Chapter 22

Actually, Huo Cheng had been feeling a little resentful since they left the house that morning.

He thought Yan Zhi, taking advantage of not having a job, was practically becoming Zhai Xingchen's personal chauffeur.

He'd been thinking about it all day at work, feeling a bit agitated.

Unlike Yan Zhi's gentle, gentlemanly manner, he was aggressive and ambitious by nature. That drive was how he'd gone from a poor kid to a boss worth billions.

But a love variety show wasn't real life. Every move was recorded on camera. He had to consider not just Zhai Xingchen's likes and dislikes, but those of thousands of viewers. For both public and private reasons, he had to hold himself back.

'When's our show airing?'

'This Friday, eight PM on satellite TV, ten PM online.'

'Are we splitting up for a few days this Friday?' Huo Cheng asked.

'The South City leg ends this Thursday. Friday, Saturday, Sunday are free days, so everyone can coordinate their own work. Then we meet up next Monday in North City for full-day recording,' Lin Qingning said. 'Didn't you guys ask about this before coming on the show?'

For people with jobs, these things needed to be coordinated in advance.

'My assistant handles all that coordination for me,' Huo Cheng said.

Wen Nu also shook his head: 'I heard I could come on this show, and I came without even thinking about it.'

He'd even gone through two rounds of interviews.

As they were chatting, they saw Pei Xun come back, carrying a small suitcase.

'Why are you back so late today?' Huo Cheng asked.

Pei Xun said: 'Went home to get some things.'

Pei Xun carried the suitcase back to his room.

Wen Nu said quietly: 'Did you guys see the news? Something seems to have happened in Pei Xun's family.'

Hearing this, Zhai Xingchen asked: 'What happened?'

'The Zhou Family's eldest son sued Uncle Zhou. But this didn't just happen today; the lawsuit started last month. Their family just kept it tight, and it only broke today,' Lin Qingning said.

Since it involved Pei Xun's private affairs, they didn't discuss it in detail.

Zhai Xingchen knew the Zhou Family situation was complicated.

It was the typical family background for a Jinjiang male lead: either a mistress interfering, or a child from a different surname entering a wealthy family. In any case, the male lead's living environment was always extremely harsh. Pei Xun's background was roughly like this. His mother, Pei Huahong, married the wealthy tycoon Zhou Jiangbai, bringing her son along. Zhou Jiangbai, loving the house and its crow, treated Pei Xun as his own, doting on him immensely.

Pei Xun was also outstanding, truly exceptional, with all the buffs maxed out. Zhou Jiangbai often brought Pei Xun up in interviews, never sparing praise.

But before marrying Pei Huahong, Zhou Jiangbai already had three sons and a daughter with his ex-wife.

The Zhou Family was a wealthy clan spanning three generations, quite prestigious in South City. The Zhou descendants were numerous, with constant strife between the main branch, second branch, and third branch. Even within each branch, internal power struggles were endless. Zhou Jiangbai was nearly seventy now, already in the stage of stepping back. Him making such a big show of building up Pei Xun's reputation naturally made his own biological children a bit afraid.

Even though they were already rich enough, who would complain about having more money?

Earlier this spring, Zhou Jiangbai called a family meeting, adjusting his sons' positions in the company. This move was interpreted by outsiders as paving the way for Pei Xun's succession, triggering major internal upheaval.

The most useless eldest son was the first to turn against Zhou Jiangbai and sue him.

A massive, hugely influential commercial empire at a critical moment of generational transition—countless eyes were fixed on the Zhou Family's affairs.

This was also one of the reasons why Pei Xun joining The Red and Blue Signal attracted so much attention.

Pei Xun came out of his room wearing a dark gray shirt. Zhai Xingchen saw him and immediately straightened up: 'Hey.'

Pei Xun looked at him.

Zhai Xingchen smiled: 'Finally not pure black.'

Hearing this, Wen Nu and Lin Qingning both glanced at Pei Xun, their eyes full of admiration.

The dark gray shirt Pei Xun wore had a subtly embroidered pattern on the chest in black thread. But the hand embroidery looked expensive, the black threads fine and dense, catching the light a bit more than the shirt fabric when he moved.

It perfectly illustrated what 'low-key luxury' meant.

Though also a tall, rich, handsome guy, Pei Xun's dressing style was completely different from Yan Zhi's refined, elegant one. He always dressed casually, pairing designer hoodies, pants, and shoes randomly, minimalist black-and-white style. Hoodies were his most common outerwear.

But his aura was refined and noble, his skin fair—clearly raised in luxury by a wealthy family. Actually, dressing a bit more luxuriously suited him better.

