Why Did the Top Alpha Suddenly Stop Acting Out? - Chapter 56

In front of the villa where the first recording of “My Coexistence with My Agent” took place, Huang Xin and Cai Yunyoo had just stepped out of their car when they saw a red limited-edition supercar drive through the gate.

They exchanged a glance but didn’t gather in the open area in front of the entrance, instead staying where they stood by unspoken agreement.

When the two people got out of the car, Huang Xin couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. During the New Year break, she had watched the first episode of the show. The last time these two came, they had been at odds from the moment they entered the neighborhood, and the atmosphere between them in the villa had been unbearably tense. Yet today, they arrived in the same car?

Their reconciliation sure was quick.

Cai Yunyoo, on the other hand, reacted completely differently. She instantly clenched her hands in excitement, quickly ran over to Long Xiaoqin’s side, and tightly grasped her hand, whispering something into her ear.

By the time Yi Qian and Ye Shuyi got out of the car, Director Lu appeared at the gate with his megaphone, clearing his throat symbolically. “First of all, Happy New Year to everyone. Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get back to work.”

“This recording session has nothing to do with this villa. The reason we’ve gathered everyone here is to help you recapture the feeling of the first recording.”

“This afternoon, we’ll be heading to a rather special location, and there’ll be another recording session in the evening. I won’t waste any more time with words. Everyone, please park the cars you arrived in here, and then we’ll all take the vehicles arranged by the production team to our destination.”

As soon as Director Lu finished speaking, a van slowly pulled up outside the villa’s courtyard.

The door opened, and Cai Xiaoyou, pulling Long Xiaoqin along, was the first to rush onto the van. The two of them took the double seat on the left side of the second row. When Huang Xin got on and saw them, she couldn’t help but frown slightly, though she didn’t say anything, sitting across the aisle to Cai Yunyoo’s right instead.

Ye Shuyi and Yi Qian boarded one after the other. Ye Shuyi headed toward the seats at the back, and Yi Qian followed, the two sitting side by side in the last row.

He Tong was the last to board. She glanced around the van, then bent slightly to walk toward the back, only for Huang Xin to grab her wrist. “Agent He, if I remember correctly, you get motion sickness, don’t you?”

He Tong nodded, puzzled.

Huang Xin curled her lips into a smile and explained, “Sitting in the front gives you a better view and makes you less likely to get carsick.”

He Tong glanced at Yi Qian, then declined the offer, gently pulling her hand away as she smiled. “It’s fine. It’s not that bad, I usually don’t get carsick.”

But Huang Xin held onto her, her expression turning slightly stern. “Agent He, it’s better if you sit in the front. Just in case, if you do get carsick, it’ll be troublesome for all of us.”

He Tong clicked her tongue but nodded silently, turning to walk forward and take a seat in the first row.

Huang Xin looked back at the two in the rear. Ye Shuyi was already watching her and nodded slightly when their eyes met.

As the van drove down the road toward their unknown destination, Yi Qian spread her hand on her thigh and nudged Ye Shuyi with her elbow. When the other woman looked over, she wiggled her fingers in a not-so-subtle hint.

Ye Shuyi glanced around the van. The other guests were all occupied with their own things, and no one was paying attention to them. Still, she didn’t take Yi Qian’s hand, instead giving it a light pat as she whispered, “Behave. We’re filming.”

Yi Qian frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping over all the cameras in the vehicle as she naturally leaned closer to her companion, their shoulders brushing with a playful nudge that was full of coquettish charm.

Ye Shuyi chuckled helplessly and patted her hand again. “Wait, they’ll catch everything on camera.”

Yi Qian tilted her head toward her, lowering her voice. “I checked this angle isn’t covered.”

Her fingers, resting on her lap, began to fidget impatiently.

Ye Shuyi glanced at her before interlacing their fingers, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Yi Qian responded by gently pinching her fingertips in satisfaction.

After some time, the car came to a slow stop at the foot of a mountain.

Cai Yunyoo was the first to step out, gaping up at the towering peak that seemed to pierce the clouds.

Long Xiaoqin stood beside her, equally stunned. “It’s so high are we seriously expected to hike all the way up?”

The other guests filed out of the car one by one, lining up beside them.

At this, all eyes turned toward Director Lu.

Under the collective icy glare of six people, he swallowed hard and explained, “Don’t worry, we’re not making you climb to the summit. Our main goal is to film at Lingguang Temple halfway up the mountain. Since the New Year just passed, we thought it’d be nice for everyone to visit the temple, make some wishes…”

“Rumor has it, just a rumor, mind you,” Director Lu added mysteriously, “this temple is famous for granting love-related wishes with uncanny accuracy.”

