Back in her room, Su Chengyang picked up her phone and glanced at it. Manager Lin had sent her a few WeChat messages, and the last one asked her to call him back at 11:50.
Su Chengyang checked the time and saw that there were still twenty minutes left. She decided to take a shower first. When she came back, she still had a few minutes left, so she half-dried her hair before sitting back on the bed and picking up her phone again.
“Are you asleep?”
Lin Yu had sent her a message during that time.
Su Chengyang replied, “No, I just finished washing up.”
She had just sent the message when Lin Yu’s video call came in.
Su Chengyang was startled by the sudden appearance of the video call. She had been lying in bed, but sat up and tidied herself a bit before answering the call.
“Manager Lin?”
For some unknown reason, Su Chengyang felt uneasy.
The phone screen showed an empty office chair facing her. Lin Yu was nowhere to be seen.
Su Chengyang hesitated and called out, “Manager Lin? Are you there?”
The next moment, a man in a bathrobe appeared outside the screen, “Sorry, I went to get a towel.”
Lin Yu seemed to have just taken a shower. His wet hair was dripping with water, and his loosely-fitting bathrobe revealed a beautifully sculpted chest with water droplets still on it. As he sat down on the office chair, he used a towel to dry his hair while looking at Su Chengyang.
From the moment he appeared on the screen, Su Chengyang was stunned.
When Lin Yu looked up at her, they both froze for a moment.
Su Chengyang quickly put the phone under her blanket, her cheeks feeling like they were on fire, while Lin Yu awkwardly moved away from the camera.
“Sorry, I thought it was a voice call.”
After a while, Lin Yu’s deliberately calm voice came from the other end.
Su Chengyang pressed her ice-cold palm against her face, hoping to cool down her cheeks. She muttered, “Should we hang up and call again?”
“No need, just wait for me,” Lin Yu replied.
Then there was the sound of rustling clothes from the phone, indicating that Lin Yu was changing clothes.
Su Chengyang’s heart tightened. Although she had only seen half of his chest just now, Lin Yu’s figure was still pretty good…
Su Chengyang! What are you thinking!
She cursed herself in her heart, feeling very unprofessional.
After a moment, Lin Yu cleared his throat and said, “I’m ready.”
Su Chengyang gritted her teeth, trying to calm herself down, and then picked up the phone.
On the screen, Lin Yu was wearing white home clothes, his black hair still wet, and he hadn’t put on his suit from work. He looked inexplicably younger and more energetic.
He looked a little embarrassed, his ears red, and he covered it up by wiping his hair with a towel. “Sorry, I pressed the wrong button.”
He was different from the Lin Yu that Su Chengyang usually knew. But facing him now, she felt even more flustered, and couldn’t help but look away, muttering, “It’s okay.”
Lin Yu placed a towel over his head, covering his reddened ears and appearing much calmer.
He asked, “Have you seen Tian Rong?”
Upon hearing the important matter, Su Chengyang quickly put away her inexplicable thoughts and nodded, “Yes, I have seen her.”
Lin Yu asked again, “What do you think of this matter?”
It seemed that no matter what happened, Lin Yu always asked Su Chengyang for her opinion first.
Su Chengyang looked up for a moment, then quickly looked away and said, “I don’t think it affects me. I don’t owe her anything. She’s just an ordinary guest on the show for me.”
Lin Yu’s hair obstructed his view, and Su Chengyang couldn’t clearly see the emotions in his eyes.
After listening to Su Chengyang’s words, Lin Yu said, “Well, your thoughts are not wrong. However, Tian Rong and her agency should know that participating in this program won’t do her any good and may even make her situation worse.”
Su Chengyang nodded, “I also think so, but…I can’t understand why she would do this.”
Lin Yu explained, “First, she wants to get closer to you, create a false image of both of you being victims, and gain more traffic. If she can successfully get closer to you, she not only gains traffic but also improves her popularity. Second, she knows that you get along well with the other guests, and they are all biased towards you. During the program recording, she’s highly likely to be isolated. However, most people sympathize with the weaker side. If someone clarifies that she’s also a victim, she can clear her name.”
Su Chengyang was a bit confused after listening. She thought she had seen big scenes before, but it was just being under the same roof with hundreds of other artists, eating, drinking, and having fun. She had never encountered such a situation before, and she had seen these kinds of scheming people, but no one had ever used it on her.
