Chapter 54

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Chapter 54: Title

Noon struck sharp in the villa hall.

The director raised his megaphone to commence the latter half: "Welcome, returning and new participants!"

"First, let’s have our three new contestants introduce themselves!"

A girl in a white bodycon dress waved at the camera: "Hello, I’m Liu Mengyuan, an actress."

Two male contestants followed.

"Greetings! I’m Pei Hao from the boy group Nighty, pleased to meet everyone!"

"Hello, I’m actor Zhang Chenyang."

The director nodded. "Thank you. While you may be unfamiliar with each other now, tonight’s welcome banquet will help with integration."

"Now for the second half’s competition rules.

"The points competition officially restarts tomorrow. Similar to the first half, it comprises two themes across four matchdays, with interim rest days. However, the program group has implemented format upgrades that will be detailed later."

"Post-competition, the top five scorers will advance to the finals for the championship trophy."

"Any questions?"

Liu Tian immediately raised his hand. "Will first-half points carry over or reset?"

The director countered, "Excellent question. Which would you prefer?"

"Reset!" Liu Tian blurted.

Laughter ensued. With the lowest score among veterans, Liu Tian naturally desired equal footing.

The director nodded. "Granted. We’ll reset."

Liu Tian gaped. "Seriously?"

[Hahaha, Liu Tian’s priceless expression!]

[He actually believed it! Classic!]

[Resetting makes previous efforts pointless!]

The director clarified, "All points will reset for a fair competition. However, first-half achievements retain value—higher scorers will receive advantages in today’s and tomorrow’s segments. Details will be provided soon."

"Further questions?"

A newcomer raised his hand.

Pei Hao inquired, "Team selections are happening today?"

"Indeed. New teams will form." The director pivoted, "Any preferred teammates?"

Pei Hao stated, "I’d like to partner with contestant Wei Yao."

The camera zoomed in on Wei Yao’s reaction—not pleased, but distinctly conflicted.

Viewers recognized the pattern.

[Wait…Gong Yu was also a boybander who initially favored Wei Yao.]

[Pei Hao = Gong Yu 2.0? No way!]

[Deja vu! Poor Wei Yao must be traumatized.]

[I don’t think you can call it a downgrade; at least Pei Hao is younger than Gong Yu and slightly more handsome.]

After all questions had been answered, the director continued: "Excellent! Now let’s proceed to the next segment—room allocation! This time, we’ll completely reshuffle everyone’s room assignments."

"Participants will depart in order of their first-half accumulated points to claim their preferred rooms, following a first-come, first-served principle. The top-ranked contestant will go first, with subsequent contestants following at twenty-second intervals. Those with equal points will depart simultaneously."

"This time, there are no floor restrictions, meaning both male and female contestants may choose any floor."

"However, our show maintains traditional values—roommates must be of the same gender. To ensure this, the two single rooms must be occupied by one male and one female, respectively."

"Additionally, to encourage new friendships, returning contestants cannot room with their previous roommates from the first half and must choose new partners. Understood?"

The contestants nodded collectively.

"Good! According to the rankings, our first-place contestant, Song Yutian, you may proceed now!"

Song Yutian rose leisurely.

She showed little concern about room choices. Ascending the stairs methodically, she paused briefly before continuing to the third floor.

Having grown accustomed to her previous room, she headed directly for the same quarters.

As Song Yutian pushed open the familiar door, movement echoed from the stairwell.

Turning, she saw Zhong Yueli at the third-floor landing.

Having missed the final day’s competition, Song Yutian remained unclear about the exact rankings, but Zhong Yueli’s presence suggested a second-place standing.

After a momentary consideration, Song Yutian offered: "Would you prefer this room? I can relinquish it."

Her accommodation preferences remained flexible.

Zhong Yueli declined: "Unnecessary. The adjacent room suffices."

With a nod, Song Yutian entered her room without further comment.

Minutes later, knocks interrupted the silence.

Song Yutian opened the door to find Su Moying.

The younger girl hesitantly asked: "Sister Yutian… might I room with you?"

"Certainly," Song Yutian replied.

Su Moying’s shy smile blossomed: "How wonderful!"

Their doorway conversation paused as two figures ascended the stairs—Gu Feng and Wei Yao.

