“Alright, that wraps up our first round!” The main MC had barely finished speaking when backstage staff brought out another spinner. “This wheel features many classic punishment methods from our show’s past. Now we invite the winning team—our Red Team—to spin the wheel and choose this round’s punishment!”
Fans below the stage chanted Xia Xiqing’s name. Yang Bo joined in the commotion, holding the microphone and shouting repeatedly, “Xiqing! Xiqing! Xiqing…”
Xia Xiqing glanced toward the Blue Team, spotting Zhou Ziheng standing beside the punishment wheel. He gave a gentlemanly nod, looking like a little prince.
“Wonder how lucky I’ll be?”
“Just better than Ziheng.”
“Hahahahahahaha…”
Xia Xiqing laughed as he approached the wheel, gripping its rim and giving it a firm spin. It whirled rapidly, all eyes fixed on the stationary pointer.
The spinning penalty wheel gradually slowed, the pointer teetering between the orange and pink sectors. The orange sector read [Touch the Scary Box], the pink [Carry Someone on a Pressure Mat]. The fans below grew louder: “Pressure mat! Pressure mat! Pressure mat!”
Yet the orange sector kept drawing closer to the pointer.
“Feels like it’s gonna be the horror box!”
“Me too!”
Song Nian frowned. “I can’t handle either of those punishments.”
Just as everyone assumed the pointer would land on orange, the wheel wobbled again and finally stopped on the pink sector. Fans erupted in cheers.
“Ah!! The acupressure mat!”
“Yay!! Awesome, the acupressure mat!”
The staff removed the wheel. The main MC quipped, “I feel like the best part of this episode is just watching the wheel spin.” Laughter rippled through the audience. The staff returned to stage and laid out the three-meter-wide, ten-meter-long acupressure mat.
“The back-carrying punishment for losing the acupressure board game is simple: within a one-minute time limit, the losing party must carry the winner on their back across the acupressure board. Throughout the entire process, they must obey the winner’s commands until the three minutes are up.”
Another host chuckled, “To put it simply, during that minute, the winner can demand the loser carry them while doing anything—like spinning around, or holding a horse stance.”
The fans below the stage, hearing the explanation, were instantly fired up. Their minds were filled with visions of Zhou Ziheng carrying Xia Xiqing, and they screamed one after another. Zhou Ziheng raised his hand. “Question.”
The main MC immediately responded, “Ziheng, go ahead.”
“Since the punishment has been decided, may I complete it for my partner?” Zhou Ziheng’s expression remained largely unchanged as he stated earnestly, “She can’t carry either of the Red Team’s guys. I’ll carry her.”
The moment he finished speaking, Zhou Ziheng’s fans below the stage grew even more excited. Xia Xiqing said nothing. He had anticipated this long ago—Zhou Ziheng was a thoroughly upright and virtuous person, radiating angelic light from head to toe.
“Then how about this,” Xia Xiqing raised his hand as well. Yang Bo handed the microphone to him. “We’ll just do the punishment once.” Xia Xiqing’s eyes met Zhou Ziheng’s. “Consider Song Nian having carried me already. I won’t go up.”
The self-study girls in the audience immediately voiced their objections.
“No way!”
“Absolutely not!”
“Zhou Ziheng should carry Xia Xiqing!”
Yang Bo was quick-witted. Seeing the audience’s fervent calls, he seized the moment to offer a face-saving solution. “How about I carry Xiqing instead? She’s lighter, and besides, I recently sprained my neck,” he said, immediately clutching his neck. “I’m afraid I might twist it again during the punishment later.”
Before the fans could react, Zhou Ziheng grabbed the mic. “Fine then.”
The host chuckled, “That was a quick yes, Ziheng.”
Another host teased, “Maybe he was just waiting for this moment.”
Zhou Ziheng shed his trench coat and dress shoes, crouching before the acupressure mat in just a white short-sleeved shirt. He tilted his chin toward Xia Xiqing and gave him a knowing look. Xia Xiqing chuckled as he stepped behind him. “I should’ve eaten two extra bowls of rice before the show.”
