Haley rested his chin in his hand, really couldn’t feel happy.

It was the peak of his life surrounded by Fierce 1’s, but even if they were his type, what does it have to do with him?

Was he and Lu Wan a rival in love? Or was it a rivalry with Chen Nianqing?

This relationship was too messy that he cannot think about it carefully.

The three found a seat by the window. Lu Wan and Chen Nianqing sat in a row and Haley sat opposite them.

Today they were having seafood. The set includes salt-baked fish, dinner rolls, paella with a large king crab, salad, pudding and champagne.

The neatly uniformed waitress bowed and asked, “Hello guests, do you need me to help you divide the seafood paella?”

There’s no need to mention that the level of these youngsters appearance at this table was really high.

Though this combination was a little strange, after all, most of the set menus were for couples.

“Thank you, we can do it ourselves. Please change my wine to…… lemonade.” Chen Nianqing paused, then turned to ask Lu Wan, “What would you like to drink?”

“Cola!” Lu Wan said in a crisp voice.

Haley looked depressed. “Can I just drink champagne?”

Lu Wan: “Two glasses of cola and one lemonade. Thank you!”

“……”

Haley shrugged his shoulders. Fine, he likes cola too.

After all, it’s a couple drink with President Lu.

Anyway, he was just thinking about it. He had to drive later so it wasn’t appropriate to drink alcohol.

His candlelight dinner plan was bloody ruined. What’s the use of having so many 1’s?

They simply doesn’t have any use, in every sense of the word.

Chen Nianqing picked up a bowl and divided the paella. He was smiling as he gazed at Lu Wan, “You shouldn’t have any food to avoid, right?”

“I’m not a picky eater.”

The plate of seafood in front of her was too fragrant. Lu Wan felt that she could endure it for ten minutes at most, otherwise she would die of gluttony.

Haley: “……”

Chen Nianqing’s gaze…… Was he flirting with President Lu?

As expected of Idol ah. His usual expressionless face was already very attractive, but now he was smiling openly.

Sitting across him, he was also electrified.

However, President Lu…… She was gazing at the king crab affectionately, very focused.

Chen Nianqing placed the paella in front of Lu Wan, picked up a bowl again, quickly and wordlessly scooped two spoonfuls, and handed it to Haley.

“Here you go.”

Haley: “……”

Isn’t this too much of a double standard!?

Why was the plating for President Lu so beautiful with the shrimps all facing one direction, but when it comes to him it was so perfunctory???

Was it really pure brotherly love?

Chen Nianqing put down his chopsticks and actively helped Lu Wan picked the crab.

Haley was almost dying of sorrow. He also wanted the crab that Idol picked.

So angry! Obviously he spent more time with President Lu, but why do they seem to have a better relationship? It’s not fair.

After dinner, Haley sent the two back to the hotel.

Looking at the empty back seat, he sighed. Why does he feel like he had somehow become a driver?

It’s finally over, otherwise he will eat this vinegar^[1]to feel jealous for a while, and eat that vinegar later. He was honestly so busy all day that he couldn’t win.

Really sour ah.

———


The variety show would start recording at 3 pm the next day but the contestants arrived at the scene two hours earlier.

This time, it was still a duel within the teams but slightly different. It was not a random match made by a machine.

Instead, they would choose opponents in order of ranking.

The chosen opponent cannot refuse, but must accept.

Chen Nianqing, who had the highest accumulated points, was the first to choose his opponent.

Everyone knows that if selected by him, the probability of being eliminated in this round was very high.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Many people cast their eyes on Lu Wan, wondering whether the first place will choose the second place……

It’s a strong match. Just thinking about it was wonderful!

Chen Nianqing’s voice was calm. “I choose Shen Qiao.”

He didn’t want Lu Wan to be eliminated. Of course, it would also not do for him to be eliminated.

He came here to go after someone and also to prevent others from going after her. Ranking was secondary.

The concept of priorities must be clarified.

Shen Qiao stepped forward and shrugged. “Ok, I accept your challenge.”

“He actually chose Xiao Shen.”

“This is normal. Shen Qiao is also very powerful.”

“Chen Nianqing and Lu Wan are from the same school. No need to stand on the opposite side until the last moment.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to play against my friends either.”