Wei Yao approached, waving: "Yutian! Moying! I’ll take the single room beside yours! Evening visits will be convenient!"

Su Moying agreed: "Perfect, Sister Yaoyao."

Noticing Gu Feng behind Wei Yao, Su Moying greeted: "Brother Gu Feng? Third floor for you too?"

Gu Feng nodded silently before knocking on Zhong Yueli’s door: "I’ll occupy this room. Acceptable?"

Zhong Yueli offered no objection.

Viewers noted with surprise: the second floor remained largely vacant, while the third floor reached capacity swiftly.

Remarkably, most top-ranked contestants from the first half congregated on the third level.

[Third floor’s feng shui is superior? Mass migration?]

[Room selection herd mentality? LOL]

[Why didn’t Mr. Gu choose the second-floor single? It’s still available!]

[Analysis: Moying follows Sister Song → Wei Yao follows Moying → Gu Feng follows Moying]

[Conclusion: Third-floor choices revolve around Sister Song except for Zhong Yueli]

[Sister Song’s boss-tier influence extends to room selection! HILARIOUS]

Five minutes later, all rooms were allocated. Staff delivered luggage accordingly.

The director reconvened everyone in the first-floor lobby.

"Congratulations on selecting your teammates," the director announced with a smile.

Newcomer Liu Mengyuan questioned first, "Director, wasn’t this room selection?"

Seasoned contestants displayed varying degrees of comprehension.

"Precisely," the director confirmed. "Tomorrow’s first matchday teams correspond to your current room assignments."

"Roommates automatically become teammates. Single-room occupants will pair as a team."

Su Moying beamed at Song Yutian. "Sister Yutian! We’re teammates!"

"However," the director added, "due to format upgrades, these teams will last only one day. We’ll reconfigure teams for the second matchday."

Su Moying’s face fell. "Merely one day?"

Song Yutian patted her hand reassuringly. "We still get to room together nightly."

Su Moying brightened up upon hearing this. "You’re right, Yutian."

Their entire conversation was transmitted to the live stream audience.

[Wuwu, Yingying is so soft and adorable!]

[I wish I could possess Song Yutian’s body so Yingying would smile at me like that.]

[Previous commenter, I’m the opposite—I want to become Moying and have Sister Song pat my hands.]

[Cool beauty plus sweet girl—they’re perfect together! Sweet Cherry CP is real!]

After the program group completed interviews with each contestant, the welcome dinner mentioned by the director commenced.

This so-called welcome dinner essentially served as a grand social occasion.

The new contestants, in particular, appeared eager to seize every opportunity to integrate into the show.

Song Yutian, who disliked such events, sat quietly in a corner, sipping juice.

A male voice interrupted. "Yutian, it’s been a while."

Song Yutian looked up, recognizing one of the two new male contestants.

Though… what was his name again?

The man continued, "Our collaborative days feel so recent, yet you’ve changed so much since then."

Song Yutian’s brows furrowed.

Misinterpreting her expression, the man asked, "Did I say something wrong, Yutian? You used to be so shy, calling me ‘Brother Chenyang’ back then."

"Excuse the interruption—" Song Yutian said. "You are…?"

The man froze momentarily.

[Cringe! My secondhand embarrassment is acting up.]

[Who’s this dude? Such obvious clout-chasing.]

[Honestly, I don’t remember his name either—total nobody.]

[Checked records—he apparently acted with Sister Song before. When she was the supporting female lead, he played a minor role.]

After two seconds of silence, the man forced a smile. "Hehe, Yutian’s jokes are getting better."

Song Yutian responded earnestly, "Apologies, it’s been too long since introductions. Could you remind me of your name?"

Another pause before the strained reply. "Zhang Chenyang. Don’t forget again, Yutian."

"I’ll try," Song Yutian replied.

A new male voice interjected. "Her memory truly is lacking."

Both speakers turned toward the source.

Gu Feng stood with an icy expression.

"Pardon me. I need to speak with Song Yutian privately."

Zhang Chenyang hesitated before tactfully withdrawing. "I’ll go get refreshments."

Left alone with Gu Feng, Song Yutian regarded him questioningly.

"Have you forgotten something?" Gu Feng demanded.

Blinking, Song Yutian ventured, "The trending topic incident?"

