Chapter 50

North City is a tiny northern town famous for tourism, known as the northernmost tourist city. It's sparsely populated, with endless untouched natural resources and air quality that's second to none in the country. Every winter and summer is peak tourist season, drawing visitors from all over the world. In summer, it's a famous summer retreat, a vacation paradise. In winter, it's wrapped in silver—every northern spectacle you can imagine, it's got it.

The Production Team chose South City for the first stop because South City is spring-like year-round, warm, and you could wear light, bright clothes for the Sea Voyage.

They chose North City for the second stop because it's cold enough.

For couples, heat and cold are often the breeding ground for love.

Guo Bing and his team arrived at the destination ahead of the eight guests. They were filming jointly with the local tourism bureau this time, and the local tourism department gave them huge support. They'd already settled on the general list of scenic spots they'd shoot beforehand. Guo Bing took people to scout the locations again, then called all the staff together for a meeting.

After the meeting, Guo Bing asked, "Where are the guests now?"

"They've all landed. Filming's started over there already."

North City Station.

Zhai Xingchen took the suitcase handed to him by a staff member and asked, "That's it? You're just leaving me here? Are the others here yet? Where do I go? Aren't we taking a bus?"

The staff member assigned to him said, "Just wait here. The others will be here soon."

Zhai Xingchen pulled his Gloves out of his bag and put them on.

He knew North City was cold, but he hadn't expected it to be this cold. But the air here was really good—he'd felt it the moment he got off the plane. Crisp and clear, the sky a deep blue, the distant Snow Mountain ranges so distinct even from far away.

He found a spot where the sunlight could reach and stopped, looking around at his surroundings.

Even though North City was a tourist town, the bus station was small. The square outside was packed with cars. As he was looking around, he spotted a particularly tall figure.

He waved immediately. "Huo-ge!"

Should he act like he hadn't seen Huo Cheng in days?

Before he could decide whether to put on a performance, he saw Huo Cheng open his arms first. "Long time no see!"

Zhai Xingchen held back a laugh and hugged Huo Cheng. "Long time no see."

They were both wearing extremely thick Down Jackets, making the hug awkward, but Huo Cheng, relying on his height and long arms, hugged him tight anyway.

Huo Cheng was super happy, because he'd spotted from afar that Zhai Xingchen was wearing the white Down Jacket he'd given him.

White Down Jacket, paired by Zhai Xingchen himself with a black plaid Scarf—simple, clean, and bright. The weather was so cold Zhai Xingchen's nose was red, but to Huo Cheng it looked adorable.

He was also wearing clothes Zhai Xingchen had helped him pick, head to toe, even the socks. Just thinking these were clothes Zhai Xingchen had chosen for him wrapped him in happiness.

Even the staff nearby could feel the pink bubbles around the two of them, smiling to themselves like proud aunties.

Soon Lin Qingning and Wen Nu arrived too.

Zhai Xingchen waved excitedly. "Hello."

Lin Qingning gave a gentle wave, same as always. Wen Nu, though, looked soft and adorable, wearing a bright red Scarf.

After a few days apart, the joy of reunion was genuine for everyone. They all hugged each other in turn.

"More people coming. Looks like two," Wen Nu said, squinting.

Huo Cheng said, "It's Yan Zhi and Pei Xu."

Yan Zhi and Pei Xu arrived together. Before they even got close, Zhai Xingchen, on warm-up duty, waved his arm first.

Yan Zhi's glasses lenses looked even redder under the clear sunlight, but when he got closer, maybe it was the angle, they turned colorless again.

Pei Xu was still dressed all in black, wearing large black sunglasses, even his Scarf was black. He looked noble and handsome.

Unlike the previous guests, these two handsome guys didn't hug everyone in turn.

Pei Xu wore sunglasses, so the camera couldn't catch his eyes. He stared at Zhai Xingchen's Down Jacket for a good while.

The brand of this jacket was the same as the one he'd bought. Even the style looked a lot like the one he'd bought for Zhai Xingchen.

Soon Duan Yihua arrived too.

Duan Yihua wore a hat and mask, bundled up tight. His voice was a bit hoarse.

"A little cold," he said, glancing at Zhai Xingchen.

Zhai Xingchen in a Down Jacket seemed even more dominant.

His frame was originally on the slender side. Standing next to Huo Cheng and the others before, his build hadn't looked as broad. Now everyone was wearing thick clothes, so the difference in physique wasn't obvious anymore. Zhai Xingchen was also wearing Boots, looking tall and straight. His outfit was good too—simple and clean, but his face was bright and beautiful enough that the overall effect was stunning.

Duan Yihua felt these few days apart hadn't lessened his fondness for Zhai Xingchen at all. Instead, the pent-up desire had flooded out all at once. He coughed twice, noticed Zhai Xingchen looking his way, and coughed even harder, heating up from the effort. He turned slightly away and took a moment to recover.

"Just Hu Ying left," Huo Cheng said. "Is his flight delayed?"

Then he heard Yan Zhi say calmly, "No. He said he wants to make a grand entrance."

Hearing this, Zhai Xingchen glanced at Yan Zhi. "Did you guys see Hu Ying?"

Pei Xu gave an "mm." "He's hiding behind the business van."

Zhai Xingchen looked toward the distant white business van.

