Chapter 25

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Chapter 25: Title

An Xin wore an expression of skepticism mixed with curiosity but nonetheless leaned in closer.

Liu Tian used one hand to push down the microphone clipped to his clothes, cupping his other hand around it, while placing his free hand beside An Xin’s ear and whispering a few words.

Upon hearing Liu Tian’s words, An Xin’s eyes widened at first, then she asked hesitantly, "Are you sure? Will that really work?"

Liu Tian said confidently, "Don’t worry, it’s completely reliable! Just say yes or no!"

An Xin hesitated for a moment before replying, "Alright, we might as well try it."

The livestream audience witnessing this scene was caught off guard by Liu Tian’s sudden move.

[What brilliant method? Why won’t you tell us?]

[What could possibly be unfit for esteemed VIPs to hear?]

[I bet five cents—Liu Tian must have come up with another terrible idea.]

[Since even An Xin agreed, maybe Liu Tian actually became reliable this time.]

Perhaps because Song Yutian and Gu Feng had won first place yesterday, the number of viewers choosing their group’s perspective today was already 50% higher than at the same time yesterday.

Shortly after getting in the car, Song Yutian proactively asked Gu Feng—just as she had yesterday—"Do you have any thoughts about today’s mission?"

Gu Feng said, "You go first. I’ll listen to your ideas."

This time, Gu Feng had learned his lesson—as long as he didn’t speak first, Song Yutian wouldn’t get the chance to argue against him.

Song Yutian didn’t hesitate and said directly, "My idea is to go to Seventh Avenue again today."

Gu Feng clearly disagreed. "Why? Didn’t we go there yesterday?"

Song Yutian said, "Think back to what the director said when explaining the rules today. Did any particular phrase feel out of place? Just like the Fate God’s statement during the warm-up match that day."

Gu Feng pondered for a moment. "Hmm… Are you referring to that line, ‘Time rotates, roles reverse’?"

Upon closer consideration, while most of the director’s rule explanations were concise and clear, this particular poetic phrase did seem oddly placed in the context.

Song Yutian nodded.

After a brief pause, Gu Feng continued, "Are you suggesting this means we’ve transformed from yesterday’s rickshaw pullers into today’s rickshaw passengers? So the location remains Seventh Avenue?"

Song Yutian hummed in agreement, nodding approvingly.

Gu Feng immediately protested, "Stop looking at me like that."

Song Yutian arched an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Like you’re thinking, ‘The fool finally gets it.’

Gu Feng held back this remark and retorted, "So what? Just this one sentence doesn’t necessarily mean today’s destination is Seventh Avenue."

Song Yutian said, "You’re right. This single sentence alone isn’t conclusive. But if this wasn’t hinting at Seventh Avenue, which location do you think it might suggest?"

Gu Feng furrowed his brows. "With just this clue, there’s too little information. How could anyone deduce anything from this?"

Song Yutian said, "Then, using proof by contradiction, this must be the only possibility. Otherwise, the director’s deliberate mention of this line would be meaningless. Of course, maybe I’m overthinking it. But—"

Song Yutian gestured for Gu Feng to look out the window. "Don’t you think the driver’s route looks familiar?"

Gu Feng stared out the window for a long while before reluctantly admitting, "Fine, you might have actually guessed right."

As the bus drew closer to its destination, the contestants gradually realized, one after another, that today’s location was still Seventh Avenue—the same place they had visited yesterday.

"Liu Tian—" An Xin asked, "Doesn’t this lamb offal soup restaurant look familiar to you?"

Liu Tian followed An Xin’s gaze. "It does. There was a similar shop where we parked yesterday. Could it be a chain?"

Liu Tian said, "No way, such a small shop has a chain? Do you remember what the one we went to yesterday was called?"

An Xin hesitated. "Hmm… Something similar to this one? It was called…"

The audience watching from this group’s perspective was already getting impatient.

[Hey! When will you two realize this is the same shop from yesterday?!]

[LMAO, other groups already figured it out—only this group is still clueless.]

[Liu Tian!!! Mom’s going crazy here! Open your eyes—this is the same place as yesterday!]

On Seventh Avenue, inside a retro Republic of China-style teahouse.

The teahouse was furnished with wooden and bamboo furniture, palm-sized, colorful rectangular banners hung along the upper walls, and vintage posters and paintings from the Republic of China era adorned the space.

On the wooden table before the shopkeeper lay various blue-and-white porcelain vases of different sizes and an aged wooden abacus.

