Xu wiped away tears from laughing and sighed with emotion. “Looks like Teacher Duan is going to give up the mission early. But it’s about time; he has already tried very hard.”

Continuing in this state, let alone the remaining three hours, even giving this couple three days wouldn’t complete the mission.

It wasn’t that Teacher Duan wasn’t cute; it was that President Cheng didn’t dare to think in that direction at all.

Although the mission failed, for the filming team, Duan Xingye’s performance was an unexpected surprise. The program effect was maxed out, contributing to explosive ratings. While Duan Xingye broke out of the circle, he also brought several waves of traffic to All the Way With You.

The only thing Old Xu felt guilty about was that their mission triggered a small conflict between the couple, and a quarrel was probably inevitable next.

Sure enough.

“What’s wrong with me?” Duan Xingye raised his volume uncontrollably. “Suddenly become what? Speak clearly!”

Cheng Duzhou lowered his eyes, looking at his loosely clasped fingers. The platinum ring on his left ring finger emitted a dim light.

The sky outside was very gloomy. The tent only had a small window covered with plastic. The light basically cut off when it reached Cheng Duzhou, leaving only gray shadows covering his sharp and deep facial contours, softening the edges and revealing a bit of disappointment.

Duan Xingye felt a light sting in his heart. Not very happy seeing him like this, he looked away, about to spill the motivation for his series of actions starting from last night.

Cheng Duzhou said softly, “Why suddenly not cute anymore.”

Duan Xingye was too sensitive to those two words. His heart skipped a fierce beat, and he looked at him. “What?”

Outside the tent.

“Eh?”

Old Xu raised his tone, leaning close to the monitor, staring at the couple with a face full of expectation.

There’s a chance!

The audience was smashing their keyboards apart!

“Don’t just say not cute, say cute ah!!!”

“Just a little bit more, President Cheng hurry up!”

“Nervous to death, can these two make up or not?”

The whole world was cheering excitedly; probably only Cheng Duzhou was still immersed in low spirits, his heart even feeling a sour swelling sensation.

Cheng Duzhou lowered his head fiddling with the ring and said, “You last night…”

Getting milk on his lips, wearing cat ears, constantly seeking attention like a shameless little wild cat.

Duan Xingye stared at Cheng Duzhou with burning eyes, holding his breath, his heartbeat getting more and more intense.

Cheng Duzhou pursed his lips lightly and continued, “And this morning…”

Helping him massage numb fingers, jumping into his arms from the cold—all exceptionally bright and lively appearances.

“Clearly, very cute.”

Duan Xingye’s eye twitched.

The livestream room exploded with celebratory fireworks instantly.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! He said it!”

“Almost crying from excitement!”

” Lü Ye Shu Huai first place!”

“Congratulations President Cheng and Teacher Duan!”

Cheng Duzhou hung his head, his expression obscure and hard to read.

Why suddenly not anymore.

It felt like returning to the past again, always putting on airs with him, cold as if he could never be warmed up.

He thought celebrating the anniversary together, wearing rings, receiving Duan Xingye’s gift, they could be different from before. Seems many things were just his wishful thinking.

Right at this moment.

The green light on the walkie-talkie standing on the table flashed.

Old Xu’s voice, clearly holding back laughter, came through with static: “Challenge successful.”

Cheng Duzhou paused, looking toward the sound.

Duan Xingye leaned back in his chair, stretching his back, raised his arms above his head, clapped his hands with a pa, and could no longer control a huge smile.

He had been troubled by the secret mission since last night. Just now he had given up hope, but unexpectedly succeeded in the challenge. Now he felt hit by a huge surprise, colorful confetti butterflies about to burst from his body. Even when his album won an award, he wasn’t this happy.

“Cheng Duzhou.”

Cheng Duzhou was still out of the loop, confused: “What…”

Duan Xingye had already stood up and walked over, extremely close, his leg touching his knee, looking down at him from above.

Cheng Duzhou couldn’t understand the smile in Duan Xingye’s eyes, sitting stiffly on the chair, wanting to ask what the walkie-talkie meant.

