After confirming the livestream was off, Lin Yi glanced at the camera hanging in the corner of the tent. The red light was blinking faintly, still recording content that would be shown in the main broadcast of the variety show. She rested her head on her hands and called out to Xu Shuyan, “Are you asleep?”
Xu Shuyan was lying on her side, facing her. She opened her eyes slightly, her upward gaze making her look innocent. “What is it?”
Lin Yi sighed. “I’m worried about us tomorrow!”
Xu Shuyan, however, was unconcerned. “What’s there to worry about? We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“What if the production team makes you go in the water?”
“…”
“Why aren’t you talking?” Lin Yi turned her head to look at her, unable to hide the teasing in her voice. “What will you do if they make you go in the water? It’s been over a year. Surely a certain someone wouldn’t still be too scared to get in the water and beg me for help, right?”
Xu Shuyan had fallen into the water as a child, and the PTSD was etched into her bones. The sight of any large body of water made her want to run and hide. The only time she could somewhat overcome it was when they soaked in a hot spring together.
Like during the group’s variety show recording last year, being asked to submerge herself completely in the sea to retrieve something the production team had placed there was worse than death for her.
Later, Lin Yi had smugly shared that clip on her Moments, writing, “Click to see the cool girl begging for help. Like this post and you can get a red envelope from me with a screenshot.” It became one of Xu Shuyan’s most embarrassing memories.
Xu Shuyan gritted her teeth. “I’m not going in the water, no matter what. Whoever wants to can go!”
Although they had deliberately pitched their tent far from the beach, the straight-line distance wasn’t great. In the dead of night, the whistling of the sea breeze was even clearer. Lin Yi was afraid of genuinely scaring Xu Shuyan into having nightmares and being in a bad state the next day, so she quickly patted her. “Alright, alright. You don’t have to go in.”
After a pause, she asked again, “Can you sleep?”
Xu Shuyan asked, “What are you planning?”
Lin Yi suggested, “How about we study the map?”
When they filmed the last season, Green Origin Island was a completely deserted island. It was said that some tycoon had bought it to develop into a holiday resort and had invited the Gu Group to film their variety show there for publicity before development began.
Now, over a year later, only half of it had been developed. The park was still in its trial operation phase. Yan Qi had only dared to choose this location because a large number of tourists hadn’t started pouring in yet.
The final mission was also simple: the first team to reach the park, find the highest point, and pull the flag would win.
“Last time, we were here in the southwest,” Lin Yi said, pointing to a spot. “Even though our starting point is different this time, we’ll still pass through places we’ve been before. I remember there are a lot of coconut trees in this area.”
“It’s a shame the coconuts aren’t very good this season,” Xu Shuyan said with regret.
“We’re lucky to have anything to eat at all!” Lin Yi followed the route upwards with her eyes. “Tomorrow, after we get up, we’ll go to the charging station first. We’ll sort out food and charging there, and pack as many supplies as we can carry.”
Xu Shuyan hummed in agreement.
Lin Yi lowered her head, her forehead resting against the map, which rustled slightly. She said casually, “I wonder how Yuanyuan and the others are doing. Yuanyuan is afraid of the dark, and she’s not very brave…”
She raised her eyes to meet Xu Shuyan’s. In a spot the camera couldn’t see, her eyes held a hidden, somber worry.
But Xu Shuyan didn’t say anything.
Lin Yi thought to herself that it made sense. The camera was still there. It was one thing for her to not properly play up their CP, but now she was worrying about someone else. No wonder Xu Shuyan, who was also worried about Chen Yuan, didn’t respond.
She found it boring and put the map away. “Time for sleep!”
It wasn’t her first time sleeping in a tent. No matter how pampered she was, she had experienced all sorts of hardships on variety shows. With a familiar “sleeping partner” beside her, Lin Yi fell asleep with ease.
Xu Shuyan, however, was not asleep.
She looked at the small patch of dark blue sky visible through the top of the tent. The waning moon hung on a tree branch, and faint clouds drifted by hazily, just like the look Lin Yi had given her moments ago.
