Although she knew the production team would never let the two groups meet up, after comparing their maps and realizing they were on opposite ends of the island, Lin Yi still felt a pang of despair. “Does this mean we won’t see each other until the finish line?”
She looked at Xu Shuyan, her eyes conveying a message: If only you knew what ‘a day apart feels like three autumns’ means.
Xu Shuyan: “…”
She knew.
“Exactly!” Zhou Shichen condemned this rule that destroyed the group’s harmony and repeatedly shouted into the air at Yan Qi, “Yan Qi! Just you wait until the next episode! Don’t you go hiding in a corner and snickering!”
【Even though Yan Qi isn’t here, she’s everywhere】
【Qi Shi is killing me】
【I really want to ship the Yan-Yi-Yuan love triangle. Chen Yuan: What do I do when both my big and little sisters miss me so much?】
【Chen Yuan’s shipper solo fans have tough teeth, they’ll ship this?】
【The support sticks have already reached ten thousand. Why hasn’t the production team unlocked a new map for our Yan Zhi You Yi yet? What are they waiting for?】
Perhaps they saw the fans’ comments. After they hung up, the production team presented them with a new map.
The route was much clearer now: from their current location to a charging station.
“Let’s get going then.” Xu Shuyan took a bucket hat out of her suitcase and put it on. “Lin Yi, where’s your hat? If you don’t protect yourself from the sun, Sister Fang will scold you again when we get back.”
“Sunscreen?” Lin Yi’s small face suddenly appeared in the livestream frame. She produced a bottle of sunscreen from who-knows-where. “I use Sun-Be-Gone Sunscreen! One application lasts all day, SPF 50+, refreshing and non-greasy. It’s the perfect companion for your travels, outings, and home life!”
【…A completely unexpected ad】
【Such a dedicated promoter! Sponsor, give her the money!】
【Hahahaha buy buy buy! I’ll count to three, give me the link!】
Sun-Be-Gone Sunscreen was a sponsor for this season of the group’s variety show. The livestream didn’t have much of a script, so how to integrate the product placement was entirely up to the guests. Lin Yi had found the perfect moment and delivered a whole spiel, leaving even Xu Shuyan stunned.
By the time she reacted, Lin Yi had already dotted her face with sunscreen and was chiding her, “What are you spacing out for? Rub it in yourself.”
“Okay.” Xu Shuyan couldn’t disrespect the sponsor, so she obediently spread the sunscreen over her face.
【She’s so whipped!】
【Is this still my cool girl? Why is she so well-behaved? Rebel a little!】
【If she rebels, she won’t have a wife!】
【Bullshit! Xu Shuyan is just doing it for the ad! This is professionalism!】
Even though it was April, the UV rays on the island were strong. No sunscreen was as effective as physical protection. Fortunately, the air was cool, so wearing long sleeves and pants wasn’t too hot. Adding a bucket hat completed their full-body armor, preventing any sunburns.
To enhance the livestream experience, they weren’t assigned a follow PD; everything was filmed by drones.
The charging station was a temporary all-glass cabin built on the beach. The roof had been specially treated to provide shade without making the space feel cramped.
Lin Yi had collected a pocketful of seashells and piled them on the wooden dining table, haggling with the production team. “I’ll string these shells into a necklace and give it away in a lottery on the livestream, and you can randomly give away five thousand support sticks to viewers.”
Production team: “…And if we don’t agree?”
“If you don’t agree!” Lin Yi slammed the table, looking fierce and ready to battle the production team for three hundred rounds. “I’ll- I’ll make Xu Shuyan cry for you!”
Xu Shuyan, who had been quietly eating her breakfast until she was suddenly called out: “?”
Lin Yi shot her a look.
Xu Shuyan, expressionlessly: “Boo hoo hoo.”
Production team: “…”
What blatant emotional blackmail! And could she at least put some effort into her crying?!
Xu Shuyan continued to “boo hoo hoo” while eating, her face screaming, “This is all the acting you’re gonna get, take it or leave it, I’m emotionally blackmailing you today!” Beside her, Lin Yi pretended to pat her on the back. “Our Yanyan is so pitiful!”
Xu Shuyan: “Boo hoo hoo.”
【Xu Shuyan, don’t spoil her too much】
【No wonder she has a girlfriend! She’s willing to go along with such a dumb plan. All I can say is, respect! Blessings!】
【The little couple teamed up and left the production team speechless】
【I want the shell necklace ahhh】
【Production team, just agree already. I really can’t stand watching Xu Shuyan act so dumb anymore】
【Xu Shuyan on stage: A yandere so devoted she’d never betray her master. Xu Shuyan off stage: Wife, whatever you say, we’ll do.】
The bit had landed perfectly, so the production team naturally went with the flow and agreed.
Lin Yi took a few quick bites of breakfast, ordered Xu Shuyan to stuff everything they could into a bag, and then started making the shell necklace. She chatted with the audience, trying to get some information. “How are things on Yuanyuan’s side?”