Lin Yu saw that she was silent and continued, “She will probably first try to get closer to you and test your attitude. If your attitude is good, she will use the first method. If you show obvious hostility towards her, she will use the second method. The first method is a win-win situation for both of you, while the second method may damage your reputation with others.”
After hearing Lin Yu’s words, Su Chengyang’s heart sank.
“So, you want me to cooperate with Tian Rong and get closer to her?”
Actually, no matter how you look at it, this is the best option, but Su Chengyang…feels a little uncomfortable in her heart. She doesn’t have much hostility towards Tian Rong, but it doesn’t mean she wants to be friends with her. In fact, even if it’s just pretending, she doesn’t want to.
Although she knew this was the best option, hearing it from Lin Yu made Su Chengyang feel inexplicably depressed.
Lin Yu stared at her in the screen, his face still slightly red but she unwilling to look at him at this moment.
“No,” Lin Yu said.
“Chengyang…” Lin Yu looked a bit complicated, “I am strict in my work, but it doesn’t mean I have to succeed at all costs. I hope you can become an excellent artist, not that I want to use you against your will. I just enjoy the process, do you understand?”
Su Chengyang was stunned for a moment, slowly lifted her head, and looked at him on the screen.
“No matter what you want to do, I won’t interfere. No matter how you choose, I will only provide you with the help you need the most. I will try my best to ensure that you are not hurt. So, can you trust me more?”
Perhaps because he had just taken a shower, there was still a hazy mist in his eyes.
Su Chengyang felt like she was being sucked in by his gaze and felt a suffocating sensation for a moment.
Heartbeats were amplified in Su Chengyang’s ears like drumbeats.
For a moment, she felt dizzy and disoriented.
She hastily averted her gaze, as if something would completely slip from her control if she were even a second too late.
Su Chengyang dared not, she was scared, she hated it, and she couldn’t even control her own emotions.
Lin Yu seemed to be oblivious to her abnormality and just stared at her expectantly, hoping for any response.
Su Chengyang lowered her head and forced herself to calm down, “Manager Lin, what do you think?”
Instead of answering Lin Yu’s question directly, Su Chengyang evaded it and chose to divert the topic.
The scene was silent for a while, and Su Chengyang didn’t dare to look into his eyes.
After a long while, a barely audible sigh came from Lin Yu’s phone.
Lin Yu didn’t pursue the matter but, taking her words as an opportunity, turned the page on the issue.
“Do what you want to do, and I’ll help you with the rest,” said Lin Yu.
Su Chengyang didn’t say much, just nodded in agreement.
Lin Yu’s gaze swept over her hair and he reminded her, “Make sure to dry your hair before you go to sleep.”
“Okay, I get it.”
“Goodnight.”
After bidding her goodnight, Lin Yu ended the video call.
Su Chengyang stared at the darkened screen and didn’t snap out of her daze for a long time.
She didn’t know what was wrong with her.
Lin Yu was only discussing work with her, yet she felt uncomfortable, as if he had crossed a boundary.
Su Chengyang covered her eyes and slowly slid under the covers. Lin Yu only hoped that she could trust him because he was her manager. She should trust him, and he had no other intentions.
She didn’t dare answer his questions because she felt guilty. She had her own demons and feared that once she let down her guard, she wouldn’t be able to control her emotions about Lin Yu. So she had to keep a distance and maintain the line between herself and Lin Yu.
Would Lin Yu be disappointed or angry with her reaction?
She sighed and thought, “I’m sorry, only a few months left. I have to hold on.”
That night, Su Chengyang didn’t have the energy to think about Tian Rong’s affairs. She lay in bed and reflected on herself before dozing off.
The next morning, after breakfast, the staff asked them to gather in the hotel parking lot.
“Everyone stand in the groups from last night and take out all the money earned by each team,” the assistant director said.
Su Chengyang had stayed up until midnight and was still a little groggy. She took out a few hundred yuan from her pocket, neatly stacked.
“Count how much each team has,” the assistant director continued.
Qi Fu said, “We have a total of two thousand.”
Song Mingan said, “We have one thousand eight.”
He Xu said, “Xiaoyou and I have a total of two thousand four.”
Su Chengyang looked at them with a puzzled expression: “…”
“What about you guys?”
Su Chengyang replied, “We have three hundred.”