Duan Xingye just wanted to celebrate. Happy to the point of forgetting himself, without deep thought, he reached out to cup Cheng Duzhou’s face, lowered his head, and planted a kiss on those thin lips.

“…” Cheng Duzhou’s breath stopped, but he didn’t forget to cling tightly to the last shred of rationality.

Something was very wrong.

Duan Xingye maintained his posture, straddling Cheng Duzhou’s lap, looking at him intently at close range. Moving laughter flowed in his dark upturned eyes, and his voice softened gently.

“You are truly a genius.”

In that instant, Cheng Duzhou’s pupils dilated, and his brain crashed and halted.

The bullet comments saw it clearly, laughing convulsively as they took screenshots.

Thus, not long after, a trending search exploded.

#Lost Self in Wife’s Praise#

After the excitement passed, Duan Xingye didn’t feel awkward. He patted Cheng Duzhou’s shoulders with both hands and said, “Don’t know what place we got, but we definitely don’t have to sleep in a tent.”

He was about to use the leverage to stand up when his lower back tightened.

Cheng Duzhou’s arms clamped him, pressing him back heavily.

“…” Duan Xingye’s heart palpitated from that irresistible force, only now realizing the awkwardness.

He and Cheng Duzhou had never had such an intimate sitting posture before, let alone with so many people in the livestream staring.

Cheng Duzhou, however, had no psychological burden at all, looking at him: “What challenge?”

Duan Xingye couldn’t push him away easily, feigned calmness, and confessed: “I have to guide you to say the sentence ‘You are really cute today’.”

Didn’t have to be word for word. As long as he made Cheng Duzhou express that he was cute today, it counted. Just now Cheng Duzhou said “Last night and this morning clearly very cute,” so the production team deemed it successful.

Cheng Duzhou was silent for a moment and said, “So last night you were also completing the challenge.”

“What do you think?!”

Mentioning this made Duan Xingye angry, pushing his shoulder.

Cheng Duzhou, however, buried his face in Duan Xingye’s chest.

“Hey.” Duan Xingye called him.

Cheng Duzhou didn’t move.

Just as Duan Xingye was about to tell him to get off, he glanced down and saw Cheng Duzhou’s exposed ear was red.

Duan Xingye pursed his lips. That bit of anger in his heart vanished instantly, replaced by a light, ticklish feeling.

—Cheng Duzhou looked very defeated.

Make sense.

Argued with him all night about whether there was seduction or not. Now knowing he was wrong, just hallucinations from being self-sentimental, he lost face completely.

Duan Xingye patted the back of Cheng Duzhou’s head lightly, humming proudly, “It’s okay, just a game. I’m not a sore loser, didn’t blame you.”

Cheng Duzhou kept his face buried without moving, freeing a hand to fumble and remove his own microphone, then looked up to remove Duan Xingye’s.

Bullet comments: Can’t hear anymore! What whispers are you two going to say!

Old Xu didn’t interfere. Their program team wasn’t a surveillance agency; guests had their own privacy rights.

Cheng Duzhou turned off both microphones. The connecting wires hung casually in mid-air, swinging.

Duan Xingye was baffled: “What for?”

Cheng Duzhou hugged his waist, looked up, and asked in a low voice, “You’re not angry anymore, right?”

Duan Xingye didn’t expect Cheng Duzhou to still be hung up on this, blurting out a denial: “I’m not angry…”

…Maybe a little just now.

Cheng Duzhou’s face moved closer, his deep voice becoming a bit soft: “Don’t treat me like that in the future, okay?”

Duan Xingye unconsciously lowered his voice too: “Like what?”

“Being so cold to me.”

Duan Xingye looked at him. The tip of his heart trembled lightly without warning, thoughts scattering aimlessly.

Wasn’t that cold…

Cheng Duzhou’s pitch-black eyes were no longer indifferent and opaque. Looking at him seriously, he said, “Feels like the sky is turning dark.”

Duan Xingye’s eyelashes trembled lightly, then dropped abruptly.

What nonsense.

Actually caring about his attitude.

Give me a break.