According to the little spies who had visited Chen Yuan and Zhou Shichen’s livestream, the two had already set off again. However, because they didn’t have enough support sticks, they were also doing a task given by the production team- find ten ingredients and cook eight dishes.
“Who would dare eat that?” Lin Yi complained. “Those two are kitchen killers, you know?”
“And you’re not?” Xu Shuyan couldn’t stand hearing anyone speak ill of Chen Yuan. She quickly stuffed a bag of bread into her pack and said, “Last time you were suddenly inspired to cook, you made three dishes and a soup. It was the kind of disaster that would’ve been a featured post in the ‘kitchen explosion’ group.”
Lin Yi stomped on her foot.
Xu Shuyan: “Ow-!”
Lin Yi shot her a glare, and she sullenly shut her mouth. Fine, she thought, there are so many people watching, I’ll give Lin Yi some face. It’s not like they can eat it anyway, so they’ll never know how terrible Lin Yi’s cooking is.
After Lin Yi finished stringing the shells, the production team announced that the 5000 support sticks would be distributed at 8 PM. So, if they wanted to know the route now, they still had to complete the team’s task.
The task was simple. Xu Shuyan and Lin Yi would play rock-paper-scissors. The loser had to go into the sea to retrieve meal tags. Once retrieved, their lunch would be secured, and the path ahead would be clear.
“Whose path is clear?!” Xu Shuyan was agitated. “I just want to know who came up with this task!”
“Calm down,” the production team coaxed. “What if you win at rock-paper-scissors? Then you can just sit here and wait for Teacher Lin’s triumphant return, right?”
Lin Yi scoffed. “I’ve never lost at rock-paper-scissors. Bring it on!”
Best two out of three.
Xu Shuyan was utterly defeated.
Xu Shuyan: “…”
【Xu Shuyan doesn’t look like she wants to live anymore】
【What is the production team doing? Don’t they know our Yanyan is afraid of water? Are they trying to kill her by making her go in?】
【Xu Shuyan: Life is meaningless】
【LMAO, the way Xu Shuyan is looking at Lin Yi is like a puppy soaked in the rain. Her eyes are just screaming: Wife, save me】
【Lin Yi: That’s what you get for saying my cooking is bad. Don’t love me, it’s hopeless】
【Wild guess, Lin Yi won’t let Xu Shuyan go in the water. She dotes on her wife so much, how could she possibly let her?】
Xu Shuyan thought so too. Even if Lin Yi didn’t dote on her, she knew she was afraid of water, so she probably wouldn’t make her go. But she was already looking at Lin Yi so pitifully, why wasn’t Lin Yi getting the message?
Not only was Lin Yi not getting it, she even asked, “Xu Shuyan, is your eye twitching?”
Xu Shuyan: “…I’m sending you flirtatious glances!”
Lin Yi: “?”
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ended up just sighing. “It’s no use.”
Xu Shuyan: “QAQ!”
“How about this.” Lin Yi shifted her posture. She picked up a carton of yogurt from the sponsor, stuck a straw in it, and leisurely laid out her terms to Xu Shuyan. “Act cute for me, and I’ll go in your place.”
Xu Shuyan: “?”
【Aaaah I want to see it too!】
【Lin Yi, just look outside. Did you put that entire ocean there yourself?!】
【She’ll go for her if she just acts cute, she’s so doting】
【Xu Shuyan: There’s a deal this good?】
【Xu Shuyan: Don’t just say once, I can act cute for you all day!】
But Xu Shuyan just said, “…”
Making a cool girl like her act cute in front of so many viewers… only Lin Yi could think of such a “humiliating” method. She gritted her teeth and met Lin Yi’s gaze. Lin Yi blinked. “You don’t want to?”
“I-” Xu Shuyan deflated. After a moment’s hesitation, she reluctantly reached out and tugged on Lin Yi’s sleeve, her voice softening. “Please, go for me.”
She even pouted at the end, looking utterly pitiful.
Lin Yi: “…”
She was wrong. She wanted to gag.
But Xu Shuyan seemed to have discovered a new way to annoy Lin Yi and got even more into it, wishing every word could have a tilde. “Big Sister Lin Yi~~~ Please~~ You~ just~ go~ for me~~~”
Lin Yi was so grossed out she let out a couple of noises and shook off a full-body case of goosebumps. “I’ll go! I’ll go!”
【Xu Shuyan! You really have a knack for grossing people out! Look how disgusted you made my daughter!】
【Solo fan sisters, stop being so stubborn. Lin Yi was obviously dying from Xu Shuyan’s cuteness. She’s more than happy to go into the water for her wife!】
【What’s there to see when she’s changing that I, a VIP user, can’t watch? Why be such a stranger? I thought we were all one big The Notes family? Let me see my wife change!】
Xu Shuyan happened to see that comment and read it out loud. “This user named ‘Lin Yi is my wife,’ watch your words. The internet is not a lawless place! Watch out for the ‘Clear and Bright’ campaign!”