Huang Xin raised an eyebrow. “So, Director, are you hoping to wish for a partner too?”

Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, he laughed. “Well, if it works, why not?”

Yi Qian crossed her arms. “So we’re just… hiking straight to the temple? That’s it?”

“Of course!” He dragged out the word before abruptly changing his tone. ” not! Let’s not forget we’re filming a variety show here. We can’t just give the audience something this boring.”

Cai Yunyoo scoffed without hesitation. “Knowing you, you’ll just come up with some exhausting, pointless gimmick that adds zero entertainment value.”

Ignoring her jab, Director Lu cheerfully laid out the rules. “We’ve set up three challenge points along the trail. Each pair will draw a task at a designated spot complete it, and you’ll earn a corresponding reward.”

“As you all know, the living expenses from the last recording have been reset, so this time, you’ll need to!”

Before he could finish, Yi Qian cut in. “Since when was this ‘known’? You just made this rule up, didn’t you? So all the money we earned last time… you just pocketed it?”

“No! Absolutely not!” Director Lu waved his hands frantically, even forgetting to use his megaphone. “The funds will still be used for your benefit! We’ll provide a detailed breakdown later, no embezzlement, I swear!”

Yi Qian opened her mouth to retort, but Ye Shuyi nudged her arm. After a brief hesitation, she stayed silent.

Director Lu shot her a glance before continuing. “First place to reach Lingguang Temple gets 300 yuan in living expenses, second place gets 200, and third gets 100.”

“If there are no further questions… let the hike begin!”

As soon as the words were spoken, Cai Yunyoo rested her forehead on Long Xiaoqin’s shoulder, her tone utterly defeated: “What should I do, Qin Qin? I can already see myself ending up with two crippled legs.”

Long Xiaoqin raised her hand to pat her shoulder in comfort, but before she could make contact, Huang Xin walked over expressionlessly and immediately started pulling her artist up the mountain: “We’re on the same team. Don’t waste my time.”

Cai Yunyoo shot her manager a look of disdain and said coldly, “Hmph, what a heartless woman.”

Despite her words, she made no move to resist, allowing Huang Xin to drag her along.

Huang Xin calmly retorted, “Brat.”

“You’re the brat!” Cai Yunyoo fired back without hesitation.

Huang Xin merely curled her lips slightly, choosing not to continue the banter.

Yi Qian watched as the two walked hand in hand openly. Glancing at her own empty hand, she looked up at Ye Shuyi standing nearby.

The moment their eyes met, Ye Shuyi knew exactly what she was thinking. But this time, she didn’t indulge her. Instead, she turned and started walking up the mountain first.

Left standing there, Yi Qian pitifully clasped her own hands together, fingers intertwined, watching Ye Shuyi’s retreating figure before silently jogging to catch up.

The crew members who witnessed this entire exchange exchanged bewildered glances: “???”

Though it was still winter, the mountain scenery wasn’t desolate. The dense woods lining the path were lush with foliage, vibrant green under the afternoon sun that hung high in the sky, breathing life into the verdant landscape.

Perhaps because the new year had just passed, there were no other hikers besides the production crew, as if the entire mountain had been reserved for the guests’ enjoyment.

But reality differed from imagination.

After walking for what felt like ages, Ye Shuyi felt parched. Wiping sweat from her temple, she asked the accompanying cameraman, “Did the crew provide any water?”

The cameraman relayed the question through his equipment and received the response: “No, but there are rewards for completing stage tasks.”

“How much further to the first checkpoint?”

The cameraman looked up and pointed to a spot not far away: “Right there.”

Following his direction, Ye Shuyi saw a staff member standing in the shade of a large tree with a cardboard box in front of them. Huang Xin and Cai Yunyoo, who had arrived first, were already drawing their task.

Yi Qian glanced at her and naturally took her wrist, encouraging, “Just hang on a little longer. We’re almost there.”

Ye Shuyi looked down at the hand holding hers and frowned slightly. Making a scene now would seem odd after all, as teammates, Yi Qian’s actions were understandable.

When they reached the checkpoint, Huang Xin and Cai Yunyoo had just completed their task and received their reward: a 500ml bottle of mineral water.

The two continued on their way, satisfied with their prize.

Seeing how uncomfortable the heat was making her companion, Yi Qian offered, “Should I draw the task?”

Ye Shuyi nodded silently.

Yi Qian reached into the box and pulled out a small slip of paper.

[Task: Both team members must answer the same question identically to receive the reward.]

The staff member glanced at the note and signaled for the two to each draw a question from the small cardboard box beside them.

Yi Qian casually picked one and handed it to the staff.

