Chapter 4

【Which marketing account^[1] lied and said Qiao Yanli’s looks collapsed?!】

【Handsome, I’m sorry, I was hating way too loud just now!!!】

【Even though I’m an anti, I have to admit, Qiao Yanli’s face really holds up. You honestly can’t find a single flaw!】

【Back in the day, Qiao Yanli was an absolute visual god. He broke into the mainstream and shot to fame purely on his face. That top-tier, god-level beauty wasn’t just talk; every red carpet was total domination. Word is barely any male stars were willing to take photos with him, because standing next to him was like facing a demon-revealing mirror^[2]; everyone got outshone immediately.】

【So the marketing accounts deliberately Photoshopped the pictures? That’s disgusting.】

The fans were celebrating as well.

【Xiao Qiao looks even more handsome than he did two years ago!】

【I knew those marketing accounts were full of lies, waaaah! Xiao Qiao’s raw, unedited photos were incredible back then, and I’ve even seen him in person. How could he ever look the way those marketing accounts claimed?!】

【Heavy breathing Xiao Qiao in glasses is so handsome! I strongly propose welding them to his face!】

Back to the show.

Even though they already knew what Qiao Yanli looked like, everyone was briefly stunned when they saw him in person.

It lasted only the blink of an eye, however. Snapping back to reality, Wan Yu was the first to speak up warmly, “Xiao Qiao, after all this time you’ve gotten even more handsome! I almost didn’t recognize you just now!”

Qiao Yanli smiled and replied, “That goes for you too, Sister Yu. You’re even prettier than the last time I saw you.”

Wan Yu beamed at the compliment.

Wan Yu was a veteran singer who had debuted many years ago and released numerous chart-topping hits. Generous and open-hearted by nature, she had collaborated with Qiao Yanli back when he was an idol, sharing the stage with him for a song, and both of them had left a great impression on each other.

Aside from her, everyone else was unfamiliar to him.

Tu Sheng was a veteran actor and a perpetual supporting player who had appeared in many classic supporting roles. Off-screen, he looked just like an ordinary elderly neighbor, never without a thermos in hand.

You Yinyin was a girl group idol who had just debuted this year. At only nineteen, she was young and lively. Right now, her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Chu Xinyue was a currently trending young starlet who had starred in a massive hit drama two years earlier. If there was any connection between them, it was that he had sung that drama’s theme song.

Shen Fei had been in the entertainment industry for years. She had been popular early on, but married into a wealthy family and had children at a young age, only appearing occasionally for guest roles. Her acting wasn’t great, earning her a reputation as a famous flower vase^[3], but her name was always mentioned whenever lists of childhood beauties were compiled. Even more famous than her beauty, however, were her husband and son.

And Song Shuqi…

Wan Yu said warmly, “Xiao Song, why are you standing in the back? Weren’t you just wondering why Xiao Qiao hadn’t arrived yet? Now that he’s here, come say hello.”

Song Shuqi: “…”

It would have been fine if she hadn’t mentioned him, but the moment she spoke, everyone noticed Song Shuqi lurking in the back.

Now that he had been spotted, Song Shuqi could no longer pretend to be invisible. He took the initiative to step forward and take the suitcase from Qiao Yanli’s hand, offering an obedient smile. “Bro, let me help you.”

Qiao Yanli dodged his reach. “No need to trouble yourself. I can manage on my own.”

Song Shuqi smoothly pulled his hand back and led the way into the house, speaking as they walked. “Bro, I’m a fan of yours. I’ve watched your performances so many times and always hoped we could collaborate. When you left the industry, I never imagined I’d have another chance to be on a show with you. Bro, I even brought a guitar. Do you want to use it?”

“There will be opportunities.”

Three of the seven guests were singers, and the production team had indeed arranged for them to collaborate on a performance on one of the upcoming days.

Qiao Yanli paused, then reminded him, “You don’t need to call me ‘bro.’ You’re older than me.”

Song Shuqi: “…”

His footsteps halted, and he almost couldn’t maintain his smile.

Although he had supposedly debuted only in the past two years, he had actually entered the industry long ago, floundering for years as an obscure, bottom-tier nobody. It was not until Qiao Yanli left the entertainment industry two years ago that his agency seized the opportunity. Because the two had somewhat similar features, the agency replicated Qiao Yanli’s debut trajectory, sent Song Shuqi to a survival audition show, pulled strings behind the scenes, and made him famous as the “Little Qiao Yanli.”

