Did Assistant Xie Make the Trending Searches Today? - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Contest

Orange TV has truly struck gold this time.

On the first day of the broadcast of Love Signal, a 24-hour pure live-streamed same-sex dating reality show produced with heavy investment, the ratings started low but trended high, having already jumped to the third spot among national variety shows in the same time slot.

The director received a call from the station leadership early in the morning. Rubbing his hands in excitement, he immediately called a meeting with the small group staff to discuss how to make the upcoming plots more interesting and dramatic.

Toward the end of the meeting, the director thought of Xie He-ting, who came in as a last-minute substitute, and offered a word of praise: “That newcomer Xie He-ting has a great sense of the camera. He truly deserves his background as a director/editor; he knows exactly what the audience wants to see. I knew letting this kid be a substitute would provide some interest.”

“You all need to be bolder when selecting people next time. If young people aren’t daring, how can things get done well?”

“Yes, yes, the director is wise.”

“The older ginger is indeed spicier; we shall learn from you.”

Everyone offered flatteries while grumbling internally—Heh, now all the credit goes to him. When the list was submitted, who was it that slammed the table saying they didn’t want anyone without explosive potential? It was only because the big boss thought his image was good that he was kept on.

“Old Peng, I remember you’re the one responsible for leading him, right? Send him a message and tell him to keep it up, to redouble his efforts. If he does well, he won’t be lacking in year-end bonuses.”

Peng Haobo, the leader of the editorial group who was cued, let out a burp and nodded under the director’s dark-faced gaze: “Will do!”

You can’t blame him; being fed “big flatbread” (empty promises) so early in the morning made him full.

At 7:30 AM, countless viewers waited in front of their screens.

Mu Ying and Wen Zhou had been busy in the kitchen since early morning.

Mu Shenyu had already flown to Country A last night, but Mu Ying continued recording the show here.

Wow, Mu Ying’s craftsmanship looks great, I want to eat.

I didn’t expect Wen Zhou to actually know how to cook. A male college student who can cook is one in a million! Even like this, the Great Beauty still can’t look at you?

The bullet chat began to “discuss” what exactly happened last night again.

“Morning—” A crisp voice cut in out of nowhere.

Lan Chi yawned, his delicate face full of fatigue, as he waved to them weakly.

“Why do you look so tired? Didn’t sleep well last night?” Looking at Lan Chi with two big dark circles under his eyes made one wonder if this kid had spent the night playing games instead of sleeping.

Lan Chi rubbed his eyes hard, struggling to open them, “Yeah, I’m a bit unaccustomed.”

It was his first time sleeping with three people!

Mu Ying said understandingly, “The bed the production team arranged is a bit cramped, right?”

“It wasn’t cramped.”

“Hey!”

Suddenly, Jin Huaifeng’s voice, clearly sounding displeased, came from the living room.

Mu Ying set the washed lettuce leaves aside, pulled a tissue to dry the water on his hands, and said, “I’ll go see what they’re doing.”

Lan Chi was eating a cucumber with a “crunch-crunch” sound. Hearing this, he was about to follow, but seeing Wen Zhou standing alone and lonely in the corner of the kitchen working, his extended leg retracted.

Lan Chi leaned against the bar counter and called out to Wen Zhou’s back: “Brother Zhou, what time did you come back last night? When I went to sleep past 2:00, I didn’t see you.”

“A little after two. You had just fallen asleep when I got back.” Wen Zhou didn’t turn around, giving a vague explanation.

“Oh! I see!” Lan Chi was about to continue chatting when he noticed Wen Zhou kept his back to him. Feeling a bit strange, he hurried over. Upon seeing Wen Zhou’s face clearly, he couldn’t help but shout exaggeratedly: “What happened to your eyes!”

Not far away, Zhou Yanrong, who was making pour-over coffee, stiffened his spine instantly upon hearing Lan Chi’s shout. But because there was some distance between them, no one noticed his abnormality.

Wen Zhou was being pulled by him. He forcibly rescued his clothes from Lan Chi’s grip and brushed his hand away: “It’s nothing.”

The camera followed them.