Hu Ying was hiding behind the van, glancing back at her cameraman.

She suddenly felt a little nervous.

She'd changed her hairstyle. No idea how it looked.

No idea what Zhai Xingchen's reaction would be.

She checked her reflection in the van window, then pulled out her sunglasses and put them on.

Then she heard Zhai Xingchen call out, "Hu Ying, stop hiding! Come on, it's time for your grand entrance!"

Hu Ying smiled at the sound of Zhai Xingchen's voice. She pushed her suitcase out and jogged over to the group. "Hello, everyone."

Zhai Xingchen didn't recognize Hu Ying at first.

"Hu Ying?"

Hu Ying pushed her sunglasses up and smiled at him.

Zhai Xingchen and Wen Nu were both stunned.

Hu Ying was beautiful—that was universally acknowledged. She'd always kept her hair long before. You know, not many guys can pull off long hair, and having style with long hair is even harder.

But the Hu Ying before them had cut her hair short. Her original black hair was dyed chestnut brown. Her features were gorgeous, stunningly handsome and refined, instantly turning her into a male idol—beautiful and cool.

Even Huo Cheng, who'd been smiling, couldn't keep his smile up.

Let alone Yan Zhi and Pei Xu, who'd both paused when they saw Hu Ying.

Hu Ying suddenly pulling off this so-called glamorous transformation—the reason was obvious.

Calculating.

Good. She was satisfied with everyone's reaction.

Hu Ying smiled. "Long time no see, everyone!"

"Why'd you cut your hair? And dye it?" Zhai Xingchen asked with a smile.

"Does it look good?"

Zhai Xingchen nodded sincerely, his eyes full of admiration. "It looks good."

Wen Nu beside them couldn't help but say enviously, "It really looks so good."

Even more gorgeous than with long hair before, her features suddenly becoming handsome and striking. In this rugged, icy landscape, she was like a brilliant Rose Flower.

Duan Yihua glanced silently at Hu Ying and pulled his mask tighter.

The moment Hu Ying arrived, she chatted nonstop with Zhai Xingchen. Huo Cheng, Pei Xu, and Yan Zhi beside them all grew serious.

The battle at North City Station would be fierce. They were prepared for that.

But they still hadn't expected Hu Ying to land such a heavy blow right from the start.

Hu Ying's personality was too good—that kind of personality had a natural advantage. And on top of that, she was so good-looking.

She had the advantage in almost every aspect.

"Welcome to North City. Next, please board the bus. We're heading together to our final destination, Xiaobeiji Town."

Everyone pushed their suitcases toward the bus nearby. Hu Ying stayed right by Zhai Xingchen's side.

Once she decided on something, she acted immediately.

After these few days apart, she'd thought it through. There were four Blue Team Member guests, and right now she liked Zhai Xingchen the most.

"It's about a two-hour drive from here to Xiaobeiji, with no stops in between," a staff member called out. "If you need to use the restroom, go now. Otherwise, you'll have to go by the roadside."

Everyone had just finished a long journey. After putting their luggage on the bus, Huo Cheng headed first for the station restroom.

Soon Pei Xu and Yan Zhi went too.

Wen Nu was shy. Even though he really wanted to go, he pretended to be looking for something, standing by his seat with his head down, rummaging through his bag.

As Hu Ying was about to get off the bus, she turned back and asked, "Xingchen, you're not going?"

Zhai Xingchen shook his head. "I already went."

Good thing he'd gone when he was alone earlier.

God. Going to the bathroom together—wouldn't that be too intense?

Looking at the three male leads, so decisive and unconcerned, they were clearly very confident in themselves.

You know, ordinary guys care a lot about going to the bathroom together, let alone in front of potential love rivals!

The bathroom here was super basic—just a long trough, no partitions at all!

Guys caring about this is really innate. Like when guys go to the bathroom together, they'll size each other up. It's something girls might find hard to understand, but it's very common among guys.

He really wanted to advise Hu Ying not to go either.

But then he thought, maybe Hu Ying really wanted to go.

After all, he'd heard some bottoms care quite a bit about size.

He really hadn't expected North City Station to start off so intense!

Hu Ying went on her own.

Soon Hu Ying came running back first.

Lin Qingning and Duan Yihua and the others only then headed for the restroom.

Clearly avoiding it on purpose.

Hu Ying sat right next to him.

Zhai Xingchen thought Hu Ying's expression looked a bit odd.

"What's wrong?" Zhai Xingchen asked.

Hu Ying didn't really want to talk about this, but she'd been genuinely shocked. She really wanted to share.

She lowered her voice and said, "Yan Zhi has a nickname. Do you know it?"

Zhai Xingchen couldn't help but laugh.

Hu Ying's face flushed slightly. "It's kinda depressing."

"You don't need it."

"Who says." Hu Ying felt saying this in front of Zhai Xingchen was awkward, so she dropped it and looked into the distance. "The Snow Mountain is so beautiful."

Zhai Xingchen turned to look out the window and saw Pei Xu, Huo Cheng, and Yan Zhi, the three male leads, walking out together. The white sunlight reflected off the snow, shining on their tall, straight figures.

Their moods right now must be pretty interesting too.

Zhai Xingchen thought.

Probably that feeling of always being proud, but then seeing a love rival and thinking, wow, they're actually evenly matched. What a surprise.