The teahouse proprietress, dressed in a cheongsam with graceful poise, leaned one elbow on the countertop, resting her chin in her hand, smiling as she watched the young people seated nearby.

All the youths were looking in the same direction, where a stout man stood holding a small megaphone, speaking—

"Welcome, contestants, to the Republic-era teahouse." Seeing the participants settle in, the director chuckled as he began.

"As we mentioned this morning, your task today is treasure hunting—seeking precious jade jewelry. This teahouse serves as the starting point for your treasure quest. We look forward to seeing you demonstrate your skills!"

"Now, I declare the treasure hunt officially commenced!"

After delivering this final statement, the Chief Director and several staff members hastily exited the teahouse as if fleeing from pursuers.

The scene fell silent for several seconds before the contestants gradually began processing the situation—

It’s already started? Without any opening instructions?

The entire scenic area was so vast. Where should they go now?

The audience members also looked perplexed.

[Did the director just leave? So where should we look for clues now?]

[The clues must be hidden inside the teahouse. Otherwise, why specifically bring the contestants here?]

[Since everyone’s together, once any team finds the clue, wouldn’t everyone know?]

[I bet the clues are in the small flags! Has anyone tried flipping them over to check?]

Qin Yuanzhuo was the first among all contestants to speak up, asking the follow-up director assigned to his team, "Excuse me, are we supposed to look for some clues now? Any hints?"

The follow-up director silently shook his head, then made a gesture of covering his mouth with his hand, indicating he couldn’t casually give verbal hints.

Meanwhile, Gong Yu had already stood up and started searching around. He checked the menu, looked under the teapot, and even lifted every teacup coaster to check beneath them.

As he searched, Gong Yu said to the person beside him, "Yao Yao, help me look. The first clue must be in this teahouse."

Zhong Yueli and Shen Xi sat in their seats. Shen Xi lifted a cup of tea to his lips, while Zhong Yueli frowned slightly, deep in thought.

Surprisingly, the usually energetic Liu Tian and An Xin were not the first to act this time. Liu Tian gently grabbed An Xin’s wrist, leaned closer, and whispered, "Don’t rush. Let’s stick to my plan."

An Xin looked hesitant, but after a moment of internal struggle, she stayed seated without protest.

Song Yutian and Gu Feng also remained seated. Unlike Song Yutian, Gu Feng subtly observed his surroundings, his eyes scanning every object nearby.

Song Yutian, though seated, wasn’t even looking around. Her gaze drifted past Gu Feng, fixed on something distant.

After about half a minute, Gu Feng grew restless—especially seeing Song Yutian still staring blankly.

"Hey—" Gu Feng finally snapped, "Song Yutian, the competition’s started. Why are you spacing out?"

Song Yutian seemed to snap back to reality and turned to look at Gu Feng.

There were already two teams searching around the teahouse for clues, punctuated by the landlady’s voice, "Oh—careful, careful! Don’t knock over that blue-and-white porcelain vase of mine. It’s very expensive."

No one seemed to notice the commotion in the corner where Song Yutian and Gu Feng sat.

Still, Song Yutian curled her finger at Gu Feng, motioning for him to lean closer.

Gu Feng obediently leaned forward slightly—then froze.

Ignoring his reaction, Song Yutian asked, "Do you remember where we were when we first hailed the rickshaw after getting off the train yesterday? You used your phone to navigate to the printing shop, so you must have some memory of the location."

Gu Feng frowned, puzzled. "Why does that matter? What’s it got to do with the competition?"

"It has everything to do with it," Song Yutian said. "I’ll explain later. Just answer me first."

A flicker of conflict crossed Gu Feng’s face.

Song Yutian added, "The next round will involve re-selecting teammates. I wonder who’ll have the privilege of partnering with Moying?"

Gu Feng, "…" She’s doing this again?

Yet he fell for it every time. He wasn’t an entertainer—fame from appearing on shows meant little to him. If he couldn’t team up with Su Moying, this entire program would be a wasted effort.

Gu Feng gritted his teeth and, with a resigned sigh, recalled, "I remember… when I used GPS yesterday, the map automatically located the starting street name. It seemed to be called… Huanxi Street?"

Song Yutian nodded and stood up. "Alright, let’s go."

Gu Feng followed behind Song Yutian as they both walked towards the teahouse entrance.

With a melodious female voice playing on loop through the teahouse speakers, most contestants were focused on searching for clues inside. Apart from the crew members filming Song Yutian’s group, almost no one noticed their departure.

However, the moment they left the teahouse, someone else immediately stood up in another corner of the establishment.