“But you guys were recognized, right? How did you make so much money?” Su Chengyang and Jiang Shanqi looked confused.
Han Songxue looked innocent: “Because we performed on the show? The show’s rules stated that each person can only receive a maximum of five yuan.”
Su Chengyang: “…”
The assistant director said, “Don’t worry, the money comes from the show’s budget, and it will all be reimbursed.”
Just then, a luxury car slowly pulled into the parking lot, followed by an ordinary Volkswagen, a cool motorcycle, and finally an elderly electric tricycle.
“As you can see, these are the vehicles we will be using to reach our next destination. No matter what type of vehicle, it goes to the highest bidder.”
Su Chengyang looked at the three hundred yuan in her hand, then at the electric tricycle with a collapsible back seat for elderly passengers, and fell into a moment of silence.
She didn’t mind riding it herself, but Jiang Shanqi might not be able to bear the humiliation. Besides, she had chosen Jiang Shanqi and felt like she was dragging her down.
She nudged Jiang Shanqi’s arm and said, “We can only take the tricycle. Why don’t I switch with Songxue? She probably wouldn’t mind.”
Jiang Shanqi glanced at her and said, “No need.”
“Assistant Director, do we need money for any other activities today?” He Xu asked.
The assistant director shook his head, “No, the money in your hands is just for your transportation to the next destination.”
With that, it was a case of the highest bidder takes it all.
In the end, He Xu and Qin You got into the luxury car, Qi Fu and Han Songxue got into the Volkswagen, Song Mingan and Shen Fu chose motorcycles, and Su Chengyang was left with only a tricycle for transportation.
“Forget to remind everyone, guests who choose motorcycles and tricycles can choose to drive themselves or let the driver drive.”
Su Chengyang glanced at the back seat of the tricycle and thought it would be a bit tight for two people, so he said, “We’ll drive ourselves.”
However, Song Mingan shook his head and said, “I don’t know how to ride a motorcycle, let the driver drive.”
Shen Fu interrupted him, “No need, I can drive.”
Song Mingan looked at him in surprise, “You can?”
“I have a driver’s license and used to like racing.”
After the decision was made, the eight guests got into their respective vehicles.
Jiang Shanqi saw Su Chengyang skillfully open the back seat and asked with a frown, “How do you know how to drive this?”
Su Chengyang replied, “It’s not difficult.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Han Songxue ran over excitedly and said to Jiang Shanqi, “Miss, you probably can’t get used to this kind of vehicle. Let me switch with you as a thank you…”
Jiang Shanqi looked at her with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. Before she could finish her sentence, she stretched her long legs and sat down, looking up at Han Songxue, “What did you say?”
Han Songxue’s face fell, “…”
She felt that riding a tricycle was more fun than riding in a car.
Su Chengyang said helplessly, “You should go back first, our vehicle is slow.”
Han Songxue nodded helplessly and walked away, turning back every three steps.
Su Chengyang had driven this type of vehicle before. Because no driver’s license was needed and it could also transport goods, but she hadn’t driven it in a long time, so she needed to get used to it first.
The other three groups of guests left the parking lot one after another, and Su Chengyang rode the tricycle slowly behind them.
Xiao Lu could have taken their luggage on a car ahead, but she had a playful personality and drove the same tricycle as Su Chengyang, pulling the camera man in the back seat, swaying with them in the back.
Fortunately, the filming location was not too far away from here, it was in a scenic area on the outskirts of the city.
“Chengyang, it feels like we’re on a tour!”
Xiao Lu smiled happily and greeted Su Chengyang.
The gentle wind blew on their faces, making them feel refreshed. It was indeed much more comfortable than riding in a car. It gave them a feeling of roaming, even Jiang Shanqi in the back seat couldn’t help but smile.
As there were not many shots needed along the way, the cameraman put down his camera and walked while chatting with Su Chengyang and the others.
The speed of the tricycle was really slow. Except for them, the other guests and program staff had already left ahead and couldn’t be seen anymore.
“The air here is pretty good. If you have the chance, you can come here for tourism.”
Looking at the pleasant scenery, Su Chengyang’s mood also became better. “Yes, it’s not as busy as the city here, and it can allow people to take a good breath.”
Jiang Shanqi sat in the back seat with a smile on her face and nodded in agreement, “Finally, we feel like we’re on a trip.”