She always heard Lin Yi’s fans boasting about how captivating her eyes were. She’d always dismissed it, but today, with her head muddled by the sea breeze, she actually thought there was some truth to it.
Can’t let Lin Yi seduce Chen Yuan with that look.
It’s too bewitching!
…My ass!
At eight the next morning, Xu Shuyan was woken up by a staff member in the tent. Seeing the empty sleeping bag next to her, a million alpacas galloped through her mind. She thought, Lin Yi planned today’s route with me last night, even coaxed me about not going in the water, and after one night’s sleep, she’s gone off to jungle on her own without this noob?
She gritted her teeth. That pure and innocent face of Lin Yi’s was just too deceptive!
“Teacher Xu?” The staff member patted her and reminded her, “The livestream needs to be turned on. Seeing as Teacher Lin isn’t here, would you like to start yours first?”
Teacher Lin isn’t here…
Who cares if she’s here or not! Can’t I live without her? Xu Shuyan wiped her face, turning on her phone as she asked casually, “Where did Lin Yi go?”
“You’re asking about Teacher Lin? She’s right-” The staff member lifted the tent flap. “-out for her morning exercise!”
“Huh?” Xu Shuyan was momentarily blinded by the sudden sunlight. She squinted and saw Lin Yi indeed jogging not far away.
Lin Yi was wearing tight, minimal clothing, revealing a sliver of her fair, slender waistline. Her long hair was tied up in a small bun at the back of her head, with fine strands tickling her delicate neck. Beads of sweat shimmered in the morning light.
A drone was filming beside her, recording the scene.
“Since when did she have a habit of morning runs?” Xu Shuyan opened the livestream app on her phone, puzzled. “Your production team didn’t force her, did they?”
Her displeased tone carried a hint of accusation.
The staff member gave a dry laugh. “Why don’t you ask Teacher Lin yourself later?”
Xu Shuyan looked at her scrutinizingly, then glanced at Lin Yi, who was still running. Without bothering to wash her face, she relied on her youthful, collagen-filled skin and started the livestream directly.
The viewer count immediately skyrocketed.
【Ahhhhh, good morning, my wife!】
【Is this what a beauty looks like right after waking up? There’s no difference from when she’s wearing makeup! No! She looks even better than with makeup!】
【I have an 8 AM class, but seeing my wife has fully revived me!】
【Where’s Lin Yi? Where’s Lin Yi?】
“Hello, good morning~” Xu Shuyan waved at the camera. As she spoke, she stepped out of the tent and flipped the camera view. “Let me show you what Teacher Lin is doing-you’d never guess, she’s on a morning run!”
Xu Shuyan clicked her tongue. “I didn’t expect it either. She never used to run in the morning. You could never get her out of bed!”
Seeing Lin Yi run closer, she shouted, “Lin Yi! Have you run enough yet? Aren’t you tired?”
Lin Yi didn’t stop, shouting back, “Ask the director!”
Xu Shuyan was stunned for a moment. “Huh?”
The staff member beside her finally explained, “You two can only have breakfast after running twenty laps. Originally, it was ten laps each for you and Teacher Lin, but Teacher Lin said you had insomnia last night and didn’t sleep well, so she let you sleep in a little longer.”
Xu Shuyan: “…”
What do I do? I’m a little touched.
The staff member added, “You can run your share when it’s time to run thirty laps for lunch.”
Xu Shuyan: “…”
Retracting that one second of being touched, retract!
【???? I was already wiping away tears, I didn’t expect this plot twist】
【Xu Shuyan: Well that was sudden】
【Lin Yi: Don’t thank me too much】
【They’re both so sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. She felt bad that the other didn’t sleep well last night, ahhh kswlkswl】
【Confess! Did you two cuddle to sleep after the livestream ended last night?】
【Am I the only one curious about why she didn’t sleep well? Is it what I think it is? Is this something that can be broadcast?】
【Don’t make me report you!】
Xu Shuyan found a place to set down her phone. After washing up, she sat in the shade and let a staff member attach her mic. She watched Lin Yi, who had finished her twenty laps, walk slowly toward her. She handed over a bottle of water she had coaxed out of a staff member. “Good work, baby.”
