Chapter 30

The first episode was filmed at a film studio in Wuxi. The guests all arrived a day early, and the production team had arranged a dinner banquet so everyone could get acquainted beforehand, avoiding awkwardness during the shoot.

Han Shuang was currently working on securing a high-profile endorsement for Zhao Yu, so she didn’t come along. Zhao Yu only brought Lin Zhinan and her hair and makeup stylist. They arrived at the hotel around five in the afternoon.

Not long ago, Lin Zhinan had changed her personal verification tag to “Zhao Yu Team Staff” and announced her retirement from performing to go behind the scenes.

Netizens reacted just as Zhao Yu had—shocked and regretful. But after Lin Zhinan explained that she was studying for her agent certification, her fans, though sad, expressed their support for her choice.

Having been friends for so many years, Zhao Yu was used to having Lin Zhinan around. The transition between their roles was seamless.

As the car pulled into the underground garage, Zhao Yu noticed fans carrying red banners lingering nearby. She knew Shen Junyi had already arrived.

Her nerves tightened.

Over the past few years, their interactions had been minimal. After realizing at the awards ceremony that top stars couldn’t date, she’d stopped actively trying to get close to him.

They’d run into each other at a few events, but it was always brief—a passing glance at most. Calculating the time they’d actually spent together, Zhao Yu suddenly realized that from the year he’d left Hangzhou for university in Beijing, she’d hardly had any real contact with him.

The longest stretch had been that concert years ago, watching him from the audience, separated by an unreachable distance.

This variety show would be three days of filming. She’d be spending a solid three days with Shen Junyi!

The moment to prove the results of all her years of hard work had arrived!

She would—she absolutely would—no longer be the little girl from next door!!!

Zhao Yu clenched her fist, full of ambition.

Lin Zhinan: “…Calm down. You’re filming a variety show, not going to war.”

The dinner was scheduled for six. After checking in, Zhao Yu took a shower and carefully picked out a dress that was flattering yet elegant. After changing, she told her stylist, “I want that subtle, polished no-makeup makeup look.”

Lin Zhinan: “…………” She waited until the stylist left to remark, “Anyone who didn’t know would think you’re going to meet your crush, not your idol.”

Zhao Yu: “…Shut up!”

She stared at herself in the mirror for a long time. Beautiful! Taking two deep breaths, she checked the time and, fortified by Lin Zhinan’s encouraging gaze, strode out decisively.

And then she ran into Shen Junyi in the elevator.

He was staying one floor above. When the elevator doors opened, Zhao Yu was looking down at her phone. She heard a loud “TRIPLE KILL” from inside. Looking up, she met Shen Junyi’s frustrated expression.

Their eyes met. His lit up, irritation replaced by delight, and he held the elevator door open. “Wow, long time no see!”

His hair was dyed blonde.

Pure, vibrant gold, gleaming under the elevator lights—dazzling and handsome, accentuating his sharp features and bright eyes. All these years later, he was still as radiant as ever.

Zhao Yu felt like she’d stopped breathing.

Snapping out of it, she put on her usual polite, professional smile. “Long time no see.”

The banquet hall was on the second floor. Zhao Yu stepped into the elevator, and only then did he let go of the door and press the close button.

The doors slid shut. The small space was so quiet she could hear both their breaths. Shen Junyi was smiling openly, phone in hand, as he turned and asked, “How does it feel being back?”

Zhao Yu tried to act natural. “Pretty good. Feels a lot more familiar than abroad.”

Shen Junyi grinned. “Right? You should’ve come back sooner. No need to take that kind of crap over there.”

Zhao Yu nodded. She wanted to say something, but nothing came. As she hesitated, his game character respawned, and he dove back into the game. Zhao Yu glanced at his screen and quietly looked away.

When they reached the second floor, he held the elevator door for her to step out first.

Zhao Yu walked a few steps, then casually glanced back. He was walking while playing, his long legs covering ground quickly, but his expression was getting more and more frustrated.

After dying who knows how many times, he shook his phone in annoyance. “F*ck, how’d I die again!”

Looking up, he saw Zhao Yu watching him. A little embarrassed, he scratched his hair like an overgrown teenager. “Uh… that wasn’t a real curse word—just a gaming habit!”

Zhao Yu: “…………”

Entering the banquet hall, Xia Yuan was already there. He was also a singer-dancer idol—debuted earlier and younger—not quite top-tier, not as big as Shen Junyi, but still very popular in China.

Seeing the two come in, Xia Yuan stood up with a smile. Zhao Yu, still new and not knowing anyone, responded politely and chose a seat as far from Shen Junyi as possible.

She heard Xia Yuan ask, “Bro, playing King of Glory?”

Shen Junyi grunted in acknowledgment.

Xia Yuan pulled out his phone. “Wanna duo?”

