Chapter 25: Ji Ansheng’s Travel Partner

The guests looked bewildered, all turning their gaze toward Ji Ansheng.

“It’s probably just a travel partner. It doesn’t matter who it is for me,” Ji Ansheng said with a shy smile. “Besides, my luck isn’t that great.”

Qin Mu and Shen Yan remained calm, with Shen Yan even comforting him, “It’s okay, just go with your own thoughts. Don’t feel pressured.”

Ji Ansheng nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Fans of An Sheng in the live stream immediately began to retaliate.

[Look! Our An Sheng isn’t trying to ruin anyone’s relationship. It’s clearly you who have narrow minds!]

[Some people just have too much time on their hands, always twisting the truth.]

[If An Sheng has offended anyone, it’s the show’s fault for having a problematic setup!]

[An Sheng knows his limits. You don’t need to judge him!]

Director Wu shook the box and had everyone draw their numbers in turn.

Ji Ansheng pulled out a rectangular plastic box, Qin Mu drew a triangular one, Shen Yan got a sphere, and Lin Xingmian ended up with a diamond-shaped plastic box.

[What’s with all these weird shapes inside?]

[I suspect the show is playing favorites!]

Ji Ansheng eagerly opened his box, a slight smile on his lips. “I’m first.”

Lin Xingmian took out the slip from his box, his tone indifferent. “I’m second.”

“I’m third,” Shen Yan unfolded his slip and shrugged.

“Fourth,” Qin Mu said with a resigned expression.

“Alright, enter the rooms in this order. Number one goes first,” Director Wu opened a door crack for Ji Ansheng.

Ji Ansheng glanced at Lin Xingmian, who was standing by the wall, and slowly walked into the room.

Lin Xingmian felt his gaze but kept his eyes down, saying nothing.

As an actor, he naturally could sense others’ emotions. He knew Ji Ansheng harbored some hostility toward him.

But he couldn’t understand why Ji Ansheng was targeting him. Could it be that he liked Jiang Zijin?

The novel didn’t specify any romantic connection between the protagonist and the antagonist Jiang Zijin, though later Jiang Zijin did target the main couple for reasons that remained unclear.

Even if Ji Ansheng chose Jiang Zijin, it wouldn’t affect him much. In fact, it might even lower the audience’s expectations of him.

Lin Xingmian pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on the brown door.

Reason told him things weren’t that bad, but a sense of discomfort still rose within him.

—

The first-floor hall was surprisingly large, with a solid wood table stretching from the left to the right side, seating 15 people on one side.

The space on one side of the table was sealed off with specially designed panels, even the overhead space was enclosed, resembling a small container.

Ji Ansheng couldn’t see anyone, only hands reaching out from round holes.

Director Wu explained, “Sit down first. The original game process was to shake hands and identify your corresponding partner.”

“But since you’re the tour assistant, just give it a try. Choose a fellow traveler within five minutes.”

Ji Ansheng nodded, sitting down calmly and shaking hands one by one.

He shook the first person’s hand, then looked up at the assistant beside the camera.

The assistant met his gaze and slightly shook his head.

Ji Ansheng stood up and shook the second person’s hand, repeating the upward glance.

The assistant glanced at the seating list he had just recorded and shook his head again.

Ji Ansheng repeated the same motion, shaking hands with each person in turn.

The entire hall was silent, with the production crew waiting expressionlessly for him to complete the process.

Director Wu Yuan rubbed his temples and sighed helplessly.

He had never seen such a foolish artist—someone who couldn’t even cheat properly. Couldn’t he at least avoid glancing at the same spot so frequently?

Don’t treat the audience like fools!

The assistant director, who had designed the game segment, turned her back in frustration, refusing to even look at him.

She had put her heart into designing a game for the couple, but it had become a tool for the “royal family” to stir up drama. The fact that she didn’t lose her temper on the spot was already giving him face!

When Ji Ansheng shook the ninth hand, he glanced at his assistant.

This time, the assistant nodded.

Ji Ansheng pursed his lips, wanting to touch the hand again.

But the well-defined hand quickly retracted, the refusal unmistakable.

So shy! Such an obvious hint! It must be him!

Ji Ansheng picked up the number plate on the table and confidently declared, “It’s number nine.”

Director Wu paused and said, “Are you sure you don’t want to change? You only have one chance to choose your partner.”

“I’m sure!” Ji Ansheng replied firmly.

As soon as Ji Ansheng made his choice, all the extended hands were withdrawn.

The live-streaming audience wasn’t stupid either, and the comments section was immediately flooded with questions.

[Is this show scripted? Why does An Sheng keep glancing off-camera?]

[I’m done. Can this show be any more obvious? Who are they trying to pair An Sheng with this time?]

[Don’t blame our poor An Sheng. He’s just a rookie and has to follow the director’s orders.]

[He touched so many hands, but why did he choose number nine? What’s the reason?]

As if anticipating the audience’s questions, Director Wu asked, “Why did you choose number nine to travel with? What’s your reason?”

Ji Ansheng’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes sparkling. “His hand is the biggest. It gives me a strong sense of security.”

The assistant director couldn’t help but mutter, “How do you know it’s the biggest? You didn’t even finish touching all of them!”

Ji Ansheng shot her a glare, looking aggrieved. “I could tell at a glance. It’s obviously the biggest. Have them extend their hands again, and you’ll see.”

Director Wu picked up the walkie-talkie and communicated with the staff inside the sealed box.

One by one, the participants extended their hands, palms open.

The camera panned over the row of hands. Number nine’s hand was indeed large, but it wasn’t the biggest. In fact, there were several hands in the frame that were longer and more refined.

Ji Ansheng pretended to touch them again, then declared with certainty, “It’s him. His hand feels very secure.”

“Alright, then please take a seat, hold your travel partner’s hand, and lean your face close to the partition,” Director Wu instructed.

Ji Ansheng happily sat down, adjusted his bangs for the camera, and extended his hand to interlock fingers with his partner.

The crew members on both sides stepped forward, ready to remove the large partition in front of them.

Ji Ansheng leaned his head close to the partition, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

“The reveal of Ji Ansheng’s travel partner for today is about to begin. Three, two…”