Chapter 6
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Chapter 6: Title
[Did I miss something?]
[Relax, everyone. Gu Feng looks more confused than us.]
[Bad blood between Gu and Song? His tone sounds off.]
The program group was equally perplexed.
Contestants had been given special phones containing all participants’ contacts for competition-related communication.
Nobody anticipated Song Yutian would start calling immediately after exiting the car, certain that Gu Feng was her teammate.
"Why did you assume Gu Feng’s your teammate?" The assistant director voiced everyone’s question.
"Didn’t the Chief Director already explain?" Song Yutian scanned the horizon while replying.
"The Goddess of Fate arranged your first teammate," she quoted. "The Q&A draw decided partners—Gu Feng picked me."
"But you drew Zhong Yueli during the girls’ turn," the director pressed, echoing viewers’ doubts.
"I assumed it followed the boys’ initial draw—fate’s truest on the first attempt. Even 50% odds were worth trying. If I was wrong, I could’ve called Zhong Yueli without much delay." Her explanation flowed effortlessly, as if stating the obvious.
The revelation struck both directors and viewers alike.
[So "Goddess of Fate" wasn’t the program group being pretentious!]
[Hilarious! Directors redeemed—it was actually a hidden clue.]
[This girl’s next-level!]
[How’d she connect all that? Scripted much?]
Truthfully, Song Yutian had suspected something when hearing the director’s uncharacteristic "Goddess of Fate" remark. The "first fate" justification, however, was pure improvisation.
Her real confidence stemmed from fragmented memories of the original novel’s early chapters—though most variety show details had faded, she clearly recalled that "Song Yutian’s" initial pairing was with Gu Feng before she became Su Moying’s foil. The cannon-fodder character’s exaggerated antics during this partnership would later contrast sharply with Gu Feng’s seamless teamwork with the female lead.
Beneath the described tree, Song Yutian found a bewildered Gu Feng.
Craning her neck, she confirmed the crimson-hung branches. "Just as expected," she murmured.
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Gu Feng demanded.
Ignoring him, she turned to the staff: "Mission complete?"
"Congratulations!" declared the director. "Team formation successful."
At the designated dinner venue, the pair arrived during afternoon tea hours—the earliest contestants to appear.
The Chief Director gaped at their prompt arrival, querying staff about developments. A crew member presented four meal sets (noodles/rice combos) for their selection, explaining that partners must share identical meals to "build pre-Match Day synergy."
Gu Feng gestured politely: "Your choice, Song Yutian."
"You pick. Anything’s fine."
Her response stemmed from lifelong discipline—as a former principal dancer, meals had been strictly regimented to maintain strength without bulk. Food held no allure; it was mere sustenance for survival.
Gu Feng looked at Song Yutian, unable to suppress a flicker of self-satisfaction.
She must still harbor feelings for him, given how ardently she’d pursued him before. Her current aloof demeanor? Just skillful pretense.
Unaware of Gu Feng’s intricate musings, Song Yutian contemplated the program group’s generous perks—substantial appearance fees, full accommodation, and notably appetizing meals.
Both had eaten the provided boxed lunches during transit, leaving them content to delay dinner despite the empty table between them. Cameras rolled, amplifying the awkwardness of their silence.
While Song Yutian remained composed, discomfort gnawed at Gu Feng. This woman he’d deemed vulgar, materialistic, and dim-witted now challenged his perceptions. If she was truly foolish, what did that make him—still struggling to grasp their situation?
Perhaps beneath her superficial flaws lay a cunning intuition. After all, associating with stupidity would tarnish his own reputation. Curiosity overpowered his pretense as he cleared his throat, anticipating her initiative—reminiscent of past encounters where she’d ambushed him at corporate gates or bombarded his assistant with calls demanding explanations for their "breakup."
Song Yutian remained motionless, eyes closed with her chin propped on one hand.
"Ahem," Gu Feng finally yielded. "How did you deduce we’re teammates?"
Meeting his gaze, Song Yutian observed his comically conflicted expression—curiosity masked by forced indifference. Though unimpressed by him, team dynamics necessitated civility. She recounted their earlier conversation with the director.
"So the director’s comment was our clue," Gu Feng concluded. "Your remark about the tree meant…?"
"Your phone description mentioned red tree decorations," she explained. "Recent renovations suggested that the program had planted clues. The fabric maple leaves compensated for absent trees, hinting at your name. The prominent dessert shop confirmed my hypothesis regarding my own name suffix."
Realization dawned on Gu Feng. "So each location contains name-based markers? Others must follow this pattern—Moying might have cherry blossoms or jasmine, given the program group’s limited creativity…"
Nearby crew members twitched at the jab.
"Zhong Yueli’s likely at the clock tower I passed earlier," Gu Feng continued.
"Surprisingly competent," Song Yutian remarked.
"Wait—" Gu Feng bristled. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