The staff member enunciated clearly as they read the question: “Please simultaneously state the most intimate act you’ve shared since the last shoot, and describe the circumstances.”

Their eyes instinctively sought each other, but before their gazes could meet, an invisible barrier seemed to materialize between them, cutting off any attempt at silent communication.

Ye Shuyi: “…”

Yi Qian: This… isn’t something we can just say out loud.

Well then, might as well take a gamble.

Ye Shuyi: “Helping her walk.”

Yi Qian: “Holding my arm.”

They answered almost in unison, their responses strikingly similar.

The staff consulted Director Lu, who ruled: “If they’re describing the same incident, it counts as correct.”

Yi Qian: “Because I got injured during rehearsal.”

Ye Shuyi: “Because she got injured during rehearsal.”

A perfect match.

Hearing each other’s answers, they exchanged a knowing smile and spontaneously high-fived.

Director Lu scratched his head and turned to Assistant Director Che: “Didn’t Yi Qian refuse Ye Shuyi’s help when she got hurt? If I remember right, that clip of them arguing on set trended for three… or was it five days?”

Assistant Director Che mused: “Maybe they made up privately later?”

Regardless of the directors’ confusion, their matching answers earned them the reward.

When presented with a single 50ml cup of water, both froze momentarily.

Yi Qian recovered first, accepting the cup and offering it to Ye Shuyi: “You drink it. I’m not thirsty.”

Without refusing, Ye Shuyi drank half before extending it back: “Credit should be shared so should the water.”

Yi Qian shook her head firmly: “Really, I’m fine.”

At Ye Shuyi’s raised eyebrow, Yi Qian immediately took the cup and drained it in one gulp: “All gone. Let’s go.”

Watching them leave, the staff member stared at the empty cup, puzzled. Had something… just happened right before Yi Qian drank?

She glanced after the retreating figures, but… maybe she’d imagined it?

Continuing uphill, they reached a small pavilion halfway up the mountain. Ye Shuyi tugged lightly at Yi Qian’s sleeve: “Should we… rest here awhile?”

Yi Qian turned, studying her seriously: “That tired? I could carry you the rest of the way.”

Ye Shuyi shook her head: “Just need to catch my breath.”

As Yi Qian moved to take her hand, Ye Shuyi anticipated the gesture and withdrew first. Sighing, Yi Qian began to retract her hand, only for Ye Shuyi to suddenly grasp her wrist from behind, breath slightly uneven: “Too exhausted. Need support.”

The cool touch at her wrist sent a jolt through Yi Qian.

Ye Shuyi gave her wrist a light shake: “Stop spacing out. Let’s go.”

Snapping back to attention, Yi Qian led her into the pavilion.

After resting briefly in the mountain breeze, they resumed their ascent.

By the time the two reached the second checkpoint, He Tong and Xiao Qin had just completed their task, receiving the same reward as last round, a fifty-milliliter cup of water. He Tong immediately snatched the cup and downed the meager amount in one gulp, leaving Long Xiaoqin standing blankly beside her, swallowing dryly without a word.

Cai Yunyoo, who was already on the uphill path, happened to witness this scene. Without hesitation, she turned back, snatched the cup from He Tong’s hand, and said furiously, “Are you even human? Drinking all the water yourself, don’t you know Qin Qin contributed just as much?”

He Tong showed no fear, replying indifferently, “It’s just a cup of water. Not drinking it won’t kill you.”

“Just a cup of water? Is that something a decent person would say? If it’s just a cup of water, why did you gulp it down so fast? And then you—”

Cai Yunyoo spoke rapidly, her anger flaring as she raised the cup as if to smash it over He Tong’s head. But Huang Xin and Long Xiaoqin, who had rushed over, each grabbed one of her arms, stopping her.

“Calm down,” Huang Xin said sternly.

“Yunyoo, don’t do this,” Long Xiaoqin also urged.

Cai Yunyoo glared at He Tong before turning back to Long Xiaoqin, her face crumpling. “But you didn’t get any water, and I don’t have any left either. What do we do?”

She and Huang Xin had received a bottle of sunscreen as their reward this round, and the mineral water from the previous round had long been finished.

“It’s fine,” Long Xiaoqin said softly, shaking her head. “I’m not thirsty.”

“How could you not be thirsty?” Cai Yunyoo cried. “Look, your lips are already chapped.”

Just then, a bottle of mineral water suddenly appeared in front of them. The two turned in unison to see Ye Shuyi, her lips curling slightly. “Take it.”

“But what about you?”