Sure enough, she saw Lin Yi stumble, disgusted by her words. Luckily, the camera was positioned far away, so the livestream audience didn’t see Lin Yi dry heave on the spot.
Xu Shuyan’s lips curled into a smug smile.
When it came to grossing out Lin Yi, she was a professional!
“Thanks, baby,” Lin Yi returned a sweet smile. In that instant, she saw Xu Shuyan’s pupils tremble. As she twisted open the cap and tilted her head back to chug the water, a sly glint flashed in her eyes.
【AHHHHHHHHH THEY CALLED EACH OTHER BABY!!!】
【Isn’t it normal for girls to call each other baby? I call my besties baby too, there’s nothing to ship here】
【They said it so naturally, it definitely isn’t the first time ahhhh!】
【My CP! My CP is feeding me first thing in the morning, everyone! I’m tearing up!】
【What a beautiful world!】
After much wheedling from Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan, the production team finally agreed to let them video call Chen Yuan’s team. The moment the call connected, Xu Shuyan and Lin Yi immediately huddled around the phone, no longer trying to be subtle, their heads pressed together as they stared at Chen Yuan on the screen.
Lin Yi: Oh! She’s lost weight!
Xu Shuyan: Oh! She’s suffered!
Group fans: The Gu Group is a family ahhhhhh group spirit [heart]
CP fans: Their two round little heads squeezed together look like a little couple calling their family wuwuwu so cute I could die!
Zhou Shichen, who was being ignored but was happy because she got to ship her CP: Ahhhh Yan Zhi You Yi is giving out candy!
“How are things on your end?” Xu Shuyan and Lin Yi asked in unison.
“We’re doing okay over here!” Zhou Shichen took a sip of juice. “It’s just that the charging station is a bit far, and we had to backtrack. The soles of my feet are aching. What about you guys?”
Lin Yi pouted. “I had to run twenty laps today just to get breakfast.”
Xu Shuyan glanced at her.
What she said was true, but why did it feel like she was playing the victim?
“Aww, our poor little thing.” Zhou Shichen virtually patted Lin Yi’s head and said indignantly, “It’s all Yan Qi’s fault! When it’s my turn to plan an episode, I’ll help you get some serious revenge!”
Lin Yi nodded emphatically. “Mhm!”
Then she looked eagerly at Chen Yuan, who gave her a gentle smile. “Xiao Yi, Yanyan, can we meet up? It might be easier if we travel together.”
Lin Yi: “!”
She couldn’t help but grab Xu Shuyan’s arm where the camera couldn’t see.
Xu Shuyan winced in pain but kept a smile on her face, cursing inwardly. She knew Lin Yi all too well. She knew that right now, Lin Yi’s mind was surely filled with baseless fantasies like, “Yuanyuan said she wants to see me! Yuanyuan misses me!”
Heh, what’s the use of just fantasizing?
Xu Shuyan looked at the camera. “Yuanyuan, did you guys miss me?”
Lin Yi: “?”
Chen Yuan replied obediently, “Yes, we did.”
Lin Yi: “??”
Xu Shuyan said affectionately, “Me too.”
Lin Yi: “???”
Damn it! Does Xu Shuyan have no shame?!
Her clever mind whirred, and a plan immediately formed. Lin Yi squeezed Xu Shuyan aside, her starry eyes blinking. “I missed you so much too!”
Xu Shuyan: “…”
Cursing me for being shameless in her head, but she’s quicker than anyone to jump on the opportunity, isn’t she?
She unintentionally glanced at the livestream comments: “Can you two lovebirds leave my Yuanyuan alone first thing in the morning? Is your PDA endless? It’s so annoying!”
Xu Shuyan: “…?”
Who’s the annoying one here?!
