FLME Ch98

Chapter 098: Extra Episode of “Love Reality Show” (Part 1)

[How long have you been with your partner?]

A cardboard was raised by a staff member in front of Yu Wen. He focused on it and thought for a moment, then replied, “About a year… a year and two months or so…”

[Why did you join this show?]

Yu Wen tilted his head slightly.

“Do you want the truth, or the answer that fits the purpose of the show?”

The staff member raised the microphone and asked, “Can you say both?”

Yu Wen replied, “The truth is, I signed a contract and can’t break it.”

“And the polite answer?”

Yu Wen immediately became serious.

“I hope to use this show to enhance the relationship with my partner, explore potential conflicts in this relationship, communicate, and resolve them.”

The staff applauded.

“Mr. Yu, we love interviewing you. You’re so witty, always steady, and never mess up.”

Yu Wen humbly raised his hand, “Ah, you’re too kind, too kind.”

After finishing his solo pre-interview, he had another segment for a duo pre-interview with Xie Heyu. Sitting in the resting area outside the recording studio, drinking a beverage, he could vaguely hear the sound of Chu Han from next door.

“Why am I on the show? Because the fans are really concerned, and the company accepted the invitation.”

“How’s my relationship with Feng Chengzhou? … It’s okay.”

“If you’re asking about my personal opinion, I wouldn’t want to be on a dating show.”

“As for the show, it’s just that Feng Chengzhou… Well, if I may say, he makes me feel a bit embarrassed.”

Hearing the last sentence, Yu Wen suddenly choked on his drink, covering his lips and coughing.

With a “click,” the door to the room opened, and Chu Han walked out of the recording studio. Yu Wen’s nose turned red from the choking, and he looked at him and said, “The boss said to give President Feng some respect on camera. After all, he’s a big boss who can cover the sky with one hand in the industry.”

Chu Han went to the self-service beverage machine to buy a bottle of water, frowned, and said, “I’ll try my best. I’ve been lenient; I didn’t mention that he went crazy last night.”

Yu Wen: “What went crazy?”

Chu Han: “He couldn’t sleep due to insomnia and, in the middle of the night, pulled up his contacts to bombard everyone, telling them he’s going to be on a dating show…”

That wasn’t all. Early this morning, he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window with his suitcase and said solemnly, “Today is the day I, Feng Chengzhou, clear my shame. All gods and immortals should look at me, bless this dating show to be successfully recorded, and after it’s done, I’ll make sure your incense offerings are plentiful…”

At that moment, Chu Han was holding water in the kitchen and questioned his judgment for a brief moment.

The show had been signed half a year ago. It was called “Love Travel,” and it involved a ten-day trip, where difficulties were continuously set up to create a “we must fight through obstacles to stay together” atmosphere. In short, it was a show where couples, who had nothing better to do, were troubled by the production team.

Four couples were signed for the show, including Yu Wen and Xie Heyu, Chu Han and Feng Chengzhou, and two other recently announced couples from the industry.

Compared to the occasionally dramatic but always publicly affectionate Chu Han and Feng Chengzhou, the other three couples were the focus of the production team’s efforts. After all, the shorter the time a couple knew each other, the more potential conflicts there were.

Yu Wen signed onto this variety show because he had focused on filming for the past six months and had rarely appeared in public. He thought it would be nice to do a show for his fans to see a new side of him, and, on the other hand, he was an up-and-coming public figure with few opportunities to go out on dates, so he thought it would be good to treat it as a couple’s trip and agreed to join.

Chu Han joined because Yu Wen joined.

Chu Han had a reserved personality and rarely appeared on reality shows, but his fans were eager for more. Xie Jiamao had searched for a suitable match for a long time but couldn’t find anyone. In the end, it came to him as an inspiration to pair Chu Han with Yu Wen.

With Yu Wen around, the variety show effect wouldn’t be too bad.

