JiChengyi had a peaceful sleep throughout the night and woke up the next morning. With the curtains closed, the room remained dim, concealing the outside world from view. Uncertain about the time, he was about to reach for his phone when he suddenly remembered that Lin Jindu might have slept on the floor in the room.

Careful not to disturb Lin Jindu, Ji Chengyi shifted his position gently, only to find the floor clean and empty once he turned around.

Puzzled, Ji Chengyi then heard a light knocking on the door. The rhythm and intensity indicated that it was Lin Jindu knocking, prompting him to get out of bed and open the door.

Outside, Lin Jindu had just returned from a run. Although he no longer showed signs of sweating, as soon as Ji Chengyi opened the door, he felt a wave of heat rushing towards him.

Ji Chengyi stepped aside to open the door, asking, “Mr. Lin, up so early?”

Lin Jindu, noticing a stray strand of hair sticking up on Ji Chengyi’s head, chuckled slightly, “It’s not that early, it’s already 8:15.”

Blinking in surprise, Ji Chengyi responded awkwardly, “Oh, I guess I overslept.”

Lin Jindu suppressed a smile, “It’s not late, just in time for breakfast.”

Ji Chengyi agreed, “Okay.”

He added, “Next time, Mr. Lin, feel free to come in directly without knocking.”

Looking at Ji Chengyi, Lin Jindu asked, “Wouldn’t that disturb you, Mr. Ji?”

Ji Chengyi smiled, “It’s fine.”

Lin Jindu nodded, “Alright.”

After a moment of pause, Lin Jindu asked, “Are you going to freshen up now?”

Observing the faint sweat on Ji Chengyi’s forehead, he waved his hand, “No need, Mr. Lin, you go ahead. I’ll just change my clothes.”

“Okay.” Lin Jindu took his clean clothes and proceeded to freshen up.

—

Once both of them were ready, a staff member approached Ji Chengyi, mentioning the need to prepare for a solo shoot. As Ji Chengyi was about to agree, Lin Jindu, who was still packing his suitcase, intervened, “Wait.”

Pausing, Ji Chengyi turned to look at Lin Jindu.

Approaching swiftly, Lin Jindu grabbed Ji Chengyi’s wrist, pulling him back a bit, then calmly addressed the staff member, “We haven’t had breakfast yet. Isn’t it inappropriate to start a task now?”

The staff member was taken aback by Lin Jindu’s interruption, unsure of how to respond.

Following Lin Jindu’s lead, Ji Chengyi also realized the situation.

Recalling how they were deceived into a task after handling their luggage the day before, Ji Chengyi joined Lin Jindu in scrutinizing the staff member.

The staff member, feeling the pressure from both of them, tried to ease the tension with a smile, “Please don’t misunderstand, this time it’s indeed a solo shoot. It will be quick, just a few questions, and then you can have breakfast. We’re already preparing for the live broadcast.”

Lin Jindu looked at her, “How long will the shoot take?”

The staff member reassured them, “It’ll be quick, just a few questions.”

In a light-hearted tone, the staff member added, “Mr. Lin, rest assured, we won’t take away your wife.”

Lin Jindu remained silent for a moment, finally realizing the warmth of Ji Chengyi’s skin in his grasp. He quickly released his hold, apologizing, “Sorry, Mr. Ji, I didn’t think things through.”

Ji Chengyi smiled, “It’s alright, Mr. Lin. You meant well.”

Lin Jindu nodded, not saying more, and redirected his question to the staff member, “Where will the shoot take place?”

The staff member gestured, “Please follow me, we’ll conduct the interviews on the outdoor balcony.”

There were two separate interview areas on the balcony, and Lin Jindu was led to the shaded area on the right, while Ji Chengyi was guided to the sunny area on the left. Despite Ji Chengyi’s slight aversion to sunlight, the chairs in the interview areas were strategically positioned to avoid direct sunlight, making it a comfortable setting for the interviews.

Lin Jindu lifted his gaze and saw Ji Chengyi sitting quietly in the sunshine. Ji Chengyi’s soft black hair shimmered in the sunlight, casting a delicate glow over his fair complexion and exposed skin.

The ethereal light created a mesmerizing and indescribable beauty.

“Mr. Lin?” the staff member called out to Lin Jindu.

Lin Jindu shifted his focus back, responding with a simple “Yes.”

Without Ji Chengyi present, the staff member refrained from joking with Lin Jindu and simply informed him, “Let’s begin the interview. Mr. Lin, please pay attention to this side.”

The interview questions mainly revolved around the previous day’s discussions and were relatively straightforward. As the interview concluded, the staff member asked a lighthearted question unrelated to the previous topics, “Does Mr. Ji prefer sweet or savory tofu pudding?”

Given the context of the previous questions, Ji Chengyi instinctively replied, “Sweet tofu pudding,” even though he wasn’t particularly fond of sweet foods. However, compared to savory options, he found sweet tofu pudding more palatable.

“Alright,” the staff member concluded, “Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Ji. That wraps up today’s interview. You can head to the first-floor restaurant for a meal.”