Gu Feng gave a terse nod.

"Thank you for supporting me publicly."

Receiving only a noncommittal grunt before Gu Feng’s departure, Song Yutian watched his retreating figure in bewilderment.

Had Gu Feng orchestrated this private moment just to hear her gratitude?

Shaking her head slightly, Song Yutian took another sip of juice.

Witnessing the newcomer approach Song Yutian, Gu Feng found himself moving before he could consciously think.

Only after dismissing Zhang Chenyang did Gu Feng realize his lack of justification, forcing him to fabricate an excuse.

During the filming hiatus, Gu Feng had finally analyzed his recent emotional turbulence.

His conclusion proved startling.

However reluctant he was to admit it, seeing Song Yutian today confirmed his suspicions.

He’d developed feelings for her.

This realization spawned an urgent need for clarification.

What exactly did she think of him?

He had almost asked the question, but at the last moment, he held back.

Not only because the program was still live-streaming, but also because he inexplicably feared hearing her answer.

For the first time, Gu Feng experienced uncertainty in matters of the heart.

He usually maintained self-confidence, but Song Yutian always left him perplexed. And there was also…

"Brother Gu Feng?"

Gu Feng snapped back to reality and forced a smile. "Moying."

This marked their first conversation of the day.

Prior to this, Gu Feng had consciously or unconsciously avoided all eye contact opportunities with Su Moying.

Su Moying smiled and inquired, "Did you enjoy your vacation?"

Gu Feng hesitated before deflecting, "Moying, I’m sorry. I’ve been occupied with numerous matters lately and might not have…"

Su Moying maintained her smile. "That’s alright. Like Brother Gu Feng, I’ve also been rather busy."

Gu Feng stiffened slightly.

Though Su Moying’s smile remained as sweet as ever, something intangible had shifted.

Across the hall, Pei Hao initiated a conversation with Wei Yao: "Yao Yao, may I address you as such?"

Wei Yao offered a polite smile. "Certainly."

"I’ve actually watched many of your dramas," Pei Hao continued. "I’ve long desired to become acquainted."

Wei Yao responded coolly, "Indeed? Which role particularly resonates with you?"

Pei Hao paused before answering.

Wei Yao’s lips curled in faint mockery.

She recalled Gong Yu’s similar claims of admiration, yet during interviews, he’d failed to name even one of her works.

Pei Hao finally replied, "It’s genuinely challenging to choose, as each character possesses distinct allure. If compelled to select, Huang Li remains my favorite."

Wei Yao glanced at him in surprise before questioning, "Because of her naive charm?"

"Not at all," Pei Hao countered. "Regarding innocence, she pales in comparison to your debut role, Feng Ling. Huang Li fascinates me as a paradox—embodying both purity and ruthlessness. A remarkably layered persona."

In an industry where discussions typically fixated on cast hierarchy and popularity metrics, this character analysis felt refreshingly novel.

Wei Yao’s interest kindled perceptibly.

Near the dessert spread, Liu Mengyuan approached Zhong Yueli. "Brother Yueli, do you recall me? We attended the same event last month."

Zhong Yueli responded impassively, "Not particularly."

Undeterred, Liu Mengyuan beamed. "No matter. Future interactions await us. Truthfully, I’ve always anticipated the potential for collaboration."

Zhong Yueli uttered a noncommittal hum, gaze averted.

Following his line of sight, Liu Mengyuan noted his attention fixed on a corner occupied by Song Yutian and Gu Feng.

"Brother Yueli," she ventured sweetly, "you seem close with Sister Yutian. I’ve noticed your public support for her. I’d appreciate an introduction—I greatly admire her."

Zhong Yueli slowly retracted his gaze. "She’s your junior."

Liu Mengyuan blinked, processing his correction of her "Sister Yutian" address.

"How unexpectedly attentive to my age," she laughed lightly.

"Contestant profiles from the program group," he stated flatly.

Maintaining her smile under his detached scrutiny, Liu Mengyuan excused herself. "I’ll fetch more juice. Let’s reconvene later."

Throughout the two-hour gala, concealed agendas swirled beneath polite exchanges.

Post-banquet, the inaugural day’s filming concluded.

Morning brought the live broadcast’s recommencement.

The director unveiled the day’s theme: "Fairy Tales."