A hotel.

The night was quiet and still, wrapped in the heavy embrace of darkness.

Inside the pitch-black room, only a small lamp by the bedside cast a soft glow.

A phone on the table was playing a video—Ye Fan, eyes closed, playing the violin.

Music flowed gently from the strings, drifting into the air like clear water, pure as moonlight.

The sound of Ye Fan’s violin filled the entire room.

Every corner of the room seemed to be touched by the purity of the violin’s melody.

As He Han listened to Ye Fan’s playing, his gaze drifted, as if lost in distant memories.

His sharp jawline was tense and defined, yet the faint curve at the corner of his lips held a trace of softness.

No one could tell what he was thinking.

Just then, a sudden knock echoed from the hallway.

He Han glanced at the door, his gaze gradually sharpening into focus.

He paused the video and casually picked up a magazine, placing it over the phone on the table.

Rising to his feet, he walked toward the door.

When he opened it, a tall, cheerful man stood on the other side.

“Surprised?” the man said with a grin, his long, fox-like eyes exuding lazy charm.

Qi Shu was currently one of the most popular singers—and also a longtime friend of He Han.

They had known each other for years, and their friendship had never been affected by their hectic schedules.

Qi Shu had just finished a fan meeting in a nearby city. Knowing that He Han was filming here, he came over right after the event.

He Han’s lips curved slightly, his voice low and cool. “Surprised, but not thrilled.”

“I came all this way just to see you,” Qi Shu said, clearly displeased. “And that’s the reaction I get?”

He Han closed the door without even glancing at him. “Mm. Must’ve been tough.”

He Han knew Qi Shu’s personality well—unpredictable and a bit of a handful. The more attention you gave him, the more he pushed his limits.

“Forget it, I won’t hold it against you,” Qi Shu said casually as he strode into the room.

He Han grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to him. Qi Shu always sang a lot during fan meetings and was constantly interacting with fans.

“Thanks,” Qi Shu said, taking the bottle.

After a moment of silence, his voice suddenly broke in, “Hey, He Han, what were you watching just now?”

He Han turned his head and saw Qi Shu standing in front of the table.

The magazine he had placed over the phone had already been moved, and Qi Shu’s eyes were fixed on the paused video on the screen.

A slow smile tugged at Qi Shu’s lips as he read the name aloud, “Ye Fan.”

He had a feeling he’d just uncovered one of He Han’s secrets.

Qi Shu lifted his gaze, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Why were you secretly watching a video of Ye Fan playing the violin?”

There was a flicker in He Han’s eyes, but his expression remained perfectly calm.

The cold edge of his demeanor seemed to soften ever so slightly.

He Han’s gaze landed lightly on Qi Shu, but he didn’t answer the question.

Instead, he asked one of his own. “What do you think?”

His voice was steady and unhurried, completely composed.

Qi Shu let out an exaggerated “Oh,” and joked, “You think she’s pretty, huh? Can’t get enough of her even after seeing her on set all day.”

The implication was clear—Qi Shu strongly suspected He Han had more than a passing interest in Ye Fan.

He Han let out a low chuckle and replied simply:

“Ridiculous.”

…

Austria.

The director said, “Tomorrow’s itinerary is a trip to Hallstatt.”

The production team had already informed them ahead of time that this would be their destination.

Gu Yachen chimed in, “Hallstatt—isn’t that the most beautiful town in the world?”

Tang Jin added, “I’ve been there. It really is stunning.”

The director then looked over at Ding Ruoyi. “Ding Ruoyi, because you were sick before, you missed out on a lot of the group activities.”

“So how about this—tomorrow, you’ll be the director. Lead everyone on the tour of the town.”

Ding Ruoyi nodded. “Alright.”

She already knew that one of the episodes of the reality show would include a visit to Hallstatt. She’d done her research ahead of time, so she felt prepared and calm.

That night, Ye Fan packed her luggage and lay down on the bed.

The night had grown late. Ding Ruoyi, who shared the room, was already fast asleep, but Ye Fan lay wide awake, tossing and turning.

Her mind wandered to Dudu.

What was Dudu doing right now?

The moment that little one came to mind, a soft smile unconsciously curved Ye Fan’s lips.

Ever since she arrived in this unfamiliar world, not knowing a single soul, it was Dudu who gradually melted the frost around her heart.

It was the first time she had ever missed someone this much.

Ye Fan’s brows knit slightly as her thoughts drifted far away.

Not being by Dudu’s side, Ye Fan couldn’t help but worry—had her baby been eating well? Sleeping properly?