Perhaps infected by their mood, the cameraman smiled and said, “This is the pinnacle of my life. I can slack off with three beautiful girls.”
Xiao Lu said, “Since you’re so honored, shouldn’t you show some gentlemanly style and treat us to something to eat?”
“Sure!” The cameraman swung his arms generously. “What do you want to eat? Just say it!”
Xiao Lu raised an eyebrow at Su Chengyang, “Quickly say what you want to eat. Our good big brother is treating us.”
Su Chengyang hesitated a bit, “But Manager Lin…”
“Forget it! The camera is already turned off. Who else knows besides us? We can just cut it out later,” said Xiao Lu.
Su Chengyang reluctantly nodded, “Okay, we just passed by a food street. Let’s go and take a look there.”
Twenty minutes later, the four of them left the food street feeling satisfied, carrying their hands full of things, and continued driving towards their destination.
The four of them chatted aimlessly, with Su Chengyang driving and unable to use her hands, while Jiang Shanqi occasionally stuffed food into her mouth from the back seat. Su Chengyang’s happy expression after eating the food made the other three burst out laughing.
On the way, the cameraman received a call from the program.
“Where are you guys? Why haven’t you arrived yet?”
The cameraman was still chewing and almost choked.
“We got lost just now, but we should be there in half an hour.”
“Hurry up, everyone’s waiting.”
After hanging up the phone, the other three couldn’t help but laugh.
Thinking that the others were already waiting for them at the destination, the four of them didn’t delay any longer.
Forty minutes later, they finally arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Su Chengyang looked up and saw many entertainment facilities built on the mountain, but most of them were new and had probably just been completed. They were invited to come here to film a commercial before the official opening.
“You’re so slow. Xiaoyou has already finished a test paper,” Han Songxue complained when she saw them.
Su Chengyang shrugged, “There’s no choice, this tricycle is just a little better than a bike.”
Su Chengyang got off the tricycle, and Jiang Shanqi also got out from the back seat.
Han Songxue wrinkled her nose, seeming to smell something, and approached them to ask, “Did you guys eat something?”
Su Chengyang and Jiang Shanqi kept a poker face and said in unison, “No.”
“Really?” Han Songxue looked skeptical.
Su Chengyang pushed her and turned around, walking towards the group of people, and said, “Why would we lie to you?”
After everyone arrived, the assistant director introduced their location as usual, and the scenic area behind them.
Actually, it is a mountain amusement park built with heavy investment. You can climb the mountain to enjoy the scenery or experience various entertainment projects. It is said that there are also many small animals in another area.
“As a final introduction, I’d like to welcome the ambassador of Chunlin Mountain, Welcome一 “
At the assistant director’s command, the cable car behind the crowd gradually started moving.
Everyone turned around in unison and saw a cable car slowly moving down the cable connecting to the other side of the mountain.
From a distance, Su Chengyang saw a woman sitting on the cable car.
The woman was wearing a pink and white dress and looked very dignified. As the cable car moved halfway through the air, her dress was blown up by the breeze, and smoke spread beneath her, making her look like a fairy from another world.
Han Songxue leaned half against Su Chengyang’s shoulder and whispered, “She seems to have become popular because of a historical drama.”
Su Chengyang nodded knowingly, Tian Rong’s costume was indeed eye-catching and made her look like a gentle and lively fairy from heaven.
“No wonder Yang Xiuyi likes her so much, and because of her, he…”
Han Songxue’s voice was not low, and everyone around her involuntarily turned their gaze towards her.
Han Songxue’s face stiffened, finally realizing that she had said something wrong. She looked at Su Chengyang timidly and covered her mouth, apologizing, “I’m sorry.”
Jiang Shanqi: “Maybe you should stop talking now.”
Song Mingan: “Donate your mouth if you don’t know how to speak.”
Qi Fu: “Songxue… I’ll give you a copy of <The Art of Language> when we return.”
Qin You: “<How to Improve Emotional Intelligence> might be more helpful.”
He Xu: “Just get scolded a few more times and you’ll remember.”
Shen Fu: “…Yes.”
Han Songxue knew she was in the wrong and lowered her head without saying a word.
Su Chengyang sighed and lovingly patted her head, “Don’t say that about her.”
Han Songxue looked touched, “Chengyang…”
“After all, she has a blank mind.”
Han Songxue: “…”