When the production team contacted Feng Chengzhou, he personally visited the headquarters of Star Media, shaking hands with Xie Jiamao and saying seriously, “From now on, Huaiteng and Star Media are brother alliances. If you need anything, just ask, and I’ll make sure everything is handled well.”

Xie Jiamao, somewhat confused, accepted a wave of wealth and smiled broadly, patting the back of his head.

While Yu Wen and Chu Han were chatting casually, Xie Heyu finished his makeup and walked out of the makeup room.

The makeup artist had done a simple contour, with a light makeup effect, but the lips were meticulously outlined. It wasn’t clear if it was because he disliked his cold expression, but the corners of his lips were specially drawn, making his thin lips look as if they were smiling when he pressed them together.

Yu Wen admired him for a moment and thought that Teacher Xie truly still had charm.

They were called in for the duo pre-interview, and shortly after, Feng Chengzhou also came out of the makeup room.

As usual, Feng Chengzhou wore a high-end suit. His casual clothes were of better quality than what the production team had prepared, but the PD didn’t insist on changing them. However, he did have some base makeup done to highlight his features, making his eyebrows and eyes appear even more handsome and striking.

Holding a script in his hand, he walked briskly toward Chu Han while flipping through it. As he got closer, he furrowed his brow and said, “The pre-interview questions are too personal and difficult to handle. Should I let the PD know…”

After a long pause, no one responded. Feng Chengzhou looked up and realized that Chu Han was staring directly at him, unblinking.

Feng Chengzhou: “What’s wrong?”

Chu Han slowly shook his head.

He seemed to be frustrated with himself, sighing as he said, “Every time I think you’re embarrassing, you show me a little surprise that makes me rethink…”

A wise soul is rare, but a beautiful appearance is truly pleasing to the eye.

In this life, I’m doomed because of this damned obsession with good looks.

Feng Chengzhou: “…When have I ever embarrassed you?”

Chu Han didn’t want to say much more. As he stood up, he was suddenly pulled into an embrace from behind by Feng Chengzhou, who, with his hair stiff from styling gel, poked at his face like a large dog hanging on his back, softly whining, “…Give me a kiss…”

Chu Han quickly looked around, relieved that no one was paying attention to them. He angrily rubbed Feng Chengzhou’s head like he was petting a dog.

“Get off.”

Feng Chengzhou: “My hairstyle! You messed it up—quick, kiss me to make up for it.”

The two of them hugged and argued for a while, but in the end, it was Chu Han who was too shy. He grabbed Feng Chengzhou’s tie and lightly kissed the corner of his lips.

Feng Chengzhou was satisfied, his hair now in disarray as he proudly walked off to the makeup room.

—And immediately got scolded by the makeup artist.

“Five minutes! President Feng, you just left five minutes ago! Is there a cannon outside? Did World War IV break out outside the studio?!”

—

The official recording began three days later, with the first stop being a seaside cottage. Yu Wen and Xie Heyu arrived as the first guests.

They arrived just as dusk was falling. The coastline was bathed in a beautiful golden hue, with three or four rows of townhouses brightly lit against the backdrop of the azure sea. Under a tree outside, there were two elaborately decorated wooden swings.

Yu Wen was holding a coconut he bought on the side of the road. The two of them were laughing and talking as they walked toward the front gate of the villa. Suddenly, a group of people dressed in black appeared out of nowhere, one of them holding a sack that they quickly placed over Xie Heyu’s head.

“…”

Yu Wen quickly understood that these people were from the production team. Xie Heyu didn’t struggle too much and quietly allowed the sack to be put over his head. As he tried to speak, saying “Yu Wen,” he was immediately silenced by one of the black-clad people.

This all happened in an instant. By the time Yu Wen regained his senses, he was left alone, holding the coconut, looking around in confusion.

How terrifying.

Yu Wen quickly drank some coconut juice to calm himself.

The sea breeze hit his face, freezing him a little. He thought for a moment and decided to remain calm. He followed the signposts to the wooden mailbox in front of the house and found an envelope with his name on it.