【???】
【I smell some serious jealousy! Is someone afraid of the cleanup campaign, or are they just jealous?】
【My ears have a filter. All I heard was Xu Shuyan say: ‘Lin Yi is my wife.’ Okay, she’s your wife, Mommy understands!】
Lin Yi had no idea that while she was changing into her wetsuit, Xu Shuyan had started chatting with the fans in the livestream. It wasn’t her first time diving; after they finished filming the group variety show last year, she had gone to the beach a few times on her own. She was actually a little excited about it.
Xu Shuyan stood barefoot on the sand, cheering for her. “Go for it, Lin Yi!”
The director explained the full rules. “The meal tags will specify a dish. Whatever Teacher Lin gets is what you’ll have on your menu for lunch today. You can only grab one dish per dive. A seafood feast, everything you could want.”
“Don’t say any more,” Lin Yi said, fastening her goggles and licking her lips. “You’re making me drool.”
The task was to be completed in the shallows. The production team had rented a yacht and didn’t go out too far before letting Lin Yi into the water. Lin Yi sank beneath the surface, watching schools of small fish swim past her. She tried to grab a handful, but only seawater slipped through her fingers.
She smiled, her eyes crinkling, and waved at the camera the production team had placed underwater before spotting a tag hanging from a buoy.
Rich Cheese-Baked Prawn and Seafood Rice.
She grabbed it.
She tugged on the rope, and they pulled her up. After a few more rounds, Xu Shuyan sat up from her lounge chair. “That’s enough to eat. Should we head back?”
“No!” Lin Yi shook the water from her body like a drenched puppy. “I just saw a tuna salad tag. I have to get it, okay?!”
Xu Shuyan just said, “Oh,” and lay back down. “Go, Lin Yi!”
Lin Yi: “…”
She narrowed her eyes. Why should I? she thought. Why should I be working my butt off for our lunch while Xu Shuyan gets to lie under a parasol, drinking juice and chatting with fans?
No, she couldn’t let her be so smug!
Lin Yi stood there for a moment, then called the director over. She “communicated” with him this way and that, convincing him by arguing it was for the sake of the show’s entertainment value. The director was still worried. “If you take it too far, you’ll have to be the one to coax Teacher Xu.”
“Who’s gonna coax her!” Lin Yi scoffed. “I’m going!”
Xu Shuyan, still idly chatting with fans, had no idea that a prank was about to unfold. She read a comment aloud: “‘What’s Lin Yi like when she sleeps?’… Um, she’s pretty well-behaved,” she recalled. “She’s tiny, so she only takes up a little bit of space on that big bed. And her blanket is huge, so she just disappears inside it. She…”
Before she could finish, she suddenly heard someone nearby shout in alarm, “Oh no! Something’s happened to Teacher Lin!”
“Quick, quick! Pull her up!”
“Oh my god!”
“Teacher Xu, come help!”
Some reflexes are etched into your bones. Xu Shuyan didn’t have time to think and fell right into the trap. By the time she rushed over, she saw Lin Yi lying on the deck, her face pale, her eyelashes dotted with salty seawater. Her chest wasn’t moving, and her breathing was barely perceptible.
She looked like she had passed out.
Xu Shuyan’s breath caught in her throat. This has to be a joke, right? Is Lin Yi teaming up with the production crew to mess with me again? Lin Yi was such a good swimmer, and they had taken so many safety precautions. Even if something had happened, she would have been rescued immediately. Why would she look like she was at death’s door?
She knelt and pushed Lin Yi. “Stop pretending!”
Lin Yi didn’t move.
“Alright, Lin Yi.” She admitted she was a little panicked. “You successfully got me, so stop pretending. Did you get the tuna salad? Let’s go get lunch, okay?”
Lin Yi still didn’t respond.
Xu Shuyan was getting impatient. “If you keep this up, I’m going to get really angry. If something had actually happened to you, would the production team be this calm? What kind of reaction do you want from me? I’m a bad actress, I can’t just cry on command.”
She thought for a moment, then leaned down and said to Lin Yi, “When we meet up with Yuanyuan, I’ll let you be the first one to hug her. How about that?”
Lin Yi remained motionless.
Damn it, Xu Shuyan thought. If even that gets no reaction, did she really pass out? Have I been hesitating here for so long that she’s going to kick the bucket because of my delay?
Wait, what were you supposed to do for a drowning victim?
Xu Shuyan tried to recall the life-saving knowledge she had learned before, regretting that she had spent the class bickering with Lin Yi. The information had gone in one ear and out the other; she hadn’t retained any useful knowledge at all.
She vaguely remembered the instructor saying, “When necessary, you can perform artificial respiration.”
Artificial respiration!
Right! Artificial respiration!
Xu Shuyan’s eyes lit up, but then she glanced at Lin Yi hesitantly. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, she thought. Steeling herself, she took a deep breath, and pressed her lips to Lin Yi’s.
Lin Yi, who was pretending to be unconscious: “!!!”
The staff, who were watching and filming: “!!!”
The fans, watching the livestream in utter bewilderment: “!!!”