Shen Junyi gave him a critical once-over. “Are you any good?”

Xia Yuan was good-looking, with a small dimple when he smiled. “Let’s try. My marksman’s not bad.”

The hardest game Zhao Yu had ever played was Candy Crush. Listening to the two boys talk in gaming jargon she didn’t understand, she quietly opened the app store and searched for “King.”

A game called “King of Glory” popped up. She scrolled a bit and figured that was probably it, so she hit download.

Meanwhile, Xia Yuan and Shen Junyi had already teamed up. Suddenly, Xia Yuan called out, “Xiao Yu, wanna join?”

Zhao Yu felt like she’d been caught red-handed. Even though she knew he couldn’t see her screen, she instinctively flipped her phone face-down. “No thanks, I’m discussing some work stuff with my agent.”

Shen Junyi said, “Alright.”

Xia Yuan picked his hero and asked, “Hey, you two know each other?”

Shen Junyi: “Yeah. What are you picking?”

Xia Yuan: “Hou Yi.” He lowered his voice slightly. “Bro, how do you know my goddess? She was in Korea before, right?”

Shen Junyi glanced at him. “Goddess?”

Xia Yuan nodded a little shyly. “I’ve always wanted to collaborate with her! But she was always overseas—finally getting a chance with this show.”

Shen Junyi locked in his hero. “Too late. Your goddess has already been claimed by me.”

Xia Yuan said, “Huh? But I already picked Hou Yi—bro, why’d you pick Lu Ban too?”

Shen Junyi looked at the screen, puzzled. “Why can’t I pick Lu Ban just because you picked Hou Yi? Does the game forbid both marksmen from being on the same team?”

Xia Yuan: “…………”

Fine.

The game started. Shen Junyi sent his little Lu Ban charging down the middle lane, ignoring a thousand retreat pings from the mage. Xia Yuan asked while playing, “Bro, what do you mean my goddess is already claimed by you?”

Shen Junyi didn’t hide his disdain. “With your skills, you’re worthy of your goddess?”

Xia Yuan protested indignantly, “Then—then we’ll see! There are twelve episodes—you can’t claim her every single time! My goddess wouldn’t agree either!”

Shen Junyi glared at him, then suddenly looked up and asked, “Zhao Yu, wanna team up with me for the show?”

Zhao Yu was secretly studying the game she’d never touched before. Caught off guard, she nearly dropped her phone. She looked up blankly. “Huh?”

Shen Junyi repeated, “Wanna team up with me throughout the show? Stage performances look better when the best combine forces, right?”

Zhao Yu glanced at Xia Yuan, who was pouting beside him, and gave an awkward but polite smile. “I’ll pass.”

Xia Yuan instantly perked up. “Then how about teaming up with me?”

Zhao Yu thought the kid was cute. “We can try.”

Shen Junyi immediately objected, “Zhao Yu, you pick him over me? All those years of summer homework I did for you were for nothing?”

Zhao Yu: “!!!”

Xia Yuan: “???” He looked confused. “What summer homework?”

Zhao Yu wanted to throw her water glass at his head.

She’d been trying so hard to break the image of the neighbor’s little sister in his mind—and he just had to bring up the summer homework??? Had all her years of growth and change been for nothing?!

Both Shen Junyi and Xia Yuan felt the murderous rage radiating from across the table.

They wisely shut up and focused on the game.

A few minutes later, Xia Yuan sneaked a glance at Zhao Yu. Seeing she was looking at her phone, he whispered, “Bro, what’s the summer homework story?”

Shen Junyi was impatient. “You ask about everything—are you a walking encyclopedia? If we lose this round, it’s because you talk too much!”

Xia Yuan felt wronged. “What’s that got to do with me? My stats are great! You’re the one who picked Lu Ban—two marksmen is too squishy!”

The game ended, and both phones announced “DEFEAT” simultaneously.

Shen Junyi tossed his phone aside. “You’re terrible! Don’t ask me to duo again!”

Xia Yuan glanced at his own 15-2-5 score, then at Shen Junyi’s 0-18-3, and exited the game in righteous indignation.

Guests trickled in one by one. Each time someone entered, everyone stood to greet them. Most were popular figures who knew each other to some degree—only Zhao Yu was a stranger to all.

Xia Yuan seemed to sense his goddess’s discomfort and moved over to sit beside her.

Technically, Xia Yuan had debuted earlier than her. But, as Shen Junyi had mocked him, his skills were only average. Still, his looks and personality were likable, and he had acting credits, so he maintained his popularity.

Singer-dancer types naturally admired strength. Zhao Yu was his number-one female singer-dancer in China—he genuinely idolized her.

As long as she wasn’t facing Shen Junyi, Zhao Yu was quite at ease. She was naturally fiery; it was only in front of Shen Junyi that her flame fizzled out timidly.

