The live stream quickly attracted millions of viewers.
—"Waited all night for updates on Jiang Wan and Xie Guanyan's date after last night's push, but not a single soul spilled anything!"
—"I'm almost certain Jiang Wan and Xie Guanyan aren't involved, and Xu Yan and Lin Mo aren't a couple either."
—"Then today I'm keeping my eyes glued to Li Huanyu and Xie Guanyan."
—"Heartbeats don't lie, everyone's about to be exposed!"
—"Liking one person is hard to hide—liking two? You better hide it well!"
The staff handed out wristbands to each of the eight guests.
A normal heart rate ranges between 60 to 100 beats per minute; anything over 120 indicates a racing heart.
The director announced, "All guests' heart rates will be displayed in real-time on the live stream. Black-suited staff, pay attention."
Today's seating arrangement:
On the horizontal sofa—Qiao Yinyin, Lin Mo, Shen Sizhan, and Jiang Wan.
On the vertical sofa—Xie Guanyan, Xu Yan, Li Huanyu, and Gu Jingchuan.
Qiao Yinyin's wristband immediately showed a heart rate of 110.
Lin Mo kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, her heart rate displaying 89.
Shen Sizhan remained calm, his heart rate steady at 80.
Jiang Wan was similarly composed, at 82.
Gu Jingchuan, who had wanted to snag the spot next to Lin Mo but failed, showed a heart rate of 90.
Li Huanyu's heart rate was 100.
Xu Yan's fluctuated around 100 as well.
The slowest to put on his wristband was Xie Guanyan.
The elegant, strikingly handsome man moved with deliberate grace, his white suit and silver-framed glasses giving off an icy, restrained allure.
Then his heart rate appeared—129.
Everyone was stunned.
The director's eyes nearly bulged out.
Was the medication from last night still affecting Mr. Xie?
Netizens in the live stream were equally shocked.
—"Xie Guanyan looks the most detached and uninterested, so why is his heart racing so fast?"
—"The female guests didn't even do anything! Damn it, Xie Guanyan, you're down bad!"
—"Female guest: breathes. Xie Guanyan: 'Such cunning tactics!'"
—"Qiao Yinyin's heart rate is high too—she must have a thing for Shen Sizhan!"
Xie Guanyan earned himself a light hammer strike.
The two bodyguards, initially working at a loss, had now become official employees of the show.
The director was grateful for their help the previous night.
They were now drawing double salaries.
Shen Sizhan had been entirely focused on his sister, but noticing her possible interest in Xie Guanyan, he began observing the man.
How could someone sitting so calmly have such a high heart rate? Who was he into?
Xie Guanyan's heart rate refused to drop.
The director's lips twitched. "For cases like this, strike every five minutes."
He moved on with the schedule. "Today, all guests will spend the day at Jianghan Ancient Town, a famous scenic spot in the city."
A bus transported the group to the entrance.
The director raised a megaphone. "You'll handle all meals and activities here today, but the show won't provide funding."
Gu Jingchuan frowned. "Meaning we have to earn our own money?"
The director nodded. "Brilliant deduction, Movie Emperor Gu. The black-suited staff won't appear immediately—they'll save up strikes for later."
"You can split up or stick together—no restrictions."
Gu Jingchuan glanced at the bustling crowd inside the scenic area and smirked. "Clearly, I'll be recognized instantly. I won't lack for food or drinks. Who wants to team up with me? Raise your hands!"
Zero hands went up.
The group entered the scenic area together.
Not a single person recognized Gu Jingchuan.
Passersby only muttered under their breaths, "Damn, that Black dude is short!"
Fuming, Gu Jingchuan regretted not wearing height-boosting shoes.
Soon, everyone realized the locals wouldn't offer help just because they were celebrities.
The director grinned and hinted, "There are job postings inside the scenic area. Work for your earnings."
The group, having skipped breakfast, gathered with stomachs growling like a symphony.
A loud gong sounded ahead. "Jobs available! 20 yuan an hour, meals included!"
They all rushed toward the voice.