Ji Chengyi acknowledged and prepared to stand up. As he rose, he belatedly realized the staff member’s playful tactic and addressed her with a knowing look, “You set me up again.”

The gentle inquiry lacked any threatening undertones and instead fostered a sense of closeness.

The staff members particularly appreciated Ji Chengyi’s inherent gentleness, making them naturally gravitate towards him.

Seeing Ji Chengyi’s adorable response, the staff member quickly reassured him in a hushed tone, “Don’t worry, Mr. Ji, it’s not a trap. It was just to understand your and Mr. Lin’s taste preferences.”

Ji Chengyi trusted the staff members and graciously thanked them, “Thank you.”

The staff member smiled mischievously, “You’re welcome. Now, hurry over to Mr. Lin, he’s been waiting for you!”

Ji Chengyi chuckled at the teasing tone of the staff member.

Returning to Lin Jindu, he inquired, “What did you choose earlier?”

Lin Jindu replied with a smile, “Savory tofu pudding.”

Lin Jindu then asked, “And you?”

Ji Chengyi pursed his lips, looking somewhat resigned, “Unfortunately, I chose sweet tofu pudding.”

Lin Jindu: ?

Looking down, Lin Jindu inquired, “Mr. Ji, you like sweet tofu pudding?”

He distinctly remembered Ji Chengyi’s self-introduction document stating he didn’t like sweet foods.

Sensing Lin Jindu’s confusion, Ji Chengyi explained, “I indeed don’t enjoy sweet foods, but since I’m not particularly fond of tofu pudding in general, the mildly sweet version is more palatable for me.”

Lin Jindu nodded in understanding.

—

The other guests who had completed their individual interviews were already waiting in the first-floor restaurant. Seeing Ji Chengyi and Lin Jindu coming down, Chi Xingwen was the first to greet them, “Mr. Ji, Mr. Lin, how was your rest yesterday?”

“It was good,” Ji Chengyi replied, while Lin Jindu remained silent, glancing at Yu Heyan who was resting his head on the table.

Noticing that Yu Heyan didn’t deliberately avoid eye contact upon Ji Chengyi’s arrival, Lin Jindu’s gaze softened.

Chi Xingwen initially wanted to gossip about how they managed to sleep on such a small bed, but recalling Ji Chengyi’s gentle warning from the previous day, he decided to keep quiet.

As the guests settled down, Ji Chengyi surveyed the bare dining table and curiously asked, “Has breakfast not been served yet?”

The closest guest to Ji Chengyi, Ye Fei, replied, “Not yet. They said they’ll bring it when the live broadcast starts.”

Then, Ye Fei handed Ji Chengyi a bottle of yogurt from the table, suggesting, “Mr. Ji, if you’re hungry, have some yogurt to fill your stomach first.”

Ji Chengyi paused, accepting the yogurt, “Thank you,” but he didn’t drink it and simply placed it beside him. He preferred warm water in the morning and wasn’t accustomed to such beverages.

Noticing this, Lin Jindu paused as well, choosing not to sit down with Ji Chengyi and instead bypassed his chair to head to the kitchen.

Upon returning, he carried a tray with several cups and a pot of warm water.

Yao Tong on the dining table looked puzzled, “Mr. Lin, why did you bring a pot of hot water? Didn’t you see the iced lemon juice in the fridge?”

Sitting back down next to Ji Chengyi, Lin Jindu placed the tray on the table and explained, “I saw it, but I prefer plain hot water.”

Yao Tong acknowledged with an “Oh,” impressed by Lin Jindu’s healthy lifestyle habits.

Unaware of Yao Tong’s thoughts, Lin Jindu poured himself a glass of water first. He then turned to Ji Chengyi and asked, “Would you like some?”

Ji Chengyi naturally wanted some, but he didn’t want to trouble Lin Jindu, so he fetched a cup himself, saying, “Thank you, Mr. Lin, I’ll pour it myself.”

“Alright, feel free to help yourself, Mr. Ji,” Lin Jindu replied, turning the water pot towards Ji Chengyi.

Just as Ji Chengyi finished pouring water, a staff member approached to remind them, “Everyone, it’s time to start the live broadcast!”

Upon hearing this, Yao Tong and Ye Fei began adjusting their attire, while Yu Heyan, who had been lethargically resting his head on the table since coming downstairs, finally sat up and prepared for the day’s activities.

“Hey, Heyan, you’re finally alive,” Chi Xingwen teased Yu Heyan in a hushed voice.

Yu Heyan replied with a curt “Go away,” dismissing her playfulness.

Ignoring his response, Chi Xingwen simply shrugged and moved on.

Ji Chengyi and Lin Jindu, unfazed by the camera’s presence, continued quietly drinking water. As the live stream started, the broadcast captured the synchronized moment of the two calmly sipping water.