While the contestants were surprised, they also felt that this was normal.

The second to pick was Lu Wan.

She chose Luo Zhe in fifth place.

The program team has evaluated each contestant. According to the previous rounds, the two have the strongest spatial logic.

All contestants chose their opponents in turn.

Half an hour later, the first group of competitors officially started recording.

The first group to start was very strong.

Although Chen Nianqing won beautifully, everyone also felt very sorry that Shen Qiao, who was in third place, was eliminated.

Sixteen players were divided into eight groups and the winner will advance directly.

The eight defeated person will play again and two will eventually be revived.

Hereafter, the top ten of this competition would come to light.

The matches were not carried out in order.

After all, the props for the competition had to be arranged and the recording would last three days. Only two sets of matches were recorded this afternoon.

Lu Wan’s group was scheduled for tomorrow morning.

In the afternoon, halfway to the toilet, Lu Wan met the assistant director of the program team.

The assistant director was a fan of Lu Buyu and she actually likes Little Sister a lot. She said with a smile, “We all place a high value on you, so this time the most difficult problem is in your group. It took three days just to set up the props. Forty staff members worked for more than ten hours a day to reach the deadline.”

After all, the most popular contestant at present was Little Sister and the audience also wanted to see her, so this section must be exciting.

They didn’t know the topic until the official game starts but the props in the stadium were huge and there were whispers that the contestants could vaguely guess what it’s about.

“The only games that can be used on this scale are…… labyrinths and such.”

“It’s so time-consuming and laborious, you don’t need to guess to know that the problem will never be simple.”

“Do your best, Lu Wan and Ah Zhe.”

Lu Wan : “……”

I really thank the crew for your great kindness.

———


During the recording the next afternoon, Lu Wan arrived at the stadium on time where the show would be recorded.

Because of the large number of seats in the stadium, the number of spectators was several times larger than usual.

The entire maze covers an area of ​​more than 800 square meters and was composed of hundreds of equilateral octagons.

Each octagon has a side length of more than one meter and a height of more than 2 meters. The maze can generate tens of thousands of routes.

At the beginning of the game, the route designated by the guest would be the only way out.

Not only that, but three small flags were placed in the maze.

Contestants would study the maze and must find the correct route after entering blindfolded, as well as getting the three flags.

After successfully walking out, the contestants have to draw the route and the positions of the three flags on the map. This would count the challenged as successful.

The contestant with the most flags will win. If the number of both sides was the same, the one with the shorter time wins.

The program group finished playing the video introducing the rules and the audience was amazed.

Many people think that they came to watch the recording of this show to clearly realize how stupid they were.

Don’t say problem solving, they didn’t even understand the problem.

They don’t quite get it, but it seems pretty awesome.

The host said with a smile, “In order to let everyone understand how difficult this is, we will reduce the difficulty and invite the guest and two random audience members who raise their hands to have a try.”

After the difficulty was lowered by 70%, all three challengers failed after half an hour.

After all, even if they remembered the path, when the eyes were covered, the sense of direction will disappear completely.

Not to mention that only one side of the octagons that make up the maze can be moved out, which was very disruptive.

After the warm-up with the guests, the two contestants took their places and began to get ready.

The host smiled and asked, “Student Lu Wan, is there anything you want to say?”

Lu Wan: “I think the guest experiencing the program is very good. It should have been implemented since the last episode. Lu Buyu would’ve loved it.”

Thousands of miles away, Lu Buyu shivered inexplicably during the dance practice break.

He had a feeling that someone he knew was speaking ill of him.

Was it Lu Wan?

The audience burst into laughter. It seems that this pair of plastic brother and sister was really……

After all, it was very difficult for ordinary people to solve problems quickly.

In this competition, having good-looks was useless. One had to have a good brain.

The host made a few jokes, then turned to ask the other contestant, “What do you say, Contestant Luo Zhe?”

“Actually, I also have no idea. I’ll try my best.”

After the host made jokes, the atmosphere was much more relaxed.

However, when she announced the start of the game, the crowd began to get nervous again.

Luo Zhe knew that Lu Wan had a fast reaction and a good memory.

Therefore, he must be faster than the other side to have a chance of winning.

