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Zhang Miya arrived in the afternoon.
She was usually quite diligent about keeping up with her own shows, especially given the variable in this particular case. However, she hadn’t expected her assistant to drive straight to the market.
Even though Zhang Miya and her team had planned the route for this segment during the pre-production phase, she didn’t anticipate them heading to such a crowded place on the very first day.
“I looked away for just a few minutes, and they’re already at the market?” The chief producer in the passenger seat took off his sunglasses and stared at the live stream on his phone. The feed had switched from Li Zhenhe and Liu Rumen, who were still cleaning their rooms, to the third entrance.
The two pairs were still in their respective rooms.
The famous actress had a cleanliness obsession, having been in the industry for many years. Meanwhile, the obscure musician was known for his wild and carefree personality. The tense atmosphere had made the audience worried that they might start arguing on the spot, yet they were also curious about how they would act together when they entered their roles the next morning.
The second pair, the soon-to-be-divorced couple, had argued all morning. Finally, they had settled down to work on their schedule, and things seemed much more harmonious now.
The third pair of contestants wasn’t even in the dormitory building. They were in the noisy market, specifically the poultry section, and the smell seemed to permeate through the screen.
[Oh my… this market on the outskirts really has its own unique flavor.]
[It’s very down-to-earth… I can’t stop laughing at how flustered Chi Yizhen looks.]
[The competition between these two is all about who gets to call the other ‘husband’ or ‘wife.’ That moment when Chi Yizhen looked completely stunned just had me in stitches.]
[Great, they’ve already started bickering.]
[Is e-god going to cook tonight? Who would have thought that out of all the pairs, the one with the quickest progress and the most couple-like interaction would be these two.]
Zhang Miya asked the executive producer behind her, “Are the technical advisors here?”
The executive producer, still watching the live stream with a big smile on his face, replied, “Why are you making it sound so high-end? Aren’t they just nail technicians, barbecue experts, and a fishmonger?”
The core concept of this program was to explore everyday life in the market, but hearing it described like this by the other party made Zhang Miya feel a bit excessive.
The A-list actress was getting her nails done like a little manicurist.
The musician went to get bubble tea.
The stage actor from a theatrical family started delivering takeout.
The second-generation actress took to the street to gut a live fish.
The CEO of a renowned game company set up a barbecue stall.
Thinking about it this way, Chi Yizhen’s role as an online shopping model seemed quite dignified.
The executive producer said, “Let’s focus on the evening plans. They can arrange things themselves, and the directors will keep them on track.”
After years of working together, the team was well-coordinated, and they didn’t need the boss to worry about the details.
When Zhang Miya got out of the car to check the scene, she happened to see He Tiao picking ducks. With his handsome appearance and a camera following him, someone assumed he was a celebrity and asked with a smile, “Are you a celebrity?”
He Tiao, fixated on the ducks in the cage, looked like he was immersed in a game script. Just as Chi Yizhen was about to answer for him, He Tiao shook his head and said, “I’m not.”
Then he pointed at Chi Yizhen and continued, “He is.”
The boss nodded and then took a closer look at Chi Yizhen, who was standing a bit further away.
“He looks quite delicate,” the boss remarked.
Chi Yizhen:….
He appeared to be completely innocent and glanced at He Tiao.
He Tiao nodded in agreement.
Then, he turned to Chi Yizhen and asked, “How do you like it cooked?”
Without hesitation, Chi Yizhen looked at He Tiao and then at the plump ducks in the cage before saying, “Braised.”
He Tiao nodded and, in the next moment, he reached his hand directly into the cage.
Much to the astonishment of the boss, Chi Yizhen, and the crew, He Tiao expertly caught one of the ducks.
“This one,” he said confidently.
[Am I going crazy? I suddenly find this guy quite impressive…]
[Schrodinger’s social anxiety, but I think he was genuinely socially anxious before…]
[Take it slow. Look, he’s still quite used to avoiding the camera, but there are just too many cameras from Xianggua…]
[Chi Yizhen is also at a loss, hahaha!!!]
The boss said, “You’re pretty quick with your hands.”
He Tiao silently stared at the duck, making the previously noisy environment unusually quiet.
The boss asked, “Do you want me to prepare it for you?”
He Tiao nodded, then glanced at the silent Chi Yizhen and said in a low voice, “Let’s go.”
Chi Yizhen asked, “Where are we going?”
He Tiao stood closer to him, seemingly conscious of the bright cameras, and whispered, “We need to buy some new things, right?”
Chi Yizhen couldn’t make up his mind for a moment.
Still trying to process the situation, Chi Yizhen suddenly exclaimed.
He Tiao lowered his voice and reminded, “The director said what you’re wearing doesn’t match the character.”
Chi Yizhen suddenly realized and said, “Oh.”
[What, what! What’s the secret talk about? Can’t I hear it?]
[E-god, do you really need to avoid the camera so completely? Don’t you know that even your back view is unbelievably handsome?]
[I only heard “new.”]
[What are they going to buy? Matching outfits?]
[Why are some people in the comments so straightforward? This is a variety show!!]
[I don’t care, in my heart, they’re already a couple.]
Chi Yizhen: “Isn’t it just buying pajamas?”
He looked at the map and said, “I don’t know if there’s a cheaper option nearby. We’ll have to wait for this duck to be prepared.”
He Tiao: “There’s a store nearby.”
Chi Yizhen: ?
Why do you look so familiar with this place?
[Where is E-god from? I only know that Star Trail headquarters moved to S City.]
[He’s really mysterious. He doesn’t reveal his background at all. There were rumors that he’s quite wealthy.]
[I didn’t feel like he’s dressed expensively?]
[Expensive or not, it’s the person that matters, not the clothes… His face would look good even in a potato sack…]
[What kind of family can raise such an outstanding and unique person… I’m so curious.]
Chi Yizhen followed He Tiao, walking side by side. Whether in close-up or long shot, they weren’t walking close to each other, and their body language didn’t reveal intimacy like a typical couple. Yet, they exuded a certain atmosphere that made people want to uncover the story between these two.
Chi Yizhen: “Have you been here before?”
Chi Yizhen asked, then felt it was strange and rephrased, “Didn’t you just move to S City?”
Compared to the tragic backstory of the former wealthy young master with extensive PDF-length introductions, He Tiao’s background was practically a blank slate. He might place a strong emphasis on privacy, as it was challenging to find precise information about his school when searching his name online. There were very few forum photos from his university days, making him live a very transparent life, yet his entrepreneurship was exceptional.
He Tiao: “I just moved here.”
He wore a jacket on the outside and a conventional shirt underneath, with occasional glimpses of the embroidered small cat on his chest. While talking, he took a wet wipe from his pocket and wiped his hands, then answered Chi Yizhen, “My parents do business in S City.”
Chi Yizhen was a bit curious about what kind of family could raise someone like He Tiao with such a unique and refreshing style. It was completely different from his initial guess, and it didn’t seem to be a family of scholars.
Chi Yizhen: “What kind of business?”
He Tiao: “I’ll tell you in a moment.”
He pointed to the various shops surrounding the market, ranging from sweaters to ordinary women’s clothing, and even a braised food stall. There was also a store selling alcohol with a massive plastic mannequin in front of it.
He Tiao: “That shop sells pajamas.”
Chi Yizhen followed his gaze and saw the rundown billboard with a clearance sale sign hanging outside, advertising items for twenty yuan.