FLME Ch102

Chapter 102: Extra Episode of “Love Reality Show” (End)

On the weekend, the third episode of Love Travel aired, and Xi Su was on time in front of the TV.

Since the show started, its popularity had been climbing, and the reviews were good. The first few episodes quickly gained traction with a light-hearted and cheerful tone, and although there wasn’t any major trending topic, the audience engagement was high, with each episode’s viewership staying solid.

The preview for the third episode was released, and Chu Han’s name, along with a censored telegram-like message, shot up to the trending searches.

Although the message was censored, with the context and the shocked expressions of those around, anyone could easily guess what Chu Han had said. Netizens quickly dug through his previous variety shows and live streams and discovered that this brother was unusually straightforward, often saying things that couldn’t be aired, following the guidance of netizens. In just one night, Chu Han gained a new nickname: “The Telegram Nightingale.”

Not having much variety show charisma was the biggest variety show charisma.

Love Travel had made its first breakout, and even before the third episode aired, it already generated huge buzz.

Xi Su, being a bit idle, would film when there was a project, and when there wasn’t, he would stay at home live-streaming and binge-watching shows. During this time, he was free and rotting away. Under Xie Jiamao’s direction, he diligently kept up with the updates, becoming the fifth person in the Starry Media’s dating variety show.

Today was the special benefits series. Not only did Xi Su have a live reaction, but Xie Jiamao also invited thirty lucky fans to connect and watch along. Although the third episode hadn’t aired yet, the live-stream was already rocketing to the top of the platform’s homepage.

The screen was split into numerous small frames, all filled with fans. Even before the live-stream started, they were already chatting, and Xi Su felt like his head was spinning, suspecting that the live stream would be overtaken by Yu Wen’s fans.

With the constant chatter, it was clear they were all following Yu Wen.

He had no choice but to mute his microphone and forcibly silence it, then began answering the questions in the bullet comments one by one.

“Is Yu Wen here? No, Yu Wen is still recording. Today, it’s just me keeping you company.”

“I don’t ship CPs, especially not Yu Wen’s. Every CP I ship is a BE.”

“I don’t ship real-life couples either… I’ve locked my heart for Yu Wen.”

A comment suddenly popped up: “But you seemed really happy in the last two episodes.”

Xi Su fixed his gaze and immediately clarified: “Don’t spread rumors. That was just for work. The last two episodes were actually really fun, didn’t you laugh? Laughing doesn’t mean I ship them.”

“Aren’t they like your godparents?”

Xi Su: “Two different things. Godparents are out of respect, shipping CPs is personal preference…”

Five minutes before the episode aired, Xie Jiamao walked in and sat in front of the camera. He had no particular plans today, so he joined Xi Su in watching.

In the early days when the company only had Yu Wen as an artist, Xie Jiamao had managed him. Later, Yu Wen transferred to Xie Heyu, and then Xie Jiamao began managing Xi Su and Chu Han. Even though he didn’t appear much on camera, the fans of the company’s artists were familiar with him.

Xi Su introduced him to the fans, and the netizens, as usual, were blunt and unrestrained. Anyone with a bit of charm wouldn’t escape their clutches. Xie Jiamao, with his half-bun hairstyle, appeared on screen. Despite his age, his features still had a refined, mature charm with a hint of weariness, like someone who had been tempered by time.

The fans in the small frames immediately reacted.

“New face, haven’t seen him before.”

“Uncle, do you know the top picks in the uncle fanbase? No ulterior motives, you’re my type. Crooked smile, heart emoji.”

“Uncle, I think my heart is broken. Listen to it, it’s beating so fast~”

Having managed several young artists, Xie Jiamao was no stranger to the fans’ cheeky comments. Without changing his expression, he responded to a few of them in a relaxed and jovial manner.

After a brief two-minute chat, the episode updated.

The third episode was mainly filmed at the aquarium. The camera swept through the adorable marine life, making the audience melt in cuteness.

After reading the task card, Yu Wen came downstairs and lazily hung around Xie Heyu, who was making breakfast.

The sweet and cozy couple moments were already driving the bullet comments wild.

Xi Su propped his chin up, unmoved.

He was a man of integrity. If he said he didn’t ship them, he wouldn’t. Today, he was just a ruthless commentator who wouldn’t laugh.

After a hug, Yu Wen winked at Xie Heyu.

It was obvious that he didn’t want to call him “brother,” but Xie Heyu, usually quick-witted, suddenly became slow, with a confused look on his face.