The viewers in front of the screen felt their hearts break.

Heavens, the puppy’s eyes are swollen.

Isn’t it obvious? He stood out on the terrace in the wind for half the night.

The camera was follow-style; if a guest didn’t rest, the corresponding camera would continue to broadcast. After coming out of Zhou Yanrong’s room last night, Wen Zhou went to the terrace alone and stayed until very late.

Sigh, speaking of this pair is heartbreaking. Zhou Yanrong, why are you so heart of stone? Is your heart made of rock? Look back, he loves you so much (screaming).

“There must be something.” Lan Chi scanned his face sharply.

He and Wen Zhou had met on the way here; being of similar age, they had common topics and got along well. On the way, Lan Chi got a rough idea of Wen Zhou’s purpose for participating in the show. Although he didn’t know exactly what happened between the two, he wasn’t stupid and understood immediately.

Wen Zhou smiled forcedly and turned his head. His voice struggled to remain steady as he whispered: “It’s really nothing. Don’t ask, Xiao Chi.”

Lan Chi’s gaze moved from him to Zhou Yanrong, who was grinding coffee not far away. Zhou Yanrong’s expression was natural, showing no sign of abnormality.

A burst of baseless anger flared up in his heart; he turned to leave.

Suddenly his wrist felt a pang of pain—Lan Chi was angry at his lack of fighting spirit, pointing in Zhou Yanrong’s direction: “Go find him! Make it clear!”

“You obviously like him, so why wrong yourself like this! Whether he likes you or not is his business!”

“…No need. I can handle it myself. Don’t worry about it, go eat breakfast, okay?”

“I’m begging you.” Wen Zhou’s voice was so low it was almost inaudible. His tone even unconsciously carried a few hints of pleading.

Lan Chi looked at Wen Zhou’s face, which was flushed red with pain, his eyes darting back and forth across his face.

Finally, he turned away indignantly, “I really don’t understand you. There are so many men, why must it be him?”

Wen Zhou shook his head and said no more.

Lan Chi suddenly thought of himself and Jin Huaifeng, and felt a bit sad again.

There are so many men, so why did he think Jin Huaifeng was perfect in every way?

What did they actually talk about last night? I didn’t see it last night.

Nothing much, just the puppy asking the Great Beauty why he left without saying goodbye, and the Great Beauty saying he felt a relationship was fine ending there, and that was all.

Then the Great Beauty even said some very heartless things, like “You’re making things difficult for me” and “Let the end be the end.”

Wuwu, the puppy cried. Crap.

Sigh. This pair… don’t know what to say.

Forget it, let’s look at something happier—wait, why is everyone in the gym now?

Shi Jixing, Xie He-ting, Shen Ji, Mu Ying, and Jin Huaifeng were all in the gym on the basement floor at this time. The fiery atmosphere was a sharp contrast to the floor above.

Everyone was exercising. Shi Jixing was doing pull-ups; Shen Ji and Jin Huaifeng were competing in dumbbell presses. This side had already reached 50kg, and once the set was finished over there, the weight was silently adjusted down a notch.

Speaking of the reason why everyone was so enthusiastic, it started ten minutes ago.

Xie He-ting went downstairs and happened to run into Shen Ji returning from his morning run, so he took the initiative to ask if he could run with him tomorrow morning.

These words happened to be heard by Jin Huaifeng, who came over to get water. He said chillingly: “You didn’t even get up when I called you to make breakfast; can you even get up for a morning run?”

Little Xie’s face turned a bit red. When he got up today, Wen Zhou and the others had already finished making breakfast. However, he didn’t oversleep on purpose; it was because he was a bit tired yesterday that he got up late.

Shen Ji saw Xie He-ting’s embarrassment and took the initiative to clear the air: “I usually get up at 6:30 to run. If you want to run, we can also do it at 7:30.”

Looking at the gently smiling Shen Ji in front of him, and then at the foul-faced Jin Huaifeng, Xie He-ting said without thinking: “Alright, Brother Shen Ji, let’s go together tomorrow morning.”

Then he added a heartfelt lament: “Sigh, it would be even more convenient if we could choose a room together tonight.”