“Too late to bulk up now?”
Amidst the audience’s wild screams, Xia Xiqing climbed onto Zhou Ziheng’s back. After wrapping up filming, Zhou had regained his pre-break fitness and effortlessly hoisted him up, deliberately bouncing him a few times.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
“Ziqing, go for it!!”
“Oh my god, Ziqing Girl is celebrating today! Everyone, cheer for us!!”
The host handed the microphone to Xia Xiqing, specifically instructing, “Xiqing, what you hold now is the command authority for the next three minutes. Whatever Xiqing says, Ziheng must do it!”
Zhou Ziheng nodded. Xia Xiqing brought the mic to his lips from behind. “Anything else you want to say?”
Zhou Ziheng shook his head. Xia Xiqing took the mic back, about to speak, when he heard him whisper softly, “Hold me tighter.”
His heart skipped a beat.
Before he could react, Zhou Ziheng had already carried him onto the acupressure mat. Both the host and guests started cracking jokes.
“Look how contorted Ziheng’s face is!”
“Poor Ziheng, hahaha!”
Stepping on the acupressure mat was painful enough on its own, let alone with someone on his back. His feet were numb and throbbing, and he let out several cries of pain during the first few steps. Xia Xiqing felt both heartbroken and amused as he held the microphone. “Do we really have to walk for a full minute?”
“Yes!”
“Xiqing, make Ziheng squat while carrying you.” Yang Bo chimed in from the side.
“Or spin him around!”
“Yes! Spin around!”
But Zhou Ziheng was tall, and his worst trait since childhood had always been his terrible sense of balance. Carrying Xia Xiqing on his back, he hadn’t even completed three spins on the acupressure mat before he started swaying. Startled, Xia Xiqing clung to his neck and shouted, “Wait, Zhou Ziheng! Why are you getting dizzy after just three spins?”
Fans below the stage burst into laughter. The host teased, “Looks like Ziheng needs to do more variety shows. Otherwise, no one would know spinning is his Achilles’ heel, hahaha.”
“Five spins—”
Zhou Ziheng felt the world spinning wildly. His instinct was to cling tightly to Xia Xiqing’s thigh, terrified he might unconsciously let go while disoriented and drop him onto the acupressure mat.
“Six spins—”
“Seven laps—”
Zhou Ziheng swayed more violently. Xia Xiqing grew anxious, holding the microphone and urging, “How about eight laps? That’s enough, really.” But Zhou stubbornly refused to stop.
“Eight—”
“Nine—”
“Ten!” the host shouted. “Alright, alright! Ziheng, come over here!”
The moment he stopped, Zhou Ziheng’s legs went weak. His vision blurred with stars, and he couldn’t tell east from west. His mind directed him toward the acupressure mat ahead, but his feet refused to obey, sending him careening sideways toward where the host and guests stood.
“Hey, hey, hey, Ziheng!”
“Quick, catch him! Quick, quick, quick!”
Xia Xiqing immediately broke free from Zhou Ziheng’s grasp. Though he’d spun along with him, the dizziness wasn’t overwhelming. He was the first to reach out to steady Zhou Ziheng. but as he did, Zhou Ziheng’s entire body lunged sideways into Xia Xiqing’s arms, his head pressing against his chest. Xia Xiqing couldn’t withstand Zhou Ziheng’s build and was instantly knocked to the ground, pinned beneath him.
What started as a simple acupressure mat punishment had escalated into something wildly thrilling. The CP fans below the stage screamed as if witnessing a live bedroom scene.
“Holy crap! Hengheng is amazing! He tackled him!”
“So intense!”
Xia Xiqing was pinned down completely until several hosts and guests, doubled over laughing, pulled Zhou Ziheng off. Only then was Xia Xiqing finally freed.
The host, stifling laughter, held the microphone to Xia Xiqing, who was standing and holding his waist. “Xiqing, what are your thoughts on this punishment?”