After five minutes of evaluation, he raised his hand to signal the staff to cover his eyes and entered the maze first from a random entrance.

Lu Wan did not look up. She was still looking at the map.

Because this problem was not only to be fast, but also to get all the flags, and then exit from the maze.

The route was complicated so there shouldn’t be any mistake at all.

Ten minutes after the opponent entered the maze, Lu Wan signaled the staff that her observation time was over and that she could start the game after getting blindfolded.

The staff will make the two players wear a layer of sleeping mask first and then tie them with black cloth so it would be foolproof.

It was impossible to see the way.

Lu Wan’s eyes were covered and her tall nose and jawline became more prominent.

This style looked very icy, and it just so happen that she was also wearing black today, making her aura very strong.

The girls sitting in the front row couldn’t help being a little restless. My goodness, this look, the program team must have done this on purpose.

Simply too handsome.

Just watching was very enjoyable and has a very strong appreciation value.

45 minutes into the game, Luo Zhe had already gotten two flags.

He failed to find the third one after several attempts so he became anxious. He hesitated for a moment or two before following the route he remembered.

Although he hadn’t found the third flag, Lu Wan might not be able to find all of them as well.

After the eyes were covered, other senses would be magnified. It was difficult to remain calm for a long time and he was approaching the threshold.

After Luo Zhe came out, he comforted himself that if neither of them found all three flags, he would win as his time was faster than the other party.

And the longer it drags on, the blurrier the memory becomes.

After Lu Wan came out, she might also not be able to mark the correct route and the hiding place of the props on the map.

———


In the labyrinth on the other side.

Lu Wan re-engraved the entire terrain in her brain little by little.

She groped for a long time in front of her and this action got faster and faster following that.

When she heard that her opponent had gone out of the maze, Lu Wan completely relaxed.

After all, the opponent spent less time than her. Only by finding three flags can she win, so she might as well take her time.

At the 65th minute, Lu Wan finally got the last item, and after another seven minutes, she walked out of the maze without a hitch.

The audience in their seats could clearly see the contestants looking for their way in the maze.

The correct route was also marked on the big screen and a red dot was used to indicate which side the contestants were moving to at a glance.

The audience was not allowed to make any sound to remind or interfere with the judgment of the contestants.

Although more than an hour has passed, every minute was tense and not boring.

Everyone was waiting with bated breath.

Lu Wan came out of the maze and took off the blindfold.

It wasn’t until she drew the correct route and the location of the props on the tablet that the scene erupted in cheers.

They felt that…… it was indeed a project the program team spent a lot of time preparing for. It was simply too exciting.

Both the contestants in this game were very good. Luo Zhe could get two flags in such a short time and come out of the maze, which was undoubtedly very strong.

As for Lu Wan, when she first came on stage, the audience exclaimed that her temperament was so good and that she could totally rely on her looks to earn a living.

Now their sentiment had changed. Lu Wan was too strong.

With such a smart brain, what rely on her looks to earn a living?!

They were completely captivated by the other party’s charisma!

No matter men or women, young or old!

Watching it live was a hundred times more exciting than watching it in front of the TV! They didn’t come in vain today.

———


Lu Buyu felt a little bored. The house was suddenly empty.

He was unaccustomed to it.

Professor Lu said that since his daughter was not at home, he would stay at the research institute for the weekend, just in time to catch up with the schedule.

President Zhao didn’t work overtime this week, but she had a get-together with friends and left early.

Lu Buyu didn’t know what kind of friends President Zhao went to see.

When she went out, she put on light makeup and dressed casually and very freely. It was more like she’s going on an outing.

This kind of clothing was so out of character for her that he didn’t bother to ask more.

Lu Wan…… She went to record the show again and even the auntie was on vacation today.

It was six pm and he was alone at home.

Lu Buyu turned over and continued to lie on the sofa.

He thought for a moment, then took out his phone and sent a message to Lu Wan.

【Haha, you’ve been eliminated, right?】

There was a reply within seconds.

【How’s that possible? I’ve advance. We’re not the same.】

He was just bored originally, but now he was both bored and angry.

Who would have imagined that he, a national idol and the dream of millions of girls, would go home and guard the empty house alone?!