Until Yu Wen shouted angrily, “I saw you smile! Don’t tell me you didn’t get it!”

Xi Su’s lips curled up slightly, but he immediately suppressed it.

What’s so good about shipping them?

It’s boring.

On the way to the aquarium, the four guests discussed how to hide. Bai Yuan said it didn’t matter if they lost; there would still be a seafood dinner in the evening, and calling each other pet names wasn’t that hard.

Chu Han had a different opinion. He said, “It’s hard to say.”

Bai Yuan laughed: “If you don’t want to say it, Director Feng won’t force you, right?”

“He will,” Chu Han replied. “He’s a pervert.”

The words were censored.

The next part was covered by Yu Wen’s hand, manually muting it.

Since the pilot episode, the Feng-Chu couple had brought a great sense of contrast and shock to the netizens. The more episodes that aired, the stronger the impact became.

Since the official announcement, their relationship had lasted over a year. The media called them loving and sweet, and under Director Feng’s relentless brainwashing, netizens always considered them to be a picture-perfect couple with a normal vibe.

This time, appearing on the dating variety show, they were the least talked-about couple—being together for over three years, having been through more than two years of adjustments, meeting each other’s parents, and having a stable relationship. It was hard for such a couple to face any major obstacles, and the program’s challenges wouldn’t be effective.

But the pilot interview gave the netizens a huge surprise.

“To be frank, he makes me feel a bit embarrassed.”

With these words, Director Feng’s millions in public relations expenses went to waste.

In the show, their good relationship was evident, but the huge difference in their thought processes was equally obvious, especially with Feng Chengzhou. Usually confident and domineering, he automatically loses 100 IQ points when he’s in front of his wife. Every time Chu Han looks at him, it’s like watching a silly dog rolling in mud, desperately struggling between being thrown away and being cleaned.

Their interactions have become one of the most anticipated parts of the show. And, as expected, Feng Chengzhou didn’t disappoint the audience during the aquarium visit.

“Chu Han—Chu Han—your boyfriend is looking for you, please come to the second-floor service desk to meet him—”

“Missing person alert—lover Chu Han, wearing a camel-colored coat, as beautiful as a flower…”

The camera switched, and Chu Han, sitting on the toilet lid and watching a show, clenched his fists.

“Director Feng has worked hard for three episodes and has become the biggest laugh point of the dating show.”

“Haha, you say he’s dumb, but he knows to offer a big reward; you say he’s smart, but he always steps on Chu Han’s landmines.”

“Director Feng isn’t dumb, he’s sincerely in love (fifty cents per comment).”

Feng Chengzhou, patrolling in a vehicle, searched the venue, while Chu Han, sitting in the bathroom, curled his toes against the ground. The audience could see his expression change from confusion to determination, and then to despair, realizing that Director Feng was probably not going to find his wife today.

“Chu Han: The bathroom is nice, maybe I’ll just die here.”

“Le Feng! I’m leaving when I get back!”

Thanks to Director Feng, the comments were filled with enthusiasm, and soon the main episode was released.

Bai Yuan and Zhao Feiyang’s parts were standard. After all, they had only just officially announced their relationship and didn’t have that much chemistry yet. Under the audience’s eager anticipation, the big names in the show, Xie and Yu, took center stage.

Xie Heyu walked into the aquarium.

He entered through Entrance A, and the penguin exhibit was just down the escalator. After wandering around for a moment, he suddenly stopped in front of two claw machines.

They were all penguins—inside the claw machine, on the display board, everywhere.

The audience, confused, flooded the comments with question marks.

Clearly, the PD behind the scenes was just as puzzled. The camera followed Xie Heyu’s gaze to the display board.

After two or three minutes of drifting, the camera settled on the side of one penguin, where a small line of text appeared:

“I laid these, don’t take them, thanks.”

Polite and cute.

Tens of thousands of netizens were taken aback.

“Oh my god, is he some kind of scanning machine? How did he even see that?”

“The PD went over it three or four times and didn’t notice.”

“Wow! Is this what couple telepathy looks like?”

“Did Yu Wen write this? Wait, what’s the feature that made him recognize it at a glance? I don’t accept it.”

Xie Heyu couldn’t respond to the questions from the screen. He stood in front of the claw machine, already starting to grab the plush toys.

The PD didn’t want to break the moment’s atmosphere and quietly filmed, not asking any questions.