【Ah! My Mr. Ji!】

【Good morning, my husband! Casual Mr. Lin!】

【So well-behaved! Another day of going crazy for my husband!】

【Hilarious, these two look like they’re negotiating at a table.】

“Hello, everyone! Good morning!” Cheng Songren’s cheerful voice rang out before he even appeared on screen.

“Good morning…” Shao Wenlun, eager for Yao Tong to have her breakfast, turned to look for someone, only to realize Cheng Song was nowhere to be seen. “Have you turned invisible?”

“Hehe, here I am!” Cheng Song pushed a silver food cart over, wearing a white chef’s hat on his head.

Dong Shen, finding Cheng Song’s antics amusing, asked, “What’s this? Are you personally poisoning us today?”

Cheng Song chuckled, “Yes, today’s breakfast was personally prepared by this chef. Are you all excited?”

Chi Xingwen couldn’t muster up the excitement, “Come on, Cheng, let’s get on with the program.Brother Yu and I still haven’t sorted out our breakfast.”

“Alright, let’s get started.” Cheng Song wasted no time and began the proceedings, “Before we begin, let’s greet our viewers in the live stream room.”

Everyone cooperated and greeted the audience through their respective cameras with a cheerful “good morning.”

Following this, Cheng Song delivered a lengthy ad script to the camera before turning to the guests and asking, “Is everyone hungry?”

Yao Tong playfully replied in a hoarse voice, “Don’t ask, we’re starving.”

“Don’t worry, breakfast is on its way. Let me serve the first dish,” Cheng Song said, pushing the food cart towards Dong Shen and Ye Fei.

Dong Shen, feeling famished, was about to stand up to serve himself when Cheng Song intervened, “Hold on, let me ask you a question first.”

Although Dong Shen was about to suggest waiting until everyone had eaten, Ye Fei held his hand, whispering, “Sit down quickly.”

Looking up at Cheng Song, Dong Shen asked, “What else do you want to know?”

【As expected, it’s Ye Fei!】

【Yao Tong, only his wife can control the fierce Dong Shen.】

“It’s simple. There was a difference in your choices during the individual interviews, so I need to confirm,” Cheng Song continued, looking at the script. “Dong Shen, you chose the burger meal, while Ye Fei chose the sandwich meal. Now, Dong Shen, are you sticking to your choice or going with Ye Fei’s?”

Ye Fei looked at Dong Shen, who didn’t hesitate, “I’ll go with my baby’s choice and have the sandwich meal.”

Ye Fei smiled in response.

“Alright,” Cheng Song announced, lifting the cover of the first tray on the food cart, “Congratulations to Dong Shen and Ye Fei for winning the super rich sandwich meal.”

After serving breakfast to the first guest, it was time for the second guest.

To save time, without waiting for Cheng Song to approach, Lin Jindu spoke up, “Please prepare the sweet tofu pudding meal chosen by Mr. Ji for us, thank you.”

Cheng Song, accustomed to the CEO’s unconventional requests, pretended not to hear and asked playfully, “Alright, so Mr. Lin, you also choose to listen to Mr. Ji when faced with a difference in opinion, right?”

Ji Chengyi wanted to say something to Lin Jindu, but Lin Jindu didn’t give him a chance to respond. Instead, he nodded at Cheng Song, “Yes.”

【What does ‘yes’ mean? Hasn’t Dong Shen already given the correct answer next door? Mr. Lin, can’t you just copy the correct answer?!】

【Be content! The child is already contradicting himself. Yesterday he said he would stick to his choice.】

【My wife loves sweet tofu pudding, I love sweet tofu pudding, understood! My wife loves me!!】

【Come on, pull out your swords! Sweet tofu pudding is the best!】

【Tofu pudding must be sweet!】

Compared to the relatively substantial sandwich meal for the first guest, Ji Chengyi and Lin Jindu’s tofu pudding meal seemed rather simple. Besides two bowls of sweet tofu pudding, they had only one order of siomai and one seafood pancake, which were not enough to satisfy two adult men.

However, Ji Chengyi remained composed and simply pushed the relatively substantial siomai towards Lin Jindu, saying, “Have some first, Mr. Lin. It’s better to have something than nothing.”

Lin Jindu nodded without saying anything.

Looking over at Yao Tong and Shao Wenlun, they had an even leaner meal—a bowl of local noodle soup.

“Surely the show isn’t only giving the two of us a bowl of noodles, right?” Yao Tong looked at Cheng Song persistently, emphasizing the words “two people and a bowl of noodles.”

“Coincidentally, that’s exactly it,” Cheng Song replied with a mischievous smile.

Yao Tong: “…”

【Haha, Cheng Song is so mischievous!】

【I have a feeling that after this breakfast, the guests will be more actively participating in games, or else they won’t have any food to eat.】

【This is great! This way we’ll have more sugar to enjoy!!!】

【So what’s the plan for today? Please let our CEO couple get closer!】

Chi Xingwen was not concerned about the day’s schedule; he was only interested in his breakfast. “So how do Heyan and I get breakfast?” Chi Xingwen, feeling famished, hurriedly inquired, now that Cheng Song had finished serving the top three guests.