Since arriving here, this was the longest she had ever been apart from Dudu.

Ye Fan was sure that Dudu must miss her just as much as she missed him. She couldn’t wait to finish filming and hurry back to be with him.

There were only two days left before this episode wrapped. As soon as it ended, she would go home and spend quality time with her little one.

The next day, the group boarded a train and, after several transfers, finally arrived in the town of Hallstatt.

Sunlight spilled across the town, bathing everything in a warm glow. Just as everyone had said, it was beautiful and peaceful—the perfect destination for a getaway.

As they walked through the streets, they passed rows of wooden houses in soft, natural colors. The serene, refreshing scenery instantly lifted their spirits.

As the guide, Ding Ruoyi took everyone around to visit several scenic spots. But when it was time to head back, they found themselves lost.

They had been walking for a long time and still couldn’t find their way. Even after Ding Ruoyi asked the locals for directions, she was still unsure of the area.

Feeling apologetic, Ding Ruoyi said, “Sorry, this is my first time being a guide. I don’t have much experience.”

Ye Fan reassured her, “Don’t worry, we’ll find the way. Take your time.”

But Gu Yachen wasn’t as patient, her tone sharp. “Do you even know the way?”

“You said you’d done your research, didn’t you? Why have we been walking this long and still haven’t found anything?”

Gu Yachen and Ding Ruoyi had both starred in fairly popular dramas. They shared a similar, fresh-faced look, which made them somewhat comparable in appearance.

Many people often compared the two, but for the most part, Ding Ruoyi received higher praise.

Gu Yachen joined this reality show for two reasons: one, to get along better with Tang Jin, and two, to compete with Ding Ruoyi. If Ding Ruoyi was participating, why couldn’t she?

Gu Yachen already had some resentment toward Ding Ruoyi, and now she had the perfect excuse to vent. Her tone naturally came across as sharp.

The cameraman continued filming, and Tang Jin, aware of the cameras, stepped in to smooth things over. “It’s just a small matter. Let’s talk it out calmly.”

Li Qiong said, “It’s still early, so there’s no need to rush.”

Tang Jin offered, “How about I lead the way? I’ve been here before.”

Although Tang Jin had originally come here with someone else, she volunteered to take the lead to make a good impression.

After all, leading the way wasn’t that difficult. Anyone could do it.

Gu Yachen immediately agreed, “Tang Jin, I trust you.”

Tang Jin walked ahead, with the others following behind.

She walked for a while but still couldn’t find the right path. Doubts began to creep into her mind. What was going on? Why did it feel like she was getting further off track? Where had she gone wrong?

Carrying her bag, her shoulders ached, and she considered just putting it down and quitting. But knowing the cameras were rolling, she forced herself to keep going.

Her feet were growing more and more sore. When had she ever had to endure this kind of discomfort? Tang Jin’s frustration began to mount.

She really wanted to just walk away, but she had already insisted that she would find the way. After all this time, admitting she couldn’t find the path would be like slapping herself in the face.

So, with a stiffened resolve, Tang Jin pushed forward.

Ye Fan looked around. They had clearly wandered into unfamiliar territory. If they continued following Tang Jin’s directions, who knew where they’d end up.

So, Ye Fan spoke up, “Let’s stop for a moment. We shouldn’t keep going blindly.”

Tang Jin’s irritation flared when she heard Ye Fan’s voice. It was obvious to her that Ye Fan was calling her out.

Since the stunt double incident, and even more so after losing to Ye Fan in the previous competition, Tang Jin hadn’t gotten a single thing she wanted. Instead, she felt controlled and undermined at every turn. All the anger she had been holding back erupted in that moment.

Raising her voice sharply, Tang Jin snapped, “What do you mean by that? Are you accusing me of purposely leading everyone astray?”

She didn’t care whether the show was being recorded. After all, the production team would cut out any footage that made her look bad when it aired.

Ye Fan turned around, calmly glancing at Tang Jin, her eyes hiding a hint of mockery.

Tang Jin could no longer contain her true nature. The façade she had worked so hard to maintain was shattered by her own actions.

Ye Fan knew that since the production team was trying to protect Tang Jin’s image, they would always consider her feelings in any situation.

Now that Tang Jin had lost control, everything that happened in this moment would undoubtedly be left on the cutting room floor when it aired.

As it was, Tang Jin had practically handed her the opportunity to strike back. How could Ye Fan not take it?

Ye Fan looked at Tang Jin, her voice neither cold nor warm.

“Now that we’re lost, instead of analyzing the situation, you’re letting your temper get the best of you and arguing with me, wasting everyone’s time.”

