Chapter 24: “108 Ways to Break Up Couples”

The guests had finished their breakfast and tidied themselves up, ready to head downstairs.

Lin Xingmian had already purchased the tickets and was waiting for everyone on the first floor.

“Good morning, I’ve already…”

Director Wu, standing nearby with a troubled expression, interrupted Lin Xingmian and stopped the guests who were about to head out.

“Everyone, today’s total budget is only 100 euros. We just spent 11 euros on breakfast, and without enough tissues, the rest of the trip will be tough.”

“Walking around tired, we won’t even be able to afford a decent restaurant. A bottle of water costs 1.5 euros, and even using the restroom comes with a fee. I doubt your money will last half a day,” Director Wu vividly described the hardships of their budget travel.

The guests were swayed by his words, their brows furrowing in concern.

Lin Xingmian remained silent, quietly closing the notebook in his hands.

“Before we officially head out, I’m giving you a chance to earn some pocket money. Would you like to participate?” Director Wu said directly.

“If you win, you can get 100 euros in one go. And this activity is based on couples, so the money you earn is your own and won’t be counted in the overall travel budget.”

This statement struck a chord with the guests, as their wallets and phones had been confiscated.

They had finally managed to go on a trip, and the thought of being able to look but not buy was too cruel for them.

“Is this for real?” Shen Yan, standing at the top of the stairs, asked skeptically.

“Wu Yuanyuan, you’ve really outdone yourself! You’re no longer the penny-pinching person who calculated every cent!” He Yuean, visibly moved, patted Director Wu on the shoulder.

Director Wu chuckled awkwardly and cleared his throat, “I just want everyone to have fun while also creating some good content for the show!”

【The smell of a conspiracy~】

【Director He, you really never learn, you’re doomed.】

【What’s wrong with your production team! You gave 100 euros to Lin Xingmian to plan the trip, and now you’re changing the rules last minute!】

【I’m so done! If you’re giving out pocket money, could you at least inform Lin Xingmian in advance!】

【But it’s a couples’ activity, An Sheng can’t even participate, poor guy.】

【Poor him? He’s a travel assistant who hasn’t done any work! Someone else even carried his luggage up for him.】

【Worry about yourself first, someone with a monthly salary of 3000 worrying about royalty!】

“Come on, who wants some pocket money? Sign up here!” Director Wu waved his hand.

He Yuean and his partner were the first to raise their hands and sign up. Shen Yan and Lu Yuan exchanged glances and also decided to join.

Lin Xingmian, standing near the door with his arms crossed, seemed deep in thought.

Ji Ansheng, standing on the second-floor staircase, glanced at him subtly, looking somewhat nervous.

After all, they were still recording the show, and without the production team’s arrangement, he, as a travel assistant, had no way to get close to Jiang Zijin alone!

And without getting close to Jiang Zijin, how could he expose them?

Director Wu looked at Lin Xingmian, his expression slightly uneasy.

Of course, he didn’t want to add extra pressure on Lin Xingmian, but their show only had one sponsor, and this sponsor was a difficult young master to please. If the sponsor pulled out midway, the production team wouldn’t even be able to afford plane tickets.

As the director, he had to consider the entire production team. Setting up some couple challenges would both appease the young sponsor’s demands and give Lin Xingmian and the others a chance to shine.

It wasn’t entirely sabotage.

“……Alright.” Lin Xingmian glanced up at the man standing on the staircase. “What do you say?”

“If you’re participating, I have no reason not to, right?” Jiang Zijin shrugged.

“Great, then everyone’s in!” Director Wu clapped his hands and read from the card in his hand. “Jiang Zijin, He Yuean, and Lu Yuan, you three head to the first-floor hall first.”

The three guests walked downstairs and followed the director through the brown door.

Shen Yan curiously tried to follow but was stopped by the show’s staff at the door.

“Wait outside for now. We’ll let you know when the staff inside gives the signal,” the doorman said expressionlessly.

Shen Yan walked back dejectedly, standing next to Lin Xingmian and Qin Mu, and whispered, “There are so many people inside. I wonder what they’re up to.”

Qin Mu chuckled, “That 100 euros isn’t so easy to earn.”

“Let’s see how it goes. If I go first, I can relay the game info to you when I come out,” Lin Xingmian said seriously.

Shen Yan and Qin Mu were taken aback, looking up at him.

Lin Xingmian was an Alpha, always appearing aloof and distant. They hadn’t had much interaction until now, and this was their first real conversation.

“Alright, it’s settled then!” Shen Yan reacted quickly, grabbing both of them with a serious expression. “If I go in first, I’ll communicate with you. If Qin Mu goes in first, he’ll be the informant. We’ll protect everyone’s happiness together!”

Qin Mu smiled and nodded.

Lin Xingmian remained expressionless, his gaze fixed on the closed door.

Ji Ansheng, standing nearby, pursed his lips. They could only resort to such underhanded tactics!

To stoop so low for 100 euros! No matter how they cheat, the beneficiary of this activity will still be me!

Soon, the director carefully squeezed out the door, ensuring the camera didn’t capture anything inside.

He stood in front of the group of guests and took out a small box.

“Guests, please draw numbers to determine the order of entry. Enter the hall according to the number you draw.”

“This activity is ‘Identifying Partners by Holding Hands.’ Inside, there are 20 men, including your partners, show staff, and local tour guides. Your task is to find your partner among them. Successfully holding hands means you’ve completed the challenge.”

“So many people! What if we fail?” Shen Yan asked curiously.

“If you fail, you’ll take the person you chose on a romantic day trip in Venice,” Director Wu said with a helpless shrug.

“What!” Shen Yan looked shocked. “You’re saying if I pick the wrong person, I have to travel with them?”

Director Wu gave him a thumbs-up in agreement.

[Damn! You guys are playing it big!]

[Oh no, I knew Director Wu was up to no good! If they pick wrong, it’s going to be a mess!]

[Director Wu, I wanted to see the couples’ sweet trip, not a remake of ‘Wandering Venice with Strangers.’]

[You guys might as well rename the show ‘108 Ways to Break Up Couples.’]

[Oh man, are we going to see the drama of mismatched couples traveling together?]

Director Wu suddenly remembered something and added, “Our travel assistant, Ji Ansheng, will also participate in this activity and draw a number with everyone.”

“The earlier your number, the better, because your husband might be chosen by someone else at any moment~”

[???]

【Huh? So Ji Ansheng might be traveling with someone else’s husband?】

【What an abstract rule!】

【Production team, you guys are really out of your minds!】