Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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Upon hearing this, Zhai Xingchen turned around and looked.
Guo Bing waved and said, “Come here for a moment.”
Pei Xu then walked over to Guo Bing.
Guo Bing asked, “The car’s cameras weren’t turned off this time, were they?”
Pei Xu said, “They were not turned off, but there was nothing to see anyway.”
He and Zhai Xingchen barely spoke in the car.
Guo Bing now felt a sense of warmth and familiarity towards Pei Xu, thinking, “This kid has really made something of himself now.” So he said, “Why don’t you get a single-item sample taken? It’s been a long time since you’ve done one.”
Upon hearing this, Zhai Xingchen asked, “Are we going to do individual sampling?”
It seems like it’s been a long time since we’ve done it.
“You don’t need to do it yet, let Pei Xu do it first,” Guo Bing said with a smile.
Ten minutes later, Pei Xu sat down in the program crew’s room.
This time, both Guo Bing and screenwriter Liu were present, along with a dozen or so staff members surrounding the camera.
Pei Xu was wearing a down jacket, and his expression was the same as when he first arrived, but the feeling he gave off had changed. He was not as arrogant as when he first arrived, and he was much more peaceful.
He cooperated well this time, obediently sitting on the high stool and constantly adjusting his posture and angle according to the staff’s instructions.
Dating reality shows were mostly filmed outdoors or in fixed indoor shots, unlike TV dramas where lighting could be used freely or a single scene could be filmed multiple times to select the best one. The guests were often seen without makeup, and the shows frequently captured them looking disheveled or tired. Even the usually impeccably dressed Hu Ying couldn’t maintain a glamorous appearance all the time. However, dating reality shows relied even more heavily on appearance than TV dramas; the guests’ looks were crucial and directly impact ratings. Therefore, the show hosts paid close attention to camera angles and lighting during individual interviews to ensure each guest looked their best on camera.
“During the previous live stream, we interviewed other people but not you. Now, please answer our question first.”
“Is that even a question?” Pei Xu said. “You guys should have already edited up a lot of videos of me being slapped in the face, right?”
Everyone burst into laughter. Pei Xu smiled too, and his smile made some of the staff in the room blush with excitement.
Because Pei Xu’s smile was just as striking as Zhai Xingchen’s.
So beautiful!
“I like Zhai Xingchen,” Pei Xu said, looking directly into the camera.
His sudden remark startled everyone. Guo Bing glanced at the monitor; under the bright light, Pei Xu’s features were distinct, and his appearance was handsome. He was speaking to the camera very seriously.
Zhai Xingchen stayed by the lake for a while before returning to room number one. He was going to cook a big meal for lunch.
Huo Cheng accompanied him to room number one. This was a rare moment of solitude. Huo Cheng was filled with emotion and said nothing. He occasionally turned his head to look at Zhai Xingchen, his heart overflowing with tenderness.
Before Pei Xu went to record the interview, he had already driven the car to Room 1 and unloaded everything, placing it at the door of Room 1. The two of them had just carried their things inside when Pei Xu returned.
“So fast,” Huo Cheng said.
“They just asked me a few simple questions,” Pei Xu said, taking off his down jacket.
“Why haven’t I seen Brother Yan?” Zhai Xingchen asked.
Huo Cheng said, “He said he didn’t sleep well last night and went back to catch up on his sleep.”
Huo Cheng looked at the things Zhai Xingchen had bought, and they were indeed all vegetables: eggplant, cucumber, tomato, purple sweet potato, potato, etc. He bought a little of almost everything. He and Pei Xu helped Zhai Xingchen wash and peel the vegetables. Zhai Xingchen used every pot that was available, and the entire stove was filled with colorful vegetables and fruits.
When Hu Ying and the others came in, they were stunned by the huge scene.
The production team had already set up many cameras in the kitchen of room number one, and upon seeing this, they specially sent another cameraman over.
“Xingchen is really going to unleash his ultimate move today,” Duan Yihua said, rubbing his hands together.
“I made you some pear soup,” Zhai Xingchen said.
Upon hearing this, Pei Xu and Huo Cheng turned around almost simultaneously to get bowls from the cupboard, but Huo Cheng was a step too late because he was further away.