It wasn’t until Xie Heyu exchanged the plush toy he grabbed with the staff that the show revealed footage of Yu Wen hiding before.

He and Chu Han each occupied a claw machine, focusing intently on grabbing the toys. Their faces were tense with concentration, and compared to the plush toys in the machines, it was hard to tell who was cuter.

In the end, he didn’t catch any plush toys, and with a face full of disappointment, he wrote the line on the display board.

He probably intended to try again after the recording, but Xie Heyu got the toy for him.

Later, in the follow-up interview, the director asked Xie Heyu how he knew that Yu Wen had written it. Xie Heyu smiled subtly, and his answer was even more ordinary and touching than expected.

“I recognize his handwriting.”

For a brief moment, the comments section went silent. Xi Su saw the fans in the small frames gesturing excitedly, seemingly unable to contain themselves, wanting to speak.

He hesitated for a moment and said, “One at a time, wait for me to call your number—” then he turned on the microphone.

The next second.

“Ahhhhh! I’m happy again! I’m happy again!”

“Who understands the depth of this statement? I recognize your handwriting, I’m familiar with your writing style, I don’t need to think—I know it’s you at a glance… Ahhh, what is this circle? How lucky am I to eat this kind of royal food!”

A huge wave of excitement rushed in, and Xi Su clicked the mouse and expressionlessly turned off the microphone.

He knew it.

With this segment, the following interactions between Xie Heyu and the mermaid would show that as soon as Xie Heyu smiled while glancing sideways, the netizens knew he recognized it.

The audience knew the hiding spots of all the guests, having the god’s view of everything, regretting each missed opportunity, but in Xie Heyu’s story, there would never be such regret because he could catch a glimpse of Yu Wen with just one look.

Whether it was him or his handwriting.

Xi Su turned off the microphone but couldn’t stop the fans’ excitement. The comments were going crazy.

“I see who’s gone mad! It’s me! I’ve gone mad shipping them!”

“If I’m not shipping Xie Yu, what am I shipping? If I’m not shipping Xie Yu, what am I shipping…”

“To me, Xie Yu is the perfect couple…”

Xi Su rubbed his ears and continued watching the show. During the moment the fans were going wild, the progress bar had already moved a minute ahead and was now showing the interaction between Xie Heyu and the little monster.

The little monster was seriously writing “No signature” on the glass.

Xie Heyu’s gaze moved from the glass to the little monster’s face, and the shimmering water reflections in his eyes were especially gentle.

Xie Jiamao, who had been silent throughout, now cupped his face in his hands, looking as if his heart was melting.

The screen showed a countdown.

When the countdown ended, Xie Heyu finally revealed a childish side, pointing at Yu Wen’s forehead from across the space and saying, “Here, this.”

He didn’t need to win.

In this game, winning or losing was far less important than seeing Yu Wen happy.

The third episode ended with a bang, and for the following days, the trending searches were filled with the names of Xie and Yu.

“I declare the last scene of the third episode as my life video.”

“So happy, I’m peacefully dying…”

“I feel so warm, it’s like being cremated.”

Before the live stream ended that day, the fans, still unsatisfied, chased after Xie Jiamao and Xi Su for half an hour. The show had exceeded its sugar quota. Xie Jiamao, who had developed a second personality, was also shipping the couple. With a warm, yet slightly shy smile and a delicate hand gesture, he gently said, “Yes, they’ve always had a good relationship. They’re very sweet when they’re together…”

Xi Su stubbornly insisted that he didn’t ship them. The fans didn’t force it, only saying he had no taste and needed to go back and watch more Xie Yu CP videos, saying that Xie Yu was royal food while his past meals were rough bread.

Xi Su’s reputation for shipping official couples was well-known. In the past, he had even had verbal sparring with fans, criticizing him was fine, but criticizing his CP was not allowed.

In a fit of rage, Xi Su spent the entire night binge-watching all the Xie Yu CP videos.

The next day, the assistant came to deliver the new schedule, and Blue-Haired Brother, sporting a bird’s nest of messy hair and two large black eye circles, seemed to be trying to prove something. He took a deep breath and firmly said, “I… don’t… ship…”

The assistant didn’t quite understand, but upon seeing the paused video on the computer screen, curiously clicked play.

The video started playing, and in just two seconds, Xi Su choked up and said, “So happy, can they get married?”

Assistant: “…”

When the fourth episode aired, Xi Su had just finished a major rewatching session, his body firmly planted in the pit, yet his mouth was still as defiant as ever.