Angry. Was he a left-behind child^[2]minors under the age of 16 whose parents have migrated to find work, or one parent have migrated to find work and the other is unable to care for their children??

———


Zhao Jianing made an appointment with friends to go out on an outing today.

Last time at the recording site of 《Maths and Science Tournament》, she met some lovely children.

They were fans of that stinky boy, Lu Buyu.

Several children said that they were grateful to her for sending them Lu Buyu’s concert merch so they must invite her to a meal.

It happened that two of them were from the same city, so Zhao Jianing came out.

She rarely speaks in the children’s WeChat group, but she enjoyed reading it.

In addition to chasing stars, the little girls occasionally talks about trivial things in life.

In their early twenties, even their whining was full of youthful energy.

Zhao Jianing doesn’t think it’s too much trouble to spend time with them.

After all, these people talked the most about her own boy, and she was very familiar with them.

When Zhao Jianing arrived at the restaurant, the other two were already there.

Li Shiqian said with a smile, “Sister, you’re here. Yinyin and I will treat you to dinner. Don’t be polite. Oh, and a few other people also chipped in to buy you gifts.”

Zhao Jianing: “You are all too polite, but there’s no need to do that.”

“It’s better to accept it. It’s not good for everyone to take your things for nothing. It’s give and take.”

Basically, those who can chase on the front line either have excellent family circumstances or could pay their way.

Zhao Jianing opened the paper bag and looked at it. It was a set of luxury skin care products.

It was rather thoughtful.

“By the way, have you bought the tickets for Brother Yu’s fourth concert tour?” Li Shiqian asked again with a smile.

Zhao Jianing nodded. If she wanted to, she could just take it directly from that stinky boy.

However, she listened to Lu Buyu singing and watched him dancing at home every day. Basically, there’s almost no novelty.

“That’s great. We can go together that day— you, me, and Yinyin.” Li Shiqian said with a smile.

Pei Yin sighed. “If I can go, I will definitely be there.”

Li Shiqian: “Why do you say that? After all, you’ve already bought a ticket. Is it because of what you told me last time?”

Zhao Jianing who was listening was confused. She asked, “What’s the matter?”

Pei Yin didn’t want to say more at first, but upon thinking that this elder sister was older than her and has more life experience, she might have a good advice. She sighed, “That is…… Elder Sister, you know, although we’re often chasing on the front line, we don’t want others to know. It’s because many people can’t understand star chasing. They feel that it’s childish and brainless, and will subconsciously contradict us, as they consider people who chase stars not stable enough.”

Zhao Jianing: “Absurd.”

It was just a hobby, like how boys were willing to spend money on AJ’s and how some people spend money and time in games. As long as it doesn’t affect others, there was no problem.

Pei Yin felt very aggrieved. She had been holding it in her heart, but now that she opened up to talk, she specially wanted to pour everything out.

After all, these two were fellow netizens, and they have little to do with her life and work. Even if she said anything, it was safer and wouldn’t have a bad impact.

Pei Yin joined the family business after graduating from college last year. She usually has a lot of pressure at work and chasing stars was the best way for her to relax.

It allowed her to have a place to breathe and recharge.

Because she was afraid that others would not understand, she had been hiding the fact that she was a big fan on Weibo and a fansite manager.

She was so careful not to get exposed, but what she was worried about happened, and someone made rhetoric of it.

“On the day we first met, I finished watching Brother Yu’s recording in the afternoon and negotiated a contract with a client in the evening. The two sides did not affect each other at all, but my cousin^[3]older male cousin with the same surname seized this and insisted that I am too childish to pursue stars. He said I’m not concern about the company at all, otherwise, how can I go to the TV station to play on the same day. Well, I didn’t know what method he uses, but he uncovered my Weibo account dedicated for chasing stars and showed it all to my elders just to prove that I’m not doing my job properly.”

Thinking back to that scene, Pei Yin felt suffocated.

The point was that the elders were persuaded.

She carried it on up to the last step of signing the project, until it was given to her cousin inexplicably.

That’s right, because of her pursuit of stars, the elders felt that she was too naive and frivolous, saying that she was a girl after all and not stable enough.