It wasn't just Zhai Xingchen and the others; even Hu Ying, coming downstairs, paused for a moment when she saw him.

'Did you get a haircut?' Hu Ying, who observed people more carefully, asked.

Pei Xun 'mm'-ed.

Hearing this, Zhai Xingchen stared at Pei Xun again: 'A haircut? I don't see a difference.'

'I don't see it either,' Huo Cheng said.

'A little shorter,' Lin Qingning adjusted his glasses, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

Zhai Xingchen looked again carefully.

Okay, he really couldn't see it.

But these rich guys definitely wouldn't get a haircut once a month like he did now. They probably got trims every few days. A one-millimeter difference was something only they could spot.

Lin Qingning asked Pei Xun: 'Xingchen bought a Rose Flower. Want one?'

Yan Zhi chose that moment to walk out as well.

If not now, then when?

Remembering the task the Production Team had given him, Zhai Xingchen hurriedly said: 'Don't take them all, leave some for me. I need them.'

Lin Qingning took two flowers to show Pei Xun. They were a tender pink, a color that made you happy just looking at it.

Guo Bing and the others were staring at the screen.

They wanted to see what Pei Xun's reaction would be.

'Give him a facial close-up. I want every tiny expression,' Guo Bing said.

The camera zoomed in, and Pei Xun's handsome face filled the frame.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his lips pursed moving a little, then suddenly turned his head and looked straight at one of their nearest, most obvious cameras.

'Fuck,' Guo Bing swore.

'Director, he saw through our little scheme!'

Liu Screenwriter pursed her lips: 'It's fine. Let's see what he chooses.'

'Want some?' Lin Qingning asked.

But Pei Xun asked Zhai Xingchen: 'What made you think of buying flowers? Did the Production Team tell you to?'

Zhai Xingchen was stunned.

He thought — no wonder he's the smartest one in the group. Guessed it that easily?

Burdened with his tool-person mission, of course he couldn't admit it.

He smiled and said: 'I learned from Yan-ge and Huo-ge. Everyone's giving flowers, I can't fall behind. If I don't hurry up, I'll really be outdone.'

As he spoke, he deliberately put on a slightly shy look.

Lin Qingning laughed: 'Ah, so these flowers aren't for us after all.'

Hearing this, Zhai Xingchen looked up at Lin Qingning, his smile growing shyer.

That little look, as if he'd fallen in love, made Huo Cheng's expression turn cold.

Yan Zhi stuffed both hands into his pants pockets and stood there watching.

Wen Nu put the flower in his hand back, his expression lonely and pitiful, but still trying to smile. Then he sighed, put his hands behind his back, stretched as if doing a lazy stretch, and leaned against the dining table.

'You guys take what you want, just leave a little for me,' Zhai Xingchen added.

After saying that, he pretended to check the soup in the pot, his peripheral eyes sweeping over the three main male leads one by one.

This time, he finally caught it.

He noticed both Yan Zhi and Huo Cheng's expressions had gone a little strange.

Great!

That was exactly the effect he wanted.

They'd been recording for days now, and there still wasn't any obvious spark. Maybe it was because he, the tool person, was being too passive.

In the original novel, his liking for Duan Yihua was very obvious.

If the male supporting character acted a bit more proactive, the male leads would feel the pressure!

In the next room, a staff member asked Guo Bing: 'I'm confused. If Huo Cheng and Yan Zhi gave flowers, both aiming for Zhai Xingchen, then who is Zhai Xingchen buying flowers for?'

'Since he said to leave some…'

'Then he's not giving them to Pei Xun, nor to Huo Cheng. Lin Qingning and Wen Nu are also present, and Yan Zhi too. These can all be passed over.'

'That leaves Hu Ying and Duan Yihua.'

'…So Zhai Xingchen still likes Duan Yihua.'

'Hard to say. Could also be Hu Ying. He's had the most contact with Hu Ying these past two days, chatted most easily. Did you forget they talked heart-to-heart all night?'

The Production Team fell into momentary silence.

Zhai Xingchen held a spoon, seriously stirring the golden cornmeal porridge. The soup was already boiling, bubbling away.

Just then, the protagonist made his entrance.

Hu Ying came downstairs wearing his flashy pink T-shirt, shuffling in slippers.

'Wow, who bought the Rose Flower!' Hu Ying called out.

'Xingchen bought them,' Lin Qingning said.

Hu Ying said: 'Holy shit they're so pretty, so pink. Holy shit I love them. Are they Pink Rose Snow Mountain? I love Pink Rose Snow Mountain the most!'