“I don’t ship them,” he told the live stream viewers. “There’s nothing to ship. I’ve said it before, I will never ship Yu Wen’s CP again.”

Once again, accompanying everyone for the live update was Xi Su… and the very idle Starry Media CEO, Xie Jiamao.

In the previous live stream, Xie Jiamao unintentionally unleashed his second personality. When he wasn’t fed enough sugar, he was a cheerful and generous middle-aged handsome uncle. But when he had too much sugar, his “cute” girl persona kicked in, and with his half-tied long hair and delicate looks, it was unexpectedly fitting.

He had a youthful air about him that hadn’t been captured on camera, and with the fourth episode not yet updated, netizens were having fun teasing him.

Xie Jiamao waved at the camera, looking like a lucky cat greeting the new year, awkwardly saying, “I don’t know how to act cute, sorry, sorry, that was an accident, the orchid finger… did I raise the orchid finger?”

“You did,” the good employee Xi Su answered honestly. “And after that, you kept speaking like that.”

Xi Su mimicked Xie Jiamao’s previously shy, fidgety state.

“…” Xie Jiamao said, “I’m your boss.”

Xi Su, being quite perceptive, didn’t hesitate to retract his statement when it was time to kneel and said, “What orchid finger? That never happened.”

When the fourth episode updated, the audience’s attention shifted back to the show. Xie Jiamao, worried that he might “transform” again, secretly messaged Xi Su under the table to keep an eye on him.

Xi Su: [It’s on me, with Xiao Xi around, no accidents will happen.]

If the third episode was easy to ship, the fourth episode was all about shipping madness.

The punishment for failing the game was quite entertaining. Director Feng shouted “Master” on the streets, completely shattering Chu Han’s already fragile sense of rationality. Every time the camera captured Chu Han’s face, his emotions were clearly written on his face, showing his collapse without a word.

Fans even worried they might break up after filming the show.

“Help Chu Han, he’s about to break.”

“Director Feng is a psychopath. He can’t date a normal person. It’s torture for normal people hhh…”

“I never imagined they’d be this dramatic.”

The contrast between Xie Yu and Feng Chu was sharp.

Xie Heyu never called out embarrassing pet names in front of others. The punishment seemed to have no effect on him and Yu Wen.

But it was only “seeming.”

While cleaning lobsters, every time Xie Heyu called out “brother” while washing one, Yu Wen’s ears would turn red.

…Privately, he’d use all sorts of nicknames.

The audience fell from a comedic heaven into a sea of sweetness, struggling to process the change.

“Director Feng, come learn from this.”

“The textbook is right next to you, how did you end up like this?”

“Xie-ge, please start a class, I think Director Feng really needs it.”

The comments were wild, but only the two hosts were seriously shipping the couple.

Xie Jiamao held his face and smiled, his inner girl suddenly awakening.

The self-proclaimed “don’t ship” Xi Su, half-collapsing on the couch, couldn’t suppress his smile anymore.

At dinnertime, the program team caused more trouble, requesting the two losing teams to go for another round of overtime.

When the sticky notes were applied to Xie Heyu’s chest, the comments exploded.

“Is this something I can watch?!”

“Yesterday it was pure love, today it’s sultry? The production team has some skills!”

“Looks good, love it, more please.”

Xi Su: “Oh boy.”

Xie Jiamao’s second personality snapped back, instantly sobering up.

Boss and employee exchanged looks.

Xie Jiamao awkwardly laughed, “Uh, uh, is this something we’re allowed to watch…”

On screen, Xie Heyu had already bent down and was biting a sticky note on Yu Wen’s inner thigh.

Netizens were reduced to monosyllabic beings, with the comments filled with “ah” sounds.

Xie Jiamao felt awkward and uneasy, trying to fast forward.

This part of the game was very friendly to the audience—like a sweet royal banquet—but for Xie Jiamao and Xi Su, one being an elder and the other a friend, it was a bit uncomfortable, especially since it was live streaming. Any facial expression would feel out of place.

Just as he was about to fast-forward, Xi Su stopped him.

“Boss, don’t move,” Blue-Haired Xi said seriously. “You just stay back for now, Xiao Xi will notify you when it’s over.”

Xie Jiamao remembered Xi Su had said before that he didn’t ship this couple, so it was quite a sacrifice for him to do this.

Xie Jiamao, touched, said, “If you feel uncomfortable, just turn off the live stream. The boss will make up for the lost money.”