“Tang Jin, I have to ask—what exactly is your point?”

Ye Fan’s tone was calm, yet it somehow sent a shiver down one’s spine.

Tang Jin took a deep breath. “When you lost the money before, none of us made a fuss about it. But now you speak so sweetly.”

A mocking smile curled on Ye Fan’s lips, her expression a mix of amusement and irony. “How the money went missing… don’t you know that better than anyone?”

Tang Jin’s face turned pale. She struggled to steady her emotions and said nothing.

Li Qiong noticed Tang Jin’s panic and couldn’t help but frown. If the incident with the lost money had nothing to do with Tang Jin, why was she reacting like this?

Tang Jin was the daughter of a wealthy conglomerate. She had no need to steal money, so there was only one possibility left. The production team must have orchestrated the whole thing to clear Tang Jin’s name, making Ye Fan the scapegoat.

Li Qiong felt disdain at the thought, her gaze towards Tang Jin sharpening with suspicion.

Even Gu Yachen sensed something was off. Tang Jin’s behavior was too odd. Could it be that the whole money-losing incident had been staged by the production team?

If the show was setting Ye Fan up to make Tang Jin look good, who knew whether she would end up being nothing more than a stepping stone for Tang Jin in this reality show?

Gu Yachen glanced at Tang Jin, a new thought forming in her mind. From now on, she would keep her guard up around Tang Jin.

Everyone fell silent, their thoughts scattered.

Li Qiong kept her head down, Ding Ruoyi said nothing, and for once, Gu Yachen didn’t move closer to Tang Jin’s side.

Everything seemed different now, yet it was just a subtle shift, one that planted a seed in everyone’s heart.

One day, that seed would sprout, and the hidden darkness would rise to the surface.

At that moment, Ye Fan walked over to Tang Jin’s side.

Ye Fan leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them.

She didn’t look at Tang Jin, but a faint, cold smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Tang Jin, do you really think no one knows what you’re up to?”

Ye Fan’s voice was so soft, only she and Tang Jin could hear it. Yet her tone was sharp, unmistakable, and commanding.

Tang Jin’s heart skipped a beat.

In the next instant, Ye Fan’s voice turned ice-cold, as though coated in frost.

“Hasn’t the Tang family taught you to have some self-awareness? Before you try to manipulate others, maybe you should first consider whether you have the ability to back it up.”

Each word was deliberate and clear, piercing straight into Tang Jin’s ears.

As Ye Fan spoke, she raised her hand, pretending to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, masking her movement.

From this angle, the cameraman wouldn’t be able to capture what she was doing.

The conversation just now, only she and Tang Jin knew about it.

Once she finished speaking, Ye Fan straightened up as if nothing had happened, acting as though the moment had been a casual occurrence.

At this point, Ye Fan tilted her head, not even sparing a glance at Tang Jin.

The cameraman hadn’t captured what had just transpired, and neither Li Qiong nor the others had noticed what was happening here.

Everything that had just occurred seemed to be carried away by the wind, dissipating with a light breeze.

Tang Jin was stunned. Did Ye Fan really just speak to her like that?

She blinked in disbelief and looked back at Ye Fan. But Ye Fan’s expression was still as calm and indifferent as ever. Tang Jin almost started to wonder if what had happened was just her imagination.

Tang Jin, furious, snapped, “Ye Fan, say that again.”

Ye Fan raised her hand, cutting off Tang Jin’s words. She spoke calmly, “I don’t want to argue with you. Right now, I just want to get everyone out of here.”

“I don’t want to waste any more time with you.”

Li Qiong spoke up, “The most important thing right now is for us to leave here together. Let’s not get caught up in the other issues.”

Her tone was calm, but there was a clear underlying reproach directed at Tang Jin.

Even Gu Yachen’s attitude was less forgiving: “Tang Jin, stop for now. Let’s just get out of here first.”

Despite the current situation, they all knew the production team wouldn’t step in to help them.

In this foreign land, after such a long and exhausting journey, everyone was physically and mentally drained—too tired even to hide their emotions.

Tang Jin was stunned. After being scolded by Ye Fan like that, how could everyone still be siding with her?

Ye Fan couldn’t be bothered with Tang Jin anymore. She turned to the group.

“If you trust me, I’ll lead us out of here.”

Although Li Qiong and the others were still a bit skeptical, Ye Fan’s actions so far had earned their confidence.

They nodded. “Alright.”

Tang Jin could only watch helplessly as everyone followed Ye Fan.

With no other choice, she trailed after them.

=^_^=