Pei Xu brought over a few bowls and served one to each of Hu Ying and the others.
They had been filming outside for over two hours, and they were all shivering from the cold. Wen Nuo was so cold that he kept sneezing. He was probably a little embarrassed, so he went back to his room number two. When he entered room number two, he saw Yan Zhi sleeping, sneezed, and quickly went back out.
Yan Zhi was still awakened by the sneeze. After sitting up, his head was throbbing. He sat against the headboard for a while, then checked the time. It was already past eleven o’clock. He figured Zhai Xingchen and the others should be back by now, so he got dressed and got up. As soon as he went out, he saw Wen Nuo standing at the door, sneezing.
“You caught a cold?” Yan Zhi asked.
“Yes, I’m sneezing a lot,” Wen Nuo said.
Yan Zhi asked, “Do you have any medicine?”
“Don’t take the medicine yet, I’ll probably feel better in a while. I’ll rest for a bit. Xingchen and Brother Pei are back, they’re cooking.” Wen Nuo said.
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhi went to room number one. As soon as he entered, he saw Pei Xu and Huo Cheng standing on either side of Zhai Xingchen, their hands busy. Pei Xu was clumsily cutting cucumbers with a knife, while Huo Cheng was peeling tomatoes with his sleeves rolled up.
Lin Qingning and Hu Ying stood opposite, watching Zhai Xingchen cook.
The cameraman from the program held up his camera and pointed it at Zhai Xingchen’s hand.
The light shone on Zhai Xingchen’s hands, his slender white fingers tinged with pink as he held a very thin knife and carved a white radish.
Hu Ying was the first to notice Yan Zhi: “Brother Yan, look! Xingchen’s knife skills!”
Although he knew Zhai Xingchen was skilled with a knife, he had only ever seen him slice and shred. But this time, Zhai Xingchen really pulled out all the stops. He carved a lifelike rabbit out of a white jade radish.
Yan Zhi glanced to the side and saw a plate of turtles, a plate of chubby pigs, and most eye-catching of all, a large plate with a large peony in the center, made of some unknown material, white on top and red on the bottom.
Yan Zhi took out his phone and took a picture of the little animals that Zhai Xingchen had made. Then, he moved the camera up slightly, and Zhai Xingchen’s face appeared in the frame.
Zhai Xingchen was most focused on two things, and when he got serious, he immediately became incredibly charming: one was when he was dancing, and the other when he was cooking. He was very focused when he was cooking, because when he got to the most difficult part of carving, he pursed his lips, his brows furrowed slightly, and his long eyelashes left a dense silhouette.
Pei Xu noticed Yan Zhi filming Zhai Xingchen, so he looked up at him.
Yan Zhi also glanced at Pei Xu, and the two looked at each other without any expression.
Yan Zhi completely ignored Pei Xu, lowered his eyes expressionlessly, and continued filming.
Pei Xu’s expression was somewhat indifferent.
Now was the most crucial moment. Taking a step forward would open up a whole new world, while taking a step back would plunge you into an abyss.
Zhai Xingchen’s side had just shown signs of loosening up, and if someone else were to take advantage of this opportunity, it would truly be a case of “one generation plants the trees, another enjoys the shade.”
Having exploited loopholes before, he knew all too well how terrible the consequences of doing so could be.
They couldn’t let themselves be used as stepping stones for others now.
He glanced at Yan Zhi, then at Huo Cheng and Hu Ying beside him.
Hu Ying, probably because of his vanity, was still wearing his coat even after the advertisement shoot was finished. His sweater underneath was bright orange, making him look as vibrant as a sunflower. Duan Yihua’s hairstyle was the most exquisite, his hair combed back, revealing his smooth forehead, making him look even more noble and composed. Huo Cheng’s gaze was actually more undisguised; he pursed his lips, and this usually carefree man now looked like a lovesick young man, his eyes overflowing with adoration.
He then recalled what Guo Bing had said to him when the individual interview had just ended.
Guo Bing, always eager for drama, watched him with a smile and said, “We’re going to have three days of intensive dates. I hope you’re still lucky. Go for it, Pei-ge.”
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