Xi Su replied, “I can handle it, but my state might not be great, so there will be some losses. Boss, just send me a small red envelope later.”

Xie Jiamao: “Alright.”

He casually grabbed a magazine to block his view, put on his headphones, and played some rock music.

Only Xi Su remained in the live stream, but for the moment, no one noticed the host’s condition as the show was at a critical moment.

It all stemmed from Yu Wen’s unexpected “I love you” in the second round.

Not just Xie Heyu, the audience was stunned.

“No, isn’t this supposed to be sultry? Why did it suddenly turn pure love…”

“Of course, letting the couple do their own thing leads to a pure love battle.”

“I suddenly can’t speak dirty words.”

When the director announced Yu Wen’s victory, anyone with a sharp eye could tell the disappointment in Xie Heyu’s expression.

The dirty jokes that had filled the comments almost disappeared.

“I have a thousand dirty jokes in my heart, but I can’t say them.”

“Absolute sincerity is the nemesis of psychopaths.”

“He should know that Yu Wen loves him, not just in the game, right? He knows, right?”

Xi Su watched with a troubled look, wishing he could immediately tie these two together and have them say “I love you” a thousand times.

He was completely absorbed, forgetting all about his boss.

Xie Jiamao, estimating that the time was about right, patted Xi Su’s shoulder and whispered, “How’s it going…”

Xi Su immediately swatted his hand away, impatiently saying, “Stop bothering me.”

Xie Jiamao: “…”

Xie Jiamao rolled his eyes, moved the magazine aside, and took a careful look, noticing that the comments had already shifted in a direction he couldn’t understand, so he took off his headphones in relief.

The third round, You advance, I retreat.

No one cared about the game. The comments were still focused on that “I love you” moment.

“I think Xiao Yu probably has never said ‘I love you,’ that’s why Xie Heyu had that expression…”

“He was really surprised, and when he realized it, he was truly disappointed.”

This quiet and reserved young man didn’t appear as calm as he seemed. He also had a tender side.

Netizens felt a rush of sympathy, worried he might get caught in his own thoughts, and almost wanted to shout into his ears: “Don’t be sad, Yu Wen loves you so much!”

But unfortunately, Xie Heyu couldn’t see their comments, nor could he hear their cries.

However, the fact that Yu Wen loved Xie Heyu didn’t need to be relayed by the fans.

While playing You advance, I retreat, the king of spades appeared. Xie Heyu held the card and said to Yu Wen, “Repeat the last thing you said in the last round.”

The comments went blank for a moment, probably trying to remember what the “last thing” was.

Yu Wen reacted much quicker than they did.

“I love you.”

“……”

“Damn.”

If Xie Heyu wanted to hear a confession, he would ask for it himself.

“Say it again.”

“I love you.”

“Say it again.”

“I love you.”

Three kings, three times of “I love you.”

From Xi Su’s initial daze to now waiting with bated breath, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was about to happen, a strange premonition gnawing at him.

At this crucial moment, the comments seemed to dwindle. Perhaps the editing of this segment was so tense that no one had time to comment.

With the final king of spades, Xie Heyu casually played with the card, a faint smile on his lips.

“I love you too.” — This was his response to the three “I love you”s.

The comments went absolutely wild.

“Ahhhhhhh—”

“Ahhhhhhh—”

Xi Su and Xie Jiamao screamed as they shook hands, their eyes meeting and confirming their shared emotions. Tears welled up as they said, “Get married, let them get married…” “I’ll be the best man.” “I’ll be the MC.”

They shouted louder than the fans in the live stream.

“？？？”

“Xi Ge, may I ask? Weren’t you supposed to have locked your heart?”

“You scared me, I thought the kettle at home exploded.”

The fourth episode essentially came to an end.

However, two days later, the fourth episode’s Easter egg update was released. The footage showed Chu Han and Director Feng squatting on the floor, unboxing toys. The production team didn’t capture much more, so they had to rely on concise captions to explain the scene.

‘Contacted the aquarium to purchase the plush toys’
‘Willing to pay a high price for the limited edition’
‘Carefully boxed them up to avoid dust.’

Each phrase felt so niche, and each one made the heart soften.

Netizens joked every day about when they would break up, but off-camera, they were quietly loving each other.

The moments the fans couldn’t witness were the true testament to their love.

The day the fourth episode aired and made the trending searches, there was a highlighted comment in the thread:

“Really nice.
The world is vast.
You are all being loved.”

__

Author’s note:

The dating variety show updates are done!