Before Long Xiaoqin could finish, Yi Qian, standing behind Ye Shuyi, tossed another bottle of water in her hand and said lazily, “Giving you one won’t hurt. We got lucky this round two bottles.” She frowned slightly, as if muttering to herself, “Though it does mean we’ll have an extra burden.”

“What?” Long Xiaoqin pressed.

“For the rest of the journey, we’ll have to livestream the whole thing,” Yi Qian sighed. The filming setup already had too many cameras, leaving her and Ye Shuyi no chance for intimacy. Now, with a livestream and countless eyes watching, the possibility was even slimmer.

What else could that be but a burden?

“Take it,” Ye Shuyi said. “This is our water for you. Don’t go giving it away out of pity.”

Her gaze flicked meaningfully toward He Tong, who stood alone in the distance.

With that, she shoved the water into Long Xiaoqin’s hands and walked off toward the main uphill path.

As she passed He Tong, the latter scoffed and sneered, “Playing the saint in front of me, while behind the scenes, you’re just trying to—”

Her words cut off abruptly as Yi Qian’s palm stopped just millimeters from her face.

Trembling, He Tong lifted her eyes to meet Yi Qian’s icy glare. The woman’s stunning features were frostier than ever, her gaze sharp as a blade, like a jade-faced judge of the underworld come to claim a life. Her voice was frigid.

“If you can’t control that mouth of yours next time, I’ll be happy to teach it some manners myself.”

Seeing the other person staring blankly at her, Yi Qian repeated, “Understood?”

He Tong looked at her with fearful eyes before nodding vigorously like pounding garlic: “Understood.”

As Cai Yunyoo passed by He Tong, she coldly tossed out, “You dare treat Qin Qin like this while we’re still recording the show? I can’t imagine how you treat her behind the scenes.”

On the mountain path, Yi Qian was fiddling with the live-streaming equipment when Ye Shuyi hesitated before finally speaking up, “We’re still recording the show. You shouldn’t act so recklessly.”

Yi Qian shrugged slightly, “I was holding back. Normally, that slap would’ve already landed on her face.”

[What what? Just tuned in and caught some juicy gossip!]

[Me too, me too!]

[Ah! Even up close, Yi Qian is so beautiful! [clutches heart and collapses]]

Yi Qian pulled the phone screen back and noticed numerous comments scrolling by, realizing the live stream had already started.

She adjusted the screen to ensure both she and Ye Shuyi were in frame before greeting, “Hello hello, good afternoon! Can you hear me?”

[Yes yes! Your voice is so lovely [drooling]]

Holding the phone with a selfie stick, Yi Qian walked forward while chatting with fans through the comments.

“What just happened? Nothing much, just some minor friction between guests.”

“Ye Shuyi is really beautiful?” Yi Qian glanced back at Ye Shuyi with a doting smile before turning back to the screen with a normal smile, “Yes, very beautiful. Thank you all for complimenting my manager.”

[Aaaaaah! We were complimenting her, not you! Why are you thanking us? Genuine question is this a family member thanking on behalf?]

For a moment, most fans seemed eager for Yi Qian to answer this question, flooding the live stream with the same comment.

“Family member thanking on behalf?” Yi Qian raised an eyebrow, “We’re colleagues, so shouldn’t it be colleague thanking on behalf?”

[Ohhhh, got it, you’re colleagues.]

[What are you guys doing now? Where are you going? The scenery behind looks amazing!]

“We’re hiking now, heading to Lingguang Temple halfway up the mountain. Has anyone been there before?”

[I have! They say the temple is great for love fortunes! I met my girlfriend there and got proposed to yesterday!]

[Wow! Congrats! Let me soak up some of that luck, hope I can find someone this year!]

[That effective? I’m going too! Praying for my fate with Yi Qian! Yi Qian!! When are you marrying me!!!!]

“When am I marrying you?” Yi Qian deliberately said this loudly while glancing at the person behind her through the screen. Seeing the other look up, she immediately straightened up, “I’d advise against praying for that here, it’s absolutely impossible. Better save those wishes for others.”

[Hehe, I won’t pray for me and you, I’ll pray for you and Manager Ye! Hehehe!]

“Pray for me and Manager Ye?” Yi Qian looked back again to find the other already watching the screen. She drawled, “I already told you to focus those wishes on yourselves. Why keep worrying about others, don’t you think?”

“Oh my god, you didn’t even deny it! Could it be true? Hehe, can I wait for an official announcement?”

Yi Qian read this comment but didn’t respond, directly changing the subject: “We’ve reached the third mission point. We need to complete the task first. You guys keep playing.”

The two arrived at the mission point.

Yi Qian casually pulled out a note. Seeing the mission written on it, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up.

“She’s smiling! What mission made you so happy? I want to see too! Show me!!”

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