Xia Xiqing forced a wry smile. “I really brought this on myself.” He hadn’t thought the phrase meant much, but when the fans started screaming again, he realized his mistake. Of all the words he could have used, he had to mention “suffering.” This was bound to send the CP fans into a frenzy.
Zhou Ziheng sat on the floor for a long while before finally recovering. As soon as he stood up, he quietly slipped to the back, moving with the crowd’s flow without drawing attention. He made his way around the two guests and four MCs until he quietly reached Xia Xiqing at the very edge. Xia Xiqing turned around and saw him immediately, stifling a laugh. “Done?”
“Mhm.” Zhou Ziheng felt a bit embarrassed and stifled a chuckle himself.
Neither of them had microphones in hand. Xia Xiqing lowered his voice. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
Zhou Ziheng’s lips curved upward, his eyes crinkling into two crescent moons. He said nothing.
A new round of the game began, with all four MCs joining in to reshuffle and form new teams.
The recording lasted four hours before ending, yet the fans’ enthusiasm remained undiminished. At the close, the big screen played the teaser trailer for Stalker. It featured few actual scenes, mostly behind-the-scenes footage and filming locations.
When the scene where Jiang Tong was pinned against the wall by Gao Kun, face to face with a knife pressed against her throat, appeared, the entire venue erupted.
“Ahhhhhhh wall-dunk!”
“Oh my god, the tension!”
The host immediately seized the moment: “Everyone, keep an eye out for Stalker! Make sure to catch it in theaters on December 1st!”
The other guests joined in the promotion. The self-study CP’s popularity was so high that fans dominated the entire event. Song Nian, who actually shares romantic scenes with Zhou Ziheng in the show, ended up overshadowed. Aside from being prompted by the host, she barely spoke throughout the event.
As the recording neared its end, fans below the stage unfurled a banner reading “Happy 21st Birthday to Zhou Ziheng!” The host, a seasoned veteran in the industry, was no fool. Seeing the fans’ fervor, he seized the moment to do them a favor. “By the way, the day after tomorrow is our Ziheng’s birthday. Let’s all sing Happy Birthday to celebrate!” After the fans happily sang the song, the recording finally wrapped up.
As soon as he stepped offstage, Xia Xiqing received a call from Xi Hui. Assuming it was about the art gallery opening, he signaled to Zhou Ziheng and slipped away from the group. He found a quiet stairwell corner to take the call. The other guests headed to their respective dressing rooms to prepare for the day’s end. Zhou Ziheng entered his dressing room and immediately asked Xiao Luo to bring out the cakes and milk tea prepared earlier.
“After filming for so long, he must be starving.” Zhou Ziheng sat on the sofa, about to pierce the seal on his milk tea, when a knock sounded at the door. Xiao Luo went to open it and froze upon seeing the visitor. “Ziheng…”
“Sorry to interrupt.” Song Nian entered alone. Zhou Ziheng glanced up at the sound and rose from the sofa. Though things had gotten tense earlier, Song Nian was a woman after all, and Zhou Ziheng still maintained a measure of courtesy. “Is there something you need?”
“Mm.” Song Nian, having arrived uninvited, felt no need for formalities. She sat down directly on the sofa across from him, glanced at Xiao Luo standing by the door, then turned to Zhou Ziheng. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you privately.”
“Xiao Luo isn’t an outsider. Just say what you need to say.” Zhou Ziheng didn’t sit down, nor did he intend to engage in a detailed conversation.
Song Nian merely glanced down at the snacks laid out on the table and smiled. “You prepared all this for him, didn’t you? You really are thoughtful.” She lifted her eyes again, offering Zhou Ziheng a smile. “Seems you genuinely like him.”
Xiao Luo’s expression shifted slightly before he spoke first. “Ziheng, I’ll step outside for a moment.”
Zhou Ziheng hummed in acknowledgment. Once Xiao Luo had left, she sat down and got straight to the point. “What do you want?”
Song Nian’s smile turned bitter as she sighed softly. “The truth about the two of you will come out sooner or later. Someone’s watching.”
Zhou Ziheng frowned. “You think I’m afraid?”