Brother Shen Ji seemed especially gentle, definitely not as strange as Jin Huaifeng. Then he would be able to rest normally and get up early to exercise.

Jin Huaifeng: …

Jin Huaifeng couldn’t help but glare at Xie He-ting.

Shen Ji glanced at him, then at Jin Huaifeng, and smiled without speaking.

Hahahahaha, on purpose, definitely on purpose! He-he already knows how to handle Brother Jin!

Ahhhh so is this a mutual attraction between He-he and Film Emperor Shen? They’re even talking about choosing a room together tonight.

It’s just talk, calm down sisters. Our Teacher Shen is a very good person; he’s just helping clear the air.

Brother Jin, control yourself, your eyes are about to spit fire. It’s only been one night; who said last night that they didn’t have feelings for anyone present? Does your face hurt?

Jin Huaifeng’s face certainly hurt!

His lungs hurt from anger, and even his heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys felt a bit uncomfortable.

A certain someone refused to sleep in the bed last night no matter what. And who was it that got up in the middle of the night to carry him to the bed? Fearing he would feel awkward upon waking up to find two people in one bed, Jin slept on the sofa all night himself. Now, there wasn’t a single part of his body that felt comfortable.

When had he ever suffered such hardship!

The production team’s sofa was a two-seater sofa, only 1.8m long. Jin Huaifeng is 1.85m; with his hands and legs stretched out, they were dangling off. To sleep curled up, given his physique, it was truly a night of torture.

That heartless fellow had a good night’s sleep. Not only did he not show any gratitude, he even said he wanted to choose a room with Shen Ji tonight.

Would Shen Ji let him sleep in the bed and sleep on the sofa himself?

Would Shen Ji care for him like he did!

So little endurance in seducing others, giving up after encountering a tiny bit of setback?

Jin Huaifeng pressed his tongue against his canine tooth.

Some “dishes,” it’s fine if one can’t taste them.

But now that he’s had one lick and found the flavor quite good, suddenly someone runs over saying, “The flavor of your dish is not bad, give me a bite.”

That wouldn’t do.

This damn possessiveness was stirring!

“A morning run is just a warm-up. Didn’t you praise my physique as being very good last night?” Jin Huaifeng said immediately.

Xie He-ting’s expression was hesitant. Jin Huaifeng’s physique was indeed very good.

Then he heard Jin Huaifeng say again: “I have to exercise anyway, so just train with me.”

His tone was purely like a magnanimous act of charity.

Little Xie immediately turned to Shen Ji and said: “Brother Shen Ji, let’s go together tomorrow morning!”

XSWL (Laughing to death), Brother Jin, if you can’t speak, you don’t have to. How did it achieve a completely opposite effect?

He-ting’s expression is too wonderful. Hearing the first sentence: heart stirring. Second sentence: face changes.

Jin Huaifeng: ???

“Wait a minute!” Jin Huaifeng said irritably: “What kind of exercise is running? It’ll take forever to get muscle from running. Method is more important than effort, don’t you understand!”

Seeing Xie He-ting obviously hesitating again, Jin Huaifeng’s gaze circled around the two of them, and he pointed at Shen Ji: “If you don’t believe me, let me compete with him. You see whose physique is actually better.”

His provocative gaze landed on Shen Ji, his chin lifted with an unspeakable arrogance.

“One sentence to make two men go crazy for me”.

Shen Ji’s fans were rolling their eyes: Teacher Shen is very mindful of his image; how could he compete over this with someone else? Don’t you see he only does a morning run every day and doesn’t lift weights?】

Exactly, exactly, Teacher Shen will definitely refuse.

Sigh, our Teacher Shen is just too nice, which makes people think he’s so easy to talk to.

Then they heard Shen Ji say: “Any time.”

Bullet chat: …

“One sentence to make two men and a crowd of onlookers go crazy for me”.

Shen Ji’s fans quickly tried to save face: A challenge has already been issued; our Teacher Shen is doing it so the other party doesn’t lose face.

We understand, we understand.

At the root of it, it’s just that damn competitive drive between men.

Support