But this was really strange. She hasn’t just started chasing stars. It has not affected her normal work for a long time, how can it suddenly become a black spot?

Pei Yin: “I’m neither convinced nor reconciled.”

Zhao Jianing nodded after listening, “It’s quite baffling. I can understand your feelings. I have two older brothers in my family and my parents were partial to them in the past. No matter how much I did, they wouldn’t praise me. They hope I can securely support my brothers.”

Pei Yin: “Then what did you do afterwards?”

“I’m fine now. Everything will pass. Talk about the project you handled, maybe I can give you advice or provide some help.”

Zhao Jianing has a good impression of the child. Since the other party believes in her and was willing to talk, she couldn’t just say a few words of comfort, she should help as much as she could.

‘First impression’, this kind of thing was fascinating.

Besides, there was nothing wrong with being a fan of her son.

Pei Yin shrugged her shoulders. “My family is in the construction materials business. I used a lot of connections and worked very hard to reach Sendao^[4]forest road. I don’t know if you have heard of it. Sendao is the most popular hotel brand recently. It was a big order, but my elders said that Sendao’s president is a tough woman. She’s usually stern and rigid. If she knew that the person in charge of the project is a groupie, she may be disappointed and feel that we can’t be trusted. And so it was given to my cousin.”

And by doing this, all her efforts for more than half a year were in vain and she still had to be questioned for not being steady enough.

Just thinking about it was annoying.

“I know Sendao, I’ve stayed there before! Wow, you’re amazing. As expected of a top student.” Li Shiqian was shocked.

The fan club was really full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons.

Zhao Jianing hesitated for two seconds. “……The President is stern and rigid? In fact, the rumors may not be true ba.”

“Maybe. I also haven’t met her. After all, President Zhao is very busy and even if we can sign a contract with Sendao, it’s not necessary for the president to oversee it personally. It’s obviously an excuse for my elders to be perfunctory with me.”

After a pause, Pei Yin asked, “Sister, you saying that…… Do you know President Zhao?”

Zhao Jianing: “Yes, if you believe me, maybe I can help you say a few words. Can you show me the plan you made? Did you bring it today?”

“Certainly. It’s in my tablet!”

This elder sister didn’t seem to be talking glibly. Pei Yin only hesitated for a second, then opened the file and handed it over.

She still had a good eye for people.

Zhao Jianing took five minutes to quickly browse the document and made a pertinent assessment, “It’s pretty good and well-structured. No wonder they choose to cooperate with you.”

Pei Yin has already calmed down. Although this elder sister was obliging, it doesn’t necessarily mean that she could help her.

It’s better to not get too hopeful to avoid disappointment.

She smiled and said, “Actually, I have let it go. Even if it’s given to someone else this time, I have at least accumulated experience and will do better next time.”

Zhao Jianing shook her head and put down the tablet. “I don’t agree with your statement. Since you’ve already worked hard to get the cooperation from the early stage, of course you must also work hard to seek opportunities for yourself now.”

Pei Yin was stunned. “You’re right. I’ll talk to the elders again.”

Even if the chance was slim, she should still show her attitude.

Zhao Jianing smiled. “Good news may appear without notice.”

After dinner, Zhao Jianing and the children went to a nearby private cinema and saw a movie.

They parted ways at eight o’clock in the evening and went home.

———


Lu Buyu rolled on the sofa and turned over again.

He was still alone. Without Lu Wan, he had no drive to pass his time and spend his energy.

Hearing the door lock opening, Lu Buyu quickly sat up. Maintaining a dignified posture, he asked, “President Zhao, you’re finally back!?”

Zhao Jianing responded. She looked up at the mirror in the entrance and asked casually, “Do I look rigid and inhumane?”

Lu Buyu was astonished. Is this why you’re wearing casual outfit today?

“Are you having a late-life crisis?”

Zhao Jianing: “Say that again?”

No matter how old women were, they don’t like to hear that word.

Lu Buyu froze for a moment and hastily said, “Of course not ah. You look young and approachable, President Zhao.”

He paused and asked again, “Then look at me, do I look like a left-behind child today?”

“No, after all, there’s no such huge child.”

Lu Buyu: “……”

Okay, the conversation broke down completely. This was not the mother-son relationship he imagined.