“I know you’re not afraid,” Song Nian replied with a faint smile. “You’re the second young master of the Zhou family—no one dares touch you. But have you considered Xia Xiqing? In the entertainment industry, money alone means little. Only those with power have true protection.”
This struck Zhou Ziheng’s vulnerable spot. Though his expression remained composed, he countered, “So you came here just to say this?”
Song Nian took a deep breath. “I genuinely like you. Though you might not believe it, someone like me could never be with you. I know that very well. I came today to offer you another compromise.” She pulled a contract from her bag and slid it toward Zhou Ziheng.
“We can be contract lovers. It’s common in this circle.” Song Nian’s expression was sincere. “I can be your cover. With me out front, no one will believe anything between you and Xia Xiqing.” Her speech suddenly quickened. “This is your best option right now. We’re just putting on a show. The media will get wind of it soon, and then it’ll be too late.”
Her expression didn’t seem like an act. Having worked with her more than once, Zhou Ziheng knew exactly what Song Nian looked like when she was acting. If what Song Nian was saying was true, then someone behind the scenes was definitely up to something.
Zhou Ziheng’s brow furrowed deeply. He wasn’t afraid of the truth coming out—he even wanted to expose it himself. But he couldn’t let Xia Xiqing wade into this mess unprepared. He wasn’t like him.
“I know you won’t believe me,” Song Nian said, taking a deep breath before forcing a smile. “My willingness to be your decoy isn’t solely because I like you.” She paused, her eyes darkening. “I’ve been dealing with trouble lately. For a while now, I’ve been trying to shake someone who’s been hounding me. No—
Song Nian paused, his eyes darkening. “It’s someone trying to keep me as a kept man. But my agency is pressuring me, and I have no choice. This is a win-win solution. I don’t ask us to put on a show between us. Let’s just leak some dating rumors, get on the trending list, then find an opportunity to go abroad together—pretend it’s a vacation. Let the paparazzi snap some photos, and everyone will believe it. After that, you two can go back to being together. I won’t interfere at all.”
She spoke at length, each word sincere and heartfelt. Zhou Ziheng listened quietly, not uttering a single word.
A long silence fell between them. Unable to wait any longer, Song Nian broke the awkward quiet. “…What do you say?”
Zhou Ziheng lifted his head and pushed the contract back across the table.
“Miss Song, thank you for your kindness,” he said with a faint smile. “But I’m sorry, I simply can’t play along with this charade.”
“You… I’m truly doing this for your own good.”
“I know.” Zhou Ziheng looked at Song Nian. “I believe you’re not deceiving me. Even if the media exposes something tomorrow, I won’t regret today’s decision.” He paused. “The reason I disagree is this: First, I refuse to conceal my relationship with Xia Xiqing. This isn’t recklessness—I deliberate these matters daily. Though current complications have disrupted my plans, if anything truly happens, I want to protect him through my own strength.”
He suddenly smiled. “Besides, I know him well. If I tried to maintain our relationship through such means, he’d end it immediately. I wouldn’t dare risk losing him, no matter how slight the chance.”
Song Nian stared at the young man before her, momentarily speechless.
“Besides, signing this contract relationship would complicate things between us. Having a girl act as my cover—that’s something I, Zhou Ziheng, simply can’t bring myself to do.” He smiled again. “If you really run into trouble, I can help you. Consider it my apology for blocking you on a whim earlier.”
Song Nian frowned, fearing he might misunderstand and felt compelled to defend herself. “I’m not asking you to pity me. I really…”
“I know.” Zhou Ziheng lowered his eyes. “From the very first day I was with him, I knew how difficult the road ahead would be. I was prepared. I never planned to run away. But I thought that if any real hardship came, the two of us could overcome it together. Even if we had to hack through thorns and brambles, I only wanted to fight alongside him.”
Zhou Ziheng’s smile was utterly sincere—one Song Nian would never forget for the rest of her life. Because she understood that no matter how hard she tried, she could never possess such a smile.
“If I ever go public with a relationship, it will only be with Xia Xiqing.”
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