By the end of the meal, Zhao Yu and Xia Yuan were already on friendly terms. They exchanged WeChat and made plans to team up tomorrow. All seven guests were decent people, and the first meeting went smoothly. Zhao Yu felt confident about the next day’s filming.

The next morning, the guests arrived at the film studio on time. The cameras were already rolling as they got out of the cars.

The eight guests gathered in a small circular plaza, joking around for a bit. Then the head director shouted through a megaphone: “Welcome to The Thorny Path! As we all know, the road to the stage is full of thorns. To put on an outstanding performance the day after tomorrow and raise funds for children who’ve dropped out of school, you’ll need to work hard over the next two days.”

“Today’s theme is the Merchant’s Path. See that store behind you? Everything you need for your stage performance—from costumes to choreographers—can be purchased with money. This film studio is full of business opportunities. Over the next two days, you’ll earn money on your own. The more you earn, the more supplies you can buy. The store closes at 9 p.m. tomorrow, so make the most of your time and start your merchant careers!”

After speaking, staff members came forward with document bags, handing each person a hundred yuan.

The director said, “This is your starting capital. From now on, you can return to the spawn point anytime to purchase goods.”

Shen Junyi held his bill up to the sun, then suddenly turned and said, “This money seems wrong, doesn’t it?”

The director, thinking they’d given him counterfeit cash, jolted in alarm. “What’s wrong with it?!”

Shen Junyi: “In every game, you start with 300 gold.”

The head director: “………… You only get 100. Give it back if you don’t want it!”

Shen Junyi instantly stuffed the money into his pocket.

After the starting cash was handed out, it was time for team selection. Staff brought out a box. “Now you’ll draw lots to form pairs. Each pair will be rivals. After the stage performances the day after tomorrow, there will be a vote. The first-place team each episode will receive the Thorn Crown, sponsored by Yuliangyuan Jewelry.”

Everyone went “ooh” and “aah,” but Zhao Yu just stared at the draw box, deep in thought. Seven people—a one-in-seven chance. Surely it wouldn’t be that easy to get paired with Shen Junyi.

Then she drew the same red ball as him.

Shen Junyi held up his red ball and went around asking, “Red’s my fan color—who else got red?”

Zhao Yu sneakily pulled Xia Yuan aside, panicked. “Switch with me, switch with me, switch with me!”

The director’s team announced through the megaphone, “No swapping! What are Zhao Yu and Xia Yuan doing? Swap back immediately.”

That shout drew everyone’s attention. Embarrassed, Xia Yuan shoved the red ball back into Zhao Yu’s hand and took back his blue one.

After the teams were set, they changed into different colored jackets.

Zhao Yu walked out of the room in her red jacket, looking like she was heading to her doom.

Shen Junyi was in the courtyard, playing with a red bouncy ball he’d drawn. When he saw her come out, he caught it mid-bounce with a slick leap, then sauntered over. “Done changing? Let’s go check out the store and see what items there are.”

Zhao Yu nodded and cautiously moved a few steps away, keeping her distance.

As they stepped outside, he suddenly leaned in and asked, “Do you know how to do business?”

Zhao Yu was in the middle of mentally fortifying herself—netizens had hawk eyes, and she absolutely couldn’t let any hint of her feelings slip on camera. His sudden closeness startled her.

That golden, fluffy head was right next to her, the blonde hair warm in the sunlight, carrying a cozy scent. Turning, she fell straight into his sparkling eyes.

Her carefully built mental wall crumbled half a meter, sending her heart into a frenzy.

She nearly broke. “Shen Junyi, stay away from me!”

The suddenly scolded boy looked like a wronged golden retriever, pouting as he stepped back two paces, muttering, “So fierce…”

Zhao Yu: “…………”

Was I too harsh? QAQ

But the outburst actually worked. Shen Junyi didn’t suddenly crowd her again, and Zhao Yu finally managed to rebuild her wall, locking her restless heart away so it wouldn’t go wild.

The other teams had changed and were also checking out the prop store.

From afar, she heard Xia Yuan exclaim, “No way—a flame-thrower stage effect costs five hundred? A choreographer costs a thousand? How are we supposed to make a thousand in two days?!”

Zhao Yu hurried over.

The props in the store were far from cheap. The production team was clearly making things difficult. But Zhao Yu had hundreds of stage performances under her belt—she knew which props were essential and which could be done without. She was about to call Shen Junyi over to discuss the plan when she turned and saw him standing in the plaza, hands in his pockets, lazily soaking up the sun.

His blonde hair caught the light—dazzling and eye-catching.

She called out, “Aren’t you coming to check out the props?”

Shen Junyi slowly turned his head. “Didn’t you tell me to stay away?” He said, with that infuriating tone, “Is this far enough now?!”

Zhao Yu: “???”

Argh, he was driving her insane!!!