But at this moment, the microphones were off. Cheng Duzhou wasn’t putting on a show for the camera, but making a serious request in private, hoping he wouldn’t blow hot and cold anymore.

The livestream room couldn’t hear the sound, only see the picture.

They saw Duan Xingye straddling Cheng Duzhou’s lap. After a long while, he nodded lightly. Then both their faces got redder and redder, making everyone even more curious.

“What did they say!”

“The style suddenly turned pure love.”

“Blushing my ass! What haven’t you two done!”

It was almost time to gather for the picnic.

The two walked out one after another, looking down to tidy up the hanging microphones.

Before the sound reconnected to the livestream, Duan Xingye confirmed again: “You will help me cook later, right?”

Cheng Duzhou didn’t look back: “Won’t help.”

“?”

Duan Xingye looked up at him.

Dead silent just now, now fully revived, huh.

Really shouldn’t have given you face.

Cheng Duzhou actually disregarded everything and was about to leave the tent. Duan Xingye hurriedly grabbed his arm to pull him back, asking coldly, “What’s wrong with you? Going back on your word.”

Cheng Duzhou turned back to look at him. “You said it, housing for tonight is already solved.”

“There are still points.” Duan Xingye let go of his arm. “You don’t want points anymore?”

Culinary skills shown in the picnic would be scored. Lagging behind wouldn’t look good for anyone.

Cheng Duzhou fell silent upon hearing this, appearing to think. After a moment, he changed his stance and said, “Unless you agree to a condition, I don’t want points.”

Duan Xingye pursed his lips.

Seeing Cheng Duzhou did it on purpose, definitely having held back a condition waiting for him.

Duan Xingye went along with him: “Speak.”

Cheng Duzhou wouldn’t not help Duan Xingye; he was worried about this delicate young master during the picnic segment. But he didn’t want to relent so easily.

Thinking that the Duan Xingye who was so cute last night was faking it for a mission and he might never see it again, Cheng Duzhou felt a wave of regret and loss.

He said, “Wear the cat ears for me to see one more time.”

“…” Duan Xingye blinked slowly and arrogantly. “Don’t even think about it.”

Cheng Duzhou’s eyes darkened: “Sore loser!”

Saying that, he turned to leave.

“…”

Jiang Li carried a vegetable basket to Lü Ye Shu Huai’s tent to find Cheng Duzhou.

They were picnic partners and needed to coordinate cooking ingredients later.

“Wife, let me help you.” Xiao Jiahui hurried to catch up, reaching out to take the basket from her.

Jiang Li looked like a tough woman, annoyed: “Oh my! You’re not in my group, go busy yourself.”

“I just want to stay with you a bit longer.” Xiao Jiahui was somewhat shy.

The follow director kept holding the camera behind them.

The livestream watched this old married couple, Hahaha-ing happily.

Pulling and tugging, the two arrived in front of Lü Ye Shu Huai’s tent.

Suddenly.

— “Wait!”

Duan Xingye’s highly recognizable melodious voice came from inside the curtain.

Jiang Li and Xiao Jiahui paused simultaneously, looking toward the sound.

Inside the tent.

Duan Xingye grabbed Cheng Duzhou anyway, unwilling: “Do you have an obsession with cat ears or something?”

Cheng Duzhou took two steps closer, his gaze patrolling Duan Xingye’s face showing a faint blush, lowering his voice:

“Sorry for misunderstanding you were seducing me before, but next time please wear the cat ears and seduce me again. Lit-tle-kit-ten.”

“…” Duan Xingye choked, thinking Is this person sick?

Cheng Duzhou was in a good mood, raised his hand to pinch his fair cheek, and lifted the curtain to go out.

Then he came face to face with the Jiang-Xiao couple standing dumbfounded outside holding a vegetable basket.

“…………”

“…………”

Duan Xingye also saw the couple and glimpsed the camera pointed this way from the side.

He stiffly tugged at Cheng Duzhou’s sleeve.

Cheng Duzhou backed into the tent and dropped the curtain.

–

Author’s Note:

President Cheng: Let’s quit the show.