Inside was a question card.

[If there were a couple’s game and, after the game, within 48 hours, the losing party would have to call the winner by a designated ‘nickname,’ which one could you accept?]

[A. Baby B. Brother C. Master D. Husband/Wife]

Yu Wen: “Which one can I accept? … That depends on whether I win or lose, so am I winning or losing?”

He looked toward the staff member hiding behind a tree. The staff member shook his head and avoided his gaze.

Yu Wen: “…You don’t know yet who’s winning or losing? Could it be the upcoming challenge?”

The staff member nervously shook his head again.

Yu Wen: “What will happen if I don’t choose?”

The staff member finally spoke: “Then your partner won’t be able to come back to you tonight.”

Yu Wen thought for a moment.

“If I choose Teacher Xie, will he be able to come back?”

The staff member cautiously answered: “There’s a one-in-four chance of success.”

Yu Wen glanced at the four options on the card.

“One of these is the correct answer… Hmm, I get it now. This is a ‘telepathic challenge.’ The correct answer is Teacher Xie’s choice. That means if I pick the same one as Xie Heyu, you’ll release him.”

Yu Wen studied the card thoughtfully, his mind racing.

“But— but you definitely have planned this so-called ‘couple’s game,’ and if someone loses, they’ll have to call the other by their chosen nickname for 48 hours. Am I right?”

The staff member couldn’t hide his expression.

Yu Wen smirked, sipping coconut juice, thinking to himself, “I was right, I’m a genius.”

“I know what he’ll pick, but I can’t choose it.” He lowered his head to look at the card again, taking the straw in his mouth and muttering, “What if I lose…”

Then, he swiftly stuffed the question card back into his pocket.

Not following the usual rules, Yu Wen casually pocketed the card and walked into the villa.

The cameras inside the villa followed him, aligning with military precision.

Yu Wen glanced around, then suddenly lifted the tablecloth from the dining table and began searching for someone. “Xie Heyu—”

The production team: “…”

The area for filming wasn’t large, and excluding the staff’s resting area, there was even less space. Yu Wen didn’t believe that after searching, he couldn’t find the tall Xie Heyu.

He opened the bathroom door and peered inside. “Xie Heyu?”

Passing by a storage closet, just to be sure, he opened it to take a look.

“Xie Heyu? You’re not in here, are you?”

Half an hour later, Yu Wen, having searched most of the villa, was out of breath. “Where the hell did you hide my boyfriend…”

He was holding the coconut, exhausted, when the second group of guests arrived. Car horns sounded outside the villa. Yu Wen leaned out from the second-floor window and saw Chu Han.

He hesitated for a moment between his boyfriend and watching the drama unfold.

…Of course, he would watch the drama!

Teacher Xie wasn’t going anywhere, and the drama would be over soon.

His exhaustion disappeared in an instant. Yu Wen eagerly rushed downstairs, carrying the coconut, and sat on the swing at the best viewing spot—right in front of the door.

Just like before, the black-clad people suddenly appeared and quickly placed a sack over Feng Chengzhou’s head, ready to take him away.

President Feng wasn’t going to sit still.

“Hey, hey, hey, who sent you? Do you want money or my life? No matter how much the other party offers, I’ll double it—”

He struggled wildly, flailing his arms like he was dancing some sort of elderly disco. Chu Han initially held him back tightly, but after a while, whether out of embarrassment or something else, he paused for a moment, then pulled the almost escaping sack back over Feng Chengzhou’s head, covering his face.

“Take him, take him,” Chu Han urged.

Because President Feng refused to cooperate, the black-clad people had to divide up the work, carrying him by the legs and hands. Eventually, Feng Chengzhou was carried off in a very awkward manner, bound tightly.

Before he left, he shouted, “Who did this? Who chose the day I’m recording the dating show to cause trouble? When I catch you, there will be no good ending for you!”