CHAPTER 26 (PART 2)

This time Wen Heng turned to look at Gu Sheng and said, “Don’t worry.”

Gu Sheng looked back at him earnestly. “I’m actually more worried about you.”

Deep in the forest, if they got separated and Wen Heng suddenly triggered some high-level pain—

That would be game over.

Wen Heng’s dark eyes flickered slightly, then he said in a low voice, “Don’t worry.”

Assistant director: sobbing noises intensify

Later, when this conversation appeared in the pilot episode:

[Waaaaaa]
The system: 「Waaaaa」
「Worried for each other! What kind of perfect love is this??」

Gu Sheng: ?

Gu Sheng: I was literally worried about survival, okay??

As the fourth episode of The Four Laws of Happiness approached, the show’s pilot featured clips from the couples’ pre-interviews, along with footage the crew had shot in advance while scouting locations in the remote southwestern mountains.

Boulders tumbled.
Wind and rain raged.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the pitch-dark forest.

At night, wild animals howled with eerie, drawn-out cries, like some ominous premonition—

The atmosphere was instantly set, and the production team followed up with the opening narration:

“Here, how will the couples get through the long night? In such harsh conditions, can they win better living conditions for each other? If they’re surrounded by hunger and cold, can the couples support each other and become each other’s rock?”

[Holy crap! This is intense!!]

[I know this one! In an environment like that, of course you have to cuddle! You have to hold each other tightly to sleep!]

[She’ll be scared by snakes and bugs and dive right into her husband’s arms! Then he’ll comfort her like this and that!]

[Sis above is too good at this, ahhh, I want to get my sugar fix now! Can’t wait any longer!]

“This Friday at 8:00 PM, Episode 4 of The Four Laws of Happiness will be live—don’t miss it~!”

[Already looking forward to it!!!]

…

With the teaser whetting everyone’s appetite, all the couples were getting ready to record the fourth episode.

At the Jialai company, Lu Yiyi was propping her cheeks in her hands, staring at Yu Shanbei. She had started out thinking about the upcoming shoot, but soon her thoughts drifted—he’d be joining the cast soon and would get to act alongside Sheng-jie and Wen-shen! Her expression instantly turned envious.

“When you join the crew, I’m coming to visit the set!” Lu Yiyi declared.

Yu Shanbei was the only one at Jialai sent into the Traceback production. His fans were over the moon, and even President Zhao had acknowledged his performance. Yu Shanbei himself was floating on air.

With full confidence, he said, “Yiyi, I didn’t think you liked me that much!”

Lu Yiyi rolled her eyes. “I want to go see the fairy goddess in person!”

Just from the audition clips she had already been moved to tears—so beautiful! She couldn’t get enough!

Then she looked again at Yu Shanbei’s goofy face and couldn’t help but jab at him: “You better get ready for Episode 4! This time it’s being shot in the mountains—don’t come crying every day!”

Yu Shanbei: “If I cry, you’ll cry too!…”

The two of them chattered off into the distance.

Du Yanzhi was also in the office and overheard their conversation. He couldn’t help but think—he’d originally had a shot at signing Gu Sheng too.

—But then that green-tea Emperor swooped in and stole her away.

Now, as Director Zheng Bin had predicted, Gu Sheng’s performance was living up to all expectations. She’d secured the female lead in a hit IP, and she was no longer the same person.

President Du sighed. “Sigh. What a shame.”

Fu Shan came out from the studio nearby, looking like he was about to head out. “Shame about what?” he asked.

Du Yanzhi gritted his teeth. “A shame we didn’t sign Gu Sheng to our company.”

Fu Shan’s sunny, handsome face smiled. “Yeah, true.”

But right now, he was about to go see Gu Sheng—before they headed into the mountains to film.

To talk about the Traceback theme song.

A perfectly legitimate reason.

…

At Bu Wen Studio.

“Fu Shan? What’s he doing here?”

Wen Heng sat in the office, frowning as he looked at Chang Yan leaning in the doorway.

“To talk about the theme song. Your show gave it to him to write,” Chang Yan explained. “He’s worked with Sheng Sheng before, and they know each other, so he’s here to get a better understanding of the script and look for inspiration.”

Originally, Fu Shan had invited Gu Sheng out for dinner to chat. But Gu Sheng felt that wasn’t very formal, and she couldn’t exactly invite him home—so meeting at the company was a good compromise.

Wen Heng frowned deeper, glancing at the completely oblivious Chang Yan, and said coldly, “You don’t think there’s something off about this?”

Chang Yan blinked. “Huh? What’s off?”