Mm, Huo Cheng and Yan Zhi's expressions grew even colder.

Lin Qingning suddenly went 'Oh,' drawing out the tone.

'What are you 'oh'-ing about?' Huo Cheng asked flatly.

Lin Qingning smiled and shook his head, saying nothing more.

The gunpowder smell in the kitchen was getting obvious. Only Hu Ying was immersed in the joy of the Pink Rose: 'I love Pink Rose the most. Look, it's the same color as my T-shirt.'

Yan Zhi didn't speak, quietly withdrawing from the dining room alone.

Huo Cheng said in an unclear tone: 'Flashy pink.'

Hu Ying didn't catch the hostility in his words. Hearing it, he even smiled and gave a little wiggle of his butt.

Seeing Hu Ying's perky butt, Huo Cheng's face lost all trace of a smile.

That little devil.

Wen Nu found a chair and sat down, leaning on the dining table with a faint smile.

He'd been wondering all along who Zhai Xingchen had sent his crush text to.

He'd guessed it was Duan Yihua, because when they were chatting together, Hu Ying had said something suggestive, and Duan Yihua seemed a bit awkward but didn't deny it.

But now he realized Zhai Xingchen liked Hu Ying.

Well, of course. Hu Ying was so beautiful.

Hu Ying was really too good-looking. Even he couldn't look away. A man that beautiful, that lively, and with just a touch of sweetness about him — that was actually pretty rare.

Among the four Blue Team Members, it wouldn't be strange for any of them to fall for him.

Wen Nu suddenly felt himself dimming all at once.

Actually, this was predictable. He'd thought it through — out of the four on the Blue Team, the three tall-rich-handsome ones weren't options. But Zhai Xingchen was more his type, a Blue Team Member he could actually let himself hope for.

Now it seemed he'd been way too good at fantasizing.

He wasn't exactly sad, just a little deflated, feeling he didn't fit this show at all. He was scared of being left alone, awkwardly stumbling through the rest of the journey by himself.

It wasn't just Wen Nu thinking this; Lin Qingning thought so too.

He'd been wondering who exactly Zhai Xingchen liked.

Because Zhai Xingchen was really the one among them with the faintest romantic inclinations.

Unlike Pei Xun's faintness due to aloofness, Zhai Xingchen was just good to everyone, too balanced, like a… male mom.

Now he suddenly caught the scent of something romantic coming off Zhai Xingchen.

That shy, guarded look.

So he liked Hu Ying!

Hu Ying couldn't put the Pink Rose down, asking: 'Have you guys finished dividing them? If you have, I'll take all the rest to our place.'

'Duan-ge isn't back yet,' Wen Nu said.

Mentioning Duan Yihua, Hu Ying smiled and looked at Zhai Xingchen: 'Should I take them all to my room, or split half for Duan-ge? Hmm? Okay, okay, I'll just leave these flowers here for you to distribute slowly yourself.'

Zhai Xingchen liked Duan Yihua; he knew that.

He and Zhai Xingchen were so close; of course he'd help him!

Seeing Hu Ying and Zhai Xingchen chatting and laughing, Huo Cheng didn't want to watch anymore. He said to Pei Xun: 'Play chess? Want a game?'

Unexpectedly, Hu Ying heard this and immediately turned around: 'Huo-ge, you're playing chess with Pei Xun? What, feeling too good today — looking for punishment?'

Huo Cheng: '…'

Pei Xun said: 'Let's go.'

Huo Cheng was usually good-tempered, but right now he let a bit of cocky, provocative edge show — pushed his tongue against his cheek, glanced at Hu Ying, then held it back.

That look had the Production Team covering their mouths: 'Holy shit, Huo-ge's got murder in his eyes.'

But Hu Ying was right.

Playing chess with Pei Xun — he really was asking for punishment.

Pei Xun's logical thinking was too powerful, and he was skilled at chess.

Huo Cheng played with a chess piece in his hand, sighing.

Pei Xun glanced up slightly at Huo Cheng. Because of the angle, the pattern on his chest was illuminated by the light, standing out completely.

It was two four-pointed stars.

The doorbell outside suddenly rang. Wen Nu stood up: 'Is Duan-ge back?'

He ran to check and came back shortly holding an Envelope.

Lin Qingning asked: 'Did the Production Team send another task?'

Huo Cheng and Pei Xun both turned to look.

Wen Nu looked at the card inside the Envelope and said: '…Tuesday Date Scramble.'

The first official date on The Red and Blue Signal had finally arrived.