The hiring manager smiled at the guests. "We're from the ancient town's performance theater. We stage period dramas for tourists daily. First, we need someone skilled in musical instruments."
He randomly pointed. "Girl with the bangs, can you play anything?"
Qiao Yinyin: "I can blow air conditioning."
The manager sighed. "You, with the white hair?"
Shen Sizhan: "I play guitar."
Manager: "We're a historical theater—no guitars. How about you, pretty girl?"
Lin Mo grinned. "I can beat a retreat drum! Also, I play the suona!"
Manager: "You're hired!"
Gu Jingchuan was eager to prove himself.
He stepped forward. "Manager, this is an ancient town. I studied history in college—there must be roles perfect for me!"
Shen Sizhan turned. "Oh? Let me test you then."
Gu Jingchuan smirked—just as he'd expected. "Ask away. I know everything about history."
Shen Sizhan raised a brow. "When Zhao Kuangyin relieved his generals of their commands over wine—was it strong aroma or light aroma liquor?"
Gu Jingchuan: "..."
—"Gu Jingchuan: 'You all say domestic products have it hard, but us fakes struggle too! (crying emoji)'"
Eventually, every guest was assigned a role.
Lin Mo played the suona; Shen Sizhan handled subtitle translations for foreign tourists during performances.
Qiao Yinyin became an extra; Xu Yan played the accountant.
Li Huanyu, claiming strong English skills, took the front desk receptionist role.
Xie Guanyan, for his looks, was cast as the "handsome scholar"; Gu Jingchuan, for being too dark, played a prisoner.
Each found their place, securing a bright future.
The manager provided breakfast, followed by rehearsals.
Lin Mo's suona part was brief, so she finished quickly.
With time to kill, she wandered around—making no deliberate effort to seek out Xie Guanyan's role.
The theater wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either.
By chance, she drifted to Shen Sizhan's workstation.
Staff were testing his translations.
On-screen line: "Execute their entire clan."
Shen Sizhan's version: "Family = 0."
On-screen line: "This ruler is indifferent to lust."
Shen Sizhan: "I'm a gay."
On-screen line: "I’ll be smashed to pieces."
Shen Sizhan: "peOple → p, e, O, p, l, e."
The staff glanced between Shen Sizhan and Lin Mo.
Lin Mo: "I don't know him."
She turned and left.
Next, she reached the front desk.
Xie Guanyan happened to arrive at the same time.
The stunning man wore an elegant white robe, his jade-like features radiating nobility.
Lin Mo's heart raced at the sight—satisfied, she prepared to leave.
Just then, a tall, handsome foreigner with golden hair and blue eyes entered.
Lin Mo paused.
Xie Guanyan noticed her hesitation and followed her gaze to the foreigner. A shadow flickered in his deep-set eyes.
It's fine. Lin Mo is just appreciating the view.
Li Huanyu, thrilled to see Xie Guanyan, scowled the moment she noticed Lin Mo.
Her eyes darted playfully. "Lin Mo, studying is very important. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to step beyond the country’s borders, don’t you think?"
Xie Guanyan’s fluttering heart—who was it for, really?
But Xie Guanyan was a top graduate from Tsinghua University. Surely, he’d look down on someone like Lin Mo, who skipped school just to film a variety show.
Lin Mo stayed silent.
Li Huanyu began greeting the foreign hottie. "HellO..."
Foreign hottie: "HOla, qUierOpregUntar..."
Li Huanyu: "???"
Lin Mo smiled and turned to the handsome foreigner. "Blah blah blah..."
They conversed without a single hitch.
Li Huanyu’s eyes widened, her face quickly paling before flushing with embarrassment.
—"That’s Spanish. Li Huanyu’s been throwing shade at Lin Mo nonstop. How’s that face feeling now?"
—"What’s Lin Mo even saying in that gibberish? ‘Kiss me already.’"
Lin Mo briefly explained to the foreigner what the performance was about and when it started.
Noticing Li Huanyu’s awkward expression, she smiled sweetly. "Li Huanyu, after studying The Great Learning, Mencius, and The Analects, what’s next? Time to patch up The Doctrine of the Mean, huh?"