Wen Heng narrowed his eyes.

There was something… fragrant about this “off.”

Can’t he just read the script on his own?

Waving Chang Yan off, Wen Heng stood up to go take a look himself—when suddenly, a system prompt chimed in his ear.

“Warning. You will experience your 26th pain episode in 7 minutes. Please be prepared.”

Wen Heng took it in stride. This time, the system’s warning wasn’t too intense and didn’t specify a pain level, so it probably wasn’t anything major.

He strode out the door.

Gu Sheng and Fu Shan were sitting in the company’s bright and spacious lounge, with the sun pouring in. The young man was all smiles, and across from him, the older girl had just heard something that made her eyes crinkle with laughter.

It was a very easy-on-the-eyes scene.

Fu Shan looked at the face that had always been beautiful, ever since they were kids, and quietly asked, “Jiejie, did you really not recognize me before?”

He hadn’t heard anything about Gu Sheng for years. Then he’d learned she married into the Wen family and figured she must’ve changed. But when he saw her again on the variety show, she was still the same—unrestrained, dazzling—the very same jiejie from his memories.

Gu Sheng had no idea what he was thinking. She assumed he meant as the singer Fu Shan. She nodded. “I’ve seen your name in a few drama ending credits.”

Fu Shan looked a bit downcast. She really didn’t remember.

But soon, he looked up again with his trademark sunny smile, just about to say something—

When a cool voice cut in. “What are you two talking about?”

Gu Sheng turned her head and saw Wen Heng standing beside them.

“We’re talking about our understanding of the character Siyè,” Gu Sheng said.

Since they were at the office, Wen Heng was dressed in an all-black, austere shirt, with just the top button undone, revealing a stretch of his pale neck and a silver chain. The cold, refined aura suited him to perfection.

Only… this annoying man was usually icy and indifferent toward everyone. So why did he suddenly seem unfriendly?

Wen Heng heard her explanation and curled his lips in a faint smile. “If it’s about Siyè, next time you can just ask me.”

Fu Shan immediately sensed that Wen Heng didn’t welcome him.

The movie star’s sharp aura was intense. Fu Shan had no desire to butt heads with Wen Heng, so he got up obediently, with just the right mix of understanding and disappointment in his smile. “Jiejie, since you’re busy, let’s talk next time, then.”

Gu Sheng: “Ah, okay.”

Wen Heng thought: Next time?

Just as Fu Shan was about to push the door open and leave, Wen Heng stopped him. “Wait.”

Suddenly, the two men stood at odds.

At that moment, a system chime rang out:

“Ding—”

“Love Pain #26: A Beating Feast”
(Note: refers to getting thoroughly beaten)

“Pain level: 6.”

Gu Sheng happened to hear the system notification and looked confused: What the heck??

Meanwhile, Fu Shan, completely unaware, raised his hand to push the door open. “I won’t bother you any longer…”

But in the next second, Wen Heng suddenly looked like he’d been punched. He grunted and staggered three steps back.

Fu Shan was stunned: What are you doing??

Gu Sheng was also stunned: That light punch could make Wen Heng take three steps back???

Wen Heng lifted his hand to wipe away the nonexistent blood at the corner of his lips, then turned to Gu Sheng and said hoarsely, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Fu Shan was completely dumbfounded: Wait, I didn’t even touch you?!

—You… you’re seriously more green tea* than I am???

Gu Sheng stared in disbelief as well.

—Someone who can still smile through pain level 8, and pain level 6 makes him stagger and almost cough up blood??

Wen Heng then turned his head to Fu Shan with a tolerant smile. “It’s okay. I don’t blame you. You can go.”

Security, having heard the commotion, arrived and politely asked Fu Shan to leave.

Fu Shan stood there, his face turning bright red: …??

Damn it, Wen Heng, are you for real?!

You’re ruthless!

…

Fu Shan returned to Jialai with a gloomy face.

The sunshine golden retriever persona was officially broken.

In the company hallway, he happened to run into Du Yanzhi.

Du Yanzhi asked, “Back from Wen Heng’s? How’d the chat go?”

“…”

Fu Shan gave a brief rundown of what just happened.

He thought no one would believe him—after all, this was Wen Heng they were talking about.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished, Du Yanzhi’s eyes lit up. “I’ve had the exact same experience!”

Movie emperor Wen… is totally a green tea man!

Fu Shan: ??

The two of them fell into a silent stare.

And so, a new quiet rumor began to circulate within the industry:

—Don’t get close to Wen Heng.

—He’s a green tea. He’ll fake an injury.

---