But in terms of age, he was actually several years older than Qiao Yanli…

【Hahahahahahahaha!】

【Just a reminder: our Qiao Yanli was only twenty when he debuted. He was a top star, performed on the Spring Festival Gala^[4], and even after stepping away for two years, he’s still only twenty-five. On this entire set, only You Yinyin is younger than him.】

【Song Shuqi is just showing respect to his senior!】

【Who would have expected some people to enter the entertainment industry without even going to college, which is why he’s still so young after so many years in the circle. Our Songsong is a legit graduate of a Project 985^[5] university!】

But aside from Song Shuqi and his fans, nobody cared about this little interlude.

The group walked into the villa, where suitcases in various colors were still scattered across the living room. Since they would be living in this house for the coming week, their first priority was assigning rooms.

The house had four bedrooms in total. For the ladies, it was simple enough to divide: Wan Yu and Shen Fei, who were close in age, shared one room, while Chu Xinyue and You Yinyin shared another. As for the three male celebrities, two would have to share a room, leaving the third with a single room.

The three men exchanged looks.

Song Shuqi knew this was his chance. Tu Sheng was older, and out of respect for their elders, the final arrangement would definitely be him rooming with Qiao Yanli.

Knowing Qiao Yanli was joining this show, Song Shuqi hadn’t wanted to come at first; after all, he had frequently attached himself to Qiao Yanli in press releases. But the contract was already signed, and the breach-of-contract fee was an astronomical sum.

Qiao Yanli naturally generated topics and attention, and Song Shuqi could never pass up such massive traffic, so he had prepared thoroughly before coming. He would have his fans tear Qiao Yanli down while simultaneously releasing press releases hyping up their deep brotherly bond, boosting his own popularity to a whole new level.

He immediately spoke up, “Qiao-“

Before the word could fully leave his mouth, it was cut short by a clear, crisp voice.

Qiao Yanli took the initiative to extend an invitation: “Teacher Tu, would you mind sharing a room with me?”

Song Shuqi froze, and Tu Sheng was momentarily caught off guard as well.

He had also assumed the two young men around the same age would stay in the same room.

But now that he was invited, and seeing the young man looking at him with such earnest sincerity, an expression that no one could bring themselves to refuse, Tu Sheng thought nothing of it. Cradling his thermos, he chuckled merrily, “Of course! I snore in my sleep, though, so as long as you don’t mind, Xiao Qiao.”

“I’m a very heavy sleeper.”

The two of them headed up to the double room on the second floor together, Tu Sheng’s deep, resonant laughter carrying from a distance. Song Shuqi was left standing in place, utterly stunned. His expression shifted through several changes, but with the cameras rolling, he could only drag his luggage into the final room.

The bullet comments were practically laughing themselves sick.

【You can really see Qiao Yanli’s distaste. He’d rather room with Tu Sheng than get anywhere near Song Shuqi. I thought he’d at least put on an act, but he didn’t even bother keeping up appearances!】

【Qiao Yanli: Stay away from me!】

【Hahahaha, as a Qiao Yanli fan, let me laugh first! Song Shuqi has been making passive-aggressive remarks constantly, and I’ve been annoyed for ages. If Xiao Qiao had actually played along with this deep brotherhood nonsense, I would’ve had a heart attack!】

【Isn’t Song Shuqi the one who has it rough? He was friendly the entire time, showing respect to his senior, and he kept talking about him earlier. They’re around the same age, so they were supposed to become good friends on this show. Who knew Qiao Yanli’s attitude would be so nasty when he showed up? Look at how he was left all by himself just now, he looked so sad.】

【As for why Song Shuqi rubs people the wrong way, do you fans really not know?】

The living room stayed quiet for a little while before someone walked out again.

It was Qiao Yanli and Tu Sheng.

Neither of the two men had much luggage, so they unpacked quickly. While the others were still organizing their things, they took the opportunity to look around the house.

They gave the media room and the gym a brief glance, focusing their attention on the spacious kitchen. Before they arrived, the production team had announced that for these seven days, their food, clothing, shelter, and transportation would rely entirely on themselves. Prior to their departure, Sister Fang had warned him that the variety shows Director Yang directed in the past were notorious for tormenting the guests, and she worried this lifestyle variety show would follow the exact same playbook.

Fortunately, the kitchen was fully equipped with appliances and tableware, so at least cooking was not out of the question.

But when Qiao Yanli opened the large double-door refrigerator in the corner, he froze completely.

The sensor light cast a cold glow, illuminating the entire refrigerator. The produce section, the beverage racks, the chiller, the freezer… were all completely empty, without a single thing inside.

If post-production editing were involved, a desolate, chilly wind would probably be blowing across the screen right about now.

Qiao Yanli fell silent for a moment.

He pushed up his glasses and closed the refrigerator with an unruffled expression.

“Teacher Tu.”

Tu Sheng was boiling water. Hearing his name called, he turned around. “What is it?”

Qiao Yanli: “What is the longest you have ever gone without eating?”

Tu Sheng looked completely baffled. But when he saw the empty refrigerator, he was also struck speechless: “…”

【Hahahahaha, I knew Director Yang wouldn’t let me down!】

【I know the answer to this one! Pick me! Last time Film Emperor Xie went on Director Yang’s variety show, he was sent to feed pigs in a pigsty and ended up getting rammed into a pond by a pig. People on my feed laughed about it for three days and three nights, hahahahaha!】

【Good news: there are no pigs nearby. Bad news: Director Yang has already started confiscating supplies outside!】

Unwilling to give up, the two in the kitchen searched around once more and opened every single cabinet. Forget food, they could not even find a bottle of mineral water.

They stepped out wanting to break the grim news to their companions, only to find everyone had already gathered in the living room, while Director Yang stood smiling amiably with his hand resting on a large crate packed with items.

Wan Yu waved to them. “Xiao Qiao, Tu Sheng, hurry over! Director Yang says we have to hand over our wallets and all the food we brought.”

Qiao Yanli had a bad feeling. “You arrived earlier. Did you check the kitchen?”

Shen Fei: “We did. It seemed pretty well-equipped. But I do not know how to cook. Can any of us cook?”

Tu Sheng’s expression darkened slightly. “There is no food in the kitchen.”

Everyone was taken aback. “What do you mean?”

Director Yang moved with swift efficiency, having his staff whisk away the collected supplies immediately. By the time the cast realized what was happening, it was already too late to lunge forward and snatch them back.

The girl group idol You Yinyin was on the verge of tears. “My teammates specifically reminded me to bring extra food. I even brought hot pot base and instant noodles… but it was all confiscated…”

Chu Xinyue looked lost. “Aren’t those supposed to be provided by the production crew?”

Song Shuqi hurriedly asked, “Then what are we supposed to do about meals?”

Director Yang cleared his throat and said with mischievous relish, “The theme of our variety show is for everyone to experience working together and helping one another. Of course, we will also provide living expenses: thirty Yuan per person per day.”

Shen Fei’s face changed drastically. “What can thirty Yuan even buy?”

Director Yang: “If you feel that is not enough, the production crew will provide opportunities for part-time work so you can earn money. Also, shopping is not very convenient around here, but you can buy ingredients from the crew. Don’t worry, our prices are clearly marked. We won’t rip you off.”

Everyone: “…”

You’re clearly the biggest rip-off here, alright?!

However, two people still had not had their luggage confiscated yet. Everyone cast hopeful looks toward them, while Song Shuqi and Wan Yu quickly stepped in front of Director Yang, trying to protect what remained of their supplies.

Yet when the remaining two suitcases were opened, the group fell into an even deeper silence.

Tu Sheng had brought quite a bit of tea, along with a complete tea set, but absolutely nothing else.

Qiao Yanli’s luggage was even simpler; there was not a single edible item in sight.

Director Yang added, “If you want to head out, the production crew can provide a car.”

The car brand happened to be one of their sponsors as well.

Director Yang: “But you’ll have to pay for the gas yourselves.”

Director Yang: “Oh, and by the way, we only take cash. Mobile payments are not accepted.”

Everyone: “…”

Director Yang pulled out the envelopes containing today’s living expenses, handed them over, and concluded with a beaming smile, “I hope everyone has a pleasant stay and enjoys themselves over the coming week.”

Everyone: “…”

There’s nothing pleasant about this at all!